‘It’s the old Arsene Wenger one!’ – Luton Town boss Edwards’ response when asked about Millwall penalty claims

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards had no comment to make on Millwall’s two penalty claims in today’s stalemate in SE16.

Both appeals involved Lions centre-back Jake Cooper, who felt he was held inside the box by former Charlton defender Tom Lockyer.

Asked by the South London Press what he made of referee Darren England’s decision not to point to the spot, Edwards said: “I haven’t seen them back, I’m sorry. It’s the old Arsene Wenger one.

“At the time my eyes followed the ball and I saw everyone erupting.

“It was a hard game to ref, I said that to the officials: ‘Millwall-Luton – I bet you were rubbing your hands at getting that one!’

“Early in the game there were a few free-kicks, for both sides, that Gary (Rowett) and I were questioning. We’re both physical teams and you’ve got to let a certain amount of it go. But I couldn’t comment on the pen, sorry.”

Asked if he was happy with a point, Edwards replied: “Yeah I think so. It was a really tough day. If you asked me before, of course we wanted to win the game. We come into every game looking to try and do that. But with how the game went – the lack of flow or rhythm – my feeling in the last 10 minutes was if we could get something it would be amazing but keep what we’ve got and keep the clean sheet.

“It’s a really difficult place to come. They play it really, really well. Either the quick turn balls for Bradshaw to run in behind or whoever out of the front three or four – which was a threat for them. You can remember a few times the ball bouncing between our backline and Ethan (Horvath) in goal.

“Any kind of free-kick, throw-in or setpiece is a real challenge. It’s a fight and you’ve got to win the first, or the second, or the third phase. We stood up to that really, really well. To get a clean sheet here is difficult to do and we know their form here in the league is one of the best at home.

“The players are fantastic. You can see how hard they work, even when we have not got much rhythm and loads going on with the ball today – you can see the fight and pressing from the front two, how hard that midfield three work to try and win the second balls and duels. The lads at the back are just relentless in competing and blocking headers. Everyone loves talking about possession but you’ve still got to have people who defend – win tackles and duels. We protect Ethan really well. He’s had to make a couple of saves today but nothing he shouldn’t make.

“We’ve done that consistently for a long time now.”

Edwards also had praise for ex-Addicks defender Lockyer.

He said: “He’s just outstanding. He’s a brilliant person and an even better footballer. He’s been top class since we’ve come in. I think everyone is recognising and seeing it.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD