Christian Edwards: Being unknown quantity could work in Archers’ favour

Cardiff Metropolitan manager Christian Edwards has suggested that his side could benefit from being something of an unknown quantity when they face FC Progrès Niederkorn in the Europa League preliminary round.

The Students will compete in Europe for the first time when they face the Luxembourgian side at Stade Municipal de la Ville de Differdange on June 27.

Edwards has been at the helm throughout the Archers’ rise up the Welsh pyramid system, and has become accustomed to his side being underestimated.

“I think that was our greatest strength when we first came into the Welsh Premier League. Teams underestimated the Students, the Students were dead and buried after six games and were looking to go out of the league.

“But the Students were taken seriously, and put a run of games together and have kept us in the Welsh Premier League.”

The 43-year-old highlighted an example of the sort of criticism that his side has faced in recent times, as he seeked to clarify the position of the club.

“The thing we always get thrown at us is that we train full-time and we have this fantastic environment that we train in and use.

“We don’t train full-time, we train twice a week and we don’t use all the facilities.

“What we do is have good coaches who work hard, and we have players that want to listen and learn; and that’s our greatest strength which will hold us in good stead when it comes to the games in Europe.”

The Archers have become well-known for their brand of football during their time under Edwards, who insists there is no need to go away from the beliefs that have got them to where they are today.

“I think we work within a given system but the shape can change. Our principals will always remain the same and we’ll continue to do that.

“We’re not naive to think that we can play out from the back under the new rules and cut teams apart. We’ll be respectful of what the opposition can do.

“We’ll try and work out a plan, we’ve already got the videos and know they’ve got some very good individuals. We’ll make sure we do the homework in order that we’re prepared for that. 

“If we can keep the tie alive before we come back to Cardiff, then that’s a really important factor for us.“

Edwards was speaking at the club’s media event, which was held at Cyncoed Campus in Cardiff.

(Featured image: Matthew Lofthouse)