Luton Town: Jack Marriott happy to bide his time if handed sub’s role at Morecambe

Luton striker Jack Marriott will trust manager John Still and bide his time for a first Hatters start in the Football League, despite firing a match-winning brace against AFC Wimbledon in an impressive substitute’s cameo.

The 2-0 victory ensured Town’s first consecutive victories in the League Two this term and moved them just three points off Tuesday’s opponents Morecambe, who sit in the last play-off spot.

Boss Still, however, has warned against placing too much expectation on the shoulders of Marriott and the 21-year-old is happy to fall into line with whatever role he is prescribed.

“If he [Still] doesn’t think I’m ready for a start then I’ll continue to work hard, keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully that will come,” said Marriott.

The former Ipswich hitman, who only moved to Kenilworth Road in the summer, revealed how he is already ahead of schedule after signing a contract extension in August that will keep him at Luton until June 2017.

“Having signed my new contract I’m really looking to settle and get us promoted,” Marriott said, adding: “I initially set myself the target of getting another year by about October.

“To get it as early as August, I was so happy and it was such a relief to have that little bit more security and know what I’m going to be doing. And to have that trust from the manager and the board, it really was a good time.”

The extension was a quick vote of confidence from manager Still who has a long track record of developing young strikers. Luton forward Craig Mackail-Smith is a prime example after he took him from non-league to Dagenham in 2004 and set him on his way to becoming Brighton’s record signing and a full Scottish international.

Marriott said: “I think players respond well when managers have the belief in you as a player.

“The whole coaching staff and all the lads have been really good. I’m really enjoying it and the manager has been really good with me, which is what I want.”

And Marriott, who came up through the ranks at Portman Road but spent the last two years on loan at various clubs before his release, is now keen to put down roots at Luton.

He said: “It’s difficult when you go on loan somewhere. I was at Carlisle, starting, and then the manager got sacked. He was the reason I was there. Politics has taken over if a few places and it’s a difficult one.

“I don’t see the benefit of me going on loan somewhere if you’re not going to play. That’s why I’ve been to Woking a couple of times, because I knew I was going to play there.

“It is difficult but over the few years that I have been on loan I have learnt a lot and that only stands me in good stead for the future.”

Immediately forthcoming are two long trips to the north of England with Tuesday’s test at Morecambe followed by Hartlepool.

The Globe Arena was the scene of a miserable 3-0 reverse last season, which saw captain Steve McNulty sent off in the first half.

Still said: “I was going to say I’m looking forward to them. I’m looking forward to the games but not the travel. Maybe it’s the best time of year to go. Maybe in February and March, when it’s dark, dismal and snowing, it’s not the best.”

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