Bristol City vs Luton Town FC (16th Aug 2022)

Report | Bristol City 2-0 Luton Town

The Hatters suffered a second successive league defeat at Bristol City as first-half goals from Nahki Wells and Tommy Conway gave the hosts all three points at Ashton Gate.

Nathan Jones made two changes to the side that lost 1-0 at home to Preston three days previously, with Cauley Woodrow making his first Luton start in the league and Gabe Osho coming into midfield, Jordan Clark and Luke Freeman being named among the substitutes.

Admiral Muskwe was also on the bench, having missed out on Saturday, with Louie Watson the man to drop out of the matchday 18.

City had the lead inside five minutes, when Wells timed his run perfectly to latch onto a through ball from Alex Scott and finish across Ethan Horvath.

Elijah Adebayo had the Town's first sight of goal on 16 minutes, collecting a short pass from Allan Campbell 30 yards out and taking a couple of strides before arrowing a shot that went just wide of Dan Bentley's right post.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 27th minute when Andi Weimann raced onto a Han-Noah Massengo pass down the left and crossed low for Conway to slam the ball in from close range.

Dan Potts blocked another effort from Conway just after the half-hour, then Massengo saw a 25-yarder deflected wide for a corner as City moved the ball about and looked to increase their lead.

Gabe Osho won a crunching challenge in midfield to set Adebayo free on the right, and his low cross intended for Carlton Morris was turned behind, with last season's top scorer climbing high to mee James Bree's corner, but unable to keep his header down.

Jones resisted the option to make a double change before the break, despite Clark and Freeman being readied, and instead waited until the interval to bring on three; the midfield duo on in place of Potts and Woodrow, with Admiral Muskwe coming on for Reece Burke.

That meant a switch to a 4-3-3, with Osho dropping to centre-half alongside Bradley and Bree and Amari'i Bell playing as full-backs.

City were still the side creating chances, however, Conway breaking through the backline and firing straight at Horvath, before Weimann skied a 54th-minute shot from just inside the area.

Jay Dasilva was next to cause a moment of danger, skipping his way inside the Town penalty area from wide on the left and seeing a right-footed shot deflected behind off Bradley.

Rob Atkinson went down in the box under challenge from Clark, but referee Lee Doughty waved appeals for a penalty away, only to soon be at the centre of a call that reduced the hosts to ten men.

Mark Sykes lunged in on Freeman, for which he would eventually be shown a red card, and in the melee that followed, went down holding his head when the Town midfielder clearly barged into his back with his chest. Freeman and Bradley were both shown yellow, along with Weimann.

Town looked to make the extra man count, and Campbell burst through into the City penalty area, only to see his cross flash straight across the six-yard box, then Clark shot high over the bar from Adebayo's cut back.

Cameron Jerome replaced Morris with just over ten minutes left, then Bree sent a free-kick inches over the bar before Elliot Thorpe was introduced in place of Campbell.

Osho twice could have reduced the deficit in added time but for a brilliant low stop from Bentley on the second occasion, as there continued to be no way through the Robins' rearguard.

City therefore recorded their first victory of the campaign and left the Hatters still seeking theirs after four matches.

GOALS: BC - Wells 5, Conway 27

Nathan Jones on Bristol City defeat

Manager Nathan Jones said the performance against Bristol City was ‘unacceptable’ as his side slipped to a second league defeat in a row.

The hosts scored twice within the first half-an-hour, and despite going down to ten men, were able to comfortably see out a first win of the season.

Sharing his disappointment with what he saw during the 90 minutes, Jones said: “That was pretty much unacceptable first half. For the things that we do and how we go about our work, that was unacceptable. The way we defended, the way we wanted to take shortcuts and not do the basics well cost us the game.

“I will take responsibility, I felt I picked the wrong team but it is inexcusable anyway because after five minutes you couldn’t tell that. We just didn’t do the basics right and we’ve done the basics right so many times but that was as poor as performance as we’ve had for a very long time, especially since I came back. Maybe Birmingham at home but we were second best all over and that’s something that doesn’t happen to us very often.

“We have a lot of injuries and we have people that need bedding in and to learn what we do but we just didn’t defend well enough, we weren’t aggressive enough, we didn’t do the basics and for me, I thought we were really, really poor.

“They had more energy than us, they won 50/50s, everything about it wasn’t what we normally do and that is the worrying thing. Second half we improved but I don’t think we could have got any worse to be honest with you.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP6--2tWT1w – Nathan Jones interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AN3t1xsBHI – Match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRQiC1_nPjE – Sonny Bradley interview

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/familiar-faces-202223-robins-programme/ - programme

Woeful first half sees winless Luton fall to limp Robins defeat

Championship: Bristol City 2 Luton Town 0

Luton's disappointing start to the season shows no signs of ending as they were beaten 2-0 by Bristol City this evening, a result that leaves Town still searching for that elusive first victory.

For long periods it looked like would have been a more dominant outcome for the hosts, as they were well on top for 65 minutes of the contest, the Hatters only ever really posing something resembling a threat in the closing stages once Mark Sykes had been sent off for a lunging challenge on Luke Freeman, leaving them with a man advantage.

They couldn't make the most of it though and although only four games have been played, a return of just two points, and more worryingly, one goal scored, means the opening to the campaign will start to become a real concern for boss Nathan Jones.

The manager made two changes for the fixture, Gabe Osho and Cauley Woodrow in for Reece Burke and Jordan Clark, but the visitors got off to the worst possible start, behind after just five minutes.

Elijah Adebayo gave the ball away inside his own half, as Nahki Wells was sprung clean through, and without a Town defender in sight, the forward was able to take a touch, steady himself, before confidently sidefooting across Ethan Horvath and into the far corner.

With ex-Hatter Kal Naismith in the quarter back role for the hosts, playing as the middle centre half, different to his position that earned him the move to Ashton Gate, he often got the ball virtually on the six yard line, and clearly out to impress against his former side, with some clever footwork when under pressure, was almost caught out on the odd occasion.

Luton did finally begin to get into the contest, Adebayo racing forward and attempting to pick out the bottom corner on 16 minutes, just off target, with Dan Bentley at full stretch.

Strike partner Carlton Morris then set off on a powerful run, which led to the Hatters having some sustained possession, as did Adebayo, crowded out when advancing into the area.

However, just when it looked like Jones's side might have got a foothold with which to build from, they were breached again on 28 minutes, conceding another goal of real simplicity.

This time, Andi Weimann was sent away on the left and he motored away unchallenged, picking out the unmarked Tommy Conway to slide home from a few yards out.

It was almost back to the bad old days from Luton's first season in the second tier four years ago, as they were being sliced open far too easily and didn't look like they could do anything about it, while the manner in which Henri Lansbury and the Hatters had bossed proceedings during the 1-1 draw here last season felt like an age ago.

Han-Noh Massengo tried to add a third, his low effort deflecting behind for a corner, as Luton's only real opportunity came from a James Bree set-piece that Adebayo headed tamely over.

Jones made a triple substitution at the break, Admiral Muskwe, Jordan Clark and Luke Freeman, a former City player, coming on, as they went to a 4-3-3, looking to start the second period with a far greater urgency.

Those ambitions ended as soon as they had started, Osho almost selling Horvath short with a backpass that he only just cleared in time.

The Robins looked far more likely once more, Conway putting an attempt too close to Horvath and then a fine cutback should have seen Weimann make it 3-0, only for the forward to get badly underneath his effort.

Still the hosts kept coming, Jay Dasilva dribbling round Bree and denied by a desperate block.

The game then came to life midway through the half as Sykes slid in with an over the top challenge on Freeman, who clearly incensed, got up and barged him to the floor.

After taking an age to get the right decision, referee Leigh Doughty did just that, sending off Sykes for what was an out of control tackle, only opting to book Freeman, leaving the Hatters just over 20 minutes to try and get back into the match against 10 men.

Finally able to enjoy some possession and territory, you got the feeling Luton needed to halve the deficit immediately if they were to have a realistic chance of rescuing a point, and they should have when Adebayo's cross was met by Clark on the edge of the box, the sub blazing frustratingly over.

Bree was then inches away with 10 to go, a free kick that was almost an exact replica of his goal at Hull last season, although this time, it just didn't come down in time.

Muskwe had a fierce blast blocked away as time began to run out, while when a corner was lumped back in by Bree, Dan Bentley's weak punch saw Osho shank tamely wide on his left foot, summing up the visitors' performance.

He almost did have a consolation in stoppage time, striding forward and toepoking a shot that took a wicket deflection, but even that didn't go in, Bentley adjusting his body superbly to tip away, as Luton's search for a victory goes on.

Robins: Dan Bentley, Jay Dasilva, Kal Naismith, Rob Atkinson, Alex Scott (Timm Klose 81), Andi Weimann (Andy King 90), Tommy Conway (Joe Williams 75), Mark Sykes, Nahki Wells (Chris Martin 75), Zak Wyner, Han-Noah Massengo.

Subs not used: Max O'Leary, Kane Wilson, George Tanner.

Hatters: Ethan Horvath, James Bree, Reece Burke (Jordan Clark 46), Sonny Bradley (C), Dan Potts (Luke Freeman 46), Gabe Osho, Allan Campbell (Elliot Thorpe 86), Cauley Woodrow (Admiral Muskwe 46), Carlton Morris (Cameron Jerome 79), Elijah Adebayo.

Subs not used: Matt Macey, Tom Lockyer.

Referee: Leigh Doughty

Booked: Wells 60, Freeman 67, Weimann 67. [Bradley 67 was also booked]

Sent off: Sykes 67.

Luton boss brandishes Town's opening 45 minutes during City loss as 'unacceptable'

Hatters chief reacts to Ashton Gate defeat

Luton manager Nathan Jones lambasted his side for what was an ‘unacceptable’ first half performance during their 2-0 defeat at Bristol City this evening.

The Hatters headed to Ashton Gate to face a team who, like them, had yet to register a victory in the Championship this season.

However, with 28 minutes gone, the Robins had breached Town’s defence twice, punishing some weak defending with Nahki Wells and Tommy Conway both left unmarked to score.

Luton didn’t really improve after the break until Mark Sykes saw red for a lunging challenge on Luke Freeman, as although Town did at least enjoy some dominance in terms of possession, they never really appeared capable of finding a way back into the match.

Speaking afterwards, Jones said: “That was pretty much unacceptable in the first half.

“For the things that we do and how we go about our work, for me that was unacceptable and I’ve said that.

“The way we defended, the way that we wanted to take shortcuts and not do the basics well, that cost us the game and they started with real energy.

“I’ll take responsibility, I felt I picked the wrong team from the start, but it’s inexcusable anyway as after five minutes you couldn't tell that.

“But we just didn't do the basics right and we’ve done the basics right so many times here, but that was as poor a performance as we’ve had here.

“I can’t remember especially since I've come back that we've had, maybe Birmingham at home, but yes, we were second best all over and that’s something that doesn’t happen to us very often.

On why he felt Town currently look such a different side to the one that reached the play-offs last term, Jones added: “We’ve got a lot of injuries out and a lot of people bedding in and needing to learn what we do, but we just did not defend well enough.

“We weren’t aggressive enough, we didn't do the basics, for me, I thought we were poor, we were really, really poor.

“They had more energy than us, won 50-50s, everything about our body language, just everything about it wasn’t what we normally do and that's the worrying thing.

“Second half we improved, but I don't think we could have got any worse to be honest with you.”

Hatters chief: I picked the wrong team for Bristol City defeat

Town manager felt he got selection wrong at Ashton Gate

Hatters boss Nathan Jones admitted he was guilty of picking the wrong team for last night’s desperately poor 2-0 defeat at Bristol City.

Following a 1-0 reverse to Preston on Saturday, Jones opted to bring in Gabe Osho and Cauley Woodrow to the starting line-up, dropping Jordan Clark and Luke Freeman to the bench, going with a new-look midfield that included Scottish international Allan Campbell.

It didn’t work though, Town picked apart by the hosts with ease, Han-Noah Massengo and Alex Scott dominating proceedings, as the hosts didn’t need to do a great deal to move two goals in front at the break.

It led Jones to say afterwards: “If I’m honest, I probably picked the wrong team, that’s my fault, I’ll take responsibility.

“Whether it’s trying to be clever, or whatever it is, I picked the wrong team really.

“There’s big things, Clicker got injured and he had to have an x-ray on Sunday so we left him out.

"Luke Freeman, three games in a week, to do that and be high energy, so we just needed to be better.

“I felt that that was right tactically, I got that wrong, but that doesn't excuse the fact then that we've conceded real bad goals.

“That’s not why we conceded goals, because the back three wouldn't have changed, the back five wouldn’t have changed, so I'm disappointed.

“I’m really disappointed with the level of performance we put in during the first half as that cost us the defeat today.”

When asked about the inclusion of Woodrow just behind the front two, the former Barnsley man having made his name as a striker during his time at Oakwell, managing double figures in successive Championship campaigns, the boss continued: “If we didn’t get a platform in the game, then you can play a 10, two eights, two 10s, whatever you can play but we didn't pass the ball well enough.

“We didn't win the battle, we didn't give ourselves a platform and 1-0 down after five minutes from basically nothing, it lifts them.

“The crowd get behind them, it settles them, so that’s what I'm disappointed with as we normally make sure we’re very solid, we don’t concede and then we always know we can get a goal.

"But today, first half it was unacceptable defending and unacceptable work-rate and that’s something that’s the most worrying thing.”

Jones had almost made a double substitution in the first half with Freeman and Clark stripped and ready to come on, but he delayed their introduction until the break, also giving Admiral Muskwe his first league outing of the season too.

It took a red card for home midfielder Mark Sykes to give Luton any kind of foothold in the game though, as despite having the majority of possession in the final 20 minutes, they never looked like rescuing a point.

Jones added: “We didn't really work the goalkeeper in and around it, the keeper didn’t have a real save to make apart from Gabe’s deflected shot, because every time we shot it went wide, every time we had a header, we didn't make a connection, with the timing.

“We weren't really right at it today and that showed.

"It's a really disappointing first half performance, second half we improved, but we couldn't have got any worse I don't think, as that was as poor as we've been for a long, long time.”