Sheffield Wednesday fired Luton Town transfer warning - 'total flop' claim dropped | OneFootball

FLW's Luton Town fan pundit has given his verdict on Sheffield Wednesday's move to sign Jerry Yates

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Luton Town forward Jerry Yates is set for a switch to Sheffield Wednesday for the second half of the season.

According to journalist Rob Staton, the 29-year-old is set for a move to the Championship, with the Owls seeking reinforcements before Monday’s 7pm deadline.

The striker has made 22 appearances in League One so far this season for the Hatters, but he has only contributed two goals and one assist.

Yates’ form at Kenilworth Road has been quite underwhelming, as he has struggled with the step down to the third tier.

He made the move to Luton in the summer from Swansea City but he spent last season on loan with Derby County, where he scored 10 times.

Yates has extensive Championship experience and will be a much-welcomed addition at Hillsborough in spite of his struggles with Luton, although the impending move does carry something of a warning for the Owls.

Sheffield Wednesday sent Luton Town, Jerry Yates transfer warning

When asked if Yates has been a total flop for the club, FLW’s Luton fan pundit Simon Mills claimed that the 29-year-old couldn’t be described in other way given the expectation supporters had upon his arrival.

He expressed his surprise at how poorly the forward has performed, and that he won’t be missed with this move to Sheffield Wednesday.

“I don’t really think you can describe it as anything but a total flop,” Mills told Football League World.

“I remember in the buildup to Jerry Yates’ signing, we were crying out for a statement striker, and we thought we had that with Jerry Yates dropping down to League One with us.

“We all had incredibly high hopes.

“We thought he was a player who can bag goals in League One.

“But it has not worked that way, he does not look like he’s very mobile, he looks like he avoids the ball.

“I don’t know what’s gone on with Jerry Yates because this would be the sort of club where I thought he could thrive, but clearly not.

“Do the problems extend beyond the playing staff at this club? I do think that.

“But good luck to Jerry Yates, I can’t say we have many memories.”

Yates bagged his first goal for Luton on 13 September in a 3-2 loss to Plymouth Argyle, but he has scored just one more time since then in the league.

The Hatters were hoping to immediately gain promotion back to the Championship after suffering relegation in 2025, but Jack Wilshere’s side are currently outside the play-off places.

Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday are all but guaranteed to suffer the same fate as Luton in 2026, with the team 37 points away from safety.

Next up for Luton is a home clash against Blackpool on 31 January in a 3pm kick-off.

Jerry Yates move has been extremely disappointing for Luton

Yates wasn’t spectacular last season for Derby, but he still managed 10 goals in the Championship.

With a record like that, and a previous track record of finding the back of the net, Luton fans would’ve been expecting a lot more than two in 22.

He will be a valuable addition for the Owls, but only because any signing this month will provide some much-needed reinforcement to Henrik Pedersen’s squad.