Buckle backs Shaw to find his scoring touch

The summer signing from Gateshead hit 35 goals last season, but has only found the net once in six appearances for his new side, that on his debut against the Tynesiders.

Shaw was forced to sit out three games recently after being suspended following the AFC Telford game, but returned to the starting line-up for Saturday’s goalless draw with Wrexham.

Buckle said: “We always knew Shawy coming back, it’s going to need a bit of time. When you’re out for three games and not able to play practice matches, you’re not going to come back, be the finished article and be full steam ahead.

“We need to get Shawy playing on a regular basis with (Stuart) Fleetwood, (Andre) Gray, (Scott) Rendell to get that understanding. Once we do that, we’ll be in good working order, there’s no doubt about that.”

Town go into Friday night’s game at Grimsby in fifth place, just two points off the top, with the knowledge that victory would take them to the top of the table, for a while at least.

Taking the league by the scruff of the neck is something that Buckle is determined for his side to do this campaign as he continued: “We’ve got to try and get up to the top. I don’t think we’ve ever felt at this club in the Conference what it’s like to be at the top of the league.

“None of us are miracle workers. We’ve got to stick at it, it takes hard work and is not just going to happen over night.”

Midfielder Alex Lawless was of the same opinion and believes that the clash at Blundell Park is a fine opportunity for Luton to show their 3-0 hammering at Alfreton Town was just a mere blip.

He said: “The quicker we get there (top of the table) the better we’ll get, hopefully that day will be soon.

“We’ve focused on the fact that points wise, if we keep going we’ll be on track.

“I think we’ve proved this season we’ve had a decent record away apart from Alfreton and we want to get back to that frame of mind that we are good at playing away from home.

“Friday will be a chance on the back of the Alfreton result to put it right.”

For all the latest Luton Town FC news, reports, stats, player profiles, live match updates, MOM poll, prediction table and a complete fixture list, visit our Hatters Microsite.