Kenny Jackett was delighted to see Wolves’ winless run come to an end with a battling 2-1 victory against highflying Derby County.
A clinical double from George Saville, his first goals for the club and the second just after Bjorn Sigurdarson’s shot had come back off the post, secured a vital three points after Rams’ striker Chris Martin had levelled with an impressive free kick shortly before half time.
Saville’s winner arrived in the 86th minute, to send the fans home happy after three successive defeats and a run of seven without a win.
“It is a good win for us especially with the recent run of losing three on the trot,” said Head Coach Kenny Jackett.
“In circumstances like that sometimes you have to scrap out a draw and stop the rot of losses.
“But we produced two big chances at the end, firstly with Bjorn hitting the post after a good break and then Saville’s header which proved decisive for us.
“The players worked hard today in what was a difficult game against a very good opposition.
“For such a big game the response to what happened against Brentford was very good and you could see the passion from the lads.
“In spells I thought our passing was better than it has been, and as we get through the winter and pitches improve we need to be as constructive as we can in being an effective team in possession.
“This performance and result is something we need to build on.
“It was another close game today as recent ones have been apart from Brentford.
“It could have gone either way but we are delighted to come away with the win.
“It has been a difficult season for us and the players have had a lot of disruption, both in pattern and personnel.
“And that is not easy to get over – it takes time.
“Things could have been worse this season, but there were signs today that we are coming through it.
“We are mid table and there are things we want to do to get better and climbing the table to draw back some very good teams in this division.
“That will only happen with consistency and a lot of hard work.”
On Saville, who returned to Wolves in January after an impressive loan spell at Millwall, Jackett added: “George is a young, developing player and we feel we took him at the right time.
“It is tough to buy the players that Derby have done who are the finished article and we have a number that are developing and George is doing that in the right way.
“We had two players on loan at Millwall – Afobe and Saville – from big London clubs.
“They have emerged at different times but we can see Saville’s quality.
“He had a very good loan spell with Millwall and has come back now and played several games.
“He has played in a three man midfield and his left foot gives us some nice balance and he has an ability to shoot with his left foot as well.
“He will get stronger and we hope he will develop into a good midfield player for us.”
On-loan left-sider Jeremy Helan also produced a lively debut on the left hand side of Wolves’ front three, bringing some balance to the Wolves attack.
“Jeremy suits our system and gave us natural balance which at times during the course of the season, mainly due to injuries, we have lacked.
“He has good experience in the division as well.
“Physically he could handle Christie as well who we couldn’t handle coming down that side in the first game.
“It is a very good start for him.”
The recent run of form has prompted criticism from the Wolves’ supporters, which Jackett has acknowledged is justified in going with the territory.
He is hopeful that more performances like today’s will provide the way forward in providing supporters with something positive to shout about.
“I am certainly aware of everything – you can’t bury your head in the sand and say you don’t know it is there,” he said of the criticism.
“I am definitely aware of the feelings that our out there and after that you have to be determined to turn it around which is with good performances and good results.
“And so the focus moves to the players and the training and working out how to put a winning run together.
“The fans want to see progress and they want to see good football and they want to see us win.
“There has been some frustration, which from my point of view is totally understandable.
“It is about performances on the pitch, and results.
“Hopefully this has put the bad run behind us it would be nice if this group can settle without any disruptions and then those on the outside can raise their game and create competition and drive forward.
“We want to continue with this and the players should have belief and it should help build that bond with the supporters which we have to earn.”
