High Praise For Players

Gaffer's thoughts after impressive home win

Walter Zenga was full of praise for his Wolves team after a goal in each half from Matt Doherty and Joe Mason secured an impressive win over Reading.

The Royals arrived at Molineux with two victories from two in the first week of the season, without having conceded a goal, but Wolves were on the front foot from the start and could have added more goals to make the margin of victory more emphatic.

But Zenga was content enough with the three points in front of a delighted home crowd.

“The team played very well and there was no doubt about the final result,” he said.

“We could have scored more goals but in the end the most important thing is getting the three points.

“For the first 30 minutes we were very good.

“We were compact and strong with our pressing and we didn’t allow them to play their normal game which we had seen from their last matches.

“Then we scored at the start of the second half which was the perfect time.

“The team showed good spirit and that they wanted to win and the fans were amazing.

“They are a good group of players who want to work and want to push themselves to the limits.

“This is the most important thing.

“We cannot guarantee a win, but we can guarantee that we prepare properly to try and win.

“And if you do that you don’t have to be ashamed if you don’t win and you can hold your head high.

“I am happy now because I am working at an amazing club, with fantastic players and fantastic technical staff.

“One win or one loss will not change my mind on that, and today the players played an amazing game and deserved to win.

“We finish the game and are satisfied, but five minutes later we are thinking about Ipswich.”

Zenga was asked about the contribution of Joao Teixeira, who impressed in midfield, but said it was an all-round performance from the team which allowed the more creative players to show their quality.

“I think the team played well,” he said.

“When they play like that the quality of players like Teixeira and Mason can show through.

“Teixeira arrived like me 12 days ago but it is a fantastic situation for him because the way the team played put him in the position to play well.

“The job of the coach is to decide when is the time to play in a certain way, when is the time to push or when is the team to keep calm.

“Sometime I win, and sometimes I learn.

“But being proud and the passion and the spirit of the team must be the first three ideas that we bring every time on the pitch.”

There was a rousing atmosphere at Molineux, which was music to Zenga’s ears, even though he needed a prompt to respond to a request of a wave from the South Bank!

“There are no other words I can say about the fans, it was amazing,” he said.

“When I am in the game it is difficult for me.

“I am concentrating on what is happening and sometimes I don’t hear anything!

“Someone on the bench called me and told me what was happening and so I waved!

“My wish and my dream is I want to see this stadium full.

“In that moment I will know that I am doing a job here.”

In terms of the club’s long term chances this season, Zenga is not getting carried away at such an early stage.

“We have another game in 72 hours,” he said.

“Our target is do your best today, and then we straightaway start thinking about the next game.

“We don’t think too far ahead.

“We have to concentrate and be cautious and realise that it a long season, 46 games, which is a marathon.

“My wish and my dream is I want to see this stadium full.

“In that moment I will know that I am doing a job here.”

The Head Coach also says the search continues to bring in new players before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

“Signing players is a part of the club and the coach,” he said.

“We want to bring more players in to be more competitive.

“For example at the moment we only have two central defenders.

“Every coach wants a squad with balance especially with the number of games in a season.

“It is our job to get a good squad together.

“At the moment I must congratulate the players that we have because these are the best players that we have.

“And then we will see.”