FOREST V WOLVES: ROB EDWARDS PRESS CONFERENCE

Key points ahead of the Wolves trip to Nottingham Forest

Rob Edwards expects a tough night at the City Ground, but he believes Wolves can go there with freedom and bravery, with much of the pressure sitting on Nottingham Forest.

“All the pressure is on them”

Edwards said Forest will feel the weight of expectation at home.

• Forest “need to win the game”.
• Wolves can try to “attack the game” and “be brave”.
• He hinted Wolves may play with “a little less pressure” than the hosts.

That framing feels important. He is setting up a mindset where Wolves play to win, not to hide.

City Ground atmosphere: use it, then quiet it

Edwards spoke positively about the City Ground and called it a “brilliant place to go and play”.

• He said the crowd can have a real impact.
• He wants Wolves to “take care of ourselves” first.
• If Wolves “do things right”, the aim is to “quieten the crowd”.

He also pointed out that plenty of the squad have been there before, so it should not feel like unknown territory.

Forest form: better than one result suggests

Edwards warned against judging Forest only on one heavy defeat (he referenced Leeds).

• He said their recent form has been “pretty good”.
• He described Forest as “well organised”.
• His message: Wolves will need to “find a way” to win, because there is “nothing really in it” in these games.

He also mentioned how results around the bottom of the table can quickly change the picture.

System talk: not overthinking it, but open to tweaks

Edwards pushed back on the idea that formation is everything.

• He described it as “11 people on the pitch and where you position them”.
• He said Wolves have switched shapes in games already this season.
• He does not want to do anything “wacky”.
• He will always explain changes clearly to players.

He also explained the thinking behind adding an extra attacker and trying to press more aggressively, but said game events (including penalties and a forced change) meant they had to “stop the bleeding” and return to something more familiar.

Honest on the big issue: goals and chance creation

Edwards admitted the toughest part is creating and taking chances consistently.

• Wolves have worked on being more solid.
• But to win matches, they must also create and finish chances.
• His verdict was simple: “We need to be better.”

Praise for Adam Armstrong

Edwards was very positive about Adam Armstrong’s early impact.

• He called him “very intelligent”.
• He praised his link play (dropping in and arriving into space).
• He also said Armstrong can still be a threat running the last line.
• He noted it was Armstrong’s birthday and joked about bringing cakes.

Supporting Mosquera after a setback

Edwards said the staff handle setbacks with review and learning, not blame.

• They sit down, go through clips, and balance positives with fixes.
• He described Mosquera’s moment as an “in the moment” mistake.
• He suggested they can “tweak the position” so he is not put in that situation again.
• He also noted top teams can move you into uncomfortable areas and force errors.

Team news: injuries and fitness updates

• Hee Chan Hwang  will be out for a few weeks with a calf issue. Rescan planned in a couple of weeks.
• Andre is a doubt and will have a late fitness test,
• Toti: still doing individual work, not training with the group yet, and not available for the match, but “getting very close” to returning to team training.

On a HWANG taking stick: “He’s strong mentally”

Edwards also spoke about one player who gets criticism from fans.

• He called him an “intelligent footballer” and “a good player”.
• He said the player does not moan, he just works.
• He acknowledged the club’s situation can create negativity that focuses on certain individuals.
• He stressed the player is “strong mentally” and a “great person around the place”.