Mick Harford talks up League One leaders Luton
Posted Sunday, February 17, 2019 by PA
Mick Harford believes his Luton team are up there with the best Hatters sides of the past after they extended their unbeaten League One streak to 20 matches with a 2-1 win at Fleetwood.
George Moncur and Pelly Ruddock scored either side of half-time to leave Town six points clear at the top of the table.
Paddy Madden made it interesting as his 90th-minute strike set up a tense finish, but Luton held on to leave interim boss Harford delighted.
He said: “I’m thrilled for the players. It puts them up there in terms of some of the best teams that have ever been out and performed for Luton Town Football Club.
“They are in that high echelon and I am thrilled for them. It is only testament to the way they work, the way they go about their business.
“The way they train. The way they conduct themselves everyday. They are a brilliant bunch to manage. I’m thrilled for them and thrilled for the football club.”
And Harford also praised Moncur for his role in the victory, with the midfielder smashing a free-kick into the top corner in the 41st minute.
Speaking about the set-piece, he said: “We were not sure who would take it. It was either James Justin or George. Thankfully George took it!
“A brilliant goal, a brilliant finish and it was part of our play that got us that free-kick in terms of the counter-attack.
“I’m thrilled for George. He made a big contribution, he played as a 10 and was man-marked for the majority of the game.
“He had to get off the shackles of Jack Sowerby. He followed him all over the pitch, it was a difficult day for him but he showed his class.”
Fleetwood goalkeeper Alex Cairns let Ruddock’s strike roll through his legs.
But Fleetwood boss Joey Barton defended his shot-stopper and says it is a one-off.
He said: “It is as rare as hens’ teeth that. Alex Cairns has been outstanding.
“Many times I have sat here and said he has kept us in games and made key saves at key times.
“He will continue to do that. If we look at his performance over a 46-game season it will be a hugely positive one.
“He just made a mistake. Everyone is human. We all make mistakes.”
And Barton was proud of the way his men responded as Madden made it 2-1 late on.
He said: “I expect the lads to be the way they are and respond in the manner that they did. We responded correctly to it against a good side.
“It would have been easy to go under, over commit and maybe get beat by four or five.
“But I thought our response was that we were disappointed but we showed signs of our team culture emerging.
“It is a great baseline to work out where we are. Disappointed with the result but proud of the lads in terms of their effort and application.
“We are continuing to learn and if we take the lessons on board we will have a lot of positivity until now and the end of the season.”
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