Walter Zenga was pleased to see Wolves make EFL Cup progress from a hard-fought tie with Cambridge United, and said they just need more of a killer instinct to take their chances.
Wolves started superbly to take a 2-0 lead inside 13 minutes thanks to goals from full debutant Helder Costa and a first for Wolves for Jed Wallace, only for the visitors to hit back immediately through Medy Eliot.
There were chances for both sides from then onwards, but more for Wolves, including a second half penalty from James Henry which was saved.
“In some parts we played a good game and then in other parts we made mistakes and that opened the game up,” said Zenga.
“That is not just about the goal that we conceded but also the goals that we missed.
“We started strongly and in the right way and then we relaxed.
“And the opposition played good football and were well organised and could have put is in trouble and taken us to extra time.
“It is a good lesson for us to understand that we must be 95 minutes at the high level of concentration.
“Sometimes it is good to learn from getting yourself into trouble.
“If you have to continue to play like we did in the first 20 minutes and in the second half we will get chances.
“Missing one penalty is just enough and then it becomes too much!
“The strange thing is that in training the lads score all the time and never miss.
“Next time we must pay more attention to the details because they are big chances for us.
“It is difficult to play at a high level and keep the same concentration and attitude for a long time.
“In the end we came through the game and we created more chances in the second half.
“We must be more determined when we have chances to score and when we create this situations with one on one against the keeper and penalties we have to be strong to close the game out.
“We must have that killer instinct inside the box.”
Costa made an impressive full debut for Wolves, scoring one, creating another and then winning the second half penalty.
“Helder played central striker which is not his original position,” said Zenga..
“I am happy for him because we created with him and the other players some good combinations with the ball on the floor.
“With the quality of the players they showed they can do these things.
“Helder is doing a good job - he is still young and has only been here a short time.
“He didn’t make pre-season training but we trust him like we do all the players.
“In the first half we had some players for the first time or who hadn’t played the last few games.
“It is our philosophy that all the players are involved in our project.”
That is four wins and two draws in Zenga’s first six games at the helm having only arrived five days before the start of the season.
But as ever, he is not getting carried away and it will be straight back to work to prepare for Saturday’s trip to table-topping Huddersfield.
“It is a win and we are unbeaten but after the interview now we go home and think about the next training and the game on Saturday,” he added.
“We will analyse this game and we have to improve and be determined.
“We know that this cup is not easy at all and we are pleased to be in the third round.
“Now we think about the Huddersfield game.
“We have a winning mentality to want to grow up every day and do better.
“What we have done is past and it is about what we create for tomorrow, and we have to make tomorrow the best day.”
