Express & Star

The Joe Edwards debrief - Brighton 2 Wolves 2

Wolves, despite not putting in the greatest of displays, made it 11 unbeaten by drawing at Brighton.

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They are also sixth in the table after it finished 2-2 at the Amex Stadium.

The result

Joao Moutinho of Wolverhampton Wanderers

The streak continues – and what a run it is that Wolves are on.

It is a remarkable feat. There is, though, a bit of disappointment that Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were not able to take all three points from this encounter.

A couple of moments where they switched off at the back and allowed the Seagulls to score twice were the reason they were not victorious, and they made for a slight feeling of frustration when the final whistle was blown.

But that, ultimately, is a mark of where Wolves are at now and the immense strides they have made in recent months.

Coming away from Brighton with a point is respectable as Wolves had only won one of the previous 10 meetings between the sides – and only four of 30 league meetings in total.

They lost this fixture 1-0 last season despite being in the ascendancy throughout that clash.

So, not being fully satisfied with a point speaks volumes of how strong Wolves have become.

Defensive display

Leander Dendoncker and Conor Coady (AMA)

What was frustrating was the goals Wolves conceded – and how they came about in such a short space of time.

Diogo Jota missed a big chance to grab his second, although he would make it a brace later, and Neal Maupay swiftly struck at the other end.

You have to say he got to the over-the-top pass ahead of Conor Coady too easily and then Rui Patricio did not cover himself in glory, being beaten by the shot at his near post.

Yes, it was hit quickly and it took an awkward bounce, but the Portuguese shot-stopper will be disappointed not to have kept it out. He should have been further off his line.

And with the second, Davy Propper was not tracked as he headed the ball home inside the box.

Thankfully, Wolves improved in the second half and kept things tight – not allowing Brighton any clear-cut openings.

But it only takes a couple of minutes of switching off to cost you in the top flight, with Wolves going away with one point instead of three.

Of course, there have been far worse defensive performances from Wolves. This was nowhere the haphazardness on display against Everton and Chelsea earlier on in the season.

However, it did add to the idea that Wolves’ backline needs reinforcing in January.

Leander Dendoncker has, on the whole, adjusted well to life in defence, while Romain Saiss and Coady have largely been dependable figures as well.

Another stopper – perhaps someone who offers more of a physical presence, especially as Willy Boly recovers from injury – would not go amiss in January, though.

Diogo double

Diogo Jota of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Davy Propper of Brighton and Hove Albion

The huge positive from the day was seeing Jota end his goal drought, which had gone on for eight games in the league.

He has been desperate to hit the net in the past couple of weeks, and he took his goals well at the Amex.

It was not all perfect, of course, as Jota should have made it 2-0 in the first half – going one-on-one with Mat Ryan but taking too long to pull the trigger.

On the whole, though, it was much more like it from the Portuguese.

The link-up between him and Raul Jimenez for the opener was a delight to watch.

Jota won the ball on the left and released Jimenez, who gladly rolled the ball across goal for Jota to finish.

It was a clear example of players operating on exactly the same wavelength – and a firm reminder of just how good they are in tandem, after tearing defences apart together as a front two last term.

Jota also did well with the second on the stroke of half-time.

Jonny Castro Otto instinctively pounced on a loose pass from Propper and fed the forward, who held off his marker and finished on the turn past a helpless Ryan.

Now on three league goals for the season, Jota would love to chip in with some more over the festive period – and by the end of the campaign, have achieved double figures. Fingers crossed, he manages to do so.

Traore targeted

Dale Stephens of Brighton and Hove Albion and Adama Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers

When the teams were announced and it was learned Adama Traore was being marked by Dan Burn – a 6ft 6in centre-half playing at left-back – there was intrigue, and excitement from a gold and black perspective.

Burn, in fairness, was not quite given the runaround as much as some others have been by Traore this term.

The Seagulls man, though, did struggle towards the end and, unsurprisingly, resorted to cynically kicking the Spaniard for a booking.

That was after Burn took a big swipe, and missed, before Lewis Dunk made made no mistake and cleaned out the speedster on the right flank for a clear yellow card.

Dale Stephens was also cautioned for a rash challenge on Traore just before the end.

A whopping 21 different players have now been booked for tackles on Traore in his 25 appearances for Wolves this campaign.

It seems the only way to stop him is to do so unfairly.

Traore has taken quite the kicking over the past few months – but he has not once moaned or complained.

He has carried on, and been kicked again. It is a cycle, but he is taking it as a compliment.

You cannot help but admire his steadfast approach.

Training in Spain

Nuno Espirito Santo the head coach / manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers

Hours after the draw, Wolves flew out to Marbella for another warm-weather training camp.

The timing seems a little peculiar given the fact they are playing Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday.

But the trips to the Marbella Football Center mid-season have worked well in the past, with the players speaking highly of the benefits of training in a different environment and getting to enjoy some team-bonding.

They are returning on Wednesday and, hopefully, will do so refreshed and ready to beat Besiktas.

A win, with Slovan Bratislava doing them a favour against current table-toppers Braga, would see them win Group K. And that would be lovely, wouldn’t it?