Wolves need players with flair says boss Kenny Jackett

Wolves drew a blank in front of goal for the first time since the opening-day goalless draw at Preston as they struggled to carve opportunities against the Saddlers.

Winger Bakary Sako forced the only serious save from keeper Richard O'Donnell when he tipped over a free-kick in the 39th minute.

And head coach Jackett admitted: "Going forward we weren't quite there.

"We didn't carve out enough openings and create enough clear-cut chances.

"It was our first blank since the Preston game and we don't want any more of those. The first half was even and in the second we had all of the territorial advantage, but didn't really turn it into enough chances.

"Did we do enough with the ball in the second half? Probably not. That's something we have to keep working on and keep addressing.

"I didn't think we had particularly good width and played through the middle."

After they were outplayed in the middle of the park in the 3-2 win against Swindon on Saturday, Jackett admitted he was concerned about his midfield.

He employed the insurance of an extra man by playing five across the middle, which became 4-2-3-1 just before the hour with David Davis and substitute Kevin Foley in front of the back four, with Bjorn Sigurdarson, Kevin Doyle and Sako behind substitute Leigh Griffiths.

"Our passing through the midfield needs to improve and our midfield play needs to improve," said Jackett.

"In terms of the centre of midfield, we needed some experience in there with Kevin Foley because at times we were struggling.

"Our link play can improve and get our wide players involved, although the two lads down the left look like they're getting quite a good partnership going."

Meanwhile, Dean Smith claimed winning the midfield battle was key to Walsall's stunning win.

The Saddlers boss was quick to heap praise on the performances of central midfield trio Nicky Featherstone, Sam Mantom and Adam Chambers.

Just as in the 3-0 win at Crewe last Saturday, Smith chose to field all three in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

And it was a move which paid off, with Wolves continually stifled as the Saddlers took command of the central areas.

"We had a gameplan and I thought the three midfielders – Adam Chambers, Nicky Featherstone and Sam Mantom – were outstanding. They really made it tough for them to get it into the front players.

"Doyle is always a danger with the quality they have got and we had to be at our best.

"With the club and the capabilities they have got in terms of players and the money they have behind them it's a really good win.

"It makes it extra special that it's a local derby."

The boss added: "As a team I thought defensively we were excellent. The only concern was we had a couple of chances to kill it off when we broke away in the last five or 10 minutes and didn't take them."