There was a sense of inevitably about that one.
With Marcus Rashford left out for miscellaneous indiscretions, the narrative was set up for him to come on and write the headlines.
He’s in a good moment the England man, so it was little surprise he took the game away from Wolves with the type of devastating forward play the old gold simply can’t produce.
That’s not to say we should have made it quite that easy for him to trot across the penalty area and blast the only goal of the game.
We lack aggression in the tackle and that was exposed once again in that match winning moment. Well played, but at the same time, too soft from our perspective.
Lopetegui had played his hand by that point, switching to a back five, so it must have been doubly disappointing for him to see them carve us open with a simple give and go.
After that, the shape of the team left us exposed to numerous Utd counter attacks and it’s a minor miracle we didn’t concede again.
Raul could have snatched a point at the death and perhaps should have done with the header that De Gae was able to palm away, but that was one of only two times the Utd keeper was forced into action.
Ruben’s earlier free kick was well struck but a save you’d expect the former Spanish number one to deal with comfortably. In open play, there was very little to celebrate.
The first half saw both teams waiting to pounce rather than seizing control, but it was the away team extending Sa in the big moments, with Semedo’s inability to defend once again exposed.
Lopetegui needs Matheus Cunha to give our attack drive and purpose but if we don’t fix the deficiencies in defence, the first half of 2023 could be every bit as challenging as the second half of 2022.
With more options to bring in and the promise of further arrivals, there is however, still enough at the head coach’s disposal to hope for a happier new year.
Thanks for the summary Thomas. For me, this was an opportunity missed. Utd are no City or Liverpool and I feel we should have had our strongest team on from the start. Why did we not have Traore and Ait-Nouri on from the first minute to ensure we carried more of a threat? Also, Raul should have started ahead of Costa – if for no other reason than his playing relationship with Traore. We need to be starting with our strongest line-up every game – there are not enough games left not to – and Everton aside, we don’t have a great record of coming back from a losing position. Onwards to Villa and hopefully a display of more of a cutting-edge from us. UTW
Vast improvement in attitude, energy and cohesion under Lopetegui, but no apologies for stating the bloody obvious, we still can’t score to save our lives which is exactly what we are going to need do over the next 21 matches – just that, yes, to save our lives.
Cunha is I’m sure an excellent player but his scoring record doesn’t inspire confidence.
Jiminez, sadly, is shot and has been ever since David Luiz.
Costa looks mainly good only for nuisance value.
We have an abundance of wide players none of whom are likely to score many.
Neto looks a long term absentee.
And our only other “goalscorer” is Fabio on loan in Belgium; like him or not surely we should recall him if possible as an option.
But I’m afraid a flash of inspiration in the Jan. window backed up by a serious wad of cash to back it for a first rate outright scoring striker is going to be needed to keep us up.
Seriously better but no good without goals,
ps. Don’t think I’ve ever seen a more biased ref.
Agreed about the idea of bringing Fabio back, and that the ref was biased against us………
Watched on the telly.
My brief thoughts.
Much improved performance.
Collins’ best game for us – apart from Rashford’s goal.
Nunes good. Sa good. Adama showed commitment when he came on. Johnny way off the pace.
Costa has to learn to take chances. You would think he’d know how to by now.
Referee rubbish. Didn’t give us anything. If Semedo’s tackle was a yellow card then Casemero’s body check on Ruben certainly was. And then he would have been off the pitch for second card later in the game.
I thought we deserved something out of the game but just can’t convert chances. We desperately need our new boy to shine against Villa.
Finally, a Happy New Year to all Bloggers past and present
… and thoughts go out to the families of those no longer with us.
Happy new year to you too
Cheers Matt!
Be good to see you in 2023.
Perhaps an end of season Ballbash?
How about it Thomas?
Football’s a simple game. We played pretty well but our inability to create chances, let alone score, and basic errors cost us. You can’t keep giving the ball away so easily against a team like United and not expect to be punished.
It’s not to take away from what overall was a positive performance, even if we did perhaps show them too much respect at times. It’s hardly the United of Fergie vintage.
One of the best performances I’ve seen from Nunes while Collins, overall, was much better. It was the same old story as the front three never really got going, aside from a few delightful bits of skill and trickery from Podence.
The old cliche is if we play like that for the rest of the season we’ll be ok. But first and foremost we’ve got to find a way to stick the ball in the net on a consistent basis.
There were some moments today when we were starting to look like a proper team. But we gave the ball away too easily and created few chances again. I thought Nunes had one of his better games. Onwards to Villa.
At least a few positives to get hold of to soften the disappointment. Was there really a huge difference between the two teams? Would a neutral observer have said one team is pushing for the top while the other is in the bottom three?
On today’s evidence, ManU won’t be in the top 6 come May and Wolves will avoid the drop….just.
It was a close game which one goal would settle, as usual it wasn’t Wolves. So no pressure Mr. Cunha, you’re about to become a hero hopefully.
Nunes will come good under J. Lop – you saw that here first.
Hate to say it BG but on today’s evidence Man U will be in the top 4 never mind the top 6. Don’t forget the 12th,13th & 14th men (ref,lino &VAR).
Well we showed the right attitude and fought, but our deficiencies are indeed glaring.
The right back position is awful Semedo somewhat better than usual I thought, with the obvious mistakes, but Johnny appalling when he came on. I think injuries have caught up with him, but his was the first non-existent challenge against Rashford for the goal.
Lack of threat up front, our only real source of threat Danny P who was hacked continuously from behind, and a referee who must have been born in Manchester, (don’t get me started) until Adama came on.
Raul must start from now on and Costa shown the door. with Adama on one side and Podence on the other.
The dilly-dallying in defence waiting for the inevitable mistake and giving the ball away led to numerous opposition chances.
Desperate requirements in January: Goal scorer/Right back/established centre half/ball carrying midfielder…………….please………….
There were a few positives for us from that game to take to less strong sides than Man U and really grab some much needed points.
But Semedo’s back pass was truly awful and he didn’t appear to be watching the ball after he passed it. I still get scared when the defence start faffing around with the ball in dangerous situations… too risky for players of our calibre!!
On another day, Neves’ free kick and Jimenez’s header would have found their mark. So a bit of luck would have been nice.
J Lo was my man of the match! He was tirelessly driving our boys on.
Yea ! And without a jacket!
Todays performance gives me a greater belief in our ability to avoid the drop. The overall performance as a team was far better than at Everton, and it is apparent that our new coach is making a difference
Positively, I thought Nunes at last gave us some proof of his claimed quality. His ability to run with the ball is something we have lacked for a long time, and now that he is being played in the position which suites him best, I believe that he will be pivotal to the rate of our progress in the games ahead.
But many negatives remain. We urgently need a right full back — Semedo is very mistake prone, and Johnny appears slow and unfit. While both central defenders gave improved performances today, we still appear defensively unsound. The need for a commanding seasoned leader at the back must be paramount.
In midfield, sadly it is becoming apparent that Moutinho`s years have finally caught up with him, and far too often the game appears to be passing him by. He is a luxury we cannot now afford.
I fully agree with all comments on this site with regard to our appalling lack of penetration up -front. Hopefully Cunha will be able to make an immediate impact, but his record as a goal scorer is not very impressive, so the necessity for another proven striker must surely be an over-riding priority. The inescapable reality is that irrespective how well we play as a team, unless we find a way to score regularly, we are doomed.
Good assessment but I think we’re missing a few tricks.
You are correct about RB – neither Semedo nor Jonny good enough – Jonny looks over the hill.
Moutinho has 20 good minutes in him; so use him sparingly.
Jiminez and Costa both has beens – minor roles only.
Absolute 100% priority HAS TO BE A STRIKER more prolific than but to play alongside Cunha.
We need goals – obviously!
Maybe revert to 3 at the back with Adama and Ait–Nouri as proper wing backs.
Move Semedo up into a barnstorming midfield role with Neves and Nunes.
And spend megamillions on a classy CB (like Coady, Boly and Saiss were) and bigger megamillions on a world class striker (like Jota was).
The moral of this post is something like this – “Nuno had a dream”, but it was hijacked by a bunch of bandits like Shi, Sellars, Lage and Mendes whilst it was still only a very healthy work in progress. I’m sure JL has the skills to get it back on track, probably has the cojones but does he have the clout and the necessary backing?
I think the answer to that question probably lies in Shanghai.
Meandering rant over and hopefully back to onwards and upwards. But it may involve a relaunch from The Championship. Roller coater ahead.
And yes I’m bitter at the way these 4 individuals in particular with a mixture of incompetence, ignorance and possibly a little chicanery have collectively and systematically squandered the wonderful opportunity which the original Fosun blueprint realistically promised back in 2017.
But we are where we are and hope springs eternal.
Happy New Year to all Wolves supporters wherever you are.
I thought we played well up to there eighteen yard box then ran out of ideas. Plus why do we constantly give the ball away simple passes go astray. It’s if we’re passing to somebody else whose not there.. But the positve is we were a lot better than we have been and can get out f this mess.
Fought hard. Committed. Utd no great shakes. But like everyone else has said there is just no cohesion going forward. Too many times attacks breaking down because of a poor pass. We just don’t create chances. Ok. A bit harsh. De Gae made 2 brilliants saves but one was a set piece 25 yard free kick. The other a header from a corner. I agree this may have been a missed opportunity to at least grab a point. But if we don’t put the ball in the net I am afraid we are only going one way.
And why is it seemingly so easy for referees to dish out red and yellow cards to Wolves players like confetti when the same principle is not applied to other teams. Especially if they are Arsenal or Man Utd. Wolves have received more red and yellow cards than anyone else in the prem and we are not even a dirty side. Far from it. A never ending production line of idiotic referees and VAR. The bloke today let half a dozen challenges on Wolves players go when Utd get a free kick if a breeze ruffled their hair. And they should have been down to 10 men.
Saka.. having already been booked yesterday committed another bookable foul… but Antony Taylor let’s him off a booking .. unbelievable let the commentator said .. ‘if it had been earlier in the game a card would have been given’ …
So … whose damn rules are we playing to.. or is it decide in ‘the moment’ .. this is corruption…
Saka should have been carded and then sent off …. No argument…
And…….HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL ON THE BLOG. HOPE 2023 IS A GOOD ONE.
Disappointed but not surprised.
We could have done with a statement win to get our minds engaged for the task ahead, and today was as good as any.
Never mind, that Rashford is too good.
Plant a tree in 23.
1 lv & COYW
How about ‘Buy a saw in 24 ???? 🙂
COYW
While l admit he had a good first half Collins is no replacement for Coady, Saiss or Boly. As a CB you need too be goal side and be able to tackle, many times this season he’s failed to tackle or dived in or been caught the wrong side of his man and today Van Dijk would have buried Rashford! Result? We ‘d have got a point. Last season with Collins Burnley were relegated, this season, having picked up a cool £20m now sit very cosily at the top of one of the hardest leagues in the World , without him , Just saying!
Is Boly doing well this season or are you thinking of him in previous years?
Coady was often justifiably criticised for defensive errors, slow, etc., and he wanted to go; Boly too, and Saiss, much as I liked him, was almost sure to be booked or concede a free kick or penalty every game.
Ok .. there was an expectancy to lose this game but in all honesty a draw would have been a fairer reflection…. We had some half chances to score but didn’t get shots away .. and Rashford’s goal was a softee considering he danced through three feeble challenges from Collins, Jonny and Toti..
As usual we were blessed with another ‘top 6 ref ‘ in Robert Jones… gave us absolutely nothing , never booked Casimeiras for an identical challenge as Semedo.. which allowed the Man U player to stay on the pitch 2nd half.
Nunes was clearly fouled a near the box and he gave nothing .., there’s definitely a biased ref agenda ..
And finally big thanks to the beeb for giving more time to talk about lazy git Rashford oversleeping than our efforts over 90 minutes…
Let’s hope Cunha can come in all guns blazing .. we’re going to need him and some more personnel.
I agree, your lordship – I was half expecting it, but thought the post highlights comments were pathetic. Any excuse to feed ManU with the oxygen of publicity. I’d hate to have to watch the programme if the Old Trafford cat ever gets run over!!! 🙂
COYW and stuff the lot of them.
Oh – and a very happy 2023 to all bloggers.
I expect stronger (rasher ? ) challenges on Marcus would have conceded a penalty….
We need to sign that Leicester bloke . A defender with an eye for goal. I reckon he could keep us up. A whiff of corruption there !
New Years resolution for me. That bloke who manages Brentford. I just want to smash his face in. He looks like the sort of bloke who owns a pet shop in Wednesfield with a parrott in it that tells you to fuck off. He just needs to be punched.
He’s a right pain in the arse,agreed, but a good manager too.
My sentiments have already been echoed above. I think most seem to agree that :-
1. Costa never to start again. If he is not too old, then he is too lazy. No energy and finishing was awful. At least Raul can still run (hopefull he can even shoot on target).
2. Semedo will be a very good attacking midfield player. He is fast and dribbles well. Just cannot defend.
3. A midfield of Nunes, Neves and B’Traore would be an improvement. Bring Mautinho in last 20 mins if needed.
4. Not being too biased, but CB Aussie Harry Soutar stands at 6’6″ and had a stunning world cup. Bring him in for peanuts from Stoke. Not only a good CB, but lethal in the air.
5. Finally, I agree with CoD above. I too would love to see the Brentford manager smashed in the face – preferably whilst he is chewing his F*****g gum. (Pet shop owner with a parrot on his shoulder …) Love it !!!
Julen seems to have been happy with Semedo when interviewed – obviously the back pass was unfortunate to say the least ! – but to me Semedo was always a very good attacking midfielder and I never understood why he was ever – often – played at right back.
Call me an idiot. I thought Semedo had a nice game – especially before the yellow. J Lop said the same. But, most ratings I’ve seen give him a 5.
I guess I’m not an expert.
I tend to agree Lou. The back pass let him down obviously but he seems to be more confident under JL.
I think Rayan is great but none of our other full backs truly “own” the ball quite like Bueno does.
I don’t twitch half as much when he is on the ball.
That useless Liam Keen in the Express and Star gave him only 4…..just for making the one error….
I try desperately to support referees as best I can without displaying emotional bias but man alive, it didn’t feel like this one was going to be happy until Man U had scored, geez.
Fully concur with all the comments re the ref. We’ve had some bad ones over the last couple of seasons but yesterday’s reached a new low. Fouls and yellow cards against Wolves, similar or worse offences by Man U overlooked or ignored.
As the BT commentator pointed out nothing like enough added time and not extended by United ‘s substitutions. If in a very weird parallel universe Ferguson was managing Wolves yesterday he would have been running on to the pitch waving his watch. But at least VAR worked for us if too late
Oh yes meant to say about Brentford’s manager something about him makes you want to smash him in the face.
And happy New Year to you all. And Dallas I remember meeting you well, giving you your handle whilst I’ve changed mine.
Happy New year to all bloggers.
Hope 2023 is a good year for everyone and our wonderful football club.
Guys. Anybody want a ticket for FA Cup at Liverpool? I can’t go now and have a ticket. Don’t want paying, but don’t want it not used. DM me, or via Thomas, with an address andbif anybody can use it and I will post it to you.First come and all that.
Cheers. Steve.
You’re best putting it on ..’wolves tickets buy and sell’.
All posts are vetted but usually ok’d.
You won’t have a problem with selling it … but has to be face value .. or free if that’s what you want …
Thanks your Lordship. HNY.
Free to a good home.
HNY to you too Marnhull…
Post how you get on with your ticket sale ..
if you want any help .. let me know … UTW
I’ve only just been able to comment on yesterday’s game, as the moment the final whistle blew, we zipped across town to catch the new Avatar film. We just got back. Yes, the film is a tad long.
So I watched this on TV.
Wolves supporters and Molineux did itself proud in our last action of 2022, live on BT.
An immaculately observed minute of applause for the Great Pele.
A moving tribute on 16 minutes.
A battling team performance, where we were unlucky to come away with nothing. The only difference between the two teams – an in-form forward.
Sa, Kilman and Collins were immense. For all the stick the young CB pairing have had this season, this marked improvement must be acknowledged. They were lauded last season. Good players don’t suddenly become awful overnight.
As JLo points out, we are neither in heaven or hell after wins and losses.
Another one who gets more than his fair share of stick, Semedo. That backpass aside, he had a good game and saved a certain goal on 64 minutes.
One thing is certain. Lopetegui is making a big positive difference. We are improving, and with some well targeted additions this month, I firmly believe we will be playing premier league football next season.
There. I’ve said it.
Finally, a very happy and prosperous new year to all Wolves bloggers and families.
UTW
I definitely agree with you Muttleigh on the sea change that Lopetegui has engineered into the players and club…
IMO he’s a top manager, knows where’s he wants to go, and most importantly… is getting the passionate WOLVES fan base onside.
He makes reasoned statements in his interviews and I believe we have an excellent coach/manager who will steer this ship out of these choppy waters…
another couple of key recruits and the tide of passion will be going in the right direction..,, we were unlucky yesterday not to get something from the game ..
Yes I agree with your analysis. All of the players looked a few yards fitter and the whole operation looks more professional.
The only slight dent in my confidence and belief that we will survive is the lack of a centre forward who can do what Rashford did. Costa hasn’t impressed, Raul missed another very good chance. It’s asking a lot of the new guy Cunha to get the goals that seems the biggest ingredient missing from the mix.
Villa will be another good test on Wednesday night. 3 points? What a big statement that would be.
Time to look at the cold stark facts of where we are. And where we need to get to. Having looked at the current PPG projected forward it looks lije 34/35 points will be enough.At the moment. So. Factor in we have 13 points. We are looking at AT LEAST 7 WINS. Probably 8 to be sure. So lets not panic. If we get to 30 games and still need 5 wins. Then panic. This is gonna be one hell of a roller coaster ride in typical Wolves fashion. Those first 2 seasons in prem under Nuno. A long tine ago . Now back to the Wolves which all long suffering fans thought had gone. Just Wolves ay it. Just Wolves.
COD
Happy New Year.
If we need 5 wins from the last 8 we’re done for. And tbh if it gets to that point we probably deserve to be.
It’s simple.
We have lots of quality players but too many also rans and one or two duffers, Fosun have to back JL and spend whatever he wants to solve what we all know is needed – striker(s). The rest can be managed with some tweaking and the odd recruit.
They have shown intent with Cunha. Stop messing about with has beens Costa and Jiminez now and break the bloody bank Fosun – it’s in all our interests.
Yeah happy new year PJB. Blimey next 2 league games Villa away. West Ham Home. 3 or 4 points minimum ?? Citeh and Liverpool after that. We really need some inspiration. And someone who puts the ball in the net. It is getting closer to last chance saloon. Every game ticks by the more difficult it gets.
With these three CB’s we won the Championship at a canter, finished 7th twice
getting us into Europe where we got to the Quarter Finals giving us some great nights at the M0l. Today Boly made the equaliser against Chelsea, Coady was a 7\10
for Everton against probably the best side in Europe, ( Lampard couldn’t beleive he
was able to sign our captain/legend!)As for Saiss he was recently voted in the World
Cup team of the tournament, Their obviously over the hill!!!
Perhaps “buried” was a bit strong but if he was goal side Rashford wouldn’t have
scored. Just hope Julen can improve him. Happy New Year to you all. COYW!
Rhys
Quote you – Perhaps “buried” was a bit strong
Not too strong at all.
Buried by sabotage Lage!
NY greetings to all bloggers from across the pond
A few resolutions to share….
1 don’t join referee conspiracy theory
2 swear less at passes to wrong color shirt
3 applaud PJB’s more balanced blogging
4 coach Linda to say Wolves Ay We without sounding French
5 buy full round of drinks at local
Hostelry on May 20… with last game at Emirates we will know our fate by then
6 keep the faith …somehow
I hope none are broken?
Worst ever amount of points to stop up was 34. Yep. Our friends down the A41 achieved it. After the games just gone and factoring in PPG 33/34 points is now looking to be favourable for staying up. This means minimum 7 wins. But whatever it could be as many as 40 points. So bottom line 7 wins. But comort is 9 wins. Safe to say what ever happens at least 7 wins is the minimum required. 1 win in every 3. Add in 2 or 3 draws. This is not gonna be easy.
CoD, looking at it another way, I posted before the World Cup break a perspective on how big a challenge we face. Our best ever season in the PL saw us average 1.5 points per game approx. If we replicated that immediately from the point JL took charge we would achieve 44 points. A margin of error of 6 points assuming safety achieved at 38 points. The good news is that 2 games into his tenure, we are on track. However, to maintain this we really need at least a point at villa, otherwise we will already have used 1.5 points in our margin for error of 6 points- the pressure to keep picking up points in every game now is going to be relentless. A run of 3 wins on the bounce and we will look far more comfortable. Conversely lose 3 on the bounce and we are staring down the barrel of a gun. We should all be under no illusion about the tightrope we are now walking.
I didn’t get my wish for consistency from the officials.