Rob Edwards has said that it has been “tough” for new defender Mark McGuinness at Luton Town after a shaky start to the season.
The Hatters have been frail since returning to the Championship and are down in 21st place heading into the October international break. After seemingly finding their groove in wins against Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday, Town have slipped to two defeats and one draw in their last three games leading to discontent within the fanbase.
Multiple players are jetting off from Kenilworth Road this week to link up with their national sides and one of those is Ireland’s Mark McGuinness, who has earned his first call-up to The Boys In Green. The defender joined the club from Cardiff City for a club-record fee in the summer transfer window, but Edwards has said it has been difficult so far for the 23-year-old.
Speaking to Luton Today about McGuinness’ start to life in Bedfordshire and his chance to impress in the UEFA Nations League, Edwards said: “It’s great for him. Like a lot of the lads at the moment and 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.
“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.
“Getting up to speed with that kind of thing can be a challenge, 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. So we’re really pleased with him, but he’ll get better as time goes on, no doubt about that.”
Luton’s poor start has already seen the club delve into the free-agent market with the signing of former Chelsea, Liverpool and Wigan Athletic wing-back Victor Moses. He has already contributed going forward with a goal against Plymouth Argyle but The Hatters are yet to keep a clean sheet in any of the four games the Nigerian international has played in.
They face Watford in their first game back after the break before facing current table-toppers Sunderland the following Wednesday. The remaining games scheduled before the next international fixtures see the club face Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City and Middlesbrough.
Edwards is in hot water with the fanbase at the moment after booing was heard from the away end following last weekend’s loss at Sheffield United. Following the result, Edwards took responsibility and vowed to fix the issues behind the poor string of results.
Writer’s View
Even if he and Luton Town are not in good form, Mark McGuinness has rightfully earned a call-up to the Irish national side. It is a period of all change on the Emerald Isle, with former Iceland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson now at the helm. He is looking to bring the next generation of footballers through and McGuinness could be that new focal point in the heart of defence in future. His exploits with Cardiff were brilliant and that led to Luton spending a club-record fee on him. Whilst it may be a rough patch for him and his club, he does have the quality to be a mainstay for Ireland.
Rob Edwards is in a precarious position and it could be his former side that seals his fate. He was one of many victims of the Watford managerial merry-go-round but The Hornets have finally found their feet under Tom Cleverley and are still going strong after that brilliant opening stretch to be in sixth place. Without key men Carlton Morris and Tahith Chong, Luton will be weak in front of goal and if Watford get ahead first it would be hard to see past yet another defeat.
