Exclusive: Luton Town boss Rob Edwards on trying to 'embody' Lockyer - ‘We all care for each other’

Luton manager Rob Edwards, in an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, says his players have seen a more emotional side of him in recent weeks, but has been careful not to use Tom Lockyer’s cardiac arrest as a “selfish way to get points”.

The Hatters' club captain had a cardiac arrest on the pitch during his side's Premier League encounter with Bournemouth earlier this, but he is now at home recovering after having an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted to manage irregular heart rhythms, and he is in regular contact with his team-mates and coaching staff.

Since the incident, Luton have won back-to-back games in the Premier League for the first time since promotion, with victories over Newcastle and away at Sheffield United leaving them one point behind Everton, who sit just above the relegation zone.

Edwards was widely praised for the way he dealt with the aftermath of Lockyer’s medical emergency. He gave an emotional ovation to the entire crowd at Bournemouth after the match was abandoned.

“The lads probably saw me crying like three times in a week - I don’t think there’s anything wrong with showing vulnerability and emotion,” Edwards told TNT Sports, ahead of Saturday’s live game at home to Chelsea.

“The players saw that we all care for each other, we always stress that when we sign a new player. I always say you’ll get respect, honesty and time.

“There were a lot of emotions, the players would have seen different sides of me, different sides of the staff. We’re human beings.”

Lockyer has been speaking regularly with Edwards, players and staff at the club, while the team itself has spoken at length about how they are playing for their skipper, with the manager keen for his squad to personify the defender’s passion for the game.

“I try and text him at least once a day and check in - he can choose to blank me or get back to me if he wants, depending on how he feels,” Edwards said.

“At the moment the most important thing is recovery, clearly. When we can see him, when he’s up to it, we can have him around us as much as possible.

“It was difficult, but I didn’t want to use it in a selfish way to get points - this was a really serious situation. He’s a friend, he’s a friend to all the lads and a really important person for us as a team-mate and for the football club.

“It was about trying to embody him and what he would want. The players have been incredible and dealt with the situation really, really well - but it’s hard to bring this group of players closer together.”

Edwards believes his players have perhaps not always got the credit they deserve for their performances this term - until recently. The 3-2 win at Sheffield United was secured with two own goals, but having come from behind after trailing 2-1.

Luton have also pushed title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City close at Kenilworth Road and took a point off Liverpool.

He said: “We can perform really well against Chelsea [on Saturday] and we can still lose - because they’ve got brilliant players, a brilliant manager, and that can happen.

“I can take losing against Arsenal, City, because we left everything out there and gave a good account of ourselves. We were brave, we were on the front foot.

“Our supporters gave the standing ovation because they could see the commitment the players gave - I can handle that, I can sleep at night then. The win, the draw, you can’t guarantee that - that’s what makes it so exciting.”

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