Perspective is a quality I have long considered as being essential to a healthy state of mind.
It’s certainly come in handy in my time watching Wolves.
And while it’s not something that’s ever in boundless supply, it certainly stuck with me throughout tonight’s game.
Spurs were not so long ago being touted as title contenders, having appeared to master the darks arts that are synonymous with all of Jose Mourinho’s most successful teams.
But tonight, against a Wolves team bereft of several key players, they spent the entire game (bar the opening 90 seconds) with their backs to the wall.
Make no mistake about it, we could and should have won this game.
Even before Fabio Silva’s glaring miss at the death, we had enough of the ball to put the game to bed.
It would certainly be easy to rue this result as a missed opportunity but, when considered in the wider context of what has so far been a stop-start season, I think we can take a lot of pride from it.
Sky’s banal commentary reminded us time and time again that this is a Wolves team devoid of its talismanic top scorer, but one glimpse at the Molineux executive boxes was enough to remind you that it is not just Raul we’re missing.
Take players of Boly, Dendoncker and Jonny’s quality out of any Premier League team and you’d see a marked downturn in fortunes, and so it has proved for us.
What’s more, many of our summer recruits are simply not ready to make the sort of immediate impact that you need when replacing or deputising for key players.
Silva has shown plenty of promise to date but only the most blinkered of supporters would argue that he’s an adequate replacement for a player of Jimenez’s quality.
Crucially, ever player is contributing and fighting for the cause. And while that’s the case, we’ll continue to be a difficult team to beat. Even the much maligned Semedo was on form tonight, offering renewed hope that he can come good over time.
To perform so well against one of the league’s strongest sides with such a disjointed team is something for Nuno to be proud of. He will know that we are not quite as formidable as we were this time last season, but this result hopefully gives us something to build on as we head into the new year.
Talk will inevitably turn to the January window, but I think the current crop showed enough tonight to suggest that there is not much between us and the teams currently vying for a top-sixth berth.
Well I have had a bit of banter tonight on the blog. But I agree with the comments above. Perspective is massive. We have just taken 4 points off Chelsea and Spurs at home which is very acceptable. Just as the terrible proceedings at Burnley will make you think it is all going wrong, we come up with a display that makes you believe we are still a decent side. As Ben says. It’s all about perspective.
Bring on Man Utd.
But we’ve got the shortest turnaround of any team. Hopefully, that will not hinder us injury wise or weary leg wise.
I’m happy. We could and should of done better but for the last 18 months, it’s what we expect. Tbf I thought we was in for a tonking when I seen the formation. But you have to give credit to Nuno and the coaching staff in how well prepared we were. Today could of gone horribly wrong and the aftermath with United up next could of resulted in bad vibes. Each player deserved a 7 out of 10 for pure effort but deep down I am getting annoyed and frustrated with the performances when I know we can do better. Without Raul, Johny and to a lesser extent Donk we are lacking…
Fabio is improving but it’s clear to see he lacks the experience of of a more seasoned pro. His positioning seriously needs improving as he seems to eager to receive the ball. But I do think he will be a top player in 5 years time.
Podence is class but he gets to frustrated.
Neto will become world class and I have said since day 1 he will be up there with Ronaldo.
Adama I worry about although today he was much better. Cash in.
Same as Neves. I do believe he can hit the heights again but he needs to be more consistent.
We are 3-4 players away from been a really good side but deep down something isn’t right. We will come good again and I mean really good.
We are only 15 matches in so let’s put that into perspective. Let’s build and get some momentum
I try my best matey. Get your blinkers off and take note of the two or three players crowding me out or the cynical attempts to cut me down in my tracks. I believe Winks should have been sent off for that scything which stopped my run on goal and almost took my ankles off. Nuno is drilling me on shape , shape, shape which is why I kept to the right touchline.
If Wolves cash in on me it might please those fans that want metronome players but there are plenty out there who want to be excited by pace and talent. Happy New Year.
very very very very well said adama !
You played well tonight , you pulled two and three players sometimes over to you and we are now learning to quickly move the ball inside to take advantage .
VERY WELL DONE 8 OUT OF TEN
Spot on Adama it’s probably only Wolves fans who can’t see the value you bring to the team.
Opposition fans and opponents wouldn’t be so daft!
‘Cash in’ isn’t the same as saying you’re rubbish mate. Nobody seriously thinks you’re hopeless.
It’s just a question of whether we sell you in this window for £50+ million to a desperate club with more money than sense (and I don’t think Leeds are that club btw), or whether you go for half that fee next summer with a year left on your contract and having spent the last 12 months as an impact sub for a mid-table side.
That’s probably as good as we can hope for without Raul. With him playing we would have been formidable. That’s not to denigrate Silva. He’s going to be one hell of a player-just not yet.
Our season is resting on our January recruitment. It’s going to be interesting.
A strong showing tonight and some excellent build up play. Just lacked that last bit of quality in front of goal to win the game.
I thought Silva played well, held it up and linked the play well at times and should have won it at the end. Podence again was excellent and Semedo had a good game! Defensively pretty sound and linked up well with Adama down the right, more of that please.
Motm easily Neto. This lad is going to be a superstar at the top end of the game. He never stopped running, dragging the whole team forward. Technically he’s excellent, his quick feet and change of pace is so good to watch.
Poor early goal to concede but for for 80% of the match we were well on top and probably should have won it.
Much better Wolves, lets keep that level the same against United.
In my opinion our best bit of business in the Close season was the sale of Jota.
We got a ton of cash, for a guy who the previous season was very inconsistent, and largely ineffective, and who, had he stayed, would this season not have been a regular starter. Why? Cos Pedro Neto is so much better
Nuno clearly knew what exactly what was coming from Neto. This guy is making unbelievably rapid progress, and in just a short time will become a world beater. He has the lot. Pace, dribbling skills, brilliant crosser, awareness, as well as being a great finisher.
But best of all is his self confidence. His willingness to take defenders on, knowing that he can skin them All this from a guy who is still just twenty. And he plays for us.
So Maureen said they controlled the game.
If you count parking a bus, relying on graduates from the Grealish school of diving, cynical fouls and nudges, and blatant time wasting, then I agree.
What he didn’t mention was that for most of the match, his team played against ten, and sometimes nine opponents.
For me, the jury has been out for a while on Semedo, but now the verdict is in.
He is crap.
Time and again he failed to tackle, or gave the ball away.
And, last year’s man for all seasons, our very own Adama, went on many mazy runs to the by line, and failed to put in a single decent cross.
I am sick and tired of harping on about getting in the box as quickly as possible, to draw fouls.
Once again, with Donkeys Dyer and Davis in their defense, we failed to do it.
Golden opportunity missed.
But, apart from their shot in the first minute, they didn’t produce a single chance of note.
The sycophantic commentator waxed lyrical long and hard about Kane and his Son, but where were they?
Not a shot or assist or anything.
Kane, our vaunted England captain, once again resorted to diving all over the place and his Son was subbed.
Pathetic excuse for a football team.
We deserved to win, and in six months time, Fabio will be gobbling those chances up.
He is growing game by game, and will be a star in the not too distant future.
For me, MOTM was Moutinho.
Really gutted we didn’t get all three points.
Bring on the mancs, we ay skeered.
Some on Twitter are raving about Semedo’s performance
For me if Mourinho chooses to play son on the opposite wing all night to where he usually plays then that is why
See Mourinho moaning that they did nothing going forward for 89 mins – well why did he not change it then ?
We played with a lot of heart and can take a lot from the game
Love your new name.
It’s hard to believe that Matt Doherty is enjoying playing in a team with that philosophy more than that which he left behind.
I’m not sure he is.
At Wolves Doherty wasn’t one of the highest paid players. I think the massive salary increase will help cushion the blow.
Good observation…?
That should have been a “thumbs up” but it came out as a question mark for some reason.
VAR are taking a look at it…
I really didn’t think Doc fitted into their game plan. Thankfully, he didn’t have a good one and didn’t look as comfortable as he did playing for us. He’s happy? I’m not sure the ‘dream’ move has worked out.
Fabio Fabio, Fabio, a chance to have been a hero, but such is life. He is improving game by game but is still a long way from ready — and a bit lightweight!
Yes, perspective is important, and having beat Arsenal and Chelsea, with Spurs escaping by the skin of their teeth is not too shabby. A win on Tuesday would really put the icing on the cake!
All in all a very good performance. A bit more consistency and we will be roaring up the table.
Surprised that this many comments in, no-one has complained about “the penalty”. Stunned that the commentators and after-match reviewers all said – yes the defender has clearly made contact with Silva’s foot… but a penalty was not deserved!
Karl Henry in a tweet was adamant that Dier kicked Silva’s foot. But maybe Silva’s slightly theatrical dive didn’t help. Not obvious enough for VAR to overrule the ref.
Well said Ash.
And this is about the fourth penalty in the last ten games that we should have had. Even in review it’s just skimmed over by the commentators. And the description “not deserved” just infuriates me. When did a rule state “award a penalty if you think it’s deserved”.
More and more I’m convinced VAR is there to maintain the status quo
Also, if Dyer only kicked Silva’s foot then Silva himself must have got the last touch……and yet we were awarded a corner.
If I recall correctly, that is.
The problem is consistancy. Some refs would give a penalty for that and some don’t. When it is checked they will let the decision stand as there is ” no clear and obvious error. ” The problem is that we are not getting any of them!
As for going down easily, what about Sterling, Kane, Grealish and many others equally as bad. Commentators were on about how easily Fabio went down, but hardly a word when a “big six” player goes down!
Agreed, even in the same match Thommo gave Kane a 9.5 for a theatrical dive, which Kane should have been booked for.
Absolutely right and….what a surprise….no booking.
I have been quite scathing about Silva and would have been even more so after the end of game miss – however, having seen the much vaunted and highly praised Marcus Rashford missing an even more glaring miss in the 1st minute of their game, I might just forgive him (mind you Rashford DID score eventually).
The commentators said that Silva did quite well but, he is NOT a CF. And I tend to agree. He is easily pushed off and his heading technique is non existent. Come to think of it, maybe he should be in the U23 after all.
I was impressed by the maturity Otasowie showed when brought into the game. He is definitely one to watch for the future..
Incredible how young a team finished the game for us…
None of Neto, Silva, Ait-Nouri and Otasowie have celebrated their 21st birthdays yet, but we were still the dominant team..
A good performance by us, particularly after the set back of conceding such an early goal against a spurs team with some very talented players- I can’t recollect a game where son and kane were so anonymous. I have been one of Semedo’s fiercest critics but I thought he had probably his best game in a wolves shirt, and although I still don’t see anything warranting the money we have spent on him, any improvement is to be encouraged. A real shame Silva didn’t score at the end, clearly he is far from the finished article and is not an adequate replacement for Jimenez . However, for those critical of him, remember he is 18, two years younger than when the much vaunted Kane even made his pl debut. They were both on the pitch last night and who came closest to scoring?
Watched a recording just now and very pleasantly surprised by the quality of our play after the shambles at Burnley
Yet another prediction wrong … happily
Don’t think anyone played badly and Moutinho and Neto were stars
(why doesn’t Neves take free kicks any more? Btw)
The news about Traore s foot helps to explain a lot … I’m in the keep
Him/ use him camp and feel the same way about Semedo
Doherty wasn’t a great defender Semedo can turn out an upgrade
Young Prince needs season with U 23s
Can come back quicker stronger and with better technique
Meantime…
Let’s not buy. a Donkey CF please … there’s got to be a clever and experienced Portuguese player out there surely? OK, Spanish then
OT up next and let’s be brave again with team selection
OODCL
To answer your question, Marin, he does still take some of them but has generally fluffed his lines. Hence others also get an opportunity (and they generally fluff their lines too!). Don’t forget that, in training, free kick taking is a regular so, if someone was much better than anyone else, they would be number one choice on match days.
I’ll probably say a bit more later. I’m just making tea and biscuits to take up to bed to the PMDG’er.
But…
I thought football was a sport that involved contact.
Tell that to most footballers nowadays and they would probably fall over with a loud scream.
And Harry bloody Kane is one of the worst of them.
I lost count of the number of times he ‘bought’ a free kick last night.
Admittedly, he doesn’t include the Grealish ‘Oh My God, I’ve been shot!’ routine.
But, in a way, it’s even more annoying in its sly, and nearly always successful, attempt to sucker the ref into giving him a free kick, and his team a much needed respite.
Oh, there goes the kettle. Where’s the ginger biscuits?
See you all later.
Re your Kane comment, this from The Fighting Cock, a Spurs blog …….
“Only Harry Kane’s ability to engineer the award of free-kicks from minimal contact – sometimes even less than that – offered the Tottenham defence and their heaving chests a breather.”
The blog headline is “Wolves punish craven Spurs”
Takes me back to the days of Cliff Jones, the Spurs winger whose main strategy was to hare down the wing, cut in and dive into the penalty area like an Olympic swimmer in the 100m freestyle final.
Good post Jazzwolf- it’s a balanced report from the Spurs camp. No mention of Fabio’s last minute chance though!
Spot on DOOGooder. Why is Kane never booked for it?
Overall very pleased with that performance. Please can we play every game like that with the aggression and intensity so badly missing v Burnley.
Samedo had a good game, I hope that is his learning period over with and he’s come to the party.
It’s obvious that patience is the key emotion when it comes to bedding players into teams. Silva with games will get much better, he’s learning on the main stage whereas the likes of Arry Kane did their apprenticeship’s on loan.
The formation was good tonight, it worked for us because there were threats from four attacking players. Great goal from Saiss as well, goes under the radar but very important player for us, think he’s our longest serving player after Coady.
Yes onwards and upwards now I sincerely hope, it’s gonna be tough v United as they’re looking good now. A win would be potentially season defining, but just play like we did last night and the wins will certainly come. On the transfer window there’s no way I’d want to lose any players. Certainly not Traore who is getting a lot of negative comments, I’m pretty sure we are in no position to sell anymore of his potential and ability. We also need to be convinced of the type of player brought in.
But maybe Mendes, Nuno and Jeff Shi will surprise us all. Who knows?
Thought we played well, Fabio is a star in the making and, has been said, only 18… He does seem to be learning and the goals will come with experience.
I am always (I don’t know why!) surprised how negative Sperms are and the blatant cheating by Kane & Co, slightest touch and down we go… annoying comments from the sky team, who thought their time wasting, theatrical dives and not having a shot from the 21st minute, was ‘clinical and efficient’… really??
Overall good display, hindsight could have won it.
Take that grit and moments of class we showed to Manure and our Xmas exploits will be a good one.
Excellent team performance with improvements from Semedo, giving great support to Adama whose crosses will be much more effective when he has a target to aim at. Neves getting back to his best and the young Prince improving by the game. Hope Marcel not injured he is a rock at the back. Love it when we are underdogs playing a London team- the reactions of Arteta, Lampard and Mourinho are priceless. Jose’s frustrations were plain to see- they almost scored too soon and did not know whether to stick or twist. Nothing can take away the grit and determination we are capable of in rescuing a lost cause and such a pity it was not in front of a rocking Molineux – we would have won last night if it had full. On another note- the Klopp and Allardyce interviews were laugh out loud. Where do they find the Sky commentators- poorly prepared, biased and spout pre-prepared rubbish, ignoring the merits of the match.
Much better than Burnley, though it could hardly have been worse.
Giving away the early goal (how did Rui lose that, by the way) didn’t phase us and we gradually wrested control away from Spuds and slowly tightened the screw. Romain’s goal, when it came, was superb as he proved once more he can be a real danger in and around the box.
I thought with Fabio’s miss at the end, firstly, it looked for all the world that the defender would get a head to it so I, and probably Fabio, was taken by surprise when he missed it. Then when the ball came to him, it was too low for a header and too high for a knee or a foot and a split second was not long enough to adjust. Just a bit unlucky in my book (should I ever write one).He did plenty of good things in the game and is slowly improving with every showing.
Neto is, and will be, an absolute star.
Would have been a injustice to lose really enjoyed the game well played all the boys it’s so tight this year top 7 is still a possibility also cane should be a Olympic diver time for a hair off the dog
That’s about a dozen posts from you, Binda, and you haven’t used me once yet. Not sure if you are real or just taking the pee.
By the way, have you binda anywhere else?
That’s about a dozen posts from you, Binda, and you haven’t used me once yet. Not sure if you are for real or just taking the pee.
By the way, have you binda anywhere else?
Oops.
Should there be an exclamation mark and not a full stop at the end of the sentence?
Oh dear Punk, bit of a schoolboy error there, never mind I’m sure no-one will mention it.
After all, we none of us know anything of any other contributors’ personal circumstances other than the fact that they are fellow Wolves fans.
Clearly we owe all fellow contributors respect for their opinions and the dignity to encourage further contributions.
Both a full stop and an exclamation mark would do!
Well said JackoMac!
Two thoughts from the game…
Firstly, I looked at the bench and thought how fantastic it is to have so many young and talented players in the squad. With the exception of Ruddy, Kilman was the oldest player at only 23. We are comfortably holding our own in mid table and with a few experienced additions the future is exciting.
Secondly, on the point of diving unfortunately our young Fabio has a nasty habit of going down far too easily and theatrically with a lot of screaming. Such a talented player should stay on his feet, perhaps our captain should have a word and say we don’t behave like Harry Kane at this club.
OODCL
Weren’t people accusing Coady of diving a while back?
Very true Tim, ‘do as I say not do as I do’
World beaters we were not, top six candidates we were not, but what we were was a greatly improved side from the Burnley and dare I say it, the Villa game.
Semedo had his best game in a Wolves shirt, in the first half negating the Son effect who moved over to the other side and was eventually hoofed off.
An interesting thing about Semedo, there is a video on the Wolves site about the players rating their favourite Christmas meals, favourite Christmas songs and a guess the player according to their stats game. I recommend it as it’s funny as funk. Take a look at the stats and you will find Semedo is top over every other player.
Little Pedro he was amazing last night, he was like Jimenez, he was everywhere, even making a brilliant tackle alongside the defence then breaking out on a terrific run which was ended at the feet of Traore.
Traore, who by the way, drew all the plaudits in the papers and got MOTM on the Wolves website, but then again, when I went on to vote for Pedro, Donk had received 17% of the vote at that time.
All in all a good fighting spirit with a greatly weakened team performance from all the lads last night..
Same again tomorrow night please, that game last night was actually quite enjoyable.
As previously mentioned we are using traore in a better way .
It seems to have dawned on the coaching staff that he pulls opposition players to him like a magnet and we have been saying for for ages he needed to release the ball to take advantage of the space created … they have now worked out a way of doing just that.
It seems to have taken an eternity for the penny to drop but now we have a huge weapon when used correctly.
We just need a man in the middle who can hold his own and finish and we will crack this as prince charming is still in nappies at the moment and it will take a while before he is potty trained i think.
Regardless of certain opinions i think traore and semedo are improving and otasowie will be the missing link in the middle before much longer oh! and kane is an out and out cheat.
On to the manks !
Busy time on the blog !
Great write up ben !
Amazing how conceding an early goal can free the shackles and instil the ‘nothing to lose mentality’.
Major learning point for me was the reminder that with the handbrake off we still possess the players to really hurt any opposition.
The cross from Neves for the late Fabio chance.
The mazey run from Neto virtually unaided.
The tackle from Otasowie in our right-back position.
Doc’s hug from Nuno.
Got a lot right last night.
Tea and biscuits consumed. Now back to football.
Nuno’s New Year Resolution:-
“I must get Pedro Neto tied down to a ten year contract and make sure that he strays no further than half a mile away from Molineux”.
What a footballer this lad is going to become.
What a footballer he already is!
It’s amazing how so many people can watch the same game and end up with diametrically opposed opinions of certain players.
Take Semedo.
He’s officially crap, missing tackles and is a complete liability…
He’s improving…
He had his best game in a Wolves shirt, forcing Son to move wings because he was getting no change out of him…
I too thought that he had his best game so far last night. By no means perfect but going forward he looks the real deal and his positional play has improved greatly.
The one thing that still bugs me is that whenever he’s confronted with a high ball, he seems to jump underneath it.
But Nuno obviously sees potential in him and he’s sticking to his guns.
I found the game very entertaining when watching Neto’s runs and Podence’s’ flicks and turns, but the play acting of players going down shrieking at the slightest touch is really starting to piss me off.
And I’m not alluding to only Spurs players.
That, and VAR, are the two things that are spoiling the game of football for me, big time.
Sometimes don’t you just wish for the good old days when men were men…
And a challenge from Mike Bailey was a PROPER tackle.
Excellent performance which merited 3 points. Silva is growing into his role – it’ll be slow and steady but at the end of it we’ll have some player on our books.
Realised when I Iooked at our bench just how lightweight our squad still is, despite the summer purchases. We’ve got only (arguably) 4 first choice players out (Boly, Donck, Jonny and Raul) but we had practically no experience on the bench, bar Ruddy.
I was surprised that Nuno went with a back 4, (just as I was surprised he started with a back 3/5 at Burnley), but this time it paid off. I have no idea how he’ll start tomorrow…
Good performance should have won but Silia lacks experience that will come with time.
We made Spurs look ordinary I thought next up Utd would be great to get 3 points there.
Much comment on various strands of the media: Son and Kane missing, tired etc.
Well missing because Son had to help Doc out and Kane only rarely able to get out of defence, in order to dive, sorry I mean draw a foul.
It;s great to have another match to enjoy only two days after that, but it will be interesting to see what changes will be made, either to rest some, or to counter whatever danger Man U are deemed to threaten.
I’d be happy to go with the same team on the pitch, any injuries excepted, and hope Nuno will persevere with Fabio as that’s how he’ll get the necessary experience, not in the U23s.