Nuno hails Wolves' mean defence
Nuno Espirito Santo hailed Wolves' battling qualities as they earned a dogged 1-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday.
Ruben Neves' first half strike was a moment of rare quality at Hillsborough with Wolves far from at their fluent best.
But despite a couple of decent chances for the hosts keeper John Ruddy was again largely untested – and kept his 12th clean sheet from 22 matches this season.
Nuno said: "I think it was a deserved win. The first half showed the team that we want to be, I think we controlled with good moments of football.
"We deserved it because to defend the way we defend against such a difficult situation that Sheffield created in the second half takes a lot of quality and character, so well done to the boys.
"I think John Ruddy didn't make a save. It shows a lot about the way they defend, the way they put their bodies in front of the ball and our goal, it shows a lot.
"It's not all about talent and quality. What supports everything is the way that you have a clean sheet, the way you support each other and react to loss of possession, the way you keep your shape and run back. This is football.
"And then we should have done better (going forward) but it will come. The three v three situation we should decide better but it's not easy. It will come."
Neves' 20-yard goal was his second of the campaign but Nuno said a clearance from Willy Boly was just as important.
"It was (a superb strike), one moment to enjoy," the head coach said.
"Boly threw himself to the ground to put the ball over (his own) bar, it's the same."
Wolves are seven points clear ahead of the weekend's games and won a fourth consecutive away match without conceding a goal for the first time in the club's 140-year history.
They've also won every time they've scored first this season, of which Nuno said: "It tells us the character of the boys. Sometimes we just have to stick together as a team, reduce the spaces and fight for these balls. And we have big guys also so we can deal with that."
Wolves now have a week's break before hosting Ipswich on Saturday 23 – the first of four games in 11 days.
Nuno said: "It's going to be a tough, tough period. We will try to achieve what we try ever game - fight, enjoy and win."
