Express & Star

Clean sheet is priority for Wolves boss Nuno

Nuno Espirito Santo says a clean sheet is his priority as he looks to end Wolves' losing run.

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Nuno Espirito Santo (© AMA / Sam Bagnall)

Three defeats in a row represent the worst run since Nuno took charge back in June 2017.

Wolves travel to face Arsenal at the Emirates tomorrow knowing they haven't beaten the Gunners since 1979, a run of 19 matches.

Nuno's team haven't scored in the first half of a game this season since the opening-day draw with Everton.

While he says they must improve that, a clean sheet is his main priority.

"It's something we have to improve but you can't say we haven't had chances in the first half," he said.

"For me it's not first half/second half – it's minute after minute, action after action, from the beginning to the end.

"We cannot separate things.

We're trying (to score first). We know that can change a game.

"But first we have to keep a clean sheet.

"We made mistakes last week – at home we cannot afford to concede three goals.

"It's very difficult to get anything when you concede three goals.

"We've been working, analysing and then putting the solutions on the training pitch and repeating over and over again so we can succeed in the next challenge, which is Sunday.

"You always have to test yourself and improve yourself. That's what we have to do on Sunday."

The Gunners have scored 25 goals in 11 games, with only the top two of Manchester City and Chelsea scoring more.

Nuno, who has a fully-fit squad to choose from after Portuguese forward Diogo Jota recovered from a quad injury, added: ""From the referee whistles we have to be aware– and motivated to do what we want to do.

"We cannot say 'no' to our game, to our football, to the way we want to achieve things.

"We need total awareness.

"We are seeing now how hard it is to achieve results in the Premier League."