Following speculations that the Hatters were aiming to recall promising striker Joe Taylor from a loan spell at Colchester United and send him to a team higher up the footballing strata, Luton manager Rob Edwards will decide what is best for Taylor this season.
The 21-year-old joined the League Two team in August and has since flourished in his new environment, tallying 12 goals in all competitions for a struggling U’s team that is currently third from the bottom of the standings. Due to their dismal performance, manager Ben Garner was fired in October. Matty Etherington, a former West Ham winger, took over as manager and was released of his duties on New Year’s Day. Danny Cowley was named the new head coach yesterday.
Edwards stated that he will wait to determine whether Taylor needs to make another move after the former Portsmouth and Huddersfield manager took over at the JobServe Community Stadium, adding, “I believe Joe’s gone and done really, really well hasn’t he? Over the coming days, more information will become apparent; as of right now, nothing seems to be finalised, so we’ll see. Many of the young men who are out on loan are being evaluated, and our goal is to ensure that they receive the best care possible.
This season, Colchester United’s young striker Joe Taylor has made an impression. Photo by Liam Smith
Given Joe’s recent success, it becomes sense that there would be some whispers and teasing whenever a young player—especially one who scores goals—does well while on loan. We will act in his best interests, even though it is understandable that one or two other people have inquired about him.
Taylor was used sparingly as the Hatters made it to the top division after joining Luton in January of last year for an undisclosed fee from Peterborough United. However, he did make an appearance at Wembley against Coventry City, displaying poise in the penalty shootout that sent Town to the Premier League. The former King’s Lynn Town player’s future is evident at Kenilworth Road, regardless of what happens to him for the balance of the season, as Edwards continued, saying, “He’s got 12 goals and he could have had more as well, so it’s great.”
“We invited him to the football team because we believed he might succeed there, and that’s also why he entered the play-off game the previous season. Joe has our highest expectations, and it’s encouraging that he’s played well in the first half of the season. Because we envision him staying here with us in the long run, we want that to continue in his development.
