Championship Season Preview 2006/07 - Luton Town

Luton Town

Odds: 40/1

Last Five Seasons
2005/06 - 10 (Championship), 2004/05 - 1 (League One, Promoted), 2003/04 - 10 (League One), 2002/03 - 9 (League One), 2001/02 - 2 (League Two, Promoted).

2005/06 Cup Progress
FA Cup Third Round vs Liverpool (h) - lost 5-3.
Carling Cup Second Round vs Reading (a) - lost 1-0.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Steve Howard (striker) - 15 goals.

Players In
Richard Langley (Queens Park Rangers - Free), Lewis Emanuel (Bradford City - Free).

Players Out
Steve Howard (Derby County - £1,000,000), Kevin Nicholls (Leeds United - £700,000) Enoch Showunmi (Bristol City - Free).

Luton Town had an excellent first season in the Championship following their promotion from League One the year before. After a flying start which looked as though they were capable of a play off place, the Hatters eventually finished in a respectable tenth position. Manager Mike Newell insists his team have "nothing to fear" from their first month's fixtures next season as they aim to get off to another flying start but will have to achieve it without two of their most influential players.

Captain Kevin Nicholls has joined Leeds United for £700,000 following almost five years at Kenilworth Road, making almost 200 appearances for the club and scoring over 30 goals. Striker Steve Howard, last season's top goal scorer with 15 goals, joined Derby County for £1 million after the club saw off interest from Cardiff City and Norwich City for the 30 year old. Howard had spent five years at the club, making over 220 appearances and scoring 103 goals.

However, two new players have arrived at the Kenilworth Road. Queens Park Rangers midfielder Richard Langley has joined on a free transfer after being released by the Loftus Road outfit. Langley made more than 160 appearances and scored 24 goals in two separate spells at club. The player also spent time at the New York Red Bulls this summer before deciding on a return to London.

Bradford City left back Lewis Emanuel has also joined the club on a free transfer following a successful trial spell. The 22 year old defender, who made his debut in the 2001/02 campaign, made over 100 appearances for the Bantams but was released after turning down an offer of a new contract at Valley Parade.

Elsewhere, the club are closer to fulfilling their ambition of moving to a new stadium by signing a major land deal. Luton have been trying to move from Kenilworth Road which holds a maximum of 10,000 fans for several years and the proposed 30 acre site at Old Park Farm is owned by former club chairman and current vice president Cliff Bassett.

Verdict
The losses of captain Kevin Nicholls and Steve Howard are major blows to the club following their lengthy tenures at Kenilworth Road. There will be money to spend on replacements but it will be a difficult task. A mid table finish is likely this time around.

About The Author-- David Walker runs Coral free bet and football betting systems websites. A free email course: "Seven Days to Better Betting" is available at both of these websites.

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