It’s a decisive week in Wolverhampton Wanderers season. Friday night sees the Championship leaders visit second-placed Cardiff City before hosting playoff contenders Derby County at Molineux.
Defeat in south Wales will see Neil Warnock’s side favourites to win the title, something which seemed heading inexorably toward the West Midlands. The Bluebirds, six points adrift, have a game in hand and are in touching distance with goal difference.
It’s a tough run of fixtures which began with the 2 – 1 victory at Middlesbrough, a win which took its’ toll in Tuesday night’s 2 – 2 home draw with Hull City. The Tigers were on their way to a famous victory until Oskar Buur Rasmussen heading an equaliser with seven minutes remaining.
Morocco international Romain Saiss, a lynchpin for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, welcomed the point. As per a report from Derby Telegraph, the player said, “The next 10 days are the most important.”
“We played against Middlesbrough with nine players against 11 and it was a very hard game again (against Hull City),” the defensive midfielder told reporters afterwards.
“I think we were a little tired. We have to think now about the next game on Friday. It’s an important game for us, and after that Wednesday.”
Cardiff also drew in midweek, although may feel their point at Bramall Lane was a better result with Sheffield United still in contention for the playoffs. It stretched the Welsh club’s unbeaten run to 11 games, nine of which were won.
They too have a tough fixture list, following Friday night’s match with a trip to Villa Park. Saiss believes all the teams are in the same boat.
“It is very important mentally because every player, every team is tired, because the Championship is so long,” he said, before offering the view that “£it’s a very difficult league and it makes a difference mentally.”
The match at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday night could be the toughest of Wolves season yet but showing the resolve to win at Middlesbrough before mustering a late equaliser against Hull, will stand the Championship leaders in good stead.