Luton Town

We asked for your views on Saturday's game between Crystal Palace and Luton Town.

Here are some of your responses:

Palace fans

Vic: Another game where points have been given away in the final minutes of the game. The coaching staff need to remind the players that the game goes on until the referee blows the final whistle. Stats look good but three points against Luton at home should have been the only result. Defence needs to be seriously looked at.

Gary: Still can't see the game out. Bad game management. Trying to play out when the ball should have been whacked anywhere with seconds to go. Eze didn't get close to Townsend for the cross, but we had enough chances to win the game. Glaser has to change approach in final 15 minutes. Forest up next. Don't win that and it could be squeaky bum time.

Moggy: At the risk of stating the obvious, we should have scored a second goal - but Jordan has been substituted twice now and then we have conceded. He also knows the importance of holding the ball in the last minutes of a tight game. Two points lost and completely gutted.

Glen: Overall the game was enjoyable and definitely different to what we have become used to. We should have won and missed too many opportunities in front of goal. The manager is definitely coaching from the sideline and getting involved with every moment, which makes for a great atmosphere. Let's get behind the new management and see what they can do.

Luton fans

Kevin: I think it was a fair result. At times during the match, both teams had their advantages. But Luton proves again they have the tenacity to stay up. Bournemouth this week will be another critical match to get a result.

Bob: Well, finally a point when maybe we didn't deserve it. That's what we need, rather than plucky losers every week. This will go to the wire, but we will never give up.

Mac: Only Liverpool scoring more goals than us in the last 15 minutes not only shows our never-say-die attitude, it's also testament to our fitness. However, we need to rid ourselves of these frustrating defensive errors as they are slowly undermining all the good that we do.

Kbot: Defence withstood all the pressure. Never gave up even when Palace were on top. Toughed it out and got a point when all looked lost. Great resilience. That’s the kind of spirit that will keep us up. Well done lads.

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

Martin in Derby: Only three Premier League clubs have panic sacked their managers this season: Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. So far, none are better off, arguably worse off in Forest's case. What do you think of this strategy versus the boards who hold their nerve - a la Burnley, Luton, Everton, Brentford with the longer term learning and stability in mind?

Phil: It's a tough choice, Martin, but it certainly has not had the desired impact at Sheffield United and Forest with Chris Wilder returning and Nuno Espirito Santo being appointed at the City Ground. Far too early to make any considered judgement on Oliver Glasner at Palace.

Vincent Kompany had credit in the bank for taking Burnley up but it's been a miserable season and they seem simply resigned to going down and maybe letting him try again next season. There is no-one at Everton to make a decision on Sean Dyche even if they wanted to, which is very unlikely. Thomas Frank has done a top-class job at Brentford despite recent struggles while if the art of good management is getting the best out of what you have then Rob Edwards is doing incredibly well at Luton Town. They could still stay up.

There are considered reasons why they are all still in their jobs.

I think the prospect of relegation can induce panic and clubs must also weigh up whether there is anyone out there who could do any better. A very hard choice and only the final league table will tell if the right decision has been taken.

Image source, Getty Images

ESPN's chief football Writer Mark Ogden believes Luton boss Rob Edwards' "ultra-positive" attitude is key in the Hatters continuing to push for survival.

Cauley Woodrow's 96th minute equaliser was the 15th goal they have scored in the last 15 minutes of Premier League games this season - second only to league leaders Liverpool (24) - and ensured they ended Saturday just three points from safety.

"The one thing that strikes me about Rob Edwards is he has such positive energy," Ogden told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"A lot of managers after games will moan and complain and can kind of sap your energy a little but but Edwards is so positive.

"If you're playing for him you will believe you can get a result, get a last minute goal.

"He's energised the fans and the players.

"It's not just about tactics being a manager, it's about managing relationships and also being a motivator. He's been absolutely brilliant this season. Every time you see him he has this belief that they can do it.

"I think they can. Maybe I'm falling for the whole Rob Edwards thing but I think they can do it because he is Mr. Positive but he believes it as well which is the most important thing.

"Whatever you say in public does reflect on your team and there are managers in the Premier League who just complain.

"But, Rob Edwards is ultra-positive and I think that's why Luton are doing so well."

• Did you know? Only Arsenal (14) have scored more headed goals than Luton in the Premier League this season (13). The Hatters have now avoided defeat in each of their last three Premier League away games this season in which they’ve conceded the opening goal (D3), after losing six of their first seven such games of the campaign (D1).

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's five 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 commentaries in full:

• Crystal Palace v Luton Town

• Arsenal v Brentford

A stoppage-time goal from Cauley Woodrow saw Luton Town snatch a draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles made a fast start and Jean-Philippe Mateta put his team into the lead after just 11 minutes.

A pass back from Alfie Doughty towards his goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski led to a mix-up between Gabriel Osho and Kaminski, and Daniel Munoz took advantage before giving the ball to Mateta, who finished with a clever flick into the corner of the net.

The home side had 17 shots during the match and missed a host of chances to make sure they took all three points, with Mateta, Daniel Munoz, Jordan Ayew and Eberechi Eze going close before Odsonne Edouard hit the crossbar late on.

Palace were then punished for not taking their opportunities when second-half substitute Woodrow headed in a cross from Andros Townsend in the 96th minute to spark wild celebrations in the away end and earn what could be a vital point for Luton in the fight against relegation.

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

Palace 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

There are five games being played in the Premier League on Saturday and we will bring you every moment.

Listen to radio commentaries and follow live text updates here

All times are GMT

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

I am at this game for BBC Radio 5 Live and it is a big one for Luton, who have lost four league games in a row as well as going out of the FA Cup to Manchester City.

Their run of good form at the end of January feels a long time ago and, although they have had some difficult games recently, this has to be seen as a fixture where they need to get something if they are going to stay up.

They beat Crystal Palace earlier in the season, so that must be the target again - I am just not sure whether they can do it.

It is a boost for the Eagles that Eberechi Eze is back from injury, and he scored against Tottenham last week.

They always carry more of a threat when he is in the team, but to be completely honest, I really don't know what to expect from them yet under new boss Oliver Glasner.

They beat Burnley comfortably in his first game - which was a great start - but you have to remember the Clarets were down to 10 men for an hour. Then, against Tottenham last week, they lost and only had 22% possession.

What I am trying to say is it is going to take time for things to take shape under Glasner, and we will have to wait and see what kind of playing style he implements. As for this game, well it smells like a draw to me.

Dave's prediction: 1-2

Bria's prediction: 1-2

Read the rest of their predictions here

Is getting promoted to the Premier League too easy if you've just been relegated?

Daniel Storey from the i Newspaper has been telling The Football News Show about a problem brewing in winning promotion and battling the drop.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer here

Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Luton Town's Premier League game against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Edwards said Luton have had "bad luck" in conceding late goals recently after their 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa last week and feels his side deserved a result, while conceding the best teams "find a way to win".

• On the Hatters improving as a side, Edwards said: "We let ourselves down in moments and I take the responsibility. There's areas we can work with individuals to improve. We need to find a way to get something from the game. It's not difficult to get the lads up from these moments. We played well."

• On team news he said: Amari'i Bell is out having damaged the a hamstring on the opposite leg to his last issue. Joe Johnson has glandular fever and Edwards said "we need to look after him".

• Edwards said even though Luton won against Crystal Palace earlier this season, the "second game will always be different", adding: "They have a new manager. It's nice we got three points last time around, but it's different to refer back to it. It's a different day, different circumstances, we will go into it and do our best."

• "It's great progress to me", said Edwards when questioned about Sunny Singh Gill becoming the first ever British South Asian to referee a Premier League game in Saturday's fixture.

Follow Friday's live Premier League news conferences here

Luton captain Tom Lockyer, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a match against Bournemouth in December, says becoming a dad for the first time has changed "everything" for him.

The 29-year-old Wales international told Gary Lineker's podcast The Rest is Football, the arrival of his daughter had "changed my world".

The defender said he had thought "football was the most important thing in the world" but the birth had given him a new perspective.

"This little girl came along and changes everything for me," he said.

The Wales international has previously told how he was "technically dead" for nearly three minutes and was resuscitated by medics.

He told presenters Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards: "The first thought I had when I came round was 'My missus is in the stand and she's seven months' pregnant.'

"But she seemed to have handled it really well and was amazing throughout the birth. I can't speak highly enough of her."

Read more on this story here

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Luton commentator Geoff Doyle spoke to the Luton in the Prem podcast about the Hatters' next three matches against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest: "He [Rob Edwards] is playing down these three games, but they are huge. It's these three, and especially the Forest one. That's the biggest game of the season now because they are the team that Luton are going to have to catch.

"I think they have to beat Forest, and could they win one of the other two? Six out of nine points would be excellent. If they win the other two and lose to Forest, you're thinking can they can catch anyone else?"

On Satuday's game, Doyle added: They [Crystal Palace] are beatable, they concede a lot of late goals and Luton score a lot of late goals. If Luton give it a go, I'd give them a real chance [of winning]."

Listen to the full episode here

A new episode of the Luton in the Prem podcast by BBC Radio Three counties has landed on BBC Sounds.

BBC Three Counties Radio commentators Geoff Doyle and Simon Oxley reflect on the Hatters' defeat to Aston Villa and look ahead to their trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Listen to the full episode here

Geoff Doyle
BBC 3CR sports editor

There is a mind-blowing irony that Luton Town’s Premier League fate this season could be decided by points deductions - or appeals against them.

A club which tumbled out of the football league due to an unprecedented 30-point deduction back in 2008, could stay up as a result of sanctions for either of Nottingham Forest or Everton.

The twist is that on appeal a points deduction might get reduced - like with Everton recently - and as a result the Hatters go down.

Forest’s case is being heard this week. The verdict may not be until April. The season finishes in May and any appeal might drag on until after then.

There is this awful doomsday scenario plaguing my mind that Luton could be above the relegation zone following the final matches of the season only to be dumped back into it following a successful deduction appeal.

It surely could not come to that could it? Can you imagine the outcry not just from Luton fans but from worldwide followers of the game? Manager Rob Edwards has described the potential situation as “mental”.

Of course Edwards knows the easiest way to ensure survival is to finish above the bottom three, regardless of points deductions. But that is easier said than done and the likelihood is that the fight to stay in the most exciting league in the world is going to get very, very messy.

In the short term, this could be a nightmare situation for the Hatters but the crumb of comfort is that long term these sanctions will help clubs like Luton.

We saw in the recent January transfer window a massive decrease in money spent on signings with Premier League clubs worried about financial fair play.

It should lead to a more level playing field and that will suit smaller clubs who are run well.

Clubs will have to get their finances in order which should lead to more fairness - and that gives teams like Luton an even better chance in the top league.

Commentary of Crystal Palace v Luton Town on BBC Three Counties Digital Radio and Online (UK only) via BBC Sounds on Saturday from 15:00 GMT

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Crystal Palace and Luton in the Premier League.

• This will be Crystal Palace's first home league game against Luton Town since February 2007 in the Championship (won 2-1), and first in the top flight since a 1-1 draw in February 1992.

• After their 2-1 win in November, Luton could complete only their fourth ever league double over Crystal Palace, after 1936-37 (Third Division South), 1973-74 (second tier), and 2005-06 (Championship).

• Crystal Palace have won four of their five Premier League games against promoted sides this season, though the exception was a 2-1 loss at Luton in the reverse fixture. The promoted team that most recently achieved the double over the Eagles were Sheffield United in 2019-20.

• Palace have won three of their past four Premier League games at Selhurst Park (L1), as many as their previous 13 beforehand (D5 L5). The Eagles have scored exactly three goals in each of those three wins, after having only scored three or more goals in three of their previous 31 home league matches prior to this.

• Luton have lost each of their past four Premier League games. They have not lost five league matches in a row since November 2019 in the Championship. In the top flight, the Hatters last had a longer losing run within a single season from November-December 1974 (six games).

• Only James Ward-Prowse (six) has more assists from set-plays in the Premier League this season than Alfie Doughty, with five of the Luton full-back’s six assists so far this term coming from set-pieces.

Ollie Kay
Fan writer

Luton Town have lost five games on the spin in all competitions.

The majority of these have been tight competitive games. However, other than the Sheffield United loss, defeats against Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa are not the games that will define our season - and certainly not the games that decide whether we stay up.

However, the next three matches against teams in the bottom half of the table are vital.

Also, a word on the divide in the fanbase that has arisen on social media.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I will say though just because you have supported Luton Town Football Club for longer than other fans, by virtue of when you were born, does not entitle you to more of an opinion or to shout down others.

At the end of the day, we are all Luton Town fans, and the most important thing is to back the team, the manager and the board this season.

Ultimately, we have an unprecedented injury crisis but seeing the look on Alfie Doughty’s face as the players left the field on Saturday, it is clear how much they want to survive in this league.

After that second half, I can see it happening.

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

We asked you for your thoughts on Saturday's Premier League match between Luton and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Luton fans

Leo: Good performance, especially to equalise in the second half, but we need to start getting something from games rather than being plucky losers. The next few games are pretty critical, I think.

Nick: Very proud of Rob Edwards and this group of players - they give everything. We just need a decision and a piece of luck to go our way for a change.

Neil: Yet another spirited performance with nothing to show at the end of the evening. Sadly, we continue to ship goals late on in matches. It's a trend which worryingly could come back to haunt us.

Kevin: No one will ever question the effort. I think the Premier league will be better if Luton can figure a way to earn points and stay up. I wonder how the defense would be with Tom Lockyer on the field. Keep playing this way and we will get results in the matches to follow.

Aston Villa fans

Shak: Based on the first half, I thought Villa would hit four or five goals. Credit to Luton in the second half as I thought they'd nick it. They probably deserved at least a point, so that makes it a good away win for Villa. Hopefully, we can follow it up with a good result in Amsterdam and beat Spurs when they come to Villa Park to tighten the grip on fourth.

Simone: We need to be stronger when we play physical teams like Luton. It’s games like those where we really miss Tyrone Mings attacking the first ball. We can’t afford to sit back when we have the lead either - it’s bitten us more than once this season and it almost did again.

Dave: If ever there was a game of two halves. In absolute control and then we seemed to want to allow Luton back in after the break. A lovely goal gave us the three points that we deserved over the whole game. The biggest positive for me was the impact of the subs. When we've lost a lead in the past we've dropped heads and given up. Not now.

Kemper: Once again we have lost the momentum and allowed ourselves to be put on the back foot by a team that we had dominated in the first half. We continue to be vulnerable regarding set pieces and I don’t see any improvement in this area. Our inability, due to injuries, to play a settled back four is also a problem.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Tottenham and England midfielder Jermaine Jenas says the aftermath of Aston Villa's late winner to beat Luton Town 3-2 on Saturday was the first time he had seen Rob Edwards "on the edge".

Edwards had seen his side battle back from 2-0 down at half time to level the match before Lucas Digne dramatic late winner made it five Premier League matches without a win.

"It's a bit like the Forest situation," Jenas told Match of the Day.

"There's an element of you that feels sorry for them and there's an element thinking they didn't turn up in the first half.

"They were nowhere to be seen - it could have been 5-0 quite easily.

"They fought their way back into it but it's another last-minute goal they've conceded at home. It was a poor one they conceded.

"It was the first time I've looked at Rob Edwards and thought he was on the edge.

"He was not happy with the goal they conceded because they fought so hard to get back in it."

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