[ad_1]
Luton Town manager Nathan Jones had no doubt that his team deserved to reach the second round of the League Cup after a 3-1 win over Norwich City Photo: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images Ltd
Paul chesterton
Nathan Jones felt that Luton Town was the total value for a 3-1 League Cup victory over Norwich City and had no time for any suggestion that the Canarias’ massive absentee list was the defining factor.
City traveled to Kenilworth Road losing nearly 20 players due to international calls, injuries or a suspension for Emi Buendia.
James Collins’ hat-trick led the Hatters into Sunday’s second-round draw, and Jones had no sympathy for the visitors.
“These are a good side. They had 15 matches of international matches, but not all of them are starters. They can’t start 15, ”he said, and Luton lost just two of his front-line options for international duty. “Unless the rules have changed, they can’t play 15. Norwich has a team where they feel like they can dictate games at this level.
“They have spent millions on (Jordan) Hugill, they have internationals like (Mario) Vrancic to bring. (Onel) Hernández, (Alex) Tettey, (Christoph) Zimmermann. Top players.
“I am sure that when we face them in the league it will be more difficult again and they will be able to add more quality with the internationals, but we will be more advanced in our preparations.
“We felt we had relative control outside of possession, but they have wonderful players, so they are going to take shots even though it was very difficult for them to bring us down.
“We probably had better chances. It’s a good way to start. ”
Kieran Dowell briefly tied City with a snapshot from the edge of the box before Collins took advantage of a sloppy defense to seal his hat-trick after an initial penalty awarded by Vrancic.
“Disappointed with the goal we conceded,” Jones said. “If you allow championship-level teams a second or two in and around your box, you will be punished. It was a great ending.
“The Dowell boy is a player, he finished last season well with Wigan. He was a youth international for England, he’s a player.
That’s the learning curve for us, but I won’t scold you.
“We scored three and that’s the only goal we’ve conceded in five preseason games. It was not an ideal time to concede, but it was definitely an ideal time to take the lead again.
“I know it was the League Cup, but for me it was the last preseason game.
“It prepares us very well for our start to the league at Barnsley. We were brave, we went ahead, the closing was good and we went after the opposition ”.
[ad_2]
