Captain's Pride

Danny Batth looks back on Blues win

Danny Batth admitted he was a “proud” captain after leading the team – and scoring – in the 3-1 derby day victory against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.

Wolves hit back from a half time deficit with a powerful second half display as goals from Joe Mason, Batth and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson extended the team’s unbeaten start to the Sky Bet Championship season.

Batth said it was testament to the team’s character in keeping going despite going behind in a hard-fought first period.

“It was a typical derby – 50/50 first half – and they got ahead,” said Batth.

“But we had said before the game that whatever happened, even if we went behind or things weren’t going our way, we would stick together and see it through.

“Goals happen in games and it is not always a mistake or someone’s fault – the opposition can play well.

“And Birmingham put some quality balls into our box.

“But we didn’t drop our heads after going behind – we rallied  after half time and “I always felt going into that end with our fans we had a chance of getting a goal if not two.

“We came away with three goals and dominated the second half.

 “I think it shows the quality that we have.

“Mase and Jon Dadi are in great form, everyone has put a shift in today - Jack Price, Coady, the boys at the back.

“And we’ve got some great quality coming off the bench as well.

“I’m really proud of the boys.

“It obviously means a lot to the fans being a local derby and likewise for myself scoring a goal was a great feeling.

“I know a lot of Wolves fans and how much it will mean to them that we won the game.

“This is the second best derby given that we don’t play Albion at the moment and it’s about local bragging rights.

“The pride is ours until we play again at Molineux later in the season.”

Batth’s first goal of the season came after Matt Doherty’s powerful header was parried by former Wolves keeper and he was well placed to fire home.

It was one of a number of chances Wolves created from set pieces.

“The delivery for our set pieces from Pricey was excellent all game,” Batth added.

“There were a couple where some of us went close .

“And then Doc came in and got a clean header on it and the keeper could only parry it into my path.”

But Batth says Wolves cannot afford to get carried away with the excellent result and unbeaten start, knowing the Championship is such a long and challenging season.

“It was a big win for us and puts us in a good position going into the cup game and Huddersfield – it is another big week coming up,” he says.

“All the lads will be ready to prepare properly and go again.

“We are taking it one game at a time – the old cliché.

“It is still very early days.

“There are a lot of games this season and a lot of difficult away games.

“Teams may be looking at Wolves now and what we are doing and try and counteract that.

“We have got to keep going and keep improving as a team.

“Showing character like we did on Saturday and backed by the following that we had we have got half a chance.”