I saw a couple of comments on social media earlier about not caring much for the FA Cup and wanting to concentrate on the league.
I must say I was of the opposite view – a cup run would be most welcome amid turbulent goings on at the Golden Palace.
Talking of Palace, they were once again the most obliging of opponents at a time when we needed to pull out a performance.
Give messrs Neves and Moutinho time and space on the ball and they’ll spray about glorious passes at will. No one more than me appreciates a stylish playmaker, so I’m glad our twin maestros are starting to get back to their best together. They just need the right system and set-up to shine.
I’m aware I bang on an awful lot about the Wolves midfield, but I’m firmly of the belief that when Neves and Moutinho are on song, the pressure is taken off the defence and we can concentrate on supplying Neto and Adama with the right service.
As for the Spaniard, a confident Traore is an unstoppable Traore. You could tell by the way he was mixing up his game, whether that was a cross from the right, driving into the box, or cutting inside and unleashing 20-yard thunderbolts!
And a word for Semedo. A promising relationship is starting to form on the right between Nelson and Adama, with the former another growing in confidence. He’s improving defensively and starting to find his feet in attack.
It would be churlish to be too critical after a pleasing performance for the most part, but when will we sharpen up our game management? Adama could have been carrying a knock, but his early night inevitably gave Palace the encouragement they needed to pile the pressure on. Conceding the upper hand has cost us in the past and it will continue to do so in the future. Thankfully Palace were hopelessly limited in the final third.
Anyway, now for the fourth (and fifth) round draw on Monday night. Chorley anyone?
I was on a downer about the FA Cup but it’s a competition we can win with a bit of luck and the right application, so was happy Nuno played a strong XI.
Adama was great again I thought and, as you point out Paddy, mixing up his play and getting into better positions. Were it not for the rest of the side letting him down at Brighton we’d be talking about two match-winning performances. Any talk of him leaving is madness.
Thouroughly professional performance, aided by a Palace side who never showed up. Hey, a win is a win and will build confidence. Nice to see the Donk back and agree with Paddy, Neves and Mouhtino played well in midfield. Think Fabio needs a run in the U23’s or a loan move, tries hard but lacks the killer instinct. Adama, unplayable and a great strike.
Not a night to be too picky. Well done the chaps, much needed win, clean sheet, professional.
Tick.
Think we were flattered by Palace no show.Silva made some nice link up passes but he can’t head for toffee.I think he may actually blink before heading the ball as there have been numerous times he has headed the ball on top of his head.Im sure it can be taught.
Cutrone did his usual but i think the club have to try a get another striker and leave silva on subs bench.
Final mention for Hoever i think Liverpool will regret selling him just has that quality about him which Ait Nouri hasn’t showed to me so far.
God we desperately need a Goal Scorer!!
?????
Didn’t watch the game as I had convinced myself that I am the reason we are on such a bad run of form. Stupid I know, but I am sure my watching them is just putting them off. So, until further notice, I will continue to not watch. (tic). COYW
Crumbs MW. Paranoid, or what. Don’t blame yourself lad. We’re all watching too. It could be any one of us who’s the jinx.
Wolfstroker, thanks for the kind words but (tic) in my post stands for TONGUE IN CHEEK…(LOL)
Hi
Girlfriend read your post and said sounds exactly like me!! Lol!
I went nearly two weeks without having a drink cause I was convinced me drinking was the reason we couldn’t win!
Now that’s commitment mate! Respect to you!
Mitothy, for a minute there I thought you were calling me ‘girlfriend’ but after reading it again I realised you forgot the comma after Hi…
Thanks for your concern, but (tic) in my post stands for to tongue in cheek.
Great to see a confident and efficient performance. But we still managed just one goal, when any half decent attack would probably have had six or seven against such modest opposition.
The reality is that until we have competent striker as a focal point, we will struggle against good and motivated opposition. Silva may or may not be the big thing of the future, and only time will tell, but for now he is simply not ready. He is just out of his depth.
Cutrone is back. But is he good enough ? I`ve no idea, since he was allowed only limited opportunities when he was last with us. Surely now is the time to give him a run as the starter, and allow him the chance to show what he can do. If he`s not the answer, then Nuno and Mr Shi will need to put into action Nuno`s words of “balancing the squad ”
To go into the final half of the season without a proven striker would surely be an absolute disaster.
Glad to be in the draw for the next round. Summat to look forward to on Monday evening. Time to give Patrick a run up front. I thought he showed some promise in the times I saw him. I recall a goal he scored against West Ham at home when he drilled home from the edge of the box to the bottom corner in Bullyesque fashion. Not sure about Fabio. Sometimes it’s just instinct. The kid Rooney. Robbie Keane. I think he needs to work on his game with Nuno. Glad to see Nuno put out a strong team tonight. He wants to take the FA cup seriously. I agree. Let’s see who we get next up. Probably Man Utd again!!!!!
Cheese .. check your gmail mate
Good performance tonight, adama played well, superb goal , Nelson finding his feet, Silvia would not get in my table football team, hard games next week, now where did I put that bottle off whiskey. Wolves aie we.
It’s sad you called out Silva, he’s bound to prove you wrong you know. He missed Neto’s cross with his head but was in space at the end and Neto should have played him in for an easier finish. Once they start to link up properly the chances and goals will come.
Agree. He’s getting on the end of stuff and that’s the important bit. His all round game has improved.
Adama is hitting form just as we might have a bit more of a Jimenez like foil up front again in Cutrone. Was glad to Patrick put the running in again in his cameo, if he can get a few games and a more importantly chip in with a few goals in the second half of the season maybe he can live up to the terraces love for him!
As for silva I think he’d benefit from a few games off the bench where there’s less pressure.
Glad to see Morgan Gibbs White get minutes again, he’s another that needs to step up now with a bit more space in the squad.
Yes a little more killer instinct when we’re on top of games wouldn’t go amiss, but a clean sheet and a win against top flight opponents is not be sniffed at.
Here is a portion of a comment of mine from Dec 27th.
“Silva has to score with those opportunities.
I saw him go up for a header and was going down before the ball even reached him.
(Does the ball fly differently in Portugal?)”
He seems to have no aerial game. Doesn’t really know how to judge the flight of a ball and time his jumps. Is this a good sign for a striker?
As many of you know, I’ve always thought Patrick is better than Nuno gives him credit for. I think he should be starting and taking the pressure off of Fabio. Fabio can come on at the end if Patrick gets tired until he gets in game shape or start some cup games, similar to with Raul. If Nuno is not happy in a couple weeks, they can look for a reinforcement.
Well done wolves, if there is such a thing as a routine 1-0 win then that was it. Traore is looking a lot more threatening now he is running at players into the box as well as going to the byline. I think Semedo had his best game so far in a wolves shirt and I’ve been critical of him previously. I hope ait- nouri can progress over time as I thought he looked poor at times. I’ve been a supporter of Silva as I think we maybe judging up to 2 years before he is ready and I think he needs taking out of the team before his confidence gets shredded. The two headers he had won’t fill any wolves fan with the belief we have found a “ generational talent” and he needs time to develop away from the spotlight
Picking up on Paddy’s point
1 – 0. Traore off – Zaha on
Can understand coming back from injury Dendonker but we do lose his height
Against better teams than Palace we could have been in trouble – gave me worries anyway
When we play teams not in big 6, 442 is the way forward, such a shame game against the baggies is fan free, I’m gutted, always remember being in the Hawthorns when bully got the winner, happy memories, wolves aie we.
I too was at that game Binda, as I remember it a cross from Muchy, Bully took it on his chest let it drop and lashed it into the back of the net. Ecstasy!!!
I still remember when the match finished they kept us in until the crowds had dispersed.
My son was at a scout camp so I went to the match on my own. Thank God I did as the surge when they opened the gates was frightening.
For me, the FA Cup is VERY important.
For VERY obvious and often trotted out – but seemingly still not grasped by many – reasons.
It is a trophy.
One of only three that can be won every season.
It will live for ever (or a facsimile will) in the Club’s Trophy cabinet.
You only have to see the look on players’, supporters’ and managers’ faces when they win it to know what it means to them.
It is often the saving on a manager’s job.
And it means a trip to Wembley.
The EUFA Cup apart, it is a bigger trophy than we have come anywhere near winning in the 50 odd years since I started watching the boys in Old Gold.
Enough said?
Saving ‘OF’ a manager’s job.
It’s early, I need a cup of tea.
Trip to Wembley? Will things be sorted in time?
Pleased with the performance overall but the idea that Silva is a “generational “ talent which is how Shi described him is a bit of a joke .He is very young so I have been willing to be tolerant but last night I am afraid just confirmed the belief that he is not even close to being ready even as a back up to Jiminez .If they had not paid such a crazy sum for him he would be out in loan this month but Nuno probably feels he has to keep using him partly due to the fee and partly through lack of alternatives .At least we now have Cutrone .
On a more positive note I thought Traore was excellent and hitting that shot with his left foot shows just how much power he has in both feet .Let us hope he is not injured and indeed it was only cramp that brought him off .If he is injured I wonder if in the absence of Podence Semedo could play in that wide up front position with Hoever playing in his place .Not sure who else could do it if we are looking for a front 3 in a given game .Expect others may think this a mad idea but just throwing it out !
Let us hope for a decent draw as it would be great to have a Cup run again .
Thought we were more aggressive and up for it. I liked the formation and having our 3 midfielders is for me our strongest side. So 4-3-3for me in future as a best and ideal option.
Traore’s goal was a beauty, so pleased for him. With our current injuries we cannot do without him to be frank.
Like all the above posters I think Silva is out of his depth, the first header he missed from Neto’s cross was surely a goal he should be burying. He needs loads of game time in the U23’s.
Samedo is beginning to look good, he may well be an upgrade on the Doc because he looks to have more energy. He followed up a good performance v Brighton with perhaps an even better one last night. I thought he was hopeless but I was wrong. If his form continues he will be a big plus for us in the rest of the season. That’s if it lasts out it’s course with the way the virus is spreading at the moment. How are our rivals Villa going to play their next games? Dangerous stuff. I hope the powers that be hold their nerve, because I can only hope with a combination of lockdown and vaccine there is a safer path just around the corner.
Air-Nouri looked more assured as well, he’s got masses of coltish confidence, and it’s noteworthy that the rest of the team use him a lot, they have confidence in him. Until Jonny returns or maybe Marcal he’s a good option.
Cutrone looked as if he’s markedly a better option than the young Silva. Maybe if Nuno goes on to trust him and play him it could be a turning point for him and us this season. You get the feeling he can battle it out with the biggest and the best. He has know how.
Well onwards and upwards with that vital win, given the doom that was beginning to cling around us.
A lot of well weighted posts. I really believe that citronella coming back now is his golden opportunity to make the number 9 his own ..same for gibbons-white. They will never be given a better chance.
Great result against a poor palace team but ill take a win every time.
Onwards to Everton
UTW
I bloody hate predictive text
Lol
I thought they were deliberate, very funny, anyway! Comfortable game to watch last night, no hiding behind sofa waiting for a last minute equaliser/penalty. Kept waiting for an all out assault which Roy’s team seemed unable to generate. Credit to our midfield who passed, tackled and blocked brilliantly all game. Definitely agree Fabio to be taken out of the spotlight, he clearly has talent but his confidence looked shattered last night. A young man, a long way from home with huge expectations on his shoulders- Nuno needs to take him out of the firing line now and allow his development . I would introduce Theo as replacement sub for Cutrone for the next 5 games and see how he adapts/develops. Hoever looks the real deal, Ait performing really well too given his inexperience but will be targeted and found out by the top teams. Semedo looking the upgrade on the Doc we hoped for although Matt’s heading ability and timing of runs into the box have been missed. We are papering over the cracks but I won’t feel happy with the defence until Jonny is back, Marcel will be a bonus too. Onward now to Everton, another clean sheet please. Oh, as regards Adama- the most exciting player I have seen at the Wolves since Waggy. Irreplaceable.
Don’t we all!
How does that work? I mean, we play fairly crap prior to this game and then play completely the opposite. Nice to see movement off the ball and Semedo and Traore working well together. Ok, Palace allowed us time on the ball but I still think we stifled them. Traore appeared to want to play. He reminds me of a tin of corned beef, the tin with the key where you turn it, then stop and adjust your grip and start again. Nice finish after driving into the box. Shame that young Silva is finding things difficult. He definitely could do with some rudemental coaching. Likewise for Nourri whose passing needs addressing. That said I enjoyed the game .
Very comfortable for much of the night, topped off with a scintillating Adama strike. Adama seems to dribble on instinct and is at his most dangerous when he seems on the edge of losing control. But his shooting benefits from a moment to think. I could see his rocket coming as he headed across the box and no defender got stuck in. Terrific stuff.
Otherwise, we had a measure of control we have rarely seen recently, with the midfield three and Nelson Semedo providing excellent backup to the guys up front. The defence and Big John hardly had their feathers ruffled all evening.
Hopefully, tonight will give the team a lift and we can carry some confidence into the next two games. Everton will be no pushovers.
The first time that we have looked defensively solid when playing with a back 4, so very happy with that. Silva, for all his failing to finish good chances, showed some good touches – played in Dendoncker, held the ball up a few times – and is at least getting into goal-scoring positions. I think the size of the fee will preclude him being sent out on loan, but hopefully he’ll get game time in the U-23s to build his confidence. Ait-Nouri will be a class act once he has bulked up to deal with the physicality of the PL – Hoever (also a class act) doesn’t appear to have such a problem as he’s been here for a couple of years already. The Donck will surely score soon – I can’t believe how unlucky he’s been with hittng the woodwork and keepers pulling out great stops. All in all, a good night’s work.
Agree with all of the above so far.
But.
The statisticians amongst you can help me out here, did I read somewhere recently that, when Dendonker is in the team we do well and the games he is not, we struggle with.
Because my biggest observation last night is that it seemed at times we had an extra player on the pitch. He was working well with Neto, twisting and turning with Semedo then Traore, he was defending like a Trojan and popping up for some excellent shots and one really unlucky effort that again pulled out a fantastic save from the goalie who had to be their MOTM.The lad worked his socks off, after reading the reports on our walking wounded, I was gobsmacked to see him on the team sheet.
I have to say I breathed a huge sigh of relief on seeing him in the starting line up. I was all geared up to see Marty Giblets White and Cutrone perform for a few minutes and up pops the Donk. If we can get Boly back soon I think we can all chillax a little more.
Good first half, nervy but controlled second, but, we’re through against a side I have always likes, but we really embarrassed at times. Poor old Woy has to be disappointed at his teams showing last might. As I said a few games back, if we can play Semedo in front of Hoever somehow, then play the Dark destroyer rampaging ahead of them, surely there is the making of a great right hand side for Wolves.
Still, onwards and upwards in short steps we go.
Very happy to watch the game last night. We looked fresh and aggressive.
Adama showed us what other teams will be missing when we don’t sell him.
Semedo, although he was never targeted defensively as he has been by other sides, gave an extremely good impression of an attacking wing back.
Silva looked quite a bit like Bully…
…heavy first touch…
… unfortunately that’s where the similarity ended. The second touch ended up anywhere but in the back of the net.
John Ruddy had a change though.
He spectated from on the pitch as opposed to on the bench.
Everyone else chipped in pretty well and the Neves/Moutinho midfield purred like my old V12 Jaguar XJRS used to as it hit 150 on the M6.
A bit worried by Ait-Nouri and his wayward passing, but Palace were never good enough to exploit it.
After a celebratory Remy or two, I went to bed last night, a happy bunny.
Great leap and take from big John at that last corner to relieve any last seconds anxieties.
Yes and this is something he does so much better than Rui .
Although a great shot stopper and his distribution has improved a lot he still does not dominate the six yard box the way Ruddy does which is one of the reasons why teams like Burnley have so much joy against us .
Rui is one of the best shot stoppers around but that’s his game. The end!
For me Ruddy, although nowhere near as mobile takes pressure off the defence. I’m happy to defer to Nuno though as he was a goalkeeper and I’m rubbish even at table football.
I’m going to take a different approach on the Fabio Silva/Wolves’ striker situation.
What if Fabio and Nuno realize fully that Fabio is not ready but Nuno feels there is no other option.
Fabio is being asked to hold down the fort until some reinforcements come.
He is trying his best and suffering the comments of us on the blog when he is just doing his best until some replacement can come in and take over.
So, thank you, Fabio for trying your best under the difficult situation you were put into.
Well said Tim.
Spot on Tim. Silva did not set the price of £35 million agreed by two clubs.
Neither is he responsible for Wolves not having a back up Centre Forward, which is poor management by Wolves.
In Nuno parlance, Silva is a “Project”. A player to be afforded the opportunities to grow and develop. It was never intended that he should be thrust into playing a lone striker in the best league in the world. Anyone can see that he does not have the physical strength or experience to take on such responsibility. Confidence is a fragile commodity and continued selection to start games will have a heavy toll on the lad.
The recall of Cutrone, an adult , maturing player, will in the short term provide Wolves with more threat.
Silva has shown that he has much promise at times and his positioning has often been excellent. On MOTD last night, I saw several experienced players miss easier chances than
those Silva spurned against Palace.
Give the lad a break.
Back in the middle ages, Leeds had a player named Norman Hunter, who although an excellent footballer, had a very mean streak and the nick name “Bite yer legs” as his tackling was literally over the top.
Last night, again, our little pocket rocket Moutinho was so aggressive in his tackling, fairly of course, that I would suggest he’s earned the nick name “Bites yer ankles”.
He was superb, yet again, and apart from his brain fart at Brighton, has been for ages.
I have been harping on all season about attacking the box instead of the corner flag, and finally Traore did it.
Fair play to the lad he had an excellent game, lets see if he can play as well in the coming week.
Everton will give our defence a much sterner test and will target our left side.
I agree with the comments about playing Hoever behind Semedo, who I believe cannot defend much at all.
Feel sorry for Silva, but he is getting into scoring positions and one day might actually score!
I watched on hesgoal with a Chinese commentary, very bizzarre, but we are in the hat which is all that matters.
Palace to be fair, really were crap.
Onwards and upwards.
FO wb
Spot on Clive- Joao is near the top of his game atm. Right side corners have improved since leftie Neto has been taking them also with goals resulting. Glad to see Morgan return- he should be adopting Moutinho’s attitude to midfield positioning and controlled aggression with an ambition to replace the little maestro in a year or so. Copying his lifestyle would also ensure that he prolongs his career. Morgan has the talent and can learn so much from the seasoned pros around him- hope he does, it will save us a £30m acquisition in 2 years time.
Hey Clive.
.. my good lady wife made a suggestion yesterday , well she made a few and most of them I just pretend to hear / agree with , but one of the things she said hads the words ‘Wolves Game in it ‘.. so I decided to listen to it and it turned out to be a good idea . Now I’m a badge owning member of Houston Wolvex … why don’t a few of us on here watch a game together on zoom
If wolveshzd a game on TV at about 7 then isn’t it 1 pm in the afternoon there …?
Doog…stu .. bedders. Wolfstroker , witley etc .. anyone interested?
Brill idea, Matt, set it up!!!
Next Saturday we play the shit , and it’s on at 6.30 in the morning over here.
Perfect for a beer or two!!
Has bedders or stu got your e mail address?
Clivethefenceman@yahoo.com
Interested Matt, but not sure I have the techno knowledge for such shenanigans. Never done ‘zoom’.
And now I can’t go to he game or watch at the pub…………..
What I mean is, happy to give it a go if I can sort out the technology.
Got any 5 year old relatives?
They can figure it out for you!!
Plenty who act that way, Clive.
Has stu or bedders got your e mail address?
I believe so. Ben or Thomas can let you know though, if you like.
It’s ok .. I’ve got both of yours off stu . I’ll be in touch
Matt, I’ve been trying to get my laptop camera to work but to no avail. Tried to update the drivers and all that stuff, but no go. Not used it in nine years though so not surprising. Maybe it’s time I got a new laptop.
Meanwhile, zoom may prove difficult. Great idea though.
No doubt he is trying his best for sure , but that’s the worry his best is no where near this level. None of it is his fault, a crazy fee that has also put Nuno in a tricky position. Obligation
to play him etc.
For me only one answer ,give Catronne an extended run and let’s see !
Agreed LP, his best isn’t good enough. It worries me now that he has such a poor heading technique, that’s three good chances to score that he has fluffed. You would think that might be a strong point but I can’t see any at the moment, it’s like we’re playing with 10 men. He needs time and nurturing if he’s going to be a success at the club and in his career, but this experience isn’t doing him any good. It’s time to pull him out of the deep end before he drowns.
One challenge that Cutrone made knocked their centre back sideways ,we need more of those and Silva isn’t making them.
Well done Adama , as many have said before, get in the box more, shoot more, attack one defender ,don’t wait until there is a queue to stop you.
Well done Nelson, that was much better and you Reuben, quality.
Well done John, catching that cross in the 93rd minute, brilliant!
We gotta get someone who can score goals! It will make a huge difference to the way we perform, takes pressure off the back, and when our Midfield play with confidence we can beat anyone.
I know I’m stating the obvious and we all know it but we really do need a Goal Scorer Urgently!
A general point here.
The Premier League have issued clubs with new hard line measures for stopping the spread of Coronavirus. Wearing masks unless on the pitch, no handshakes or hugging and no swapping shirts.
Anyone breaking the rules will be punished.
As far as I’m aware though, there’s been no mention of banning spitting.
Surely that is the most likely way to spread Covid. Either directly or by someone hitting the deck where someone else has gobbed.
There must be a ton of it scattered about during the game.
It makes me SOOO angry, I could spit!
Bring back spitoons placed around the pitch where one can expel excess gob without spreading the virus.
Reminds me of the very old (Doogooder like ) joke.
Two drunks in the pub, and a full spittoon on the bar.
One drunk says to the other, “I bet you wouldn’t take a sip out of that spittoon.”
Other one picks it up and drains it in one go.
First drunk says ” why did you drink it all, I only said a sip?”
Other one says ” It was all in one piece”
Man goes into his local which has been subjected to a drastic upgrade. “It’s OK” he says, “But I miss the old spitoons”. “You always used to” says his mate.
Entering my email for the post and predictive text ended it with .neto instead of .net !!!!
Why not just swallow the stuff? It tastes good and by golly it does you good.
Good job there are no punk gigs going on at the moment. I remember going to see Public Image Limited over Birmingham and Johnny Rotten came on stage with an umbrella!
Looking forward to the derby, such a travesty no fans, any old farts like me where there when jaws smashed a hatrick against WBA, happy memories, time for a early whiskey or 3, wolves aie we.
Great win let us go and win it for Sir Jack
Headlines in the papers……..
The arrogance of the twats.
“Nuno Espirito Santo is perfect fit for Chelsea should Frank Lampard suffer sack”.
Chelsea are reportedly making contingency plans in case Frank Lampard is sacked as manager, but Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo should be the club’s No.1 target
4th round of the FA cup.
Anybody fancy Chorley at home??? ???
4th round of the FA cup.
Anybody fancy Chorley at home??? ???
Yes please.
How about Sandwell Town ? Ooooops…
I know you’re gutted Cheesey mate….
Try to keep you’re pecker up….
Lol….
No Wembley this year for the Boggies….
They did well to take Blackpool to penalties Twix….
We were ok. Traore was fab and Palace were shite!
We shouldn’t even have an opinion on Silva yet as he’s not supposed to be playing. Hopefully Cutrone will be what he was meant to be or we borrow someone with talent and a point to prove.
As for the rest, we have most of the jigsaw pieces but we’ve not had time to slot them together yet.
A mid table finish with a good cup run might have to do for this season. The longer term future (with a more polished Silva) looks shiny bright.
Does the Blog think that the players and coaching staff believe in the massive importance of next Saturday ? Not really saying yes or no. Just seeing what folks think.
Good question. I think Coady will get it and the intensity that should go with it. Nuno will be well briefed and our squad is always very professional in its preparation. My fear is that in a season where Sandwell have been mullered by pretty much everyone the mardenbrough crainie syndrome will strike their team and let’s face it, breaking down two rows of five has never been our strength.
They have derbies in all countries.
Maybe so but do they have : mass brawls in pubs with pool tables hurling through windows. The 87 bus to Dudley with no windows left in it and on fire. Coaches with windows bricked in. Shit fans being kept in the ground for over an hour whilst police disperse Wolves fans outside. Riots in Wolvo centre as Wokves fans battle police. Just saying.
Perhaps it’s because of the win but it is good to see only one comment with a negative in the Like/Dislike column . . . . . I cancelled it with a ‘Like’.
So much more civil if we all agree to either ‘Like’ or ignore a comment.
Especially nice to see Tim’s comments respected.
Love to you all!
(And I’m not Tim)
I agree with you……I also cancelled the negative tick with a like.
Thanks. I think I look more moderate now that we have some other commentators who are less, shall we say, diplomatic. Yes, I actually do re-read my posts and ask “What is Clive going to say in response to this?”. Then I say f-it and post it anyway.
(The Real Tim)
You will be pleased to know this is my last comment on the boy Fabio as it’s getting silly now !
For the sum paid his talent should be there for all to see ,as young players before him have shown , it’s not about age , if you are a talent it shows. It does not in this case.
This could turn out to be the worst signing in the history of the club due to the amount paid
and if Shi sanctioned it he must take the consequences ! My concern is where it leaves the
brilliant Nuno who is in a very difficult position with him.
I think rather than condemn the lad as a failure now, at aged 18, you should wait and see how things turn out and make an informed judgement then.
I know I was being judged at 18 and didn’t like it one bit. The fact they were right is neither here nor there.
I was reflecting on the difference between the way things were and the way they are now from the point of view of player development and opportunities. I couldn’t really reach a conclusion so I wondered what other bloggers think.
1950s situation –
>>> Wolves field 6 or 7 teams every week – Football League, Central League, Birmingham League, Worcester Combination plus two amateur teams in different divisions of Wolverhampton and District League
>>> No substitutes in those days so matchday squad was only 11 plus 12th man to cover pre-match accidents etc.
>>> No international breaks, so understudies for those called up have occasional opportunities to deputise – BUT no real longer term prospects, they won’t play if international player is available for next match
>>> Up and coming players really only get opportunities when others are injured.
2020s situation –
>>> Wolves field only a single non age-limited team. Some over age players used in Under 23s
>>> Having nine on the bench allows 20 players to be around the game, maximum of 14 play
>>> International break rules out opportunities.
>>> Longer term injuries still give opportunities.
Which era provided the best opportunity for young players to break through? The opportunity to play competitive football every week seems to me to have its attractions and the number of teams allowed progress to be made and measured. BUT the involvement of at least twenty in the first team squad probably makes for a better club spirit and brings increased learning opportunities.
What do other bloggers think? I know that clubs couldn’t afford to run that many teams today, but have we – and, more importantly, the young developing players – gained or lost overall?
In either case COYW
S**t fans on twitter want Allardyce out. Comical. Only been there 3 wiks.
Didn’t see game but happy to be top or joint top of FA prediction league
Fabio is a bust I’m afraid… has anyone watched Fati play for Barcelona? He’s been there since a boy… but shows what a 17 yo star looks like( we don’t have one)
Meantime getting a bit nervous about next few games…
Will be setting alarm early Sat for game / zoom vs Crem
Just hoping we get there after good showing vs toffees… more on that Monday I assume…
OODCL
Amidst all the banter about match performances, individual players and what Fosun should do or shouldn’t have done, we should always keep sight of the bigger picture. There is every reason to be optimistic about the future.
Since Fosun bought Wolves four and a half years ago the squad value had increased from approx. £20 million to approx. £350 million. Reports suggest Premier League squad values in general have recently dropped as a result of the pandemic. No matter, either way Wolves now have the NINTH most valuable squad in the Premier. This is huge progress.
It has been achieved by spending a rough average of £30 million per season plus the profits from buying and selling players , on new signings. This is near enough the maximum allowed within the FFP rules.
If Fosun continue with this progress over the next five years ,and there is no reason to suppose otherwise, we have every reason to look forward to a bright future. As Jeff says, enjoy the journey !