Rob Edwards admits the Wolves players and staff are working as hard as possible to try and turn their season around as they face the daunting prospect of being bottom of the Premier League table at Christmas.
With just two points on the board after 17 matches so far this season, Edwards admits the job he is facing at Molineux is as difficult as he expected when he first took over last month but has promised supporters that everyone is doing everything possible to pick up those illusive points, as his side face another difficult trip, this time to Anfield in their latest festive fixture on Saturday.
On facing Liverpool this weekend
“I’m just thinking about the game itself, and we’re looking forward to another really difficult game, but going to Anfield is always enjoyable. It’s a real challenge, it’s one of the most difficult ones, but one of the ones you look forward to.
“It’s always an incredible atmosphere there, but it’s just another game and other opportunity for us.
“Hugo trained today, so we’ll see how he progresses throughout the next few days, but we’re hopeful for him. Toti is out for a significant period of time with his hamstrings, so it’ll be weeks for him.
“It’s a big blow for him and the team, but it’s an opportunity for other people and that’s just the nature of the game at the moment. We’ve had a couple of muscle injuries over the last few weeks, and we have probably been pushing them harder and maybe risking one or two bits, but it’s always a shame when you get one of those.”
On the difficult job he’s got at Wolves
“I knew it was going to be really difficult, really challenging, and obviously the results haven’t turned and that’s really tough and frustrating, but we are working extremely hard.
“We’re seeing levels improving in training, we are seeing things that we want to see on a more regular basis, a bit more consistency, and we’ve had a lot of quite tight games, but then moments have affected us and we’ve come off the wrong end of the results.
“But it’s not surprising how difficult the job is, we knew the situation that we were coming into, but it’s just making us work even harder to try and turn this around. The staff are working around the clock to try and make sure we can do that.”
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On trying to give confidence to his players
“Especially at home, you can see there’s a difference. There’s an edginess and a nervousness around and if there’s a mistake or something goes against us, that does affect the atmosphere, and in turn, is affecting the lads as well.
“They’re not robots, so it’s impossible for them to just not hear it, and because it’s been going on for so long, it has affected them, there’s no doubt about it. We can be in all of the games like we have been, and quite tight, might not be playing brilliantly, but we’re in the games, and there’s not much in it, and if something goes against us, then it can turn things significantly.
“It’s really difficult to just be able to go, ‘Have some belief and confidence there lads, and go and change it’. But the only way we can do that is by continuing to work really hard here, try and do the right things every day, and hope things will turn.”
On Mateus Mane’s pushing for a start
“You want to try and get the right balance. We see them every day, the whole week, and we know a lot more about every individual and circumstances, so there is always a bit of context around it as well, but we’ll always try and pick the right moments for younger players.
“Mane has done really well and is certainly getting to the point where you’re thinking the kid’s looking ready, it looks like he can affect the game, which is really encouraging for us. He’s getting more and more time as the weeks go on, and if he keeps going the way he is and keeps training the way he is, then he’ll earn his start, there’s no doubt about it.
“It's a bit of sink or swim, and sometimes circumstances happen. Sometimes you get in and you just earn it, sometimes it’s because of injury and there’s a bit of circumstance around it. Right now, there’s one or two away, one or two injuries, but he’s earning it. It’s not just because of circumstances, and he’s believing in himself, which is really good, it’s encouraging.
“Again, I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, because I know there’s probably a lot of doom and gloom at the moment and he’s one shining light that people will talk about, but I don’t want all the expectation to go on him and that to damage him, either. Let’s just make sure everyone looks after him.”
On the pathway for the under-21s
“There is a way through, but ultimately, they’ve got to be good enough. That is the bottom line. There will be an opportunity for them if they’ve got the right attitude and they’re good enough.
“I’d love to give young players an opportunity here, nothing would give me greater pleasure, but we’re in a competitive business, and we’ve got to try and get results as well. It’s about trying to find that balance, but if they deserve it, then they’ll get that chance.
“We’re using the lads a lot in the training, and then we’ll see if that warrants appearances in the games. But we’ll see what January brings, and what we’re able to do as well, and what kind of position we’re in in that medium term.”
On January transfer plans
“We’re due to catch up this week, and there are conversations ongoing now with Nathan [Shi] and the rest of the team around the strategy going forward. As these next couple of days go on, I’ll hopefully speak to him and find out a little bit more on it, but that will only be a good thing.
“We’ll take every situation in January, every individual on an individual basis, and we’ll see. I’m sure there will be interest in a few of our players, even though we’re in the situation that we’re in.
“But that doesn’t concern me, what concerns me is trying to just get the best out of people and trying to find a way to lift one or two. That’s the bit I’m thinking about most.”
