We are now approaching the critical stage of the 2022/2023 EFL Championship season, a phase where dreams will be realised or dashed.
After a managerial change, many Hatters pundits just wanted the new gaffer, Rob Edwards, to ensure we retained our EFL Championship status.
But the changeover, in manager, was seamless, if anything we’ve emerged a better side, a club determined to keep punching above its weight and a club very much in with a chance of securing, for the second season running, a play-off place and that dream of playing in the Premier League next season.
Now nobody has said it is going to be easy and nobody is counting their chickens before they’ve hatched, the last 3 games have shown that with the Hatters taking just 2 points of the 9 available.
We are in a division where results cannot, easily, be predicted, a division where any team can beat, on their day, any of the others.
Last season, 75 points was enough to secure a play-off place, but will that be enough this season, I reckon 77 or 78 points may be needed.
With 32 games played, Luton Town currently have 50 points, a points per game ration of 1.56, by my calculations another 27 or 28 may be needed, to ensure a play-off place, with 14 fixtures left that would equate to a points per game ratio of 2.0, a tough task.
With 14 games left to play, the Hatters remaining fixtures look as thus:
• Birmingham City (a)
• Millwall (h)
• Swansea City (h)
• Sheffield United (a)
• Bristol City (h)
• Sunderland (a)
• Watford (h)
• Millwall (a)
• Blackpool (h)
• Rotherham United (a)
• Reading (a)
• Middlesbrough (h)
• Blackburn Rovers (a)
• Hull City (h)
As can be seen, Luton have 7 home matches and 7 away games to fulfill but it should be pointed out 6 of those 14 games are against fellow promotion / play-off candidates:
• Millwall (h)
• Sheffield United (a)
• Sunderland (a)
• Watford (h)
• Millwall (a)
• Middlesbrough (h)
All of which will provide the Hatters with a huge task and a challenge they must rise to.
The other 8 games have 24 points up on offer, but should we even dream of contemplating taking a maximum return, I think not in this difficult division.
Earlier I said 27 or 28 points could achieve a play-off place for the second consecutive season, looking at the fixture list, I reckon Luton will accumulate a further 27, although I won’t reveal where I think those points will come from.
But it is all subject to change, if the play-off dream is to be realised then Luton must, among other things:
• Improve their home form.
• Steer clear of injuries and suspensions.
• Take their chances when presented with them.
• Refrain from giving opponents cheap goals.
All in all, we’re heading for an exciting climax to the season, perhaps an unpredictable (at the moment) finish but now is the time for you to put your head above the parapet and offer your thoughts, in the comment section beneath this article, on how you think our season, with 14 games left, is going to end!
COYH’s
14 Games To Go Is A Play-Off Place Achievable?
Yes!
Unsure!
No!
Previous article by Mad Hatter
I hope that we will make the play offs still.but I will stick with my previous prediction of 10th to 15th. As usual a few clubs are putting runs together while we are treading water.
Based on our current position, we have to finish Top 10… Would be a little nervy about next season if we didn’t manage that, think we are strong contenders for play offs still which will be an amazing feat back to back in Championship.
Steady the ship and then one more good run will see us through I think.
as long as we are giving all in the games, what more can we ask.avoid relegation ,i’m happy. COYH.
From an unprofessional perspective! I believe that if it is right to look at Luton in thirds, then a minimum of the back third, or a third of players should always be in their own half to try and avoid the sudden counter attacks that we are vulnerable of. The midfield third I believe is our strongest third and the interaction between the rear and forward third is very impressive. Our forward third is superb at being in the right place at the right time, however once there and ready there seems to be a lack of confidence and too much of a hurry to finish which leads to so many chances not taken. I personally do not feel that enough competition is being allowed for those in the forward third. I would like to see WHOEVER are the best forward players in training leading up to a match should be the ones chosen to start a match. I think that the added competition and reward would help give the cutting focus to maybe solve the finishing problem. If any of the way these thirds were chosen seemed to be not quite right, then the changing of substitutes could always return to a more tried or a more adventurist group. In trying these methods, we would be using all we have found to be best in the past and present of the season and the chance of being an added surprise to all the teams that have played us so far this season when we meet. COYH
Personally I think we are better than treading water & will finish in the top 10….although reading trevors post we should finish THIRD…lol….just read how stoke fans are saying Alex Neil is their worst ever manager……bit strange…..