Kenny Jackett: Wolves clash is a six-pointer

Boss Kenny Jackett today urged Wolves to win the pressure games after declaring the visit of third-placed Watford a six-pointer.

Wolves are looking to get back on track tomorrow and cut the eight-point gap to the Hornets, after Tuesday's 2-1 setback at play-off rivals Bournemouth.

Jackett's side have a mixed return from the teams above them this season but they have fared better at Molineux.

Wolves have beaten Norwich, Middlesbrough and Brentford in front of their own fans and triumphed at Watford, while they have been beaten at Ipswich, Derby, Norwich and Bournemouth.

And the head coach now admits these are the games they need to win if they are to make the play-offs this season as they prepare for the final 11 matches.

He said: "At certain stages of the season – and we're at one of those now, when there's not so many points to play for – who you play, the sides above you, becomes more important.

"It's important to get points against the sides around you, and also psychologically you can pull teams back.

"Playing sides above has more of a direct impact than in the first 12 games when you have 100 points to play for. You can see the contrast in people's fortunes.

"One team's gain is another one's loss. In our case, it's the sides above us we're looking to claw them back.

"But you can't lose sight of the fact Norwich lost at home to Wigan on Wednesday and you wouldn't have called that - one result can change things."

Jackett believes it's six teams from the top eight for the promotion places, therefore writing off Nottingham Forest, seven points below eighth-placed Wolves, adding: "They'll be saying it's a tall order."

Meanwhile, Jackett has lost out to Norwich City chief Alex Neil for the Championship Manager of the Month award after his nomination.

The Molineux head coach was up against Neil, new Nottingham Forest boss and former Wolves striker Dougie Freedman and Watford's Slavisa Jokanovic.

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