However, in stark contrast to this somewhat naïve sentiment, it has also been proclaimed by almost every football fan in the nation that Luton Town will definitely finish rock bottom come May. Whilst the Hatters are clear favourites for an early return back to the Championship, it has also been speculated that the top-flight debutants could be destined for the title: ‘Worst Premier League Team Ever’.
For Luton to claim this unwanted crown, they would have to break the record for least points amassed in a 38-game season. Whilst recent performances from perennial premiership yo-yo clubs Norwich and Watford have set the standard for recent relegation misery, Derby County currently hold the unsought accolade of lowest points tally of all-time. The Rams managed to accrue an impressively terrible 11 points during the 2007/08 season, with the current League One club only managing to secure a singular win all year.
Luton Town will definitely finish rock bottom come May
Whilst Luton fans would’ve been hoping for a better start to life in the Prem promised land, they can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they have already equalled Derby’s abysmal win record, just six games into their debut campaign. This win came off the back of a draw against established premiership stalwarts Wolves and narrow one-goal defeats to London rivals West Ham and Fulham. Luton’s manager Rob Edwards stated after their victory over Everton, that the win ‘was a long time coming’ and believes that more points will come now that ‘the pressure [of the first win] is off our backs’. This optimistic prediction by Edwards indicates faith in his young squad mostly made-up of first-timers in the Premier League. Prolific Championship striker Carlton Morris looks to be continuing his form after promotion, scoring three goals for the Hatters, including that crucial winner on Merseyside. On top of Morris’ goal contributions, Luton’s inexperienced side has been strengthened by several Prem veterans including, former Chelsea and England international Ross Barkley as well as Geordie legend Tim Krul between-the-sticks. All this is to say that Luton’s squad has considerably more talent than that lacklustre Derby side, who could only boast the ‘talents’ of Robbie Savage and Roy Carroll.
Whilst life in the Premier League was always going to be hard for a club whose total market value is less than what Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire, Luton Town have shown some real promise during their tough start to the season. With the likes of similarly promoted sides Burnley and Sheffield United finding it difficult to adapt to the top-flight, as well as underperforming Prem regulars such as Everton and Wolves being dragged into the early relegation scrap, it is not impossible to see a world where Luton Town not only avoid the shame of being the ‘Worst Premier League Team Ever’, but also survive in the relegation rat race. However, with all this being said, the old adage still stands: ‘Anything can happen this season’…