This is Luton's second home game of the season.
Following their emphatic victory in the previous match, the fans have newfound confidence in the team. Compared to the atmosphere of the season's first home fixture, the energy from Luton supporters today is even more electrifying.
Ethan was not met with boos this time. Perhaps as a form of compensation for their previous doubts, he received the loudest cheers as he emerged from the tunnel—more than even club captain Kevin Keane.
John Aston took in the vibrant atmosphere at Kenilworth Road with satisfaction. Not only were all the seats filled, but outside the stadium, fans who couldn't secure tickets gathered along the streets. The Luton City Council had to deploy additional police forces to maintain order.
Last season had been disastrous for Luton. A 10-point deduction due to financial troubles had left the squad demoralized, ultimately leading to relegation to League Two. Key players departed, and the club's supporters, who had once been spirited in the Championship, found themselves disheartened.
But winning changes everything. One victory can lift spirits; two can completely transform the mood.
Ethan, dressed in his usual black suit jacket, looked every bit the composed manager. His well-fitted attire accentuated his strong frame, and as he acknowledged the roaring fans with a smile and a wave, it was clear that he had already put the earlier boos behind him.
The supporters responded with even louder cheers.
For Ethan, his attachment to Luton was still developing. Before taking the managerial role, his only knowledge of the club had come from newspaper headlines—most of them detailing their struggles.
A passionate football fan, he never aligned himself with one specific club like many others. Instead, he enjoyed watching and analyzing all matches, studying the psychology of players and managers. This analytical approach had ultimately led him to pursue a coaching career.
Confidence.
The opening-day win hadn't just boosted the fans—it had done wonders for the players as well.
Nottingham Forest, their opponents today, opted for a rotated lineup, resting some key starters. However, their bench still featured their core players, ready to be called upon if needed. It was a clear sign that they weren't taking the League Cup lightly. For many clubs, the competition may seem secondary, but outright surrendering it was never an option.
"This won't be an easy match," John Aston remarked as he sat beside Ethan on the bench. His eyes drifted toward Nottingham's dugout, where Billy Davies sat. A well-respected figure in the lower tiers of English football, Davies had yet to manage in the top flight, but his experience in the Championship and League One was unquestionable.
Unlike many English coaches who emphasized pace, physicality, and aerial duels, Davies had always favored a possession-based, intricate style of play. His tactical approach made him an outlier among his peers. In many ways, he was the perfect fit for Nottingham Forest—a club that had embraced technical football long before Arsenal's rise under Arsène Wenger.
"But the atmosphere here today is fantastic, even better than in our league opener," Aston continued.
"If we keep winning, it'll only get better," Ethan replied. "And louder."
"Winning every game isn't easy, Gao," John said, shaking his head.
"But that's always the objective, isn't it?" Ethan countered. "Winning every match might seem impossible, but you'll never know if you don't try."
As the players lined up in the tunnel, Ethan stood up and applauded alongside the fans.
After all, if a team isn't playing to win, what's the point?
Kickoff
As expected, Nottingham Forest immediately took control of possession, patiently working the ball around to impose their dominance.
But Billy Davies wasn't entirely pleased. Sitting in the dugout, he frowned.
Yes, Nottingham had the lion's share of possession—but possession alone doesn't win football matches. If they couldn't break through Luton's defense and find the back of the net, their dominance would mean nothing. Even with 100% possession, the best they could manage was a goalless draw.
His players felt the frustration too.
No matter where they advanced in the final third, it always seemed like Luton had extra bodies swarming them.
Luton's formation is difficult to discern from the players' perspective on the pitch, but from the sidelines, Billy Davies can see it clearly.
Compact.
Luton's shape is extremely compact.
Their lateral movements are highly coordinated, almost as if the entire team is connected by an invisible rope. As a result, wherever the ball is, Luton always has numerical superiority over Nottingham Forest.
If only Forest could switch play quickly.
Billy Davies immediately spotted the weakness in Luton's setup. But identifying it is one thing—exploiting it is another.
Luton isn't just shifting well as a unit; they're also pressing aggressively. No Nottingham Forest player has had the time or space to execute a long switch of play under their intense pressure. Simply retaining possession without losing the ball is already an achievement.
Twenty minutes into the match, the game remains evenly balanced. Nottingham Forest has controlled possession well and hasn't made any costly errors so far.
But the Luton fans are still in full voice. To them, Nottingham Forest and Luton belong to different tiers—one plays in the Championship, while the other is in League Two.
Ethan, however, isn't worried. He's satisfied with his team's performance so far. Defensively, they've executed his game plan perfectly. Nottingham Forest has been limited to circulating the ball around the perimeter and occasionally probing down the wings. As for goal attempts? Neither team has registered a single shot yet.
Ethan's tactics don't prioritize possession, so he isn't surprised that Nottingham Forest has seen more of the ball. For him, the first step to winning is solid defensive organization.
But defending alone won't win the match.
He glances at the clock—23 minutes have passed. Despite Nottingham Forest dominating possession, Ethan believes his side still controls the game's tempo.
This is exactly the scenario Luton wanted. Nottingham Forest's possession feels ineffective, like scratching an itch through a boot. And Luton hasn't even shifted gears yet.
Now, it's time to change the rhythm.