Rob Edwards • Championship Tactics, Sheffield United 0 Luton Town 1 • Masterclass

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0:30 - Game context and starting line-ups
1:26 - Sheffield United's shape and key players
2:15 - Aggressive in the press
4:36 - Cutting off the inside
8:01 - Inviting the ball short
11:52 - Keeping the nines central
14:51 - 1-0, Carlton Morris
17:26 - Speeding the game up
20:32 - Problems against the double pivot
22:55 - Facing a front line of six
26:33 - Carrying out the plan
After leading Forest Green Rovers to the League Two title in his first season as a Football League head coach, Rob Edwards started the 2022/23 season in charge of Championship club Watford. By September, after 10 league games, that spell was over - but Edwards returned to work in November, replacing Southampton-bound Nathan Jones in the Luton Town hotseat.
The former Wolves and Wales defender went on to lead Luton to promotion through the playoffs, marking the club’s return to the top flight after an absence of more than 30 years. In this exclusive Masterclass, Edwards reveals the tactical approach that inspired an important 1-0 win away at Sheffield United en route to securing their playoff place. He explains the key out-of-possession strategies that limited a dangerous Blades attack to few chances of note, how he wanted his team to use the ball when they did have possession, and the importance of carrying their own threat in attacking transition.
It’s a fascinating session that gives a great insight into the workings of a team that doesn’t look to dominate possession, from a coach set to challenge himself in and among the Premier League elite.
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[@bigrandomun9267]

The performances that Luton are putting on at home against City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea this season definitely warrant another masterclass from Rob Edwards. It’s one thing talking about preventing Sheffield United from going forward but stopping players like Salah, Haaland, Odegaard and Sterling from scoring or really getting a touch on the ball is extremely impressive. Especially with the new recruits in Barkley, Doughty, Kabore and Kaminski.

[@krobertson72]

What a man, love him

[@u.sbanban]

he sounds like a good coach fr

[@stueym100]

Really interesting. One thing that stood out to me is how much work and tactical understanding the number 8s (Nakamba and Pelly) needed to have in this system. Underlining why re-signing Nakamba must be a priority.

[@niwde_6534]

Nakamba wasn’t an 8. He was a 4/6, guarding the back line. Pelly and Clark were our 8s.

[@gream9412]

@@niwde_6534it was Campbell

[@charlierohan2396]

rob's a really great guy. at sunderland when he got off the bus he took time to speak to some of the luton fans at sunderland. i hope he has a great career

[@PUNKPUB]

I was at the game. Did a right number on us. But it was at a time Blades had become a little too obvius which you saw. Went away midweek to Sunderland and brough Doyle and Macatee into the side and changed the season. See you in the prem really well spoke and explained. Good luck.

[@PUNKPUB]

I was at Watford away aswell. 👍

[@sheffsteel7]

I was at this game. Luton reminded me of Atletico Madrid. Sheffield Utd dominated and did most of the attacking but couldn't create a single chance and never looked like scoring. Luton were very cautious 1st half keeping it 0-0, they scored an early goal 2nd half from a rare attack, then they shut up shop/ parked the bus. It was a non contest, a really boring match with hardly any shots at goal from either team BUT Luton got their 3 points and although they spent most of the game defending, they always looked comfortable in a deserved win.

[@desolate1959]

As a Blade I have to say he knows his stuff,fair play,did a job on us.Hope they stay up.

[@finleymulroe9]

Good video tbf, was a very frustrating game for us and Luton got it spot on and it also gave us a kick up the arse for rest of season

[@jgtate87]

Blade living down south. Came up for this game with my Dad, wish I chose a different one! And to top it off the boss is a Hatter... but it worked out well end of the season. 💥

[@charliem9656]

This result was important for both sides, the loss inspired a few tweaks to the blades team that allowed them to put together the run that got promotion

[@justjosh11]

That was really interesting. As a blade we know you guys are a good side who seemingly "overperform" but it just goes to show the right setup and tactics can really nullify a team. And you don't overperform but are where you are on merit. Great to get an insight into the levels of tactics and thought process that goes on within the top levels of the game, something you don't often get to see from an outside fans perspective.

[@patrickgraham6786]

Well said... as a Hatter, seeing how Rob W puts chara ter and family values before anything, and then shows real affection for his team means that he also developed in others, (like us very biased fans) a respect for the opposition and a better level of understanding of the game... Good for all.

[@MegaRage92]

I’m a blade and don’t you dare do that again against to us Haha. 😂 But fair play he stopped us playing and frustrated us. I love watching the vids, and he’s a very good and class tactical manager. Very good at the research and preparation love it. Can’t wait to play Luton in premiership. ❤️⚔️

[@cordypants3639]

Forest Green Rovers fan, good luck to Rob, he worked wonders at Forest as well as Luton

[@codgamingshorts5621]

What a leader! 🧡 COYH!!!

[@Tizou007]

Really well spoken. Would love to be managed by him. Makes it so clear to understand the objectives

[@karl-heinzjean-francois8554]

Where do you play?

[@Doggomorph]

Forest green and Watford legend

[@patrickgraham6786]

love the subtitling - voice to text... hilarious but great to see how our already much loved manager has been working to improve the side (and he has) since Nathan Jones left. .

[@troyburgeon518]

Yeah dont think Gabe is going to be impressed bless him.. 😂

[@thandontantiso3744]

I really enjoy this type of stuff.

[@EwanMED29]

I love this man

[@hugoreinh1hard]

Amazing Job with Lutton

[@mowvu5380]

I'm a luton fan living in south yorkshire and i was getting loads of hearty banter from the sheff utd fan at work for months. he soon stfu after this match haha, yes they went up auto and were miles ahead by the end of the season but it was sweet as a nut ha

[@drewbadenoch7411]

Quality gaf 👏🏼

[@neilblackett1577]

Very interesting

[@hattermike5597]

My manager 🧡

[@OakRoadHatter]

Our gaffer 🙌👒

[@Doggomorph]

To the naked eye that game wasnt a master class but if yoy break it down subtly its understandable why tactically it was one

[@juzloopz24]

What a smart dude

[@jduff7036]

We Are The Town!

[@unknownuser5548]

🐐😭😭😭😭❤❤❤

[@bigrandomun9267]

13:51 - Darwin Nunez needs to hear this. It’s true but very overlooked when it comes to top flight football, not just in England. Teams play such a certain way that when strikers receive the ball, they are expected to still play that way to get a goal. And sometimes the strikers just don’t have the skillset or the necessary experience to pull it off. In the case of Nunez, I don’t think he has the composure or concentration on-the-ball that he needs as Liverpools No.9. He needs to pick whether he wants to be taking his time or just run until he can find an opportunity to shoot or pass. Instead of just trying to just get a shot or pass off, regardless of the situation.

[@soccermom6995]

Luton did well. Just counter attacked well hardly a masterclass Blades were awful and looked tired for a few week around this time and let Middlesbrough close the gap. Also missed a lot of half chances where Luton took there’s

[@tommytwobats2713]

👏👏

[@SennaStar]

I used to be a striker for the U11's back in the 70's. All this info would have confused me so I just went out there to 'Ave it'... maybe that's why I never made it as a footballer ☹

[@nicoles_handle]

he's really... wow

[@gangsom]

COYH

[@robincodna1437]

As other blades have said, it wouldn't call it a masterclass to be honest, they sat very deep and because theyve got some good players they did it well and essententially there was just no space to break them down. Morris and the other forward were between the penalty hox and half way line in their own half it was that derp! We dropped Norwood and Fleck after this match and both were largely on the bench for the rest of the season because a midfield of Norwood and Fleck is too slow and predictable. McAtee and Doyle came in after this and we won most games with their creativity and youth. Luton will compete next season, I've no doubt on that, but i cant see them staying up. It will be tough for us too i may add but we have Berge, Ndiaye and Ahemhodzic who are three very good players. Luton lack individual quality in my view which is needed in the Premier League. Love the Luton story dont get me wrong, but they'll need to sign some very good players which is unlikely to compliment their work ethic and athleticism. Theyve got some quality but not enough top flight quality.

[@badrplk1439]

لقد وعدتني ان تدرب فريق الهلال السعودي لماذا لم تفي بالوعد انا 😢كنت متحمس لقدومك ❤🇸🇦🇸🇦🇸🇦🇸🇦😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@edarmitage3022]

GET PEP

[@tradershads]

My only issue with Luton pressing constantly is the players get tired. We saw this in the 2nd half with Coventry at Wembley. I guess pressing works if you get 2 goals in the first half and then defend well in the 2nd.

[@lukewatson1977]

Why wasn't he available in 1942?

[@yourdasellsavon9928]

Watford must be raging

[@Doggomorph]

Watforddddddddddddddddddd

[@jayjones616]

This video is all irrelevant. It boils down to Sheff Utd having an off day!

[@chips1889]

.....add some luck and that's the 3 points.

[@jerrymaher9342]

this is cheating

[@joebramley3309]

Was at this game, Luton played out their skin and we were awful but wasn’t that impressed with Luton they just hit it long and got a lucky goal, they’ll be fodder next season.

[@lithalambetha4605]

To be honest a counter attacking style is the worst as it doesn't guarantee goals I hope they don't have this mentality in the premier league especially against teams like City

[@Football_Advanced]

I’m not sure you understand football mate, no tactic guarantees goals

[@darth_veda]

​@@Football_Advancedlol

[@dylanansell]

Mate, you need to play counter attack against City. They hog the ball and press high up the pitch when out of position. The football knowledge is invisible from you

[@Football_Advanced]

@@dylanansell exactly, the only teams who beat city last season played that way (United, Brentford, Liverpool, Southampton)

[@bobsanoldun]

Forest under Cloughie were the best side I have seen at counter attacking. They did quite well and I would be more than happy to nick a few goals playing this way next season! 🎩⚽️🪜👍