Rob Edwards slams Wolves players and makes ‘kids game’ claim after 4-1 defeat to Man Utd

Wolves boss Rob Edwards told BBC Sport: “We got ourselves back in the game but the goals we conceded we’ll never get anything from a game. We gave the ball to them, ‘there you go Man Utd’. It’s impossible to win a game of football that way.

“It’s understandable at times, there’s a nervousness around, a lack of confidence and rhythm. They’re human beings, they feel it.

“For the third goal we won the ball three or four times and insist on giving it back to them.

“It’s difficult especially at this level. We’re getting punished.

“We have to try to work very hard, try to learn and try to improve.”

Was it an improved performance from the last game: “Elements of us were better especially the back-end of the first half than against Forest but we gave a load of big chances away more than we did against Forest. We shot ourselves in the foot.”

On the fans jeering players coming off: “I understand the frustration. I won’t tell fans what to do. I’d love them to support the players but they have to see effort and commitment in return. Mistakes were punished tonight and that filtered through. There was an anger in the stadium. The lads are trying. The supporters are angry and I get it.

“It’s the toughest league in the world and we came into a team who hadn’t won since April. I wasn’t anticipating a quick turnaround.”

 Edwards, speaking to Sky Sports: “Overall, quality there was a difference, no doubt about it. We gifted three goals away. At half time when we put ourselves in a position, we were back in the game, and finished strong in that first half, so there was a positive energy, a good feel and then to turn around and start the second half as we did was quite baffling. We gifted the three goals. Honestly, it was like watching a kids game for elements of the first three goals we gave away. If you do that at this level, you’re not going to win.

“You’re up against it. You’re not going to win a game of football if you’re doing that. Then at 3-1 it’s difficult. The whole atmosphere is difficult.

“You want to show a willingness to get back into the game, but on the flipside if they’re counter-attacking, it’s deadly and you can leave yourself open. They can take defenders off and bring more attackers on.”

On fans protesting by not arriving until 15 minutes in: “They’ve not seen their team win for ages, so I get the anger and frustration completely. If I was a supporter I’d be angry myself because we all want to see our team competing and I want to be doing that.”

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, speaking to Sky Sports: “I think we started the game really well. We scored a goal and we let Wolves a little bit get back into the game. We suffered in the last play of the first half but in the second half we had good pace, good quality in the decisions. We finished the game and Wolves is in one difficult moment. It was a good evening.

“We score four but we had a lot of shots, so I can’t make that connecttion with more clinical. I think we improved a lot if you compare last season and this season we are creating so much more chances and scoring more goals and having more real situations of danger, so I’m really pleased with that.”

On his front three looking fluid: “They have the quality to do that. They can change positions, especially if you play a guy like Matheus Cunha, he moves more than a typical nine, so we took advantage of that.”

On whether the early goal in the second half was key: “I felt since the first minute, if it was not sooner we would win the game and I really enjoyed how we played the second half.”

“We need to win the next one, this one is in the past. Let’s go.”

Amorim told BBC Sport: “We played well most of the time. We should have a different score in the end.

“I’m pleased with the second half that we understood we had another opportunity.”

On what he said at half-time: “It wasn’t tactical. It was so clear we are dominating the games but not finishing the plays as we should do. We need to be better in the details. Trying to explain to the players we have 45 minutes to win the three points that are crucal for our life.

“It’s important. We had some games against teams in better moments and had many shots. We need to improve the quality of the shots. We need to focus not just on scoring but protecting our goal.”

On Mason Mount: “It’s not just the goal he scored, it’s the way he plays the game – how he attacks, he defends, he understands his technical qualities. You don’t need to have many touches. He’s a really good player and works hard. He knows sometimes he needs to start on the bench.”

On what moving into sixth place means: “Nothing. It’s always the same feeling we should have more points. But that’s in the past, let’s focus on the future.”

Mount, speaking to Sky Sports on his goal: “As soon as I see Bruno [Fernandes] with the ball and has time and space to turn, that’s my trigger to try and get in behind and try and time my run. I thought it was going to be a bit close [to offside] but the defender dropped back and bit and kept me onside. Delighted with that. And as I said before, it was about being ruthless in the second half and finishing our chances off.”

On playing with Bruno Fernandes: “We all know the calibre of player he is. When he gets on the ball he’s always trying to create something. He’s a joy to play with as a player that’s higher up the pitch because you know he’s having a look and he’s going to play the ball over the top.”

On whether Man Utd fans are seeing him get back to his best form: “Anytime I play I obviously want to play to the best of my ability and perform. I’ve had setbacks. I’ve had difficult times, I feel now I’m ready to keep pushing on and building on these performances. Getting in the goals, that’s the most important thing as a forward player and just keep going and working hard. That’s exactly what I’m focusing on now.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Rob Edwards slams Wolves players and makes a ‘kids game’ claim after a 4-1 defeat to Man Utd…

@WhittallClive: Feel sorry for Rob Edwards right now, it’s hard to see how any manager can break through the lack of ability of some of our players and the lack of confidence in most. They need a break & a result and definitely the fans behind them. The boo boys will only confirm the inevitable.

@DaysAlbion: I wouldn’t be against trying the back 4 again. Santi and Krejci actually looked semi decent for the few games they played together. Get Doherty back from injury, give Mane and Lopez a start with Bellegarde, Gomes and Andre. Tolu in for Larsen HAS to happen. #wwfc

@RK13_4: Everything that was gained v Villa just blown away in 2 games. Horrendous. No passion, no fight no desire. Watching Toti and Yerson trying to defend is so painful, what’s Santi got to do for a game? Complete embarrassment from top to bottom #Shiout

@BullseyeTips: No other words. Club should refund everyones season tickets, sell the players, sack the manager, sack the board, dock every players wages for the rest of the season. Its just beyond anything we ever imagined how bad we are.

@CuppaTolu: They closed the blinds to block out the protests. They turned all the TV’s on the concourse off. Every single things this club does shows apathy towards the fans who line their pockets. Get them the fuck out! #WWFC #FosunOut

@Lem_WWFC: Afraid to say it but fans who want to “support” the players are just crazy. They don’t deserve our support. No one at this club “deserves” our support anymore. They have to earn it back for me.

@Jonhstb: Pissing me off now, not going to lie. This is absolutely embarrassing. What has happened to this club. It’s so sad

@WWFC_CW: Fuck off 👍🏼 ruined my day once again

@DSwv_: I actually need therapy because this is causing me severe depression watching the club I grew up watching be this way. What can I do, I’m from Wolverhampton and supported them thru a lot, but this is beyond a joke

@MickCondon: As a United fan I feel for your fans, we ain’t great but that team of yours is no where near premiership level

@WanderasLuke: What’s going on at Wolves? Players look absolutely down on confidence, pockets of space all over the pitch, proper mess it looks like.