Where do you begin?
My first thought is we looked physically weak.
There was no muscle in the midfield and it was way too easy for West Ham to break through.
At Sheff Utd we were much more robust with Dendoncker and Marcal in the side.
Neves – for all his great qualities – and particularly Vinagre, don’t give us that presence.
I don’t mind losing some beef if we’re gaining elsewhere but we didn’t even look any sharper going forward.
Without Podence, our attacks were limited to Neto and Traore running incredibly fast with their heads down towards the corner flag.
West Ham coped with ease if we’re honest.
Those two occasionally opened doors but on the rare occasion the ball was put in the box Raul was surrounded by four or five claret shirts.
I’m up for having more possession and imposing our game on the opposition but I’m just not sure we’ve got the players to do it?
Every time we come up against a team prepared to drop off and defend in numbers, we routinely fail.
More worryingly, when West Ham got forward, we had no answer for Antonio or Bowen.
Every ball forward looked like it had the potential to cause us pain. It could easily have been five or six.
Rui Patricio was the only player to emerge with credit in what is probably the worst performance of the Nuno era.
Maybe Semedo too if you’re feeling generous, albeit in a defensive performance from the team we’d all rather forget.
Nuno said afterwards we have to find the solutions from within the squad and not the transfer market. Despite this bleak outing, I still think that’s possible.
There were games early on last season when we had to swallow some defeats while he found the right balance in the side, and he’s got to do the same again here.
For me that means bringing the Donk back into midfield, at least in the short term, even if that means reverting to the conventional 352 and losign some attacking impetus.
And Vinagre was that bad at times tonight he may even consider playing Semedo down the left if Marcal isn’t fit and bringing Hoever in down the right.
Whoever plays though, the defending just has to be better.
The hallmark of a Wolves performance in recent years has been playing their way in and waiting for a moment.
Tonight we never gave ourselves a chance to see what West Ham were made of because we surrendered our own moments.
It’s still just a blip at this stage, but a worrying one nonetheless.
Not in the least worried. I have trust in Nuno.
Besides, how bad can it get?
I always get frustrated with short memories. Saiss was man of the match vs Sheff Utd with Marcal in front of him. Silly bookings apart he was generally solid when Jonny played. Unfortunately Vinagre hasn’t improved enough defensively in the 3 years he’s been here. I’m not sure Saiss is the problem. The entire defensive unit has to do better than the last two games and let’s hope they can turn Coady’s words into action. Reluctantly I’m coming to the conclusion that the Moutinho Neves partnership in a 343 is past its sell by date. Moutinho is always neat and tidy but doesn’t offer physicality, box to box running or hurt opponents defences with incisive passing. He’s had a fantastic career and was exactly what we needed 2 years ago but now I’m not so sure. Maybe better utilised in managing games last 20 when we are ahead. I agree with Thomas that Donk offers something different as well as physical presence. He may free Neves up as well. Up front Adama needs to add more variety. Just trying to outrun the fullback down the outside and slinging it across is too predictable. We routinely dominated possession in the championship against packed defences but more often than not found a way through – we’re definitely suffering growing pains at the moment. Over to Nuno and his coaching staff to find the right solutions and touching wood they find them quickly.
I must admit to turning it off at half-time because in all honesty I could not see us getting anything from the game. I relented and started to watch the second half but seeing there was no real improvement, I turned it off again. I have NEVER done that before and felt bad doing it but could not watch my team playing so badly. I do not know if Nuno faced the camera’s or not but I hope he does not get too much stick from the fans. Bad day at the office for all concerned. Rant over.
Part timer, Mildenhall. You should have sat and suffered like the rest of us!
Although I watched to the end, I can understand why you turned it off.
A bang on review Thomas. However I’m not worried yet as we’ve been here before- this time last year. We will get better. Have faith.
Draws against Burnley and Man U and an odd goal defeat at Goodison are hardly in the same league as our last two performances which, worryingly, have seen our defensive solidity disappear. Podence’s running between the lines was greatly missed.
When it develops into a pattern, that’s the time to worry. 3 games in and integrating new players into a rigid structure plus some injuries is not that time.
Nuno’s evolution is going to be painfull. His has decided the blueprint we have used for the last 3 seasons is holding us back my worry is he is throwing the baby out with the bath water.
Do we have the players for such a change these players apart from the new arrivals have been indocktinated in the old system of soak up pressure and then counter attack. Now they are being asked to do the opersite which is resulting in performances like tonight against City and Stoke.
It was very tell to her Nuno say on match of the Day that the answer is not in the transfer market without being asked that question. That say to me there will be no new arrivals unless there loans which is frustrating because the business we have done so far the squad in real terms is no bigger or stronger we have paid a record transfer for a player that looks like he will be given at best half an hour her and there when we needed ready made first team players.
And I know it will take the new signing time to settle in but the problem is the whole squad are trying to settle in with the new system.
I’m going to say it because it’s true ” if it’s not broken don’t fix it ” and with this new evolution and the last three performances I cannot help but think the same because it appear to me the players are struggling to adapt either that or they cannot.
I think Jeff watched the great football of Valencia and thought “If Lopetegui were our coach, we could be playing like that”.
And so he said to Nuno “What will it take to get us playing like that?”.
So now Nuno is trying to figure out something that he doesn’t know – how to play possession-based football. The players have been selected with the idea of how they will fit into the older counter-attacking style and now they have to assimilate a new style.
So how do you pass the ball around when you are controlling the ball in the other team’s end all of the time in order to open up their defense? Sure they did it previously but probably not as the primary way of scoring and oftentimes, they didn’t seem to be very good at it.
Does Neves know how to pass to a forward when he is 10 feet from the box or is he better at long passes that the forward can run onto? Is Vitinha or Shabani more suited to that role and are they good enough right now to do it?
I’m sure they will work it out – wouldn’t be surprised if they bring in a different offense coach, though.
Where do I start.
Definitely the worst showing for some considerable time. Defence was all over the place and for me Boly played his best games on the left so I would play him there and put Saiss on the naughty step. I would play Hoever as RB.
Time will tell. We need to gel again. We will get there.
I agree. Boly looks a colossus when played on the left side. When played on the right side he looks woeful.
But he`s only playing there because of Nuno`s desire to accommodate a very poor defender in Saiss. Are we back to Mick`s square pegs in round holes philosophy !!
Is Ryan Bennett still at the club ? If yes why not play him on the right and allow Boly to return to his correct station. That solution worked very well for a long time.
Bennett has few frills. But he is solid, and unlike Saiss makes few errors.
His priority is to do what a central defender is suppose to do. He defends. And boy do we need that capability right now.
Just a thought
Agree!
Apparently all the west ham players tested positive after the game,
All the wolves players tested negative
.
Will comment when I can bring myself to watch the thing again , without lots of alcohol this time .
Utw
Don’t do it!
Positives – Semedo looks quality
Negatives -too many to mention
Will not say a lot except we have had bad games before and always come back much better (trying not to moan Brompton)
Would point out the first goal, have watched a lot of games since lockdown and have never seen a free kick taken when the ball is moving and yards from the actual spot (except when the team is passing back)
Top 6 conspiracy theorists would have a field day about that and do not get them started on the new handball law which has made the game a joke
Back to basics Mr Nuno, until, like the author of our blog stated ‘we have the personnel’ for your new style, whatever that is to be, of football.
‘If it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ springs to mind, but that I feel is being too simplistic. Across the pitch we looked second best, lethargic at times, devoid of ideas and that so called ‘killer pass’. The latter, however, was also missing on several occasions when Podence made many intelligent moves forward,during the City game.
If your midfield is not functioning creatively, and ours atm is not, then it needs some backbone in there. Great, good and indifferent teams benefit from midfield physicality, ours is no different.
In Dendonker, we have as close a player to the likes of Yaya, Keane and Viera than most teams in the PL have. Whilst I’m not saying he’s in their league atm, he certainly ticks the boxes for me when it comes to the midfield requirements of the PL. Certain games need his work rate, steel, box to box running with the possibility of a goal now and then.
At times I feel we think we are invincible., the 2nd half against City plus the first at Sheffield showed what we are capable of. On the other hand, the rest of this seasons play to date, show us what we are also capable of.
The solution? I don’t know, but for this game, away from home, with a fairly new back 5, I’d have wanted more protection for Vinagre and the ex Barca bloke. The Donk would have helped, and maybe Traore free to roam behind/wide of Raul.
Age cannot be held back and Moutinho, great as he is, clearly has missed a proper break from football. This worries me, his form since lockdown hasn’t warranted a start.
The problem is however, who plays if he doesn’t? Surely, if we think the Dutch man is good enough, he plays RCB, Boly plays in his best LCB position, and maybe, just maybe when teams are a more physical threat, Saiss, Donk and Neves occupy the middle. These 3 would free up Neves to be slightly further forward with Saiss as the back 3 protector and Donk as your work horse so to speak.
All that said, last season didn’t start brilliantly if I remember., 7 games before a win and the Chelsea result. All that aside, last night was truly poor, good teams learn from mistakes. Man City losing yesterday will learn from theirs, with the possible addition of Mr Dias. Not too late Mr Shi to sabotage the deal… now that would be a coup.
Can we please stop the short corner “routine” where we never get a ball into the box, let alone look like scoring?
Only listened to the game on WM, but even with that, limited as it was, this was a complete surrender by a very poor Wolves side.
Nuno says there are solutions inside the squad, I’m sure there must be, because we cannot overnight, almost, become this bad.
It should have been 6 or 7 nil, Patricio saved us , Fornals missed a sitter. We need more muscle that’s quite obvious, I’d be looking to Dendoncker to fill the right sided central defender role, Saiss has to move out from defence, Boly is better on the left. Another left wing back has to come in for Vinagre because it seems he’s just not good enough for this level yet.
Sanderson, Hoever, maybe Marcal will be fit? I hope so because it seems the brilliant Hammers exploited our left side time and time again.
The midfield two didn’t seem to be in it, surely we need 3 in there for now because we are being overrun in that area which means our biggest asset gets scraps to feed off. Jiminez, I don’t think , got a shot out all game.
No that’s a big wake up call for us, 3 defeats don’t lie. I believe we have the talent and the wherewithal to over come this trough, but Nuno needs to respond by changing personnel in defence and midfield.
Offensively we have the talent to win any game, but with the glaring weaknesses in defence and midfield that just isn’t going to happen. Teams have sussed out our Achilles heel, I am hoping for a big upturn in performance from us from now on in.
Let’s get back to our swashbuckling best, and though it’s hard after such a thorough drubbing, I believe we do have the talent to turn our season around before we get stuck in a downward spiral.
Up the Wolves.
Just one quibble with your appraisal. You say the Vinagre is not good enough ” YET ” Remove the ‘ Yet ‘.
The guy has now been here three years, and during that time seems to have gone backwards at a steady rate of knots. This is probably as good as he is ever going to be, and that is nowhere near the standard that we now require. Unfortunately, at very best, he is no more than a Championship defender.
Watching Vinegre play makes your realize just how good is Jonny, and how much he is missed.
Yes, sort of agreed, But V does have potential, no comparison though, Jonny is probably world class, very physical, quick, skilful & intelligent
I’m a big fan of Jonny, but world class? That’s a bit of an overused label and, to my mind, to be world class you’d have to be in an imaginary world squad at a world cup. That would leave room for probably two left backs/ wing backs. As Jonny doesn’t even get in the Spain squad (apart from the one occasion) it’s a little difficult to see him making it in my opinion.
Yep, agree I suppose, but can’t remember a better left back for Wolves in the last 40 years, cheers
Definitely agree on that.
A very good performance from West Ham and I give them credit for that. Some comments from the blog prior to the game were verging on arrogant – something we have been quick to criticise from so called ‘big 6’ fans? We should stay humble atm. Definitely a need for the Donk in midfield whilst we have lightweight WBs and in the absence of Jonny/Donk and Marcal we were asking boys to do a mans job. No disrespect to Silva and Vitinha but they do not have the experience to change a PL game which is going against you. Clearly missing Marcal and Podence yesterday and hope they’re fit for Fulham. Case could be made for Willy at LCB, the Donk at RCB, Saiss in midfield where he was very effective in the Champ? Mitrovic will be rubbing his hands at the prospect of facing Conor again- this contest will decide the game imo.
I certainly include myself in the ‘arrogant’ attitude category and as a result feel pretty stupid this morning.
I predicted a 3- 0 victory, biggest score difference I have ever predicted. Despite being aware that West Ham had shown very positive signs against Arsenal and knowing we just don’t do big scores.
Also ignoring the performance of a strong Wolves side against Stoke and the first half against Citeh.
Caught up in the Semedo hype I hadn’t seen what Moyes had.
Well played West Ham for the last two years your team has had much better players than your results had shown.
Just wish I had concluded all this before the game and avoided the advanced contribution to my future ulcer.
I think we all feel pretty stupid. Not humble enough.
Looks to me like we’ve started to believe our own publicity and thought we only had to walk onto the pitch to gain the three points. Wham had different ideas of course, as opposition teams tend to do, and our powder puff efforts to get back into it never looked likely to succeed.
I can understand if Nuno wants to change our system and way of playing, but do we have the personnel for such a change. Maybe it’s just a matter of time and getting fully up to speed with different requirements, but maybe some of our guys just ain’t cut out to play the way they are now required to do. It’s fine margins, the difference between winning and losing and tonight we were firmly on the wrong side of that line. A four nil defeat and your keeper is MOTM says it all.
Massive credit to Pedro Neto who gave his all and then some for the cause.
A west ham fan here, enjoyed the game obviously as we needed to get points on the board, and enjoyed reading the wolves comments thought they were mostly honest and constructive as it could have been a cricket score. But to add some positive criticism to most of the posts, you are right when you say your wingers work hard but lack the finishing when they get crosses in and that you were missing key players, but since your prem return your football has been a revelation, and you can beat anyone on your day but after 2 seasons back you have been found out, you don’t change the style enough you rely on the same tactics and i predicted a win for you in june and the way you played, but you tried it again, managers have sussed your style. you will not have a good season if you dont change it.
Thanks for your post. I tend to disagree with your main point though. We appear to have already changed our style of play and you gave us a slap. Maybe we should stay with our old counter attack style? Hmmm. Interesting.
Just watch express and star video and agree with Nathan squad is weaker and lighter than last season.
The recruitment so far has concentrated on the squad instead of the starting eleven.
I’ve blogged this before it’s good looking to the future but you have to take care of the here and now for there to be a future.
The first team still needs strength ins Matinhio hasn’t played well for a good while now he’s 34 he played 50 odd games last season looks knackered.
Neves is playing far to deep having to go back to get the ball look a shadow of the player he was.
Rail is on his own……..it’s well I could go on but if our business is done in this window then Nuno is going to have his work cut out to get this team squad back to were it was he really is.
So – My only concern would be Nuno not seeing against Man City that Neves and Moutinho in this prem cannot cut it together. Donk/neves or donk/mutiniho works because Dont can battle. Look at the average size of our middle – There is no one able to win balls without Donk. THere is no battle – Yes they have quality on the ball but if they cannot get or hold the ball the quality is out the window.
This happened last season, Was is Chelski that put 5 past us. We move on but we need 9points out of 9 with the next fixtures.
A perfect summation of the game Thomas.
This was one of the worst Wolves performances I’ve witnessed for some time. And I’ve witnessed some real doozies over the years.
It’s the moment when archetypal football fans revert to their Corporal Jones (of Dad’s Army fame) impressions.
They go from the super confident – some may say arrogant:-
“They don’t like it up ’em!” mode.
To the running round like headless chickens and shouting:-
“We’ve just lost 4-0, we’ve just lost 4-0! Don’t panic Mr Nuno, don’t panic!!!” version.
Nuno’s new possession based football which is replacing the speedy counter attacking style that has been so successful over the last couple of seasons saw us enjoy 63% possession…
And we got consistently caught and punished by speedy counter attacks by the opposition.
Hmmm!
Worse still, we were ponderous, disjointed, defensively porous, lacking creativity, and outmuscled by a skilful and committed West Ham.
A bit of a worry that Rui Patricio has been our outstanding player this season.
Yesterday, only he, and to a much lesser extent Neto, came out with any credit.
I can only hope that Nuno’s new style of play needs some bedding in, and will eventually bear fruit.
He’s done pretty well so far, so I’m not panicking yet.
…Not too much anyway.
I think it was a mistake to try to change the playing style without a proper pre season .Before the great championship season Nuno couched them in that style in Austria and after that to within an inch of their lives and it paid off big time .
With literally no pre season there is little chance of getting them to successfully play a possession based style with several new players as well as established players playing differently .
To me he must go back to three in midfield to settle us down ,switch Boly back to left back and play Hoever at right back .
I am anyway thinking this is a transition season so mid table is realistic .
Mind you you I wonder if this change is really needed .After all look at Leicester who have continued with their very low possession style with great results .
Fulham game now very significant .
If it’s not broken springs to mind. I haven’t a problem with Nuno changing the system it’s just the size or the way he’s trying to change it. It’s to big a change at this point like you say no pre: season to bed the system in.
I think this change or evolution could of waited another year what with Covid and such.
The dianamic of the team has change key personnel have left and the replacements haven’t had time to bed in neither have the rest of the squad.
Hopefully next season there will be a pre: season that’ the time to change tak give the new recruits time to get to know the new system along with the whole squad on the training ground not the start of a season.
Unlike the defeat to City where there were at least some positives to be taken from it, last night was shockingly poor. I was quick to defend Saiss (despite his aberration for the penalty) v City but he was directly responsible for 2, and possibly 3, of the goals last night.
As others have said, perhaps this is not a good time to be changing both personnel and system, but the reality is that since returning from lockdown we have looked fairly poor even when winning (e.g. v Everton, Sheff Utd) so something needs to change. Oh for the swashbuckling Wolves we saw on our first season back…
The swashbuckling Neves, he missed a good chance v City & again last night. He’s not himself at the moment, certainly not the player he can be and was. We need him to dominate the game once more & indeed hit the back of the bloody net again. He’s doing too much defending & shadow chasing for me. It’s painful to watch us play at times because we don’t seem to take the game to the opposition like we used to. It’s sit back, although the much feted change of style has been mentioned I’ve yet to see it. More muscle, more aggression and never say die attitude now required in all games. Nuno needs to find his best 11, starting at the back he’s got to get us more solid and aggressive, hearing the commentary last night every time Antonio had it a goal was on the cards. There should have been two men on him, this will be a real test. How we reverse the early season setbacks. It’s going to take some bloody good coaching and selection to get this one right. Then normal service will be resumed.
Our old style of play was like Man City and Liverpool, our possession was definitely lacking finesse and our style of play had one difference from the other two, speed.
Liverpool and City when they are firing well pass the ball with accuracy and speed, as opposed to our mis placed slow lethargic and telegraphic efforts.
I’m 100% behind Nuno if he’s changing the game, I for one am bored with pass to Coady who slots it out to Boly or Saiss who in turn pass it back to Coady to repeat, repeat, repeat the same stuff. Possession will help, but move the feckin ball faster and with more accuracy. We had Neto through on goal on occasions yesterday, only to see Jimmy and Traore put it behind him.
On to yesterday, it was a team who are in transitional mode and looked bored, yes we went 1-0 down but it was a well taken free kick
Ike Moutinho took a couple of seasons ago that set Cavalerio through for a sweet finish.we should be able to ride above going 1-0 down and dig in.
In answer to the West Ham guy, yes we / I was bullish, but you certainly gave us a bloody nose then rubbed our noses back in it, so well done you guys. I will never whinge at getting beat by the better team, which to be fair, yesterday you were by a mile.
On to Fulham, if we go there with the attitude these games are our Pre-season bedding in it won’t be so painful.
We feel no worse than Sheff Utd, Spurs, or Man City fans this morning. On that point, Man City in the 2nd half against us and the whole game against Leicester looked absolutely shot.
Chin up bloggers, we were beaten by the better team on the day, we will get better. To be fair, you guys got off lightly, I predicted 6-1.
Bugger, i forgot.
Semedo is useful, i love his footwork and ball control and he makes the runs and cuts inside well, perhaps not the best day to choose to show his skills but I see a huge potential in him. Why the boss would take off the best player on the pitch (mu opinion) I do not know.
I listened to the Wolves TV sound commentary and it was at times frightening. Time and again the matter of fact reporting that a Wolves player had the ball somewhere down towards the WHU end – matter of fact because clearly they represented no threat – was followed two seconds later by a WHU forward in our penalty area with a real chance. It happened time and again and the speed of transition showed how little opposition WHU faced. This contrasted with our players seemingly being surrounded by claret and blue every time they were near the ball. Ah well, onwards and upwards as they say.
It was noticeable Jazz, that when we attacked we seemed to be two, sometimes three against six defenders. When they attacked, they seemed to be up against, and often outnumber, our back three. Sure, none of our back three played well, but they had virtually no protection from the rest of the team and, as we know, defending is a whole team responsibility. From the front to the back.
I agree with Thomas and Wolf, at times it seemed like WH had more players on the pitch. Neto ran his socks off but mostly down crowded cul de sacs and lost the ball. Traore was one dimensional because defenders doubled up and showed him the corner flag. He is very slow to realise when there is a space behind the defender which he could attack either with the ball or as a running target for Neves. Why does he wait for a queue to form before starting his runs? I know that’s a bit McCarthyist but when the midfield is so crowded it’s a chip and chase and we’re suddenly going forward. Another issue which that creates is the lack of bodies in the box last night. Jimenez was being mugged by three conker trees, just think how many goals were poached by Doc and last year because the cross went past Raul. Now that they’ve gone, their replacements need to replace them in the box. So where is our goal threat going forward?
All very valid comments by some realistic supporters. Always a pleasure to read.
As stated in my prediction, I do believe that our best plan is starting with a 3-5-2 formation, containing (and tiring) the opposition before switching to 3-4-3 on the hour. That gives Traore, Jimenez and Other the opportunity to blitz a tired defence. Traore against fresh backline seems a lot less effective. There were also many times in this game (and others)when an open pass was on, yet he seems to want to take the whole world on.
Jimenez was nowhere near his usual standard, albeit service to him was terrible. I am just worried that both him and Traore have had their heads turned, as the saying goes. Yesterday both of them as well as Neto tried too many times to dribble through a defence instead of passing.
But we live to fight another day. Luckily my age allows me to forget very quickly. So onwards and upwards.
Thanks for the write-up, Thomas! Totally agree.
I know some on here were dismissive of the Carabao Cup but I can’t help thinking that a decent run in that would have given Wolves some competitive games to get going again. Anyway, they have the best part of a week to regroup and go again.
The lack of midfield muscle is a concern is a definite concern. Dendoncker might be the answer in the short term but he does seem to go missing in some games. I couldn’t help thinking that the likes of Alfred N’Diaye might have done a job for us yesterday. I say ‘likes’ because his career has taken a downward trajectory and he is presently in Saudi Arabia.
I am coming around to thinking that moving Saiss into midfield might give us a bit more steel there.
Or …. moving Saiss to the sell shelf is even better.
Possibly in the next transfer window or so, Steve. I reckon we need him for the present – but that’s just my opinion.
This team is crying out for a box to box player who can break up attacks and then set in motion our attack.That is why l thought the clubs interest in AMN highlighted this issue.Doucure was another type.
We are too predictable in our play,especially from the back.After spreading the ball across the back line Coady will play that long ball looking for traore.If we as fans know our game plan,then opposition coaches adequately qualified can easily tactically attack this approach.
We don’t have that physical presence in midfield so Jimenez is forced to play deeper and our threat is always going to come from the wings.There is no drive direct from midfield as an option.
Optimistically,only when all the subs were on did we actually play on the front foot,taking the game to West Ham,unfortunately the game was up,but it was an improvement to the back and sideways passing.
I agree with Nuno that the solution is within the squad but if we want to improve on 7th place we need that player in midfield.
Now to piss off the faithful.
Much has been said about how crap we were, lack of pace and bite in midfield, no service to Jiminez, blah, blah, blah.
No one has mentioned Mr. Undroppable, Coady.
Years ago we had a myopic manager who had Ward’s name pre printed on every team sheet, and now it seems Coady’s is too.
The commentators wax lyrical about him playing every minute of every league game under Dr. Nuno, and yesterday it really showed.
Yes, he is Mr. Devoted to the cause, Captain Connor, a great leader, but he needs a rest.
His lack of pace was cruelly exposed by, lets face it, an average team, and dog help us when we face a good side.
Every player needs to fight for his place or complacency sets in, and the word indispensable gets stuck in their minds.
And, lest we forget, we are still playing with the same basic defense from the second division.
Our sideways/backwards style of play is boringly reminiscent of Henry the crab, and the best qualities of our forwards are not being utilized.
Get into the box and let the opposition try to stop you.
We will score more or get some penalty decisions that way.
Every other team does it, so let’s join the party!
We need pace and bite in midfield, and perhaps as suggested above, Donk and Saiss, who really is a defensive liability, can be the answer.
Neves is a poor shadow of what he can be, Moutinho looks knackered, and Wily is lost at right back.
Ever the optimist, I have faith in Dr. N, but keep playing like this and we will be talking about the R word.
I thought the best player on the pitch was Antonio and I recall that towards the end of last season at least one blogger suggested that we should go for him.
Posted in the wrong place!
See Stu’s comments above.
Clive he was left horribly exposed yesterday. He’s not the most gifted player we have but he’s still well worth his place.
Nuno is so complacent about us playing poorly during first halfs, that he didn’t even think to make an early adjustment/substitution. That speaks volumes (Did you read that Jeff?)
When the whole team plays this poorly, then maybe it is the coach’s fault.
I don’t even understand why we have changed the system……could some one tell me was the old system so bad….?
We are trying to evolve into something we are not not with these players we have been died in the wool of the old system.
It should be a gradual process not a complete u turn with chance to get the players used to the new system. That way you find out who can change and who cannot on the evidence so far non of the players are showing they can change to the new system judging my the performances so far.
Why is Nuno so concerned about possession West Ham certainly weren’t they were more concerned about getting goals and winning.
You can’t play counter-attacking football against a team that does not attack.
What’s all this stuff about changing the system. We haven’t! Nuno may have said that he’d like to play more of a possession based game but that has yet to develop. We always did have more possession against the likes of West Ham and Sheff Utd.
How much possession you have is usually dictated by the quality of the opposition’s midfield, so when we play the better teams the possession statistics will go back down unless we put an extra body in the middle and go for 2 up front.
Well said that man!
Good summary Thomas and in the main agree with most posters. I too was arrogant, predicting 3 nil, happy hunting ground blah, blah. Need a sense of reality and be humble… There are no real bad teams in the Perm just a divide with the have’s and the like to have’s. If memory recalls the same comments were said last year, we draw 3, lost to Chelski and Everton, but over the season we prevailed. Not too down, we’ve been around a long time and have a squad and manager who will recognise that it was not good enough.
I do agree with the guys who said we need to be more pacy and need a box to box player.
Keep the faith, long way to go.
Totally agree, young Tom. I wrote more or less a similar view in the previous blog. We have to start with Dendonker in a five man midfield; it’s common sense. We can always change to a more attacking option if play warrants it. The incredible loss of creativity is mostly down to the central two being outnumbered and overrun at times, always on the backfoot. Boly has looked so uncomfortable on the right side during the first three games and during the first half the number of breakthroughs that came through his area were alarming. This is not all his fault as much of this was in the area that Dendonker covers. Neves being moved slightly across similarly would aid Saiss and Vinagre who are being outnumbered at times. The Hammers defended as we have done in the past and filled the holes similarly to how we do in our 3-5-2 formation. Early days to be panicking but Nuno must see what’s happening and will come up with the right solution. We do need another goal scorer as if Jimenez get’s injured I cannot see another leader of the line. With Marcal and Podence back we will be much, much stronger…
My judgement for what it’s worth, is selling Jota and Doherty I think has affected the mentality of the team.
I know people are going to say if a player wants to leave he can go etc etc, but to me especially Jota should not of have been sold, he has more class than the current lot, to me a big mistake selling.
Anyway onto the game, from what I can see the midfield is way to weak, I agree Donk should be in there all the time. Is Boly the same player since that injury I don’t think so, but time will tell I guess. I think Neto is a star in the making but he just hasnt got the goals in him at the moment, saying that he can create a lot of problems for the opposing team.
Do I think we are any stronger after selling Jota and Doherty and with our new signing?At the moment I think we are definalty weaker.
Lets hope Nuno gets his act together as well as all the players and this is just a blip.
Admittedly I can see some signs that things are not quite right in the camp, hope I’m wrong and we’ll beat Fulham next, lose that game and they’ll be more than a few raised eyebrows.
All I can say is onward and hopefully upward, In Nuno I trust, but he should be knocking on Jeff’s door for at least another 3 players, box to box attack minded midfielder, another CB and striker.
Gree Shred,
Our recruitment has not bee concentrated on the first team but the squad. Our record signing it seems will be a bit part player as will the other lad from Porto who plays in midfield they are seen as ones for the future but we need first team ready players now.
£39 million pound is a luxury to spend on a player who is not seen as a regular starter for a couple of seasons and will be warming the bench most of this season. If Raul gets injured or God for bid sold is this young lad able to step up too the plate.
I have to say this window has been frustrating and if I’m honest disappointing if we don’t get any one else in like you say a box to box midfielder.
Mentally I agree, Jota, Doherty strong characters as well as excellent players, is there now a belief in the squad that Neves, jiminez, Traore are next? Saying that Nuno is a great manager and we still have tremendous talent, more physicality needed! Come on you wolves, whatever these are amazing times!
Agree completely with your first comment Shready. The sale of Matt Doherty still seems odd to me. Such a good player at such an ordinary price and with Mr Mendes being the agent of everyone involved? Yes, very odd.
Agree about the sale of Diogo too, although he’d been below par for a good while. I think, like you, that the sale fo those 2 regulars, along with the decision to change our approach from a counter-attacking, reactive team to a front-foot, up and at ’em, attacking team has amounted to too much too soon and taken our players out of their comfort zone with catastrophic results..
If the Fulham game isn’t a must win game now, then it’s certainly a mustn’t lose one I reckon!
One thing that’s jumping out at me from the weekend is that, Man City have put Alexander Zinchenko on the transfer market.
I hope and pray Nuno has his wish now, I’m certain Zinchenko would rather play LWB for Wolves than sit on some bench in Italy or Spain.
Please Dog let this happen, to me this guy is classy.
Also as hard as nails.
Seem to recall Zinchenko turning us down a couple of seasons ago
He’s hard yes but has been drilled to complete the short pass successfully not the riskier killer through ball
Yesterday felt like we were up
Against 12 men and that is a shock … I too expected a run out 3-0 and am eating my h pie this morning
I Don’t agree that squad is weaker although Fab clearly needs time to grow
It’s a puzzle that may need a half season to solve
I know 12 points from first six games remains possible but would be ok with 8 right now
Meantime persuading Zinchenko to come would do no harm … but I don’t think it’s the killer signing
Semedo and Marcal however do look very classy
OODCL
and he can replace Saiss.
In his defence Marin, he chose to stay at City to fight for his place, the rest is history.
My opinion is he would slot straight into LWB which is clearly not Vinagre s forte.
He takes folk on just like Doherty did and does get a few goals, certainly not the killer signing but, certainly a replacement for Jonny, maybe even an alternative. (I like Jonny).
You seem to have written off Marcal already, Stu.
Not at all, the more fighting for places the better from what I can see.
Jonny has proved he’s more than capable of playing left or right, so Zinchenko would be a winner.
Zinchenko not for me Stu
Doherty was the better option
Scored goals, helped Boly out and did his defensive work well
Think his work rate was underrated
Let the dust settle and let’s have a look at what was going on this weekend. Citeh dismantled 5-2 at home by Leicester. Chelsea 3-0 down at Sandwell Town after 25 minutes. Manure desperately lucky to beat Brighton. Spurs couldn’t beat Newcastle at home. They usually say 10 games is the mark for the table to settle down. Think I would probably take 15/16 points from 10 so let’s see what happens. 13 points from the next 7 is not an impossible ask. Keep the faith . The Wolf is licking its wounds and is never more dangerous.
Has there ever been a team with more ridiculous hair than Vile? We all know Greasy doe we. But come on. Mings. That bloke at right back. Watkins. There has obviously been a discretion of the Covid rules. They should be immediately docked 15 points and send Greasy on a ‘how to observe covid 19 risk assessment ‘ recommendations. He could tour around Sandwell Town advising the population of how to stay safe.
LOL- on a serious note, Villa have beaten Fulham 3 nil with 35% possession. Having perfected our counter attack style, which others are now copying, Dr Nuno wishes to progress to a more expansive method. A roller coaster season awaits.
That is a very good point. Nuno needs to evolve slowly. We built our reputation on the counter attack. Drawing teams in . Breaking the play down. Lightning quick breaks. Some wise comments around on social media today. For example. Do we have the personnel to dominate possession. It is a very good observation. We don’t do possession. Evolution is normally an elongated process. It doesn’t happen overnight. We need to be patient and trust Nuno. Like we have for the last 3 years.
Were west ham that good or were we just that bad.
I think its the latter.
Having read a lot of comments from just about everywhere watched leicester thrash man city and the baggies score three against chelsea I’m convinced it was one of those weekends where nothing seems to make sense.
Nuno is going to change the way we play out of all recognition and it wont happen in a few games it will take months so expect a lot more grief before the worm turns .
Yes we needed a pre season but it seems that this is our pre season and its the same for everyone hence the wild results but it will settle and the cream will rise to the top it always does.
For me nuno will get it right and the players will adapt but which players that will be is up in the air at the moment.
It hurts to see your side get slammed like that but hopefully it just speeds up the transition .
keep the faith and trust in nuno we are still going to the promised land…..eventually !
Last night I was as depressed as I was after we blew a two goal lead against Watford in the cup semi final. But all the (mostly) positively on this Blog has restored my faith. Nuno will pull it off – given time.
Compliments of Scooped.
https://mobile.twitter.com/ifcaiden/status/1310354339022675968?s=12
Well clipperty had faith in him
Well pleased for Diogo. Never will we forget his contribution in the rise from Championship fodder to Premier League contenders. I will always welcome him back to Molineux.
Diogo scored for ‘pool tonight.
Just saying.
My villa fan mate just texted me “mind the gap ”
He lives in Wolverhampton so if I give out his address will a few of you ‘visit’ him for me.
Good goal by Jota…….outside the box I think we’ve dropped a bollock there…IMO.
I know it was Liverpool but did we even try to keep him, I don’t think we did he’s only going to get even better.
Oh well that’s life as Ester Ranson used to say….!
as I understood it, reports said that Nuno had decided to move Jota on before the end of last season. Assuming he thought Net and Podence were enough, and Traore of course !
Judging by there performances so far……he is wrong…!
Well, of course Podence didn’t play on Sunday, but anyway, the Hammers were all over us and Nuno’s tactics were all wrong. They were bigger and faster than us and there seemed to be more of them ! Then again the ref did help them to get going with the free kick; too quick and wrong place. Boo hoo !
We may do better against Fulham, but that won’t prove much.
Just watched the mini match version.
Yep , we were still crap .
Positives though
Semedo is going to great .
The woman beat Solihull 8-1 and the away kit looks really good on the girls.
I said before a ball was kicked that this would be a strange season to start with and so far it has been.
Funny performances from us, Chelsea and both manc clubs in particular, incidentally these four clubs had the shortest break between last and this season! Maybe there is something in that ! I don’t know .
When you look at our fixtures over the next 5-6 weeks we seem to have plenty of recovery and training time for nuno to do his magic.
Ten games is always a good time to have a look at how we are going
10-15 points and we have work to do,
15-20 and we are flying.
Given the new guys will be well and truly ensconced in nuno s pack by then we will all be feeling more confident.
My prediction for the reverse fixture v the hammers
Wolves 4
West ham 0
Come on you wolves
As an aside, many having been asking why we would want to change our style when counter-attack had been so successful for us. I do recall many saying that our play had become ever more drab, dull and boring and crying out for more expansive play.
Hopefully these are just growing pains.
Well i have to say marney pinched my 5 am thoughts this morning almost to the letter.
I refuse to believe nuno or fosun have lost the plot in fact its ludicrous to even think it but reading quite a lot of comments from various places by so called wolves fans you would think they have.
Nothing will change my view that nuno is the best coach and fosun the best owners wolves have had in my lifetime and i’m no spring chicken.
Just to reiterate marneys thoughts it was always going to be a weird start to the season simply because of the rest wolves and a few other top clubs missed out on but the main one was no pre season.
Yes you could argue this year wasn’t the year to change a system that has served us well but in general we had been sussed out and were struggling so a change had to happen at some point and nuno has chosen to do it now.
The ten game game target is probably the benchmark that seems reasonable for the change to have transitioned and until then i will reserve ANY sort of judgement and i expect a few more bad results before that as well.
I trust nuno and fosun with our club implicitly but i just wish some people would see the bigger picture and take a look further down the line .
Wolves are a club in transition to the very top of the footballing tree with one if not the best coaching and behind the scenes set ups in europe if not the world.
Stay with the project accept the ups and downs before it all irons itself out.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and even if Nuno had been on that job it still wouldn’t have been built in a day.
There hasn’t been a change. Aaaaaaaaarggghhhh!
Adding to Marney and Spikey boy moan master above, another thing in our favour is lack of Thursday games in Europe should balance the tired legs and allow our squad to bed in properly while the likes of Man U Man C Spurs and Chelsea struggle to juggle so many valls in this strange year that is 2020.
I know folk want a cup run, but OGS and Pep would give a bollock to get some rest for some of his players.
Look how quickly Kevin de Bruyne ran out if puff against us.
Stick with Nuno time and rest will get his message across to the lads.
moan master indeed !
I love your posts Spikey, just jesting with you buddy.
I’m sorry but this has to be said; the inept performances of Wolves since the resumption in July and the contrasting cameo by Jota last night highlight the shortcomings of our transfer activities over the last twelve months. MAYBE there will be long term benefit but the short term kooks pretty bleak;
Also feel that some of the old team ethic from the early days has drained away.
Love you Nuno’, but it’s time to stand up and be counted.
Agree PJ. We have also mainly recruited from one source Porto don’t think we have signed a British player since the championship.
Our recruitment seems to be based on Mendez clients only I know we got the young lad from Rochdale but again he is seen as one for the future if fact most of our signing seem to be ” ones ” for the future and a few we’re let go loaned out or sold the back end of last season.
Paul
Endorse everything you have added; our recruitment now seems to rely completely on Mendes. We can’t deny that Jorge has done us a power of good up to now but I feel that it’s not only starting to look a little unhealthy, but also makes us vulnerable to his other predatorial clients and now is showing a complete lack of imagination by the club and is clearly hindering our recruitment activities in the open market.
Time to open up the Shi, Santo, Mendes triangle Wolves if we really intend to move on to bagger things.
Marçal isn’t a Mendez client
Doh! Sorry. Meant Semedo.
ONE! ?
Probably too late in this transfer window,but Thomas Partey £45m is exactly the type of midfielder we need.
Also judging the team after 10 games is fine ,what about the last games going back to the home game against Everton for a really good team performance.
Good time to be playing Fulham next,and an expected win will lay off any fears,but l feel it will only paper over the cracks.
Get thing problems may be but the recruitment SO far this widow hasn’t solved the problem in midfield and at the back.
I suppose there never a good time to change, and I’m not against change its how quickly you make that change and making sure you have the right personnel who can adapt to that change and quickly.
The Premier League if fact all the Leagues are unforgiving you have to be on your game from minute one.
IMO we still short of a midfielder a Right back and a stricken. When squad is the same size yet Nuno himself said it needed to be bigger the players that have come in half of the five are going to be bit players it’s seems which includes our record signing.
To me it doesn’t make sense spending that much on a player who is not considered to be a first team regular yet when other parts of the team are crying out for reinforcements it just doesn’t made sense………JUST my option folks.
Me no understand.
That surprises no one.
Another gutless comment. Wonder who that could be from.
Show yourself……….charlatan…!
Maybe Nuno is asking Joao to play differently and that is why he looks tired.
If we are not counter-attacking, then we don’t have to move the ball up the field fast.
I can’t believe he lost that much speed and energy in 6 months – unless there is an illness or injury we are not being told about.
I do wish Jota well, but it doesn’t look right at all!
My future son in law is ecstatic being a scally.
I agree totally.
It’s like your first child leaving home (although mine still hasn’t, but that’s another story).
Unfortunately, my present nephew is a scally too, so he’s ecstatic.
When your future son in law comes to ask you for your daughter’s hand in marriage, I’d show him the door!
Love it DOOG. Tried that but being a scally he breaks in thru the window!
(joke, before the snowflake police complain about scouscism oppression)
Can anyone throw a light (pun intended) on why my avatar, which shows me in my youth, puffing on a medicinal roll up, has disappeared from this blog?
It’s still present on other social media platforms and I’ve tried reloading it from the Gravatar site with no success.
Those Jamaican woodbines were all the rage in the late 60’s mate…..
I think your missing avatar is a scandal and needs to be re-found….
You and I must have had the same NHS prescription if we’re to believe that medicinal bollox…
Mine is the same Doog, Iv’e changed my internet provider and have a new e-mail address so mine won’t load under the old address.
Do you have the Gravatar site info so I can try to re-do mine.
Stu
I registered as if everything was new then I reloaded my details on Gravatar and changed a couple of things like adding a couple of numbers to my Username and password. Iwentin as a new user & worked straight away.
I presume we would have tested negative for performance enhancing drugs?
Test post
Bingo.
You’ve got yours back. Mine’s still missing.
I’M BACK!
That’s better DOOG…. as I know you…
As a non-Wolves fan, I think you guys weren’t horrendous, I have seen many worse performances, however, I understand you are used to a much higher standard.
From my view, it looked like a Wolves side fatigued from last season’s adventures came up again a West Ham team that was set up perfectly to play against Wolves. The Hammers were in good form on Sunday and I think most defences would have struggled with Antonio playing to the level he did. I feel having Doherty providing his incessant threat down the right would have somewhat stifled West Ham, but other than that I don’t think there’s too much cause for concern, Wolves will probably not play as badly as that for the rest of the season! On another day Jimenez gets a goal which could change the game but it didn’t happen for him and West Ham defended really well against Adama to nullify that problem too.
I think it just has to go down as one of those days really and as “spikey boy bored with moaners” said above – I think it’ll definitely get ironed out eventually!
Thanks for those few words of consolation Latest Footy. It ain’t helping though, to be honest.
Any rumour to the truth that Donk is off to Napoli?
Lovely place for a break. Not sure about quarantine when he gets home though.
I have to concede on this point. Clive is the Master Baiter.
Finally a Tim comment I laughed at!
Keep ’em coming, Timmy, and give our love to Julian, Dick Anne and George.
Wor he off Captain Pugwash?
No, your’e thinking of Roger the cabin boy.
There is also a rumour going round that our very own Stuwolf is expecting a telegram from Buckingham Palace today!
Happy Birthday, older fart than me!!
Who from Prince Andrew?
Don’t knock him, he throws some great party’s.
Happy birthday Ben. Hope you have a great day.
Happy Birthday Stu!
Love from me and the PMDG’er xxx