Chris Powell: Luton Town assistant coach talks about 40 years in football

Wilshere is effusive in his praise of Powell.

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

“Not a day goes by that I don’t ask him about a certain situation or a certain player. He always has the right answers.

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

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

“We focused on some environmental things, made it lighter, and slowly increased the demand physically and mentally.

“This is where Chris’s contribution has been invaluable. We have more of an identity now.”

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

“I’ve been waiting for this,” he says proudly. “I’ll look for a place to install it.

“This is us. This is our identity.”

Wilshere and Powell took over a club that had been struggling to find a new look and identity since its double relegation from the Premier League and Championship.

They are currently outside the play-offs in League One, but progress has not been easy, with away performances being particularly disappointing.

“We have to overcome the negativity that has unfortunately occurred over the last two years,” Powell explains.

“We just have to stick together when we have bad moments, and equally when we have 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 listen to it and understand exactly what is required. This is what we do, how we act, how we conduct ourselves on and off the field.

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