‘Very good side’, ‘aggressive’: Wolves boss explains what impressed him about Southampton

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Nuno Espirito Santo was impressed by Southampton’s aggression and intensity during Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round defeat last night, speaking to the club’s official website.

This time last year, Wolves were within touching distance of a top-four spot and bracing themselves for the knockout stages of the Europa League.

To say 2020/21 has been a disappointment by comparison would be one heck of an understatement.

With their league campaign flopping badly in the absence of top-scoring talisman Raul Jimenez, the last thing Wolves needed was to see their FA Cup dreams go up in smoke.

But, after producing another performance lacking in intensity and cutting edge, it’s Southampton who’ll visit Championship outfit Bournemouth for a semi-final place in March.

The Saints were superior from first minute to last at Molineux, with second-half goals from Danny Ings and the superb Stuart Armstrong securing a much-deserved 2-0 win.

And while Wolves were underwhelming once again, Southampton deserve huge credit for a performance full of character and quality only a week on from that 9-0 humiliation at Old Trafford.

“They’re a very good side. They played good, were organised, were very aggressive and the duels they won,” said a gracious but disappointed Nuno.

“We have to improve, but (Southampton are) definitely a good team. We didn’t produce enough. Southampton pressed very well.”

Wolves only mustered one shot on target, an Adama Traore effort that was comfortably saved by Fraser Forster. Meanwhile, record signing Fabio Silva lashed a presentable chance over the bar.

“Everybody recognises (Silva) is 18 years old. Most players that were on the pitch, when they were 18, they were in different situations,” added Nuno, determined to protect a teenager thrust into the XI by Jimenez’s injury.

“We trust Fabio. Of course he has to learn his trade, all his tasks, but he has talent. He had a good chance again today and we’ll be side by side with him so he can improve faster.”