Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

Hatters duo declared fit for Burnley as Hatters boss Rob Edwards vows to manage injuries #LutonTownFC

October 2, 2023
Watch more of our videos on Shots!and live on Freeview channel 276Visit Shots! nowHatters boss Rob Edwards has been given a selection boost ahead of tomorrow night’s Premier League clash at home to Burnley with both Tom Lockyer and Reece Burke having been declared fit.The pair started Saturday’s 2-1 win over Everton at Goodison Park, following the half time whistle, Burke didn’t reappear for the second period, replaced by Danish centre half Mads Andersen.Then with 10 minutes gone of the second period, Lockyer was also forced off having taken a blow to the face before the break, his eye starting to swell up fairly badly, Teden Mengi on for his Premier League debut.Tom Lockyer goes off injured against Everton on Saturday - pic: Lewis Storey/Getty ImagesDespite the much-changed back-line, Luton still managed to secure their first three points of the season, but ahead of a home match with a winless Clarets on Tuesday night, there is every chance both will feature, as Edwards said “We’re okay, we had a couple of knocks and made two changes, were forced into a couple of changes at the weekend."Both Burkey and Locks have come through today so that’s good news for us."They’ll be okay, no fresh injury worries from the weekend, so the squad will be the squad that it was from Saturday.”Burke’s stint at Luton has been blighted by injury at times, as in his first two years, he has never begun more than six league games in a row.Saturday was his fifth successive start in the top flight this term, as Edwards knows keeping him fit will be a huge shot in the arm for the Hatters’ chances of staying up, continuing: “His groin was sore, he’s seen a few people over the last couple of days, so he’s all right."It’s just that groin area, but he’s seen someone this morning and got the all-clear, it’s just going to be a little bit sore."He trained today, no problem, so that was a big plus.“He’s been excellent, he’s a really good player and an important player for us as well.”Monitoring the former West Ham United and Hull City centre back will now be key to ensure his body can withstand a full campaign in the Premier League, with Edwards adding: “We don’t want to lose him for a period of time, so it’s just something we’re going to have to manage over the next week or so, get through to the international break and then we can get a little bit of work into him."What he does, he puts every ounce of it into everything, every day."Sometimes you want to say ‘Burkey, just be steady, slow down, just chill out a little bit and manage yourself.’"But I’d rather be doing that and rein people in than kick them up the backside and get them to work hard."He’s just a really good pro and he’s an important player for us.”
Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Rob Edwards saw signs of real improvement in his Luton side despite Chelsea defeat #LUTONTOWNFC

August 28, 2023
Town boss Rob Edwards insisted he saw signs of real improvement in his side despite their 3-0 defeat at Chelsea on Friday night.The Hatters were going up against a team that on paper, cost just under the princely sum of £450m to assemble, with two £100m-plus midfielders patrolling the central areas in British transfer record holder Moises Caicedo and Argentina World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez.They dominated possession early on as expected, having the quality to take the lead through a fine solo goal from England international Raheem Sterling, himself a £47.5m acquisition last summer.Luton boss Rob Edwards greets opposite number Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge - pic: Liam SmithTown weren’t without their spells of pressure though, particularly before and after the break, but crucially they couldn’t find the net, Ryan Giles’ deflected shot saved by Robert Sanchez the closest they came.Sterling then added a second with 68 minutes gone, while Senegalese forward Nicholas Jackson, who cost a mere £31.8m, still far more than Town’s entire squad was put together for, completed the scoring.Despite that, Edwards felt Luton had been better than their opening day 4-1 reverse at Brighton & Hove Albion, saying: “We don't like losing, I’ve got to stress that.“We know we want to win games, we know we want to get points, but I've seen improvement from 13 days ago.“I saw we can compete with a top, top team for massive spells of the game, so that's a huge thing to be proud of and to take positives from.“The lads have reacted so, so well from Brighton."We’re going to be able to take loads from this game and a lot of it are positives, but we know there are areas we need to keep working on and improving, but we were competitive with Chelsea Football Club.“I’m not going to go through the numbers, we all know, they're a huge club who have won the Champions League a couple of times in recent years, so lets be honest, should we be competing with them?“But we did, so loads of good stuff.“Where we've got to improve now, is continue to work really hard, and those moments, at both ends of the pitch are really, really key now.“We did create half opportunities, and one decent one.“You don't get many when you come here, so we've got to try and be a bit more ruthless and then at the bottom end, if we get a little bit stretched we've just got to make sure we close those gaps really, really quickly."They've got the quality to pick someone out, they’ve got the quality to then finish it, but lots to take, lots of positive things.”Town looked like they might be able to cause an upset in the early stages of the second period, as they began to have the better of proceedings, none more so than when Giles went close.Edwards knows it’s moments like that they need to really drive home their advantage at this level, as he continued: “I felt we started the second half really well, very positively."We had the territory, it was in their half, we weren’t able to create loads of chances, but I felt we’re looking strong in this game now, maybe they were ready to have a little bit of a wobble."We had moments to cross, we just lacked that little bit of quality, that little finesse, we didn’t pick someone out."Ryan Giles had a good opportunity that was half blocked, probably our cleanest one“It was a big moment for us, you’re not going to get many chances here at Stamford Bridge, but that was a really well-worked opportunity and really they defended it well as they got the block.“Then the game was going a bit more end-to-end, getting a bit stretched, and clearly then they become very dangerous as well, but because we’re in the game you can't change too much."You’ve got to hope that we can see any dangerous moments out, that second goal probably deflated us a little bit, we've got to make sure that we learn that third one doesn’t come, because even at 2-0 you’re still in the game.”After being breached by Sterling’s close-range finish for the crucial second goal, and then conceding again shortly afterwards, Jackson prodding home, with 15 minutes to go, there was a worry Town could go under and their goal difference take a hit.However, they didn’t and almost grabbed a consolation for the 3,054 away fans to celebrate, substitute Jacob Brown going close, lofting his effort off target when looking to capitalise on some defensive hesitancy.Edwards added: “I’m extremely proud of the group, as I saw full commitment to the gameplan, saw a group that stayed together right to the very, very end, didn't go under, and it competed with a brilliant football team.“I can see a real cohesion in the group, well organised, and a commitment there as well, so there’s a lot of good things, but we don’t like losing, none of us like losing and we want to pick up points.“We're a new group as well, I've got to stress that."There's a lot of new players there experiencing Premier League football for the first time and it doesn't get more difficult than Brighton away and Chelsea away.“Maybe one or two games, but we can take a lot from it, we'll learn and learn quickly, but I think we'll see more improvement in a week's time.”
Tom Lockyer
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Tom Lockyer left ‘speechless’ after being made Hatters captain by Rob Edwards #LUTONTOWNFC

August 12, 2023
Luton defender Tom Lockyer said he was left ‘speechless’ after being made club captain by manager Rob Edwards. Previous captain Sonny Bradley left in the summer, meaning 28-year-old Lockyer will become the first Hatters player to step foot onto a pitch in a Premier League game when Luton take on Brighton in tomorrow’s season-opener at the Lamex Stadium. “It’s surreal,” said the central defender. “I’m a little bit speechless and how to describe how it feels, but it’s incredible – a massive honour not just for me but my family as well. It’s not something I take lightly. I’m speechless.Tom Lockyer“Saturday will be a special occasion. As I’ve said, it’s a massive honour to lead such a good club, which has felt like home since I stepped through the door, to walk out the lads in the Premier League with the armband on. It’s really special.“It’s a great squad and good that we don’t have to manage any massive egos. Everyone is pretty grounded, we’re all normal fellas. We all get on really well but it won’t just be me driving the standards or keeping people in line. That comes from everyone. Everyone’s got their own high standards, and whatever those were last year, this year they need to be higher.”Explaining why he chose Lockyer, Edwards said: “He was the natural choice. His performances for us since we arrived have been incredibly high and incredibly consistent. He demands high standards and has the respect and trust of us all.“We’re delighted to have him as captain, it’s something he thoroughly deserves.”
Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Rob Edwards happy with pre season but counts the injuries #LUTONTOWNFC

August 7, 2023
Luton boss Rob Edwards is hopeful that the injuries picked up by Jordan Clark and Dan Potts during yesterday’s pre-season double-header out in Germany aren’t too serious ahead of this weekend’s Premier League opener at Brighton & Hove Albion.Midfielder Clark, who scored Town’s goal in their Championship play-off final victory over Coventry City back in May, was stretched off in the Hatters’ first game against their Bundesliga opponents, which saw them beaten 2-1.Meanwhile, Potts then only lasted 26 minutes of the second match, Luton running out 3-1 winners thanks to Luke Berry’s double, as giving an update on the pair after the match, Edwards said: “It was a really good exercise, we've been able to get everyone minutes.Dan Potts picked up an injury against Vfl Bochum on Saturday - pic: David Rogers/Getty Images“Hopefully Pottsy and Clicker are not too bad, initial examinations show hopefully they’ll be okay fairly quickly, but we’ll be able to assess them in more detail when we get back home.“I felt like the first game we probably looked a little bit tired, the majority of those lads played the majority of the minutes against Wolves.“It’s been a quick turnaround from that game and I thought we lacked a little bit of intensity."It was a good moment as we finished the first half well, started the second half well and then looked a little bit more jaded.“We need to push some of them to get through the minutes there, so some positives there."Second game I thought we had a bit more life and I was really pleased with one or two.“I was really pleased with younger players, they’ve come out here and acquitted themselves really well."So overall, a really good worthwhile practice, bits to keep working on as always, but sets us up nicely going into the final week of preparations.”
Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Rob Edwards hails ‘incredible’ support from Luton’s board in the transfer window as he targets a ‘few more’ signings ##LUTONTOWNFC

August 5, 2023
Hatters boss Rob Edwards has hailed the ‘incredible' support received from CEO Gary Sweet and the rest of Luton’s board in his efforts to bolster Town’s squad for the upcoming Premier League season.With the club going into a summer transfer window like no other, having their coffers boosted by around £100m after winning the Championship play-off final at Wembley, the Hatters haven’t been able to pump it all into signing players, shelling out over £10m on ground improvements to make sure Kenilworth Road can host top flight games this term.Town are also ring-fencing a large chunk of it to finance their new ground at Power Court, leaving Luton with much less than the other promoted teams, and the rest of their rivals, to spend on new additions.Town legend Mick Harford, the Hatters' chief recruitment officer, plus chairman David Wilkinson and CEO Gary Sweet watch on as Luton drew with Wolves on Wednesday night - pic: Eddie Keogh/Getty ImagesDespite that, owners 2020 are still making a real fist of it, as ahead of the window, the club had spent £1m just twice in their previous 138-year history, when signing Croatian goalkeeper Simon Sluga in 2019 and striker Carlton Morris last summer.However, the Hatters have now done that up to four times in the space of a month, with Mads Andersen, Tahith Chong, Ryan Giles and Thomas Kaminski all believed to have cost seven figures.It might even be five, the fee not revealed for Marvelous Nakamba when joining from Aston Villa as well, as when asked about the backing he had received in his hunt for new players, Edwards said: “Gary and the board have been incredible, but I think there’s a clear strategy as well."You can see that with our recruitment, we’re bringing in good people, good players, players that we feel first of all can thrive at this level now and try and keep kicking us on and keep kicking us forward."Some of them, Marv, has got Premier League experience, but we feel that they’ve performed so well in the Championship that they’re able to make that step up.”After revealing that Luke Freeman, Admiral Muskwe, Dion Pereira and Glen Rea are likely to leave the club during the current window to free up spaces in Town’s squad, Edwards reiterated his desire to carry on adding to the six new faces he has already secured.He added: “There’s a 25-man squad that you can announce."We haven’t got to fill that, I want a nice tight group to work with and a group that feel all involved and have got a chance to get those minutes."But we need competition throughout the squad in every position, so there’s a couple of areas that I still want to try and do a little bit more work in."I won't say anything yet, but we’re working hard behind the scenes to try and do that, like everyone is."You’ll hear that up and down the country at the moment, but there will be a few more.”
Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Hatters boss highlights the return of Welsh international Lockyer during Ipswich draw #LUTONTOWNFC

July 28, 2023
Town boss Rob Edwards recognised the importance of defender Tom Lockyer’s return to action for the Hatters in their 1-1 pre-season friendly draw against Ipswich Town on Tuesday night.The Welsh international was starting a game for the first time since he was stretchered off after collapsing on the pitch during the opening 10 minutes of Luton’s Championship play-off final win over Coventry City back in May.Given the all clear to resume playing after undergoing an operation to correct an atrial fibrillation, and signing a new long-term contract in the summer, Lockyer linked up in a back three that also contained new signing Mads Andersen and Dan Potts.He got through an hour of the contest at Colchester United’s stadium unscathed, and speaking to the club’s official website afterwards, Edwards said: “It was really important doing what he does best out there."He’s a huge figure for us on and off the pitch, so it was really good to have him back out there, in the middle of that back three."He’s going to need some more game time, he’s probably a couple of weeks behind the others because his off season was a little different to a lot of the boys, so it’s important we build him up in a safe way."If we push him too hard he can get muscle injuries, so we’ve got to try and stick to the plan and there’s a plan for every individual player, but it was great to have Locks out there.”
Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Luton chief anticipates his Hatters side will have a ‘different look’ for Seagulls opener #LUTONTOWNFC

July 28, 2023
Hatters boss Rob Edwards anticipates his Luton side that makes their Premier League debut against Brighton & Hove Albion in under a month’s time will look ‘very different’ to the one that earned a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town at Colchester United on Tuesday night.With a number of first team players missing, including summer signings Marvelous Nakamba and Issa Kabore, plus Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Amari’i Bell, Reece Burke and Gabe Osho all sitting the match out, the Town chief included a number of young pros on the bench for their match against the Championship new boys.They still managed to earn a 1-1 draw courtesy of striker Carlton Morris’s second half penalty, as summing up the performance on the club’s official website, Edwards said: “The no injuries bit is important, it was a really difficult game and that is why we wanted to play them, because they are a good team and will cause a lot of problems this year in the Championship.Chiedozie Ogbene won Luton a penalty during their 1-1 draw against Ipswich“That’s why we wanted that style of game because that's what we're going to come up against probably times 10 going forward."We are starting to push one or two, a few people got 90 minutes and we started to push the minutes up.“Some of the new players are getting a feel of what we are about more, which is good, so there were positives there."There’s lots to work on, I have to stress that straight away, lots to do."I’ve just said to the lads, it’s not to sound negative, but that is a very different look team to what I anticipate us being in a couple of weeks time.“The group will remain very similar, but there's going to be some changes.“We’ve got some work to do, I’ve got some work to do on the grass.“We have to be a bit better with our decision making."I thought in the first half, in terms of how we went about it out of possession we could have been better, which is down to me.“So bits to work on, but there were plenty of positives.”Edwards was pleased to see his summer additions in action in front of fans for the first time, as Mads Andersen, Tahith Chong and Chiedozie Ogbene all earned some valuable game time.It was Ogbene who won the penalty for Morris to find the net after a surge into the box was ended by a foul, with Edwards adding: “It was a little bit different for Mads, I wanted to have a look at him on the outside of that back three without having Gabe and Burkey, or Amari’i as well."It was important for him to experience that and I thought he also did well when he went back into the middle when Locks came off.“Chongy, the supporters can see very, very busy, very intelligent, wants to try and get on the ball, wants to try and make things happen."He’s very good in transition, he’s got athleticism, we saw that from the counter attack when he ran the length of the pitch and created a good chance."I thought Chieo when he moved upfront was beginning to look a real threat, starting to get in behind, gave us a little bit of a different dimension, he won us the penalty, so an important moment."It’s really good for them to get out there in front of fans with our lads, so that was a big plus for us, but lots more learning to do.”With Sheffield Wednesday now coming up in another friendly on Saturday, Edwards added: “There’s a number of players back at the Brache who have been working hard, not quite ready for minutes, but hopefully we’ll see Amari’i, hopefully we’ll see Issa, hopefully we can see Marv, which is great."One or two have got some knocks, Gabe, Burkey and Pelly, so we’ll see how they are going into the weekend.”
Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Hatters boss Rob Edwards insists Nakamba signing ‘speaks volumes’ about club’s Premier League ambitions #LUTONTOWNFC

July 20, 2023
Luton boss Rob Edwards believes the permanent signing of Marvelous Nakamba 'speaks volumes' for the ambitions of the Hatters this season.The acquisition of the 29-year-old, on a three deal, something the club don’t usually publicise, represents a fantastic piece of business from the Town board.Although the Zimbabwean international cost Aston Villa £11m in 2019, and still had 12 months to run on what was a lucrative deal at Villa Park, Luton have been able to persuade him to make Kenilworth Road his home, as they prepare for their first ever season in the Premier League.Discussing his latest addition, Edwards told the club’s official website: “A massive thank you to Gary (Sweet, CEO) and the board, they’ve worked so hard on this, and to Aston Villa for making it happen.“It’s a huge statement for the club going forward."To bring in a player of his quality on a permanent transfer speaks volumes of where this football club is going, how ambitious we are and where we intend to go."We want to keep moving forward, it’s really exciting times and Marv is another addition, together with the ones we brought in, that I think are really going to improve us.”Marvelous Nakamba enjoys Luton's promotion to the Premier League at Wembley - pic: Alex Pantling/Getty ImagesGoing into more detail on just how good the midfielder was during his stint with the Hatters, he added: “We, the supporters, the board, the staff and the players, all fell in love with Marv for what he gave us."Not just his work ethic, but his humility."He’s so unassuming; he just slotted in from day one and it felt like he had been at Luton for 10 years.“I think he felt that love. Everyone felt that he enjoyed himself and that it felt like home for him."That’s why it is special because he felt it was right, he felt comfortable, at home, and now he is.“As a footballer, he was the glue that knitted us together, he allowed everyone to do their jobs."There were quotes out there last season saying it was like having three of him on the pitch at times, he covered every blade of grass."
Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Luton boss Rob Edwards highlights Lockyer’s importance after declaring Welsh international’s game is ‘complete’ #LUTONTOWNFC

July 10, 2023
Luton boss Rob Edwards believes that defender Tom Lockyer’s game was verging on ‘complete’ towards the end of last season.After missing the first few matches of the campaign, the Welsh international won his place back in the team and never let go of it from there, with some consistently excellent displays seeing him named in the Championship Team of the Year.He made 39 appearances in the league, and was in the most prolific form of his career too, with three goals in his last four outings ahead of the play-off final against Coventry at Wembley.However, it was defensively where he absolutely shone, Lockyer making 4.7 clearances per game, with 1.6 interceptions, 1.2 tackles and 0.9 blocks, as he became a massive fans favourite, making his new contract announced this week one of the best pieces of news of pre-season so far.Discussing the defender, Edwards told the club’s official website: “He’s so important."We all saw, when I say we, I mean the supporters, everyone involved in the club, saw how important he was to us on the pitch."That was obvious for everyone to see, but off the pitch, he’s a leader.Rob Edwards with defender Tom Lockyer"He drives things on a daily basis and maybe for the stuff that people don’t see, he does it here every day at the Brache."His consistency, his determination, his fight, his drive, his courage, his bravery was there."He's even chipping in with really important goals at the end of last season, his game was complete.”With the popular Lockyer such an integral part of Luton’s XI, it was a massive concern for all involved when he collapsed on the field in the opening 10 minutes at the home of English football and had to be taken to hospital.He has since had an operation to correct an atrial fibrillation, and is now taking a full part in pre-season training ahead of Town’s first ever campaign in the Premier League, as Edwards added: “What happened in the final was so worrying until we knew he was okay."That was why it was so emotive at the end of the game, we knew he was all right and that was all we cared about really."It was really hard to enjoy the moment until we knew that, but very, very soon afterwards we knew he was fine."The medical guys were amazing with him."The job that they did, and I’ve got to say that as well, the job they did on the day, at that moment in time, would have been scary for them as well."They were really, really good, really, really professional, so Tom’s had the best care."He’s in great health, he’s in great shape and we’re so pleased he’s committed his long term future to the club.”
Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Luton boss Rob Edwards confirms popular Tom Lockyer will remain for the Hatters #LUTONTOWNFC

July 6, 2023
Luton boss Rob Edwards labelled the news that Tom Lockyer will be part of Town’s Premier League squad this season after signing a new contract this morning as a 'huge signing' for the HattersThe 28-year-old is a massive favourite with Town's fans following his stellar displays in the centre of defence last term, in what was a quite magnificent season for both himself personally and the team, as they reached the top flight by winning the play-offs.There had been some speculation the Welsh international’s form had seen him interesting other sides after becoming a free agent once his deal ran out in the summer.However, they have proved to be unsubstantiated, with Lockyer putting pen to paper this morning to extend his stint with the club into what will now be his fourth seasonSpeaking to the club’s official website, Edwards said: “This is a really important signing for us."The supporters saw the best of Tom, and I thought his consistency was second to none – and that’s up there in the whole league."That was why he was in the Team of the Season, why he won loads of awards and why we achieved the special thing that we achieved.Luton's players hold up Tom Lockyer's shirt at Wembley“He was a huge part of it, not just the blocks, the clean sheets, the leadership."He even chipped in with goals, and important ones as well, none more so than in the semi-final."There is no question he is a huge signing for us."Lockyer worryingly saw his play-off final against Coventry City at Wembley ended after collapsing on the pitch during the opening 10 minutes, as he was immediately taken to hospital.He spent five days in hospital, undergoing an operation to correct an atrial fibrillation, but thankfully Edwards confirmed he is now back to full health and ready to go for what will be his first ever season as a Premier League player.He added: “Of course, after Wembley his health was the main thing, and that’s where all our thoughts went to straight away after the final whistle."It was brilliant that we were able to see him sitting up and celebrating in the hospital, just a shame he couldn’t be there with us.“But within a week or two he was back up and about feeling really positive, had every check that was possible so our medical side were really happy with everything.“It was a really scary moment, we all know that, but the main thing is he is okay and ready to crack on with us into the Premier League and we’re all so happy about that.”
Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Reece Burke and Rob Edwards highlight importance after player signs new deal to remain a Hatter #LUTONTownFC

July 4, 2023
Luton defender Reece Burke is determined to stay fit and play a big part in the Hatters’ first ever Premier League campaign this season after signing a new deal at Kenilworth Road.The 25-year-old has played 57 times for the Hatters since joining on a free from Hull City in 2021, but has never been able to get a run of more than six consecutive league starts due to various injuries picked up along the way.He featured in 22 Championship fixtures last term, beginning five games in a row on two occasions, which is something he desperately wants to improve with Town in the top flight once more.Reece Burke in action for Luton during the play-off final at Wembley - pic: Richard Heathcote/Getty ImagesSpeaking to the club’s official website, Burke said: “I’m absolutely delighted."I’m grateful to have another opportunity, buzzing to continue my journey here."It’s been two successful years here, the first season we got in the play-offs and didn’t get promoted but in the second season we did go up.“Wembley was the best day of my life in football, so I’m really delighted to stay."Personally, last year was difficult for me in terms of injuries, my main focus this time is to stay fit and try to do well."When I’m fit, I play well so I know I’ve got more to give.“I just enjoy coming into training every day, we’ve got a great team, great staff, great fans, I like everything about this club, so it was a no brainer really.”Luton boss Rob Edwards is confident that the former West Ham centre half can stay fit on a consist basis too, as he said: “I think he’s a really good player and a really important player for us, so I’m delighted that he’s agreed a contract extension because when he’s fit, him and Gabe (Osho) is a right good battle for that position.“I know now the big thing for him will be consistently staying fit and consistently playing, but I know he’s capable of it.“He’s got energy and from that right-sided position he can be really brave."He’ll bomb on, he’ll overlap, he’ll put crosses in, he’ll be aggressive in defensive situations.“He’s a brilliant bloke who is another one who is just a bit frustrated because he needs that run of games and then just feels little niggles, but he worked so, so hard to get himself fit for the play-off games."The medical team did brilliant with him to get him right, and he’d have been disappointed not to be playing in the final, but he came on and he was incredible.”Whenever Burke did play, he showed the hallmarks of the player who came through the ranks at Upton Park, going on to make six top flight appearances for the Hammers and then costing Hull £1.5m in 2018.On the bench at Wembley for the play-off final with Coventry, the centre half was on far earlier than anyone would have expected, himself included, replacing Tom Lockyer after the Welsh international collapsed on the pitch inside the opening 10 minutes.Despite playing just over a half of first team football in the month building up to the showpiece event, Burke excelled from the moment he came on, helping to restrict Sky Blues' star striker Viktor Gyokeres to very little in terms of clear-cut chances, as Luton drew 1-1, then winning on penalties to reach the top division in English football for the first time in over 30 years.On his display, Edwards said: “I thought his mentality to come on so early, in difficult circumstances when Locks went off when he did, to come into that, the biggest game of all of our careers, and perform as he did against really tough opposition, just says everything you need to know about him.“He’s another one, when you think about his goal away at Huddersfield on New Year’s Day, he got three wins in a row for us and it was a really important goal."But his performances, whenever he did play, were excellent."Even in a game we lost, Burnley at home, I thought he was magnificent.”Meanwhile, Burke added: “Over the last two seasons, the best moment would be Wembley."I came on so early in the game, but I did well and that feeling when we won was unreal."It’s so hard to describe but it’s my best day in football for me.”
Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Rob Edwards credits Cauley Woodrow for kickstarting his reign as Luton boss following Canaries winner #LUTONTOWNFC

July 2, 2023
Luton boss Rob Edwards credited striker Cauley Woodrow with getting his reign in charge of the Hatters ‘going' after the forward penned a new contract at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.The 28-year-old hadn’t featured in the new manager’s first game in charge, a 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough in December, but was introduced from the bench on Boxing Day in the home fixture against Norwich City with four minutes remaining, the Hatters drawing 1-1 but down to 10 men following Gabe Osho’s red card.In a flash, the ex-Town youngster had given the hosts a maiden three points of Edwards’ tenure, and a first home win for over two months, taking Jordan Clark’s pass in his stride and cracking a terrific effort into the top corner.Cauley Woodrow celebrates his winner against Norwich City on Boxing DayIt was the start of a run of three victories in a row for Luton and began a run of consistently impressive form which saw Town eventually reach the Premier League for the first time in their history via the play-offs.Although his role was limited, starting just three more league games and scoring once more in the Championship, that against Rotherham United, injury forcing him out of the final stages of the campaign, on Woodrow’s impact, Edwards said: “Cauley has had a frustrating time since we came in."When we arrived he was just coming back from injury and worked extremely hard to get himself fit.“He may not have been starting matches, but he was coming on a lot as the first sub to be introduced and was always very important, whether we were winning or losing games.“Looking back, Cauley arguably scored the most important goal after we came in, which was against Norwich at home on Boxing Day."Down to ten men, we went for it and put him on and thankfully he did what we know he can do.“He scored a brilliant goal and I think that really got the whole thing going for us."A home win, the first for a while – it got a lot of belief going and helped create a connection between us and the supporters."It really helped us, so Cauley played a huge part in us building momentum.“He still chipped in with goals, but it was his all-round play, his work-rate, which again we know that we need, that’s what we are about.“I thought he was excellent when he started against Rotherham and Reading, but unfortunately he hurt himself again, and although he tried really hard to come back for the play-off semi-final, he then broke down again which ruled him out for the final."Woodrow will now be looking to add to his six top flight outings managed when at Fulham, whom he joined from Luton as a teenager, plus his tally of one Premier League goal, that when scoring against Crystal Palace in May 2014.Edwards added: “He’s a local lad and he’s had a little bit of Premier League experience in the past with Fulham, so he’ll be desperate to try and get some more."He’ll be someone who will be very hungry now to come back, try and impress and show what he’s about.“He’s a brilliant human being as well."I love seeing him around the place, always smiling, always gives everything, so I’m really pleased that he’s agreed to extend his contract with us.”
Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Rob Edwards hopes Town’s leading marksman Morris can transfer his Championship form to the Premier League #COYH

July 1, 2023
Luton boss Rob Edwards hopes leading marksman Carlton Morris can transfer his goalscoring form from the Championship into the Premier League this term.The 27-year-old, who penned a new deal this evening, scored 20 times for the Hatters as they reached the play-off final at Wembley, beating Coventry 6-5 on penalties to take their place in the top flight once more.Morris became the first Luton attacker to reach such a personal milestone in the second tier since legendary forward Brian Stein back in the 1981-82 season, as he will now be aiming to cause some of the best defenders in the world a host of problems when the season begins on August 12. Speaking to the club’s official website, Edwards said: “We’re so pleased to get someone as important to us as Carlton signed on for even longer."He’s a brilliant person to have in our squad.“His goals were influential last season, but whenever I spoke about him or was asked about him, it was his all-round game and what he brought to the team, whether it was hold-up play, work-rate, headers, defensive headers in his own box from corners."It was everything that he gave the team, as well as the goal threat.Carlton Morris looks to beat a Coventry defender at Wembley“He’s got great experience now, but he’s a good age, someone who is really hungry, and he deserves the opportunity now to have a go in the Premier League.“If you look over the last ten years-plus, there have been a lot of strikers that have done well in the Championship, stepped up and then have gone and done well in the Premier League as well, and let’s hope Carlton is one of them.”Despite picking up a number of minor niggles last term, and being on the end of a horrific tackle from Birmingham City’s Marc Roberts, Morris still registered 51 appearances for the Hatters.That resilience certainly impressed Edwards, who added: “He played through a lot of pain last season, he didn’t want to miss a minute."He’s a proper leader, he’s got a voice and people respect him."The fans love him, we love him – he knows that – and I think he responds well to that as well.“He knows how important he is, but he goes and puts it all out there every day in training."He goes over that white line on a Saturday, or any matchday now, and he’s right at it and a handful for anyone."We’re delighted to have him as our handful for the long-term.”