Express & Star

'Non stop' Bakary Sako leads Wolves way

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Boss Kenny Jackett today urged Wolves to follow the example of "non-stop" Bakary Sako - as he insisted Michael Jacobs has not been forgotten.

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Jacobs, a key figure in last season's League One title triumph, has started only one game in the Championship and was again not even on the bench for Wednesday's 3-1 home defeat to Huddersfield.

But Jackett says there is still hope for the 22-year-old, who will simply have to wait for his chance.

"There's hope for him, definitely because he did very well last season but he has to wait his turn," said Jackett.

"It hasn't quite happened in the bits and pieces he's had but having said that, he hasn't had a fantastic run in the team either. But he's someone I'm aware and he did very well for us in a number of roles last year."

Jackett was meanwhile hugely impressed by the commitment and work-rate of Sako in Wednesday's loss.

The Mali international scored what turned out to be Wolves' consolation goal and Jackett, who is looking for an improvement when Wigan visit Molineux this afternoon, felt the performance was exactly what he is looking for from all of his players.

"I watched the game again on Thursday morning and I thought he (Sako) absolutely tried his heart out," said Jackett. "He scored a goal and didn't hide and kept going all of the time.

"When he comes over onto the right-hand side, we're really hopeful he can drive inside and strike one into the top corner. His goals and assists are there in the first 10 games.

"On Wednesday night he kept going, he kept trying and he kept getting on the ball and taking the responsibility and that's all you can ask. That's what you're looking for, allied to quality."

Jackett is keen to impress on his players the need to perform for a full game, perhaps mindful of the fact Wolves have hit their peak in fits and starts of late.

But he insists the increased athleticism of the Championship has not come as a surprise.

"It's certainly not a surprise to me but it's a very athletic, high-energy league and full of big players who go at it for 95 minutes," he added.

"And you have to match that, but as well as matching that, we have to try to play as well and have some quality.

"That's our aim, to do that, but we have to match that athleticism first.

"You're always looking for a 95-minute performance; if you do get it, and are completely dominant, that's the ideal."