However Jeff tries to spin it, Fosun dropped two almighty clangers in the transfer window by not signing a centre back and physical midfielder.
But they did get it right with the brave decision of moving on from Nuno and embarking on an exciting new style with Lage.
Wolves are a heck of a lot more enjoyable to watch than any time in the past 12 months. And that’s all I ask as a fan – an identity that you can relate to and see has the potential to deliver.
Although, perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the win at Watford was the need to ‘guts’ it out for the first time under Lage.
It was yet another bright start with a number of attractive phases of play. Lovely to watch but with a nagging fear that the goal would again fail to materialise.
From around 20 minutes until our opener in the 74th, Watford’s physicality and ease of getting in behind Marcal and Saiss left me uneasy. Frustrations of not signing a Sissoko midfield type or replacing Saiss crossed my mind.
However, Wolves always had a press or sumptuous sequence of passes at their disposal, and that pressure eventually told.
Of course, our first league goal under Bruno had to come via an own goal, but it was reassuring to witness Marcal offer something in the opposition box with a clever cross for the assist. Cue relief/pandemonium in the away end.
As for the second, a goal involving all of the front three (Raul, Podence and Hwang) was thrilling to see.
Having Podence and Hwang to introduce off the bench gives us great depth in the forward positions, and they both made an impact. Especially with Raul still feeling his way back to form, the wide forwards need to share the load.
The final word has to go to Neves. The 2017/18 Ruben that we all originally fell in love with is back. Watching him stroke the ball around with effortless panache, or darting around trying to win it back, is a sight to behold. Make no mistake, this is HIS midfield. And whisper it quietly, Moutinho is rediscovering a new lease of life in a crucial supporting role.
This is what happens when you task your creative talents with playing to their strengths.
We’ll that’s the monkey off the back.
Pressure off, three points in the bag and on to the next one with smiles on our faces.
The window is starting to look cleaner now too.
I was one of many to say you were mad about getting rid of Nuno Paddy lad, but have to agree I’m enjoying our performances a lot more than anything I’ve seen for a good while.
I’m happy for Bruno that the result finally rewards the performance.
Others will get the headlines, but I think Marcal has been brilliant this season. He’s a feisty character and I like that competitive edge. Today he put the cross in for the first and was there to help bundle in the second. And anyone who contributes to this non-scoring Wolves team scoring is a hero.
Semedo should have had two and although I was cursing his bonehead finishing, he’s getting forward to good effect. Our wingbacks have to contribute in this system and they did that today big time.
It’s another huge positive that Hwang and Podence looked so good off the bench and contributed. Trincao was great in the first half and unlucky to be subbed so early. Traore and Jimenez both did a lot of useful things too, so to have five players for three positions is positively luxurious.
Agree about Neves bossing games and no doubt him and Moutinho are revitalised with a more possession-based approach. OK, we lack the muscle but that’s less important when you have at least 55-65% of the ball.
I still think there’s a change or two to be made in the back three because, as you say, a few simple balls over the top nearly caused us grief in a game we otherwise controlled. I’d like to see Boly in there eventually, not least because he can also attack the set pieces. But nobody did too much wrong today.
It feels like the pressure and the gloom has been lifted and I hope we can take some momentum into Brentford and continue the good feeling.
Well done Bruno and the team. Really enjoying his approach and this first win can only give the team confidence.
Huge relief.
Didn’t sound a great game but the points were vital.
As above still vulnerable at the back
A look at the bench tells the story of how our season will unfold; all 9 were proper squad members and with that quality we are a match for most. But any injuries to those 20 will see us back with sixth formers as back up. We only have Jonny and Neto now under treatment, so there is NO STRENGTH IN DEPTH.
Let us hope the injury gods smile on us again.
Normal service resumed on week four of the season.
Manager of the month given a spanking and Wolves beat Watford.
And Villa lost.
Although it would appear that Semedo has been to the Traore School of Finishing, it was a workmanlike performance.
On this showing, Watford are gonna do a sandwell town and disappear straight back into the bowels of the second division.
Our least impressive performance of the season, with the best result.
As pointed out above, if we don’t get the back line quicker boots, better teams are gonna exploit our lead footed defenders.
Still, shit eatin’ grin firmly in place, thank you very much, and bring on Brentford, who, as I recall, were soundly stuffed 3-0 last time they visited the Mol.
A well deserved result.
But result apart, it is the way which we now play that now that gives us hope for the future. No longer waiting to try and strike on the counter, but really going for it, and imposing ourselves from the off.
Nuno was great for us. But the way things are starting to move,maybe Bruno`s time will be even better, both in terms of the greater entertainment that will be forthcoming, and the consequent results.
Surely the greatest outcome so far of our new attacking priority under Bruno has to be the magical return to form of Nevez. It`s like he`s been set free from Nuno`s imposed shackles, to become the player we all know him to be. How good it is to see him really enjoying his football again.
Agree on Neves; completely stifled by Nuno’s bunker mentality over the last 2 years and so utterly wasted. Good to have the genuine article back.
Now the first win and goals have been achieved hopefully things will go In a upward projectory. A brilliant result for a team that had a fantastic home record and we played them of the park like the other 3 games but this time we actually scored. What a brilliant feeling it is two know we can acuatlly play exciting football and hopefully now we have score many more will come.
Got to say … adama might be the most exciting wolves player ever but Ruben Neves is the best player we have got. He is in charge of every game . He controls the play . We are so lucky to have him
Much more entertaining to watch but only if we can score and there is still a lot to be done to get some good goal scoring .
The team look as if they are enjoying themselves as well which must be good .As others have said Neves really playing well but will he ever remember how to shoot ? We really need better set pieces .
.Podence is such a clever footballer .That willingness and courage to stop and unbalance defenders as he did to create the second goal and have the vision to chip to the far post like that is a huge positive in the attacking third .I was pleased that unlike the first 3 games Bruno made his substitutions early enough that they could have an impact .
Bring on Brentford .
Ah stop moaning and just enjoy the moment.
Hwang got a perfect start showing off the predatory instinct we dearly needed. Nice to see players like Podence blossom too(regarded as a fringe player by many fans before the season). And a clean sheet away against Watford is impressing, as they really have a strong team on paper. They will surely grow even stronger when all the new players gel together – so three points away Watford are worth gold. Brentford next. Up the Wolves
Great performance, wolves aie we let’s all have a disco!
As Clivey boy said in the preview.. whatever anyone thinks, this is akin to a new team.
Well done lads!
So happy!
When the team came up on Sky I looked at our bench and thought this shows our strength and so it proved.
Onwards and upwards!
I too wanted Nuno to get another season and whilst I’m happy to see Spurs lose, I will feel for him when they do and the knives will get sharpened for him.
But his style is already apparent in their stats.
I too was expecting another CB but we do have Boly fit again and Mosq waiting in the wings.
So why couldn’t Saiss return to being midfield cover. He does like a tackle and often they are on time. And despite the Man U game, he does contribute at the other end.
Couldn’t watch the game as the PMDG’er and I were on a mission of mercy to visit my 96 year old mother in a Nursing Home near Marlborough, in the depths of Ancient Wiltshire.
Listening to Radio 5 on the way back, we were just in the short stretch of road between East Kennett Long Barrow and Silbury Hill, on the way to the huge Avebury Stone Circle, when our state of the art digital radio lost it’s signal… as it invariably does there.
It’s always a bit spooky when it does that.
It conjures up visions of thousands of long dead Ancient Brits giving us the Wode daubed finger as we speed past their resting places.
And, as luck would have it, the signal went at the exact moment that the Watford Wolves result was read out.
Even more spooky!
We let out a tribal cheer in the car as the digital waves were restored on the steep road up to The Ridgeway and we heard the news.
The Pack is back!
And the ravening beasts are ready to sweep across the land, raping and pillaging as they go.
Well, that might be slightly overstating the situation, but it’s a good start.
Possibly our least impressive display of the season, but we battled for the three points.
And we came away with them.
Where’s my can of Wode?
Hiya DOOG and Mrs PMDG’r…
Hope your mums’ continuing to battle her health issues and we send our very best wishes to you all…
Mike and Lilian xx
Cheers you two!
She is gradually disappearing into her own little world, but seems reasonably happy at the moment.
See you next week?
Mark and Sue xxxx
Ooh my head hurts! Anyone who has attended a military reunion will understand.
Still in Taunton, getting brekkie before driving home to North Yorkshire.
Managed to catch the result and so happy to see my prediction be so wrong. Can’t wait to see the recorded highlights when I get home tonight, or maybe tomorrow. Oohh my head hurts!
Nursing a sore head in Lincolnshire this morning after completing Day 1 of a triple header …. Golf , Guinness, and more Guinness…. Prior to parting the ropes to start round 2 the congratulatory analysis of bloggers has heightened expectation for next Saturdays visit to the golden palace ….. for the team , manager and away support I’m so chuffed….to top off a brilliant weekend …Wolves win British tennis victory and aWolf taking the money and the past Captains cup home to Shrewsbury would be bostin…. 2 out 3 will do …ODCL
Great win rode our luck a it but then again we’ve not had the rub of the green in our first 3 games so it’s evened it’s self out Semedo if only he could finish we would have won by a bigger margin.
All the talk from Jeff about money wasn’t the issue is so frustrating and I agree with Paddy they have made a huge blunder of school boy proportions ,if we had got a quaily midfielder and defender in and what Bruno has done already we could be talking top eight or better.
I just hope that come January Jeff pulls his finger out and finally give Brono all the tools he needs and deserves to do the job and on the evidence so with those additions and more ,of Bruno’s Magic the sky really could be the limit.
I think Jeff will unveil a signing or two in January. Highly unusual for a person in such a high profile position as Jeff to go public in such detail about the failure of the transfer window just gone. Whether fans believe it or not still quite refreshing to see such apparent honesty from our Chief Executive. Subsequent comments from Bruno appear to just as honest. Damned if you don’t. Damned if you do. I actually found it quite refreshing that at least some effort was made to give a public explanation.
Agree Cheese let’s hope we see it more often…..because it stops the rumours and also you can take or leave it.
OODCL!
Reassured to see the quality of our movement and passing and Jimenez improves each game
We still waste most corners and free kicks near goal and there’s no excuse for that
Surely we can do better?
Whatever…there’s a lot to be excited about.
It’s a relief to put points on the board with a positive outlook for the next few games. Watford are going to be bottom six material so let’s keep a perspective, the squad hasn’t been strengthened as we hoped because we hoped to be challenging the top end teams rather than relying on points against the weaker ones. Nevertheless, it makes for a good weekend and a full house at Molineux to look forward to.
Big relief those 3 points. Getting on to 15 minutes short of 6 hours by the time the first goal went in. Ironically an own goal. But who cares. I couldn’t care less if Doug McLure appeared in Journey To The Centre of the Earth in the middle of the six yard box and headed the ball in. Bollocks to it. Good to see Leeds 1 -0 down half time and Bielsa sitting on a bucket. Next 2 games and min 4 points would put us on 7 from 6. Acceptable given the Bruno transition. I had a look at the Spurs fans forum this morning and the knives are already out for Nuno. A recurring theme was ‘boring football’. It’s a shame because the bloke will always be loved at Molineux, but I fear for him at Spurs. Shame. But he is gone now and Brunoball is the name of the game. 10 games still the marker for me. 13 /14 points from those would be a reasonable start. Wolves Ay We. FOWB.
Leeds. Man Bun Utd. They must all go to the same barber as Greasy.
It’s early days in Bruno’s managerial tenure but I’m beginning to think I’ll need to eat the humble pie.
I wasn’t happy about the suggestions of Nuno being sacked/replaced and now with hindsight I realise what I was missing under Nuno… namely.. ENTERTAINMENT.
I’m so pleased that we’ve reverted to our swashbuckling style that graced our Championship, 99 point winning year…(Sunderland away excepted)…
It’s great to watch again and as the old adage reminds me… if you don’t score you’re not going to win.
Admitted a couple of Marque signings may give us more depth but we’ve still got Yerson to see and one day, one day ..Semedo’s going to bulge the net.
All in all very happy with Brunoball in fact I feel an injustice of not have my 3-0 prediction being bang on….. still 3 points and a half decent performance against a team that whoooped the Villa…
I couldn’t watch the game as I was enjoying a birthday get together with a few buddies. Add to that several glasses of fine ale while I cheered on Miz Raducanu and I join the several bloggers who have a sore head today.
However, from the highlights package I’ve seen, it was a well deserved win and, despite the nature of the goals, will boost the teams confidence immeasurably. Actually, I felt the goals came from us having lots of bodies in the six yard box, something we’ve been failing to do in recent seasons.
Once more it’s difficult to pick out a star man so I’ll give MOTM to Bruno, who has transformed our team from dour, dull and defence focused to an exhilarating attacking machine worthy of the name ‘Wolves ‘.
And that’s from a Nuno fan.
We did have some more bodies in the box, but not as many as needed – and not in the right places. For the OG, the ball is played delightfully into a dangerous area between the goalposts, but we have 3 guys who all ran beyond the back post and no-one between the sticks at all. Thankfully it was turned in for us.
After 4 games, our equal top goalscorer is OG.
Hwang found himself in a perfect poacher’s position and was rewarded.
Theres always one, isnt there?
And this week, for a change, its you.
And if you know not to what I refer, ask Paul.
Agree about Paul- he has the T shirt- but it’s a good point about getting more bodies in the box. This is a feature of Brunoball although I noticed for Hwang’s goal, Raul had backed off into the D, waiting for a poor clearance maybe?Over the weekend I also noticed how many teams were committing 5/6 attackers into the box often the same number of defenders. Law of averages suggests balls will drop to a forward as in the Leicester game. Other than Saiss being roasted in the first half, I enjoyed the game and we significantly tightened up at the back in the second. Good options now on the bench, Neves looks immense, Sa confident in a way I never felt with Rui. In a few weeks we may consider the summer window in a more positive light as players bed in. UTW.
Someone else has dared to bring up a valid point and Clive’s not happy. Well Clive he is entitled to his opinion just as much as you are…..what a boring blog this would be if we all agreed with you…….or me for that matter.
Of course, with the OG, perhaps the players had worked in training on this short corner routine and expected a ball to the far post. Certainty them being there forced the defender into the mistake.
Delighted with that performance. Finally got the luck in front of goal that our play has deserved in all the games this season. Really looking forward to the next batch of games to take us to the Villa match. Lets hope we are really flying by then. Great to see MGW coming up trumps on his travels too.
Hard to contain my excitement at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. I got there early for the Aston Villa 5.30 game, but it was obviously the Wolves game I was following. There I was, lounging in hospitality with a drink, when I heard we went 2-0 up. A massive, yesssss from me! I was with a Chelsea supporter mate and he thought I’d gone mad.
I was not surprised we won, I had money on it and I forecast a nervy 1-0 win on this blog. 3 precious points from 4 games was the least we deserved. Could have been far more.
PS: Villa were shite against Chelsea!
The Bruno I trust.
Just read that Wolves are currently the ‘dribble kings of Europe’. Bayern Munich are in second spot. It’s according to a football stats website WhoScored.
And, Neto isn’t even back yet. Can’t wait. And our Korean star has hardly had a full day’s training with the squad.
I noted Nuno at Crystal Palace doing his zombie-in-a-dream act on the touchline. when Spurs were being rolled over, Interspersed with stroking his beard occasionally. I couldn’t see much fight or passion from him. Chickens are coming home to roost. If the new manager bounce is over, the knives will be sharpened in London N17. Am I being unkind?
Not at all.
He’s gone, thank you and goodbye.
We have moved on, it seems Spurms haven’t!
Just noticed that our old friend S T U A R T A T T W E L L is on VAR on Saturday. Expect a dodgy penalty award for Brentford.
It wo marrer, we’ll be five up by then.
For a moment I read it as StuarTwatwell…
Anyway … still a worry …
As he can’t tell Sh@@e from clay..