The head coach is watching his team concede goals due to uncharacteristic defensive errors at the moment and Crystal Palace took advantage by hitting the decisive blow on the hour mark at Selhurst Park. A return to defensive solidity, and quicker actions on the ball, are two areas Nuno highlighted for improvement, and quickly, ahead of another busy week of fixtures.
On what’s missing currently
“A lot of things are missing. Better performances, better decisions. What is our identity? Everything must be faster, the first must be one that creates an advantage in attack. We are playing behind, a lot of passes sideways, take risks, a lot of things are missing.”
On returning to the Wolves identity
“Our identity was clear. We have an idea that is based on our organisation, being solid, being compact, and when we recover the ball, we must be faster to take advantage of the speed and talent of our players.
“Everything relies on the first pass. The first pass after you recover the ball is when you create the advantage and superiority, and we’re not doing this pass.”
On conceding goals
“Now we have to analyse the game. It’s not about individuals, it’s about all of us. Clearly, we are conceding goals easily, we are not making it difficult for our opponents.
“Reduce your distances, don’t allow the opponent to decide with too much time on the ball, so it’s not about individuals, it’s about all of us, we must commit more to face the challenge we have in front of us. We have a big challenge – we have to improve, and we have to improve fast.”
On possible arrivals before the deadline
“We are always active, we have to be alert, because ins and outs can happen while the transfer window is open. Now, we have to focus on the squad that we have and see things that we have to improve.
“We have to improve our players; they must play better. The solutions are not outside. Willian [Jose] arrived, another option for our front attack, and we’re probably going to stay like that.”
On Jose’s full debut
“I think he did well. It’s up to us to try and integrate him better in the dynamic of the team. He had good movements, had a good couple of chances, one of those was a very good save from [Vicente] Guaita, so I think honestly, he’ll be a good option and will give us a big help.
“Not only what he did today, but what he can do for our future is what I’m positive about. He’s a good player and will do good things, it’s just a matter of integrating better. This is our job and also his teammates – recognising his strengths and deciding faster so we can take advantage of his movements.”
On Saiss and Ait-Nouri’s injuries
“We have Romain Saiss and Rayan [Ait-Nouri] both out, both with injuries, which is why we decided to go with Nelson [Semedo] on the left because we didn’t have neither Romain, Rayan, Marcal and Jonny – the players that normally play on the left were not available today.”
