Wolves’ Carabao Cup journey came to an abrupt end after falling short against Chelsea, but Ladislav Krejci is taking encouragement from the performance.
It’s clear that the amount of new signings being integrated at Wolves is a major reason for the position they find themselves in, but Krejci has made a case for Wolves’ best player since making his debut.
A relative unknown when he arrived, the Czech defender has settled in at Molineux and made himself indispensable to Vitor Pereira.
His introduction alongside Marshall Munetsi at halftime against Chelsea was a catalyst for the comeback they would go on to mount, and he was impressed with how his team responded.
Ladislav Krejci on Wolves’ second-half performance against Chelsea
When the whistle blew at half time, the atmosphere inside Molineux was dead. Fans were chanting for Pereira’s sacking as early as the 20th minute, and when the third goal went in, the evening threatened to spiral.
But whatever Pereira said at the break stuck with his players, and when Krejci took to the field, there was a shift in momentum.
In an interview for the Wolves website, Krejci was proud of the resilience shown by his side, and thinks it’s something they can build from.
He said: “I think the last game [against Chelsea] can be a big example for it. It also shows us as players a little bit of how it can be and how it can’t be, what our levels are and what we have to do to change this momentum, because the second half was amazing from everyone. You saw with the first goal, the second goal, the third goal.
“But from the moment we could start [the second half], it was like everybody was on one boat, and these are the things that we can change and take it into the next games, and change this momentum and these situations.”
Wolves were the better team in the second 45, coming close to completing the comeback. It shows they are able to compete, even with Champions League-level opposition.
Wolves need to start against Fulham how they finished against Chelsea
Krejci’s right. Even though the game ended in a loss, the fight shown by Wolves was enough to keep the pitchforks from coming out.
It’s evidence of how this team can play when they are on it, but it came too late on Wednesday.
Craven Cottage is a difficult place to go, and Chris Sutton thinks Fulham will have too much for Wolves, but this is another side struggling for form, and if Wolves are to get a win — after throwing away golden opportunities against Sunderland and Burnley — Saturday could be their best chance.
You’d imagine Krejci is nailed on, and Emmanuel Agbadou should start against Fulham.
We’re yet to see the best of that pairing, but if they can figure it out, Krejci’s prediction of a resurgence could come good.