When Peterborough United visited Kenilworth Road to open up this season, I went to the cathedral of football quietly optimistic of what might lie ahead with the talented squad that had been assembled in a summer of transition.
I wouldn’t say I was confident of getting promoted, or anything like that, but I did think we’d improve on last term and were that to happen then we were always going to be able to dream of something special, such as reaching the Promised Land of the Premier League.
Just being able to say that is incredible in itself when you consider we are still three weeks away from the eight-year anniversary of that late Mark Cullen equaliser at Cambridge, which most would consider the point at which it was confirmed our non-league hell was coming to an end. It is still two months until it actually finished. To be in with a chance of playing Premier League football just eight years later goes against all known footballing logic.
Teams who were non-league shouldn’t be near the Premier League this soon. Teams with the third lowest budget in the Championship should be exiting it through the relegation door not seeing the promotion one come ajar. It beats logic to suggest otherwise.
However that is what Luton Town do. We take the logic and the rule book of the norm and rip them up and throw them away. We do things our way and when we get on a roll, together as one, we are a very tough thing to stop.
I’ve been mentioning of dreaming of the play-offs for a few weeks but I’m dreaming no longer. The top six is becoming more of a reality with every game that goes by.
This team we have the pleasure to watch each week is growing in front of our eyes. Elijah Adebayo is an incredible focal point up top, while the support cast of Cameron Jerome, Harry Cornick and Danny Hylton are chipping in with goals. Allan Campbell is getting better with every match he plays, while at the back Reece Burke and Kal Naismith are class acts and Gabe Osho is fast becoming one of the best utility players at this level.
The fact Town have just beaten supposed top six rivals with ease, in the form of West Brom and Stoke, tells anyone who wants to see it that we are genuine challengers now, not merely making up the numbers. That is highlighted by our 51 point total after just 32 matches and that no Championship side has picked up more points in 2022 than the Hatters.
Understandably, Nathan Jones is playing it cool and keeping everyone’s feet on the ground but make no mistake this squad of largely unknown or unheralded players has what it takes to finish in the top six and who knows where we go from there.
The promotion train left the station a few weeks ago but it is beginning to pick up speed. Who knows where its final destination will be but my advice is to buy a ticket, come on board and enjoy the ride. It is sure to be an exciting one!
