Why Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle will be laughing at Jack Wilshere right now | OneFootball

Luton Town's disappointing early season form will make Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle happiest

Luton Town were tipped by many to compete for automatic promotion to the Championship this season under Jack Wilshere.

The Hatters narrowly missed out on a play-off place in the previous campaign, coming seventh in the table, one point behind sixth place Stevenage.

And the club had a busy summer transfer window in which the hierarchy backed Wilshere in the transfer market.

The likes of Callum Marshall, Gideon Kodua, Kasey Palmer and George Johnston signed on a permanent basis, while loan deals were agreed for a number of promising talents from Premier League academies.

However, it’s been far from a dream start to the new season at Kenilworth Road, with the team winning just two of their opening seven games.

Luton Town’s disappointing form

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Wilshere’s side were one of the pre-season favourites to win the League One title, but they now find themselves 16th in the table, four points clear of bottom and seven adrift of leaders Bradford City.

The Hatters have won just one of their last six league fixtures, and have a total of eight points from a possible 21.

A dramatic 4-3 win over Reading on the opening day saw the club salvage all three points in the final stages, but a 5-2 loss to Mansfield Town, followed by losses to Stevenage and the Bantams have raised alarm bells.

It’s still early in the campaign, but Luton have put themselves on the backfoot in their bid to return to the second tier at the second time of asking.

Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday will be laughing hardest at Luton

Plymouth Argyle finished just below Luton last season, one point separating the two clubs, and they will be pleased to now be much further ahead of their rivals.

Tom Cleverley’s side have earned 13 points from seven games, winning four, and have moved up to third in the table.

Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday completely rebuilt their squad over the summer after their relegation and takeover by Arise Capital.

Henrik Pedersen’s team have made a bright start themselves, and are second in League One with 14 points from 21, one behind the leaders.

Both clubs will be laughing hardest at Luton’s downturn in form, as they eye promotion back to the Championship.

Luton Town have one factor on their side

Luton have conceded 14 goals from seven games, which is quite a poor record for a team with title aspirations.

However, their expected goals against (xGA) figure is only 7.0, suggesting they have been quite unlucky in these opening games with opposition teams’ finishing (all stats from Fotmob).

Meanwhile, their expected points (xPts) total is 12, highlighting that there is more to come from this team if they keep up their level of performances.

It’s certainly too soon to suggest that Wilshere is no longer the man to bring the Hatters forward, and there is plenty of time for things to turn around.

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League One title race will be tough to call

There have been seven games in League One this season, and no front-runner has immediately emerged.

Bradford have the most points, but 15 from 21 doesn’t suggest they are about to run away with the title.

Luton will take some solace from that fact, as it offers them some hope that these early dropped points haven’t been fatal to their campaign.

It’s been a massively encouraging start for Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth instead, but it’s still far too early to call anyone the new title favourites.