If Daniel Podence needed any reassurance about his long term prospects at Wolves, he should have spoken to Leander Dendoncker.
The Belgian was made to wait for the best part of half a season for his opportunity, but is now considered integral.
And there he was again today, nodding in Pedro Neto’s fine delivery straight after the break to put daylight between his side and a woeful Everton.
Podence, finally in from the start, had already put Wolves in the driving seat with a fine bit of skill to draw the foul that allowed Raul Jimenez to profit.
Prior to that, he’d already stung Jordan Pickford’s fingertips with a rasping drive after breaking through the away side’s backline.
He was at it again in the second half, linking the play, running in behind and generally wreaking havoc until he was eventually withdrawn, safe in the knowledge the Man of the Match champagne was waiting.
Moment of the match though, belonged to Ruben Neves.
The maestro was already enjoying his performance, dominating a non-existent Everton midfield, when he won the ball back in his own defensive third and casually unleashed a raking 50-yard pass for Diogo Jota to finish with aplomb.
Jota, of course, was quick to acknowledge his friend, who moments earlier had played him a similarly excellent through ball only to see it wasted.
But it was all smiles in the sunshine now, with the only disappointment being we didn’t score more.
Traore was the guiltiest party, somehow kissing the top of the bar when Jota squared across goal. He must do better.
We can’t be too greedy though. This was as dominant a performance as we’ve seen for a good while, just when we needed it the most.
Defensively sound, free-flowing through the midfield and with chances created in the final third – there was little to criticise.
If there was a negative, it was Neto going off injured, as he too was incisive and busy, working well with Podence to give the type of rotation and movement we haven’t seen enough of lately.
But that should prove a minor blip in an otherwise splendid afternoon’s work.
Three to go and it’s still all very much to play for.
Wolves finally out of second gear, Podence and Neves were superb.
Approaching the end of the game you could see players cramping up, a sure sign that Wolves had finally gone up a gear.
Wolves always seem to start slowly after a break, perhaps we can look forward to the last three games with more expectation!!!
We now have real competition up front, we’ll the wide areas anyway, I’d really like to get a look at campana .
Podence is a real pest and looks like the kind of guy I would have hated to play against ( back in the day)
Hopefully Neto is ok because he can add so much for the remainder of the season
I know we all got a bit ahead of ourselves with champions league football but the reality is man City won’t get banned
As nuno said keep things in perspective, one game at a time, it’s about the performance
We will win the Europa anyway
I know it
You know it
And everyone else knows it
Come on you wolves
Bostin’!!
Attacking football in the first half!!
A very poor Everton, made to look even poorer by being completely dominated.
Just as no Wolves player could hold their head up last weekend, today everyone can.
A complete, all round stuffing.
Burnley in the week will probably be our stiffest test of the remaining fixtures, coz Chelsea are there for the plucking. and at the time of this post, Villa are winning, which is a sentence not heard too often this season!
Happy days are back, shit eating grin firmly in place.
I can best describe that superb performance by likening it to the response of a talented group of school kids, having just had their collective asses well and truly kicked by a thoroughly displeased headmaster, following abysmal recent performances.
Everything good about headmaster Nuno`s real Wolves was today on display for all to see and appreciate. Solid and organized at the back: imaginative and fluent in midfield: pace, skill and potency up front. But the most important feature of our play was surely the determination, belief and commitment that ran throughout the side. There was no weakness.
The end result was a team playing with absolute confidence, both individually and collectively, who went on to completely dominate and outclass the opposition. We could not ask for more than this
So true Thomas. I was one of many fans questioning Nuno’ s decision to not play DenDonker for some time after his arrival and then boom. He played him when he felt he was ready.
Likewise for Podence. He has just hit the ground running. What a player we have, to add to others we already have.
Loved the game today and I see no reason why we can’t continue … We were brilliant.
Awesome display, yes Everton were poor, but as the saying goes, you can only beat the team you are playing. Nuno spot on team selection and the Pod, what an addition. Focus on our performance and on our day we can outplay and beat any one.
Today was a jolly good day in the office!
Time for a beer in the Marnhull sunshine me thinks.
If Pogba put that ball on greenwood’s chest we would have already seen it 485000 times all over every media outlet by the morning
Just saying loic
One of the oldest football cliches is you can only beat what’s in front of you. And poor as Everton were (good luck Carlos) Wolves thumped them because of how well they played. Midfield domination was the key. Everton never had a look -in. Consequently Calvert-Lewin and and Richarlison were starved of service.
Wolves front three meanwhile were fed delicious passes to feed on and Podence, Neto and Jota, when he came on, gobbled them up.
Podence was as good as many of us hoped, Neto continues to impress and Jota looks to have his mojo back. Neves was back to his best.
So Burnley next, surely a tougher prospect, a win there and the chase could be on.
What a player we have finally found out what Podence can do skill in abundance pace and an eye for goal the last 3 or 4 times i have had 3-0 then i put 1-0 and what happens. All the sites you go on cricise Nuno for no rotation in the squad and i did agree but today he changed things and it worked beautifully.
Hopefully this will shut some of the ridiculous hysterical numpties up on social media. In my book that is now 16 points from the last 8 games. And 12 from the 6 after lockdown. Averaging 2 points per game in the premier league is no mean feat. Six from the last 3 games puts us on 61. So maybe not enough to make the CL. Who knows with this team. Now here’s a thought. We go to Stamford bridge 2 points behind Chelsea. What a final day blockbuster that could be. Today we seemed to have regained a bit of sparkle. Podence was impressive. Nuno made the changes. Gave the players summat to think about. Difficult game at Burnley. But just 3 to go. Let’s win the lot and see where we end up!
Just what the Dr Nuno ordered Wolves, cured again.
Well that worked out as I thought it might, the bad things can’t go on for ever under Nuno. That pass from RN and goal from DJ were worth the three points by themselves.
The only thing is that, in view of my 4-0 forecast, I will be forced to remove Adama from my Christmas card list !! 🙂
Now for Burnley. “We go a game at a time”
COYW
We asked for changes, Nuno delivered.
We asked to see Podence, Nuno provided.
We asked for more effort, it was there for all to see.
We asked questions of Siass, his pass through the middle to Jonny was magnificent, who in turn passed to Podence.
We asked for a change of tictacs and Dog did they split a very, very poor team apart time after time.
We asked more from the team, Neves was unstoppable, some of his passes to Podence will be Worldies when Podence gets used to our style.
Feeling delighted with that performance, on to Burnley which I agree With Happy Wanderer and cheesy, they are our most difficult opponents since the restart.
I just don’t accept Everton were poor….. they were made to look poor by a very rejuvenated Wolves side today.
We were strong and robust in the tackle, recycled possession efficiently and had an incisiveness where it mattered….
OH AND OF COURSE …. WE HAD NEVES……
what an absolute class act, and although there were eye catching contributions from Podence, Boly (imo) and Jimenez … Ruben stood out like a beacon.
We had some opportunities to make it 5 for Clive but hey … I’ll settle for a 3-0 any day and also 12 points (in the PL. !!) from the last 6 games.
So onto Burnley and a different set of challenges….
…. great day for me… all positive..
Fair play to Podence whose game lifted the team and whose inclusion in the starting eleven seemed to motivate others to realise the need to fight for their place. All we need now is for Jimenez ( I know he’s great )to attain the heights his game had before the break with his link play. Neves was immense and we expect that from such a talent, so, for his effect upon our attitude and play,I agree with Podence being man of the match.
Nuno is king piece of cake.
Wolves Aye We
Was it King Henry V during the Battle of Agincourt who said:-
“That’s the way to do it!”.
Or maybe it was Mr Punch when he was hanging the policeman on Weston Super Mare Beach.
Whoever it was certainly hit the nail on the head – or the policeman.
What a refreshingly positive performance by the whole team, with superb efforts from Podence, Neves and Neto.
If I have a criticism it was that Big Willy still looks a bit limp to me, but that’s just nit picking.
Nuno has thrown off the curse of ‘Manager of The Month’ and we’ve got the show back on the road.
And the chap who said that we would lose every match until the end of the season (I can’t remember his name) can donate my £50 winnings to the charity of his choice.
You’ll hear no more crap from him mate…. or the scent of cash….
I was joking.
Thought you would have clicked who it was anyway as eye purposely left so many clues.
You still owe me 50 quid!
How? I never took your cheap bet lol. Besides it were not me it was CTC AKA Chalkie the Cheat .
Although Big WIlly was a bit limp, Jonny was very stiff at the end.
Oh er missus
I have never been so happy to get a prediction wrong all season, a pleasure to watch, hardly any misplaced passes and it showed. Good all round performance. Congrats to Vic Smith on joining the 40s club.
That’s better! Just what the Wolves fan ordered, great performance. It’s all been said above but one thing I took from this game, as well the great stuff above, was that for me it’s Dendoncker over Moutinho in central midfield from now on. Maybe controversial but the brilliant Belgian has height, physical presence and the stamina of a World Champion marathon runner. He pops up all over the pitch, sometimes it seems as if there are two of him on the pitch!
He scores goals as well. Superb Wolves a much improved performance, and one last point I thought Boly was playing himself back to form by just doing the basics and the simple things right. He’s no longer making those runs out of defence we got used to when he played in the left. Maybe he needed to get back to the core of his role, the injury he had was a pretty bad one and he came back in quickish time.
Onwards and upwards, Burnley will be tough, they have a top keeper in Pope, and two fantastic centre backs in Mee and Tarkowski. But note Man City put 5 past them. Up the Wolves!
If anyone managed to scan to the last sentence in my post following the Sheff Utd game, you will know I made a sacrifice to Odin, praying for us to beat Everton.
He answered my plea.
However, I cannot continue to sacrifice my grandchildren, or can I?
“Spare the Rod spoil the child”
It’s for the greater good.
‘However, I cannot continue to sacrifice my grandchildren, or can I?’
Depends. How many you got ?
Just save one for the EL final please…
Where’s the edit facility gone?
Another gem in the locker with young Daniel he like Neto will become household names brilliant signing . When you look at our bench today imagine that 4 years ago.
Nice to see Danny Bath net for Stoke what a servant for the Wolves he was.
Stoke? They are in a lower division are they not? Baath? Oh yeah, Baath, he used to play for us, but plays for Stoke, in a lower division .
Yes mate they are and l could not careless about Stoke but Danny was a great servant for us in our dark days perhaps you didn’t watch Wolves at that time.!!
Lol. Sorry mate I was being sarcastic. I acknowledge that Baath or Batth gave everything for us and I respect that, but I still believed him to be quite crap lol. Alongside Stearman .
No worries Brompton but Baath and Stearman in my view were gold and black thru and thru and gave 100% all the best to you.
There were three bad things today. Neto’s injury, Everton and, of course, the eejut who let those Villa fans in! Did anyone else hear yip dee eye oh or whatever it’s called in the early stages? Presumably Sky got a few complaints as it didn’t last long.
Everton really were the blue and white shite as the other scousers fondly call them but that’s not to deny a dominant performance from the boys. Shame Leicester are winning as I type.
Abracadbra ali kassam I will fulfill your wish and Leicester will lose 4-1
Thanks, Genie. With you and Nuno around, I think that we can start planning trips to Munich and Madrid!
Hope DENKS knackers are ok that must of hurt poor lad took that ball full blast.
A very welcome three points with flashes of the Wolves we know. We can improve on today’s performance and will need to be better in the next three games.
We mustn’t dwell on the two recent defeats which have been hard to take ,
“if only ….”
However there were some disappointing home draws before lock down that are also contributing to the points totals. It was good to see the first XI refreshed today, that sends a message to the squad and the opposition who I suspect on occasions have viewed us as powerful but predictable.
Well done Nuno again, smart management.
Wim all smart on ‘ere as a freshening up has been a unanimous call I think.
Much better performance & Podence is looking like he’s going to be the business, boy is he quick.
Pleased Jota was back on the score sheet, that’s the Diogo I know & love. How Traore missed that goal is another matter, Nuno did not look happy.
3 left so let’s keep it going.
Six out of seven small people are not happy.
And the other one is Daniel Podence.
I don’t think he’s that quick but he has excellent control and great balance. I think that the low centre of gravity helps in that respect. My balance is shite but I’m 6ft 2 and 62!
Whoa. Leicester are in meltdown. Looking forward to seeing their coach’s post-game interview.
Leicester result. Makes the VAR abomination in our 2 games look absolutely definitive. Add in the Anfield atrocity and you can see that we are probably a better team than Leicester.
So the new plan is to cover adamas left arm in axle grease so when they tug it they slip off before dislocating it .. velly clever should have done that ages ago.
Daniel podence take a bow motm certainly… with ruben right behind.
No moutinho and ruben was in his element with the donk and neto running around like nutters while he conducted the orchestra.
Diogo has returned and thats a huge relief.
Adama needs to get some practice in my dog could have put that in and he only has one eye.
Everton were not that bad we were just too good for them.
I dont see Burnley being a problem as long as nuno starts with this side almost everyone was back to there best boly being the exception still needs to watch his distribution but he is class and will be back to his imperias best soon.
for once i am looking forward to going to Burnley
Got a ticket then,Spike? Must be the hottest number in town!
mentally not physically .
My ole Grandad used to say ”you can only play as well as the other team lets you”. So although we enjoyed 90mins of almost total dominance, some might say that the obvious paucity of the opposition allowed us the freedom of the park. However, it works both ways and Everton were 11th in the league prior to the game, so not mugs. Perhaps it was our own teamwork, determination and, at times, devastating levels of skill which overpowered and finally demoralised our opponents.
My ole Grandad also used to say ”a good big ‘un is better than a good little ‘un anytime”. I’m not sure if he would still think that had he seen today’s Daniel Podence show. His diminutive stature allows him to do stuff a big fella just couldn’t do. I imagine the Toffee defenders had to spend an hour untying their legs after the game. OK, I don’t think he’ll be scoring many headers from corners but he’s an absolute delight with the ball and his acceleration over ten yards must be the equal of Adama himself. Add to that his eye for a telling pass and the ability to play one and you have a player who has all he needs to become a firm fan favourite while we are lucky enough to have him grace the hallowed turf.
We all saw the game, so I don’t need to tell you who else played well. They all did.
This win and, more importantly, the performance, will have put real pressure on those above us and I shall return to the TV for the remaining games with renewed enthusiasm.
COYW
That was a joy to watch. There were moments of pure brilliance as well as some of criminal wastefulness.
To keep perspective, how would Everton have been punished by either Manchester team?
It’s still a good feeling but I’m not getting carried away.
Spot on Prawny- we should not carried away by a comprehensive win and , by the same token, some bloggers were panicking over two very narrow defeats, which could easily gone the other way. Expecting more high scoring games in the run in and it’s great that Nuno felt able to introduce DP to such good effect. He knows best when it’s right to introduce someone new and after 57 games even Moutinho needed a rest. Just enjoying the tremendous ride, thanks Nuno
It was nice to see them hit the ground running. Seemed to set the tone for the rest of the match. Glad to see Jota back in form. Thought Clive’s prediction had a real chance (except that Everton couldn’t get a sniff of the goal.) Maybe it’ll hit against Burnley if there’s the same team effort. Well done by all. Onward and upward.
Go Wolves!
Happy Days!!
More than pleased that El Nuno took my prematch advice… well
Sort of
Playing Podence and Neto from the start
Still hoping we will also see MGW back in the mix and at his best ready for Europa triumph
This felt like a Wolves we have missed for a few months
Also delighted Traore’s shoulder holding up… but that needs a long term operation as does his eyesight
Gad.. two
Sitters wasted now
If we bring the same intensity on Wednesday … and Podence starts… I feel optimistic
UTW
Well there you have it.
They say crime don’t pay.
Spineless UEFA governing body.
Actually Stu in this case it was the spineless CAS but your point stands. European CL places are rigged – all to protect the rich in order to sustain their cartel. Unfashionable clubs from footballing provincial cities are NOT invited to the top table.
I wonder how many brown envelopes were passed for this?
It’s just a joke!
But probably true, nevertheless.
I can’t believe you’re actually surprised Stu.
While I’m in the mood for a rant: only in the strange half -light world of MOTD can a mid-table meeting be given top billing . But they had to because their visual fanfare (complete with gurning faces of the usual suspects from North London football history) had been prepared. Same old same old.
They are stuck with us on Wednesday though!
It restores your faith in human nature doesn’t it.
Poor, innocent, put upon Manchester City back in their rightful place at the top table.
This calls for a celebration!
You couldn’t make it up.
Well, you don’t need to.
And here’s me thinking that there was only one ‘Sepp Blatter’…….
Ooooh NO……
Well here’s a thought.
If we can produce the effort we showed on Sunday and win our next two games, give this some thought :-
Chelsea have us and Liverpool to play yet.
Leicester have Sheff Utd and Spurs to play.
So, not all lost at the moment. there’s been some funny old results this weekend and I believe there are more surprises to come over the course of the next 13 days.
it’s the 13th today.
13 more days left of the league.
let’s hope it’s unlucky for someone else other than us.
Onwards and upwards.
Totally agree Stu. With the right results it’s possible. Maybe not likely but I have a feeling it could go our way.
A glorious return to form by Wolves. We stuttered since the re-start and were flattered by winning three game against mediocre opponents. Consequently we were found out. But yesterday blew that all away. Maybe Nuno listened to the fans, for I nearly choked on my cornflakes when I saw Podence and Neto in the starting eleven. Thrilled to see Jota return to form with a vengeance. I thought the one-on-one miss would weigh heavily on him, but the world class combo pass from Neves to Jota for the third goal was sublime. I cannot believe Traore missing that open goal later. Nuno’s reaction said it all. If a £70mil offer comes in for Traore, take it. That money could be well spent by Wolves on 3-4 quality signings as good as Podence and Neto.
No surprises on MOTD. The usual suspects on first. For god’s sake, a 1-1 drawer between mid-table teams gets top billing? Unbelievable! That told me that the Man City ban would be overturned. The powers-that-be want the same old, same old teams up there, season after season. Very cozy. Well, Wolves will do it the hard way. Top four may be beyond us this season, but maybe not next season. Plus our return to form gives us a good shot at qualifying for CL through the Europa League next month.
Don’t take any notice of speculation is my motto, we know from experience that Wolves don’t give free publicity to transfers in or out.
The first team squad needs to be developed and enlarged by quality signings and young upstarts. In my book, another Willy Boly and let Bruno Jordao loose would be the way to go and no one leaves.
Ok then man city have been found guilty of over stating sponsorship and not co -operating with the investigation but appealed because uefa obtained their information from hacked e mails.
Now the appeal court have upheld city’s appeal because of that and the fact that uefa leaked info to the press which meant ( in their opinion) city didn’t get a fair trial in the first place and also reduced the fine to 10 mill instead of 30 mill.
What a total balls up by uefa what a bunch of totally unprofessional over paid tossers that lot are.
These idiots are in charge of our european game they should all be sacked.
This has now opened the door for multi billionaires to chuck loads of wonga at their particular clubs and call it sponsorship therefore making financial fair play a complete joke and also making sure the wealthy stay at the top……fiddle anyone?
Did uefa balls up on purpose ?
Why do these people think all around are blind to what they do? why do they treat everyone with utter contempt ?
Fosun should simply open the floodgates and pour as much money into wwfc as they feel like before european competition becomes unattainable to clubs who play by the rules .
AND F##K UEFA.
If it’s my party, I should be able to invite whomever I want.
I should be able to set the rules. I should be able to ask people to leave if I don’t want them there.
Keeping things in perspective, Everton were pretty poor with a non-existant midfield and a toothless attack but we did what was necessary. Delighted with Podence – he may not be Hoddle’s ‘final piece of the jigsaw’ but he is cetainly one of the missing pieces. His quick feet, acceleration away from challenges and eye for a killer pass are attributes that don’t often come in one package. Looking forward to seeing much more of him in the future. Thought the midfield pairing of Ruben with the Donck worked well and allowed Podence to play much higher up the pitch whilst acccomodating the Donck’s ability to break forward. Now on to Burnley where it is critical not to lose (or they’ll only be 2 points behind us) as they have a couple of easy matches to finish with.
The champions league now have a coefficient payment ( already sounds dodgy I know) plenty could explain this better than me but broadly it’s a share out for clubs who have been involved for the previous 10 years
Teams are ranked on previous participation and awarded accordingly.
Each share is worth 1.1 million So if wolves make it in this will be a nice little extra wedge, that is until you realise that the team with the highest ranking gets……..32 million
This is why Real Madrid received more prize money than Liverpool last year without even winning the thing
Takes ‘closing the shop’ to a whole new level don’t ya think
With these people in charge it s no wonder the super Europe league is trotted out every year or so
Utw
The only consolation Marney is as long as they can keep it working for themselves they are less likely to form their super league thus shutting the door to everyone else forever.
Great result and team performance Pedonce and Neves the stand out player but everyone looked more like there old selves.
City has got off more or less scot free.10,000 euros is peanuts to them reading between the lines UEFA could not get the proof they needed because City would not co-operate.
This was a big test for UEFA and for that matter The Premier League other clubs are going to look at this and think well if City can get away with it why car’nt we and I must say I don’t blame them.
So if they were not guilty, why still a fine?
Kinda like the diving question.
If its not a foul, then the diver should be booked, or in the case of little jack, sent to the trauma ward for gunshot wound!!
Just want to wish Fulham all the best at the Poorthorns tomorrow tea time. And hope Ivan Cavaleiro grabs a hat trick in a 3-0 win.
Nice one Southampton. I couldn’t see Manure dropping another point all season.
If they and Leicester lose two more and we win our last three we are in CL. Simples lol.
Doesn’t seem like too much to ask!!
Happy Black Country Day