Maximilian Kilman insists Wolves are still trying to build on their positive performances before the international break as they return to action away at AFC Bournemouth this weekend.
The captain was a shining light in the defence as the Old Gold shifted to a back five for the Molineux fixtures against Manchester City and Aston Villa, and despite heading to the Vitality Stadium off the back of being three games unbeaten into the Premier League, Kilman feels there is much more to come from the Wolves squad this season.
On start to the season
“It’s been a difficult start. In some of the games we’ve played some really good teams, but I think we’re in a fair position.
“We’ve obviously got a lot to improve and a lot to work on, but confidence is increasing, we’re getting used to a new manager and how we want to play and progress.
“We’ve created way more chances than compared to last season, we’ve scored a few more goals already, and with more shots, more creativity, and our forward players are playing really well, so I think we’re definitely more exciting this season.”
On wearing the armband
“It’s been unbelievable. I never thought I would become a Wolves captain when I first joined the club, and I never thought I would play as many games as I have, but here I am.
“I’m just trying to enjoy it, embrace it and lead the team as much as I can. I’m still looking to improve as a player, to keep building and I know this is not the end for me here, I want to keep progressing because there’s much more to achieve.”
On gaining confidence from recent results
“We played against City and Villa, two in-form, top teams right now, so getting four points from those two games was a big positive for us as a club. They were massive.
“Now we’ve got to build from that and come back from this international break, be high on confidence and keep progressing.”
On facing O’Neil’s former side
“We know winning this game would mean as much for him as it does for us, but winning a Premier League game is always tough.
“Bournemouth away is not an easy place to come to and we have to try and get a result, like we would in every other game.
“They are a good side, they’ve got good new players, a new manager, so they will be looking to get their first win on the board at home. But it’s up to us to try and prevent that, and make sure we’re 100 per cent focused and ready.”
1, 2, 3, JOSE SA!
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On goalscoring form
“We’ve been working on that a lot. Gary has been trying to work with the forwards a lot and as a team, we’re trying to build up from the back and things are starting to fall into place.
“But as everyone knows, Gary came in just four days before the start of the season, so it does take time to integrate a new manager’s way of playing, especially as every other team had a whole pre-season under their manager and we didn’t. We’re doing well, we’re trying to keep up and progress.”
On Neto and Hwang’s performances
“They’ve been brilliant. I saw Hwang’s conversion rate and it was almost at 50 per cent, which is crazy, but both of them have been on fire for us this season. We just hope that they can carry on as they are because the football they are playing is unbelievable.
“They’re both really hard workers, they’re confident, but that’s what all strikers need. When they’re playing and they’re scoring, they’re going to get more confidence and that’s what football is all about – playing with confidence, and they both have that right now.
“It’s up to the rest of us to keep giving them the ball and hope they keep creating more magic for us.”
