Consistency The Aim

Gaffer assesses tough Brentford test

Walter Zenga has now challenged his side to find some consistency as they welcome Brentford to Molineux tomorrow (3pm) for a “very difficult game”.

Wolves responded to the late collapse against Barnsley last time out at Molineux with a powerful display at St James’ Park last weekend to overcome promotion favourites Newcastle United.

The return EFL Cup trip to the Toon ended in defeat on Tuesday, but Zenga is now targeting a decent run of consistency as the much-changed squad continues to gel.

“We stayed together in Newcastle for five days and we used that time for talking to each other and getting to know each other,” said the Head Coach.

“It was important to stay together and talk about other things than just football.

“We have nice facilities here but a lot of the time you arrive, train together and then go home.

“In the hotel for a few days we could talk not just about the football but also build working relationships.

“Today there is so much chat on phones or on WhatsApp, we have lost the habit of talking to each other and so those five days were important.

“It helps as a team and it helps us as we look for continuity from last Saturday and the same attitude from that game.

“This league is very hard, and even teams on top can lose games or get some bad luck.

“The most important thing is to continue, and we have to find a way to win two or three games in a row.

“Tomorrow is a very tough game and we are going to need something more from everyone at the club.”

Brentford arrive at Molineux having lost only one of their last seven games, from which they have taken 14 points.

That has led them to sixth position in the early Sky Bet Championship table, two points ahead of Wolves.

“We have to be ready for a very difficult game,” said Zenga.

“Brentford are in a good moment and come from a very good result when they beat Preston 5-0.

“They are a very well organised team and the play good football and have a player up there with the top scorers.

“We will have to take this game very carefully and be inside the game with the right attitude.

“If we want to win we will have to have full concentration for the 90 minutes and then added time.

“Brentford will have a positive attitude and mindset and it is important that we are ready for that and that we also do things that can cause them trouble.

“We have to give everything on the pitch, and the fans can support the team in the right way.

“We want to become stronger at home.

“It seems that away we have one face and then at home it is not being afraid but more not wanting to make a mistake.

“It is up to us to bring the fans on side and not the other way around.

“A strong team has to accept and come through what happened against Barnsley, and accept that these things can happen.

“It is about learning from the mistakes, and not repeating them.

“I was ashamed against Barnsley because this is our house and we want to be strong in our house and have a good feeling.

“It is difficult because there are 23 games at home, and so you can have bad times, but you can build a good season based on your home form.”

Zenga meanwhile expressed his delight at the news that skipper Danny Batth has pledged his long term future to the club with the signing of a new four year contract.

“We are delighted about Danny Batth,” he said.

“He is our captain and is a very important player for us.

“Everyone is an important player but this helps us as we look for stability because we don’t want to be changing ten players every six months.

“If you do that then you never arrive where you want to be.

“We have to create a group which are strong, compact  and have a nice mentality of not wanting to stay in the comfort zone but of looking for something ambitious and setting themselves a challenge.

“With the signing of our captain that helps us move towards that and we want to sign other players as well.”

Zenga confirmed that Nouha Dicko is continuing to near a return to first team availability but still requires more Under-23 outings, and that he will select from a similar squad as travelled for the North East double-header.

“The players are o-k after those two games,” he said.

“They have recovered well and we have had two nice training sessions to prepare for the game.”