Rob Edwards was left ruing fine margins as his Wolves side fell to a narrow defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux.
Joao Palhinha’s late clincher following a free-kick which was not fully cleared secured the points for the visitors, but a last second Joao Gomes’ set-piece which was pushed wide could have snatched a result for the hosts.
And Edwards, who praised the way his players continue to commit themselves despite relegation being confirmed, believed his side did more than enough to take something from the match.
On defeat at Molineux
“It was tough to take in the end. Clearly, we’re coming up against a team that have got a hell of a lot to play for. Their motivation levels are really high, a new manager that’s got loads of energy, and you can see that his team reflects that, but I thought we matched it.
“Considering what’s happened to us this week, I thought the players fought really hard, and more than matched that intense effort.
“In the second half, we were the better team, we were pushing, and it really hurts to concede in the manner that we did and lose the game.”
On Joao Gomes’ free-kick
“Imagine everyone’s feelings if that had gone in right at the end. But those are the fine margins of football. There was a little bit in the lead up to the actual corner itself, where there’s things that aren’t right, and then it’s a really tight call for the offside.
“But that’s football and the way the game was going, it was always going to be that today, because there was also a lot riding on the game
“It was going to be a moment of magic, a free-kick that could go in the top corner, or it was going to be second phase from the corner, where one or two people just switched off, and it’s a really tight offside call.”
On Mateus Mane’s performance
“I thought he did really well. It was a good performance from him in a difficult game, a really intense game, and he’s up against some really good players there. So I’m really pleased him today.”
On impact of relegation
“We’ve known the situation for quite a long time, let’s be honest, so we’ve been mentally prepared for it and there’s been a lot of work that’s been going on. But here and now, we’re trying to get some results to take into next season to try and keep belief and morale levels high, which is a challenge, because everyone hates losing games.
“The supporters were amazing from the first minute right the way through today, but it’s frustrating for them to lose games.
“In the situation that we’re in, we need to try and find a way to get a couple of results, but the lads have gone the right way about it with their mindset and how hard they worked today.”
On players continuing to fight
“The effort was there and the commitment was there, and I think that was really clear today; the running, the duals, that side of the game, it was clear.
“I suppose we just lacked at the top end of the pitch and that’s obviously an important part of it.”
