Rob Edwards knows Wolves are going to have to be at their very best if they are to extend their unbeaten run at Manchester City this weekend, despite their opponent’s recent inconsistent results.
The Old Gold will head to the Etihad Stadium with an almost fully-fit squad, with the exception of captain Toti and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde – the Haiti international returned to training this week, but Saturday’s fixture comes too soon – and Edwards also confirmed Jorgen Strand Larsen will be with the squad after a transfer bid came in for the striker earlier this week.
But despite the progression the team have been making since his arrival, and especially during the last few weeks which has seen an uplift in results and confidence around the club, the head coach insists the staff at Compton Park are still pushing the players hard to continue these improvements.
On the January transfer window
“I’ve maintained this all the way along. We’re not under any pressure to sell at all. We want to try and be as strong as we can throughout this period. Unless we feel it’s the right thing for the football club, no one will go.
“No one’s been knocking on my door. They’ve all shown a really good attitude and a desire to be here and train, so if that continues, then it’s pretty straightforward.
“If we're bringing anyone to the club, it’s because they fit and they want to be here. Hopefully, our performances over the last six, seven weeks, there’s some positive signs there. Anyone that could be [coming in] can see what they’re coming into and can see some positives there.”
On a difficult trip to the Etihad this weekend
“We’ll expect the best Manchester City, which is pretty good, isn’t it? We’re going up against the best manager and they’ve got world class players in every position, so we’ll expect the best version of them.
“Every team has weaknesses. They don’t have many, but every team has weaknesses. Of course, we need to try and go into the game with a way to try and win it. We’ll try and show the boys that, but we obviously have to go into the game completely respecting them and what they are.
“We believe we always have a good plan to try and make sure that we’re solid and in the game but to try and win it as well, so this game tomorrow will be no different.”
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 22, 2026
On Man City’s recent inconsistency
“Who am I to give any sort of criticism on them? Every game for them is a must-win because of the levels that they’re competing at all the time, and if they don’t win, then it’s huge news, but he’s [Guardiola] used to that because of every club he’s been at and that’s what he’s been used to throughout his whole career.
“I’m sure he’ll be putting things right, and the players will want to as well, so that’s why we’ll be expecting the best version of them, and a really difficult game – as difficult a game as you can get in the league.”
On Wolves’ away record since he arrived
“We can take confidence from those games that we were right in them. But again, this is a different one. When they get it right, if there’s any team that can suffocate you and make it really difficult, then it’s obviously them.
“We’re going to have to be really good in every moment of the game, without the ball, when we win it back, and then when we do have the opportunities to have the ball as well, and every other moment within the game. But certainly, we can take some confidence from those games, but we know they’ll be different.”
On working hard at Compton
“We’re just trying to make improvements, all our focus is about trying to improve, and trying to work hard every day. But the lads are focused, you can see it on a matchday at the moment, but what we’re seeing here at the training ground, there’s a very good spirit here and everyone is giving their all – which I know should be a given – but they’re doing that well.
“What we’re trying to do is actually keep things very simple and clear. I think that’s what’s best for our players, but then with certain individuals, we can go into more detail. That’s probably the way we’re working. It’s not that less is more, but we feel consistency and a lot of clarity for them is what’s best at the moment.
“It has been a tough period, and it still is, we’re in a difficult period, but I feel like us new staff were able to come in with a real freshness and an energy, because we know why we’re in – things haven’t gone to plan and we’re trying to turn things around – and I think everyone would understand it’s not going to be a really quick fix.
“But all the staff have shown a brilliant professionalism, a brilliant work ethic and a desire to try and help us. I already knew a lot of them and they’re really good people, so they’re giving everything to try and help.”
On Yerson Mosquera’s all-action performances
“He's a brilliant character. Whether that’s players, staff, journalists or whatever, there’s always characters in football and he’s certainly one of them. He always brings his ‘a game’, his energy, and he has a real zest for life and enthusiasm. But you need that and he’s been brilliant.
“He gives his all and what we’ve started to see is some really good performances from him as well. His athleticism is unquestionable, and obviously he can compete with everyone. He’s improving all the time with his defensive work and there’s always areas with every player that we want to continue to keep working and improving.
“But he’s been making good decisions, his all-round understanding of what we want is really improving, and we’re starting to get a bit of consistency, especially his without the ball stuff.”
