MONK: WOLVES DEFEAT WON’T DEFINE OUR SEASON
BOSS SAYS BORO DESERVED MORE
Rudi Gestede goes close for Boro during their opening-day defeat at Wolves.
MIDDLESBROUGH manager Garry Monk refused to be downcast with his side’s opening-day defeat at Wolves, saying the result wasn’t a true reflection of what his team deserved.
Monk, who felt that Wolves goalkeeper John Ruddy could have been sent off after he appeared to handle the ball outside the penalty area in the second half, said: “In the first half Wolves were the better team and we made too many mistakes and obviously one of them led to a goal.
“But I thought we were the better team in the second half and we upped our level of urgency.
“We need that at the start of games. We had the best chances in the game and on any other day we could have taken one or two of them.
“That is football and is sometimes the way that it works out.
“We definitely deserved something from the game. In terms of the result it was disappointing but in terms of what we deserved it doesn’t show a true reflection.
“We know that we will get better and we should take confidence from that.
“There is always a hype because it is the first game but it is a long, long season and I am sure that we will be collecting many points over the coming months.
“Not one game will define our season. We will take it on the chin and try and get a result next week.”
Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo is convinced his team will get better after he began his reign with a home win.
Leo Bonatini, who was making his debut after arriving on-loan from AlHilal, secured the win with a 33rd-minute strike after a misplaced pass by Daniel Ayala.
Former Porto boss Nuno said: “It was a tough game and in the first half we played very well. We controlled the game and this is the way we should work.
“I think that we deserved the three points and we are pleased with the boys.
“We are still not the final product and every game will be better. This is the line that we want from the boys, always progress, always get better.
“So I think we are all learning. Every day is a chance to learn.
“We knew that today was a special day for all of us. We want to thank the fans and build this engagement between the team and the fans because Molineux is going to be a very difficult place for opponents. The victory gives us the confidence to work but we have to work harder. There is no perfection in football. You have to improve every day.
“You can do anything you want but if you don’t have the heart there is no point.”