Jones not looking at Barnsley's play-off charge as a blueprint for the Hatters

Luton boss Nathan Jones won’t be looking at surprise package Barnsley as an example for his side to follow when going into the 2021-22 Championship campaign.

The Tykes, along with the Hatters, had been tipped by many to be battling with relegation again this term, after both only stayed up on the final day last term.

However, under manager Valérien Ismaël, who replaced Gerhard Struber in October, they have enjoyed a superb campaign, reaching the play-offs and are three games away from a return to the Premier League.

Jones, who has led Town to a 12th place finish themselves, and a highest second tier points tally since 1982, was quick to praise the efforts of the Oakwell club, but didn’t think they were the blueprint for his side to look at going forward.

He said: “No, I don’t look at them as an example.

“They’ve done something wonderful, the new manager has come in and they’ve hit the ground running.

“What we’ve done is build, you’ve only got to look at a side like Bournemouth, that would be something that we want to emulate as we have our own way of playing, own way of doing stuff and we want to evolve.

“Barnsley have done outstanding in terms of what they’ve done, but I’m not talking style, I’m talking evolving in terms of a way of club on and off the pitch.

“I think we’re more comparable to that (Bournemouth) then a Barnsley.

“Now Barnsley have every chance of going up this year and they’ve done fantastically well, they’ve been outstanding.

“But for us, I think it’s more of an evolving, steady progress, that is probably more parallel with like a Bournemouth than anything else.