Harford hails Luton’s defensive qualities after victory
Posted Sunday, March 31, 2019 by PA
Mick Harford took particular pleasure from the defensive qualities of his unstoppable Luton team as they extended their lead at the top of League One to seven points.
Brilliant going forward for 45 minutes, the visitors had to dig in after the break to prevent a Rovers revival, inspired by Jonson Clarke-Harris’ goal in first-half stoppage time.
In the end, goals from James Collins and Luke Berry proved enough for a deserved victory which extended Luton’s unbeaten run to 27 league games – equalling a club record.
Boss Harford said: “We were very good up until they scored and could have been out of sight by half-time.
“They got a breakaway goal through a very good finish and we weren’t as fluent in the second half. In the end we have ground out a really good result.
“Our defensive shape was spot-on and we put in a really gritty performance. All the players know their roles inside out and enjoy our style of play.
“I am massively pleased because Graham Coughlan has turned things around at Bristol Rovers and this is a tough place to visit.
“We knew there would be a reaction from them because they had lost 4-1 at Doncaster, and there was. They put us on the back foot at times and I give my lads credit for grinding it through.
“We only focus on ourselves and go out to win every game. I’m enjoying the job and it was good to be back in Bristol where I had an enjoyable year as a player with City a long time ago.”
Rovers boss Coughlan was anything but downhearted after a defeat that had left his side too close to the drop zone for comfort.
“We showed a lot of character today and I’m not going to criticise anyone,” he said. “With a bit of luck, in the end we could have nicked a point against a very good side.
“I hate losing to anyone, but I have a group of lads who have come a long way, work their socks off and are desperate to get better.
“We switched off a couple of times, which happens against good sides. But the effort put in to stay in the match was fantastic.
“I was gutted by the performance at Doncaster but today I’m proud of my players and there was plenty to build on in the way we played.
“Jonson Clarke-Harris has been brilliant since coming here and, having a goalscorer gives us a great chance of moving up the table.
“But he would be the first to say that the other players are helping him. We have goals in us and if we keep playing like that we will be okay.”
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