Luton Town – What To Make Of Simon Sluga

In a recent article, here on Vital Luton Town, we brought to the forefront that wonderful word hindsight.

Our article – a-time-for-a-bit-of-hindsight-from-the-luton-town-faithful – questioned whether the Hatters could have done anything differently when it came to preparations for their first season back in the Championship.

In one of the several comments to have been left beneath the article, the subject of the players the club opted to bring in was discussed.

Although the club brought in many players with Championship experience, it was pointed out that many were just fringe players at their previous clubs.

However, there was one major signing that didn’t fall into this category, that of Simon Sluga.

Sluga, in putting pen-to-paper for the Hatters, became our most expensive signing with his reputed fee of €1.5 million eclipsing the previous record of £850,000 the club has, back in August 1989.

Great things were expected of the Croatian keeper even more so with Luton already having two decent keepers on their books in James Shea and Marek Stech.

But things didn’t start well for Sluga, a series of high-profile errors cost Luton Town numerous points, as many as 15 as pointed out by one regular to Vital Luton Town.

Despite the errors, Graeme Jones decided to persist with the clubs’ record signing, was it a move the Hatters, come to the end of the season regret?

In hindsight, should Sluga have been given more time to settle into his new environment?

Or were matters not helped by a defence that was to go on to set unwanted records when it came to goals conceded?

Eventually, the decision was taken to withdraw Sluga from the firing line and James Shea was given the spot between the sticks.

However, recently, Sluga has been back in possession of the keepers’ jersey and his form has improved.

Those who travelled to Wigan will recall the great injury-time save he made to ensure Luton brought a point home in what is becoming an intense struggle to avoid relegation.

Today, the Hatters twitter account has pointed out that Sluga celebrates his 26th birthday and another post has also appeared showing his best saves of what has been a mixed season (see below)

🙌 Big, big saves from the birthday boy… #COYH pic.twitter.com/eCgwtcRC7K

— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) March 17, 2020

Naturally, both postings have received comments and these comments illustrate perfectly the mixed feelings that Sluga generates from the Hatters support:

Love how we're skipping on the many errors xD

Nah nah for real I'm warming up to him, just needed time 😅

— Ash K (@AshleyK1998) March 17, 2020

This proves what a good keeper Sluga is. Mistakes always get highlighted

— Colin Matthews (@scruffgolfer) March 17, 2020

So many away fans going YYYYYYEEEAAA…..OOOOOOOOHH

— Jamie McGowan (@JamieWelshICE) March 17, 2020

Sat here in the editorial chair I’m hoping Sluga has now found his feet in the Championship and can go on to playing his part in what could still be a season where Luton retain their Championship status.

But that nagging feeling called hindsight still troubles me and I can’t help feeling that record-signing label hung heavily around the necks of those who persisted with Sluga during those dark days when errors were all too familiar.

Here at Vital Luton, we’d appreciate any views you care to leave in the comment facility beneath this article.

Previous article by Mad Hatter

time-to-salute-the-comedy-genius-at-work-at-luton-town-fc