Clean sheets key for Nuno

Nuno Espirito Santos believes Wolves’ clean sheet at West Ham United a fortnight ago gives his players a target to aim for each week in the Premier League.

It was Wolves’ first league clean sheet of the season and was crucial to the eventual outcome of three points returning home.

Burnley visit Molineux on Sunday and Nuno has called on his players to achieve another shut out to give themselves every opportunity of picking up three points.

“The standard we achieved in previous games we have to do again on Sunday,” he said. “We achieved the first clean sheet against West Ham.

“That must be the first step, a clean sheet, you’re always closer to winning a game if you have a clean sheet. Let’s keep our defensive organisation, our intensity of duals, all these aspects.

“We as a team have a lot of things to improve. We have to be more clinical. We can think about our talents, style, the way we achieve and create chances is good, now but let’s make it better.”

Nine of Nuno’s first team spent last weekend on international duty but the hard work continued for the remaining players, as focus turned to fire-tuning certain aspects of Wolves’ game.

“As a squad, our routine didn’t change. We didn’t change because of the competition we’re in. The same things we do today, we did last season, only in a more positive way.

“When there’s no competition during the weekend everything is different, but it doesn’t mean you can relax. You have to focus on other aspects that doesn’t regard the competition.

“Everybody is looking at us as a club, as a squad, as a team. We know we’re not under the radar anymore. We have to be better because we will not create surprises.

“In a high competition, even if you don’t have a game on the weekend, you can’t relax. You have to prepare yourself,” he said.