Jones: We have a hunger to stay in the Championship

Luton boss Nathan Jones insists his side definitely have the appetite for their Championship relegation battle which comes to a head this week.

The Hatters head to fellow strugglers Hull City in a must-win clash tomorrow, knowing that a win will see them leapfrog their hosts and also move out of the drop zone, due to Charlton’s home clash with Wigan Athletic that starts at 12.30.

With the Addicks just two points in front of Luton, and the Latics level, due to their 12-point deduction for entering administration, then it means any kind of victory for Town will lift them out of the bottom three.

Jones said: “I can't second guess how anyone is going to feel, from the outside it might seem that this (battle to stay up) was expected, but not from us.

"We always recruited a side and played a certain way, we had a togetherness and we always loved to take on higher league opposition.

"So all I can say is we've got a hunger to stay in the league, and I’m hoping that drives them on at the weekend to win a big game.

"Because whoever wins on Saturday it will be a big step to survival.”

During Jones' first spell in charge at Kenilworth Road, Town were used to approaching must-win games, winning promotion to League One, with the club then taking the title last term in his absence.

After resuming the season following lockdown, Hatters were left requiring victories to avoid an immediate return to the second tier, having started six points adrift from safety, further adding to their experience of contests such as the one facing them this weekend.

On where he rates it compared to other fixtures Luton have been involved in during their recent history, Jones continued: "It's as big as there is.

“We won't play it down, but what we won't do is get it to a level where it inhibits performance and mentality.

“We’re used to big games here, this group are, we’ve had to usually win every game or we've gone out to win every game to have got promoted.

“Things have changed this season, we’ve had to win games to stay in the league, but the pressure is exactly the same, in terms of 11 v 11, use your subs, 90 minutes, playing on a pretty much similar pitch, so the parameters around it is exactly the same, it’s how we handle it.

“Now we've been in decent form and we want to continue that.

“Yes we want to turn a few of these draws into wins, we can’t draw our way to safety, so we’ll look to be positive.”

Town were given another boost on Wednesday evening when Charlton were held to a 1-1 draw by Birmingham thanks to a stoppage time equaliser for the Blues, ensuring Lee Bowyer's side didn't move four points in front of the Hatters with two games to go.

Jones admitted that he had been an interested spectator in proceedings, saying: “I had half an eye on it but I always find if I watch it then it never goes for us!

"To be fair, someone I know very well (Scott Hogan) missed a penalty (for Birmingham) and then it was a late goal.

"I think they had a lot of chances from what I could see but it was nice to see.

"I was sat having dinner and I saw they equalised, it’s a good result for us because it keeps Charlton in and around us and needing points as we do."

Another plus that could go in Town's favour on Saturday is being away from Kenilworth Road, as their away form has been excellent since the season resumed, claiming seven points from nine, with wins at Swansea and Huddersfield, plus an excellent draw at soon to be champions Leeds.

Jones admitted that he might look to move away slightly from the tactics that earned an 2-0 triumph at the John Smith’s Stadium a week ago, adding: “We’ve been decent away from home in terms of how we’ve played.

“Things may change at the weekend, we may tinker with one or two things because we want to have more of the game but we will see.

“I just hope, one we remain unbeaten and two we actually get out of the relegation zone.”