Luton Town have seemingly secured their Championship status for another year. And, it is still March. Deserved victories against Coventry City and Preston North End sees the Hatters reach the 50-point mark and are perhaps now setting their targets for a top-half finish.
With the international break fast approaching, Simon Sluga, Joe Morrell, Tom Lockyer, and James Collins, were all called up for their respective national sides. Luton were also handed positive news about their new stadium on Friday, with Power Court becoming more of a reality each month.
Two Well-Earned Victories and International Call-Ups Headlines Luton Town Weekly Round-Up
Luton Town Comfortably See off Relegation Threatened Coventry City
In a game of significant importance, the Hatters earned all three points with a 2-0 victory over a struggling Coventry side. An unlikely source in James Bree opened the scoring with a well-struck volley, before Elijah Adebayo doubled the lead from the penalty spot.
The spot-kick was topic of much debate when Sky Blues centre-back Kyle McFadzean appeared to have handled the ball on the line. Both sides had their opinions but ultimately, Stephen Martin pointed to the spot, and Luton’s summer signing expertly converted from 12-yards.
Luton made good use of their man advantage, in a sense that they retained possession well and subsequently played some quality football, but they were unable to translate that pressure into an all-important third goal.
The victory bridged a 15-point gap from safety and seemingly relieved the threat of relegation for the Bedfordshire club.
Four Hatters Earn International Call-Ups
Throughout the week, four Luton players were called up to represent their country. Perhaps the strangest thing coming from that was the fact that only one of those players has been regularly in recent weeks.
Simon Sluga was called up by Croatia earlier in the week and his form in a Luton shirt has completely justified his inclusion. Later on in the week, Tom Lockyer and Joe Morrell were both selected for Wales’ upcoming fixtures. Both have been included in their national side’s recent squads but they have not been playing regular in a Luton shirt. Lockyer has been excellent when called upon this year but has been suffering from an injury since early February. Morrell on the other hand is just not getting enough game time with the Hatters.
James Collins was the fourth player to be called upon and it was quite an unlikely selection. The 30-year-old has often been left out of the Irish side when at his best, so it raised a few eyebrows now that he is not getting much game time with the Hatters.
Preston Victory Is Another Indication of Progression
Perhaps one mid-table side beating another by a single-goal is quite common, but given what has gone on with the club in the last year, the victory was rather telling.
It was a game where Preston never looked like scoring and the Hatters could quite have easily added another couple. The eventual breakthrough went down as an own-goal after Collins’ effort deflected in off Daniel Iverson.
It is not just the league table and results that have improved this season, the performances have too. Luton possess real technicians in amongst a physical core and appear to have struck the perfect balance.
Other Luton Town News
On Friday, the club provided another update regarding their new stadium (Power Court). Like the majority of life, Covid-19 has disrupted the club’s plans of beginning the development on the site. In a comprehensive update and roadmap, the club reassured fans on the progress of Power Court and reignited the excitement that surrounds the new ground.
It will be classed as one of the more positive weeks for Luton Town fans, who will now start preparation for a third season in England’s second-tier.
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