Luton Town

Matt Bloomfield's reign in charge of Luton gets underway with the visit of Preston North End to Kenilworth Road on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Only five teams have won more than Town's six at home this season, while Paul Heckingbottom's men have won only one of their dozen games on the road.

• Luton Town have failed to win any of their past three league games against Preston North End (D1 L2), with those matches witnessing just four goals scored in total.

• After winning the reverse fixture 1-0 at Deepdale in August, Preston North End will be looking to complete a first league double over Luton Town since the 1999-2000 season.

• Luton Town have lost each of their last four league games, last losing five in a row back in November 2019.

• Preston North End have won just one of their last 17 Championship away games (D6 L10), beating Cardiff 2-0 in December.

• Including caretakers/interims, none of the last six Luton Town managers have won the first game of a spell in charge (D5 L1), since Andy Awford's Hatters beat Exeter City 3-2 in December 2015.

Image source, Getty Images

New Luton Town manager Matt Bloomfield believes he can implement his style of play quickly.

The 40-year-old has left League One promotion challengers Wycombe Wanderers to take over a Hatters side who are just two points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

"I believe we can implement it quickly otherwise I would not have left my previous job," Bloomfield told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"I believe in what we have in the building, I believe in the work we can do with the group of players."

Luton are on a four-game losing streak in the Championship and have been beaten in each of their past 10 away matches and 11 on the road in all competitions.

"There are some very good footballers here who have obviously been on the wrong end of a few defeats this season.

"We really hope if we can implement the work quickly and bring a bit of freshness then we can get off to a good start."

Bloomfield's first game in charge of Luton is at home to Preston on Saturday.

Geoff Doyle
BBC 3CR sports editor

Image source, Rex Features

Matt Bloomfield ticks a lot of boxes as he makes the move from Wycombe to Luton.

A young, hungry, ambitious manager with his former team punching above their weight in League One. They have been in the top three for the majority of the season with a fairly limited budget.

Bloomfield has changed Wycombe's style of football from a fairly direct team under his predecessor Gareth Ainsworth to a quicker, more attacking, style with the emphasis on getting players into the opposition penalty box.

His Wycombe team have scored the most goals in the EFL and had the most touches in the box.

His character is a major plus point too. Bloomfield is well respected within the game and conducts himself with great integrity and honesty.

Luton will hope he can replicate his success at Kenilworth Road. He inherits a squad short in confidence and belief.

He will be delighted that his first game in charge is at home where the majority of Luton's wins have come from.

Image source, Rex Features

Luton Town have named Matt Bloomfield as their new manager.

He has led Wycombe Wanderers to second place in League One and is now charged with hauling the Hatters clear of the Championship relegation zone.

Is he the right choice to replace Rob Edwards?

You can have your say here.

Here are some of the views from fans:

SoulsUnknown - Excellent news for Luton. Let's hope he can kick start our season. COYH

Simon - The irony would be if Luton go down and Wycombe go up.

Whathojeeves - Good, no messing about with the appointment. Now Matt get to it and have the Kenny rocking again.

Gabs99 - I think he might regret not finishing the project at Wycombe. If they got promoted his stock would have been higher for a better job in the summer.

Neil - is this a good choice? Personally I don't know because of the other names being bandied about, this is the dark horse. To Wycombe, all I can say is, good luck for the rest of the season, and who knows, may be seeing you next season.

Dan - This is a very cheap appointment indeed, the hierarchy didn't need to do this, they have the money and they should have gone for Championship experience (Steve Cooper) or (O'Neill) someone who knows the division and knows how to get them out of a relegation fight. This is an extremely underwhelming appointment indeed and unproven too which only highlights the board's lack of knowledge.

Graham - It is a huge gamble by the board. I can't understand it when giving Cooper the job would have guaranteed remaining in the Championship.

Luton Town want to make Wycombe Wanderers boss Matt Bloomfield their new manager and are close to making an appointment. (The Guardian), external

The Hatters are also set to battle Sheffield United for the £4m signing of midfielder Timothy Ouma from Swedish top flight side IF Elfsborg. (Football League World), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip here.

Image source, Rex Features

Luton Town assistant managers Paul Trollope and Richie Kyle have both left the Championship strugglers.

The pair were in caretaker charge of Luton for the FA Cup defeat by Nottingham Forest on Saturday, having stepped up to the role following Rob Edwards' departure as boss.

Trollope and Kyle had moved to Kenilworth Road when Edwards was first given the job in November 2022, and Luton paid tribute to the departing pair for helping "mastermind" their promotion to the Premier League in 2023.

"Along with Rob, Paul and Richie have played a huge part in our recent success and they leave with our heartfelt thanks and respect for the job they have undertaken," said Luton chief executive Gary Sweet.

"That extends especially to the most recent period when they have acted with great dignity and professionalism in looking after the squad since last Thursday."

Analysts Joe Stephenson and Finley Taylor have also left Luton.

Image source, Getty Images

Luton Town joint interim boss Paul Trollope says he's loved working for a "special" and "unique" club.

The 52-year-old took charge, along with Richie Kyle, for the 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round on Saturday following the departure of manager Rob Edwards.

"A lot of positives and a lot of pride to take from the performance after a difficult couple of days," Trollope told BBC Three Counties Radio after the game.

"(I'm) Proud of the players. I don't think they could have given any more."

Trollope said he has "no idea" how this week will pan out or if a new boss will be appointed before the Championship clash with Preston at the weekend.

"Our remit was the two days training and take the game [on Saturday], which we've done. It's been a long three days if I'm totally honest.

"(It's) Just massive mixed emotions. The adrenaline of a game and pride in the performance, disappointed in losing and that's not even going into the two days previous."

On whether he will be staying at the club, Trollope added: "I don't know. I've loved my time here, I've loved working with Rob.

"It's a special place, it's a special club, a unique club - and one that I've found a big connection to, so we will see what happens."

Listen to Paul Trollope's interview on BBC Sounds.

Stoke could lose loan striker Tom Cannon this week, if Leicester decide to recall him and send him elsewhere, with Sunderland, Luton, Sheffield United and Wednesday all monitoring the 22-year-old Republic of Ireland forward. (Leicester Mercury, external)

Hull City are set to beat Luton and Wrexham to the capture of Leeds forward Joe Gelhardt on loan for the rest of the season. (Football League World, external)

Want more EFL transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column.

BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton has made his predictions for all 32 FA Cup third round games and given his verdict on who will make it into round four.

For this week's matches he is up against actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton, who is a Liverpool fan.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

When these two teams met in the Premier League in March it was a relegation six-pointer, but they have gone in totally different directions since.

Forest just keep on winning and it is incredible that they are being talked about now as being in the title race.

Their manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, will definitely tinker with his team because they play Premier League leaders Liverpool on Tuesday, but they should still have enough to get through.

Billy's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here