Rea: Holding role at Luton suits me perfectly

Town midfielder Glen Rea believes playing the holding role is a ‘perfect’ position for him in the Hatters set-up these days.

The 25-year-old moved to Kenilworth Road from Brighton & Hove Albion on loan in March 2016 and then permanently a few months later.

He started off at centre half, but moved into a defensive midfield berth in recent seasons, and has occupied that role in the Championship this term.

Rea said: “For me as a centre mid, that position is, I think, perfect for the way I play.

“I like breaking things up, I like passing it.

"I want to get better at going forward and influencing the game a bit further forward, but my main job is to actually break things up and play simple and I feel that’s what I do.

“Having the boys behind me, it’s that extra shield in front of the back four.

“As football has evolved, that’s a position that people actually use. Nathan (Jones) used it and the (old) gaffer now has used it, so it’s perfect for the way I play really.”

Rea is no stranger to being in the middle of the pitch, as he admitted it was a role he was used to in his younger years, although possibly with a more attacking bias on his duties back then.

He added: “When I was a kid I actually was a centre mid, but I was box-to-box.

“I used to like scoring the goals and winning tournaments, scoring headers.

“I went to Brighton, they put me in different positions, as then you’re just enjoying playing wherever.

“When I was put centre mid, I scored two goals, I thought ‘I’ve cracked it,’ I was buzzing.

“Then because I was a bit taller and I liked to tackle and actually defend, they put me to centre half.

"But when I was growing up a bit more, they said I was a bit small for centre half, which I didn’t really agree with.

“Now I’ve found a position, holding mid, and I’m absolutely loving it.

“I did say when I signed my contract two years ago, if I had a run in a position, I felt like I could learn, if you put me anywhere I just want to learn that position.

“So now I’m playing as a holding midfielder, and I’m getting the chance to play there regularly, that’s what got me there.”