04 September 2023 , 21:33
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Former Tottenham star Garth Crooks has been blasted by fans for his "disrespectful" prediction that Luton will be relegated by Christmas.
The Hatters have struggled in their first season in the Premier League and sit second bottom of the table having failed to earn a point in any of their first three games. Their latest defeat came last Friday, falling to a 2-1 loss to West Ham at Kenilworth Road.
The Hammers' performance saw defender Kurt Zouma named in Crooks' team of the week. And in praising the centre-back, the pundit also highlighted his concerns for Luton's future as a Premier League team, insisting he "can't take them seriously".
"He's played in all of West Ham's games this season and been quietly effective in every single one. Zouma was the outstanding defender for the Hammers in their 2-1 win against a Luton Town side that is, so far, just making up the Premier League numbers," he wrote for BBC Sport.
"It's good to see the tangerine colours of Luton back in the big league once more, but I can't take them seriously and see them down by Christmas. They might take a few scalps along the way but don't let the scoreline fool you, this victory was as comfortable for West Ham as it gets."
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Crooks' comments enraged Luton fans though, with many slamming the former forward. One said: "It's very disrespectful", while another suggested the Hatters should use Crook's comments as motivation, saying: "Hang that in the dressing room Luton."
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Garth Crooks has tipped Luton to go straight back down (Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)Another response read: "A club who went from the national league to the Premier League in 10 years absolutely should be taken seriously. So disrespectful and ignorant." While another concluded: "Not take them seriously??? Harsh. They earned their right to be here. I hope they prove him wrong."
Luton boss Rob Edwards admitted his side had fallen short in their opening four games of the campaign. But he insisted that the Hatters were continuing to improve and have shown they can compete in the top-flight.
"We have come up against teams that are heavily possession-based and dominant. We knew it was going to be difficult and we'd see more of the ball tonight, but I have seen progression," he told Match of the Day after the defeat to West Ham.
"We created some good chances that we have got to be able to take. I am really disappointed that we haven't taken anything from the game. We can compete. I want to give these amazing supporters some points to cheer about.
"It is a united club at the moment and that's going to play into our hands this year, no doubt about it. There is going to be the battle we will be in and not all teams will have what we have, together[ness]."