Rob Edwards gives verdict on Luton's chances in Premier League relegation battle

28 October 2023 , 09:17

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Luton boss Rob Edwards feels his side have made a promising start to life in the Premier League (Image: Michael Zemanek/REX/Shutterstock)

Luton boss Rob Edwards is confident his team is on the right track in their battle to stay in the Premier League.

The Hatters are set to face Aston Villa this Sunday, hoping to build on their 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest last weekend. Edwards expressed his confidence in a press conference, saying: "We are in the mix but did anyone think anything different? Did anyone expect us to be competing for European football? No, I don't think so."

"We are comfortable where we are at." he added. "We are in the fight that we knew we were going to be in, so I am fine with it. We are competing well. After the first two games, where we conceded too many goals and got beaten convincingly in the end, since then there has been one goal in (it) every game.

"We have taken points over the last five (league) games, so we are moving in the right direction, but we knew how hard this league was going to be. As long as we are in the mix, then we are doing OK."

Unfortunately, defender Reece Burke won't be playing on Sunday due to a hamstring problem, but wing-back Issa Kabore is expected to return to the starting line-up, having been a key player in six of the first seven Premier League matches. Edwards believes the 22-year-old - on loan from Manchester City - has a lot more to offer, especially considering his Champions League experience from his time at Marseille.

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"I think he's been great," Edwards praised. "I thought his impact on the weekend was very good against Forest as all the subs were really positive. He [Kabore] has got loads of good attributes and all we want is probably a little bit more consistency in his performances now."

However, Edwards acknowledged the challenges Kabore faces as a young player adjusting to a new league and life in England. "To ask him to just settle in straight away, to a new club, to a new way of playing, a new country, we are asking a lot there."

Despite these challenges, Edwards expressed satisfaction with Kabore's contributions so far, adding: "We are really pleased with what he is doing and he has really helped us. He has played big parts in the games we have got points, so he is in a good place and over the course of the season, he will be a big asset for us."

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Darren Wells