Four at the back, four brilliant goals and a non-competitive debut for our new number four.
Not too shabby at all.
Yes, I rather enjoyed the uniform nature of that kickabout in the Spanish sunshine, not least because Wolves dominated the whole game.
It doesn’t mean much in isolation but comparing that performance to what we saw this time last year the team looked far better drilled and further along in their preparations.
The team that started today could conceivably take to the field at Elland Road in a few weeks so it was good to see them looking sharp and cohesive, particularly in a back four.
With more targets to hit in the final third, Ruben Neves was whacking 30-yard rakers for fun and it was his pass that set Pedro Neto away to win the penalty that Raul stroked home.
To see Neto driving towards goal, first to win that spot kick and then ruthlessly despatch the second goal was a major tick in the plus column. We need that type of aggression and ruthlessness to avoid another shot-shy campaign.
Speaking of which, if sacrificing a defender is what it takes to get Morgan Gibbs-White into the side this season then that also looks a good compromise on early evidence. He laid on Neto’s goal and was involved in other good passages of play.
Daniel Podence is the man he may end up keeping out of the side but the pint-sized Portuguese looked eager to impress himself after coming on and scored in unlikely circumstances with a pinpoint header from Jonny’s delicious cross.
Max Kilman then went full Maradona to really take the Michael out of a woeful Alaves side and cap a commanding Wolves victory.
If it is to be a back four at Leeds then Bruno Lage’s biggest decision is probably about his preferred centre-back pairing.
Any combination could win out but with Nathan Collins showing glimpses of his own ability to march out of defence and set attacks in motion it’s a tantalising prospect to consider the high ceiling of a potential partnership with Kilman.
Absolutely Thomas. And this was against a team playing top flight football last season I believe. The other team matching that description was Burnley, and we beat them 3-0. Previously we couldn’t beat Burnley for toffee. The glorious elevated pass from Neves to find Neto was one of his best, and led to Neto winning a stonewall penalty, converted by Raul. Could easily have been 5 or 6-nil. It was a pleasure watching a high tempo pressing game from Wolves, for a change. There’s real quality within our ranks.
A stirring display and some cracking goals.
Exactly what we were missing at the end of the last campaign.
OK, the opposition would probably be down in the relegation places of the Premier League but we couldn’t put that sort of side away last season.
Not totally convincing… but very promising.
I hope you had a good birthday, Mark, celebrating the day with a Remy or two.
Cheers Dougie!
Just a couple might have passed my lips.
Thanks for the card.
What a great evening of football!
Wolves’ first preseason match was a decent run out, topped by a slaloming run and goal by Max Kilman. His presence was sorely missed at the end of the last season.
The various Under 23’s, who came on in the last 15 minutes or so, also did well in closing the match. That is not to say we could not do with a marquee signing plus a few seasoned pros to beef up the squad. I can dream.
Wolves’s match was a good precursor to the England v Spain Women’s Euro match. Spain played really well but England dug in and finally, in extra time, found a superb winner. This will give them a massive lift.
The girls dun great!
Very encouraging despite the poor opposition.
Neves, Neto, Gibbsy, Ait Nouri and Kilman outstanding but they all seemed to enjoy playing the system and I certainly enjoyed watching them.
So good to see players joining the attack and it will be interesting to see how the back four fares against tougher opposition.
Don’t get carried away. Poor poor opposition.
Nobody is getting carried away.
Just celebrating a decent performance and some cracking goals.
Watching us play Levante at the moment. Losing 2-0. Definitely relegation fodder this season. Lage out. Jeff out.
Hold the P45’s we have pulled one back…
Sorry, I just got carried away again. ?
Levante’s approach to a friendly against our youngsters was not what both sides needed. The ref should have clamped down on the bad and late tackles early on. How we avoided bad injuries I don’t know; awful attitude. We remain awfully short up front. I hope we can get someone worthwhile in up front, otherwise we will struggle scoring yet again. The youngsters did well over all.
Didn’t Everton spend a lot of money this window?
I think Nuno will be coaching them by Christmas.
Lost 15 lbs of sweat watching Bayern and Mane thrash an MLS club yesterday in Washing ton DC. Collins play in this back 4? How’d he look?
These matches are meaningless and we are apparently risking injury and picking up red cards against hot headed opposition.
Meanwhile the search for additional fire power which is so critically needed seems to be going not very far and the choirboy has been shown the door, albeit temporarily.
Do Shi and Sellars have a clue what they are doing? Current indications would seem to say that they don’t..
I may read the blog every now and then next season but probably won’t be saying much. Unless I get back to liking it again.
Those who know me have my mobile should they want to get in touch.
Enjoy.
They got tent wifi now?
Cool.
I got your number, baby!
Before you bugger off could you get your sister to make me some samosas please.
TA !
????? Wrong person mate.
i must be losing the plot !
so who did i sit next to at the the wolves blog do … can anyone help me im lost
I was sat to your left. But my sisters live in Telford and Stone and did not make Samosas.
thats a shame i love samosas
Dougie has found a place that sells them… they’re homemade etc and I’ve had some …
Absolutely imo .. delicious…
When you’re over this way next let us know Spikeyboy and we’ll get a bulk order in…
ooh yes please
Why did you think my sister made some. Were you possibly speaking to Dougie after I left?
i could have sworn you sent us a picture from your sisters but now im wondering if i was hallucinating and had drunk too much which must be the answer
ive just told sonia and she thinks ive gone mad
I remember having a photo on my phone which my sister sent me. I was going to stay at her house in Telford that night, hence the reason I left early. She had made some pakoras. I must have shown you, but they weren’t samosas. Sorry about the mix up.
pakoras samosas hooray im not mad after all !
although that’s a matter of opinion
cheers brompt
Facebook is playing up at the moment mate, I can’t answer your message but, yes, I did receive your card, thanks so much.
I wonder if anyone can guess which one it is?
Many thanks to Clive and Dougie too.
Didn’t see the match but the reports encouraging enough. I think we sometimes under estimate the quality of the players we have. Could do with a couple more. Mr Sellars did say last week that he was hopeful there were more to come after the signing of Nathan Collins. Well just 3 more weeks until we trot out at the holy temple against Fulham. Time just seems to fly by. Hopefully it will be a decent summers day and a few jars can be consumed! Wolves ay we.
Still early, but lots to like about the shape and pattern of play that Bruno is developing .. Not just a back four, but one in which the outside backs play very wide, almost as wingbacks .. also a lot more play through the middle, instead of just across the back and down the wings .. Collins looks very composed .. solid in the tackles and confident carrying the ball forward .. along with Kilman, how great to have TWO players who can initiate counter-attack play from deep, instead of just with the long back .. and allow our forward players to stay long, instead of having to come back to help with build up ..