'What a mess'

It’s been quite a week again for Luton Town both on and off the pitch. The Hatters are getting used to this and they better be prepared for more of it in the final two months of the season.

Luke Berry’s late equaliser against Nottingham Forest effectively meant that when the latter were deducted their four points they fell into the relegation zone rather than stayed just above it. But the asterisks don’t stop just yet.

Everton‘s second charge of breaching financial rules will now be heard, and judging by the Nottingham Forest case, it would be wise for the Toffees to cooperate with the independent commission.

With all the talk of punishment and deduction it seems to have got forgotten that Forest were effectively given back two points as a result of an early plea, thus allowing the hearing to reach a quicker outcome. If Everton have any sense they will do the same and get two points back too, one assumes, if they are docked more points.

For Luton Town fans this saga is going to carry on to the end of the season. If Forest do appeal it seems like it won't be heard until a decision on Everton’s second charge is made and then the Toffees might also appeal (if deducted more points) which would have to be heard after Forests. What a mess.

So there could be plenty of yo-yoing between now and the end of the season involving three clubs and that final relegation position, even when games aren’t going on.

Luton fans are comparing this to the unprecedented 30-point deduction which put them out of the Football League back in 2008. You can’t blame them but you probably can’t compare then and now as they are completely different charges.

However it does still essentially boil down to club governance and finances and Hatters fans will forever feel aggrieved at the seismic deduction they received nearly 16 years ago.

Luton had to take the punishment and it nearly saw them go out of existence. The club were extremely close to folding.

“They tried to kill us off, but we’re not soft,” the fans still sing and that fighting mentality is within the club and witnessed on the pitch. It is a big reason why Luton are performing as they are and doing their level best to stay up, regardless of deductions, additions and appeals.