If the last fortnight of being a Wolves fan has reminded me of one thing, it’s that honourable club mottos – however virtuous they might sound at face value – are to be taken with a pinch of salt.
‘The strength of the wolf is in the pack’ sounded nothing short of Churchillian when Nuno was fist-pumping an adoring South Bank under the Molineux floodlights; cheers bellowing across the city from the place we all call home.
‘Together we are stronger’ was even more succinct in La Rambla in February, when Wolves were in Europe, you know?
Yet in the 11 months since drinking the lager in Barca, some are calling for the head of the bloke who masterminded our first European adventures like these since the days of John Barnwell?
With a third indeterminable lockdown upon us and a Beast from the East predicted in the near future, the warm Spanish sun on our backs feels like a million years ago.
Times change alright, just like some opinions are regarding the man we all agreed was the best manager we’d been blessed with since the days of Stan Cullis.
An increasingly vocal minority seem to have made their minds up on a stubborn, obdurate Nuno, who is unable to change his defensive mindset which has overseen a meagre 18 goals from 17 games (level with a painfully dour Newcastle United and worsened only by Burnley in those sides outside the bottom three).
Such statistics are hard to argue against but in an attempt to do so, I’ll revisit Nuno’s quote after the Leeds United game, when we finally looked to be breaking through that glass ceiling of pragmatism during a second half showing of real intent.
When referring specifically to the second half at Elland Road, the man so infamous for saying so little said: “We were better with the ball and created more chances [in the second half]. It’s about the identity.”
In that second half, Nuno could call upon Boly, Dendoncker, Podence, matchwinner Jiménez and even Marcal for the final throes of the match.
While you can argue the whys and wherefores of such a small squad, losing the spine of it in recent weeks has put the kibosh on that new identity which was threatening to bear fruit, which we also got a glimpse of at Arsenal in a memorable 2-1 win (albeit one featuring more shocking game management like we saw at Brighton, but managed to get away with).
Right now, we look betwixt and between; neither as good as last season’s counter attacking side nor plausible enough as a possession based one with so many first teamers missing.
As a result, we are where we are (13th) and if Nuno is a victim of anything, then it is not his defensive mindset but circumstance itself, as his blueprint for a new style of play has been scrunched up with the loss of so many key players.
When replacing with kids – who Neil Warnock once rued will give you ‘one performance in three’ as was the case when blooding Scannell, Clyne, Bostock and Moses at Palace in 2008 – it’s no wonder we’re so inconsistent. Rayan Aït-Nouri, in particular, would seem to adhere to this old equation.
Sure, the small squad hasn’t helped, but with Jose Mourinho remaining the biggest influence on Nuno’s managerial career, anything other than this was always going to be a departure from what he’d always known. “21 players plus the goalkeepers and no more,” said Jose in his first press conference at Chelsea.
To then manage Porto years later meant Nuno understood more about the need to create an attack-minded team, for fear of getting lynched by a fan base that demanded this as standard.
“I learned a massive amount from my time there,” he once said. “First of all, that a draw was not something that you considered as good!”
While a healthy dose of criticism is to be welcomed, it’s surely unfair to be aiming anything other than a few questions in our manager’s direction, rather than a demand for something more severe?
I have one or two myself, including the sale of Pedro Gonçalves to Sporting CP, who is now being dubbed the next Bruno Fernandes after scoring 11 league goals already. Then there’s the summer transfer activity, which was underwhelming at best and absolutely mind-blowing at worst.
Levelling this one at Nuno is arguably unfair when considering the agent behind the deals, but one look at Vitinha and Fabio Silva would have told most fans that they were the most inappropriate additions possible for the squad we had at our disposal.
On the flip side, it was only two years ago that Nuno had identified Tammy Abraham as his ideal number nine, who was a whisker away from signing if rumours were to be believed, before finishing his Championship season with Villa instead. When watching him score a hat-trick at Molineux a year later from the dug-out with passive indifference, it’s hard not to feel a bit of sympathy towards the manager and the one that got away? Now 23 and his contract expiring in 2023, maybe we could make another Abraham approach, although it’s hard to see Chelsea selling when Werner and Havertz look so average instead.
Harder still to envisage Diego Costa in old gold, but the exciting principle remains that a physical presence at the top end of the pitch – and a man of substance in midfield behind him – is all that’s stopping us from transforming a season that seems to be mirroring life right now.
In an old gold parallel with Lockdown 3, it’s a pretty depressing time but things could be a lot worse. And while it’s hard to picture at this very moment, the good times will return, of this I’m certain.
Maybe Jez Moxey’s much-maligned motto was the right one all along, albeit eight years too soon…
…‘Tough times don’t last…tough people do.‘
Brilliant summary of our current situation Ben.
The rumours of little or no January window signings do little to lighten the gloom.
Just a bit worried that we don’t get sucked into the relegation scrap.
Fingers crossed that we get some of the walking wounded back soon.
UTW!
We sold Pote (Goncalves) to Familicao in 2019. By all accounts he hadn’t settled, despite impressing in the u23s. Had a strong season, then signed for Sporting last summer. Had obvious potential, but not sure we can criticise the club for that one, as much as it is looking a shame it didn’t work for him here!
There are a host of reasons for the poor form we have seen at times this season. they could also be seen as excuses. I think for now, we need to get our squad ‘balanced’ as Nuno would say, get some consistency in team selection and aim for an improved second half of the season. I trust him to sort it out, as he so often has.
Right now though we definitely need a couple of attacking signings!!
Happy new year all!
Brilliant post Ben and what a great quote by Jez. Must remember that.
A well-balanced post my friend with some great insight.
Nuno is still the man for me and I don’t think we’re anywhere close to even contemplating that he isn’t.
I remember when we were getting killed at Anfield and the camera panned to him looking sullen on the touchline, the commentator, in a rare moment of insight noted ‘some managers just give you the feeling that everything will be alright’ and that’s exactly how I feel with Nuno. Things might not be great but with him in charge, we can only sink so low.
I don’t blame him for tinkering with the style. Teams had sussed us out and a lot of our own fanbase was getting agitated about being too passive. I’d query some of the team selections, but my feeling is we’ve been competitive in most of the games and just lacked the personnel/guile/experience to produce in the key moments.
In short: transfers and injuries more tham anything have scuppered us this season.
They might all come good in the end, but it’s hard to point to any summer additions and say they’ve been a success. Semedo, wherever you stand on his performances, hasn’t made a marquee-signing contribution. Marcal can’t stay fit and the three young lads look like long term projects. Enough has been said about the outgoings. How much of the above is Nuno’s doing? It’s hard to say.
Still, he might have got away with all this had the team not been decimated by injuries. Nuno has got used to having a full deck and probably thought it’d be the same again, particularly with no European football to worry about. And there’s no doubt in mind, had Jonny and Raul in particular been playing over the last month or so, we’d have the additional 4 or 5 points to make everything seem OK.
But half the team is different to the side that played most of last season and this team is not as good. We can’t judge it by last season’s standards.
News this morning that Donk and Boly may return soon is reassuring as we need muscle. I looked at the team selection for both Burnley and Brighton and correctly predicted beforehand a lack of physicality would cost us. With both of them in the side, alongside Romain Saiss, who I have to say has been nothing short of outstanding lately, we’re a more intimidating outfit. I’d consider a back three or playing Saiss at left-back in a four once they’re fit.
At the other end, you can’t shy away from the fact we need a senior striker in this month. I had hoped Costa might come but even if expectations in that respect need managing there’s a slot that needs filling.
Neto, Traore and Podence offer enough to suggest that with a bit more help they can get us wins and a top-half finish is still achievable.
I don’t think we’ll go down even if the ride continues to be bumpy. We’ve got a good head start and even in our current state, I think our potential for collecting points is greater than the current bottom four.
I think the other thing to bear in mind is that none of the signings we have had this season got the luxury of a pre-season combined with the bed in time that nuno previous nuno signings got. Podence, Neto and dendonker, all first team stalwarts now, all took nearly half a season to become first team regulars. I think that’s why we look disjointed. Put into that mix that were missing our mercurial no.9 and the doc and you have a recipe for a mediocre season.
The problem is not to panic and jump to knee jerk solutions, do we sign a Diego Costa type with the baggage he brings and the large wage and risk disrupting a young driven squad? Is that not a risk of returning to the retirement home for past it premier league players that we were under Hayward? Do we sign another forward with limited experience of the premier league and worry how long it takes them to adjust? For every Jimenez and Bruno Fernandez that hit the ground running there are a dozen Werner, haivertz, semedo types who obviously have the talent but take a while to adjust to the premier league.
As for Pedro Goncalves it’s disappointing but often it’s the act of being told you don’t have what it takes to maximise your talent that kicks you into overdrive to prove yourself. Look at the players that Chelsea have let go over the years Kevin De Brunye is top of that list. Would Kevin De Brunye be the player he is today if Chelsea had left him in their reserves? Players develop at different rates and for every Pedro Goncalves there are a dozen Leon Clarke’s or Zeli Ismails that are lauded as youths but never make the most of there undoubted potential.
In Nuno we trust
He knew he was not going to get a pre season so surely should have born this in mind in signings and sales .It was not the season for so much change
Awesome Ben… Now that summary is why you and Thomas write the blog I don’t! 🙂
We are in the middle of a perfect storm on a previous blog, Newt (I think it was) wrote a brilliant article on FFP and our fine etc, with a summary of some of the other restrictions the business (because, like it or not, that’s what it is) faces, which also put some much needed context on our current position.
Many on the blog have been around a fair bit and we must cherish where we are, what we are and the team at the helm who did live up to the motto of Wolverhampton City.
I don’t like it when we lose, play badly, plus can’t go the the Mol (Mrs Marnhull Wolves will testify what a grump I am) but, to be honest, this year if we finish 13th, keep our squad, with some strong additions for next year I for one will still feel we are progressing. We have come along way… yes, expectations are high because of what we have achieved.. but we are far from the finished article.
It has been said before, it’s all about opinions.
I am still keen in Nuno staying for sure .
However the truth is surely that a combination of his approach as well as that of the owners has badly caught up with them .
In my view the summer recruitment in which context I include the sales was poor .Many of us have said for a long time that this tiny squad is asking for trouble as soon as you get a few injuries and so it has proved especially with a complete lack of proper senior cover for Jiminez being unforgivable .He would have had a much better chance of getting in to the top 6 by having a proper sized squad including more seasoned players than changing a style of play that has worked so well in a season without pre season to mould it in to the squad .
Nuno should stay for sure .
However this was not the season to change so many personnel and try to change the style .Nuno knew there was no pre season to bed these changes in so why do it this season .
He would be better off having a bigger squad with more experience to try to get better with more options .Not having a senior back up for Jimenez has been a disaster waiting to happen for two seasons but the club and Nuno have risked it and now are paying the price .
Can’t argue with any of those points Nick.
It’s easy to forget, Jota didn’t exactly pull up trees for us last season and after almost a decade of service it would have been hard to deny Doc his big payday.
Agree Ben with some of your points. But team selection is down to Nuno size of the squad down to Nuno transfers down to Nuno or do you know something we don’t. Tactics down to Nuno coaching down to Nuno.
We have conceded in the first half in most of our games this season. Injuries, before the injury to Raull Dendonker and Boly our goals for was on par with the bottom three.
Nuno tendency to shut up shop when we have a slender lead has back fired on numoruse occasions lasted being Brighton . He goes all negative 5 at the back thing we can defend a goal or a 0.0 with 40 plus add minutes to go it’s McCarthy…….like .
Recruitment as your rightly say has been laughable are we to believe Nuno has had no say in this.
We are in a relegation battle…..our recent form of 1 win in 7 is relegation form. And for those who say look at where we were 5 years ago I’d say we might be back there if we are not careful.
FOSUN and Jeff have gone very quite I believe they are just as much to blame, we is responsible for recruitment…..no one knows since Therwell left is Jeff is it Nuno or Mendez. Where there talk of ambition where’s the investment they have made money over all on transfers.
The structure of the footballing side of the club is a mess. Who scouts the players who has the final say on a player coming in if it is Nuno the he is responsible for the poor recruitment same goes for Jeff.
If we dot get a decent striker in this window we are staring at a relegation battle and with Or injuries as well and the fact the squad is full of kids to place men it’s just doesn’t bare thinking about what could happen and we will be right back where we were 5 seasons ago.
L
Boly, Jonny, Donk, Raul, Podence. All of them walk into the starting XI and they’re all out injured. The summer transfer business was questionable, but to have that many injuries to key players isn’t Nuno’s fault.
We are not in a relegation battle,
Stop wetting your pants and get behind your team for goodness sake .
All this negativity and panic is embarrassing
We will finish top ten with a load of very young, extremely talented players,, how about just enjoying the ride !
Come on you wolves
Arsenal were apparently relegation fodder at Christmas two wins and they are now in top 6 form. Wolves aren’t in trouble yet were in the pack that will finish anywhere from 6th to 15th.
Having been around on the terraces since 1949 I would agree that Nuno is probably the best since Stan Cullis but neither were or are infallible and neither attained the deity thrust upon them by some fans. To point out differences of opinion or criticise tactics is not a crime punishable by a thousand lashes as it would seem at times when Paul expresses his opinion, to meekly accept the status quo is to accept the mediocracy that at times we as Wolves fans are and have been faced with, to criticise and expect better is to hope for the eldorado we all long for.
Just on one point that is extremely relevant at present, in football the bench is your insurance policy and we are all probably aware that the lack of it can lead to problems, we only seem to have third party, fire and theft. Wolves Ay We
Yes Nuno is the man for the job without doubt. Look how far we have come in the last three and half years,unbelievable. there have been mistakes along the way, but far more good decisions than bad.Any club of our size would find it difficult with up to six key players out. Big ask for the younger players to perform to senior players level (international players at that)consistently.This season i have seen matches against teams (Villa, Southampton Newcastle) where we had enough chances to have won the games.Raul big big miss, maybe not back till next season. So as I have stated before need two strikers not one.
This man made me actually enjoy going to the Mol again with a great deal of expectancy rather than trepidation. My disdain for the hysterical reactions of some ‘fans’ is well known on this forum. I point to some of the extreme nonsense I have seen on twitter and other places. I don’t include anyone who posts on here. Everyone makes their point in a reasonable way, even after the fade out against Brighton we all calmed down eventually! Teams ebb and flow as years go by. look at Leicester after they won the league. A couple of years in the nether regions and now back up there. Look at Everton always in the prem but always seemingly in the middle of the table with the occasional burst towards the top six. Wolves have only been in the Prem for two full seasons. I thinks we exceeded expectations for both of those. Remember Jeff outlined a ’10 year plan’ he has never altered that (yet). It will take a few seasons to become fully established. Don’t forget with FFP our ability to be self sufficient is somewhat diminished by the pandemic. No fans revenue is a big miss. I will gladly take mid-table this season. This virus will ensure we won’t get to see much (if any) action this season. Rather we consolidate. Take a break and let us just hope come August we can once again enter the golden palace. So Nuno has my full support. He deserves it. Out of Darkness (2020) cometh light (2021).
You are quote right to mention FFP as a constraint .I recall the club got a small fine for that recently and they need to build turnover and profit over a few seasons to avoid any problem with that which may be why they sought to balance the books this past window .Whether their buys and sells were good business is another question !
Looks like MGW returning from loan, good decision. This will help the squad and I would imagine he will get his fair share of game time. So Morgan there’s no doubting your ability, time to step up.
He’s only just returning from several months out injured so it won’t be fair to expect him to contribute too much.
Surely can add more than having two goalkeepers on the bench.
It’s clear to me that the issue is simple. Much of our game revolves around Raul and has done since we were promoted. To say we have relied heavily on him would be an understatement. I haven’t got the stats in front of me but I believe he’s been involved in something like 60 per cent of our goals since the start of last season. Look at the goals tally of the rest of the team combined and it’s easy to see why the goals have dried up. Neto (and Saiss lately) is carrying the threat on his own, while Podence looks capable of chipping in with a few. For all that Neves and Moutinho are wonderful players, they don’t contribute with goals and that drive from midfield is what we’re sorely missing. Say what you like about Fabio, there’s bags of potential there but he’s not ready to mix it with Premier League defenders. He may grab a couple of goals but nothing more. Neto too often ends up out wide and thus there is nothing in the box. The scale of this problem has been illustrated in the fact we’ve ended up having to throw Otasowie forward. If that’s not a sign of desperation I’m not sure what is.
Is getting into this situation Nuno’s fault? Relying on a single quality striker is always a risk but you could argue we would cope missing him for a couple of games. Losing him for a season or more was cruel luck. No quality striker is prepared to play second fiddle, as Cutrone proved. Transfers were poor this summer, but recruitment is not solely (if at all) down to Nuno.
We simply must get a striker through the door in January if we are to avoid a struggle in the second half of the season. We have too much quality to go down and we will win the odd game 1-0 I’m sure, but there are not enough goals in this team and for me it’s as simple as that.
Good points Rich apart from your suggestion that Cutrone is a quality striker. Facts and Nuno’s decision to move him on suggest not. The burden would have been taken off Raul somewhat, way before his injury, if we’d got a second quality centre forward.
I was not in any way suggesting Cutrone was anywhere close to Raul’s standard but not many bench warmers are. What I do know is I’d rather have him leading the line than Fabio. Seem to recall Cutrone scoring a decent goal against West Ham. And at least he was an adult! For whatever reason it didn’t work out.
Having Cutrone back is certainly an option but I’m not sure he can be the focal point of the attack as Raul was. I see him more as a Neto / Podence type player and not quite what we are looking for. I’d prefer someone who offers a bit more physicality. A short term loan deal for an experienced striker is what I would prefer but I suspect a lot of clubs would like the same.
Can’t argue with that Rich. At least he tries to put himself about.
I think only the lunatic fringe would be calling for Nuno to be sacked now. The conundrum in the whole of the current situation is what Fosun’s intention is for the club. At face value, we are 4 and a half years into a 10 year plan and if at the outset you had asked any wolves fan to benchmark where we should be at this point, I think the picture of a championship title win, two 7th placed finishes, a fa cup semi final, a europa quarter final would sit very comfortably with the vast majority as representing excellent progress………and yet for some reason nagging doubts seem to be starting to surface amongst a growing number of our fan base. Many bloggers have articulated views, all valid and interesting to debate around where we currently are as a club. For me, the time is right for Jeff Shi to give a bit of a “state of the nation” address to explain to wolves fans how he plans for us to get from the rapidly approaching mid point of the 5 year plan to the European power he envisaged us being 5 and a half years from now. I think this would give a lot of fans fresh impetus in these strangest of times and perhaps soothe the anxieties of those beginning to doubt. The “ end of the world “ mindset is not appropriate but in fairness neither is the “blind faith” mindset. It is only right that people who care about our club should pose the simple question of where exactly we are going and what will the journey look like?
I think we must be realistic. Just because an owner says he wants to make us a ‘European super power’ does not mean it will happen. Everyone knows there is a glass ceiling in the Premier League where the big 6 have far more resources and the ability to attract the best players. FFP has ensured the elite remain protected. We have done fantastically well to even try and mix it with the big 6, but the fact remains they are miles ahead of us. Leicester have made a good fist of breaking in, but still fell away last season. Everton have been trying for more than 20 years now. Other teams are also trying to do what we are, Southampton, Leeds, Villa etc. We have no god given right to be breaking into the top 6. Surely, as a club which has spent the majority of the last 40 years outside of the top flight, just to be battling for the top 10 is fantastic progress.
Well put Sutton.
As I blogged the silence from the board room is not helping. We are desperate for a goal scorer are the board going to release funds.
My big issue is recruitment nobody seems to want to put there name to who decides on incoming players.
Since Therwell left who has taken overseeing recruitment no one knows its so secretive no body wants to take responsibility it seems.
Great posting. You must have spent a lot of time on that and thank you.
I’m going to make some observations just for the sake of playing devil’s advocate so don’t dump on me too badly.
Nuno didn’t get us where we are, Nuno/Mendes/Fosun got us where we are. If Nuno was working under Morgan/Moxey,
I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t be having the same success.
Nuno is not essential to Fosun’s plans – he wasn’t even the first choice. Yes, he is good but there are probably a lot of coaches in Europe who we have never heard of who could come in and pick up the reins. We are now in a position to look for those coaches instead of the British coaches from the Championship.
Wolves have had multiple backups to Raul brought in but for some reason, Nuno can’t make things work with them.
Rafa Mir was doing great in Spain (not sure if that has tailed off) and Cutrone was a star in Italy before he got here. Nuno seems to have gotten lucky with Raul fitting the mold perfectly and thinks everyone else should play just like him. That is unrealistic. These other people developed their style of play and became very good against all odds on their previous teams. To expect them to completely change their style instead of adapting to their style is limiting what we can accomplish. Can you imagine bringing in the best player in the world and telling them they have to change how they are playing, essentially taking away what makes them great?
And why does it take until the second half before we get going? Is that Nuno’s plan or can he not motivate the team?
Does Nuno favour Portuguese players? Why can’t Corbeanu get game time, even when Silva is having an uninspriational game? Why bring in Shabani and probably tell him he is the future attacking midfielder only to bring in Vintinha the next season and relegate Shabani to the U23s? Is that fair to do? Is Vitinha so good that Shabani can’t get a
few minutes on the pitch at the end of a game? He was very highly rated, too.
Like I’ve said previously, some people will rise to the occasion but you have to give them the chance. I don’t have to remind you about how Paul Henderson rose to the occasion during the 1972 Summit Series.
Many of us have noticed that Adama seems to be watched by more than one player. This opens up space on the rest of the pitch for other players. Is Nuno modifying the other players’ instructions to take into account that extra space? If not why not? Is his style of play too rigid that it cannot be adapted to having a “superstar” play and attract more attention from the opposition than normal?
I’m sure I read a year or two ago that Wolves stated that they want the team to compete for European spots – not win the league. I think they have publicly gone back on the “Be one of the best teams in the world” aspirations. They have also said that the team has to be self-sufficient. That means teams like Everton and Leicester can easily pass us
by as the best of the rest because their owners seem to be splashing the cash and don’t have a wage structure that will prevent superstars from joining the team.
I have readjusted my expectations from Wolves to be a team that can, in any game, beat the best in the league but we will not be consistent enough or have enough talent to be in the top 4. I hope I am wrong.
Happy New Year, everybody.
Some interesting points Tim but, as for the centre forward conundrum, Rafa Mir is currently turning out for Huesca who are stone bottom of La Liga. As for Cutrone, I take issue with your suggestion that he was a star. He was far from being a first team regular for Milan in the league. If you check his stats and goal record you’ll see that most of his games and goals were in what might be considered lesser cup competitions.
Rafa Mir had the interest of Real Madrid. He helped that team win promotion for the first time in a long time. The fact that they are not in the top half speaks even better of him.
Cutrone was good enough to be called up to the Italian national team and was listed as one of the top young prospects in European football (Remember, he is still young enough to play for their U21s). Then they got a new coach and we know what happens when the coach changes the style. AC Milan needed the money and that is another reason why he was sold. Why do you think all of the teams in Italy and now France are expressing interest in him if he doesn’t have a very good reputation from previous seasons.
Bit late Tim, he’s back with us. I’m sure that we all hope he does well.
No it is not a bit late if you look at the timestamps. They read what I said and made the decision based on that.
There was a post on the previous topic by a fellow blogger from up North about a certain other blogger, mentioning no names, referring to the fact that his posts sound like a broken record.
A broken record does eventually stop, whereas aforementioned other blogger does not.
You know who you are, for dog’s sake, give it a friggin’ rest.
Note the absence of bad language, for all you sensitive pc liberals out there.
And with regard to greasel’s quote, mentioned above in Ben’s wonderful piece, all I will say is:
“And when the tough get going, the going gets tougher!”
I still think football should be abandoned for the foreseeable future, as it has been in sandwell for decades, not be used as a socialist sop to the average man, keeping minds off far more important issues.
What’s happened to free speech………this isn’t America Clive.
On your last point Clive, it’s all about money. The Prem clubs rely on TV money so will do their damndest to fulfil the contract, even if it’s crap to watch with empty stadia.
But the problems will come when advertisers, realizing the football is crap and the number of viewers is decreasing, will reduce or stop altogether their advertizing budgets going to tv companies, who will in turn have a lot less cash to give to football.
Thus the downward spiral will start.
I don’t think that the standard of football has changed that much. If it’s crap now then it was crap before. Home advantage isn’t so great and there have been a lot more penalties but the latter fact is little to do with the lack of crowds.
Only crap from an atmosphere point of view, I meant Ped Ant.
Jimenez is back training. Light training. Gotta keep the foot-eye coordination strong.
Podence is expected to be out for a few weeks. Probably until Feb 1st.
Looks like Mic is available if Nuno is canned.
Big Sam is only a phone call away and should be available in about a months time .
The reason little funds are available now is that the sum of 35 million was wasted on a terrible signing. Trust me ,WWFC are going to take a huge hit on this player who is
no where near this level and shows very little ! In addition , it has put Nuno in a difficult position , the sum paid demands he is given a chance and Nuno must defend his poor goal threat , when in reality he would not get a game for any other Premiership club!!!
lp.. from what I’ve seen so far the young prince will need to have a magical spell up his sleeve and transform himself into something resembling a centre forward or in a few months time he could well be on his white steed and riding up the waterloo rd.
But for now the under 23s are about his limit .
Chucking him in at the deep end didnt help but some loony paid 35 million pounds !!!! yes 35 million pounds for him …..(who the hell signed that cheque ?) and that means get your boots on mate your playing cus our regular blokes been knobbled by a long haired thug from arsenal and you cost a fortune.
Lets hope he is one for the future cus paying 35 mill for a kid out of the under 18s seems barmy to me.
Nuno fined £25’000 for speaking the truth about referees.
It’s mad that refs are beyond reproach.
Whilst I personally felt Nunos outburst was ill-timed and showed a sign of desperation, I do think refs should give an account of themselves.
If they are poor manager’s should be able to ask constructive questions.
Still the best Wolves team I have ever seen.
We have been spoilt with two sevenths and Europe.
Nuno stays, not a discussion.
Agreed 100 percent! Finn
Exciting times ahead.
Panic now and all the foundational work could be lost
As you all know, there is talk about Cutrone coming back for 5 months. If he is definitely not staying at Fiorentino, why is he still at that club? Can’t they bring him back and have him train with Wolves while still shopping him around in Italy and now, apparently, France? That way, if he is kept, he has had time to get back in the swing of things and how Wolves play.
If there is even a remote chance of him staying, and I’m doubtful, he should be brought back ASAP to begin training at Compton. Are the team that desperate to get the extra 2 weeks of loan money and keep his wages off the bill for two additional weeks or something?
That is why I am thinking it is just a negotiating ploy or something to drive up any price they may get.
Been told about thinking before, Timmy Babe!
I read somewhere that Fabio also earns close to £80,000 pounds a week! Far more than most of the squad members! That I find a bit much for “one for the future!”
If some fans had there way, we would still have Kenny Jacket as a bloody manager.
Seems the bright lights have changed many peoples opinions, and they believe that we are world class.
For me, the process is building and in another year or 2 we will be up there with the best of them in my opinion.
Look how we held Man United, as an example, with 5 first team players out and we utilised the youth in our system (and they took to it).
Look at brighton, Only 1 person over 18 on the bench (and that was Kilman) and yet we dominated the first half but let it slip. (inexperience).
If over the next 2 windows and bring in some experience to mix with the cubs of the pack, and master this new system we are trying this year so we can switch it up, We are going to be a real danger to the best teams in any competition.
I’m not blind sided by Nuno, not at all and I don’t agree with his management all the time and I get frustrated when he goofs it, However, I can see the process and what he is striving for and I am hoping he gets it right. He hasn’t done any wrong yet.
And…you learn so much more in the barren times when put under pressure than when all is well.
Patience ,unfortunately is something the young fans will struggle with. Everything they know and have experienced in life is instant…
Well written article
Good post wfl and i think you have basically summed it all up.. nice one.
Confirming your post to some extent is a very good friend who’s son plays for wolves young uns and has just been signed up until he’s sixteen .
His dad my mate is an avid manc utd fan season ticket holder ( god knows why cause he’s not from Manchester, there’s a surprise) and he spends a lot of time at Compton and taking his son all over the place for tournaments.
He said to me the other day that he is convinced wolves will win something big within the next four years as the set up is nothing short of incredible with 100% the most professional people and facility’s he has ever seen.
I think as you have said we just have to wait , be patient and it will come good as everything is in place to take us to the top.
Fosun to some peoples displeasure cannot simply chuck hundreds of millions at the job because of ffp and the evermore punitive fines and bans that will come with it if people persist with breaking the rules and the “man city got away with it” brigade are just fools to think anyone will do it again as it was the authorities who ballsed that up and its pretty certain they wont make that mistake a second time.
Apparently there has been a slight relaxation of the rules because of the pandemic but this wont have a major effect on wolves because of our low turnover compared to the bigger clubs.( unfair we know)
So the only answer is to grow slowly as a club and that means grow your own players as well . This will mean there will be ups and downs which we will just have to live with and the impatient amongst us can shout and ball all they want it wont change anything organic growth is the only way forward.
Fosun have pumped a lot of resources into the bottom end to make the foundations super strong and from the information I have it is definitely impressive and definitely working so on that basis I for one have no doubt that sooner or later things will turn out very good and sustainable.
Not for the first time on this blog ( and many others) some have been left bewildered as to why fosun don’t just open the war chest and throw gazillions at the project well that’s just not the way its done in the real world anymore.
You people who want instant success paid for by someone else need to take a step back and open your eyes as those days are long gone and its all getting a bit tedious trying to explain why to some people that just because we are having a bad spell does not mean the ship is sinking !
in fact its very much the opposite !
Wonderful post Spikey thanks for the morale boosting information from you friend, great to hear instead of garbage from the papers and negative views.
Thanks again.
Costa? Several posters are questioning his attitude in the dressing room. All I know about this is what I’ve read. I don’t have an issue with his attitude on the pitch. We could do with the sort of physicality he brings to a team.
Again, I don’t know what sort of wage he’s on but would the opportunity of a few weeks in the prem and a chance to put himself in the shop window persuade him to lower his financial expectations? If Nuno thinks he could do a job I’m sure enquiries will have been made. I think Silva could learn a lot from him too.
Cutrone is back as I predicted a few weeks ago !!!
Even a broken clock is right twice a day 🙂
Can I get a point too Cannock.
I hoped he’d come back.
Makes sense to me, If he only scores once between now and the end of the season he’ll be worth £35m.
Sarcasm yes, but I do like Silva, he has nice turns, runs and touches, but PL ready. Not yet.
I also see the positives with Cutrone coming back. He’s our player and has huge potential so I hope he returns feeling as if he has a point to prove.
The criticism of Silva is beyond ridiculous – it’s not his fault that Raul was injured and he has been thrown in when he is nowhere near ready ( and may not be ready next season either).
The EPL is the toughest and most physically demanding place in world football and Silva needs time to develop before being judged. I recall that Thierry Henry was absolutely hopeless in his first season at Arsenal and Ronaldo was shite in his first year at Man ure.
They both did ok didn’t they?
After digesting the most enlightening information on FFP and Wolves accounts supplied by ‘The Newt’ I now summarise as follows.
(1)The current FFP rules restrict Premier clubs like Wolves very severely with regard to spending money on new players. Fosun simply aren’t allowed to supply significant money for this purpose out of their own pockets. So anyone calling for them to do so is wasting their time.
(2) The only way Wolves can hope to make good progress over the next 5 years is by generating profit from buying and selling players and using this profit to gradually improve the team. Apart from this the amount of money they are allowed to spend on players is small.
Fosun are very shrewd and I now believe the above was obvious to them from the start. Note they had already clearly identified how lucrative buying and selling players could be. What they have done so far is entirely consistent with this. They have a manager and coaching team in place which is very good at improving players and increasing their value. In the main they buy young players who have the potential to increase in value and they benefit from Jorge Mendes advice in this area.Hence the high level of ‘ones for the future ‘ which some have complained about. Brexit may make this a little more difficult from now on. We have to accept that not every player purchase will be a success. Nobody is perfect. And, of course, this also has to be balanced with the vital necessity of staying in the Premier league and continuing to get money from TV rights which forms approx. 90% of the club’s income, so there remains the need to buy an established player from time to time.
So, for me, this is the journey us Wolves fans are on. When we see young players like Fabio Silva make a mistake we should bite our tongue and give them encouragement. Think how we felt when we were 18. To do otherwise is damaging to the only way Wolves can progress.
Of course it’s alright me being blunt with what I have to say, I like to be realistic even if it’s hard to take. Others are at the opposite end of the spectrum. This is where Jeff’s job gets so difficult. He has to attempt to please everyone and try to be be encouraging whilst not setting unrealistic aims.
Yours and Newts post, extremely useful, balanced and laced with common sense.
Looking at other sites and the E&S comments section, people are in melt down.
Perspective, required. It’s tough for anybody at the moment.
One last point, MGW or Patrick may not have been 1st choices, but both now have a point to prove, which may just work out for us all.
Just my thoughts.
And they both have a bit more experience, and hopefully eaten a slice of humble pie.
We must look to the positives- Morgan and Patrick have rich promise, they have had time away to gain some experience and have been presented with a great opportunity to impress and strengthen the side. Both are talented, know the players, coaching methods and can add immediate value. Any newcomer would be a gamble with no guarantee of anything other than high wages – on balance I prefer this scenario- which smells of ‘Nuno, get on with it son’- than signing King or Costa which would be short-term panic buys. Grant Holt still available anybody,
Feeling more optimistic already!
I can’t purport to have much knowledge of the internal workings of our club, even less about the ins and outs of FFP. But I have theory.
Nuno has his reasons, I’m sure, for running a small squad, but he must know there are big risks involved. However, I feel our team, after the first 16 or so, is so inexperienced because of FFP. An up and coming club like ourselves can’t balance the books with 25/30 top players on big wages. If we want to enlarge the squad and the number of experienced players therein, then quality will have to suffer. Running such a small squad of genuine first teamers, allows us to have better quality on the pitch when all are fit and can play. Hence why we have out achieved most promoted teams in our first two seasons but are struggling now injury has struck.
As always, a nice piece of writing Ben.
If all the ‘informed’ rumours are to be believed, we’re not going to be splashing the cash in January.
That means that Morgan Gibbs-White and the * Pizza Man are the best we’re going to get.
A bit of a worry but I think that we have a strong enough squad to keep us safe from the relegation quagmire.
And that’s really all that we can hope for in these ridiculous times.
I’m more concerned with the state of the World than our position in the Premier League at the moment.
* Who was the original ‘Pizza Man’ from a famous TV Series?
No Googling!
Davy Crockett
King of the Wild Front pizza
Can I Yahoo?
If you feel happy enough, go ahead Tim.
In all Nuno’s time here, never once has a player that has been out on loan been recalled and reintroduced into the first team squad. I can’t even think of an U23 player that has been out on loan and then made his way into the squad. Nuno seems to make his mind up on players and those that he doesn’t fancy and leave the club on loan are only one step away from leaving the club full stop.
The injury situation has obviously forced his hand with Gibbs-White and Cutrone, but both have the ability and hopefully this will be a golden opportunity for them both to play well enough to either come back into the fold or earn a good move elsewhere.
I will still like to see another forward joining even if only on loan, but now is the time for our two recalled players to put on their Big Boy Trousers and show us all what they are about.
Also, Niall Ennis
I’ve read elsewhere the suggestion that he will leave again.
Talented boy, for sure.
Cutrone has already had COVID while in Italy. Does that mean he is immune from it now or what?
Probably, Tim, but the problem is that no one seems to be letting on just yet how long antibodies last. The information will be out there but ‘they’ are keeping it secret from us lesser mortals at the moment.
no only be immune in Italy our covids different
So is Patrick going to get his favourite #63?
So in this strangest of seasons I wouldn’t be at all surprised if young Patrick hits the winner against Sandwell and pizza sales go through the roof.
Good luck to both him and mgw
Utw
take outs or delivery only !
Here’s hoping Patrick can “cut” it. He’ll likely get more game time than his last stint given that Fabio Silva is at best looking like an impact sub at the moment. He always looked an interesting prospect was just unfortunate to come in when wolves had their most effective striker in a generation and we don’t play two up top. The only drawback is for all his talent and the rave reviews he just hasn’t scored all lot at any point at the top level.
Morgan Gibbs White looked a real talent before injury and increased competition for places left him out in the cold. Can he make the transition he’s probably got more going against him than Patrick in the fact that he’s still not exactly a positional exact fit given the way we play.
But welcome back lads now is your chance to prove yourselves!
New words to the Patrick Cutrone song?
https://twitter.com/i/status/1347108369673449472
The pasta merchant is back.
There has been some talk of Tarore being unhappy and there are rumors about him moving to Leeds. He could yet leave, but NEVER in a million years could Tarore fit into the Leeds playing system! He is pretty static, and Leeds players run until they drop! Not Adama!
The return of Cutrone would be disappointing if he is the only replacement for Raul, but probably better than Fabio.
MGW is an ok addition but he is not a goalscorer.
Whatever happened to the chap we tried to buy in the summer, but did not want to pay 6M for him, I have forgotten his name. He would be ideal in the short term! I think he was Portuguese with PL experience but fairly old.
I cannot believe we are just going to go with Cutrone .
Failure to act in this window could be massive.
Where’s the ambition Jeff. .!
Here we go again!!!
Change the record, for dog’s sake
The ambition was taking us from bottom 6 championship to top 7 premier league, FA Cup semi final, Europa League quarter final. All in the space of 3 years .
Ambition: ” desire and determination to achieve something”. ………….
Please forward this definition to sandwell town f.c…………………… after we stuff ’em!!
Meanwhile just read that mgw and Cutrone could play tomorrow vs Palace
That will be interesting even if the game is dire, which is more than likely
After cuddling up to Brighton I’m expecting our defence to keep clean sheet for this one
1-0 and a cup run beckons….please
I’m getting a bit fed up with all of the darkness
And there’s more to come, Young Marin, with your Pelosi looking to take over the White House!!
Raul Jiménez’s don’t grow on trees so replacing him might prove almost impossible.
As I said in response to an earlier post,
It’s easy to forget, Jota didn’t exactly pull up trees for us last season and after almost a decade of service it would have been hard to deny Doc his big payday.
The likes of Neto sign for us because they see a pathway, now beaten by the likes of Jota to the champions League. If not with us then somewhere else.
At the risk of sounding like some sort of “ist” I worry about the knee jerk reaction by many so called supporters who have always been so vocal and endemic within our ranks. I’m talking about so called supporters who aimed vitriol at limited but nevertheless hard working Wolves players such as Stephen Ward and Karl Henry and now seem to be turning on a player that every other team fear more than any other in the league – Adama Traore. And now to even suggest Nuno’s position should be under threat simply beggars belief.
Bringing back Cutrone and Gibbs White is a no brainier. Why would you not?
Raul Jiménez’s don’t grow on trees so replacing him might prove almost impossible. That’s the trouble when you have one of the best at what he does.
As I said in response to an earlier post,
It’s easy to forget, Jota didn’t exactly pull up trees for us last season and after almost a decade of service it would have been hard to deny Doc his big payday.
The likes of Neto sign for us because they see a pathway, now beaten by the likes of Jota to the champions League. If not with us then somewhere else.
At the risk of sounding like some sort of “ist” I worry about the knee jerk reaction by many so called supporters who have always been so vocal and endemic within our ranks. I’m talking about so called supporters who aimed vitriol at limited but nevertheless hard working Wolves players such as Stephen Ward and Karl Henry and now seem to be turning on a player that every other team fear more than any other in the league – Adama Traore. And now to even suggest Nuno’s position should be under threat simply beggars belief.
Bringing back Cutrone and Gibbs White is a no brainier. Why would you not?
Agreed Prawny, spot on. I think a few folk got carried away reading hitc and newsnow and thinking that Wolves would actually sign Costa. The problem being that we imagined the marauding malevolent beast that turned out for Chelsea in their pomp rather than a 32 yr old who’s not played much football, looking for a payday with no resale value costing a million pounds a month. I have some sympathy for Jeff Shi having to tell Nuno,” Sorry my friend but that’s not going to happen while Cutrone, Mir etc are employees technically in your first team squad. We ‘ll wait until the summer when we have a better idea on Raul’s future”
We can’t get to the Mol to show our love and support but Nuno has mine and anyone he selects to play is good enough for me.
Sorry. Internet went a bit mad – Or Clive had the CIA try to censor me!
Nah, not me.
I was not that man.
I know, coz I was not there!
Anyway, to slightly disagree with part of your above post, regarding Henry ( name the two stars of that movie) and Ward.
I will agree that Henry had his moments, and could at least be called a footballer.
But Ward.
I stick with every derogatory comment I ever hurled his way.
That bloke was never a footballer.
McDickwad’s love child, maybe, but as long as he had an orifice in his rear passage, never a footballer.
And talking of arseholes and opinions, we all got at least one, unless you are Big Sam who unfortunately has a squad full, and I don’t mean opinions!
Fowb
Wardy did have quite a prolonged spell in the Premier League after leaving us though Clive, when we would have given our eye teeth to see Wolves in a similar position.
But Burnley?
Friggin’ Burnley?
Can you honestly say, hand on heart, you would tell your grandkids you played for shawn dick in the moors wilderness?
Burnley were the perfect fit for Ward, coz they can’t play football either!
Stay safe over there.
Fowb
I would actually. They’re quite a good example of a little club hangin’ on in there, year on year, any way they can. And who of us doesn’t like that?
I think Ward perfectly fits the description of a player making the most of limited ability to play at a level that will have surpassed his own expectations. However, we have had many far worse in a wolves shirt and many of whom we have spent money on that fall into that category. He was part of a very watchable promotion winning team and never gave less than 100%. Having spent some time in his company on a couple of occasions he strikes me as also a genuinely nice bloke and we ‘ve had our fair share of w*****s down the molineux over the years too!
Never having met Mr. Ward, I cannot comment on him as a person, and I agree there have been some useless wankers wearing the Old Gold and Black down the years.
But it still doesn’t change my opinion of him as a non footballer.
Fair enough Clive, everyone has their view on players including managers that’s what makes football and blogs interesting
So say we finish the season in spite of COVID. That leaves 21 games in the Premier League. If Patrick gets half of the game time, (that is around 900-1000 minutes) how many goals would he have to score to be a success? 4 or 5?
So if I understand correctly, the fact that a team suffers when hit by multiple injuries means the squad is too small.
Well then clearly Liverpool are a miserly small-minded outfit who will never win anything. Klopp out!
When Fosun were first announced as the new owners of Wolves, there was a belief in some quarters of Wolves fans that given their significant financial resources they would buy us the Champions League. Some of these fans took every opportunity to declare this view to any and every other football follower.
I can appreciate that disappointments in other areas of their life may place undue importance on the achievements of their football club. But in all honesty, the displays of anger frustration and resentment that resulting in statements such as Nuno is failing and replacements need consideration does not spark much sympathy.
Anyone who believed that the upward trajectory of two 7th placed finishes etc will continue without pause or dip is a little silly.
There are a lot of other clubs spending a lot of money to try and achieve what we have just done. Some will on occasions overtake us for a while.
Have we made mistakes – Yes! Are they fatal to our long-term interests – No. Has our overall recruitment been more cost effective in quality terms than nearly every other club – Yes!
Will Fosun ever again invest in an asset that is at the top of it’s marketable value (Raul/Rui) – No. Will that always work in favour of the club’s immediate interest – No.
Are we though overall in a better state than 98% of football clubs world-wide – Yes
I believe Liverpool spent £72 million on Van Dike one player. There squad is packed with world class players not kids.
Comparing us to Liverpool now that’s not fair.
The fact is you and everyone else has an option and so you should but just because I and many more Wolves fans don’t agree with it doesn’t make us silly or any other derogatory remark you care to throw at us.
You can have good grace to disagree but resulting to insults shows signs of imaturity
Play ground mentality.
Paul. I read all your posts carefully and can readily sympathise with your views and understand your passion to see Wolves benefit from our ‘too good to be true’ new owners. However, Jackomac’s posts are also very well thought out and measured. I tend to agree with his views re perspective and patience with the bigger picture proposed by Fosun. What is clear is that we are all very much united in our desire to watch exciting, winning football from our team- turning to which we have 3 quite different opponents coming up which will challenge our young team in so many different ways. COYW
Paul I do think the comparison with Liverpool is fair. They have what is generally considered to be a comprehensive squad containing a lot of experienced quality players. BUT if you look at the Liverpool team’s selected in recent weeks there are a lot of youngster’s names appearing. This I think reflects the damage that a glut of injuries can do to any team.
I am truly sorry if you found my post disrespectful or name-calling.
When I said I had no sympathy with people claiming Nuno is failing and needs replacing I was not really thinking of regular contributors on this site.
I do stand by my comments that a belief that the club should be ever ascending without plateau or dips is silly.
Players age and get injured, form is a fickle mistress, transfers are always a gamble and opposition seek to ‘find you out’.
I know you hurt when Wolves lose or fall below achievable standards. Believe me, so do I, and I’m sure so does everyone on this blog.
You clearly believe that when failure or underperformance occurs the best way to address it is to challenge. On occasions in some other areas of life, so do I.
But I also think there is a time for challenge and a time for support. Maybe I should challenge more often, maybe you should be supportive more often. Who really knows?
Either way I would prefer to keep on joining in the debate in a respectful manner and I would prefer that you and all other bloggers felt the same way.
I would like to think the area of common ground in our feelings for the club is greater than the minor things that divide us such as recruitment, selection and playing styles.
Jaco. I think the cliche evolution not revolution is the mantra we should be singing right now.
Prorogress/ regression is relative to timescale. If we finish a decade wit five top 6 finishes is that progress?
Alternatively if we win 6 on the trot and then lose 1-0 have we gone backwards?
Anyway, my clumsy point is a few bad results with an unusually depleted team shouldn’t be viewed as a regression.
I think overall we’re doing just fine.
Ben, Thomas,
It’s about time some Bloggers started respect their fellow Bloggers views wether they agree with then or not we are all adults.
To many time people are insulted or derogatory remarks are made against them just because there view is different. My Grandad fought in the WW2 so we could have the freedoms we have today free speech respect for one others views, Religion, Sexually and Race.
I think a code should be brought in where all Boggers sign up to it and instead of having the ” Like and Dislikee ” change it if possible for ” Agree and Disagree “.
I myself have come in for a lot of ridicule for my views and have left the Blogg on a couple of occasions the last time I left one Blogger who I shall not Anne blogged ” good ride de ”
I thought this Blogg was set up on the Princple of anyone can join and put there view but increasingly a few like minded Boggers have taken to insults and ridicule because people have a different view. This Bloog is in danger of becoming Elitist and I don’t think that was the idea of its founding fathers.
This Blogg should represents all views like society
I must be Anne! It was me that said ‘good riddance’ but you still came back. I’m sorry if you took that as a personal insult but that was my ‘view’ at the time.
I respect all fellow Wolves fans but your permanent negativity is draining to say the least. I don’t respect that.
PS. I ‘dislike’ every comment you make and would have no issue changing them all to ‘disagree’ if that’s the way you want it.
that reminds me ..
I must turn on the speel chocker
Paul, Paul, Paul, for dog’s sake calm down.
This blog is for everyone to have a bit of good natured banter, to discuss everything Wolves and football related, and to let off a bit of steam.
It is not a platform for any agendas, whatever they might be, there are lots of other forums for that.
If you read back through your own posts, you will see that you are doing exactly what you are decrying others for, namely throwing your toys out of the pram when someone disagrees with you.
No one is having a go at you, no one is out to get you or belittle you, everything on here is written to a large degree with a pinch of salt.
I myself have had all sorts of ridicule and derisory comments thrown at me over the years, but I love it, coz once in a while I read something new, and I can use it elsewhere!
I have met a lot of the people on this blog, most of whom I now call friends, and that would not be the case if they were all assholes.
Take a chill pill, have a large shot of your fave tipple, put a big smile on your face and get on with life.
Remember, it takes a lot less effort and facial muscle power to smile than it does to frown.
Have a great day and FOwb
Just when you think you’ve seen everything, Clive comes on here and sounds reasonable.
My god how pathetic with all that is going on in our country people are fuckin dying get a grip.
I think that the problem with some bloggers who I will not ‘Anne’ (sorry about that), is that they just repeat the same mantra time and time again.
It’s a bit like the Chinese Water torture.
Drip, drip, drip.
By and large we get to know the stance of bloggers on the general running of the club.
The interesting part of the blog, is reaction to games and how people bounce off each other with ideas and discussions.
I don’t think I have ever insulted anyone in my blogging history (apart from Clive a few times but he gives as good as he gets, if not better).
And as ‘Wolves Fan’ says.
People are dying. Hurt feelings don’t really count for a hill of beans.
Paul. From my personal viewpoint. And I said this in my contribution earlier on in this blog. I have no issue with anyone who contributes on here, including you. A view is a view. As long as it is advanced in a reasonable and constructive way it is fine by me. That said , you have to be prepared for challenge, just as you challenge others. The thing with this blog you certainly don’t see the pathetic abuse and ridicule you get elsewhere (apart from when Clive blogs). Paul. As Clive says just relax man. I noticed a post you made above on 7th Jan where you got 6 likes. So it’s not all bad!
Well I think that this could be the naking of young Patrick
As for Nino .. I would give him the job for life
I have spent my life on the terrace at Wolves and apart from j b and Ritchie b
And a bit of bill Mc Gary.. hes been the best . So let him build and allow him some mistakes
. The few calling for his head are absolutely fucking moronic
Honestly.. proper stupid know nothing idiots . They don’t know shit from clay
Let’s change the subject.
Dendonker back in, that’s a shock.
The Wolves gave the impression he was a couple of weeks away from playing.
Be nice to see Patrick Cutrone come on and give it a go.
I also like the back four, Saiss covering Ait-Nouri and Coady covering Semedo.Moutinho playing off the back of the front 3.
Tinker time again.
Come on me Bambinos
Come on you bloggers.(Even Cloive)
Well that has to be the quickest game of football of my life.
All we need to do now is, come out and play for another 45 minutes.
Let’s get on to the game, folks.
Fairly comfortable win, I thought. Semedo looked solid and good going forward for a change. Traore of course was the difference (as he was at Brighton).
Fabio needs to learn how to head a ball. Three excellent opportunities all squandered. Some nice touches though.
Ruddy should donate his appearance fee to charity. Not a single save to make. Good on you defence.
Decent win against a poor Palace side. But god , let’s take Silva out of it before we kill the
Guy ! He’s dreadful and you know I think he’s knows it !
If Cutrone doesn’t start the next game, I don’t know what Nuno is thinking. Like LP says, Fabio probably knows he shouldn’t be getting all of this game time and Patrick wants and thinks he should be so give it to the guy who is more mentally comfortable with being on the pitch in the Premier League.
IN THE HAT ! Apparently drawing the 4th and 5th rounds together on Monday evening 7pm.
In the hat indeed is all that counts. A better cup run than last year already.
thought we worked well . new boys were decent but the prince needs a few games in the under 23s to sort himself out.
cutrone tried hard when he got his chance and will probably start against everton i would think.
lovely goal from traore and that will do him a world of good.
all in all a good nights work next its back to the real thing which will be a much sterner test.
7/10 still room for improvement .
The Head of safeguarding at Wolves needs to intervene and use his considerable powers. Fabio needs to be withdrawn before he is totally crushed , it’s just not happening for him . Two headed half chances tonight nowhere near the goal added to the potential winner against Spurs that he fluffed. Outfought and outmuscled throughout, it’s like playing with 10 men. What must the other players be thinking? Cutrone has to play even if he’s not match fit, he will give defenders something to worry about.
To make matters worse, I’ve just seen Louie Barry score for Villa against Liverpool , now that kid looks like an under 15 but his goal showed pace, aggression and an ice cool finish, much like the Michael Owen of old.
He’s got it and cost £800k. Enough said.
Semedo ball watching. Basic, really. Mark your man!!