Rob Edwards apologises to Luton fans and admitted he didn’t want to be a “divisive figure” after his side were thrashed 5-1 at Middlesbrough, as his words seemed to suggest the end of the road for his time as Town manager.
Goals from Delano Burgzorg and Emmanuel Latte Lath put the Hatters 2-0 behind at the break and then before the hour mark Boro and Burgzorg had doubled their tally, with Finn Azaz also netting.
Jordan Clark pulled one back but Azaz got his second to complete the rout, consigning Luton to their fourth straight away defeat and heap pressure on Edwards.
After Town’s eighth defeat of the campaign, the manager, who’s tenure began with defeat at the Riverside little under two years ago, said: “My main concern right now, the people I’m feel for most are the supporters, who either got up really early this morning to make it here because of the time to kick-off, a long, long way.
“Or came up last night and spent even more money and I feel for them right now. Obviously, feel quite numb. Horrible, horrible day for us. One of those days where you want the ground to swallow you up in the end, the way it was going.
“It’s a difficult, really difficult day, and the supporters are my main concern. I just want to apologise to them.”
Edwards said he’d need to make changes, with it being the third match of a three-game week, having lost 3-2 at Coventry in their last away day, when they had been leading 2-0. He made five changes but the outcome was all too familiar.
But this was Luton’s heaviest defeat of an underwhelming season, where there had been hope of a promotion challenge, after being relegated from the Premier League. Instead they slipped one place above the Championship relegation zone.
Speaking to the BBC, captain Carlton Morris said: “I can only speak for myself and on the players behalf, we’re 100 per cent behind him. We absolutely love the gaffer and we’ve been through so much together. He’s done so much for this football club. Yeah, that’s where I stand.”
But asked about his own future, Edwards said: “It’s not a good result. And some of the results haven’t been good enough, so I’m realistic.
“Whatever will be, will be. I’m not in control of that stuff. I love this football club. And whatever is best for the football club is the right thing.
“I, and we have given everything for this football club. You know, I’ve been. I’ve loved my two years. It’s been one hell of a one hell of a ride, and we’ve achieved things that probably no one thought were possible.
“So, if that is it then I and we can hold our heads high that we’ve given everything.
“If it’s not, then we continue to fight. But I understand the question, it’s right that it comes. I don’t want to be a divisive figure here where the supporters – because they’re the most important people at any football club – they’re the ones that will make that noise and they’re the ones that will let us know.
“So, I’m realistic. But I’m proud of the work that we’ve done here. Today was not a good day. And, over the last few months, it’s been tough. There’s been a lot of challenges
“It’s been difficult but the football club always comes first. I’m a big man and know how the game works. I love this club and whatever is the right thing is the right thing. I’ve tried my best.”
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