Luton Town

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

We asked you what the most irritating thing at your club has been this season, whether it be inconsistency, injuries or a player failing to deliver.

Here are some of your replies:

Nick: Definitely the injuries. Of course, every team may claim that, but Luton have had half of the first team missing for most of the season. No disrespect to those who have come on who have given everything, but the players must be exhausted as there's no opportunity to rest them. Hopefully the physio team can sort this out for the future.

Kevin: VAR. It's absolutely ruined the experience of watching a match, especially live. Makes me think if we did go down, we'd at least be in a division not using it and one that's far more competitive and, dare I say it, fun.

Sammy: Not using the January market sensibly. We were short at the back. Dan Potts hasn't played all season, Tom Lockyer was done and we had space in the squad. We only got a left-back in and now we're struggling with injuries and some players look leggy.

Justin: My problem is with those 'supporters' who have moaned about our transfer dealings during the recent window, saying how we should have thrown more money brining in other players. You only have to look at Nottingham Forest to know that huge spends don't guarantee success, but do run the risk of penalties for financial breaches.

Daniel: First, it's the defensive errors. We are under more pressure from attackers and in one game we keep a clean sheet and hammer Brighton, yet in the next a defensive mistake leads to us losing 4-3! Then it's also got to be the injuries. We just have so many, especially in defence, but we can still do this. COYH.

The latest episode of Luton In The Prem sees the team discuss news of Nottingham Forest's points deduction and its implications for the Hatters.

Forest have been deducted four points for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules. The move leaves Luton 17th in the table, a place above Forest who occupy a relegation place. The Reds could yet appeal their deduction however.

Everton have already had points deducted, their penalty reduced and yet face a further possible sanction for a second breach.

"If Forest do appeal that appeal can only be heard after the Everton case is finished," said BBC Three Counties Radio's Geoff Doyle.

"Everton’s second case will now be looked at. Once that has been heard, then Forest can appeal. If I am Everton, I will co-operate as much as I can as they got two points added back on because of that. If you’re Everton now you’re thinking 'co-operate as that will get us two points back'."

BBC Three Counties' Simon Oxley added: "We still don’t know if Forest will appeal. Speaking to our colleagues at BBC Nottingham, the feeling was if they got six or more points deducted they may appeal but if it was three or four, they might just suck it up.

"Nobody seems satisfied. Forest feel harshly treated as they were trying to compete in the Premier League. Everton are saying 'how come they got four and we got six?'

"I think Rob Edwards Is right, just keep going and playing and see where we end up. I find it inconceivable we could get to the final game against Fulham, Luton doing a dance around the pitch having stayed up and then two weeks later – you’re relegated."

Has Ross Barkley played more or less minutes than Chiedozie Ogbene this season? Listen to Luton In The Prem for a higher-lower quiz on the squad.

The full episode is here

Geoff Doyle
BBC 3CR sports editor

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.

As we approach the business end, we want to know the most irritating thing at your club this season.

Has it been a player failing to deliver, injury woes, inconsistent form... or something else?

Let us know your biggest gripe here

Ollie Kay
Fan writer

Fellow teams wish they had one half of the fight Luton Town exhibit.

If you could bottle and sell the secret of how we keep going through adversity, it would make more than the Premier League sell their broadcasting rights for,10 times over.

The fight displayed during our draw against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest shows that regardless of how much money you spend, the most important thing in football cannot be bought and that’s truly playing for the badge and team spirit. Something Luton Town have in spades.

Ten times out of 10, I will take what has been assembled at Luton Town rather than what has been overpaid for at Nottingham Forest.

They can buy all the players they want, but at the end of the day, you cannot go out and buy Luton’s team spirit - epitomised by Luke Berry, who has now scored for Luton Town in League Two, League One, the Championship and the Premier League.

Against Forest, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu was the latest of our squad to go off injured, after Murillo launched him into the advertising hoardings, without earning a booking.

However, I am not here to discuss the state of refereeing in the Premier League - I’m solely here to discuss the fantastic job Luton Town are doing while all the odds are seemingly stacked against us.

Pelly’s injury leaves us with 12 players from our 24-man squad in the treatment room. That’s 50% of our squad injured - the highest proportion in the Premier League.

And so, on to an international break where we can get some much needed rest and hopefully be able to welcome some injured players back into the fold.

Nine massive games to go.

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

Nottingham Forest have slipped into the relegation zone after being deducted four points for breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules, BBC Sport understands.

The deduction leaves, which leaves Nuno Espirito Santo's side on 21 points, lifts Luton Town out of the drop zone by one point.

Burnley remain in 19th and are four points behind Forest with 10 games remaining, while Sheffield United are seven.

Everton, who were previously deducted six points, are now three points clear of Forest but the Toffees could still be deducted further points for a second breach.

Brentford remain in 15th on 26 points.

Read the full story over here

We asked for your thoughts on Saturday's game between Luton Town and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Here are some of your responses:

Luton fans

Nicola: Supporting Luton Town is one of the hardest things in the world. We must get ourselves together and start playing the way I know we can or we will be relegated. We can do better. We must do better. We are Luton Town and we deserve our place in the Premier League. Well done on the point salvaged, boys.

Sue: That was the best that a patched-up team could do. They are still in the mix but they have kept us within touching distance. When we get a couple of our injured players back, it will be game on. I still believe.

Alec: Luton played well at times, with lapses of concentration. The refereeing performance was an absolute shambles. Nowadays referees sadly don't know the laws of the game. Both assistants were also very poor. PGMOL and Mr Webb need to open their eyes.

Louise: Luton never do it the easy way but we are a side that never gives up. So I think that we are still in with a chance of Premier League survival.

Forest fans

John: Unbelievable. We score first, work hard, miss chances, get caught in the last minute... and drop points. A draw away from home should feel like an achievement: it doesn't. We now have nine games to get lot of points, just in case we get a points deduction. I want it to happen but... [I'm not sure].

Steve: So frustrating. We had chances to get a second but we aren’t clinical enough. We can’t defend set-pieces, whoever plays at the back. The manager tried to play it safe at 1-0 with his substitutes, but it backfired. I'm fearful for the run-in now, after the inevitable points deduction coming up. Why isn’t Callum Hudson-Odoi starting games? The Palace game is massive now.

Alex: A draw is always better than a loss, but throwing away the game at the last minute yet again, after doing the same against Manchester United and Liverpool, is incredibly frustrating. Hopefully we won't look back on that equaliser as the point that got us relegated.

Iain: The Burnley v Brentford game has helped us out. This was a fantastic chance to put some space between us and the relegation zone before any points deduction. Once again, Forest's inability to defend set-pieces made itself known, and now there are no strikers. This feels incredibly costly and the players look like they are always expecting to be beaten.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Tottenham and Newcastle United defender Sebastien Bassong believes Luton Town's last-gasp draw against Nottingham Forest "wasn't enough" for their survival ambitions, in what he thought was a "must-win" game for the Hatters.

"It could be really helpful for them but, from where they are coming back, I think it wasn't enough. It wasn't the kind of performance they needed to boost their confidence," he said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily.

"It was a must win, off the back of what happened in midweek [against Bournemouth]. I think they were always too short. We talk about injuries, overall this is a higher level and you've got to deal with that.

"I watched the game as well - I thought they were always a bit too short and they put themselves in difficult situations. They always have to come back [from being behind], so it takes a lot more effort because you can't really control the game from start to finish.

"They are always going to get a late equaliser. But, for me, mentally, with the squad they have and the injuries they have, that's what is going to drain them even quicker."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's three 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:

Luton Town v Nottingham Forest

Luton goalscorer Luke Berry has been speaking to Premier League Productions following the last-minute draw: "It was important. I've been coming on late recently, so it was nice to come on, help the boys, and get a goal. It was a big game and we needed to not lose that.

"The manager told me to get forward and get a goal. [He told me to] get off the strikers and sniff the knockdowns from the corners.

"I'm not normally in there. I'm normally taking it or on the edge, so maybe I can be in there more often now."

On earning a point for the Hatters: "It was massive. We needed to not lose, so we are still three [points] off them with nine games to go. So there's still a lot to play for.

"You could see we were struggling physically out there. You could see the boys were knackered. A lot of the boys have been playing 90 minutes for weeks now, without a rest."

On the relegation battle: "Three points is not much and we've got a lot of games at home. I'm sure we are going to do well."

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

These are the games - at home to a relegation rival - that you would normally say you have to win to stay up.

Given the circumstances, though, Luton will be happy to have got out with a point.

Injuries have plagued Rob Edwards' side and, coming off the back of a devastating 4-3 loss at Bournemouth, it would have been easy for them to feel sorry for themselves when Nottingham Forest went in front.

Instead, Luton continued to scrap, not interested in any excuses, as they fought to keep Forest out with a series of goal-line clearances.

They lacked a cutting edge at the other end and struggled to create much from open play.

However, it is a different story from set pieces and Luke Berry was alive in the box, swivelling to earn a point for the Hatters.

It is still a big ask for Luton to stay up, especially with trips to Tottenham and Arsenal immediately after the international break.

But they have shown throughout this campaign that whatever the challenge they're faced with, they will fight until the end.