Wolves players question Solbakken's tactics but Stale hits back

Wolves players have urged manager Stale Solbakken to change course with a tactical rethink in a robust exchange of views.

The Molineux chief called in his squad for a debrief yesterday following the 1-0 defeat against Millwall on Tuesday. Solbakken invited players to offer their opinions on the worrying loss of form which has seen the team fail to win any of their last nine games as they plummeted from third to 18th in the space of 52 days.

In an hour-long meeting at Compton, it is understood that several senior players voiced their concerns at Solbakken's methods as they tried to find a way to put a brake on the dramatic descent down the Championship.

But they were told by the manager that his way stays, at least for the time being, and the boss has today had his say on the meeting.

Among the players' concerns was the controversial zonal marking system Solbakken has introduced and why star player Bakary Sako isn't being substituted in the second half if he is tired.

The French winger has faded after the break in recent games.

Solbakken is determined to see through the footballing changes which many players are struggling to come to terms with.

But while the Norwegian is convinced the tactical overhaul is vital to one day ensuring Wolves will sustain themselves in the Premier League, it also shows he has a group of players who are finding it hard to come to terms with adapting to what he wants from them on the pitch.

Solbakken has previously said it will take him "two or three transfer windows" to put his stamp on the team.

That means he doesn't expect to the side to bear his hallmarks until probably next August – assuming he is allowed to complete the job he started five months ago.

Solbakken, however, said today: "I am always very honest and open with the media, and have no problem with many stories even if they are critical ones. But when I was told about this today, I felt I had to respond.

"We have a team meeting with the players the day after every match, and they are always encouraged to give their views. At this meeting I asked them why they felt we have been unable to reproduce our first half performances in the second half of recent matches, and that was the main focus of the meeting.

"We didn't talk about zonal marking, and Sako's role in the team as a key player was mentioned, but the question was mainly about why we didn't start the second half in the same way as the first, because there shouldn't really be any difference. We had an open dialogue, which is normal, and it was nothing to do with a lot of the reasons mentioned in this report. As I said after the Millwall game on Tuesday, we are 100 per cent together and that has not changed.

"It is disappointing because I don't think anything that goes on in a dressing room should be made public, whether the details are correct or incorrect. But it will not divert our attention from Saturday's game against Bristol City.

"We all know results haven't been good enough recently, but the supporters have been great in staying with us and we are all united in the aim of putting things right starting this weekend."

Captain Karl Henry today refuted the Express & Star's story, and took to Twitter to give his side of events, insisting everyone was together.

"The Express & Star are way off the mark," said Henry.

"I don't know where they get their stuff from but today's article is complete rubbish.

"Manager, coaches and players all on the same page and have the same aim – promotion."