‘Unbelievable, incredible’: Chris Wilder reveals what impressed him about Wolves

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Chris Wilder paid tribute to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ “lethal” counter-attacking ability, while speaking to the Star, after Sheffield United’s 2-0 Premier League defeat to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side on Monday.

If Wolves fans were worried about a sluggish start to the new campaign after a gruelling 59-game campaign in 2019/20, they needn’t have worried.

Only a month after their Europa League quarter-final defeat to Sevilla, the Black Country giants looked fresh, fit and fearsome as they killed off the game inside six minutes.

Raul Jimenez angled home a volley Robin van Persie would have been proud of following an electrifying run by Daniel Podence.

The inspirational Romain Saiss then headed home a second in the blinking of an eye, giving Wolves the quickest two-goal lead in Premier League history.

A sluggish Sheffield United side failed to mount a serious response during the remaining 85 minutes at Bramall Lane, with Willy Boly and Conor Coady marking Oli McBurnie out of the game.

“If you want to know about spirit, try being 2-0 down to a team like Wolves after six minutes because, with them being lethal on the counter, that is a huge test for anyone,” Wilder told the Star.

He added via the Examiner: “(The Jimenez goal) is a great finish. It’s a difficult position to be in – 2-0 down against a side that possesses unbelievable pace on the counter attack.

“You have to risk to try and get back in the game, which we did first half and especially the second.

“Obviously, 2-0 down after six minutes hurts us and gives us a mountain to climb. Wolves on the counter are lethal, (they have) incredible pace and we had to (take risks), but certainly the goals are avoidable.”

It was a performance full of positives for Wolves.

Ex-Lyon defender Marcal looked tenacious and technical on his English football debut, while the rampaging Adama Traore was as explosive as ever in a right-wing back role previously occupied by Matt Doherty.

And the fact Diogo Jota, Ruben Neves and new £35 million record signing Fabio Silva started on the bench highlights the remarkable quality of Nuno’s squad.