Hatters widen gap at top of the table
ADELIGHTED Dave Challinor says his County side saw “a good week become a great week”, as The Hatters went five points clear atop League Two with a 1-5 thrashing of Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.
A Paddy Madden double, along with goals from Connor Lemonheigh Evans, Tanto Olaofe and an Owen Bailey own goal, set Challinor’s men on their way to a first away win since early November - with defeats for promotion rivals Mansfield Town and Crewe Alexandra capping a superb afternoon for The Hatters.
The good news had continued throughout the week for Challinor and company, with several key players returning from injury absences, and rivals dropping points in midweek as Mansfield were held to a 1-1 home draw by relegation-threatened Sutton United.
It’s been a good week; Saturday makes it a great week,” said Challinor.
“For an hour we were sensational. We then earned the right to make changes, five minutes to some of those returning from injury and ‘see it out’ if you like.
“It’s a brilliant all round performance - there are so many positives and no negatives to take from that, and it’s really pleasing to be in a position to say that.”
The thrashing at the Keepmoat Stadium also evidenced a further step on the County comeback trail for the excellent Connor Lemonheigh Evans, who grabbed two assists and a goal on his second start since returning to Edgeley Park from a successful loan spell at AFC Wimbledon.
Upon Lemonheigh Evans’ return earlier in the month amid an injury crisis for The Hatters, there had been suggestion that the midfielder would return to Plough Lane before the end of the transfer window.
But, even with the returns of Antoni Sarcevic and Myles Hippolyte, Evans has seized his opportunity with the league leaders.
“He has a big part to play for us, and he’ll be in the team for as long as he’s performing as he is doing,” said Challinor.
“Similarly to Nick Powell, we haven’t seen the best of him and both will be disappointed with how things have gone to date, but both were really excellent at times throughout Saturday and have shown the roles they’ll play for this side in the run-in.
“Powelly was unbelievable at times, too, and we’ve got so many top players - now’s the time to really embrace where we’re at.”
Powell turned in a standout performance in South Yorkshire, and has shown signs of the qualities possessed by the former Manchester United prospect in recent weeks after an underwhelming start to life at Edgeley Park last summer.
The mercurial attacking midfielder also went close to a Goal of the Season contender, looping an incredible chip over Louis Jones and crashing off the face of the crossbar from wide of the penalty area in a dominant display.
“We have real quality throughout the group, and every single one of them will have a part and a role to play for the rest of this season,” said Challinor.
“We’re in the position everyone else wants to be in at the top of the table that’s a brilliant position to be in. We wouldn’t swap that for anyone.”
This week sees the closing of the January transfer window, with The Hatters still open for business and hoping for “one or two” more faces through the doors at Edgeley Park.
Minnesota Utd wingback Ethan Bristow has been joined by loanees Rhys Bennett and Rico Richards from Man Utd and Aston Villa respectively, though a move for Newcastle Utd midfielder Joe White does appear off after Eddie Howe confirmed this week that the youngster would remain at St James’ Park this season.
However, with those key players at Edgeley Park continuing to return in the coming weeks, Challinor is clear on his side’s intentions.
“We would like to top up the group where we can, but we are clear that anything else now will be done completely on our terms,” said Challinor.
“We have Sarce and Myles back this week, Macca (Southam-Hales) has put in an excellent performance on his return on Saturday.
“We’ll only get stronger with who we have coming back in.”