Express & Star

Boss Kenny Jackett calls Wolves a class side

Boss Kenny Jackett today declared Wolves are a class side after they beat Cardiff 1-0 at Molineux.

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Wolves made it three wins out of three against the relegated Premier League teams after Mark Hudson's 91st minute own goal from Kevin McDonald's cross settled a close affair.

The third victory in four games which have all ended 1-0 lifted Wolves to fourth on nine points in the early Championship table.

And the Molineux head coach believes they already look a polished outfit.

"At times we actually did look a class side," said the head coach.

"I don't think we're going to be outclassed.

"Those sides have a lot of Premier League quality with Cardiff and Norwich City further ahead of Fulham, who are a bit of a work in progress.

"Having said that we should be encouraged by it.

"Maybe we played them at a good time before they've got into their rhythm, but you have to play them and we haven't looked outclassed at all.

"There are many different tests and if you want to be one of the sides that gets one of those three promotion places you have to be durable enough and adaptable enough to play against any team.

"We haven't been outplayed by anyone and that's a base to go from."

Wolves could have been several goals to the good in the first half but Bakary Sako hit the inside of the post from a corner, Rajiv Van La Parra (twice), Lee Evans, Danny Batth and Matt Doherty went close.

But keeper Carl Ikeme kept Wolves in it with a fantastic save to deny substitute Kenwyne Jones from point-blank in the 85th minute after he foiled Peter Whittingham's shot on 55.

"Scoring goals is the hardest bit and that's the part we have to keep working on in the final third," admitted Jackett.

"I thought in the first-half in particular we played very well and maybe surprised them.

"We should have been ahead and there was some frustration at going in level at the break.

"The second-half looked to just really be petering out and I thought we were just putting the ball into the box aimlessly at times and without any real quality.

"But in the end that's the way the goal came.

"It just shows if you get the ball into the box more than they do into yours, then percentage-wise it will work for you.

"We showed perseverance against a Cardiff side who are very good defensively and they won't concede many goals.

"They're very hard to break down and it's a very solid and experienced team.

"But from our point of view there are a lot of plusses. While we're a work in progress and have an aspiration to improve, we will have a chance."

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