No 'sentimental' appearances for Wolves' Jordan Graham and Michal Zyro
Paul Lambert says there’ll be no ‘sentimental’ appearances for comeback pair Michal Zyro and Jordan Graham in what remains of the season.
The two forwards both made their first competitive under-23 appearances this week when playing 45 minutes each against Norwich.
They will now be targeting a first-team return before the end of the campaign.
But Lambert said he wouldn’t throw them on for sentimental value in Wolves’ last six games of the season.
“They’ve had 45 minutes and 30 minutes (in a behind-closed doors friendly) which is not long enough,” he said.
“There’s no real great pressure on them, no tempo to it.
“The pleasing thing is they’re back. They shouldn’t be in a major rush, just wait and their time will come.
“Once that time comes I’ll make a judgement.
“I’ll do it professionally, I won’t do it for sentimental reasons. They have to earn the right to play.
“If you do that and they’re ready then we’ll look at it.”
Wolves host table-toppers Brighton at Molineux today. Lambert is keen for his players to react after last weekend’s disappointing defeat at Bristol City.
Does he think any momentum accrued between now and May 7 can be carried into next season?
“I don’t know...it can do,” the Wolves boss added. “It makes everybody feel good and the fans feel good.
“It’s like pre-season, it’s funny because people see pre-season, if you have six games and lose them all, then you can start the season and win six.
“That perception of pre-season, you might lose six and everyone thinks it’s carnage. Pre-season doesn’t really matter for results, it’s just to get you fit.
“When the real ball comes out, as I call it, on the first day of the season, then you start to judge.
“It’s however you want to view it, but from now to the end of the season you win as many games as you can.
“We can’t just coast in...you go and win games.
“You can sleepwalk into things. If you lower your standards and expectancy level you can sleepwalk into it. That’s why I was angry after Saturday.
“I’ve been in the game too long, all we did was win a few games. It’s over the course of the season that you win as many games as you can.
“That consistency level is the most important thing.
“The players have been great, we had a chat on Monday and we knew ourselves it wasn’t good enough.
“When you fall below the standard it’s noticeable.”
