After two consecutive victories, some local Luton media questioned whether this was just a fleeting moment for the team. However, another win would surely silence the doubters and bring widespread praise.
On August 16, in the second round of the league, Luton faced Gillingham away from home.
This was Ethan's first away league match in charge. Before departure, he was meticulous in his preparations, ensuring every detail was accounted for—travel logistics, weather conditions, and even the smallest tactical nuances.
John Aston had never seen a head coach so obsessed with details. When he was a player, a typical manager's pre-match speech was: "Go out there, lads, kick some ass, and we'll celebrate at the bar later—drinks on me!"
It was unprofessional by modern standards, but it embodied the English football culture of the time. Alcohol had long been intertwined with the sport, and it wasn't until the 1990s that top English clubs seriously began restricting players' drinking habits. Ethan, however, implemented a strict no-alcohol policy during training and matches. Leading by example, he curbed his own drinking, only indulging during vacations.
Tactically, Ethan demanded rigorous analysis of opponents before every match. The coaching staff compiled reports on rival teams, identifying key players to mark and defensive weaknesses to exploit. This level of preparation instilled confidence in the squad before every game.
"Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated." This philosophy defined Ethan's approach to winning.
Unfortunately, such in-depth analysis was traditionally handled by specialized analysts, but within the coaching staff, John Aston primarily focused on player training and squad management. While his experience with the club helped bridge communication between management and players, he wasn't suited for detailed tactical analysis. Similarly, fitness coach Mel and others had their own specializations.
As a result, Ethan had to shoulder much of the tactical preparation himself. Despite Luton's strong squad for League Two, football is unpredictable—even Premier League giants can be upset by lower-league teams. For Luton, failure was not an option. Having been docked 30 points, their only route to promotion was to minimize losses and maximize every opportunity to win.
Gillingham had been relegated from League One last season but retained much of their squad, making them strong contenders for promotion. Many pundits viewed them as favorites to go up, while Luton was widely considered a relegation candidate.
However, the game did not unfold as expected.
Many believed Gillingham had the upper hand. Luton's previous win over Port Vale was seen as less significant since Port Vale wasn't a strong side and Luton had enjoyed home advantage. But this time, they were playing away against a promotion-chasing team.
Yet once again, Luton defied expectations.
Playing at home, Gillingham struggled against Luton's relentless high pressing. They attempted to build attacks, but their passing lanes were consistently blocked. When they resorted to long balls, Luton's young center-back Jeffrey dominated aerial duels, neutralizing their threat.
Offensively, Luton repeatedly broke through Gillingham's defense.
In the 12th minute, striker Charlie Austin opened the scoring, converting a rebound inside the box to put Luton ahead.
Just six minutes later, he doubled the lead. Kevin Keane delivered a pinpoint cross from the flank, and Austin rose highest to nod the ball down into the corner of the net, making it 2-0.
The first half belonged to Austin, but in the second half, it was Jamie Vardy's turn to shine.
In the 68th minute, Vardy timed his run perfectly, breaking through Gillingham's offside trap to slot home a composed finish, extending the lead to 3-0.
Just five minutes later, in the 73rd minute, Vardy found himself in a similar position, capitalizing on another breakaway to make it 4-0.
Luton had delivered a dominant away performance, proving that their early-season form was no fluke. Ethan's meticulous planning and tactical discipline had turned them into a force to be reckoned with in League Two.
The final score at full-time: 4-0!
Luton Town secured a dominant away victory against promotion contenders Gillingham!
As the referee blew the final whistle, Ethan let out a deep breath and rose from the bench. He had remained composed throughout the match, having meticulously prepared every detail beforehand. The game played out exactly as planned, with no unexpected twists.
It was a perfect performance—not just in terms of the scoreline, but also in execution.
From the first whistle, every phase of play followed the team's tactical blueprint.
Early aggression: Within the opening 10 minutes, the team pressed high and struck twice.
Second-half push: Around the 70th minute, another attacking surge led to two more goals.
Ethan had anticipated every move—the opponent's tactics, their substitutions, and even their adjusted attacking strategy after the changes. He had drilled these scenarios into his players before the match, going over them repeatedly on the tactics board.
The game had unfolded so smoothly that it felt as if Ethan had written the script himself.
Post-match:
"Kevin, come with me to the press conference!" Ethan called out as he stepped into the dressing room.
Inside, the players were celebrating wildly, the atmosphere electric after such an emphatic win. But the moment Ethan entered, the noise dipped. A hush of respect fell over the squad.
To them, Ethan was more than just a coach—he was almost a tactician with an uncanny ability to predict the game. Some had even begun jokingly referring to him as a "football wizard." How else could he foresee everything before it happened?
Despite being only 27 years old, barely older than some of his players, Ethan maintained a clear boundary. He wasn't their teammate; he was their leader. A manager needed the authority of a father figure, not just the camaraderie of a friend.
"Yes, boss!" Kevin Keane, a senior player, responded immediately. Though older than Ethan, he, too, had come to recognize the young manager's command.