Hatters keeper expected a busier afternoon during Cherries stalemate

Luton stopper James Shea had thought he would be in for a busier afternoon during Saturday’s goalless draw against promotion favourites Bournemouth at Kenilworth Road.

The Cherries went into the game having scored 15 goals away from home this season, including four at Barnsley recently.

However, Town, opting for a five-man defence, restricted their opponents to just two shots on target, Junior Stanislas’ tame first half free kick and then sub Rodrigo Riquelme’s low drive in the second period, both confidently handled by Shea.

When asked if he had expected more work on the day from a front-line containing £17m former Liverpool and England youth striker Dominic Solanke, Shea, who made it three clean sheets in four matches, said: “Yes, I thought it was going to be a busy day to be honest, but the back five were brilliant, even the midfield in between, absolutely class.

“They make my job easier for me, a bit like the League One days, I don’t do much, but I take it all day long.

“These lot have been scoring for fun lately, so a clean sheet against them is a good days work.

“I didn’t have too much to do, the back five in front me were brilliant, the midfield was brilliant, it was a great team performance.

“I thought we looked solid, we didn’t really give them any chances, any clear-cut, so it was a collective clean sheet today.”

Town's back-line was altered again for the contest, with Martin Cranie returning at right back, while Dan Potts adopted a more central role, Rhys Norrington-Davies dropping into full back when Bournemouth went forward.

Shea felt the credit to Luton's newfound solidity this term should be shared around though, adding: "Everyone who’s come in, I think it was Matty (Pearson) and Sonny (Bradley) who started (the season), then Locks (Tom Lockyer) has come in.

"Locks has been brilliant, Rhys has been unbelievable at left back, then Pottsy has come in, Pottsy’s done unreal.

"He was injured and he’s come straight in and looks like he’s never been away, so it’s a collective unit.

"Even Cranes, Cranes has been there, done it, got the t-shirt, he knows what it’s all about.

"It's been a collective five or six players at the back that have put shifts in week after week.

“We always back ourselves to score goals, always, even though we didn't score today, we back ourselves.

"So if we can keep it tight at the back and keep clean sheets, we’re always going to give ourselves a chance to win the game."