Nuno apology as he eyes another smash and grab

THE last time Nuno Espirito Santo visited Ashton Gate, he celebrated a stoppage-time winner with such vigour that Bristol City boss Lee Johnson feared he could spark a fight. Johnson’s tongue seemed only slightly in cheek this week when he said: ‘I’m surprised Alan Dicks didn’t two-foot him when he was all over him.’ Dicks, the former Bristol City manager, pushed Nuno away as the Wolves manager pumped his fists in ecstasy at Ryan Bennett’s goal. Nuno had been sent off earlier in the game for protesting Danny Batth’s 14th-minute red card, so he was high in the stands as his team came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory. ‘He didn’t show himself in the perfect light,’ added Johnson. Nuno will be back in Bristol for the first time since that 2017 match when Wolves face Johnson’s side in the FA Cup tomorrow. ‘I’ve apologised already, but if I have to say it again, then I will — I’m sorry,’ said Nuno. ‘It was not my intention to be disrespectful to anyone. Being in the stand means you cannot really help the team. So all the emotions transform themselves into what I felt was a big, big joy. ‘It meant too much to us. Bristol were in second place and I could not contain myself.’ Nuno and Johnson did their coaching badges together with the Scottish FA in Largs. ‘We’ve known each other since then,’ said the Wolves boss, who insists any rift is in the past. ‘Everything is OK. It will be a difficult atmosphere and both of us want to compete. Lee is doing very well.’ WOLVES defenders Conor Coady and Matt Doherty have signed new four-and-ahalf-year deals with the club.