MX23RW : Saturday, October 17 10:36:45| >> :60:1308:1308:

Nuno Espirito Santo brushes off suggestions of lowered expectations

Nuno Espirito Santo brushes off suggestions of lowered expectations
© Reuters
Wanderers have shipped seven goals in two games and key players have left the club.

Nuno Espirito Santo has refuted suggestions Wolves may have to lower their expectations this season.

Wanderers have enjoyed nothing but success under the Portuguese since he became head coach three years ago, winning the Championship title before back-to-back seventh-placed finishes in the Premier League, as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League last season.

Some observers tipped the club to continue its progress this season and maybe even break into the Champions League places. The campaign started well with victory at Sheffield United in their opening match but a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City and 4-0 loss to West Ham, widely described as the worst display of Nuno's reign, followed a Carabao Cup exit to Championship Stoke.

Meanwhile, players like Matt Doherty and Diogo Jota, mainstays of what Wolves have achieved recently, have left the club.

Asked if expectations should perhaps be tempered, Nuno said: "No, its not about that.

"It's not about expectations, it is about the work we have in front of us and knowing how to assess it and decide how to move forward. Expectations are outside, we know what we want to do – we want to improve.

"We believe we still have things to improve but we are happy with the squad. It is important that when the transfer window closes that we can reunite and then move on.

"This is how we work. We don't work with fear, we work with confidence to get things right because making decisions requires a lot of work and time."

Wolves resume Premier League action on Sunday against Fulham at Molineux and Nuno will make a late decision on the fitness of Daniel Podence and Marcal.

Podence missed the West Ham loss due to a shoulder problem while Marcal was also absent in London with a calf injury he sustained on his debut against City on September 21.

Sheffield United v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League – Bramall Lane
Marcal may miss out on Wolves' match against Fulham (Peter Powell/PA)

"We have some issues still to attend. Players that are recovering, players that had knocks from the previous games," said Nuno.

"We still have tomorrow (Saturday) to determine who's going to be in the squad. Let's see. He's (Marcal) improving but I cannot advise for sure what is going to happen on Sunday. We still have tomorrow to assess."

Meanwhile, long-term absentee Jonny is responding well to treatment on his injured anterior cruciate ligament.

"He's doing well. He never quite stopped his rehabilitation in terms of muscular work that he has to do.

"He's been working very hard and he's doing OK but these things take a lot of time. It's about being patient, doing the right things, don't rush because a mistake in this moment of rehabilitation can delay his return.

"What we want is for Jonny to come back as soon as possible."

ID:416973:

Click here for more stories about Nuno Espirito Santo

Click here for more stories about Wolverhampton Wanderers

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Juventus winger Douglas Costa pictured in November 2019
Read Next:
Douglas Costa rejects Manchester United move?
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Premier League
Championship
Scottish Premiership
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Eredivisie
Primeira Liga
League One
League Two
National League
National League North
National League South
Scottish Championship
Scottish League One
Scottish League Two
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
Russian Premier League
Ukrainian Premier League
Norwegian Eliteserien
Swedish Allsvenskan
Danish Superliga
NIFL Premiership
League of Ireland Premier
Welsh Premier League
Belarusian Premier League
Segunda Division
Serie B
2.Bundesliga
Ligue 2
Eerste Divisie
Major League Soccer
Brasileiro
Uruguayan Primera Division
Liga MX
Chinese Super League
J1 League
Premier League 2 - Div 1
Women's Super League
European Champions Cup
Challenge Cup
Tables

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!