Hatters boss makes two new magnificent modifications for Luton Town.

Teden Mengi and Tahith Chong start at the City Ground in place of the team that faced Tottenham two weeks ago, according to Hatters manager Rob Edwards.

The play-off final victory at Wembley marks Gabe Osho’s return to the bench, while new acquisition Andros Townsend joins the team after playing an hour for the development squad earlier in the week.

Town: Nakamba, Ruddock, Chong; Morris; Brown; Obgene, Doughty, Mengi, Lockyer, Burke; and Kaminski.

Alternates: Luker, Giles, Townsend, Adebayo, Barkley, Giles, Osho, and Krul.

Forest: Turner, Mangala, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Wood, Toffolo, Domingeuz, Elaga, Aurier, Boly, Murillo.

Subs: Vlachodimos, Worrall, Williams, Kouyate, Santos, Niakhate, Yates, Aguilera, Aina.

Speaking afterwards, Edwards said: “I stand by those changes, the rationale behind them.

“There were one or two good performances in there, so I don’t want to tar everyone with the same brush at all, but I do want more.

“There wasn’t a lack of commitment, wasn’t a lack of effort, I will never label that at our group, ever, but I want to see more devilment, more quality in that final third, certainly.
“We had a lot of the ball, they defended with six, but we’ve got to be better in that final third, no excuses, no excuses at all, it’s disappointing.

“The team we put out, we wanted to go deep into competition we really did.

“It’s tough to take, it’s horrible to go out of the competition and I know how much it means to the supporters who have travelled a long, long way as well.

“It felt like we needed to make the changes we did, but it’s on me.

We must rapidly recover because we have a crucial game against Everton on Saturday. It hasn’t worked.

Joe Johnson, a recent Manchester United hire, started as the left-sided center back under Edwards’ decision, with Teden Mengi starting on the right and summer signing Mads Andersen starting in the middle.

The manager said of the trio: “He’s (Johnson) a really good young player; it was a terrific experience for him going forward.

“I thought T was excellent in his debut, and Mads was as well. He was a real plus point for us tonight.”

 

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