"That cost us" - Rob Edwards reacts to avoidable Wolves defeat
Rob Edwards admits Ladislav Krejci's red card 'cost' Wolves as they were beaten in the capital by Crystal Palace.
With the game locked at 0-0, Krejci was given two yellow cards within four second half minutes, after kicking the ball away for his second booking.
Aston Villa loanee Evann Guessand scored a 90th minute winner to break Wolves hearts and Edwards admits Krejci's costly mistake saw his side leave London with nothing.
"He's got to learn, at that moment he's frustrated, but he can't do it," Edwards said.
"He's just been booked a few minutes before, so he knows. He's been brilliant for us, but that cost us.
"I can't defend it. I do want to say he's been really good for us and he was really good in the game, but that moment then changed the momentum in it completely.
"It was a mistake. It can happen, but it shouldn't.
"In that moment, we've got to try and stay cool and collected and not give the referee a decision to make.
"We were right in the game and we were the better team in that moment, we were pushing, the crowd was on the edge here and they were looking a little bit nervy, but we gave them the encouragement they needed.
"With an extra man, it was difficult for us to continue to play in the way we were."
The game's other big moment saw Tolu Arokodare's weak penalty easily saved by Dean Henderson at the end of the first half, denying Wolves a half-time lead that their performance warranted.
The striker was visibly frustrated after missing the spot kick and at full-time and Edwards refrained from criticising the Nigerian international.
"He felt confident, he was brave, he stepped up and it can happen," Edwards added.
"I'm obviously never going to come out here and criticise him for missing the penalty. I'm not going to do that.
"The way we won it was brilliant, the press was great, we got behind them and it was just a snapshot of how the game was going. I just felt we were pressing them really well, aggressively, the lads understood it so, so well."
Krejci seemed keen to take the penalty himself before Arokodare took the ball in his hands and Edwards insisted the striker was always due to take it.
"Tolu is our number nine and felt positive over the ball and wanted to take the ball," he added.
"In that moment, it's important that you can't try and change. There could be any number of people that would want to take that.
"Tolu was designated and wanted to take it and felt confident that time."
Comment Guidelines
Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.