But Wolves themselves have an outstanding record against ‘big six’ opposition, and the right wing-back puts that down to being highly motivated when they step out at Molineux as well as being able to exploit spaces through their quick attacking players.
On being motivated against Liverpool
“We’re in the position where we want to win the game for other reasons, for our league position, and the fact we’re at home and we just back ourselves – obviously we back ourselves against every team – but our record shows against the bigger teams that we tend to really fancy it on the night.
“We’re at home so we’re going in to the game thinking we can win.”
On Wolves excelling against ‘big six’ opposition
“I guess when we play teams in the mid-lower half of the table, they kind of sit in, and you have to put the pressure on them to get in behind them.
“The better top six to eight teams will not worry about you as much and play their own game which ends up leaving spaces in behind, which we are good at exploiting with our game plans and obviously we’re a very good counter attacking team.”
On the threat of Traore
“I think everybody is maybe not scared, but wary of him. The form that he’s in, the end product he’s been able to produce this season, a lot of assists, chipping in with some goals also and just the way he’s getting us up the pitch he’s really saved us a few times this season and he’s a joy to watch at the moment.
“I’ve taken the credit in my own head! Not sure anybody else is giving me the credit for that, but he’s just a very good attacking winger at the moment and in my opinion probably the quickest footballer on the planet.
“When you have that type of pace, the game might come a little bit easier to you.”
On the Molineux atmosphere
“The way we’re playing and the style of football that we’re playing is a lot more pleasing on the eye. The atmosphere seems a lot happier, they seem to be singing songs all the time, even if we’re not winning games.
“All the fans know in the last three years is winning games, and they’re more used to winning than losing and are having the time of their life.”
On scoring in front of the South Bank
“I enjoy scoring goals anywhere even if it’s in training, so which side doesn’t matter, as long as it goes in, but they are important, hence the reason we always shoot the one way in the first half, and up that way in the second.
“If you’re in the last ten minutes and you need something, they drive you forward. That’s important. I think we played Sheffield United at home and they swapped sides for the first half, the first five minutes I felt we were all over the place and it’s such a weird thing.
“You’re only changing the sides, but when you play that way for two or three years and you’re used to it, you’d rather keep it that way.”
