O’Connor: We must make a statement against York

HATTERS striker Aaron O’Connor has urged his side to make a statement when they entertain York City tomorrow evening, writes Mike Simmonds.

Luton dropped out of the play-offs on goal difference after the Minstermen beat Bath City in midweek, but victory over their rivals would see them climb up to fourth.

Town haven’t won in six matches and their recent record again York is atrocious as, barring the 5-0 victory when City goalkeeper Michael Ingham was sent off, they haven’t won any of the other eight matches.

O’Connor said: “I don’t think there’s a better opportunity against a better team to make a better statement at this time of the year.

“We’re all raring to go Friday and if we get the right result, we can definitely kick on from there.

“If you’d have asked us two or three weeks ago would we have dropped out of the play-offs, I think we’d have said no.

“But we’ve had a bit of a bad patch. It’s still in our hands games-wise though, we’re more than confident and when we do make the play-offs, I don’t think teams will want to play us.”

O’Connor declared himself fully fit for the crucial clash, after notching two goals for Hatters’ reserves in a 5-2 victory over Oxford United yesterday afternoon.

He added: “I’ve got a little bit of a sore ankle from Wrexham, but I have to keep monitoring it. It’s not restricting me from doing anything.

“I’ve got a few drills I have to do every day, but I’m fully fit now.

“I just have to keep the match fitness up, so games like the reserves are important.”

Dan Walker also netted twice and completed 90 minutes for the first time since September while, after Town snapped up Andre Gray, O’Connor was well aware he faced a battle to regain his place.

He added: “You have to keep your standards up, I don’t think you’ve got much choice.

“If you don’t, you won’t play, it’s as simple as that. Some people might be happy with that, I’m not.

“I want to play and if I’m not playing, I want to be involved.

“Games like the reserves will show you want to be part of this team and if you don’t then you won’t play.”

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