Town boss Jack Wilshere is hoping the feelgood factor around Kenilworth Road can continue when his side take on Forest Green Rovers in the FA Cup on Friday night.
The Hatters go into the tie against the National League side buoyed by wins over Northampton and Brighton in the past week aiming for a place in the second round against Robbie Savage’s Rovers.
“It’s good of course,” Wilshere smiled as his pre-match press conference. “Winning helps that.
“But as I’ve said before, the players have been outstanding. We had that result against Mansfield, but there were positives in that game and the good thing is that the players have believed that.
“You have to enjoy it and now we’re working harder to get better. The players have got to enjoy it and it’s important there’s an environment to create that.”
As well as confidence, Wilshere believes fitness will play a major part in Friday’s tie as the manager continues to welcome back several players from the treatment table.
“We’ve set some requirements and the players don’t have a bar – you have to keep pushing them – carefully, of course. The priority is player availability,” he said.
“It might take a bit longer to get everyone back, but we’re working towards that. We’ve tried things and changed things but the players are working hard. Every opposition might have its strengths, but the only we can control is how much harder we can work than them.”
On the selection front, Wilshere will consult with the Town’s medical team on the availability of striker Ali Al-Hamadi, who is back in training and awaiting his first involvement since signing from Ipswich on deadline day.
“He’s close,” said the boss. “I’ll have a conversation with the medical team to see how far away he is.
“It’s good to have players returning, giving back more competition and quality because we’ll need everyone between now and the end of the season.”
Long-term casualties Jacob Brown and Elijah Adebayo have both been back on the grass at The Brache as they continue their return to fitness.
Wilshere said: “Jacob’s been in and out as we’ve been modifying his sessions and working closely with the medical team.
“We have to be patient with him as he’s been out for a long time but we’ve been excited by what we’ve seen.
“With Elijah, we have to be careful, and of course it’s exciting for him and everyone to see him outside – just having his presence outside on matchday minus-one and him in the dressing room sat by the music box picking tunes gives everyone a lift.
“I try to go around the physio room to see the injured lads to keep them involved and I’ve asked Eli to come and meet me once a week to fill me in on his progress. He’s one of the players who has been on the journey with this club so his knowledge is vital.”
With the TNT Sports cameras present, the Town will be hoping to avoid a banana skin against Rovers.
“For them, it’s a chance to show they can play at a higher level but the difference can be is the intensity,” said Wilshere, who never played against Savage in his playing days.
“If we give them time and space they can hurt you, so you have to match their energy and when they get the ball we need to kill their spirit.
“I’ve watched three Forest Green games this week, and I said to the lads, if anyone knows Robbie, you will know his team will represent him as a player.”
