Luton Town

Saturday 20th April 2024 - Premier League

Luton Town 1 (Berry 90+2) Brentford 5

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Luton manager Rob Edwards to BBC Match of the Day:
"It was a very difficult day for us. Brentford were good and we weren't. I've just reviewed the goals, there was a lack of intensity, certainly. In transitional moments they were too quick and goof for us. For some reason we had a lethargy today and that can't happen in the Premier League. They punished us.
"My initial thoughts, and that's just from looking at the goals, was we could have done a lot about every single one of them.
"It is surprising and I hope it is a one off. Knowing this group I'm pretty sure it will be, but we have to bounce quickly. The games are running out and we know what it means.
"Brentford were very good and we were poor. They deserved to win the game. In spells in the first half it looked a very even game. We had moments. It's all ifs buts and maybes. We didn't show enough, certainly in the second half.
"We're fighting for our lives to stay in the Premier League. It shouldn't be hard [to be motivated]. It's a tough day.
"Our supporters are incredible, I'm sorry they had to go through that. We owe them a performance now."

Luton manager Rob Edwards speaking to Sky Sports:
"We weren't our normal self today, I'm not sure why at the moment.
"I just reviewed the goals and they are really poor. There is a lack of intensity in our running. A set-piece for the third goal - that's not like us.
"Brentford were good and we were bad, it's not a good recipe. I have to say sorry to the supporters.
"We wanted a reaction from everybody, we have leaders in this group. Normally we finish games strongly. The second half is usually when we are strong and we didn't do that today. I need to find an answer for that.
"I hope we can [stay up], there is belief there. Before today there ceretainly was and we need to snap out of it, dust ourselves down and get back to what we do.
"We don't want to go down with a whimper and I won't accept that."

Saturday 27th April 2024 - Premier League

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Luton Town 1 (Morris 80)

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Hwang Hee-chan has scored 11 league goals in a single season for the first time since 2019-20 when he played for Salzburg in Austria

Report By Bobbie Jackson, BBC Sport.
Wolves ended a six-game winless run in the Premier League and piled pressure on relegation-threatened Luton with victory at Molineux.
Hwang Hee-chan scored his first club goal since 27 December to put Wolves in front late in the first half after both sides had struggled to find a way out of midfield.
The South Korea forward netted with the help of a deflection off defender Teden Mengi just 18 seconds after Carlton Morris was unable to convert Luton's best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes, heading straight at Jose Sa.
Wolves showed intent after the break and it took just five minutes to double their advantage when Toti Gomes found space to head in at the far post.
Gary O'Neil's side dominated the second half, with Boubacar Traore, Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri spurning good opportunities to make life even more comfortable.
Morris gave Luton hope of a grandstand finish when he volleyed in from six yards, but they could not find any further joy.
The win moved Wolves up to 10th and three points behind eighth-placed West Ham, with Luton remaining 18th and one point - plus a hefty goal difference deficit - shy of 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.


Wolves 2-1 Luton Town: What Rob Edwards said:
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Luton manager Rob Edwards has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the narrow defeat:

"I'm disappointed because we didn't get anything from the game. It is frustrating how we conceded the two goals, but I have got pride in how we kept going until the very end. After a difficult week last week, it is good to see that.

"That is the stuff we can hang on to going into the final three games. Points-wise, we are on a difficult run but we are still in this. We still fully believe.

"We were playing well in the first half, but it's one direct ball and then a deflection to take it in. The second one is disappointing, a loopy cross comes in and we should defend it better.

"We showed character and spirit. We could have conceded more but we rode it. We are frustrated not to take anything from the game because I don't think there was much in it today."

On whether the players still believe they can fight relegation: "I think you could see that today. If they didn't believe, it could have been a lot worse today. You would have seen it on the pitch and I didn't see that at all.

"We thought that if we are going to lose it, then it will be by going to chase an equaliser and that's what we did. The performance today, from last week [losing 5-1 against Brentford], is a positive step.

"Wolves had some real quality today, with [some of their] players coming back. I just don't think there was much in the game."

Friday 3rd May 2024 - Premier League

Luton Town 1 (Adebeyo 31) Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 24 pen)

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Luton boss Rob Edwards, speaking to Sky Sports: "I feel disappointed, we had to win the game. We are still in this fight as we speak. I'm proud of the performance we gave but it would have been huge tonight. You can't guarantee wins at any level never mind the Premier League. Everton played well, they had some good weeks and had a celebration this week as well. Almost but we've had a lot of them this year."
On missing Adebayo: "We found our way and it cause a lot of teams problems. He's not fully fit but he showed what he could do. We lost a lot of key players at the same time and the squad was really thin."
On gameplan: "We still wanted to use the width more. We maybe forced things a little bit. We tried to play a little but vertical and could have switched it sooner. The effort was there and there was some good quality at times, there really was."
On relegation battle: "There's a long way to go and it's over to them [Nottingham Forest] tomorrow. There's a situation that's going on that's out of our control that isn't ideal."
On performance: "We played really well. We've played like that for a big chunk of the season. It gives me confidence even if we don't win. You see the lads progressing and growing into the league. That is my job as well."
On Nottingham Forest points deduction appeal: "I've heard Nuno [Espirito Santo] talking about it as well. It's unique, I don't really understand it. Everyone would just like to know where they stand. I think we'd all like that. It's just not an ideal situation."
On support: "We can control our performance and how hard we work. Our supporters are amazing, I love them."

Luton manager Rob Edwards to BBC Match of the Day: "We obviously wanted to win the game. We threw everything at it so I am disappointed right now. But I can't fault the players. The players gave it absolutely everything, so did the supporters. I'm really proud of everybody, but yeah, of course I wanted to win the game."
On the decision to award Everton a penalty: "I don't think we can complain too much. Teden Mengi has been incredible for us. He's a young player with a massive future. It's just another bit of learning for him."
On Elijah Adebayo's goal: "He's got that, and you can see we've missed him. He's a key player for us and it's great to have him back."
On Luton's chances in the final moments: "I feel sick, I'm ready to take off in celebration. We threw everything at it. We were pushing until the end and that is us. We've been like that all season.
"The supporters can see when the players are giving absolutely everything for the shirt. There's pride.
"We're still in the mix and the fight, we've got to keep believing."


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Everton manager Sean Dyche on BBC Match of the Day: "We weren't where we've been performance-wise, but credit to them though. They put the pressure on with a lot of long and diagonal balls - there's nothing wrong with that by the way. Overall we dealt with that pretty well, though they did score a goal from that.
"Another day, I know there's a lot of news and noise recently about penalties, but I'm amazed we didn't have another one.
"The one on Dwight McNeil, I've seen it back and his foot has clearly gone on top of Dwight's foot. That one, from the penalties I've seen this season, I'm very surprised they've not given that.
"Everybody is talking about minimal contact, I know there's a lot of noise for other clubs, but that's the third one we've had this season. If they stand on your foot, how can you run? If your foot is in the air and you're tapped, I can understand that. But if they stand on your foot, it's probably going to bring you down.
"I thought we were a bit off it, not on the beach by the way. But the quality of the play and the demand of winning just softened a little.
"We're playing against a team who are fighting for their lives and fair play to them. Nobody gave them a chance at the start of the season."

Everton boss Sean Dyche, speaking to Sky Sports: "We were off first half and not much better in the second half, credit Luton for that. We want to go on to win more games. We moved forward with our resiliance, They bombarded us and we dealt with it."
On performance: "It's hard for me to measure games like this, because some of the younger players are carrying a big season. I ask a lot of them and tonight we looked a bit off but credit to Luton, they made it really tough tonight. I'm not going to over question but there's been a lot of good signs."
On one loss in seven: "There's a lot of work to be done. The balance of the club is quite obvious. The team and mentality has moved forward. We are doing all the hard yards."
On his role: "The goalposts moved significantly from the job I got offered to the job I have now but we'll see moving forward."

Report By Phil McNulty, Chief football writer at Kenilworth Road.
Luton Town missed the chance to move out of the Premier League's relegation places as they were held to a draw against Everton at Kenilworth Road.
Everton, safe from the drop before kick-off, went ahead from the penalty spot after 24 minutes.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin coolly converted after Luton defender Teden Mengi was penalised for hauling down Jarrad Branthwaite following an intervention from the video assistant referee.
Elijah Adebayo showed exactly what Luton have been missing as the striker marked his first start since early February with the equaliser seven minutes later, the big forward proving too strong for Ashley Young before shooting low past Jordan Pickford.
Both sides had opportunities after the break with Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski saving well from Jack Harrison's deflected shot and Calvert-Lewin's header but the stalemate was not broken.
The draw leaves Rob Edwards' side in the bottom three, level on points with Nottingham Forest but having played a game more.

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Luton manager Rob Edwards: "I'm an emotional person and walking over to our supporters and seeing their reaction brought me to tears. The love and affection they have given us, which goes both ways and is unique in football these days. I feel devastated, I didn't want to let anyone down and I feel responsible. I thanked the players and staff, they've given me the best 18 months of my life.

"We brought a certain spirit, the underdog factor and we changed opinions of ourselves as we went. What makes me proud is how much we have improved in the hardest league in the world.

"We have some what ifs but I'm not making excuses. Every team who goes down will have them. We have fallen short but we have to learn and keep improving.

"I am learning all the time and there is more I don't know than I do know. I've loved going up against the best and it makes me hungry to be here again. The fire is burning."

Luton manager Rob Edwards to Match of the Day: "I was emotional at the end with the way our supporters reacted. I can only say thanks to the players, the staff and our fans. We haven't got over the line but we've done it before and we can be back here again.

"It's a world all about results but our fans have shown understanding, compassion and total support. There is a connection and a bond that you can see. That doesn't happen very often.

"We have grown so much, this club is only going in one direction. The growth this team have shown makes me really proud. I do care about how we go about it and to show the competitive nature we have been able to bring to the league makes us all better.

"In the end it's just been too much for us."



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Luton striker Carlton Morris: "It's emotional. I watched the video last night that Wolves put out about mental health and it made me see how much football means to fans.

"So going over at the end and standing there for 10 minutes, with them clapping and screaming for us, it touches a nerve. These guys work all week to come and watch us kick a football about. I can be proud of myself and my teammates and know the club is moving in the right direction.

"We would never give up and down tools. We have been fighting against the odds, there is a clear budget difference and some quality in the divison. I've loved it. We have been competitive and the fans know that. We've scored a lot of goals, been in some thrillers.

"I have learned so much this season, I'm evolving and our team is evolving. What happened to Tom Lockyer it shows how lucky we are to be in the situation we are in. I'm proud to lead this team out."


Luton striker Carlton Morris to Match of the Day: "It's a fresh wound right now, it's upsetting and the dressing room is down. The lads care, they have given absolutey everything and I couldn't ask for any more from anyone this season.

"I am proud to lead these boys out and some of the performances we have done this season. The reaction from the fans at the end is incredible, it's what this club is about and what got us here in the first place. There hasn't been one second when the fans have turned on us this season, even when we have deserved it.

"We were written off at the start of the season but it shows the character we have to bring something to the division. We've scored goals, we've been on the front foot and I've thoroughly enjoyed it. We can be proud of ourselves and we can bounce back."

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BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty is answering all of your footballing questions.

Anonymous asked: Luton Town are all but relegated but how do you rate their efforts to avoid the drop compared to the other two promoted clubs?

Phil answered: I think they gave it a real crack but in the end just suffered from a lack of quality, not effort or determination.

They were just not good enough in the key moments, often losing games they were in a position to win. There is no shame in that though, and manager Rob Edwards has enhanced his reputation even in relegation.

Out of the three promoted clubs who are going back down, I think Luton Town did themselves the most credit and if they can keep that squad (although I would be surprised if Ross Barkley wanted to play in the Championship) together along with the manager then they can have another tilt at promotion next time around.

We asked you to select your Luton Town player of the season from the four candidates chosen by our fan contributor.

After voting in your thousands, we can reveal the winner is... Ross Barkley.

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And here's what Ollie Kay from We Are Luton Town, external had to say about your winner...

"He has been widely discussed among the fanbase as "the best player to have worn the shirt".

He might leave us, if we are to go down, but a lot of Hatters are happy to have watched a 33-capped England international play for our team.

He is also grateful that we have breathed new life into his career, as he sits on five goals and six assists from midfield.

And as well as being statistically one of the most progressive midfielders in world football."

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McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 20th - Actual finish: 18th

Luton were everyone’s tip for relegation (including mine) but gave it a real crack and were right in the hunt to survive with three games to go.

In the end, they were just not quite good enough, often failing to hold on to winning positions or losing points they might have won.

Ross Barkley had a splendid season but may not fancy the Championship at this stage of his career, while a lengthy injury absence for excellent forward Elijah Adebayo was a real setback.