Rob Edwards knows just how hard his side will have to work against Arsenal on Wednesday, but hopes they remain in the game to turn the pressure on the league leaders.
The Gunners are at Molineux on Wednesday evening with the pressure of the title race on their shoulders, but just two months ago the Old Gold were only beaten in stoppage time by the same opponents in the capital.
Hanging in the game was essential that night, and nearly paid off for Edwards’ side, and now he wants his players to give everything they’ve got to give themselves a chance of creating a special night under the Molineux lights.
On Arsenal away providing encouragement
“We're certainly able to lean on it and use it for elements of the game tomorrow. It'll be a different night, and it'll be a different game, but there'll be parts of it that we can lean on and learn from, definitely. They're a brilliant team who can play in so many different ways and win a game in different ways. We’ve got to be prepared for lots of different sides to the game.
“We want to try and be brave and win the game, but of course, we have to respect them and what they're going to make us do as well. We're going to have to be very good without the ball, very diligent. We're going to have to be patient, but aggressive in the right moments and then hopefully we'll have moments in the game that we can take advantage of.
“I liked the character that we showed [in the away game]. I liked the fact that heads didn't go down once we were 1-0 down. It was a brilliant corner from Saka, but it was quite fortuitous, but heads didn't drop, and we stuck together and found a way to get back into the game as well. The actual plan overall on the night was quite a clear one for people to be able to see. But the lads actioned it really well.”
On the need for discipline
“We’ll have to be very, very disciplined. We’re going to have to be prepared to run and work hard and then run and work hard some more, and then probably do a little bit more. If we can remain in the game, then obviously we can grow into it. There's pressure on us, because we want to have really good standards, we want to keep improving and building, but there's a lot of pressure in a different way on them, an expectation. They'll be feeling that, and we've got to make sure that we're in the game to make them feel like later on.”
On the energy used at Grimsby
“It would have sapped the lads a little bit the other day, but I think it would have sapped them even more if we'd have lost. There's nothing like winning a game of football. It can give you a little bit of energy and a bit of bounce and belief and confidence as well. Arsenal under the lights on a Wednesday night, it's not hard to get up for that. We'll have our energy and we'll be able to freshen up in a few different areas, and we'll be ready to run and fight.”
On the boost a win would provide
“It's been tough. It's been challenging. I'm in a very privileged position, I’m working at a brilliant football club that at the moment is in a difficult period, but we're working really hard to try and change that, and I think we are having a positive effect. But it was never going to be quick. It would be amazing to win this game, it would give everyone such a lift. That is our aim.
“I think everyone understands how difficult a challenge it will be. I'm sure everyone will be behind us tomorrow, and we'll all try and achieve something special together tomorrow night. I've got so much energy, and I'm really looking forward to this challenge of helping to turn things around. I feel like we're having a decent effect at the moment, tomorrow night is another opportunity for us to try and do that.
“These special games, big occasions, big nights against top teams. Of course, there's an opportunity there for us to try and create more momentum and more belief and more of a feel-good factor around the place. But to do that, we've got perform well, and a lot will have to go in our favour on the night, but that's football, and it can happen.”
