It may sound reactionary to suggest that Luton Town will stay up this season, on the back of their win against Crystal Palace. However, they have looked the most promising of the three promoted sides and have picked up as many points as Burnley and Sheffield United combined. So, do the Hatters have what it takes to beat the drop?
Written off by many, Luton was always going to exceed expectations; in many people’s eyes beating Derby’s famous record of just 11 points would have been overachieving. Yet Rob Edwards’ side has shown promise early on this campaign, adapting to the league while perhaps already playing in a sustainable style.
Burnley has tried to replicate their Championship style and has been found out, only now do Vincent Kompany’s side seem to be willing to adapt their football to the league. Luton were already playing football that suits coming up against the Premier League’s big hitters, shown by their tight games with Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United.
They have undoubted talent that could cause any side in the league issues. Elijah Adebayo, Chiedozie Obgene and Tahith Chong all provide genuine flair and pace, while Carlton Morris is always there to sniff out the goals. Furthermore, there have been eight different scorers this season for Luton, showing that they rely on no single individual, vital in the latter stages when injuries and suspensions can come about.
Kenilworth Road is somewhere that no side can want to go. So often home form is integral to success and progression. Aston Villa currently sit fourth in the table, boasting the best home record with six wins from six. Nottingham Forest picked up just eight points away from home last season, beating the drop solely because of their incredible home form, losing just 5 home games in the Premier League all season.
With its traditional feel and the feeling that supporters are virtually on the pitch, Kenilworth Road is a ground like no other. Luton didn’t win their first five home games last season, yet still managed to finish third in the Championship, showing their mental strength and capability to overcome bad moments.
Speaking of last season, the Hatters went on a run of 14 games unbeaten at the back end of last term, that form vital to their 3rd-place finish. The run-in is renowned for being the make-or-break period of the season, with Luton showing they can shine at that stage, something they will be keen to replicate this time out.
This might just be the season for a team like Luton to stay up, given the competition. Stubborn Burnley and quality-lacking Sheffield United are looking certain to go, but there are three places. Everton have flirted with relegation for numerous years and the recent points deduction has put them right back into the fight. The Toffees may have enough to stay up, but the same can’t be guaranteed for Bournemouth, who looked buried until back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Sheffield United. Forest has also been without their main man Taiwo Awoniyi for months and Crystal Palace have an ominous run of form ahead of them, so there are plenty of teams in the mix.
Form plays a huge part at this stage. Luton themselves now sit a merry four points clear of the drop, showing what just one result can do, with Bournemouth seven points clear after those two wins mentioned previously. Buoyed by that Palace win should Luton start to pick up points in their next few games, they will be well and truly on their way to Premier League survival.
#Hatters #Stay #Year