Wilshere impressed by Luton's victory over Al Kholood after punishing week

Luton boss Jack Wilshere insisted his players delivered exactly the kind of performance he was after when earning a 2-0 triumph over Saudi Pro League side Al Kholood during their pre-season friendly in Murcia, Spain on Saturday.

Having had a week’s hard training before the contest as Wilshere and his coaching staff built up the squad’s fitness for the upcoming League One campaign with a punishing schedule, the Hatters took to the field with a strong starting XI, and moved in front when Liam Walsh found the net with a deflected attempt from 20 yards. They had a second after the break courtesy of Mad Andersen’s header from George Saville’s free kick, and might have added some further late gloss to the scoreline only for Shayden Morris to put a penalty wide of the target.

Although Wilshere was pleased to earn a second win of the pre-season schedule, he was even more impressed by the display that was produced from his side, as speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “I’m really happy as that's all you can ask for from the players, a performance like that. Of course the result was nice, but I liked the performance, especially in this heat and how they managed it.

"We started really well and that was what we asked them to do, to try and take control early, to try and play the game at the tempo we wanted, because we've had a tough week. Normally during the season, you prioritise freshness going into games. In pre-season it’s important the boys can go into games with a little bit of fatigue and get through it, so a really good week and nice to finish it with that performance.”

It wasn’t just Town’s football that Wilshere enjoyed either as he noticed another facet to their display that he believes can help them when going into their third tier matches. He continued: “I think more the mentality, which is so important for us as a group. We did really well and, mainly the players last year, at building that identity and who we want to be.

"We're always trying different things, different solutions in how we play, but ultimately you need a mentality to when you’re uncomfortable and playing against a good team that like to keep the ball, you are disciplined, connected to your team-mates and that's probably the biggest thing that came out of it.”

Finally, Wilshere was overjoyed with the number of Hatters fans who made the trip abroad, as around 600 were in attendance, as they mingled with the players after the game, getting autographs and pictures. It’s something that the Town manager knows will be vital in helping the team achieve their goals this term, adding: “Amazing support. We want to keep that connection with them, that relationship, it's so important. It’s something we worked really hard on last year and we need to keep that going this season and really turn Kenilworth Road into a really tough place to come. We can definitely do that if we keep building that.”

The game itself saw Town start on the front foot as Jake Richards set up Jordan Clark for a shot that was deflected behind for a corner, defender George Johnston heading the flag kick over the top. Luton continued to have the better of things, Clark seeing his attempt saved by Muhammad Alayahya, while defender Abdulaziz Alaiwa flashed a clearance just wide of his own post.

From the set-piece, Hakeem Odoffin rose highest to power home a header only for the goal to be harshly ruled out for an apparent foul by the defender. Gideon Kodua fired wide for the Hatters as Kasey Palmer beat two men in close proximity before being brought down to cause a flare up which saw both teams receive a yellow card.

Al Kholood, managed by former Oxford boss Des Buckingham, came into it more after the hydration break and Odoffin headed a dangerous corner out of harm's way. Six minutes before half time, the deadlock was broken when midfielder Liam Walsh seized on a loose ball and slammed home a deflected shot that wrong-footed Alayahya and bounced into the net.

It was close to being 2-0 almost immediately when a mistake by the Saudi keeper led to a chance for Clark but he curled just over. Al Kholood, who finished 14th in their division last term, started the second period well, Coba Da Costa cutting in from the left before hitting a shot against the bar from a tight angle. Just before the hour mark Al Kholood put together their best move of the game and Alaiwa slotted home only to be flagged offside.

Wilshere changed the whole XI on the hour mark, introducing a number of his younger professionals, as Adam Berry had a go for Al Kholood only to shoot wide. Luton began to regain the ascendancy as Jayden Luker set up Benny Benagr for a shot that was saved, with the rebound cleared away.

Shayden Morris was causing problems down the right flank and he had a shot saved by the stopper, but Luton did eventually double their lead in the 82nd minute when George Saville’s free kick was headed home by Mads Andersen. Saville could have scored himself only to be denied by a good save, as Devante Cole went close with a near-post flick, while in the final minute, Luton were awarded a penalty when Luker was brought down in the box, only for Morris to stroke it wide of the target.

Luton, first 60mins: Josh Keeley, Izzy Jones, Hakeem Odoffin, George Johnston, Joe Johnson, Jordan Clark, Kasey Palmer, Jake Richards, Gideon Kodua, Nahki Wells, Liam Walsh.

Luton, final 30mins: James Shea, Zach Ioannides, Benny Benagr, Kal Naismith, Mads Andersen, Harry Fox, George Saville, Sverre Sandal, Jayden Luker, Shayden Morris, Devante Cole.