Rob Edwards gave a brutal post-match assessment of Wolves’ 3-0 defeat to Brighton in the Premier League this afternoon.
The Wolves boss did not hold back after watching his side fall two goals behind inside five minutes at the Amex Stadium, describing his team’s start as “atrocious” before admitting “some of them have got to go” ahead of next season.
Wolves found themselves behind after 37 seconds after Brighton punished a sloppy opening spell, and Edwards admitted his players failed to cope with the Seagulls’ aggressive pressing structure from the very first whistle.
Embed from Getty Images“It looked like we were still in a nice hotel for the first five minutes,” Edwards said.
“We all know what Brighton are really good at. They’re really good at pressing as soon as they lose the ball. In the first half, too much square and backwards, not enough being positive.
“The start of the game was atrocious. We find ourselves 1-0 down before we’ve really had a kick.”
Edwards reserved particular frustration for the defending from a first-half corner which allowed Brighton to double their advantage, revealing that one defensive matchup inside the box had not been planned by the coaching staff.
Embed from Getty Images“Do your job. There was a couple of people not doing their jobs,” he said.
Asked specifically about Joao Gomes marking Lewis Dunk from the set-piece, Edwards replied: “It wasn’t planned. It was a decision they just decided to make at that moment.
“That’s why we are where we are. Crazy decision.”
The Wolves head coach also agreed with suggestions that some players lacked focus and responsibility during another disappointing away display.
“People not valuing doing their job. That’s why we are where we are,” he added.
“There’s been too many games where if we don’t make those stupid mistakes, the game could have been alright.”
Despite the heavy defeat, Edwards praised the travelling Wolves supporters for their backing throughout the match and admitted they had every right to be frustrated after a miserable campaign.
“They’ve travelled a long way and I thought they were outstanding right the way throughout the game,” he said.
“They’re right to be angry. I know it’s been a horrible season.”
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, the most striking moment of the press conference arrived when Edwards was asked whether he had already begun planning for major squad changes this summer.
“Yeah, definitely. Some of them have got to go,” he admitted.
“We’re bottom of the league. It’s been embarrassing. They’ve got to go.”
Edwards insisted he would continue fighting through Wolves’ final two matches of the campaign, but acknowledged attention is already beginning to shift towards rebuilding for next season.
“We’ve got two more games, so suck it up, keep our head down and then we can really get to work,” he said.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Isabelle Martin
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