Express & Star

Nuno wants answer to Wolves conundrum

Nuno Espirito Santo admits he does not have the answer for why Wolves fare better against the Premier League’s top teams than struggling sides.

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The goalless draw with Brighton on Saturday made it 11 points from a possible 33 against the top flight’s bottom six.

But they have picked up 13 out of 30 against the six big-hitters, and on why that may be, Nuno said: “If (only) I had the answer to that.”

Champions League-chasing Arsenal are who Wolves face next, at Molineux on Wednesday night.

And Nuno knows they need to sharpen up in front of goal if they are to beat Unai Emery’s Gunners and maintain their push for seventh – and a possible Europa League opportunity.

“It’s going to be a very difficult game, a tough challenge,” he said.

“All the games are difficult. I think we should do better as we had chances (against Brighton). Let’s try to improve that aspect of the game.”

Diogo Jota struck the woodwork twice against the Seagulls while Leander Dendoncker was twice denied from close range after coming off the bench.

But Nuno is not overly worried about their failure to convert those chances. He would be more concerned had they failed to create the opportunities in the first place.

“It’s not about frustration. We did almost everything we could,” said Nuno.

“I cannot be frustrated with such production from the team. I’m satisfied because our idea is always to go game by game. I would be concerned if we didn’t produce enough chances, but that was not the case.

“I’m happy with how we move the ball and the chances we create, but what I can say is that we should do better with the final touch. This is something we are going to work on.”

Brighton’s approach at Molineux, meanwhile, was ultra defensive and met with chants of ‘boring’ from Wolves supporters.

They only had 31 per cent possession and failed to register a shot on target.

But it was a big point in their quest for survival and Nuno credited Chris Hughton for stifling Wolves and getting the result they desperately craved.

“I respect and congratulate Chris because he achieved what he intended,” added Nuno.