By Luke Baker
THE SET-UP at Peterborough is like night and day compared to his previous club, Crawley Town, says Gwion Edwards.
The Welsh midfield wizard is convinced that not only will Posh soon be back in the Championship but they will also help make his dreams of international football a reality.
Peterborough and Crawley both suffered disappointment in League One last term.
The Posh’s expected promotion push failed to materialise as they finished 13th, while Crawley’s three-year stay ended with relegation.
However, Edwards impressed for the relegated Red Devils and earned a move to the ABAX Stadium over the summer.
He has quickly settled, notching six goals and many more assists this term ahead of the weekend.
The 23-year-old admits it is almost another world as he chases promotion with the Posh.
“It’s very different to Crawley,” said Edwards. “Peterborough have their own training ground (the Mick George Training Academy) and the facilities are a lot better.
“That’s to be expected with where the two clubs are. It’s good to come into training and have the gym and everything there.
“The expectations are higher as well. Crawley was different. Obviously, the club wanted to progress but, for whatever reason, we didn’t do as well as we wanted to last season.
“Here, we want to be pushing towards the top of the table. We’re there at the moment, so hopefully we keep playing well and results will come our way so we can stay there.”
Born in Lampeter, South West Wales, and having come through Swansea City‘s academy before moving to Crawley two years ago, Edwards is a proud Welshman.
He represented his country at Under-19 and Under-21 level and after being an unused substitute for Euro 2016 qualifiers against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus in October 2014.
It seemed like only a matter of time before he made his full international debut.
Yet, more than two years on, that still hasn’t materialised and, while he knows he must keep his head down and work hard, Edwards is convinced Peterborough is the place to be, to ensure he eventually does pull on the famous red jersey.
“I was on the bench twice for Wales but I’ve got a long way to go yet,” he added.
“Hopefully, if I’m playing well for Peterborough, scoring goals and we’re winning, then that chance will come though.
“Making my debut would be amazing. That’s one of the aims I’m looking to progress to and part of the reason I joined the club.
“There’s still a long way to go, but if I keep doing well at Peterborough and getting my goals, I think the dream will come true.” Creating chances for the front men is Edwards’ bread and butter, but goals are also a crucial part of his game.
“You can’t let the strikers have all the glory,” he jokes.
Finding the net on his Posh debut, a 3-2 victory over Rochdale in August, settled any lingering nerves the former St Johnstone loanee may have had and he certainly doesn’t regret his decision to join Grant McCann’s revolution.
“There were one or two other clubs, but as soon as I heard Peterborough were interested the gaffer phoned me and, within a couple of hours, I was driving up here,” explained Edwards.
“He told me about the way the team plays, what he wanted me to do and the aims of the club, so I was happy to come and sign here.
“It’s been a good start for us and, personally, I’ve got a few assists and a few goals. It’s a nice club, everyone is friendly and all the players have helped me settle in.”
