Dom Hutchison urges Luton Town to prioritise stability under Jack Wilshere

Former Luton Town midfielder Don Hutchison believes the Hatters must strike a careful balance between ambition and stability this season, warning against reckless January spending while not ruling out a late promotion push under Jack Wilshere.

Wilshere has made a mixed start since stepping into his first senior managerial role, with the club on the verge of the League One play-offs.

However, Hutchison feels the club’s recent history means patience will be key following successive relegations down the divisions.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with oddsboom.co.uk, Hutchison suggested Luton are more likely to benefit from consolidation in the short term, with any promotion challenge built gradually rather than forced through heavy investment.

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Steady the ship

“I think it’ll be one of those situations where they’re going to need a late push,” he said. “I think they’re going to have to be really consistent under Jack.

“They’re a club that needs to steady the ship. I think it might be a season where you go, let’s just consolidate, let’s not get in any trouble.

“Let’s just make sure we finish in the right positions, push for the playoffs if possible.

“I know Gary Sweet, the CEO there, and he’s a very stable guy, he’s a very sensible guy.

“He always looks at the bigger picture, the wider picture. He’ll be thinking of stability and then let’s see where we go after the Christmas period.

“Coventry were a great example last year in the Championship, how they had a really late push and nearly got promotion via the playoffs.

“So it can be done and I hope they can get there again, but I just think they need to stabilise things.”

Funding

However, Hutchison stressed that Wilshere would not have gone into the role blindly and will have accepted that any January business is likely to be carefully managed.

“Yeah, I think he probably knew that when he came in, knowing they’ve dropped down a second time after their Premier League relegation,” Hutchison added.

“Suffering back-to-back relegations, they’re not exactly going to have loads of money to spend.

“I know it’ll be hard for him, because as a first-time manager in a new job, you’re going to want a bit of backing and you’re going to want some funding.

“He’ll ask for it and hopefully he gets it.”

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