Rob Edwards says his side made “big strides forward in terms of the performance” at Crystal Palace so was frustrated that big moments went against his side.
The head coach saw his side carry out the game plan to a tee at Selhurst Park, but Tolu Arokodare’s missed penalty meant they weren’t rewarded at the break. Then after it Ladislav Krejci was sent off for kicking the ball away and the momentum changed.
The Eagles struck late to earn the points at Selhurst Park, which left Edwards pondering what might have been, with key moments ensuring Wolves’ efforts went unrewarded in the capital.
On the defeat at Palace
“The message at half-time was, with the way we were performing, that was didn’t want to accept a point, we’d only accept all three the way we were playing. So, it’s really frustrating to come out and talk about a defeat.
“The lads were brilliant and took everything on board. They carried out the gameplan really well, I think we were the better team up until the sending off. Two big moments – the penalty and the sending off, and those two big things have gone against us. Even with ten men, they were pushing and we had to defend long throws and defend the box, but I don’t think Sa had too much to do.
“The moment they found that bit of quality, if we could adjust one or two people’s positions by a fraction, we’d take something from the game. Two big moments that didn’t go our way and that’s why we lost.”
On the missed penalty
“He felt confident. He was brave and stepped up, and it can happen. I’m never going to come out and criticise him for missing a penalty. Tolu’s our number nine and felt positive over the ball. In that moment, it’s important you don’t change. There can be a number of people who want to take it, but Tolu was designated one and wanted to take it at that time.”
On the move for the penalty
“The way we earnt the penalty was brilliant, the press was great, we got in behind them. It was a snapshot of how the game was going, we were pressing them really well, the lads understood it so well, and with the ball I thought we were excellent.
“If I could be critical, once we broke through, you want to create a little bit more in those moments, once we got behind their midfield line, which we did a few times. But they’re big strides forward in terms of the performance.”
On Krejci’s red card
“He’s got to learn there. At that moment he’s frustrated but can’t do it. He’d been booked a few moments before, so he knows. He’s been brilliant for us, but that cost us. I can’t defend it. I want to say he’s been really good for us, and was really good in the game, but that moment changed the momentum completely.
“It was a mistake. It can happen, but it shouldn’t. In that moment, you’ve got to try to stay cool and collected and not give the referee a decision to make. We were right in the game at that moment, and I felt we were pushing. The crowd was sort of on the edge, and they were looking a bit nervy. It gave them the encouragement that they needed and with an extra man it was difficult to continue to play the way we were.”
