Criticism and confusion were inevitable when Rob Edwards left highly-rated Middlesbrough in the Championship to join an winless Wolves team that was bottom of the Premier League. But soccer coaches are also human beings.
Sitting with Edwards at the Timberwolves’ practice field is a reminder that you can’t separate the personal from the professional. He is looking forward to a family meal celebrating his daughter’s 18th birthday. Last night, I had homework with my son.
“Maths homework. To be honest, I had a really hard time with it,” he told Sky Sports. “But these little things are really big and important to me. Being able to go home every night is something I haven’t been able to do for five years. So, that’s a huge deal. I just need to find a win.”
As his thoughts return to football, he is reminded of the reality that while this may be the perfect place for the 42-year-old Edwards, the circumstances of his return to the club where he worked as a player and coach are far from ideal. The wolf is in a desperate situation.
Far from being safe, they have not won in the Premier League since April and are already eight points behind 19th-placed Burnley. The woes Edwards inherited were such that no team has ever recovered from such a start, and he has lost several more games since then.
But there was a reaction. The 1-0 loss to in-form Aston Villa was arguably Wolves’ best performance of the season. “The players showed compassion. They played with courage and courage. There was a fighting spirit, but there was also a lot of quality.”
Edwards says there’s “something to build on”, but the tricky part is this is December, not August, and the points Wolves need aren’t a promising sign. His players have been without wins or rewards for a long time, so it’s not easy to lift their spirits.
“That’s the challenge. We knew it was coming. We’ve got to get our players to keep believing in that. Keep going out there every day and trying to do the right thing. If you do that, you’re going to get points.” At least Edwards can say he’s seen a lot of things right so far.
“The fundamentals – running, intensity, number of duels won – we saw an improvement in just a few games.” Indeed, there has been a clear improvement in intensity, as reflected in the players being seen off with applause from the away cheer squad at Villa Park.
“I can’t imagine how difficult it is for our supporters at the moment,” Edwards admitted. “But they were great after the game. I think they were with us because they saw the dedication of the players and they saw the performance.”
Fans are aware that it’s not a lack of effort that has Wolves struggling, but rather mistakes made by those above them. Talent has been sold and not properly replenished, leaving a disjointed team and Edwards having to shore up his team in the face of adversity.
Even the Portuguese core that once held the group together has left. The six new players this summer represent six different nationalities, and none of them have any Premier League experience. “It’s new to me,” Edwards admits. The purpose is to find common purpose.
“In our first meeting with the group, we talked about how everyone’s journey was different to get here. We have to respect everyone’s journey. We’re all individuals, but what we’re trying to build is a culture where we’re all striving for the same thing.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Behind the scenes of Edwards’ first day with the Timberwolves as he met staff and players
A charming personality, Edwards believes he is connected. “When I stand in front of them, I see them nodding and I see them accepting the information. I think they agree with what we’re trying to do and what we want.”
He quickly reinstated the midfield core of Joao Gomez and Andre, a partnership that his predecessor Vitor Pereira had inexplicably broken in his final three games in charge. Edwards agrees that the two Brazilians are likely among the best he has ever worked with.
“They’re really good players. They can win the ball in tight spaces and they can fight people for the ball. They enjoy it. That’s their game, so we need to be able to take advantage of that. If we miss that too much, we won’t play to our strengths.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Premier League highlights of Aston Villa vs Wolves
They could give Wolves a platform – “team players, really good players and they really care” – but there are concerns looming over Edwards who don’t seem to have the team quality the club once boasted. There is no Matheus Cunha to rely on.
When asked this question, he replied matter-of-factly, “We found a group that we’re working with now.” He talks about “trying to find more connections” and working on “how to get behind the team” and “how to get good numbers in the box”.
But the fact that Wolves have turned to Tawanda Chirewa and Matheus Mane with the game still in the balance at Villa is perhaps a clue that Edwards is looking for something. “We want to make sure who we have available, who we can trust, are they available?”
The Wolves used to consistently rank at the top in dribble attempts. Now they’re near the bottom and that playfulness has all but disappeared from their game. If there is an obvious lack of creativity, perhaps set pieces could be the solution. Wolf needs to improve there, too.
“The game is always evolving and people are always trying to find an edge,” Edwards admits. Toti Gomez is the team’s resident long-throw specialist, but the big defender could use a little more distance. “I know. You’re not wrong.”
So what is Edwards’ idea? “We want it to be an exciting game. We want it to be aggressive. We want to play fast, dynamic football. But we also want it to suit our players. Having some control over the game suits our abilities.”
He added: “We want to create chances with high pressing, high regains, counter-pressing and crossing and finishing. And maybe a little bit of getting through teams in all kinds of different ways. We’re going to play to the strengths of our players.”
Wednesday, December 3rd 6:30pm
7:30pm kickoff
Two formations in two games suggests Edwards is still working on that issue and is flexible to find a solution. Against Crystal Palace, Wolves used two big strikers for the first time this season in Jorgen Strand Larsen and Tolu Alokodare.
Villa swapped their battering-ram approach for a more subtle style, bringing Jean-Richner Bellegarde and John Arias into the half-spaces. “We felt like we needed a little more connection, we needed a little more control, and we got that,” he explains.
“As I said to the players on the first day, we may feel that a back five is probably right for the situation we have at the moment. What happens beyond that may be a little tweaked and changed depending on our position, who is available and who is fit.”
Jorgen Strand Larsen has only scored one goal in the Premier League so far this season.
It remains to be seen how much he can do in January to address the team’s deficiencies. Wolves’ situation is already dire and all hope could be gone by then. “If we can get some points and close the gap a little bit, we can probably do a little bit more.”
The focus will likely be on adding domestically qualified players with knowledge of the English game, which has so far been seriously lacking. Of course, new signings will need to be made with the possibility of a championship season in mind.
he is realistic “It’s going to be tough.” So when the question arises whether the Wolves can stay on their feet, he’s ready. “I’m not going to sit here and make headlines right away because no one has ever done it in this capacity, but I believe in the group.”
Monday, December 8th 6:30pm
Kickoff at 8pm
He added: “We owe it to ourselves and everyone associated with this football club to give our all and leave everything behind.” There are already signs that supporters, unhappy with the decisions that led to Wolves’ downfall, appreciate that.
“The most important thing is that they see the full effort of the players fighting for the club and for the badge. I know that’s the bare minimum, but if you can see a little bit more quality in that fighting spirit, I think you can get the fans on side. They’ve been great so far.”
“I love them. It really means a lot. I want to give them something to shout out. We’re working hard to give them a team they can be proud of.” Edwards is happy to be home. But the wolf is an even more difficult puzzle than my son’s math homework.
Wolves take on Nottingham Forest at home this Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports F1, before playing Monday Night Football against Manchester United at Molineux, live on Sky Sports F1.
