Jose Sa believes Wolves’ European dream is still alive despite recent results and insist the players will continue their aim of moving up the Premier League table when they take on Nottingham Forest this weekend.
The Old Gold will be searching for their first Premier League win in four outings when they head to the City Ground on Saturday, and as Wolves prepare to face off against former head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and his side, which features ex-gold and black men Willy Boly and Morgan Gibbs-White, Sa understands it will be another tough game against a side fighting against the drop.
On still recovering from last weekend’s match
“We’re still a little bit sad because we lost and it was a little dramatic game, because at the end of the game, everyone saw what happened, but also, there was the first direct corner I have conceded, so I was a little ashamed.
“I know it was a good corner and there was a lot of confusion in the area too, but inside of me, I need to save it. The wind played a part too, a lot of things, but I don’t like to concede goals.
“I haven’t watched it yet, but we will watch it towards the end of this week to see what I did well in the game, to see what I did wrong, and what I can do better, so once I watch it back I can say more about that, but now I’ve just got to focus on the next game.”
On a goalkeeper’s view of the VAR decision
“It’s better that I don’t give my opinion because [the Premier League] will sanction me. It was a stupid decision – that’s my opinion. Of course, if they do this on my side, if West Ham score against me and they start saying that possibly the goalkeeper didn’t see the ball, of course I would say, ‘Yeah, it’s true, I didn’t see the ball’.
“But I can’t say anything about that, because it was unbelievable. Of course, if I was Fabianski in that situation I would be appealing because I want the best for me, but in the end the referee has altered his decision and I don’t know how it’s possible.
“It was a direct corner and the ball was in the air, if it was on the floor you could say [Chirewa was obstructing], but when the ball is in the air – no, impossible. With the amount of points they have taken off us, it’s incredible, and no-one seems to be doing anything about it, but we have to continue working and fighting.”
On keeping the European dream alive
“Of course, we believe and we will fight for that always. Our main target is already done, but now it’s fighting for more and we are all on the same page, we want more and we will play for more.”
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On facing Forest and Gibbs-White this Saturday
“I know what this is like for them because for us last season it was the same. It was very difficult and a very hard season and I understand what they are feeling right now.
“They need to win or draw all of the games, they need to win points, and it’s a very important game for them. They have quality players, they have a quality team, and it will be a tough game.
“Morgan is a very good player and a very good guy. I worked with him here and he was a very good guy, who has a lot of quality.”
On reaching 100 Premier League appearances
“The Premier League is a tough league, so of course I am very happy to have achieved 100 appearances and we will fight for more. The best thing about those 100 appearances has been experiences the environments in the stadiums.
“It’s unbelievable here, the noise, all the people supporting their own teams, and this is unbelievable. It didn’t surprise me because I already saw on TV it was like this, but when you are here it’s different. You can feel the moments.
“I know the Premier League is the best league in the world, but to be here, it’s amazing.”
