Furious Walter Zenga accuses Wolves of giving up after Barnsley thrashing
A furious Walter Zenga accused his players of giving up after Wolves were thrashed 4-0 by Barnsley at Molineux.
Zenga's team were second best throughout but with seven minutes to go they only trailed 1-0.
However three goals in a blistering final seven minutes from high-flying Barnsley - including strikes from former Wolves winger Adam Hammill and ex-Walsall striker Tom Bradshaw - gave the visitors a rout.
Wolves imploded defensively and the booing home fans made their feelings clear at full time.
Zenga said: "We concede a goal (Barnsley's opener in the 73rd minute) and something happened I never want to see again in my life - the players gave up.
"It's not acceptable. They made gifts in the last 15 minutes. It's a shame not only for me but also for the fans, for the club, for everybody.
"It's a shock. This is not a result Wolves must receive, especially at home.
"Especially without fight, or trying to do something to change the game.
"I'm shocked for this reason (no fight), I'm shocked for the result, for how we played...everything.
"And this is a big lesson also for me."
The players had been due to have Wednesday off but Zenga ordered them into the training ground for 9.30am tomorrow morning.
He made five changes to his XI - after making seven for Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Burton - but defended his squad rotation.
"We have more than 10 new players," he explained. "They arrive at the end of the window. What I have to do to try to find the starting XI, I have to change.
"I know it's a risk. But to try to have a starting XI we have to try, to probe. You can't just work in training.
"If you receive a goal in the 73rd minute you have time to draw, stay in the game. This is the question - why did we receive three goals in the final minutes. There is no reason. This is not acceptable.
"This evening it's very hard to analyse the game. Even when the team doesn't play in the right way we were still 0-0.
"I need to think about, to analyse why it happened.
"This must be a big lesson for us. We have to come back. We must keep our feet on the floor and tomorrow morning we analyse, rewatch the game."
It was a humbling evening for Zenga and his team, who have gone three games without a win.
The Italian said the fans were right to boo them off the field at full time.
"The fans are right. They celebrate when we play well and win, and when we lose they must criticise.
"We have to wake up and prepare hard for the next game.
"The team wins because of the players. When the team loses the coach takes responsibility - and I take responsibility. I know what I have to do and what to say.
"It's a big lesson."
