Striker James Collins felt Town’s second half performance fully merited the 1-0 victory against Rotherham United last night after he struck the only goal of the game.
His volley in the 70th minute beyond Jamal Blackman lifted the Hatters up into ninth place and earned them a third win in Yorkshire this season, following victories against Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday.
Speaking pitchside after the game, Collo was as always, honest in his reflection of the 90 minutes, beginning: “First half not so good but second half was a great performance. To come away in the Championship and win one-nil away from home is a great result, people say it is the best result in football so we’re certainly happy with it in there."
Town had a flurry of chances in the second period and dominate proceedings as the opener eventually came with 20 minutes left to play.
“I think second half and I think throughout the game we had the best chances but I think we were second to everything all over the pitch in the first half. Second half, we were bang at it and showed what a good side we are.
“We practise them, I made eye contact with Bez and I knew exactly where he was going to put it and to be fair to him, he’s put it on a plate for me. All I had to do was get contact and it’s a goal so as much credit goes to him as the finish.”
The striker had another chance just before netting his fifth goal of the season but on reflection, the 29-year-old said: “I think it was just behind me, I got something on it then it hit the defender and crept wide. I couldn’t tell you where it hit me but it’s just one of those things, it is just getting back into the swing of things now, finding my feet and obviously delighted to get the winner."
The team had Simon Sluga to thank for a fourth clean sheet of the season, after the Croatian international made a string of fine saves at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.
“The two saves in the first half were brilliant,” Collo admitted. “Especially the first one because I was right behind it and I thought it was in. Credit to him, he’s got himself another clean sheet. I don’t know if he got this many clean sheets in the whole of last year, but he’s got a lot now and showed us what a good goalie he is.”
Now one point below the play-off places, Collo was keen to reflect on a good start to the season but is striving for me come the end of it.
“We will take it. We’re a little bit disappointed not being a little bit further up, letting Forest back in the game in the second half. I don’t know where we were this time last year but I know it’s definitely better this year.
“We’ve just got to keep going, not really take too much notice of the table because there is a lot of games to go but we will keep pushing, keep grinding results out and who knows come the end of the season where we are.”