Recent results, since joining, have certainly endured Rob Edwards to the Hatters support.
Fears that the Hatters fortunes might have dipped when the managerial swap took place, are fast receding, instead the support are starting to latch onto the confidence shown by the players and are beginning to believe a play-off place is achievable.
Meanwhile, while Edwards stock is increasing, Nathan Jones, after a period chest-thumping following three consecutive wins, is back in the doldrums after a home defeat, against Aston Villa, has left his team sharing the bottom position, in the Premier League, with a beleaguered Everton team.
But, doing my editorial duties, I noticed a couple of postings from regular contributors to Vital Luton Town, that cover an interesting topic and one, I feel, could make a great discussion topic.
The first, from Chris Winter, posted immediately after the win at Wigan in the Championship, talks about managerial changes being, somewhat, inevitable, with Chris remarking:
“Great result deserved. Great team effort one thing comes to mind for me. Nothing to do with my feelings but a lot has been said about managerial change by many, not talking about on here particularly.
“But I’m beginning to think that managers nowadays have a shelf life with clubs not on results but simply because players become jaded by the same thing day in day out. And two to three years is all teams can stand.
“What do others think on here?
“Was Nathan Jones time up and he did us a favour by leaving and allowing Rob Edwards the opportunity to boost us with a new freshness?”
Some very interesting points raised there and something I’d like to see discussed in the comment facility beneath this article.
The second post that grabbed my attention, came from another regular visitor to this site, JIMBO.
JIMBO reflects on the part supporters can have when it comes to influencing a managerial change, and had this to say:
“I think the fans at clubs can have a massive influence on managers. When you lose respect from fans, managers are affected, they are only human after all.
“I am sure Nathan Jones was aware certain elements of the crowd were not happy with his performance but getting into the play-offs speaks for itself.
“Getting bored and stale is the same in any job, and your managers get boring and stale, it’s just life. any managers shelf life is determined by results.
“Edwards has inherited Nathan Jones team and will slowly put his own mark on it. Let’s hope he is very successful; a good vibe seems to be in all of our team and a good foundation is being laid.”
So, could the growing unhappiness relating to the football being played by Nathan Jones, despite reaching the play-offs last season, perhaps have influenced his decision to jump ship?
Once again, something I hope becomes a decent discussion point.
As I always say, to promote participation, please feel free to have our say in the comment facility beneath this article.
My thanks go to Chris Winter and JIMBO for their contributions to this article.
COYH’s
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Luton And Edwards Blazing A Trail
Don’t think it influenced NJ, personally. He is a highly ambitious manager which is what helped drive us to such a sharp rise but it’s in his nature to challenge and be challenge at the best level he can get to… Fair play to him and left with most of our thanks for his time here.
Most of the fans unhappiness was manufactured by NJ in interviews tbf though, and seemed like making a bridge to his next move away more than genuine discontent or unrest.
RE seems much more composed and classy in how he goes about things and really chuffed with the board, they rarely disappoint!
Morning, shelf life of mangers you only have to look at Manchester United and with fergie he was very clever he change the coach’s and the players to stop things going stale . I think you need to freshen things up every now and then keeps people on their toes and stops boredom creeping in . Coyh
Whilst there’s a lot of merit in jimbo’s post. Personally I don’t think nj was influenced by the fans. As Steve b pointed out cornick intimated in interview some very interesting things that we will never be party too. As to results based sackings yes it often happens. But so do sackings out of the blue wonder what the percentages are. Also losing the dressing room why?
love him or hate him,n.j. did a fantastic job at luton. regarding interviews, he seemed to talk a lot, but not give any answers. quite clever really. transparency is important for supporters, and it seems that r.e. is much better at it. COYH.
Nathan was always very good at not being beaten but often settled for not losing. He rarely ‘went for it’ particularly against better teams. The football wasn’t always pretty to watch but he was successful overall. When he came back after Stoke he was forced to go for it as we were in a very poor position, and the players gave all and it was an amazing achievement to have stayed up. However, he had carte blanche as we were all but dead and buried. I believe that was because the points requirement was fewer against the other relegation threatened teams than are required at the top end. He got us to the play-offs but we were disappointing against a very beatable Huddersfield. It may have been a blessing in disguise that such a tailor made replacement was available in Rob Edwards. I admit to having been underwhelmed by his appointment at the time, but he has won me over by listening to his interviews and watching the dramatic improvement in watchability of the team. He has taken over a team with the quintessential spirit of Luton Town FC and changed very little apart from allowing more personal expression. His greatest input has been his excellent choices and timing of substitutions, and the freedom to go for it when not in front and only defend a game when we are winning late into a game. I am much more ‘whelmed’ now!