Under 21 Lead Coach Adrian Forbes has praised the academy players during a 'transitional period' for the Development Squad over the Christmas and New Year period.
Four regulars – Daniel Idiakhoa, Josh Allen, Tyrelle Newton and Avan Jones – have all gone out on loan to further their first-team experience, paving the way for the younger generation to be involved in recent Under 21 matches.
On Tuesday afternoon, a young Luton side went head-to-head with Lincoln City U21s and suffered a 3-2 defeat. The result, however, was one Forbes felt didn’t reflect the impressive performance he saw from his players, believing they deserved more from the match.
“First half, we started off really well,” Forbes said. “We passed and moved the ball incredibly well which is what we would expect and then we just took our foot off the gas a little bit which let Lincoln into the game.
“The goals we conceded were disappointing from our point of view but credit to the lads and how they performed in the second half. I’m not sure how many chances we created where we tested their goalkeeper off the top of my head but whilst we lost the game 3-2, we could have quite easily won the game 6-3, it was one of those sorts of games. Goals change games and the reality is we weren’t as clinical as they were and if we had of been clinical and ruthless in the final third, we could have won the game handsomely.”
A pleasing aspect from the game was Ed McJannet’s involvement, who scored on his second start after returning from an injury lay-off.
“It has been like having a new signing to be honest with you. He’s been out for a very long time with the injury, so credit to him. He’s been working with the physio department to get as strong as he can prior to operation and then after operation. He managed to get 60 minutes or so against Ipswich last week where arguably again he could have got himself a couple of goals but he was just missing that sharpness in front of goal. In terms of attitude, work rate, passion and desire to get back to full fitness, you really can’t fault Ed and that was reflected in his last two performances.
“From his point of view, it great for him to get on the scoresheet and it’s something for us to build on. He will only get better and only get stronger in the next few weeks now he’s back to full fitness.”
Midfielder Jayden Luker also featured after he was recently an unused substitute in the FA Cup Third Round match against Wigan Athletic, in doing so becoming the fifth Development Squad player to be involved with the first team this season.
“I’m proud of all of the boys we work with. Part of the group has been used in and around the first team - Jayden, Casey (Pettit), Conor Lawless, Josh Williams and Zack Nelson. A lot of the boys have been around it but to see Jayden make the step up from the Under 18s, into the Under 21s group and then get on the bench for the first team, it just shows how well he’s worked and his attitude to learn, listen and take on board information to develop and improve himself has been really impressive.
“I think that has culminated in him being around Rob’s squad in recent weeks training wise and then getting on the bench in the FA Cup.
“He needs to know, along with the rest of the boys, it’s just the start. Getting on the bench is brilliant, it’s now what does he need to and what do his peers need to do to make sure they can make that next step and get them onto the pitch playing Championship or FA Cup football.”