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Season upon season since arriving back in the Championship, Luton Town have been chipping away at the gulf of quality between themselves and the division’s best. Last campaign, the Hatters emerged as a formidable force on home soil against the teams who eventually finished in the top 10.
Now, there are signs that Nathan Jones’ side are becoming tougher to face on the road, an exciting prospect ahead of a busy run of fixtures over the next week or so.
The Hatters are yet to be beaten by a side in the top seven in the Championship, and they have arguably put in their best displays against the four teams they have come up against in that top seven. Against Sheffield United at home, it was a terrific display and the Hatters were unfortunate not to come away with all three points. Away at Burnley, Jones’ side had to contend with seeing very little off the ball but they broke away effectively during their 1-1 draw.
It was a similar story away at Swansea City where the Hatters ran out as 2-0 winners, whilst they really turned on the heat in the second half to ease past Blackburn Rovers.
Whilst the defeats they have suffered have come as big blows, given the way that these games have played out, the Hatters will take a fair amount of confidence from the season thus far.
Now, entering a run of games that look difficult on paper, a five-game unbeaten run, and a renewed sense of confidence against the division’s top teams will provide Jones and Co. with even more belief than ever before.
In recent memory, Luton have made it a habit of ending poor runs against certain teams, with the Bedfordshire club eager to start correcting their record against QPR. The R’s sit third in the Championship standings, and are on as many points as Sheffield United in first position.
Then, a trip to Carrow Road follows, with their 3-2 defeat against Preston North End on Saturday proving they are not world beaters on home soil. The exciting run of fixtures concludes with the first trip to Watford, with fans present, in over 15 years. A game that certainly does not need much of an introduction when it comes to its importance for both sets of fans.
Luton can go into these tough fixtures with a renewed sense of confidence after their start to the campaign, especially with such a competitive squad as Jones’ disposal.