Source: Team_Talk
Henry: We have made great strides
Wolves captain Karl Henry believes the club is now considerably stronger than when they returned to the top flight last year.[LNB] The Molineux side began their second season back in the Premier League with a hard-fought but deserved 2-1 home win over rivals Stoke.[LNB]Their challenge this term is to better last season's 15th place and Henry is confident of improvement.[LNB]The Wolverhampton-born midfielder, 27, said: "Twelve months' experience is a long time in this league.[LNB]"Some of the games we played, and some of the hidings we got, I think we have all learned from.[LNB]"We're definitely a stronger team and added to that are a few new signings.[LNB]"It's a great start we've made. We're not going to get carried away but nonetheless it is a great start."[LNB]Goals from David Jones and debutant Steven Fletcher in quick succession before half-time proved enough despite an Abdoulaye Faye reply.[LNB]Stoke's record signing Kenwyne Jones hit the bar early on but he soon went off injured and Wolves squandered a number of chances that would have made victory more comfortable.[LNB]Stoke did enjoy some good possession in the second half but Wolves held on to record a win on the opening day of the season for the first time since 1999.[LNB]Henry said: "We've put that right and got an opening win on the first day of the season.[LNB]"Hopefully we can continue that for the next few games and kick on.[LNB]"It is one we wanted to win and felt we could win. It's a great feeling, three points, and it doesn't get much better than that.[LNB]"The manager told us the way we were going to beat them was to get the ball down and pass it - not get wrapped up in their game, which is a direct, long-ball style of play.[LNB]"We wanted to play our game and I felt we did that in the first half.[LNB]"We got the goals and then weathered the storm well in the second half.[LNB]"We're disappointed to concede a goal but nevertheless it is a good victory."[LNB]Stoke are now waiting for news on the fitness of Jones, who left the ground on crutches.[LNB]The Trinidad and Tobago striker, signed for £8million from Sunderland in the week, fell awkwardly under a challenge from Jody Craddock.[LNB]The 25-year-old was due to undergo a scan on his ankle today.[LNB]Potters midfielder Michael Tonge, who featured as a second-half substitute, said: "I'm a gutted for him. He started really well and hit the bar. If that had gone in it would have been a different game.[LNB]"I've played against him when he's been at Southampton and Sunderland and he is a handful.[LNB]"Kenwyne on top of his game will be a handful for any centre-half in the league."[LNB]Tonge is back at the Britannia Stadium after loan spells at Preston and Derby last season.[LNB]After struggling to make an impression at Stoke in the two years since his £2million move from Sheffield United, the 27-year-old was linked with other clubs over the summer.[LNB]But at present he is concentrating on life with the Potters.[LNB]"Without a shadow of a doubt, it is good to be back," he said.[LNB]"I'm just going to work hard in training and hopefully I'll get opportunities."[LNB]Stoke are looking to improve on their finishes of 12th and 11th in the past two seasons to claim a place in the top half.[LNB]Yet after yesterday's defeat, and with games against Tottenham and Chelsea to come, they face a difficult task to get their campaign up and running.[LNB]"There is a long way to go, but it still doesn't make getting beaten any nicer and we'll try to put it right next weekend," Tonge said.[LNB]"The gaffer will look at the video and see what he thinks and we'll look and see where we went wrong.[LNB]"I'm sure we'll bounce back next week."
