Luton boss hits back at Garth Crooks and extends invite to BBC pundit

14 September 2023 , 20:17

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Luton boss hits back at Garth Crooks and extends invite to BBC pundit

Rob Edwards has angrily hit back at Garth Crooks and accused the BBC pundit of trying to turn Luton into a “laughing stock.”

TV star Crooks 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.”

Newly-promoted Luton are the bookies’ odds-on favourites for relegation after losing their first three games but Edwards revealed they have invited Crooks to the club to put him right.

‌Luton boss Edwards said: “I think after three games it is disrespectful. It does hurt when you hear comments like that. When people tell you that it's hard to shy away from it.

“At this level in the Premier League you're going to be shot at, people are going to have their opinions and I suppose that's what he's paid to do but I think it was a disrespectful comment.

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“We have reached out to Mr Crooks so he can come in and we can show him what we do with our plan and that we're not a team to be laughed at. Our job is to get good results and performances and to change people's minds.”

Edwards, whose side face Fulham this weekend, admitted Luton have found it tough to step into the top flight but insists they are determined to fight for their survival.

‌ Join the debate! Do you think Luton can stay up this year? Let us know here.

Rob Edwards has hit back at Garth Crooks after he claimed Luton Town would be relegated by Christmas (Getty Images)

Luton were forced to postpone their first home game because their Kenilworth Road ground was not ready and have now shipped nine goals in three defeats to Brighton, Chelsea and West Ham.

Edwards added: “We're always trying to improve week by week, we are no different to anyone else. We've experienced the ruthless nature of the league, we've had some tough games and fixtures but we've learnt a lot.

"We have to learn from the three games we've had and that we can't give any gifts away. (We need to be) more compact, resilient and to defend the box very well but be more ruthless in transitional moments and, when we get the opportunity, to have attempts on goal.

"We need to stop letting in goals and to score more. To win games you need to defend and take opportunities when they come. Conceding nine goals in three games is too many and we need to become more defensively solid and not give too many chances away.”

John Cross