Hatters defender Dan Potts believes everyone in the squad is ready to play a part in the upcoming play-off campaign after a rotated Luton Town held Hull City to a goalless draw.
Luton’s number three played the full match after manager Rob Edwards made eight changes to the starting line-up and made it 14 games unbeaten going into the first leg of the play-off semi-final against Sunderland.
“We’re fully away of the run we have been on”, said Potts. “I’d say most meetings and talks we’ve had pre-match and post-match, that has come up. I think it was in the back of most people’s minds going into games. 14 unbeaten is a great run.
“Today’s been a luxury the manager has had because of how well we’ve done, securing the play-off spot has allowed the manager the luxury to do that (make changes). We’ve got good numbers, everyone’s back fit now and it gives the manager options.
“It’s not often when I’ve been here that we’ve had just one out injured, especially not at this time of year. You look at last season, we had a fair few out injured going into a crucial part of the season. Except Cauley Woodrow, we are in good health so, we are positive.”
Potts completed his first 90 minutes since January and has praised the rest of the squad for making themselves ready and available for the play-offs.
“Myself, Gabe Osho, Reece Burke, Sonny Bradley’s come back from a long injury and had to play a few games on the spin, but it now looks like everyone’s put that behind us and recovered from, not bad injuries but niggles, everyone’s recovered and it’s a testament to the other lads who’ve done everything to be ready for this part of the season and now it puts us in a good position for Saturday.
“When I’ve been in the team, the players who aren’t playing have always encouraged us and we try and do it for the lads that are playing when I’m not playing, that’s a major part of what makes us successful as a squad. This season is relentless, there’s always going to be injuries, you just have to make sure you are ready to step up.
“Did I only get 70 today? I thought I played the whole game! Was that only 70 minutes today? 70 minutes it was good, it felt like 90 to be fair! It was good, it’s been tough with the injury but the only thing I’ve known is to get match minutes and to get 90 minutes today was good.”
The Hatters now look ahead to the play-off semi-final against Sunderland, which begins with the first leg at the Stadium of Light this Saturday, and Potts believes preparation for the players will be no different to normal.
“I don’t think it matters. We prepare every game the same way, every team has a different style but now we’re just preparing for Sunderland. We were focused on Hull today but now we have a few days to really focus on Sunderland, I’m sure the manager and the staff will be getting straight to work now, looking at their game today but for the players nothing really changes too much in terms of how we want to play and how we go about our game.”