Irish Daily Mirror

BATTH: IT’S OUR TIME

Delighted Danny so immersed in Molineux dream of going to Prem

- BY BRENDAN MCLOUGHLIN

DANNY BATTH believes bigspendin­g Wolves are relishing the pressure of being promotion favourites. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team top the Championsh­ip heading into today’s clash against Preston. And Lilywhites forward Tom Barkhuizen has lit the blue touch paper ahead of the clash after claiming the “pressure is all” on Wolves. He said: “You can’t spend £40million in this league and not go up.” Wolves have claimed nine points from their last 12 and have kept clean sheets in the last three games. Summer arrivals such as £15.8m Championsh­ip record signing Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota, on loan from Atletico Madrid, have taken the league by storm. Batth said: “That’s the statement you make when you spend a lot of money. It draws attention. “Fans’ expectatio­ns rise, but our job as players is to deliver performanc­es and tell people it’s not done overnight, it’s a process. “We are glad there’s the attention, the excitement around us. But we have to make sure we are right on the pitch – that’s where it all begins.” Wolves’ starting XI which saw off Aston Villa last weekend had FIVE Portuguese players in it, including ex-porto ace Neves. It is also the nationalit­y of boss Nuno Espirito Santo. Batth added: “Ruben’s only been with us a short time but he’s already shown his quality on the pitch. “Off the pitch he is very focused and he gets on great with everyone. “There is no divide in the dressing room, we are all in it shoulder to shoulder. “When you bring in a player of that profile it gives everyone a boost and this influx of new players can really bode well for the club. “The recruitmen­t this summer has been very strong and gives us a chance to go in the right direction.” But Preston midfielder Ben Pearson reckons his side should be top despite a summer spend of just £1.5m. North End have lost only once under new boss Alex Neil. And Pearson said: “Tactically every game we have been better than the opposition but the draws have been disappoint­ing. “Realistica­lly we could have been top of the table.”

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 ??  ?? GOLDEN MOMENT Wolves keeper John Ruddy celebrates the win over Villa with Batth and Conor Coady
GOLDEN MOMENT Wolves keeper John Ruddy celebrates the win over Villa with Batth and Conor Coady

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