New signing Peter Kioso has spoken of dealing with the pressure he expects to face after making the jump from Non-League to the Championship – but is ready to be called upon by Graeme Jones whenever the manager might need him.
Having signed from National League Hartlepool last week, the 20-year-old spoke to the press about the process of joining the Town and what he was told was expected from him.
He said: “I heard about it on the Wednesday, the week that we had a game against Yeovil. It was exciting for me, because Luton is a club that has produced so many great players, they are ambitious and they always reach their goal. As I said before – every goal they have reached. So that’s a great club to be at, as soon as I knew there was interest I wanted to get it done.
“Mick Harford spoke to me as soon as I came in, told me what he wanted off me and reassured how the club is feeling about me and everything I have to look forward to. The club has taken great care of me and you can see how it is a family here, from the players to the staff and once you have the backing of the club and the players around you, it just makes everything a little bit easier.”
Seen as a player for the future by Graeme Jones, the former Dunstable Town man believes he is more than capable making the step up from Non-League to the EFL.
“No pressure at all!” Kioso joked. “But in football you always have pressure, it’s about whether or not you can live up to it. I deem myself as being able to work under any type of pressure, because that’s the job that you are given.
“In my opinion, every next step you go in to, you always have to believe that you can do it. It is a big step up, but if I didn’t think I would be able to do it, then there would be no point in coming. So me coming here is my saying to myself, ‘look, it might take me a little bit of time’, but I want to do it as quickly as possible.
“I need to step up to the league and I need to make sure that I am able to do the things that I am asked to.
“I think the gaffer will ease me in, I don’t think he will throw me in straightaway. But, as a footballer I am always ready, whenever the gaffer wants to start me or put me on the bench, I am ready. So when I do come on the pitch, I can prove myself to the best of my ability.
“Training has been very good, the boys have been excellent, they have been behind me. They have been helping me – you have mostly experienced lads talking to me, helping me on my game and that’s always a good thing, having players around you that can help you.
“They have been through it and tell you what you need to improve on, so that’s a good thing.”