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Wolves' Dave Edwards praises Kenny Jackett's impact

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Dave Edwards today paid tribute to Wolves boss Kenny Jackett for his Molineux rebuild.

Edwards is one of a few survivors of the Championship title win and the double relegation, but he has been hugely impressed at the work Jackett has done in taking the club to the brink of promotion.

Jackett's side will go effectively within three points of an automatic return to the Championship tonight if Sheffield United beat visitors Rotherham in the latter's game in hand.

And midfielder Edwards believes Jackett's signings have made all the difference after declaring Scott Golbourne is the best left-back in League One and Michael Jacobs is a £1m player.

"I think everyone he's signed has made a big impact," said Edwards.

"You look at James Henry, Michael Jacobs, Kevin McDonald, Scott Golbourne – they're all key.

"He's signed bargains and Scott has been brilliant since he came – he's improved so much.

"He's the best left-back in the league for me, he's so good and calm on the ball.

"I can't believe Derby let Michael Jacobs go for that price (£150,000) – he was a snip because he's worth well over £1m.

"He's been a good signing for Wolves and he's only young as well at 22 – it's great for the club that the manager has signed players like him.

"He can definitely play at a higher level – you look at him on Saturday, he's so clever, he drops into pockets of space and he can turn, he's really good on the ball and he's scored a few goals, a lot of assists and he's that player who can get the crowd off their seats.

"You need those players and he works hard as well.

"It's a joy to play with these lads because they make it so easy for you to play with."

Edwards is convinced Wolves will complete the job sooner rather than later.

"I think with the group of lads we've got in there and the manager, it is (just a matter of time before we go up) because the gaffer won't let us rest on our laurels and the lads are so ambitious," he said.

"They want to play in that higher league next season."

Jackett has also rebuilt the relationship between the players and the fans.

"I think the manager has to take credit for that because from the first day, he wanted to rebuild the relationship and we've done little things to try to get closer to the fans, such as doing things off the pitch to get involved with them and taking it very seriously," he said.

"We're just employees of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and we just need respect that.

"It really is refreshing to see – ever since I've been here I've loved it but I've been through the ups and downs.

"I've seen us hit the pinnacle and come crashing down and we're building now."

Edwards also revealed Jackett rarely rants and raves – but earns the respect through his astute advice on the training ground.

"We work very hard on the training pitch and he's really got that respect off the lads where he'll watch training and then when he says something, everyone listens," he said.

"He has his moments like every manager, but he's got a really healthy respect from the lads.

"Having Joe Gallen (assistant head coach) with him means there's a really good mix because Joe interacts between the manager and the players and is a really good go-between, but the manager has the respect.

"I think everyone is enjoying it and I know people expect us to go straight back up this season, but it's not easy.

"At times we've made it look easier than it is, but credit has to go to the management staff and those behind the scenes as well."