MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 06:32:51| >> :120:36723:36723:

Nuno Espirito Santo: 'West Brom cannot be underestimated'

Wolves face their Black Country rivals for the first time in nine years on Saturday.

Boss Nuno Espirito Santo has warned Wolves against underestimating struggling rivals West Brom.

Wolves host the Baggies on Saturday in the first Black Country derby for nine years.

They have won just once in their last eight games, since striker Raul Jimenez suffered a fractured skull at Arsenal in November, and slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Everton on Tuesday.

The hosts are 14th in the Premier League and, while Albion sit second bottom with the worst defence in the division, Nuno reminded his side about what they will face.

"There are no easy games in the Premier League, tomorrow it will be a big mistake to think that just because of the situation of West Brom," he said.

"We are playing well, we are having good moments but are making mistakes which are being penalised. We have performed well and played good games but we've made big mistakes, especially in defence.

"Our priority has to be simple, be compact and solid. It always starts with a clean sheet. We have to go back to our main foundations, a clean sheet.

"The loss of Raul had a big impact on us, that's no doubt. He is a special player who has been with us for many years. If we are not the same we have to find different solutions with different players."

The last time Wolves faced West Brom they lost 5-1 at Molineux in February 2012, en route to back-to-back relegations to League One.

Nuno said: "I'm aware of what it means to our fans but we don't have them. When you arrive at the stadium you don't see them, when you leave you don't have them. This is what I miss, not only the atmosphere at Molineux, but the presence and the voice of the fans.

"We know they are going to be at home and we promise them we will do whatever we can do make it a good game. We know what it means."

Adama Traore will be assessed after missing Tuesday's loss to Everton with a hamstring strain while Pedro Neto will also be looked at after he took a knock against the Toffees.

Willy Boly will be in the squad after being out for a month with a thigh injury but Jonny (knee), Daniel Podence (calf) and Marcal (groin) remain sidelined.

"We will have to see and assess, we have a couple of training sessions. Let's see how they are," added Nuno.

ID:430689: cacheID:430689:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3976:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chorley manager Jamie Vermiglio pictured on January 9, 2021
Read Next:
Chorley secure BT Sport slot as all FA Cup fourth-round ties are televised
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!