Wilshere rues ‘easy goals’ as Luton suffer heavy defeat at Barnsley
Luton Town boss Jack Wilshere admitted his side conceded far too many “easy goals” in their 5-0 defeat at Barnsley, telling Luton Today it had been a “tough day” at Oakwell.
The Hatters arrived in South Yorkshire unbeaten in five matches in all competitions and with three successive clean sheets, but produced an error-strewn performance that the hosts punished ruthlessly.
Reyes Cleary opened the scoring after a misplaced pass from Zack Nelson, before goalkeeper Josh Keeley’s poor distribution contributed to Patrick Kelly doubling the lead before half time. Luca Connell curled in a free kick after Liam Walsh fouled Davis Keillor-Dunn, while after the break Gideon Kodua turned into his own net and Keillor-Dunn added a fifth as Barnsley continued to capitalise on Luton mistakes.
“We gave opportunities up too easily,” Wilshere said. “We have to be more clinical and we have to make sure we are controlling their players up the pitch when we are attacking, because we are conceding in transition moments. It was way too easy today.”
The former Arsenal midfielder felt his team had been progressing defensively in recent weeks but accepted that this display fell well below the required standard, stressing the need for greater technical efficiency on the ball as Luton look to respond to one of their heaviest defeats of the season.