Wilshere agrees Magpies loanee Ashby gives off 'Jack Stacey vibes'

Luton boss Jack Wilshere agreed with Town supporters after several stated they are getting 'Jack Stacey vibes' regarding summer signing Harrison Ashby.

The 24-year-old, who joined on a season’s long loan from Newcastle United, had to bide his time for a first start, eventually getting it during the Carabao Cup second round defeat against Chelsea last month. He then came on at half time in the 5-2 loss at Mansfield, before earning his full league debut when Stockport County headed to Kenilworth Road last Wednesday evening.

Playing in the right wingback role, Ashby produced an outstanding performance, a big hand in the first goal when his cross was parried by keeper Ollie Whatmuff into the path of Nahki Wells to open the scoring, while he was also a constant menace, getting up and down the flank for the entire 90 minutes, rightfully earning the man of the match award.

Unfortunately for the defender, he now faces a spell out with a groin problem picked up in the early stages of Saturday's 1-1 draw against Leyton Orient, but the Town fans were so enthused with what they witnessed, they were quick to draw comparisons to a player that served Town well for 95 games between 2017-19 in Stacey, whose link-up with Andrew Shinnie and James Collins was a key component behind the Hatters’ League One title win, voted the club’s Player of the Season, as he then moved to Premier League AFC Bournemouth before a Championship ball was kicked.

Now at Norwich City for the last three years, where Wilshere was on the coaching staff and then in temporary charge for two games in April 2025, he’s someone that the manager knows well and asked about the comparison, said: “I also played with him at Bournemouth. A little bit because of the energy they have and how much they’re loved.

“Everyone loved Jack because of how humble he was, and what a nice guy he was, same with Ash, everyone loves him, he’s been so good for the environment and I suppose with the type of full backs they are, they’re quite vertical, they want to get down the line, they want to do overlaps, they want to put the ball in the box early, so I do see it.”

Ashby is now facing his second spell out of the side with injury, having picked up a knock during pre-season too, but despite his battles to get fit, Wilshere has been hugely impressed with is his impact so far, adding: “He is top, he’s been top since he’s been here. His pre-season was interrupted a little bit with an ankle injury, which only kept him out for eight days, but interrupted his flow and he was getting used to how we were playing.

"He came on tour with us, he didn’t train on tour, but we wanted him to come because we wanted him to connect with the group and feel us and he did that so well. The players love him, he's a great guy and he's a good player, we know he's a good player. He was at West Ham academy, Newcastle bought him for a reason, he still has quality, he just needs to find a little bit more to go to the next level. Hopefully he can do that with us as I really enjoyed his performance and I love his personality.”

Ashby himself is certainly more than happy that he agreed to make the move to Bedfordshire, as speaking recently, he added: “I’ve been here just over six weeks now and I’ve enjoyed every single minute of it. It’s felt right from the beginning, ever since I first joined. The first day I felt like I’d been here for a year already, so I think I fit in with the lads quite well and I’ve known Jack from before, so it’s been a perfect fit for me.”

Discussing him on the Luton News X page, @andy_jones23 said: “Jack Stacey vibes at times. He was immense.” Meanwhile on the Facebook page, Mervyn Gilham said: “Yes I had him MOM before it was made official. Has to start every match imo.” Chris Saich: “He's a free agent next summer, let's hope we can sign him permanently.”

Dan Barratt-Davis: “Try keep him if he carries on like that and have jones as a winger!” Steve Finan: “Just need someone similar on the left.” Andy Gardner: “He was my MOTM. He was awesome.” John Acton: “Brilliant outstanding keep him in that position.” Vincent Mitchell: “Brilliant player MOTM.”

Freddie Andy Stevens: “Pure class. Making a lot a difference to the team performance already. Rob Hewison: “Superb.” Claire Goodwin: “Outstanding.” Terence Blakey: “What a difference having a right back!” Mark James: “He was fantastic, set up one and nearly had one as well. Shame he is only on loan.” Gary Abraham: “He was immense nice to someone with a turn of foot.” Fran Johnson: “He is our answer to the right side of our defence. If he is fit, he should be playing there, unless his performances drop.”

Rob Taylor: “Just what we needed. A top performance.” Grahame Dawes: “Stands out from the rest at the moment. Quality.” Kev J Byrne: “MOM for me.” Grant Temple: “Same against Chelski. First name on the team sheet at the moment." Abdul Muhit: “Talented player.he is like James justin.” Andrew Whitehorn: “Played well against Chelsea too really solid rb/wingback.” Mushtaq Arain: “My man of the match. He should be a must unless injured.” Andy Wheeler: “Same against Chelsea couldn't believe he was dropped...”