Chris Powell: Luton Town assistant boss reflects on his 40 years in football

Wilshere is profuse in his praise of Powell.

“He has an aura about him, someone you can trust, like a mentor,” Wilshere told BBC Look East.

“There’s not a day that goes by when I am not asking him about a certain situation or a player. He always has the right answers.

“The tough moments are when I really need Chris and his experience. How do you deal with the media, the message you send to the fans?

“When we first came in, we felt the players needed a lot of love, they were in a tough moment.

“We focused on a few things around the environment, we made it lighter, and slowly we increased the demand physically and mentally.

“That’s where Chris’ input has been invaluable. We have more of an identity now.”

Back in the boot room, Powell unveils a huge orange Luton Town flag.

“I’ve been waiting for this,” he says proudly. “I’m going to find somewhere to pin it up.

“This is us. This is our identity. “

Wilshere and Powell took a club which was struggling for form and a new identity since their double relegation from the Premier League and the Championship.

They are currently just outside the play-offs in League One, but progress hasn’t been easy, with form away from home especially frustrating.

“We have to turn around the negativity that’s happened sadly over past two years,” Powell explains.

“We’ve just got to stick together when we have the bad moments and equally when we have the good moments, to enjoy them.

“Sometimes you have to change things and it’s not always easy because people don’t like change.

“It takes time, but people have to buy into it, to listen and take on board exactly what’s required. It’s what we do, how we act, how we behave on the pitch and off the pitch.

“Resilience is part of your culture, it’s about being a group and being together, and when things go against you, you stick together even more.”