Rob Edwards accepts responsibility for Luton’s poor form after QPR defeat

Posted Saturday, August 31, 2024 by PA

Luton boss Rob Edwards took responsibility for his side’s poor start to the season continuing with a 2-1 defeat at home to QPR.

The hosts had led in the first half thanks to Jimmy Dunne’s own goal but, once Elijah Adebayo missed a one-on-one early in the second period, they were pegged back by Nicolas Madsen’s leveller just before the hour mark.

Michael Frey then scored what turned out to be the winner three minutes later.

The Hatters have now taken a solitary point from their four Sky Bet Championship outings and Edwards said: “It’s on me, and it’s on us, there’s no doubt about it.

“We put ourselves in a great position to win the game, 1-0 up and I thought playing really well in the first half, I thought we were still in really good control until their first goal.

“I thought we should have gone 2-0 up, we had a big, big chance, but that can happen. The goals were really disappointing, I’ve been saying that for too long and again, it’s on me, I’m not blaming anyone.

“People can make mistakes, but then there’s got to come a point where we’ve got to deal with the better.

“It’s too easy for them to score the first goal which rocked us for a minute or two, I don’t think we should have thrown the ball into Shandon (Baptiste) for the second goal and then we didn’t defend the cross.”

Although Rangers threatened early on, it was the hosts who took the lead when Mark McGuinness’ header was parried by Paul Nardi, the ball rebounding in off Dunne.

Jordan Clark shot straight at the keeper, who made a terrific save after the break when Adebayo went clean through.

QPR made them pay after 59 minutes, Frey outmuscling McGuinness to find Madsen, with Kenneth Paal then crossing for Frey to slam home his volley three minutes later.

Dunne was prevented from scoring at the right end by Thomas Kaminski.

Luton should have levelled in stoppage time, Carlton Morris bringing the best out of Nardi and sub Joe Taylor nodding over.

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes added: “They’re a very physical side, they scored, that was the first moment and six or seven minutes of the second half they were very dominant.

“Nardi made a great save to keep us in the game, and after that we made some adjustments, but against a team that pressed so high and being so dynamic, it’s about getting the right combination.

“We got to 1-1 and that was the case. We got in behind them, we managed to get the goal which was exceptional and then we were very good.

“We got the second goal, we had good control, the last four or five minutes we came under pressure, but it was a good shift.”