Wolves v Cardiff: Cesar Peixoto seeks goals and Molineux cheer

Cesar Peixoto’s men host Cardiff City on Saturday in their third consecutive match at Molineux, targeting a win which, depending on results elsewhere, could see them climb into the top-two.

Last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Watford pushed them up to fourth in the table but the mood is uneasy, with Peixoto booed by sections of the South Bank and the head coach subjected to chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing”.

The boss has not been afraid to mix up his team, making 18 changes to his starting line-up across the last four matches.

Centre-back Mosquera, who returned to the team against Watford to replace the injured Nasser Djiga, says every player knows where they stand.

“We have to stay ready for everything,” he said. “Everyone is really important as well for the coach.

“That is the most important thing. He trusts us. He believes in everyone.

“When somebody has a chance to play, everyone is ready for that. That's really good.

“You show how you prepare in the week, how you prepare for this, because it's really important.

“We don't have much time to prepare for games, but we are professional guys. We try to recover as much as we can.”

A key focus for Peixoto is on making sure Wolves’ dominance in matches is reflected in the scoreline.

His side began the season as prolific scorers, netting 13 times in their first five games.

But the loss of Raul Jimenez to injury has coincided with a drop in numbers, with just seven goals scored in the last seven. That includes only two in the last two matches at Molineux.

Failure to take chances proved costly in a 1-1 draw against Portsmouth, with the visitors bagging a late equaliser, while it contributed to a nervier than needed finish in victory over the Hornets.

There is a sense, heading into Cardiff, Peixoto really needs a comfortable win to lift the mood.

Adam Armstrong did at least end a two-month goal drought against Watford.

“It's really good for him because I know how he works,” said Mosquera of the striker. “Now he has the chance to keep going, to keep pushing.

“I'm really happy for him. When you work hard, the result will come.

“It's really important to protect him, to push him to score more goals.

“We have the next week to work on that because it's really important, the goals can give you something.

“I know and believe and I trust everyone. The strikers are really good, they work for that as well every day.

“I think we will do better in the next game and we will try to score more goals.”

Peixoto hopes to have Djiga, Fer Lopez and Rodrigo Gomes back available for Saturday’s match.

Lopez, by common consent Wolves’ best player so far this season, missed the Watford win with a calf injury.

Left-back Ghislain Konan has become the latest player to suffer a knee injury and won’t return until late December.