Trailing to Brighton & Hove Albion in the first period, Wolves were a different animal after the break, and the introduction of Traore transformed the game in their favour. The Spaniard pulled his side level on 76 minutes and left it for Gibbs-White to fire home the winner in injury time, rewarding a much improved second period which left the head coach "proud".
On enjoying the victory
“I enjoyed it because the reaction to the second-half was very good. The first-half was very poor, a lack of energy, flat, really disappointed with the first-half and the boys also, we felt the game was not good. I’m proud of the reaction of the second-half.
“It is special. Even before the red card, the reaction of the boys was good, so we’re pleased with that. Energy was lacking, no mobility, no movements, never looking to break the lines of Brighton, they were comfortable, so it was about energy.”
On Gibbs-White’s moment
“It’s the right moment to try and build and improve players and Morgan did a very good job. The goal is just a consequence of a good game that he did. It’s been a while, he had chances, even in this game he had a fantastic chance before, but to raise up and correct the mistake shows the character the boy has.
“He did a good game of movements, especially in the second-half. He started on the right and came inside and did well. It shows character to get the balance and focus again after that awful mistake that he made, so I’m very happy for him.
“He should be proud of the work he did, not only today, but against Fulham he came from the bench and helped the team a lot. I’m very happy for Morgan because he’s a young boy, but already mature, a good attitude, so let’s keep on going.”
One of our own.
— Wolves (@Wolves) May 9, 2021
💛💛 pic.twitter.com/wenUCuOJ5b
On Traore’s impact off the bench
“He changed the game totally. He created a great impact on the goal, besides the goal that he scored. All the one versus ones on the right side were very difficult for Brighton. The way he unbalanced Brighton, he did a fantastic job.
“It was a great combination of talent for the goal, I’m happy for Adama because he deserves all the moments, because he’s a hard worker. I don’t know how many crosses he made and scored a fantastic goal.
“Immediately Brighton had to put two, three players to cover on the left side and that opened spaces naturally for us. He did well and it’s a beautiful goal. Too bad the South Bank was not there to celebrate – we still miss our fans.”
On facing ten men
“Of course, the red card made a big difference to Brighton. They dropped and sometimes it becomes difficult, but with Adama [Traore] coming to the pitch we made the pitch wide, and one versus ones he’s very difficult to stop. We got lucky in the final moments but deserved it.
“It requires patience, balance, moving the ball, knowing the gaps will be there. Fabio [Silva] dropped, Willian [Jose] helped a lot when he came in because he’s another striker in the box and we had a lot of chances. Sometimes it’s harder, and we had a little bit of luck in the final moments of the game, but we chased that moment a lot. The boys did well.”
On a fine showing from the youngsters
“It’s been a tough season, all the circumstances that happened to us, but at the same time the players got together, realising what was happening, young players coming in, experienced players that are giving everything. Besides all the problems that we had, I’m very proud of the way we’ve been working together to overcome all the difficulties.
“When the chances came, they had answers. I’m happy with Ki [Jana Hoever], he had a good game, Max [Kilman]started a little shaky, but settled down and did a good game. Vitor [Ferreira], Fabio [Silva], we have a lot of youth, it’s about balancing them with all the players that we have.”
On looking to the future
“We go game by game. Now we have three games to go, of course I’ll look a little bit forward, but we have to focus. We have three games to go and it’s about how we work in the week, the things that we want to do. We are trying different things, it requires time, but this is the right moment to do it and the boys are committed. We keep on pushing on.”
