I’m sure I’m not the only Wolves fan who assumed we’d be pointless at the end of August.
After all, the fixture list was far from kind.
What I didn’t expect was for the margins of defeat to be so narrow.
How Bruno Lage’s side have contrived to lose three games they have dominated is the most maddening of mysteries.
The hardest thing to take about today’s reverse is that it was oh so predictable.
Put simply, you have to take your chances against the top sides when they come.
Wolves should have put an under-par United to the sword by half-time, but they once again left their shooting boots at home.
Cue a late winner for the visitors, courtesy of some inevitable Mike Dean melodrama and dodgy keeping from Jose Sa.
On the topic of the foul-that-never-was, if Dean isn’t demoted to the Championship by tomorrow morning then that tells you all you need to know about what is wrong with the standard of officiating in this country.
VAR is there to correct clear and obvious errors, and yet to my knowledge it wasn’t even used to review Pogba’s foul on Neves.
It’s that sort of double standard that leaves many fans to feel the Premier League is becoming a closed shop.
That aside, we can’t be too disheartened and need to remember that this month was never going to define our season.
How we fare against the calibre of opposition that is coming up in September will tell us more about how far the ‘Bruno Ball’ revolution will take us.
But we certainly can’t afford to keep squandering gilt-edged chances like the ones Trincao and Saiss missed today.
Hopefully our new South Korean forward will add some panache up top. Hee-Chan’s signing is a welcome one but I still think we need to add a top-class centre back if we’re really to kick on.
All eyes will be on Jeff and co. over the next few days, with it certainly feeling as if our success this season hinges on what we do on the transfer front.
Maddening sums it up perfectly mate.
But as well as we played, you’ve got to be streetwise and nasty in all aspects of the game and we were naive and soft-centered.
Why did we kick the ball out of play while attacking just because a few Utd players were howling for it? They certainly didn’t pay us the same courtesy after Ruben was felled.
And when we got into all those glorious positions around their goal, we lacked the aggression to force the ball home. Saiss should have taken Da Gea’s head off when that ball came back to him. And Raul (understandably) isn’t attacking the six-yard box with the ferociousness he once did.
Still, I’m happy to extract the many positives and keep the belief we’ll get the results in the next sequence of games.
Sa was excellent, albeit at fault for their goal. He swept up brilliantly and his assertiveness is symbolic of the team’s more proactive approach.
The back three played really well, other than Coady’s chronic lack of pace being exposed a few times and Saiss registering a few clumsy passes. Kilman was outstanding.
Both wingbacks were good too and Marcal has really impressed me in the last two games with a combination of aggression and intelligence in possession.
We dominated the midfield and again, both Moutinho and Neves seem to be thriving in the Lage setup, with more passes to find ahead of them and a license to be more direct.
Trincao and Traore produced more than enough between them to win us this game and they bring different characteristics that mean the opposition have to cope with different threats. I like that.
Raul was a bit of a weak link for me, giving the ball away on a few occasions and not getting into the box enough when wide players were clearly about to put it in there. That being said, he does always make his presence known with good link-up play and occupying centre-halves in a way Fabio still has to learn.
I suspect that the solution to our problems is finding a centre half pairing that allows us to go to a back four, meaning we can commit another body forward and hopefully convert more of these good positions into goals. Surely between Kilman, Boly, Coady, Mosquera, Saiss and the new recruit that seems inevitable, we can solve that problem?
I’m glad we’ve brought in another forward and hopefully, between Hwang Hee-Chan and Podence, we’ve now got the variety we need to push the first-choice front three harder and find the solutions we need in different games.
As long as we don’t do anything silly with outgoings in the final days of the window, I’m confident enough in the squad we’ve got and the performances we’re seeing to believe we’ll climb up the table.
You and Ben summed it up perfectly. No more to add.
Won’t be long though, before someone gets a spanking.
It almost seems like with just 3 games gone that it’s too early to judge or even comment on the new era.
I’d echo the sentiments above wholeheartedly, and yes clearly the squad is short of a central midfielder and centre back. The only qualifier I’d add is that if we keep Neves and Traore then we will be a very good side this season, even if we fail in the dreaded transfer window, which in my opinion should be done and dusted before the season starts.
Missed chances and Mr Bean as ref aside, does Lage stick or twist with the current preferred 3 centre halves or do a switch to 4 at the back?
It’s a tough decision because despite 3 losses the team have entertained us and played well.
But if we don’t do something goal and points wise in the next two games. Well then it gets worrying, and questions will be asked.
The rub of the green has got to come over to us soon surely. I hope that Lage is right the goals will come.
Imagine if Man U had bought Traore instead of Sancho and Ronaldo. They would probably have been favorites to win the league :=)))
We have played some of the best football seen at the Moll for years but we just can not score. The truth is we could of had nine points because we out classed 3 of the top 6 teams in the league if we could put the ball in the back of the net. Bruno has stated he wants more players in and I agree a striker a midfielder with drive and energy and top class centre half Jeff and Mendes its up to you get Bruno the players he wants.
After watching the first three games and seeing more attacking intent than during the whole of last season, I’ve got to say I, too, am cautiously optimistic. Don’t get me wrong, I would have given Nuno another season. I felt an attachment to that man(ager) that I haven’t felt since bumping into Graham Turner in Cannock sometime in the early 90s.
That said, Bruno looks like he wants to do things his way. He wants to attack. Quickly, consistently and from all angles. We look like a team that is lacking somewhat in resources and, to be honest, quality and experience, but that is doing everything asked of it to the full limit of its powers. Consequently, I don’t mind that we are still waiting to put some points on the board just yet.
Yesterday was always going to happen, Mike Dean (****) and Atwell, along with Lucky Man U, meant that if we didn’t put our good chances away, we were always going to get done by a mistake or a moment of genius.
I’m not enjoying the table, or the results. But I am enjoying the football and the verve and flair. As Lineker says, we’ll be fine. Just get another few bodies in and we’ll be too half within a few weeks. Europe or not, I think we’ll enjoy this season. Come on me babbies!
” Just get another few bodies in and we’ll be too half within a few weeks. Europe or not, I think we’ll enjoy this season” you say.
Fully agree with you if we do. But the squad lacks depth and top quality in sufficient numbers. Additionally we seem to be shopping in the bargain basement.
We have 33 hours to get another few bodies in. Let’s see how many materialise.
Yeah i know its frustrating that we didn’t come away with something on Sunday, but lets look at the positives:
1) We made 3 top teams look very average.
2) I have enjoyed watching Wolves this season much more than the last already.
3) Our squad is filling out as injured players return.
4) Its really hard now to pick players that haven’t had a good game.
5) Our luck has to turn at some point – it cant get any worse!
Chin up – there is a bright future just ahead. [Rousing chorus of ‘Always look on the Bright side of life’ ]
I am delighted with the style of play like the rest of us but I have to say I am not yet enjoying it much .The game is about scoring goals and we plainly are not doing it .I cannot remember being more frustrated with the endless missed chances ( probably because we have not created so many since the championship winning season ! ) but the inevitability of the outcome is somewhat soul destroying .
I can only hope that we can actually score a PL goal at Watford but I am not holding my breath .
Still Bruno has done a fine job in getting the players in to his style of play .Poor guy must be tearing his hair out though with the failure to finish .
I felt Traore upped his game considerably given it was Utd we were playing. I sense it was a transfer shop window performance from a player saying come and get me ? if we keep hold of him and Neves we will have done the best bit of business given our limited budget and with bigger clubs circling.
Early signs are that Jimenez is not going to be the player he was (and who can blame him?) I am praying that the new lad is a natural in front of goal. On a positive tge style of play is excellent and our players possess ridiculous amounts of technical ability. Come whatever they will be a great watch this season ?
Pedro. Judging any striker on 3 games is nonsensical. And when that player has been out for the best part of a year, well…
Judge him at Christmas and if you’re right you’re right but I’ll settle for a large slice of humble pie being delivered down my chimney.
Christmas is a great checkpoint. I never take the table seriously before then (much to the disgust of Cardiff- supporting colleagues in the Championship days, who loved to taunt. Where is their team now?!).
Can still remember the start of 70/71 season, lost 2-3 at Newcastle then home defeats to Derby 2-4 and Spurs 0-3. In fact I remember it very well as it’s still our best season since the Stan Cullis era. Finished 4th! So still reasons to feel optimistic. Think we should have had a top striker in place from the seasons start as Raul needs help while he battles back to full match fitness. Welcome Hwang (I saw him arriving at the ground with his minder) and hope for a couple more quality additions. We’ll be fine. All has been said about Dean and Attwell. Is it total incompetence or something more sinister?
I can’t tell you how optimistic I am going into September with zero points.
I too thought getting rid of Nuno was rash but it does seem to have given everyone a new injection of life. Every team will always need and want new and better players to improve but in the unlikely event we end up sticking with what we have and with what’s still waiting in the wings, things aren’t looking too shabby.
Who’d have thought there’d be so much positivity after three straight losses and no goals scored.
It does seem odd Prawny that the fan base remains quite so onside. Kinda like the 6-0 Southampton defeat years ago when the team were cheered off at the end.
It’s often said that not scoring is a problem but not creating chances is a bigger one. At least we are creating. In spades. I believe we need a little luck to turn chances into goals. If the rebound to Saiss had been six inches higher, his header would have cleared de Gea easily.
Either way, I am enjoying watching my team more than for yonks and Brunoball retains my total confidence.
A word to Bruno. “Keep doing what you`re doing. We`re seeing attractive attacking football which puts last season`s ultra boring efforts to shame. A joy to watch. There`s a buoyancy and confidence about us which bodes really well for the future. Results will surely come. That you have brought about this massive positive change with mininal support from Mr Shi, makes your early progress the more impressive “.
A word to Mr. Shi. ” You`ve put in place the attack minded Coach you desired. He`s doing the business. But you are not. Your promises to expand and give depth to what you knew to be a pitifully dimished squad, have unsurprisingly not materialized.
Boasting of a longer term ‘master plan ‘ will not hack it, if there`s no short term plan on which to base it !! It`s surely time for you to get right behind your man and to give him the support he deserves.”
Spot on Mike.
Bruno can only do the job if he is given the tools.
As above 33 hours to put words into reality.
Window shuts on Tuesday night.
I really loved the intensity with which we played. We pressured and harried as a single unit which meant we were not unduly exposed although a back five helped. I felt very sorry for Jimenez because he was a yard off the pace of the game and his confidence is low – he doesn’t seem to want to get into the penalty area where he can score goals. The result was all our chances were wasted.
The problem is losing is a habit and there is no guarantee that we will be able to turn over Watford, Brentford and Southampton.
A quality CB and CM before tomorrow night is more important than losing yesterday. But who will our new CB replace at the back ?????
By the way, I though Man U were completely confused by our style of play and could not work it out even with all their talent on the bench.
I think most of the fanbase pinpointed Saiss as the weak link before the season, but I think he’s played really well, the whole defense has actually held a very high standard. If Lage plans to utilize a 4-4-2, I think perhaps Boly (or Kilman) and the Croatian would be my choice. It’s a dilemma Lage has to deal with, since Coady is our captain and cause of the play he’s shown so far. I wonder if Mosquera would have featured if he wasn’t injured during pre-season (those damn coincedences. Unlucky Yerson). Saiss may be reverted back to his preferred position previous to joining Wolves (defensive midfielder).
Lots of talk about playing 4-4-2 but where do we get 4 midfielders from ? I don’t see a midfield of Dendoncker – Moutinho- Neves- Saiss.
For me, with the attacking talent we have, a 4-2-4 set-up would be interesting to see. Imagine Trincao – Jimenez – Hee-Chan – Traore with Podence and Silva as back ups…that would frighten a few (and I’ve not even mentioned Neto). Of course it would also require a pacier back line, but with Boly and Mosquera due back soon and Semedo and RAN or Marcal at full back we wouldn’t be short of it. No place for Coady, I’m afraid.
I’ll almost guarantee that had that been a Neves challenge on Pogba leading to a Wolves goal it would have been reviewed and ruled out by VAR. I’ll almost guarantee that had that have been Jiminez diving for a penalty as per Deli Alli last week it would have been reviewed by VAR and no penalty given. Having said all that if you dont put the ball in the net in this league you will only get a point if you don’t keep it out at the other end. So things to do.But Dean and Atwell can both f**k off.
Forget all the other positions that need strengthening the main one is a top quality striker. This is where we should break the bank and £34 million wasted last season would’ve got a long way to solve this problem. Taking all the preseason matches and the fourCompetitive matches this season we have Averaged Less then A goal per game and this included scoring four against Nottingham Forest reserves.If we carry on the same way we will end up fighting a relegation battle. Yes the football we are watching is good but the only thing that wins football games is goals
I am/was very fond of Nuno and the stark symmetry of them being top with three victories by a single goal and us being 3rd from bottom with three defeats by a single goal, is killing me.
That said, I would be very interested to see a poll amongst fans to vote on the following:
– Top of the league with the Tottenham style of play
or
– 3rd from bottom with “Bruno Ball”
Btw, I too felt that Nuno deserved another season but I probably wouldn’t swop what I am watching right now.
I`m certain that most of us will agree with your conclusions. If Mr. Shi will live up to his promises and give Bruno the tools he needs, we could well develop quickly into a top class side able to hold our own with all.
But if Mr Shi cointinues to fail to back up his endless verbage by taking ncessary action, a few injuries could well see us struggle badly — and there`s little that Bruno could do about that.
By the way, I`ve been astounded in the way Nevez had thrived under Bruno`s tutelage. A competely renewed player, now rapidly fulfilling his real potential Makes us realize how his development was stunted by Nuno`s tactics these past could of seasons. Retaining Nevez must surely be a major priority.
Well part of my prediction was correct with Man Utd getting a late goal.
If we’d taken our chances, the other part would have been, too.
I think I could have scored from where Moutinho and Trincao missed.
Hey-ho, it will never be easy being a Wolves fan.
Loving what I am watching at the moment. Goals will come and when they do god help the team that that is against.
The fact that Nuno has 3 wins and Bruno has 3 losses is just a statistic. I am chuffed for Nuno but I know his management style and after watching our 3 games I do not for one minute expect Spurs to end the season above Wolves.
The only thing that needs changing now, apart from scoring goals, is for me to start predicting a win!
Saw you come past the lych gate tavern , we knocked the window but you didn’t hear . Was in there with witley and his crowd . It’s good in there . No mild or bitter in North Bank bar anymore.
Damn. I went in, couldn’t see you so came out. See you there v Brentford?
Might not make the Brentford game got to go to a fucking stupid wedding
I believe the Board in fact Jeff and Scott Sellers have let Bruno down, let the players down and the fans. Scott Sellers is for want of a better title supposed to be Director of football there to advise Jeff on all matters football so why has it taken so long to get a forward in.
Scott Sellers has played football at the highest level he should have said to Jeff we cannot start the season without recruiting a striker because Raul is not up to speed yet and won’t be for a least ten games……it criminal and so short sighted and what I’ve become to expect since Jeff has took it up on his self to make every decision on his own, may be Sellers did tell him and he just doesn’t listen either way it appears that way to me. Jeff hasn’t a clue when it boils down to it about football yet it appears what he says goes……it ridiculous in the extreme.
I really feel for Bruno what he has done in such a short space of time with what he’s had to work with is a miracle really and all he needs from Jeff and his yes men is some support and he’s not been getting it.
The new lad is in on loan so that means a loan fee and wages haven’t we been here before with William. By all accounts this lad is not prolific just like William will it end the say way only time will tell but Bruno needs quality additions. If we had got a decent striker in a few weeks ago we would not be third bottom pointless I would bet my mortgage on that.
I Blogged a few weeks ago to expect only loan signing, and of course the customary ” one for the future ” the young lad from City.
I will support this club till my last breath but not the people that are running it until I see some real evidence they are serious about making Wolves competitive as they promised when the first showed up……and as the window comes to a close I am still waiting.
Brilliant performance the lads and Bruno. I’ll make a prediction here and now never mind Wolves getting rid of Bruno I think it will be the other way round.
Up vote from me Paul, but I suspect you won’t get many more for telling it as it is.
Same old story still being repeated week in week out.
We’re unlucky.
The ref’s fault.
It’ll get better.
etc.
Facts.
We scored 36 league goals last season with basically this squad.
None this season.
No points on the board.
Bruno is a breath of fresh air but he can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. And to be fair Nuno had the same problem.
So
If nothing more happens in the next 29 hours we are woefully short of numbers, have insufficient quality in depth and are in for a very hard season.
And you’re right – we do have another one for the future.
Same old story still being repeated week In week out
Yours and ad 67 s posts that it
Yaaawn
same old reply………!
Does anyone else believe Dendoncker is being frozen out ? I found his omission from the starting line-up at Forest both surprising and significant. My suspicions increased yesterday when Moutinho began to flag in the final quarter. It called for fresh legs but Bruno continued to ignore Dendoncker. It’s very early days but Dendoncker has been a peripheral figure.
Think you must have been watching a different game to me, as Dendoncker started against Forest and played the whole 90 minutes.
I’m surprised Moutinho has got the nod in league games alongside Neves, but to be fair he’s playing really well. In fact all the team are playing well so far so the lads on the bench will have to bide their time.
Who would you have left out David and when we did make changes we brought on a striker and an attacking midfielder.
Unless we can play with twelve I’m not complaining about that.
No reason why we can’t have 9 points from first 6 games and move on from there.
I’m hoping that Traore stays and continues to play with the same ‘shop window’ approach in games against lesser opposition. We will see.
This is a thrilling team/style to watch and all we lack is the thrill of seeing the other new bulge…but it will come, I feel sure, with or without more recruitment.
Been thinking about how we get to a back three plus a midfield that dominates…
We all know that Coady isn’t quick enough …Maybe the answer is
Kilman Semedo and Boly/Mosquera? They have the pace for sure…just how safe is Semedo against a tricky winger?
Put Coady up alongside Neves, Moutinho and Dendoncker/MGW/Saiss
RIches upfront with Traore/Jimenez/Trincao/Podence/Neto and the new lad from Leipzig
This team has to evolve this season
Meantime I’ll be embarrassed to see me close to the top pf the current Prediction league..BUT I see a bright future for the team/new manager and wins will come soon
OODCL
sorry folks …what a lot of tosh I just wrote!
I meant get to a back 4 as in FOUR
SO…a back line of
Semedo Boly Mosquera and Kilman or Ait-Nouri
Midfield 3 as in THREE of
Coady Neves/Moutinho and Marcal/MGW/Dendoncker
and,,,,well Id be repeating myself about front line
apologies for earlier rubbish
No offense, Marin but glad you’re not the manager. Did you ever see Coady in midfield? Nuno turning him into a sweeper was the best thing that ever happened to his career.
Evening Sea Pigeon, I’ve suggested this before… As part of a transition to a back 4, I don’t think it would hurt to have Coady in front of the defence, playing as a holding midfielder with some licence to head forwards occasionally and release Neves and A.N. Other to do their thing offensively. I agree, he wouldn’t start in a midfield 2 just yet, but to move us towards a 4-1-3-2 I don’t have a problem with him stepping up 15/20 yards. Thoughts?
Can’t really see it, Tim, but it’s all a matter of opinion. Mine is that we need a mobile central midfielder with an eye for goal. Trouble is that all bar a handful of clubs are in exactly the same position.
I agree. Holding midfielder allows Coady to use his greatest assets – organiser, motivator, long lateral passes…
I know a bit about Coady SP, but was thinking he has the passing range and tactical nous to be a better Midfielder than before….losing him from the team entirely feels horrible…but he aint a back 4 guy
That said, I was a Physicist and then ended up running Chocolate and Biscuit companies ….so your point is fair
I’m glad I’m not the manager too
(And i hope the Sanches news works out tomorrow…..)
My heart wants to pick a fight with you over Coady Marin but my head won’t let it.
net bulge …not new bulge
As mentioned above, we were far too nice kicking the ball out for them and stopping one of our attacks. Did they return the favour, of course not. Why, because they’re winners, they’re ruthless, they’re not here to make friends.
That apart, there was not too much wrong. The last two weeks we could criticise poor finishing but let’s be honest this time we were pure unlucky a couple of times. Trincao does everything right, he beats the keeper and is not anticipating the heroic sliding block. Saiss, ok maybe he should have pummelled it into the roof of the net, but nine times out of 10 they go in.
It hurts to be sat here with zero points when we probably didn’t deserve to lose any of the games but there’s so many positives. We just need to start finding the net. Watford becomes a pressure game. The fans have accepted defeats and promising performances to superior opposition but now it will be time to put points on the board. And maybe even score a few goals.
I ve watched the game again today … knowing the inevitable conclusion is not the same i know but out of all the out field players who excelled sadly 2 could not be included in my opinion…. Jimenez and Samedo….. the number of ineffective touches or delayed passes halted the progression of attacks … Raul ain’t there yet and I just don’t think Samedo is any good ..he said … getting off the fence ?????… we were good for an hour but not good enough… I hope we improve to destroy future ‘lesser’ sides but we were better than each team we have faced so far and lost ….worried now
COYW
For me, one of the most telling moments in yesterday’s game… apart from our complete inability to put the ball between three sticks situated at either end of the pitch….. and Mike Dean’s complete inability to recognise a possible leg breaking foul challenge going in virtually under his nose…
…was…
…The one time that Adama Traore didn’t bounce straight back to his feet after some floundering Manchester United defender wrestled him to the ground. He sat on his, rather wonderfully firm, bottom and started to do the old Adama shrug with a hurt and questioning look on his face.
It happened right in front of Bruno who, in no uncertain terms, told him to get off that pert pair of buttocks and bloody well get the ball back!
It sums up how Mr Lage has set up the team to play, and how, for the vast majority of the time, they are happily carrying out his orders to the letter.
Press!
Harry!
Attack!
Hold a high line!
Press again!
Get up off your arse Adama!
All of this goes to make a superbly watchable match… and make me wonder why virtually the same team contrived to present us with many, almost UNwatchable, displays last season.
And all the talk about Coady’s lack of pace, Moutinho’s legs going or Traore’s lack of ‘end product’ ignores one fact.
We have lost three games by a single goal.
In each game, we have played for the most part superbly and dominated three of the best sides in the Premier League. Everyone played their parts in excellent TEAM performances.
The first game against Leicester – no side would have prevented that Vardy cracker going in. One great finish by a great finisher.
The second game against Spurs – it was a horribly misplaced pass in a dangerous area by
Ruben Neves that led to their goal. One mistake.
Yesterday it was a totally incompetent referee (and VAR official), followed by a weak effort by an otherwise superb ‘keeper, that caused our downfall.
Such a fine line between success and failure.
This team have proved that they can live with the best in the League in every discipline apart from the most important. Finishing off chances.
I feel confident that Raul, or the new guy, will sort out that particular failing after a few more games.
Whatever happens, it’s going to be an entertaining journey we’re all going on.
Doog agreed with you for the most part……what we lack until Raul is up to speed is a finisher…….the board have known this since Raul injury.
We’ve had the young pretender who by the way done ok. We had the loan Williams…… who was worse than useless ….But what we really needed and STILL need even with the new lad is a proven striker and until we stop pissing around with loans and young pretenders and buy one the result will be the same…..we will struggle to score goals….!
Presume you mean Hwang Hee-chan as the new striker (unless I’ve missed something). Checking out his record he was very prolific as a junior and did well in Austria, but only scored 2 goals in 40 Bundesliga appearances in the last 3 seasons with Hamburg and Red Bull. Not figures which if repeated will be the answer to our prayers.
You don’t seem to be bothered by the continuing VAR farce. Or is it just ok. ?
Of course I am, absolute disgrace, but it doesn’t account for the fact that we can’t score enough goals which has been the case for the last 18 months. This in great part due to David Luz against whom I was one of the most outspoken at the time of the incident. Assault was my take on it. But also due to some very poor recruitment over the last 5 transfer windows.
But surely it can’t be the referee’s fault every week.
Well when it comes down to fine margins I reckon shitty referee decisions count for a lot. Like costing us 2 points.
I’d never heard of Raul until he came and lit a fire under our ass!
Spot on DOOG, as ever, good points well made. Games are decided by fine margins. We will come good and goals and points will come.
KTF
If you look at the next 11 games I would expect a minimum of 16 points. Essentially 5 wins and a draw. . Next 3 games Watford. Brentford. Southampton. I think we need to win 2 of those. Otherwise the pressure grows.
Thinking of “what ifs” tonight. What if Raul hadn’t had that awful injury ? What if Jonny hadn’t done his knee ? What if Podence hadn’t picked up an injury ? What if Boly, Neto ………
Clearly we will never know, But I fancy we’d have finished higher than 13th. And I reckon we might not have had a change of management.
The financial restrictions that run until the end of this season would still be in place. Those that are critical of Jeff Shi, Fosun, et al have maybe forgotten that we have to break even over the 3 stipulated consecutive seasons as a result of falling foul of the European financial rules. Hence sell to buy. Falling foul of those restrictions will lead to far more serious sanctions.
I’d also suggest that bargain basement is maybe a little harsh – it’s relatively recent in our history that Kevin Doyle was our record signing at £7m.
As for Hwang Hee-chan, he had an excellent season in Austria playing for Salzburg 2019/20, 16 goals and 22 assists in 40 matches ( all competitions ). When he moved to RB Leipzig last season most of his appearances were off the bench. Very difficult to retain such a strong return as a sub. He needs far more game time. I’m sure anyone who has watched his YouTube highlights will be impressed by his speed, decision making and composure in front of goal. We need that. I’m very optimistic and think he could add great value to us by getting the goals we need.
Raul – I can’t believe, after the horrific injury he suffered, that he’s managed to get himself back to playing competitive football at the highest level. The bravery, belief, character and determination is breathtaking. Truly remarkable. Don’t forget he has a young family and could’ve walked away. He hasn’t, and every single one of us I’m certain is willing him on to regain his full match sharpness. He will get there but goodness me, he’s only 3 games in.
Which brings me back to the what ifs ? I am so grateful for what our previous manager bought to Wolves, and will never forget all he did and how he did it. But had there not been a change, I wonder what sort of football we’d be seeing now, and whether the team would be playing with the same energy and focus to deliver the exciting swashbuckling attacking, get your heat pumping football we are currently enjoying.
Perhaps, regardless of the terrible run of injuries we suffered, NES’s time was coming to an end, and the second half of last season hurried his inevitable departure. Whatever, it’s given Bruno time to work with the squad in the closed season, and oh boy are we seeing the fruition of that in the style of play.
Our luck will change, the goals will come, along with it, that all important confidence and we will be fine this season. We just need to believe.
UTW
Yep!
Agree with all of that mate.
ATTENTION ALL Wolves Fans
I have just heard that Renato Sanchez may be coming to Wolves on loan.
If so this is BIG news, this guy is seriously good and had a brilliant Euros for Portugal.
He is an attacking midfielder full of energy and will really suit Bruno’s style.
I just hope it is accurate and he fully recovers from his current injury quickly
I absolutely agree Gerry ! If he plays like he did for Lille last season, it is well worth waiting for his injury to heal.
Spot on Gerry and Hertford. He is an exciting flair player.
Great in possession, strong and very quick. He is used to playing in the National Portuguese team with the rest of the Wolves players.
Is this Renato Sanches any good? I’ve not heard of him before.
In a major development, and a huge coup, Wolves are set to announce the season long loan signing of 24 yr old Portuguese midfielder, Renato Sanches, from French Lihue 1 Liile.
The central midfielder, and client of Gestifute is valued at £27m. He is well known to Bruno Lage, their paths having crossed in the youth set up at Benfica.
He has improved dramatically since his disappointing stint at Swansea. He has matured into a top class midfielder at Lille, and is excellent at breaking up opposition attacks and transitioning the play through midfield into counter attacks. He is the central midfielder Wolves have been looking for. His dynamism and athleticism would make him an ideal partner for Ruben Neves.
A loan signing out of the blue and a real statement of intent !
UTW
Never really noticed Sanches until the Euro’s but boy, when he’s on song, he’s a terrific attacking midfielder. Almost Adama ish running with the ball. The possibilities seem endless.
I don’t want to rain on the Renato Sanches parade but in the last 4 years he has had 15 separate periods out with injury covering 360 days in total and missing 57 games. He is currently likely to be out for a month with a knee injury. He may be a talented player but getting him on the pitch for any period of time will be our biggest challenge
You just rained on Renato Sanchez parade.
Utw
Take more than a drop of rain to spoil this parade, if it happens.
But does signing Sanches mean Neves will go?
God, I hope not!!
That would be more than a drop of rain.
Just over 12 hours to go until the window closes and more than a few rumours buzzing around.
Is it true that Traore has engaged Mendes to force through a move to north London as he is desperate for the transfer to happen?
Will we sign Sanches on loan?
The Botman deal is dead, so will a centre half arrive?
Another centre forward perhaps?
This could be a very interesting day. I think I’ll switch off the internet and phone as my nerves can’t take it!
Well, I’m totally convinced now that there is a cartel of clubs running the Premier League whether openly or covertly; the European Super League fiasco seemed to point that way.
Someone wrote on here the other day that Mike Dean would give a dodgy decision in United’s favour towards the end of the game which would be backed up by Stuart Attwell. Whatever your beliefs concerning conspiracy theories the events on Sunday would seem to confirm such views whether true or not. Coincidental? Maybe…
One thing for sure was the reaction of United players at the end of the game; They celebrated in a fashion akin to winning the Champions League; it was fascinating to behold. They knew they had sneaked a win over a superior on the day team obviously, but what was that all about? If you left soon after the whistle you would have missed behaviour I find difficult to understand; must be missing something. It could not possibly be beating the record for unbeaten away games, surely?
Now all I want for an early Christmas is a very quick dominating centre back, a quality centre midfield and another striker; not much to ask for really…
On the game itself; I loved it, absolutely loved the quality and can not believe Saiss and Trincao were thwarted by what was unbelievable good play from Man Utd players. Keep the faith and we’ll reap the dividends if we can benefit from the transfer market in a positive manner. We don’t want key injuries to scupper another season. Surely some people do learn from history and protect themselves and others from repercussions. Still buzzing despite the awful result!
Totally behind you on your conspiracy theory. I have been convinced of this for some time.
My mind goes back to the Christmas / New Year period 2019/20 and 2 specific incidents,
1. Pedro Neto’s goal against Liverpool which the VAR people spent over 5 minutes finding a freeze frame where Jonny’s toe was “offside”.
2. Manchester City at Molineux when Stockley Park took 8 minutes to find a way to award a very dodgy penalty.
As we all know similar incidents happen week in week out where the benefit of the doubt (or worse) goes to the “big club”, not least on Sunday at Molineux.
The PL and the broadcasters all have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo of the “big 6” cartel and of course FFP also helps them to do so.
Simple solution
All var should be based in Europe with European refs who have little affiliation with English teams .
Personally, I’d have European refs on the park @ premier league games , sooo much better IMO
Utw
With you 100%.
Not sure the Europeans would favour a reciprocal arrangement though!
I don’t agree with much you say PJB, but I agree with all of that post.
There you are you see even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
Truce may be over after 11 pm though.
But seriously supporters of the “little 14” are putting up with this crap season on season and since VAR it has become shamelessly transparent, but it just continues unabated often with the collusion of the so called pundits and broadcasters.
Let’s hope that by the close of play today Neves has NOT been bought by Man U…
Am I the only wolves fan who thinks we don’t need a ch ?
Get sanshes in and nobody else leaving and we score 50 odd goals this season even with our 3 blanks
Utw
I think I’d like some of whatever you are on, Marney.
It’s good stuff sea pigeon
I’ll send you the recipe.
Utw
Reading about all the transfer activity going on today, it seems that Nuno is trying to offload Doherty.
Not quite the dream move that Matt was expecting.
Sadly ironic I thought.
And please, don’t anyone say they’d have him back!!
I know someone who would…
In the interests of balance, not quite the dream transaction wolves were expecting either. Nett £15m down on essentially recycling Doherty cash to purchase Semedo excluding wages. Semedo 35 PL games for wolves 1 goal and 1 assist. Doherty 75 PL games for us 8 goals and 18 assists. Not saying I would have Doherty back Clive as there are better players out there but no one will ever convince me the transaction has made sense either financially or footballing wise for us so far.
Finally, a pointless international break that could actually do us some good.
It will be almost two weeks for our plethora of new signings to bed in and learn the system, as well as help everyone else get more used to the novel Bruno idea of actually attacking, and trying to get the ball into the net.
I’m glad to see that “one for the future” Gibbs White go to Sheffield, not wanted on Wolves voyage is my take on him.
As to the Dean/Atwell extravaganza, what more can be said?
Both well past their sell by dates, if they had real jobs they would both have been fired years ago for gross incompetence.
I still reckon var, if we have to keep it, should be run 100% by retired refs, who would hopefully be unbiased, and unbent.
But, as we all suspect, the stuffed brown envelopes are still getting passed around by the “big six”.
Not doing Arseoles much good at the moment though!
Encouraged immensely by the style of footie we are playing, but, as I’ve pointed out many times in the past, the record books will show results, not hard luck stories.
Keep fighting, me babbeez, the goal fests will come, and up the table we will go!!
FOwb
Arseoles in the European Super League? They were having a laugh.
Arseholes no longer “big six” more bottom three then mid Championship.
Surprised Gibbs-White has gone on loan thought he had a good start to the season.
Our attacking style of play is so good to watch and such a change from last year. But as others have said we’ve got to start converting our chances. United were not at their best and we should have had the game sewn up at half time. But then a poor referee decision, an error by Jose Sa and we end up losing. Our next four games have got to result in points,
Wow! With just a couple of hours to go, it looks like all of the potential deals have fallen through! That is not good news. To say I am disappointed is being very diplomatic!
Need some urgent movement or else that small squad is all we have! Did we not learn any lessons from last year?
BBC reporting Wolves are done……no deals on the cards…….if that is the case….shocking absolutly shocking..!
10.30pm on deadline day and we’re scrabbling around. Very poor. Good teams get their business done and dusted, improving squad depth and quality were priorities 6 months ago so a few injuries away from a relegation struggle, thanks a lot.
Looks like Transfer Deadline Day is going to be a bit of a wet fart for us. Gutted. I’d have taken Sanches, Botman, Caleta-Car or anybody… Not a massive miss to lose out on Kieffer Moore in my humble opinion, but I would have liked us to shell out, well… Something, on … Somebody!
So. plenty of opportunities for the sixth formers who will be sitting on the bench again this season. With no incomings why the hell ship out MGW – utter madness.
Many said let’s wait until the window closes and see what happens.
Well we waited and very little happened apart from a rather undignified scramble in the last 48 hours which was actually a bit embarrassing and yielded nothing.
At least we still have Neves and wantaway Traore, but who really wants a player who blatantly wishes he wasn’t here.
I do. I want Traore. I think he’ll change the season for us and I for one can’t wait to see him fulfill his potential. Keeping Traore and Neves was a positive. Don’t give up PJB. It’s clear you love the Wolves. Support the players we have. They may surprise you. And in the case of Traore, dare I say, dazzle you before the season ends. Hang in there.
I do and I will GW, as I have for over 60 years.
I have no problems with Traore’s playing abilities, though they too often lack an end product but I do seriously question his attitude. Let’s just say he can do t when he wants to.
And if we could field a first choice team every week we would be fine. But we won’t be able to do that so will likely struggle. Fingers crossed not too much.
How can you question the attitude of a player who frequently dislocates his shoulder, oops it back in and plus on???
Argh. Predictive!
*pops
*plays
That’s it no recruits apart from another one for the future. Express and Star say Wolves frustrated by late deals the key word there being LATE.
Jeff and Scott Sellers should hang there heads in shame and resign but they won’t. All the year round we are told that they are looking at players and we end up the last 24 hrs of the window scratching around for players one of which is currently recovering from knee surgery pathetic they really are.
Jeff is more interested in commercial deals and link ups and ones for the future than building a football team no wonder Nuno looked say pissed off the end of last season he could see this coming.
Do doubt Jeff will come out with the well used excuses couldn’t agree a fee cost too much……bull shit. The writing has been on the wall all summer the clues were in those so called getting in touch with the fans videos. I knew this would happen.
The person I feel sorry for is Bruno and God for bid if this season does go tits up I for one will not be blaming him.
Recruitment here has been a joke since Laurie Dalrymple and Kevin Thelwell wisely walked. They clearly saw through the alternative agendas.
Poor.
P*** poor.
Bruno has been shafted, similar, I would guess, to how Nuno was shafted, let down and failed by the board.
Could it be that this is it? The peak of Wolverhampton Wanderers has passed, and Thelwell et al who bailed out all saw this coming?
He seems a decent, honest, hard working manager, as was Nuno. Who knew it was Fosun being full of sh*t that would cost us, and not Nuno, or Bruno, who has not been backed at all.
Very very very disappointed with the club, but not the football team, for this transfer window.
Agree with most of the above, but I still think with our new playing style, we are going to marmalize a bunch of the cannon fodder teams in the prem.,
Never give up, boys and girls, keep the faith, there are always worse things going on around us.
And, remember y’all could have been born in sandwell!
Watford on the horizon, and Nuno’s spurms, who we owe a kicking to.
Delilah Alley to visit our front row seats, via a little Boly shove!
Fowb, we’re behind the lads all the way.
At least I am.
Still behind the lads, but can’t forgive the blatant lack of backing and intent from the owners whose chicanery becomes more transparent by the week.
Penny for Bruno’s thoughts? He made a late plea for more players and ended-up with one less, with MGW leaving! What a disappointing end to the transfer window. I’m not going to try and speculate on why a host of deals apparently being worked on never materialised, but I really do hope for some very clear communication from Fosun and the club to explain what on earth happened and how the club’s precarious position in terms of squad numbers will be managed for the rest of the season?
I’m really pleased we kept hold of Neves and Traore, love our squad, and am excited about the football that might come, but god forbid we have one or two more injuries in key positions. If this happens, are we still going to be able to play ‘Bruno-ball’? Or is it more likely we will have to do exactly what Nuno had to do in order to keep the club from sliding away last season – by curbing the level of expansive football played? Fingers crossed we can keep everyone fit.
Not really surprised by the lack of recruitment, not a lot on the market at basement prices for us to go for I’m afraid.
Jeff and co have sold a couple and loaned a few,but no Marquee signings as usual… All talk and no bollocks I’m sorry to say.
We all knew what we needed after last terms struggle and what have we done fuck all again. We are three games gone and although we have play well for most part of those games, what have we got zilch to show for it.
My take on this is with a bit more quality in the ranks to come on we would’ve got some points on the board but we have waited and wasted all summer to recruit players who would’ve made the difference and now gone to the wire to recruit players who probably are no better than we’ve got.
I wonder what Bruno is feeling right now if when he came to the club he was promised additions…
I hope I’m wrong but I fear a long hard season in front of us.
If wrong I will gladly eat my words with the humble pie.
Disappointed to say the least, wolves fans conned again.
So, who’s going to score the goals then? To be fair to the boys, but for two remarkable pieces of defence, we would have won 2-1 on Sunday.
The team are more than capable of winning many games.
But Mick Mccarthy did one important thing very well ; he recruited four able first team strikers. He knew that strikers playing on the edge at their best would get injuries.
Picture Neves and Traore picking up bad knocks or tissue damage; Jimenez being injured or unable to reach his previous levels. Have we appropriate cover for such events ; Bruno wanted two reasonably equivalent players for Each position to limit damage when such events occur.
We may get away with it and the signs remain promising so all is not lost by any means. Be positive, Bob.
I am disappointed but understand that negotiations are very difficult at present and suit the seller at present in many cases although some clubs need to sell and are playing hardball to get the greatest amount; as we have done with Traore and Neves.
It is great that we have held onto both. I hope Traore continues to show how good he is as opposed to sulking at not getting his move.
To sum up, I believe we are good enough to do very well providing we avoid the said injuries and, boy, do I love how we are playing. The Watford game will be interesting and a good result more than welcome; and absolutely deserved. OODCL.
I have to confess I’m a little stunned to read that so many of you actually believed we were going to bring in the superstars we needed at the last minute, like knights in shining armor, ready to lead the charge and Wolves to victory. What was it everyone kept saying we needed (ad nauseum)? Oh, a striker, a midfielder and a central defender. Yeah, right, all of the above at the eleventh hour, and not that anyone would think that was ambitious in the slightest. Did you want fries with that too? It was never going to happen! Why? Because it never does! It didn’t happen last season, or the season before. If it was going to happen, Nuno would still be here, and at the latest it would have happened a few weeks earlier. These things don’t happen last minute.
Look, I’m not trying to be negative. Neither do I think Fosun is the evil empire or Jeff Shi Darth Vader. It’s just their business model. They only (largely) sign players from Mendez. Period. Let’s face it, he’s brought us players who would have otherwise never joined us. And on the flip side we have missed out on players who would have given us what we need. We spend 35 million on Silva or Semedo but will nickel and dime a championship team on a couple of million and lose out on the right player because he’s not Mendez-bred. It’s a two-edged sword with Fosun and Medez. You’ve heard them refer to this as a “project” – that’s what it is: a business project. They have a theory on how they can make money from football, and to be fair, we’ve benefitted from it. We have come up from the pits of doom and the chasm of the 3rd division to an established EPL team. I’m ok with seeing where this takes us. We have a good team and let’s see what this manager can do. It’s true that some quality signings might have had us push higher up the table, and it’s true that if injuries strike we risk it all, but that’s Wolves for you. Never easy.
Lage must have known what he was letting himself in for. I’m sure he talked to Nuno and he knew why he left cos he wasn’t gonna get his players. He also knew why he got the job when quite frankly other more qualified candidates were available and not even considered (no disrespect intended). He knows he is part of the Mendez/Fosun merchandise and project, with a job to do until it’s time for him to move on leaving a tidy profit behind.
Perhaps I am being cynical, but I think it’s what it is. Wolves are not your standard club who will do open business on the transfer market, as say West Ham and Everton have done over the past couple of seasons. They work with their supplier. And the results, on the whole, have been a decent return on investment, as a side-effect of this project.
I don’t know where this season will take us. But I am cautiously optimistic. There is no doubt in my mind that if Nuno was still in charge we would not be bottom 3 and would not have lost our first 3 games. We would have points on the table for sure. But I also think that the football we are watching under Lage is so much more pleasant. I do think we may finish higher under Lage than had we stayed with Nuno (and it hurts me to say this). Long term we could be better off. We’ll see. Best thing we can do as fans now is support the players and the manager. Give them time to work it out.
Our lack of results so far has absolutely nothing to do with the fact we played 3 supposedly top 6 teams in my mind. I have no doubt we would have 0 points had we played the bottom 3. Why? Because the reason we are not firing yet is because the system is still coming together. It needs time. Raul needs time. Adama needs time. Boly needs time. Lage needs time. They all do. But it will come, And when it does, we will punish any team that crosses us. Keep the faith. None of the 3 teams we played so far exactly played us off the pitch. We’ll be back, and next time it will be different.
I’m a fan of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Always have been. Always will be. I’m not a fan of Fosun or Jack Hayward or Steve Morgan … But they have all been owners and custodians of our beloved club, and have the right to manage the club in however capacity they think they can successfully do so. It’s their money. Bottom line … it costs a lot of money these days to own a football club and be successful. I think owners have to be creative to find a way that works. After all, they are risking it all! Fosun may be onto something with Mendez even if in the interim it may not always be clear. What choice do we have but to see where it goes. And meantime, next time you see Moutinho do something special, or Neves, or Trincao, or …, just pinch yourselves and realize, yes! these top class international players play for the Wolves.
Enjoy!
Let’s go Wanderers. It is time to fulfill your potential!
Go Wolves!!!
GoWolves. Your paragraph on spending 35m on Silva and similar on Semedo but arguing a couple of million on non mendes players- doesn’t that strike you as odd? What would possibly motivate that situation and who are the beneficiaries? Those questions and many others I am sure are no doubt currently being asked under Operation Red Card commenced circa 4 weeks ago by the authorities in Portugal into the transfer activities of Porto, Benfica and involving Jorge Mendes, Gestifute and specifically the transfer of Fabio Silva to Wolves.
I didn’t know about Operation Red Card. I’ll look it up, Thanks for the pointer.
Yes, it’s definitely odd. Shame really, cos all it would take is a balance. But I think they are only trying to bring in players they think they can eventually sell at a profit.
I disagree with the recent spendings (again compared to what West Ham and Everton have been able to do) but it’s not my money. Fosun must feel they have better assurance of business return with Gestifute. It’s who they are. I don’t think they would have been here in the first place, and for us to be having this debate, if it wasn’t for that.
I hope the win-win continues for fans and owners.
By the way, if you hadn’t heard of Operation Red Card before you might know that of the £35m paid out of wolves to sign Silva, 6m went to gestifute ( co-owned by fosun and mendes) and 2.6m went to STV ( owned by Silva’s dad). So we can afford to strip 8.6m out of our club funds to do that deal but nickel and dime on a couple of million for a non mendes client. Starting to get the picture?
Yes, Mendes’s co. received over 6M pounds for that Silva transfer! And Forson owns part of that co. Something smells with that particular transfer!
I said many weeks ago JUDGE FOSUN BY THEIR WORDS NOT THEIR ACTIONS. Here is my judgement:
1. The bold ambition they outlined to make us a force in Europe is dead. This transfer window on the back of last season’s regression with a paper thin squad , desperate need for central defensive, midfield and striking solutions and a new manager deserving support all cried out for proactive investment- we saw nothing Even close to that. Look at what other teams in the PL aspiring to European football did to know the truth of where our ambition now lies
2. We supposedly have teams of people working 24/7 on recruitment. The outcomes of their activity can only indicate this is either more warm words or they are incompetent or they have been instructed in such a way that makes deals for suitable players nigh on impossible
3. What did we achieve on deadline day when the focus should have been on additions to making the first team better? A kid from Man City for 350k and Gibbs white going out on loan, no doubt with an eye to improving his market value
4. To those that will celebrate holding on to Traore and Neves, keeping hold of talent should be an absolute given minimum if you are aspiring to be a force in football.
5. To those screaming FFP and the woes of the Pandemic, again look around you- has it caused the same level of pitiful transfer activity we have seen at all other clubs in the PL? No, not even close.
6. Fosun has taken this club forward and for that I applaud them but over the last 18 months we have gone backwards. Now is the time to be honest with us about your true intent. Personally, you would command my respect a lot more than trying to kid everyone you have the same ambition as originally when you clearly have not.
7. The old Black Country saying holds true- “ if you are on the pot, piss or get off”. So what is to be Jeff?
Sutton mate, here are my 7 thoughts to your 7 points of judgement. Fair warning, I’ve had my fair share of dark rum and coke tonight. 😉
#1 Not sure I’d say it’s dead, but it’s being evaluated for what it would cost. All new owners say shit like that, until they realize what it would cost. Give Mohamed Al-Fayed a call, or Shahid Khan, and let me know what they tell you. Come to think of it. call Steve Morgan. When they tell you how many billions it takes to just keep a club competitive, let me know how to do it without losing it all. Why do you think Hayward sold? He LOVED the club. Top fan! But he couldn’t figure out how to make it work. So he had to sell. It’s hard.
#2 Wolves deal with Mendez. He’s our dealer. Don’t believe anything else will work while Fosun are in chage.
#3 Sweet FA. I never expected any different. Did you, really?
#4 I agree with you on this one. But so much easier said than done. Remember Doc and Jota? Sako or Camara? If they don’t want to stay, it’s hard to keep them!
#5 Fair enough. FFP is BS.
#6 Not sure they are trying to kid us, vs. trying to figure it out. We’ll see.
#7 Careful what you wish for. Do you really want to piss on you? Or to clear off?
Hang in there mate. Stay with the team and the coach. It’s all we can do really.
Go Wolves!
Fair comments. I am 100% behind Lage and the team. I think fosun’s current modus operandi is unsustainable as it is too heavily skewed to ones for the future whom they will sell before the first team sees full benefit and their first team strengthening is too heavily skewed to over inflated prices for mendes clients eg Semedo and Silva . As per last season, despite the best efforts of Lage, I fear this season will be one of regression. His style of play is a breath of fresh air but will take its toll on a small squad. My hope is that we will see out the season in the comfort of mid table. My fear is that things could soon turn ugly with a threadbare squad and our best talent eyeing up their next move and we become embroiled in a relegation dog fight. If we are not progressing under Fosun and they don’t have the appetite to invest to improve then yes Fosun should look to sell the club but clearly that is their choice
SCW
Every one of your seven points is spot on.
The whole Fosun era has now hit the buffers and if their great proclamation of 4 years ago ever had any substance it certainly doesn’t rings true any longer. Some of us have been singing this hymn for a long time now and been pilloried and frequently insulted on a regular basis for our views.
To paraphrase your intro. I think Fosun can clearly now be judged by not only their lack of action but also incompetent recruitment over the last 2 years. Even the “ones for the future” policy is proving an abject failure with one youngster after another being shipped out on loan or silently let go.
I think we are probably close to the stage where Jeff and his principals in Shanghai will be ready to get off the pot. Unless of course the negative impact on Gestitute might make them think twice.
Anytime soon will come some interesting loan deals.
If not ,we will continue the excellent work started by Bruno.
UTW
https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/soccer-files-fosun/
Over 2 years old BUT very interesting if not seen.
Well done Bilbrook – was going to post this myself today but you beat me too it. I just hope that those who can’t see the wood for the trees take the trouble to read it.
There is a very great temptation to turn a deaf ear to a fundamental truth because it doesn’t sit comfortably with being a passionate Wolves supporter. For Fosun, owning Wolves is a business project and if they decided it was in the best interests of the business to do so they would walk away tomorrow.
Oops ,meant to add..the incredible amount of money it costs the owners to just stand still is incredibly huge. Add wages of players etc ….not a small amount
I certainly ain’t got enough money to just stand still and neither have the fans i can only assume.
I think that alone gives them the right to buy ,sell or loan as they want.
We are allowed an opinion but demanding its done our way…..
I agree with Sutton. The signs are there and have been for a while know as I have blogged many a time and been ridiculed for it. FOSUN/Jeff have said one thing and done the other.
The stadium: Grand plans drawn up and now they can not even be bothered to build a 500 seat temporary stand or manage the up keep of the Graham Hughes stand. The stadium is looking shabby I refer to the outside of The Steve Bull stand the roof. Facilities in the Steve Bull stand are poor.
Lack of investment in the first team. the project has been cancelled it seems but that is not the issue, the issue is Jeff and FOSUN it appears are trying to convince us everything is rosy and they are still serious about making Wolves a force in the Premier League and beyond.
If they have changed there mind which they are fully entitled to do then for God sake say so, and least then we can move forward and find someone who is serious and committed to the cause its the pretence that I can not stomach.
Everything points to me of an owner winding down there ownership, there ambition and preparing for an exit in the near future
And my friend that’s exactly why after over 60 years of support I threw the towel in and watch from afar not letting all the total bullshit get under under my skin anymore.
I sense your angst it was how I used to feel…but not anymore
I am sorry but there is only one one god to the likes of Fosun and that is money ………lots of it…..as much as they can ring out of their “project” no matter how they do it.
The big boss is a super wealthy extremely clever ruthless Chinese business man and owning wwfc is not a hobby or some toy to show off like the man city’s of this world it is a vehicle to make him money .
He has a system that was worked out and is being implemented and when the towel is rung dry he will move on to the next “project”
See I am getting wound up again about us being used for the benefit of someone else’s gains.
That is why I’m out and until a white knight with gazillion’s in the bank turns up to use us as their hobby and not a cash dispenser I wont be back
You may be right there Spikey but the fact is that up to Raul’s injury we had three of the best seasons since we were going toe to toe with the best in the early 1970’s. We all want us to be going toe to toe with the big 5 (Arse have gone) but it seems that for whatever reasons this is now just not going to happen under the present regime and we are destined, for the time being, to be just another of the also rans whose main aim every season is to avoid relegation. A hard nut to swallow but convince me otherwise.
Ah yes old chap the 70s … now that’s when I really enjoyed my footy .
But at least we had that time !
Everything you say about Fosun I agree with Spikey but I see your points not as negatives but positives.
The club is run sustainably and isn’t accruing massive debt (remember we’re shopping in Barcelona and not the other way round)
They’ve refused to sell the jewels in our crown (keeping Traore and Neves is our best business over the transfer window)
We do need a top class midfielder and maybe a striker (who knows how good this new boy is going to be) but buying stock to sit on the shelf is ultimately pointless.
If Sanchez recovers by Christmas I wouldn’t be surprised to see another bid.
Don’t miss the point of supporting your team guys.
Top 6 are faceless, all there to print money
My mates an arse nil fan and he told me they don’t have tickets or paper proof of being at agame..its a top up card you can also use to purchase things in the ground.
The word customer once again springs to mind.
The real days of being a fan have long disappeared.
Just enjoy it for what it is before the game implodes.
The most enjoyable times I’ve had were in the championship and first division
GoWolves is making a valid point around sustainability. Having said that the same principle applies in business and sport (same thing anyway). Stand still and you go backwards. Moutinho is 35 next week. The midfield options are the same as August 2018 only without MGW. As well as Neves is playing the midfield options have gone backwards. It’s not the sustainability aspect that concerns me it’s how effectively the resources are being used. For example having sold Doherty and Jota we committed potentially £83m on Silva, Semedo and Hoever but only Semedo is a regular starter. Until Silva and Hoever become established and successful PL performers then they’re not gaining in value and they’re not significantly contributing to the team either. For me it’s not about spending money we don’t have but spending what we do have better to give Bruno a better chance of succeeding.
Well that transfer window was a mixture of the good, the bad and the downright muddled and bewildering. I’m actually quite relieved all the deals fell through yesterday as to me they all smacked a little of last minute desperation. Act in haste and repent at leisure, as my old ma used to say.
I still believe we have a good squad but for the third summer in a row we haven’t really improved the starting XI. FFP or shadowy Chinese conspiracy – you decide!
Would love to know what Lage was thinking last night at 11 o’clock.
Hopefully nothing, well past his bedtime!!
I’m not necessarily one of the ‘Fosun are crap at everything and only out for themselves’ brigade.
I think that we will not know their true agenda until the hugely confusing FFP penalty has run it’s course.
But…
Trying to strengthen the squad, including hopefully another attacking midfielder, before the window closes – No Brainer.
Failing to sign the extra attacking midfielder and then sending MGW out on loan for the season – NO BRAIN!
I’m not sure that was such a bad ‘window’.
Ait Nouri made permanent; Sa, Mosquera, Trincao and Hwang brought in.
We still have Neves, Traore, Moutinho and Neto who were all rumoured to be on their way out.
I think that looks like the core of a very good team.
Only one that’s a little puzzling is the loan of Gibbs White. Perhaps Bruno doesn’t rate him?
Have Fosun let Bruno down? I don’t think so.
Jeff Shi hasn’t made a secret of the fact that, with the FFP ruling, we would need to sell in order to buy so it can’t have come as surprise to our new coach.
And, they were clearly not in the mood to sell Traore on the cheap.
I’m still optimistic.
Bring on Watford!
A breath of sanity in a sea of doom, gloom and we are already relegated misery!
Start winning ways at Watford, climb the table with exciting, attacking, goal filled football and away we go!
As pointed out above, it aint our club, it aint our money and it really aint our business to tell the owners what to do with everything.
We can but support 100% the club we love to the best of our ability, and quit the man utd style whinging, moaning, bleating, hand wringing and general “its not fair” bollocks currently on display.
Get over it people, it is not life threatening, just entertainment.
Yes, we all get pissed off when we don’t do well, but get a friggin’ grip, for dog’s sake and put it all in perspective.
Don’t care how many dislikes I get, in fact the more the merrier, just think this perceived lack of activity is stoopid.
Hear hear! But never mind all this negative tripe about a ‘poor window’ what’s happened to Tim? No posts since last season, how we miss his toe curling naive comments which amuse and annoy in equal measures. Can you post please Tim or at least confirm you are all right?
Would possibly agree if viewed in isolation but we have steadily regressed over at least 5 successive windows, so are now in a catch up situation.
Greetings pack,
I’ve calmed down a bit, enough to leave a comment anyhow.
Kenny Hibbitt was escorted from the refs monitoring building, having turned purple and brandishing a Kalashnikov. Some of you called it, but its hard to believe until you see it in slomo. Poggy gave himself a red card to be fair, and its not just the prawn sandwiches talking.
If it was all about the money we would have defo sold Traore. Have we signed Wing Wang Wu from Lilliput? Brighter days must come.
Jimi is a worry, pray he gets his mojo back and doesn’t get wiped out before chrimbo. Though I have prayed for stuff in the past, no one was listening.
On a positive note got myself a new armchair warmer for £3.50 from my local car boot, bargain! Can now consume my weekly dose of WWFC in extra comfort.
Elton’s Hairnets next up. A goal or three would be nice. 1 lv.
Apologies to all South Korean supporters,
Above should read Hee Chan Hwang from RB Leipzig. Clearly a goal scoring machine not seen since Steve ‘Bully’ Bull trod the Molly turf. COYW.
Love it Rasta wolf
Keep em coming
Utw
Mmmm. Agreed Marney. Almost Cheesey in its off the wallness.