Sam Johnstone says the Wolves players need to start being honest with themselves but says James Collins and Richard Walker have had a positive effect on the group this week.
The Old Gold dressing room is adapting to life after Vitor Pereira this week, but under the temporary guidance of Collins and Walker, and Johnstone says their work has been tough, but it was necessary after a winless start to the Premier League season.
It’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge up next and for Johnstone, he’s enjoying being back in possession of the goalkeeper shirt, and is going to do everything to both retain it and help Wolves get results in the Premier League.
On training this week at Compton
“We've worked hard this week with James and his staff. James just tells the lads exactly what he wants from them. We've not had as many meetings, but when we've had them, they've been detailed. We've done some defending sessions. The lads have got to work, you've got to defend, you've got to put your body on the line and then attacking as well.
“He's had four days before the weekend and it's difficult to get a lot of information to lads – what to do and how to do it, in the space of four training sessions. Hopefully the lads picked it up and have enjoyed it and we can take it into the game. Fresh voices, fresh ideas and different sessions for the lads to liven up.”
Stamford Bridge on Saturday night. ⏳ pic.twitter.com/fFlYZcIMh3
— Wolves (@Wolves) November 6, 2025
On speaking with honesty after Fulham
“I spoke how it felt, and probably how the dressing room felt, and how the fans feel, I guess. We have to take some responsibility, we're on the pitch, and the results haven't been good enough. Some of our performances haven't been good enough, but then some have, and there's no easy game in the Premier League, we played well against Burnley, but three shots, three goals and we lose the game. We had the majority of the ball, we had some good chances, and we have to see the game out.
“We go away to Tottenham and put in a strong performance and get a result, although the late goal obviously makes us feel like it's a loss, but Tottenham away, in that moment, is a good is a good point for us. I spoke honestly and that's all we can all do, be honest to ourselves and honest to the club.”
On fighting his way to starting
“I feel good. I don't want to get complacent, not at all. You've got to keep doing them things that have got me into this situation, that got me my chance. Jose is working hard as well, 'Bents' is working hard, it’s a good goalie group, and we all want to play.
“At the moment, I'm playing, and I need to make sure that I keep that shirt and keep performing and helping the team to get some results and climb that table. We are good enough to do it if we get some structure and are a bit more solid. We're dangerous, you can see we score goals, but we’ve not been able to keep them out. I feel in a good place, and I don't want to get complacent, but keep working and doing my job.”
On rewarding hard work
“You've put the work in, and you feel in a good place. If you don’t eat properly, you're not doing things properly, you probably don't feel great about coming in and training’s lethargic, but from day one I came in and literally got my head down. That was my only focus of getting my head down and having a good go because I hate the feeling of last season where I wasn't performing, I wasn't myself. You get a feeling that people don't rate you, but I knew what I could do, and I had to work through it.
“You feel settled. You get to know people, probably more now, being around the place, and know the lads a bit more, and everything just falls into place, and hopefully that carries on.”
