Nuno demands improvement from Wolves wizard Ruben Neves

Posted Thursday, April 12, 2018 by PA

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo believes Ruben Neves can get even better after his stunning strike lit up a 2-0 Sky Bet Championship victory against Derby at Molineux.

Neves struck from 35 yards in the 51st minute to seal a win that had been set up by Diogo Jota’s sixth-minute opener as Wolves moved to the brink of promotion.

Nuno said: “Ruben knows that he has a lot of work to do to improve.

“I think all the players are developing and getting better from what they were before.

“I think Neves still has a lot to improve. Not only Neves, all the squad.

“The window of a player growing never finishes. There is always something to improve upon. This is the spirit that we want. Day by day they have to work hard to improve.

“I think today was a good performance. They boys did well, they were well balanced and well organised.

“They did a very good job. We did not concede chances to a very good team. I am very pleased with the approach of the players.”

Wolves can clinch promotion if Fulham fail to beat Brentford on Saturday. A Fulham win, however, would then require Wolves to beat Birmingham to seal promotion.

Nuno again played a straight bat to the prospect of imminent promotion, adding: “Nothing changes. We have to prepare well. The game on Sunday means a lot to our fans and it means a lot to us.

“We have to be cautious. I am boring saying this bit – this is the truth.”

Derby boss Gary Rowett felt his side were outclassed by Wolves but he still has high hopes that County can reach the play-offs.

Rowett said: “We were a little bit like a lot of teams this season in that we found Wolves were a class above us.

“I don’t like saying that because we have got some very good players in our team.

“We have helped them in some ways as the first goal was a very poor one to concede.

“As soon as you concede a goal you have to open up and that is dangerous against Wolves.

“But their second goal was sensational. I have said it before but for me Neves is the best player I have seen in the Championship. He is too good for the Championship. He is a Champions League player.

“At one point I thought should I applaud that (the goal). It would have felt wrong but that is how good it was.”

Derby will bid to kick-start their play-off push against Burton this weekend and Rowett added: “It is games like Saturday’s that will dictate where we finish this season.

“We are still in a fantastic position in the play-offs with a game in hand and we have to make sure that we fight to stay in there.”