Nathan Jones’ side’s last-gasp victory at Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday, when Scott Cuthbert and James Collins netted in the 90th and 98th minutes to overturn a one-goal deficit, saw them jump five places from ninth at kick-off to fourth, on 14 points.
Following the 2-0 win over the division’s bottom club, Port Vale, in the previous game, tomorrow gives the Town the chance to make it three successive victories for the first time this season – a feat they did not manage last season until the final three matches.
Last week's goal was Collins' sixth of the season, making him the Town's top scorer ahead of Olly Lee on two. The Hatters have won three and lost one of the four home league games so far this term, scoring 13 times in the process.
The visitors from Derbyshire are under the caretaker charge of director of recruitment and development Guy Branston after parting company with manager Gary Caldwell following last Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Accrington Stanley – a fifth game without a win that left them in the relegation zone, 23rd in the table on five points.
THE GAFFER SAYS:
On the chance to make it three wins in a row: “We always just look at the next game, but having won two, then that’s the maths of it. It’s a home game and we want to make sure we are at it, we want to make sure that we are on the front foot. It’s just another statistic, but we want to try and do that.”
On midfielder Alan McCormack’s fitness after going off injured in the first half at Wycombe: “Alan has surprised us because there is nothing structurally wrong, just a bit of fatigue. We asked a lot of him to play three games in a week and maybe that was one game too far. We’ll assess him, see how he is on Friday and make a decision then.”
On whether it’s a good time to play Chesterfield? “It could be a good time to a point. It could be a bad time to play them. All we can focus on is Luton and we’ll put a side out there to try and win a game. We’ll try to play our way and be positive in everything we do.”
On facing his former Brighton striker Chris O’Grady: “I might have to kidnap him before the game and lock him up! He’s a great kid, Chris…well, he’s not a kid, he’s a man, but he did well for me when I took over (as Brighton caretaker-manager). He had an impact in the game when we beat Fulham, so I know he’s a real dedicated pro and he will be a handful. But they’ve got a number of threats. We played them last year, so we know certain things about them and we are hoping for a similar result.”
WHO?
The Spireites have endured a difficult start to life back in League Two following relegation as the bottom club in League One last season. The side from the Proact Stadium have won just once in their eight matches so far – 2-0 at home to Port Vale, the only side currently below them in the table, on 19th August. Their top scorer is former Stockport and Macclesfield striker Kristian Dennis, with five goals.
WHEN & WHERE?
Kick-off is at 3pm on Saturday 23rd September at Kenilworth Road.
TICKETS
Tickets are still available from the Ticket Office in person, over the phone and online, which you can access by clicking here. Cash turnstiles will be available in all areas of the ground for home supporters.
LAST TIME WE PLAYED?
Chesterfield were a League One club in exactly the same scenario as they are now, having parted company with manager Danny Wilson, the former Hatters midfielder, following their previous game when they last visited Kenilworth Road in January. That match on Tuesday 10th January was in the third round of the Checkatrade Trophy, and the Town had Jack Marriott, who scored a brace, Craig Mackail-Smith and Isaac Vassell on target in a 4-0 win that maintained the club’s upper hand on the Spireites – with Town winning 17 of the 39 clashes between the two sides so far. Chesterfield have won 11, with the other 11 finishing all-square.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Supporters who aren't heading to Kenilworth Road tomorrow can follow the Hatters' Twitter feed on @LutonTown, or stay up-to-date on the LTFC website in the match centre. iFollow Hatters subscribers can tune in for Simon Pitts' match commentary, whilst international subscribers can watch the game live.
AWAY SUPPORTERS
We look forward to welcoming supporters from Chesterfield into the Oak Road end of the stadium. All the information you require ahead of your trip to Kenilworth Road can be found on our website by clicking here.
