Hatters boss Graeme Jones has insisted that his side need to produce a ‘reaction’ against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
After defeat against Brentford, Jones and his players have been working hard to put things right against the Latics.
Referring to the manner of defeat, the manager said: “Within all that, you need to have a level head and explain why you think it happened and we’ve done that. So we’re trying to look forward now because obviously we need to look ahead, try to be positive and win the game at the weekend.”
The former Everton and Belgium assistant boss certainly didn’t hide his disappointment, especially after positives in the games prior to the match at Griffin Park.
“Well firstly it isn’t just the players, I have to accept responsibility as well. I think it was big of the players, it tells you that there’s not a blame culture here. I think more than anything it was my disappointment, I’d hoped we were going to climb the league.
“I’d seen the performance against Leeds which I was immensely proud of, performance and result against Charlton which I was immensely proud of and then rolled out the same team and the same set of tactics against Brentford and got a performance that was unrecognisable.”
Jones is hoping to see a reaction from his players to get back to winning ways and does believe he will get exactly that.
“I think it’s irrespective of whether we’re playing Wigan or Manchester United, we need a reaction and I think how we’ve managed this group we will get one.”
After Jones confirmed that Izzy Brown would be out for ten weeks and Brendan Galloway’s injury is ‘long term’, the 49-year-old has been pleased with the effort levels in training from his entire squad, particularly those who haven’t been involved on a regular basis.
Continuing, the manager added: “Those players have been knocking on the door all season, but I think it has gone up a degree this week. That is what you want because they obviously feel like there are opportunities for places.
“I think how strong your fringe players are and how well they train and push the boys that have been playing really defines the football club, and they have been really good professionals from minute one.”
The former Wigan striker is certainly hopeful of putting injuries and last weekend’s result behind him and believes training has put his team in good shape to try and do so.
“From a sport science point of view, you measure a three-game week which is difficult enough for recovery. Then there is the mental aspect which none of us can measure.
“I’ve kept the week very similar to what a normal working week would be here because we need to be fresh at the weekend, ready to lay a glove on Wigan.”