Wilshere loves the 'old school' approach from Hatters defender Mengi

Luton boss Jack Wilshere admitted he loved the ‘old school’ efforts of centre half Teden Mengi during the Hatters’ 4-0 success over Wycombe Wanderers at Kenilworth Road on Boxing Day.

Having gone into the game without a clean sheet in six matches, shipping 13 goals in that time, including five against Barnsley and three at Reading, Mengi soon put his imprint on proceedings, as he fizzed a pass into a team-mate and then when the move broke down, and the ball was transferred up the field to a Reading forward, he went thundering into a fifty-fifty challenge which saw the ball fly way into the stands, earning a raucous roar from the home fans who, along with his manager, thoroughly enjoyed his intent.

The former Manchester United youngster went on to have a dominant showing from then on, as he often was the player who got Luton moving, making himself available to receive possession from goalkeeper Josh Keeley, as he began the move that led to the first goal, finding Liam Walsh which saw the ball eventually find its way through to the feet of Gideon Kodua via Lamine Fanne, who was able to break the deadlock courtesy of an error from visiting stopper Will Norris.

Mengi, who Wilshere revealed had been a doubt for the game too, suffering from Covid in the build-up, declared he was fit on the morning of the game, as he went on to have a starring role, leading Town’s back-line impressively, ensuring the visitors only had one shot on target, that coming in stoppage time, played 76 minutes before being taken off for Hakeem Odoffin to finish the game alongside Mads Andersen in the centre of defence, ensuring he will be fit to face Leyton Orient on Monday evening.

On his early intervention and display, the boss said: “They love that. It’s a bit old school, but that’s what I said, you can do everything you want, tactically and play some amazing football, but actually a good old school tackle, people love it and so do I. Teden’s done that a few times this season, I think about Stockport away when he made a tackle, cheered the crowd and players are starting to see what the fans want. It’s important we keep building that relationship, because at times, it’s been tough this season and it will still be tough as we’re not quite there yet, but things like that definitely help.”