Luton Town

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  1. Sutton's predictions: Luton v Sheff Utdpublished at 11:15 GMT 10 February 2024

    Sutton's predictions

    Chris Sutton is taking on Sexy Beast star Stephen Moyer for the latest round of Premier League predictions.

    Sutton's prediction: 2-1

    I am not going to back against Luton any longer - although that will probably jinx them now.

    They beat Sheffield United at Bramall Lane a few weeks ago, although they were a little fortunate to see the Blades score two late own goals.

    I love what Luton boss Rob Edwards has done, and he has proved me wrong, but he has still got work to do to keep them in the Premier League.

    All season, the Hatters have not been a team who have just sat in and I am expecting them to go after the Blades here.

    As for Sheffield United, well how can you make a case for them to stay up after they were humiliated by Aston Villa last week? I have got a lot of time for their manager, Chris Wilder, but I think this is going to end up being another defeat.

    Stephen's prediction: 2-1

    I've always really rated Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend and they have both fitted into the really cohesive way of playing that Luton have got. I think Luton are going to stay up, but it's a different story for Sheffield United. They have had their moments in recent weeks but they have not been picking up points and I don't see them getting anything here either.

    See the full list of predictions

  2. 'Doing all he can' - Edwards on possible England recall for Barkleypublished at 16:37 GMT 9 February 2024

    Rob Edwards and Ross BarkleyImage source, Reuters

    Luton Town boss Rob Edwards would not stretch to demanding an England call-up for rejuvenated midfielder Ross Barkley but conceded the 30-year-old was proving his talent in a Hatters shirt.

    The 30-year-old has taken plaudits for his fine form during Luton's recent run of one defeat in their past five games and Edwards said the benefit of a settled spell in the side is paying dividends.

    "I am not going to give you a headline," said Edwards. "It is not for me to say. I am just happy that he is playing really well for Luton.

    "That is all any player who wants to get selected for their national team can do."

    Barkley has 33 caps and six goals for England but has not featured for his country since scoring twice and assisting once in a 6-0 win in Bulgaria in October 2019. That game was overshadowed by racism from the crowd.

    So far this season, he has thee goals and three assists from 21 appearances for Edwards' side.

    "We love Ross and are delighted with him," Edwards said. "He has got a home here with a group of players, mates, staff and a football club that support him and love him for what he is really good at.

    "He is hungry and wants to show people how good he is. He had a couple of difficult years by his really high standards, but all he has shown [since joining Luton] is how good a player he is."

  3. Edwards on Mengi's injury and Sheff Utd 'battle'published at 14:57 GMT 9 February 2024

    Katie Stafford
    BBC Sport journalist

    Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Luton's match against Sheffield United on Saturday.

    Here are the main lines from his news conference:

    • Teden Mengi took "a slight knock" to his ankle in training on Thursday so he will not be available and neither will defender Mads Andersen.

    • New signing Daiki Hashioka is “still adjusting” to the squad and "will probably need another week or two."

    • Edwards expects a "tight battle" against Sheffield United because "both teams are fighting for their lives."

    • On going into the game with momentum from positive results against Brighton and Newcastle results: "I wouldn’t say we’re big favourites but we’re going into it in good form and confident. There is no game that’s easy, if we step off it then we can get punished."

    • Ross Barkley "has shown how good he is" since signing for Luton and the "players, staff and club support him and allow him to be himself."

    • On their improved attacking style: "We’ve been more aggressive in our pressing and in possession and we’ve been trying to hurt teams by getting in behind them. We’ve been on a good journey so far and been getting more of a threat."

    • Luton have left an available position in their named 25-man squad for Tom Lockyer but there "is no pressure" on the captain to take up that place.

    Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences here

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  4. Are number nines a thing of the past?published at 08:14 GMT 9 February 2024

    BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown

    BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

    Frank asked: Teams like Wolves who play without a number nine are doing very well. Are old fashioned strikers needed anymore? Has the game changed?

    Michael replied: The game has changed. I think we've seen a different type of striker.

    But look at Liverpool and Arsenal for example, people mention they still need a number nine, so people are saying it, but we're not necessarily seeing those old-fashioned nines.

    Manchester City did so well with the false nine, but then Erling Haaland came in and scored 50 goals. They still needed him and they still wanted a number nine, but it depends on your playing style.

    Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

  5. 🎧 New Luton Town podcastpublished at 17:33 GMT 8 February 2024

    Luton Town podcast

    Luton have beaten Brighton and earned a hard-fought point against Newcastle, but can they beat bottom-of-the-league Sheffield United on Saturday?

    The latest episode of BBC Three Counties' Luton in the Prem podcast looks ahead to the enormous game at the bottom end of the table and they discuss how the narrative around Luton's hope for survival has changed.

    Listen now on BBC Sounds

  6. Will FFP result in a quiet summer transfer window?published at 16:55 GMT 8 February 2024

    BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown

    BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

    Russell asked: The January transfer window was very quiet compared to recent years, probably due to Financial Fair Play and points deduction worries. Do you think the days of teams spending hundreds of millions each window are over? And if so, what long-term effects might that have on the Premier League?

    Michael replied: I think we are going to see different spreads of spending. We're not going to see hundreds of millions in the January window because people will be more conscious of spreading those payments and their budget will already be in place.

    They will probably do a lot more of it before the season, so I think we are going to see less of the the excitement of the January window because of quite obvious reasons.

    The business will be done in the summer and clubs will say ‘this is what we've got'. They might have to send others on the way out first, rather than just spending that money and getting rid of players later.

    Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

  7. Luton Town v Sheff Utd: Pick of the statspublished at 12:58 GMT 8 February 2024

    • Sheffield United lost the reverse fixture 3-2 against Luton in December. They haven't lost both league meetings against the Hatters in a single season since 1976-77 in the second tier.

    • After only scoring 10 goals in their first 12 Premier League matches, Luton Town have found the net in each of their past 10 games, netting in 22 goals across these games. Only Tottenham are on a longer run of scoring (35 games) than the Hatters.

    • The Blades have conceded 59 goals in 23 Premier League games this season. The last top-flight side to concede 60 goals in as few as 24 games into a season was Ipswich Town in 1963-64.

    • Oli McBurnie has more goals and assists combined than any other Blades player in the Premier League this season (4 goals, 2 assists). However, Sheffield United haven't been on the winning side in any game which he has scored or assisted in.

    • Alfie Doughty has taken more corners that have led to a goal (not necessarily providing the assist himself) in the Premier League this season than any other player (8).

  8. 'The majestic Ross Barkley - a joy to watch'published at 16:15 GMT 7 February 2024

    Luton Town expert view banner

    Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio

    In our commentary position at St James’ Park, we were privileged to be really close to the pitch, with a great angle to view the action. You can get a real feel for a player and in the 4-4 thriller at Newcastle United on Saturday, you couldn’t help but be drawn to the majestic Ross Barkley.

    The midfielder has a natural talent which is bewitching. Technically, he’s elite level.

    What is striking is his balance, his poise, his smoothness, his close control and the way he glides across the pitch with the ball at his feet. In possession, he can get himself out of situations which seem impossible when he's counter-pressed by up to three players because he is so natural on the ball.

    It looks so easy for Barkley and it’s a delight to see him return to the confident character we saw when he was a kid at Everton.

    He scored one and was involved in two others. So why is he back to the form of his life?

    When I spoke to him afterwards, he told me he always believed that, if offered the chance to find his rhythm and play game after game, he would return to his best. Stop start and in and out of the team is no good for Barkley.

    He needs to be consistently in the side and at Luton he knows he will be - and will continue to be considering his magnificent form.

    What was also interesting in our chat was how he spoke of the togetherness in the changing room and his view that he’d "probably never been a part of a team that’s so close".

    It's simplistic, but ultimately Barkley is happy again on a football pitch, he’s playing happy football and he is certainly making Luton Town fans happy. And as each game passes, more believe he's the best player to have ever worn a Luton shirt.

    Calls for an England return grow stronger with each match he captivates us. He's a joy to watch.

    What do you think, Luton fans? How highly do you rate Barkley? Could he be the best to have worn a Hatters shirt? Let us know here

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    Listen to commentary of Luton Town v Sheffield United on BBC Three Counties Digital Radio at 15:00 GMT on Saturday