Nights out in Newcastle are often unpredictable.
Not for Wolves.
As the Sky Sports statisticians pointed out before kick-off, a draw was always the most likely outcome.
Given the Toon’s torrid run of form, it’d be fair to view the result as a missed opportunity to get another three points on the board.
But, in all fairness to Steve Bruce’s side, that wouldn’t tell the full story.
The hosts more than played their part, mostly dominating a first half in which Wolves were once again slow out of the blocks.
However, come the final throes, it was those donning black and white who were hanging on for dear life, with only Martin Dubravka’s heroics preventing Fabio Silva bagging a late winner.
Like most stalemates, there’s positives and negatives to reflect on.
Starting with the latter, it’s hugely frustrating that we conceded the first goal again. To do so on 17 occasions is frankly ridiculous and is something we really need to nip in the bud sharpish.
Unless somebody can tell me otherwise, there’s no good reason why we should be finishing games with more gusto than we start them.
Looking on the bright side, we ended the first half well and certainly responded strongly after going a goal down.
Semedo, Traore and Neves in particular were all instrumental in driving the team forward, with the latter’s headed equaliser ensuring we shared the spoils.
It was a goal that capped a captain’s performance from a player who, despite enduring an indifferent season on the whole, has grown in stature this season.
Every team needs leaders and, make no mistake about it, Neves is one of ours.
But, given our continued inability to impose ourselves on games from the off, there are unquestionably not enough in this current team and that’s something that will need to be remedied in the close season.
However, I’ve always been a glass-half-full kind of guy and five games unbeaten has made this a productive month.
Hopefully we can kick on and end the season strongly.
Well it could have been a lot worse.
Their forwards knew exactly how to destabilise our defence and carried out the plan in some style.
Their performance made a mockery of their lowly league position. Our forward play wasn’t too bad but we need to find a way to get Willian more involved. We’re also seeing what Fabio Silva is all about. These cameos are what ideally should have been happening all season and he wouldn’t have had half the stick if things had gone to plan. He’s looking like a genuine prospect now.
I’d say now the dust has settled that was a point well earned.
Roll on Tuesday!
Great summary Ben and you echo my thoughts entirely, Prawny. We should never look to criticise Fabio harshly under the difficult circumstances of his baptism. Against the background of our injury ravished squad, I don’t expect us to dictate consistently until the key players are back and fully fit. This may not happen for several more games, if at all this season. Almost all the teams in the PL now have developed playing styles with real quality going forward and St Max last night was very easy on the eye and we cannot expect to dominate in every game. That said Adama and Pedro were electric at times last night and are capable of unlocking any defence. Neves header gets better each time I see it, although the BBC typically give it scant credit. Hope we have no more injury problems and look forward to upsetting City- we have a good recent record against them.
Listening to MOTD it was hard to tell Wolves were anything other than lucky. Adama’s and Pedro’s runs mostly were lost in the editing. There is someone in that studio who doesn’t like us.
Genuine prospect he missed a sitter and that’s the third time he has missed the chance to win us the game.
Wants to practice his heading and shooting. £35 million and cannot score a header from 3 yards out…..come on Jesus wept..!
Here’s one for all the Fabio Silva critics out there:
Joelinton – signed by Newcastle in July 2019 for £40 million
Age – 24 (at his peak??)
Premier league appearances – 58
Premier league goals – 3
I know who I would rather have !!!
OODCL
Fair enough Cannock, but I don’t think comparing Fabio to one of the worst flops in Premier League history and saying ‘I’d rather have our guy’ is a massive compliment.
As even his fiercest critics would have to concede, he’s got the knack of getting into the right positions and sniffing a chance. He was unlucky last night and with the one that hit the inside of the post against Villa. Misses against Leicester and Spurs he should have done better, but it’s positive he’s getting the chances.
For all the criticism of Willian Jose, you can see that Fabio is benefitting from his presence by being out of the spotlight and entering games when it’s less about hold-up play and more about getting himself into the box. This is how it should have been all season.
Hi Thomas,
A well thought out and reasonable response.
I guess my point is that Fabio is an 18 year old kid who’s been thrown in to the toughest league in the world and the joelinton stats just reinforce the point that he will need time and patience to flourish. I just find the criticism of him unreasonable- let’s see what he produces over the next 1-2 years before we make judgements about him.
Thomas. Spot on. I personally think Fabio is a better player than Jose (from the little I’ve seen of Jose admittedly) – but, the current situation is better for his development.
Lost in all of the criticism of Silva was the fact that he was getting opportunities because of his instincts and work rate. His final touches need work – but, he’s being slated for missing opportunities that other you g strikers would never put themselves in position to get.
I’m bullish on his future
I’d bet Joeliton could score from 3 yards header on a plate though…..!
Traore simply brilliant if we hang on to him in the close season – sigh of relief .
Prob my player of the season he’s sacrificed injury and has been a perpetual giver…
Silva the closest yet ..Jose a complete let down ..
Good point… Saiss charmed on the line
We played to our table position but need so many players to bring us back to previous top 6 form.
Jota sorely missed….
Tuesday our surprise day..I have a feeling…
Forget Jota Steve. He’s long gone.
Also don’t forget Neto was keeping out of the team for his last few months.
We need to move on.
Agree Steve spot on a man of few words but wise words.
I think a draw was fair overall.
Like everyone else, I would prefer it if we didn’t have to endure being pulverised for the first 25 minutes of every single game, barely able to escape our own half. If it’s a tactic it clearly doesn’t work because we always concede first. We had everyone camped inside our defensive third but somehow still looked erratic and stretched.
Given the narrative around Newcastle, anyone with a brain inside their head knew they’d be like caged animals at the start, but it didn’t seem like our players got the memo they’d have to match that intensity. We can talk about systems and tactics but as people have commented a few times, it seems more basic than that.
It was very much a battle of the wide players and I’m glad their two didn’t play the full 90 as I think they ‘d have inflicted more damage, particularly with us chasing an equaliser.
As it was, Neto and Traore got more control and we were decent value for the equaliser from the former’s brilliant cross. Ruben, who was having a terrible game up to that point, gets enormous respect from me, not just for a great header, but for stepping up in the important moments and adapting his game to get a few goals inside the penalty area. Got to sort that shooting out though mate.
I though Rui had another good game and Saiss showed the neccessary aggression many of those around him lacked. I know Lascelles got the run on him for their goal, but only after he’d already made one good clearing header seconds before.
Fabio was unfortunate with that header at the end, making the type of intelleigent run inside the box that Willian Jose just can’t seem to muster. I don’t underestimate the big man’s contribution with neat lay-offs and hold-up play, but he hasn’t really had a sniff since his debut at Palace and that’s concerning, especially for a guy who came to us with a one in two track record.
Very true Thomas and Willian has proved vital with clearing, defensive headers too in a back 3 of converted midfielders. With hindsight was too much of an ask for him to hit the ground running in a more competitive league where every game is under intense scrutiny? Jury’s out for me as he does link play well- and with a good, preseason, who knows, but I would be looking to spend the money elsewhere.
I so agree with youThomas about the Neves shooting .Let us be honest he has lost it on that .Other people need to step to take the free kicks around the box .I would put Neto on that duty .I think he could step up with practice .
We.ve lost it on set pieces completely . Corners have become a joke.
I think Lascelles got the run on Donck not Saiss for their goal, Thomas, but concede it could be my ageing eyesight. Who ever it was that got caught flat footed, it just emphasises the fact that we are playing three midfielders in central defence with Boly still injured and Nuno not trusting Kilman.
By the way, how about starting a petition for Nuno to get his £25k fine returned?
Lee Mason – what a feckin’ clown.
Decent game, decent result.
Point gained rather than 2 lost for me, it’s always a tricky fixture and they are desperate for points.
Not much more to say really, but if we can keep not losing we’ll win a few along the way and should have a good run in to a 7th or better finish again.
And good to see Nuno looking happier.
Footnote – I’m a bit confused by Jose’s role. Is he almost anonymous or won’t anyone give him the ball?
Possibly we just have to be patient because he’s clearly not found his Premiership feet as yet.
But watching the game I was really frustrated by him, he seems to hide behind opposition players instead of getting into dangerous positions. Also his hold up play is limited at the moment.
But hold out hope maybe, just maybe he will come good soon to help us to a better end to the season. Either that or Raul comes back.
We can but live in hope.
After Tuesday none of our fixtures are unwinnable and my point really is that at least we are again becoming difficult to beat.
But it’s sometimes not great to watch.
Love the optimism but can’t see us getting anywhere near 7th. Although we could have ended up winning last night, we were poor for large parts and conceding the first goal in pretty much every game is not a recipe for success. I expect us to finish roughly where we are now, decent run of fixtures to end the season may give us a sniff of top half.
Great report as always.
I want to focus on William Jose. Yes he hasn’t had the service he was most likely expecting, yes he hasn’t scored but what is he doing in the meantime?
He’s a striker for christ sake and I am still waiting for him to at least put himself about. Demand the ball, get yourself in positions to receive a pass, make a bloody tackle, scream for the ball. Show us your alive!!
His body language frustrates me to no end.
Here we go again.
Sixty minutes or so before we start playing with the intensity and skill we know our players possess.
We turned it on from the first minute against Leeds, and I fully expected the same start yesterday, but no.
Misplaced passes, poor first touches and control, and an all around impression of lethargy, with The Donk doing a wonderful impression of Carl the Crab Henry.
And then we let one in, and its like a switch has been flicked and off we go to the friggin’ Bladon Races, with seemingly invisible boots up arses.
Unfrickinexplainable.
However, a wonder header and a strong finish augers well methinks for Tuesday night, coz Citeh will be nervous about Adama, and every winning streak comes to an end, as we well know, so lets be the team to end theirs, and give the so called experts a figurative smack in the kisser.
Maybe having over a week between matches messes too much with minds, gives our lot too much time to think.
Hope not coz there is a big break between the Villa and Liverfool games coming up.
Still, another point on the old chalkboard, better than nothing.
Fowb
It’s a Nuno obsession – keep a clean sheet till half time which is fine but only when it works. Fully agree with you the modern game lasts for around 95 minutes and all 95 are equally important.
Yes, it was a wonder header – the cross was well behind him. Hasn’t got the accolades it deserves. Not sure how he got that much power on it. Great that he got into position as well.
Some thoughts on Fabio Silva who seems to be dividing opinions…
Surely the most important thing is that he didn’t ask to be saddled with a £35 million price tag so if fingers are to be pointed they should be at Jeff Shi, the crafty Mendes and Nuno himself IF he was involved . So shouldn’t we judge him on is own merits not his fee?
That said he is earning an awful lot of money for an 18/19 yo “trainee” and I think we are probably entitled to expect maybe a greater level of maturity because HE’S NOT THAT YOUNG. We all think of Robbie Keane but many such youngsters down the years have been much more productive at such an age.
My own view is that he looks a decent prospect, but at this point in time probably not much more than that. We have to give him a fair chance but on the other side he has to-start showing more than potential sooner rather than later.
Good luck Fabio, show us you’re worth the money. In recent times Jota and Neto have already paved the way.
Firstly, why should fingers be pointed at all?
This screwed up season is not over yet.
Secondly, correct me if I’m wrong, as I usually am, but I don’t remember Robbie Keane making his debut for us in 1997, in the Prem, when he scored twice against Norwich.
Much harder to hit the ground running in the toughest league in the world than the second division.
Don’t know, not me pointing fingers I’m waiting to see.
Actually, HE IS THAT YOUNG. He turned 18 in July. I disagree with your assessment. He has an incredible ability to find gaps and opportunities. The finishing will come.
What Lou said.
No mind of your own then?
No need for that comment, PJB
This is a forum for debate, discussion and arguement about all things Wolves, not to throw insults around.
Nueva hoja, Clive?
I had one, but the wheels fell off.
Exactly, a forum for FRIENDLY debate. I believe my response was made in the same spirit as the correspondent made his. If misunderstood I apologise.
So you should.
No.
After a poor first 30 minutes I thought Wolves dominated the game and looked like winners.
How that Newcastle racist is allowed on the pitch amazes me, firstly taking the knee at the start was taking the michael and then whenever a Wolves player was within 5 feet of him he would dive so badly that even Mike Dean was only taken in once with that illegal drop ball incident.
A point is a point. Away from home against a team in dire straits, it was in the end well earned.
Comments regarding our slow starts and inability to control games, are accurate in themselves. But the reality is that presently we are not a good side. We have a number of outstanding individuals –notably Neto — but several others who, simply stated, are not good enough for inclusion in a team with supposed lofty top six ambitions.
For now, the best we can hope for is to grind out points just as we did yesterday. Unfortunately, this is who we are. Hopefully the major issues will be dealt with in the summer, but I for one, have growing doubts as to our owner`s longer term intent
One thing I was wanting last night was for our two great wingers to be used more imaginatively. Yes, the switch-over with both coming inside more has worked superbly, But why, within the game, weren’t they occasionally swapping wings so that they could get crosses in with their favoured feet?
Come on, Nuno, mix it up a bit. We had too long with each stuck on their favoured wings, now the danger is they are stuck in their new roles. We need to bamboozle oppo defences as much as we can. With Semedo now brilliantly finding his feet, and Neves popping up to score like Lampard, this is possible.
Perhaps we’re just waiting to unleash this on Pep on Tuesday. COYW
Semedo did ok but brilliantly finding his feet is somewhat overegging the pudding, I think.
If only we could play like we did in the last 25 minutes for the first 65 minutes.
Biggest worry is that when you looked at our bench all we had was a veteran keeper and 7 youngsters. No one really to change a game.
OODCL
I think having the bench be future stars was somewhat strategic. Allows them to have something resembling depth without breaking the bank. I kind of like the approach. Injuries this year make it look worse than it is.
Also, when Podence is healthy, we’ll have a game changer on the bench
I do largely share your concerns over the current bench Bedders. No doubt these youngsters are very talented but you would think a measure of experience would be desirable to help change the course of a game or shore us up when under the cosh.
Unfortunately, with three of our most experienced campaigners out, we are looking rather threadbare on the been there, done it, front.
I have concerns about the demeanour of some of our players, nobody expects players to
go around with crazy grins on their faces , but the likes of Semedo and William look
like they don’t want to be here! I know it’s a shock to say the least to move from Barcelona to
Wolverhampton but they are well paid and won’t be here for ever ! Mind you the Doc
wasnt the most happy chappy at times ! Is it a sign of something else ? Traore also can look disinterested ? Cheer up lads you will soon be on the beach ! Just a thought !
I don’t know about Jose, but I’ve found Semedo to be a very professional/just the facts type of player. I don’t agree at all that he doesn’t look like he wants to be here.
Just doesn’t seem to be the most expressive guy in the world.
In my opinion, he’s taken on a lot of responsibility in building up the attack on the right side (which was especially necessary when Jonny was out). Doesn’t seem like Nuno has even considered taking him out of games
Well, I’ve been to Barcelona many times and it’s got nothing on Wolverhampton!
No decent curry houses or beer, no horse racing, overrun with mime artists and tourists and pickpockets, crap football team and they can’t even finish their cathedral for heaven’s sake!
As for statues, all they’ve got is Columbus (didn’t even come from there), while we have that well known Wulfrunian the mon on the ‘oss aka Prince Albert!
Don’t underestimate the effect lack of fans, week after week, has on their demeanor during the game.
The League table doesn’t lie after 26 matches. We are in the middle league table, not good enough for the higher one and a bit better than the lower one. It’s ok to be a glass half full supporter but flippin’ eck it’s so frustrating to watch after the joys of the last two seasons and thinking about what might have been if Raul had not been taken out. Added to which, accepting that Man City are excellent again, all 10 teams above us aren’t that good……but the league table doesn’t lie.
Seems really unbelievable to think that our season has imploded upon the injury of one player.
Some really serious lessons need learning before next season otherwise it could be an awful lot worse.
We could, possibly on the back of this season lose our best players if changes aren’t made.
Over….
What could be nicer than a holiday in Gornal ? Some say the capital of The Black Country. Ay we….
Aye cheesy wotsit..
Would love to know what the owners plans are before booking my glamping holiday
My take on yesterday:-
Fabio looked more threatening in 10 minutes than Jose did in 80. He is becoming stronger, not being shoved off the ball so much, he gets into goalscoring positions, and looks like he WANTS the ball.
He WILL come good.
Ruben was awful until he scored one of the great centre forward’s headers after a Frank Lampard like run, three quarters of the length of the pitch.
Jao needs a rest.
Adama continues to do the impossible things with nonchalant ease, while not being able to hit a simple pass at the end of a magical run.
Dendoncker is NOT a central defender.
Semedo continues to improve and is starting to look really classy going forward.
Wolves remain an enigma.
How can we be SO awful for 60 minutes, and so threatening for 30?
You just never know what you’re going to get.
So it’s a nailed on win on Tuesday then.
Agree totally re: Dendonker for a bloke who is six feet plus he is useless in the air static stands off opponents doesn’t close down get tight…..oh but he does keep his arms behind his back though I suppose that’s something.
And he’s a midfielder by trade. And a pretty good one, as I recall.
Slow start. Handed them the initiative. . . . . . . . again. Back three under a lot of pressure and didn’t get much protection. We miss Dendoncker in midfield as much as we miss Willie at the back.
In hindsight would probably have brought Silva on much earlier . . . or even started with him. He has a knack of getting in the right place and its only a matter of time before he nails a couple of these chances. Fantastic header by Neves – for getting there and then somehow managing to get power on a ball which was almost behind him.
We rode our luck but could have nicked all three points. Another game undefeated.
I think we have to accept that we are a bang average side this year ! Cannot remember the
last time we really played well, missing Jota and his X factor ! Will be a difficult season
next year unless quality is added, especially to mid-field .
Lots of support for Silva over Willian on the blog ! My opinion of him has not changed:
Worst signing in the clubs history !
Alan Boswell
LP must be quite young, Dad. Just dropped my wine glass again.
Don’t mention Jota on here, it’s like mentioning the war at The Oktoberfest.
Apparently, we have to move on – well I’m with you, we haven’t.
Who would you play Jota in place of?
It’s a squad game Tim.
He’s gone. Get over it.
Agree LP, this summer window will indicate what’s FOSUN ambition we will be half way through the ten year master plan.
We will probably go to Uncle Mendez and ignor any decent player that isn’t one of his clients.
All areas of the team need strengthening defence, midfield and attack but doubt very much it will happen.
How you can accept anything with 12 games to go is beyond me. But to last night. We were the better side for the last 15/20 mins first half and final 30 second half which, for whatever reason , seems to be a recurring theme. Newcastle hanging on a the end. For those who say we have been lucky recently well last night we hit the woodwork twice but that doesn’t seem to count. A point away from home in the Prem is always a good achievement wherever it comes. Looking at the PPG of teams in the bottom three. Projected forward after this round of games suggests 34 points will keep you up as of today. We are on 34 points. 12 games to go. We have played generally well against Leicester, Leeds and at times Newcastle. Two tricky games coming up but we did the treble over City last season. Villa is winnable. After that a decent looking run in. FWAW FOWB.
And forgot to say RIP Glenn Roader. Taken too soon after a long battle with a brain tumour. Only 65.
With you, RIP.
“Jiangsu FC: Inter Milan owners close Chinese Super League champions.”
Interesting story on Inter Milan,s Chinese owners on BBC Sport website.
Food for thought?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56226865
Confirms what I have thought for a while PJB. Government intervention coupled with the realisation football is an expensive business and I think a loss of interest in China the market FOSUN were hoping to tap into.
Also it been very very quite from the boardroom for months has Jeff done a runner…?
Jeff was seen watching the under 18’s on Saturday before the game Saturday evening.
That’s the third time Silia has missed a golden chance to win a game. I said in my previous edit blog he was six yards out but having watched the highlights it was more like three, the replays showed he actually was trying to head the ball in the opersite direction the ball went…..criminal miss shocking yet again.
I think he needs to go out on loan next season to the Championship and toughen up and may be score some goal.
Jose well it’s been eight games now without a goal I have some sympathy for him the system we play favours our wingers also at time they have failed to use him involve him in the game……but I’m not convinced he’s the answer I’d like us to go for the lad a Brenford 25 goals this season and that’s not bad in the Championship it is a lot tougher and more competitive than La Liga and the fee would be more or less the same as Jose which in his case I think is far to much.
Watkins who is at Villa has proved Championship strikers can make the step up we haven’t looked at the British market for a good while now why I don’t know.
It was back to normal first half after the pleasant surprise against Leeds and we went behind again. Listen this is no longer a one off when a team falls behind in 17 games something in not right or getting through time and time again we hear Nuno say we are working on it yet time and time again it happens again when will he ever sort this out.
2 points dropped IMO it’s just as well we are not desperate for them.
2 points
It’s a point gained because we didn’t have it before the game and we did after. So 11 points from 5. Not bad really.
Could of been 13 that’s not bad either in fact it’s better than 11.
Fellow punk. Tell you what mate was listening to The Ruts last night. Massively under rated punk band ‘ You’re in a rut . You gotta get out of it out of it out of it out of it out of it out of it” !
Yawn, yawn, yawn.
New material, Pablo.
Yawn yawn yawn. Listen to The Ruts. You probably never heard of them. On a par with the Clash.
UK Subs were the best.
Play like that against City and we will lose by a cricket score. No show again in the first half normal service renewed.
10, 15 minutes with side of secound half came out of our shell and the went back in again till last 5 minutes.
We haven’t turned the corner we are in a cul de sac.. Cannot defend crosses to save our lives has been the case all season.
Donno. Whenever we played Citeh last couple of season a deep lying back 5 with a lightining quick counter seems to have worked. Odds on they will beat us 2 or 3 nil but you never know. As we didn’t in October 2019.
If we managed to pull off a massive win like the 2-0 last time at the Etihad there will still be a bunch of moaning twats and it isn’t good enough.
Disappointed? Yes
Watched game with Geordie mate down in San Francisco and he was rightly pissed off that they hadn’t won
And I was thinking my 2-1 prediction was good until miracle goal keeping…
Whatever
We are a few adjustments away from a fully functioning team
Don’t expect that on Tuesday but NO
Hammering from Citeh
2-0 at worst
Then 20 points from remaining games
You read it here first
In Nuno I trust
OODCL
I agree Marin that we are possibly only a few adjustments from being a strong team and certainly the return of podence, boly and Jimenez will help. I think however, we should also bear in the mind that as Fosun may now be operating in a self sufficiency mode, there is the possibility, maybe even probability, that one or more of neves, traore or Neto will be sold in the summer. We also need to bear in mind that Jose, ait nouri, Vitinha, ruddy and saiss ( although we have a 1 year extension option in our favour) are all out of contract at the end of the season and I’m not sure any of them( apart from possibly Saiss although he is 31) are certain to be offered new deals. Finally, next season will also see moutinho and patricio enter the final years of their contracts and at the start of next season they will be 35 and 33 respectively. It is possible that some of our ones for the future e.g sondergaard, kilman, Silva , Sanderson, Giles etc might come through but I reckon we have a lot of building of this team to do unless we make some big ready made acquisitions and I think that is highly unlikely.
Agree Sutton re: team rebuilding but like you cannot see major funds being available.
Next season we will be five years into the ten year master plan and it will be critical that we build if we are to get back to where we were in the first two seasons.
There’s no doubt about it we have gone backwards this season and yeah I know COVID and all that but other teams have had to deal with that as well and have pushed on Villa, West Ham, Everton and Leicester.
It will take a major injection of funds to break into top six if we are to keep to the 10 year master plan of progressing season upon season.
Paul
Wow they only like it to be as they see it don’t they.
Record numbers of down votes from the clique this week.
More freedom of debate on Pravda back in the day.
And your little clique is different?
Down votes against your negativity means who ever is bothered to comment is being positive!
How bowt them onions!!
There’s negativity and then there is realism.
Good analysis. For what its worth I don’t think we’ll be selling Neto just yet. Having recently tied him down to a 5 year contract we will surely want to get another couple of years out of him and presumably he wouldn’t have signed if he was so desperate to go to a ‘top club’.
As for the ‘out of contracts’, buying Ait-Nourri for me is a no-brainer as he is very composed on the ball and can be taught defensive discipline. Saiss I would keep due to his versatility and he’s well-versed in Nuno’s methods. For the rest I’m not convinced. Replacing Rui and Joao will not be easy but there is a good Portuguese gk at Granada, Rui Silva, who will be out of contract in a few months. Replacing Joao is harder as a lot will depend on how Nuno wants to play next season – 3/5 or 4 at the back require different types of player in midfield.
With you Jack.
Would definitely keep Saiss and I agree Ait-Nourri looks to have what it takes; the potential complication with him could be Vinaigre turning up like a bad penny.
The others –
Jose has done nothing yet to suggest he is worth £20 million
Vitinha lacks consistency and looks lightweight
And Marcal seems to be a sick note case and we are well covered-at LB now.
So, we need 2 no. 9’s or one if Raul really does come back as he was, which has to be open to question.
An accurate and fair reflection by Ben. Likewise I have no idea why we regularly start games so passively and invite trouble from the “off”. A similar mindset tomorrow evening and we could really be in trouble come 8.45.
With Fulham hard on their heels (they play each other on the last day of the season) it was to be expected that the Toon would come out with all guns blazing and by now it should come as no surprise to concede first even though it came rather later than I expected given how the first half panned out. However we responded to the wake up call and whilst the equaliser came in a most unexpected manner it was a blessed relief. How Saiss then kept the ball out I haven’t a clue – likewise how their goalkeeper shouldered the ball onto the bar from Silva right at the death is a mystery to us all.
Still a point is a point is a point as they say. So onto the Etihad tomorrow evening. I am sure Nuno will have something up his sleeve….!
BOG
They hammered us for a half hour, all over us like a rash, then the tide turned, but we still managed to concede first! Unbelievable. This might be time to call the shrinks in! This is becoming a sort of psychological problem!
To be fair to Newcastle, they played out of their skins and deserved a point. They could even have won it. And so could we. They look to be in a false position and, all things being equal, they would not be down there but for the damned, accursed, ownership of Mike Cashley, Two relegations from the PL? Hello. Rings a bell. We had that with Morgan/Moxey.
Full praise to Traore and Neto again. What a fantastic reverse-direction header by Neves. It was incredible how he got the force on it when moving away from goal. It’s a shame that he’s lost his shooting boots of late. We seem to have no-one up to the task of taking free kicks now.
Young Fabio Silva needs more time on the pitch. In the few short cameo appearances he’s had recently he came very close to scoring on a few occasions. I thought he had the winner on Saturday, it was that tight. How do we give Silva more time with Jose being ahead in the pecking order? They both need goals. Jose is contributing in all other ways and we haven’t lost without him around. Difficult decision for Nuno.
Back to the Chinese thread.
I get the impression from my suppliers that with their costs going through the roof on Chinese goods and getting them here the Chinese are on a profit march.
There is a definite swell of bad feeling towards china from the west because of their behaviour against the uighar population and their ambitions in the south china sea alongside of course the denials surrounding covid .
Chinese company bottom lines have taken a bashing recently and the indications are that the government is reining in its bigger companies from non important international investment one of which is the interest in football clubs.
Jeff shi has all but disappeared during what has been a trying season for wolves and considering you couldn’t shut him up two years ago the silence could quite easily represent the fact that Chinese owners have been stopped from investing and maybe the promises from that time are no longer viable.
It has already been stated that this close season will determine what Fosuns future intentions are and it wouldn’t be unreasonable to make assumptions from the actions they do or don’t take as to which way the company are being influenced by the Chinese central government.
It looks like the ruling elite are going cold on western football with the strangely immediate closure of their top home club and the statement that the company who owned them are concentrating all their efforts on their core business. With that in mind its not out of the way to think that the huge tv contracts on which fosun could well have been basing their investment in wolves may not now materialise .
Politics and football wouldn’t normally clash but where the Chinese are concerned its a completely different issue .
With the ominous silence from Molineux we will just have to wait until the close season to find out .
I wouldn’t be putting all my eggs in a Chinese basket anytime soon .
Who stated that this close season will determine what fosuns intentions are! You !!
Stop flapping
Pull your big boy shorts up and let’s see how it unfolds.
Wasn’t Geoff at the under 23s or under 18 s game recently before going up to watch the first team at Newcastle!
Just like the name of the promising young under 16 Chinese striker that we are looking at atm
Wei tan si
Utw
And his mate from the Stourbridge area,
Yow Min Lai!
Come on you Glassboys.
I’m not flapping one bit I haven’t got any investments in China.
Just trying to put a perspective on why we haven’t heard from Jeffery for a very long while and I don’t own any big boy shorts but I have thought about buying a pair of those pants off the telly that stop your bollocks chafing perhaps you ought to get some !
I’ve bought a load of those and they really work!
Get your balls into bamboo, you know it makes sense!
And:
How High is a Chinaman?
Yes, he is.
Like me, the old ‘uns are the best!
Deja vue for me I`m afraid, we conceed from a decent cross into our box, how many is that this season?. Well without Boly we don`t have the height or physicality amongst our three midfielders masquerading as central defenders to defend, and no amount of training will replace these. I can`t understand why Kilman who has the height doesnt play, surely he is the future particularly we we stay with 3 defenders and wingbacks plus Coady to coach him through games as he developes.
Pleased with the point but it could and should have been three.
At least the next game will present different challenges.
For me, Kilman should be playing. He is intelligent and has quick feet.
I take your point about height. I met Conor Coady when we were in the Championship with Lambert in charge. He is or was about 6’1″ to 6’2″ height then. When I look at him now on TV his posture seems to have gone to pot. He sort of stoops a lot now and doesn’t look his height any longer. He’s of slender build and that sort of build generally adds a perception of extra height.
This can’t help much with crosses. Get young Max Kilman up to speed, he’s a great prospect and cool under pressure.
Worried about Man City game, as much as we say we are due to give a side a good hiding,
in my option we are due one as well , with a lot of luck on our side recently!
Would like to see Traore play as CF as he kind of did against Man City away for that
great win , he has the attributes.
For the record I am 61 !
Bit of a problem with hoping for a repeat of October2019. City’s defence was built around Otamendi and our attack hinged on Raul. Pep bought Dias when we dithered about the price and obviously Raul is out of the equation. Consequently City’s defence is now much stronger, that’s why they will win the league and why I’m looking at damage limitation tomorrow night.
Had time to reflect, watch the game again, listen to pundits and read the views of Wolves fans on here and else where. If nothing else, football and especially Wolves do draw some remarkable emotions and reactions. The one thing that seems to be common on other threads is Wolves fans are only happy, when they are telling the world how unhappy they are.. just my musings not a direct comment to anybody on here, or elsewhere.
It is becoming either sad or wearisome that most comments start with ‘a typical Wolves display, slow 1st half, concede, then dominate the last 15 minutes’ think everybody above, (thanks Ben for another balanced review) would agree that, when we play direct we are a serious force to be reckoned with.
Thought Neves was off the pace somewhat until he scored, Pedro and Adama showed their usual glimmers of excellence, Jose, oh dear, fish out of water springs to mind, really not sure he will step up. Fabio had a cameo role and I can see now what the pundits mean, he does know where to get, he has an eye for the right position, was it a miss or a good save. Who knows, but for me he got himself into a position to have a go… he is young, away from home and carrying the weight of expectation on his shoulders… He will come good. Just my opinion, before the down voters batter my views.
I have recently watched the series ‘All or nothing’ featuring Spurs and Man City, fascinating insight to behind the scenes. Would love to understand what happens at Compton, how Nuno analyses games, discussses tactics. Might answer some of the mysterious happenings on the pitch!
Not sure we will get anything at Citeh, but one thing is for sure, who knows which Wolverhampton Wanderers will turn up?