Europa League: Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo says his team 'need more players'
Last updated on .From the section Wolves
Wolves need to sign more players to make their squad stronger, said boss Nuno Espirito Santo after their Europa League quarter-final defeat by Sevilla.
Their campaign lasted 383 days and 59 games, and 11 of the 14 players who featured against Crusaders on 25 July 2019 also played in Duisburg.
Wolves will not be in Europe next season after finishing seventh in the Premier League.
"We need more players to help us, it's a small squad," said Nuno.
On Tuesday, Wolves were knocked out by Lucas Ocampos' late header for Sevilla, after Raul Jimenez had an early penalty saved.
They only used 21 players in the Premier League this season, three fewer than anybody else.
On top of that they named a strong team in most of their 17 Europa League matches. Eight of their players made 50 or more appearances.
Players used in Premier League games 2019-20 | |
---|---|
21 - Wolves | 22- Burnley |
24 - Everton | 24 - Leicester |
24 - Liverpool | 24 - Man City |
25 - Brighton | 25 - Crystal Palace |
25 - Southampton | 26 - Sheffield United |
26 - Watford | 27 - Bournemouth |
27 - Chelsea | 28 - Aston Villa |
28 - Newcastle | 29 - Arsenal |
29 - Man Utd | 29 - Tottenham |
29 - West Ham | 31 - Norwich |
Nuno said: "It's time to recover. We need to rest, a big break. We should prepare well for next season and make good decisions to allow us to continue growing.
"It is time to reflect and analyse. The team that started the game is the same as the first game of the season. We made mistakes we cannot repeat.
"Let's look at our future and what we need. The club has been amazing. Making good decisions will help us to be stronger."
BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Matt Jarvis, who played for Wolves from 2007 to 2012, says some of the club's star players could leave if they do not achieve anything in 2020-21.
"Next year is a huge year for Wolves to go and attack it," he said. "If at the end of it there is no European football and no silverware, I think some of the players will start looking to move somewhere else.
"Raul Jimenez is not going to be playing every week at any club above Wolves, and as a forward you want to be playing week in, week out or you lose your sharpness."
Captain Conor Coady was one of three Wolves players to play 57 of their 59 games this season - only sitting out two Carabao Cup matches. He played every minute of the games he featured in - 5,130 in total.
"More than ever we want to be back," the 27-year-old English centre-back told BT Sport. "The competition is amazing and if anyone says otherwise they are wrong.
"We didn't want to make up the numbers and we got to the last eight, which is an incredible achievement for a team that was in the Championship three years ago.
"I am proud of every single person that is involved in this club."
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As an English fan, I'm gutted they couldn't progress. A phenomenal team and season and a credit to the English game.
And FFP is a joke to do next to nothing with teams like Man City and PSG and then punish Wolves.
Did the person writing this count properly? 22 (Burnley) minus 21 (Wolves) is not 3.
Smallest stadium?
I think you'll find that 6 clubs in the Prem last season had a lower capacity than Wolves...
for your information , Wolves, Villa, West Brom,Derby County ,Stoke, and of course Notts County were all founder members of the English football league, and of course Nottingham Forest have won the European Cup 2 times and Aston Villa once too, Midland football eh?
Sorry we had to take your spot winning the cup :(
I think Nuno can def do some damage in Europe with that team.
Need to hold onto some of those players to though, Neves & Jimenez, Traore.
He's already spent £200m and not achieved anything
He's achieved a lot more than a succession of Everton managers have and spent half as much doing it. Wolves can't expect to compete with the "big six" so you have to compare them with other clubs in the Premier League's "second tier". On that basis they are doing very well.
Wolves fans can also console themselves that being beaten by Sevilla in that game didn't do Liverpool much harm.
Inviting teams onto you, then failing to capitalise on the rare chances and breaks, you're always liable to concede at some point.
Great season, disappointing end.
"never won a single trophy"
What a bell***
Sometimes the rules apply; sometimes they don't
Sometimes the last man gets booked for a pen; sometimes sent off
Sometimes encroachment is OK
Sometimes standing off the goal line for the pen is OK
There are two games going on; one on the pitch and one in some studio. The studio version takes precedence
Lack of a live crowd won't matter anyway
Rangers, Celtic "global giants"
Really? LOL !!!!!!!!!