Jones: Lads have mental issues
GRAEME JONES is to consider employing a psychologist for some of his Luton players after his side’s defeat at Reading.
It was the Hatters’ fourth successive league loss and seventh in 10 matches.
Reading eased into a 2-0 half-time lead, with well-taken goals from defender Michael Morrison and midfielder Ovie Ejaria.
Luton offered only a minimal threat throughout and were punished further in the 79th minute by home substitute Garath McCleary.
“Some players don’t need any psychological help,” Jones said. “Sports psychology is what we’re talking about here.
“I’ve worked at every level and, without revealing names, we’ve used sports psychologists through the years.
“Some people can repair themselves, some people need help. And we’re at a point now where maybe we’re going to have to think about going down that route. It’s an area that I understand, it’s an area that I will be looking at deeply.
“It’s a reality of the mental step in the Championship, which I keep speaking about.
“As a group, that’s an area that we have not overcome yet.
“I’ll assess the boys when I speak to them and we’ll take it from there.”
“It’s a realisation of where we are. That’s what we’ve got.
“I work my backside off every day to try to make Luton as good as we can be. But, at the minute, it is not working.”
Luton began brightly, with Callum McManaman crossing only for Reading goalkeeper Rafael to gather comfortably.
As the game see-sawed in the steady rain, Luton captain Martin Cranie found himself free at the back post from a Jacob Butterfield corner. Although Cranie struck his shot powerfully, Rafael made a fine save.
Reading went ahead when John Swift slung over a setpiece and centre-back Morrison rose alone to beat James Shea with the firmest of headers.
Eight minutes later, Reading increased their advantage.
A fast break out of defence along the left flank saw Swift release Liverpool loanee Ejaria, who cut in and curled a precise shot past Shea.
McCleary sealed it for Reading in the 79th minute when seizing on an error by Alan Sheehan, before running through to calmly beat Shea.
Reading made it four matches unbeaten, which include three home victories, under new manager Mark Bowen. “Before the game started, I was banging the drum,” he said.
“It was all about ‘I don’t care how we win the game, just get three points on the board’.
“Now I’m sitting here really full of pride for the manner in which we won the game.
“People might say that Luton weren’t great. But I’m a great believer that they’re as good as you let them be. Simple as that.
“We married the two sides of the game exactly right – when you haven’t got the ball and when you have got the ball.
Goalscorer McCleary had been effectively in first-team “exile” under Jose Gomes.
“I’m delighted for Garath,” Bowen said. “I brought him back into things, to get the feelgood factor back for him.”