Luton Town FC vs Birmingham City (11th Jan 2020)

LUTON TOWN 1 BIRMINGHAM CITY 2

Collins on target from the penalty spot, but Blues take the points

The Hatters were left frustrated as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Birmingham City in the Sky Bet Championship this afternoon.

Lukas Jutkiewicz scored in the opening exchanges to put the hosts ahead, before James Collins equalised from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute.

Birmingham regained the lead seven minutes later as Gary Gardner slotted the ball home from inside the box.

Captain Harlee Dean was sent-off for the away side in the 86th minute but the Hatters couldn't make the man advantage count and suffered a third successive league defeat.

Graeme Jones made five changes to the side that lost to Millwall on New Year’s Day, which included a home debut for Donervon Daniels. Simon Sluga, Andrew Shinnie, Luke Berry and Harry Cornick were also handed starts for the first game of the new decade at Kenilworth Road.

Town suffered an early setback as Birmingham went ahead in the fourth minute through Lukas Jutkiewicz. Jeremie Bela played an inch-perfect ball in from the left and the striker climbed highest to head past Sluga, despite the keeper getting a hand to it.

Berry led the charge to get the Hatters back into the game and almost did just that from 25-yards out. The midfielder’s free-kick initially hit the wall and then took another deflection on the way through, which went narrowly wide of the post.

Neither side created another meaningful opportunity in the first half but there was plenty of intensity from both teams at the start of the second period.

Cornick produced a good run inside towards the box and played the ball wide to Kazenga LuaLua, who took one touch out of his feet but blazed his shot over the bar.

The Hatters were awarded a penalty just after the hour mark as Matty Pearson was bundled over in the box by Harlee Dean following Berry’s free-kick. Collins took responsibility from the spot and sent Lee Camp the wrong way to bring the game back level.

After few opportunities to venture forward themselves, Birmingham took their chance and scored a second with just over 20 minutes to play.

Jacques Maghoma cut the ball back to Gardner inside the box and the midfielder finished first time past Sluga.

Town refused to lie down and in the 79th minute nearly got themselves another equaliser as Matty Pearson headed Berry’s corner towards goal, but Jutkiewicz managed to clear off the line.

Birmingham were reduced to ten men as Dean was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Collins on the halfway line with four minutes remaining.

Despite five minutes being added on at the end of the game, the Hatters couldn’t find a second goal as they remain rooted to the bottom of the Championship.

TOWN: Sluga, Daniels, Bradley (C), Pearson, Bree (Potts 45), Mpanzu, Shinnie (Moncur 56), Berry (Tunnicliffe 81), Cornick, LuaLua, Collins. Subs not used: Shea, Lee, Rea, Jones

Goals: Collins (62)

Yellows: Bree

BIRMINGHAM: Camp, Colin, Clarke-Salter, Dean (C), Pedersen, Maghoma, Davis, Gardner (Harding 88), Bela (Crowley 90), Mrabti (Bellingham 78), Jutkiewicz. Subs not used: Trueman, McEachran, Montero, Gimenez

Goals: Jutkiewicz (4), Gardner

Yellows: Mrabti, Dean, Gardner, Davis

Red: Dean

Referee: Graham Scott

Attendance: 10,062 (1,035 away)

**GRAEME JONES ON THE DEFEAT TO BIRMINGHAM CITY **

Hatters boss Graeme Jones thought his side lacked a spark in their 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City this afternoon.

Having gone a goal down after four minutes through Lukas Jutkiewicz’s header, Town equalised from the penalty spot after Matty Pearson had been dragged to the ground, but Gary Gardner’s low drive just a few minutes later condemned the Town to defeat.

Speaking about conceding the second goal, Jones said: “We were in the ascendancy at that point, we made a few changes with George and Dan, we changed the shape, we were positive. I think the game was in our hands, I think they have a throw-in and all of a sudden we go down the pitch and it’s another soft goal and that’s really disappointing.”

The gaffer was left frustrated by the Town’s inability to make in-roads, with Lee Camp not properly tested until late on: “That was maybe a measurement of the performance today – we lacked a spark,” Jones continued.

“I think for the first 30 minutes that’s as low on confidence as I have seen us. I couldn’t see anyone who wanted to have a touch, find their teammate and we had to sort of cajole it out of them and that’s a bigger worry.

“I like the response, we put George on, we put Dan on and I think we found impetus and momentum in the game. But obviously you concede a goal like that and it’s a difficult to come back again.

“I think the first 30 minutes they found it very difficult mentally today in terms of confidence and getting on the ball. I am not saying they weren’t up for it, I am saying from a confidence point of view, having a touch, being creative, going past people, doing something different, I think we struggled. It was the subs really that gave us some impetus in the game, the change of shape helped.

“At 1-1, if anyone was backing a team, they would have backed us to go on and win it, but we give a soft goal away, that’s the story of our season.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzx5sJigptk – Graeme Jones interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkviGnD9HS4 – match highlights

Woeful Hatters' hopes of staying up hit by Birmingham loss

Championship: Luton Town 1 Birmingham City 2

Luton's hopes of retaining their Championship status took a body blow this afternoon as they produced a woeful performance when going down 2-1 at home to Birmingham City.

The visitors, on a run of five defeats from six, had, on paper, looked the perfect side for Town to kickstart their survival bid against, and pick up the first of the three points needed on their way to the minimum of 20 that manager Graeme Jones had called for.

However, Town could just never get it together, looking low on confidence from minute one, as they conceded early on for the umpteenth time, and although James Collins pulled them level from the spot, a Gary Gardner strike shortly afterwards, saw the visitors emerge triumphant.

Boss Graeme Jones made a host of changes to the side who were knocked out of the FA Cup at Bournemouth last weekend, with Sonny Bradley, Andrew Shinnie, Luke Berry, Kazenga LuaLua and Collins coming in, meaning Donervon Daniels made his league debut for the club.

Town's hopes of making a fast start were immediately dashed as they trailed after just four minutes, with once again their full back deficiencies being highlighted.

Daniels was unable to stop Jeremie Bela from sending over a cross from the left and Lukas Jutkiewicz outjumped James Bree at the far post to thunder a header goalwards.

Simon Sluga looked to have done superbly to parry his effort, only for the ball to bounce over the line, with the hosts' defence unable to get a clearance in.

A desperately poor first period then followed for Luton, as they just couldn't find any sort of rhythm, with passes going astray constantly.

Unlike City, the hosts' crosses rarely beat the first man too, as they grew increasingly disjointed, meaning any early Newlands Park optimism on the terraces was quickly sucked out of the home fans.

Berry's free kick almost drew them level, looking to have deflected past Lee Camp, only for the Blues back-line to clear behind for a corner.

Jutkiewicz threatened a second, his low shot gathered by Sluga, as Town just couldn't get out of neutral, devoid of any sort of spark, barring LuaLua, who at least looked capable of creating something.

Turning round just 1-0 down, Jones made a change in an attempt to improve things for the second period, Dan Potts coming on for the struggling James Bree, his first appearance since going off injured against Wigan in early December.

However, the visitors threatened first once more, Bela's free kick flicking the side-netting on its way behind.

Town then started to at least look like they could get back into it, Harry Cornick bulldozing his way forward and finding LuaLua, his shot flashing over the bar.

Hatters brought on George Moncur for Shinnie, and the move paid instant dividends as the midfielder breathed life into an otherwise flagging Luton.

His ability to carry the ball, coupled with LuaLua's jinking runs, saw the Blues flustered for the time, conceding a number of free kicks, usually against when taking out the latter.

One saw Moncur curl his effort into the wall, before a deeper set-piece saw Town with a penalty, after Harlee Dean pulled back Pearson.

Collins stepped up to send Camp the wrong way and roll into the corner to restore parity with his ninth of the season.

Rather than the goal buck up Town's ideas though, it appeared to have the opposite effect, with City the more likely once more.

They had a second just seven minutes later too, as Potts trying an ill-advised turn inside his own half to give possession away, and Blues broke with clinical precision, Gary Gardner exchanging passes with Maghoma before slotting through the legs of Pearson and past Sluga.

The Luton stopper had to save from Jutkiewicz as Birmingham looked a third that would surely put the game beyond Luton.

Town almost levelled on 78 minutes, as Pearson rose highest to meet a corner, with Jutkiewicz proving a nuisance at both ends, getting up to head off the line.

They were given a boost with five to go, Dean sent off for his second yellow card after fouling Collins, but despite throwing Sonny Bradley upfront, they appeared almost reluctant to use his aerial prowess, preferring to pass the ball around midfield and defence.

Moncur's left-footer landed on the roof of the stands, but after Sluga denied late sub Dan Crowley, Hatters had their final chance to grab an equaliser when Collins' backheel found Bradley.

His low effort got stuck between Camp's legs though, and with that went any hopes of rescuing a draw.

Hatters: Simon Sluga, Donervon Daniels, James Bree (Dan Potts 46), Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley (C), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Andrew Shinnie (George Moncur 56), Luke Berry (Ryan Tunnicliffe 80), Kazenga LuaLua, Harry Cornick, James Collins

Subs not used: James Shea, Elliot Lee, Glen Rea, Lloyd Jones.

Blues: Lee Camp, Kristian Pedersen, Maxime Colin, Lukas Jutkiewicz, Jereme Bela (Dan Crowley 90), Harlee Dean ©, Jake Clarke-Salter, Kerim Mrabti (Jude Bellingham 78), Jacques Maghoma, Gary Gardner (Wes Harding 88), David Davis.

Subs not used: Jefferson Montero, Josh McEachran, Alvaro Gimenez, Connal Trueman

Booked: Bree 27, Mrabti 37, Dean 41, Gardner 61, Davis 65.

Sent off: Dean 87.

Referee: Graham Scott.

Attendance: 10,062 (1,035 City).

Jones accepts boos from Town faithful after Luton fall to dismal Blues defeat

Hatters chief Graeme Jones had no qualms about being booed off by home supporters during the 2-1 home defeat to Birmingham City this afternoon.

The Luton boss was jeered as he went down the tunnel following a desperately poor performance from his side, as they suffered a seventh defeat from eight games in all competitions and are now without a win since early December.

Speaking afterwards, Jones said: “One thing, they’ve got every right as we’re on a run of a number of defeats, absolutely every right.

“But I think if anybody was a football man, you could see we were short today and as I’ve said, over and over again, we need our best players on the pitch and we need to get some new players in to have a chance of competing at this level.

“I don’t blame the supporters, you get beat again, especially today at home, they’re allowed to vent their frustration.

“At the minute, I’m not doing a good job, the players aren’t doing a good job, you have to hold your hands up, but we’re under enormous financial restrictions in terms of attracting people to the football club and that’s the truth.”

When asked if he was worried about the sack, with Town bottom of the table and in danger of being cut adrift, four points from safety, he continued: “I never think about that (losing my job), all I think about is the solution.

“Believe me, I had a question the other day about why do you change the team so much? Because I’m trying to find a solution, I know what the problems are because I work hard to try and find solutions and today, me, the players have failed.

“I don’t think about anything else, I certainly don’t think about losing my job, I think about working harder, I think about finding solutions, and the confidence to do that.”

Jones, who had shaken his head when walking off, did admit it had been hard to hear the frustrations coming his way from home supporters.

He added: “What’s really, really difficult is when you dedicate your whole life to the job, you spend 12 plus hours a day at it, you sleep with it on your mind, you work seven days a week and you give everything you’ve got and our rewards from football is nothing, it’s not romantic at all.

“But I know the game and I know the industry, and as I’ve said the supporters have got every right.

“’ll never drop my standards, never, but it’s other areas we need to work hard in like trying to get some new players in to help and trying to get our best players fit and on the pitch and that’s where we are.”

Jones: We looked desperately low on confidence against Blues

Hatters boss Graeme Jones admitted his side looked bereft of confidence from the word go during in their 2-1 home defeat against Birmingham City yesterday.

Town conceded with just four minutes on the clock, Polish striker Lukas Jutkiewicz heading the Blues in front from a deep left-wing cross.

Luton only got going once George Moncur was brought on in the second half, as they levelled just after the hour mark when Matty Pearson was fouled in the area, James Collins netting from the penalty spot.

However, Gary Gardner then put the visitors in front seven minutes later as Town couldn’t hit back for a second time, slumping to a sixth defeat in seven games.

Jones said: “We lacked a spark, I think for the first 30 minutes of the game, that was as low on confidence as I’ve seen us.

“I couldn’t see anyone want to have a touch, anyone want to find a team-mate and we had to cajole that out of them and that’s the bigger worry.

“I liked the response. We put George on, put Dan Potts on, I think we found impetus and momentum in the game, but obviously you concede a goal like that, it’s difficult to come back again.

“The first 30 minutes they found it very, very difficult mentally, in terms of confidence, getting on the ball.

“I’m not saying they weren’t up for it, I’m saying from a confidence point of view, having a touch, being creative, going past people, doing something different, we struggled and it was only the subs that gave us an impetus in the game.

“The change of shape helped and at 1-1, I think if anyone was backing a team, they would have backed us to go on and win it, but we gave a soft goal at the end and that’s the story of our season.”

Striker James Collins knows that plenty of work is needed in the coming week to prevent Town starting so poorly again, as he said: "I think this club’s been used to winning a lot over the last couple of years and we’ve found ourselves in a situation now where it’s going to be tough and we’re playing against good opposition.

"We need to regroup and see why the confidence is low and we need to change that because with performances like the first half we’re not going to get ourselves out of it."

Meanwhile, Jones is hopeful that making a few much-needed additions could help boost confidence going into next weekend's trip to Nottingham Forest.

He added: "It’s a mental aspect that I’ve been speaking about since minute one.

"We try every single way of making the players technically, tactically, physically, mentally ready for the game.

"Today was the first time I’ve seen us really, really low on confidence for the first half an hour.

"We managed to dig in at half time, managed to get a spark on the pitch with George and Dan Potts and hopefully next week we'll have Izzy Brown fit, we’ll have Martin (Cranie) fit.

"Hopefully we’ll get some new additions and you get some new energy, and get some new belief and that’s where we are."