No Getting Carried Away

“The only important thing is today”- that’s the message from Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo as Wolves take on Preston at Molineux this afternoon (3pm).

There will be no looking ahead to Tuesday’s Carabao Cup trip to Premier League leaders Manchester City, nor contemplating whether Wolves’ impressive start to the season has boosted their promotion chances….not on Nuno’s watch anyway!

Instead it is about preparing for another typically testing Championship tussle against a fifth-placed Preston side who have lost only once in the league so far this season, and are unbeaten in nine.

“Every game is different, and all games require patience,” says Nuno.

“There are different circumstances throughout the season, and the games where you can never give up and have to keep fighting to succeed.

“You can never consider that the game is finished, and that you may need another goal to close it out.

“It is not so much about patience, but about knowing your tasks on the pitch, that is the most important thing.

“The reality is that there is a long way to go, we know that, and the table doesn’t mean anything now.

“There are a lot of games in front of us, starting today.

“The only important thing is today, doing well, performing well, and then taking it on to the next game.

“It is about keeping the level of performances that will bring results and bring points.

“We cannot control what is being said outside but we know what we are dealing with and inside is where we can control our emotions.

“It is about always getting better, and working hard on the dirty work as well as the beautiful part of the game.

“And we won’t be getting carried away.”

Nuno looks set to select from the same squad as last weekend with Willy Boly still not ready to be considered.

And it looks like another bumper crowd at Molineux in keeping with greater numbers supporting the team so far this season.

“We are all proud (of the crowds),” adds Nuno.

“It makes the club proud, and the squad proud.

“Playing at home in front of our own crowd, and bigger numbers of supporters, reflects that you are doing things well.

“We have to be thankful that the crowds have been growing in the same way as the team.

“Our fans are engaging with the team, and we need to keep that and to keep pushing and pushing and creating that atmosphere at Molineux.

“I am very proud to say that the boys feel good to play at home and this is the most important thing which is also very important for us in the Championship.”

Today brings Alex Neil’s Preston to Molineux, and another difficult afternoon in store.

“This is another tough game against a good team who have had only one league defeat this season,” says Nuno.

“They are a good squad with good players who are well organised and have a good idea and shape on the pitch.

“They have a good manager to, and we expect a team that will come and fight for the game.

“They are aggressive, press well and a threat on the counter attack and set pieces, and all the details are important.

“But it is also about what we do.

“We analyse our opponents but then we will try and put our own ideas on the pitch.”

*The spectator safety measures, including road closures, are back for today’s game. Click here to view details.

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