Adama Traore says Wolves are embracing the Europa League and tiredness is not an issue despite a poor start in the Premier League. Wolves have yet to win in their opening four league games, leading to suggestions that playing in Europe is already starting to have an effect on Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, but the winger says that is not the case.
Nuno’s men had a fantastic season on their return to the Premier League, managing to qualify for Europe, so it is only right after all that hard work, they take the competition seriously.
However, with that comes the chance that players will fatigue quicker than normal due to the extra games and early start to the season.
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Wolves have made it through to the group stages after winning all six of their qualifying games, and came through a tough doubleheader against Italian Serie A side Torino with flying colours.
The fans can now look forward to an extended European tour and the delights that will bring, but some are clearly concerned about the impact that could have.
There are fears that Wolves could get sucked into a relegation battle, or at least flirt with it, but Traore says despite the extra workload, it is the place to be, and they are happy to be there. “It’s tough, but if you want to be in Europe and achieve great things, this is how it is. We have to keep going,” he said.
“Any player, any team, wants to be in Europe, so we have to enjoy it and grow every day. “We’ll work game by game. This is how we work, and how Nuno works. This is what we have to do.”
The latest defeat in the Premier League came at the weekend when they slipped to a 3-2 loss at Everton. Coming so soon after the second leg clash against Torino, it is only natural that some would suggest fatigue played a part, but again Traore is having none of it. “There’s no excuses. We didn’t lose the game because we were tired,” said Traore.
“We lost the game through our own errors, that’s it, so we have to be strong.”
The international break could not come at a better time and Wolves now have a chance to regroup and get ready for the rest of the season.
Nuno will now be keeping his fingers crossed that those away with their countries will come back unscathed, while he does his homework on Chelsea, who visit Molineux on Saturday, September 14.
