WATCH FOR OUR REACTION FOLLOWING DEFEAT FOR ROB EDWARDS' FIRST GAME
Wet, windy, and cold. That was Molineux as Wolves slipped to a 0-2 defeat against Crystal Palace, but it was anything but quiet. On a day when the team needed a response, the performance on the pitch and the noise in the stands suggested there is still some fight left in this side.
This was the first home game under Rob Edwards, the atmosphere was fierce, and despite the scoreline there were glimmers of hope, effort, and togetherness. It may be a mountain to climb from here, but it did not feel like a team that had thrown the towel in.
The post-match reaction came from just outside a very damp Molineux, where the wind and rain matched the mood of many fans.
Dazzling Dave and Marvelous Mike shared their instant thoughts after the final whistle. It was raw, it was honest, and it matched how many Wolves supporters would have felt walking back to their cars in the drizzle.
Battling From the First Whistle
The first half showed something that had been badly missing in recent games: a positive mindset.
From kick-off, Wolves looked up for it. The team pressed, battled, and tried to get on the front foot.
You could see:
- A positive start instead of sitting deep and waiting.
- Players who battled hard, flying into challenges and closing down.
- A defence that, while still fragile at times, threw bodies in the way.
Crystal Palace had the better chances in that opening period. At one point a Palace player went clean through on goal, but Johnstone stood up to him, forced him wide, and the shot went off-target. It was a big moment that kept Wolves in the game.
Wolves also put together some tidy moves going forward. There were spells where the team passed the ball with purpose and tried to create angles, rather than simply recycling it backwards. You could see the outline of something that might grow with more time on the training pitch.
The biggest issue was the same old one. In the final third, the quality and decision making were not there often enough.
There were breaks where a shot was on but no one pulled the trigger. Other times, the ball was overplayed, another pass was tried, and the move broke down. The intent was much better, but that lack of sharpness in key areas made it hard to turn effort into real chances.
Fans Turn UP THE VOLUME AT Molineux
One thing that stood out from the start was the noise. Molineux was rocking.
On a grey, soaking afternoon, the home fans were outstanding. It was described as the loudest and best atmosphere at Molineux for a very long time, and you could feel it from the first whistle to the last.
Crucially, the support was there for Rob Edwards.
He has only had around 24 hours with some of these players, yet the crowd got right behind him. There was no negativity, no turning on the bench. Just a loud, united home crowd backing the new head coach and his team.
Fans really did get behind the team, and that matters. If Wolves are going to get out of this, they are going to need a siege mentality. It felt like the first steps towards that.
Second Half: Bad Luck, Bad Mistakes, and No Cutting Edge
The game was still there to be won at half-time. Wolves were competing, Palace were dangerous, but it felt balanced enough. Then came the two moments that killed it.
The Goals That Changed Everything
Both goals told their own story of where Wolves are right now.
The first goal: It came from a Palace corner. The ball dropped, a shot came in, and it was blocked. Johnstone was diving to try to save it, bodies were flying in, but the rebound fell straight to a Palace player, who finished. It was a scrappy goal and felt like pure bad luck. When you are at the bottom, the ball always seems to fall to the opposition.
The second goal: This one hurt more. It was a self-inflicted wound. A poor pass from Hwang gifted the ball away in a dangerous area. Palace did not need a second invitation. They were ruthless, moved it quickly, and finished with real calm. That is the difference between a side full of belief and one short of confidence.
The first goal felt unlucky. The second felt avoidable. Together, they summed up why Wolves are where they are.
Still No Clinical Edge in the Final Third
At the other end of the pitch, the same frustration continues. Wolves simply do not look clinical.
Two strikers on the pitch did help. Having Tolu up there caused some problems for Palace, but he clearly is not ready for a full 90 minutes yet. This is understandable, but it means Wolves struggle to sustain pressure for long spells.
Palace, on the other hand, looked like everything Wolves want to become. They were organised, confident, and carried a threat every time they came forward. Their fans were in fine voice too, enjoying what has been a very good year for them.
Wing backs did get forward more for Wolves, which was encouraging. They put crosses into the box and tried to stretch Palace, even if many balls were overhit. You could see the idea. Rob Edwards wants balls flying into dangerous areas, causing chaos, and giving the forwards something to attack.
The execution is not there yet, but the intent is clear.
Looking Ahead: Villa Next and the Fight Continues
The frustration is obvious. Another defeat, another game without a win, and the question of where the next three points will come from is still hanging in the air.
Next up is Villa, which will be anything but easy. There is no hiding from that. Wolves will need the same level of fight, more quality in the final third, and far fewer mistakes at the back.