The season hasn't really gone very well, to be honest. What sums it up perfectly was the awards ceremony last night and news articles that appeared afterwards. David Bell and Leon Barnett won the main awards, with Dean Brill the Young Player of the Season and Keith Keane winning Goal of the Season for his goal against West Brom (although Vine and Edwards scored better goals when they were here, but anyway). With Bell and Barnett winning the awards, Bell suggested that he would move to a higher level if he was given the chance (although not quite worded like that) and Barnett refused to confirm that he would stay in the summer. Neither player can really be blamed for wanting to play at a higher level, but it has been a similar story for the past few seasons, and a story that probably ultimately led to our relegation this season. The players that stayed weren't very good either though, so here is a look back at some of those players. More to come at later dates.
1. Marlon Beresford - Marlon had very much a mixed season, and a poor one compared to the recent high standards he has set. The first few months saw him perform reasonably well; not extremely well but well enough to justify his place in the team. He was the only player who could hold his head up high after a 4-0 defeat at Everton, saving a penalty and making other brilliant saves. However, like so many other players, Marlon's performances dipped as the season went on. His sending off at Preston didn't help, and neither did the loan signing of Dean Kiely, which, although helping Luton in the short-term, may have affected Marlon's long-term confidence. In all, a poor performance this season for the usually consistent keeper. The time may have come for him to move over to let someone else have a go, maybe Brill, maybe someone else, but hopefully Marlon will be remembered for his two seasons of superb goalkeeping rather than this topsy-turvy season.
2. Kevin Foley - It would be unfair to criticise Kevin Foley too much, after all, he has been consistently in the side since the first day of the season, picking up no bookings in the process, which is quite remarkable. However, although Foley has never looked clueless this season, he hasn't exactly shone either. Foley is usually very consistent, but he has put in a few poor performances this season, although he is certainly not the worst player this season. Overall, a disappointing season for the Irish U-21 international (at least after November anyway), but he should be able to find his form back soon and play a key part in the League One team next season.
3. Sol Davis - Events during the trip to Ipswich, in which Sol Davis suffered a stroke, means that it is very difficult to criticise Sol as well. Before this stroke, he had started the season well, and not only was his stroke (Sol was only 27 when he had the stroke) tragic for such a young man, it had a negative effect on the Hatters' season, although that was of course the least of everyone's worries. Sol only took a few months to recover, but when he returned, his performances weren't particularly impressive to say the least. He looked out of place many times, and it may be unfair to blame Sol, who may have been rushed back, but it didn't help Luton's season. Maybe the finger of blame should be pointed at Mike Newell for rushing him back, rather than looking for a replacement for the rest of the season. However, as long as Sol can get through pre-season ok, and as long as he starts performing as we know he can, and continue to keep his temper in check, then he will be a valuable asset next season.
4. Chris Coyne - Since his return from injury in March, Coyne has performed excellently, it's just a shame about some of the others around him really. However, his season has been hampered with a number of injuries, and his fitness may hold the key to next season's performances. This season however, he has been limited to just 14 starts. Strangely enough, although other players performed well before November and badly after, Coyne did the opposite, at least when he played anyway. Personally, I believe that on his day, Coyney is the best player at Luton. So therefore, the club captain is another player who can play a key part next season, as long as his fitness doesn't let him down. Heikkinen will probably leave, so he has an opportunity to form a very good partnership with Barnett, hopefully anyway.
5. Russell Perrett - Although he never looked like a world beater in his 11 starts for Luton, Perrett looked solid enough in defence when called upon, at least he was solid for a 33-year old anyway. This could well be his last season at Luton, with his career being largely dominated by injuries that have limited his number of starts a season. Nevertheless, he played quite well in the matches he was called upon, although his lack of pace is an obvious problem. We could do with another centre-back next season, but maybe Perrett has got one more year left in him.
7. Carlos Edwards - Opinion on the Trinidad international is still very much divided at Luton. On the one hand, he didn't look too interested in playing for the club this season, on the other hand he still scored six goals, which none of the current players have managed. His pace certainly frightened defenders, even though he wasn't that good at crossing the ball. Most Luton fans agree, however, that £1.4 million was a good deal, even if he has started performing exceptionally for Sunderland, which has seen him named in the PFA Team of the Year. Carlos' performances weren't bad, and he certainly wasn't one of the worst players in November, but he didn't show that he was worth £1.4million this season.
7. Matthew Spring - A lot of Luton fans (at least the ones around me) will say that Matthew Spring has been a liability since signing from Watford again. Spring has failed to set the world alight with his performances since returning, but it is very unfair to say that he has been terrible for us. He has made mistakes, but no more than other players that the fans who launch endless verbal insults at Spring don't criticise in the same way. Yes, he hasn't performed to his full ability this season, but he has shown some promise, and I think he may be able to turn his performances around next season. Hopefully, if and when he does, the idiots who still think it's important that he used to play for Watford and the idiots who think he puts in no effort will shut up for good.
8. Steve Robinson - Sadly, Steve Robinson hasn't been the same player that he was a few seasons before. He started off the season ok - he wasn't brilliant but was far from being a liability. However, particularly since Christmas, he has started to struggle a bit more. His effort hasn't been the problem, because he always keeps going. The problem is, he has too often been chasing shadows and he has not been able to get into matches often enough. Robbo hasn't even been able to score any goals this season, whereas last season he managed to turn Jamie Carragher and score past Scott Carson against Liverpool. His stamina is also an increasing problem. Just like with Marlon, Robbo may sadly be remembered for this poor season, when if there is any justice, he would be remembered for his crucial performances in the title winning season of 04-05.
1. Marlon Beresford - Marlon had very much a mixed season, and a poor one compared to the recent high standards he has set. The first few months saw him perform reasonably well; not extremely well but well enough to justify his place in the team. He was the only player who could hold his head up high after a 4-0 defeat at Everton, saving a penalty and making other brilliant saves. However, like so many other players, Marlon's performances dipped as the season went on. His sending off at Preston didn't help, and neither did the loan signing of Dean Kiely, which, although helping Luton in the short-term, may have affected Marlon's long-term confidence. In all, a poor performance this season for the usually consistent keeper. The time may have come for him to move over to let someone else have a go, maybe Brill, maybe someone else, but hopefully Marlon will be remembered for his two seasons of superb goalkeeping rather than this topsy-turvy season.
2. Kevin Foley - It would be unfair to criticise Kevin Foley too much, after all, he has been consistently in the side since the first day of the season, picking up no bookings in the process, which is quite remarkable. However, although Foley has never looked clueless this season, he hasn't exactly shone either. Foley is usually very consistent, but he has put in a few poor performances this season, although he is certainly not the worst player this season. Overall, a disappointing season for the Irish U-21 international (at least after November anyway), but he should be able to find his form back soon and play a key part in the League One team next season.
3. Sol Davis - Events during the trip to Ipswich, in which Sol Davis suffered a stroke, means that it is very difficult to criticise Sol as well. Before this stroke, he had started the season well, and not only was his stroke (Sol was only 27 when he had the stroke) tragic for such a young man, it had a negative effect on the Hatters' season, although that was of course the least of everyone's worries. Sol only took a few months to recover, but when he returned, his performances weren't particularly impressive to say the least. He looked out of place many times, and it may be unfair to blame Sol, who may have been rushed back, but it didn't help Luton's season. Maybe the finger of blame should be pointed at Mike Newell for rushing him back, rather than looking for a replacement for the rest of the season. However, as long as Sol can get through pre-season ok, and as long as he starts performing as we know he can, and continue to keep his temper in check, then he will be a valuable asset next season.
4. Chris Coyne - Since his return from injury in March, Coyne has performed excellently, it's just a shame about some of the others around him really. However, his season has been hampered with a number of injuries, and his fitness may hold the key to next season's performances. This season however, he has been limited to just 14 starts. Strangely enough, although other players performed well before November and badly after, Coyne did the opposite, at least when he played anyway. Personally, I believe that on his day, Coyney is the best player at Luton. So therefore, the club captain is another player who can play a key part next season, as long as his fitness doesn't let him down. Heikkinen will probably leave, so he has an opportunity to form a very good partnership with Barnett, hopefully anyway.
5. Russell Perrett - Although he never looked like a world beater in his 11 starts for Luton, Perrett looked solid enough in defence when called upon, at least he was solid for a 33-year old anyway. This could well be his last season at Luton, with his career being largely dominated by injuries that have limited his number of starts a season. Nevertheless, he played quite well in the matches he was called upon, although his lack of pace is an obvious problem. We could do with another centre-back next season, but maybe Perrett has got one more year left in him.
7. Carlos Edwards - Opinion on the Trinidad international is still very much divided at Luton. On the one hand, he didn't look too interested in playing for the club this season, on the other hand he still scored six goals, which none of the current players have managed. His pace certainly frightened defenders, even though he wasn't that good at crossing the ball. Most Luton fans agree, however, that £1.4 million was a good deal, even if he has started performing exceptionally for Sunderland, which has seen him named in the PFA Team of the Year. Carlos' performances weren't bad, and he certainly wasn't one of the worst players in November, but he didn't show that he was worth £1.4million this season.
7. Matthew Spring - A lot of Luton fans (at least the ones around me) will say that Matthew Spring has been a liability since signing from Watford again. Spring has failed to set the world alight with his performances since returning, but it is very unfair to say that he has been terrible for us. He has made mistakes, but no more than other players that the fans who launch endless verbal insults at Spring don't criticise in the same way. Yes, he hasn't performed to his full ability this season, but he has shown some promise, and I think he may be able to turn his performances around next season. Hopefully, if and when he does, the idiots who still think it's important that he used to play for Watford and the idiots who think he puts in no effort will shut up for good.
8. Steve Robinson - Sadly, Steve Robinson hasn't been the same player that he was a few seasons before. He started off the season ok - he wasn't brilliant but was far from being a liability. However, particularly since Christmas, he has started to struggle a bit more. His effort hasn't been the problem, because he always keeps going. The problem is, he has too often been chasing shadows and he has not been able to get into matches often enough. Robbo hasn't even been able to score any goals this season, whereas last season he managed to turn Jamie Carragher and score past Scott Carson against Liverpool. His stamina is also an increasing problem. Just like with Marlon, Robbo may sadly be remembered for this poor season, when if there is any justice, he would be remembered for his crucial performances in the title winning season of 04-05.