A disappointed Kenny Jackett felt Wolves were unlucky to lose out to Robert Snodgrass’s excellent last gasp free kick at promotion-chasing Hull City – but feels his team could have done more going forward in the second half.
Wolves fell behind after just five minutes to Adama Diomande, but responded well to equalise as the returning Dave Edwards headed home Jeremy Helan’s cross.
There were chances at both ends in the second half, but barely seconds of the three minutes added time remaining when Snodgrass’s free kick bounced off the underside of the crossbar, brushed off the diving Ikeme, and found the net.
“I thought it was an excellent free kick when the game seemed to be petering out,” said the Head Coach.
“It came back off the bar and off Carl’s back but he didn’t have any chance with it.
“I thought in the first half we played well, despite conceding a soft goal from a couple of mistakes.
“We offered a threat going forward and played some good football.
“In the second half, although we were solid and competitive, I didn’t think we got our game going and were enough of a threat in attack.
“I understand we were away at Hull but we wanted to be able to step our game up in that second period and give them more of a problem.
“The problems we did give them in the second half were quite fleeting, and I felt we maybe just needed more belief to go on and win it.
“Having said that we were defensively solid and overall unlucky not to get something out of the game.
“It is disappointing because we don’t like conceding two goals and we don’t like losing.
“I feel we are close – with our football in the second half we could do more – and there is a lot to build on but ultimately we have lost the game.
“Hull had some quality coming off the bench and I don’t think we are anywhere near as that.
“For us to compete we want to get to that and have that sort of strength in our front line, and having some injuries back will help us in that department.
“It was good to get Dave Edwards back and he came up with a goal and in him and Saville I think we have midfield players who can get forward and do that.
“There was a good attitude and athleticism about our game and, as we go on, we can pass more and grow in confidence and make the right calls at the right time.”
Wolves fielded one of their youngest back fours for many a year after skipper Danny Batth missed out with illness, with 18-year-old Sylvain Deslandes coming in for his league debut at left back.
Dominic Iorfa moved into the centre of defence for the first time in the Sky Bet Championship, with Matt Doherty reverting back to right back.
“Danny missed out through illness and it was a big night for Dominic and Kortney,” said Jackett, who revealed that Sylvain Deslandes was withdrawn due to suffering from cramp.
“But they have enough experience now and I wasn’t disappointed with then.
“Sylvain is 18 and has had two tough games against Middlesbrough and Hull.
“These are the games that he has to handle if he wants to be a first team player and I do feel he has a future.
“I thought there were some good individual performances again and Matt Doherty put in a good performance.
“It is a young squad but we want to keep pushing forward.
“Speaking to the players after the game, they want these opportunities and they want to show that drive.
“It is about making the right decisions at the right times.
“We are pretty solid and competitive at the moment but we want to be scoring more goals.”
