Hatters defender Tom Lockyer was left ‘scratching his head’ after Town’s 2-0 defeat to Swansea City in the Sky Bet Championship yesterday and admitted it was just one of those days where little went right for Nathan Jones’ side.
Despite going a goal behind in the second minute, the Hatters controlled large parts of the game, until Matty Pearson was shown a red card in the 70th minute and Swansea went onto secure the three points with Andre Ayew’s goal just before full-time.
It was a performance that merited a better result, Lockyer believed, as he spoke pitchside after the game.
“I’m not sure how we have lost two-nil, not sure how we haven’t won. Scratching my head a little bit if I’m honest. I thought we played some good stuff today, even with ten-men we were all over them.”
Chances certainly fell Town’s way; George Moncur struck the post, Luke Berry had a golden opportunity from close range and Glen Rea was denied with a goal-line clearance, but they weren’t able to find a breakthrough.
“I’m not going to stand here pointing the finger at the other front players because at the end of the day, we’ve conceded two goals.
“There were some clear-cut chances, we had one cleared off the line second half as well and at that stage they have about ten men behind the ball.
“Obviously with us down to ten-men, we’re leaving two for two at the back, which you have to do if you’re chasing the game.
“Andre Ayew has got the type of quality to punish people for any little mistakes. Obviously two for two at the back and he can do that.”
The game at the Liberty Stadium was the second in succession that the former Charlton Athletic defender has started and his ninth appearance for the Hatters since signing in the summer.
Reflecting on his career at Kenilworth Road so far, the 26-year-old admitted: “I think personally, it has been the toughest period of my career since I joined.
“It’s the first time I’ve really not being playing any football, I haven’t been playing every game. I didn’t really know how to cope with it before, so it has been really tough for me.
“I had a taste of it, then came back out, that’s two games now. I’m not going to get carried away, I want to play football, that is what I came here to do but obviously at the end of the day, that’s up to the gaffer.”
Lockyer was also keen to add that it only motivates him to do more to keep his place in the team, elaborating: “I have spoke to my old managers and they said to be patient, train hard, ask the right questions, do the right things.
“That is my character anyway, I’m not going to throw the towel in and sulk because I’m not playing. I’m going to work harder in training, I’m going to stay behind after and do the extras so when my chance does come, I will try and take it with both hands, but it has been tough. It is one of those things, that is football for you.
“The gaffer is a legend at this club.” The Wales international continued. “He’s got promotions and it is only right the boys that were there with him have his trust. I wouldn’t see it any other way really, to be honest. I think it was the same when I was at Bristol Rovers and we had two promotions on the spin.
“Obviously I would love to be one of those with his trust but I will be doing everything I can to be one of them in the future. I’m not standing here expecting to play, I’m taking each game as it comes.”