This is a new era for Wolves.
In the two years since Fosun taken over Wolves, a lot of players have come and gone with managers having a shorter life expectancy than a ladybird.
This is a club trying to get to the Premier League in a hurry and will be ruthless in the process, investing heavily in transfers and wages.
Fosun have been successful in this transfer window, apart from the last day, moving on players who don’t fit with the Nuno system.
Nouha Dicko, Jordan Graham, and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson all moved on because Nuno could not see them working in his preferred style.
Dave Edwards always looked like his time at Wolves was approaching an end,
when Nuno moved to a 3–4–3 and the marquee signing of Ruben Neves.
Edwards style of energetic, hounding pressing is far less effective when we have 75% possession rather than the counter attacking football that we have seen Wolves play in recent seasons.
So when the news broke that Dave Edwards had signed for Reading, it was an odd feeling.
He was part of the furniture at Molineux, now he’ll be at a different home. Just like seeing one of your old car’s driving about with a new owner.
After 9 years, 44 goals and 17 assists, the welshman’s Wolverhampton journey came to an end.
Dave Edwards has given the best part of his career to Wolves, for nearly a decade he has
shown commitment and dedication to the shirt.
This commitment has not wavered from the highs of promotion to the dark days of double relegation, something that cannot be said for all players that have graced Molineux in these years.
His time at Wolves has coincided with the success of his international career with Wales reaching the semi-final at last year’s European Championships in France.
Living in Shrewsbury and contributing to the wider Wolves family with his extensive charity work.
He has shown a loyalty to the club which is becoming increasingly rare in modern day football.
Edwards playing style has not always been a crowd favourite and he is often criticised for
what he can’t do, than what he can.
His ability to harass and close down angles off the ball has always been an asset, especially when Wolves focused on quick high pressing football under Jackett and Lambert.
Early in his wolves career he was often injured, played out of position, and
lacked a goalscoring threat.
However, he seemed revived under Kenny Jackett and displayed probably his best season in a Wolves shirt last season, contributing ten goals.
Many which helped Wolves avoid another relegation.
His ability to find space in awkward areas, and make intelligent late runs into the box became a feature of his play last season.
Reflecting on the table at the end of last season these goals can be seen as all the more important.
His late header against Leeds to make it 4–3 in Wolves narrow miss to the playoff’s in 2015 was one of the best moments at Molineux in recent history.
Edwards deserves to be playing regularly in a World Cup year, where he could be close to
the first team for Wales.
Especially after receiving rave reviews for his performance in Wales 1-0 win over Austria.
Edwards will be missed in the dressing room, his presence and experience was a constant in what has been a young and in-flux squad.
Reading have bought a well respected pro, whose commitment and dedication to his profession is only surpassed by his ability to score the odd header precisely when Wolves need one.
In many ways, it will be Wolves loss and Reading’s gain. Hopefully not in the final league table.
Wolves are moving forward, but don’t forget the men who put you there.
Here’s to you, Dave Edwards.
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