Respectful Wolves are blossoming, says boss Nuno

Nuno’s side have won three on the bounce in the top flight and firmly sit seventh in the top-flight table.

The last two victories over Everton and West Ham, 3-1 and 3-0 respectively, have been so dominant, it is easy to forget this is Wolves’ first campaign back in the big time after a six-season absence.

And Nuno says the way they have acclimatised is down to them evolving as players and people, and remembering where they were when he took over in the summer of 2017.

“It’s a growing process. It began more than 18 months ago,” he said.

“It’s the same people, the same players, trying to always find solutions and improve, and grow in our game.

“The team that played at Everton, 70 per cent of them were with us in the Championship.

“And we don’t forget where we came from.

“We are very conscious that we came from the Championship, so we still have a long way to go.

“If you have the desire and the hunger, you are always able to fight.

“If not, you wish and expect things. We go by work.”

And one man who has worked hard to make his mark in the team over the past couple of months is Leander Dendoncker.

Barely seen during the early stages of the term, the Belgian has shone in midfield as of late and scored his first Wolves goal at Goodison Park, volleying home from close range.

Having seemingly been brought in from Anderlecht with the idea he would play as a defender, Dendoncker has embraced his box-to-box role – and Nuno insists him breaking his duck is a testament to the effort he has put in.

“He had a chance in the first half as well, a very good chance,” said Nuno.

“I’m very happy for him because he’s working very, very hard.

“I’m very happy for him, and he was happy.

“He helped the team, and that is the most important thing. He really helped the team.”

The second of Wolves’ three goals on Saturday saw Joao Moutinho put an inch-perfect free-kick into the box, which Raul Jimenez headed home.

And Nuno was asked if such set pieces were planned because of Everton’s difficulty dealing with them this term.

Nuno said that was not the case – but set pieces were something his team always went over in great detail.

“We work for every opponent on set pieces,” he added.

“It’s a moment of the game that requires a lot of hard work, defensively and offensively. We invest a lot of time on set pieces.”