Wolves boss Vitor Pereira felt playing his strongest suit in the FA Cup to win at Bristol City was the best option for his side’s Premier League campaign.
Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rodrigo Gomes rewarded a strong Wolves opening at Ashton Gate by scoring in the opening quarter of their 2-1 third-round victory.
Scott Twine produced a brilliant free-kick on the stroke of half-time for the Robins, but Wolves managed the game well to take their place in the fourth-round draw.
“It’s a special competition, tradition,” Pereira said after his first taste of the FA Cup.
“Our priority is the league for sure. But because we don’t have time for training, and I want to increase some behaviours, it’s important to use the games to do it. We’ll have time to recover for the next game.”
Wolves are only above the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference and next in action at Newcastle on Wednesday.
But Pereira made just three changes from their last game against Nottingham Forest in naming a strong starting XI.
Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Agbadou was handed a debut following his midweek move from Reims.
Pereira said: “What I realise is this game is very difficult. If we come here playing with our suit we have the quality to win.
“But we must come here not just to enjoy. We must show the right mentality because they have the level, intensity and physicality (to match us).
“We started strong because if they get the confidence they will win the game. The Championship has quality and the games are very difficult.”
Bristol City beat West Ham at this stage of the competition 12 months ago and posed a genuine threat to Wolves given their form in the Sky Bet Championship.
The Robins were in unbeaten in four games, three of which they had won.
Head coach Liam Manning said: “The first 25 to 30 minutes was a really good lesson in terms of the lads’ intent to press and the desire of the set up at times was good.
“But if you’re half a yard off, you get picked off. We were a bit disappointing with the ball, but we got back into it which speaks volumes for the resilience of the lads.
“In the second half I thought we gave a really good account of ourselves.”
On Pereira’s team selection, Manning said: “That’s what you want to see. Everyone’s aspiring to get to the Premier League, so you want to test yourself against that level.
“It was good for us to see where we’re at and what we need to do to get better. It’s definitely something to take confidence from.”
