That was tough to take.
For the second time in less than a month, we went toe-to-toe with the world champions.
And while there was thankfully no interference from VAR on this occasion, this defeat feels even crueller.
We were good value for a point in the reverse fixture, but nothing more.
Tonight, Wolves could and arguably should have won the game.
Call me biased, but I don’t think I’ve seen a side dominate Liverpool like we did in the second half.
For a good period of the game, Jurgen Klopp’s side were hanging on for dear life.
It’s easy to see why the Reds have conceded only 15 goals this season, but our front three had their back four on the ropes for much of the game.
Not even the imperious Van Dijk could keep up with our dynamic trio, who reaped havoc under the lights of a misty Molineux.
Pedro Neto continues to dazzle, whether out on the left or playing off a front two.
At 19 years of age, his talent is precocious but there’s no doubt we have a hell of a prospect on our hands.
I rate Alexander-Arnold as the best right back around, but our teenage starlet has had the better of him on two occasions this season.
Similar can be said about Traore, who absolutely terrorised the equally lauded Robertson all night long.
At this point, so much has been said about our buccaneering Spaniard that it seems an exercise in folly to offer up any more superlatives.
But it’d be wrong to let a performance like that pass without stating the obvious, which is that on current form we have one of the best attacking players on the planet.
There is just no stopping Adama when he is at full pelt. He is a total one off, and we’re lucky to have him.
Perhaps nobody is more grateful than Raul, who once again reaped the benefits of our wing play. His goal is even more impressive when you watch it on replay, another fine example of how to start and finish an attacking move.
So, how did we end up on the losing end of this fixture?
I guess the defending was slapdash for both goals. But this Liverpool team, though not on top form tonight, is one hell of a side and seem to always find a way of winning.
We shouldn’t be too despondent on the back of a performance like that.
The media will continue to describe us as a plucky underdog, but we know the real story.
This team is the real deal, and they’re only going to get better.
I have spent most of my life supporting and following Wolves and I have never been more proud of them .
Fantastic team , great supporters , and Molineux under the floodlights .is just magical
Nice it see you last night Matt, what a night it was, magical.
I thought wolves defending was terrible alex
Ditto all day long London!
Proud of the lads last night, just a shame Saiss only gave 99% in his defensive duties. He should have put his body in the way to stop their 2nd. His fault we lost….. simples.
I expect every single player to give 100% effort 100% of the time. Saiss failed to do that. Gutted but still proud.
Very harsh Brompton. He ain’t Boly but even he makes mistakes. As do most defenders when facing Liverpool which is why they keep winning.
If only it were that simple. Comments on a national paper’s site are full of plaudits for Wolves from Red fans and also many comments about Salah being much too selfish, some even to the point of wanting him gone. You may have noticed he pulled away 3 defenders, leaving the space for Firmino behind, even if Saiss might have reacted more quickly. The ‘simples’ bit of the defeat was that they missed fewer clear opportunities than us…..just. At our stage of development that was massive and another step up the ladder, if ultimately disappointing; it wasn’t simply the fault of a player who has done some job in filling a very large Boly-shaped hole.
I absolutely agree. To lay blame on Saiss is hugely unfair, given the quality of his overall performance on the night.
But worthy of note is to recall Nuno`s early philophy when he first arrived at the club. Namely: ‘clean sheets are the key to sucess.’ Suffice it to say that this season we have conceded the first goal in no less than 17 of the 24 games we have played. That we have climbed this mountain so many times is simply magnificent.
Get this put right, and what a force we will become !!
I no a lot of wolves fans blame Connor coady l wouldn’t no
Great thoughts ben.
I didn’t sleep much last night as I continually went through the games pivotal moments in my mind over and over and I can only guess Nuno had the same problem.
First half we were nervous and way to many balls were hoofed out of defence and kept coming back time and time again resulting in the corner that gave them their goal.
The half time autopsy was quite correct in explaining what wolves did wrong in not picking up Henderson’s late run
Hopefully the immenent return of boly will sort mistakes like that out.
That said we still contained the world champions without any real threat after that and really should have gone in at the break on eaqual terms had Doherty not squndered what could have been his moment of glory.
As usual once Nuno had got the measure of his opponent our second half performance was a total turn around .
Traore was unleashed and the resulting fully deserved equaliser was the pick of the goals by a countrymile.
Our dominance of arguably the best club side on the planet was a joy to behold which made their second goal all the harder to swallow.
Let’s face it we shot ourselves in the foot there.
Totally against the run of play we allowed one of the best close range finishers around to receive a simple ball to feet and you knew what was coming.
Again had Willy been there it could well have been a different story
I question the introduction of jota as neto was having a field day against the best full back in the world ( huh ) and maybe if it had been him that Raul fed the ball to we may have got the deserved equaliser .
Wolves were superb in parts we now have to work on being superb for ninety minutes.
By their own admission this was Liverpool’s toughest game of the season.
But we lost and all the history books will read is wolves 1 Liverpool 2.
I am still disappointed despite our rousing second half display simply because we could have won that game last night but for a couple of lapses in concentration we would have done.
Let’s hammer the mancs instead.
4th spot will be ours.
Fwaw
Well said mate. The same point I was trying to make lol.
We have an attack to make the top 6 but the defence is not good enough as presently constituted to reach those heights in my view .Far too many first half goals conceded to make us have to show our resilience time and again .
I am hoping that the return of Boly might tighten it up enough to make the remainder of the season one especially to savour in the League and Europe .
Still it is truly a joy to be a Wolves fan at present .My main wish for 2020 is that in the summer Nuno signs up for another few years .He is the key to our continued success .
In fact, the most important thing we need to do in order to reach the top 4 is to stop dropping points against the lesser teams. Our performances against the big guns are plenty good enough.
We all watched the game and we all saw our team dominate the ‘mighty’ Liverpool for large parts of it. The result is disappointing for sure and the defeat totally undeserved, but as upward curves go, rarely in sport can there have been one to surpass what we lucky people are enjoying at present.
Fantastic from our manager. Fantastic from our players. Fantastic from our fans. Apart from the final score, there are no tears being shed in the Wolfstroker household. Just absolutely bursting with pride.
I’m a Liverpool fan, but I have to say for most of the second half I thought our unbeaten run was coming to an end, and it would have been well deserved by excellent play from Wolves. Too many so called top teams have simply parked the bus against us, so it was good to see a team have a real go at us. If for no other reason than this I hope you guys get a top 4 finish and bring your brand of football to the big stage, and start getting the recognition you deserve. Good Luck for the rest of the season.
Thanks MrB. Your team are where they are for a reason and for sure it’ll make a refreshing change for someone other than the usual suspects to win the league. But we gave you a helluva game and it’s to your credit you weren’t washed away by the golden tide.
Enjoy the rest of your season. I’m sure we will.
Oh and one more thing referring the the original piece…you’re not “Plucky underdogs” despite what the media says, you are possibly the next team to regularly challenge for top 4. At least that’s my view from the outside. Likewise Wolfstroker enjoy everything that comes for the rest of the season and beyond.
Top man MrB. You are a brilliant side and thoroughly deserve to win the league. Hopefully we can have a bit more luck against you next season!
Mr B.
Also a thank you from me for the fair and unbiased comments, it’s always refreshing to talk with honest and genuine fans from other clubs. We can run around all day blowing smoke up our own chuff, but when fans of other teams come on here and confirm we are moving in the right direction, the comments are always appreciated.
You are where you are because you play fantastic football, you are the benchmark for us to strive for.
Good luck buddy.
Stuwolf, whilst I’m no expert I have watched both games we’ve played in the league and in my humble opinion your club is playing some really good stuff. I think at the moment you perhaps lack some consistency, which is exactly like Liverpool of a couple of years ago. However you have an excellent manager, and I don’t hear anything negative about how the off field side of the club is being run. (My knowledge is lacking there though). These things are the foundation that will lead to continued progress, and in time…trophies.
I for one will not be surprised if you get top 4 this year, (fingers crossed at the expense of Chelsea), and go deep into the Europa League.
Mr B,
Respect for taking the time to come on here to express your views.
Thanks.
Thanks, MrB for expressing your reasoned oppinion, as for the pathetic Presstitutes that describe us as “Plucky Underdogs” they will eventually get the message that the Prem League Cartell is being broken down with Wolves and Leicester the battering rams that will achieve it.
Thanks for having the good manners to pay Wolves the compliments I feel they deserved. Liverpool supporters have long had a reputation for knowing good football when they see it. Unlike Man U supporters wherever they live.
Good luck with the rest of the season. Hope you do well in the Champions’ League as we expect to do in The Europa.
We’re quite happy to stay under the radar of the media for now, whose blinkers prevent their seeing anything outside London and the NW. (Sorry for the mixed metaphors).
Hope you got home safely. Please give me a call regarding what we were talking about at breakfast.
Hi Andrew. Yes thanks. West Midland Rail provided good service this morning which they do on weekday mornings. It’s Saturday nights (funny that) they let me down. Cancelled trains leaving me stranded in, for example, Smethwick.
I’m guessing you are safely back in Norfolk.
Sorry but which part of our conversation do you want me to get in touch about? Mornings are n’t my best time and we covered so much. Just a hint will do.
Mr b
Always nice to here from the opposition
I thought this was just a great game of football, obviously I’m disappointed that we lost but we are both enjoying possibly our most enjoyable period for 30 years
Off for a beer with my scouse best mate, although he is from the Wirral and I’m sure he is secretly a huge tranmere fan ?
I’ll find out for sure on Sunday
All the best for the rest of the season
See you next year in the champions league
Utw
Marney, it was a great game to watch and it was at a hell of a pace to boot. Our last two opponents (supposedly bigger teams) played 10 men behind the ball and only occasionally attacked, which was pretty dull tbh. In those games I always felt confident we’d win, last night was a whole different story.
Last night the real winner was the wonderful game we all love. Football. A pulsating encounter with football of the highest order on show from two well matched and fully commited teams, resulted in a game which few will forget.
Mr B, that your guys came out of that game with the win when you were under the cosh for long periods, speaks volumes as to your ingrained determination and spirit — every bit as important as individual skills and team tactics. That is what sets real chamions apart from the rest. Your team last night was a credit to all at Liverpool F.C.
But a little word of warning. The wolf pack is only now getting warmed up !! Difficult to accept but this is only our second season in the big league. A couple of key additions to our squad, and the elimination of our dreadful habit of giving opposing teams a goal start in every game, will see the boys in old gold and and black closing the gap to your guys.
In the meantime, enjoy your success as worthy champions of the best league in the world. Very well deserved
I take enormous pride in the fact that I feel aggrieved at not taking at least a point against the best team you will currently find anywhere on the planet.
For a 20 minute spell Liverpool were absolutely on the ropes. There are superlatives that I could bore you with about our forward players and the nouse of our midfield two but it’s all been said and I’m sure it will continue to be. Boly will improve us at the back but in fairness some of Liverpool’s forward play (much like our own) was breathtaking.
It comes down to such small margins and the difference last night came down to tiny individual errors and choices. They’re better in that department than us but we’re catching up quickly.
Disappointed but bursting with pride.
Enjoyed a magical evening at The Mol. Two very good teams, both trying to win. A marvellous crowd roaring them on with a swirling mist adding to the atmosphere. A game that will stay long in the memory. Just wish I could forget the final score.
That was a great game! Enjoyed it but very frustrated to get nothing from it but plaudits & the pride in the way we play. What a side we have.
Some dodgy choices with the final ball but it would be churlish to criticise anything!
Liverpool are a thoroughbred winning machine, you have to put away every chance against them even to draw!
We should take energy from this superb performance and go on & beat the crap out of everyone else we play on the strength of making the best team in the Universe look stretched at times.
Pride is not important winning matches is
The best team in the universe? Canis Majoris Wanderers may have something to say about that.
I like the irony! ( I got it this time….)
Hate that team the away trip is a pain.
Nice one, MrB.
Methinks the penny is beginning to drop in some media quarters …. this from the Independent.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/liverpool-wolves-result-score-goals-2020-champions-league-traore-jimenez-a9299706.html
A magical night, and a magnificent performance under the Molineux lights.
I could be hypercritical and say that we gave the ball away in dangerous situations much too often – something that is becoming too much of a habit.
I could say that from set pieces our defending is decidedly dodgy.
I could say that we are still not turning clear cut chances into goals.
I could say that Neto, for all his trickery and pace, can still not find the final killer ball.
I could pick flies until the cows come home.
But they’d be microscopic flies.
What I will say is that we matched, and outmatched for a good part of the game, the Premier League Champions elect, European Champions and World Club Champions. And Adama couldn’t cross to save his life until he came under Nuno’s wing.
After we scored our brilliant equaliser, I was convinced that there would only be one winner. But Champions aren’t champions for nothing, and to become champions, we need to put right our failings. Few though they may be.
A draw was the least we deserved and, if only Diogo had put that last gasp chance away, that’s what we would have come away with.
At the end of the match, I couldn’t be too downhearted after such a positive display, but, just like Jota spooning that final effort over the bar, I came away with the knowledge that it was a bloody good chance missed.
We could have beaten Liverpool.
We could have been the first, and possibly only, team to beat them this campaign.
What a message that would have sent out to the so called ‘Big six’.
Well, it’ll just have to be next season.
“……. if only Diogo had put that last gasp chance away, that’s what we would have come away with”
I agree wholeheartedly with that statement. But the same could be said……if Saiss had thrown his body in front of Firmino’s shot, that’s what we would have come away with.
Both didn’t occur. But we were drawing until Saiss bottled it. So….. he was the reason we lost.
Are you making a bid for the ‘Most dislikes on the Blog’ competition?
Seems to be working.
8Pmsl. Am I that easy to read Mark.
I did have a couple of responses, mainly from those who do not know me as well lol.
How could anyone come on here and state the boys did not perform after such an amazing showing last night. Ok we did not win, but we sure as hell had them running scared.
Proud to be a Wolves fan
Well you got me Brompton……..I think?
Sorry mate. Just wanted to see the response if I gave a negative view after the boys worked their socks off. Mind you, I was kinda kind, I only reduced his performance to 99% lol.
I will believe it when l see it when wolves do ever beat Liverpool
Well, I’ve seen it lots of times and will do so again, I’m sure. Equally, many scousers must have wondered if they’d ever win the league again. You just have to stick around.
How proud I am to be a Wolves man. A quite magnificent performance from a magnificent team.
Traore rightly gets huge plaudits after another superb performance. Raul`s goal, was world class in both the making and finishing. But for me the real plus from the night was the tremendous all round performance of Neto. He was just outstanding as he tormented those trying to mark him
It seems to me that in Neto we have a player who will go right to the very top. He arrived at the club quietly and without any real fanfare, but the pace at which he is developing on the back of regualar games is mind boggling. Presently I see no way that Jota will find an immediate way back into the starting line up
As I have often said, after a dodgy, lucky Wolves win, the history books will show the result, and not the bad luck/good luck of the losers/winners.
Thus the case last night.
For once, we cannot claim we was robbed, by poor refereeing or var.
We lost this game ourselves, by not putting away the numerous chances we created.
However, as pointed out above, nit picking would indeed be churlish.
To see the champions elect on the ropes for most of the second half was a joy to behold, and the fact that we didn’t park the bus after equalizing was testament to our attacking, never say die philosophy.
Our goal was one of the best seen at The Mol in many a year, the finishing header one that The Doog or Bully would have been proud to score.
What has pissed me off, however, is reading on social media about some Wolves fans suggesting Coady slipped on purpose to let Firmino score the winner.
How utterly ridiculous.
Coady may be a scouser and a fan of Liverpool, but he is first and foremost a professional Wolves player.
Quite honestly, Wolves “fans” who suggest this cannot call themselves true fans.
Disgusting.
We lost, and it hurts, as I feel we were the better side, just not clinical in front of goal, and two lapses in defense, bingo, three points thrown away.
There are far more positives to take from this game than negatives, and with a nice rest I think Manure are going to get well and truly stuffed next weekend.
And a big thank you to Mr. B, for his polite and accurate comments.
Perhaps we will meet at the end of next season in the European Cup Final?
And did you notice, not a single swear word from me?
That’s a record in itself, innit?
FOwb
No swear words Clive!!!
Dedication indeed.
I would like to give you the clap for your efforts.
stu.
you would like to give Clive the clap.?
are you sure?
We will wait and see if wolves get anything at old Trafford ok
Thanks, Captain Bleedin’ Obvious!
Of course we’ll wait and see, what else can we do?
Jeeez!!!
Alex is on the wrong blog Clive
He has been Looking for a reaction throughout
Bit of a ‘try- hard’
Utw
Clive. I sense the ridiculous key board warriors who continually wet their pants when we lose a couple of games or don’t sign someone are the glory hunter brigade. Let’s face it we have acquired 13/14000 of them since 2017. You can see it unfold before your eyes on social media forums (thankfully not this one) and Twitter. The modis operandum for twits. These people will never be satisfied. By all means have a constructive debate about the game. Who played well. Who didn’t. But some of the stuff you see is beyond comprehension when you think where we are now and witness stellar footy like last night. JUST ENJOY THE MOMENT AND DRINK IT ALL IN. Rant over.
I will add to the above.
Pedro Neto
Pedro Neto
Pedro Neto
The team on the pitch last night were truly amazing, they played the Champions elect off the pitch in parts, they drove forwards with passes the like of which I thought I would never live to see under previous regimes.
Every owner, every manager, every player in the past have played their part and brought us to where we were last night. Iv’e been saying for a couple of years now, “we are still a work in progress”, we are nowhere near the finished article and as much as I loved that game last night there needs to be movement onto the bench for some of our players.
Don’t get me wrong, they are wonderful players, some of which have filled in for Boly, in part Bennett and Jota of late. We do have to improve, because last night proved 2 things.
1, We are now streets ahead of where we were pre-Fosun era.
2, But we do not have the consistency of the best team in the PL, Europe or dare I say the World at the moment.
When we achieve that, there will be no living with us, because we have undoubtedly the best agent in the World attached to this club and he is constantly finding us Players with the calibre of Jota, Jimenez, Neves, Moutinho and my favourite at the moment, Neto.
I personally thank each and every player on the pitch last night, They left nothing at all in the changing room. But, I want to see some changes, but only If they’re for the better. No more Vallejo or Cutrone experiments. We are IMO, 4 players off being a World force in football. I want to drive on for 4th, a place I have been saying, “we are capable of since the season started”.
But for all my dreams and wishes, Thank you you players from last night for making it a night to remember. My Grandson was in awe of the move which led up to what was a wonderful goal from Jimmy and Adama. At 10 years old he is seeing better football than Iv’e seen in my last 53 years as a fan of this great club.
Onwards and Upwards.
Neto is a revelation atm stu
I actually didn’t want him to come off but he is only 19 so I understand Nuno wanting to freshen things up a bit
Suddenly the bench looks stronger so the the new guy we are being linked with will have to work hard to get on if he is a wide forward
Who will he be replacing?
Utw
When you consider the great lead Liverpool have had in building player equity, it is amazing how close a game that was.
Minor errors and shots that could have been passes to open players is all that separated us from them.
Not much to add…just miserable that that Jota scuff didn’t go in . 2-2 was the right result.
Nuno’s mantra of compete/improve/compete/improve is all that we need, Given where we were 3 seasons ago it boggles the mind how good the team could be in another three.
Meantime we have no0ne to fear in the Europa league.
and welcome back mr Boly.
Yesterday’s New York TImes had an interesting article on our player of the season
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/23/sports/soccer/liverpool-wolves-adama-traore.html
UTW
Brilliant article Marin .
I did not realise how they worked this .although, I knew Nunos team were smarter than most .
I Shall try to start and watch the shape of the team when he starts to move but it l know that will be difficult as obviously it’s where the excitement starts
I’m going to try though
Gutted but very very proud.
Like Clive I’m disgusted at the amount of moans, bile & hate being blamed at Coady & also Doc on social media. The lads gave everything & played their hearts out, to say they weren’t trying or not fit to wear the shirt is unforgivable & obviously not from true Wolves fans.
At the end of the day we were beaten – but by the team at the top – no shame in it.
Well played Liverpool and thank you for your kind comments Mr B.
Have to add I love Cutrones new song that’s he’s done for the Wolves fans. I wish the lad all the best.
We move on to Man Utd & I see no reason why we can’t beat them.
I wouldn’t be to sure on wolves away at man United it’s not good to get over confident ok
Has it occurred to you that nobody is going to respond to your provocative negative posts ?
Well said border wolf
Coady is a top top player
He really really is
Utw
So much pride in the performance last night. Anyone criticising our first half performance just doesn’t understand how over-powering the Liverpool pressing game is. Just check the record books to see.
Yet even when we looked like there was no way out of the strangle-hold in the first-half I wondered if they could keep it up against our famous second-half resurgence. Truth is they couldn’t. From hanging over the edge of the cliff we dug in and physically snatched the momentum out of their hands. Nearly so nearly turning the game 180 degrees, but we just couldn’t do it. If only there had Vinagre to call on to twist the knife just a little more – well who knows?.
Like you Clive I have read some criticism of Coady for last night’s performance and likewise I am disgusted.
This was a battle of herculean proportions. In the first half it felt more like Rouke’s Drift. But when our defence was being pulled apart and pressured to almost breaking point, who was the go to man in the defence who kept his nerve and regularly moved the ball forward keeping possession – Captain Coady.
Was the whole team caught out for the first goal? – Yes. Was the whole defence turned inside out by the artistry of Salah for the second? Yes. Were those two items miniscule in the efforts applied to keep us afloat in the hurricane? Abso-chuffing-lutely.
Regarding the location of your seat! Please give me a call tomorrow if convenient on 07920 197461.
OK Andrew
I think Connor coady needs to learn how to defend better and l no mat Docherty needs to play better
I think the days rest for the wolves players will do them some good
You have been told about that before.
Thinking that is.
You obviously don’t do it enough before you start typing.
Well said Clive. We obviously don’t know the correct use of the word no & know either!
Gutted…….and that say s it all considerino the oppersition.
Just a word on Transfers……..where are they…….where are they. Again the under 23’s are getting well stocked another one today…….but where are the first team player s we need NOW……, Its all well and good stocking up on the ones for the future but where are the first team squad needs bolstering NOW.
It frustrates the hell out of me that we can spend time recruiting ones for the future but not the here and NOW…… There are 7 days left of the Window and we still have t signed a genuine first team player……..whats gong on Kev…….other club s have managed to do it why not us……….? Every Window has bene the same all we seme to concentrate on is the under 23’s the must be able to field 6 teams by NOW.
Beware bloggers and social media freeks vile fans are infiltrating our air space in an effort to try and get their own back for their side being such a major disappointment and realising they are NOT the top club in the midlands by a long long chalk.
I have this from the horses mouth that they think it’s hilarious so don’t bite I am pretty sure most if not all the vitriol against our players is not coming from wolves fans.
Let’s face it they are insanely jealous childish little children.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NUNNO HAVE A WONDERFULL DAY.
Having to live with a Liverpool fan (son-in-law) can be tempestuous with his red eye thoughts, insight & general “it’s ours, we deserve it & how good are we” comments that often get me threatening to kick him out.
But Thursday night I came home & we watched the game together again.
Cue no moans, only superlatives.
His normal arrogant pre/post match was truly removed (thank fek!)
But I have to say what a Club we all support? What management/owners/head-coach/team and fans.
If I wasn’t sure about Fosun (who are they?) 4 years ago, I really only see this “project” succeeding.
If I thought I’d been entertained to only realise false dawns in the past, this I’m abundantly clear is a David Dickenson – The Real Deal
Thank you Wolves for bringing this re-engaged enjoyment back into my life, I just hope you know what this means to so many of us.
Proudest I’ve ever been.
What a performance! But for a rusty late cameo from Jota we could have at least drawn against the World/European and EPL champions-elect. Jota scooped over when it was easier to score. Neto would have buried that chance. Personally I would have put Boly on at 1-1 to defend the point but Nuno had other ideas and who can blame him. The game was actually winnable by us but we went down to glorious defeat. The players’ reaction at full time told it all; they were gutted, they knew how close they came. I reckon many Liverpool fans agreed, except some smart Alex on this report.
My MOTM was, for the umpteenth time, Traore. He’s a force of nature. He can’t be compared to any other player in the world. A total one-off, and yet many people wrote him off last season. Nuno believed in him. Jimenez was equally outstanding. And, what a prospect young Neto is! I can see him keeping Jota benched. This is amazing in the first season of a 19-year old ‘one for the future’.
Negatives were few for me. The defence seemed to be under par but you have to remember the unique team we were playing against. Boly would probably have prevented that first goal from the corner kick. Neto should have been left on. Jota was clearly not match sharp. Our finishing needs to be more clinical.
We’re not quite there yet for a serious challenge for top four, but top six must be within reach . Our weakness is against lesser clubs, as we clearly outperform against the top clubs. We turn up for the big matches. This bodes well for the Europa League, which I think we are capable of winning this season.
Only three additional comments from the positives above.
Best moment, in the second half after another Adama run, Dijk was shouting and cursing at his defense to defend better. Liverpool on the ropes absolutely loving it from my view in the South Bank.
An hour before kick off I thought I saw our friend Jorge Mendes going into the Billy Wright stand. Can we have another portuguese star please, although he would have to be very good to get into this side.
The wolves side was tremendous, the match was tremendous, its what I want to see week in week out what a performance. It must have been like this in the fifties and sixties.
“It must have been like this in the fifties ….”
It certainly was … the feeling is so similar. 🙂
COYW
Still catching my breath after that superb game on Thursday evening – that and putting the new house to rights.
Wolves ran the Champions-elect so close! Ok the first half was a little tentative but the second half performance was, to a man, superb. It would be wrong to single out any player but Traore, Jimenez and Neto were, for me, standouts.
I am salivating at the prospect of a refreshed team, plus (fingers tightly crossed) a couple of reinforcements, returning to action next weekend. In the meantime, I’m making do with a little online Wolves shop to take advantage of the 15% discount celebrating the Chinese New Year.
I’m not holding my breath on any new arrivals before the window closes in a few days. I would prefer Nuno to keep his powder dry and make sure we get the right 2 players in, in the summer. His judgement has shown to be excellent to date. With Willy and Diogo coming back this is like two new high quality additions who can fit in seamlessly? One other small point from Thursday’s game- Saiss has been a terrific deputy for Willy- committed, great in the air, a real threat at set pieces and better at bringing the ball out from defence? What Willy does bring us a sixth sense of sniffing out that killer ball into our 6 yard box and making a last ditch tackle. To place any blame on Saiss or Coady for Liverpool’s second goal is grossly unfair to our players and also demeaning Salah’s/Firmino’s skills . Ease Willy back slowly, he needs match fitness and there are no easy games in the PL. In my opinion to have brought on Willy on Thursday would have weakened the back line, Diogo could not get up to the speed of the game ( understandably) although I applauded his introduction as Neto had run himself into the ground.
Agreed, Woodend, Willy and Diogo coming back will be like new signings.
According to Tim Spiers, Wolves might get the Daniel Podence deal done tomorrow. I would be happy with that this month, on the first team front
Diogo’s late miss has been bought up but I have to say that if Raul’s pass had been a foot in front of him instead of a foot behind, it would have made things considerably easier. Small margins are so important.
And, lest we forget, today is the birthday of the Special One.
No, not Moorhino, although it is his birthday today as well, but the real special one
The One
The Only
The Mrs PMDG, our very own
Sue Earl!!!
Many Happy Wotsits and kisses from Texas, enjoy your fish n chips tonight.
Thank you so much Clive. I think our birthday is the only thing I have in common with Jose.
Fish & chips are on their way and just enjoying a bottle of bubbly.
We will raise a glass to your substitute knee xxxx
Best wishes Susie on you birthday… I saw you and Mark getting the bubbly down your necks…
Good to be able to call you … ‘great friends’…..
Love from Max and Mrs Max ..xxx
I’ll leave that to Mark for further clarification…. lol..xx
“Lie down girl let me…”
How did it go again?
They don’t write them like that anymore!
Thanks for your kind wishes… and friendship.
But they’re still subject to BBC censorship…
I just saw Max quote that it was played twice on the Beeb and still got to Number 2 in the charts…!!
One of those ‘coulda, shoulda, woulda’ matches which will stay in the memory for a long, long time. I guess at the end of the day what we witnessed was a very, very good side against an excellent one. The difference ? The poise and composure of ‘Shoulderpool’ (sorry, had to get that in) in the final third. Doherty, Jimenez, Traore and Jota all had chances which weren’t put away. There were also instances of the wrong pass options being taken when in good situations. On the other hand, Liverpool almost always seemed to take the right option. But all the evidence is that we’re not far away from being the real deal…
Sam Ricketts, Scott Golbourne, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Dangerous Dave Edwards….
You boys gave them a hell of a pasting!
Lined up 3-4-3 as well. Liverpool looked fairly ordinary. It seems there is a way of playing them. Jurgen Klopps teeth are surreal. Wouldn’t look out of place in a crocodile. FA cup draw tomorrow at 7. Hope Sandwell get Citeh and stuffed 7-0.
https://www.tugascout.com/news/2020/1/26/nuno-espirito-santos-wolves-move-up-683-places-to-be-considered-one-of-the-10-best-football-clubs-in-the-world
“Jan 26 Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves move up 683 places to be considered one of the 10 best football clubs in the world”
“The most incredible change of them all, however, is seen with Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolverhampton Wanders. The English Premier League outfit, who boast a significant Portuguese contingent, have risen a scarcely believable 683 places in the space of just a year to move into the top 10 of the club rankings worldwide.”
“The full top 10 is as follows:
1. Liverpool (316pts)
2. FC Barcelona (293pts)
3. Manchester City (284pts)
4. Flamengo (275pts)
5. Celtic (269pts)
6. Valencia (268pts)
7. Ajax (249.5pts)
8. Chelsea (249pts)
9. PSG (243pts)
10. Wolverhampton Wanderers (236pts)”
https://www.tugascout.com/news/2020/1/26/nuno-espirito-santos-wolves-move-up-683-places-to-be-considered-one-of-the-10-best-football-clubs-in-the-world
Jan 26 – Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves move up 683 places to be considered one of the 10 best football clubs in the world
Great post Tim.
Wow tim that’s a good find and it goes to show that although we react week to week when you take a good hard look at the overall picture it suddenly dawns on you what Nuno and his team have achieved in an incredibly short space of time.
To see Celtic in 5th place though shows that they must be using some faulty tools. A bit like some on here maybe?
Another one on the way for the under 23’s that’s 4 this window and o to the first team squad.
Nuno has been saying we need to get players in since october ……..its getting beyond a joke…………really
You might be right Paul but the time to judge our business is at the end of the window. For some reason in football, all parties seem obsessed with “staying in the tension of the negotiation “ to try and leverage the best outcome even when it must drive all parties round the bend with the logistics of trying to get a deal over the line at the eleventh hour.
Changing the subject
a bit. I get pulled up on here for using unsavoury language. But I will ask bloggers what is worse when footballers are constantly gobbing during play. I feel sorry for the ground staff. There must be a sea of gob at the end of the match all over the pitch. Surely a health hazard?
The worst must be down the poorthorns.
The shit, playing shit, at the home of the shit!!!
There’s shit everywhere ay there mate. If yo ever had the misfortune to walk round West Bromwich high street yo know how shit it is.
Does anyone recall that infamous video of the 2 x slightly inebriated wolves fans that got into the shadow dwellers park pitch and pissed in the centre circle?
Now that still makes me loff mi gonads orf.
“We’ll piss where we want, we’re Wolverhampton, we’re piss where we want”
Absolutely get the need to strengthen the first-team.
BUT can’t overestimate the importance of strengthening the Under 23’s.
The number of top quality players we have picked up that have been over-looked by the so-called bigger clubs because they were too old too young or had not fulfilled potential is amazing. But we can’t expect to carry on pulling rabbits out of the hat.
Every time we go public on bids for the finished article there is an army of competition crawling all over us. There just isn’t enough quality to go round.
Nuno’s strategy of intensive coaching applied to a limited sized squad is dependent on having a strong U23 squad to call on. Makes sense, how many players do you want not playing.
We have the set-up to really bring to fruition talented potential. At the moment the U23 squad is not pulling up any trees. Hopefully these reinforcements with Collins settling in should turn that round.
Surely a couple more players won’t make that big of a difference, what with the extra Europa league and cup games.
Well done the England cricket team. Beat the Proteas 3-1 on their own turf. Yours truly was there for the first two matches. That is a brilliant win . I am saving up for the Ashes in 2 years time. I have done 3 Ashes trips since 2002/2003 and been thrashed in every one. The one tour I didn’t go in 2010/2011 we won 3-1. Bloody typical. Never mind still had a great trip.
Agreed mate.
And it’s grand to see Mark Wood somewhere near full fitness. He’s a beast with ball AND bat.
How do you manage to get the time off (and the dosh) for all your trips?
Agreed about the gobbing too. I think there should be a special trainer to run on with a packet of Kleenex every time the little loves want to spit or blow their noses.
I just save up when I come back for the next one! The good thing about South Africa is the fact it cheap compared to Australia for example. Trains, food, beer, taxis, cricket tickets (£8 for a day at the test match). Getting time off. I always have a chat with my employer about six months before the planned trip and get my leave request in early. If the trip is over Xmas/new year then once you have factored in weekends and bank hols you don’t take vast amounts of leave in a trip lasting about 17 days. All the best mate.
Cheese Cheersy!
It’s been one of my ambitions to follow the Test team around the World. Unfortunately, as the PMDG’er is employed full time and the company would cease to function if she took more than a week off at a time, we’ll have to wait for retirement, or a Lottery win.
Good stuff. Well if you do get the chance I strongly recommend South Africa. The Boks are so helpful and friendly. Ok so they didn’t mind reminding us about the rugby world cup but it was always with a smile on their faces. Everything is five times cheaper than Australia and the Boks drink proper beer in the ground unlike the Aussies who have 5 pints and fall over. And the V and A waterfront Cape Town is truly stunning in the shadow of Table Mountain. Loads of bars and restaurants down there. Tempting you mate ?
A little perhaps!
Here’s a question. Why are the British Isles born players at the bottom of the list here?
Is it just a coincidence? Are they really not as good as the other players?
Is Nuno bigoted against players from there?
2019 Active Roster
Jose Moutinho M 32 £5,200,000 £100,000
Rui Patricio GK 30 £5,200,000 £100,000
Patrick Cutrone F 21 £3,272,000 £62,923
Ruben Neves M 21 £2,600,000 £50,000
Adama Traore M 22 £2,236,000 £43,000
Raul Jimenez F 27 £2,144,000 £41,231
Leander Dendoncker M 23 £1,972,000 £37,923
Jonny Castro D 24 £1,907,000 £36,673
Ruben Vinagre D 19 £1,560,000 £30,000
Romain Saiss M 28 £1,144,000 £22,000
Ryan Bennett D 28 £1,040,000 £20,000
Conor Coady D 25 £780,000 £15,000
Matt Doherty D 26 £520,000 £10,000
Morgan Gibbs-White M 18 £78,000 £1,500
Bruno Jordao M 20 – –
Pedro Neto F 18 – –
Phil Ofosu-Ayeh D 27 – –
Jesus Vallejo D 22 – –
Nuno has no say on wages apart from his own! It all comes down to position you play in (attackers get more unless you are really top class or come for a snippet, eg Moutinho) and time of contract negotiations. It’s nothing to do with nationality.
It has to be said.
Congratulations to Villa for reaching the final,in a competition they took seriously,despite being in a relegation battle,and we Didn’t.
I said @the time we played them,would it come back to haunt us.
We did have the Europa League though and I hear that Gdansk is less of an albionhole than Wembley.
Yes congratulations to aston vile for reaching an under 18s competition cup final that hardly anybody has taken seriously it just happens that man city’s under 18 squad are better than anyone else’s ….. WHO CARES…..YAWN YAWN
It has to be said that leicester shitty were absolutely dire last night could it be they didn’t fancy playing man city’s under 18s in the final or could it be their season is about to fall apart now that var is moving towards a tad of fairness as they are a good few points better off than they really should be and we’ve got them in a couple of weeks.
The final will be held early so that man city can get their squad to bed on time i hope the cup won’t be too heavy for them to pick up.
Up the road in the west midlands a proper side Wolverhampton Wanderers will soon be re starting their EUROPEAN campaign playing MENS football against other MENS teams in a competition that actually has some kudos to it.
CARABOA CUP YOUR AVIN A LAUGH !!!
With all due respect, it’s a trophy I’d like to see Wolves win.
Can’t argue with that despite Spikey’s vitriol. After all it’s still the only major trophy we’ve won in the last sixty years. Twice! Thanks to Kenny, King John and chesty Needham!
Wolves didn’t win the “CARABOA” nobody gives a shite cup they won the football league Cup when it was a proper competition worth winning and taken very seriously by everyone it is now nothing but a hinderance to most top teams because of the ridiculous amount of games we have to play ( NOTICE I SAID TOP TEAMS ).
The only reason villa have got to the final is because we played our youth team and so did Liverpool a clear indication that this competition is now ready for the scrap heap or at best a lower division trophy.
foav.
Both Manchester clubs clearly gave a shite and although you make some valid points the league cup, or whatever nomenclature it goes by these days, is still a major trophy. Maybe the answer is for those teams in European competition to get byes in the earlier rounds. You could argue the same points for the FA cup given what Liverpool are planning for the Shrewsbury replay.
So I was watching this Italian match the other day and a VAR situation comes up.
The play was stopped for what seemed like 5 minutes.
Then, the referee goes over to look at the pitch side monitor.
Why didn’t he just go over there to begin with and decide himself?
Don’t let anyone tell you they have it figured out in Europe because the two times I’ve seen VAR being used, it took a lot of time and in one case the fans were whistling, which I’m led to believe is bad.
One for the first team at last and of course another one for the Under 23’s…….that’s 5.1 to the Under 23’s….!
You never know, they might progress quickly like Neto. Better to get potential rather than has beens. Remember Sir Jack’s golden tit?
Its all well and good getting these so called ones for the future but how many really make it.
Mir the lad from Spain that every one was supposed to be after has gone back…….As have a couple more that have been released recently
We need first team ready players you look at say City that’s why they won all domestic trophies last season because they have first team quality players in reserve that can step in when needed.
Good performance by the Under 23’s last night against a very good Liverpool side. Starting to sound like Groundhog day, but pleased for Collins.
As many suspected Jordao looks ready for some first-team time.
Otasowie definitely has the potential to join him but for the moment he is probably getting experience at the right level.
Future under 23 games could be really interesting with Enzo in midfield and Campana playing alongside Dadashov up front.
Also good to see Ennis, Cameron John, Ronan and Elliot Watt getting game time.
How true Jackomac. They were very impressive with Jordao a real shining light. Sonderburg too looked classy.
The future’s bright, the futures Old Golden.
All in all a bloody good two days business with Wolves to compliment the Campana signing with Loiodice and Podence.
Daniel Podence looks really useful and will link up well on the opposite side to Traore, they can both play either side, so mix and match will be the order of the day. He sounds like a right steal as does Enzo Loiodice who they are comparing to Moutinho. Campana is now back from Ecuador as they got eliminated from the competition and has trained with the first team. He is one that I don’t believe will linger long in the U23’s.
So if we don’t sign anyone else this window I for one am delighted because I was there last night also and Otosowie can fill in for Demdonker or Saiss and Jordoa will support Jota and Jimmy when required.
Have to say also that Liverpool did a number on us yesterday, they sat and soaked up the pressure in the first half, kicked into gear in the second half like it was effortless, they then banged in two lovely goals and sat back and defended, knowing they only needed a draw to go through.
Wolves for their part played the best Iv’e seen them for quite a while, but it was to no avail as Liverpool were just too good for them on this occasion. But well done the boys on both sides, great entertainment.
So how does Jota fit in to all of this? Is Podence going to take his place as a starter?
He’s got to get past Neto first. All good, healthy competition.
I realize that but I’m wondering what the vision is? Are they getting him with a hope that he will start, considering how much he cost? Or are they getting him to be one of 3 left wingers?
It’s getting pretty crowded on that wing (I know they can play elsewhere).
Played predominantly on the right hand side in Greece. But can play on either side or down the middle. As ever with Nuno driven signings, lots of options.
This is now strength in depth we’ve craved all done on Fosun’s terms, Loans and good business.
Everyone fighting for a slot in the starting line up, amazing impact players to come on when we tire teams out.
I believe we will also bring in an out and out striker to seal it all up.
I think with all the games we have to play, all being well, he won’t have to replace anyone. Just step in to spread the load.
Welcome Daniel Podence. Rumour in Spain is that Eden Hazard is now known as the Belgian Podence.
A little off topic but……
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/article-7941997/Toronto-Wolfpack-set-make-giant-leap-elite-Super-League-fare.html
Why don’t one of you retired guys go to the airport and check out the flights in from Portugal?
Ah yes, Daniel Podence. I know all about him ’cause I’ve seen his compilations on YouTube.
He has to be the most annoying player ever for opposition defenders. Incredibly quick feet and acceleration to burn, but probably can’t match Adama for straight line speed.
We are already one of the most fun teams to watch for the neutral and Danny’s arrival will only add more to our jinking, dribbling skills base.
Can’t wait to see him on the pitch and wearing the Old Gold.
”Oh Danny Boy, The Wolves the Wolves are calling”’
From Molineux, the songs sing of his skills.
His speed does rip defenders a new one,
His twists and turns, their underwear doth fill”.
ANON
Just seen a pretty disgusting post on Facebook, a picture of our new signing, standing next to Jeff, and he is wearing a surgical mask.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I will be eternally grateful for every thing Jeff and Fosun have done for our club, and I hope that Jeff’s family, friends and all of Fosun are not affected by the virus currently going the rounds in China.
Jeff Shi moved His family to sunny Wolverhampton 2 years ago.
We all wear masks here, especially when we’re out borrowing other peoples stuff.
I think it was just a funny Clive, no offence meant to Jeff or Fosum,we have to laugh some serious things off, to lighten the load.
Yeah, but I remember the “joke” you made when Jimenez was signed. Something to the effect that you hope he isn’t one of those lazy Mexicans.
I wear a surgical mask every time I go down the A41 past The Hawthorns.
Stu I’m getting worried about you .
Last week you wanted to give Clive the clap now your admitting to being a part time burglar .
Right in both counts M’laud.
Guilty as charged.
Check out the Joao Moutinho interview on the Sky Sports pages. Good stuff.
The boss.
Calming the troubled breast.
https://mobile.twitter.com/stuartalves1/status/1223036125759135744
If Boly had been fit we Certainly would of won both games..