Life in 2020 has been a year of firsts for many, and I’m no exception.
This is the first time I’ve watched a Wolves home game with a bottle of white wine in tow.
It was a nice tipple but, like all of you, I’d much rather be at Molineux.
Nuno is right when he says there’s no home advantage while lockdown conditions remain in place.
In this strangest of seasons, anything can happen.
That being said, there was nothing too unfamiliar about a first half in which Wolves huffed and puffed but ultimately failed to break down a pretty desperate Newcastle side.
Though a marked improvement on the first 45 against Leeds, it was frustrating that we couldn’t find an opener sooner than we did.
There were signs of the new style that Nuno has been so keen to impose, with our fluid front three clearly giving the Magpie’s rearguard a headache.
But we just didn’t work Karl Darlow enough to make our dominance count.
The second half wasn’t much better.
Raul’s wonder strike aside, we just weren’t daring enough.
Murphy’s strike should have been a consolation, a rare slight from a keeper that is seldom at fault.
Instead, it’s an error that has ultimately cost us a deserved three points.
It’s not the end of the world, but nonetheless it feels like two points dropped rather than a point gained.
However, six games in and seventh place is a huge improvement on last season’s start so perhaps we shouldn’t grumble too much.
I thought this was a pretty good performance so it’s disappointing we couldn’t close it out.
Carra and Tyler weren’t keen on our attacking approach but I thought there were some nice sequences between Neto, Podence and Jimenez. We opened them up enough times to get the goals but just didn’t quite make the right decision in the key moment.
It was clear what Newcastle were trying to do and they did it a few times in the first half, but after the break I thought we were in almost total control.
That’s the second time Rui has been done with one of those low free-kicks around the wall. He either needs another body in there or to shift them across. I can’t be too critical, as you say Ben, because he’s a very reliable presence, but he’ll be disappointed with that. Maybe Dendoncker on the outside let him down with his jump/body shape, but it felt like a very cheap concession.
Traore looks off to me, which is concerning. Maybe he’s just not match-sharp having sat out the last three, or there’s a lack of desire or confidence or something, but he’s not right and we need him to be.
On a more positive note, I thought Semedo got through a lot of work and did some nice things, having taken some pelters for his efforts at Leeds. I suppose it’s no surprise he’s more comfortable when we’ve got the ball but that’s the plan right – to get on the front foot more?
The main concern for me would be the continued reliance on Raul to score the goals. Maybe Fabio would come in if needed and do the job, but having taken Jota and Doc away, we’ve got to replace their goals too. If we assume Podence and Neto are the answer to this problem, 1 goal in 6 games between them isn’t a great start. They look threatening but have to produce the numbers if we’re to do anything other than drift around midtable.
Don’t forget this Newcastle side also did a similar job at Spurs away. I have been having a bit of an exchange of views earlier. My view is we were quite dominant overall and I was as fed up as everyone else at the end. But like Thomas there were encouraging signs especially early doors and second half. I think we just need to sit in there and give Nuno the freedom he deserves to build on the evolution. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. Nuno deserves the chance. And I wish all on Wolves blog well.
The table ay too bad. Chelsea. Arsenal. Spurs . Man City. Looking down on all. Early doors ay it !
The loss of Jota is hurting us badly but no no one associated with WWFC is prepared to admit it ; we now have a very talented squad with one glaring deficiency – if Raul doesn’t score then it’s likely that no one will.
Scoring has been a consistent issue since promotion and we have sold a natural scorer for a song; yes, his form had dipped a bit but there is an awful lot of truth in the old cliche that form is temporary but class is permanent and Diogo’s class is already again in evidence at Liverpool and I believe he will go all the way to the very top.
At the very least the Jota transfer at this point in time does not seem consistent with the owners’ declared objectives set out when Nuno was appointed.
Good luck to you DJ – I f or one miss you badly, and if truth be told I think Nuno does too.
Diogo has been brilliant for us and Nuno’s professional judgement was to move him on at a very high fee. I support him on this – Diogo had lost his mojo at Wolves – 7 league goals in 34 appearances last season and a succession of lack lustre performances suggests it was the right decision. The winner he scored for Liverpool was a sitter for any PL striker imho. It is to be expected that at any setback fans will call into question the decision to let DJ and the Doc go, players not on the pitch would always have done better than those on it. But would they? Let the new recruits settle and develop the little key partnerships which take time to be productive. I, too, believe Raul is more effective with a partner close to him and I think this will come about. Good start, let’s not expect miracles whilst re-building?
WW
It’s all about opinions and I get it about Jota and developing the squad for the greater good (and trying to work around FFP at the same time).
However, I make no apology for being subjective on Jota.
Firstly we are not just talking about setbacks; we have and have had for some time a chronic scoring problem and Jota is a natural scorer – as I said form is temporary class is permanent.
Secondly, I don’t agree that we sold him for a massive fee – I think he was a snip at £45 million and wouldn’t be at all surprised if his loss of form may have coincided with him being “got at” a la Klopp (like Traore).
Of course we have to move on but I feel we could have held on to Jota for at least another season and probably upped the fee significantly. Meanwhile the youngsters would have has another 12 months development.
My point really is that there is a time to look to the future, but my view is that now is the right time to push on with the present as the priority.
Anyway we all see it differently but hopefully we are united in working towards the common objectives – it’s just about how best to achieve them.
Fully take on board yr views PJB and absolutely agree on yr last point. We will go nowhere scoring one goal per game. It will be interesting to watch how the young lads develop. It will all come out in the wash, as they say!
Hurts me to say this as I know we are lucky to have him but there was a couple of times Raul should have passed or left the ball for podence, not just because he was better placed to take a shot but also because I had a score on him to get the winner
UTW
I too PJB was upset with Diogo being sold but I also take account of Nuno who explicitly said he was sold with his blessing. You can only accept what Nuno said. Wished Jota was still with us but he ay. We move on. All the best.
I am still pinching myself as to our brilliant current status but today was a very predicted slip..
We can’t score.
We can’t win games by 1 that is if we can get 1 with today’s play and strategy and not expect to concede with the way we can be counter attacked..
The way forward would be to create more chances have another front striker to help Jimenez and to either attack down the middle or as we did last season attack down the wings with traore crossing to our super talisman who puts it in..
It’s as if traore has a hidden injury and he can only play for only 15mins Wtf!
Today we missed Doherty to back up the right wing (Traore) and jota to help Jimenez ..
Sell netto and any other inadequate new player and buy big.
Danger is looming.. another West Ham result would break all hearts (we used to beat them at Will) Newcastle looked crap – still couldn’t beat them …we are becoming mediocre..
So is Nuno.
Sell Neto? What are you on about? We can’t buy or sell anyone until next year!
I don’t mean now I mean Netto isn’t making it is he..?
Neto isn’t 21 until next March, Steve. Name me a better 20 year old and I’ll beg to differ. He is good enough now but has so much potential. Watch and see.
In my opinion Neto has been one of the shining lights of the season so far, and improving with every game.
I think the goals WILL come with him.
Yet another 2 minutes and 4th ?
I agree it was close mate
I just don’t think we are doing or cresting enough.. Traore was such a dream player for me now he’s hardly getting a run out and we are starving Jimenez of chances..
Frustrating to watch..
Neto played well
Nuno knows what he is doing
You are taking dislikes AGAIN .
We are not playing well Brompton you tell me then why Traore is not being played as before ..
Jimenez is asking the same question
We can’t score goals as we are not creating chances
You are right Steve. We had this conversation 5/6 years ago when we discussed wether our defenders were at fault or our attackers. We STILL need to score more. “Vincent” springs to mind.
Two minutes away from a shot at top of the league Friday, not bad for mediocre?
Teams like Newcastle will always make it hard for us, wait till we play arsenal, Everton etc , that’s when you will see traore at his best , it’s harder when a team is sitting in and closing down space while doubling up .
Neto is possibly our brightest youngster with the biggest potential, why would we get rid?
Utw
I’m going to be brief because I’m ‘tired and emotional’ after a few units of alcohol.
Positives:-
Neto looked good.
Kilman looked good.
Semedo looked hugely improved.
Podence looked good in parts.
The Donk did OK.
Raul scored another peach.
Negatives:-
We still take much too long to move the ball forward.
Adama looks disinterested.
Ruben has lost his creative Mojo.
The free kick awarded against Coady was never a foul.
Between them, Rui and the defensive wall made a complete horlicks of defending the kick.
I ended up a bit bored, frustrated and slightly depressed… not for the first time this season.
I’m off to bed.
Goodnight all.
Time to give Silva a go with Roul.Why not.?
I think so too – if they’re good enough they’re old enough ( Peter Knowles / Robbie Keane)!
I was pleased with the performance today. We look fitter with every game with perhaps the exception of Traore who hasn’t really had the minutes.
The trickery of Poddence was superb and he had a good shot saved. He was also unlucky not to have been played by Raul who in the end thought he had won us the points with a super strike only to be denied so unsatisfactorily late on.
So a work in progress but for me progress is definitely being made through hard graft. I am excited to see more of the new players but I am fully supportive of Nunos method of gradual introduction.
Ps I was incensed by the MOTD2 coverage. All the analysis on Newcastle who were actually very poor in my opinion. Anyone would think it was a defensive masterclass. Absolute shitehouse English manager negative rubbish.
Agree with all that Slider, except the ‘English manager’ bit. They play the way they do because it’s Steve Bruce, not because he happens to be English.
A good competition on here would be try and name one English manager that’s done or won anything of note and No, you can’t start until 1967.
I’ll put the kettle on and wait.
Brian Clough
Howard Wilkinson
Bob paisley
He’s Scottish Marney
Nah, pretty sure he’s a geordy or mackem
I stand corrected Marney. He’s a Mackenzie my apologies. Tho with a name like Bob Paisley he should be Scottish.
God predictive! Should be Mackem of course
Tony Barton (tho’ it grieves me to say it…)
Well that’s 6 1/2 hours and you’ve only managed 3 plus a half Scot. From the Old First Div and Premiership in 57 years.
Also I did stipulate “won anything of Note”
So we’re down to 2 plus a half scot if you discount this guy:-
Description-Howard Wilkinson is an English former footballer and manager. Despite having a low-profile playing career, Wilkinson embarked on a successful managerial career. He won the First Division championship in 1992 with Leeds United, the final season before the creation of the Premier League.
Terry Connor. His achievement of note was he did not win a single game.
A few more for the list –
Bill Nicholson, Harry Catterick, Howard Kendall, Joe Fagan, Ron Saunders &Tony Barton, Mercer / Allison at Man. City. Don Revie (unfortunately), Bobby Robson and what about Alf.
Plus McGarry, Barnwell / Barker when the League Cup was (just about) worth winning.
Remember, before 1992 and the PL the FA Cup actually counted for quite a lot and then Man. Utd single handedly destroyed it – shame on them.
No.
I’m not accepting
Harry Catterick,
Howard Kendall
Mercer or Allison
The others yes, but these were boring as hell.
Stu
You didn’t ask whether they were boring, just what they had achieved – check your own question .
All 3 won the league and Catterick plus Mercer / Allison partnership produced very attractive teams at Everton and Man.City, Agree that Kendall was boring though – really boring.
Kendal wasn’t boring. He was mint.
Mike Bassett England manager
???
Nice one Marney, forgot him!
Good point, you are probably right.
I don’t know why they tried to say it was non event – they could have easily featured Poddence as the most skilful guy on the pitch today. Oh well on the plus side he can stay under the radar for a few more weeks until we run up a good score, which I think is coming if we work as had as that.
This is my personal opinion because it’s a blog for individual views.
I thought we played better this week, but it seem,s that’s the opinion of others too.
Look, we had more possession, 16 shots but again only 3 on goal. This is a problem we know about, this must be getting frustrating for Nuno too and he will do something about it. For the moment, like others including Nuno has said, ” there are bad decisions being made on the final ball”
Iv’e been a fan of Semedo since day one and nothing has changed, he worked well last night and his touches and ball control are a treat, at Leeds he was on his own against Harrison most of the time and like Villa found out, that’s not a good thing.
We had this game sewn up, but a crazy, crazy unusual slip by the wall and Rui cost us equal third which would have guaranteed us top spot in the Premiership with a win against Palace. That’s if’s and but’s and the league is absolutely crazy due to absent crowds and vastly inflated home advantages. So it is what it is, like the rest of you I am whinging because we are “only equal 5th in the best league in the World” if we win against Palace we will only be equal 1st. OMG!
Frustrated at another momentary lapse, Yes.
Unhappy with my lot? Definitely NOT.
Well said StuWolf. Reading some comments on the E&S site, anyone would think we had been relegated.
Yes, we are in transition but I though we showed some glimmer of our potential. Some nice build up play. Few more weeks of training and we will see it all click into place.
We are 7th in the reputed best league in the world, plus its too early to panic.
As the TV ad said the future is bright, the future is old gold and black, or something similar.
KTF.
Stu, I don’t think that’s your personal opinion, individually speaking, IMO. Personally, TBH, I think that was somebody else’s opinion you nicked. That’s my view.
Excellent Hashtag.
Love your point…
It’s like trying to work out what colour the No9 smells like. 🙂
Sorry Stu. Couldn’t resist.
You’re last sentence reminded of a little incident in my past. I was in central London rushing for a train back to Wolvo and was stopped by a pretty girl. She asked if I’d just answer a few questions on a questionnaire. Err, OK. What colour do you think of best describes ‘honesty’? Err, white. What about ‘beauty’? Err, gold and black. What about ‘evil’? (No more time for this.) Err, blue and purple … and I’ll tell you what colour for ‘utterly, f’ing useless’ – blue and white vertical stripes, I’m off.
Pretty much the same view as most. Thought we deserved all three points; Newcastle rarely threatened, the “foul” given from which they scored was strange. The referee had let all sorts go then blew for a slight lean by Conor, persuaded perhaps by Wilson’s dramatic (professional) fall and appeal. Rui didn’t quite get his wall right and Murphy scored with a shot which 99 times out of a 100 fails.
So more unlucky than guilty and the season has started well. Two of the surprising teams, West Ham and Leeds, have been amongst the opponents, and we are still there competing for a top place. Jota looking good at Liverpool but almost anybody would, his form, for whatever reason, had definitely dropped at Wolves and he was no longer first choice,the time to act had come, the same IMO was the case with Doc.
We move on and time I think will prove Nuno right.
I think our next 3 fixtures will tell us a lot about how this season might pan out. In Crystal Palace we will come up against another obdurate opponent but I think they have more quality than Newcastle. In Leicester we will be playing a direct challenger for a European place. In Southampton we will face a team who look like they will be in top half rather than bottom half this year. Leeds was an excellent result but our other 2 victories were against teams that may well be shaping up for relegation. Of Our two defeats, one was against a team pretty much nailed on to be in a European spot and one against a team who are starting to look like they might have a decent season after a very stiff period of fixtures. As many have said, It is still early days but after the next three games we will be virtually a quarter of the way through the season. If we can find a way of scoring more goals I think we can push for a CL spot, however, if we carry on as we are I think a European place will be a struggle. As part of Nuno’s team transition, it is a little surprising that Vitinha and Silva still haven’t really featured but maybe that will come in the next 3 games.
Thought that for the most part it was a very good effort. Looks as if the team is starting to gel.
Hey, is it just me or did anyone else think that first half ended kinda abruptly?
WGH!
Dallas Bob,
Dendonker does, he was certainly prevented from having a power drive from the ideal place, referee at fault there for sure and he bloody knew it after the players rounded up on him.
When the time is up, the time is up. Just ask Clive Thomas. When was that by the way?
World Cup somewhere in South America, if memory serves.
Brazil denied a winner.
Got to follow up on that Bob even though I know I am wearing gold and black goggles.
Cannot remember another game I have seen where a half-time or full-time whistle has been blown when a goal-scoring move is in motion. Decent refs always wait until the move is one and the ball is cleared grabbed by the goalie or goes out of play. Done was stopped in the process of lining up a shot.
On a similar point, Podence missed the Seville game because of a booking for not leaving the pitch at the nearest point when being substituted. How many more of those bookings have you seen.
We are not I. Europe because a ref ignored a Burnley boot being raised well above head height. Has that been ignored anywhere else?
The problem Wolves have is we just do not score enough goals 6 games 6 goals says it all we play the same way every game its either 352 or 343 and every one has worked us out. Nuno is on about evolving and playing more possession based but its just the same more of the ball but lack of creativity and goals are not helping why pay 35mill for a striker then sit him on the bench when we’re struggling give the guy a chance and not buying a creative midfielder is really going to hurt us.
And why sell Jota when he was still always a serious goal threat in a squad which blatantly lacks proven scorers. Mendes?
JM has been very good for Wolves, but I think it;s long overdue for us to open up our transfer policy to focus on more options than the Gestitute / Jorge tie up.
Certainly mixed emotions this morning.
Disappointed, of course, with dropping those two richly deserved points. But greatly encouraged by the improvement in team cohesion and the apparent understanding between the players. Passing was quicker and crisper and more reminiscent of the team we know and love.
Really nice goal from Raul who seemed to have a premonition about where the ball would end up and took his goal with aplomb. How we could give the advantage away so simply is hard to fathom. He didn’t really need to bend it around the ‘wall’. Just kicked it in.
But, as I do, I’ll take the positives, remember how generally crap we’ve been in previous games, see our improvement in this, look at the league table and move on to Friday with high hopes.
Just a reflection …..if we hadn’t conceded that sloppy goal yesterday we would have been going into friday’s game with palace knowing that a win would have put us proudly sitting at the top of the premier league and two points clear…..the world of fine margins ??
Like everyone so gutted with the soft Newcastle equaliser, it seems that just as we’re on the cusp of a step up, i.e 12 points and a berth in the top four we just can’t seem to get over the line. 1-1 draws with Newcastle like our 0-0 draws with Brighton are a recurring pattern.
No blame from this fan, thought we looked good, can’t believe we’re still talking about Jota! Also to think of selling Neto is madness. He’s an exceptional talent and a big threat yesterday, they need more games together do Raul, Neto and Podence, then we should see more goals. It’s what Nuno always goes on about developing partnerships all over the pitch. They need a bit more time both in games and in training to work on these things. Raul seems to be doing everything on his own at the moment but all fans have to admit there were some great touches, dribbles and drives forward from Neto & Podence yesterday.
If they don’t deliver then I’m sure Nuno will turn to Silva and Traore from the start. But a bit more patience is needed still.
If that dodgy free kick hadn’t of been awarded we’d be in 7 th heaven, but that’s football, it can be so unfair and frustrating at times!
Thought Samedo and Marcal looked better. Indeed the latter perhaps should start v Palace as Saiss as Left wing back has it’s drawbacks as he doesn’t seem to be totally at ease when getting the ball out wide.
We also need more players getting on the end of things in the box.
Onwards and upwards!
We will never be a high scoring side, it’s the way we are set up and why the team that could never get in the Prem league has had two 7th placed finished and currently sits 3 points off top place.
We have though in the previous two seasons played very good football and surprised virtually all of the top clubs with the efficiency of our counter-attacking. But we are no longer an unknown quantity and as with every other side in the country we are looking to adjust/evolve out playing approach, whilst still maintaining results.
Agree with all comments stating definite signs of improvement. My points of note:
1) The last minute tackle by Kilman on Wilson was fantastic. Don’t want to curse him but this lad is looking a heck of a prospct.
2) Neto’s workrate is coming into the same category as Raul and Donk. He has a real eye for a goal and experience will calm his finishing.
3) Marçal added real pace down the left when he came on. Definite positive option.
4) Raul’s goal was a thing of real beauty. The way he dropped back to find space was almost like Klinsman. He really is top drawer.
5) When Traore plays for Spain he seems to have so much more space. When playing with Doc they worked so effectively at combating the double-up marking on him. The relationship with Semedo will clearly develop, but Nelson needs to develop his threat of going on past Traore and the quality of crossing. Both players can benefit from putting defenders in two minds regarding who to go with. But it will come.I
Nearly a perfect result but still three games unbeaten and one goal conceded.
We Really need to figure out some end of game management.
We normally do it pretty well. Leeds? Fulham? We have a big ratio of clean sheets.
Although undoubtedly a disappointing result, this is a Newcastle side that seem to be developing a knack for grabbing a result from deep. The Magpies are largely underwhelming on the whole but have taken points off both Spurs and West Ham this season too.
Whilst it was definitely an error I think Patricio can be spared too much criticism due to him being as you say “Seldom at fault”.
Also, appreciation post for Raul Jimenez’s anticipation before his goal, the way he dropped back to the edge of the box before his strike was almost scary! Anyone know if he’s got the lottery numbers?
Lots to be positive about – Neto and Semedo seem to be building an understanding, Podence’s ability to change the point of attack in a flash, Kilman’s display of speed, Raul’s anticipation. Clearly time training together really helps.
But overall frustration to drop two points because after giving away a free-kick cheaply for no obvious reason – Wilson was going nowhere, didn’t even have the ball under control and posed no threat at the time – 11 professional players built a ‘wall’ that any schoolboy Xl could have bettered.
Hopefully lessons learnt – now back to the training gound.
Agree with all that has been said about Wolves and the match.
Wolves are desperate for another goalscorer having got rid of Jota.The £35 million spent on Silva who is clearly nowhere near ready for the Premiership, could have bought somebody like a Bamford /Zaha/Wilson or something near to that, and that would have made a hell of a difference to Wolves this season.
I just cant believe that Wolves have spent a huge sum like £35 million on a potential prospect,t just seems shear lunacy to me.These bright types of young players often fall by the wayside and dont make it at all(remember Scott Voice).So it seems one hell of a risk to me ,but I really do hope I’m wrong.
UTW
We all hope you’re wrong Franko. But the scouts and management know a lot more about him than I, so I’ll reserve judgement for a couple of years. It could be money very well spent.
I am 77 and am old diehard Newcastle supporter. Could I just say, I grew up in the fifties and Wolves were one of my favourite teams
Who could forget Billy Wright!!
I love seeing you do well but obviously I am glad we stole a point
All the best for the rest of the Season, I think you are a permanent Premier League Team and will never struggle as we do at the bottom.
Trust me Peter it can all change quickly – ask any Wolves supporter.
Thank you Peter, a true fan.
Thanks Peter, unfortunately nothing is permanent when we are talking wolves but we live in hope of better things.
Good look for the rest of the season.
Utw
Thank you Peter, I am 2 years ahead of you and a lifelong Wolves supporter although for the past ten years from a long-distance away. I remember well the clashes we had back then. True fan,s are fan,s for life and who could forget Wor Jackie. Hope you have a good season.
Cheers peter nice to have someone from the opposing side make a comment.
So am I disappointed … yes .. of course I am .. about the result.
Am I disappointed with the performance… not at all.
What an improvement on our previous games.
Lots of movement and connecting passes hardly any misplaced balls loads of interconnection and understanding starting to develop what’s not to like.
Daft mistake right at the end but the overall performance showed that we are coming together and when those wild shots start going in instead of over someone is in for a hiding.
Newcastle came for the draw or to nick it on the break but they got very short change from our excellent defence fair play to them getting a crafty foul at the death that was the only way they stood a chance of scoring and we blew it but se la vie .
Traore will come good against the better teams and that’s something we have to live with yes we all want to see him leaving full backs on their backsides but when teams just sit in and double up it will never be his game so patience is required there I think.
He will have his cameo games when the opposition think they have us then you will see him excel.
So great another point and we march on to the next game with a few more days training under our belt and even more improvement…. cant wait !
Well said Spikey. ???
The 3 question marks were emojis!
On the pretext of popping into Asda I did a nostalgic prematch walk through West Park and up to Molineux, arriving just as the Newcastle coaches turned up. The stadium looked great, just a pity that us fans aren’t allowed in. Oh for the good old days.
Back home, I was pleasantly surprised at Wolves first half performance, albeit without a goal. I thought Semedo, Neto and Podence, in particular, looked good. The high point of the second half was Raul’s superb strike (and the spontaneous cheer from my WBA supporting guest). No prizes for guessing the low point.
Could do better, but it is work in progress.
WP
Agree on Semedo and Neto, but I have yet to be entirely convinced by Podence who looks busy but is a bit short on end product; reminds me a bit of Costa in that at the moment he flatters to deceive and tbh I still feel that a fit Ivan could have had a significant part to play in this squad. The other point here is that Podence is effectively blocking Traore from getting a start, which is not far from ideal as Adama is achieving little or nothing off the bench.
PJB.
My observation on Podence (who I do like very much).
He leaves defenders dizzy, he pulls off moves like Cav and Costa used to in Division 1, he can get under their feet and his one two touches with Neto an Jimmy will get better with time.
His failing is long range shots, FFS he’s a little guy without a fierce boot to bang them in, he has the capability to be a Sterling, (I don’t like the cheating diving git) but he does draw tackles in the box.
He needs to take 3 more paces into the box and then fire his shots off, when he starts doing that defenders will try to stop him and we know what will be the outcome, Neves will be taking more penalties. This will encourage your Dendonkers, Neves, Neto even Coady dare I say to get in the box with him.
Look at Liverpool, Man City, Man U and Spurs they have all got players that do this. He’s our new Sterling, Mane, or Son, Nuno will get them right, he’s already commented on the rash shots and poor decosions the front lads are making.
But hey, whether it’s Covid’s fault or not look where we are in the league when we’re playing under par.
Game on…..
If.
The biggest word in the English language.
If only we could turn our first half total dominance into a few goals.
If only pony Adama had a second trick.
If only we had a couple of players like Podence, willing to actually take on an opponent and dribble past him.
If we could only stop passing sideways and backwards so much, giving piss poor opposition time to re group.
We have no incisiveness, no cutting edge, no rapier like strikes to thrust into the heart of defenses.
To put it bluntly, our attacks are blunt!
Newcastle under Broos have become one of the anti football brigade, and will struggle mightily.
Until we can start taking our chances, I fear we will too.
Highly disappointed that we didn’t win this at a canter.
Newcastle didn’t park the bus, they parked a whole fleet of buses.
Extremely negative tactics, but that’s what Broos does best.
We have to score via other players, Raul was totally starved of the ball for the most part, and others did not step up and take over goal scoring duties.
Heresy, but if Raul was not in the team, might we perform differently, and share the goals around?
Maybe a tactical sub. at some point in a future game?
And will everyone get off the “we shouldn’t have sold Diogo and Matt” bandwagon.
They are gone, part of Wolves history, but gone nonetheless.
We move on, and get behind whoever IS in the team.
Totally changing subject, thanks to y’all and sunday for birthday wishes, salutations and chats yesterday.
Mucho appreciated.
FOwb
If we could only see out games
IF I were just 2 inches taller, 20 years younger and didn’t smell of fish…..
For me, It shouldn’t of been a freekick, but at the same time we should of been 3 or 4 up so its only us to blame.
I think the performance far surpassed the one at leeds, and I seen some lovely one touch football played.
I am anxious about palace because you never know what team will turn up with them.
I’m still not convinced of Podence, Leaving defenders “dizzy” don’t really count for much when there is no end product. Maybe it will come but He is not strong enough for the prem in my eyes.
Nice one – forgot him!
Sorry, replied to wrong post, but thoroughly with you on Podence, far from convinced that there is an end product, shades of Costa or Traore on a bad day.
When I saw that overhead view of Murphy lining up the free kick at the death, and saw enough room to drive a bus through right side of goal, I thought it would go in. It was obvious where to aim for, as the kick was too near goal for an up and over. It wasn’t a foul on Wilson, Coady should have known better to give him the opportunity to deceive. Patricio and the wall were clearly at fault. It was this lack of focus at the death that cost us two points.
Definitely not a match for the purist, with only one team trying to win. Our old failings against park-the-bus teams haven’t been totally eradicated. This is why we beat a much better Leeds team away, because Leeds do not park the bus.
Great goal by Jimmy as it was, but we should have put this game to bed. Those lost two points are important. Just think what an extra two points would have meant to us last season on the final day!
Why all the disparaging remarks about teams that, “park the bus? It may have escaped the notice of some but that’s what we regularly do against the better teams or those, eg Leeds, that go hell for leather. It’s all about biding your time and when teams don’t score or only score one there’s always the prospect of a breakaway, set piece or defensive error.
I’ve got nothing against park-the-bus teams. I’m not disparaging any of them. In fact, I want at least three every season in the PL. I just want us to be able to deal with them efficiently and we are making progress from the time Huddersfield did the double over us.
I consider Wolves to be a level above park-the-bus teams. Nuno I believe goes out to win every game, while certain teams just set themselves up for a point against us.
I was on a three and a half hour drive and during that time, my mind was turning to my favourite topic. When I got tired of thinking of that, I started thinking of Wolves.
I have a new theory. The reason Nuno is not starting Adama is the same reason he sold Benik and didn’t like Patrick.
They are all players who do not play the way Portuguese players play. Afobe was more of a poacher and that is not what Nuno wants. Patrick runs the line and that is not what Nuno wants. Adama also has a unique skill set and, regardless of how successful it is, I don’t think Nuno likes it. I think he NEEDS the players to play the exact way he sees it in his head and if they don’t, it grates on him. He wants them to be interchangeable with others who also play that position so he can remove one and add another with minimal upset.
That is why Diogo got all of the game time, even though he wasn’t scoring. Nuno is not a results-oriented guy, he is a process-oriented guy (at least on a game to game basis) and Diogo knew the process and got part marks for knowing what Nuno wanted each player to do, even when not scoring. He was in the right position to cut down angles of passes or whatever his task was.
Nuno doesn’t get upset if we lose, as long as the players played well, which in his head might mean they played positionally well.
Note: I am not a trained psychologist and am just theorizing.
Pray do tell, what is your favorite topic?
Your ego?
How to try to wind up real Wolves fans?
Naked pictures of Cheesie’s next door cat, from Mildenhall?
Just asking for a friend.
Perhaps you should try shorter car journeys?
Benik and Patrick weren’t good enough. Simples.
John Cleese would have called it ‘stating the bleedin obvious’ but you are right in your basic assumption, Tim.
As head coach, Nuno has every right to play players he feels can do the job he wants. If he really didn’t think Adama was right for a Nuno team, he wouldn’t be in the squad and he wouldn’t be on the cusp of signing a megabucks new contract. He would be sold by now.
Maybe they figure they can get more from selling him next season if he has a longer term left on his contract.
Won’t get anything if he doesn’t become more productive while playing for Wolves. This year he has hardly been frightening.
Funny though how he was the toast of Spain just a week or two ago and can’t start for Wolves.
They won’t get more for him if he isn’t playing.
Benik Afobe was sold almost as soon as Nuno bought him. Nuno became aware of inappropriate behaviour with Afobe sexting a teenage girl when Wolves were playing away. Her dad threatened to duff him up. Bearing in mind that Afobe is , I think, a family man, this was end of Afobe’s career at Wolves. Nuno will never stand for this. That’s why he was abruptly sold.
So guilty until proven innocent. Don’t Portuguese know that’s not right?
He has denied it and no charges were laid.
I don’t know what the true facts are but it looks like nothing has been proven.
The facts speak for themselves; Nuno got rid almost as soon as he had bought Afobe even though he was playing well. Afobe knew why. There was no need to ‘prove’ anything. I love your gullibility Tim, ‘he has denied it’. As Mandy Rice-Davies once wisely said, well, he would, wouldn’t he?
I’m sure Afobe wasn’t going to go and admit it, it might have meant a messy divorce. And who wants to admit to being caught out?
The sad thing for me is that we will never know how much Afobe might have improved under Nuno.
If Nuno chopped and changed after every game there would be uproar on here.
It appears he’s giving game time to bed players in. You could see Semedo benefitting from that.
Trouble with this is where there are winners there are also losers and Traore is currently losing out because of this. He’s far too important to lose but we can only get 11 on the pitch.
He’ll be back!
Well I have just done a bit of research. After 6 games last season we had FOUR POINTS. After 6 games this season we have TEN POINTS. But it is still not good enough for some.
Yeah
You are correct, Cheesy
Nuno out!!!
Just spoke to next door neighbours cat and he has been in discussions with Mildenhall about a Benny Hill tribute. But only on the assurance that Bob Todd is involved. It could be a block buster.
Timbo. Come on, we started to like the new you. Don’t revert back to the old you.
I don’t know what was wrong with the post. I am just trying to understand why Nuno doesn’t play him more and it occurred to me that this was a valid possibility.
Not sure why people get upset with it.
Tim, your assertion that Nuno is more process oriented might be correct. I mean if you want consistent positive results you’d better have a process in place that everyone understands and is on board with. The results will follow. And with all of the new faces in town instilling his process is probably pretty high on the agenda right now. But whatever his primary focus is it seems to be acceptable to the powers that be (contract extension) and I think that if he didn’t stay here he’d have been snapped up by another club in a heartbeat.
I know right, how dare you have an opinion and/or analyse the club you support on a supporters blog?
Yeah, I know. Gets a little aggravating but I know that in a few weeks, everyone will be saying what I am saying now. It just takes a little time for them to mentally digest what I am saying.
They will hear Nuno say something about him not being mad that we lost by two goals because we played well and executed the processes correctly and it will click and they will say to themselves “Didn’t someone say something about this recently?”
I swear on a stack of bibles that if we played a perfect game and won handsomely there would still be some negativity.
As galling as it was to concede an 89th minute equaliser.. the bigger picture is that we’re equal 5th, above Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal etc….
Have 6 more points at the same stage as last season, have taken 7 from the last 9 points …. have drawn with the mighty Newcastle who played 5:4:1 for 94 minutes and who were desperately crap.
Given the choice of watching them, Burnley, Brighton, Sandwell Town, Paintdrying United, Hoofitupthefield Athletic then I know who I’ll be choosing…..
Nunos charges every time…..
As Raul said … against Leeds we had some fortune, today we didn’t… we move on to Friday….
Likes
Podence
Kilman
Neto
BFB ( dendoncker)
Semedo
and of course Coady Boly Patricio Jiménez
Dislikes
Angonizing over Jota sale ( my Mum
Could have scored in that line up)
Traore not starting against opposition there for the taking…’ two
defenders ‘ is what he is supposed to get past
Jiménez feeling like he has to shoot on sight … when pass to Podence gets goal
Grumbling over Fabio… Nuno seems to need 4-6 months to program a new hire… we have rarely been disappointed by the wait
Giving up 2 points late again ( my ex is a Geordie… imagine my pain)
Neves losing shooting boots
Oh …another Like
10 points
UTW
Nice one Hesgoal.:-) 🙂 🙂
“Premier League chiefs will discuss making a U-turn over the pay-per-view row after “disastrous” viewing figures. (Mirror)”
Happily donated £15 to my local food bank today. Clearly decision makers at EPL have no understanding of how being a football fan works. Nor do they appreciate that for many times are difficult for families. Even those who are currently OK the future is uncertain. And anyway those of us who pay a lot of money to Sky and BT think enough already. Talking of enough already rant over.
It’s absurd that people in the UK have to pay so much for games.
Cheaper to watch in the states
Has Adama signed a new contract yet?
He has been trying to sign one for the last two weeks, unfortunately with all the baby oil he keeps applying to his arms, the pen keeps slipping out of his hand .
Soon as that foul was given I turned off, like I do when we have a penalty award, I can’t look. Been there before: Cup semi for example, or Huddersfield at their place, or Fulham in the Cup at the Mol about a decade ago, a sinking feeling with seconds left. Turn back on, open my eyes and … ‘Yup, it’s happened again’.
I’ve also seen the lads pull it out the bag at the death, more than a few times, of course. Best I remember was at Bolton. One up, then two-one down with about half a second left, and then … a James Henry lung shot. Wollop! Draw. Followed by the “One up and you f’d it up” chant. One of those bitter/sweet moments. Don’t do it again lads! I don’t like bitter.
That James Henry goal was an absolute worldie if I remember. Memorable goal in a memorable season.
Ah yes, reminds me of another English manager with achievement to his name. Mr K Jackett. Dragged us out the the mire and up to the pinnacle in one season flat.
Josep María Bartomeu’s last act as the president of Barcelona was to announce the club’s participation in a European Super League.
The Guardian online reports: ” . . a lucrative breakaway pan-European league involving top English clubs that would supersede the Champions League . . . . . The league would potentially comprise 18 teams – including five English sides and teams from Spain, Italy, Germany and France”
So not all of the “Big Six” then?
No Benfica, Sporting Lisbon or Porto? No Celtic or Rangers? No promotion or relegation?
I do hope the matches will all be pay-to-view then the rich can watch the world’s greatest footballers playing with themselves (literally and euphemistically) week-in-week-out.
I’m guessing the same buggers who thought up Brexit are behind this – the experts at shooting themselves in the foot. ;0)
Lets hope the same numbers of people that voted in the referendum and then again in the Election, also vote not to go with it as they did in Brexit.
Same greedy Europeans spoiling it for the ordinary man once again.
As you say below, boot them out of the champions league also the domestic league.
PPV has fallen down badly this time round, I feel it will be the same with this tripe.
Ajax? Salzburg, Brugge?
Looks like some of the greatest European clubs will be excluded.
They can create what they want the money will always be in the tv rights so if you don’t like it don’t watch it .
Its not compulsory !
If there’s no relegation or promotion then the only people interested will be the ones who support the clubs that are in it and if we aren’t in it I wont be watching it so bollocks to them.
And I doubt I will be the only one with that attitude towards it.
I have no intention of watching it.
Did my post give the impression that I would?
I just hope that if this circus is instead of the Champions League, the teams that sign up for it are expelled from their domestic leagues.