Luton Town manager looks unimpressed after jubilant fans invade pitch and mob stars

Publish date: 2024-06-30

Rob Edwards was hardly getting carried away with himself after Luton Town put themselves within 90 minutes of promotion to the Premier League.

The Hatters beat Sunderland 2-0 at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday to reverse a one-goal deficit in the Championship play-off semi-finals. Their reward is a Wembley decider against either Middlesbrough or Coventry City on May 29, with a chance to return to the top tier of English football for the first time since 1992.

One might not have guessed the club was faced with such an opportunity, however, based on Edwards' immediate reaction to the result. That was after fans couldn't help but notice his stoic look on the back of the biggest win of his managerial career to date.

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The 40-year-old previously guided Forest Green Rovers to the League Two title in 2022, but a chance at taking Luton back to the big time would dwarf that achievement. Edwards' progress at Kenilworth Road is all the more impressive given he only took over from Nathan Jones in November, guiding the club from 13th to a third-place finish.

"What a job Rob Edwards has done," tweeted BBC Sport's Sanny Rudravajhala. "And what a journey in 12 months!" The manager said in his post-match comments that he didn't want to 'sing from the rooftops as nothing's done yet', though he did celebrate a 'brilliant season' for Luton.

READ MORE:Luton star helped club win National League and is now on verge of promotion to Prem

Fans stormed the field after Luton sealed their 3-2 aggregate win over the Black Cats, mobbing Edwards and his players in a show of appreciation. However, Edwards was perhaps wary of the fact the Hatters are only one win better off than last season's semi-final collapse against Huddersfield.

The former Wolves and Blackpool defender played only a handful of games in the Premier League and spent the vast majority of his career in England's second tier. Edwards was part of the Seasiders squad that clinched Premier League promotion under Ian Holloway via the play-offs in 2010.

Now on the other side of the touchline, he faces a chance to lead his own group of underdogs to the peak of English football. Boro and Coventry clash at the Riverside on Wednesday evening to determine who will line up against the Hatters in just under a fortnight.

A win at Wembley would be more than enough reason for Edwards to allow himself at least a smirk after realising a Premier League comeback. The same can't be said for Watford, however, who may be kicking themselves after sacking the Welsh whiz earlier this season.

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