Wolves 6-1 Shrewsbury Town: What Edwards said published at 16:10 GMT 10 January
16:10 GMT 10 January
Image source, Getty Images
Wolves boss Rob Edwards spoke to BBC Radio WM following his side's emphatic victory over League Two side Shrewsbury Town: "It was a good performance. Very professional but a lot of good quality as well. I thought as a team we looked good but there was a lot of good performances a well - a really good day all round.
"Nice for the supporters to see and celebrate some goals. What could have been a really tricky day turned out to be a very enjoyable one."
On Jorgen Strand Larsen's hat-trick: "He's really pleased but I've been very consistent all the way through that he's been working extremely hard, his attitude's been great.
"He's been frustrated but he's understood why he's not started the last few games but his attitude in training has been very, very good. His commitment has never wavered - and he could have [scored] another one, it was a hell of a save."
"I definitely think it's been misunderstood because he's always shown his real commitment to the club.
"There's such high expectations, everyone just thinks, 'right come and pick up where you left off last year' but there has been so much going on for him.
"Because it has maybe not quite clicked for the team, not just him, then it becomes a bit of a focal point and people latch on to that.
"The more we support our players, the better they're going to perform. That is a fact. No-one's going to perform better when they're getting stick.
"It would be brilliant if we put him on a hot streak. It doesn't change his attitude.
"While we're in the window there will always be speculation about a number of our players. I get it, it's understandable but they are showing their commitment here right now."
Did you know?
Wolves are now unbeaten in four games in all competitions (W2 D2) – they only avoided defeat in five of their previous 25 games beforehand (W2 D3 L20).
Wolves analysis: Perfect game for hosts and Strand Larsenpublished at 15:09 GMT 10 January
15:09 GMT 10 January
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
If they are Jorgen Strand Larsen's final Wolves goals at least he parts having repaired a fractured relationship with the fans.
Wolves are willing to sell him this month, amid interest from Nottingham Forest, after his poor form and crumbling rapport with supporters.
He had scored just three goals for the club this season, so doubling his tally against Shrewsbury is a much-needed tonic.
Supporters who have targeted him, under the misguided assumption the striker does not care having missed out on a move to Newcastle in the summer, sung his name at Molineux after he completed his treble.
It would have been exactly what manager Rob Edwards would have wanted - an out-of-form striker getting the goals which could revive his season.
That could be at Molineux or elsewhere, with the window open for another three weeks.
Edwards is willing to part with the forward but only if it is right for the club - and they would need to bring in a replacement, despite having Tolu in reserve.
It helped Wolves dispatch the League Two strugglers, and with six goals it gives them confidence and momentum, regardless of the opposition.
Subs: Bentley, Lima, Mosquera, H Bueno, Chirewa, Lopez, R Gomes, Mane, Arokodare
Iwan Morgan has been handed his debut for Shrewsbury after he joined on loan from Brentford.
Sunderland striker Trey Ogunsuyi is named on the bench after he beat the 12pm registration deadline to be available for the game after joining on loan.
Follow Saturday's FA Cup games livepublished at 11:27 GMT 10 January
11:27 GMT 10 January
There are 18 third-round ties in the FA Cup on Saturday - 16 involving Premier League and Championship teams, who all enter the competition at this stage - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Middlesbrough" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Aston Villa", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Wolves v Shrewsbury Townpublished at 18:46 GMT 9 January
18:46 GMT 9 January
Wolves boss Rob Edwards is starting to get a tune out of his players and Mateus Mane is really shining for them.
Does Edwards change things up here, or does he look to build more momentum?
This is a local derby but he has played for both clubs so he will get what the tie is all about, and Shrewsbury don't really look like they are in the kind of shape to spring a surprise at Molineux, either.
They have not won any of their past eight league games and staying in the Football League will be the main thing on their manager Michael Appleton's mind.
Edwards on 'momentum', formation change & Limapublished at 15:58 GMT 9 January
15:58 GMT 9 January
Karan Vinod BBC Sport journalist
Wolves boss Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup third round game against Shrewsbury Town at Molineux (kick-off 12:15 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news: "Rodrigo [Gomes] will be part of the matchday squad, which is great. Everyone else should be fine from the other day."
On Shrewsbury's first team coach Sean Parrish being Edwards's cousin: "It'll be strange because Sean and I have worked closely together in a number of different roles here and at Telford when we did the year there as well. It will be weird. He's probably best not to talk to before and then we can catch up again afterwards. It'll be funny seeing him in the other in the other dugout."
Edwards reiterated Wolves "want to keep the momentum" after going unbeaten in three matches, suggesting no wholesale changes will be made for the game.
On tweaking the formation: "We played this shape against Crystal Palace when we came in. We have changed in-game to a back four, but we're probably best suited at the moment as a three or a five. The top part of the team might change and tweak, which it has done throughout our time here so far. Obviously, personnel-wise, there's been a couple of little changes and that's maybe what's caught people's attention a little more so than the shape."
Edwards revealed that he changed training times on Friday because of Storm Goretti to help everyone arrive safely. The Wolves boss also praised the groundstaff for their work clearing the training pitches.
On Pedro Lima's return: "He's a wonderful crosser of the ball and that was why we wanted to get him on [against Everton]. [Crossing is] something that we've seen in the training in a couple of days that we've had him on the training pitch. He looks like a really good technical player, so we're looking forward to working with him going forward . He's a young player, so baby steps, but he's got the right attitude. Physically he looks good and technically I like him a lot."
Edwards also said he "hasn't thought" about Jorgen Strand Larsen potentially leaving in the January transfer window. He said he has enjoyed working with the Norway striker and praised his mentality and commitment.
Gossip: Wolves keen to hold on to Manepublished at 07:07 GMT 9 January
07:07 GMT 9 January
Wolves are determined to keep hold of England youth international Mateus Mane this month, with the club insisting the 18-year-old is not for sale at any price. (Mail), external
Throughout the season, Opta's "supercomputer" is continually predicting how the final table might look and what percentage chance clubs have of winning the title, finishing top four, in Europe and also relegation.
But for those teams currently occupying the relegation spots in the Premier League, they may want to avert their gaze.
Having only just picked up their first win last weekend, most Wolves fans will have been settled on the fact they would be returning to the Championship come the end of the season.
And Opta's predictions would suggest the same.
Of course, 14 points off 17th place with 17 games to go, it is still very much mathematically possible to save themselves - and with five points in three games there has been an uptick in form - but with a predicted chance of survival of just 0.73%, it would take something incredibly special.
Burnley's return to the top flight has not been the easiest.
While the Clarets have been picking up points, it has not been at the rate needed to get themselves out of the danger zone.
Like Wolves, Opta's statistics and simulations suggest Scott Parker's side will be back in the second tier next term, with just a 6.59% survival chance unless they can start turning more draws into wins and eking out points from the narrow defeats.
As for West Ham, the defeat by Forest could prove to be one of the most damaging for their season.
A classic six-pointer, a win could have seen them close the gap to just one point. Instead, it sits at seven and sees them with a now 88.76% chance of relegation.
The change of manager from Graham Potter to Nuno Espirito Santo is yet to have the desired effect and both the head coach and the ownership are coming under pressure from the fanbase.
It was pressure that Daniel Farke was feeling at Leeds before their turnaround in results that has left them with just a 7.49% chance of relegation, while Sean Dyche may once again be steering a team to Premier League safety with a less than 10% chance of dropping out of the top flight.
But this is the Premier League, and teams have upset the odds before.
Mane makes an impact on first teampublished at 12:10 GMT 8 January
12:10 GMT 8 January
Phil Cartwright BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Mateus Mane has been on the radar as a bright, young prospect at Wolves for some time and his impact at first-team level has been immediate.
Following some promising cameos from the bench, the former Rochdale academy player has started all of Wolves' past four Premier League games. They have yielded five points for his team and two goals expertly taken by the 18-year-old.
Admittedly much quieter than he had been in the 3-0 win against West Ham - boss Rob Edwards said afterwards that he "wasn't 100% in terms of his energy" - Portugal-born Mane provided one of the few moments of real attacking quality that Wolves produced against Everton.
The England Under-18 international showed wonderful poise to net Wolves' equaliser past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. After a terrific first touch to control Jorgen Strand Larsen's pass that put him through on goal, there appeared little doubt that he would find the bottom corner with his second.
He is now Wolves' joint-leading goalscorer in league fixtures this season.
One of Mane's most noticeable attributes is his willingness to run at defences with the ball and with pace - something which had been sadly lacking for much of the first half of the campaign.
He leads his team for most dribbles attempted per 90 minutes (4.83) of players who have made more than one league appearance this term.
Also, Mane is the only Wolves player averaging more than one shot on target per 90 minutes of Premier League action this season (1.41).
The sample size may be small at this stage, but Mane's introduction to Wolves' starting XI has certainly made a positive difference.
Does Keane deserve a three-match ban after hair pull red card?published at 11:09 GMT 8 January
11:09 GMT 8 January
Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Referee Thomas Kirk was taking charge of his second Premier League game when he was advised to show a red card by the VAR, Chris Kavanagh
Everton's Michael Keane will be banned for three games after being sent off for pulling the hair of Wolves' Tolu Arokodare in Wednesday's 1-1 draw.
It is not a flying, studs-up challenge yet Keane faces the same suspension. Does the punishment fit the crime?
The central defender will miss the FA Cup tie with Sunderland, plus Premier League games against Aston Villa and Leeds.
While hair pulling is not specifically mentioned in the Laws of the Game it is categorised as violent conduct. That is because it cannot be considered something you would do when challenging for the ball.
Think of it this way: the hair is attached to the scalp so if the head is pulled back it is seen as evidence of force or brutality.
Manager David Moyes excused it by saying: "If you have longer hair, then there's a fair chance you'll get it pulled." But if you don't pull the hair, there is no chance you will get sent off.
It has become far more prevalent with the advent of the video assistant referee (VAR) because it usually happens off the ball.
At the start of 2023-24, Tottenham's Cristian Romero wrongly escaped a VAR red card after pulling the hair of Chelsea's Marc Cucurella. That was a reference point for the future.
Southampton's Jack Stephens was dismissed for doing it to Cucurella as was Paris St-Germain's Joao Neves at the Club World Cup.
At the women's Euros, Germany's Kathrin Hendrich looked shocked after she was sent off for pulling the hair of France's Griedge Mbock.
But interpretations can change. David Beckham saw red at the 1998 World Cup after a little kick at Diego Simeone. Today, the England midfielder would not be dismissed as it is now considered petulant.
Perhaps Keane's offence falls into the same kind of bracket, as it does not seem as bad as Stephens, Neves or Hendrich.
Chris: A dilatory game for which we have Jordan Pickford to thank again for saving us at the death. What a save. Two red cards means two fewer players when we are already at bare bones. Time to blood some academy boys.
Rich: Badly in need of reinforcements. Recruitment has to be better than the usual waste-of-money players coming in. Otherwise a bottom-six finish beckons. And we've got to play a full strength team on Saturday as we need a cup run.
Neil: The boos at the end were about the Michael Keane red card - they were at the referee. It's true the team were not incisive enough but the crowd do not boo the team for that.
Tim: Once again punished for lack of pace, pressing, positive play, urgency and inspiration. It all stems from a manager who agreed to start the season with a wafer-thin squad, signing young players he can't develop or trust to play, and won't react in matches to try to change things when we are so ineffective. We are nowhere near safe from relegation.
Wolves fans
Gary: Well done to all at Wolves for giving us fans something to cheer about again. Ignore the critics who have written us off. If we play like we have for the past few games, we could make the impossible look very possible, very quickly!
Brody: Before the game, we would have taken a point so I am happy. It was a stop-and-start game. Mane is just pure fire. Just got to keep building in confidence and stop wasting our corners. The amount of times our corners end up with our goalkeeper is silly.
Murray: Better fight from the team. Good substitutions, but Andre has to start every game with Joao Gomes. Once they were paired up, we had control of midfield immediately. Nice to see Pedro Lima back - give him a chance, particularly as Jackson Tchatchoua still can't cross a ball. Hwang Hee-chan remains a liability and should not start.
Nigel: Fantastic performance. All credit to the boss - we actually played better when they had 11 on pitch.
Watch Premier League highlights and analysispublished at 07:24 GMT 8 January
07:24 GMT 8 January
Pundits Danny Murphy and Stephen Warnock are on hand to bring you the action and talking points from the nine Premier League fixtures so far this week.
Everton 1-1 Wolves: What Edwards saidpublished at 23:20 GMT 7 January
23:20 GMT 7 January
Media caption,
Wolves boss Rob Edwards spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's draw to Everton: "Once Jack Grealish gets sent off and we're playing against nine men, I thought we played into their hands. We needed more direction. We needed to put crosses into the box from different places. We pushed. It's progress still. With 11 men, we got back into it with a great goal.
"They're good in transitional moments but I think we showed we have a few who can handle it as well. I think both were looking jaded. It's been a busy period. We started flat.
"We need to try to find a way to get back in the game and Jordy [Strand Larsen] did that straight away. I felt Andre would give us more energy and fresh impetus. Credit to them.
On Mateus Mane: "He had to dig in today. You could see he wasn't 100% in terms of his energy but he has got some energy. We have to make sure we look after him now.
Wolves goalscorer Mane spoke to Sky Sports: "It was an amazing feeling. We deserved the three points. We've got to keep working and we go again on Saturday in the FA Cup.
"They had two red cards so we thought to attack them and put balls in the box. We did that but we were just unlucky not to get the goal.
On what Rob Edwards said at half-time: "He told us to keep going and the ball will come. He said work, run, attack.
"I feel like I had space between the defenders. I took a touch and slotted into the bottom corner.
"I'm not scared of anyone, I deserve to be here and I'm now I'm proving what I can do. He tells me to express myself and be brave one-on-one.
"We'll fight and whatever happens, happens. We want to stay in the Prem because it's the best league in the world."
Did you know?
Aged 18 years and 113 days old, Mateus Mané tonight became the youngest ever Wolves player to score in back-to-back Premier League matches for the club.
Wolves have picked up more points during in their last three matches (five) than they managed in their previous 22 games in the competition (three - D3 L19).
Analysis: Mixed feelings for Edwards as Mane shines againpublished at 22:26 GMT 7 January
22:26 GMT 7 January
Phil McNulty Chief football writer at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Image source, Getty Images
Wolves manager Rob Edwards looked disappointed at the final whistle after his side could not capitalise on Everton being reduced to nine players following the dismissals of Michael Keane and Jack Grealish.
Edwards must have thought Hugo Bueno's spectacular strike had brought the riches of a second successive league win, only for Everton keeper Jordan Pickford to pull off a world-class save.
The manager, however, will be delighted that the recent improvement, that saw Wolves run Arsenal and Liverpool close before losing, get a draw at Manchester United and then get that elusive first win against West Ham, was maintained.
Heads could have dropped after going behind so early, but there is fresh determination about Wolves under Edwards.
It would take the stuff of miracles for Wolves to avoid the drop, but there is no doubt there has been progress in recent weeks.
This is exemplified by the exciting Mateus Mane, who followed on his fine display in the West Ham win with another demonstration of his quality, this time an ice-cool equaliser.
The teenager, brought in as an academy player from Rochdale, is emerging as a real high spot this season – although his form will have already caught the attention of potential transfer suitors.
Mane is Wolves' 'brightest light'published at 13:59 GMT 7 January
13:59 GMT 7 January
Mike Taylor BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Oh, to be young again.
"Yeah, I've always felt like I'm fearless and not scared of anything. I feel like I deserve to be here. It's always a dream to play in the Premier League and I've got to take it in."
Not least among the striking features of Mateus Mane's day at Molineux last Saturday was his air of calm while fielding questions in the tunnel after the game.
Within one week, he had made not only his first Premier League start, but three.
He had been given his chance in two of the country's landmark football arenas, Anfield and Old Trafford, and then in front of the home supporters.
On each occasion, he was his team's brightest light in an improved performance, capping his week by ramming in his first senior goal to spark joy in the stands.
His relaxed demeanour afterwards made it all seem, simply, normal: this is who I am now, and this is what I do.
Had he, I wondered, allowed himself a moment to digest where he was and, as you or I might, gasp at the view?
"Sometimes I'm speaking to my brother or my friends and we just talk about my past and stuff, and we actually realise how things can go, and change quick," he said.
I'll say.
Rob Edwards has wisely stressed recently that everyone - the club, fans and media - should "look after" Mane.
All the usual considerations about young players apply. It is unreasonable to expect him to be consistent, especially in a team that has struggled for so long, with fans eager to seize on anything hopeful.
Yes, over the last week Mane has seemed quite capable of looking after himself, on the field and off it, but he will need support as his reputation grows.
For now at least, he can count on tens of thousands of instant friends he made last weekend.
If he achieves nothing else this season, he has rekindled a flame that others in the team must now try to take forth with him.
Throughout his three starts, whenever allowed any room with the ball, he ran - quickly and directly - towards the goal and fired off a shot.
It looked like the football product of a young and clear mind, uncluttered by fears of past results and consequences.
It must not be left to Mane to carry the rest of the team now, but the glow around him can light the way forward.
And he should be given the time and space to enjoy the journey.