To win games of football you have to score more goals than the other team.
For that reason alone, when we look back on this season in the years to come we’ll see it for it was – a triumph in disaster aversion.
After 28 games, we’ve scored 13 goals less than last season and conceded 3 more. That 16 goal swing in this horrible, cut-throat division could have seen things turn very ugly.
And yet, with 10 games to go and 35 points on the board, it would now take an unthinkable sequence of results to cost us our Premier League status.
Given where we found ourselves in the wake of the defeat to Albion, we should all be punching the air at the results achieved since that dull Saturday afternoon.
This post probably won’t tell you anything you don’t know already, but the sheer weight of numbers underlines how much of an achievement it is by the team to have got to a position of relative comfort in a season that’s been anything but comfortable.
There will be no European football and no plaudits from the Match of the Day crew, but given everything we’ve had to endure in this lockdown season, our mediocrity is worth celebrating.
Summer Sales
Wolves scored a respectable 51 goals in 2019/20, up from 47 the previous season. Decent, but far from prolific.
Of those 98 goals across two seasons, Diogo Jota accounted for 16 and Matt Doherty 8, with a further 14 assists between them. That’s 37% of all Premier League goals scored by Wolves that those two players were directly involved in creating or scoring.
Their replacements have done little to fill the void.
Fabio has netted just twice (in two defeats) and Semedo, aside from one assist for Romain Saiss’ goal at Brighton, has offered nothing to compensate in output for the absence of Matt Doherty. Willian Jose is still to register.
Raul’s Impact
Then there’s Raul Jimenez with his 30 goals and 13 assists in those first two golden seasons – involved in 42% of all Wolves’ league goals.
The Mexican had 4 in 10 appearances (if we ungenerously count Arsenal) this season giving credence to the fact he was likely to remain firmly in the habit of finding the net for a low scoring team.
But with Raul out and the two other headliners sold, Nuno had to replace 80% of the goals with no proven goal-getters in the ranks and three-quarters of the season still to play.
Pedro’s Potential & Adama’s Problem
Step forward Pedro Neto who has delivered on the potential we all saw last season. With 5 goals and 5 assists, he’s on track to equal or go beyond Diogo Jota’s most prolific Premier League campaign for Wolves of 9 goals and 5 assists (2018/19).
But as for our other rampaging wide man, the heights have not been hit.
Zero Premier League goals for Adama Traore isn’t a massive surprise for a player that’s never consistently got on the scoresheet (4 the previous year and just 1 in 2018/19). He has made quite a few goals and opportunities with his powerful running, but with so many match-winning attributes, the output has not been good enough.
In his defence, Traore’s combination play with Raul Jimenez last season was one of the driving forces behind the team’s success, so it would be fair to say he’s felt our number 9’s absence more acutely than any other player. He scored 4 and assisted 9 times in 19/20, with nearly all of those coming from direct link up with Raul.
Ruben Going Short, Moutinho’s Waning Influence & Saiss to the Rescue
This has been a season like no other for Ruben Neves, with all five of his goals coming from inside the penalty area. Three have been penalties and all of which have been crucial, helping Wolves accumulate 7 points from wins over Arsenal and Southampton and a draw at Brighton. Then there were two smart finishes against Everton and Newcastle in positions you do not expect to see our number 8.
He deserves enormous credit for adapting his game and stepping up in big moments to help the team. When you consider how utterly woeful his long range shooting has been this season, it’s exciting to imagine what he could become if he put it all together.
Joao Moutinho scored his customary one goal a season, with that crucial blockbuster against Arsenal to get us the win. But more worrying is the statistic of just a single assist (and that coming only last week against Man City), pointing to a diminishing attacking influence from the veteran after managing 6 assists last season and 8 the previous year.
Another player in the red is Leander Dendoncker who scored 4 last season but hasn’t managed any this time. It’s not down to a lack of chances though. The big Belgian has simply squandered good opportunities at crucial times of the season taking 27 shots already compared to 20 for the whole of last season. His lack of attacking returns has even prompted Nuno to send Conor Coady forward in search of goals in recent matches with the skipper getting his first PL goal at Man City and oh so nearly making it two-in-two at Villa Park.
Romain Saiss has upped his tally to 3 goals from 2 in both the previous PL seasons, all of which crucial in the accumulation of points against Sheff Utd, Brighton and Spurs. Given his increasingly strong defensive outings and how important those goals were to us, he should be a contender for Player of the Season.
Daniel Podence & The Season That Never Was
Daniel Podence also has 3 Premier League goals along with 2 assists. His Goals Per 90 minutes (0.20) is actually better than Pedro Neto’s (0.18) but getting 90 minutes out of him has been the problem with consistent injury issues.
Had we got something like a full season out of Raul Jimenez and Daniel Podence, Nuno’s summer logic may have made a lot more sense. A three pronged attack with those two and Pedro Neto would (statistically speaking) have definitely improved the Goals For column.
Wolves are 13 goals shy of where they were at this point last season, but it’s not fanciful to think Raul, with his goal every 0.42 games average, would have added 7-8 towards this tally with Podence and Traore, reunited with his partner in crime, going some way towards addressing the remaining deficit.
There was a plan and a logic here – it just didn’t work out.
Building From The Back
Defensive stability has been the calling card of this team since promotion in 2018 and although they’ve wobbled at times this season, the statistics still point to this being key to achieving Premier League safety.
Rui Patricio has 8 cleansheets in 28 games (4 of those in the last 10 matches) or a shutout every 3.5 games if you prefer. This is down on last season’s average of a clean sheet every 2.9 games, but better than his 5.2 average from 2018/19.
Overall goals conceded is 37 so far compared to 34 goals conceded this time last season and 35 the year before. We’re there or thereabouts, but the defence certainly hasn’t improved to compensate for the lack of goals scored, which explains our position in the bottom half.
The obvious conclusions
As I said at the start, I know I’m telling you things you already know, but it’s worth recapping:
- With Raul, Jota and Doherty injured or sold it’s a minor miracle the team have been able to conjure up the necessary goals to stay clear of the bottom three.
- The new signings have done little to nothing to compensate (in terms of goals) and other key contributors from previous years have seen their numbers diminish e.g. no goals from Dendoncker and only a single assist from Moutinho, making our position all the more remarkable.
- Pedro Neto’s emergence as a Premier League star has been crucial and with Daniel Podence impressing in fleeting moments, it’s clear (statistically speaking) that a team containing those two and Raul would have improved things considerably, as well as coaxing more from Adama Traore. There’s hope for improvement next season even without signings.
- We might be dull as dishwater to watch at times but that defensive stability has served us well at an important time and allowed us to get away with a meagre goals tally. Rui Patricio’s 8 cleansheets are as valuable as any goals at the other end.
- Ruben Neves and Romain Saiss between them have scored 8 goals to help us collect 12 points and along with Neto and possibly Patricio should be in consideration for Player of the Season (so far).
In short we’ve got away with it. Not by good fortune but good organisation built on the foundations Nuno has created in his three previous years at the club. Without being able to lean on the reassuring presence of that back three, we would have been close to relegation.
The transfer business has been disastrous (statistically speaking), one injury has killed us, the experimentation with approach did not work and key players have underperformed in attack. Yet somehow, we’re hanging in there and doing something close to alright.
It’s like the fire has burned through the house, but the foundations remain strong.
For that reason I’ve got to believe there are still plenty of the right things happening at Wolves and with a summer refresh (including better recruitment), we can improve the numbers and head back to Molineux with a renewed sense of optimism.
Or to to put it succinctly – the season might have felt like a nightmare, but the dream is still alive.
So will that summer refresh include selling and buying players? Which players do we sell? Do we just replace them or upgrade them? How does that happen that we can sell and upgrade for the same amount of money or does Fosun throw some money into the pot?
You are beginning to sound like Wendy from Willenhall, same old, same old, same old comments.
As the upholsterer siad to the Bishop, new material, please.
That’s the pot calling the kettle black!
Peter Pan………still causing mischief…….we know it’s you….I don’t need to hide behind an alias.
Well written Thomas although some on here won’t like it if Saturdays blog is anything to go by.
Needs a clear out and get in some proper young as well as older players.
As you said, defensively we are somewhat back to normal give or take a few issues but the rest.?
Not sure
I assume Thomas’ review of the statistics was intended to balance Paddy O’day’s rant.
Agree Mr Shed.
Get what we can for Traore in the next window and reinvest. He is not a team player and flatters to deceive game after game. 3 pieces of magic a season fools nobody. Have to keep Neto obviously and find a replacement for Mouthinio , is there one at the club?
Need to move a few on including Morgan Gibbs .
I think Adama deserves a bit more credit than that Sharm.
As I say in the post, he got 9 assists last season, most of them teeing up Raul. To be clear on that achievement, only six players got more and 5 of them played for Man City or Liverpool. We know he can deliver the goods when Raul is on the pitch, so would be a gamble to let him go in my mind when they’re an established route to goal.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Wolves cashed in this summer though, if it meant keeping Neto and potentially bringing in a replacement who might not look as immediately impressive but potentially deliver more goal threat.
The point is that Jimenez can ge thimself into position for Traore’s crosses; there’s nothing else different with Adama’s crosses except our strikers aren’t good enough to get to those balls,
Have we really seen many crosses from Traore since November? I am not sure we
have.
That’s true, Kendal, but Adama has been played in different positions, and often not started, as well as being encouraged to drive toward goal. And then, he’s having two or three against him, and spending so much time hacked to the ground………..he’s fed up, it seems, although Nuno loves him.
A very good a clear summation there Thomas.
When you put it in perspective with what’s happened to our season especially without us fans Roaring them on and everyone knows how Vocal we Wolves fans are, and I don’t care what the pundits say we are all in the same boat without fans, but as you know Thomas we do make a big difference especially down the Golden palace because we do sound the loudest and that’s official..
I do feel a bit sorry for Willan because he’s not a bad player he has scored goals where ever he’s gone, but or some reason he hasn’t got going yet…?
Very good piece with which I largely agree .
Still some very poor decisions have been made .
Silva was never a proper back up for Raul so the club took a huge risk that he would stay fit which backfired .
Trying to play with a back 4 with no pre season and with no idea if the players at his disposal could do it was a mistake which went on for too long .
The squad is now and always has been been far too small seriously to try to get in to Europe on a regular basis .In my view we will not do it unless Nuno changes that approach which he will not .
Fosun appear now to be unwilling to invest more money so we have to balance the books to-get better players especially a proper attacking midfielder and centre back unless Sanderson is good enough .Personally I would sell Traore who does not offer enough often enough although I fully accept views differ on that .
Let us play out the season and hope for better times when we can all get back to Molineux .
Thanks Nick.
Interesting point about Fosun.
Are they unwilling to invest or is it simply a case that because of Financial Fair Play, their hands are tied? You have to get the wheels moving in terms of turnover to be able to spend the mega fees, meaning a major sale in the summer was inevitable, hence why Jota and Doherty leaving in isolation wasn’t a major surprise.
To their credit, they did spend last summer, just on players that haven’t done very well.
Jorge was all over the ins and outs as usual and my fear is we were guided more by his desire to move players around, than a cohesive recruitment strategy, which is why Semedo and more head-scratchingly, Fabio, were our two marquee signings. It was in the paper last week he got £6 mill from the Doherty deal and we know his cut of the Fabio and Jota deals will be considerable. Is this just the cost of dealing with the devil?
They also entered a difficult market in January to get a striker and even though Willian Jose hasn’t pulled up any trees, there was intent there and given his track record he should have been a good addition (and might still be).
Without question, our recruitment has to improve on what we’ve done in the last two seasons, but I don’t think it’s entirely down to fees. It’s working smart.
Patricio, Jonny, Traore, Moutinho and Raul cost less than the reported fees paid out or due for Fabio, Semedo, Vitinha, Ait-Nouri and Hoever. You’ve got to find value and the right players.
Thomas ,
I cannot pretend to have any special knowledge but I have wondered for a while whether the geopolitical situation is a serious constraint as well as FFP especially since they were fined at one point .I think I read at some point Shi saying the club had to become self sufficient .Jose of course had no loan fee .He has helped I think so am pleased they got him but would not buy him .
Mendes has of course been great overall for the club but perhaps they are too reliant on him .I look at Everton and Villa who seem to me to have had much better recruitment at a similar cost .They seem not too look at U.K. players like Watkins .I would like them to look round a bit more .
Agree Nick we have totally ignored the UK market simply I suggest because Mendez does not have many if any UK players in our bracket on his books.
The lad at Brenford now scored 26 goals this season that a tough league to score in harder than La Leaga I would suggest, he’s being touted at£15 to £20 million not out of our price range I would suggest Jose is valued in the same ball park .
Watkins at Villa has made the step up why not this lad.
You have summed it up very well Semedo not good enough defensively though need good offensive centre midfielder Traore needs needs to get on the ball a lot more dendonker disapoints
Excellent read and it echoes a lot of my own thoughts. The players we have brought in the last two windows haven’t improved the squad at all.
Id be sending back
Jose
Vitinha
Ait nouri
Non of those have helped, Ait nouri is no better than Vinagre in my opinion and is definitely not worth the money they want for him.
The jury is still out for me on Hoever.
The signing of the right back from Barcelona on paper seems great and while he is getting better we basically spent 25 million to downgrade.
We have no cover for Raul at all.
We lost our star player and main goal threat sold our other two goal threats and haven’t replaced them.
Weve lost Boly for large chunks and Johnny has just come back(weve been much better since he came back in)
We have had a much weaker squad to work with this season so its a bit naive to expect another European challenge.
I’m a huge fan of Nuno and I’m hoping he gets backed in the window bringing in proven players so we can challenge again.
Over to you Fosun.
I totally agree that if Vitinha cannot get in a side that went 10 games without a win and the central midfield is the key issue, then why would you consider buying him at around £20 plus million? Ditto Ait Nouri – no better than Vinagre and at around £15 million money could be better spent.
Players that need to move on are – MGW, Traore, Moutinho plus?????? Will Fosun do another deal and sell Neto to fund incoming players? The U23’s are not pulling up any trees or producing anything of quality recently. Mir and Campana out on loan and the latter has never made an appearance for the club but rumours are he is going to the MLS this Summer.
The rumour mill trundles on as we are linked with a number of players mostly from the Mendes stable along with Ivan Toney and Josh Brownhill, the latter being one for the future as he is @veragevat best and currently no better than we already have. A powerful box to box central midfielder plus 2 centre backs and a replacement for a Jota is the minimum required this Summer if we are to avoid another well below par season. This Summer will be a pivotal one for the club, its Manager and the owners- over to you Jeff!!!
Definitely a summer requiring a push on the reset button as the current phrase has it.
In a perfect scenario Fosun back Nuno with serious funding. And Uncle Jorge and Wolves recruitment officers come up with some diamonds. We should bear in mind that Brexit will make recruitment of anything other than established internationals more difficult. So a look round The EFL maybe needed. Or, and this would be my preference, are there real prospects coming through Wolves own system, Sanderson for example? As I said this is the “perfect scenario” and we can only hope.
Talking of reset buttons I am hoping that as we a come out of the nightmare of lockdown we see a return to the more measured debate we used to enjoy on this Blog. Of late it has begun to resemble the less savoury elements of social media. I ‘ll put my hands up to being more outspoken, on occasion, than I should, but we all need to give more thought to how we express our opinions and to avoid giving offence.
Great post Thomas, entirely thought provoking and you have put in a lot of work to provide a really clear analysis of where we are now and why. It really spells out to me that the players team chemistry is key and when the balance is destroyed there is no quick fix of player acquisition to restore it. I never believe you can simply buy success, the skill is in developing players who complement each other’s play and you have expressed this very well in your piece. Looking forward to seeing how the numbers change at the end of the season and it would be good to invite someone from the Club to the Bloggers Ball who can explain the latest methodology in player analysis and decision making. But I love the numbers! Great work and the perfect antidote for the negative trough we have floundered in.
A very detailed, and accurate, summing up of our season so far Thomas.
The trouble is that we’ve been spoiled by the on field success, and luck with injuries, that we enjoyed over the last few seasons.
Also by the positive influence of Mendes in our recruitment.
Those three positives seem to have disappeared like Clive when it’s his turn to get the beers in.
(I’d insert a smiley faced emoji at this point but I don’t know how to).
Perhaps it’s time to do some business that doesn’t involve buying ‘Carlos Kickaball’ from Intermilona for squillions and feathering Jorges nest even further, and maybe start looking at some young British players who are doing the business in The Championship.
It doesn’t seem to have done Leicester, Villa et al, any harm.
The injuries? Well, I don’t know why we are suffering this season, but so are every other side. That’s where our paucity of back ups who are up to the mark really hits us hard.
The other big downer is the lack of fans.
Same for everyone again, but…
The Molineux roar is second to none given the comparatively small capacity of the ground.
And our away fans are absolutely brilliant in their vocal support. How many points did they earn us over the last few seasons?
Quite a few I’d say.
Whatever happens this season, when things return to normal, Nuno HAS to be given a chance to get us back on the rails again.
And he will have my full support.
For what it’s worth.
We have invested very heavily in youth over the past few years and the biggest disappointment for me is that we have seen little or no progression from the under 23’s to the first team apart from Kilman who’s 24 in a couple of months and Otosowie who’s started one game.
As we have seen with Pedro Neto, if you good enough you can break into the first team and prosper. Nuno’s reluctance to use youth from the bench seems to indicate to me that he doesn’t think they can stand up to the plate. It does make you wonder whether this policy is misplaced particularly on the back of a questionable 35 million purchase! What makes it worse is that we released a young player, Pedro Goncalves, who since his release is attracting £50 million worth of interest. How wrong did we get that!
You can make the odd mistake but you survive and prosper on the strength of your ongoing recruitment. We did really well up to last year but recent sales and recruitment have left us where we are now – ” Satisfactory but could do a whole lot better”
Another measured post Ernie, particularly when you consider that a couple of seasons ago, products of our youth squad Niall Ennis and Cameron John were being lined up as the next players to break into the first team. Plymouth and Doncaster spring to mind!
Thanks Stu. The lower and non-leagues are full of players who shone at youth and intermediate level but who just couldn’t hack it at a higher level. I remember seeing an under 23 game against West Ham 5-6 years ago when an 18 year old forward called Toni Martinez absolutely ripped us apart. I was totally convinced he was destined for superstardom but he struggles to get in the Porto team now after passing through 3 or four clubs. You just never know with really young players – some like Robbie Keane and Neto ,thank goodness, make it – others don’t .Taking a risk with 35 million for an 18 year old is a big one!
Niall Ennis scored for Argyle (again) yesterday. Talented player for sure.
Both Ryan Giles and Dion Sanderson are showing good form for their loan clubs and deserve a chance with us soon.
Nuno’s penchant (successful for three seasons)for a small squad really came back to bite him this season, not just losing Jimenez, but Boly and Podence too. COVID must also have damaged our season with empty stadiums and such a high proportion of foreign players and staff unable to get home to families or vice versa. The experiment of playing 4 at the back has been a disaster and I’m surprised Nuno actually gave it two or three tries. It made our captain look very average and may well have cost him his England squad place. The loan players have done nothing to encourage Wolves to sign any of them. We have to thank God that Neto has improved so rapidly otherwise we would be in trouble. The enigma that is Traore continues to mystify, he’s had more hairstyles than goals and assists. To be fair he’s a marked man, which you’d expect, and Dean Smith completely shut him out down the left with double marking AND a sweeper…it wasn’t until he switched briefly to the right that we actually saw him. He should be capable of so much more. There will be players both in and out this summer…and there certainly needs to be!
Finally…These bandwagon jumpers who want Nuno out need to pipe down and wait for another bandwagon to come around the corner. For me, he’s put enough into the club and the community to be given the chance to get it right again.
Traore does remain an enigma Bob – I think we all thought last season that Nuno had begun to channel his attributes into the match winner he can be but he’s been wildly inconsistent so far this term.
Despite being a marked man he still has the pace to frighten every defender in the country.
He might get too knackered to do it every time but when he’s not on the ball and we’re attacking, he should be the first Wolves player to arrive in the opposition box at least some of the time but he’s rarely there in support.
Again, surely our midfield are good enough to try the odd through ball or ball over the top for him to run to. Apart from the Chelsea game I can’t remember the last time we had a fast breaking one on one situation.
As usual a very well reasoned contribution by Thomas and factually based. So I pay tribute for that. This has been a weird season played out in a global pandemic. I saw another fact a couple of weeks ago. In the century old history of league football no other season has seen more away wins. The pressure on away sides and referee minimalised. Decisions not usually given are. It’s the same for everyone but some seem more affected than others. Look at the alarming fade out at Anfield. Molineux was awarded the nosiest crowd in the Prem when we were allowed in. Nuno has often said how much he and the players miss us. So some mitigation. But cold hard facts show we are down in goals scored and points on the board. And as Thomas says we are sometines a hard watch this season. But I dont think anyone is ‘celebrating ‘ mediocrity. I just think the majority of Wolves fans deal in realism and are fair minded enough to give Nuno and the players some slack for this season. They have given us so much in the last 40 months or so and we need to stand by them. Thomas is right in looking to the future and hoping for an improvement on and off the pitch, we all are. I have also noted many bloggers call for a less confrontational atmosphere following the meltdown on the last thread. Looking back I was not proud of my outburst on Saturday night but unfortunately sometimes with all things Wolves passions and emotions get the better of you. I will do my best to behave myself from now on. FWAW.
As a WOLVES FAN over 50 years I know you know no Raul Jimenez and no goals but next season hopefully back fit and healthy summer transfers C/B Attacking midfielder and Quality Goalscorer please
Well said Thomas but so many unanswered questions and legitimate ones which the club has failed to address. Jeff Shi’s disappearance below the parapet has only fuelled the fire of speculation . If Fosun want to progress the club they need to finance Nuno properly to add ready made first team players and not selling our best players . If they want to sell then surely the best price would be sought and obtained if the team is in the top half of the League. That is the scenario at Newcastle, they will be cheaper to buy if relegated so why bid now?
More good reviews coming in about Rafa Mir, get him back to have a go for us or sell for cash while he’s hot news?
Rafa Mir has already been sold.
Rafa Mir is only on loan at Huesca in Spain, where ironically he seems to be developing into a decent centre forward. I’m not aware of any pre-agreed sale and I’m not sure if he would even want to return to the UK, but I for one would like to see Nuno run the rule over him in the summer.
Certainly an infusion of unfamiliar names on the blog tonight. Is there something in the water?
It’s a trap.
Blimey. I thought it was Chinese Communist Party intervention forbidding Fosun to spend any more money.
While we’re all squabbling over relatively unimportant matters, can we spare a thought for former Wolves midfielder Tom Bennett who tragically lost his 17 year old son Luke this weekend. Reports say he was retrieving a football from a pond with a metal pole when he accidentally touched an overhead power cable.
Every parents worst nightmare.
Shocking news mate. Commiserations go out to Tom. I’m sure he went in goal for us back in the day in a 2-2 draw v the Albion. But that doesn’t really matter.
And made a decent save from Bob Taylor? I think.
Yeah. My mate at work is a Sandwell fan and he was in the away end South Bank that day. Said bottles and bricks were reigning in on him. And shat himself as the coppers took them out of the ground. Whoops. Sorry. Not allowed. Look. This is a bloke at work who I know. It is a fact. Sorry if it don’t comply.
The big question for me is:
Will Raul be back?
Never mind next season, will he be back at all?
I hope to dog he is, but until he resumes full contact training, and is passed 100% fit, we will not know.
And, how will he be mentally when going up for a header?
Food for thought when discussing Traore, who should, but apparently cannot, adapt to whoever is playing as target man.
Much as I love ankle- biter Moutinho, he has had his best days, and the odd cameo role should be his going forward, as well as a valuable addition to our coaching staff.
Most positions are up for grabs, and I would love to see us able to field two complete first teams, a la Citeh, but for now I fear that ain’t gonna happen.
However, none of our players should be complacent, as everyone can be replaced and I’m sure there are a few worried team members!
After all the talk on here and elsewhere about Fosun this, Mendes that, and Nuno the other, I would say it is nothing more than the same paper talk, when so called reporters have nothing to do but conjure up wild fantasies, and make shit up.
None of us know, so let’s just wait and see what Santa brings us in the summer, as he sure brought sweet nothing at Christmas!
FOwb
Got to agree about Raul,Clive.
I was concerned that he was going to die on the pitch in front of us that night.
Only time will tell but anyones guess what happens.
I’ve said for ages that we must look for tough strong midfielders to begin to build the team around,.
The way we played the Last couple of seasons we could have scored from any position .
Just a thought…. did you mentor meghan Windsor Clive?
Back in me shed…
I watched the whole interview with Winfrey, and I totally reserve judgment on what was said, coz there are always two sides to any argument, and until The Palace does a interview, putting forward their points of view, I ay saying nuffink.
Suffice it to say I don’t really give a toss either way, all a bunch of spoiled namby pambies.
Spot on Clive- you cant judge a pitch until both sides have batted and Megan has gambled on thePalace not responding which is their normal stance. Having watched the American Legal soap ‘ Suits’, I would say Megan is an excellent actress and what next for Piers Morgan?
A great summary of the season to date Thomas and refreshingly cooling from the shameful and personal vitriol banded by some on here following the Villa game.
Personally I think Nuno is doing a great job, having taken us from a mid table championship team to a well established PL outfit.
A European tour, two 7th places, an FA cup semi and no end of glorious nights beating teams in the so called ‘top six’ is what my dreams are made of.
As for this year to date, we’ll it’s been a different competition and carried different challenges.
The injury to Raul and it’s obvious disruption to the balance of the team, the scrutiny that the opposition now pay to our key players, muscle injuries, ageing and loss of form, lockdown and no fans in Stadia all contribute to why we’re not at the level of the previous two years.
Thomas … your statistics very clearly show that we’ve done bloody well in the circumstances… (oooops am I allowed to say that word) and given that we’ve scored less and conceded more I think we’ve done amazingly well….
Much better than Sheffield Utd, WBA and Fulham or Newcastle.
Well said M’Lud. When I saw Raul prostrate on the turf after the ‘incident’ with Luiz, I had a dark cloud of foreboding settle over me concerning the rest of this season. With the other injuries, especially Jonny, Big Willy and Wee Danny, it’s been a hell of a struggle.
But, in the great scheme of things, it could have been a hell of a lot worse and I’m sure by the time my arse is warming a seat at the Golden Palace once more, Nuno, Jeff and yes, even Uncle Jorge, will have combined to give us a much improved season.
I think we should sack Nuno. He’s too defensive. I want goals. Gerrit forward like Leeds.
Ok ok sorry to disappoint some but I am of course joking. Nuno is a old gold god to me. The best Wolves manager I’ve known in the 30 years I’ve been going down. If he ever leaves it should be up to him, we owe him this much.
So pleasing to read your excellent research Thomas. The truth is there in all those stats. Individually we have mostly been poor, collectively inconsistent and overall dreadfully unlucky with injuries. Put together with questionable recruitment and the lag from a lack of pre season we find ourselves at this point sadly away from the top 8 birth I think this squad should command, even without the ex’s and with the kids in tow. The fact that seems remotely feasible is tribute to the man. The serious descenters should be called out for the impatient and spoilt fools they are. There are solutions in the squad and Nuno will find them, just as he has arrested the slide again.
I heard it’s a shambles if we lose to Liverpool so bad they are. Check yourselves, thats one of the most deluded, sad and self destructive things i’ve ever heard. I just prey these lightweights don’t ever get their way.
Mate I applaud you. What a brilliant post. Like you say if these knobs on twitter get their way it will be a sad sad day for Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. And I am sorry to say the people who run this blog.
I immediately retract that statement. Getting carried away again.
In fact I immediately resign from the blog. That was an unforgivable comment from me. Rather the lads who run it carry on.
Resign my a… Don’t talk wet- you are what makes this blog such a great read.
You can’t resign Cheesy…
YOU’RE FIRED!!!
Cheers cheesy I’m glad there are some on here and around that recognise well earned loyalty.
Btw It will be a sad day if you ever did give up your bloggings. I’m sure most readers will agree with that.
Agree with all of that Slider and more so with the last couple of sentences…..
Perspective … that’s all it needs..
Great article Thomas. The only point I would take issue with is two injuries have killed us.
There’s been a partial resurrection since Johnny’s return.
Excellent homework Thomas, well done !
Just a quick word on Traore though.
Sure his stats this season do not bear close scrutiny but I would be interested to know how many of the free kicks he draws have led to goals.
That’s kind of an assist, after all.
Anyone ?
The one issue I have with this article is that I see here is that Doc would not be doing any better than Semedo is. In fact, while he hasn’t gotten in on the scoring much, I would say Semedo has been one of our better attacking players. (And he’s certainly playing better than Doc at the moment).
If you really watched wolves before this year, we were often lacking in creativity. Raul was often absent for long periods – but, he made the chances count.
Have a look at semedos stats v Trent A at Liverpool, they are very surprising.
He still has a mistake in him each game but when you see how much of the games he is involved in , I would say he has improved massively and may have a big impact next season
Utw
The most important states are no goals 1 assists. Those stats come no where near Doc’s and he is supposed to be an upgrade on Doc…!
Disagree.
The most important states are them over here, United!!
Spellcheck is a wonderful invention.
The not so United States of America……are you a god dam Maureen boy…are you shit……in me….!
English translation please
Is it true all American solders are called…Maureen..?
Doc can’t hardly get in the team at Spurs, will be 30 next birthday and was making defensive mistakes too, plenty said he may need moving on before too long .
Perhaps we sold him at a good time!
He did have a couple of good years though and obviously wanted one more move to fill his pockets, I don’t begrudge him that.
For me, next August, semedo is the better option and hopefully gets to play with an in form forward line to help with his goals- assists.
Utw
A fascinating summer lies ahead. I think it’s reasonable to assume that at least for the time being we are going to be in self financing mode. I know there is a whole separate debate just on that issue but putting that aside, we will have to sell to potentially improve. So the question is who? Traore would clearly raise a decent chunk of money but could he flourish again with a fit Jimenez in the team? Neto is the prize asset but where are we going if we sell ones for the future before they have opportunity to help achieve our goal of regular European football? Neves would also command a large fee but we are hardly brimming with midfield talent in our squad. Dendoncker would probably raise decent money and with Saiss ( although his contract ends soon, with a one year option in our favour) and otasowie in the squad we might decide now is the time to cash in on the big Belgian. Gibbs-white might also raise a few million if we decide not to loan him out again. Sanderson, Giles, vinagre , shebani are all out on loan and could become valuable components of the first team squad. Vitinha, ait nouri, Jose have not done enough to warrant spending 60m plus to acquire them. Like it or not, we have to hope that Semedo and Silva will start to pay back on the 65m investment we have made in them. Moutinho will be in the last year of his contract and we need a quality replacement. Ruddy will surely be released and we need a quality deputy- is sondergaard ready? We need a quality alternative to Jimenez even assuming he returns as the player he once was. Not an easy conundrum to solve. For what it’s worth, I would sell Gibbs white, dendoncker and Traore. I think that should raise 50-70m and from that we need as a priority a striker, a midfielder and an understudy goalkeeper ( I know many on here will think that might not be a priority but think how we would cope without patricio or ruddy)
Well said Thomas, an excellent summary.
You touched on signings and sales. I remain convinced that selling Jota and Doherty was stupid and done without Nuno’s approval despite him making all the right noises at the time.
Since Jeff Shi decided to take on the role of overseeing recruitment our signings have been disastrous. Of this season’s 7 new boys I’d rate them out of 10 as follows;
Semedo 5
Hoever 5
Willian Jose 4
Marcal 3
Ait-Nouri 3
Vitinha 3
Silva 2
Average : 3.6
Others may disagree which of course is fine. Football is all about opinions and it’s one of the things that makes it so fascinating..
OODCL
I think those numbers are a bit harsh Bedders although as you say it’s all about opinions..
I am interested to know the criteria you have used to arrive at those scores out of ten.
Are they just totally subjective , as in your personal view , or have you taken into account
other, specific criteria?
Hi KendalWolf – Totally subjective and completely my own personal opinion. Nothing scientific. Based on what I’ve seen and observed and what I think.
I disagree, but I gave you a like coz you are my mate!!
Kiss. Kiss
It would appear that those two former darlings, Messrs. Doherty and Jota are not destined for Champion’s League glory next season, and could both even miss out on any form of European adventure, unless it’s a cup tie in South Wales.
The grass is not always paved in old gold, or something like that!
I bet you rate Silva just because you like his girlie hair as it reminds you of what yours was once like. 😉
Thank you Bedford. I understand.
Moving to a different calculation, at this time of the season I look at the fixtures for the remaining games and just based on the last five results, I have a guess at the positions and points of teams around us in the table and as with you, my estimate is based upon what I have seen during the last couple of months.
Recent years have been more clear cut with looking at teams competing for promotion and looking at the possibilities of playing in Europe.
This year is different . To cut to the quick, I estimate we will attain 14 points from the last 30 available and that we will finish 11th equal with Villa 0n 49 points.( I am pleased to write that for our last five matches I have forecast with 100% accuracy. I should have placed a bet!) If this comes to pass I think that would be a good outcome for a difficult season during which I hope lessons have been learned.
I think Fulham will recover to finish 15th and that Newcastle, WBA, and Sheffield Utd will be relegated. I do not think that there will be much movement in the top 7.
I
This is a superb analysis.
The thing I’d very humbly add is that when we’ve been at our best in recent years we’ve had a tendency to defend from the front – i.e. the quality of our attack reduces an opponent’s opportunity to attack us. Our defensive record is worse this season, a lot of it I’d suggest is down to us letting poor and average teams dominate us for long spells, and our inability to put them to the sword more often is what gives them that chance.
You’ve persuaded me that Nuno has done a good job this season in keeping us competitive in awful circumstances. I really hope he gains from that experience and uses it to develop into the world class manager we know he is capable of becoming.
This season would not be so hard to take if we hadn’t had the two previous, they showed us that with a settle system/formation everyone playing in the right position what can be achieved.
We have gone backwards in an attempt to play a totally different possession based game and the result of that is no first half shows we have conceded first in 18 games and the players look totally low on confidence don’t know whether they are coming or going.
The games have been awful to watch. Nuno has thrown the Brady out the bath with the water in his attempts to change our way of playing. We are fortunate in that there are 3 teams a lot worse than us or should I say 2 as Fulham are giving it a real go and look like they have a chance of escaping.
Recruitment has been……well We all know that’s been shocking.
What’s so frustrating is to go from to great seasons to this if it was the other way round you would say we had progressed so in turn this season you would say we have gone backwards the big question is can Nuno get us back up there and may be even higher if he gets Jeff backing…….I’m not so sure IMO ….!
Paul if I remember correctly the formation change was forced upon us by the unavailability of Coady rather than being part of a plan.
To be fair it was showing some positives but needed mor time to work on than we had and didn’t suit some of our personnel.
We might find that if Nuno intends to persue a back four we might need a couple of players to make the system work. Personally I’d like us to try the 4-2-2-2 preferred by Ralph Hasenhuttle at Southampton. That would allow us to play Boly + Kilman or a new centre half, Coady + Neves, our two wingers plus Raul and Podence and still have some options from the bench even before we start any serious upgrading .
If he has thrown Karen Brady out of his bath in an attempt to play better football, he is even more committed to making us a great football team than I ever imagined. Nuno I salute you, you sly dog.
That made me laugh SCWolf.
But Karen Brady in Nuno’s bath?
That’s a picture I don’t want to dwell on thank you very much.
I’ve just thought – it might be the Brady Bunch he’s thrown out.
That’s 8 gone at a single stroke.
With our small squad we’re going to be in BIG trouble.
Sorry Paul, but if you can’t have a giggle, what’s the point?
Egg xacly Twix laugh and you will live longer.
Why has your comment dragged me into this conversation …..I’m puzzled by it… it’s definitely nothing to do with me….!
Sorry Twix ……got you mixed up with Doog……!
Cheers Paul…
Apology accepted….
“Karen Bradley is a lufur”
I can hear being sung from the south bank on a Saturday
Happy Days ?
Just to make an academic addition which might reinforce your useful assessment Tom. A couple of stats, which I’m not sure anybody measures, are i) the number of ‘give-the -ball-aways’ (total and per player) and ii) the number of side and back-passes (total and per player), each half perhaps. My impression is that Pedro, Ruben and Conor would come out well; Nelson and Ait-Nouri I suspect not so.
You forgot The Donk, who often gives a fabulous impression of Carl the crab Henry.
Not sure I’d call being the 12th best club out of 92 professional clubs in England mediocre!
Although have to agree that this has been a damp squib compared to the last three seasons for varying reasons which we’ve debated endlessly.
A proper summer break and pre-season as well as a better transfer window and there’s no reason why we can’t push back up the league next year….we still have the bones of a really strong and competitive squad and just need a few additions that will improve the quality of the starting XI.
I’d also like to see Nuno take the opportunity now to give more minutes to players like Kilman, Otasowie and Fabio Silva as it will only benefit them for next year.
OODCL
So the brains trust who organise the champions league are to add another four places to the competition including a possible wildcard addition for the premier league!
Liverpool will be happy, this will also give media darlings Spurs and arsenal a bit more of a chance to qualify.
This must mean we will be having a top eight soon because six isn’t quite enough to get all the old favourites in !
Edwin van de Sar has been credited with the idea too , now where have I heard that name before?
Utw
I’m holding my nose………but it still stinks.
If you are referring to the state of the water when ‘Brady’s in Nuno’s bath’ you are not a gentleman, sir!
Marney, the same idiots are also introducing the Europa Conference league next season. It’s a third tier competition that will include dross from obscure Eastern European leagues and 4/5/6 placed teams from lower leagues in Wales/Scotland etc.
The net result is that Premier league teams will probably have to finish in 5th place to qualify for the Europa league which could penalise us.
More joined up thinking (not)
Come on Cheesy, we know you’re out there. The notion of Karen Brady in Nuno’s bath must have sparked your vivid imagination. Let it run!
Nuno will cost Wolves about 70 million in reduced tansfer sales this summer if Adama is sold.
His value has halved because Nuno refuses to modify our game plan to accommodate for Adama being teamed up against. (30 million pounds less)
Add to that the transfer amount we will not see because he thought Goncalves wasn’t good enough. (4o million pounds loss)
And that doesn’t count Rafa Mir.
So much for buying low and selling high.
Tim I’m having trouble here to follow exactly what your point is. Though I am clear that you are taking, as usual, a negative view of Wolves,their coach and the owners. I’m not sure why. You seem smart and well informed but determined to see the downside of all things Wolves related. FGS relax and look up not down.
Everyone is blaming Adama for his poor scoring statistics so I thought it would be fun to point out that it is as much Nuno’s fault for not being capable of adjusting the system or finding the solution. Nuno has, quite frankly, been outsmarted by virtually every manager in the Premier League this season regarding Adama.
So many people here seem to think Nuno is infallible and so I just like pointing out how he got lucky with Raul but that papers over the fact that he is no more knowledgeable about offensive football than Terry Connor and Dean Saunders.
Seriously, what is he doing differently from them offensively?
Tim I think you are mistaken. Terry Connor and Dean Saunders were the masters of offensive football.Bordering on the downright obscene in fact.
l have to say there is no need for that Paul you should apologise.
Agree, Colehill, we need to move away from personal insults. Pot and kettle come to mind.
I did not Bog that if you don’t believe me…..check out the email address……..someone’s up to mischief……no prizes for guessing who.
Sad they cannot show there face…..pathetic really.
I’ve got nothing to apologise for because I did not blog that someone is using my Paul AD67 the email address will prove where it has come from and unless someone has cloned my email address which is doubtful the culprit can be unmasked.
Apologies Paul.
Appreciated Colehill,
Useless when it goes wrong, lucky when he gets it right.
Hmm!
Tim,
I haven’t Blogged that message mate. For one I agree with a lot of what you say so why would I someone is trying to stir things up and cause mischief, they haven’t the guts to use there own ID.
Brilliant write up Thomas. Get this season done and then think positive ready for next season.
However can we stop the Karen Brady chat please. I’ve just eaten!!
Have a look at our Rafa Mir get goal of the weekend in La Liga
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/56339907
Really enjoyed this mate. Well researched and a considered assessment of where we’re at and what’s gone wrong this season. Like you, I think with the right recruitment we can quickly re-establish ourselves in and among the top seven.
I see someone is using my handle…Paul AD67 to insult other bloggers and make out it is me pathetic and cowardly.
The thing is I agree with a lot of what Tim says so why would I call him names.
I call on whoever is doing it to stop and have the guts to admit there cowardly behaviour.
Hi Paul. I’ve just looked into the comment in question, removed it and emailed the perpetrator to tell them not to comment using your name or that of any other contributor.
I apologise for the annoyance/stress this might have caused.
If this happens again in future, please email me directly (tom@thomasbaughmedia.com) and I will investigate immediately.
Unfortunately, because the forum is open to anyone willing to enter their name and email, I can’t lock down a specific username. If we moved to a system that would allow this protection, it would mean everyone would have to register and log-in every time they wanted to comment. Arguably this would be a sacrifice worth making, but we’ve done OK for 12 years keeping it open and everyone playing by the rules, so I’d like to keep things as they are ideally for the sake of including as many contributors as possible.
I would also remind anyone who is thinking of manipulating the system to send malicious comments using a fellow contributor’s alias that I’m able to see both your email and IP address in the admin area so it’s not difficult to match the person to the offence. Please make life easier for everyone by only commenting under your own alias.
Thanks Thomas,
May I suggest a voluntary code is drawn up so we can all Blog without the fear of this happening again.
Again thanks for looking into this for me I don’t really want to know who it was ill put this down to pure frustration.
I must admit I was shocked at first because you were the last person I would have expected to say that.
Then after 5 or 10 minutes, I realized what happened.
It has happened to me before, as well.
They always use the names of the most respected posters in order to give their comment gravitas.
Should be easy to look at some of the terminologies the person used and compare it with other comments posted with their real made-up name.
Tim,
We tend to have the same views and even if we didn’t I would not use that type of language.
It’s clearly one of two people who have trouble holding their alcohol.
I am popping out of exile briefly. And it certainly was NOT me. I actually get on quite well with Paul on this blog . Just to clarify matters.
I am paul AD67.
Must say, my immediate thought was that it was not your style Paul. Hope Thomas can tweak the user name integrity of the posts to avoid this in future.?
It should be possible to weed out the culprit and kick them out
Not Wolves related but surprised how quick jokes appear:
Meghan Markle was visiting a primary school and she visited one of the classes.
They were in the middle of a discussion related to words and theirmeanings.
The teacher asked meghan if she would like to lead the discussion on the word “tragedy”.
So the the attention seeking soap star asked the class for an example of a “tragedy”.
One little boy stood up and offered: “If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field and a tractor runs over him and kills him, that would be a ‘tragedy'”.
” No,” said megahn, “that would be an accident.”
A little girl raised her hand: “If a school bus carrying fifty children drove over a cliff, killing everyone inside, that would be a tragedy.”
“I’m afraid not,” explained Meghan “That’s what we would call a great loss.”
The room went silent. No other children volunteered.Meghan searched the room.
“Isn’t there someone here who can give me an example of tragedy?”
Finally, at the back of the room, a small boy raised his hand…In a quiet voice he said: “If the aeroplane carrying you and your husband was struck by a “friendly fire” missile and blown to smithereens, that would be a tragedy.
“Fantastic!” exclaimedMeghan. “That’s right. And can you tell me why that would be a tragedy?”
“Well,” says the boy “It has to be a tragedy, because it certainly wouldn’t be a great loss and it probably wouldn’t be a f*cking accident either
Thomas and Ben – are you able to provide some comment on what is being done about the stealing of Paul AD67’s name to create a malicious post towards Tim. It’s grossly unfair on both of them and undermines the whole community of people who use the blog.
Hi Sutton. See my reply above to Paul.
Well done Thomas, many thanks for investigating so promptly and responding.
Some of the ‘discussions’ on the blog have been getting a bit tetchy recently, and to me, that particular ‘Fake’ post, represents the lowest of the low.
I think that we all need to stop and think of the consequences of our posts before pressing the ‘send’ button.
We’re all meant to be singing from the same hymn sheet lads.
Even if most of us are slightly out of tune.
This wretched pandemic and lockdown is challenging us all in many different ways and our collective tetchiness is probably one of them, sadly? But the infection rates are reducing, injections continuing apace, Raul will hopefully be fully recovered soon and we owe the Baggies a pasting. Bring on Liverpool on Monday, Klopp has regained his old arrogance stating that ‘Wolves will have a problem if his side play at the same level as against Leipzig’ . Speaking as the manager who has just lost 6 consecutive home games, he’s got some nerve.
Not me ….
I’m in me sleeping bag listening to the wind a blowin’ under the tarp’ on me roof..
UTW
On a football note I have just read article regarding changes to the Champions League format it seems like the so called big clubs are going to qualify even if they finish below say a so called smaller club on historic participation……closed shop in other words.
I don’t know why they don’t just have there European League fans will soon get fed up of playing each other 4 times a season like in Scotland just my thoughts.
Finally a post of yours I agree with 100%!
And, despite any spoutings from them in charge at UEFA, or whoever is making these ridiculous decisions, it’s all about how much money they can rake in and skim.
Typical.
Clive nice that we agree on something miracles do happen……only joking mate.
Yes, well you did promise me a pint!!
I think.
I read a similar article to that a while back. It was being suggested then by one of the Italian hierarchy because their club hadn’t made it into Europe that season but Atalanta had. It does make you wonder how long it’ll be before the brown envelopes start changing hands!
Being one of the relevant new comers to the blog (I was recommended to it by fellow blogger) and the reason I enjoy it, is the articles like this from Thomas and also Ben. Always well researched, logically explained they then allow me, the reader to see the facts and interpret them as I wish, however, they are still the facts. Having been a fan since 1967, sat in J7 Row U of the new stand, since 25th August 1979 (Ipswich I think) and like most on here have seen up’s and down’s and nothing evokes passion good or bad outbursts like football and particular Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. No other business (maybe apart from some exclusive watch and car brands) create the depth of feeling as a football club. But, as a fan I have to understand that it is a business and I have no more right to hear the board speak as I have to tell it what to do. I can have an opinion, but that is about it.
This season has been so very strange for fans, players, chairman and shareholders alike. We’ve seen no crowds, refs being bigger than the game they represent, some bloke sat in a portacabin miles away determining the outcome of a game, that we all fell in love with, because it wasn’t rugby, waiting for the ref to watch a TV monitor and then make a decision, or cricket where every last angle is analysed before the batsman is in or out.
We’ve seen the further dominance of the so called big 6, changing the rules to stop anybody breaking into their cartel. We have seen our team out of the blocks at Sheff UTD, shades of things to come we all thought… fast forward on and injuries and circumstances put us where we are… I agree with Thomas, maybe celebrating mediocrity this year is a good thing.
: Out of darkness cometh light
: As a Northern Soul fan Keep the faith
Authors Note: No animals were harmed in the writing of this contribution and any references or inferences were neither meant or intended. They are the ramblings of the author and not meant to cause offence to any other reader 🙂
Well I am offended that you are not causing offence!!!