Player Ratings - Luton Town 0-1 Millwall

Matt Bloomfield’s third game in charge did not go as planned, with the Hatters comfortably beaten against a physical Millwall side. Luton were poor in attack and defence, as they struggled to threaten the Millwall goal, and also conceded a penalty in the first half, with Kaminski making a crucial save. Luton never looked like scoring, even if the game went on for another hour.

The Luton and Millwall teams before kick-off.

Luton haven’t scored in two of the three games Bloomfield has been in charge of, which is a problem the new manager will be hoping to address quickly if the team wants to stay in the division. The only chances that came the home team’s way were from set pieces, as once again they struggled to create from open play.

Alfie Doughty made his long awaited return from his injury, playing in an unorthodox left winger role. He received a lot of the ball in the first 45 minutes, but was taken off in the 68th minute after fading during the second half. Perhaps he should be tried at left-back instead, considering Bell’s poor run of form recently.

It was Millwall who broke the deadlock in the 61st minute with Ivanovic scoring a superb volley from outside the box. Luton were shellshocked and struggled to create anything after the goal, as typical of the team this season. Millwall had the higher shots on target (6 to 2) and also beat Luton on xG. Ivanovic came close to scoring again in the 68th minute, with the striker left completely unmarked to attempt another volley which forced Kaminski into a good save.

The fans made their displeasure heard, with boos towards the team’s performance heard loudly at full time, and when the team was walking around the pitch. There is only so much Matt Bloomfield can do with a demotivated squad, and having come in midway through the season, but the truth is there hasn’t been a new manager bounce that some fans may have hoped for. It will take time for the new manager to implement his ideas and tactics, time that the Hatters can’t really afford while sitting in 23rd. Bloomfield should have been appointed two months ago, now it might be too late.

Gary Sweet has promised the club will be ‘aggressive’ in the transfer window, yet with eight days to go, there is no sign of any aggression, with only one new first team signing brought in so far, a player the manager didn’t even have a say on signing, as he was brought in before Bloomfield was appointed. With teams around the Hatters like Hull and Cardiff picking up vital results, there is huge danger of Luton drifting away from survival, with only 1 point from the last 7 games. Something needs to change, and fast.

Player Ratings

Kaminski - 7

Did his best to keep Luton in the game as he always does, with a good penalty save in the first half, and two solid reflex saves to deny Ivanovic twice more from a volley in the box and a corner.

Hashioka - 3

Didn’t offer much going forwards and gave the ball away multiple times.

McGuinness - 5

Won a lot of aerial battles and some good tackles.

Andersen - 4

Good to see Mads play 90 minutes, but lost Ivanovic for the goal and his passing was wayward in the second half.

Bell - 3

Almost at fault for a goal in the first half when he gave the ball away, and he was caught out of position several times.

Nakamba - 3

Gave away a horrific penalty and struggled to win the ball back throughout.

Clark - 5

Made a few good passes and dribbles but largely struggled to impact the game.

Krauss - 4

Anonymous, like all of the midfield was. Hope his injury isn’t too bad.

Brown - 3

Invisible for much of the game, and when he did get the ball, he struggled to hold onto it. Should have been taken off sooner.

Morris - 5

Had a few good chances from set pieces and worked hard as always, but could do with some better competition. He wasn’t the problem today though.

Doughty - 5

Got on the ball a lot in the first half, and put a few good crosses in. Would benefit from playing further back.

Subs

Nelson - 4

Looks lively on the ball, but struggled to make an impact.

Walsh - 3

Didn’t touch the ball much, made one good pass to Nelson, and once again involved in a scrap at the end and was booked. Always a red card risk.

Jones - 3

Kept giving the ball away in attacks.

Adebayo - 3

This sub didn’t work out, he slowed down attacks and gave the ball away twice. A player very much out of form, unfortunately.