Football really is a funny game. One minute, your team is flying without a care in the world, and the next minute, that hope and positivity is erased at the click of a finger.

This is the case for Luton Town this week - the Hatters have made serious strides since their promotion from League Two last term, and currently sit in a very promising 2nd position in the Sky Bet League One table - eight points clear of Peterborough United in 7th place.

But reports have now emerged which could seriously de-rail Luton's push for promotion - Sky Bet Championship side Stoke City are set to appoint Hatters boss Nathan Jones as their new manager, following the sacking of Gary Rowett on Tuesday afternoon.

It's an almighty blow for the Bedfordshire club - the Welshman has been an overwhelming success since his arrival at Kenilworth Road in 2016, winning 87 out of 150 games in charge of the Hatters, and transforming into real promotion contenders in League One.

Luton will have to act fast to replace Jones, with a huge game approaching on Saturday afternoon. Town travel to Sunderland, who currently sit one point below the Hatters, but have a game in hand.

Here, we take a look at three managers who Luton Town must avoid, in their hunt for Nathan Jones' replacement...

Kevin Nolan

 

Nolan has been out of work since the end of August, where he was sacked by Notts County - perhaps seen as an extremely harsh decision by the Magpies, who parted company with the 36-year old after just five league games, despite leading the club to the League Two play-offs last season.

His side were at loggerheads with the Hatters throughout large parts of last season, and were battling it out for automatic promotion before the Magpies faded away, and managed to clinch a play-off spot, so Luton fans will know all about the former Newcastle and Bolton midfielder.

But Luton should avoid this one - the brand of football and philosophy that Jones has built at Kenilworth Road is one of fast-paced, attacking football. At Notts County, however, Nolan relied heavily on his two target-men up front, Shola Ameobi and Jon Stead, to provide physical prowess and aerial threat up top, and often fell into the trap of long-ball football.

They should avoid appointing him.

Simon Grayson

 

Another manager that the Hatters should avoid appointing is Simon Grayson.

Many fans view Grayson as a perfect lower-league manager after his time at Preston North End - the 49-year old won 104 out of 235 games in charge at Deepdale, taking the Lilywhites up from League One, and turning them into comfortable, mid-table Championship performers.

But his managerial career has stagnated ever since his departure for Sunderland in 2017. It was a nightmare spell for Grayson at the Stadium of Light, where under terrible ownership conditions, he managed to win just 3 out of 18 games in charge of the club, who were ultimately relegated to League One.

He then took the reins of Bradford City, but left after winning just 3 games out of 14 in charge of the Bantams. Luton need to keep their momentum up after Jones leaves, and there are better options out there than Grayson.

Paul Hurst

Another manager out of work is Paul Hurst.

The 44-year old has been unemployed since his departure from Ipswich Town in October, where he was sacked after winning just 1 game out of 15 at the helm of the Suffolk club. His summer recruitment was extremely questionable, and the Tractor Boys have since won just 1 out of 12 games since his departure from Portman Road, and they currently find themselves 10 points adrift of safety.

He did a superb job at Shrewsbury Town, taking them from destined relegation candidates, to League One play-off finalists in the space of two years, but Luton only have to look at the job he did at Ipswich, to realise that there are better managers out there.