The performance merited a point.
And if we allow ourselves to zoom out – which is difficult after a last-minute concession – there is much to feel good about.
Collectively and individually this was more like the Wolves we’ve come to expect.
Compact out of possession, intelligent with the ball and making the opposition answer a lot of awkward questions.
Vitinha strolled around Old Trafford like he’d been playing there for years, not like a man making his full senior debut. I thought it was a mistake taking him off, especially with Podence looking jaded and uninterested.
Ait-Nouri and Hoever belied their meagre years to play with control and maturity, not always making the right moves but always doing enough.
If there’s a concern with Ait-Nouri, it’s whether he’s switched on enough defensively at times, but perhaps that will come with hours at Compton under Nuno’s watchful eye?
Neto and Traore were sharp in the early stages but predictably faded in the second half when the rapid turnaround time between fixtures came into the equation.
Without their tireless industry, the ball kept coming back and there was a period when it looked like Utd would find that moment.
When that purple patch came and went, it seemed the point was secured, only for a hoof forward and a horrid deflection to sour the deal.
The major concern remains our own route to goal, with enough good positions occupied tonight to suggest an experienced striker could have made the difference.
We must do that business in the coming weeks, because everywhere else on the pitch, there are good players doing the right things.
Here’s to a happier new year.
I am really sorry but the numpties are out on social media. We should be Leeds. We should be Villa.Well all I can say is knob off to Elland Road or Villa Park. We will support Wolves. Happy new year.FWAW.
I didnt think the wolves players played wel because wolves lost again its getting worse
Simon…were you watching the same game as everyone else?
Don’t know what shite sites you are reading Cheese but I’d suggest you ignore them or vent forth at the tossers.
And the same to you cheese .. you nut job . You re well loved on here mate
U t w !
Well I’m wearing one of my new Xmas wolves shirts out later because I’m very proud of the effort the lads put in and not without some big chunks of skill either.
Such a young team playing away at a team in top form with only 48 hours to prepare.
Some fans are bloody hard to please that’s all I say
Brighton are there for the taking and I believe we will take them to start the year off .
Gutted but proud
Come on you wolves
Great and balanced write up too Thomas considering we are all still a tad hot under the collar
Wolves need to start learning how to defend better and start scoring goals l wasent pleased with the performance
simple and simon come to mind !
Agree Thomas.. Having had a few moments to calm down there are many things to be proud about and that bodes well.
We didn’t park the bus, but played sensible when required.
All the youngsters played well and maturity beyond there years.
Saiss deserved MoM
VAR didn’t give Manure a penalty…. rightly so.
The league this year is maybe not as strong, so there will be 3 or 4 worse teams than us, plus in points, we are closer to 6th than 17th.
Things to work on, wayward passing, going sideways when a fast forward ball is most definitely an option Attitude of a few needs a little refocusing
Manure did not deserve 3 points, but history will show yet again we failed to score.
But, still things are going the right direction. Hopefully we bring in a striker and go-getter midfielder. We still have 4 great players to come back from injury. As was mentioned in a previous blog…. Perspective is required.
Good night, err note to self… don’t read the papers in the morning, it will only bring the anger back.
We are a good team with a great manager, we’ve kept Kane, Son, Cavani, ,Rashford, Fernandez quiet and away from danger. So much has gone well tonight but football has been cruel to us and once again, a Fergie time flaky goal has rescued a very ordinary Utd team. How are they second? Just makes you think if only…
The whole world has identified our problem, there must be a good centre forward out there who would love to be on the end of the chances we can create, so whether it’s Costa, Gomez, Origi, Jovic etc, they will score goals and create chances for others. Get that recruitment right and we’ll fly back up the table.
There are small downers against tonight’s performance but it would be churlish and picky to highlight them. It’s a point lost but Nuno’s babes will only get better and his senior pros served him well.
Rumour has it a circuit breaker lockdown will pause Premier League matches which might be a blessing in disguise for our club.
Wolves need to start learning how keep a clean sheet l didnt think wolves played that well you cant lose all the time it needs sorting out this season has been rubbish
Wolves need to start learning how to defend better and start scoring goals l wasent pleased with the performance and l will be pleased when we get a striker in who can score goals
Beginning to feel like a send-up. Understandable if it’s a Baggie. If it’s Vile, enjoy! If it’s neither, apologies your views are respected though not necessarily agreed with.
Whats this?
‘Simon says?’ Rewind a few months and ill bet you were praising Nuno .
A bit of perspective needed me thinks Simon.
Doh, their years. Sorry!
Agree entirely Thomas, I thought the young starters were a joy to watch as they played with skill and confidence. The goal was a sickener, possibly missing the far post before it hit Romain – and didn’t he play out of his skin. At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious, the lack of a Raul type striker really stood out, without his height/presence it’s almost pointless putting high crosses into the box. Let’s hope we can find someone to fill the gap in January, with the right choice we could still have a good second half to the season.
Onwards and upwards.
Hoever and Saiss were particularly excellent. I think everyone would agree a draw would have been a fair result. Going forward remains the key concern. So many times we got into promising positions, only for lack of options in the box to force us backwards and ultimately peter out. Thought Traore was poor, touch and decision making let him down. I’ve been one of his biggest supporters but with our attacking options limited, he has to do more.
I am not proud of the wolves players l dont think they care l thought it was a bad performance and l think those wolves players should be a shamed of themselves
Yes it’s a send-up
I’m glad you’re not a crown court judge Simon
Perspective required
Angry head removed
And breathe
Ban this Simon wind up merchant character. He’s yet another who has never heard of punctuation, never mind the tripe coming out of his excuse for a brain.
There was no options up front the first half we would break get to Utd box then realise there was no one in the box so pass it backwards.
Our whole approach to this game and most games is stay in it till half time then we will see if we can nick it secound half that’s what Chris Wilder at Sheffield Utd saying to his team, it relegation mindset.
Adama was passive most the game one or two flitting moments but that’s it walked round the pitch did not close down or track back then secound half Nuno takes of our best attacking player Neto.
Utd goal was lucky but it was always on the cards with our game plane that what happens when you get pushed back further and further the law of averages said the were going to score be it a lucky goal but they created that luck by attacking and being permit ant.
We approach every game aiming not to lose instead of we can win. Our plan get to half time then see if we can nick a goal 15 goals in 16 games fact and even allowing for Raul’s absence prior to his absence it still wasn’t good.
First half was break out with the ball get to Utd box then……oh we have no one in the box so we will pass it backwards then side wards only effort of note was Siais flick at free kick then from the resulting corner we go short and ……yeah same as the last time and the time before that and so on the opersition regain possession and we are on the back foot again.
We take Neto off shades of Jota F.A Cup Semi final when Adama is strolling round the pinch like he walking his dog we bring Silva on with 20 minutes to go and expect him to perform a miracle.
It’s all desperate stuff from a manager who has lost his ball attacking balls that is.
Small squad Nuno choice so cannot harp on about injurie. Replacements are kids again Nuno cannot gripe because we are lead to believe he sanctioned there arrival.
You’ve posted a long comment and not once have you mentioned a positive. The individual performances of Hoever, Ait Nouri, Kilman. Neves and moutinho performing well together in midfield. No mention of how well we defended as a unit and how great saiss was in the centre of defence.
You choose to hit on every negative, as is your right as a wolves fan, but after you’ve calmed later, can you not look back and think that’s a decent performance? Raul, Boly, Donk and Jonny walk back into that starting 11 and the young lads that have been put out tonight more than matched uniteds strongest for 90 mins.
I think they need praising not criticising but that’s your call.
Well put Rgan the boys played well very proud.
me fink you ply for maninger job …yu no all ansers ..sak nunno imm stuepeed an knot now wot doin !
that paul i tork two
Blimey…that was a long rant.
So proud off my team tonight, kids where superb, Hoover much better than Nelson, confident Nuno will get a forward January, all them people slagging team off, should remember the years off decline, I’ll support my team till I die, now where’s that Bailey’s bottle.
I am not proud of the wolves players l dont think they care l thought it was a bad performance and l think those wolves players should be a shamed of themselves
Don’t be simple, Simon
Too late, Marney. Clearly a simpleton.
Totally gutted on that one, not just for myself, but the whole team as well, the guys gave everything. I am disappointed with Traore again, the game was there for him, he had loads of opportunities to star tonight but I think he squandered too much. There were great gaps in the middle because of bored Pogba and donkey McGuire, but Traore again on receiving the ball decided to stand there until Man U put 4 players on him.
The pundits in the studio were saying it was a worse game than last season, but they were only talking about the favoured Man U, Wolves didn’t come into the equation.
The whole team were brilliant tonight, but Traore does have to get his head out of his arse, if he really want’s to go, so be it, if not he needs to switch back on. This from a Wolves point of view was entertaining, we contained Man U at their ground, at times it looked like we were the home team.
The relief on Ole’s face at the end said it all.
Gutted, I really am Gutted and feel really bad for the young guys who left nothing in the changing room.
Well done lads, well played tonight, sad that it got away from us.
I’m sorry to say, Adama is just a luxury player we can’t carry, no goals or assists 20 matches that’s a fact, if he wants to go sell him, unfortunately that’s the way I see it, happy New year my fellow bloggers, time for a night cap.
I fully agree with your comments regarding Adama. Presently, he`s a waste of space.
He had a purple patch in the middle of last season, but he`d done nothing but frustrate before that, and has done virtually nothing since. He may have real pace, but so what !! He has no football brain, so inevitably there is no end result. Worse yet, he doesn`t even appear to be interested.
Time to sell and get what we can. But this will likely be nowhere near the value that was being banged around just a few months ago.
Definitely time to move on. Time for fans elsewhere to have to endure the frustration that is Adama Traore
I think that you might find he’s carrying an injury. He was clearly inhibited in his running motion.
Excellent summary, Thomas, as ever. All I would say is that of the senior injured players, only Raul would be an automatic starter based on what I saw tonight. These young players are skilful, tenacious and have great technique in playing the ball out of defence. Neves, Saiss and Moutinho were also outstanding. Not got any sympathy for some who seem to look for scapegoats when we lose, this was always going to be a difficult fixture after the Spurs game and most would agree that we played much better than we might have expected after looking at the team sheet.
In all seriousness. I note Big Sam calling for the league to be suspended during the current upsurge in covid. I think I agree with him on that. The whole league is just soulless at the minute. No fans.. No atmosphere. Let’s face it. Just for sky and BT. We saw 7 out of 12 league one fixtures postponed because of outbreaks. This virus is a killer.
Totally agree, the Virus is more or less the only game in town & empty stadiums are starting to look ridiculous.
But the watching of games on TV have been a much needed distraction in these COVID times.
However if there’s a plan then maybe 2 months or 6 weeks off gives us time to get back some sense of normality.
Very proud of the team this evening, especially Hoever and all the back line. Did feel that in the ten minutes we were showing signs of 24 hours less recovery time than Man Utd. Cruel deflection at the end meant 1 lost point. Typical pundits to ignore the number of saves Wolves forced from de Gea as the game-plan worked well.
In the cold light of day I am sure I will be reflecting on all the positives from the game rather than the annoyance of the deflected goal.
Football is a game of opinions, so I will give you mine
1 Considering time scale,injuries I thought we aquited our selves well tonight. 2 Young players did very well. 3 Saiss i believe is contract is up at the end of the season, most under rated player on the books,deserves another deal.
4Traore most overrated player on the books, a couple of runs at the defence in a match, what does he do for the other 88 minutes he could have done more to stop the cross into the box which resulted in there goal tonight
5 We need to get in two strikers not one
Not one, but two penalties not given when the ball struck Coady’s arm.
At Old Trafford as well!
With Fergie watching!
Has the world gone mad?
I thought for sure one of them would be given, as that was the only way yanited looked like scoring.
Saiss played out of his skin, deservedly Man of the Match, very unlucky not to score, and all the rest of the team acquitted themselves admirably…………………except Traore.
What is the point of him?
For the second game in a row, he had donkey defenders in front of him, yet failed to drive at them at all.
It’s all very well saying he takes two or three defenders with him when he goes on a run to the corner flag, but one pre supposes he can do something useful with the ball, i.e. pass to one of our blokes in a freed up position, once he gets there.
But no, most of the time he loses possession, fall on his arse, then sits up and bangs the pitch with both fists like a kid who’s lost his dummy.
Well, I wish we could lose our dummy, coz he is just a waste of skin, and we cannot expect to beat anyone with ten effective players on the pitch.
We have only got one point from a possible six, when we have given two of the so called top six bloody good runs for their money, and in all honesty, deserved to beat both of them.
Our first half performance was a joy to behold, and for once we were not doing the sideways backwards thing too much.
We could have been two up at half time, but there we go.
At least the ref was not as bad as he usually is, and we didn’t have a var decision go against us.
But, oh what could have been.
As has been stated ad nauseum, we desperately need an up and running striker, to feed off Neto and Danny boy, and the sale of Traore should pay for one.
Nice result from sandwell tonight, we love ya, big Sam.
And for what it’s worth, I fear the season could be suspended again, or even cancelled after the New Year.
How’s that little Triumph, Timmy Babe?
That’s an old picture. I sold it 20 years ago.
It was fun to drive though and I got to know my mechanic well.
a decent one is thirty grand over here should of kept it .
Name THAT car.
Jaguar XK120? It would give my 2cv a run for it’s money!
Nope, Jag Mk 2
MKII classic?
I name it Jason
Now thats a proper motor
Better than a Jagtank, eh, Matt?
It’s a proper jag tank .. probably got a body in the boot too
Happy new year mate
And you Dude!
Bank robbers Jag.
Correct! As seen umteen times on The Sweeny lol
I think that tonight showed we have the basis of a very good team, which should give us all much confidence.
We are a very young side. Yet the kids played with great skill and commitment, with Hoever particularly outstanding on his debut. They were not over matched, nor were they overawed. They deserved at least a point against [ supposedly !! ] one of the top teams in the League
All very encouraging. But we can`t win without a pivotal up front striker. Nuno, Mr Shi, we are now paying a huge cost for your abject failure you get in place a half decent striker to cover for Raul. Please, please, in January go for experience. This is not the time for another ” One for Tomorrow ” Our need is now. The great bunch of kids who are carrying the load, urgently need experienced support .
I don’t think I ever felt so pleased after we lost a game. Gutted! But pleased at the same time because I thought the team played their heart out. Every single one of them. We definitely deserved the point and United know for sure how lucky they were to actually nick it. C’est la vie. They’re a good team and our U’21’s took them to the limits. No shame. In fact, the future looks pretty bright to me if the youngsters can play like that!
I totally disagree, though, with those of you slamming Adama. Please get off his back. I must have been watching a different game because I thought he had one of his better games in a while and was one of our main threats going forward. I for one love watching him play. Problem most of the time was that there was nobody to link with in the area. No Raul. No target.
I’m telling you, he’s a very special player. As a runner myself of humble, modest ability, I am in awe of his pace. He’s still so young. Wolves will regret the day they sell him. I have the utmost respect for Nuno, but personally, I lay this one at his feet. Nuno needs to figure out the system that works for Adama, and set him alight. I understand he hasn’t scored in too many games, but neither have many other players. I don’t think Adama is responsible for Ruben’s goal drought. Or Moutinho’s. I don’t think Adama OK’ed “donating” the club’s only wing back who knew where the net was to Spurs and replace him with someone who can’t even cross a ball. I don’t think Adama took the risk of not adding an experienced competitor to Raul (over 2 seasons now!) when it was CRYSTAL clear from last year that without Raul, we could barely score.
Again, please don’t get me wrong, I’m not slamming Nuno. We wouldn’t be where we are without him. Respect! And I’m not saying he’s responsible for all that has happened. (Clubs are complicated.) But I think he’s got to figure out why his systems are not working for some players, and how he fixes that. All those short corners … really? Why? Neves – a shadow of the terror he used to be (Saiss taking freekicks in his place now? Give me a break!) Adama … do we really want to see what Klopp can do with the guy? Come on Nuno, you got this … rediscover your magic Maestro! Make your players shine!
OK, I’ll get off that pedestal … you may all disagree with me but I always speak my mind. 🙂 So before I sign off, I’ll pick up where Mr Rasmin left it off on perspective in his last (excellent) post. My perspective is that Wolves are now an “established” EPL team, fearing no one, and able to take it toe-to-toe with any team in the league, even when the team has been so depleted with injuries. We’ll have great seasons, and we’ll have some challenging ones. This one has turned into a very challenging one with the loss of Raul and all the other injuries. If any of you are still expecting top-4 or top-6, I really don’t know what to tell you. We will likely place mid table (depending on what happens in the Jan transfer window) and hopefully top 10. That’s OK!!! The team is still progressing and the club is moving forward. Good things will come. Stay with the team and the players. There will be some tough times along the way. But what a journey it is. Enjoy it!
Go Wolves! Never give up!
Posted my comments then read yours – have to agree
Agree with you about Traore. He didn’t have his greatest game tonight but neither did Neto or Podence when he came on.
I actually posted on Twitter that Adama was back to his last season best. Maybe he petered out over the game but he was good the first half.
And I agree that he might be having trouble finding a target to pass it when he finally looks up. :^)
Maybe we need Fabio to wrap a gold cloth around his wrist to signify to Adama that he is the striker.
Diego Costa, now a free agent, any takers?
Well I would for starters. At least he’d teach Silva how to bully thug centre halves.
Would love to see it but he’s on £250K per week so I don’t think it will happen.
But if he’s out of contract, or quit, or been sacked, surely his wages are now negotiable?
Hi Clive,
He has agreed that his contract can be terminated with immediate effect so he is a free agent and any new contract is negotiable.
BUT, given that salary levels at Wolves are reported to be app £100/£125k per week for the highest earners it is a bit of a stretch to think that we can realistically negotiate a deal for Costa. I hope I am wrong because I think that he would be a perfect short term solution.
Happy New Year.
OODCL
Obviously Athletico did n’t think he was worth whatever it was that he was being paid so he should have lower expectations. And I read that subject to certain conditions (like not playing for rivals of Athletico)he would get a £3 1/2m pay off. So potentially he might settle for less than you might expect.
Well gutted at that, we deserved a draw
Take exception to Thomas’s hoof comment
Rashford had moved behind Ait Nouri and Kilman and Fernandez pass to him was meant certainly not a “hoof”
To then get a deflection off Saiss added insult to injury
We need a replacement for Raul and really it has to be someone who can play every week and we always said we were skating on thin ice with no proper backup for Raul. Diego was great in his day but age and 250k a week is not on.
Gutted but young players will learn from this
Great display lads, chin up, onwards and upwards.
Deeply disappointing. And worrying.
Didn’t agree with the team selection. After the performance against Spurs would love to have seen a similar set up. Unless there are injuries or illness, would prefer to see a more consistent team. If players perform well they should be in next game, if possible.
Felt that there was little chance of a win when Neto was withdrawn. No longer any real threat and no between link up between defence and attack.
Most worrying of all is Traore. A player with his speed and strength should have given Maguire and the defence a torrid evening and, let’s face it, he doesn’t look like a real and persistent threat, either as a goal scorer or provider. To easy to play against and too predictable. One trick pony. Time he went I’m afraid, and some serious additions in January.
Bummed
Really bummed
Loved the style we showed and have only praise for the entire team, including Traore
We have some ways to go in seeing out games but that will come
So many quality players now in our squad and lots more coming back from injury
These are good times.. really folks …and most of these players will get much better…even as Moutinho fades away
Let’s tread water for a Month or two and consolidate
Last 15 games will be brilliant…35 points… including a 3-0 win over Manure that I hope to see
OODCL
We were very unlucky last night. Defence and midfield were excellent against a good united team in good form. Hoever in particular left me wondering how of all our summer defensive acquisitions he was the last to be given a start. I’ve posted on here before that I think the best we will get this season is mid table, maybe on the edges of the last European spot, we have had a tough run of fixtures and hopefully with fewer injury problems and good acquisitions in January the second half of the season will be better than the first. As I have previously mentioned, I also think we are at a bit of a crossroads with Nuno. Without doubt, he is the best manager we have had in the 46 years I’ve been watching wolves but can he take us much further? This might sound ridiculous to many given the mediocrity and sometimes rubbish I’ve seen at the molineux over this time but in the context of fosun ambition I think it is a question that will increasingly loom into view. Clearly we are missing Jimenez, however, goals were an issue when he was in the team, so let’s not kid ourselves that his absence is the sole root cause of our current struggles to find the net. Jota’s goal scoring at Liverpool shows how a talented player in the right set up can really flourish. Nuno has improved many players and his defensive organisation is to be admired but I am increasingly worried about his ability to harness attacking talent into an equally effective unit. The fact of the matter is that to break into the top 4, win cups and titles, you have to score a weight of goals and I just don’t think it is in Nuno’s make up to do that. I think this season is his opportunity to crack this particular conundrum as it has been a difficult time for him and a team in transition for multiple reasons. However, with a full pre season next year, this transfer window and the summer window to come, I think he will be expected to have us scoring goals, dominating opponents and threatening the top four by early November 21 or I can see us parting company, not because he is not a very good manager, simply because he is perhaps not quite good enough.
Sutton agree re: Nuno and the next step he baffles me…..why take Neto off for instance and keep Adama on when he clearly isn’t interested or working and if he is injured then that means the team have to carry him.
We played not to lose last night when we should be playing to win. I believe this season has shown Nuno’s limitations. Yes we have had injuries we have been lucky in our first 2 seasons returning to the Premier League but Nuno has not helped himself by having a small squad.
He still cannot find away to beat the lower teams his possession based tactics just mean we keep the ball more but that means passing sideways and backwards.
The Neto thing last night that’s not the first time he has taken our best attacking outlet off. And we have been hit with a sucker punch all be it a lucky one but as they say you make your own luck in this life.
Paul,
Only nuno and his team will know the needs or who is carrying an injury or whose tired.
Its a balancing act ,one of which must at this moment be very difficult.
We are beginning to play some really exciting football. Adama is struggling and we are desperate for a number9…….but I think we should all just calm down and stick behind Nuno
In Nuno we trust
UTW
the needles stuck !!!!!!!! yawn
‘The fact of the matter is that to break into the top 4, win cups and titles, you have to score a weight of goals…’
No. To do that you have to not concede goals (and score just one) and Nuno is doing fine in that respect.
I’m sorry Jack but the evidence ie statistics don’t back up your assertion. Five of this season’s top scoring teams occupy places in the top 6 . Only 1 of the 5 best defensive records occupy a top 6 place. I take your broader point that good teams are invariably built on solid defence but not at the expense of scoring goals- the latter has to be part of the equation and if you are scoring on average one goal a game as soon as you concede it means more often than not you will not win the game.
I must admit, I was concerned when I saw the the Wolves lineup.
Too many youngsters, I thought.
They will eat us up and spit us out, I thought.
Well, what the F#@K do I know ??
Very impressed with young Hoever especially. I believe he will give Semedo a stern challenge for the RWB position.
Yes, we all agree that a CF (or two) are needed soon. Even Nuno agrees.
So let’s not expect too much this season. Just enjoy the wins and look forward to next year. Unless of course we get a worldie CF, in which case look out world.
PS. I see a lot of negative comments re Adama Traore. I thought he did a good job in the first half especially, but I am sure it must have been quite disheartening for him to do all the fancy stuff, only to look up and find no one capable of being in the box waiting for the cross
Feel sorry for RB whether Semedo or Hoever, Traore has given up even pretending to track back.
Whats this?
‘Simon says?’ Rewind a few months and ill bet you were praising Nuno .
A bit of perspective needed me thinks Simon.
Dr who must have jammed the signal as I posted this above..soo many great things on display last night.
Kids were immense
Says an awful lot about Nuno.
Well done lads..
Excellent performance in many ways, but with an ironic twist as Rashford scores exactly the type of goal that our lamented centre-forward has made his trademark. The only forward in the box, twisting and turning through three defenders until he manages to get a shot away. Safe in the knowledge that if you buy a raffle ticket reflections in the tombola draw mean a reasonable chance of a prize.
A big plus for me was to see that in our last two games we have effectively transitioned between two defensive options. We may have only one point to show for 180 minutes but I think it reasonable to exclude the first and last two minutes to evaluate how we performed against very decent opposition and without our talisman front man. My deeply biased assessment is a strong 8 out of 10.
We all know the upside of three at the back is that we can remain competitive against all sides for 90 minutes. We also know the down side, that We struggle to get bodies into the box. This issue was exacerbated by a 48 hour turnaround and I do believe contributed to Adama’s performance. He didn’t get to grips with the role had little support and suffered fatigue at the end.
Most obvious statement of the month, we need a new striker. BUT not just any striker. Age profile, 24 – 26. Height – 6′ 2″ and upwards. Pace. Able to play with back to goal, good first touch and able to bring colleagues into the game. Strong ability to find space in the box. Speed of thought in the box to get in front of defenders. Good in the air good shot in each foot. Can play as lone striker or part of a pair.
So really just a slightly younger Raul. I live in hope, come on Jorge, time for your party piece.
Spot on re the striker wish list
Really positive display from a young side against an in form title chasing Man Utd. Yes United finished stronger than us but given they’d had an extra 24 hours recovery from their last game is it really surprising that our lads faltered in the last 10 minutes?
As for the Adama knockers, for 60 odd minutes the last was playing as our makeshift centre forward and did a stand up job of winning ball in the air and creating knockdowns for other players. He is not and probably never will be a natural striker he wants to take players on and get a cross in the problem is you can’t do that if you are the central striker. This season he’s lost two players that really made his game last year; Rauls link up play and unerring ability to be a fox in the box makes it a lot easier for a good winger, and Docs engine to both get forward and overlap and cover defensively both created space for Adama whilst making his defensive weakness less of a threat. Those losses combined with the emergence of Neto and Podence as more create something out of nothing players has left Adama looking more than a little lost by comparison. It would be a massive mistake to let Adama go, we want an increase in attacking options not to lose another of our most effective tools from last season.
Get us a centre forward and give Adama time to work on the relationship with semedo and/or Hoever and he will come good again.
It seems that fans are starting to split into two groups. Those that feel that, despite this only being our third season in the Premier League we should be sweeping all aside, crushing the Big Six, and anything less is an abject failure.
Then there are those of us who are amazed at the transformation that has happened in such a short space of time, accept that in sport there are ups and downs, and enjoy watching such a young and talented team.
I can’t imagine what some bloggers would be saying if we were actually doing badly right now?
They’d sod off back to the caves they were in when we were in divs 2, 3 and 4. Hopefully!
Good point Blank… Those you refer to are probably 14000 new fans we picked up along the one, who we never sight sound from when a hardy few (London Wolves Loyal, to name 1) were trekking off to all 3 Chorley games and Peterborough on Tuesday night.
I for one am enjoying the moment, yes its frustrating at times, but boy we have had a journey to get here.
A long the way, doh.. Must read before I post
Agree with all making positive analysis. All the very young players named above point to a very bright future not long coming.
Our MOTM Saiss, immense in defence and getting forward, proof that Nuno knows how to get the best out of a player. Man Utd MOTM De Gea, kept them in the game allowing them time for a flukey goal in Fergie time.
I was left gutted after that result. Considering the players we are missing & the team that we had to put out I thought we did brilliantly. We deserved something out of that match.
Hoever was superb & looked (to me) better than Semedo, Vitinha looked confident & settled out there.
Only complaint was we lacked bite once Neto was taken off, we really need a striker now as a major priority.
Also Maguire should have been booked for not giving the ball back for the Wolves free kick, also just for being an annoying, lumbering, ugly git!
Transfer window opens at the end of the week so I’m sure things will move fast. If a break is introduced (big if but needed I agree), we can get some more players more time to come back.
Maguire should have been booked at least twice, once for repeated fouls to stop players getting away from him and as you say, holding on to the ball.
Potential penalty too when Fabio was dragged back by his shirt when following up on Ait’s shot which the goalie spilled, late on. Did VAR look at that- no chance!
That makes you an uglyist. He’s someone’s son, allegedly.
Nuno dropped a real clanger last night, playing Hoever out of position.
Surely he’s a sweeper!
(Hoever…pronounced hoover… geddit?).
Oh! Never mind!
And don’t call me Shirley.
I had a vacuum cleaner once but I decided to sell it to Simon.
Just like the Vile and Sandwell town defence it was just gathering dust.
Back in your box Shirley. 🙁
2020 what a year…
We are fast approaching NYE 2020 and to be fair there cannot be many on this blog that cannot want it to disappear faster than Covid. We now have the Oxford vaccine passed by MRHA this morning and at £3 a dose that tells me this one is produced for the right reasons, hopefully this will drag us back to some kind of normality, (but not quite yet)
Our beloved Wolves.
What a fairytale it has been, not just the Nuno years but way back to the Golden era of the 50’s & 60’s of Cullis and co. Since then good times, bad times, golden moments and dark days in abundance.
Most of us on this blog are of that era, we went to the Bury’s, Preston’s, Chorley’s, Hereford, Aldershot’s, Grimsby’s and on and on. Iv’e been supporting since 1961, Blackburn Rovers at home, my first impression stayed with me through all the bad times of wading in the Urine flooded toilets of the Southbank to the discarded cigarettes mini fire under my beloved Northbank, to the hovel, dilapidated ground and the training on the Northbank cobbled, rock filled car park under the magnificent Gentleman that was Graham Turner.
This blog pulls together the Molineux faithful from all over the Globe, quite a lot of you we’ve met, shared stories with and got slightly P’d with at times. The one thing we share is a common desire to see our team perform well, get the points, go on to win cups and become the greatest team since the great days of the Cullis era.
I think Semedo is a good player, Paul AD thinks Nuno should maybe go, Woodend thinks Traore is playing well, Chestewolf thinks there are too many Traore knockers, Ped Ant thinks all the armchair supporters fans should move into caves. cheesy thinks we have too many part time glory hunter fans, people all agree we need a striker (or two) some see Origi, some Diego Costa, some Luca Jovic, others hate the thought of Origi coming, Diego is too old and Jovic well he’s to pricy.
That does not make any of the above bloggers any less passionate about Wolves than me, or Doog or Clive or Paul or Woodend, or Sutton or Chester. FFS we all want the same thing. We are sadly in danger of becoming American gutter press here guys and gals, everyone wants success so why tear into people as if your’s is the only opinion out there, why take the piss out of someone because your Grammar maybe far superior to their’s due to their home or educational circumstances, maybe is it because they were working hard and supporting their family when you were stood on the terraces at Chorley. They still want Wolves to do well, I still think there is still something wrong with Traore, but I respect others who love him, perhaps I am a little less tolerant of him than others but I still want him to do well.
I wish each and every one of you Ladies and Gents on this blog a Very Happy and fruitful New Year. I wish the best for your families and loved ones, please take the Oxford vaccine if offered, there is no conspiracy it does kill people.
But most of all for 2021, you amazing people of this blog, please treat your fellow bloggers with respect, kindness and the civility they deserve, they support the same team as you, they hurt as much as you with last minute deflections that break their heart.
We are all part of the pack.
We are stronger together, there are lot’s of other teams fans out there who will try their hardest to divide us.
Thank you Thomas, and the two Ben’s for this great blog.
Happy New Year.
Yes and I’m sure 2021 will be an improvement for everyone including Wolves fans. Reading through the sensible blogs this morning eased my pain but one thing struck me, nobody gave a shout out for Conor Coady who not only performed well in his slightly different role but his leadership on the field was first class. We take this for granted now but we should be grateful that we have a skipper who takes responsibility for younger players and at the moment that’s half the team. Even McManaman, who isn’t my favourite pundit, highlighted Coady’s on field voice and guidance for Hoever. My vision for the future would be to include Moutinho and Coady in Nuno’s coaching team when the time comes.
I was going to comment on Coady too. How significant was it that he was playing on the right rather than the centre? Boly seems to be having an off-year and I wonder if any of that has to do with him playing on the right instead of the left.
So maybe Saiss in the middle, Coady on the right and Boly on the left will become the common formation.
Brilliant summary, fitting way to pull this year together with an optimistic outlook. It will be some Bloggers Ball when next we have one. Respect.
Stu,
Wise words from one so young. 🙂
Happy New Year
OODCL
Extremely well said.
Thank you.
All good wishes for 2021 to you as well.
Splendid post and says it all really.
Heroic performance to round off a very mixed (football) year; overall though I feel a bit disappointed as I think a year that promised so much for us has descended into mediocrity.
Like you (I predate by a year) I have seen it all and there have been too many false dawns. I still have faith in the Fosun project but sense they may not be too sure themselves where they want to take it – understandable given all the more macro influences happening in their world, indeed all our worlds.
I just hope that if they are wavering they pass the baton on to someone who will stand right behind WWFC again rather than to anyone just to make a fast few hundred million bucks. Because for 4 years they have done us proud.
My thoughts, after a night spent reliving that deflected goal that just squeeeeeezed inside the post – didn’t that make it even worse – are as follows.
I am incredibly proud of EVERY man that performed so excellently at Old Trafford last night.
Our youngsters played like seasoned pros. Our seasoned pros encouraged and supported them.
We moved the ball quickly and intelligently and defended superbly all night. There is no legislating for the unfortunate man of the match Romain Saiss deflecting that speculative Rashford shot inches inside the post.
And if some people are questioning the substitution of Pedro Neto in the second half, just take into consideration two things:-
1) He expends more energy in a match than a tactical nuclear weapon and this was his second match in two days.
2) He is only human.
My final thought is that if Costa is available for loan until the end of the season, I’d be prepared to pay part of his wages. (A small part admittedly, but it’s the thought that counts).
The one thing that this young side lacks is a big thug to bully defences and instinctively get in the box on the end of Adama’s crosses.
We have the twin rapiers of Neto and Podence.
We need someone to wield the battle-axe and take down the lumbering likes of Maguire and Co.
Here endeth the lesson.
Happy New Year to all bloggers…
And Simon.
No loan for Costa – He’s a free agent.
Even better.
We’ll have him for free!
Pretty hefty wages I imagine but agreed no long term risk factor – suck it and see. why not.
Very well put doogski
The future is very bright indeed
A fit Costa would be perfect for us from a footballing perspective (although I question whether he’d pass the no arseholes test)
Trouble is he’s rarely fit these days.
HNY one and all.
I’m still a big fan of Traore. He is a special player we have to adapt to make use of and continue to coach. Seeing him trot out for a Liverpool or a City will be gutting. I have no doubts he will be a great success in a top 6 team. If he does go we shouldn’t sell him to our rivals.
In terms of goal scoring I think compounding Rauls injury is the fact we now we have half a dozen highly talented players who are all personally desperate for a goal. They are simply not creating enough chances for each other. They don’t have the implicit trust required. Hopefully this will come as they have more minutes.
Having said all this I still think it was one of our most pleasing performances and Saiss was very unlucky not to get the points or at least a point. It’s amazing we can go toe to toe with man u and spurs and effectively shut down the best players in the league out. This is massive progress and the reason why we won’t finish below half way even in this this difficult formative season. Plus we will give ourselves a terrific future with the blooding of the kids. Anybody who fails to back Nuno through the transition is a short sited Judas in my opinion.
Two points from last night to add to all the interesting discussion above.
1. I thought Vitinha was great last night, the sort of creative no 10 we have been sorely lacking. Sorry to see him subbed.
2. Why the hell was Matic’s elbow in Neto’s face not picked up by VAR with the red card it surely deserved.? Looked a really cynical bit of work to me.
Agree with all…. What a spirited performance it was by the team. And agree with some…..we must keep Adama. He has so much to give and I thought played with a lot of guts last night.
Onward Wolves into 2021!
Great summary Thomas. We were up against it with our young side, and 24 hours less rest than Man U had. I had my misgivings when I saw the team sheet, but we played magnificently given the circumstances. I thought the youngsters put in assured performances. And what a player Saiss has become. He was everywhere and nearly scored from a delightful touch from the set play. Deservedly my MOTM. Lucky old Man U, deflected goal that was probably going wide. A classic example of a hollow victory. They just couldn’t break our defence down without a jammy deflection.
This performance gives me renewed hope for the New Year when we bring in a striker to replace Raul. This will give young Silva a chance to develop away from the limelight and to learn from the guy we bring in.
Heartbreak for our young guns last night … you could see the fatigue setting in as we got too deep . Shame , if we’d been given a level playing field in respect to the same rest times between games then wed have wiped the floor with that lot
very PROUD though and not at all concerned cos it feels like we are building something else now
Up the mighty wolves !
Your not going to like this but what about bringing pantomime same Troy Deeny over to the brighrside of the West Midlands? Discuss.
Sorry Dame not same!
Roger, would not work we would be going backwards plus he has a hit on him from our Mexican Wolves supporters reason- he insulted Raul after scoring in the semi final FA cup when he put on his famous mask.
Happy New Year Roger
I believe his family had more than a hard time in their box from some of our our fans at the same match you refer to. Never mind his ability (albeit in the past maybe) and never say die attitude may have been more than useful.
Struggling to get in Watford’s div 2 team. Anyway as Border will presumably confirm, he’s similar to Maguire in the looks department and just a touch or two stone overweight.
OMG yes, that’s confirmed!
When I saw the team sheet I thought we were in for a battering. Then I remembered that Nuno had put out a similarly surprising line-up at Liverpool last Xmas and they had played quite well, so there was hope. But this performance excelled even that one. The calmness when defending and, more importantly, when transitioning from defence to attack was remarkable for such a young side.
So many positives to come out of last night. we now know we have a stand-in should Coady get hurt, or the option of playing Boly on the left again; we have multiple options in midfield, having added Otasowie and Vitinha to the regulars. We have more than competent wing/full backs and competition on both sides. So, sort out a striker and all will be fine. We’ve put our extremely difficult December fixtures behind us and there should be some points coming our way in the next few weeks provided we get a striker in early in the window.
Agree Wolfman that things are looking good for the future which of course, was always Nuno’s and Fosun’s plan. I’m sure we will bring in a striker in this window but I hope it’s not just a journeyman for 6 months. We have needed a second striker ever since Cutrone was shipped out so a top striker on loan with an option to buy would be the way to go I think.
With regards the game yesterday I feel that Nuno made one error which may or may not have cost us the game, When Vitinha was subbed the forwards became isolated, we looked increasingly unlikely to score and started to fall deeper.
I would start Vitinha again against Brighton. To me he looks like the attacking midfielder that we have needed for so long.
In praise of Saiss , what an excellent performance which gives Nuno a problem , does he play central every week ? Unlucky for the goal but don’t turn your back on the shot. He seems to have cut out the daft tackles .He can thread a pass and is a goal threat !
Kilman ball watching for the goal , track your man .May have prevented the goal but you have to credit Rashford for his plan to attack our full back who had just
cramped up !
I’m thinking Saiss should maybe be the attacking midfielder/forward since he seems to be good in the air and can shoot. He’s relatively tall and won’t get pushed around much.
It would just be a stop-gap measure but might be interesting to try in practice.
I said to my daughter saiss should be a makeshift no.9
Seem to remember we did this in the 90s.
Didn’t we play emblem up front?
Maybe someone on here will remember.
I’ve got beer brain ?
I think that would be well worth trying.
He would not be bullied and would provide a threat in the box.
Good call Tim !
A very Merry New Year to Wolves fans everywhere, and particularly everyone, and I mean everyone, on this wonderful blog.
Also, a big Texas thanks to the hundreds of fellow bloggers who sent Mrs CFH and me Christmas cards, some even with stamps on!!
As they say in this neck of the woods, Magic our Morris, Fuckin’ A!!
Hasta la Pasta, and we love agent Sam!
Clive, big thanks for the card and sticker. Will take pride of place in my 987.
Once again, thank you.
Beer or two on me when we can actually meet up.
Steve
aka Marnhull Wolves.
You be welcome
Never been so gutted. So gutted that I could not post earlier.
Saiss has been getting a hard time from me as I think he is a liability. Played his socks off last night to deserve MOTM. Then became liable for their goal. See.
I agree with most posts above and enjoyed what I saw. We all know we need a striker to finish games off and I am sure the cash we get from the sale of Traore could go some way for that. He has had enough chances, move him on.
Yeh, makes sense to get a striker in and move his potential supplier.
fully agree and why some people cant see that is beyond me.
S0 we all want to get a ready made super striker in probably at a cost of millions thats agreed.
But some amongst us want to dump the bloke who almost certainly will supply him with the ammo to get the goals that you will demand !
Are you mad!!
Yes
But then it is 2020 still, for a few hours anyroad
Belated post – firewalled out.
Very spirited show, specially from the kids one and all.
Thought the only stand out non performance was again from Traore; no goals in a year and no assists this season tells a story whatever the excuses.
Great approach play, but still toothless up front Have no doubt soon to be fixed (Costa good short term option?).
Very unlucky lads, well played.
Happy New Year everyone.
Here in DY1 we am adjusting to life in Tier 4. Which ay much different to Tier 2 or 3. Essentially. Can yo get beer? Yes. Can yo get nosh? Yes. Av yo got an inside bog ? Well only just in Gornal. Av yo got a telly? Yes colour telly has just arrived in Gornal. Con yo goo on holiday? No. Yo cor. But a trip on the train from Tipton to Coseley is still allowed. Wi a fairce mosk. Waatch aaat when daaan Tipton stairshun. Sum nasty onimols in an enclosha ova the back theer. So. In summing up. HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE BLACK COUNTRY TO ALL BLOGGERS ON THIS ACE BLOG. WE OCCASIONALLY FALL OUT. WE ARGUE BUT WHAT WE AM IS WOLVES. Happy new year all. FWAW !!!!
i give you man love xxx
But no tongue!!
Happy New Year cheesey….
I married a Dudlee lass and took me drivin test starting in Jews Lane….
Corr whack it….
Happy New Year Cheessus.
Happy New Year Cheesey. Weem in Tier 3 down yer now so me pub’s shut down again. Pain in the neck tis.
Cheers all. Let’s hope for a better 2021.
Have we signed a striker yet ?
Window opens tomorrow 2nd.
I see the Black Country derby has been moved to 12.30 ko on Sat 16th Jan. Live on BT Sport.