There was a warning for Sheffield on Wednesday ahead of this weekend’s home clash with Millwall.
Before the two teams’ match this weekend, Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall manager Joe Edwards sent out a strong warning.
The former Everton assistant manager, who was selected as Gary Rowett’s replacement last week, is getting ready to lead the Lions for the first time on Saturday. New assistant manager Andy Myers will accompany the 37-year-old on the Hillsborough touchline, and Adam Barrett and Andy Marshall, who previously worked for Edwards’ predecessor, will continue to be members of Edwards’ coaching team.
After serving as an assistant manager and coach for players like Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel, Saturday’s match in S6 will signal a significant turning point for Edwards as he assumes the lead role in the dugout for the first time.
His appointment has been warmly received by Lions supporters, who are expected to travel to Hillsborough in strong numbers as a new era at their club officially gets underway. When asked about the reaction he had received since his appointment was confirmed, Edwards described Lions fans as ‘an incredible force’ and expressed his determination to repay their loyalty with progress on the pitch.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he said, “There’s a lot of people who are strongly connected to the club and have been attached to the club for a long time. I think a lot of clubs nowadays are the same: when you get to the club, there’s so much passion and support around it that, understandably, there’s expectations with that.
“I do know these fans can be a special bunch in a very good way. When The Den is onside and behind the team, it’s an incredible force. There’s definitely a strong connection between the fanbase and the club, and there’s a real sort of unity. ‘No one likes us’… I’ve already known about it for a long time. I’ve probably lived it during my time at Everton.
“It was a similar situation where the fans voiced their concern with that at times when things are looking how they should on the pitch or when effort levels are questioned, but it was also a two-way street, and when you produce something on the pitch that is worthy of them getting behind you, it can be a real strong force,” he said.
“I know that the task is to maintain that relationship, and I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received thus far.”
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