Luton Town

We asked for your thoughts on Saturday's game between Brentford and Luton Town.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

Alastair: In the first half, it looked as if it was going to be one of those days. After half-time, the Bees came out strong and played some of the best football I have seen this season. Neal Maupay was a real pest to the Luton defence and he has the skill to be in the right place at the right time. Ben Mee and Ethan Pinnock were immense in defence all game. There were inspired substitutes by Frank again.

Will: Scrappy game. It was just a relief to win in the cold. I thought Saman Ghoddos was particularly classy. Bryan Mbeumo is always dangerous. Christian Norgaard was immense in defence.

Brian: Considering the amount of injuries and the size of the squad that we have, Thomas Frank always fields a well organised team. Credit to the players and the coaches.

Agent: I thought we had forgotten how to score in the first half. However, thankfully, Frank pulled everyone together at half-time and we came out to win. Well done Brentford - sometimes it’s hard being a supporter but I never lose the faith.

Luton fans

Steve: Injuries at the back really dictated the line-up and our start, but credit to the players, they gave it a real go after the second goal. Rob Edwards just needs to be braver setting us up as we have two huge games against the best teams the Premier League has to offer up next.

Mark: I'm not sure what our strategy was in the first half? Was it to defend deep and pass our way through Brentford? That was not likely to work. All three Brentford goals had an element of good fortune about them, but that's the luck you make by constantly being in the opposition half. We looked good in the final 20 minutes, as soon as we started to move the ball, but it was too late.

Jabal: This was the current play-off winners v the play-off winners from two years ago. Facing Brentford at home, a team who have beaten the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool, can you really blame Luton for losing? No, but we really need to solve our scoring calamity. Other than that, it was a good performance.

Sue: First half, job done. Second half, the injury to Tom Lockyer left us weaker at the back. Their two goals came while we were still shaping up. Once we got into our game, we looked good on the counter-attack. They definitely looked a bit less confident after our goal. We certainly aren't getting whipped, so we just need to keep playing the way we are. The points will add up.

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 here.

And Match of the Day 2 brings you a round-up of Sunday's games here.

Listen back to Saturday's commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

Arsenal 2-1 Wolves

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Everton

Listen to Sunday's commentaries here:

Liverpool 4-3 Fulham

Manchester City 3-3 Tottenham

Image source, Getty Images

Luton Town have been drawn to face Bolton Wanderers at Kenilworth Road in the FA Cup third round.

The game will take place on the weekend of 6-7 January.

Read the full draw here

Image source, Getty Images

All Premier League and Championship clubs will enter the hat for the FA Cup third-round draw on Sunday, 3 December.

The draw will take place from around 12.55pm GMT, prior to kick-off between Eastleigh and Reading.

The third-round matches are set to be played on the weekend of 6 and 7 January.

Luton midfielder Tahith Chong speaking to Premier League Productions: "As a team we are disappointed. We wanted more of the ball in the first half and then to concede two goals early in the second half was tough.

"We had hope after Browny [Jacob Brown] pulled one back, but we couldn't find another. We need to bounce back quickly.

"We need to recover for the game on Tuesday [against Arsenal]. We have a good squad and we need to keep improving.

On captain Tom Lockyer's injury: "It's tough, we've already got several injuries there. The guys who came in did a good job and it's just unfortunate we conceded two goals so quickly in the second half."

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards speaking to Sky Sports: "We were unlucky to lose a few key players to injury and we had a fair bit of adjustment, especially with one of those players being Tom Lockyer.

"That being said, the goals we conceded were poor and that's so frustrating. Credit to the lads, they kept going and we almost found a way to get back into it. It was a difficult day.

"We got a good goal through Jacob Brown and we wanted to stay in it, but we didn't manage to hold on. Brentford deserved it today. It's difficult to say but it's true.

"We couldn't find our rhythm with the ball. From a defensive point of view, we did well in the first half and defended well. We've been finding a way to get out recently, but the goals happened so quickly in the second half and they got the belief and confidence."

On Tom Lockyer's injury: "He hurt his back early in the game and did well to get through to half-time. Hopefully he won't be out for too long. We've lost a few centre-backs to injury this season and hopefully they will be back soon.

"There are some big games coming up in the next week, but they are all big for us. We want a competitive group for those matches."

Bobbie Jackson, BBC Sport

A late strike delivered Luton's second win of the season last weekend when Crystal Palace visited Kenilworth Road, however, backing up those kind of performances away from home is proving tough for the newly promoted club.

Luton travelled to Brentford with just one thing in mind, at least that's how it appeared, sit back and soak up pressure.

Their gameplan was pretty clear to see when goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski was booked after 37 minutes for time wasting.

But, to their credit, the plan was working and they stifled Brentford to get in at the end of an uneventful first half with the game level and goalless.

Captain Tom Lockyer did not return for the second period after picking up a back injury in the first half and the absence of their leader in the heart of defence had a major impact.

Brentford went in front just four minutes into the second period via Neal Maupay and Ben Mee's header doubled the lead shortly after.

Substitute Jacob Brown offered hope of a Luton comeback when he drilled in as the visitors tried to chase the game.

However, Brentford were able to find space to grab a third and end the match as a contest when Shandon Baptiste prodded in after a goalmouth scramble.

Scoring still remains Luton's biggest issue, only Sheffield United have netted fewer than their tally of 13.

• Brentford have won seven of their last nine league games against Luton (L2).

• Luton have failed to win their last 18 top-flight away games in London (D3 L15), since a 2-1 victory against Wimbledon in February 1990, losing their last four in a row.

• Neal Maupay has either scored (2) or assisted (1) in three of his four Premier League home games for Brentford, as many goal involvements as in his previous 32 games in the competition for Everton and Brighton (three goals).

• Brentford had 27 attempts on goal against Luton, their highest tally in a Premier League game. The Bees also took 19 shots from inside the box, their most in a single game in the competition.

• Despite coming on in the 78th minute, Brentford’s Keane Lewis-Potter had the most shots in the match (5). The last substitute to play fewer than 30 minutes and have more than five attempts in a Premier League game was Aleksandar Mitrovic for Newcastle United against Norwich in April 2016 (6).

Brentford returned to winning ways with a deserved victory against Premier League strugglers Luton.

Neal Maupay put the Bees in front early in the second half when he prodded in from close range after Ben Mee scuffed a shot.

Mee didn't have to wait long to get his name on the scoresheet, as his header just seven minutes later put Brentford firmly in the driving seat.

Jacob Brown gave Luton hope by halving the hosts' lead, but Shandon Baptiste calmed Brentford's nerves by restoring the two-goal cushion.

In almost an exact repeat of Luton's meeting with Crystal Palace last Saturday, there was a distinct lack of goalmouth action early on at both ends of the field at Gtech Community Stadium.

Tha drabness was summed up by the fact Hatters goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski was shown a yellow card for time-wasting in the 38th minute.

Brentford's Yegor Yarmolyuk went closest to scoring for either side before the break when his low shot was deflected narrowly wide by Luton's Carlton Morris.

But the Bees, who dominated possession without creating enough in the first period, came out with more purpose in the second period and were given an extra boost as Luton captain Tom Lockyer failed to re-emerge after sustaining an injury.

Luton had to wait until the 61st-minute to register their first attempt on or off target in the game, substitute Brown firing a speculative effort wide of goal.

Brown showed greater accuracy 15 minutes later with his second shot, Luton's first on target, when he latched on to a beautiful defence-splitting ball from Ross Barkley before driving low past Mark Flekken.

Brentford's Baptiste, scoring his first goal since December 2021, wrapped up the points with just under 10 minutes remaining when he reacted quickest to convert after Keane Lewis-Potter's shot was parried into his path.

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

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

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

Follow all the reaction here

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

Follow all of the action and reaction here.

Live commentaries:

Arsenal v Wolves - BBC Radio 5 Live

Nottingham Forest v Everton - BBC Radio 5 Live

Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Luton's Premier League match against Brentford on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Edwards confirmed that Issa Kabore is in contention to play but Marvelous Nakamba is unavailable. Sambi Lokonga is getting closer to a return.

• He said his team are "not getting carried" away after their home win against Crystal Palace, adding: "Credit to the players for finding a way to win, it was important to get that first win at home, it was a nice feeling and to get three important points, but it's been business as usual this week preparing for the next game."

• On the impact of substitutions, he said: "Any coach at any level would be looking for the same, we have reiterated the importance of the group, especially in this period now when it's going to be so busy for everyone. We're going to have to change the team at times and people are going to have to understand why and be ready to impact the game really well when they come on."

• Edwards said his manager of the month nomination was "nice recognition" for the whole group and with goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski also nominated for the player award, he added: "I've spoken a lot over the last few weeks about it and people are now realising it and seeing the importance of our goalkeeper. To get good results in this league, it's not being negative just realistic, we're going to need our goalkeeper to make saves."

• He praised the job Thomas Frank has done at Brentford and said: "For me he is one of the best managers in the league. He's been there four or five years and had incredible progression year upon year."

• On Frank and Brentford, Edwards added: "We do things in our own way but they are a really good model for us to aspire to."

• Asked about whether they have proved doubters wrong, he said he doesn't "care really" if they have, adding: "People will have their opinions in this day and age now, opinions are everywhere, but we just have to deal with that."

• On Jacob Brown scoring his first league goal, he said: "He's the best guy, the hardest worker, a brilliant attitude. I was so pleased for him but for the goal to mean something as well to get all three points, he deserved that."

Catch-up on Friday's Premier League manager news conferences

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

This week, he takes on All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star Claudio Castagnoli.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Luton are showing such good resilience at the moment, and I was impressed by the way they won such a tight game with Crystal Palace last week.

So, fair play to Hatters boss Rob Edwards, because his team are proving a lot of people wrong.

Even so, I still fancy Brentford here. We know how streetwise they are and also how strong they are at home - they were unfortunate to lose to Arsenal last time out, and they should bounce back here.

Claudio's prediction: 1-0

Read the rest of their predictions here

Image source, Getty Images

Luton commentators Geoff Doyle and Simon Oxley chat all things Hatters on the latest episode of Luton in the Prem, with a particular emphasis on Saturday's trip to Brentford.

Doyle said: "This is one I think Luton have a chance with with regards to away games. I have a little feeling this is one that might suit us, I'm optimistic.

Oxley replied: "Brentford are still missing Ivan Toney and have been missing him all season. They're still doing well in matches but don't seem to have found any sort of replacement for him.

"They either were not prepared for his ban or chose not to make a signing to replace him. They're almost kicking their heels waiting for him to come back and he might be sold anyway.

"They're solid enough. Arsenal needed a very late goal to get past them last week but you feel it's not one to go into with any sort of real trepidation."

Doyle added: "Bryan Mbuemo is the key figure for them alongside Yoane Wissa, so there's plenty of pace up there, but they are without one of the best strikers in the division.

"And they do have injuries, particularly in the full-back and wing-back areas. Luton have been very good down the sides so that's why I feel it's one they can go into feeling quite positive."

Listen to Luton in the Prem on BBC Sounds

Former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin speaking to BBC Sport: "Down at the bottom end of the table, Luton finally got their first home win and it was among the hardest-fought three points you will see this season. The 12 minutes of added time were torture, but I tip my proverbial hat to the Hatter fans.

"They have lost points in the dying minutes a few times already this season, but they managed to hold on with the help of the baying crowd. Suddenly what looked like a lost cause is far from that, after Everton’s merciless 10-point deduction.

"Everton’s crash has had Luton fans understandably rubbernecking at the carnage left behind. The rest of football is talking about the fighting spirit at Goodison Park and the expectation that the players and fans will be lifted by the cause, but Luton have just as much to play for and arguably more.

"What must they do now that they have a four-point cushion from the drop zone?

"They have to get some points at home. They got three at the weekend. Tick.

"There can be no, or very few, morale-sapping hammerings. They have been competitive in games since August. Tick.

"Luton also need a cause. No one expected them to survive, including me and that grates, so they will fight tooth and nail to prove everyone wrong. Tick.

"The need to make every game special, they must be hard to play against. So far, every single Premier League match at Kenilworth Road has felt like a do-or-die cup tie. Tick again.

"Do not write them off yet!"

Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio

Luton's excellent winner against Crystal Palace was scored by Jacob Brown.

It was set up perfectly by Chiedozie Ogbene with Tahith Chong and Ross Barkley involved in the move.

Teden Mengi coolly scored the Hatters first. Thomas Kaminski was brilliant again in goal.

All of these players were recruited in the summer. Some were freebies, others cost a couple of million. The majority were signed from the Championship.

The season before that Luton spent just £2m on Carlton Morris and Alfie Doughty was signed for relative peanuts. The season before that Reece Burke and Amari'i Bell were signed on frees.

The list goes on because the recruitment at Luton has been a success story for many, many years. So who is behind the scouting? Step forward, club legend Mick Harford.

Big Mick is the Luton gift that just keeps giving through the decades. Exceptional player, coach, manager and now head of recruitment, a role he's been in for a number of years.

Harford will go down in history as one of the most important figures ever at Kenilworth Road and what he's done with recruitment - with the help of plenty along the way including current leading scouts Phil Chapple and Jay Socik - is nothing short of incredible.

Gems have been found in the lower leagues: polished, developed and turned into Premier League quality. A few years ago, I bumped into Harford scouting at an Oxford City match. He tracked Elijah Adebayo's path after watching him as a player at Fulham's academy and then signed him after seeing he had stepped up at Walsall.

Even after promotion to the Premier League, Luton did not gamble on young overseas players that are relatively cheap compared to the UK market but can struggle to adapt to the chaotic competitiveness and pressure of English football.

Instead, Harford and his team went for hungry Football League players aiming to prove a point.

The Hatters come up against Brentford this weekend and it's no coincidence that they too have a brilliant recruitment record, all be it using a different method.

The manager is the most important figure on the training ground and on the sideline but the figure in charge of player recruitment is not too far behind.

Commentary of Brentford v Luton on Digital Radio.

• Brentford have won five of their past six league games against Luton Town, including home and away victories the last time the sides met in the 2020-21 Championship campaign.

• Luton have won just one of their past 37 top-flight away games against London sides (D9 L27), beating Wimbledon 2-1 in February 1990. They’ve lost both visits to the capital this season without scoring.

• The Bees have won their past five Premier League home games against promoted sides, since losing 2-1 against Norwich City in November 2021.

• Only James Ward-Prowse (21) has created more chances from set-pieces than Luton’s Alfie Doughty this season (16). Meanwhile, of players with at least 20 chances created, only Ward-Prowse (70%) has created a higher share from set-pieces than Brentford’s Mathias Jensen (65%).

Image source, PA Media

Luton striker Jacob Brown, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club about scoring his first Premier League goal against Crystal Palace on Saturday:

"It's a great feeling. I felt quite relieved at the time getting my first goal. I think I've had quite a few chances earlier in the season so I was disappointed not to have already got a goal, but to finally get that first goal and for it to be in such a big win is a good feeling.

"The fact I was getting the chances was a positive, but the more the games go by and you're not scoring, you do start thinking about it. Now I've got that first goal, that's off my back. I can be more confident and take that into the rest of the season."

Listen to an extended interview with Luton striker Jacob Brown on BBC Sounds

Luton forward Jacob Brown told Monday Night Club that he plans to get his shirt from Saturday's victory framed after he scored his first goal in the Premier League for the club.

Listen to the full Monday Night Club episode on BBC Sounds

Only once in the past 10 years have we waited until the new year before the first managerial sacking in the Premier League. So with no bosses getting the boot so far in 2023-24, what is going on?

Former Blackpool and Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway tells The Football News Show that teams coming up with a distinctive style is contributing to the low attrition rate and adds why he believes longevity is beneficial for all clubs.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Ollie Kay, We Are Luton Town, external

So there we have it. A win at home in the Premier League. I have been adamant that our best performances have come at home and that the first home win would happen. But I have also said, it has been coming.

As correctly pointed out by Ian Wright on Match of the Day (before I go on, I want to remark on how surreal it was to be first on the running order), and as I have pointed out in previous articles, other than the first two games against Brighton and Chelsea where we conceded seven goals in total, all our other games have been incredibly tight affairs.

We should have won against Wolves, picked up something at Fulham and we experienced dropping two points at home to Liverpool.

Out of the 11 games, we have only been truly outclassed once and that was against an Aston Villa side I believe can disrupt the top six, possibly even the top four. Even in that game, it was only three conceded, which, this season, is the minimum amount of goals they have scored in each of their home games. We got off very lightly.

In total, discounting those first two games, we have conceded 16 goals in 11 matches. Compare that to the other sides promoted with us from the Championship and 'Little Luton' are going about their business with no frills, just sheer graft, determination and team spirit.

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