Dicko's Delight

Match-winner Nouha Dicko admitted that, for him, Tuesday night's win over Nottingham Forest was defined by two 'rollercoaster moments' which sum up the emotion involved in football.

Having initially been named amongst the substitutes, Dicko was drafted into the starting eleven just ten minutes before kick-off after Helder Costa picked up an injury in the warm-up.

The Malian international striker then went on to score the game's only goal; a second-half strike to round off a brisk Wolves counter attack just moments after Conor Coady had cleared Britt Assombalonga's shot off the line at the other end.

After the win - Wolves' fifth in a row, Dicko said:  "It wasn't the best game, but it's a big win and we're delighted. No footballer wants to be on the bench, but I was preparing myself to do my best for the team if I got the chance to come on, and then I was told about ten minutes before kick-off that I would be starting because Helder had an injury.

"As a footballer you can't afford to have any excuses about not being fully prepared, and although I think it took me a bit of time to get into the game, I was happy that I responded in the right manner.

"As a striker you always want to score, and I haven't managed to score a lot this season, so it was a great feeling to get the goal. When Assombalonga had his chance I somehow knew that Conor was going to clear it. Andy Lonergan played it out straight away and we managed to score from it - that's what makes football so special, when you go from one feeling to another so quickly.

"It's a rollercoaster of emotions some times and it was on Tuesday night, but that's why we all love football."

In what was a game of relatively few clear cut chances, Dicko believes that that way Wolves ground out the victory shows the confidence and winning mentality of a squad which has won its last five games.

"I think that maybe two months ago we would have lost a game like this," Dicko continued. "I think it was a bit similar to the Wigan game at Molineux, which we lost, but on Tuesday we fought hard and won the game.

"It shows how much we've improved. Confidence is really high at the moment, we have got a lot stronger and we now just need to improve that consistency."

Wolves travel to Ashton Gate on Saturday, to face a Bristol City side who currently sit a place and a point above the relegation zone. Wolves' recent resurgence has seen them pull ten points clear of City, but Dicko is adamant that his side can't afford to take their foot off the gas in pursuit of further vital points.

He added: "It's not over - we definitely can't relax now. We need to go on and make sure we finish as high as we can - that means taking one game at a time, staying focused on our next game and trying to get another three points at Bristol City."