Wolverhampton goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has reacted to his side’s late defeat to Aston Villa in the West Midlands derby.
It was another dreary afternoon for the Old Gold, who travelled to B6 in search of their first three points of the Premier League season.
In usual fashion, Gary O’Neil’s side were in control of the game in the first half, all for their hard work to be undone in the second, as Wolves’ intensity dropped.
Now sitting bottom of the Premier League table after five games, concern is starting to set in at Molineux, as fixtures aren’t set to get any easier for O’Neil’s squad.
Sam Johnstone makes Wolves half-time admission after Aston Villa defeat
Just like the games against Newcastle United and Chelsea, Wolves were well in the game in the first half, with things taking a turn in the second.
Understandably, fans want to understand why such theme is forming in the squad, with Sam Johnstone giving a slight insight into what went on in the dressing room at Villa Park.
In post-match quotes relayed by the official Wolves website, the summer signing explained the feeling in Wolves’ changing room during the interval.
“We knew it was never going to be easy, you’re in the Premier League,” Johnstone explained.
“We’re playing against Villa at Villa Park, and we said at half-time it was going to be tough.
“But no matter how much you brace yourself for it, once it starts, the waves start coming, and they score a goal that turns things, and we struggled a little bit then.”
It was a peculiar explanation from the goalkeeper, who failed to touch upon any conceivable feeling of belief, considering that his side were 1-0 up at half-time.
Of course, Johnstone admitted that Wolves expected additional pressure in the second half as Villa were playing in front of a home crowd, which arguably isn’t what fans would want to hear.
Wolves are lacking in belief and confidence
This season, it seems as though Wolves aren’t convinced that they will win a game from the kick off, a feeling that must be ousted promptly.
Matters are not made any easier by O’Neil, who was subtly pessimistic about his side’s chances after the defeat by saying, “We’re not going to dominate games for the whole thing,” when the reality is, this should be expected.
It’s a hard time for Wolves, who are not about to receive any assistance by their fixture list, with Liverpool coming next for O’Neil’s squad.
From lack of belief to a difficult schedule, the Old Gold have to dig deep to find results somewhere as the Premier League season continues.
