Walter Zenga has told his team tonight’s opponents Wigan are in a false position at the bottom of the Sky Bet Championship table – as he called on his players to back up their successive victories at the DW Stadium.
Wigan have only taken five points from the first nine games on their return to the Sky Bet Championship, but Zenga believes they have deserved far more and is expecting another tough test this evening (7.45pm).
“Wigan are not in the right position that they deserve,” said Zenga.
“They are a good team and I have seen their last two or three games where they have played with a good intensity.
“They stayed all the time in the game and have two or three players who are very interesting such as Grigg.
“The midfielder Gomez is a very nice player and MacDonald is another player who brings balance to the team.
“We must be careful and pay attention to starting the game in the right way with the right mentality.
“There are no easy games in this division, no easy teams, and every game is one different story in the longer league.
“I am afraid about this type of game.
“It is different to one week ago.
“Then we had to show something as we were going from one draw and one loss.
“Now we come from two victories and have to confirm what we did.
“I am looking for this answer from the team to show a nice attitude and a nice performance.”
Wolves may have recorded back-to-back victories in the Championship, but the Head Coach is certainly not resting on his laurels.
Indeed, he is leaving no stone unturned in trying to extract further improvement from his squad.
“Yesterday I had a meeting with the players and it was a long meeting,” he explained.
“We were 30 minutes going through all the mistakes that we made against Brentford.
“I took this opportunity because we won the game and when you do that it is the right time to show something.
“And also because it was before another important game.
“Every coach is looking for the best performance and the perfect game.
“But all the games give a chance to learn and put attention on the details.
“It is easier for one coach to make a section and analysis of the mistakes when you win.
“I can show to the team where we have to improve and what we have to do.”
Wolves have achieved some impressive results so far this season, with their four victories coming against the teams in fourth, fifth, sixth and ninth positions in the table.
It is against the teams in lower positions than Wolves that they have found difficulties picking up results.
“We are always talking about a winning mentality,” says the Head Coach.
“And that is not a team that wins every game.
“It is that every day, the players make the best day that they can.
“In every day’s training they want to improve and get better.
“If every player improves by one per cent then it is 11 per cent.
“That is a team that makes a step forward.
“We played against Burton, Ipswich and Rotherham who are behind us in the rankings.
“And we drew all three games.
“It can be a different season if you can win the games against the teams who are below you.
“To do this you need the humility to understand that every game is not an easy game and that the opposition can run more than you.
“You have to be respectful and realise there are no easy games.
“Keep your feet on the floor, very solid, and do not fly too much.
“The players understand that and are in the moment that they can do something important.”
Zenga has reported no serious issues with the squad in action in beating Brentford with all those players available for selection.
*Tickets are available from the Wolves Ticket Office from 10am-noon today, and can also be booked by telephone and then collected from Wigan tonight. Tickets are also available on the night at the DW Stadium, cash turnstile (P1) with a price increase.
