Nuno praises young side after cup win

Nuno Espirito Santo was pleased by the manner his much-changed side saw off the challenge of Sheffield Wednesday to seal a spot in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

The manager made nine changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Manchester City at the weekend, and after the 2-0 win reserved special praise for the players who had featured for the first time this season.

“I think it was a good game,” Nuno told Wolves TV. “The players, the new boys, the youth, getting the experience of minutes in official competition; players that are adapting gave a very good answer.

“Like all the games there are some positives and some negatives, but in this moment of the season all the cups are very, very important, as they give you the most important thing there is: competition, total adrenaline under pressure, your fans and reality. This is how you build, under reality.

“It keeps our identity and our philosophy. No matter who you play you always try and put your idea on the pitch and make it stronger than your opponent.

“If you can do it with big teams, you have to do it with Championship teams, even if it is a friendly in Walsall you have to do it all the time.”

Leo Bonatini ended a run of eight months without a competitive goal when he found the net with a clinical second half strike, but Nuno insisted his belief in the marksman has never wavered.

“Scoring was fantastic, but he did much more than the goal,” Nuno added. “He worked very well. He knows the process and he knows his task.

“More than the confidence that the goal gives him, he has my confidence. I think this is the most important thing. He has to go out there and show all the talent he has.”