Rob Edwards believes the work his players are doing on the training ground is already making an impact despite his Wolves side falling to defeat against Aston Villa.
The head coach believed the differences in the level of performance his players showed at Villa Park compared to his opening game in charge against Crystal Palace the previous week was ‘vast’, but understands there are still improvements which need to be made.
With small margins being the difference between three points and none for his side, Edwards feels that if his players are to continue improving as they have been and perform as they did against their West Midlands rivals, results will begin to turn in Wolves’ favour.
On narrow loss at Villa Park
“It was a really good performance. Villa, at Villa Park, are especially a really good team, it’s one of the toughest tests you’re going to get in the Premier League and for long spells today, I thought we looked a really good team as well.
“I thought we matched them in many aspects of the game and I thought we showed real spirit, fight and determination, we were really organised, and I felt we were really brave and good with the ball for long spells, and created some really good moments.
“I don’t really know how we haven’t scored today, so I’m really disappointed, like everyone will be that’s connected to the club, but I’m also really proud of the performance.”
On big chances going against his side
“We created some really good chances and got in some really good areas. That was a great goal that never was, and Emi Martinez has made a couple of brilliant saves as well. We carried a threat, but in the end, we’ve not done enough to get the ball past him.
“He’s probably the best goalkeeper in the world and we saw that at times today, but also the discipline and they’re so organised it is hard for anyone to create against them, so that’s why I’m proud that we did.
“We kept going, we chucked everything at them, and it wasn’t to be in the end, but there’s a lot of positives there for us to be able to take forward. I look at the work we’ve done during the week, and I can see the difference in a week already between the performances.
“That gives me encouragement. We’ve got to try and recover well now, because the games come around thick and fast during this month.”
On Villa’s winner
“In the build-up, a long way before, I think Joao [Gomes] gets fouled, so he’s down on the floor and we’re defending with nine men for quite a while. He’s stuck it in the top corner, but we would have had a midfielder in that area who might potentially be getting out to the ball quicker.
“Maybe we’d have been able to get a block in there, so that’s frustrating. Potentially it’s a foul and we’re on the attack, rather than that whole phase of play, but there’s always stuff that we could have done better.”
On the referee’s decision not to give a foul
“He obviously just didn’t think it was. I watched it back and I think it is, but the game happens quickly and he’s made that decision.
“I thought he got a lot of the big decisions right today, and maybe that was one that against us.”
On taking confidence from this performance
“I hope so. The difference in performances from last week to this week is vast, and it’s been a really positive week of training. There’s been a good vibe around the place and as I said in a number of interviews, the lads are on board with what we’re trying to do. They’re with us.
“What we need to do is carry on performing like that and points will come. That’s what we can do. Work extremely hard every single day, and if we keep playing like that, pushing one of the best teams at home, then I can see us hopefully turning some momentum our way.”
