Luton have put their faith in the former Arsenal and England midfielder to arrest the club’s slide, despite the 33-year-old’s only previous experience as a head coach being two matches in caretaker charge of Norwich at the end of last season.
The Hatters lost Wilshere’s opening game at home to Mansfield Town, but have bounced back strongly and scored 11 goals in four games in all competitions since then as well as keeping consecutive clean sheets in the league.
And Wilshere said he was proud of the way his team “suffered” at Stockport.
Goalkeeper Josh Keeley saved a penalty as the hosts tried to get back in the game and teenager Jake Richards then scored his first Luton goal since arriving from Exeter City.
“I loved the way we stuck together – we faced some tough moments in the first half, which you’re going to do, especially when you come to top of the league away from home as they’re top of the league for a reason, with dangerous players,” Wilshere said.
“What I am starting to learn about this league is you can limit those moments but it’s going to be very difficult because they play direct – if you try and press a little bit more, they’ll put it over you and then you have to win the second balls.
“Then you need big moments from your goalie and big tackles, and we certainly had that.”
On Keeley’s save from Nathan Lowe’s spot-kick, Wilshere added: “Josh is growing in confidence, growing in presence, he’s excellent with his feet and making some good saves now as well. He’s got a good future and definitely can help us this year.”
Midfielder Richards, meanwhile, was only 17 when he joined Luton in the summer but never had any intentions of settling for being a development player.
“My only intention was to come here and play, and impact the team,” Richards, now 18, said. “It took a while but hopefully now I’ve proved I can do that and can continue to do that.
“Since the manager’s come in, he’s been brilliant with me – all the coaches have – especially in a new position, giving me little tips on double movements and where to be on crosses and it’s really helped my game.”
