Walter Zenga felt Wolves deserved to take something from this evening’s game against Norwich as a late fightback was unable to prevent a 2-1 defeat.
Wolves fell behind to a Cameron Jerome header on just two minutes, but in the second half had been pressing for an equaliser – the returning Nouha Dicko denied – prior to a spectacular second Canaries goal from Robbie Brady.
Dave Edwards’ emphatic header brought Wolves back into the game, but they were unable to follow up with an equaliser against a strong visiting team.
“I thought we played a nice game, but Norwich took two of their chances and we only took one,” said the Head Coach.
“I don’t think that we deserved to lose the game.
“We went behind early and we know that isn’t a good way to start.
“At 1-0 down we had a great chance with Dicko and in the second half Norwich didn’t really get out from their midfield.
“It would have been wonderful for him to have scored immediately and it was a nice move but then two minutes later it is 2-0.
“We had been on top before that and they scored with a nice shot.
“We got back into it with a goal and with a bit more luck might have gone on and got another and I think that would have been a deserved draw.
“Over the game I think Carl has made one good save, at 1-0, to keep the game open.
“In the second half we put them under a lot of pressure and the only time they went through from midfield they scored a goal.
“I think things went against us and everything was turning the left side instead of the right side but we have to continue to work and believe in ourselves.”
There was improvement in the second half and Zenga was pleased with the impact from the bench of Conor Coady and Dicko.
“I think the players that went on today did a good job,” he said.
“Last time maybe not so good.
“When players go on from the bench they have to give something and give an opportunity to the team.
“I think they did that tonight.
“Maybe I could have made the last change a little bit earlier but I saw the team were in a good moment and it wasn’t the time.”
The return of Dicko, over a year since suffering an extensive knee injury, certainly lifted Molineux, and Zenga believes he will soon be tucking away the sort of chance he got on the end of not long after coming on.
“I spoke to Nouha when I arrived here and said that after he had been out for so long it was important for him to build up week by week and play some games,” said the Head Coach.
“There was a decision that he would come back in November.
“But then you see a player and he is doing well and working hard.
“I am pleased for him that he is back and that first chance he had was a fantastic situation…next time!
“Dicko is an important player for us and we have to take care of him because he showed that he can do a good job for us.”
Wolves now head into the international break with Zenga looking for specific improvements when the team return to action at Aston Villa in a fortnight’s time.
“In Wigan we receive a goal after five minutes. Here we receive a goal after two minutes,” he added.
“In other games we have received a goal in 90 minutes or 96 minutes.
“It is important that we are able to start and finish games well and keep the same level throughout the game.
“That is where we have to work.”
