Interim manager Alex Lawless admitted his frustration after Luton Town’s 3–1 defeat to Cambridge United in the EFL Trophy deepened the club’s ongoing struggles.
The Hatters were unable to halt their poor run of form at the Abbey Stadium, falling to a side from a division below despite taking an early lead through Mads Andersen.
Lawless Reflects on ‘Missed Opportunity’
Lawless, appointed on an interim basis following the dismissal of Matt Bloomfield, made six changes to his starting line-up but could not spark a reaction. Cambridge turned the game around with goals from Glenn McConnell and Elias Kachunga, before sealing victory late on as defensive confusion between Teden Mengi and Nigel Lonwijk allowed the hosts to score a third.
The result leaves Luton’s confidence at rock bottom, with the interim boss acknowledging the psychological toll recent defeats have taken.
“It’s hugely disappointing,” Lawless said. “We were looking for a win, that’s what we haven’t got. I think the second half probably epitomises where we are at the minute. The confidence is low, and I really felt like tonight was an opportunity to get that spark and build some belief again.”
Lawless emphasised that his decision to field a strong team was deliberate, aiming to reignite form rather than experiment with youth.
“Playing as strong a team as possible was the obvious thing to try and do that,” he added. “It makes it more disappointing that we haven’t managed to get that winning feeling.”
Limited Time, No Excuses
Lawless had just over 24 hours to prepare for the fixture after stepping up from his role with the club’s U21s. Despite the quick turnaround, he refused to use that as an excuse.
“It’s a challenge but that’s the job,” he said. “You have to work fast, and I’ve been around here long enough to know that. The support around the place makes it easier. I wouldn’t put anything down to a lack of preparation — we just didn’t do enough to win.”
The 39-year-old, who made more than 200 appearances for the club as a player, remains among the early contenders to replace Bloomfield permanently, but he downplayed any talk about his future.
“I’m proud to help out, but it’s not about me,” Lawless said. “It’s about trying to help the club and the players through this period.”
Writer’s View
Luton’s defeat at Cambridge was a damaging one, not just for the result but for what it revealed about confidence levels within the squad. Despite flashes of quality, the Hatters’ defensive uncertainty and lack of conviction in attack remain serious issues.
Lawless’s comments show awareness of the psychological fragility he has inherited, but time is against him.
