Shropshire Star

Alfred N'Diaye: 16 cup finals for Wolves

“Play every game like a final” is the message from Alfred N’Diaye as Wolves look to keep up the pace at the top of the Championship.

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With 16 games to go Nuno Espirito Santo’s team are 11 points clear of second-placed Derby and 12 ahead of Villa in third.

They are 1/25 with some bookies to win the title, while others have stopped taking bets on them winning promotion.

Midfielder N’Diaye, though, says the players cannot afford to believe the job is done.

“We have to keep this level. We need to be focused,” he said.

“We’re top of the league but it’s not finished – we have to keep it for 16 games so it’s important to keep working.

“It’s good but it’s not finished. We have to keep it like that. We know it – we play every game like a final. The gaffer tells us that all of the time.

“Every game is different and you have to play it like a final – that’s why we play good football.

“If we think it’s finished – that’s not good for us because it’s not finished.

“It’s a challenge for us to be the best team this season. Some games are harder than others but even when it’s hard, we try to give our best.”

Wolves were back to their free-flowing best in the victory against Sheffield United on Saturday.

N’Diaye, who has started the last two league games, was particularly impressed with the first two goals.

“It’s nice for me to play in a team like this,” he added.

“Every one of us can enjoy it because we’re playing well and we have a good spirit.

“I can only speak for myself but I think for everyone we’re enjoying playing like this and with the fans – it’s crazy.”

Around 1,000 tickets of a 5,600 allocation remain for the trip to Preston a week on Saturday.

Wolves have also shifted just short of 3,000 from their 4,000 allocation at Fulham on February 24.