"Hangover" - Pundit calls on Luton Town to take Rob Edwards action | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer gives his take on whether Luton Town should look at sacking Rob Edwards.

Luton Town have endured a tough return to the Championship, following their relegation from the Premier League, but Carlton Palmer has urged the club to stick by Rob Edwards.

These difficulties were encapsulated during a difficult away day at Middlesbrough, where the Hatters were seen off 5-1 by Michael Carrick's side.

This has led to many questioning whether Edwards should stay in his post as manager of the football club and Saturday's post-match interview with the 41-year-old gave an almost inevitable feeling.

"I feel quite numb," he said. "A horrible, horrible day for us, one of those days when you want the ground to swallow you up in the end the way it was going. A really difficult day and the supporters are the main concern and I just want to apologise to them.

“It’s not a good result and results haven't been good enough. I'm realistic, whatever will be will be. I'm not in control of that stuff, I love this football club and whatever is best for the football club is the right thing."

Four wins in 15 games isn't good enough for a side with the quality of Luton, but you feel it would be a poor sacking given the success Edwards has had with them. Just 18 months ago, the head coach helped them secure their place in the Premier League with a penalty shootout win over Coventry City.

But, football is a harsh game, and it would be no surprise to see Edwards depart with an international break providing ample opportunity to find a replacement.

With that in mind, Football League World spoke to Palmer to get his take on what Luton Town should do with their Rob Edwards situation.

Carlton Palmer backs Rob Edwards to keep his job

Despite acknowledging Luton's poor position, Palmer believes the Hatters' hierarchy should back Edwards to turn things around.

He said: "It's been a disappointing start for Rob Edwards and his team; they are not in the position you would expect. I thought they would be vying for the automatics, but they are just outside the relegation spots on goal difference. However, they are only two or three wins away from a play-off place.

"Do I believe they should part company with Rob Edwards now that they have reached the international break? No, 100% I don't believe that!

"Rob Edwards has overachieved and done fantastically well at Luton."

Linking it to the recent sacking of Coventry's manager, Palmer said: "I think it's a disgrace what happened to Mark Robins.

"Yes, you go through those spells, but you hope the club hierarchy has enough patience to consider what he (Rob Edwards) did to get Luton to the Premier League.

"There is always a bit of a hangover when you have to let go of players and restructure as you get back into the Championship.

"I know Luton would be hoping to bounce back, but there are still a lot of points to play for.

"Rob Edwards has earned the right to be given until the end of this season and the start of the next one."

Finally, Palmer added that Edwards stayed loyal to Luton when he could have left for a Premier League job in the summer, and they should repay this loyalty by standing by their head coach.

Luton Town should stand firm on Rob Edwards stance

It's hard to disagree with Palmer's views on the Luton boss. Success isn’t always achieved in just one season, and as we've seen with all top managers, sustained winning requires time and the building of a lasting foundation.

While the play-offs may seem a distant prospect, with sixth-placed Watford ten points ahead, fortunes can quickly change in the second tier. If Luton can string together a few wins after the international break, they could rapidly close the gap on their rivals, and talk of Edwards' potential departure would soon be a thing of the past.

The Luton hierarchy would be wise not to act hastily and given time, Edwards could soon have the Hatters flying once again.