Express & Star

Rui Patricio believes Wolves can improve further

There have been a few stars of Wolves' impressive start to Premier League life.

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Rui Patricio (© AMA / James Baylis)

And goalkeeper Rui Patricio, he of three clean sheets in four matches – plus a number of world class saves to boot – is certainly one of them.

The 30-year-old had big gloves to fill when taking John Ruddy's spot as the club's number one keeper.

But so far he's justifying that decision – and clearly loving life in English football's top flight.

"What we’ve done up until now, for me without a doubt it’s the best football in the world and without a doubt, it’s an amazing experience for any player," Patricio told the MOTD Premier League Show.

"We’re also in a team with a few Portuguese players which makes settling in easier.

"Our coach is Portuguese, so what’s happening now are the fruits of his labour. The structure that he’s created around us is very important.

"For me and Joao (Moutinho), for both of us it’s a great experience not just evolving the football side but the psychological side working that.

"Nuno) has people in his team who specialise in (man management), but he used to be a player, so he knows when he needs to speak to a player.

"He knows how to manage and our team feels good. As players, we feel good. He knows when he needs to support us, or tell us off."

Wolves sit ninth in the early Premier League standings ahead of tomorrow's trip to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Patricio concurs with the club's hierarchy that the team should be looking to do more than just survive in the Premier League this season.

"For me, I think and I believe we all do from what we’ve been doing, which is that we can not only fight to stay in the Premier League but we can achieve more.

"I don’t know if it’s too early to say this but I’m saying what I feel and what I think our individual ambitions are.

"Knowing the quality and the conditions that we have and what we could do. The team will improve, from what the team has done and what we are continuing to do we can have the ambition to do more.

"Not just stay in the Premier League but aim higher. This isn’t just the players, staff and club but I think the fans can also think bigger.

"The fans have so much respect in the stadiums, to the players, the coaches. It brings a spark to everyone and trust.

"The respect they have, we feel it. The entrance, the fireworks, the lights, it’s a show at the football."