In what are surreal times, it has been decreed that the Championship, for Luton Town, will resume on Saturday 20-June with all fixtures being played behind closed doors.
Now whether that is something you agree with or not is, perhaps, a topic for another day.
But the stark reality is that the Hatters have 9 games to preserve their Championship status, 5 at home and 4 away from home.
The remaining fixtures are scheduled as thus:
• 20-Jun – Preston North End (h)
• 27-Jun – Swansea City (a)
• 30-Jun – Leeds United (a)
• 4-July – Reading (h)
• 7-July – Barnsley (h)
• 11-July – Huddersfield Town (a)
• 14-July – Queens Park Rangers (h)
• 18-July – Hull City (a)
• 22-July – Blackburn Rovers (h)
Currently, the Hatters sit in 23rd position in the table, 6 points behind Hull City, one of our remaining fixtures, who occupy 21st place, a position that would guarantee survival in the Championship.
Luton currently have 35 points from the 37 games played and the big question is just how many points the club will need to retain their Championship status.
With Nathan Jones back at the managerial helm, it is essential that Luton get off to a good start in that first fixture against Preston North End, no mean feat when you consider Preston are challenging for a play-off position finish.
The first away games of Nathan’s second spell in charge come quickly, with trips to play Swansea City and Leeds United, the former sitting in mid-table and the latter sitting proudly at the top of the table.
Would a realistic return from those 3 games be 4 points?
Next up for Nathan’s side are consecutive home fixtures against Reading and Barnsley. Reading sit in a mid-table position whilst Barnsley are the only team below us in the table, 6 points has to be forthcoming does it not?
The Hatters are then back on the road with a trip to take on Huddersfield, a club who are still locked in the relegation battle, 1 point would be a good return.
Therefore, heading into the last 3 games, Luton, in my view, should have 46 points as we head down the back straight of this elongated season.
In the first of those three games we welcome QPR to Kenilworth Road with the West London side in a mid-table position, followed by a long trip to Hull to take on a side that are occupying that position in the table we need to attain, could this be the game that decides our Championship future?
Finally, we finish with a visit from Blackburn Rovers, a club also in a mid-table position, this fixture could have a huge say in where we finish. From those 3 games, I’d expect Luton to take 4 points leaving us with a final points total of 50 points.
But will 50 points be enough to guarantee Championship football next season?
Please feel free to air your views in the comment facility beneath this article.
The One Word Answer Poll - Will Luton Town Stay Up?
Yes!
No!
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Hi mh, I really don’t know what to think. It could be the nj factor could cause a bounce back factor an he becomes the messiah or the damage done earlier is to big to overturn. The first 3 games back will I believe be the defining factor in our season. But whatever happens. This season is not really a factor any more. Due to covid 19. An think of 40,000 deaths much more important.
it will be a surreal experience looking in from afar as opposed to cheering the lads on from inside the ground. I fear we’re far from finished with our COVID-19 woes especially with the lack of social distancing going on at all these protests, sad times for everyone.
I believe that playing at home does not have the same advantages, without fans. If we can get 15 pts or more out of a possible 27, it would be great, but not sure if it’s enough. We still need teams above us to have a poor run in. Hull and Boro were in freefall before Corona. Agreed, that we need a strong start.
My first hope is that we do actually get to re-start the season and it is able to be completed as that’s our only chance of staying in the Championship. Regardless of our own form we are going to need others to falter of which cases to be made for a few teams to do just that. Hull have been in free fall for a longtime picking up just 2/30 points from their last 10 games and having previously sold their goal scorers i fully expect them to go down. Charlton without Lyle Taylor are massively weakened, Bowyer mentioned that without him they wouldn’t even be in the Championship and with no one near his quality to step in i expect them to have it all to do to stay up. Add in two very average sides in Middlesbrough a team with fewer wins than us and Wigan both on 41 points. I think it i’ll be one team from Charlton, Middlesbrough,Wigan and us to go down with Barnsley and Hull though 50 points may leave us short of safety – COYH
Hi all, I agree with everything being said on here although I won’t lie, I didn’t vote on the poll re whether we can stay up or not because I am really undecided. I felt when GJ was here after the season was halted that we were next to doomed perhaps a 10% chance of beating the drop but now NJ has been reappointed & apologies by him have been accepted by the board & Mike & seemingly at least some of the players too & the fact the club are buzzing again & appearing to be totally re energised by his return, I feel now the odds have increased significantly & I think Luton now have a 50% chance. As others have already stated, the first 3 games could determine the hatters fate. But obviously with 9 Cup finals upcoming anything can happen & one thing is for sure, NJ, Mick & the players will shed blood to try & keep us up but even if we don’t succeed there’s always next season whenever that may be & the club & country surviving this awful pandemic. Take care everyone & stay safe.