Wolves managed to secure a much-needed win on Tuesday night against Everton in the Carabao Cup – and Matt Murray was left impressed by one fringe player.
Wolves have lost all five of their games in the Premier League so far, but are faring much better in the Carabao Cup.
Wanderers beat Everton 2-0 at Molineux and looked a lot better playing with four at the back.
Vitor Pereira decided to ring the changes and a number of players took their chances and will now be in the manager’s thoughts for Saturday’s game with Tottenham Hotspur.
And somebody who might feel they should be starting that game is Sam Johnstone.
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Matt Murray praises ‘calm’ Sam Johnstone after win over Everton
Pereira made a handful of changes against Everton, with the manager going with a completely different defence against the Toffees.
And Johnstone was also brought in in place of Jose Sa, who was criticised for his performance against Leeds United.
Johnstone had impressed against Newcastle United, and has now followed that up with a good display against Everton. He made a few good saves in the game, and barring one poor ball in the second-half, he distributed the ball well.
And his showing caught the eye of former Molineux stopper Matt Murray, who said: “I thought he did (well). He’s a really good professional, he’s had a fantastic career. Obviously he came here hoping to be Wolves’ number one under Gary O’Neil.
“Maybe he had a few injuries, the manager changed and put Jose Sa back in. But every time he’s stepped in this season he’s done well.
“I thought he was excellent away at Newcastle. Tonight he did what he had to do, he was well protected but it’s still his decisions. He made a good save from Keane in the first-half, but he didn’t go looking for work.
“He didn’t think ‘I’ve got to come in and prove this, prove that’, and he was calm. You want your goalkeeper to stay out of things, do what he’s got to do. Like Nayls (Lee Naylor) said, he made good decisions. At times he played from the back and built from the back.”
Johnstone insists he works hard every day for Wolves chance
There has been some clamour for Johnstone to replace Sa as Wolves’ number one now, given the form of the two goalkeepers.
Surely Johnstone will have given Pereira a big dilemma ahead of the game with Tottenham, but we’ll see just how loyal he is to Sa.
Johnstone – a £10 million signing (BBC Sport) from Crystal Palace – spoke after the win over Everton and made supporters aware that he’s working hard at the moment, and loves getting the opportunity to play.
He said (via Wolves official): “I work hard every day, and I wait for my opportunity. I’ve played a lot of games so you can go out there and feel like you’re back at it. I love being out there.
“We’re all trying to put performances in. People that play have to put performances in, people that are coming in, coming out, everyone’s got to put performances in to try and get us up that table. So, we all try and help each other.”