Football Season Guide

Rob Edwards was appointed as Luton manager with the side sitting 10th in November to succeed Nathan Jones, who joined Southampton. After winning 14 of his 25 games in charge, he managed to help Luton finish third behind Burnley and Sheffield United and led them all the way to the Premier League through the play-offs, boasting one of the most efficient attacks in the league with 57 goals scored in 46 games. Starting goalkeeper Ethan Horvath parted ways with Luton after his one-season loan deal expired, with sometimes starting right-back Cody Drameh returning to parent club Leeds. Luton signed right-back Issa Kabore on loan from Manchester City to fill in for Drameh and Ryan Giles for the left-back position. Tahith Chong and Chiedozie Ogbene arrived to beef up the team’s attack, while Mads Andersen will provide an extra option in defence. Edwards employed a relatively direct style of football last season, using a solid 3-5-2 formation. They kept a total of 20 clean sheets, boasting the joint-second best defence in the league with 39 goals conceded. Edwards is not expected to change the system ahead of next season. In a highly competitive Premier League, Luton could threaten from dead balls after recording 16 set piece goals last season. There lies their main strength, while they also use their height to push forward, often going long rather than playing through the midfield. Luton have signed Blackburn goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski to replace the man who kept an impressive 19 clean sheets last season. Horvath returned to parent club Nottingham Forest and it is doubtful if Kaminski is Premier League material and whether their defence is strong enough to deal with world-class strikers.