Wolverhampton Wanderers

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Wolves boss Rob Edwards says defender Santiago Bueno is "really growing on him" after the Uruguayan's standout performance against Grimsby Town in the FA Cup.

Bueno scored the only goal of the game at Blundell Park and made a crucial tackle at the death to ensure Wolves' progress into the fifth round.

Edwards said: "Santi has been someone who is really growing on me. He goes about his business, is unassuming, very quiet and a quiet leader. I think he's been playing very well for us.

"He's good. He's got the all-important goal as well, and an amazing tackle right at the end. He's just a good footballer and he showed up."

On dealing with the conditions at Blundell Park, Edwards added: "For the lads that will be here with us next year, that's the kind of spirit and character and fight that we want here at the football club."

We asked for your views on Sunday's FA Cup fourth round win over Grimsby.

Here are some of your comments:

Adrian: A good win in difficult conditions. The pitch was a bit of a leveler, and the scrappy goal we scored was all that separated the sides. With the season we've had, a cup run lifts the gloom a little, so bring on the next round!

Mike: A professional performance in conditions more suited to water polo than football. Grimsby came close in the first minute but otherwise they had no chance until stoppage time, Wolves had chances to make the score line more comfortable but it was a job well done.

Wol: A win is all we wanted. Difficult conditions for both teams. Not the most memorable game but it is the result that matters. In the next round and hopefully a home tie.

George: Very good performance from Wolves. We defended good, Santiago Bueno with a great goal.

Stanley: It was a fight but we came through it. The pitch was so like a mud bath but both teams had to deal with it. Grimsby can hold their heads up because they were well in this game and had a chance or two. Wolves had more chances but the finish was not there. In the end it was a defender who scored. We take the result and move on. It would be nice to get a home tie next against a lower league team - who ever is left in is all good for us because we need something out of this wreck of a season. Arsenal next, upset of the season on the cards? Ok, I can dream!

Image source, Getty Images

The 2025-26 FA Cup fifth-round draw will take place on Monday, 16 February at about 18:35 GMT.

It will be done before the fourth-round tie between Macclesfield Town - the lowest-ranked team left in the competition - and Brentford, with former England internationals Joe Cole and Karen Carney conducting the draw on TNT Sports.

Supporters can also follow the draw on the BBC Sport website and app.

All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 7 March.

Unlike in previous years, there are no replays if matches end as a draw. All ties will go to extra time, and if necessary, a penalty shootout.

What are the ball numbers?

1. Liverpool

2. Fulham

3. Sunderland

4. Southampton

5. Wrexham

6. Arsenal

7. Chelsea

8. West Ham United

9. Mansfield Town

10. Norwich City

11. Port Vale or Bristol City

12. Wolverhampton Wanderers

13. Newcastle United

14. Manchester City

15. Macclesfield or Brentford

16. Leeds United

Jason Mohammed is joined by Paul Robinson and Leon Osman to bring all you the action and talking points from Sunday's FA Cup ties.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Grimsby Town 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Birmingham City 1-1 Leeds United

• Oxford United 0-1 Sunderland

Wolves boss Rob Edwards, speaking to BBC MOTD: "They were really difficult conditions and it was a challenging game. It was all set up for a cup upset because of the conditions, how we're doing and how they're doing. But we did the job, we were professional.

"We were ready for it (the conditions). We'd been up here, we'd seen it and the kind of conditions we ought to expect. We've talked a lot about mentality over the past few days and the players showed a really good mentality today.

"They showed a real desire to win, they did the basics really well and made really good decisions in trying conditions."

On why he only used one substitute: "The lads had been warming up but I turned around and they looked a bit cold. You don't want to introduce anyone now and have a negative effect. I felt the lads on the pitch were settled in the game."

On facing Arsenal in the Premier League on Wednesday: "We've got to recover well now. It'll be a completely different game but we look forward to it."

Hit play above to hear more from Edwards or listen on BBC Sounds here

Did you know?

• Wolves have reached the fifth round of the FA Cup in three consecutive seasons for the first time since doing so in 1978-79, 1979-80 and 1980-81.

• Wolves have lost just one of their last five away matches across all competitions (W1 D3), after losing 10 of their previous 11 on the road prior to this run (D1).

• Joao Gomes provided his first assist for Wolves since September 2025, putting an end to a 22-match run without one (v Everton in the League Cup). All of Gomes' last three assists for the club have come in domestic cup competitions (2 in FA Cup, 1 in League Cup).

Harry Poole
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

As far as the Premier League is concerned, Wolves' fate has long appeared sealed.

Rock-bottom for much of the campaign, they are 18 points adrift of safety with 12 games remaining - and an end to their eight-season stay in the top flight seems inevitable.

But the FA Cup still offers Rob Edwards' side the opportunity to salvage some joy from an otherwise dismal season.

And this was a gritty performance in tough conditions against highly motivated opponents, who stunned Manchester United in the League Cup earlier this season.

While Wolves had not tasted victory since their 6-1 FA Cup third-round win over League Two Shrewsbury Town on 10 January, in-form Grimsby were unbeaten in 10 games and enjoyed a run to the FA Cup quarter-finals as recently as 2023.

But, although Wolves have managed just one top-flight win all season, their back-to-back FA Cup victories and a place in the fifth round offers supporters something to look forward to.

Their side had to remain disciplined and focused until the final whistle in conditions reminiscent of a bygone era, the pitch proving a leveller across four tiers of English football and preventing either side from building any meaningful momentum.

By doing so, Wolves have extended their cup ambitions into March and will be one of a maximum of 11 Premier League teams in the competition's last 16.

Wolves boss Rob Edwards, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Those were really difficult conditions and it was a challenging game. It was all set up for a cup upset because of the conditions, how we're doing and how they're doing. But we did the job, we were professional.

"We were ready for it [the conditions]. We'd been up here, we'd seen it and the kind of conditions we ought to expect. We've talked a lot about mentality over the past few days and the players showed a really good mentality today.

"They showed a real desire to win, they did the basics really well and made really good decisions in trying conditions."

On why he only used one substitute: "The lads had been warming up but I turned around and they looked a bit cold. You don't want to introduce anyone now and have a negative effect. I felt the lads on the pitch were settled in the game."

On facing Arsenal in the Premier League on Wednesday: "We've got to recover well now. It'll be a completely different game but we look forward to it."

Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, speaking to TNT Sports: "It was cold, wet, muddy and difficult conditions, but the lads did really well. It's mad, I quite enjoy these conditions.

"There are not many lads in the dressing room who have seen the lower leagues in England. We go out every game to try and win. Our league form has not been great but a cup run would be unbelievable for us and the fans.

"Hopefully we can keep going and see where it takes us."

Did you know?

• Wolves have reached the fifth round of the FA Cup in three consecutive seasons for the first time since doing so in 1978/79, 1979/80 and 1980/81.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Wolves' performance

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Grimsby have made six changes from their midweek 1-0 victory over Accrington Stanley in League Two.

Jackson Smith, Harvey Rodgers, Cameron McJannet, Darragh Burns and Jamie Walker are the players who keep their places in the starting 11.

In come Jayden Sweeney, Tyrell Warren, Geza David Turi, Evan Khouri, Jaze Kabia, Charles Vernam.

Grimsby XI: Smith, Rodgers, Sweeney, McJanet, Burns, Warren, Turi, Khouri, Walker, Vernam, Kabia.

Subs: Auton, Kacurri, Staunton, Oduor, Green, Amaluzor, Cook, Sellars-Fleming, Soonsup-Bell.

Just the three changes made by Wolves boss Rob Edwards following his side's goalless draw with Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.

Sam Johnstone replaces Jose Sa in goal, while Rodrigo Gomes and Hugo Bueno make way for Jackson Tchatchoua and David Moller Wolfe.

Wolves XI: Johnstone, Mosquera, S Bueno, Krejci, Tchatchoua, Mane, A Gomes, J Gomes, Wolfe, Arokodare, Armstrong.

Subs: Bentley, Dohery, H Bueno, Lima, R Gomes, Bellegarde, A Gomes, Rawlings, Edozie.

There are five ties in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Birmingham v Leeds (12:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio WM & BBC Radio Leeds

• Grimsby v Wolves (13:30) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2, BBC Radio Humberside & BBC Radio WM

• Oxford United v Sunderland - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3, BBC Radio Oxford & BBC Radio Newcastle

• Stoke v Fulham - BBC Radio Stoke

• Arsenal v Wigan (16:30) - BBC Radio Manchester

Kick-off times 14:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Birmingham v Leeds" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Oxford United v Sunderland", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

I know all about Grimsby because I was at Blundell Park for their Carabao Cup win over Manchester United earlier in the season.

Could something similar happen again? Yes, definitely. There will be another cracking atmosphere and David Artell and his players will fancy another upset, I am sure of that.

This is a horrible game for Wolves, but it is an important one for their manager Rob Edwards. He needs to find a way of getting through this tie, which is something Ruben Amorim could not do with United.

Wolves have had a miserable season and they probably thought it couldn't get any worse - well it might.

I think lightning might strike twice and this game will end in a draw before Grimsby win the shootout, just like they did against Manchester United.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1 after extra-time, Grimsby to win on penalties.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Wolves boss Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Sunday's FA Cup fourth round game against League Two Grimsby at Blundell Park (13:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Edwards confirmed Andre will train today, the "initial noises are that he's fine" and he will be "hopefully involved on the weekend".

• Toti Gomes is "progressing really well" and will "hopefully" return to training at the beginning of next week while Hwang Hee-chan will not be fit for the weekend but the forward is "quite positive" and Edwards hopes he is "not out for too long".

• On remaining positive during a difficult Premier League campaign: "We're in a difficult situation. We're all fighting for something; our careers, the football club, our pride. It's important that we show up and the lads are doing that."

• Reflecting on the midweek draw at Nottingham Forest, Edwards said: "We didn't get everything right against Forest but we showed fight, determination and spirit. Those things are really important."

• Does the FA Cup provide an escape from the league?: "No. It doesn't feel any different, it's just another game. I'm looking forward to it. It's a brilliant competition that we want to progress in. We're treating it very normally and giving it everything we can. It's not like we need a break from the league."

• Could academy players find opportunities?: "I never want to leave slots on the bench open so it gives opportunities over the next few months to some of the lads as the squad is tighter. If they're deserving of it and keep working hard there might be one or two of them on the bench each week."

• Edwards was asked about his predecessor Vitor Pereira reportedly being close to replacing Sean Dyche as Forest manager, and Thomas Frank losing his job as Spurs boss: "I don't like seeing people losing their jobs. There is a human being there with a family and people need to remember that. I wish Thomas and Sean the best, they are brilliant at what they do, and they will be back."

Follow all of Friday's FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to full live commentary of Grimsby v Wolves on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra 2 and BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Recently, Liverpool and the Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said former players-turned-pundits have a responsibility when discussing the performances of the current generation of footballers.

He believes they can stray into "clickbait" and have a possible impact on players' mental health.

On Thursday's episode of the More than the Score podcast, former Scotland international Pat Nevin and chief sports editor for Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf Marcel van der Kraan join John Bennett to discuss and analyse the modern world of punditry and the impact it can have on players and managers alike.

"As a player you do tend to take it to heart, especially when it feels a little personal," said Nevin.

"Generally, it isn't personal and the pundit is just having their opinion and we all kind of know where the lines are. But, the lines have been jumped over more often in recent years and I think Van Dijk is right about that.

"Because of the clickbait, it is so much easier to get more likes, views and work if you're a little bit more extreme. Ex-players aren't stupid and they know that. If you are too sensible and sit on the fence you won't get the big gigs.

"You have a dichotomy. Most ex-players would like to be balanced but they know if they are too balanced and sensible they won't be there next week.

"My criticism would always be constructive criticism which is explained. One-dimensional labeling of players should never happen. Sometimes if a big name says something enough it becomes accepted wisdom."

Van der Kraan added: "There are two different kinds of pundits; those who need to be on every week and those who are genuinely focused on what is right and what players should do.

"For Van Dijk, after so many years enough is enough.

"It all started after he came into the Netherlands team and became a big player at Liverpool. The first ex-player to really criticise him was Marco van Basten, saying he was not a leader. Van Dijk was biting his lip after every match because it became a bit of a stigma.

"Eventually it filtered to England and every time he had a bad game it became an open nerve."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

We asked for your views on Wolves' 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Here are some of your comments:

Nigel: Good defensive performance mixed with a bit of luck, but a horrible display elsewhere across the pitch. This is too negative football.

Darron: A lacklustre performance that cemented the fact we'll be in the Championship next season. Investment in all areas is required in the summer, as realistic fans will see many players move on. A big rebuild for Rob, I'm in the camp to re-sign Raul Jimenez from Fulham, who is out of contact this summer, then build around him, Mateus Mane, and Ladislav Krejci for the long slog ahead with the aim to bounce back straight away.

Dan: Despite the point, this more than any match this season looked like an FA Cup tie between a Premier League team and lower league opposition. We offered almost nothing going forward, got men behind the ball, didn't pass and just hoofed the ball away at the back. We won't stay up in the Championship playing like that.

Simon: That has got to be the worst first-half performance of any Wolves team. No plan or tactics, this team will be relegated from the Championship next season -clueless.

Steve: Wolves, especially first-half, showed that they are the worst team ever in the Premier League. Us fans have been totally ripped off this season.

David: No positives to be drawn from this performance . Totally shambolic in every department. The question must be asked if Forest sacked their manager, where does that leave this club?

Chris: Appalling performance, had no idea. Couldn't pass, careless mistakes, no movement and no creativity. Forest was just as bad so a poor watch all-round. Both teams deserve to be relegated on that performance. The quality of that match would have disgraced League Two!!

Steve: As always, complacent and woeful. The team is resigned to playing Championship football next season. This you can see in their demeanour in all their actions from the moment the whistle blows to the end. They have their hero but they have no heart to keep fighting and finishing. Look in the mirror gentlemen, what are you seeing? Or ask the fans who watch you. If Forest hadn't been rubbish then it would have been another easy loss.

Image source, Getty Images

The 40-point mark - or thereabouts - could be needed once again to guarantee Premier League survival this term, with an in-form West Ham United attempting to chase down the sides above them.

That mythical number has often been cited as the threshold at which managers, players and fans can relax - but the total has not actually been needed to stay up since 2010-11.

Prior to that the only other occasions clubs were demoted with 40 points or more were 1996-97, 1997-98 and 2002-03.

But could that be about to change?

West Ham, who are 18th in the top flight, are only three points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, who sacked manager Sean Dyche after Wednesday's goalless draw with Wolves.

While Tottenham - who sacked boss Thomas Frank on Wednesday - are 16th, another two points ahead of Forest.

• Read a full breakdown on the 40-point target

West Ham's current points tally (24) is the most by any side in 18th at this stage of a campaign since 2019-20, when the Hammers recovered to stay up with 39 points.

Leeds also look to have found some momentum with recent wins over Fulham and Forest as well as draws at Everton and Chelsea.

In contrast, Spurs have managed a meagre four points from the previous 27 available to them.

Meanwhile, now managerless Forest have won just two of their past 10 games and fans of Brighton and Crystal Palace may also be looking over their shoulders.

The 14th-placed Seagulls (31 points) are on a dismal run having won just one top-flight game since 30 November.

Palace - who are a place and a point above Brighton - have only tasted victory once since 7 December and most recently let a two-goal lead slip as they lost to struggling Burnley.

That magic 40-point mark could well be needed once more to avoid dropping into the Championship.

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

"I've got a few more lines around the eyes after that," said Rob Edwards. "It was a stressful night."

More stressful, as it turned out, for his opposite number Sean Dyche, although at least he can now look forward to a little less anxiety over the next few weeks. Edwards may have more ageing to do before the summer, even if there is no suspense left regarding Wolves' fate this season.

Set against the statistics, their ninth point of the season was the most surprising. The total of 35 Forest shots was the highest by any team in a Premier League game this season, but aside from a sharp double save in the second half, Jose Sa was able to watch most of them fly overhead like a firework display.

Wolves seemed largely content with that arrangement to start with, conceding territory to Forest while protecting their box, burning the home team's patience until another shot sprayed into the stands. That began to feel uncomfortable once it seemed Wolves had nothing else to offer.

When they finally dared to commit men forward at a free-kick they were exposed to an absurd six-on-one break which, although Forest somehow fumbled, seemed to convince Wolves to be even more cautious.

"I thought we started to show one or two little bits of disappointment in the first half," said Edwards, who admitted to having used some "choice words" at the break, and gave his side credit for fighting doggedly on.

But occasionally this game offered the first signs of a general despondency setting in on the field. Perhaps this stage was always going to be reached sooner or later. Waiting for the obvious to be confirmed may well be worse than the feeling when it finally happens.

To make that period tolerable, Edwards is appealing to the players to uphold their own honour, even if the team's season cannot be saved. "We're all playing for something every time. When you're playing in the Premier League, it's going out there globally, isn't it? People are going to see you, so it's important for the lads to show their best.

"Like I keep saying, we're playing for our futures, we're playing for whatever it is that motivates you. Right now, when a lot of them won't know where they're going to be, let's be brutally honest about it, there's going to be changes in the summer. They've got to fight for it."

Listen to full commentary of Grimsby v Wolves at 13:30 GMT on Sunday on BBC Radio West Midlands (all frequencies and BBC Sounds)

Listen to football phone-in weeknights from 18:00 until 19:00

Explore Wolves content on BBC Sounds

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

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Wolves have only ever faced more shots in a single Premier League game once before than they did in their goalless draw with Nottingham Forest - against a top-three side in Liverpool in 2024.

And they will be relieved to travel back across the Midlands having put themselves one win away from beating Derby County's record Premier League low of 11 points in 2007-08.

Rob Edwards' team battled throughout, rode their luck and were helped considerably by Nottingham Forest's woeful finishing.

Yet this performance also served to underline the huge gulf in class that means a place in the Championship is almost certainly reserved for them next season.

It took 59 minutes for Mateus Mane, 18, to register their first effort on target and while he could have completed the ultimate smash-and-grab late on, it does not sit well that a club of Wolves' stature is reliant on an inexperienced England youth international as their main goal threat.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Somers to bring you the action and talking points from Tuesday's and Wednesday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

Wolves boss Rob Edwards, speaking to TNT Sports: "I know we had a couple of moments but I think it would have been unjust had we lost.

"In the first half we were as bad as we have been. We kept giving the ball away. A few words at half time and I thought we showed spirit and character in the second half."

Did you know?

• Wolves ended a run of 14 away Premier League matches without a clean sheet, while this was their first goalless draw on the road since January 2024 at Brighton.

• Wolves faced 35 shots tonight, only facing more in one Premier League game ever – 36 against Liverpool in May 2024.

• Jose Sa made 10 saves tonight, only the fourth time a Wolves goalkeeper has made that many in a Premier League match – the others are Paul Jones vs Middlesbrough in April 2004 (10), Wayne Hennessey vs Liverpool in January 2012 (10) and Sá himself vs Liverpool in May 2024 (11).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

What did you make of Wolves' display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Nottingham Forest make three changes to the side that lost 3-1 at Leeds last Friday in the Premier League.

Neco Williams, Lorenzo Lucca and Omari Hutchinson all start, with Igor Jesus and Nicolas Dominguez on the bench and Zach Abbott missing out.

Nottingham Forest XI: Ortega, Williams, Milenkovic, Morato, Aina, Anderson, Sangare, Lucca, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Hutchinson.

Subs: Gunn, Awoniyi, Ndoye, Domnguez, Jesus, Yates, Cunha, McAtee, Netz.

Image source, Premier League

Wolves make two changes to the side that began Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Chelsea.

Rodrigo Gomes and Ladislav Krejci come in for Matt Doherty and the injured Hwang Hee-chan.

Wolves XI: Sa, Krejci, Mosquera, Santiago Bueno, Hugo Bueno, J Gomes, A Gomes, R Gomes, Armstrong, Mane, Arokodare.

Subs: Johnstone, Doherty, Wolfe, Lima, Bellegarde, Tchatchoua, Sutherland, Rawlings, Edozie.