Express & Star

Kenny Jackett: Wolves are getting up to speed

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Wolves boss Kenny Jackett believes his players are starting to adapt to life in the Championship following their win at Sheffield Wednesday.

moreA goal from substitute Leon Clarke – his first touch of the ball after being brought on just seconds earlier– was enough to seal a welcome three points after a run of five successive defeats.

At times, Wolves had to withstand long periods of heavy pressure from the hosts, and Jackett felt the victory shows his players are beginning to pick-up the guile and nous that is needed to be successful in the Championship.

He said: "We should gain some confidence out of this win and realise that being newly promoted, adjusting to the division is a big thing. Coming new into the division we have to adapt to it.

"The one thing you can say about the Championship is that it does have tempo and it does have athleticism. It's something that in recent weeks we haven't adjusted to very well.

"I wouldn't say we have been out-footballed necessarily but the pace and athleticism of it and the level of defending and concentration you need to get a result is something that has caught us out.

"But we were much improved last week against Bournemouth and we were much improved again against Sheffield Wednesday."

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The Wolves boss felt recent defeats to Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and Derby were against sides with experience who know their way around the league.

Jackett said: "In the games before – Forest, Ipswich and Derby – we came up against good opposition and we didn't adjust and didn't adapt.

"There were good signs last week (against Bournemouth) but we were unlucky and the crucial red card against Van La Parra was overturned.

"We knew we were on the right lines even though we didn't get a result last week. But we came to Hillsborough and showed a lot of heart and commitment which you need to get results every week. We competed well and put pressure on the opposition when we needed to and we defended well."