Awford calls on Hatters to tighten up at the back

The Hatters have conceded 32 goals already in the league this season, including 11 in their last three outings against Northampton, Newport and Carlisle.

Awford, who took over in the short term after John Still left the club on Thursday, said: “We’ve leaked too many goals, that’s no secret, that’s out there, and there’s been some work done.

“I’ve looked at it, I went home and had a look at a few things once I knew what was what, that’s a concern, although we haven’t half been scoring well at the moment.

“John had done his work (before leaving). We didn’t have Monday and Tuesday off, so there’s been work done and I’ve continued that.

“I don’t just think it’s the defence, I think it’s a team game, you defend as an 11 and you attack as an 11.

“It would be wrong to blame the goalkeeper and the two centre halves because we’ve conceded a few goals. What’s the protection like? What’s the pressing like? What are the forwards doing? All sorts of thing go on when you concede goals.

“It’s a team ethic that’s needed and that’s what we’ve looked at.”

Awford has been pleased with what Luton have produced at the other end of the pitch though, including scoring 18 on their travels so far, as he continued: “It’s an area of the pitch we’re very good at.

“It was good to see Benno (Paul Benson) back on the scoresheet at the weekend, others have chipped in all over the pitch too.”

On the test that Exeter, who have only lost once at home in the league this term, will provide, Awford added: “I’ve been and watched a few games for John, doing some reports on bits and bobs from my academy role and supported him in that respect, but unfortunately I haven’t managed to watch Exeter yet.

“I’ve known Paul Tisdale a long time though, I was up against them last year, you know what you’re up against.

“It’ll be a hard game, it’s a tough place to go, they’re on a good run at the minute, but they’re all hard games, there’s no gimmes in this league.

“I think it will be a really good game though with the way Exeter play and the way we’ve played recently.

“If we can just tighten up a bit as a unit, I think we can get on the front foot and cause them some problems.”