Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kuira
MARVELOUS Nakamba’s Luton Town extended their unbeaten run in the Sky Bet Championship to 12 games after they came from behind to overcome Middlesbrough 2-1 on Monday evening.
In what has the potential to be the Championship play-off final at the end of next month between the two sides likely destined for third and fourth position, it was Boro who scored first through Cameron Archer five minutes before the break only for Hatters to find the target twice. Tom Lockyer and Carlton Morris were goal scorers in the second half to grab all three points.
The victory moved the Ron Edwards mentored Luton to four points behind Sheffield United with two games to go although the Blades face West Brom tonight knowing a victory will be enough for them to secure promotion to the Premier League.
Luton are third with 78 points, four ahead of Middlesbrough, with the two teams having already sealed a playoff spot.
“Credit to the lads, I thought the response was really good. Middlesbrough showed how good they are, the job that he’s done Michael with his staff, they’ve done a really good job and that’s obvious, everyone knows that, everyone’s seen that,” remarked Edwards.
“When you go up against them, you can see the quality that they have, they overload you, they’ve got threats in behind, and they can build slow as well.
“Tonight was always going to be a really tough game and also a mindset thing as well, both teams knew they were in the play-offs, but I’m pleased with the response. We showed some good things, but I do think we could be better.”
Edwards added: “Psychologically the games are quite difficult, the next couple of games as well. We’ve got to try and keep that momentum. We want to keep trying to win, but when those play-off games come, there will be I’m sure another percent or two.
“It’s really difficult, subconsciously, no matter what you talk about and how we try and drive it, there is an element of ‘Ok, but we know what’s coming in a few weeks’ time’.
“But look, I can sit here and say we could have done this better or we could have done that better, but we’ve won the game – and I think that’s probably a good place to be in.”
Nakamba has been enjoying his game at Luton since joining on loan from Aston Villa. Since his arrival at Kenilworrth Road on loan from Aston Villa at the end of January, Luton Town have only lost one match, a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the already promoted Burnley.
Monday’s game was not his best offensively as he had zero assists and shot on targets. Defensively, however, he was compact is his defensive midfield role.
The Zimbabwean midfielder was voted the Luton Town Player of the Month for March and also won the Player of the Match accolade in his team’s come from behind 3-1 triumph over Blackpool on April 10.
Nakamba has played 15 matches for Luton, with 14 starts and one substitute appearance. He has zero shots on target from a total of four attempts and is yet to find the target. The Zimbabwe Warriors midfield kingpin averages 35 passes per match with a pass completion rate of 81 percent and has zero assists. Just to show how smart Nakamba has gone about in shielding the Hatters backline, he has received two yellow cards and has never been sent off. — @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter