Chiedozie Ogbene classed the draw with Wolves at Kenilworth Road yesterday as a step in the right direction for the Hatters as they continue to find their feet in the Premier League.
The Republic of Ireland international started for the first time in the league in a three-pronged attack, with himself and Jacob Brown flying forward in support of central striker Carlton Morris as the Hatters dominated the West Midlands side.
“I think the performance was very good,” said the 26-year-old after Rob Edwards’ side had collected the club’s first-ever point in the Premier League. “We started on the front foot, put a lot of pressure towards their defence and put them on the back foot. We just need to be more clinical with the chances we created today.
“I haven’t seen it back but I’m sure the defenders will be critical of themselves, conceding such a goal like that when you’re on top. But I think overall, it’s a step forward from where we’ve been, especially from the start of the season, and the mentality is if you can’t win, you don’t lose. And that’s what we did today.”
With Wolves reduced to ten men shortly before half-time when Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was sent off for kicking out at Tom Lockyer, Ogbene admitted he and his team-mates did rue the opportunity not to turn the maiden point into a first victory of the season.
“Because of our mentality, we are on top from minute one, against ten men, we are obviously critical of ourselves. We did say that we need to be winning games like this today, against a good side, but we need to win games if we want to compete in this league. So overall it is good, but we’re slightly disappointed not to come away with three points.”
The summer signing from Rotherham took the positives, however.
“I think we have to use it as momentum,” he added. “Wherever we go now, the bare minimum is not to get beat. I think if we can finish the game the way we started, we will give ourselves a right good chance in this league.”
Ogbene had a late effort ruled out for offside, and after leaving the field on his full debut to cheers and his name being sung, the man known as Chieo reflected: “I was 100 per cent happy because I wanted to make a good first impressions of myself, to show them that I’m here and want to work hard for this team and this club. I was hoping to display my character today with my performance and I’m hoping I did that today.”