The old gold had to be patient against their League Two opponents, but second half strikes from Raul Jimenez and Rayan Ait-Nouri eventually saw off the plucky visitors. Lopetegui’s substitutes made the difference at Molineux, and Neves was pleased to get off to a winning start under the new head coach.
On getting through in the cup
“We knew the game would be really hard. We watched their game against Brentford, the way they defend with a line of six, and three midfielders and one striker – sometimes 6-4. It’s really hard to beat them, they do a fantastic job defending, and they are good on the counter attack and set pieces.
“We knew it would be a tough game, but we created enough opportunities to win the game. I think we should have got out of the first half winning already, but we kept calm, kept playing our game, and fortunately we got the result we wanted.”
On the chances coming and going
“At the end of the first half we felt that we should be winning, because we had a few chances. I remember a chance for ‘Hodgey’, a header, I remember good play by Danny Podence and Moutinho and the ball just went out of Moutinho’s feet.
“A second ball to Hodgey, my free-kick, the ball on the post, we had a lot of chances even against a really tough defensive line, so I think it was a deserved win.”
On playing for Lopetegui
“Everyone is here to help us. Since the beginning of the season, everyone gave their maximum to help the club. Of course, we were struggling before the World Cup, but that’s finished now, the break was really good for us, we were able to work a big amount without any official matches, so it was good for us.
“I bet it was good for the other teams as well, but of course we worked really hard to get out of where we are. We want to think game by game. We played this game as a final and that’s what we want to do from now on.”
On adjusting from the World Cup
“We are used to it. I think we are strong enough mentally to switch our mind and to change to the club again. We do that all the time during the season with international breaks. There are no excuses for us because we know what we need to do when we’re with the national team and then, of course, we know what we need to do when we’re with the club. It’s a normal thing.”
Rayan sealing our place in the quarters 🙌 pic.twitter.com/yx17Lsky4t
— Wolves (@Wolves) December 20, 2022
On playing different roles
“I played in a lot of different ways here, even with Nuno I changed the way I play a lot, and with Bruno as well I changed from a six to a double in the midfield. I’m used to doing everything, I just want to help the team.
“I think the formation is not important at the moment, the most important is our attitude, the way want to play. It doesn’t matter how we play, or who plays, because everyone is ready.”
