Rob Edwards has admitted that new signing Mark McGuinness has found it “tough” since joining Luton Town, following a shaky start to their Championship campaign.
After showing promise with back-to-back wins against Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday, the Hatters have struggled in their recent fixtures, with two defeats and a draw in their last three matches. As a result, Luton now find themselves in 21st place heading into the October international break, much to the frustration of their fanbase.
Despite the team’s struggles, McGuinness has earned his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland national squad. The 23-year-old, who arrived at Luton from Cardiff City for a club-record fee in the summer, is set to feature in the UEFA Nations League. Speaking about McGuinness’ form and the challenges he’s faced adapting to life at Kenilworth Road, Edwards remains optimistic about his development.
“It’s great for him,” Edwards told Luton Today. “Like a lot of the lads at the moment, and as a new player as well, he’s still settling himself into new surroundings, a new club, a new environment, so this will be a lovely lift for him.”
Edwards Believes McGuinness Will Improve Over Time
Rob Edwards acknowledges the challenges McGuinness has faced since joining Luton, especially given the team’s inconsistency in the early stages of the season. The manager highlighted how McGuinness has had to adjust to a different style of play compared to his previous experience at Cardiff City.
“It’s probably been tough for him as well because we’ve had some indifferent performances, and at times probably such a different way of playing from what he’s experienced before,” Edwards said. “But he’s so willing to learn, a brilliant communicator, great professional and he’s a real leader as well who will only get better and better.”
Despite the difficult transition, Edwards has full confidence in McGuinness’ ability to adapt and improve. “We’re really pleased with him, but he’ll get better as time goes on, no doubt about that.”
In the meantime, Luton have moved to strengthen their squad by signing free agent Victor Moses, a former Chelsea, Liverpool, and Wigan Athletic player. While Moses has already made an impact with a goal against Plymouth Argyle, Luton have struggled to maintain defensive stability, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of the four games since his arrival.
Crucial Fixtures Ahead as Luton Look to Bounce Back
After the international break, Luton Town face a tough schedule, starting with a clash against Watford, Edwards’ former club. The Hatters will then take on league leaders Sunderland before facing Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City, and Middlesbrough in what promises to be a pivotal run of games for the Bedfordshire club.
Rob Edwards is under pressure from supporters following Luton’s recent poor form, with boos heard from the away end during their last outing against Sheffield United. The manager, however, has taken responsibility for the team’s struggles, promising to address the issues and improve results moving forward.
Our View
Mark McGuinness’ call-up to the Republic of Ireland national team is a testament to his quality, even though Luton Town are going through a difficult period. His previous performances with Cardiff City demonstrated his talent, which earned him a club-record transfer to Luton. Although the start of his time in Bedfordshire hasn’t been smooth, McGuinness has the potential to become a key player for both Luton and Ireland.
Rob Edwards finds himself in a challenging position as manager, with Luton’s form dipping after a promising start. The upcoming match against Watford, a club where Edwards had a short and turbulent spell, could be a crucial fixture for both his future
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