Wolves couldn’t get a result in their first outing under Rob Edwards, and pundit Richard Keys is concerned.
There were plenty of lessons from Edwards’ first game as Wolves boss, but the most important thing — the result — didn’t go his way.
Wolves weren’t awful at the weekend. Some players looked revitalised under a new coach and some moments gave us encouragement, but the 2-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of proceedings.
It would have been great to even avoid a loss at Molineux on Saturday, and Keys reckons it’s a missed opportunity.
Wolves’ best performer in the disappointing Crystal Palace loss? Richard Keys thinks failing to win against Palace a worry for Edwards
There hasn’t been much to celebrate at Wolves this season, but there was a notable shift in mood at the weekend, with at least the tiniest bit of anticipation seeping in ahead of Edwards’ first game.
And it’s exactly that anticipation which Keys thinks would have been invaluable to build upon with a positive result. Instead, it’s more worry.
As Keys writes on his blog: “Wolves look dead in the water – despite changing coaches, which is why it’s always a tricky decision to make. I think they’re too far back.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
“They needed to beat Palace to have a sniff of a chance and capitalise on the ‘feel good’ factor Rob Edwards arrived with.”
He might be right, but in normal circumstances, Palace isn’t a team Wolves would expect to beat. Is Keys putting too much importance on one fixture?
The manager doesn’t think so. Edwards released a statement after the Palace defeat, saying they need to build confidence.
Jeff Shi and Rob Edwards hatch a plan
“I spoke about it with Jeff. We have a job on our hands this season, but I do want to be here long-term. To do that I need results. We have to be realistic, but my focus is on doing a good job and making sure we’re a PL club next season, but there is some realism too.”
Keys draws the comparison between Wolves and Southampton
For large parts of last season, Southampton threatened to go down as the worst side in Premier League history.
They had double the points at this stage compared to Wolves, and so the comparison is obvious.
As Keys puts it: “A year ago Saints were bottom with four points and never looked like getting out of trouble. I like Edwards and I wish him well but he’s got a job and a half on at Molineux.”
There’s no denying that the odds against the new Wolves boss, and the fixtures aren’t getting any kinder.
That’s a pretty unpleasant month ahead of Edwards and his players, but he’s only just entered the post.
Let’s try to avoid writing the new boss off this early.
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