Manager Rob Edwards knows his Luton side will have to accept more expectation this season as the Hatters continue preparations for their return to the Championship.
Their pre-season schedule continues on Friday night when they travel to Scottish Premiership side Dundee United.
After four behind-closed-doors pre-season friendlies and a week-long training camp in Slovenia, it will be the first time fans will get a chance to see their side in person since the final day of the Premier League season defeat to Fulham in May.
Despite that reverse confirming relegation, the way that Town attacked their first top-flight campaign in 31 years won over a lot of neutrals, while supporters dished out standing ovations win, lose or draw.
But back in the Championship, which kicks off at against Burnley next month, Edwards understands that there will be more pressure to mount a promotion push.
“There certainly will be more expectation and we’ll have to handle that, there’s no doubt about it,” said Edwards prior to Luton’s trip to Slovenia.
“The last time we were in this league we got promoted and I feel that we’re in a stronger position now and the squad is stronger than what it was then.
“I don’t want to stand here and say, ‘yeah, we’re going to win the league and do this and that’, but I expect us to be competing and I think everyone does.
“So, we’ll have to deal with that and deliver, but I want us to do it in a fun way. I want the stadium to be bouncing. I want the fans to love watching us, I want us to be exciting to watch. I want to score goal, I want us to attack games. I can promise we’re going to do that.
“We got 52 goals in the Premier League last year. I think we got promoted scoring 57 the year before. So, we want to score some goals this year and that’s our aim.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I want the season to start next week.”
After Dundee, Luton will close out their pre-season campaign with a trip to Port Vale on Tuesday July 30 and then their only home friendly against Spanish La Liga side Celta Vigo on Saturday August 3.
