Bloomfield admits it was a ‘huge blow’ to lose key defensive duo for Hornets clash..
McGuinness and Naismith were both ruled out against Watford
Luton boss Matt Bloomfield admitted it was a ‘huge blow’ to be without influential defensive duo Mark McGuinness and Kal Naismith during Sunday’s massively disappointing 2-0 reverse at local rivals Watford.
Club record signing McGuinness had started all 31 league games since he arrived from Cardiff City in August, but having picked up a knee injury that saw him replaced in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw with Plymouth Argyle on Wednesday night, couldn’t continue that run at Vicarage Road. Meanwhile, Naismith, who did complete 90 minutes against the Pilgrims was also unavailable, with a tight hamstring given as his reason.
With the pair both not on the teamsheet when it was unveiled at 2pm, the sigh of disappointment from those Luton fans in Vicarage Road and watching on at home was palpable, as with Reece Burke, Teden Mengi and Daiki Hashioka also out, rather than change his formation, Bloomfield stuck to his three man defence, which meant their places went to Reuell Walters and Mads Andersen, who like the rest of their team-mates, had a bitterly tough opening 45 minutes.
Andersen in fact was taken off at the break having played his part in the Hornets’ opener, failing to shepherd the ball back through keeper Thomas Kaminski who brought down Mamadou Doumbia for a penalty that Tom Dele-Bashiru clinically converted. The Danish centre half was then booked for a needless shoulder barge on ex-Hatter Tom Ince, making way for January signing Christ Makosso at the break, the young defender going on to have an impressive debut in what was a losing cause during the second period.
