Rob Edwards

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 (below) en route to securing their playoff place. The victory was even more impressive in the context of the wider season, with Sheffield United winning automatic promotion to the Premier League under Paul Heckingbottom.

Edwards 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.

Starting line-ups

Sheffield UnitedLuton Town

18191215134168209293432429222131723119

Sheffield United3-5-2

Luton Town3-5-2

18Wes Foderingham

34Ethan Horvath

19Jack Robinson

32Gabriel Osho

12John Egan

4Tom Lockyer

15Anel Ahmedhodzi?

29Amari'i Bell

13Max Lowe

2Cody Drameh

4John Fleck

22Allan Campbell

16Oliver Norwood

13Marvelous Nakamba

8Sander Berge

17Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu

20Jayden Bogle

23Fred Onyedinma

9Oli McBurnie

11Eli Adebayo

29Iliman Ndiaye

9Carlton Morris

Author: Tony Hodson