Spanish sun gets Wolves roaring
AWEEK away in Spain saw a rejuvenated Wolves take a 12-point lead at the top of the Championship with an impressive performance against Ipswich.
Matt Doherty’s first-half goal made the difference for the visitors but it was their organised and energetic defensive display that really caught the eye.
Wolves manager Nuno took his squad for warm-weather training this week, following the loss to Nottingham Forest eight days ago, and he attributes the time away as a key part of getting back to winning ways.
He said: “It was something we had planned a long way before; the result didn’t change that.
“It was a plan that was good and it was good for the bonds that they create together by being away for a week. The benefits are there from the hard work we put in when we were away.
“I’m happy with the boys’ perMcCarthy. formance – that’s what makes me really pleased.
“The way they were organised and stuck together, their shape and organisation allowed us to go out and create a lot of chances and I have to congratulate them for their hard work.”
Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich have now drifted eight points outside the play-offs, after only managing to record one win in their last eight games.
But despite the downturn in form, the Tractor Boys boss is happy with the effort of his players.
“I’m always disappointed when we lose but I can’t really argue with the result,” said “I was disappointed with how we conceded because we had possession twice and the ball ended up in our own net and it shouldn’t have done.
“Bart (Bialkowski) has made some good saves and they are a very good side. We were beaten by a better team but I can’t argue with my lads or complain about the effort or application they gave.
“Could we be better at times in terms of quality with the ball? Yes, but they give everything for this club every week, so I’ll settle for that.”
Wolves made their early domination count in the 15th minute as Ivan Cavaleiro flicked the ball backwards into the path of Barry Douglas, whose chipped cross was headed into the ground and into the top right corner by Doherty.
Ipswich goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski agreed to sign a new three-year contract this week and showed his value to the Tractor Boys with a great save to repel Douglas’s free-kick and a similar demonstration of reactions to push away Diogo Jota’s low shot.
The home side pushed for a leveller towards half-time and were left disappointed with Bersant Celina’s shot that went wide of the right side of goal before John Ruddy did well to push David McGoldrick’s dipping effort over the crossbar.
Jota’s pace continually troubled the Ipswich defence and it took some well-timed closing down from Bialkowski to narrow the angle and push the striker’s ball across the box away from anyone in a gold shirt.
The lead came within inches of being doubled when Jota was released down the left wing but despite confidently driving into the box, his pass went behind a wide open Helder Costa.
Bialkowski continued his man-of-the-match display by pushing Leo Bontaini’s low shot away but Ipswich were unable to penetrate the Wolves backline.