Money urges fans to cheer the Hatters on to Wembley

Luton trail 1-0 to Mansfield on aggregate after losing their FA Trophy semi final first leg at Field Mill on Sunday but the Hatters manager is convinced his side can turn it around.

And he has urged the club’s supporters to get behind his side, asking them: “To sing their hearts out, create an atmosphere.

“It’s £10. I understands in today’s market place it’s a lot of money for some people but it’s a great opportunity to see your team get to Wembley.

“It’s one of those competitions that in the early rounds it looks a hindrance, but now everyone desperately wants to achieve it.

“I’m hearing they are bringing 1,300 which will make for a fantastic atmosphere in the stadium and a good attendance.

“The prize is the same for both teams. Am I backing our players to perform on the day? Yes I am.

“If we get to Wembley twice in two years they’ve been a little bit spoiled.”

Town will be without cup tied duo Robbie Willmott and midfielder Paul Carden who both started the goalless draw at Cambridge United in midweek.

Full-backs Freddie Murray and Dan Gleeson will also be absent through injury, but Money is sure his side can cope.

He said: “Freddie Murray pulled his hamstring last Sunday. You would think he has week or two left.

“Glees opened up his knee in the last minutes of the last home game and is still a little bit sore and will be another week or two.

“Jake Howells has been excellent at left-back. Luke Graham has been as steady as a rock at right-back and we have no concerns about those two.”

And although confident of victory, he warned the Stags would be dangerous on the counter.

Money continued: “I wasn’t particularly happy with the performance at Mansfield, although we created lots and lots of chances and should have come off winning.

“We’ve got to approach the game in a very positive manner tomorrow and not leave holes at the back.

“They will be very dangerous on the counter attack. As Liverpool found out last night, it isn’t an easy score to overturn.”

Town have kept 13 clean sheet in 18 games since the turn of the year and Money doesn’t think his players will need any cajoling to get up for the game.

He said: “I don’t think the players are going to need any motivation at all.”

Luton may have lacked some cutting edge of late, but Money is positive that is set to return and is keen for his side to show the same resilience as they did at the Abbey Stadium on Tuesday night.

Money continued: “If we show the same resilience and determination tomorrow and add the quality I know we have at the right time in the right areas I know there’s a good performance in them tomorrow.

“If we weren’t creating chances and opportunities we would all be a bit concerned, but we are.”

Goals have been the missing ingredient of late that would have been the difference between draws and victories for the Hatters.

“It’s amazing what makes the difference. The margins are nothing, absolutely nothing.” Money lamented.

But he has left nothing to chance and revealed the Hatters are all set for a penalty shoot-out if one is required, as away goals do not ‘count double’ in this competition.

He said: “I think it’s important to have more than five (takers) as you don’t know who will be on the pitch. It may have some bearing on who starts and who comes off the bench.

“I think you’ve got to plan for it as best you can.

“We took them from the penalty spot in training and then walked them from the halfway line and the difference is immense.”

And if the Hatters can make it to Wembley, it would be the first time Richard Money has been properly involved with a side at the home of English football.

He said: “I’ve sat on the bench with my suit on for the Charity Shield final between Liverpool and West Ham and I was a ball boy at 15 for England against Scotland.

“I’m irrelevant in this. I’m more than happy with what I’ve achieved in my career as a manager, coach and player. But yes it would be nice.”

Wembley though would be nothing new to assistant Gary Brabin who has not enjoyed the best of luck there and is hoping that he will get another chance.

He said: “I’ve been to Wembley three times and I’m hoping it’s fourth time lucky!”

Winning through tomorrow would also be valuable in financial terms, but managing director Gary Sweet joked: “Net of players’ bonuses it’s not that great!”

But he added: “It’s very useful. We’ve just filed our accounts for last year on time and, although they are an improvement on the last year’s, we are still losing money. We are still in survival mode. You can get a little bit bogged down in that. We are beginning to move into the next stage financially.

“Any bonus like a Wembley final will be gratefully received and will help. Two years ago it would have been eaten up in a week or two with the creditors that were after our blood.”