Disappointed At Derby Defeat

A disappointed Paul Lambert said Wolves must be better next season, after the away campaign came to an end with a 3-1 defeat against Derby County.

The Rams moved 2-0 up with goals from David Nugent and Bradley Johnson before Wolves were reduced to ten men just after the half hour mark when Ivan Cavaleiro saw red after clashing with Johnson.

Ben Marshall pulled Wolves back into the game on the stroke of half time but the Rams sealed victory in the second half when Craig Bryson fired home.

“That was a disappointing afternoon,” said Lambert.

“The first goal was a really poor one to give away.

“The ball travels a long way to the back post and the player gets in and then they get the second.

“For that 20 minute spell we were not at it, and that is what happens when you are not at it.

“Having said that the sending off certainly never helped us, but fair play to the team, they really stuck at it.

“We got the goal just before half time but it’s always going hard with ten men.

“We done well to keep hanging in the game and not capitulate which I’ve seen happen with ten men so credit to the lads for that.”

Lambert is confident Cavaleiro will learn from the red card. “I would love to stand here and defend it, but I can’t,” he said.

“When you put your head forward like that then you are likely to get a red card.

“But Cav is a young lad, new to this country, and he will learn from it - he’s a talented footballer but he’ll have to learn.

“I actually thought he had started the game pretty well, and he’s not an aggressive kid at all.

“It’s hard enough to win a game with 11 men so, when you go down to ten away from home, it’s more difficult.

“We were already 2-0 down and from there it was a mountain to climb.”

It was Nouha Dicko’s 100th appearance for Wolves, and the centurion looked sharp as he tried to make things happen and went close to marking his century with a goal.

“I thought Nouha was excellent,” said the Head Coach.

“He made two or three chances for himself. “I have said before Nouha is a massive threat.

“He needs a pre-season, because with his injury, which kept him out for 14 months, he didn’t really get that, and a footballer you need to be conditioned to be able to play right through the winter.

“He will get that this summer and will be all the better for it and then we will see what a threat he can be.

“I think he will be a really top player for us next season.”

Lambert has already acknowledged that planning is already underway for next season, and continues to be enthused by the level of support from fans which he believes can underpin a much more positive campaign next time around.

“There have been a lot of people at this football club who’ve had success - I’ve seen it myself with the support behind it.

“If you do really get it going and get into the season having re-built it then, when it does get going, it’s going to be really good.

“The supporters were unbelievable today and that shows the potential of the club.

“There have been some really high moments since I have been here, and some really low moments, but the fans have always been behind us.

“I am sure there will be a good crowd behind us next Sunday and we will try and finish as strong as we can.

“Going forward, we have to get into the mindset of being able to come to places like this and get at least a draw if not a win.

“It is not about performing in one-off games, it is about doing it over 46, and we have been too inconsistent.

“We will be better next year – a lot better – I have no doubt in that.”