Joe Taylor, a 21-year-old who made headlines last season after two extremely successful temporary transfers, has been told by Luton Town manager Rob Edwards to force his way into the team after he failed to secure a loan move away from the club. After starting the season at Colchester United in League Two, where he scored 12 goals in 27 appearances, the Hatters decided to exercise a recall option to allow the attacker to try his luck at a higher level.
Then came a shift to League One, as Lincoln City emerged victorious in the competition to sign him. Like a duck to water, he adapted to the third tier and helped the Imps climb the table to the brink of the playoffs. He was named League One Player of the Month and Young Player of the Month in March thanks to his 13 goal contributions in 19 games.
Having made it through Leagues One and Two, Taylor came back to Luton with the intention of earning a chance at football championships. After his parent club was demoted from the Premier League, there was optimism that new chances would present themselves. Watford was apparently keen as well.
However, it soon became clear that the former Peterborough United player would have difficulty entering Rob Edwards’ plans. He did not play as a substitute in the season’s first match against Burnley, although he did come on as a late substitution in the next two games. Another loan transfer to League One was therefore announced.
The most likely team was Huddersfield Town, and rumors about them persisted until the very end of the transfer window. But nothing happened, and he stayed on Kenilworth Road.
Speaking to Luton Today, Edwards stated that he is pleased Taylor is still a member of his team and seems to have given him instructions on how to get a starting position:
We tried to get Joe the best possible outcome, and since we want him to play, perhaps we would have looked at the best possible outcome if something had gone wrong.
But the fact that he can now play here and be here is a wonderful thing. He must make an effort to join the team. Although he has scored goals in lower leagues and has received a lot of attention, there are still aspects of his game that we want to continue to work on. He’s in the building now, so it’s up to us to assist him with that, but I’m glad he’s here because he can be useful to us.
Luton’s season has started horribly, as they have only managed one point from their first four games. They will have time to reorganize during the forthcoming international break before playing Millwall later in the month.
Joe Taylor can compete at a championship level, but he needs to take his time. It is understandable that there are players above him in the hierarchy considering he is currently a member of a team that was only playing Premier League football a few months ago.
If everything were perfect, he would be playing frequently. This will be disappointing after last season’s intense football action. But in the upcoming weeks, he will have opportunities, and it is his responsibility to seize them. Edwards currently needs objectives, and if his current crop doesn’t meet them, Taylor can find himself in the spotlight sooner rather than later.
