Star man calls for Wolves to improve

Wolves' Man of the Match Marcus Hahnemann admits the team must do better after losing to survival rivals Wigan.

The goalkeeper saved Hugo Rodallega's penalty and made a string of other fine saves, but was powerless to prevent a third successive defeat without scoring as James McCarthy and Charles N'Zogbia scored the goals in the 2-0 loss.

Hahnemann said: "We just didn't have it. It was tough coming off the week-long break which was really two weeks without a game. I don't think we were quite 100 per cent there, but saying that, we looked good with 10 men against 11 in the second-half.

"We should have been a bit better at the back, but we weren't. We need to be better, so that one guy covers if the other one makes a mistake. That's what it's about and we didn't have that.

"That was pretty frustrating and we're disappointed with that result. We just weren't quite at it and we need to get back to it – maybe this week's FA Cup tie will help us."

Hahnemann was convinced Wolves could win, even after Richard Stearman's sending off.

The goalkeeper said: "I thought we were going to do it with 10 men against all the odds. But then we were just unlucky with the first goal – I think Dave Jones was going to clear the ball and he ran into the ref."

Hahnemann was delighted to have saved the penalty.

He said: "I haven't got a good record – I'm good at going the right way but guys usually hit good ones against me for some reason. That was a good save, because he hit it hard and sometimes those are the ones you dive over the top of.

"That's why I couldn't hold it – it was jammy and tight, but I was able to spread myself for the second shot."

The goalkeeper injured his knee bravely going in for the rebound.

He said: "Myself and Paul Scharner ended up smashing into each other, because my knee is killing me. But a bit of X-Box and some ice should do the trick though. I'm sure I'll be fine!"

Hahnemann was surprised to have played so well after being "awful" in training pre-match.

He said: "You should have seen me in training on Thursday – I was the worst player ever! I couldn't even throw the ball out and I was falling over - it was unbelievable.

"I'm usually rubbish in training, but not that bad."

Hahnemann insisted Wolves defensive frailties couldn't be blamed on the change of personnel at centre-back, after Michael Mancienne was preferred to Christophe Berra alongside Jody Craddock.

The veteran said: "We're six months into the season and we know what we're doing. Mancienne has been here a while and has played plenty of matches – he's done great in midfield and sealed games for us, so that wasn't an issue."

Substitute David Jones was another accepting no excuses for the result.

He said: "We have to look to the next game. We've been playing well recently and need to get back to that, because if we do we'll get points. We worked hard and created some chances and if you don't take them at this level you get punished.

"It was unfortunate we were reduced to 10 men but we still feel confident – we've done well in the build-up to this game and over the last few games."

Jones is now looking to get up to speed with more game time in the coming games.

He added: "I came in on the Manchester United game last month, but before that my last action was in the Carling Cup game at United.

"It was difficult circumstances to come on in but I feel we were a little bit unlucky. Even when we'd been reduced to 10 men at the start of the second-half, I thought we were playing well."