Max Kilman Wolves

#PremierLeagueStories – #MaxKilman reveals how he won #NunoEspiritoSanto’s trust to become first team player #WWFC

Max Kilman has revealed how Nuno Espirito Santo has transformed him into a Premier League defender. Kilman has started Wolves’ last four matches and helped the team pick up 10 points and three clean sheets in the process. He’s shown such class this term that it’s strange to think that just a couple of years ago Kilman was plying his trade in non-league with Maidenhead United. “I’m delighted to come in and play my part but credit to all the boys for how well they’ve been playing,” says Kilman. “With the shape we’ve had we’ve made it very difficult for teams and it’s paid off.” Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon8Cancel Learning to operate in the shape Nuno prefers, which has at times this season been a hybrid of 3-4-3 and 3-5-2, has been key to Kilman’s emergence. After spending the majority of his first two seasons at Wolves watching and learning from the sidelines, the 23-year-old has fought his way into the starting XI and looks undroppable on current form. But what else has changed? What has Kilman improved in order to earn Nuno’s trust? “My game understanding and my physicality,” explains the 6ft 4in defender. “When I came in I’d never played five at the back so coming in I’ve had to adapt and understand my role as a defender. Read More Related Articles Read More Related Articles “I’ve had to become stronger and sharper and that’s what I lacked when I first came into Wolves. “I had to know when to press, when to get tight to my man, when to cover, and understanding how to cover round my wing-back and work as a five.” It’s an incredibly complex system to learn, hence why Nuno often allows new signings a lengthy period to adapt to his methods. Kilman’s task has been made easier by the support of those alongside him, especially captain Conor Coady who barks out the orders to his teammates from his position as Wolves’ deepest outfield player. Wolves daily newsletter. Free. To your inbox There's a quick and easy way to stay on top of all the Wolverhampton Wanderers news with our daily newsletter. Delivered straight into your email inbox each day, the bulletins will feature the latest Wolves news, views, gossip and opinion. All you have to do is punch your email in at the top of the article - it looks just like this...   And what's more, it's absolutely free! You can also get all the latest updates by following us on Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download. It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region. Google Play Store and App Store “He’s a fantastic leader,” Kilman says of Coady. “He knows the right time to give you a bit of encouragement and when he needs to make you concentrate. He’s helped me so much along with some other players.” The likes of Coady, who has incredibly been ever-present for Wolves in their last 118 league matches, will be key to ensuring Kilman maintains the high standards he’s set at the start of this season. Kilman added: “Nuno and the whole staff don't just say ‘It’s good enough’, there’s always room for improvement and they’re always trying to find ways to make us that little bit better.”
Conor Coady

#PLStories – #ConorCoady reveals #MaxKilman is the only player who dares to challenge #AdamaTraore in training #WolvesFC

Wolves captain Conor Coady has heaped praise on last night's star performer Max Kilman - despite joking about his man-of-the-match award. The 23-year-old made his second-successive start alongside Coady and Willy Boly as Nuno's men recorded their back-to-back clean sheets. The 1-0 victory over Leeds was Kilman's sixth Premier League appearance for the club and, afterwards, Coady was asked about his teammate's classy display. "Did he?! No he never!?" was Coady's initial response when told of Kilman's man-of-the-match gong, adding: "He's been brilliant, honestly. "He's been with us for years. He's a great lad. Tonight he was brilliant. He's learnt that role inside out for three or four years. He gives us a little bit of balance on that left-hand side as does Saiss as well. He's been brilliant the last few games and he'll keep on getting better. He's a pleasure to play with." Read More Related Articles Read More Related Articles Coady was asked about Kilman's futsal background too with the defender representing England 25 times previously, and added: "Yeah, he shows it in training. He loves having battles with Adama. Most people don't go near Adama in training and he full on fights with him and he loves that side of it. "He's improved loads in the last few years and he was brilliant again tonight. He deserved man of the match, by the way!" Match-winner Raul Jimenez scored his third Premier League goal of the season for Wolves at Elland Road and, afterwards, Coady commented on the result: "It was a massive result for us. We knew coming here how tough it was going to be but we worked the game plan out over the last few days. They were fantastic last year and deservedly so got to the Premier League. Read More Related Articles Read More Related Articles "We watched their last game against Man City and they've got a certain way of playing, it's about 112mph but we stuck at it and it was a fantastic win. "It's always about managing a game and looking at how they play. We've never played against Leeds before with their manager. It's hard to get after them. They were very attacking. They play at 100mph and you've got to play with your brains. It's tough. They're very attacking with two wing-backs who are wingers. We needed to look at that. "Second half we knew we'd get more control and we knew they'd tire a bit. I thought we played fantastic second-half. A clean sheet is massive for us, we want one every single game and that's what we base our foundations off. We can't have it every single game. We want to manage the game as much as possible. Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon8Cancel "We want to improve and get better. We never ever put targets on what we want to do, we never done it in the Championship and we won't start to do that now. There's plenty to improve on. The manager's spoken a lot about evolving year on year and we'll keep on doing that. We've got a wonderful manager who we all listen to every day and, like I said, we're a team who lives for the present and we'll see how the next one goes." Wolves now have back-to-back home fixtures at Molineux against Newcastle United on Sunday (kick-off 4.30pm) and Crystal Palace the following Friday (October 30, kick-off 8pm).
Max Kilman Wolves

#PLStories – #Nuno praises #MaxKilman contribution in Wolves win over Leeds #LUFC #WolvesFC

Nuno Espirito Santo was happy to single out Max Kilman for praise after his brilliant defensive showing in the win over Leeds United. The rookie defender was starting his second successive Premier League game at Elland Road and helped Wolverhampton Wanderers seal yet another clean sheet. Kilman was rewarded for his efforts with Sky Sports' man of the match award after winning 100 per cent of his defensive duels and providing the pass which allowed Raul Jimenez to win it for the visitors. And Nuno, who promoted to Kilman to the first team two years ago, was delighted with his defender on what was just his 14th senior appearance for Wolves. Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon8Cancel "I think he played well," Nuno said. "In the second half he started really well, reading the lines and anticipating well. It was a good pass forward for the goal too. "Max, I think everybody knows, he was with the under-23s. His professional career was very premature. I think he has something. He works very hard, he knows what he has to improve and he’s become stronger as the time has gone by. "I’m proud of the answer he’s given today but the credit is for him. When your chance comes you have to respond and Max did that. Two seasons ago Max was a back-up and now he is ready to compete." Wolves are the first team to defeat Leeds at Elland Road this season with Fulham and Manchester City previously failing to take maximum points. Read More Related Articles Read More Related Articles The hosts dominated the first half but a resolute defensive showing, plus some swift counter-attacking in the second half, allowed Wolves to clinch their third win in five league matches. “I think the second half was better," added Nuno. "Leeds started very strong and they were able to create situations. As the game goes, I think we keep on growing inside the game. The answer in terms of fitness was good. I think we defended well. The second half was better, with the ball and we created more chances. “The character of the team was evident. In terms of fitness and energy, it was much better.”