As midweek Premier League fixtures go, West Ham at home always feels like a good one.
I don’t know what it is about the profile of player they seem to attract but there’s a flakiness to their team that gives you confidence they’ll eventually surrender something.
Last night it was some weak marking that allowed Dendoncker to poke home the goal that put Wolves in the driving seat.
For periods in both halves, we couldn’t quite get the stranglehold applied but always looked the more organised, the more complete, the more likely.
Traore was inevitably at the centre of the action, bullying Aaron Creswell to the point that his own supporters cheered wildly when the full-back eventually managed a tackle.
It was men against boys down that right-hand side, albeit without the end product we’ve come to expect.
Despite a level of dominance, we still needed two superb interventions from Rui Patricio to keep them out. He’s been very good this season and a key ingredient of this 10 game unbeaten run in the league.
Jota hasn’t hit the heights of late and this was another night of toil and frustration for one of our most destructive players.
Neto replaced him for the final 20 and was full of vim and vigour, culminating in a smart lay-off for fellow substitute Cutrone to put the result beyond doubt.
Patrick must have wondered where his next minutes were coming from in the Premier League having not been used at all against Sheffield United or Bournemouth and only token seconds against Villa before that.
But this was the very moment he was brought in to deliver, administering the coup de grâce on weary opponents with an instinctive finish.
It was the perfect way to seal the deal and maybe, just maybe, lift-off for the popular Italian.
He need only look at the example of his fellow goalscorer last night, who didn’t feature at all in the early months of his Wolves career but is now integral to everything that’s being achieved.
And what is being achieved is something rather special.
It could yet get even better.
Great game, plenty of chances for us and an awful lot of positives. I still believe that we can catch Chelsea! Still dreaming of top four!
I think we can catch Man City and Leicester also! We’re playing the most consistent, top quality football of anybody. We just seem to hunt teams down like a pack of Wolves, and everybody knows their role. Our decision making gets better each week, but Jota really needs to keep the ball – must have lost/gave away possession 16 times against West Ham (pretty much same every game); not bothered so much about his lack of goals, but keep the ball. Love the way we treat each game as our practice for the next one!
What a performance from Adama!
He must be getting fed up of Full back on toast by now, but I’m certainly not.
And he rarely falls over and sulks any more and he tracks back and tackles.
And it was great to see the emotion on Cutrone’s face when he poked that goal in.
I thought it was an eight and a half out of ten performance last night… no, make that a nine, because there wasn’t really a weak link.
Jota is getting closer to throwing the monkey off his back and everyone ran about like they had only played eight games this season instead of the one hundred and forty, or however many it is.
I watched the game on Amazon Prime video and was really impressed with the coverage and interviews afterwards. Apart from Robbie Savage who remains a ‘duck heed’ who looks like yer nan.
I’d like to end this with a tribute to the great ‘Mr Grumpy’ and Bob Dylan fan, Bob Willis, who was one of my heroes as a lad and bowled one of the best spells of fast bowling ever seen, in that famous Headingley test all those years ago.
RIP Bob…
… another golden lad gone.
Re: Amazon. This is going to sound incredibly sexist but I thought the analysis from the . . . lady analyser was bloody awful – she just spoke in cliches all eveing and why oh why do so many of these “experts” have to have an over-guttural Scouse accent? Is it supposed to lend them more credibility??
Inclusiveness?? I’d prefer Amazon included someone who had actually played at this level.
Sorry – grump over.
Big Bob – now he knew how to be really grumpy. Loved him and a great fast bowler to boot. I was shocked to hear on the news that he had left us. Both got us back in that test but Willis won it for us.
It doesn’t sound sexist, but it does sound a bit ‘accentist’.
She can’t help coming from Liverpool… somebody has to.
Sorry Steppenwolf but you gave the game away when you called her the “lady analyzer”. Her name is Sue Smith and she played the game at a very high level. Which, I’m just guessing, you didn’t – I was at the game last night and caught up with Amazon’s coverage today and thought her thoughts better than Savage for example. The reason you thought it might sound sexist is because it was.
as it ‘appened I specially noted how well Sue Smith commented, in a calm and knowledgeable way, compared to the shrill over excited commentaries of other commentators.
But my Amazon reception was stopping and starting such that I had to play ‘spot the bal’l, as I waited to see if a promising through ball found its man
Well said!
That’s quite a post HW.
I have made it clear that my comment was not intended to be sexist but you, in your wisdom, know better than I do what I meant. You should have little problem winning the prediction league with that level of insight..
” I’d prefer Amazon included someone who had actually played at this level..”
Given the absolute nonsense that the likes of Redknapp, Souness, Ince, McManaman come out with from the pundits chair, I don’t think playing at the highest level counts for sh*t when it comes to analysis. You might also want to check with messrs Mourinho, Wenger and the guy managing the team second in the EPL right now – Brendan Rodgers, as to whether or not you need to play at the highest level to have a good football brain
Well said Gollo. Furthest I got was representing South Staffordshire junior schools but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t out pundit most of the so called pundits. Some, eg Merson, can’t string more than two words together and the only kind of sentence he is aware of is behind bars!
It’s a weird table – sitting pretty in 5th, but as close to 2nd bottom as we are to 2nd top!
Really solid performance and great to keep a clean sheet.
Superlatives in order for this Wolves team, a great vintage it is. But we’re Wolverhampton, always last on MOD, Wanderers. Unfancied by the Aristocratic Elites of London, Manchester & Liverpool!
I liked the presence of Dendoncker & Saiss in the back line, both excellent footballers & I feel that gave us a confidence last night. We looked assured.
VAR must be switched off at Molineux due to the fan’s rude assessment of it’s value to the game’s entertainment. Thought there was a handball somewhere near the penalty area & a hold by their keeper. But hey who needs technology when you’ve got Moutinho. What a player he is! Joy to watch him cover every blade of grass for the cause.
Enjoyed that game. A fantastic season thus far.
If Nuno wants to sign a couple of players in January, good luck to him; but I’m not demanding, or even asking for, that. Quite the reverse, I’d like to see Max Kilman, Pedro Neto, Patrick Cutrone, etc., getting more experience.
In the summer one of the players whingers on Twitter were drooling over like lovesick teens was Pepe of Arsenal; he is a flop who can’t get games and is one of the main reasons for Emery’s failure and sacking. Why copy Arsenal and sign expensive flops?
My basic attitude right now is, “in Nuno we trust!” If Nuno actually signs a player or players, I will recognize his judgment, but we are doing fine at present. Please, Nuno, develop the brilliant bargains you and our scouts have found! Also, one or two of our own exciting young players!
What set me off on this line of thinking was Thomas’s remarks on Dendoncker. It is a reply to Thomas! ?
Who’s the understudy for Moutinho then? He’ll be moving up to be our next manager after 2 more seasons; you heard it here first..would like us to bring in Todd Cantwell from Norwich.
Enjoyed the game last night and whilst I never thought West Ham were going to get back into it after a soft opening goal, they did compete right up to our overdue second. Very pleased for the Donk after a difficult game at the weekend and at times our counterattacking was breathtaking. Nuno has worked wonders with Adama, his close control is outstanding, end product continues to improve and a tremendous attitude. Loving the football and commitment, Coady’s passing being another highlight
What I believe to be the most significant moment in this well deserved victory, was the Cutrone goal. It came at a crucial time in the game, and for him it may just be the turning point of his Wolves career.
Of specific importance is the way he took his goal. This was no scrambled toe poke, but a real strikers effort. He made space, saw the gap and instinctively, banged it home . Real quality. What a boost for his confidence, and how important this could be for the team going forward
A brilliant reaction from the crowd when Patrick scored, we have been willing him to score but that was a very Bully-esqe strike into the bottom corner.
It’s a gripe and it might seem like nit picking,… West Ham were poor, so were Villa when they didn’t do themselves justice, so were Southampton, they were opportunities to increase our goal tally and put teams to bed by 60 minutes. It would be great to have a final 20 minutes in a reasonably relaxed frame of mind 3 or 4 goals to the good. Last night it was 1.0 for too long and the risk of drawing was obvious, thanks to Patricio and Patrickio we got the 3 points.
A match I always felt comfortable about, (nowadays there are more and more of these) and which we always looked to be the likely winners. Surprised to see so may lauding Adama today. Yes he was a nightmare again with his pace and get- up-and-go-again attitude, but some of his decision making and choices of pass were way below what he has been producing in recent weeks. Good to see the Donck back on form and the subs making a nuisance of themeselves. And Joao, class as usual.
All I want for Christmas is some Old Gold and Black dreadlocks, streaming behind me as I go rocketing down the street………
Hold up your hands, fellow bloggers, with me, and admit that we were very wrong a year or so ago when this lad was bought.
His trapping, close control and dribbling wizardry was a joy to behold last night, and tracking back is now becoming another feature of his all round game.
How many more gems is Dr. N going to uncover and transform into ballistic missiles?
And, in agreement with a comment above, Coady’s passing was at times sublime, back to his best.
West Ham, or Wet Spam as some wag put on Facebook, were made to look very ordinary and pedestrian, despite having such world beaters as Snodgrass, Anderson and Noble!
The only bloke on their side who played well was the keeper.
He is the only player worth his wages.
Still, that’s their problem, not ours.
Fabulous to see The Donk and Patrick score, will do wonders for their confidence, and it’s good to spread the goalscoring around, takes pressure off Raul a bit.
Fair play to the Hammers fans with us in the pub, some good natured banter, and they conceded the best team had won, easily.
Onwards to the nudist beaches of Brighton!
If they are still there.
“…Hold up your hands, fellow bloggers, with me, and admit that we were very wrong a year or so ago when this lad was bought…”
I’ll admit that many of you were very wrong. I, however, nailed it!
I did too– never gave up on him!!
He’s just talking about himself, Timbo, and trying to be inclusive by bringing the rest of us into his line of thinking.
Fair enough Houston – yes I thought he was irretrievable, but Nuno knew better and of course he was right.
The guy next to me in the North bank commented on how demoralising it must be for a full back up against Adama. Not just the full back last night. The whole left side of their team was repeatedly left chasing shadows as our modern day, oversized version of Jimmy Johnstone weaved around their lunges with aplomb.
He was not the only one to shine. I felt Jonny Otto also had a terrific game, up and down the pitch relentlessly and with phenomenal energy. I’ve always liked the Donk and am really pleased he got his goal, and there can’t be a Wolves fan on the planet who isn’t chuffed for Patrick Cutrone, especially when he showed quite clearly how much the moment meant to him.
Overall, a great showing from the lads and our form this season, bit by bit, continues to improve.
Seeing last night’s game from a different perspective… I sat in the Steve Bull stand… thanks to The DOOG and Sue…. and do you know what… what I hear you mutter…. Traore is just as menacing wherever one sits… come to that the whole team are…. and there can be no better mention than the one for Rui Patricio… what a world class save that was… our Bert (the Cat) would be proud of that.
So another victory.. 23 points from 15 games and just 17 points from 23 games will see our PL status secured … not that there is ever a doubt.
Never seen Snotgrass go to ground so easily before but hey… the Pizza and Pasta man finished things off nicely.
Big thanks to ‘NCP parking’ to allow me to park on his drive… massive help Dougie and Barbara…. thanks mate.
I’m urgently looking for a Liverpool away ticket anyone for our family over from NZ….
Very good save yes but not quite world class. That’s sir Gordon v Pele in 1970 or equivalent.
Question:-
How many West Ham players does it take to foul Wolves players in the penalty box and STILL give away a goal?
Answer:-
Rather a lot by the look of it.
I like to think that VAR might have had something to say if we hadn’t scored, but knowing our luck, the VAR ref would have been on his tea break.
Question:-
How many West Ham players does it take to foul Wolves players in the penalty box and STILL concede a goal?
Answer:-
Rather a lot by the looks of it.
I would like to think that if we hadn’t scored, VAR would have had something to say. But knowing our luck the VAR referee would have been on his tea break.
Good to see that Sheff Wed’s Player of the Month last month was none other than young Dominic Iorfa. Good for him, I say. Always liked him.
I’m glad you noted that. I always like to see our old boys doing well. Costa and Cavaleiro are doing well in the Championship too.
I thought she was ok, but did it annoy anyone else when she was repeatedly talking about wanting to watch the Liverpool Everton game and joking about watching it on her phone?! I know they’re supposed to bang on about the uniqueness of being able to watch all the games but I found it really unprofessional when you’re commentating on a match.
We are a remarkably durable and consistent team. Sprinkled with stardust football at times. I am willing Diogo J to get a goal. He is clearly trying his best. Sometimes too much? Is his natural game at its best in the left of a three? No doubt Nuno will work with him. The goal will come. Delighted for Patrick. Someone said earlier Bullyesque in execution. His direct running reminds of the Bull in some ways. On to Brighton. Always a bit of a bogey side for us, almost of Huddersfield proportions. But I think we are on such a roll now that we will bash them on Sunday. Let’s get to 40 points ASAP and kick on. At the current rate of progress we should be there or thereabouts after 26/27 games. We could be heading for around 60 odd points in total and top 5 or 6.
Brighton looking really good tonight, they were only playing arsenal though
Wolves will be a different challenge and should be a great game
Made me laugh when some dinosaur pundit said arsenal are now 10 points off a champions league spot!!!
Like they have a chance of that
Seriously deluded, it must break their hearts having to mention wolves and Leicester, bless em
Utw
Are you saying that Cutrone was brought in to be a super sub or something?
Not really following your drift here,Tim. Whose post is this question directed at? No one is brought in for that purpose but they have to prove in training and on the pitch that they are worth more than just a bit part.
“…But this was the very moment he was brought in to deliver, administering the coup de grâce on weary opponents with an instinctive finish….”
OkGreat result……..Need 3 qauility signings in January…….Players that are up to speed that can go straight into the team no more Jesus’s Wolves shouldn’t be seen as a club were other clubs can send there sqaud players to be developed
I think it was Stu who said Nuno was not happy with the recruitment in the summer and that makes sense now and the fact he is in demand has strengthened his hand with Jeff and FOSUN i reckon that’s why he been so coy over the interest from other clubs and his contract.
So come on Jeff back Nuno just think what he could achieve with top quality players and i mean real quality top draw because if you don’t there will be plenty of clubs queing up to do just that…..!
See yer point Paul, but we already have quite a few top drawer players. We have more than a few that I wouldn’t swap for anyone else in the division.
Wolf my point is no more jesus’s even if they come from Real Madrid and also the sqaud need s help now we cannot watt for new singing to develop we need they up and running to go in the team straight a way if needed.
How much would it take for wolves to sell Jimenez, traore or moutinho in January? I know what our answer would be and therein lies the problem for wolves. To secure top talent, particularly mid season , will normally illicit a straight f…off from the player’s club or a ransom demand of an over inflated fee to ensure it becomes an “offer too good to refuse” message to appease supporters. We certainly do need additions in January but I don’t envy the task of thelwell in trying to secure top talent at a price that represents good value ( and remember we are owned by an investment group so we are ultimately driven by ROI and not what would simply make football sense, although hopefully the two will be correlated)
Good points well made Suton.
Seems to me that Jeff and Nuno do their shopping round the cast-off market, with advertisements like Don’t seem to be cutting it (Raul Boly and Jonny) Unproven potential will take cash now (Neves, Jota Donk, Vinagre, Cutrone, Neto) Too old for regular work but could stand in for odd game (Joao). Not sure what it is or what you can do with it, I think a Staffordshire bull terrier got in with my greyhound bitches (Traore). Make me an offer for him current owner just being taken to the asylum (Patricio).
Instead of buying all this stuff that nobody else wants why don’t we make a statement and sign someone for loads of money that other people want. Players like Joelinton (Newcastle) Wesley (Villa) Haller (West Ham) Pepe (Arsenal) Moise Keane (Everton).
We thought we had a bad summer!
Just heard Traore saying that he doesn’t like going in the gym it makes him too big up top.
Anybody want to buy a Bullworker 90. I give up.