Joining Mikey Burrows was co-commentator and Wolves Hall of Fame full-back Andy Thompson, as well as play-off final hero Lee Naylor as they analysed the gold and black getting all three points to send the Saints marching.
The trio also spoke about the cutting edge that Wolves are still looking for in attack and a big four games coming up in the next few weeks, as well as rounding up Wolves’ transfer dealings now the window is closed.
On getting the result over performance
Thompson said: “That’s what it was all about. Where we are in the league now – 14th, I’ve just looked – it looks a lit healthier now. We haven’t conceded a lot of goals, we’ve defending pretty well for a lot of the games, but the problem we’ve had is we’ve not been scoring goals.
“It wasn’t a classic game today, but what they did, they got that goal, they defended well, and it was always going to be difficult for a team to beat them, although Southampton gave it a go. But it was all about the result and making sure you got the result.
“Especially with the way that things have gone and that we haven’t got the results we wanted, and being down there at the bottom, pressure starts to build up. So, you just feel happy for the players in getting through it, and a bit of luck with the handball.”
On still showing their quality
Naylor said: “It was a case of just winning the match, but there were moments of brilliance from both teams today. I thought Southampton were really good, they came with a plan and they caused us a lot of problems.
“Wolves stuck to their guns and when you keep a clean sheet, it gives you chances to go and win the game, and that’s what we’ve gone and done today.
“It’s difficult when you change your entire dynamic from being a club known to be a back three/back five at time, but I think we’ve done it really well. We just need to fine tune what we have. If we’d have just taken time with that final ball, we’d be putting it on a plate for strikers to score the goal, rather than it being too much. We’ll be ok.”
A complete performance.
— Wolves (@Wolves) September 6, 2022
🔢👏 pic.twitter.com/avbJS8SjFq
On needing a cutting edge
Thompson said: “I was listening to the pundits on the TV this morning and they were saying about how Wolves play and how we’re attractive on the eye, and that’s true. But what we’ve been missing is that cutting edge.
“But somehow, you’ve got to overcome that, and today, with a scrappy goal, but with good build-up and he finished it, but it wasn’t one of those screamers. But you’ll take anything at the minute, you’ll take anything you can.
“We look quite sturdy defending, Kilman and Collins are playing quite well, we’ve got Neves in front of them doing what he does, and then Matheus [Nunes] had his best game for Wolves today. I thought he was all over the pitch, making those runs and he was involved in the goal.”
On keeping the momentum going
Thompson said: “We’ve got four big games coming up now. We’ve got Liverpool, Man City, West Ham and Chelsea, and these like quite intimidating games – but they’re massive games.
“Chelsea aren’t firing on all cylinders, Liverpool aren’t firing on all cylinders, West Ham are struggling, the only team who are doing well are Man City. If you can take it to them, and we’re away from home against Chelsea, away from home against Liverpool, but if you can get into them early doors, you can frustrate teams like that.
“They’re going through a patch at the moment where things just aren’t going right for them, and I think there’s an opportunity for us over these next four games.”
🙌 BRUNO 🙌 pic.twitter.com/DMwekOk1V2
— Wolves (@Wolves) September 5, 2022
On deadline day outgoings
Thompson said: “They’ve [Boly and Dendoncker] been a big part of what happened when Nuno was here and the revival of the club and getting to where they are. But players move on. The way that Boly went, not turning up for a match, probably he’s looking back at it and it wasn’t one of the best things that he’s done.
“Dendoncker probably wanted to play and he was going down the pecking order a little bit. But you can’t have a go at players for wanting to play football – it’s refreshing to see players actually wanting to play and moving on for that reason.
“If it’s time for them to go and the club wants to keep moving forward like it has been with the players coming in, then things are going to change. That’s the way football is. Some players probably don’t want to go, some players do, but you have to do what’s right for the club, and they probably thought this was the right time for those two players to go.”
On summer window
Naylor said: “I think it’s been great. The new additions have been brilliant, especially Collins and Nunes, they have been great additions to this football team. I think they’re going to achieve good things with Wolves because they’re good players.
“If we can start scoring goals, I’m sure they will be appreciated more. [Keeping Neves and Traore] is definitely a win in my eyes, and now they know they’re here, you’re going to get the best out of them. Because that window’s closed and because that uncertainty has gone away, I think they’ll knuckle down now because they’re heads are on.”
Thompson added: “We were getting a bit concerned and worried at the beginning of the window, but they’ve brought players in of quality.”
You can watch Matchday Live Extra 45 minutes before every Wolves kick-off this season, on Twitter and on Wolves TV, before heading over to the Wolves App following full-time for all the post-match reaction.
