Rob Edwards is now into his first transfer window as Luton boss, and he has given an update on his plans for this month, including a response to the persistent rumours about Newcastle’s Elliot Anderson, whether he expects interest in some of his star players and what will be done about Hatters on loan.
Here is everything Edwards said today about the first week of the January transfer window.
Cauley Woodrow and Reece Burke both came back from three-month injuries to bag winners over the Christmas period. Asked if returning players will have an impact on whether any business is done, Edwards said:
“The key thing for us, coming in for six or seven weeks, it was getting to know the lads. Now I’ve got to know them, I’m really, really happy with them. They’ve shown us a lot. They’ve got a fantastic spirit and a great work ethic and honesty, but they’ve got a lot of quality.
“I think you’ve seen that. Within the games, there have been moments of real quality. The goals have highlighted that.
“I’m delighted with the group that I’ve got, so I don’t envisage us having to do loads or business because I don’t want to upset the rhythm and the spirit that we got.
“That being said, if there’s an opportunity to bring in a player that we think helps us and improves us, then it’s something that we can have a look at as well.
“I will really stress that the group we’ve got here, and they’re showing it, are a really good group.”
One player that has been linked with Luton through numerous transfer windows is Elliot Anderson. When asked about interest in the midfielder, Edwards said:
“Football’s really funny, it throws up loads of rumours.
“Clearly we’ll have lists and we’re always constantly monitoring players, and looking at always trying to improve, but there’s nothing on Elliot Anderson at the moment, no.”
Town’s top scorer Carlton Morris has had a fine start to life as a Hatter, notching his tenth of the campaign so far in the festive fixtures, while last term’s top marksman Elijah Adebayo has been praised for his performances by Edwards. Asked if he expects any bids for the strikers, the manager said:
“I think we’ve got more than two very good strikers in Cam (Cameron Jerome)and Cauley and Cornsy (Harry Cornick) as well.
“I understand that those two (Morris and Adebayo) have got some of the headlines and have played a bit more minutes than one or two others, but we’ve got fantastic options at that end of the pitch.
“We’ll have to see. It’s all been quiet at the moment and, in a way, if there are people talking about our players, or calling up about our players because they’re performing well, which is great, but at the moment it’s all quiet.”
Town have this week recalled midfielder Elliot Thorpe from his loan spell at Burton, where he’s not featured since October. Speaking of the Wales youth international’s return to Kenilworth Road, Edwards said:
“Everything is judged on an individual basis and we felt, along with Burton and Elliot that it would be the right thing for him. He’s slotted back into the training really well. He’s a great lad and he’s someone that will be part of our squad going forwards.
“He’s got a great personality, a confident young man, very respectful, a really good athlete and technically a good player as well. So, he’s someone that we want to fight and to show us and try to force his way in. It adds really good competition for the group.”
Luton also have Dion Pereira (Bradford), Carlos Mendes Gomes and Admiral Muskwe (Fleetwood), Aribim Pepple (Grimsby) out on loan. Asked if they will be recalled, Edwards said:
“We’ll look at every individual on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes loans, even if they’re tough and they’re not playing as much, that can be a good thing.
“You’ve got to go and fight, got to find a way to get into the team as nothing’s handed to you in football, you’ve got to earn everything.
“You’ve got to earn it, so we always try to look at what the right thing is for that individual, what’s going on at that football club and see if that helps us and that individual player, so we’re always talking about all of those lads that are out on loan, monitoring what’s going on.
“Obviously, now with it being in January, there’s maybe one of two opportunities to have a look at what’s going on, but again, I’ll say sometimes the right thing is to stay and fight as well.”
