Express & Star

Kenny Jackett warns Wolves are stronger

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Boss Kenny Jackett has warned predecessor Mick McCarthy that Wolves are now a stronger side than the one Ipswich swept aside back in November.

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McCarthy heads back to Molineux on Saturday with his combative Tractor Boys, who currently occupy sixth spot in the fiercely contested Championship play-off zone.

Back in November, two Daryl Murphy goals saw Ipswich register a 2-1 win at Portman Road in a match where Wolves struggled to cope with the home sides physicality and pressing game.

But Jackett believes his side will have no problems adapting to Ipswich's robust nature this time out.

He said: "When we last played them, Kevin McDonald got caught on the edge of his own box for the first goal. For the second, Lee Evans got caught on the halfway line.

"So we were disappointed with the goals against because we made crucial mistakes. Certainly, defensively we've tightened up and made strong efforts to avoid conceding soft goals.

"If the opposition are going to score against us, let's make sure they're good goals, not goals we feel disappointed in ourselves for making it easy for them.

"That's been something we've worked hard at."

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Following the defeat back in November, Wolves went on to lose their next four games.

Jackett said: "There was a difference then in stepping up from League One to the Championship, in terms of the finishing.

"It was costing us in the results and it was eating away at our confidence.

"So working from the back we were very determined to make sure we could earn clean sheets and it was harder for sides to score against us.

"The odd game you can win 4-3 but mainly you won't do that."

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