JOE Edwards has described his vision for Millwall’s playing style – but insists it will not be an overnight transformation.
The 37-year-old took officially over at The Den yesterday and will take his first training session at Calmont Road this morning.
Much has been made of the appointment and what it could indicate about the Lions looking to change their on-pitch identity.
Edwards explored the nuances of playing style, his pragmatic approach to it and how long it could take to transform Millwall in his first interview as manager.
He also paid credit to his predecessor, Gary Rowett, for laying the foundations of the role.
Speaking to Millwall TV+, he said: “I think in terms of coaching experience, although I’ve seen lots of philosophies, playing styles and ways that managers like the work, of course I have my own beliefs and preferences. If you said to me ‘what do I really want one of my teams to look like?’ I have a picture of that.
“I think what you get through youth development and working in the academy is a strong understanding that coaching at its best really is just getting the best out of people.
“Getting the best out players and the staff that you’re working with. Get the best out of people, put them in positions and systems and coach them to really see them flourish and hopefully the product of that is seeing the team get success. So for me that’s what will be the balance here.
“I did my Pro License with Gary Rowett, so I know Gary. I remember talking years ago with Gary about his preferred style of play. His is probably quite different to mine but I full, full well know that there isn’t a right or wrong way of playing football – no one way is better than the other. You can be successful in many different ways of playing and I’ve seen that with the different managers I’ve worked with.
“For Gary and the guys that have been around it in recent years, to achieve what they have achieved – four consecutive top-half finishes in the Championship – in a league that is one of the most competitive and difficult in the world, that’s not easy to do. I’ve got full respect for all the work that has gone before me and been done.
“Change can sometimes feel like a new lease of life and a breath of fresh air. What I’d like to see is us be proactive with the ball. The reason I’m conscious not to use the word possession too much is that I’m not an obsessive possession-based coach where we have to have 65 or 70 per cent of the ball – you can have 70 per cent of the ball in a game and not play well, I know that.
“I want us to be more on the front foot and proactive from an attacking point of view and that starts on the training pitch. A lot of the work we do in these early days and weeks will be stuff where it is players getting on the ball, thinking forward and playing forward, taking care of possession. I want the training to be enjoyable – if you’ve got people out there enjoying what they are doing then it is a big thing.
“When you have a group that has worked together consistently for as long as this group have, I don’t think quick change and immediate change will be particularly smooth or easy. There will definitely be bumps in the road. I won’t be looking to revamp the team completely overnight. There are some players in this group that are very used to what they are doing and I completely respect that.”