End of Seaon Report Part 2

So, tenth it was and we have since learned that the Hertfordshire team will leave us in the Championship for the heady heights of Old Trafford and Anfield. As much as it is depressing to see our local rivals flourish, they did finish third by right, and then deserved their victories in the play-offs. It is all the more frustrating therefore that we did not pick up a loan player or two, or at least a central defender to replace Curtis Davies, as I am convinced that, had we done so, we would have achieved a play-off berth ourselves.

Still, it is water under the bridge now and we have to look to next season. Before we do, I would like to offer a few opinions on the current squad and their performances this year.



Marlon Beresford: I felt he was never as sharp this season as he has been in the past, notwithstanding some excellent performances. In his defence, he has suffered from a niggling back injury for a few seasons now, and the older one gets the harder it is to play through the pain barrier. Still the best keeper we have on the books.

Robert Beckwith: A serious knee injury curtailed his progress and he has now been released, and I hope he overcomes the injury and goes on to greater things. I feel he had the potential to be an excellent keeper.

Dean Brill: A good shot stopper, he still lacks the command of his area that Beresford has. Few opportunities this season, but did not shine when he played.

Dino Seremet: Performed well at Tranmere and Doncaster when on loan, and still young enough to improve, however, I doubt he will achieve Championship quality and I doubt he features in Newell's future plans.

Overall, we need a quality keeper who can hold down the number one slot and have Marlon as first reserve.

Kevin Foley: Still the best right back in the club, although I believe his future lies in midfield. Being touted as Premiership class and top flight clubs have been reported as monitoring his progress, but I doubt he is ready yet to step into a premiership first team so he would be best off spending at least another year with the Hatters. Has been a consistent performer this year.

Chris Coyne: Gives his all for the club and rarely lets us down. Plagued by injury, he was rarely operating at full pace this year. I hope he can get fully fit in the close season and come out at his best by August.

Russ Perrett: Getting on in years and another who has had a long term injury. When called upon he has been excellent this year, and has earned a 1 year contract extension and will be a squad player next year.

Leon Barnett: The butt of much criticism for making silly mistakes which cost us points, he has improved immeasurably by having been forced into the side through the sale of Curtis and injury to the other central defenders. He was exposed by his lack of experience but he has benefited from the run in the side and will be all the better for it next year. Very much like Curtis Davies, but Curtis was able to develop in a lower league under much less pressure.

Sol Davis: Horrendous season for Sol with injury keeping him sidelined for months. This caused Keith Keane to be exposed out of position as cover, resulting in unfair criticism from the fans. Let us remember how good Keith has been in right midfield, before criticising him at left back! If Sol can get fit by pre-season he will be like a new signing for us!

Markus Heikkinen: Player of the season for me. He oozes class and if we had another quality Central Defender at the club, he could show us how good he is in midfield too.

Carlos Edwards : Another player who has had a good season. He has genuine pace but I feel he is in danger of being a jack-of-all-trades and master of none if he has to keep changing roles. This season he was adequate at right back when deployed as a defender, he was best when playing as a wing back as he has the engine to get back to defend as well as foray down the wing. His crossing this year was erratic varying from the sublime to the ridiculous, and he found himself in good positions in the penalty area but his shooting was poor. There is a lot more to come from Carlos, unless a Premiership club takes a punt on him as a raw talent. Personally, I believe, as with Foley, that he would be best served by another year in the Championship at Luton.

Paul Underwood: he has been an excellent signing and had another good season until injury took him out of the equation. I have listed him under defenders, but he has more impact as a left midfielder.

Overall: We must sign a quality Centre Back, and could do with right full back so that Foley can be used in midfield.

Kevin Nicholls: Always gave 100% as we expect from him. However, he sometimes appeared a little jaded, and again injury kept him out of contention for a while. Luton always look better with him in the side.

Steve Robinson: One of the most underestimated players in the club. As with Nicholls, Luton look better with him in the side and while rarely spectacular, he makes few mistakes and features in most of Luton's clever moves. His goal against Liverpool was a testament to his class. Another who needs to get full fitness and come out fighting in the new season.

Ahmet Brkovic: Another solid season, weighing in with goals and assists. Still has a tendency to drift out of games, almost as if he is unable to concentrate for 90 minutes. Often sub or subbed, his input was still vital.

Peter Holmes: Great squad player who can hold down a variety of positions. Another who is unspectacular but who does the simple things well and never lets the team down. Deserves another year.

Paul Hughes: Did not feature due to his mystery viral infection, which has kept him out for two years. The club has stood by him, and there were signs recently that he may be overcoming the illness. However, he is not getting any younger and may never feature again.

Michael Leary: Always looked capable when included in the League 1 Luton team, but still young and gained invaluable experience on loan this season. Has been rewarded with a new contract, so it remains to be seen if he can force his way into the reckoning this year.

Steven O’Leary: As with Michael Leary, he gained a lot of experience on loan and developed in physical presence. I believe he will force his way into the team this year.

Keith Keane: As mentioned elsewhere in this article, he was played out of position as cover for left back, and it did him few favours. As a right midfielder he is a capable replacement and I anticipate that that will be his future role for the club.

Davis Bell: Another youngster who needs experience at this level. He looked very capable when called on, but is a little lightweight. Needs to develop physically while keeping his pace and accuracy.

Danny Stevens: Was in the shade of the reserves for most of the season but was given his chance near the end. While very small he showed he has pace and trickery which may just prove to be useful to the team. One for the future.

Dean Morgan: Potentially the best footballer at the club. He has quick feet, trickery, pace and a powerful shot. I wish I knew what it was about him, which robs him of the consistency to make it at this level. Newell has tried to nurture him, but too often when given a chance he has not taken it with both feet and dominated games, as we know he can. Next season is make or break for Dean with Luton.

Rowan Vine: Has improved greatly this season. Still a grafter who takes defenders out of the equation leaving space for others to score, he weighed in with some excellent goals of his own. Needs to be a little greedier and shoot more often himself instead of passing when a shot is on for him.

Steve Howard: What a great servant to the club he has been. Another solid season, despite scoring fewer goals than earlier seasons. Much of Luton's good work goes through him, and he ties up defenders who recognise his danger in the box, again leaving others space to score.

Warren Feeney: Warren has been a disappointment this year. When called upon he has not looked as though he is comfortable with the Luton style of play. He scored a hatful in the relegated Stockport team before coming to Luton and his lack of form led to his being left out and used as a substitute more often than starting. This obviously does not help a player to regain form. I will be looking to him to come good this season unless Mike Newell decides to allow him to move on, if he does not believe he will make it in this division.

Enoch Showunmi: Has looked a lot less potent at this level and I am surprised that he is stalling on a new contract. I feel he is out of his depth in the Championship and if he decides to move on he will probably be doing the club a favour. He has done well in the lower divisions and would have been better served by having a regular place in a League 1 or 2 side.

Calvin Andrew: Looked lightweight last season and went out on loan, but was injured and never really benefited from the loan spell as much as the others loanees did. However, when he returned he scored his debut goal in a first team shirt and seems to be gaining in physical strength. If he continues to fill out he will be a good player and Mike Newell will probably nurture him for another season until he can make a decision on his future.

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