Luton Town

Ollie Kay
Fan writer

Ollie Kay can be found at We Are Luton Town, external

The injuries just do not stop coming.

With Alfie Doughty, Tahith Chong and Reece Burke going off this weekend it leaves us with 13 players available. Two of these are development players, Joe Johnson and Zack Nelson, who have been among the squad this season but are soon to become first names on the team sheet if this injury crisis continues to bite.

Regardless, with all our injuries, we went toe to toe with Tottenham, taking the lead early on but succumbing to an own goal and a quick Son break from our own corner.

Luton Town have and continue to give an incredible account of themselves this season. I have written about it before, where the fight and determination we have cannot be bought, it is simply part of the club's genetics with players carefully recruited so they match what we ask of them.

As the squad thins out because injuries, you see these players still giving their all for the shirt, for the fans and most importantly for their survival in the Premier League.

Relegation has not been confirmed, not by a long shot. Tough trips to Arsenal and Man City are soon to come, but then we get down to the meat and drink of what our survival will be decided upon. Games against those immediately around us - Everton, Brentford and other teams in the lower half of the table.

Survival is still in our hands, it always has been, the odds and injury table may be stacked against us, but we will continue to do what we do best, fight.

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Chris asked: All the talk at the moment (quite rightly!) is about the most exciting title run in for years. However, my question is about the bottom of the league. Who do you think joins Sheffield United and (probably) Burnley in the Championship next season? Do you think Luton have enough fight to stay up or can they and Nottingham Forest do everyone a favour and get something against Everton and send them down?

Phil answered: I think Luton have actually been playing better than Everton and Forest for some time now but they seem to have a problem getting games over the line - leading then losing.

My current belief is that Luton Town, Sheffield United and Burnley will go down but then we have the unknown of points deductions imposed on Forest, which they are appealing against, and Everton – who may yet have more points deducted for another alleged breach of financial regulations.

Out of the three I have mentioned, I think Luton could be the team that could defy that prediction but they simply have to find a way to win games in a way that is currently escaping them, even when they have the lead.

We asked for your thoughts on Saturday's Premier League game between Tottenham and Luton.

Here are some of your responses:

Tottenham fans

Paul: Another woeful first half with no intensity and too many misplaced passes in the final third. The second half was different as we moved the ball quicker through the lines. Romero looked as if he was playing in slow motion and he needs to stop playing backwards and sideways as often as he does. Johnson turned the game as Kulusevski looked off it. COYS.

Ernie: It was an important win but a struggle to get it. We cannot continue giving the opposition the lead because we find it so difficult to turn things around. Once again the obvious lack of a plan B leaves everything looking so pedestrian. If Luton had only had more courage they could possibly have done what Fulham did. Thankfully they didn't!

Doug: What a hard fought three points. We were unlucky not to get more goals. Not taking anything away from Luton as they gave us a real battle. Johnson was fantastic again and he had a massive impact coming on in the second half, he’s really showing his true quality now but the whole team put a shift in. I love Luton’s spirit and I hope they stay up.

Luton fans

David: I was at the game and it was another game of great spirit and commitment. But we were undone by errors at the end and missed a great chance to steal a point. I'm proud of the effort and the football. We can survive but home games are now all must wins. Rob Edwards showed a masterclass in humility again.

Paul: Luton have 13 players out injured, (8 first team players out injured) but still Tottenham needed an own goal to beat what was effectively our reserve team. Amazing performance from the Luton players and the fans who provided the noise at an otherwise silent stadium.

Ant: Our first game back after the international break. Our squad is down to the bare bones but the injury crisis hasn't diminished our character or our fight. Luck does not appear to be on our side after some fantastic goal line clearances. We also saw the leveller come from an unlucky own goal and picked up some potential further injuries in the game.

Alex Scott introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra match commentary in full:

Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace

Aston Villa v Wolves

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Luton needed less than three minutes to extend their club-record scoring run to 18 successive top-flight fixtures, but once again they were unable to retain their advantage after Tahith Chong had given them an early lead.

Rob Edwards' men are just the third side in Premier League history to lose three successive games in which they have led at half-time, after Aston Villa in May 2021 and Sunderland in April 2003.

They had chances to add to Chong's crisp drive, James Maddison producing a crucial block to deny Carlton Morris at the near post before Ross Barkley and Jordan Clark tested Guglielmo Vicario from the edge of the box.

Son Heung-min struck both posts midway through the first half, and Luton's luck appeared to be holding after Alfie Doughty somehow prevented Brennan Johnson's shot from creeping in at the far post in the second - but Son had the last laugh when his late effort deflected in off Daiki Hashioka.

With trips to title-chasing Arsenal and Manchester City still to come before the end of the season, it appears Luton's home form will be key to their hopes of preserving their Premier League status.

Rob Edwards spoke to BBC Match of The Day after Luton's defeat to Tottenham: "It's difficult at the best of times coming here. The players gave everything, the plan was good. The players were fully committed. It was a brilliant goal we scored to put ourselves in a good position. I know they had some chances and we had some great blocks and defended well - you have to do that here.

"The bit that gives me belief and confidence is how we've been with all the problems we've got at the moment. The players are completely with it, supporters are completely with it, that's what gives me belief."

On Tottenham coming from behind to win: "The big chances they had came from our mistake. Other than that I thought we were fairly comfortable in the first half. At 1-1 again I thought the game settled a little bit and I'm' really disappointed to concede so late."

On whether the manner of the performance made him proud: "The players are giving everything, we're working really hard to make sure we give ourselves an opportunity to win games of football. We've got to turn around quickly, it doesn't get any easier! We'll try and go again.

"It does give me belief, it does give me heart. It's a tough one to take because we hate losing. We know how difficult the challenge is coming here but to be competing and pushing them all the way gives me a lot of pride."

• Luton are just the third side in Premier League history to lose three successive games in which they’ve led at half time after Aston Villa in May 2021 and Sunderland in April 2003 (run of four).

• No side has benefited from more own goals in the Premier League this season than Tottenham (4), with this Luton’s second own goal this season after Tom Lockyer put through his own net against Aston Villa in October.

• Son Heung-min has now scored at least 15 goals in a Premier League season on three of the past four occasions (23 in 2021-22 and 17 in 2020-21). Indeed, five of his 15 goals for Tottenham in the Premier League this season have been the winning goal, no other player has more.

• Only Elijah Adebayo has scored a faster Premier League goal for Luton (18 seconds vs Brighton in January) than Tahith Chong’s opener against Tottenham today (02:17), while it’s the earliest Spurs have conceded at home in the Premier League since March 2014 against Arsenal (72 seconds).

• Tottenham have now earned 22 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, only Liverpool (23) have more, while only in 2010-11 (24) and 2012-13 (23) have they accumulated more such points in a campaign.

Son Heung-min scored a late winner as Tottenham recovered from a goal down to beat Luton and move into the top four of the Premier League.

Tahith Chong's well-worked goal had given the Hatters an early lead, but Spurs responded well and equalised early in the second half when Brennan Johnson's cross was turned into his own net by Issa Kabore.

Spurs laid siege to the Luton goal after restoring parity, but a series of crucial last-ditch challenges kept Ange Postecoglou's team at bay - and Alfie Doughty somehow prevented Johnson's close-range effort from rolling over the line.

However, there was nothing Luton could do about Son's winning goal, which took a deflection off half-time substitute Daiki Hashioka on its way past Hatters goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski.

Aston Villa will reclaim fourth place with a draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers later on Saturday.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Spurs fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Luton fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Eight fixtures make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

BBC Radio 5 Live commentaries:

• Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace

• Aston Villa v Wolves

All times GMT

Listen to national and local radio commentaries and follow live text updates here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on Gladiators star Bionic.

Sutton's prediction: 4-1

I remember watching Tottenham play at Kenilworth Road in October when they should have been out of sight after the first 10 minutes, but still ended up nicking the points after Yves Bissouma was sent off before half-time.

I am not expecting Spurs to make such hard work of this game, and we should see a response from them after their heavy defeat against Fulham.

I admire Luton, and I am a fan of their approach under manager Rob Edwards. They are more expansive than they were at the start of the season, and I understand why, but maybe it is time for them to play with a bit more balance.

If Luton go to Tottenham and go toe-to-toe with Ange Postecoglou's side, that is very brave. It paid off when they went to Newcastle and nearly won but I don't see it working again here.

Bionic's prediction: 2-0

I really want Luton to stay up - I love Rob Edwards and what he is doing, and his side are fighters. They don't always get the results they deserve though. Ross Barkley is playing so well, he could win this game for them single-handedly but, being realistic, I don't think they will have enough to go to Spurs and win.

See the full list of predictions here

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Luton commentator Geoff Doyle spoke to the Luton in the Prem podcast before the Hatters' trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday: "I think Luton might have half a chance [depending on] if Van de Ven is fit or not. He is absolutely pivotal to them at centre-half.

"They play this really high line and if a ball gets played over the top, Van de Ven is the quickest player in the league. He's clocked ahead of [Chiedozie] Ogbene, he's that quick. He gets them out of a massive load of trouble. When they play that high line and he's not there, and Luton can play that through ball, that might be a chance to exploit them.

"This is me looking at it optimistically. [They have] Son, Richarlison and Kulusevski, you can run through the list."

Fellow Luton commentator Simon Oxley added: "They [Tottenham] should have been three up in the first 10 minutes [in the previous fixture], they cut Luton apart. That was the early days of Luton - before they'd got their heads round it all, but it's still a huge task."

Listen to the full episode here.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Luton's Premier League game at Tottenham on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from the Hatters boss:

• Winger Chiedozie Ogbene is not available after picking up a hamstring injury on international duty with the Republic of Ireland and is likely to be absent "for a few weeks."

• Edwards joked about the ongoing injury crisis, saying: "I'm losing coaching staff as well as players now," after staff member Kevin Foley tweaked his hamstring when having to fill in during training.

• No injured players have recovered in time to be in contention for Saturday. Sambi Lokonga has returned to "light training" on the grass but he will be unavailable for a few more weeks. Meanwhile, forward Elijah Adebayo could return "for the tail end of the season."

• Edwards is confident Luton can beat the drop, saying, "we are up for the fight" and that staying up "is still in our destiny."

• On opponents Tottenham: "They are a brilliant team. They play quickly and brightly and their individuals are excellent. I love watching them play."

• He said his team need to "attack and give absolutely everything" against Spurs because "they pose lots of threats."

• On what he has learned this season as a manager: "I have improved but I would like to say that all of the staff and players have. We have shown we can compete at this level. It has given me a lot of confidence."

• He said the points deductions for relegation rivals Everton and Nottingham Forest "are not something we think about" because "we can only control what we can", adding: "it is a strange situation."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences here

Geoff Doyle
BBC Three Counties Radio sports editor

Luton have nine games left to try to stay in the Premier League.

Generally, 38 points is the benchmark for survival. However, if you look at the past 10 years, 35 points has nearly always been enough - and this season that could easily be the case again when you consider points deductions and the struggles Sheffield United and Burnley have had.

So that is four wins the Hatters are likely to need and with matches at Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City to come, home form is likely to be vital.

Luton's next two fixtures are away to the north London clubs. Both Spurs and Arsenal will be under a different kind of pressure with Champions League and title challenges at stake.

Optimistic Hatters fans might hope the international break will have unsettled them (particularly Arsenal) and that Tottenham's defensive lynchpin Micky van de Ven remains injured for Saturday’s fixture.

Spurs love that really high defensive line, but without Van de Ven's phenomenal pace it can be exposed.

Luton have hit a winless run of form at the wrong time and still remain one of the favourites to be relegated. But every neutral fan I've spoken to this season has been wholesome in their praise of the Hatters' performances.

Rob Edwards' side have won the hearts of plenty of football enthusiasts who enjoy the attitude of this team.

Considering it is their debut Premier League season, the cost of the squad and the injuries (nine first-teamers still out), this goes down as a fine campaign for Luton whatever happens in terms of survival/relegation. The players, manager, coaches and staff deserve huge praise.

It has already been a season of overachievement and in these last six weeks we will see whether they can cap it all off by staying up.

Listen to match commentary of Tottenham v Luton on BBC Three Counties Radio (DAB) at 15:00 GMT on Saturday

Here are the key statistics before Tottenham host Luton Town on Saturday.

• Tottenham are unbeaten in their past 10 league games against Luton and are looking to complete their first league double over the Hatters since 1983-84.

• Luton have won just one of their 16 top-flight games at Spurs, beating them 3-1 in November 1985. Their last visit was a 4-1 defeat in November 1991.

• Since beating Brighton in January, Luton are without a win in their past eight league matches. Away from home they have conceded four or more goals in three of their past four games.

• Tottenham have won nine of their past 10 Premier League games against newly promoted sides, with their only defeat coming at home against Bournemouth last season.

• Some 36% of Luton's points this season have come from goals in the final 10 minutes - more than any other side.

• Spurs full-back Pedro Porro has had the most shots (37) and accumulated the highest xG (2.2) of any player yet to score in the Premier League this season.

Ollie Kay
Fan writer

Luton Town have been winning hearts and minds in the Premier League. They started 2024 strongly, but then the injuries started to bite.

If the Hatters are to ensure another campaign in the top flight they need three things to happen:

Get players back from injury

We are down to bare bones, with only 14 senior outfield players available. Sambi Lokonga is vital in midfield next to Ross Barkley.

We need him, as well as some others, back as soon as possible to ease the burden those who have been running through walls.

Teden Mengi is most notably in need of a rest, but we don't have any defenders who are available to step into his shoes right now.

Score first in matches

Nine games ago, we blew Brighton away 4-0. Since then, we have only scored first once.

Admittedly, that was against Bournemouth - a three-goal lead at half-time - so it goes to show scoring first doesn't always mean you will go on to win a game.

But the home matches against Manchester United and Aston Villa illustrate that giving teams a two-goal headstart means you are fighting an uphill battle.

Cut out individual errors

I love the way we play. Plaudits need to go to Rob Edwards for implementing a stylistic change during the season.

However, sometimes when you're defending you have got to think safety first. We have given quite a few goals away by being caught on the edge of our box.

I'm feeling optimistic about the rest of our season, though, and I hope the players can maintain their tempo for the final nine games.

We all respect the fact it has to be hard right now, with most running on fumes, but hopefully it's been a good rest for many during the international break.

Ollie Kay can be found at We Are Luton Town, external

BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown will be answering your questions, giving his insight and opinion around your club.

So what would you like to ask the former Premier League midfielder?

How does the rest of your season look? Who has been your best player? What does the manager's future hold?

Let us know what you want answered by sending in your questions here