Buckle insists Hatters must learn how to adapt

Having already altered their formation to match Gateshead on Tuesday night, target man Craig McAllister made a big impact when he was introduced against the Heed.

The new Town manager wants Luton’s stars to key into tactical changes made during match, saying: “The system changes are something we’ve been used to, we’ve done this before.

“We try and pass the ball and to pass the ball you’ve got to try and get people around the ball.

“If it’s going to be pass and move that’s what we try and do.

“At the end when we’ve put Macca on, you’ve got to play to Macca’s strengths.

“Although the boy’s all right into feet, Macca’s strength is in the air.

“He is a handful on the angle and I thought that’s when we looked at our most dangerous.

“When we got quality ball into him he nodded things down and we probably didn’t do that enough, we should have done it a bit more.

“When we got into wide areas we were reluctant to put it in, but that’s because we’ve been passing the ball.

“We had to change our gameplan, that’s where you’re looking for the lads on the pitch to realise that and problem solve.”

Gateshead had two penalty appeals turned down, but Buckle didn’t want to be drawn on the decisions, instead pointing to a nasty challenge on Godfrey Poku – although he remains hopeful the midfielder will be fit for the weekend.

Buckle continued: “I thought it was a poor challenge on Godfrey, a terrible challenge.

“I’m not interested in commenting of referees, but it was studs into his ankle and we’re hopeful he will be recovered and ready for Saturday.”

The boss remained unconcerned by the lack of goalscoring opportunities Luton created on the night, saying: “I don’t think it’s too much of a worry. I think this is a one-off.

“It’s a game where we had to change our style a little bit. I think you’ve seen us play some excellent football.

“We’ve scored lots of goals, it’s not like we’ve been goal shy. But it’s a tough place to come.

“I thought we were going to nick it in the end considering they had gone so close.

“But there has to be some realism to it. We have to stay on top of it and I’ve been very frank with the players in the dressing room and told them we can’t feel sorry for ourselves.

“We’ve got to dust ourselves down because we know we weren’t at our very best.

“We are honest with each other and we are going to need to be at our best on Saturday.

“I think when you are running out of games like we are it’s very hard to keep winning and keep scoring threes and four goals.

“We’ve tried, but it was always going to be a big ask.

“Let’s be honest about it, we all witnessed Braintree, three goals, we got smashed out of sight at Forest Green.

“You have to remember that, things don’t just change overnight.

“We’ve made a massive effort, the players have put a big effort in to get in contention and we’ve got to take this one of the chin.”

The point took Town another step closer to the play-offs and Buckle is positive the Hatters are heading in the right direction.

He added: “This is what I’m trying to explain, we can’t all of a sudden go from, I won’t say a poor team, but a poor run of results, no win in eight, to win, win, win every week.

“We are trying, I’m doing every last bit I can with the players to get us over the line and get us into the play-offs but it’s a tough one for us.

“I think that’s three wins and two draws.

“In the middle of the season you would be happy with that, but with it being the end of the season we are trying to win every game and I don’t think so far we are doing a bad job.”