Loan updates: Recalled Taylor joins Lincoln, Watson uncertainty, and praise for in-form McAtee

The final of three pieces, this time we look at the updates Rob Edwards provided on key loan players in Friday's press conference.

With hands and feet thoroughly defrosted from Sunday’s sub-par FA Cup outing against Bolton, let’s have a look at what Rob Edwards had to say about the youngsters out on loan. What exactly could be in store for them in the January window and their wider spell at the club?

Highly targeted Taylor Lincs up with the Imps

The first of the loanees Luton’s manager focussed on in Friday’s press conference, was the deadly Joe Taylor. A player who has shown glimpses of what he’s capable of at Town, has flourished in his half a season with League Two Colchester United bagging 12 goals and two assists. Undoubtedly, as a standout player in a struggling side (now sitting 22nd with new manager Danny Cowley looking to breathe new life) - Taylor was doing some serious heavy lifting.

He was of course recalled, with a different challenge of higher difficulty in mind. Lincoln came a-calling, and the 21-year-old joined the 11th placed League One club - hopefully with more goals in the near future. Edwards spoke of the former Peterborough youngster while his move was being finalised:

“Joe’s gone and done really well, hasn’t he? (…) We’re assessing a lot of the lads that have been out on loan and just making sure we get the right thing for them. Joe’s had a successful spell and so understandably again, with a young player who does well - especially a goalscorer - there’s always going to be a few rumours knocking about. There has been one or two people enquiring about him which again is understandable but we’ll do what he feels is the right thing for him.”

“12 goals this season, and he could’ve had more as well. So, it’s great. We thought he could go and do that. That’s why we brought him to the football club. That’s why he came on in the playoff final. We’ve got real high hopes for Joe and it’s good that he’s had a good first half of the season. We want that to carry on in his development because in the long term, we see him being here with us.”

Big decisions to be made around Watson amidst mixed Charlton loan

Where Joe Taylor has made the very most of his time away from his parent club, one man who’s unfortunately not had as much of an impact is midfielder Louie Watson. Through barely any fault of his own, 22-year-old has seen sporadic outings for Charlton Athletic under Michael Appleton - leading to the Hatters considering his spell in South East London.

Edwards reflected on the former Ireland U21 who signed from Derby County back in July of 2022 and how he may have to work for his place:

“Louie’s had decent minutes. A lot of them are getting them in the cup as well. He’s performed well, on lots of occasions as well. It’s a big football club that he’s gone to as well, so it’s always going to be competitive.”

“No one’s got a god-given right to start the games, but we’ll have a look at it with every player and make sure they’re getting the right thing. Football is tough and it’s competitive. Sometimes you’ve got to fight and get in the team. That’s what we ask the lads to do here. When you go out on loan, you go in with a view to play but it’s not that simple. You’ve got to earn it and he has done that, but it’s a big football club and things can be difficult at the bigger clubs.”

So far this term, Watson has made 16 League One appearances and registered two assists. Six more appearances have come in cup competitions.

McAtee turning heads at Barnsley

While Luton’s recent dynamic with Barnsley has been well documented, the transfer link was reversed - with Town giving rather than taking. John McAtee has been on loan at the South Yorkshire side since the start of the term and has built on his already impressive repertoire in the EFL. At Grimsby (before signing) he notched 18 league goals in 37 appearances.

Loaned back to them, he added another four in 26 for the Mariners. Now, the 24-year-old has six goals in 19 league games, as well as three assists and some seriously eye-catching finishes - take his magical lob against Port Vale just before Christmas that signalled seven goals in seven games.

“He’s really capable of that isn’t he, Macca? He’s another player we’ve got high hopes for at this football club and he’s gone and had a successful start or first half of the season, I should say. We think he’s in a really good place at the moment. We don’t see too much change in his situation.”

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