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Luton need to 'get back to basics' - Burke

Reece Burke and Callum O'HareImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Reece Burke wins a header against Sheffield United's Callum O'Hare

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Luton Town defender Reece Burke admitted the team have not "got going yet" after another disappointing Championship defeat.

A 2-0 loss at Sheffield United left them 21st in the table, perched precariously above the bottom three following last season's relegation from the Premier League.

The Hatters have only taken eight points from their opening nine games and next face Watford at Kenilworth Road on 19 October.

"The main thing for us is trying to keep positive; being negative and keeping our heads down isn't going to change anything," Burke told ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three Counties Radio.

"The bottom line is we need to be better in the basics of the game. We're giving away too many chances, causing ourselves problems - that's been the issue since the start of the season.

"We need to go back to doing the basics well, be horrible to play against, and especially at home make it difficult for the opposition to come and play."

Luton have conceded 15 goals so far - only the three teams in the relegation places have let in more - and just two teams have scored fewer than the eight they have mustered.

"When you're going through a bad patch of results, it's tough, but we need to be mentally strong and stick together.

"I can understand it's frustrating for the fans, but it's frustrating for us as well," added Burke.

"We know the next game is big for us and it will be a big positive if we put on a big performance, hopefully get the three points, and push on from there."

Boss Rob Edwards, who agreed a new four-year deal in June, said it was his responsibility to "fix" the current problems.

"Now we've got quite a while to think about it, but when we next get out on the pitch and get around them again, we can start to try and feel better about the situation because there'll be some good work going on," he told ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three Counties Radio.

"I see it (the Watford game) as an opportunity for us. There's no excuse from that one to not compete, not win duels."