Rob Edwards has completed phase one of turning Wolves’ players into the running men.
Now he has to ensure they stay there.
Data from the new head coach’s first match in charge at Molineux showed an uplift on that which went before.
And now Edwards needs to build on that if he is to pull off the incredible.
Wolves Coaches Analyses Figures After Crystal Palace
Wolves’s first-team coaches analysed the figures following the 2-0 defeat by Crystal Palace after the weekend.
And they all showed an improvement on the statistics turned in under Vitor Pereira.
However, it appears that the overall measure was LESS than Edwards was seeing at his previous club, Middlesbrough.
And that has concentrated the minds of those at first-team level.
A source said: “In terms of improvement – it was across the board by pretty much whichever metric you choose.
“Average ground covered per player and the number of high-intensity runs both showed an increase – the presses per defensive action was significantly lower.
“There was a definitely a reaction.”
However, the problem for Wolves – moving forward – is how to increase the fitness levels of the first-team squad while the season is in full flow.
The Premier League’s basement club face seven matches inside 31 days – which includes trips to Villa Park on Sunday, then further games to follow at the Emirates against Arsenal, Liverpool at Anfield and Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Edwards Creating Tailored Fitness Plans for Wolves Stars
Edwards would like to give those concerned a mini pre-season to get them up to speed.
But with one match every four days, that has proved to be a non-starter.
Instead, he and his coaching staff are putting together tailored fitness plans to at least try and give themselves a fighting chance.
The issues are not purely down to previous boss Vitor Pereira.
The recruitment drive undertaken by Wolves saw several players arrive late to the club.
That meant they were short of the required levels for the Premier League – a competition that is regularly cited as being the most physically demanding in world football.
Edwards is juggling plenty of balls as he tries to find a solution to stop a run that has seen Wolves lose their last five fixtures.
And while he cannot control the talent at his disposal, he has decided that he can at least make them fitter.
The initial results have been encouraging – just how much so remains to be seen at Villa Park on Sunday.
Edwards Creating Tailored Fitness Plans for Wolves Stars
