Jose Sa admits that although he was pleased with Wolves’ successive Premier League wins against Chelsea and Brentford, he wasn’t completely happy having conceded in both matches.
The goalkeeper returned from injury to help the Old Gold to six points earlier this week, taking the club’s tally to 25 at the midway point of the season, but with Everton coming up at Molineux on Saturday in the final outing of 2023, Sa is determined to shut out the Toffees, although he understands the most important aim of the game will be to get three points – even if the team concede.
On having 25 points at the halfway stage
“It’s very good because comparing to the last season we are doing very well, and we just need to continue this work because we are very happy with what we are doing.
“To be fair, I think all of us think like this because we thought that it would be a tough season, and of course it’s a tough season, the Premier League is very difficult, but we are where we are.
“It’s not that it’s a surprise because we know that we have a good group and good players, but we didn’t think that we would be so high up the table as we are. But of course, with what we are doing here, working hard every day, then I think we deserve it.”
On team spirit in the camp
“It's true, we are a very good team, we are very good guys, and we are friends with each other, and I think this is a big point in our team. We have to continue to fight for each other and just continue like this.
“I’m playing like this and I’m trying to help the team like they help me too when I need it. We are human, sometimes we make mistakes, and I know that they are on the pitch to help me, and I will be there to help them too. This is how I think, I will try to help how I can and, in the end, be happy.”
On successive Premier League victories
“I enjoyed it a lot, but because we conceded it wasn’t perfect. I want clean sheets, I need clean sheets. It’s not the most important thing though, the most important thing for me is that we win. Against Chelsea, we conceded after 90 minutes and I said, ‘Ok, we concede, but we won’.
“That’s what’s important – three points. Perfect. For me, if we win all the games 2-1, 3-1 or 4-1, then for me, that’s ok. As long as the three points come for us I don’t mind. I was happy.
“Of course, I’m counting [clean sheets] because when you’re a goalkeeper you will count these because it’s important too. You don’t want to concede goals, but like I said, if we win, I don’t mind conceding goals in all the games.”
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On facing Everton to close out 2023
“They are very good. They are a very strong team and a difficult team to play against. If they didn’t have the 10-point deduction, then they would have one more point than us. But even thought they have lost 10 points, they have played very well, so to still have 16 is very good.
“We have to praise them because they’ve done very good work and we know that it’s going to be a difficult game. But we have to work and we will go on the pitch to win the game.
“They have good crosses, good set-pieces, but they play very well too. We have to be aware because they will be very difficult, but I want to keep a clean sheet so I can help the team.”
On managing the game from goal
“What he [O’Neil] says is to manage the game. Sometimes if I can see a quick counter attack then he wants me to play fast, but if I need to be calm, then I will be calm.
“Against Chelsea, when I saw Channy, I tried to play it fast, but it was not a good ball. He was alone in the half pitch, but it was my mistake. I need to do better.
“We had another situation against Chelsea on 45 minutes when I caught the ball from a cross and then I played quick to Cunha, Cunha lost the ball and they won a corner which was dangerous for us and for our goal, so there, I should have been calm and waited because 45 minutes would have finished the half, so we needed to manage the game.”
