‘Too long’ - Wolves boss makes feelings clear on international break
Cesar Peixoto reflected on Wolves’ return from the almost three-week hiatus.
Wolves boss Cesar Peixoto reckons the international break was simply “too long” - and believes it derailed his side’s momentum.
Peixoto’s side had good momentum after their derby victory over West Brom, but struggled to recapture that rhythm since returning from an almost three-week hiatus until victory over Burnley last night.
The Wolves head coach believes the break was too long, with injuries and a congested fixture schedule compounding their problems.
“I think we had the best game against West Brom before the international break,” Peixoto told the Express & Star ahead of his side’s clash with Burnley. “Not only quality wise, but mentality wise.
“The team grew and grew until this moment. If the international break didn’t come, I think we would have stayed like that.
“The truth is, the first international break is three weeks, it’s too long. The injuries came.
“Fer was an important player and came back from the international break injured, playing 70 per cent, not 100 per cent.
“In terms of rhythm, it’s a long time away from our patterns, our idea of the game, our mentality, the way we play.
“And after that we have a game, another game, another game, another game. Six games in two weeks. It’s a tough moment for us.
“We have to realise that, try to manage things in the right way, in a positive way, and fight to win the games.”
Wolves have been hit by a series of injury setbacks since the break, with star striker Raul Jimenez facing months out following knee surgery.
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Rodrigo Gomes, Boubacar Traore and Bertrand Traore are also sidelined, while Adam Armstrong has a minor back problem.
Despite the disruption and Wolves’ stuttering return to action, Peixoto is confident his side can rediscover their earlier form.
“I think when we pass this moment, we’re going to stay well again, like we grew game after game before the Albion match,” he continued.
“We won that 1-0, but we could score more goals. We played with the mentality and intensity that I wanted, the quality that I want in the team. But now we have to build step by step again.
“We have injuries, with a lot of games, without time to train on the pitch. But it is what it is, we have to be ready to fight.
“After that, the winter comes, and after that, the sun again. In Wolverhampton, I don’t know, but in our team for sure.”