Rotation Creation

Jack Marriott's goal in the 27th minute was enough for the Hatters to record a victory over an Argyle side that included home debuts for Jamille Matt and Jordan Houghton. Matt was preferred as the sole striker to Reuben Reid on this occasion, whilst Houghton partnered Ben Purrington in a previously untested midfield tandem.

"We just changed it about," Derek said on the subject of Matt. "We just wanted a wee bit more energy up front today, and it gave us a different option.

"I didn't really have many options. We've had a couple of injuries. Ben played very well against Oxford the last time - he did well again today, and he's one that the football club have got high hopes for."

Oscar Threlkeld was placed at right back for the suspended Kelvin Mellor and ahead of the recovering Jordon Forster. The latter, along with Carl McHugh, were able to be named on the substitutes' bench - with McHugh entering the fray in the final minutes - as Adams aims to ensure both players can be involved heavily in Argyle's end-of-season run.

"They weren't fit enough to play," said Derek. "They had only trained yesterday, and they weren't up to speed.

"Carl's obviously been out for about four weeks now, but I thought it was important to give us a wee boost and put them on the bench. We've got nine games to go and it's important we get everyone fit."

The addition of Matt and Houghton meant one loan player would have to be left out of the match-day squad for Luton, with Daniel Nardiello being the unfortunate party.

"We had four loan signings in the starting eleven and had Jordon Forster on the bench," said Adams, "which gave us cover at right back and at centre half. It was difficult for me to leave Daniel out but, under the rules, I didn't really have a choice.

"He's obviously with us until the end of the season, but at this moment in time and at previous times, it's been difficult for us to get him in the starting eleven. Today was just because we played the four loan signings, then it was difficult to get him on the bench.

"We've had injuries to the likes of Ryan Brunt and had to take in Jamille Matt. We've had Carl McHugh out and had to take [Jordan] Houghton in. That's caused a wee bit of disruption and that's the reason why we've got all the loan signings. We don't want to have loan signings throughout the season but you need them, and I think the majority of them have performed well for us."

Clearly Argyle's recent is not through a lack of trying, then, with Adams regularly changing his line-up and setup to try and return the Greens to the form that has earned them a place in the Sky Bet League 2 promotion battle.

"We've changed formation a number of times," said Adams. "We've gone 4-4-2, we've gone 3-5-2, we've gone 4-2-3-1. Today we've done likewise - we're just not getting a break of the ball at this moment in time. When we get that, then hopefully we go on another good run. We haven't been getting the break that I think our play deserves."