That was the performance of a soft midtable side.
Disappointing but not entirely unpredictable.
We exchanged punches with Palace in a dull first half but when they upped the pace in the second, we simply fell away.
It’s for Bruno Lage to determine why that was and in doing so he must also look at his own inactivity during a game that was clearly slipping away from us well before they eventually scored.
Why not introduce Traore or Podence or switch to a back four to try and change the game while it’s still in the balance?
If we’re trying to be more proactive on the pitch, the same logic must be applied to the dugout.
Both goals were soft with Wolves showing an inability to clear their lines following repeated concessions of the ball.
VAR wasn’t our friend either but I don’t think you could argue against Zaha being onside for the opener. Ait-Nouri’s penalty claim was more contentious as I’m not sure it was conclusively proven that the foul was outside the box and as the ref had given it on the pitch we might consider ourselves unfortunate it was overturned.
That was really the only glimmer of serious attacking threat we showed and I felt one key difference between the sides was that the ball stuck with their front three and continually bounced away from ours.
I do have some sympathy for Raul and co though as we simply couldn’t work the ball forward with Palace always hurrying our defenders into panicked clearances or misplaced passes.
We have to find a way to live with teams that press high and be brave enough to keep the ball. Otherwise we’ll just end up defending and knocking it long as we did today and at Leeds and for spells in that second half against Everton.
Whether we can achieve that with the personnel at Bruno’s disposal remains to be seen. I certainly think another combative midfield option would stop us getting overrun and out muscled in the spaces in front of the back three as we were in the second half.
Connor Gallagher really put us to the sword by occupying those spaces and driving forward, as we saw with the second goal.
With 16 from 11 I can forgive and forget but I hope this kind of listless defeat doesn’t become an all too regular occurrence.
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Sounds unlucky doesn’t it:-
Two VAR decisions going against us and a large deflection for their goal.
The truth was rather different though.
I think ‘listless’ is a good word to describe our performance Thomas.
And also agree that Bruno seems to think that putting on a substitute is an admission that he was wrong with his initial team selection, rather than a positive reaction to what’s happening on the pitch.
Palace are a decent side and deserved their win.
We need to learn how to deal with high pressing teams or we will drop more points than we gain.
Palace deservedly won. Think Bruno is still a bit naive in his tactics and still learning his way in the prem. Let’s just park it, 8th place, 16 points is still good in the ‘allegedly’ best league in the world. So, learn and move on.
We are Wolves and still super proud of the team I support.
We were out muscled today all over the pitch imo,we held our own for a bit then you could see we wasn’t gonna win the physical battle,that’s when I thought Bruno should have done something about it. When we went a goal down he should’ve known it’s gonna be a uphill battle to even get a equaliser let alone a win.
Our midi we’re getting overrun and the forwards were being starved of any decent balls into their box. Bruno should’ve bought on Traore a lot earlier for him to make any impact.on the penalty shout I think we was done over again by VAR. Imo the initial tackle was outside the box but the tackle that bought him down was inside the box on his calf , so for me it was a penalty and the ref got that right if only that in our favour. Overall though we wasn’t at it today. Onwards and upwards.Still not bad after 10 games.
I was at the game today and after the (first half) heroics at Everton, this was such a disappointing performance. In fact it was baffling, as Palace were subdued in the first half and were there for the taking. Palace fans all around me thought the home team were poor and that our passing movement across the field was good. The trouble was we just didn’t seem to know what to do next and any subsequent attacking intent was almost non-existent. Who the hell knows why? Even then, you thought with a bit more forward motion we would have a decent chance in the second half. Instead, we proceeded to just hoof it up to Raúl and the Palace defenders coped easily. The Palace goals seemed inevitable as they stepped up a gear and it wasn’t until Podence came on that we showed a bit more running intent at least. And why the hell didn’t Lage bring Traore on earlier? Our performance was crying out for him. My Palace mates were equally nonplussed (and grateful). I’m off to watch the fireworks – after that tepid showing at Selhurst, at least they’ll be something for me to cheer.
Out muscled today, should have put 3 in middle, never mind, all u bloggers who wanted adama to stay, he is not intrested get money and buy andy mutch, time to get drunk, wolves aie we.
Binda I agree fully with you brief assessment of Traore. The guy is simply not interested. Period. He doesn`t want to play for us, cos he believes that he`s far too good for such a modest club as ours.
But it could well be that he`s in for a big surprise. Wherever he goes, he`ll always be the perennial underperformer, full of promise but with no results, because he has no football brain. His new coach will very quickly find him out, and he`ll be back on the subs bench.
Surely time for us to move on and let others suffer the massive frustration that has been ours for far too long
I see Traore is still getting stick now that he is hardly playing. He’s probably to blame for Trincao’s lack of form and missed chances. And for Semedo being less than half the player Doherty was despite costing three times as much. And for the money apparently wasted on Silva And for Pedro’s poorly knee. And Johnny’s poorly knee
And for Clive’s wonky fences. And, of course,
for climate change. Shame on you, Adama.
And for Tim’s disappearance ( unless Clive knows better).
Watched at home and was getting a tad frustrated as it seemed we had run out of ideas.
Penalty call was overturned correctly in my eyes as I believe the foul started outside the box and finished inside. That said I have not yet seen a replay.
Zaha was not offside and finished well and Palace outfought and outhought us today. Let’s move on.
I wasn’t happy with the result. But, 13 points in their last six is impressive.
Away performances becoming a real concern. Somehow we got four points from Villa and Leeds but the performances were largely the same. Need to be more competitive in these games
This was a blah, blah, blah match, and definitely not worth watching any highlights, coz there were none.
The only good thing from today’s game was that I went to Nick’s Place for the first time this season, met up with a good turnout of Houston Wolves, and had a great time.
Thanks everyone there for your well wishes.
The game really was a non event.
No one played horribly badly, but no one played verily goodly either.
Once again, even though he came on later than perhaps he should have, Traore looked totally disinterested, and has once more raised the two year old question, should he stay or go.
That is for wiser heads than mine to decide, and let’s face it, there are millions of wiser heads than mine out there!
The managerial merry go round has started earlier than usual, with that bloke at Norwich going, together with Nuno and Brucie earlier this season, Ole walking a tightrope, and how long before Smith gets the chop down the road, with John Terry taking over.
That would be a classic case of the sublime to the ridiculous.
Anyway, to all my blog mates in the know, Bee have and bee careful out there!!
Two weeks off, West Ham up next, hopefully full of misplaced confidence after they stuff Liverfool tomorra.
FOwb
Lets get this result into perspective. We lost , and deservedly so. But this was one game only, and if you look at the improvements made over that past weeks, we cannot be anything but pleased with our general progress.
Lets keep in mind that with the exception of Hwang, Bruno is operating, without the benefit of any transfer support from Mr. Shi. It remains very clear that we need reinforcement in key areas, most notably in the midfield, but assuming action will be forthcoming in January, I believe we have a lot of good things to look forward to.
A disappointing day for sure, but I for one remain very optimistic
Outmuscled? – More likely- Well and truly roughed up.Their tackling was strong, bordering on Leeds Dirty. What I cannot stand is the look on Zaha’s face every time he rolls on the ground demanding a free kick. It REALLY shi*s me!
I am begining to think that Traore is not going to be with us much longer, somehow. The lack of use as a first XI or even a an impact sub tells me so.
Let’s hope the next few games will allow us some space to show some decent passing moves.
Agree adama is the incredible sulk no player is bigger than the club , bruno has not been backed, if no new faces in jan its a worry, surly they must have a budget, sold players, got about 40 players for future on loan, time for a fry up, wolves aie we.
I thought motd made us look a lot better than we were .
I watched this live on nbc sports and even their slightly naïve commentators could see where wolves were going wrong .
Second to most balls and when pressed hit the panic button or got caught in possession .
we really do need to get closer together and pass our way around these teams who close us down so quickly ..but that’s the coaches job to sort out.
As doog says i think Bruno needs to grow a pair and admit he’s got it wrong and change it earlier on instead of sticking it out hoping things will right themselves .
The female commentator noticed half way through the first half that trincoa was having a stinker and contributing nothing and wolves were effectively playing with ten men ..if she could see it why couldn’t Bruno.
At least we are back in the driving seat over the vile and the talk in the pub from the their minnions is they want smiths head .
Fanny old game innit !
Linkers parting comment on motd that Daniel farkes off was a classic …and thats the first time that knob has made me smile.!
Watched what was probably same on Peacock. Commentary was . . . . . . interesting!!!!
Thought it was crying out to hook Trincao and bring on Dendonker to bolster midfield.
Latest VAR table courtesy of ESPN . Wolves 19th out of 20 in terms of favourable VAR decisions. Only Newcastle below. It infuriates me in that it is only ever used to take things away from us. The penalty yesterday was certainly not a clear and obvious error by the on field referee and as such VAR should not have intervened. You just know the same thing will happen against us and VAR will be nowhere to be seen. Having said all that we were not too good yesterday and probably didn’t deserve anything out of the game. But VAR does infuriate me.
Felt the same about the penalty. I wasn’t sure but it wasn’t a clear and obvious error on the refs part.
I don’t think that’s where we lost the game but that review certainly didn’t do us any favours.
Apart from the game a very good day out on London yesterday. A few beers consumed kicking off on The Liberty Bounds Spoons by Tower Hill overlooking the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. A stroll over Tower Bridge and a few more beers around London Bridge. A couple more after game in Bear and Staff Leicester Square and then back to colourful Wolverhampton on the 19.45 train. So apart from the match a jolly good day out !
Subs earlier could have helped us but tbh I think palace had our number and after a tough start , they are picking up some deserved points.
I doubted viera but what do I know! Fair play to him , he has his team performing brilliantly.
We will need to work out how to play against the high aggressive press but I have all the confidence in Bruno.
Another boring international break then we go again
Come on you wolves
Hugely disappointing downturn with this performance. And mystifying why off -form players ( Trincao, Hwang, ) weren’t replaced earlier. Especially as we were overrun in midfield. Dendocker would have made a difference, and I can’t understand the reluctance to use him. Don’t know why he was overlooked. And a game surely crying out for Traore, who was flavour of the month earlier in the season. Use him or ship him out. So frustrating when you know we’re so much better than this.
Agree, very frustrating for all the reasons you mention. We really must temper our bullish opinion that we are better than some ‘lesser’ teams in this Division. Palace comprehensively beat Man City last week. West Ham have humbled Liverpool today- hope we get benefit out of the International break. We are nothing like as good as we sometimes convince ourselves we are and by the same token don’t become a poor side overnight either. Keep the faith and enjoy the ride.
I’ve just watched the West Ham v Liverpool game and have come to two conclusions:-
1) If we don’t do an ‘Everton first half’ performance we could be in a bit of trouble next home match.
2) Jurgen Klopp might well have had a Botox job done. There’s something going on with his face that looks all wrong. (Apart from the teeth).
Could be laser eye surgery as his glasses have gone. Doesn’t seem to have worked as he reckons that Allison was fouled for the first.
You could have a point there.
Just looked at the entire game.
Our performance was a repeat of the Leeds game and the second half against Everton.
That is two and a half games so it is no fluke. CP pressed aggressively high up the pitch and won most 50/50 battles as well as second balls. They played their football in our half and we couldn’t stop them. They are not a great side, will probably finish mid table and we were second best.
And that is what worries me – we did not look capable of playing better and played all our football under pressure playing aimless long balls to no one in particular, never looking like scoring.
And by the way – -why did we not play in old gold???? – we never win in our away kit.
Worrying that Bruno does not have any answers to teams who get at us and have a high press. Leeds, Everton and Palace all upped their game in second halves and we have struggled. Palace were well worth the win and we didn’t deserve anything from this on the balance of play. We could be in for a rough ride in December if he doesn’t find a solution.
Dream ticket for the Villa job. A Pulis/Warnock axis. With McCarthy/Terry Connor as assistants. That would make me feel jolly good. If only there was a God.
Am I the only person that finds Samedo a liberty? Why was he not picking up
Zaha? Gave him 3 yds. ,even Zaha couldn’t miss that! Oh he’s great going forward,
until he gets in a shooting position then lacks composure, £35m,whaaat?!?!
And don’t get me started on Silva, another £35m wasted.
UTW!
This was my concern. We now have international break and then Westham…. a team that will really put us to the Sword. Everton was a masterclass, but they have been woeful – and missing main players so was it luck again? We was allowed to play. Teams wont allow that going forward, especially some of the fixtures we have coming up. I am less then happy about it.
We cannot fold to Crystal palace, for god sake – it does not bode well to the future, regardless how “well” palace have been playing. They was 13th before the game and we was 7th…
Although I showed my excitement for the Everton result, really looks like it has been luck pulling us through.
I’m disappointed but not very surprised. I thought weeks ago that Bruno had enough in the locker to keep us treading water in midtable until the January window. When, but for dropped points against Leeds etc recently, we could have been flirting with 5th spot, I thought that was fools gold. We’re not a fifth place team. We’re a midtable team. We’re not West Ham either (who I consider to be the new Leicester).
Perspective is needed. Liverpool’s long unbeaten run came to an end against a team well and truly on the up. Our short unbeaten run came to an end in the same way.
Bruno is still learning his PL trade. It took Moyes and Klopp a long time to do that.
Greetings,
Back down to earth with a bump. What could have been if we find that 1st half v. Toffees, rather than the lack lustre, half arsed, play for 0-0 and get nowt also rans who sometimes turn up in Wolves clothing. Even when we win its been less than convincing,
Viera has certainly put some fancy french rocket up the Palace, who looked the better team from the off, we were off the pace and our ‘momentum’ has now stalled. We would have been lucky to get a point, so can’t complain, but it’s the performances rather than the results that cause concern. Looks like an inconsistant season coming, buckle up anything could happen.
Tyson Fury has ‘threatened’ to turn up at Man Utd training, to instil some of his ‘winning mentality’ into the team. Only knows what the site of a fat knuckleheaded gypo throwing haymakers on the touchline is going to do for Ronaldo & co, but such is the desperation football results can cause.
So long Smiffy, you know Villa were always shite. Job opportunities opening up all over the prem, which is beginning to look like a game of musical chairs, without the music.
Anyhow, now that’s offa mi chest, feeling more positive about the Hammers game, more positive than if we had the Carrots or Canaries up next.
1 lv & COYW.
Wow. Hammers taking apart Liverpool impressed me.
Guess it makes my next prediction easy now.
And a big, Happy Birthday to our fearless Blog manager……………..
The one,
The only,
Thomas!!!
Happy Things and all that crap!!
Love from Texas
Can’t add a lot here///….kinda saw this coming , and I don’t see how its going to improve much as we are lightweight. Hammers will be licking their chops.
Dendoncker Saiss Neves in the middle? Boly at hte back? Start Adama and let him throw his weight around?
Have nearly two weeks to come up with different plan otherwise it could be a cruel Christmas in prospect…
Need some light
Happy birthday Thomas….
Thanks for affording me some Blog space recently…
You should have copied and pasted it for yourself…
Have a great day mate and thanks for the hard work you all put into this..
Best wishes from the Twixes xx
Happy birthday Thomas. Thank you for your insightful blogs and patient way you monitor us all.
That performance wasn’t good enough and was a dip from the last game. So do you give the same eleven the opportunity to make amends or do you make changes to shake things up?
Change is justified. West Ham’s restart routines need planning for which brings in Boly for Saiss. Podence or Traore need to start to give Moyes something to think about. They looked good against Liverpool and we need to be up for it. Two years ago they were shocking under Pellegrino and have really improved , it’s going to be a tough one.
Not Wolves related but I am confident you will not mind me posting this:
It goes unnoticed for most of the year that simple block of stone,
On one day only crowds will flock but veterans stand alone.
Alone with thoughts and memories of men that they once knew,
Time has aged them now but once they were young men too.
Though present and on parade their eyes say they are far away,
Thinking of men they knew and lost on that awful day.
They ran into the gates of hell, it was the longest day,
Though more than 70 years have passed the memories never fade.
These men will tell you they are not heroes- they never made it home,
And once a year they pay their respects at the simple block of stone.
I never knew these men but they died for you and me,
I will never take for granted my freedom and liberty.
Lest we forget
everything football related suddenly takes a back seat for the brave heroes who didn’t even know it..
Mr Biles. You are a true Officer & a gentleman!
Major Biles. Thank you for posting. We should never forget and it is more important now that younger people understand all about remembrance Sunday.
Wear my poppy with pride each year. We salute you sir. Thank you.
Thanks for posting. It’s an honour to know you, mate.
Thank you for posting. Members of the armed forces make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms and so we should never forget.
Most of y’all on this blog don’t know Major Steve Biles.
Although we live thousands of miles apart, via this blog, we have become good friends.
Like all true unsung heroes, he does not brag or go on about his service to our country, and although now slightly rotund, he is as wonderful a man as you could wish to meet.
A heartfelt thank you, Major Steve, for all you and your fellow servicemen and women do, and have done, for the country.
The world is a better place thanks to you.
I’ve not long been on FB & it’s just given me the usual “people you might know “, including (I believe) Clive, Doog, Dougie & Mr Biles himself! Coincidence!!
You’re right.
Want to be friends?
Yep, request sent!
And accepted!
I echo Major Biles sentiments entirely.
This blogger won’t forget.
Major Biles is a top top guy who we’ve got to know through this blog.
Although retired he still travels from North Yorkshire for every home home and gets a few away days in as well…
A true ‘Wolves at heart ‘ man and certainly a winner … as … the prediction league roll of honour will testify.
Great to know you Steve and we share your fellow bloggers’ messages to … thank you for your service to your country and it’s citizens..
Thank you…xx
Two messages to two great buddies.
1) Well done Clive! Fantastic result. Never in doubt!
2) Best of luck Dougie for tomorrow’s sleepout! Excellent chap! Don’t forget the thermals and hip flask.
Yes, brilliant news yesterday from Clive.
Thanks very much for your good wishes, mate. I’m also overwhelmed by the generosity shown by you and Sue. Thank you!!!!
Tooth extraction on Tuesday and this https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dougie-singh tomorrow night. It is turning out to be one heck of a week.
I am honoured and humbled by the support shown by my fellow bloggers. Thank you so much!
Just seen the announcement about Moody Blues’ drummer.
RIP Graeme Edge.
RON FLOWERS MY ALL TIME HERO. LAST IN LINE OF THE WOLVES GREATS, RIP, A VERY SAD DAY!
RIP Ron Flowers. True legend of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and another one of the great era gone. Nice tweet from the FA on BBC sports site.
RIP Ron Flowers the best No.6 I ever saw.
Ron Flowers has left us but his legend will live with us forever.
RIP Big Ron, Legend!
He’s famous at last!
Thought that was goig to be a post about Ron Flowers 1935 – 2021 Rise in Power.
But its not. It’s about cheese.
Singalong anyhow. 1 lv.
Thanks Clive. There is cheese as in the food and there is cheese as in the humour. I guess cheesy humour could be summed up in the great Tommy Cooper. Rubbish jokes but it was the way he told them. Eg. “I went to the Doctor and said every time I hold my arm in the air it hurts. He said ‘ well don’t do it then ‘. “.
Just like that!
Who’s famous? Annie or Dave?
I lived up the road from Ron in Acton Trussell and would see him regularly in the moat house pub its an awful feeling when someone as stupendously famous as he was to me passes on I never think these people will get old or die …..then I look in the mirror .
Thanks for every thing Ron flowers you are truly a Wolves legend .
We’re in Stafford Spikeyboy…
You far away..?
i wish i still lived in acton i had a beautiful barn conversion but the temptation to not go to my business to work was too great so i moved back to Aldridge reluctantly about twelve years ago my youngest son still lives in baswich though.
That’s close too mate…
Our daughter lives in Baswich too…..
If your over we’ll meet in the BOD…. Bodmin Ave..
Last night at Molineux was an interesting experience. My cardboard shelter just about held together as the rain started in the wee small hours. Now back home and looking forward to my warm bed tonight. Thanks everyone for your support and generosity.
Well done indeed Dougie. They should move it to July.
July would be good, Steve, but it would probably clash with a Rod Stewart concert or suchlike.
Heartbroken that Ron Flowers has died. Although it had to be expected, it never seems right that one’s real heroes pass on. He and Peter Broadbent were my all time heroes in a team of old school, humble, friendly giants of the game. My first and lasting memory of Ron is his sheer command on and of the pitch with his shirt always soaked in sweat and him soaring in the air to win a challenge to then link up with Broadbent. As with Billy, he is much ignored by the national press in favour of much inferior `famous` players. Unfortunately the only real video I have of him playing is the 1960 Cup final in which he was nowhere near his usual supremacy. I just wish he had been able to play in that World Cup Final to really cement his rightful place in history. Those that saw him in the fifties and early sixties, aware of his true greatness, will be saddened greatly.
Absolutely DW, I agree with every word. I especially like ‘old school, friendly, giants of the game’.
It’s hard for anyone not around at the time to fully understand how the game has changed since the 1950s. Developments in coaching, sports science, medical science, fitness etc. have changed the game so much – for the better I should perhaps add – that most of the limitations that applied then have vanished completely. Danny Blanchflower summed the era up with his complaints about the lack of practice with the ball in training. He was told that if they didn’t have it in the week they’d be keener to get it on Saturday. Genuinely skilled players were around, but they owed practically nothing to coaching but all to their innate ability. You couldn’t coach anyone to play like RF or PB, their ability was natural and not learned.
Like you I had some great years watching them both perform wonders on the pitch.
RIP Ron, thanks for the memories.
Rui, good shot stopper, but has never been able to defend his near post.
Sa is a definite upgrade.
OMG . Ref for West Ham is our friend Mike Dean. And VAR is Villa fan Andre Marriner. Help.
We aye skeered, wimm Wolves aye we!
He will never beat them three minutes in Cardiff…………….
Or will he?
Expext some form of catastrophy. Either from Dean VAR or both.
Fear not, Super Ken ref monitoring squad in full effect.
Who pinched the pea outta Mike Deans whistle? Who substituted a replay of the 1st half v Toffees for the VAR live feed? Who’s got silver bullets in his AK47?
Sir Kenny Hibbett thats who.
Seems as though the WHU fans share our view of Mr. Dean –
https://www.hammers.news/club-news/mike-dean-news-ahead-of-wolves-clash-has-the-west-ham-fans-really-concerned/
Nice to know we’re not alone!!
COYW
If every supporter thinks the referee is against their team, s/he must be doing something right, eh?
Still hate the twat, though.
Or, maybe making a decision which is diabolically wrong for each and every team; completely incompetent? It’s not an easy job for anyone and we would all get some things wrong, but Dean takes it to another level… Just my belief.
Yep those Hommers are brickin it at the thought of a Deano masterclass in ruining a game of football, red cards like confetti and an End to any thoughts of a successful season. Wot a gas.