Still planning for the long term at Luton

New Hatters boss John Still has reiterated that he isn’t expecting to work miracles at Luton Town this season, writes Mike Simmonds.
Hatters boss John StillHatters boss John Still
Hatters boss John Still

The former Dagenham & Redbridge manager took charge last week and led Luton to their first win in eight games, with a 1-0 success at Stockport County on Saturday.

Hatters still remain 13 points from the play-offs with 14 games to go, but Still said: “I’ll say what I’ve said from day one, I can’t do quick fixes.

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“If you look at really successful managers, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Arsene Wenger, how long have these people been at a club?

“It’s a project and what I’m saying to people is it’s easy for me to say. as I’ve done the project before. If it gets the amount of time it deserves, I think it will bring success to this football club.”

The amount of work Still can do with his new team is also going to be reduced due to that they are playing two games a week until the end of the season.

He said: “When you’re Saturday/Tuesday you have to be careful. I’ve come in and I haven’t got a clue about the fitness levels.

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“I’ve been on the training ground, looking at a way of playing, but it can take two, three, four five sessions to get it into people.

“We’ve given the boys a few ideas, they seemed to pick them up and understand them, it’s been the first step of a marathon.”

Regarding team selection, Still is still getting to know his squad and will use the current coaching staff to help for the time being.

He continued: “At the moment, I’ve got to lean on the staff that are here.

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“It won’t take me long to find out what the character of the players is like. For most of them it’s the first time they’ve met me. They would know of me, but not know me.

“That in itself can be a bit daunting. Now they’ve worked with me me though it will be easier.”

Still does have big plans for the club though as he added: “There are lots of things I like to do.

“I have a way that I want things to run on and off the pitch. There’s too many to mention.

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“At the moment, the focus is on the team, not on anything on the outside.

“The best part of this job is being out on the training ground with the players, other things are inconveniences but important inconveniences.

“As quickly as I can, I want to come familiar with the players, familiar with people round the football club. It’s important to be welcoming and say good morning, all those things will come though.

“There are small steps to try and build foundations for what I’m hoping is going to be an unbelievable journey.”

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Finally, Still urged Town’s fans to play their part in his intended project as he added: “I put supporters of all clubs into three categories.

“One that come what may, they get behind their team no matter what. One that get behind their team when they think the team deserve it and the other group that only get behind their team when it’s all wonderful.

“That’s not a criticism though. I’m a supporter, if I go and watch the team that I support, I might be the middle group.

“I do get behind them, I want them to do well and I think what is important that supporters like players and people in general around the football club are all totally behind us.”

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