That shot total (32) was matched by Doughty in much less game-time, however. He’s one of Luton’s main threats from set plays, with 26 of his 32 efforts coming from free-kicks and corners. The Wales international recently scooped several versions of the club’s ‘Player of the Season’ awards, so he should be the most nailed-on centre-back at the club in the coming campaign. TOM LOCKYERĬentre-back Tom Lockyer has captained the side in the absence of the exiting Sonny Bradley and stepped up at the right time by scoring in three of his last four appearances – which doesn’t include his very early withdrawal at Wembley’s play-off final.įurther news is awaited on what the reasons were behind his collapse in the win over Coventry City but he has been discharged from hospital and is expected to return for pre-season training. If he is listed as a defender, Doughty could become an interesting pick, with Luton having just boasted the Championship’s second-best backline. Left-footed, Doughty is on most set-pieces and FPL should categorise him as a defender given the wing-back role – but high-profile mistakes have been made with newly promoted players in the past… For context, that’s a similar average to what Ivan Perisic was posting this season (albeit in a more competitive league). His average of 2.4 accurate crosses per game was also unbeaten in the whole of the Championship.Īs for goal threat, a shot every 76.2 minutes was the best of the Luton defenders in 2022/23 and a decent rate. Indeed, Doughty’s rate of 41.3 minutes per chance created is the best of the squad that Edwards still has at his disposal: Player No Hatters players have averaged more touches per 90 minutes under Edwards than their wing-backs, Doughty and Cody Drameh. Getting the ball out wide to the wing-backs for crosses has been key to Luton’s approach. It took until their 15th match for the summer signing to get his first start but he went on to become a big part of their attacking plan, becoming a favourite of Edwards after his autumn appointment. He’s played in a number of positions in his nomadic career (Luton are his fourth Championship club and he’s still only 23), from left-winger to full-back.īut it’s at left-wing-back where he was deployed in the Hatters’ promotion-winning campaign. PLAYER-BY-PLAYER 2022/23: DEFENSIVE APPS, GOALS AND ASSISTS Player For example, the Fulham of last season (Bernd Leno admittedly had much to do with their achievements), 2021/22’s Brentford, the Sheffield United of 2019/20 and Wolverhampton Wanderers from 2018/19. Things are set to be much tougher in the top flight, although recent seasons usually see one of the three promoted defences coping fairly well.

Goals conceded from set plays and penaltiesįurthermore, nobody relinquished fewer shots on target (122) or goals from open play (20), Luton also ranking second for expected goals conceded (xGC, 43.80). No team allowed their hosts to score less often (18). Interestingly, considering most post-promotion focus has been on their small, unfashionable stadium, Luton were better away from Kenilworth Road for both points and goals conceded.

Semi sweet times nine mac