Craig Dawson believes Wolves are very close to turning performances into results despite another encouraging display on Wednesday evening saw the side leave Brighton without anything to show for it.
After recovering from a groin injury which kept him out for the end of last season, the experienced defender was rested for the Carabao Cup third round tie in midweek, but Dawson is expected to come back into the team for the Premier League visit to Aston Villa on Saturday.
And the centre-back has stressed the need for professionalism as Wolves travel across the West Midlands for the latest derby meeting, calling for his teammates to show their passion without letting their emotions boil over.
On a difficult start to the season
“It's been a tough start, but we've faced some very strong oppositions, so we have to stay focused, keep working and believe in ourselves to get the result. I think in patches, we've had good performances, but none of that matters if you're not getting the results.
“But we've got to stay together and keep working on the training pitch, which we are doing, and hopefully the results will come.”
On turning performances into results
“It's difficult at times, but as a group, we've got to stay together, and that's going to come from the manager, which it is doing. We work hard on the training pitch, and we believe in ourselves, so it’s only a matter of time until the performances turn into results and we get a little bit of luck here and there.
“As you can see tonight, there's probably moments in the game where we could have got the second and changed the game, but we stay focused.
“It's going to be a tough game at the weekend because we know Villa are obviously a top side at the moment, but it's one we look forward to and we will go in there and hopefully get the right result.”
On facing Villa this Saturday
“We've got to dust ourselves down tonight and get ready for the game. You know the atmosphere is going to be going to be there and it's going to be a tough game. It's a derby game and any derby game has added pressure and added atmosphere.
“As players, we've just got to stay calm, stay focused, perform well, and hopefully the result comes. The performance has got to be right, but more importantly, the result has got to be right. We're a passionate team, which is great, and that's exactly what we need.”
On preparing for a West Midlands derby
“It's a derby game, but we've got to stay professional and get the right performance and the right job done.
“But it doesn't matter if it's Villa or Brighton away, we know the fans are going to travel well, and are going to be giving everything for us, so there’s nothing to change there really, because we expect the fans to be really up for the game, as always.”
On a tough schedule ahead
“This is the Premier League. When you're playing in the Premier League it's expected to face these tough games. There are no easy game. As a group, a group of players, a group of men, we've just got to stay focused and keep together, which we are doing and the results will come.
“You can see the see the performances and results we had last season, so it's only a matter of time until the hard work pays off.”
On getting back to fitness after injury
“It was a tough summer but I feel good, and I think it’s knocked a few years off me – everything but my hairline! But now I’m fine, I'm fully fit and ready to go.
“I had to work a little bit harder than I used to, but I'm glad to be back, fully fit, and available for the games we’ve got coming up, so hopefully I can help the team and support the team in whichever way I can.”
