Having gone into the break with a one goal deficit, Ruben Neves’ penalty and Pedro Neto’s stunning piece of individual brilliance to score the winning goal was enough for Wolves to take the three points back to the West Midlands. Although many were not too happy with the first-half showing from Wolves, Nuno believes it was more credit to Southampton than a problem with his side.
On a game of two halves
“It was a very tough game. Both halves were very tough. In the first-half, they were organised and Southampton managed the game, they were aggressive and played better than us. We know how difficult it is to play here against a team like Southampton.
“In the second-half we were on the front foot, we were searching and impressing. We played better football and we were more organised, and we achieved two goals and then we defended very well.
“I was pleased with the ability to reverse the momentum of the game, the way they adjusted and the reaction of our players, but there were still many negatives in the game that we have to correct.”
💛 @Nuno pic.twitter.com/kgM6PYCyKO
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 14, 2021
On improving from a disappointing first-half
“I don’t agree that the first half was disappointing, it was a tough game, Southampton are a good team.
“Every time we’ve faced each other, the games have been very competitive, very balanced, very intense, and sometimes one of the teams have managed to be on the front foot, and that’s what I felt after.
“The first-half was not disappointing because we were playing and trying to do our things but Southampton did better in that moment, and then the game changes.”
On the penalty decision
“I haven’t seen the images yet, but there are so many people who are in a better position than me to judge that. It would not be fair for me to judge without seeing it.
“On the pitch, what I saw was that it was more about us. It was a good moment before the penalty with Adama coming inside and releasing Nelson in the wide areas, but afterwards, it’s the decision of the referee.”
Stunning, @pedrolneto7 👏pic.twitter.com/PzuHIetvc9
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 14, 2021
On Neto’s second-half showing
“I think he did really well. Pedro played very well, but I’m pleased with the whole team. Both of the wingers today when they changes sides, when they were on the inside of the game, Adama with more actions, Pedro with more actions.
“They are very talented players, players like Pedro, Adama and Daniel [Podence], their games are based on one-v-one situations and when they have space and they can do their actions, they are very difficult to stop.
“The standards are very high, our players are very talented, so we expect the best from them. But I’m pleased because it was a huge moment for us, a big, big moment that Pedro gave us.”
On easing Jonny back in
“He’s ok. We tried to continue with the plan of giving minutes. Today, we went much further, giving him 65 minutes.
“But he has to be managed because he’s recovering from a tough injury, so we have to be very careful so we don’t lose him.”
