LUTON Town’s new boss John Still will respond to his first win in charge, the club’s first away win since October and a rare clean sheet by signing a defender next week.
Jake Howells’ strike on the stroke of half time sealed their first win on the road since the win at Forest Green Rovers on October 27.
The result leaves them in eighth place, 13 points off the Blue Square Bet Premier playoffs and they could have a new defender in place by the time they visit Nuneaton on Tuesday night.
The manager has already delved into the transfer market, bringing in Maidenhead striker Alex Wall on loan until the end of the season.
He watched on from the stands at Stockport County yesterday and could be joined at Kenilworth Road by a defender tomorrow. “We will hope to bring this player in Monday but that is all I can say at present,” said Still.
“He is a good little player and we hope he can strengthen our squad some more.”
With central defender Janos Kovacs limping off the field after an hour with a hamstring injury, the deal will provide defensive cover for the Hatters.
With 14 games remaining, they face a gruelling schedule in the final seven weeks of the season.
The giant Hungarian will be disappointed to miss Luton’s trip to the Midlands to face Nuneaton on Tuesday night.
“Everyone can see we were much more solid as a time and we worked for each other,” said Kovacs.
“In the past few days we have worked a lot on shape and he has tried to pass on what type of football he wants us to play.
“As time goes on we will get better and better and get used to it. It was obviously a great start though.”
There was, however, no danger of Still getting carried away with the three points.
“The thing with football is to never get too high or too low,” said Still.
“I see that performance as solid but we know what work needs doing to improve.
“There will be days in the future where we play terrible and the fans get on our back but from our point of view that was a good start and hopefully we can build on that.”
The win was the perfect way to start the month after a winless February.
“It’s lifted a weight off everyone’s shoulders to win that first one,” managing director Gary Sweet said. “John Still is just what we need. All staff given a lift.”
The win would have been particularly sweet for Howells, the left-sided player who came under attack from fans after the defeat at home to Mansfield and from his own team mate after the Millwall game.
“I’m over the moon to get the three points and to get the goal was the even better,” Howells said.
