Pedro Neto believes Wolves need to improve at both ends of the pitch after falling to a narrow defeat at Crystal Palace, despite the Old Gold controlling much of the game.
The winger claimed two assists at Selhurst Park to set up both Hee Chan Hwang and Matheus Cunha for their goals, having fed the ball for Sasa Kalajdzic to finish in the previous weekend’s victory at Everton, but Neto feels his side need to be more clinical with the chances they get in attack as well as increase their aggression at the back if they are to add to their win tally this season.
On falling to Palace
“It was a tough game, to play here it’s always difficult, so hard to lose it in the end. But I think we are performing well, we were in control of the game, but then we need to be more clinical.
“But also in defence as well, the goals we conceded were really expensive, but they were better than us at that part of the game.”
On scoring goals this season
“To be honest, I don’t think [scoring will be a problem]. We have the confidence and I think we are getting chances, but today we should have scored more than two goals.
“But to come to an away game and score two goals and don’t take the win, it’s really difficult. In the end, they were clinical as well and we have to be more aggressive defending as well.
“But for most of the game I think we controlled it in the middle of the pitch to take the ball higher up towards the box. But in the end, Palace didn’t control the game, but they were better than us.”
On the attack being the first line of defence
“Of course, the work starts with the forwards because we are the first defenders. We have to take care of that and we will do that.
“It happened in the first half, we had lots of times to kick the ball away and in the second half we were a little bit more tired and it’s when we have to be more aggressive at the back defending.
“In the beginning we of course have the stamina to run to the back, but at the end, they are here, they play at home, and they were really good with their finishing.”
On the squad still adapting
“Everything needs time, but even today, we worked much better than the game before in terms of shape and in terms of controlling the ball, but they were more clinical than us and that was ultimately the difference.”
