Head Coach Kenny Jackett was pleased with his team’s commitment as they bounced back with a win at Shrewsbury this afternoon – but believes Wolves need to improve if they are to carry on “winning consistently.” Bakary Sako’s 84th minute penalty after Jon Taylor handled Matt Doherty’s goalbound header was the difference between the two sides with chances going begging at both ends. But Jackett’s delight was tempered by his belief that the team still need to improve going forward to build on a run which has seen them win six of their last seven in Sky Bet League One. “I think the result is the most important thing,” said Jackett. “It was a proper test for us today - a local derby and a tight game and we had a lot of the ball and probably didn’t create the chances we should have done. “I am delighted with the clean sheet and the attitude and application of the players in bouncing back from Tuesday which was a disappointing defeat. “Shrewsbury will feel they should have scored but there were a high number of chances both ends with both sides committed to attack. “Both sides looked capable of scoring and I was surprised it was a penalty which broke the deadlock. “My first impressions were that it was a definite red card and a penalty and the referee thought the same.” On the need to improve Jackett added: “This was an excellent result but we do think we are a work in progress – we don’t think we are the finished article by any means and we’re humble enough to know that we need to continue to improve. “Every side will be saying that at this stage of the season. “But I am pleased after Tuesday to get that win which will encourage our players. “We are pleased with where we are and pleased that we are not letting the teams at the top get away from us. “But we also think we need to improve and are looking to improve both internally and externally as the season goes on. “We have shown good heart and commitment and in every game have been within touching distance of getting the points and that’s a positive. “We’d like to be at a stage when we can do better and get our forward players more on the ball in attacking areas to be more creative. “That is our challenge now going forward – to make sure we get our ball players on the ball in the forward positions and open sides up. “That’s not necessarily easy in games like this which are tight local derbies. “It was another massive game for Shrewsbury today and you could see that from a capacity crowd. “That sort of atmosphere is something we have to overcome and that’s what we did today. “Every side should have the attitude to improve but I genuinely believe that to win consistently we are going to have to. “As well as that improvement you need a big heart in this division to be competitive and in with a shout of earning the points and we have been that so far. “So it’s a combination of everything really – I am pleased with the result, with our heart and determination which makes sure we are ‘in’ every game – and after that our quality in possession and understanding of our runs and how we are moving forward is something we are continually looking to improve on.” Kevin Doyle missed out with a thigh strain this afternoon and Leigh Griffiths was substituted with an ankle problem but Jackett is confident neither are serious. “Doyle missed out with a thigh strain which he picked up in training to the end of the week,” he said. “There’ll be another assessment made in the middle to end of next week but we’re hoping he’ll be fit for Saturday. “Leigh Griffiths went off with a bad ankle which he had sustained in the first half. “With him off we needed to get some fresh energy on up there. “He twisted his ankle and looked a bit flat-footed as a result because he’d looked very sharp up until then. “But I think it will be a case of days rather than weeks.” Griffiths absence when the penalty arrived paved the way for Bakary Sako to step up and confidently hammer home his fourth goal of the season. “In terms of his play down the left he is the one that the opposition are generally frightened of,” said Jackett. “I was pleased that it was him lining up because he is very safe and consistent with that left foot. “We lost 1-0 from a set piece on Tuesday and have won the same way today and it was a calm finish from Sako in the end.”
Posted on: Sat, 21 Sep 2013 16:09:53 +0000