Watford derby not just another game as Edwards says, ‘I know what it means’

Revenge and old employment aside, Luton boss Rob Edwards admits that the Watford derby is not just another game because of what it means to supporters.

The visit of the Hornets on Saturday lunchtime will be the first from the Hatters’ arch-rivals in a full Kenilworth Road for the first time in 17 years. 

Luton hold home derby day bragging rights after a 1-0 win two seasons ago, but that came inside an empty stadium due to coronavirus restrictions of crowds. 

Since then, however, Edwards has been named Watford boss at the start of this season and given the club’s “come hell or high water” full backing, before being sacked after 11 games, which meant he missed Hatters’ disastrous 4-0 humbling at Vicarage Road in October. 

The following month, the manager was installed as Luton’s replacement for Nathan Jones, who left for an ill-fated spell at Southampton, and he’s since steered Town to fourth in the Championship – a  full nine points better off than his former employees. 

But despite all that recent history, Edwards knows that, for fans especially, this is simply the biggest game of the season. 

“I can’t sit here in front of you (the media) and say that it is just another game. I recognise it’s not. I know what it means and I know what it means to the supporters,” he said. 

From the moment he walked into Kenilworth Road, Edwards has been reminded of the rivalry between Luton and Watford and questioned about whether he’ll have a point to prove after his treatment at the hands of the notoriously trigger-happy top brass of his former club, now on their third boss of the season in Chris Wilder. 

Asked if he’s looking forward to the game, the Town chief said: “Very much so. I know it’s a big game. It’s been a long time coming and one that there’s been a lot of talk about from the moment that we stepped through the door, so the moment is nearly here.”

He added: “Obviously, the past is in the past and this is a new game now. From that game, there’s two new managers in charge. There’s been a bit more change down the road than there has at ours, I suppose, but it’s always a big game. We recognise what it means to everyone and there’s been a little bit more preparation time for both teams. I know the international break means you’re missing some players, but a little bit of a pause in the league programme gives you time to breathe before it.” 

Asked if, as a manager, he has to separate himself from the emotions that fans will be feeling, Edwards said: “Most football players don’t support the team they play for, so it’s difficult to fully engage with that.

“But what we can do is recognise that the vast majority of us have been brought up in this country and we recognise the importance of all derbies, and what it means to supporters. 

“We need to draw on that. There’s nothing wrong with talking about it and trying to use that as well. We’re at home for this game and we’ve got to try and draw on that and use it. 

And though he wasn’t part of the last derby day, it was Town’s heaviest defeat of the season – a feeling no-one of a Hatters persuasion has felt for six games and over a month. 

Asked if revenge is on the menu for his Hatters players, Edwards said: “I don’t want to reflect on the past too much because there’s been a lot of change at both places since. We can’t affect what’s gone on before. What we can control is our effort, our commitment, our running, our fight in this game now. That’s all I can try to impact on this week. 

“And when the players go over that white line, that’s all they can do. So what’s gone is gone. That’s done. Let’s look forward to this one.”