Luton Town

richard langley has joined luton on a free from championship rivals queens park rangers. the jamaican international has signed a two year contract at kenilworth road following the end of his second spell at loftus road. he returned to loftus road from cardiff city last season and made 34 apperences for the club last season. but he failed to earn a new deal under new boss gary waddock and has now pitched up at luton, having previously been linked with watford. langley has also trained with mls side new york red bulls last month, but has opted to carrie on playing in the championship. the 26-year-old is the hatter's first signing of the summer and manager mike newell is hopefull of adding to his squad before the new season. \"we see richard as a good player and you can't have enough good players in your side,\" newell told the official web-site. \"thats the main reason we bought him, we also have a shortlist of players we want to bring in, and the sooner we can do that the better\".

Langley completes move to Luton
Luton have signed former QPR midfielder Richard Langley on a two-year deal. Langley, 26, was released by QPR in the summer after making more than 160 appearances and scoring 24 goals in two separate spells with the London club. He also spent two seasons with Cardiff, making 66 appearances and scoring eight goals for the Bluebirds. \"We see Richard as a good player and you can't have enough good players in your side,\" Hatters boss Mike Newell told Luton's website. \"That is the main reason why we have brought him to the club.\"

Newell happy to let pair depart
Luton boss Mike Newell says the club had no choice but to let striker Steve Howard and captain Kevin Nicholls leave Kenilworth Road. Howard has moved to Derby for £1m while Luton have agreed a fee of £700,000 with Leeds for Nicholls. \"There is not a lot you we can do if these players want to leave the club,\" Newell told the club's website. \"Both were great servants but we have to move on. Hopefully I will be getting some of the money to sign new players.\"

Luton v Leicester
Luton are without Paul Underwood, who suffered an infection over the summer, but that apart boast a fully-fit squad. Defender Chris Coyne will return after undergoing an operation on both knees and new signings Lewis Emanuel, Richard Langley and Adam Boyd are set to start. Leicester are without suspended defender Patrick Kisnorbo and injured midfielder James Wesolowski. Veteran goalkeeper Rab Douglas is doubtful with a shoulder injury so Paul Henderson is set to deputise.

Luton 2-0 Leicester
Leon Barnett and Carlos Edwards scored to give Luton victory over Leicester in the opening game of the English season. Barnett latched on to Lewis Emanuel's corner and powered a header into the Foxes goal after eight minutes. Keeper Marlon Beresford palmed a Gareth Williams free-kick against the crossbar to deny the visitors an equaliser. But Luton wrapped up the points after a composed finish from Trinidad & Tobago international Edwards, who cut inside before shooting home from eight yards. Luton boss Mike Newell had given the Hatters a boost in the lead up to the game by signing a new four-year contract with the club. He sprung a surprise by leaving summer striker signing Adam Boyd on the bench but Leicester still had to contend with Warren Feeney and Rowan Vine, who spearheaded a bright Luton side. The pair combined well midway through the second half and almost added to the home side's lead. Vine produced a mazy run and Feeney almost poked in a shot but had his effort saved by sprawling keeper Paul Henderson. Boyd came on for Vine before Edwards after 79 minutes completed the win for Luton against a Leicester side lacking potency in attack. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luton manager Mike Newell: \"Two goals, a clean sheet and three points - you can't ask for much more than that, but I thought we were unconvincing at times. \"We're always looking at what we had in the past, but you do have to take into consideration the heat to be fair to the players. \"You can't not be happy with three points on the board. There's always a bit of nerves going into the new season, particularly with how well we did last term and with people writing us off already. \"We're always positive but it's just that I think we can play better than that.\" Leicester boss Rob Kelly: \"We were in the game and started well but to concede a goal in the way we did is bitterly disappointing. \"It shaped the game after that because we were always chasing and they managed to get a second to kill it off, so credit to them. \"At 1-0 it gives a side something to hold on to and Luton sat in there. Our players gave it a go but we weren't as creative as they were.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luton: Beresford, Foley, Davis (Morgan 73), Barnett, Heikkinen, Edwards, Robinson, Emanuel, Langley, Vine (Boyd 61), Feeney. Subs Not Used: Perrett, Brkovic, Barrett. Booked: Vine, Emanuel. Goals: Barnett 8, Edwards 79. Leicester: Henderson, Stearman, Johansson, Kenton, McCarthy, Maybury (O'Grady 73), Williams, Johnson, Tiatto (Hughes 66), Hume (Hammond 55), Fryatt. Subs Not Used: McAuley, Logan. Booked: McCarthy, Maybury, Tiatto. Att: 8,131. Ref: C Penton (Sussex).

Sheff Wed 0-1 Luton
Lewis Emanuel's first goal for Luton was enough to maintain the Hatters' impressive start to the season. The summer signing from Bradford unleashed a low 25-yard strike which deflected past on-loan Owls keeper Brad Jones in first-half stoppage time. That came shortly after Burton O'Brien missed Wednesday's best chance. Luton needed desperate defending to seal the points and the hosts were denied a penalty when Richard Langley brought down Graham Coughlan. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheffield Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock: \"The last one (on Graham Coughlan) looked a penalty from where I was and that was the fourth or fifth penalty claim. \"I'm gutted for the players. It's the most dominant performance I think we've had since I've got here. \"Thirty crosses and 20 shots in the game, the problem being we didn't hit the target enough.\" Luton boss Mike Newell: \"You know you're going to have a spell sooner or later when you're not picking up anything no matter how well you're playing. \"So it just takes that little bit of pressure off in the first week. \"Although it wasn't pretty, you can't expect it to be after two games of the season. We've ground out a result.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheff Wed: Jones, Coughlan, Hills, Simek, Bougherra, Whelan, O'Brien (Spurr 86), Brunt, Folly (McAllister 79), Lunt (Small 63), MacLean. Subs Not Used: Adamson, McClements. Luton: Beresford, Foley, Davis (Coyne 86), Barnett, Heikkinen, Robinson, Langley, Edwards, Emanuel, Vine (Boyd 85), Feeney. Subs Not Used: Brill, Perrett, Morgan. Booked: Barnett, Emanuel. Goals: Emanuel 45. Att: 22,613 Ref: T Bates (Staffordshire).

Norwich 3-2 Luton
Norwich came from two goals down to end Luton's 100% start to the season with Robert Earnshaw grabbing the winner. A spectacular Rowan Vine effort and substitute Dean Morgan's cool finish looked to have won it for the Hatters. But Darren Huckerby capitalised on a Sol Davis mistake and new signing Lee Croft took advantage of some sloppy defending to level the score. And when Marlon Beresford saved from Dickson Etuhu, Earnshaw was on hand to poach a dramatic winner from close in. Norwich, who wasted a host of first-half opportunities, deserved the victory and were unlucky to fall two goals behind. But for veteran goalkeeper Beresford's heroics in the Luton goal, Gary Doherty would have levelled Vine's early effort. Luton were clinical in their finishing and doubled their lead shortly after the break when Morgan raced through the home defence to put the Hatters firmly in charge. The Hatters have scored in every game they have played in 2006 and had yet to concede. But with the rain lashing down in Norfolk, they collapsed under the home side's constant pressure. And three goals in 14 minutes from Huckerby, new signing Croft and Earnshaw sealed a remarkable fightback. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Norwich manager Nigel Worthington \"I look for a lot of things from my players and one of those qualities is character. \"I want them to show self-belief, resilience and determination in every game and they certainly showed that in abundance in the second half. \"Last season we'd have lost a game like that but their never-say-die attitude pulled them through. Once it got to 2-2 there was only going to be one winner.\" Luton manager Mike Newell \"Norwich weren't hurting us and I always thought if anything let them in it would be a mistake. So it proved. \"The lads (defenders Leon Barnett and Kevin Foley) played well up to then, they had been very reliable but they made the errors and Norwich took advantage. \"At 2-0 I'd have certainly been looking to take something from the game, but you take it on the chin and move on.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Norwich: Gallacher, Colin (Fleming 87), Shackell, Doherty, Drury, Croft (McVeigh 73), Etuhu, Safri, Robinson, Huckerby, Earnshaw (McKenzie 90). Subs Not Used: Lewis, Thorne. Booked: Shackell, Croft. Goals: Huckerby 57, Croft 67, Earnshaw 71. Luton: Beresford, Foley, Barnett, Heikkinen (Coyne 45), Davis, Robinson, Langley, Edwards (Morgan 49), Emanuel (Boyd 62), Vine, Feeney. Subs Not Used: Brill, Perrett. Booked: Barnett. Goals: Vine 15, Morgan 52. Att: 23,863 Ref: A Penn (W Midlands).

Luton v Stoke
Luton could be without Markus Heikkinen and Steve Robinson as both are struggling with ankle injuries. But midfield duo Carlos Edwards and Lewis Emanuel should be fit in time. Stoke defender Carl Hoefkens could miss the trip to Luton after he limped out of Belgium's Euro 2008 qualifier against Kazakhstan on Wednesday. Carl Dickinson is the only fit full-back so Tony Pulis will have to consider changing the team's formation or playing someone out of position.

Luton 2-2 Stoke
Luke Chadwick's 70th-minute goal earned Stoke a point against Luton at Kenilworth Road. The Potters led 1-0 at the break thanks to Peter Sweeney's 10th-minute strike, but the hosts demonstrated their character with a second-half fightback. Leon Barnett headed home an equaliser before Richard Langley's penalty on the hour put the Hatters on course for a third win from four matches. But Chadwick levelled the scores after heading home from close range. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luton manager Mike Newell, who lost striker Warren Feeney to a rib injury just before half-time: \"We need to add a bit more strength and steel to our defence. \"We also need more quality and experience for when we have players out injured - but it all costs money. \"I'm satisfied with a point from today's match because we didn't start the game well and fell behind. But I'm reasonably happy with our start.\" Stoke boss Tony Pulis, who felt they should have had a penalty when Leon Barnett appeared to drag Vincent Pericard back: \"The way the referee tried to justify his decision by booking Pericard for diving shortly afterwards was very, very poor. \"We created chances all afternoon and, after we equalised, there was only going to be one winner. \"Mamady Sidibe hit the bar in the 89th minute when all he needed to do was steer the ball into an empty net.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luton: Beresford, Foley, Coyne, Barnett, Davis, Edwards, Langley, Holmes, Emanuel, Vine, Feeney (Morgan 42). Subs Not Used: Brkovic, Boyd, Keane, Brill. Goals: Barnett 54, Langley 60 pen. Stoke: Simonsen, Hoefkens, Duberry, Hill, Dickinson, Chadwick (Whitley 84), Brammer, Russell, Sweeney, Sidibe, Pericard. Subs Not Used: Sigurdsson, Harper, Pulis, Paterson. Booked: Duberry, Pericard. Goals: Sweeney 10, Chadwick 70. Att: 7,727 Ref: G Sutton (Lincolnshire).

Newell spots flaws in Luton win
Luton manager Mike Newell admitted that his Championship side had been \"unconvincing\" in a Carling Cup penalty shoot-out win at Bristol Rovers. \"We switched off after scoring our early goal and allowed Rovers to get into the game,\" said Newell. \"After that they played some good football and were always a threat. I don't mind how we get through as long as we are in the next round. \"Selection was difficult because we needed to rest some players.\"

Wolves 1-0 Luton
Jemal Johnson's second-half strike set up Wolves' victory over Luton. Carl Cort threatened early on for Wolves, drawing a save from Marlon Beresford, then miscontrolling another chance, before he sent a header wide. But on 47 minutes Cort's persistence was rewarded when he flicked on for Johnson, who beat Beresford with a low shot that went in off the post. Luton new-boy Sam Parkin had a penalty claim turned down and late on Johnson fired a shot straight at Beresford. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wolves manager Mick McCarthy on Jemal Johnson \"I'm not sure exactly what the figure was, but whatever we paid for Jemal he's been worth it in our last two league games. \"He scored the only goal against Burnley and he's won us the game against Luton with a terrific goal. \"I thought he'd make an impact but I never envisaged him coming in and winning two games with two goals.\" Luton boss Mike Newell on the penalty claims \"I thought it was a penalty and so did all of our lads. \"But the referee didn't have a bad game and he would have to be brave to give that decision so late in the game. \"I asked him about it and he said there were so many bodies in the way, it would've had to have been a guess.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wolverhampton: Murray (Ikeme 87), Edwards, Craddock, Breen, Clapham, Potter (Ricketts 66), Henry, Olofinjana, Jones, Cort, Johnson (Clarke 90). Subs Not Used: Craig Davies, Little. Goals: Johnson 47. Luton: Beresford, Foley, Barnett, Heikkinen, Davis, Edwards, Robinson, Langley, Emanuel (Morgan 67), Vine, Feeney (Parkin 67). Subs Not Used: Brill, Bell, Keane. Att: 19,378. Ref: J P Robinson (E Yorkshire).

Newell contemplating loan signing
Luton boss Mike Newell said he is looking to ease his defensive crisis by bringing in a centre-back on loan. Russell Perrett and Chris Coyne are both out injured, leaving Newell short of experienced defenders. \"We tried to sign centre-backs when the transfer window was open, but nothing materialised,\" Newell told Sir stanley. \"The loan market is something I don't like to deal with, but we're struggling with centre-backs. We might consider, making a loan deal, later in the week.\" The 41-year-old added that Luton's relatively meagre finances meant they could not bring in the players they wanted during the summer, which included Rotherham midfielder Lee Williamson and Wycombe defender Danny Senda. \"It's a little bit frustrating because we're trying to compete with the other clubs in the Championship,\" added Newell. \"This is going to continue until we get a new ground that would result in an increase in income. Until then, we have to struggle on.\"

Luton 2-1 Crystal Palace
Luton comfortably defeated Crystal Palace to extend the Eagles winless streak to four games in all competitions at Kenilworth Road. Goals from Carlos Edwards and Rowan Vine were enough to ensure Luton maintained their unbeaten record at Kenilworth Road this season. And James Scowcroft's injury-time header was little more than a consolation for stuggling Palace. Shefki Kuqi, meanwhile, made little impression on his Palace debut. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luton Town manager Mike Newell: \"We have beaten a side who were third in the league before the match, and who have just spent £2.5m on a centre forward. \"Apart from Southend and Colchester, our wage bill is probably the lowest in the division. \"We are competing with clubs who have much greater resources.\" Crystal Palace manager Peter Taylor: \"I was disappointed with the officials, especially the referee's assistants. \"I did not see the penalty incidents clearly, so I could well go into a rage again when I see them on television. \"It seemed the assistants could not wait to give decisions to Luton. Our handball appeal was not given.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luton: Beresford, Foley, Barnett, Heikkinen, Davis, Edwards, Langley, Robinson, Emanuel, Vine (Feeney 85), Parkin. Subs Not Used: Brill, Morgan, Brkovic, Keane. Goals: Edwards 2, Vine 61. Crystal Palace: Kiraly, Butterfield (Freedman 62), Hudson, Cort, Granville, Soares, Fletcher (Hughes 38), McAnuff, Kennedy, Scowcroft, Kuqi (Morrison 62). Subs Not Used: Speroni, Lawrence. Booked: Scowcroft. Goals: Scowcroft 90. Att: 9,187 Ref: P Armstrong (Berkshire).

Newell reveals bung inquiry hopes
Luton manager Mike Newell hopes Lord John Stevens' investigation into football corruption will \"put a few people in order\" within the sport. Stevens' findings will be revealed to Premier League chairmen on 2 October. Newell said: \"I hope names will be named, and I can see no reason why they wouldn't be. The problem is more widespread than people think it is. \"The inquiry might scare a few people, and put a few people in order. That is what I hope will happen.\" Last January, Newell revealed he had been offered \"bungs\" by agents. Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore then announced the setting up of inquiry headed by Stevens, who is a former Metropolitan Police Commissioner. At the time Scudamore denied the inquiry was in response to Newell's revelations or comments by former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson that three unnamed Premiership clubs were riddled with corruption. Newell added: \"My biggest problem is the fees clubs have to pay agents. They just turn up and ask for large sums of money for nothing. Why should we pay them? \"There are people who work here 52 weeks a year for nothing like the sums of money agents get for turning up with their player. I don't understand it at all. It doesn't make sense.\" Newell also called on England's top clubs to take the lead in the fight against corruption. \"Cleaning up the game will depend on the powerful clubs. If they do not take a stand, nothing will happen,\" said the Luton boss.

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