Vassell launch in nick of time
ISAAC VASSELL gave Luton a cruel reminder that money talks.
The Hatters thought they were about to re-sign the 25-year-old from Birmingham this summer – only to be gazumped by Cardiff for £3million on deadline day.
Newly promoted Luton then had to watch in the 96th minute when the striker they coveted – on as a 91st-minute substitute – headed the winner to deny them a precious point.
It was Vassell’s first goal for almost two years after battling to overcome a troublesome knee injury – and it proved the wisdom of Bluebirds manager Neil Warnock in deciding to send him on.
For Luton, it was just a gut-wrenching taste of what might have been.
They had battled back from Aden Flint’s opener to level through a thumping header from Matty Pearson.
Warnock said: “There are that many twists and turns in the window, you just have to take advantage, if you can. We haven’t had a bad window.
“Isaac is not just a goalscorer. He ran 50 yards to close someone down just before that goal and it just spread to the crowd and the other players.
“I watched him on a cold windy night at Truro when I was out of work for a few weeks and he did everything right that night.
“I just feel there is something in him. He’s had a bad injury, but he has a lot to learn and a lot to prove.”
Hatters manager Graeme Jones admitted that he was disappointed to be left empty-handed over Vassell. But he was even more sore about the cross that Junior Hoilett delivered on to the striker’s head.
“At one stage, Isaac was coming,” revealed Jones.
“But other clubs got involved and we were unable to compete financially.
“But not defending the cross here is more disappointing than not signing him.”
Jones can be pleased with the fact that Luton’s breezy passing style often made life anxious for Cardiff, although their defending at set-pieces cost them just after half-time.
A long free-kick by Josh Murphy was volleyed home by Flint as the centre-back became the first of two Cardiff scorers to mark their debuts with a goal.
When Pearson planted a towering header past Alex Smithies from a corner in the 86th minute, it looked as though Luton would earn their new season’s second successive draw.
But the introduction of the wily Hoilett eventually gave Vassell his chance.
“I thought we showed a lot of character as we had five players making debuts,” added Warnock.
“Luton took their chance in the second half and made it difficult for us, but credit to us because we didn’t sulk.” CARDIFF LUTON 4 ........ Shots on Target ......... 2 5 ........ Shots off Target .........6 3 ................Corners ................. 3 13 ................. Fouls ................... 11 2 ............... Offsides ................. 2 57.0 .. Passing Success ... 75.2 272 ....... Total Passes ........468 36.9........Possession ......... 63.1 61.4 .. Territorial Adv%... 38.6