The Hatters of Luton Town are one of the most enchanting success stories in the modern era of English football. In 2008/09, Luton was relegated in to the non-league after being deducted 30 points for financial irregularities. Although it took them five seasons to bounce back from the Conference Premier-now known as the National League their rise up the EFL pyramid has been rather quicker.
In 2022/23, Luton’s fairytale was completed following their dramatic Championship playoff final victory over Coventry City at Wembley.It sealed the Hatter’s place in the 2023/24 English Premier League sitting at the top table of English Football for the first time in the modern era.
Luton survival chances in 2023/24
Before a ball was kicked, Luton was installed as heavy favorites for relegation from the Premier League in 2023/24. However, after 32 games and six toplays, Luton are third bottom on goal difference only. They still have a genuine chance of survival, even if it’s thanks to recent points deductions for Nottingham Forest and Everton for Financial Fair Play (FFP) failings. Although Everton’s recent narrow home victory over Burnley gave the Toffees a huge boost, having been one of the favorites for Premier League relegation before the Christmas period.
Their recent 2-1 home win over AFC Bournemouth highlighted their never-say-die attitude under boss, Rob Edwards. Luton fell behind to Bournemouth early in the second half but two goals in the last 17 minutes earned the Hatters a gritty three points.
Assessing the Hatters’ season run-in
Another cause for optimism surrounding Luton’s survival bid is their relatively kind run-in. The Hatters were comprehensively beaten 5-1by title favorites Manchester City following their win over Bournemouth. However, after Guardiola’s men, they are due to face Brentford, Wolves, Everton, West Ham and Fulham. This means they face no more teams in the top seven of the table.
They’ll fancy their chances against a Brentford team that has picked up in their last few fixtures and may have already done enough to avoid the drop. That’s followed by the Wolves who are comfortably mid-table and then the real six-pointer at home to Everton. Luton will be desperate to remain in striking distance of the Toffees before this game, as the victory over Sean Dyches’s men could enable them to leapfrog Everton out of the drop zone.
They face Fulham at Kenilworth Road on the final day of the season. With the Cottagers free of relegation fears but unlikely to be in the hunt for European places, it begs the question just how motivated Marco Silva’s men will be on the 19th of May. Their tight, outdated stadium has been a real leveler for top-flight teams traveling to Luton this season.
The crowded Kenilworth Road pitch makes it hard for teams to find space and Luton’s physical, direct style can also be awkward to handle. The squad also has a sprinkling of Premier League experience.
The likes of Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend provide much-needed composure and steel, while center forward, Carlton Morris, is a real throwback with his hustle and bustle capable of ruffling the feathers of elite-level defenders. Morris has scored nine goals and registered five assists too. His style of play may not be easy on the eye but his output belies that, which is one of the main errors people make when picking fantasy teams in major league sports.
Overall, Luton’s team spirit and unique home surroundings could yet pull them through to earn a second successive Premier League season. However it must be said if it wasn’t for the points deductions of Forest and Everton, their survival hopes would be significantly bleaker.
