Wolves fans are preparing themselves for a new era, with Rob Edwards all set to arrive at Molineux.
After a bit of controversy, Wolves have managed to prise Edwards away from Boro, and he will now succeed Vitor Pereira.
He is faced with an almost impossible job. Wolves are rock bottom of the Premier League, and are eight points adrift of safety.
The team are still winless in the competition this term, and have not tasted victory in the top-flight since April.
Edwards – who is signing a three-and-a-half-year contract at Molineux – has so many things to fix, and some feel that keeping Wolves in the Premier League will simply be too tall an order.
But Wolves officials have made this appointment with the longer term in mind. Rob Edwards obviously has Championship experience, which in theory will help if the club suffer relegation.
We will see what he’s able to do, but ahead of the appointment, Molineux News got the thoughts of someone who is very well up on Edwards.
Middlesbrough expert gives the lowdown on Rob Edwards’ exit
Molineux News caught up with transfer expert Graeme Bailey, who has been keeping a close eye on the Edwards to Wolves story in recent days.
Bailey is a Middlesbrough fan, and is therefore able to offer an informed view about Edwards and what he might bring as Wolves manager.
Explaining why the Boro fanbase is so frustrated about the situation, he said: “Rob Edwards is heading ‘home’ to Wolverhampton Wanderers is the message that will be coming out of Molineux this week, although a very different one is emerging from Teesside, who have been left in a state of shock at losing their manager.
“Edwards departs The Riverside with Middlesbrough in second place and it hurts. Let’s not forget that Boro have not lost a manager they wanted to stay since Steve McClaren departed in 2006 when he joined England.
“Boro fans are bitter – there’s no getting away from that, but that intrinsically is because they liked him, really liked him.
“When Edwards was appointed, he received a fairly lukewarm, almost lacklustre welcome. But he soon won them over, and having the best start in the club’s history – yes, let’s not forget that Edwards made history at the helm at Boro – helped somewhat.
“The two parties were as one, Edwards calling it home at one point. His beaming smile melted the hearts of the Boro faithful and they had fallen for Edwards – which is why his departure hurts so much.”
Rob Edwards’ adaptability could help Wolves
“And let’s get this right, Wolves are getting a good coach and a couple of things have really stood out during his short time at Boro.
“His willingness to adapt; Edwards likes a back three, but he won’t play it without the players and would go with a four when needed. It is really refreshing for a manager not to just put square pegs in round holes.
“And this is a big thing. Something Boro fans suffered with during Michael Carrick’s tenure so was very noticeable under Edwards, the use of substitutions. He is not afraid to make major changes, and make them early and often to the benefit of the team.
| Rob Edwards record at Middlesbrough |
| Games managed – 15 |
| Wins – 7 |
| Draws – 5 |
| Losses – 3 |
| Goals scored – 17 |
| Goals conceded – 16 |
“But the biggest call of them all, the biggest early change Edwards has made is on himself.
“It is fair to say a new rivalry in English football may have just been born. A Rob Edwards-managed Wolves team coming to The Riverside in the future would be something to behold.”
Of course, Pereira had been using two systems in his final two months at Molineux.
Potentially, we will continue to see the Old Gold setting up differently from game to game. But it will surely be paramount for Edwards to quickly establish the most suitable system for this group of players and not deviate away from it too much in a bid to find consistency.