Rob Edwards has revealed the details of his first chat with “sensational” Tom Lockyer after the defender’s play-off heroics became the latest proof of the talismanic leader’s importance to Luton.
The Welsh international’s first-half header against Sunderland on Tuesday night completed Town’s turnaround from a 2-1 play-off first-leg deficit and booked their place in the Championship final later this month, where they’ll face Coventry City.
It was Lockyer’s third goal in four games and the 28-year-old, who was named captain, has become a talismanic figure for Luton this term.
It’s been a remarkable season in which he’s gone to the World Cup with Wales, been named in the Championship team of the year and scooped five individual awards at the Luton Town Supporters’ Trust Awards bash earlier this month.
Asked about Lockyer’s impact since he took over as boss, Rob Edwards said: “He’s been sensational. He’s a leader, a brilliant human being, but his performances on the pitch have been magnificent.
“He’s a warrior and he’s someone that’s got a lot of quality as well. I can’t speak highly enough of him and every one of them, but Locks wearing that armband leads by example and he’s really important to us.”
Lockyer’s standing in the side, which earned its 21st clean sheet of the campaign against Sunderland, has been all the more impressive because he wasn’t a first choice on the team sheet on the first four games of the season under former boss Nathan Jones.
“He wasn’t starting at the very beginning of the season, but under Nathan he was playing and playing well,” Edwards said.
“When I knew I was coming in and getting the job, reviewing a lot of the games and watching them back, his performances were of a real high standard.
“I didn’t see him until after the World Cup. He was away with Wales. I remember sitting him down for the first chat with him and saying, ‘I’ve been so impressed with you. You’re going to be really important for us.”
“I think we’ve just shown a lot of belief in him, but his performances were of a high standard before we came in.
“I’d like to think we’ve just shown him belief and allowed him to keep doing it.”
