JACKETT’S IN CRUISE CONTROL
PUBLICALLY, at least, only one boss at Molineux was certain Wolves will go up this year – Vale manager Micky Adams, who was sure he had watched the champions-elect.
Three second-half goals – a Bakary Sako strike and a double from Nouha Dicko, who also missed a penalty – sent Wolves top of League One for the first time since November.
And while Wolves boss Kenny Jackett stressed the need for focus from his men despite a seventh straight win, beaten boss Adams believes they are promotion certs.
Adams said: “Kenny’s done a fantastic job and they look as though they are going to get promoted.
“They’re not there yet but the boys he put out there look as though they’ve adapted well to the division and they’re going to cruise it somewhat. Which I suppose it is what everybody expected them to do.
“Sako and Dicko, at this level, are as good as anything you will see. We needed to cope with them better – we did that in the first half but didn’t in the second.”
Jackett was more reticent but now he has his own team, having jettisoned some of the big earners – either sold or loaned out – and brought in his own men in, and they look the side to beat.
He said:“Seven wins on the trot is a good achievement and it’s come at the right time of the season, we’ve really needed that to make sure the players and, most importantly, the crowd are on form.
“We’re going to need them because it’s a tough period we’re going into, where we will play two times a week. We should be excited and confident but under no illusions.
“There’s been good wins for Orient, Preston and Rotherham – you’re looking around quickly and there’s not a lot of let-up, just the draw for Brentford.
“We have to keep playing well and keep winning, there’s no option to slacken off.”
Both sides had a chance apiece in the first half – Tom Pope blazing a one-on-one over for Vale while Wolves skipper Sam Ricketts’ bullet header hit the underside of the bar.
But once Sako’s 52ndminute drive deflected off Jack Grimmer and looped over keeper Chris Neal to break the deadlock, Wolves sniffed blood.
Dicko bagged a two-minute double, crashing home a Ricketts cross via the bar before showing skill and strength to hold off defender Carl Dickinson and lash past Neal.
He was denied a hat-trick from the spot by Neal’s spot-kick save after Chris Lines tripped James Henry.
Adams added: “I was pleased with the first-half performance, we frustrated Wolves and had the best chance but once the first goal went in, I was disappointed after that.
“From our point of view, our big game is Carlisle next week.We need people to stand up and be counted – three on the bounce we’ve
lost, which is disappointing.”