Linsen knew this was a test from Ethan, one that would determine whether he could remain on the coaching staff. As he prepared to prove himself, Luton's match continued.
Having overcome the setback of their points deduction, Luton was in resurgent form. No team had completely dominated League Two this season, but Luton's eleven-game winning streak had made them the most impressive side in the division.
In the twelfth round of the league, Luton faced Grimsby Town, a long-established League Two club known for its mid-table stability. They rarely contended for promotion but also avoided relegation, seemingly content with their position. However, this season had been disastrous for Grimsby—before the tenth round, they had lost eight games, drawn two, and earned just two points. They had started as outside contenders for promotion but quickly found themselves at the bottom of the table. Following a 4-1 defeat to Rotherham in the ninth round, the club sacked their manager and appointed veteran coach Mike Newell, a Liverpool native.
A managerial change often sparks immediate improvement, and Grimsby experienced exactly that. In their next three matches—two league fixtures and a League Cup tie—they won all three and, notably, kept clean sheets in each.
"This is a team that excels in defensive organization and counter-attacking football," Ethan warned his players in the away dressing room before kickoff. "They're disciplined at the back, so we need to be mentally prepared."
However, before Ethan could even take his seat in the dugout, Luton had already conceded.
Just two minutes into the match, Grimsby launched a swift counter-attack. Their pacey winger, Chris Jones, broke down the flank, drove into the final third, and unleashed a stunning right-footed strike from outside the box—an unstoppable goal that put Grimsby ahead.
Ethan stormed to the touchline, furious.
"Wake up! Are you still asleep?!" he roared, his frustration evident. His intensity sent a jolt through the players on the pitch.
Trailing early, Luton now faced an uphill battle. Grimsby sat deep, packing their defensive third and showing no intention of attacking.
After eleven consecutive victories, Luton was widely regarded as the strongest team in the division. Grimsby embraced their underdog role, dropping into a low block and using sheer numbers to deny Luton space in the final third.
Breaking down a compact defense is one of football's toughest challenges, and Luton was struggling.
Ethan knew his team was best suited for counter-attacking football. With their current squad, Luton thrived in transitions, where midfielders N'Golo Kanté and Danny Drinkwater provided defensive solidity that most League Two sides couldn't break down. However, their recent dominance meant opponents now viewed them as a powerhouse, forcing them to adapt to a different tactical reality. Low-block defenses were something they would encounter frequently going forward.
Ethan needed to find a solution.
Luton began focusing on wide play, looking to deliver crosses into the box. Their system utilized two strikers, and Matt Smith's aerial ability made him a natural target. To enhance his heading prowess, Ethan had even allocated extra training resources to this aspect of his game.
However, Grimsby adjusted accordingly, reinforcing their flanks and making it difficult for Luton's wingers to deliver quality crosses. The sheer number of defenders in the box further reduced Luton's chances of creating clear-cut opportunities.
Matt Smith was a traditional target man, but his technical ability was limited. Expecting him to link up play effectively was unrealistic. Meanwhile, Jamie Vardy wasn't a hold-up striker either—his strengths lay in his movement, acceleration, and finishing instinct.
Having taken an early lead, Grimsby was determined to defend it at all costs.
Luton went into halftime trailing 1-0—the first time they had been behind at the break all season.
During the interval, Ethan instructed his team to take more long-range shots. Both Kanté and Drinkwater had decent shooting ability from distance. Even if their efforts didn't directly result in goals, forcing the opposition goalkeeper into action could lead to rebounds or defensive errors—opportunities that Vardy thrived on.
With the squad at his disposal, Ethan lacked an effective offensive approach. Luton's formation still had its flaws—if they had a player capable of consistently breaking through defenses, they might have already taken control of the match.
Ethan thought of Adam White, a 17-year-old recently promoted from the youth academy. He had been with the academy for a while, but Ethan was unsure how well he would fit into the first team.
In the 87th minute, Danny Drinkwater finally broke the deadlock with a long-range strike, bringing Luton level. However, despite their efforts, Luton failed to secure a winner. The match ended in a draw, halting Luton's impressive 11-match winning streak in the league.
Grimsby Town successfully ended Luton's run, much to the relief of other League Two teams.
"Ethan's side suffered a setback in their twelfth league match. After 11 consecutive wins, nearly every team in League Two had been keeping a close eye on Luton. Grimsby adjusted their tactics from the 60th minute, gradually replacing attacking players with three defensive specialists. They treated Luton as if they were up against a Premier League side.
However, Luton are still a League Two club, and their attacking options struggle against deep-lying defenses. This draw is a warning sign for Ethan. Even though they remain unbeaten, the result highlights a vulnerability—if not for Jamie Vardy's last-minute equalizer, they might have suffered their first defeat of the season."
Letkinson, a keen observer of the team, penned this analysis in his column.
October 22 – Luton's Next Challenge
In the 13th round of the league, Luton traveled to face eighth-placed Burnley. Despite their higher standing, Burnley adopted a defensive approach from the start, setting up to frustrate Luton.
Similar to the previous match, Luton's attack struggled against a compact defense. Their wingers, Kevin Keane and Lewis Emanuel, lacked the speed and dribbling ability to break through, while the full-backs offered little in terms of attacking support. Luton's midfield was stronger, but with Burnley dropping nine or even ten players into the penalty area, central breakthroughs were nearly impossible.
As a result, Luton resorted to long-range shots and hopeful crosses into the box—an inefficient attacking strategy. Ethan, watching from the bench, shook his head in frustration.
However, fortune favored Luton this time. In the 81st minute, full-back Sol Davis delivered a cross into the box, which was cleared only as far as the edge of the area. Danny Drinkwater latched onto it, unleashing a volley that dipped unpredictably into the net—a stunning goal.
This spectacular strike secured all three points for Luton, taking their tally to seven. The victory allowed them to overtake Chesterfield and Forest Green Rovers, both sitting on eight points, and climb to 22nd place in the league, escaping the relegation zone.