Rob Edwards gave an answer relating to player retention at last night’s Fan Forum event that drew an applause from Wolves fans.
Rob Edwards, technical director Matt Jackson and new executive chairman Nathan Shi all appeared before an audience of nearly 300 people to face the music after Wolves’ dismal season.
It was an opportunity for supporters to ask questions, with nothing really off the table.
Should Rob Edwards still be Wolves’ manager for the start of 2026/27 season? 🤔
If not, let us know in the comments who the club should look to replace him with…
It was also a chance for some to even just tell the trio how they’ve been made to feel by Wolves’ demise as a result of so many poor decisions.
There were some good answers, but also some evasion at times.
But they do deserve some credit for fronting up like this given how tense things are right now.
Edwards had a bit of mixed evening, but he did give one answer that went down rather well.
Rob Edwards applauded after outlining the kind of player he wants to keep
A couple of fans stuck it to Edwards last night, with one even pointing out his Premier League win percentage.
It’s clear that he has a huge amount to do in the eyes of many at the moment, and that what he’s produced so far hasn’t been good enough.
To his credit though he owned that.
The real judgement should be reserved until next season, and ahead of that, Edwards outlined the type of player he wants to work with
Asked who he would keep of the current crop, he said: “We want leadership. We want people to want to be here.
“We are going to try to keep the players that we think are capable and can handle it mentally, can handle it technically, and all of the things you’re going to need going into a really difficult season.
“There’s five or six key ones that we’ve had a lot of conversations with and we’re working on.
“But I will say this as well. They’ve got to want to. If I’m having to work too hard on convincing someone, they aren’t right for us. I think that’s really important.
“I’ve experienced that before and if there’s people thinking ‘What’s out there for me, what else is there?’, and if it goes on too long, you’ve got to go ‘Right, you’re not for us, you’re not going to help us going forward’. We need everyone to be on the same page. For you guys to get back behind us and behind the team again, you’ve got to see people who are playing with heart and passion and want to be here.
That’s all we want from the lads.
“There is a core group of players who we believe are good enough and we can help build the team around. But if we’re having to work too hard to convince them, then they’re not the right people.”
Should any of these NOT be on this list? And are there any who aren’t there who SHOULD be on? 🤔
The Athletic have claimed Wolves would like these nine players to stay after relegation…
The applause broke out from the audience when Edwards first mentioned about having to work too hard to convince them.
Ultimately, this is the right message from the head coach.
Ahead of such a huge season, Wolves cannot be carrying anyone who isn’t fully on board.
Because the fans have been insulted enough this season. Hopefully, we see a far better level of recruitment this time around and we don’t end up with a similar situation.
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