Luton Town will begin a new era without Nathan Jones on Saturday when they welcome Rotherham United to Kenilworth Road in the Championship.
The Millers are travelling down to Bedfordshire off the back of an impressive away victory over Sheffield United, whereas Luton will be keen to bounce back after a 2-0 loss at Stoke City on Tuesday.
Match preview
© Reuters
On Thursday morning Luton confirmed the departure of Welshman Jones, allowing him to take the reins at struggling Southampton in the Premier League after a week of very transparent communication between both clubs and supporters regarding the situation.
For a second time in just under four years, the Hatters have lost the 49-year-old to a more attractive managerial role and will have to continue to build on what has been a very successful period in the club's history.
Jones guided Luton to an unlikely playoff berth last season in their highest league finish since their relegation from the top flight three decades ago, and has left them in ninth in the Championship heading into the final weekend before the World Cup break.
It is now the job of chief recruitment officer Mick Harford to prepare last season's playoff semi-finalists for the visit of Rotherham, which will be played out in front of a sold-out and rowdy Kenilworth Road crowd.
Results in front of their own supporters will have to improve starting on Saturday if Luton are to earn a top-six finish this year, with Harford's men only managing two wins in 10 matches on home turf so far this campaign.
It must be said that with a forward line consisting of Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo, there is certainly the firepower required to start earning maximum points at home more regularly and score plenty of goals in the process.
© Reuters
The unpredictable nature of the Championship was on display when Rotherham defeated high-flying Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Tuesday night, with a first-half goal from midfielder Ben Wiles enough for all three points.
Paul Heckingbottom's Blades had just demolished league-leaders Burnley 5-2 three days earlier and the Millers were winless in their previous five, but Matthew Taylor's men put all that aside to earn victory and make the Championship standings look even more appealing to those of a Rotherham persuasion.
Rotherham moved themselves up to 14th in the second tier with that unexpected win, five points away from West Bromwich Albion who occupy the highest of the relegation places, meaning no matter the result on Saturday they will go into the international break outside the bottom three.
A season of mid-table mediocrity would do perfectly for the Yorkshire-based club, who have failed to make their second-tier status stick following promotions from League One in recent years.
The exit of Paul Warne to Derby County had the potential to derail the Millers' survival ambitions this season, but the team are showing the ability to record wins in important moments, with results such as the one at Sheffield United boding well for their aims of Championship safety this campaign.
Team News
© Reuters
Luton have a host of first-team players out with injuries ahead of this weekend's clash, with Henri Lansbury expected to return from a hip injury after the World Cup break.
Sonny Bradley is another player who will not feature until December at the earliest after sustaining a knee injury in the first half of his side's goalless draw against Reading at the start of the month.
World Cup-bound Ethan Horvath should return in goal for the Hatters after illness meant the American sat out of the defeat at Stoke in the week.
Rotherham striker Georgie Kelly picked up a hamstring injury eight minutes after coming on the pitch against Norwich City and will not be available until after the month-long international break.
Fellow forward option Conor Washington may require surgery in the near future due to a knee issue, meaning Chiedozie Ogbene will lead the line for the Millers on Saturday fresh off his call-up to the Ireland squad for friendlies against Norway and Malta.
Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Horvath; Bree, Lockyer, Osho; Clark, Mpanzu, Campbell, Bell, Cornick; Adebayo, Morris
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Kioso, Peltier, Humphreys, Harding, Bramall; Wiles, Lindsay, Barlaser, Rathbone; Ogbene
We say: Luton Town 2-0 Rotherham United
Many will be expecting a subdued atmosphere on Saturday with Luton losing Jones to Southampton, but the announcement that club legend Mick Harford will take charge of the squad has boosted the morale amongst supporters who want to get behind their team at a packed-out Kenilworth Road.
Rotherham are travelling down to Bedfordshire following a brilliant win against Sheffield United, but we can see the hosts taking all three points in a convincing manner in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Carter White
