Manager Nathan Jones was pleased with the defensive performance in a ‘hard-fought’ draw against Reading at Kenilworth Road this evening.
The Hatters had to contend with two further injuries, losing captain Sonny Bradley and Tom Lockyer throughout the 90 minutes as the Hatters had to settle for a point at home for the sixth time this season.
“It was a hard-fought point,” Jones said in his post-match press conference. “It was a robust Championship game and I thought we stood up to that. I thought we started really well, we had some good situations, a couple of opportunities but we just never demonstrated enough quality tonight.
“It was a tough, tough game. Reading are tough to play against, they sit in and have big, strong lads. They are direct, they play at their tempo, we tried to create our tempo in terms of everything but it was a real tough game.
“We had to defend our box with everything, all our centre-halves are out again which is reminiscent of last year. We had Harry Cornick at right wing-back, Bree and Bell at centre-half so they’ve really had to dig in. I’m proud of that performance in terms of the defensive side of stuff.”
The Welshman was also aggrieved after his side were denied a penalty in the first half.
“There is a stonewall penalty. He (John Brooks) is two yards in front of them, he’s looking directly at it, Lockyer gets away and he’s rugby tackled. The ball is delivered from the corner, it is crazy how he hasn’t given it. It was one of those games where he let a lot go for both sides but my biggest gripe is the penalty because it’s nailed on.”
Providing an update on injured-duo Bradley and Lockyer, the gaffer said: “We don’t know yet. When you knock someone who is going up for the ball, they can land awkwardly and that is what it was. It was a cheap little foul that you don’t want to see because it is very difficult, when they land it can cause a serious injury and hopefully it is not.
“It wasn’t concussion (Lockyer), he just had a real whack in the face. It wasn’t an elbow or anything, he headed the back of his head. It was an honest challenge in terms of everything, no malice in anyway, but Locks is in such good form at the minute. He’s aggressive, he wants to defend well and I’m really proud of him for how he’s playing at the minute.”