Rob Edwards has called on his Wolves players to show just what they are capable of as they prepare for a week of big fixtures under the Molineux lights, beginning with a derby against Aston Villa on Friday night.
The Villa clash kicks off three games in seven days in the Black Country, before Wolves face a Liverpool Premier League and FA Cup double-header next Tuesday and Friday.
And following emotional post-match scenes in the Wolves changing room last Sunday afternoon following the late defeat to Crystal Palace, Edwards believes now more than ever that his players really do care about improving the team’s difficult situation, and there is no better time to do that than on the Molineux pitch this week.
On players being committed
“Before that [Crystal Palace], we had three games where we’d been undefeated, got results and taken things from the games, so there are rewards there. But everyone was frustrated. There was emotion and anger after the game because I think everyone felt it and the players felt that we should be getting something from that game, so we flipped it the next day to show that people care.
“The dressing room was interesting after the game because there was a lot of emotion, passion and anger in there, but we actually quite liked it because that shows that you care, you’re here, you’re with it and you want to do something about it. There’s not a frustration that lingers and is causing any sort of problem, because everyone is desperate to try and do well and try and do better as the results haven’t been good enough for a long period of time.
“We’ve started to get some and we had a block of games where we did and then lost a few, and then we’ve had a block of games again where we got results. Unfortunately, it’s the one thing we can’t guarantee, but we can guarantee we’re going to give everything and keep fighting hard and hope the results will come. We’ve got a really exciting week coming up at home to try and get some results, so we’re looking forward to that.”
On facing Aston Villa on Friday night
“Villa are obviously a brilliant team, with an amazing manager, and they’ve got a real clear way of playing. We know big elements of what the game is going to look like and what we’re going to need to do to make sure that we’re competitive in the game.
“But we’ll also respect that it’s a midlands derby as well, and there needs to be a lot of passion on show. To not be too robotic, it needs to look like it matters to us, and tomorrow, we need to try and make it feel like the second half in the last game at home against Arsenal, where we’re up against the top team, and the energy around the place was brilliant. I get that comes from our performance, and we’re going to need to try and bring that from the beginning tomorrow.
“Unai Emery, his staff, his team, are extremely good, and they’ll look to try and get the best out of their players, but they’ve still got a very clear way of playing. Every individual is different, so they’re always going to bring different qualities, whether that’s physicality or technical levels. Douglas Luiz is back at the club again now, and he’s a wonderful footballer, but again, he’s going to be different from Kamara or McGinn or Tielemans.
“They all offer different things, but they’re all pretty good. We’ll prepare to face both Watkins or Abraham, because, again, they’re very good players in their own right, different players as well, but they can be equally as devastating, so we’ll be ready for either or both.”
On three home games in a week
“I always find it challenging to look too far ahead. I’m well aware of what’s coming but all the focus has to be on the next game, which is the most important thing. But we know what all these three games mean – two games in the Premier League, one in the FA Cup – and we will look to try and win every one of them.
“If you want to show that you can compete, these are the games to show up in. Every game, especially in the Premier League, goes out globally and everyone sees it, so we don’t want to be spoken about in a really negative way all the time, we want to try and show that we can compete.
“We’re here to fight and show how good we are. The players have always got something to fight for, in these next three games in particular, and they shouldn’t be difficult to get up for at all, so we’ve got to make sure we bring it. We understand the scale of the task and we know we’re not going to be favourite in any of the games, but we’ve got to make sure that we bring our best.
“We talked about that a lot over the last few days. The previous game as well, against them, we talked about it and what it means and tried to relate it to wherever they have been brought up. They’ve all got derbies, and we’ve all got derbies all around the world, so we leant on that, and probably will do again tomorrow.
“But it’s got to look like that as well, and that’s obviously where supporters can really play their part. But they need to see that on the pitch, and if we show that then I know it can be a really good night for us. But it’ll be a great atmosphere.”
On the impact the supporters can have
“The supporters have been amazing this year, considering how difficult it’s been. I know the players have got to produce, we’ve got to produce, but all I want is for the supporters to keep backing the team, because we’re going to need them.
“These next three games, they’re not difficult for anyone to get up for, especially this one tomorrow night, so there’ll be a great energy around the place, I’m sure. A night game under the lights at Molineux against Aston Villa is obviously really exciting, but we need to bring our best, and then I know the supporters will be right behind the lads as well.”
On Arokodare receiving racial abuse last weekend
“It’s been a really difficult week for him. He was upset and angered by it, understandably so. We’ve supported him, and I’ve had a few individual chats with him, we’ve spoken about it as a group as well, to make sure that we get around him and support him. Then he’s had overwhelming support from a lot of Wolves fans and other people reaching out, which is really good.
“The Premier League have been in touch, so there’s support there, but again, we’re talking about something that we’re having to do far too many times. There have been a number of very high profile instances over this last week, which is really sad.
“Since I’ve been a manager, there’s been a number of times when my players have had to deal with this, and the sad thing about it is that all of them have had it before, and that’s really tough to hear. The unfortunate thing is that we can’t forget about it, because we’re going to be hearing about it again in the future, there could be someone this weekend, there probably will be, which is so wrong.
“Without knowing how certain things happen, how certain accounts are able to be opened or accessed or whatever, I know a lot of the abuse has come from accounts from maybe the other side of the world or somewhere else, and it's difficult to track these people down.
“The authorities and the police know, Tolu will be asked to give a statement at some stage over the next few days, but it becomes difficult to stop that. Without going into the social media companies and the ones that are actually giving them the platform, and whether they can do more – I’m sure they can – then we’ll be hearing a lot more about it.”
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 22, 2026
On Mateus Mane’s international future
“First of all, he’s got to continue to do well for us. That’s his most important things, his bread and butter, and that has got to be his main focus, because he has done well, and that’s why we’re having this discussion now.
“With international camps approaching and that time coming up, it’s understandable, but he’s got to be able to follow his heart and what is right for him. He’s got to feel right if he has a decision to make and if he has an opportunity.
“But I’ll support whatever he decides to do as those sorts of opportunities would be amazing if they do come up, which I’m sure they will because he’s got a super talent, but I would never dream of any of having any sort of influence in his decision, and it needs to come from him and what he feels.”
