In a game already lacking quality it was even more difficult than usual to see where the always elusive Wolves goal was coming from in those final moments.
Neves, Guedes and Traore were withdrawn and the team looked too disjointed to conjure anything meaningful.
Credit to Collins for stepping forward, winning possession in their half and setting Podence away. It was a lovely reverse pass to find Boubacar and a sweet finish to send us through.
Let’s not forget Traore also assisted Guedes for his goal against Brighton at the weekend. He probably wasn’t brought in for attacking returns but they’re welcome all the same. He’s been a positive in a season that’s so far given us few.
It might have been nothing more than a 10 minute cameo but I also liked the look of Dexter Lembikisa. He’s only just turned 19 but like Bueno seems to have the physical attributes and the intensity to play at first team level.
That’s another youth product Steve Davis has blooded on a night when Hodge and Ronan were both handed starts and performed admirably in the midfield. The latter unlucky not to find the net himself in the second half with the keeper producing a fine save.
It was far from smooth sailing though and as Leeds fans have been at great pains to point out, they deployed an entirely second string side and could easily have snatched the tie themselves with momentum constantly shifting from one end to the other.
Sarkic made some important early saves in a panic stations five minutes and surviving that storm allowed Wolves to work their way into the game.
Considering it was a first choice back four we looked more vulnerable than we perhaps should have done but restricted Leeds to little after that initial onslaught.
Wolves didn’t produce much themselves prior to the goal but Guedes again looked sharp and Hwang did well enough in a thankless lone forward role that doesn’t suit his game.
It wasn’t a performance to give us belief we can take the game to the league leaders on Saturday but the result in isolation will be a handy boost to morale.
In the current climate that will do for me.
Sure, Leeds made many changes, but so did we and our incomers performed better than most.
Excellent goal from Boubacar and food for thought for Senor Lopetegui and his team.
I’m pleased we went through in the end. Game time for the second string and less pressure on the new regime in their first match in charge. I look forward to finding out who we draw in round four.
I thought it was an excellent win. There were some very good performances. Well done to Steve Davis for all that he’s doing.
I’ve just been watching England’s SUPERB win over India in the T20 semi final.
What a performance!!!
Back to the football.
A much needed win for us and good performances from Hodge, Sarkic and Ronan, but our defence still gives me nightmares.
There is plenty of work for Lopetegui to do before we can feel that we are going to hold on to a Premier League place, but there are signs that the youngsters will cut the mustard at this level.
Through to the next round anyway.
Wembley, anyone?
We didn’t look World beaters last night and it’s fair to admit that Leeds had 4 or 5 corners in the first 2 minutes to our 1 throw-in.
However… you can only beat what’s in front of you …. We won and we’re in the next round .. and .. and .. kept a clean sheet…. What’s not to like.
I bit of praise too for Hodge and Conor Ronan who played well in midfield.. Hodge getting the full 90 mins.
Ait Nouri too showed some quick feet but didn’t quite fulfil the technique with an end product ..
I just hope Jonny has injured his knees again .. he’s been through enough.
And finally a goal worthy of winning the cup tie from Boubacar Traore…
Let’s see who’s next up tonight ..
PS.. nice to see our chief editor and blogONE in the BW upper…(Thomas)
Great result, thanks lads. I’d almost forgotten how enjoyable it is to see Wolves win a footy match. Leeds B, whatever, if SMersch doesn’t want any silverware we’ll have it. Great goal from Traore B. Lets hope we get the Addicks next round.
1lv & COYW.
Heartening news about the emergence of our youngsters. A win is a win, but we can only beat the team in front of us. I followed the match online and feared for us with the early Leeds pressure. Our summer signings are starting to show their mettle, now that Lage has gone. Boub Traore and Guedes in particular are looking the part.
Leeds made multiple changes. So what? That’s their excuse for losing? We made a few changes too. I honesty despair when I read opinions devaluing our win because of the ‘weak’ opposition. In cup matches like this, ‘weak’ is a mirage. Just ask West Ham about facing Blackburn! This win was very important and a great result for us. Full credit to Steve Davis.
Brighton’s defeat of Arsenal last night and their recent thrashing of Chelsea, puts our narrow 2-3 defeat to them with ten men into perspective after an excess of negativity.
It’s my guess that Lopetegui is absolutely relishing the challenge of taking over a fine but unbalanced Wolves squad. He will have his transfer targets in mind to complete the shape of the squad. We’re not going down, we’re going up the league. The match against Arsenal on Saturday now looks less of a mismatch. The presence of Lopetegui sitting in the stand may be like a twelfth man. His crew are in Molineux already.
Thanks to last night, we will see Lopetegui in charge of a match before Christmas now. The next round of the EFL cup comes before then. Happy days
Let`s not get carried away. A win is a win and you can only beat the opposition on front of you. There were also a number of promising performances from those not regularly in the side, and this must give rise to some optimism.
But the reality is that the game surely confirmed that our new coach has a mountain to climb. Long term fundamental problems were very evident last night, and these will have to be thoroughly overcome if we`re to get away from the relegation zone.
The fact that he`s going to get a full six weeks of coaching to change direction and emphasis prior to the recommencement of the season is a huge bonus, and gives all of us a reason for hope.
Just enjoyable to come out of Molineux last night with a win. A well deserved win secured with a lovely goal from the other Traore, and boy did he celebrate.
Yes the task ahead is daunting, but one step at a time, celebrate being in the next round, Leeds fans of course excusing the loss by saying theirs was a second string team? So what!
Thought in the build up to the goal Collins did well winning tackles, we need more of that forward play from the back line.
I actually also felt more secure with Sarkic in goal. He pulled off a string of saves in the first 10-12 minutes that kept us in the game.
He also seemed to want to kick it long, distrustful of playing it out from the back. He looks a very good keeper, and I’m sure will be challenging Sa for the number one slot pretty soon.
Out of the youngsters or second stringers Hodge looked the most likely to get more game time. But they all did acquit themselves well.
With Wolves it’s always on the edge of your seat waiting for the inevitable equaliser to come, but no last night we stood firm and played out the game well.
Hope Lopetegui can build on this squad and get winning to be more of a habit once more. Pulling us out of the drop zone.
Onwards and upwards!
The youngsters on the pitch gave the game a higher tempo but that is normal and understandable, the quality will come with experience, everyone has to start somewhere.
Interestingly, it appears that when Ruben was the wonderkid in Porto, Julen was the man who put him in the first team. That’s a special bond, could we hope to keep Ruben and build the team around him with some new additions?
I can’t be the only one hearing rumours about Raul stepping aside due to his mental health but although that’s bad news for the club, his family and future health are more important.
I read that some transfer “expert” says Fosun are prepared to back Lopetegui in January.
Probably worried the value of Wolves will plummet if we get relegated.
I doubt Lop would have come here without some assurances in that dept
Only dealing with positives, I still love the league cup even if modern footy and the clamour for European glory has put it in the shade, give me the league cup over the pointless Conference League all day long. A good run in either of the domestic cups will give us something to shout about besides PL survival which I have no doubt Lop will achieve. Boubacar, an assist and a goal in 2 games, just what the doctor ordered. Great to see the new kids holding their own and at last Conor Ronan gets some real gametime. Cup double and a mid table finish anyone? 🙂
I think we should sign 9 more Traore’s and then we can re–introduce the Gary Breen song . Number 1 is Traore A number 2 is Traore B number 3 is Traore C number 4 is Traore D et etc etc Line up for Everton away:
1. TRAORE
2. TRAORE
3. TRAORE
4.TRAORE
5. TRAORE
6. TRAORE
7. TRAORE
8. TRAORE
9.TRAORE
10. TRAORE
11. TRAORE
SUBS: TRAORE TRAORE TRAORE TRAORE TRAORE
HEAD COACH : J. LOPETIGUI (WHO ONCE HAD A GREAT UNCLE TRAORE)
In the current circumstances a win is a win regardless. That it was be a scrappy win in an arguably second rate competition doesn’t matter; we also had a weakened team and a 1-0 win with a good goal is infinitely better than another “glorious”, “unlucky” defeat. It’s results that count.
Timing couldn’t be better either with a top manager waiting to step in who will surely insist on some backing in the January window. He might even persuade Ruben Neves to sign up to a rejuvenated project at least short term.
With good things now happening in the club, albeit criminally belatedly, I wouldn’t even be surprised if we don’t get a result against The Gooners on Saturday.
Maybe, just maybe we can dig ourselves out of this mess, but we’ll need a fair wind behind us. Still all to play for though. COYW.
ps. Good to see Neves, Sa, Nunes and the much missed Conor Coady selected for Qatar.
Whey! Wolves v Gillingham in the ELF Cup the week before Christmas. Lopetegui’s first competitive game. The gods are smiling on us.
Gillingham at home in the last 16 EFL cup. The 2 lowest scoring teams in all 4 divisions. Can’t see it being on telly !!!! But hey! Can’t argue with that for a draw at home.
Wolves 6 gillingham 0. Kenny miller hat trick and I think we were 5 up at half-time. Remember that game?
Beat Gillingham, and we’re in the quarter finals of the EFL Cup! What a game for Lopetegui to start his Wolves career with! Being played the week before Christmas, this gives ample time for the rumoured warm weather training break in Marbella. This will set us up nicely to play Coady-less Everton on Boxing Day.
Coming up, Arsenal at our place tomorrow. Let’s set the Wolves on the Gunners.
Just a thought, if the EFL match against Leeds counted, Costa will be able to play against Gillingham as his three-match ban will be over. The gods have smiled on us.