Town boss singles out 'settled' Sluga for special praise during Rams triumph

Luton boss Nathan Jones revealed he singled out keeper Simon Sluga for special praise in the dressing room after yesterday’s 2-1 win over Derby County.

The Croatian stopper didn’t have a great deal to do in the first period, before being beaten by Jack Marriott’s close range finish early in the second half, as the Rams levelled.

However, with 65 minutes gone, Marriott’s replacement Jahmal Hector-Ingram received Nathan Byrne’s cross inside the area, spun Matty Pearson and was about to put County 2-1 up, only to be denied bravely by Sluga, who had swiftly rushed out of his goal.

Jones said: “I singled him out in there as it was a wonderful save at 1-1.

“He’s quick off his line, made the save and they’re match-winning saves.

“If that had gone in, it would have obviously been a different result, but it could have been a totally different outcome.”

After a tough start to life at Kenilworth Road, Sluga is now showing just why Town shelled out a club record fee for his services last summer, the 27-year-old starting every league game since Jones took over.

He continued: “That’s what he’s there for, but he’s been magnificent since I've come in, attitude-wise, the way he is, and you have to understand, he had a tough time when he came.

“But when you come to a strange land and you’re a foreign player, trying to find your way, and we’re not a big enough club at the minute to justify liaison players and people like that, it takes time.

“He has now settled, I’m delighted with him, he’s a great character, really popular amongst the lads, and it showed that he’s got one pair.

“Because to come through a difficult time to be where is now, I’m really proud of him.”

Meanwhile, match-winner Jordan Clark praised Town's stopper and a wonderful block by captain Sonny Bradley when lying prostrate on the floor in stoppage time, as he added; “He's a very good shot-stopper, he’s saved us there and then Sonny right at the end, like John Terry, when he threw himself in front of the ball.

“But that’s what it means to us, to be fighting at the top of the league.”