Edwards hints Hatters haven’t given up on Sheffield United’s promotion spot

He won’t say it outright, but boss Rob Edwards has hinted that Luton are still hoping to hunt down Sheffield United to pip them to the last remaining Championship automatic promotion place.

With five matches to go, the Hatters sit third in the division and on course for at least a play-off place, though they will have half an eye on chasing down the Blades, who will need to slip up as they sit five points above Town with a game in hand.

But with an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, meaning the Steel City side have a congested four league games in two weeks this month, there is the possibility of a few more twists and turns to come.

Luton are on a nine-game unbeaten streak and Edwards has not been shy about Town’s promotion aspirations. He has been saying for a while that he wanted to be “in the mix” with five games to go and that is certainly assured as they head to Rotherham United on Saturday with a nine-point buffer between them and the play-off chasing pack, headed up by Preston North End. 

Asked how pleasing it was to be currently at the top of the play-off pile, rather than trying to push a way in, Edwards said: “I didn’t tell you what we wanted to be in the mix for! So we’ve got five games to go and we’ll keep our foot down and see what happens. 

“We’re in good shape, it is pleasing how the lads have done, and how they’ve been throughout the whole season. Let’s be honest, they were in great shape when we came in and we have continued to do well, so long may that continue. 

“We know now we are at the real business end of the season and every game is huge, so this one (Rotherham) now becomes the biggest game for us of the season, and that’s all we are going to focus on. 

“But it’s great that we are in the position that we are in, but we want to maintain good form. I think that’s really important now, maintaining good form for if it was going to be the play-offs is really important as well.”