Just as the January doom and gloom was beginning to set in, Bruno Lage finds a way of making us smile again.
There’s nothing quite like a first win at Old Trafford in more than 40 years to dispel the John Percy-induced anxiety of the last few days.
While this win won’t stop the fevered debate about Fosun’s ambitions for the club (or lack thereof), it does serve as a timely reminder of what we already have.
Make no mistake about it, this was a 1-0 battering.
Wolves controlled proceedings against a team whose bench cost more than most Premier League teams (including our own).
Sure, there were a few heart-in-mouth moments. It certainly wouldn’t have been a surprise if Fernandes had netted an equaliser at the death, especially when you think back to our last outing at this ground.
But we were more than good value for this result. It was as complete an away performance as you could hope for, and a further indication of just how good a manager we’ve bagged in Lage.
The discipline he has instilled in this team is remarkable, with every player seeming to have their role nailed down to a tee.
And the individual improvement is there for all to see. Semedo, Kilman, Coady, Saiss, Moutinho, Neves and Podence are all fine examples of that.
Heck, even Fabio made an impact when called upon. Perhaps all is not lost there after all.
There can be no doubt that reinforcements are still required, especially if we want to capitalise on the momentum that has been built over the first half of the season.
But nights like tonight are enough to remind us all that things are pretty sweet as they are, though one does hope that it will be enough to encourage Jeff and co to blow the dust off the Fosun coffers.
Back this manager and the sky is the limit.
Take it all in bloggers, nights like this enjoy, 40 years we waited, all 11 were superb, even silvia looked sharp, enjoy the night, im so drunk, wolves aie we.
– After the match I went to the Man U stand, the youtube channel, to the moment where Wolves scored during the live stream. What a priceless moment, followed by a rant only rivaled by Clive’s, when he’s in the mood :=))) Check it out if you’re in a bad mood, folks ;=)
I just been complimented, I think.
Absolutely :=) The criticism from Goldbridge towards Rangnick is a bit unfair though. It takes time for a manager to implement a new system. Goldbridge and The Man U fans expects excellent results in a blink of an eye.
A memorable night for all Wolves fans and the team, because tonight there was only one real team out there. Great credit to Bruno and his coaches.
The Wolves supporters , our 12th man , were brilliant too. It sounded more like a home crowd.
Following the game, the SKY production became The Manchester United Show.
No doubt the sports pages tomorrow will be dominated with photographs and articles about MU, because this is a national disaster isn’t it!
But I can live with that.
What a great start to 2020.
2022 of course!
Or even 2022
Thought it was 1974 for a minute.
The beauty of hindsight is that it’s 100%.
I could not watch the game live, but had the luxury of watching the whole 90 plus fergie time minutes, later in the day, knowing the result.
This gave me the added luxury of no squeaky bum time.
What an absolutely brilliant performance, from every one.
10 million corners to their two or three.
14 shots in the first half to their measly nil.
Cannot fault anyone, we were superb.
And I better not see any friggin’ comments by the Manc apologists, that they had an off day, were depleted coz of covid etc. or any other lame assed excuse.
Just think how many we would have got if The Donkey had been in their defense instead of Jones?
Really, really proud tonight.
And to answer Brompto’s question:
One does not remove one’s shit eating grin, gravity finally takes over…….until the next shit eating grin moment!
FOwb
Thx Clive. It’s still here. Hope it goes soon though as I need to sleep lol
– Yes, imagine if Man U had bought Neves before the season started. I don’t think Solskjaer would have gotten the sack. Instead they are falling down the table. I love the irony in that :=)))
OK, so I was a bit over ambitious with my 3-0 victory forecast, but it would not have been so far out if things had developed as they threatened to for most of the game. One thing I did get right was my comment that – “there aren’t many teams with more skilful players than our front three, our midfield and our back three. So here we go – ‘shock result’ to come” . I should, of course have added goalkeeper” to the list. I agree with your comment about Bruno Ben, he seems to know something about bringing players on.
The thing that impressed me was the ease with which which the entire team passed the ball around, sometimes with simple care, sometimes with incredible close quarter flicks. They played as though they were involved in a friendly kick around at the end of a training session rather than a serious match against top level opponents – at times they were carefree, almost joyous.
What a team, and we still haven’t conceded from a set piece, a great achievement in itself.
More of the same please. 🙂
What a wonderful day! Forty years or not, a proper butt kicking by our wonderful team!
Today was a public holiday and wow, did I enjoy it!
Went to a beach bar and had many Caribbean beers with my two Man U friends. But guess what? At the Beach bar, there was about 5 locals with their Man U shirts, and there were two cruise ships in Port, so about 20 Man U supporters from the ships were watching the game! And I was the only Wolves supporter, and with our display there was no doubt who I was backing!
A first half display with Podence, Neves and Jimmy going close the noise was echoing off of the beautiful blue sea. There were a few ooohhs and aahhas when Ronaldo scored an obvious offside goal, and when Bruno hit the bar, and nearly scored at the death, but nowhere near the explosion of pure noise and confusion when I let the whole bar and 500 yards of beach know that we had scored! Ggggggooooaaalllllll!!!! What joy looking at all of those long faces of the Man U supporters as we outplayed them totally — I am still smiling!!
I could type for hours more on how happy I am with that performance and how I felt about that win, but suffice to say, we were deserved winners and we sure shafted them!!!! We totally outplayed them! We destroyed them! And I spent many hours thereafter wallowing the the joy of that amazing victory! Bring more beers!!
And yes, tomorrow is a holiday for me!!! Forward ever, backward never!!
AND another clean sheet!!!!
It was a great watch – up until our goal when the tension kicked in and quadrupled in Fergie time. Mike Dean will be in big trouble tomorrow for failing to give the Mancs a penalty and the VAR monkeys are probably being flogged as we speak.
One serious point in all the euphoria. With all the quality we have, it’s no use if we can’t score goals. That was a 3 – 0 win with only one goal to show for it.
That’s Bruno’s next challenge.
Kenny Hibbitt did a proper job on the ‘Axis of Evil’ last night. Had a minor wobble when Jimi held on to the ball when we didn’t get a corner offa Shaw. Under heavy manners. Thanx Uncle Ken.
That was a fabulous game. Wolves took my breath away in that first half – and it wasn’t because of me testing positive, covidwise, on New Year’s Day.
I really wasn’t expecting Wolves to take the fight to Utd, but in the first 45 minutes there was only one team in it. They were all working so well, as a man. The opposition rallied, a little, but then Bruno made timely substitutions – and they too played their part. I was so pleased for Fabio that his late foul didn’t prove costly.
Night folks! So, so happy.
An excerpt from the MEN match report which sums it all up quite nicely
Wolves embodied everything United aspire to possess; tactical innovation, organisation, vibrant attacking play and dominant players. Their victory was richly deserved.
There is a DOG after all……so many ways that could have been a bad ending but mea culpa ….I was SO wrong to predict a defeat,,,,Manure were awful because we MADE them look awful’
time for a cocktail or two
[Not sure why CFH can’t watch live ….NBC have transferred coverage from NBC Sports channnel to their USA channel (plus Peacock of course) and it worked fine here on West Coast ] roll on the 15th of January
I think there’s some light.,,no a LOT of light
Well done to all of the team,,,coaches and all
Happy 2022
COYW
Mr Shi, that brilliant performance tonight came about DESPITE the fact that you and your masters at Fosun have failed miserably to support your man. Bruno is achieving remarkable things with Zero support from you. You endlessly procrastinate a load of BS about grandiose future plans. Bruno just gets on with it.
Somehow he has upped the game of previously good players to an entirely different level — eg Saiss and Coady, –as well as developing younger players to achieve real status beyond anything that could have been expected– eg Kilman. Then there are those players who were already world class, but were beginning to stagnate, but who have now been completely rejuvenated –eg Moutino and Nevez. All of this is nothing short of amazing.
DESPITE your ineptitude , we are on the verge of having a truly great football team. If you can`t somehow find a way to support your man in the current transfer window so that Bruno can take the next step, you should really be looking for another job.
Mike, which of the eleven who played so well last night would you cast aside for a multi million pound new signing ? Should Bruno find a place for players returning from injury, like Boly, Jonny, Pedro, and Huang ? How about loanees called back, Giles, Sanderson, MGW ? Did we have no good players on the bench last night ? Since this team have done so very well, why should they not continue to show how good they are ? With a bit of luck their performances would have earned lots more points; they’re still on track for top six.
Oldandwise, I think you are missing the main point here. The whole team was brilliant last night, but the squad is way too small. This has been endlessly pointed out by Bruno. We have insufficient cover should more serious injuries materialize. My point is that just two or three quality additions are much needed and would make a huge difference
Way too small ? Fourteen of the squad took part last night, Ait Nouri and Hoever on the bench, and there are four great players out injured (not for much longer) and three or four can come back from doing well on loan. That’s twenty three or four, and I’m sure I’ve forgotten some.
As others are saying, well known egos like Grealish and so on only disrupt the TEAM. When Fosun sign ‘unknowns’ like Bruno, Sa, Fabio, Semedo, yes, even Neto, etc etc, the blog is full of complaints that they’re not good enough, but they’re all proving to be more than fine with a bit of bedding in.
I’m not against adding to the squad as suitable players are scouted, bit I don’t think we can simply buy success. Let’s keep the faith, and support our existing team. Any new signings will need to earn their place.
Don’t particularly disagree with what you are saying but you must have been living on Mars to call Semedo and Sa as “unknowns “.
Those two were completely off my radar, and I doubt if many following the PL thought of them when considering strengthening the squad.
Their hands are tied by ffp punishment. As far as i understand it that is why they need to sell to buy. The only player on the way out worth anything is Traore but then we need to replace him with someone equally talented in one way or another. Next season we can accrue some debt apparently so you may as well desist with the repeated monologues addressed to Shi and Fosun till then cos they can’t do jack about atm. I’m pretty sure if they could be bothered to respond to your pinings that it would go something along the line of
‘we’ve done pretty well without you financial guidance thus far Mike so we’ll probably stick with that policy, contact us if we get into a relegation battle mate’
Sanderson is progressing well. Giles is making an excellent contribution with a high number of assists. They are both good enough to be back . Netto is an excellent prospect. So is Hwang. Corbeanu will return following his successful loan. We have two international defenders in Johnny and Boly who we all hope will soon be back. Morgan GW is having a successful loan. So there are seven players who should be swelling the ranks this season.
I am optimistic about our squad complement , which includes 15 Internationals at present. We have a coach who is able to get the best out of players. He is coaching a group of players who increasingly balance well with each other, the hallmark of an effective team ,not a group of talented individuals
which includes inflated egos.
It is well known that FFP rules are not in Wolves’ favour at present and so there is little point in pleading with Fosun to buy .
So, Old and Wise, we are of one mind on this as it stands at present.
That’s good to know, Kendalwolf.
The best is yet to come !
It’s worth remembering that was a team predominantly assembled by Fosun.
You should read what Bruno said about the situation.
Totally agree with your second paragraph Mike , well said. We have an excellent coach in Bruno Lage .
However it is pointless to blame Fosun for what is beyond their control as a result of FFP.
Rinaldo and cavani
“Shouldn’t you be pressing their back 3!”
“ why don’t you press them!”
“ no, you press them”
“ oh just press them ffs”
“ no, You”
“You”
Yoooooh
Utw
See told you 🙂
Brilliant absolutely brilliant.
Nuf sed.
Said before the game Man U may have better players but Wolves are a much better team. Good teams can always beat a collection of egos.
In case you haven’t heard about 300 times already, this was our first league win at United for around 40 years, ( wasn’t even in the same league for around 20 years).
Another fun fact , that is never mentioned, yet has stood for over 80 years, the record attendance at old Trafford of over 76000 never even featured man utd.
Wolves v the mighty Grimsby
Biggest club in the world my arse .
Come on you wolves
Grimsby ‘ An up and coming East Coast resort’. Bollox.
F A Cup, The mighty Wolves won three one. I wasn’t there by the way.
Something special, something that happens only once every few seasons occurred last night when the mighty Wolves thrashed Man Utd 1-0 at Gold Trafford, as one newspaper put it. It must’ve been special because not just one but TWO, yes TWO Wolves players appear in Garth Crooks team of the week. They happen to be Sa and Coady, but could just have easily been Neves, Moutinho, Podence, Kilman, Saiss etc.
It was a great performance. The first half we battered them 0-0, and then inevitably the momentum switched and we defended more, but without a doubt, we deserved that win.
Podence was electric. I mean he was brilliant, quick feet, confident and inventive. Sa – what a keeper we have in Sa. I was concerned when Patricio left for Roma, that we wouldn’t be able to find a replacement keeper of equal standard, never mind an upgrade. Rui who ???
Kilman – he’s just class. When he burst forward and drove to the box you could see the Utd players, as he was carving his way through them, thinking who the xxxx are you ? You can’t do this. But we know what an awesome player we have in Max and, quite clearly, yes he can !
Neves and Moutinho ran that game. Never underestimate how great that pair are and last night was another example of the quality they bring to our team when they are on form and I’m so pleased for Moutinho that he scored – such a great guy. Unassuming but brilliant at what he does.
Marcal and Semedo were very good. Semedo is extremely quick and dangerous going forward. Marcal is becoming a far more effective and consistent player and delivered some good crosses as well as making some good defensive interventions.
Saiss – where did that free kick come from ?! Goodness me if that had gone in. The Moroccan Maldini indeed !
A thoroughly enjoyable team performance for which Bruno should take a lot of credit.
In the last few games we have pushed Man City all the way and lost narrowly in controversial circumstances to the best team out there currently away from home. We have been narrowly beaten by Liverpool in the dying seconds, held Chelsea to a draw, beaten Brighton and West Ham as well as managed draws with Burnley and Norwich.
And here’s the point. It’s brilliant. Morning after a famous win over Man Utd. We have one of the best defensive records anywhere this season. A great base to build on. An under the radar and effective coach who is growing into the role. A number of players who are developing nicely and starting to play to their potential. But we struggle to score and can’t beat Norwich. Or Burnley.
This isn’t what we were sold when Fosun took over 5 and a half years ago.
Fosun we’re ambitious. They had a clear vision of making the mighty Wolves one of the biggest and best clubs in the world. And with our easily marketed name, history and the absolutely huge Asian market to tap in to, it a dream that could be made a reality.
But it’s stalled.
Fosun put the breaks on that ambition and now buzz words like prudence and creative are banded about.
So as much as we should celebrate and enjoy our win last night, let’s think about the future. With Newcastle set to become a football super power in the next few seasons ( eventually the money will make it happen ) and the resulting increase in players prices and wages, the likes of Man City, Utd, Liverpool Chelsea will match them to keep up. Fosun need to decide what they are going to do. Stick and accept being an also ran hovering around 40 points every season, with the risk of relegation always there, or Twist, spend some money, invest in the stadium and follow through on the expansion plans and go for it.
Brilliant performance and result. But as so many pundits focus on how poor Utd were as opposed to how good we were, if we want our club to truly be one of the greatest in the world, we have a long, long way to go.
UTW
Excellent post Muttleigh. As a counter point, Bruno apparently used the post match press conference unprompted to explain how he was completely aligned to the Fosun plan and that he saw no reason why he would not get the team he wanted when he joined us over time. I think fosun still want success, after all, why wouldn’t they, but it is no coincidence that they have been looking to sell a 20-25% stake in the club for a couple of years or more. I think they want to share the risk/ reward of further growth and probably underestimated how much money is required to break into the top six on a permanent basis.
Anyway, well done to Bruno, his staff and the players for an excellent and thoroughly deserved win.
Happy new year to all fellow bloggers
Fascinating question about guessing Fosun’s real ambition for the club. Let’s not forget that they took over Wolves in 2016 which was, politically speaking, an all time high point in UK-China relations (from memory the year of Xi’s state visit and public statements from the then PM and Chancellor about how much Chinese investment they wanted to attract across all walks of life football included). The climate has changed since then and perhaps that means Fosun’s strategy has had to change with it – I.e. instead of pouring in new capital to win the financial arms race it’s about running a profit-making operation.
Could be worse, just look how Chinese ownership is going in Smethwick or Small Heath right now ???
Many people thought that with the forwards we had, we would be scoring goals for fun.
Why bring in more players if we had them already?
If we just scored a goal a game, we would be not far off of a Champions League spot.
Would of loved to of been there to see this although would of been interesting getting home..
What a result from a pensive but organised strategic manager in Bruno..
as has been said even Silva started to play ..and I must say Ruben Neves has his confidence back to do what he’s good at …not shuffle sideways balls as before
2/3 players and we could have a top 4 side ..
Awesome
COYW
I’d say just celebrate a fantastic, hard worked victory rather than fret over competing with the likes of Man City and maybe or almost certainly Newcastle!
Isn’t there a slightly hollow ring about buying success, of having players like Grealish on your bench?
That’s just my view of football, I know it’s never going to be a level playing field in the Prem. That we are competing with the best and the most expensive is superb, and victories are so much sweeter when they come.
Team spirit and togetherness were very evident in yesterdays game. Lage’s comments after the game about his and his staff’s dream, and about deflecting criticism away from Fosun’s seeming reluctance to spend, spend, spend is what I listen to.
I’ll remember that victory for a while to come, so many standout moments, Sa’s incredible, at the death, save, Neves’s volley, Kilman’s unflappability, Podence going through United players as if the weren’t there, Traore’s turn of pace on Shaw for the cross that led to the goal, and Silva developing some muscle because his hold up play, in his brief cameo, looked very promising indeed.
But it’s one victory and we do need to beat the likes of Burnley! But no buts after that!
If I’m making New Year predictions I doubt very much that w’ell ever have a £ 100 million pound player warming the bench, but we have got a great team spirit and work ethic.
Up the Wolves!
Can we for once, although nigh on impossible for some of you, take time out from the constant Fosun bashing, and spend at least 24 hours basking in the glory of a magnificent victory?
Please, for one day, just give it a fuckin’ rest!
This is one of those rare moments when you can, or should be able to, please all of the people all of the time.
And Brian in Marin Land, text me on 713 882 9816 and I’ll explain.
Clive, how do I give your post 5000 Likes?
Clive.
It’s not Fosun bashing, it’s frustration. Some of us still believe in “the project” but it seems Fosun have doubts – whatever their reasons. Bruno has made it plain over recent days that he needs 3 signings to complement the existing (but still too small) squad that he has. Saiss is about to disappear for weeks and we will pick up new injuries. Recalling loanees is good but neither Giles nor Sanderson have any experience at PL level.
We have world class players who need back up. Our rejuvenated talisman Neves has laid down a marker, he wants to stay but he eventually wants CL football. We are again on the verge so just give Bruno what he’s asking for it’s not the moon.
All that said I shall spend a lot more than the next 24 hours celebrating an absolutely brilliant victory and an outstanding performance from all concerned – particularly the coach..
And now let’s have a serious tilt at the FA Cup because we just could win it.
Fosun have a number of other business interests in their stable, including major holiday companies like Club Med. Companies like that will have been hit hard by the Pandemic and I think that might be a major reason why our owners are adopting a “steady as she goes” attitude to investment in their football club during these very difficult times for major business owners.
Absolutely correct; on the other side of the coin Fosun Pharma have a big stake in the Pfizer vaccine. I have little doubt that Jeff Shi is heavily constrained by head office and indirectly probably by the CCP but an investment of say 3 players for WWFC would be small change to keep their football project on an upward trajectory, specially after minimal net investment over the last 2/3 years. In fact since Nuno’s arrival in 2017, and contrary to general belief, “big spending Wolves” total NET expenditure on players is around £200 million – probably less than many EFL clubs.
Of course Fosun have been of huge benefit to a serially under achieving football club but we all have to to keep looking forward not back and treading water is in reality going backwards.
And while we’re basking in the glory, let’s give Fosun full credit for appointing Bruno, and yes, for sacking poor Nuno. Haven’t heard much from Paul AD1066 of late. I’m just off to spend my winnings.
No bashing from me. A balanced piece celebrating what a great performance that was and taking a step back to ask a question about the owner’s future plans. I think it’s possible and reasonable to do both in one post.
Reasonable but not very entertaining.
42 years trolling up the Traff with no joy, fill your cup with Manna while you have a chance. 1 lv.
Many of those years would have been a wasted journey in more ways than one as we weren’t in the same division for around half the time.
Well what a game and what an absolutely deserved win. 2 days after my 16th birthday I saw our team beat Utd at OT and a month later I was fortunate enough to see us dispatch Notts F at Wembley. That season was as good as it got for the next probably, well 42 years. Last night showed us how all seasons should be. All the ‘experts’ as usual backing Manure for the win. As usual talking about how close The Red Kittens would be to the top 4 come end of play. IF Fosun do the right thing and back this very astute manager with the right additions then this team can make the top 4 in the next couple of seasons. I do think also that when he gets hold of the likes of Giles, Sanderson, Ronan Et Al that are out on loan he will develop them into the finished articles and make us a team that competes in every game with a real chance of winning them.
Last night every player to a man did his bit. There was the usual outstanding contributions from the likes of Ruben and Jao. Surely Southgate cannot continue to pick plodders like Maguire when Max is at the top of his game like he is now. Even all the subs which were brought on at the right times and not all thrown on with 5 minutes remaining after going 1 down, were used with great aplomb. Really chuffed for Fabio, gone is the little boy who used to be so easily knocked off the ball anyone with an eye for football can see he has great technique and touch and he will become the finished article under Bruno. We have been unlucky in quite a few games this season last night again we deserved to win handsomely but only managed the one goal. Luck this time was kinder to us with woodwork, no use of VAR and most importantly Man Dean not giving it to Utd in some shite controversial decision that would have seen our brilliant supporters (The Library of Whispers) having to head back down the M6 with that sickening feeling in the pit of your stomachs after another Great Swindle. Let us bask in this much deserved win knowing that We Am an established Prem team that NOBODY wants to face at the minute. UTW
Fantastic result and congratulations to the whole team, I mean the WHOLE team!
Super goal by Moutinho and man of the match award went to Podence!
To win with the likes of Ronaldo, Rashford and Fernandes on that pitch… total euphoria for me.
Onwards and upwards my boys!
And I got maximum points on my predication. Way hey! What a night!
BREAKING NEWS: Man U sack Mike Dean. Where was the penalty in Fergie time?
Wolves set out to neutralise Mike Dean from the start, cleverly not even looking him in the eye all night, and calling him Sir. All the poor bugger could muster was a yellow card against Sa for taking an extra second with the ball. Mind you, he did shine when he completely ignored the blessed Saint Ronaldo’s bollocking of the officials earlier.
Well, my bet on a Wolves win at 11/2 came in nicely. What a performance! We broke the record for the most first half goal attempts by an away team at Old Trafford since records began. Plus, no team in PL history has ever amassed 28 points from 14 goals. Bruno has improved each and every one of the squad. I can’t wait to see what he can do with Sanderson and Giles. He’s even improved the Boy Wonder. Traore looked unplayable again, and must have added quite a few quid to his transfer value.
I was never in doubt, but there can be no doubt now that Bruno is the man.
A fantastic all round team performance and a well deserved win. We totally dominated the first 45 mins and even when they changed things around, we were still in control. The only negative was that we didn’t score more goals but a win is a win. And a big shout out to the wolves supporters who out sang the manure lot. Brilliant evening.
If you want a laugh check out the Goldbridge video on YouTube. He’s a Man U blogger and absolutely slates their team and does give us some credit for how we dominated the midfield. It’s a great rant.
I have chastised myself and must have more faith in our ability. That was one enjoyable game. We all saw what I saw so no need to say anything more.
Let us now use our game on the 9th for shooting practice.
So proud to be a Wolves fan.
The theatre of dreams was turned into the theatre of screams by a magnificent and totally dominant Wolverhampton wanderers team.
I say team as that’s exactly what wolves were opposed to the overpaid pre Madonna’s employed by “The biggest club in the world ” Manchester united.
Make no mistake Man utd have a huge problem to get that lot to play as one, Wolves have no problem at all as their work seems to have already been done by the new manager who perhaps has many more strings to his bow than the ones we have seen as yet.
Yes this season wolves have been goal shy to the point of frustrating madness but wait …. there is light at the end of that particular tunnel and they have the man in charge who will without doubt sort the problem out as well as the ones he has already astutely addressed.
More goals when so insanely in control would have been a nice luxury at the half way stage last night but wolves are still doing it the hard way at the moment i would expect that to change shortly and when it does someone is in for an almighty shock.
Lets hope its one of the big boys then we may just start to get some media recognition for the tremendous job being done by Bruno lage and his merry men.
Well done wolves i cant wait for the next game and isnt that how it should be .
Whereas at the biggest club in the world i think its probably exactly the opposite.
Yes Spikey. Spotted a Manc at the bus stop this morning. He was chewing a wasp while ripping up ten pound notes and urinating on a Pogba poster. All very upsetting.
I managed to watch the game on my computer’s main screen despite hosting a British Music Society zoom committee meeting (timing changed to suit our Australian committee member!) for the second half on the secondary screen – justifiable as Sir Edward Elgar (Land of hopoe and glory) was a Wolves fan. I did warn them all what I was doing and they were very understanding, even when I completely lost it when Moutinho scored.
Watching the recent games it is clear that Wolves under Bruno are a team that is well coached and not a collection of over-hyped footballers who the media assume are brilliant because they find it hard to ignore the hype. I would not want one Man Utd player in exchange for any of our squad because our talented players play for each other, the manager and the supporters.
The interchanging of passes throughout the team was superb and it the brilliance of the Wolves performance that made Utd poor. Shame the media put most of the spotlight on the paucity of Utd rather than the quality of Woves.
We have probably all been dazzled by the emergence of Max Kilman at centre-back/2 and the short cameo appearance by Fabio Silva (excellent hold up play and lays offs) suggests that all our talented youngsters are getting quality development under Bruno’s coaching team . I do not feel trepitation when a young player is brought into the team as I am confident he will know what is expected of him and will be given top support by all the players around him.
So does the signing of a well-hyped star improve a team – sometimes but not always. Team cohesion can easily be disrupted by disgruntled stars as some of the so called ‘top six’ are finding at the moment. The January transfer window will be interesting but I am not sure how much business, if any, we will do.
Whatever transpires, I am really looking forward to the second half of this season – there will be the usual ups and downs – but Wolves feel like a team that is getting better and better…
Thanks Haseley. I’m a big fan of E.Elgars ‘The Wolf Ascending’, which I heard being sung on the jolly side of OT last night. He must’ve been dancing in his grave. 1 lv.
British Music Society?
A man after my own heart.
I see that there’s a Ralph Vaughan Williams Celebration concert at Gloucester Cathedral in April.
One of the pieces scheduled is ‘Oh Clap your hands’.
Is that being performed by The South Bank?
A couple of weeks ago I visited Hereford Cathedral. In the grounds of the Cathedral is a statue of Elgar with his trusty bicycle. His allegiance to Wolves is well known. However, it may be less well known that he was attracted to the daughter of the Vicar at St Peter’s church , just off Queen’s square. Folklore has it that he used to cycle to home games from Malvern, where he lived. What a man.
He also took Dora Penny (Dorabella in the Enigma Variations) to games and said that she was the one person who knew what is the Enigma theme.
Malvern is also the home of well known Villan and brutalist fiddler Nigel Kennedy.
They also say he wrote the first song for the terraces
A song by Sir Edward Elgar, which is believed to be one of the first football anthems, has been performed at a concert to raise funds for a church.
The composer, born in 1857, was a Wolverhampton Wanderers fan and cycled more than 40 miles (64km) from Malvern, Worcestershire, to see them play.
Wolves said he wrote He Banged The Leather For Goal in honour of an 1890s striker, Billy Malpass.
The concert was held at St Peter’s Collegiate Church in Wolverhampton.
An Evening with Elgar was held in association with Wolves to help St Peter’s church as it seeks to raise £300,000 to restore an organ dating back to 1860.
Club mascot Wolfie conducted a choir in a rehearsal at the Molineux stadium
Absolutely deserved victory. There was only a brief 10 minute wobble around 70 mins but other than that complete control. Watched the game in the Goose up Wolvo. Grown men running wildly about the pub as Moutinho’s goal went in. Including me. So the difficult run of fixtures in the run up to xmas and over the new year has yielded a decent return of 7 points from 5 games. It should have been 9. So Bruno has again stated his preference for 3 more quality signings in the transfer window. Will he get them ?
Well I’m glad my prediction was wrong. I can’t have been the only one to be thinking when Ronaldo scored that VAR we’re going to find a way to give it or that moutinhos strike would be chalked off because Traore failed to smile at Mr Dean at the right time.
But we won and not only that but we deserved to win. We weren’t underdogs in a backs to the wall display, we outplayed them in their backyard. Kudos to the team and the manager and to Fosun for securing Lage and Sa, their evolution not revolution approach seems to be working. I’ve never been happier to be proven wrong about a manager appointment!
No if we can have a few more performances like last nights from both the the team and the match officials this might just turn out to be a very special season!
That was a beautifully fluid performance from the whole team and a more than fair result; 3-0 would not have flattered us. I was particularly pleased with the little cameo from the boy wonder as he showed some great strength in holding up the ball and laying it off leading to the goal. I’m just hoping it’s a sign of things to come but who knows.
It was a great performance but we know we have it in us to play poorly for some games, but confidence from this game should alleviate this tendency, I feel.
As others have said, I am looking forward to seeing Sanderson and Giles, hoping they can meet the standards required, similarly to Kilman. I’m also hoping Neto can reignite his career, but realise it may be hard for him this remaining season.
What a great performance, as in the first three games but with a fairer outcome…
And I have to repeat what my brother just texted me………………..
It’s nice to see we can beat the smaller clubs as well!!
Just great to be here and share in a season high.
Glad we didn’t sign a Ronaldo-alike (or Deli ‘does my bum look big in this’ Ali), or trawl the Tundra for an out of work plumber to run the post Nuno era. Even the Boywonder couldn’t duff it up.
New Years don’t come much happier. 1 lv & COYW.
– Another clean sheet and I’m asking myself if we need to bring in another defender. D. Sanderson returns from loan, Mosquera and Boly are soon back from injury, and we know Dendoncker can slot in effortlessy if necessary. I’d say let us strengthen the midfield and attack with R.Sanches, Leao and Gaetan instead.
Is there a better sight in football than that of Ronaldo, ‘the best player in the World ‘(?), sulking and stomping off the pitch at the end of a game? Ignoring the fans, shaking his head and tutting at all the lesser players in his team (?) who had let him down in a game that they were expecting to win comfortably.
Well, yes, actually.
That of Ronaldo, ‘the best playe….’ – well you know the rest – and his ‘team mates’, being completely outplayed, outfought and outclassed by a team performance that they could only dream about.
The best 90 minutes of football I’ve seen from our lads in a VERY long time.
The only slight cloud on an otherwise bright and sunny horizon is our continuing inability to make the most of our dominance and finish our chances.
And I worry a little about Raul.
He has seemed a bit off the pace over the last few games. And his body language is not as positive as it usually is.
Whether he’s not fully fit, or has a personal problem… who knows?
But until he’s back firing on all cylinders, Pedro Neto makes a speedy recovery, or we sign an established striker in the January window, we’re going to struggle to find the back of the net regularly. Luckily, our defence is so tight, we have managed to get away with it so far.
But for the moment, let’s just celebrate a superb win and treasure the sight of sulky ‘Mr Me Me Me’, throwing his toys out of the pram on his way to the dressing room after being on the receiving end of a footballing lesson.
So last night we got away without VAR controversy but we almost had a referee controversy as mike dean allowed man utd to take the free kick which fernandes almost scored from AFTER the five minutes of added time was up allowing an extra two minutes !!!!!! so who was right ? I looked it up.
we must first recognize that a game is 90 minutes long; not more, not less. Some people might think that a game is 90 minutes + overtime, but that’s not true. A game is 90 minutes long, and the added time is there to compensate for time lost. On TV, the clock is often running, but the ref’s clock is paused when time’s wasted.
That being said, the referee is supposed to end the game as soon as the 90 minutes are up, regardless of where the ball is at that given moment. The only exception is when there’s a penalty, which must be allowed to be played.
However, referees often allow the game to go on if there’s an obvious chance of a goal, or a dangerous free kick situation, et cetera.
They are not supposed to do it like that, but they often do to avoid unnecessary involvement and conflicts.
They are supposed to end the game as soon as the 90 minutes are up, but since they are the ones deciding how much time to add on, they can be a little bit flexible.
Now then,, if Fernandes had put that free kick in the net would we still thinking mike dean had had such a decent game ??
I’m sorry, but Mike Dean and decent game in the same sentence just don’t compute for me.
All good Spikey, those are the rules. Pity we don’t use Rugby’s system, stop the watch when the game is stopped- goals, subs, injuries and let someone in the stand watch the clock and add on a minute if the ref signals time wasting.
Ends all the nonsense of Fergie time, Sky adding3 minutes where none is required and five minutes last night? For what? For Fernandez to score?
I refer to complaints about Fosun’s lack of investment in new players. Investment, and commitment to it, should not be judged by the amount of money spent but by the benefit generated. Fosun’s replacement of Nuno by Bruno and his team is a very shrewd investment that has generated great benefits at relatively low cost.
I enjoy watching Wolves under Bruno in his first season. But I enjoyed watching Wolves under Nuno in his first and second season in the Prem so I will reserve judgement for now.
And Bruno (plus subtly Neves) are asking for investment.
All coaches ask for investments. Klopp, Guardiola. That’s what they do.
Bilko, Fosun’s investment in Bruno is financially very shrewd as well. Bruno did not come with Nuno’s extensive and expensive entourage. So Jeff has saved a few bob. Nuno was interviewed for the Crystal Palace job, but the entourage was a stumbling block. Bruno seems to be leaner and meaner, and more confident in his own ability. Nuno had a more complex, emotive and introspective personalty, and probably needed the large entourage because of it. In contrast, I get the feeling that Bruno is so single-minded that he could do his job by scribbling on the back of an envelope if necessary.
– Well, now it seems like they actually means business. The latest rumor is that they have made contact with Gabriel Barbosa’s club. A player assessed to be worth around 30 mill. Only Man City has conceded fewer goals than Wolves. If Fosun manages to get hold of goalscorers, Wolves may challenge for Champions league (no one can argue about that). Splashing out cash in january could turn out to be a very good investment economically for Fosun. But then we need a left sided winger. Leao is my pick, because he can also play as a centre forward, plus a midfielder; R. Sanches or Palinha. I believe Traore gets transferred to another club. A lineup with Leao – Jimenez (Barbosa) – Neto up front would terrify any team on the planet.
Still smiling today and enjoying the global praise coming our way, that’s got to be good news as the transfer market opens up. However, I’ve said previously not to sell Traore and predicted that loanees will return plus we have three first team quality players comin back from injuries. Better to sit tight with what we’ve got than spend big on a player who might not settle quickly or worse, upset the dressing room spirit. I’m warming to Bruno and hope he gets who he wants .
Following the BBC website after the game, the comments thread hit 3500 very quickly, some predictably slaughtered MU players, manager, owners etc, most were complimentary about Wolves, a few were very funny but the best were from far flung places across the UK and the world which broadly said” From football fans all over the world, well done Wolves and your fans, thank you for giving us the best New Year gift we could have wished for”.
Just finished trawling all of the post match commentaries and yes they are overly focused on the ‘Mess at Manure’…but still lovely to read them all.
Can’t recall us paying so well for a whole match.
Meantime any Bloggers needing more laughs should check out the Guardian’s Football Weekly podcast today.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2022/jan/04/wolves-wreck-it-for-ralf-and-are-barcelona-back-football-weekly
Great discussion on the game that eventually turns to how long Traore’s arms need to stay oiled between games and what changes Conte or Moyes would make to him if he’s sold ( I hope not btw)
Cheers all
UTW
Jingle Bells.. Jingle Bells ., Santa’s on his way.. … oh what fun it is to see the Wanderers win away…
A complete performance.. justified by the outcome… the stats truly show what a top team we were last night .
Sad part is that generally the media focus on how shite Man U were and the hypothetical reasons for such a performance…
In my opinion they were lucky to score NIL.
Problem with them is Ronny., overpaid and certainly not a team player…
Whereas our guys were role models in teamwork and togetherness…
If we could score a handful of goals we’d be invincible. What a great performance allbeit against a very poor disjointed Man U. We were fantastic on the ball and made Utd look clueless. When we turn it on we are very good watch.
BUT!
As great a result as this is, it does underlined our desperate need for goals, we should’ve won that game 3-0 the way we dominated and with the chances we created. We can’t rely on the annual goal from Moutinho or our defenders popping up with a header here and there, we could easily have come away with a draw from the free kick, it should have been done and dusted well before 90min. Our strikers need to start striking to fulfil our potential.
I’m gonna be controversial here and suggest that maybe it’s time for Jiminez not to be an automatic pick, his link up play was excellent but his final ball was poor and has been for a few games, Traore has looked more threatening even if he’s not scoring. We are always more creative with Podence and it’s slightly baffling why he’s been on the bench for some games, he’s not scoring either though and with Hwang injured surely it’s time to give Silva a try. He’s done well with the couple of substitutions he’s had where he’s had ten minutes or so, i get that Bruno probably doesn’t trust him cos he’s been guilty of giving the ball away cheaply but surely we get to a point where the only option left is to give him his chance, even if that’s just an earlier subbing rather than the last 10min. Rather than crowing about buying more players in the bloated Jan transfer window which has already been established that we’re not allowed to unless we sell, we should work with what we have. Bruno can always pull him if it’s not working. We’ve done well in both games without Jiminez, Villa and Brighton. When does he become droppable?
Looking forward to the FA Cup, let’s hope we can go on a good run. (Maybe Silva will get his chance to shine, hopefully he’ll do better than his outing in the Carabao Cup)
Enjoying the ride.
UTW!
Can’t argue with that.
Perhaps the fact that his missus is expecting their second child will get his mind off the nest and onto the pitch!
It can’t be good for Silva’s mentality to see all of our forwards not scoring and he still can’t get any game time, what’s the point of him being on the bench week in week out if there’s almost zero chance of him playing even as a sub even when our forward line have clearly hit a brick wall during a match. He’ll simply go somewhere else like Rafa Mir.
It’s one of those memorable moments in wolves history that won’t be forgot but fosun need to back the manager and give him the funds he needs to strengthen the squad and we need to keep adama traore so come on fosun give Bruno the funds he needs to get the players he thinks are good enough to strengthen the squad but that memorable performance will be remembered for years to come people will talk about a new great team we have
Streamed the match but listened to the Mikey Burrows commentary.
During the match could only hear the Wolves fans singing, brilliant when Fernandes came on and the Wolves fans were singing “Your just a sh*t Ruben Neves”.
Brilliant match totally deserved result.
Wolves have signed Japan international Hayao Kawabe from Grasshoppers.
Can’t wait for the headline – Liverpool/Chelsea/Arsenal etc sunk by Japanese sub.
You heard it hear first.
Great news mate… but did he bring any Lateral Flow Test Kits with him…..
Southampton has just changed ownership from a Chinese owner to a European owner
The out going former owner citing pressure from Chinese government who pressured them into selling also said that’s why they haven’t invested in the last two seasons as reported by BBC sport.
Comparisons could be made with Wolves owners, the down grading of ambition and lack of transfer activity in the last few windows.
Scott sellars being quoted this evening about January transfer activity is certainly consistent with that sentiment.
Would not be surprised if Wolves were put up for sale, if they are not already.
Chilling isn’t it. If Fosun decide to sell up , this will probably start with
selling Neves and Traore , probably holding out until the end of January, by which time Johnny , Netto and Chang will be soon to return. Then they could sell.
(However, of course the club would be worth more with these two players on their books.)
Mr Chi is an ever present , frequently seen at training and matches. I am sure he is emotionally involved as a fan.
Fosun are not football fans and do not have the emotional investment we fans have , which in my case began 70 years ago. Fosun are financiers and business people. Forget the rhetoric. If the Chinese govt is applying pressure , businesses do as they are instructed. Profit is all. They know that £70 million could be netted from selling
Neves and Traore. We have shown we can cope without the latter but there is no credible replacement for the former at present.
Since the euphoria following beating MU, the richest clubs and pundits have become stirred up and , as predicted, the media are falling over themselves, wringing their hands about this great club in crisis and it’s need to spend even more millions than they have spent in the last two years.
I for one, hope sincerely that this will not come to pass.
The next few weeks will show is Fosun’s true colours.
Let’s hope they are gold and black.
Assist stripping I think the call it.
No, that’s when you take the clothes off the person who’s trying to help you!
Utw
I read the comment in the Daily Express yesterday and thought immediately of what Clive might say about it….
I know I’ll agree … even though I haven’t read his view…
Yes.
He will play at a higher level.
In the Champions League.
After winning the Premier League.
With Wolverhampton Wanderers.
ALL the so called experts, pundits, media and other team’s fans feel it is a dog given right for the six “big” clubs to demand that the best players in the world sign for them, so they can all win everything.
The unsaid things like: only one team can win every year, and how many superstars does a team need warming their bench are conveniently ignored.
The main pertinent fact, however, is that some players, such as Neves and Jiminez seem perfectly satisfied with their club, their homes and most importantly, their relationship with their fans.
Home life plays a huge factor in players with family, and the old adage applies.
A happy wife means a happy life.
It is not always about the money, the glamour and the bright lights.
Plus, there is no guarantee of regular playing time, or fitting in with new team mates, staff and fans.
Look what happened to Steve Daley all them years ago, and Grealish recently.
The suitors can line up all they want, but the Molineux Tailor is firmly closed!
Good post Clive, Ruben seems very level headed and appreciates the Wolves DNA. I don’t think he will wish to leave in this window, at least. The strategy to recall the two lads from their Championship loan clubs seems exactly right to me and they should be given a chance to become permanent squad members now. They have earned it. We do have excellent players returning from injury soon and we would live to regret panic buys this window. Bruno has shown his ability to improve and rebalance the team after the shambolic end to last season. Happy to back him and Sellars. As for Man U- they don’t need yet more acquisitions, they need a root and branch review and a return to basics. Their existing squad seem to have lost all motivation having joined what they believe to be the biggest club in the world.
Exactly how I thought you’d respond mate..,
Yep, why should neves waste his time playing for a team in eighth when he could easily be playing at a higher level,
Like seventh
Utw
Wolves player of the month, I cannot pick one player the whole team should be nominated this month.
One comment from Wolves web site:-
“Wolves conceded just two goals in their five December matches – an injury time winner to Liverpool and penalty at Manchester City – so it’s little surprise the presence of Wolves’ defensive stars in the nominations.”
Should be expanded to include the facts that the penalty should not have been awarded and the extra time goal came when in the last five minutes a Wolves defender got cramp and the substitute was still not up to match speed when the goal came.
Scott Sellars is the new Jez Moxey following his masters orders and getting paid handsomely to do so.
I wonder if some people on here actually think before they post; or even think at all.
Scott Sellars is an employee. He is paid to do a job; “handsomely”, as you say.
If he wasn’t working to his employer’s plan, doing what he’s told, and doing his best to get the results his employer wants, he wouldn’t be in a job.
Or is it different where you work?
Read Cheeseburger’s post below @ 12.02pm for a dose of reality!
I was really buzzin’ after this excellent win over the biggest club in the world. So I thought I’d wait until my head had calmed a little before posting. That’s not worked though ’cause, three days on, I’m still buzzin about this almost faultless performance.
We marmalized ’em,pure and simple and Bruno and the boys deserve full credit for a fine evening’s work.
From here, with Neto, Jonny and Mosquera to come back and several very promising youngsters on loan both at home and abroad, the future is very bright. Fosun’s record in the transfer market is first class and I’ve no doubt they will make the right calls at the right time, allowing for the financial situation we face.
Once again, another stolen post from facegramtwit, or somewhere.
Reading all the claims and counter claims by the media and certain sections of Wolves fans building up into a frenzy at the clubs not ‘leaping’ into action from January 1st. I noticed that West Ham and Newcastle linked to Lucas Digne from Everton, and the thing that puts off potential suitors is that Digne earns slightly more than £100k pw at Everton. I’m sure that this is often the case when a so called higher calibre player becomes restless or out of favour at any club and its the same at lots of other clubs too. Every club wants ‘value for money’, every club has a wage budget that has only so many top earners, mid range earners and up and coming wages. The competition for any player becomes heightened by the interest in that player. While I hope that Wolves, the club we love and follow will go out and get that star man, who can be our new ‘Steve Bull’ or ‘Peter Knowles’ . I’m also very aware the reality of the matter is that the wage budgets only allow, a top earner to leave to accommodate some fresh blood and talent. It’s no different at most professional football clubs and fans wishes cannot be instantly granted. Wolves have more talent in this squad now than I personally have seen in a long time. While I hope the board can make our dreams come true every transfer window, I’m more looking towards the bigger picture. Onwards and Upwards fwaw ???
And of course,
FOwb
I thought the following data might be helpful to the debate on Fosun’s level of investment in transfers. Fosun acquired us in July 2016. In what is now their sixth season, their net investment in transfers (I.e the balance between fees received versus fees paid) has been as follows (source:www.transfermarkt.com)
16/17: -£29.8m
17/18: -£16.5m
18/19: -£80.5m
19/20: -£83.3m
20/21: -£5.0m
21/22 so far: -£1.3m
So, investment has unquestionably slowed but there are a range of potential reasons and mitigations for this and none of us know whether this will become an established pattern or simply a temporary holding pattern until some of the potential issues e.g ffp, covid etc have run their course.
Perhaps where you have another club in mind that you think is doing a better job of building investment in the playing squad you can look at comparable stats for them and make up your own mind.
Very interesting figures SCW. Additionally, to be fair to Fosun, their investment in managers has also been close to impeccable bearing in mind the difficulty caused by Lopetegui’s late change of mind in 2016. This, of course, is difficult to translate into money but should, nevertheless, be taken into overall account. How many supporters would, in 2016, have turned down 8th in the Premier today? Is it possible that Fosun have realised that of all the ways they can invest their money the shrewdest is in good managers?
You have to laugh at the keyboard warriors don’t you ? On another wolves fans site there is a thread about ‘Villa being more ambitious than Wolves’. Someone today says that we would all be in a frenzy of excitement had wolves got Couthino like they have. Not me. He is an old has been on massive wages. I’m quite impressed with the Fosun strategy so far which was to infuse the playing squad with quality investment in the initial stages. Then gently add as we go along, whilst keeping what we have. My gut feeling is there may be a series of additions in then summer when whatever financial constraints are removed and the covid situation is clearer. We are only 3 wins away from securing a fifth consecutive season in the top flight. There is no reason to panic. We may yet see 1 or 2 additions in January. Loans or otherwise. Bruno has wasted little time in stating his ambition by outlining players he forsees will help us but he is also clear he is working closely with Jeff and there is no rift or major fall out in the planning.
Exactly my thoughts on Coutinho, Cheese. We should be after players on the way up, who can be improved, not those who are evidently sliding down the slippery slope.
I mainly agree but all good teams have a mixture of youth and experience. Moutinho has been a fantastic player for us and a few more like him in the squad would be a great help to our talented youngsters.
Coady, Saiss, Jimenez. All experienced campaigners.
Not to mention Jonny, Marcel, Sa and Semedo. Almost all of our younger, first team and squad players have been recognised at international level too. Brilliant time to be a Wolves fan. Looking forward to giving the cup a good go, unfinished business at Wembley….
Yeah.
If he ain’t good enuff for Barcelona, he deffo ain’t good enuff for Wolves!
The last three windows people have said don’t judge FOSUN until the window is closed and everyone has been a disappointment time and time again and here we are again same reteric wait till the summer and then when nothing happens it’s wait till January.
Villa have shown more ambition me personally wouldn’t have gone for the lad but is does show intent and willingness to invest…..in wages and capital if they sign him, what do we get another unknown from Zurich and yes I concede we have has success with unknowns in the past but I would argue the list is longer with those that were not.
The las two years have shown a down turn in the squad couple that with plans shelved for the ground indefinitely it’s seems I can only cum to the conclusion either FOSUN have got cold feet or they are being put under the same pressure as the former owner of Southampton.
We have seen this type of situation with previous owners Morgan in particular.
Franky it’s ludicrous to compare Fosun with Morgan. Fosun are running the club in a very responsible and professional manner, and have taken us a long, long way from the Championship where they rescued us. With Morgan, we would still be there. He didn’t have a clue. It was a vanity project for him, and he only bought us because he paid a tenner. It’s a serious project for Fosun, and they paid serious money for us.
Have a good look at the squad we have now. We’ve bought players from the likes of Barcelona. Our international profile is being restored to what it once was. We’ve played in Europe and we’re in touching distance again. Wake up and smell the coffee!
Oh, and Morgan built lots of Redrow houses on Wolves’ land. Not a bad opportunity for a tenner!
rhetoric not reteric.
Given the injuries and size of the squad, am I the only one who thinks it would be madness to sell Traore in this window? This is aside of the fact that currently he poses a unique threat to opposition defences and can create the space in which goal opportunities arise for others (irrespective of his own personal direct contributions this term).
The transfer figures being suggested for him are pitiful. Surely there is more value to Wolves to keep him? I’d even prefer him to run his contract down, or at least wait until the Summer and sell him then (we won’t get that much less). If Fosun are going to release the brakes on transfers in the Summer, maybe we could even persuade him to stay with the potential calibre of incomings? And if he is to go, he could at least help Wolves to as high a finish as possible this season? I fear that with Hwang injured and Neto out for a while yet and Trincao still to come good, a quick-fire sale of Traore now for no money at all will be a poor decision. Have I got it wrong?
Silverwolf, I generally with you. If we are only going to sell Traore for 20M then I would definitely hold him until summer. I really don’t feel that we will get less than that in summer. And his statistics of nil and nil, goals/assists surely must go up in the second half of the season! However, it is important to note his effect on a game in putting the fear of life on the opposition defenders, is not measured in the statistics.
Notwitstanding, if he moves to a team like Spurs, who will certainly pay him more, reports are that they are planning to use him as a wing back. Traore is not defender material but good luck to Conte if he does go! He will likely end up as a super-sub at Spurs!
The general consensus is that we have to sell to buy so if he stays, then no major incoming is likely. That is unfortunate! A balanced decision has to be made!
Traore should look at what happened to Doherty. Do we know Mourinho actually even wanted him or was he just messing with Nuno and ruining part of our offense.
£20 million seems like a small amount to get one of the teams around you in the table to score less goals and get less points.
Adama doesn’t know how it will work out at a new team – some players leave and just don’t fit in at the new team. Look at Sanchez.
The enigma that is Adama.
Zero assists or goals so far this season, except he had a huge part in our goal on Monday.
He won’t sign a contract, presumeably holding out for more money or a move.
To increase his value, in his eyes, he must perform better and produce more.
So, if he gets playing time, surely it must follow that he eventually will improve his statistics with goals and assists?
Therefore, inadvertantly boosting the club’s results and league position, making us a more attractive destination for the players we are looking for, to further improve our fortunes.
It’s an unvicious circle, ever improving.
So, is this an arguement against selling him?
Or just the musings of an old man in Texas who can’t sleep!
And I see City put out a prettty much full strength squad in the cup last night, which I think indicates Pep means business.
Or the fact that they have at least two full strength squads to put out!
Anyroad, we have unfinished business with them at Wembley from a few years ago when we should have been there, so Bruno, over to you tomorrow.
FOwb
If Neves is sold now or in the summer what more proof do you need regarding Fosun’s commitment to the project.
And my point regarding Morgan was the last 2 years of his ownership investment was scaled back and our best players were sold cheaply.
You cannot build a team to compete if you sell your best players it’s as simple as that history can back that up.
You CAN sell your best player and compete. Liverpool sold Coutinho four years ago this month for £140mil and haven’t looked back since. Oh, and they sold another great player, Luis Suarez too… They never regretted either sale and have prospered greatly as a result.
They sold them because one they were trouble disrupting the changing room and Liverppol knew they were both on a downward spiral thats why Barca have palmed Coutinho off to Villa and Mardrid got rid of Luis to Athletico.
Is Coutinho worth £140 million NOW, I dont think so.
Can’t win with you. Who’s to say that Traore is not disrupting the dressing room? His attitude seems poor at times on the pitch. Jota’s final months with Wolves were spent in a sulk. Doc’s head was not there either. If Traore goes now, nobody will be terribly surprised.
Liverpool made strategically brilliant sales at high prices and reinvested. I expect that Fosun will too.
If Coutinho is rubbish, why have Villa signed him?
Because that’s what Villa do!!
I’m not on about Traore I’m not bothered either way if he stays or if he goes my concern is the likes of Neves Sarr and Kilman we should be building round these guys.
Our own manager has come out and said we shouldn’t be selling our best players he has asked for a bigger squad but window after window nothing happens except the same old excuses trotted out, not the right time or fee to high or could not agree this that or the other.
If Wolves were third from bottom you and every man and his dog on this blog would be screaming why aren’t Fosun investing in the team and you know you would.
He doesn’t want a bigger squad – he wants a healthy squad. He said the 28 he had at Benfica was too many.
We have 24 including the injured players, which is what he said he wants.
If he is too naive to realize that players get injured, then he has a big problem.
Does traore want to leave wolves at all ?
Who says he does just because he hasnt signed a contract extension it may well prove to be just as much speculation as him maybe wanting a big money move.
Nobody but him ,his agent and shi and sellars would have that information and its debateable whether shi and sellars know either.
Ruben neves will only go to wherever if the money is astronomical and at this stage of his career he just isnt an astronomical player ….very good yes but not in the realms of reality 50 or 60 mill which is what bruno says he wants for him so thats really a “piss off some where else” sign to the vultures and mainly the press.
Wolves are doing very well at the moment but we know that with a couple more injuries it could all fall apart so without doubt strengthening needs to happen at some point.
Without spending a kings ransom in this January market I realistically dont see us signing anyone of note they just aren’t available unless as i said you are prepared to cough up a ridiculous fee which we all know Fosun will not do.
So expect a very quiet time and if we do unearth another mouthino or raul then we will all have to take our hats of to the recruitment dept.
Dont say we wont because we’ve done it quite a few times in the last few years.
Optimist to the end.
Over the last 3 window we have supposed to have come close to signing this one and that one the bottom line has always been Fosun not willing to pay the fee. Be it summer or January we continue to fail to strengthen the squad and back the manager who just like Nuno did has found himself having to eat his own words to back the board
Bowman and Sanchez at Lillie both fell through because Fosun would not stump up the fee same happened with Ruben Diaz.
So the question should be why if they are serious about there stated ambitious are not willing to invest, but as we know now they have been drastically been scaled back.
Bruno likes to think out loud but anyone who actually thought Wolves were going to bring in 2 or 3 £35 million signings really needs to get a dose of reality.
He has how many players he says he wants – unfortunately, some are injured.
All managers want better players but he was brought in to develop the younger players, too. That is supposed to be one of his strengths, so saying he wants two players of equal ability in each position to compete against each other seems inconsistent with his developing Fabio, Rayan, etc.
It not just about the size of the squad it’s about the quality. As for Bruno being brought in to develop the youngsters that is all well and good but no team unless they are force to financially has a squad solely of youngsters from there Acadamy.
And in fact for every 100 Acadamy players only one per cent go on to make it to the first team inane club. If the academy’s were so successful why is there a need for a transfer market.
And he might have the players in numbers but not the ones he wants ones that he sees he can make better and fit into the way he wants to play.
He has done wonders with what he inherited some of which were with us in the championship.
Mark my words if the board don’t back Bruno he will be off even in his short time at Wolves it has not gone unnoticed the good work he has done on a meagre budget for a Premier League club.
One more thought Nuno’s last 12 months everyone thought he was home sick in fact if the truth is known he was fed up of the board lack of backing and ambition and on the evidence so far I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bruno end up feeling the same way.
Job’s Comforter- bring on tomorrow’s cup tie so that we can have a change from this tidal wave of negativity- at least for the time being.
Hooray…..common sense at last.
31 year old Kieran Trippier said he didn’t join Newcastle for the money.
Well thats all right then, come on Cambridge.
We’ll … I’m totally gutted now…
Newcastle.. and their Multi multi Billion £ owners have just been eliminated from the FA CUP by a top six Club.. oh hang on .. wait a minute… ITS DIV 1….
Never ever loffed so much in all my life….
Thanks Cams…. Made my day …
Ironside scored…
Raymond Burr on the scoresheet….
Me thinks the Newc’s are heading for a season in the Championship….
c’mon you Kiddy and c’mon you albion.
Next round Kiddy versus Wolves.
I know we dont do cup stuff on here but how about a non inclusive prediction.
Wolves 4
sheff utd 0
I refuse to gloat about Newcastle until we’ve seen off the Blades.
(Can’t resist a sly little snigger though. Under my breath like. )
Wolves 3 0 Blades
Hope you put some money on it!
Absolutely chuffed for Fabio…
A few more performances like this and he’ll be hard to drop.
Excellent result
Excellent draw
Coyw