Conor Coady is confident Wolves will only get better under new Head Coach Walter Zenga.
The affable midfielder was utilised as an emergency right back in the absence of Dominic Iorfa for Tuesday’s EFL Cup tie against Crawley Town, and duly popped up with his first Wolves goal to clinch a hard-fought 2-1 victory and a second round tie at home to Cambridge United.
He believes that the players are quickly responding to Zenga’s approach, and that more is to come ahead of the Sky Bet Championship double-header with Reading and Ipswich.
“It was important to get the win,” said Coady.
“It was our first game here this season and the gaffer’s first home game in charge.
“We showed spells about how we want to play, and it was a good win which is what we needed.
“We did concede too many opportunities in the first half, and Lonners made a great one-on-one save at 1-1.
“We made it hard for ourselves but we got through and got the win.
“The gaffer been brilliant, and his attention to detail is fantastic.
“He has been in nearly two weeks, and we are learning every day and can hopefully keep improving.
“It has been relentless, and we have worked hard and been ‘on it’.
“His passion is fantastic, he is telling is how he wants to play and how he wants us to work.
“It is going to take a bit of time but we need to keep getting results and getting that winning mentality.
“If we can keep taking on board what he is saying and keep building on it then it can be a recipe for success.”
Coady as a right back – is that something he had done before?
“I played there the once in pre-season and as a kid I dropped in there and played along the back four a few times,” he replies.
“It’s not all that different and I enjoyed playing in a different position and learning different things.
“It’s something I tried to take in my stride.
“Let’s face it, Dom Iorfa is a top, top players, so I’m not sure it is something that will happen too often.
“But if he is ever not available for any reason, and the gaffer asks me, I am more than happy to play there.”
Forget playing right back, what about that first Wolves goal? A
A winner in that, in front of the South Bank, after so many near misses last season.
“It was a massive relief and well overdue,” said Coady.
“We work on set pieces a lot with differenr routines and luckily it came off.
“It was my son’s birthday so it was lovely to score.
“I know I wasn’t too far out but you have to be there to socre don’t you?
“I loved scoring in front of the South Bank, scoring a goal in the best feeling in the world.
“I wanted to score all last season, and now it has come playing right back.
“Hopefully I can get a few more for the club now.”
Coady admits he has also been impressed by the new arrivals who have made an impact in the two games so far.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson scored at Rotherham and was bright again against Crawley, Joao Teixeira also impressed in both games, and Helder Costa enjoyed a lively 45-minute runout on Tuesday night.
“You can see from the lads that they have brought good quality to the team,” said Coady.
“They can run the ball, and are happy to take it on in tight situations.
“It is a tough league to play in but they will adapt, they are strong-minded.
“We know if they get the ball something can happen, and they can get the crowd off their feet.
“They are new to the league and are young players so it is about sticking with them and about us helping them along.
“They will attract plenty of attention from the opposition but they can also win us games.
“The lads here have got great character and the team spirit is brilliant.
“The new lads have come in and helped us, and we have to keep on building, taking the gaffer’s ideas on board, and seeing where it takes us.”
