Rob Edwards believes the improvements his players have made during the last few months – especially defensively – were on display in the goalless draw with Newcastle United at Molineux.
The Old Gold produced a battling display in the winter rain in the Black Country to deny the Champions League outfit from having a shot on target until the 85th minute, while also having the best of the opportunities to score what would have been a crucial goal.
Although pleased with the progression made by the team since his arrival, Edwards feels there is still plenty to improve as Wolves look to continue their positive second half of the season.
On a point against Newcastle
“I’m really proud of them. It was a really spirited performance, really committed. I thought the lads were really good without the ball. We had to be against a team like this today with the quality that they have and controlled the game the way we wanted it without the ball.
“I thought we limited them to very little, although I would love us to have a little bit more threat than going forward, whether it's on the counter, whether we can get a bit more control in the final third.
“It wasn’t to be today, but I’m asking a lot of them in that way, and we’re asking even more of them going forward, but overall, I’m delighted with the commitment and the spirit of the team today, against a very good team.”
On improving performances
“Performances have steadily been trending in the right direction, but there’s then nothing like results for belief. It’s all right me just coming out and saying, ‘We did well, we competed, we were close’, at least now we are competing and taking something from games. There’s still a long way to go, but the lads are fighting.
“I just think we’ve been able to work consistently for a period of time. Now, with hindsight, it was never, ever going to be a very quick fix, with everything that we’re trying to address. It just took some time to try and get some of the things right that we needed to. It’s not there yet, but what you can see is a team that’s fighting, they’re willing to put their bodies on the line, block and head it and tackle and run hard.
“Maybe these are some of the things that because of a lack of confidence and belief you don’t quite get right for whatever reason. But again, they’re human and not magnets on a tactics board or robots, and we all want them to be perfect all the time. I know they’re Premier League footballers, they’re paid well, but they’re human beings and you can feel bad and lack confidence, and that can certainly affect performance. At the moment we’re starting to feel better about ourselves, and performances are improving.”
Continuing our unbeaten start to the year.
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On another clean sheet
“Especially from a defensive point of view, we’ve had to become more solid. We are growing and we do look like now that we’re certainly not giving much away, and that gives us the best chance of being in games to get the points.
“If we can keep it to zero, we know we’re going to be in the game. That’s two Premier League clean sheets in a row here at home, and it’s great because that gives us a really good base.”
On rebuilding a relationship with the fans
“I feel it is [improving]. You could see that throughout the game. You could hear the supporters. They’re with the lads, they can see the commitment that they’re giving, and then at the end, I think they appreciate that the lads are fighting.
“We all know that is the bare minimum, I know that, but it had gone quite bad, especially here, and I think it was hard for the lads, it was hard for the supporters, and almost for the supporters to know what to do. Whether to get behind the lads or not.
“Then for the lads, it was becoming difficult to play, so it’s taken some time to try and turn things. We were getting good performances away from home at first, and then we’ve just gradually started to click. I know it’s not anywhere near where we want it to be, but from where we were, this is probably quite good form.”
On having a positive second half to the season
“We had to try and build momentum. We want to stay in the league, but regardless of what happens, we need to be a good place going forward next season. We want to be building momentum, belief, trying to help heal this club, and build that connection back up with the support base.
“The supporters are the most important people at the club, so we’re trying to do all that in the middle of a Premier League season, which is difficult, but I feel like we’re making some good steps.”
On giving his all to the role
“I know the position that we’re in. I’ve really wanted this job for a long, long time, so I’d have loved this 10 years ago as well, but this is the situation that we’re in. But let’s be really honest and frank about it, I wouldn’t have got it unless we were in this sort of situation.
“That’s the reality of it, but I am loving it. I’m loving this opportunity, because it’s an amazing football club and I feel like we’re having an impact now, and that’s all of us – the players, the staff that are with me, they’re brilliant and giving everything.
“We want to try and continue because it doesn’t get much easier with Manchester City away. I know they had a difficult one yesterday, but these are the games that we want to be involved in.”
