Edwards on Luton first win of the season at Everton

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Rob Edwards on Luton's first win of the season at Everton
Transcript
00:00 You must be delighted coming here and getting a result like that, on the display as well, of course.
00:21 Yeah, I'm pleased. It's a really difficult place to come, I know I've had the best times in terms of results recently,
00:29 but it's going to be a difficult game for us, any game away from home will be difficult for us.
00:34 Really pleased with how we started the game, a little bit end-to-end, but I thought we looked a real threat,
00:40 I thought we played some good stuff, we were aggressive in our pressing, we didn't want to sit off,
00:45 and I thought we were obviously clinical with our set-pieces, we had a couple of good chances before we scored the two goals.
00:52 We looked a real threat from set-pieces, which is great, work hard on those.
00:56 To go 2-0 up then was obviously a little bit of new territory for us at this level,
01:00 and then they came into it, it was important for us to get in at 2-1.
01:04 I think we could regroup a little bit, we had to make a change that was enforced.
01:08 We showed a lot of character and spirit in the second half to defend, in the end reasonably comfortably,
01:14 I don't think Thomas had too many saves to make, to be honest.
01:16 A lot of balls coming in the box, but we defended well.
01:18 You were particularly satisfied, it wasn't like you were clinging on at the end,
01:22 you said you were reasonably comfortable.
01:24 Yes, we knew then at that stage where the game was going to be, they had momentum, they're chasing,
01:30 we were obviously hanging on to that, the victory.
01:35 So we almost accepted where the game was going to be played,
01:39 but I thought we dealt with everything that was thrown at us really, really well.
01:43 Really pleased with the whole squad, because we had to make two changes on the back line, which is difficult.
01:48 I thought Mads and Tedden coming in were great, really pleased for them.
01:51 A really good day for us, we're not going to get carried away,
01:55 it's one victory, it's three points, and we've got a really tough game again on Tuesday,
01:59 but we need to enjoy the wins when they come.
02:01 Thank you.
02:03 You're not just coming to confidence with that first win,
02:06 you really needed it and just came on from there, that was brilliant.
02:10 How do you feel?
02:11 I think it's good, it'll be good for belief and confidence, of course.
02:15 I've been banging on recently about our performances have been getting better
02:20 and we've been a lot more in the games.
02:23 I think Brighton away is a tough start, Chelsea away is tough,
02:27 and we were well beaten in the end, but we've grown, we've learnt, we've adapted and evolved in the games since.
02:35 In West Ham, although we didn't get anything, and in Fulham, even though we didn't get anything, we could easily have.
02:39 And then Wolves we did, and today we have.
02:42 So I like the way we're progressing, it's not going to continue all the time,
02:45 we know we're going to get setbacks and knocks, but we are evolving, we are progressing,
02:50 and I like what we're doing at the moment.
02:53 The players obviously deserve the credit because they're committing to it,
02:57 and they'll see it, they'll see a lot of the doubters,
03:00 and they'll see all the people will have their opinions, and I get that, I understand it completely.
03:04 So it's down to us to win games of football and get points to show people that we deserve to be here.
03:11 Also a great day for your fans?
03:13 Amazing day for the supporters, they deserve it, our board deserve it.
03:18 They've really stuck with us, and I know they're going to because we're on a brilliant journey,
03:26 and where we have been and where the club has been, they're going to enjoy this.
03:31 But it's important that we give them something to shout about as well,
03:34 and not just 'well done lads, unlucky'.
03:37 We want to give them points to celebrate, so it's great that the last couple of games we've been able to do that.
03:42 They're amazing supporters, I love them, and they've travelled a long, long way today in the rain,
03:47 and they get to enjoy their day.
03:49 What did you feel like at the final whistle?
03:53 With yourself having made history, you're the first wing-manager to win a Premier League game.
03:59 Did you think about yourself in that suit?
04:03 No, I'm just very, very proud of the players and pleased for the club.
04:07 I know it's a big moment, I get that, but I don't want this to come across in any kind of arrogant way,
04:15 but I expected us to today, I really did.
04:17 I fancied us, I told the boys before the game, 'I know this is going to be a good day',
04:21 we really believed, and again, that's with total respect, but I've believed that in all the games so far.
04:27 We really believed we could come here and win the game.
04:30 It was a really good plan, and Everton have got some good players,
04:36 and they were very fluid as well, especially in that first half.
04:40 At 2-0 up then, there was a lot of movement, there was a lot of stuff going on,
04:45 and we had to adjust, which we did at half-time, and then I thought we looked more solid again.
04:50 I thought we deserved it, but it felt great.
04:56 I'm more pleased for the supporters, I've just been desperate to get them something to shout about.
05:01 I'm really pleased the lads have done that today.
05:04 What was it about your side, what you've seen from your side so far this season,
05:08 and maybe Everton as well, that gave you the belief to win tonight's game?
05:12 I believed that we were going to go and beat Brighton away, I really did.
05:17 I think the fact that we have been improving, we've been in the games against West Ham and Fulham,
05:22 and as I said, last week was a dominant performance against Wolves,
05:26 we've got really good players, and it was a tough one, but I just felt today the styles would fit,
05:32 I felt that we'd find some spaces, I felt we'd be able to cause them some problems,
05:37 which we did in that first half particularly.
05:40 Again, with that sort of respect, I know they've got some really good individuals,
05:44 they can attack quickly, they can put balls in the box with some real physicality as well,
05:48 but I feel that we're normally quite good at dealing with that stuff.
05:52 In terms of the set-piece, you touched on it a little bit there,
05:55 but Everton were really strong in that aspect last week, I'm sure you watched that,
05:59 what have you been telling your players in terms of the offensive side to maybe exploit some of that?
06:04 Yes, we always do that, so we always have a plan,
06:07 and there will always be tweaks for every single game where we can expose the opposition
06:11 and where we think they're strong to try and avoid.
06:14 They've clearly got some height and a lot of presence in there,
06:16 but we did feel that there were certain areas that we could target.
06:19 On the flip side, we conceded from a second or third phase from a free-kick as well,
06:23 so they've still got that threat.
06:25 Balls come in the box, Everton have got some monsters there that can attack the ball,
06:30 so we didn't deal with it well enough on one occasion where they scored in the second phase
06:35 after Thomas made the save.
06:37 But yes, a lot of work goes into that, and I can't take any credit for it,
06:41 but that's the staff - Maka, Richie, Trolls, Pilks, Dunne, all the guys
06:47 that put a lot of work and hours into those set pieces,
06:50 because you see today how valuable they are.
06:53 Alright, thank you everyone.
06:58 - Thank you.
06:59 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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