Watford and Luton bosses chase consistency ahead of derby

Luton goes into the game trying to give new boss Matt Bloomfield his first win since replacing the sacked Rob Edwards in mid-January.

The former Wycombe head coach has three draws and four defeats from his seven games in charge but knows victory could take them out of the relegation zone if other results over the weekend go their way.

“We need to approach it like a balanced game, and we need to perform – we can’t be too emotional,” Bloomfield told BBC Three Counties Radio.

“We need to be calm and perform to the levels we have done in the last couple of games [a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United and a 1-1 draw with Plymouth].”

Bloomfield said he “understands” what playing Watford means to the Hatters’ fans and wants to “give them the bragging rights” that would come with a win.

“I knew about it [the rivalry], but I don’t think you really understand how fierce a derby is until you’re actually involved in it,” he said.

“You feel it a lot more when you’re at a club, and I’ve felt it this week.

“I’m really looking forward to the game and being involved in the occasion. We want to go there and continue the two performances we’ve had so far.”

Luton have not won at Vicarage Road since September 2002, when they edged a League Cup tie, and have not had a league victory since the same month in 1994, when former Chelsea striker Kerry Dixon was among the scorers in a 4-2 win.

“I know it’s been a long time since we’ve won there and even longer in the league,” Bloomfield said.

“We’ll be giving everything we can to give our supporters something to cheer. This is something for us to cherish.

“I’m sure it’ll be an intense atmosphere; we want to win on the road, we want to score goals, play on the front foot, and impose ourselves on the game.”