Wolves' Premier League survival challenge grows steeper after Palace defeat under Rob Edwards
New Wolves manager Rob Edwards faces a daunting task to keep his side in the Premier League after a 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace, with Wolves bottom after 12 games.
Optimism fades at Molineux
New Wolves boss Rob Edwards was welcomed with a roar from the home fans, but Crystal Palace quickly asserted control as they took a 2-0 victory and underscored the scale of Edwards' task to keep Wolves in the Premier League.
Wolves go into December rooted to the bottom after 12 games with just two points. That pace places them among the lowest starts in top-flight history, with Everton and Burnley once surviving similar scenes, and Wolves trail safety by nine points and eight from 19th-placed Burnley.
Edwards, born in Telford, has long coveted this job, yet the challenge now looks steep. "We have got players who can produce big moments. I know we have lost and everyone will be flattened by it, but I am five or six days in and I haven't got a magic wand," he said. "Emotion and the result will cloud things, I have to view it with clarity."
The first half was competitive, but Palace grew stronger after the break, sealing the win when Yeremy Pino finished well after a poor last-ditch pass from Hwang Hee-Chan three minutes after his introduction gifted Palace the second goal. Edwards praised the crowd and insisted the team would persevere, acknowledging the need for greater intensity and more belief on the day.
Edwards added that Wolves must run more and win more duels to turn effort into results. He noted he had been in the job only a few days, but stressed the importance of maintaining front-foot pressure and focus on the basics.
Before the visit of Palace, Edwards had urged the squad to move the ball quickly and increase speed of play—areas he believes will help bridge the gap in this testing period.
How bad is it for Wolves?
Two points from 12 games, among the lowest starts in top-flight history—only a couple of historic cases are lower at this stage.
Wolves' worst league winless run since a 19-game stretch in the second tier (Dec 1984–Apr 1985).
Five straight Premier League defeats, with the last three under different managers (Pereira, Collins, Edwards).
Sixteen consecutive top-flight matches without a win since a late-season run in March/April 2025.
First side since Newcastle in 2021-22 to fail to win any of their opening 12 Premier League matches of a season.
There is clearly effort and intent, but a noticeable gap in quality and belief remains. Players such as Jorgen Strand Larsen, who scored 14 goals last season, and midfielders Andre and Joao Gomes have yet to rediscover their best form. Edwards faces a tough task to restore confidence, while the crowd's growing frustration sits as both a pressure and a potential spark.
He also reflected on the need for the team to back up their running with better moments and cleaner execution. "The heads may drop, but we must maintain the effort and continue to compete. The Premier League is ruthless, and we have to respond," he said.
With the calendar pressing and the results not following, Edwards will be hoping his methods translate into a rapid upturn in performances and results as Wolves look for a way back to solid form.
Key takeaway: Wolves must quickly rebuild belief and consistency to have any chance of surviving the season under Rob Edwards. Source: BBC
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