Jack Wilshere ‘learned plenty’ from his first match in charge of Luton

New Luton manager Jack Wilshere felt he learned plenty from his side after suffering a 2-0 defeat at home to Mansfield in his first game in charge this afternoon.

After the hosts missed a 33rd-minute penalty – Nahki Wells’ effort saved by Liam Roberts – the Stags went ahead before half-time when Rhys Oates curled brilliantly beyond Josh Keeley.

Mansfield scored their second just before the hour mark as Mads Andersen was penalised for handball and Tyler Roberts slotted home from the spot.

Town were booed off by their home supporters once more as Wilshere’s reign started the same way Matt Bloomfield’s ended – with a 2-0 defeat.

Former England and Arsenal midfielder Wilshere said: “I definitely learned some things from today.

“Throughout the whole process when I was watching, I saw some things and when you’re actually there and you feel it you understand a little bit more. I think we knew that coming in here, when you come from the Premier League straight to League One in two seasons, there obviously is something, but we knew that.

“I think we know what it is and we have to find ways of being able to give the players more belief.

“I said to the players before that I want them to really, really feel the belief I have in them and that doesn’t change.

“Today was a game of spells where we probably didn’t start the way we wanted to, but then we managed it well, so there’s a positive for me.

“We have to find ways of doing that throughout, so a day where obviously we wanted to win and do better, but we can take some positives.”

Mansfield should have led early on when Roberts shot too close to Josh Keeley, but Luton did improve and Jordan Clark was denied by a stunning Liam Roberts save.

The visiting keeper also kept out Wells’ penalty after Clark was fouled by Kyle Knoyle, as Mansfield made them pay through Oates.

Will Evans slammed over, while in the second period Roberts hit the bar before he doubled the Stags’ lead after 59 minutes.

Stags manager Nigel Clough said: “We’re particularly pleased with the clean sheet as we’ve had hardly any, especially away from home.

“Two turning points in the game without a doubt, the penalty save and when they hit the inside of the post, two inches either way and they probably go in one or two-nil up, but we get the goal instead, that’s the story of League One.

“I thought we played well, we should have had another goal on the stroke of half-time and we had a good shout for a penalty, but that’s it.

“We scored ours, they miss theirs. After that I think the lack of confidence that Luton have at the moment was probably evident and we took advantage of that.”