MY ACCOUNT
There does not seem to be a limit on Luton’s progress.
Town won promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history in dramatic style on Saturday, beating Coventry on penalties after an entertaining 1-1 draw.
It marks the latest step of a remarkable period for the club, who were promoted out of the National League just nine years ago and were in League Two as recently as 2018.
Now the Hatters will be mixing it with the big boys — but history suggests that they will not be fazed by the prospect.
Meteoric rise
Nathan Jones is synonymous with Luton’s rise from non-league to the Premier League in 10 seasons but the Welshman was only actually in position for one of their four promotions in that time.
The fact that two of their successes — from League One to the Championship in 2019 and the Championship to the Premier League this term — came after the Welshman had left them mid-season proves that this story is far bigger than any individual.
Their remarkable decade is a victory for structure, planning and culture — buzzwords that do epitomise all of the most successful clubs in the country.
Town may have to withstand jokes about Kenilworth Road — particularly the cramped entrance to the away end — but they are having the last laugh.
Style of play
Luton will struggle to pass the best teams in the country off the pitch but that does not mean that they are going to be outplayed every week.
The Hatters ranked second for aerial duels won in the Championship this season and are the only team outside the bottom eight to rank in the bottom five for short passes completed.
Rob Edwards’ side do not play ugly football, though.
Their gigantic front two of Elijah Adebayo (6ft 3in) and Carlton Morris (6ft 1in) thrive on quality service and have been provided with the third-most crosses leading to a scoring chance in the division.
For the best example of what Luton could do to Premier League teams, watch back their play-off semi-final second-leg win over Sunderland.
They battered a team full of diminutive attackers with their physicality, energy and quality deliveries.
No ego
Morris will be the main man for Luton, whose recruitment team must be patting themselves on the back after landing him for just £2million from Barnsley 12 months ago.
The 27-year-old scored 20 goals in Town’s promotion campaign, also laying on seven assists.
But while Edwards will be eager to add more quality around his star striker, he will also want to avoid disrupting the ethos of his side.
The key to Luton’s success has been the absence of egos and star players, so do not be surprised if the majority of their squad seems unfamiliar come August.
Edwards effect
Luton are chuffed to have Edwards in charge — not least because he started the season in charge of fierce rivals Watford.
The former Wales international has bought into the Hatters’ spirit and some, not only continuing Jones’ good work on the field but inspiring them off it as well.
With the 40-year-old in charge, the Bedfordshire club will give the Premier League a decent fist of things.
But history has taught us that even if they lose him, they will continue to punch above their weight.
