Edwards Pleased With Pre-Season

Dave Edwards maintained that the squad have had a good pre-season training camp in Austria despite defeat against FK Jablonec in the final friendly of the trip.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s men fell to a 1-0 defeat after conceding from a well-taken Michal Travnik free-kick in the second half.

And Edwards explained that, while it was disappointing to lose the final friendly, the squad had still enjoyed a productive nine-days of work.

“I think the result was obviously disappointing,” said the midfielder before adding: “We wanted to stay on our winning run but it’s been a good week in Austria altogether.

“I think the progression we’ve made over the last nine days has been huge compared to where we were at before we left.

“Hopefully that puts us in good stead for returning back to England and playing three big games before the season starts.

“It was disappointing today to not make it three out of three because it’s nice to bring that winning momentum to a football club.

“If you can do that throughout pre-season and into the regular season then it really does take the confidence levels a lot higher.

“Hopefully we can build on what we’ve done this week and, as I said, the stepping stones have all been put in place, it’s just up to us to build on that.

“I’m definitely ready to go home, I’ve missed my family and things like that.

“In terms of the work we’ve got done it’s been great, it’s been very intense with double sessions on most days.

“When we have had a little bit of down time it’s a beautiful setting to go and explore, we went up into the mountains one day and really enjoyed that.

“First and foremost we’re all here for football. I’m really happy and I’m sure the coaches are really happy with all the work that has been done this week.”

Having completed 13 pre-seasons previous to the current campaign, Edwards compared the squad’s 2017/18 work to the training he has done in the past.

He said: “You always dread coming back in for pre-season because you have six or seven weeks where it’s a bit of a slog and, as much as you try, you can’t make the games as real as it’s going to be against Middlesbrough at Molineux on that Saturday.


“I think we’ve spent a lot more time on the pitch this season with the footballs out and working on shape and patterns of play.

“I think the Head Coach needed to do that because it’s so different to what we’re used to.

“Usually in the past we’ve done a lot more running and fitness based work, this time it’s all been football-based and the lads have enjoyed it.

“There’s been a bit more down-time in the afternoons to rest and recover but then we’re out again in the evenings to train again.

“It’s been fun, it’s been great to learn new cultures of football and we have a few here but we’ve been very impressed.”

Wolves’ next game is against Edwards’ former club, Shrewsbury Town, on Saturday afternoon.

And the midfielder revealed that he is looking forward to returning to New Meadow.

“It’ll be great, my family are all going and it’s always a game that I look out whether it’s in pre-season or during the year,” he explained.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to get some minutes in the game, and I think Jack Price will be hoping for the same as well.

“We’ve got a very good squad here and lots of boys that need minutes so fingers crossed I can get on the pitch.”

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