6 hours Ago
Tom Krauss and Michal Helik exchanged goals before a Mark McGuinness header ensured the Hatters led at the break. The U’s pulled level again through Helik’s centre back partner Ciaron Brown, and then Greg Leigh grabbed what proved to be the winning goal with just over 20 minutes to go. United head coach Rowett said: “I felt this would be our toughest test in some ways, having watched them play.
They’re a little bit different in terms of what they do. “They’re very good at what they do. They’re very direct and play off second balls, and it stretches the game and opens the game, and it means that if you turn the ball over, you end up running back 30 or 40 yards, and have to defend.
“There was a little bit too much space for my liking. We didn’t use the pockets as well as we have done in the first few games, but I think that was partly down to Luton blocking them and limiting those opportunities for us to get there. “I’m disappointed with our two goals conceded, but I’m pleased to get back in the game and respond.
“We went behind for the first and the second time, and I said to the players at half-time that sometimes in the Championship, you have to show a little bit of a different way and a different type of resilience and quality to find a way to win the game. “What I would say is I probably wouldn’t have expected the quality of finishing from the defensive players. “It was quite outstanding.
Two outside of the foot from Ciaron Brown and Michal Helik, and then Greg obviously free in the box finishes it off. “It’s a fabulous way to win the game, but it was a tough evening.” Helik’s goal came when the recent signing stayed forward and applied the finish to Cameron Brannagan’s left wing cross.
Rowett said: “Sometimes it’s nice that the players feel they can have that freedom to sense a moment and use their intelligence. “That’s what Michal does. When you watch him play, he’s an incredibly intelligent defender.
Not only does he win lots of physical duels, but he also senses things. “That’s why he scored nine goals last season. He senses moments in the box.
He stayed up and it was a wonderful finish in the end. “He’s cut across his shot and almost hit it with the outside of his foot and it was a nice way at that point to get us back on level terms.”.
