Only three weeks ago, I ran an article I never thought I’d be writing, even more so when you consider just how far we’d come.
But, with the Hatters, who started the season as being among the favourites to win promotion back to the Premier League, floundering badly, it seemed an apt thing to do.
The article – a-managerial-change-might-be-in-the-pipeline – hich was published on the 6th-October, proved a great talking point, with numerous Hatters willing to air their views.
It also included the obligatory poll, with the title reading:
Is It Time For A Change At The Managerial Helm?
The response was staggering with more readers than ever taking the opportunity to cast a vote and it was a vote that was a very close call with 47% declaring a change was needed with the remaining 53% asking the board to give the under-pressure Rob Edwards more time.
My own view was that I believed the board should not act in a hasty manner and should give Rob more time, perhaps another three or four games, before making what could be deemed a crucial decision.
Well, three of those four games have now been played and, despite the win over Watford, at Kenilworth Road, I can’t put my hand on my heart and say things have improved significantly.
In fact, since the article / poll was published, we’ve slipped into the bottom three, something that concerns us all.
Reading through hundreds of social media posts, it seems the pressure on Rob is growing and some of the remarks are erring towards being very derogatory, who’d have thought that would ever be the case when you think back to that sun-baked day at Wembley when all our dreams became reality.
But, some postings are under no illusion as to what is required:
Shocking. After the last two home games there was hope. The energy was back. That today, was a disgrace. We cannot allow Edwards to preside of any more of these shambolic showings. If we want to save our season, sadly, he has to go.
— Chris Mitchell (@chrismitch99) October 26, 2024
Be interesting to see the clubs ambition here. Stick with Edwards and accept this is good enough. Or let him go and accept we need a new direction!
— Daniel McKee (@DanielMcKee1989) October 26, 2024
Times up Rob, lovely guy but this is absolutely shambolic. Need new energy, ideas & a fresh approach. Seeing us in a potiental relegation battle is embarrassing.
— Craig Nicoll (@CraigNicoll9) October 26, 2024
Thank you for the memories Rob, but I think it’s time we part ways
— O. G. Samuel Ogaranya (@OGtalksfootball) October 26, 2024
Do you agree with these posters or would you beg to differ, please feel free to have your say in the comment facility beneath this article.
Football is a sport renowned for changes taking place at quite a pace, just take a look at the Coventry City starting XI on Saturday, only Ben Sheaf played in that aforementioned fixture at Wembley, a mere 17 months ago.
Sacking a manager is always a hard decision even more so when Rob is somebody who, not that long ago, had everybody hanging on to every word he uttered, but time is of the essence.
Our fortunes have dipped, we’re struggling badly and perhaps, just perhaps, a change is fast becoming inevitable.
But, if that is the case, who should the Hatters hierarchy bring in, any suggestions would be most welcomed, but remember – be careful what you wish for!
Meanwhile, let’s run that poll again to see I the supports mindset has been altered since the original poll first appeared.
Is Rob Edwards Time At Luton Coming To An End?
YES!
NO!
COYH
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton Town – The Joe Taylor Conundrum Continues To Raise Its Head
The manager hasn’t got a scooby doo, he didn’t last year and even worse this year, unless we get a serious turn around we’re definitely getting relegated as we’re not good enough for the championship and the players have got to take a long hard look at themselves as they have been pathetic , can’t run can’t pass , there’s no leader , they should be ashamed of themselves for their disgraceful performances!!!!
Unfortunately I think Rob has lost the ability to improve performances and they have recently deteriorated at an alarming rate . Game plans have been very predictable and at times somewhat naive often dropping points from winning positions and turning draws into losses . Not sure why our recruitment during the summer was so poor but that definitely has not helped leaving us very weak in some positions. Only problem is who we can bring in to make a difference . No obvious choices for a replacement on the horizon .
Like the author, I never thought the day would come when I was saying that Rob Edwards’ time is probably up. What he has achieved, and the approach he has taken to so many testing situations and incidents – not the least, the horrible events at Bournemouth almost 12 months ago – is nothing short of legendary. But I think he knows it’s not working for him any longer. He did the noble thing by accepting responsibility, rather than blaming a very poor ref, on Saturday, and I think he was saying goodbye when he came over to acknowledge the fans after the game. I swear I saw a tear in his eye. We love you, Rob. The Board won’t sack him, I genuinely think he will resign – accepting that it’s for the good of the Club – before that happens. He is that sort of man. Reluctantly, though, I think it’s time for a new approach, even if that means getting him some help from somebody who’s been in this situation before. Let’s hope the Board can find a way of keeping him involved, somehow.
The current dire and embarrassing position we are in is not all the fault of the manager, the board and their blinded ambition of a new stadium regardless of the team or division we are in has the more to answer for, the summer transfer business was embarrassing, grab what you can for £00.00 at the last moment, except for an expensive c/h who has yet to prove his worth. We are now in a relegation battle with a manager possibly out of his depth and a team doubtfully able to do anything about it. We compare with Bournemouth stadium wise and look at them, a small stadium but in the prem is fine, a new and empty 25k stadium nearly empty in league 1 is not. Stand up board and admit an almighty f…k up because our current predicament is mostly down to you.
To all those supposed supporters calling for change in the Manager, a word of caution. Be careful for what you wish for. The electorate of this Country demanded change in the recent general election because of their perceived unhappiness in how things were being run. Well just see how that is unfolding.
If our Manager and players are reading the amount of negativity voiced by contributors of this column is it any wonder they have been affected by those remarks and have had their confidence knocked. Results are not going our way at the moment but now is the time when our team need support not criticism.
Mick Hartford and Tom Lockyer to keep the town up! Put the ‘LUTON way’ back in the team (including some the club have let go recently). not those that can not last 90 minutes or are perennially injured !
Luton became everyone’s second team during the first season in the Prem largely because of Rob. We have lost Barkley and several other good players and replaced them with much lesser quality. Players the manager thought were secured ended up at rival clubs because we wouldn’t pay the wages required. There is a lack of quality in a squad filled with too many sick notes. Some players who wanted away are disenchanted because the price set for them and sell on clauses meant no one would buy them. There is friction between certain players in the squad which is making selection difficult. History is repeating itself if the managers have their hands tied by the board. Let’s stick with Rob and strengthen the squad in January.
Moyes Ferguson and potter are all available anyone of them could do a job.
Before this season began I didnt think we had prepared for the season ahead; our first since being relegated from the Premier League.Most players had performed well but in the end it was not enough.
We faced the prospect of Championship football and we should have been ready to rebuild, our task would be very different to the previous season.
We lost some from the squad, which okay, weekened us, but would allow us to bring in replacements.
Numerous players were injured at the end of our season, many long term, who were never going to be match be fit for an August start. Some, regratably, had a long history of injuries.The so called ” Injury prone “.
The big International tournament was a huge distraction as summer began.
However we should have been ready to pounce, our targets identified.
.
With one notable exception, the players brought in had been released by their previous clubs , one suspects long term injury concerns.
By the time The Brache welcomed the squad back we had a much depleted squad, such that setting out for the training camp in Slovenia saw a number of young Academy youngsters included.
This should have been the time for a re-energised and motivated squad to be readied for the gruelling season to follow.
If not already aware, pre season friendlies highlighted how inadequate we would be.
Instead of a fit and motivated outfit we set out awaiting the return to fitness of “key players”. We were not prepared, in spite of the late transfer window panic
Rob Edwards, bless him, felt that by getting relegated he had failed. I suspect many of the players were of a similar disposition.
Our heroes from the previous campaigns, stumbled into the Championship season “hungover”.
I have supported The Hatters since the 1950’s and I have to say that we have been here before, have we not learned from our past mistakes?
Yes thanks to our saviours on the board, the new ground will happen.
What price are we willing to pay for it though?
We took “our eye off the ball” to look at the promised land.
We must now focus on our rapid decline on the field of play and plan for the rest of this season before it is too late to turn things around.
As a “Hatter” I thank you in anticipation.
I’m afraid I have to agree with the comments posted above, Rob keeps saying the poor performances are on him, to be honest I’m fed up with hearing it!
I think the management team, needs a complete refresh, I have no idea who can come in and get the club out of what is rapidly becoming a fight to stay in this division!
Although I don’t support Ltfc, I said to a diehard, 4 games in, Edwards needs to go. Sad to say that he’ll still get his 4yr contract money
Been supporting the Hatters since Stanley Matthew’s graced my ankles in ‘59 whilst sitting on the touch line, so l know a little about Luton’s style of play; currently this season’s effort has been very poor to say the least after their fine effort last season.
Why? My opinion for what it’s worth, is too much booting up the field, too slow in approach play and lack of confidence in attack. We still have some great players just let them play with confidence that must come from the manager and staff around him.
If that is not possible then Rob must go
Well said the last. Comment what is the problem with Taylor give the young boy a chance not the last 10 minutes
Sell the club and get someone to invest in good players as the board are not interested in players but only the new ground
Rob Edwards has achieved a lot with Luton but lately I would question why did he make changes at half time at Coventry.Luton were 2 up and everything fell apart. The players have to bear most of the blame. they are just not performing for 90 mins. Injuries have taken a toll but there is a big squad who can’t adapt to relegation.The other relegated teams are flying but Luton seem to have lost the plot.Survival is the aim now forget promotion. Big disappointment for the fans who have been amazing but they are annoyed and the team cannot afford to lose them
I never could understand why we seem to have a permanent squad of injured players. not just short term but also longer term. Why is it that we cannot put out an un-injured team most weeks? are we a team of crocks that are only capable of putting out a decent performance every odd week? (it looks that way). Maybe we need to bring in an experienced manager to give Rob the help that he clearly needs, Just saying.