Millwall boss has great response whenever question of ‘defining match’ crops up

Millwall manager Gary Rowett has got used to people adding extra significance to their recent matches – with tonight’s trip to Luton Town just the latest example.

It is a clash of sixth versus fifth at Kenilworth Road tonight.

The Lions are a position higher than their opponents after bouncing back from a 1-0 defeat at Coventry to take seven points from their next three fixtures.

Luton are 15th in the standings for home results alone and the South Londoners have won five of their last eight on their travels, the latest at Stoke City on Saturday when Zian Flemming bagged the only goal of the game.

Rowett told the South London Press: “I’ve probably had a similar question for about 10 games, which is that ‘this is a defining week’ – because we’re playing Luton, who are around us, and it is a game in hand. It’s just the next game for both of us.

“Either one team is going to go three points ahead of the other team but both will still be in a very good position, or both teams take a point each and both teams are still in a very good position. I don’t think necessarily anything is going to change. Both of us are going to want to win the game. Both of us will want to have that little bit of a cushion, with it being the game in hand.

“But, at the same time, you have to accept it for what it is. People spoke about the (last) week being defining – the Burnley and Sheffield United games. We end up winning one, drawing one and then beating Stoke – and yet I still get asked the same question a week later.

“It proves that no win is defining. It’s 46 games that are defining and your consistency over that period.

“We’re pleased with where we are. I’m sure Luton are very pleased with where they are. Let’s see if one team can come out on top on Tuesday, hopefully that will be us.

“It’s going to be physically tough as well as tactically a challenge as well. Two honest teams will be going at it.”

Rob Edwards was appointed as Luton’s new manager after Nathan Jones quit for Southampton.

“They’ve done a brilliant job there,” said Rowett. “Rob went in off the back of Nathan building a culture there and putting his own stamp on it, to maintain that and to not impact results – in fact probably improve on them – is a really good achievement.

“I’m pretty sure both of us won’t mind saying there are a lot of similarities between the aims of the teams – we’re trying to get into the top six, Luton for the second time.

“We have got really good character in both groups. They are really hard-working and quite a direct team, we’re very similar. We’ve both got good players to not just be a direct team. Both teams mix it up quite well.

“It’s clearly going to be a tough game for both teams. They are at home and we have to make sure we put that extra bit of effort in to stop what they do, rather than the other way around.

“I expect a good battle and I’ve been impressed with the job they’ve done there.”