Luton Town

Ollie Kay, We Are Luton Town, external

I’m at a loss as to what I should be writing about this week. The worldwide media have naturally turned their attention to Tom Lockyer and the situation with his cardiac arrest in the 65th minute of the Bournemouth vs Luton Town fixture that had to be abandoned.

It was the correct decision given the trauma of witnessing that, not just for the Luton team, but the Bournemouth team and all the supporters inside the stadium. If you were affected by this situation, you need to speak to someone about it.

Luton Town have been through a similar situation, back in October of the 2006-07 season, we were fifth in the Championship having beaten Leeds 5-1.

On the way to Ipswich, Sol Davis, our left-back, had a stroke on the team coach, leaving his team-mates distraught. Luton were beaten 5-0 and went onto win just four more games that season, which ended in relegation.

During those years, the club ownership was fragile but this time we are made of different stuff. From the top, down we are together. Whatever happens this season, I know that that the players will do it for Tom, and will play with his steely determination even if he isn’t on the pitch.

Get better Tom, I know that our club; the first to pay the living wage, the one club in the Premier League that say no to gambling money, the club that gave James Shea a new contract after a serious knee injury, will do everything in their power for you.

Once a Hatter, always a Hatter.

Luton Town's Premier League match at Bournemouth was abandoned after their captain Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch with the sides level at 1-1.

The players were taken off midway through the second half as Lockyer received medical treatment after collapsing off the ball.

Supporters sang Lockyer's name and the crowd at Vitality Stadium rose to their feet to applaud the 29-year-old as he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher.

Following confirmation that the fixture had been abandoned, the players and managers of both clubs returned to the pitch to applaud the supporters.

Live text coverage of Saturday's Premier League action

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

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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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 darts star 'Hollywood' Chris Dobey, who supports Newcastle.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

I don't think the Cherries are overly bothered about possession, but they have a plan that is working. Their midfield duo of Ryan Christie and Lewis Cook is very effective, and I am a huge fan of Dominic Solanke, who leads the line for them so well.

I think Solanke has got a huge chance of going to next summer's European Championship - it's not a case of saying England manager Gareth Southgate can't ignore him, more the case that I don't think he will.

Bournemouth have won four of their past five games and drew with Aston Villa in the other one. I am expecting them to collect three more points here, even though Luton will be well-organised and determined.

I actually have a lot of sympathy for Hatters manager Rob Edwards. He has managed well and his team have exceeded expectations in terms of their performances, and I don't think their points tally truly reflects what they should have picked up so far.

It's at home where Luton have given the big clubs a scare though, which is another reason I am backing Bournemouth here.

Dobey's prediction: 2-0

Bournemouth will have too much, I think. They are playing well. Luton have given a few teams a scare and they are not playing badly either, but they always seem to fall at the last hurdle in games. 2-0.

Read all of Sutton's predictions for this weekend's games.

Rob Edwards has spoken to the media before Luton Town travel to in-form Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.

Here are the main lines from his news conference:

• Edwards said defender Gabe Osho and Chiedozie Ogbene are fit again after injury and available.

• On Saturday's opponents, Edwards said: "Really impressive. I think they've been building nicely and they probably deserved more points in the early stages than they actually got. Andoni [Iraola] is doing a fantastic job by changing the way they play and finding points in the Premier League. A lot of respect for what he's doing."

• Edwards offered more on the Cherries: "It's as difficult [a challenge] as any other in the league. They're on a fantastic run and deservedly so - their high energy, good individuals and a good coach."

• On Carlton Morris and his recent struggle for goals, Edwards said: "I look at the game against Liverpool and think that it was one of the best number nine performances I've seen from a player in this shirt since I've been here. I thought he was outstanding - his ball retention, work-rate, understanding. He brought people into the game to allow us to have that threat and counter-attack. What he gives us with and without the ball can sometimes outweigh the goals. We want people to be able to score, but at this level it's difficult."

• On the hunt for Luton's first Premier League clean sheet, Edwards said: "It's really difficult for us. I remember Ian Holloway at Blackpool saying I want to just score more than the opposition. I'm not saying I want that mentality, but that's the reality in this league. We're going up against such talented players that it's hard to keep the clean sheets."

• Edwards says the overall quality of Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend is equally as important as their Premier League experience: "When you feel wanted and supported you can go and do your best. The two of them have been really important for us. They're pushed by the whole group and they've got respect from the players."

• Edwards spoke about the young players at the club: "We have a wonderful academy here with brilliant people who run it. We have a number of lads on the bench, Joe Johnson representing his country in a prestigious tournament and we've got real high hopes for a number of players here and that's down to the hard work that's going on on the other side."

• More on the academy: "Nothing would please me more than bringing young players who have come through this football club to the Premier League, but ultimately they've got to know they've got to deserve it.

Find out what was said in all of Friday's Premier League news conferences

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Three Counties radio's Simon Oxley spoke about Luton's upcoming match against Bournemouth on the Luton in The Prem podcast: "Three weeks ago, it was a six pointer! They had a poor start, but now they are absolutely flying. They've lifted themselves well clear, so it will be a tough test.

"On the basis that Arsenal and Manchester City found it difficult against Luton, you've got to go in with some optimism. Luton have been within a goal of [Manchester] City and Arsenal and level with Liverpool and we haven't been thumped.

"They 've got some good players and they've invested. Having Dominic Solanke up front on a regular basis is like [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin at Everton, good strikers who are at home at the level."

On who will replace the suspended Marvelous Nakamba, BBC Radio Counties' Geoff Doyle said: "He'll throw [Sambi] Lokonga in. I think it gave you the indication that it will be him when he came on last week.

"They're different players, Lokonga is more like a Nakamba where he can sit a bit more defensively and break up play, whereas Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu is trying to get in between the two boxes. It's a bit of a tight call."

Listen to the full episode here

Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio

Before the Manchester City game last week Luton Town manager Rob Edwards admitted he was struggling to sleep. It was not long after his side's heroic performance against then-leaders Arsenal where the Hatters missed out on a point by a matter of seconds.

His mind was a minefield unable to shake off events of the match, even questioning whether it all actually happened.

One can imagine what he was like when he rested his head on Sunday night after another battling performance against the Treble winners. His team of talented warriors led Pep Guardiola's City and gave them a right scare.

But once again it was not quite enough. And this is what is pestering Edwards's brain.

The popular Luton boss cares so much. I spoke to him afterwards and he was a tortured soul. Immensely proud of his team and rightly so but heartbroken that he could not give the club and the fans points again. He is desperate to keep the Hatters in the Premier League.

Edwards should not beat himself up. The supporters get it. The club get it.

As he said to me: "We gave everything" and they did - again. In little over a month they have given Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City really good games. That will be enough for the vast majority of Luton followers.

Will it be enough to stay in the top flight? We'll see. Luton need to show a bit more ambition away from Kenilworth Road so it will be interesting to see how they fare at Bournemouth after a slightly passive performance at Brentford.

But if they can replicate the recent home form on their travels, Luton will continue to ask big questions of teams. And it's why everyone connected with Luton should hope that Edwards sleeps easy at night.

Commentary on Bournemouth v Luton on Digital Radio this Saturday.

• Bournemouth have won just one of their past six league games against Luton, beating them 2-1 at home in September 2021. This is the first top-flight meeting between the sides.

• Elijah Adebayo is Luton’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with four goals, and is looking to become the first player to score in three consecutive top-flight games for the Hatters since Mick Harford in April 1992.

• Bournemouth are unbeaten in their six Premier League games against promoted sides since their return to the division last season, winning each of the past three.

• Luton are one of two teams yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League this season, along with Brighton. Only Leicester in 1994-95 have conceded in more consecutive games (first 18) from the start of the season in a maiden Premier League campaign than the Hatters (16).

• Bournemouth won 2-0 against Crystal Palace and 3-0 against Manchester United in their past two Premier League games. They last won more consecutively in August 2018 (four), while they have never won three in a row without conceding in the top-flight.

• Luton have won two of their past three league games against Bournemouth. This is as many wins as they had managed in their previous 10 games.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin, writing for the BBC Football Extra newsletter: "Apparently you make your own luck in football, but sometimes it feels more like fate when things go wrong.

"Surely there must be some sympathy for Luton Town after how well they played against Manchester City. It only took a three-minute period for their hard-fought one-goal lead to be destroyed.

"It could have been a result to be celebrated and savoured for decades. Instead, it was another sob story just like the games against Arsenal when they conceded in the 97th minute, and Liverpool when Luis Diaz destroyed their joy in the 95th minute.

"I was only relegated once in my career but, in retrospect, it seemed fated. We definitely weren’t a bad side but we were definitely the unluckiest team in the league and that alone can be enough to drag you down."

Ollie Kay, We Are Luton Town, external

Luton Town need to hold on to games as we enter this festive feast of football (as the television companies like to describe it).

Our performances over the past few weeks have been sublime. As I have said constantly, our displays at Kenilworth Road show Luton have the mettle to mix it with the Premier League big boys.

We have led Liverpool and Arsenal at home, with a 97th-minute equaliser and a 96th-minute winner leaving fans forlorn at dropped points, as well leading the Treble-winning Manchester City 1-0 at half-time before the turnaround in the second half.

With performances like these at home, it is hard not to believe that Newcastle United and Chelsea will also get given the run-around. However, it is performances on the road where I want to see improvement. We travel to in-form Bournemouth next and have a real six-pointer on Boxing Day at Sheffield United, who appear to have turned a corner under Chris Wilder.

The question is, can we take our home performances and stick it to these teams on their home turf? I believe we can, providing we are quick out of the traps and take games by the scruff of the neck.

Then, if we do get our noses in front, can we hold on to a lead? Well, that is an area where Rob Edwards and the lads on the pitch will be looking to make amends.

Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been taking questions from BBC Sport users.

Nick asked: Despite the admirable performances against Arsenal and Manchester City, are Luton Town down?

Phil answered: No. I still think they will struggle to stay up, but they have shown if they do go down it will not be because of a lack of fight, poor attitude or lack of organisation under manager Rob Edwards.

Don’t forget they almost beat Liverpool as well. I genuinely think those performances - despite the two recent losses - will give them real belief they can stay up.

Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been taking questions from BBC Sport users on Monday.

Sean asked: Do you consider Luton's Ross Barkley to be a shining light at the moment? Given that he has signed a one-year deal, do you think the teams coming up from the Championship next season will have him on the top of their lists?

Phil answered: It certainly looks like Ross Barkley is having a new lease of life at Luton Town, after losing his way and then it not working out at Nice.

There has never been any doubt about Barkley’s talent, but his inconsistency - and perhaps the task of fitting him into a strict team pattern - has worked against him.

He seems happy with his football at Kenilworth Road - in an environment that suits him and with a manager like Rob Edwards who really believes in him. This hasn't always been the case.

Barkley has had spells like this before, such as when he started his loan spell at Aston Villa. The key now is for him to maintain it – and then Luton will want to keep him never mind others wanting him.

Read the McNulty Q&A on our live page

We asked for your thoughts on Sunday's match between Luton and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Luton fans

Ian: I thought Luton were unlucky - both of City’s goals had a bit of good fortune in their build-up, but you cannot argue with the league table and Luton need to convert their opportunities into points.

Paul: As always the whole team gave their all. They never stop running and never stop trying to play the right way. They never give up. We’re still learning at this level that in both 18-yard boxes the slightest mistake costs goals and that missing chances costs points. If we can be more clinical at both ends, we will stay up. We always believe in the team.

Ron: Excellent performance again. We have played Liverpool, Arsenal and now City at home in recent weeks. With any fortune at all, we would have beaten Liverpool and taken a point apiece from Arsenal and City. Once we have played Newcastle on 23 December, we will have played all the top sides at home. Watch us go at home in the second half of the season!

Joe: Entertaining and I just hope the players, staff and fans are able to enjoy the ride. They have been unlucky on numerous occasions. Unfortunately I don't think a change of luck will be enough to keep them up.

City fans

Clive: How anyone can rate Grealish is beyond me. Every goal I have seen him score, my Granny could have scored, it. Don’t know how he keeps his place. I wasn’t impressed with City’s game at all.

Silky: I have been a supporter for more than 50 years and this is one of the poorest displays I have seen from the team. It has lost its hunger for the game. Even in past years when the club dropped into the lower divisions, the team always put their heart in the club. Something is wrong with the players and management and fast improvement is required now.

Paul: Superb performance from City in the face of a determined and aggressive Luton and some poor refereeing. The second foul throw was never a foul throw and was among a number of debatable decisions.

Usama: Finally a league win. Massive credit to Luton for really pushing us. Given that we haven’t won in four league games prior to this, a win was just needed regardless of performance. Now City need to build on this and push on to get back to the standards we have set over the years. One game at a time.

Image source, Getty Images

The Athletic's Adam Crafton says it is a "struggle at the moment" for him to see how Luton Town survive relegation in their first Premier League season.

The Hatters have lost by a single-goal margin to both Arsenal and Manchester City at Kenilworth Road over the past week, putting in an admirable performance in each but ending the weekend four points from safety.

"In the nicest possible way, I'm convinced Luton are going to go down," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"It's not a criticism, I just think they are one of the three weakest teams in the division. We know they are from a budget perspective. What they do have at the moment is this ability to stay in games, which gives them a chance.

"Sheffield United and Burnley have lost a few games by big margins - Luton aren't doing that, they're staying in games. They just don't have that Premier League quality at both ends of the pitch.

"Nine points from 16 kind of looks OK because the other promoted teams have been so poor, but really if Everton hadn't been dragged back down there you'd be looking at it thinking it's pretty tough.

"I think their best chance is if Nottingham Forest really let themselves go or if everything goes wrong with Steve Cooper.

"I struggle at the moment to see how they're going to stay up."

Listen to the Football Daily on BBC Sounds

Mark Chapman introduces highlights and analysis from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

And Match of the Day brings you a round-up of Saturday's games.

Listen back to Sunday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

• Luton Town 1-2 Manchester City

• Tottenham 4-1 Newcastle United

Listen to Saturday's commentaries here:

• Manchester United 0-3 Bournemouth

• Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal

Joe Rindl, BBC Sport

Luton have faced last season's top two in the space of five days and have taken the lead in both matches only to be stung by second-half comebacks.

It is a testament to how far the Hatters have risen up the football pyramid in recent seasons, and a bouncing Kenilworth Road was again witness to Luton going ahead against a powerhouse of English football.

However, outside of Adebayo's goal, the hosts were limited to half-chances. And, despite two promising performances, Edwards' side have lost their past three matches and won only one of their past 10.

A gap is re-emerging between the bottom three and the rest of the division. At half-time on Sunday Luton were a point above the relegation zone in the as-things-stand table.

But their loss, coupled with Everton's win, means they ended the day four points adrift in the bottom three and in desperate need of results.

"We can take confidence; we are playing well, performing well," Luton manager Rob Edwards told Match of the Day.

"(But defeat) is frustrating, especially when you go 1-0 up. Full credit to Manchester City - that's what top teams do."

Luton face Bournemouth in their next match. The Hatters will be expecting a win if they can replicate their performance against City.

Luton Town boss Rob Edwards speaking to MOTD: "I think we can take confidence. We are playing well performing well. There's more to our game I think we've shown that, difficult opposition as well.

"I thought we were really brave, I thought the performance was excellent, without the ball really aggressive. Tried to not let them get their rhythm, get their game going. The goal was an excellent example of that.

"Frustrating to be honest, especially when you go 1-0 up. Full credit to Manchester City, that’s what top teams do."