The Hatters currently sit fourth in the league with 52 points
Town gaffer Nathan Jones thinks his side are heading in the right direction as they continued their rich vein of form on Tuesday night with a win over Hartlepool United.
The Hatters took an early two goal lead, but seemed to lack a cutting edge until the latter stages of the match, when the introduction of Ollie Palmer led to the Town scoring their third on the night and securing the three points to remain fourth in Sky Bet League Two.
Jones said: “I was critical of them at half-time on Tuesday night. I gave the analogy of when a boxer really can smell the end and go for it, and I felt the other day we had them at 2-0 and if we had just continued with that, we could have been done by half-time. We need that ruthless streak.
"But look, we won 3-0. It was a great start, a great end to the game. In between we did all the dirty, ugly stuff that you need to do.
“It was a great performance, but I just feel we need that ruthless edge as well because we won’t always get the opportunities early on like we did.”
The victory over the Monkey Hangers made it three home wins on the bounce in all competitions at Kenilworth Road, continuing a run of what is now only one defeat in nine matches.
Jones continued: “We think we’re in decent form. We are a little bit disappointed not to have picked up as many points as we could have.
"We missed an injury time penalty up at Grimsby. We felt we were good value for a win at Wycombe as well, so we are in good form.
"It’s pleasing because it is a crucial part of the season and the real business end - and these will be defining weeks to come.”
Palmer’s introduction from the bench in recent matches has seen his new side go more direct in their search for goals, a different approach from the patient, passing style of play we have seen the Hatters adopt under Jones.
He felt it was important to add the attributes Palmer possesses to his squad to ensure they always have different options for dealing with a mix of opposition.
“What we don’t want to become is a one trick pony,” the 43-year-old said. “We don’t want to become predictable in anything we do, so we have had to evolve as a team and we have tried a few different shapes. Now we have added a different dimension to our game and it’s brought fruition.
“So whatever sides want to do to us, if they come and sit back and sit in, absolutely no problem whatsoever from our point of view.
“Because we have ways now of winning games, in different ways and we have proved that. I am pleased with where we are as a squad, as a team. I am pleased with where we are in our education, because we are proving that we can do what we need to do.”
The summer signing of Danny Hylton has proven to be an inspired one by the Welshman, as the striker scored his 18th of the season in the win against the Pools, two more goals than he has notched in any full previous term.
Jones hasn’t been surprised by the 27-year-old’s output, but feels there is still room for the striker to improve.
“Well he’s working with the best manager!” Jones joked. “He has done superbly well, he has done what it said on the tin. I am pleased for Danny, he has taken a lot stuff on board. There’s a lot more scope for him to learn as well in terms of discipline wise, because he would have played four more games and then who knows how many he would have.
“But we can’t take too much away from him because we know what we get from him. He is the spearhead of a very good team.”
Hatters Player subscribers can watch Jones’ full press conference by clicking here.