Rob Edwards was far from pleased with sent-off Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci's conduct away at Crystal Palace.placeholder image
Rob Edwards was far from pleased with sent-off Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci's conduct away at Crystal Palace. | Getty Images
The latest team news ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa as Rob Edwards critic
Rob Edwards insists Ladislav Krejci has got to improve his discipline after the defender was sent off during Wolverhampton Wanderers’ narrow 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
The Old Gold were holding their own away at Palace on Sunday and looked as if they could nick a result in front of a nervy Selhurst Park crowd. However, a lapse of concentration from Krejci meant Edwards’ side had the numerical disadvantage for the final half an hour.
Krejci, who had only just been booked for a bodycheck on Ismaila Sarr a few phases of play earlier, received a second yellow for kicking the ball away in frustration. Referee Tom Kirk didn’t hesitate to send off Krejci on 61 minutes, meaning Edwards had to totally change his plan for the remainder of the game.
Edwards criticises ‘frustrated’ Wolves defender
Any red card is frustrating for the team on the receiving end, but particularly when it’s so avoidable. This was certainly the case for Krejci’s sending-off and it ultimately cost his side, as 10-man Wolves conceded to a last-gasp Evann Guessand winner and went home with nothing.
“He’s got to learn there. At that moment he’s frustrated but can’t do it. He’d been booked a few moments before, so he knows,” Edwards said of Krejci during his post-match press conference.
“He’s been brilliant for us, but that cost us. I can’t defend it. I want to say he’s been really good for us, and was really good in the game, but that moment changed the momentum completely. It was a mistake. It can happen, but it shouldn’t. In that moment, you’ve got to try to stay cool and collected and not give the referee a decision to make.
“We were right in the game at that moment, and I felt we were pushing. The crowd was sort of on the edge, and they were looking a bit nervy. It gave them the encouragement that they needed and with an extra man it was difficult to continue to play the way we were,” Edwards concluded.
Boost for Aston Villa as Wolves lose Krejci
Ahead of Wolves’ next game, at home to local rivals Aston Villa on Friday night, the visitors already have the upper hand thanks to Krecji’s ill-discipline. Villa were already the favourites heading into Friday’s clash at Molineux but even more so now that Wolves have lost one of their key players.
Wolves’ results may not suggest as much, but Krejci has been settling in nicely in these past few months. Under Edwards, the £26 million summer signing has shown glimpses of the high potential Wanderers invested in, however the suspension he has now picked up is a backward step.
Without Krejci, Wolves are likely to welcome back captain Toti Gomes to the starting lineup. Toti has only just returned from injury, though, so Edwards may have to swap to a back four if the medical staff are advising against starting the Portuguese. Time will tell, but either way, Wolves would be better off if Krejci was available.
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