NAKAMBA MAKES HATTERS DEBUT
MARVELOUS Nakamba made his debut for Luton Town in their 1-0 win over Stoke City in the English Championship on Saturday.
The Warriors’ midfielder was introduced as a 65th minute substitute after joining the Hatters on a six-month loan deal from Premiership side Aston Villa where he had been virtually frozen out.
Nakamba never kicked a ball in the Premier League this season and was only named in the matchday squad once. He made a move to the Championship after Villa boss Unai Emery indirectly informed him that he was not a part of his plans by telling him to look for a new club.
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu’s first goal of the season saw the hosts make it back-to-back home victories for the first time this term and remain fourth on the league table.
When boss Rob Edwards took over the Hatters in November after Nathan Jones had opted to join Premier League side Southampton, the club was 10th on the table, one point behind the top six and six off Watford in third.
After losing to Middlesbrough in his first match, he went on to record six wins from seven, picking up three successive victories twice as they are now three points above the Hornets with a game in hand too.
Speaking after Saturday’s victory, Edwards said:
“First of all we came into a club that has been running very, very well for a number of years now. We’ve got some fantastic players and they’re the ones that go over the line and run and win the games, currently winning games.
“I’m so lucky with a brilliant group of staff as well, so we’ve been able to come in and hopefully make it seamless and keep going the things that the lads are good at.
“I feel like it’s our team now, I do, I recognise all the hard work that’s gone on before, but I feel that.
“I think the lads are with us, onside, we’ve
got a really good connection with the fans as well so at the moment the whole club is really together and in a good place.”