Cesar Peixoto says Wolves lacked 'courage' in Portsmouth draw

Cesar Peixoto accused Wolves of failing to show enough “courage” during the first half of their frustrating 1-1 draw with Portsmouth.

The boss was left lamenting an “unfair” result after Terry Devlin’s 86th minute leveller cancelled out Jordan James’ opener at Molineux.

But Peixoto admitted Wolves had only themselves to blame after failing to register a shot on target during an insipid opening 45 minutes.

He placed the blame on a hangover from the 3-1 defeat to Bolton in their previous home match.

Peixoto said: “I think the players because of the last game stayed more anxious in the game and more secure.

“They did not find the right courage to play in the first 45 minutes.

“At half-time I talked with them and said if something goes wrong, it is my fault, don’t worry about.

“Play free, play with courage, be brave in the game, play our way.

“I think we go better in the second half and scored but in the last minutes we went deep, like I don’t want.

“We needed a win in our home to free of us of this pressure.”

Wolves missed the chance to climb above rivals Albion and up to fifth in the Championship table as they were pegged back.

They have won just two of their first five matches at Molineux this season and Peixoto continued: “In the first 45 minutes we played too secure and did not take enough risks.

“It was not our way of playing. You have to take risks, to play with courage to go one v one and attack the space.

“At half-time I told them to play with more courage, with more mobility. We made two substitutions and I think we were better.

“In the last few minutes we concede a goal from their first shot on goal.

“I think it is an unfair result but we have to do better in the 45 minutes. We did not play like we normally play.”