Dave Edwards interview: Reading star discusses Jaap Stam, leaving Wolves and the Euros with Wales
It is usually only once the boots have been packed away and life in the professional game has gone that footballers put pen to paper and reveal their career experiences and thoughts on the game.
Dave Edwards doesn’t fall into this category, though.
A keen diarist, Reading’s £1 million summer recruit has taken a different approach, penning a book from the viewpoint of a current player. Living My Dream is a rare insight into the mind of a current professional footballer.
„Over the last two or three years, I started journaling,“ he explains. „I got into the habit of going to the journal every day and writing down what happened throughout the day, be it something I’d done or just thoughts I was having.
„During the Euros [with Wales] that became heightened with the experiences we had. I had everything written down so it wasn’t a case of forgetting anything, I feel like I’ve really captured everything. I think the insight into what goes on at a major tournament makes it attractive for supporters.“
It was his experiences with Wales that convinced Edwards he had a story to tell. Qualifying for Euro 2016 under Chris Coleman’s management and then going on to reach the semi-finals made heroes of the unfancied squad.
„It was such an amazing occasion,“ he said. „Before the first game, we went for a walk in Bordeaux. There were Welsh fans everywhere, thousands of them. We were walking with them and chatting. It was a moment where you saw everything come together. You knew they had put their lives on hold back home to be part of this journey.“
The midfielder believes the achievements of those players in France 18 months ago have helped the nation break through a glass ceiling, even though the recent World Cup qualification campaign ended in failure.
„In the dressing room after the semi-final, the gaffer said to us. ‘You’ve done well but this has to mean something going forward,“ said Edwards.
„You can’t come away saying you’ve lived the dream, it has to be something more than that.’ I was a bit concerned after that because I couldn’t see a new generation of players coming through but then in the last qualification campaign players like Ben Woodburn, David Brooks, Ethan Ampadu have come in and it looks bright again.“
At club level, it looked as if there was more success on the horizon when Wolves were taken over by Chinese conglomerate Fosun International that same summer. But when Nuno Espirito Santo became the club’s fourth manager in 12 months in June, Edwards found himself surplus to requirements at Molineux.
„It was a hugely difficult decision to leave. The club did so much for me but when the new manager came in I wasn’t in his plans and they were bringing in some top players – really top drawer players who could play in the Champions’ League.“ Edwards reflects.
„I know they’ll get promoted this season. The long conversations I had with Jeff Shi [Wolves’ main director] during my time there convinced me of that. He was so positive about what they wanted to do, you just knew they’d make it work.
„Nuno is a terrific coach and me leaving didn’t change my opinion of him, he was always very respectful. I knew they’d be successful but I’m not the type of player who can sit around and not contribute.
„Once I’d spoken to the manager and he said I wasn’t in his plans, the Reading move came along really quickly. It was done in a day and I knew it was the right move for me.“
Edwards is working with another top coach at the Madejski Stadium in Jaap Stam. The aim is to go one better than last season’s hugely impressive campaign which ended at Wembley with defeat in the play-off final.
„I had spoken to Chris Gunter when I was away with Wales and he spoke so highly of the manager,“ he says. „To see him on the training pitch you are a little bit in awe of him and what he’s achieved. He’s still got such a touch on the ball, you can tell he was more than just a big centre-half. He wants to play good football.
„I wish I’d come into this scenario 10 years ago because I think I’d be such a better player. Even at my age now, he’s transformed my game. If I’d had him coaching me at 19 or 20 I think I’d be so much further on in my career, but it’s great to see him benefiting the youngsters we have here.“
The 31-year-old is in good form, with two goals in his last two games, but sees this period in the season as a defining time for the club, continuing with Monday night’s live game against Cardiff.
„December is a huge month for us. We got off to a great start against Sunderland last week so just need to get a few more wins,“ Edwards says. „The last six weeks or so we have really clicked as a team.
„Yann Kermogant coming back has made a big difference, he’s so good holding the ball up. We’ve got two wingers in Sone Aluko and Modou Barrow who give us so much going forward as well and then with players like Paul McShane and Liam Moore at the back we’re rock solid.
„It’s not just the 11 starting though, it’s a really strong squad. We could be six or seven points better off but we know we have to get the results. Cardiff are such a hard-working team and they have the quality too, but I do believe when we get it right we can beat anyone.“
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