I guess there’s two ways of looking at this one.
On one hand, we dominated one of the league’s most in-form sides for 45 minutes and played some of the best football we’ve managed under Lopetegui to date.
On the other, we once again failed to put the game to bed and ended up feeling grateful for a point.
That’s essentially the conundrum of this Wolves side. Capable of giving most teams in the league a game, but unable to beat many of them.
Unfortunately, it’s going to take more than one mid-season trolly dash to remedy that ailment and, consequently, we’re likely to endure a tense end to the season.
But I for one am feeling confident about Wolves’ trajectory.
As said, we played some really nice stuff in the first half, with the midfield trio of Neves, Nunes, and the imposing Lemina dominating proceedings.
The latter is already winning the hearts and minds of Wolves’ fans and has added the steel that we’ve been lacking in the middle of the pitch for some time. It no longer feels like we’re just at a Spin Casino hoping we can old out.
I also thought Jimenez offered a good focal point, a case which was underlined by his pivotal role in Sarabia’s opening goal. A few more deft moments from our new Spaniard will do nicely between now and the end of the season.
Less impressive was Cunha, who continues to look far removed from his hefty price tag. That being said, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that his injury isn’t a serious one.
As frustrating was our timid response to Fulham’s equaliser, with the home side in the ascendancy for much of the second half. That penchant for acquiescence is likely to cost us more points before the season is done.
Still, the damage could have been far worse and both Sa and our defence deserve credit for ensuring a point remained intact.
Ultimately, we’d have taken a point before kick-off and hopefully that will give us something to build on ahead of a tricky midweek trip to Anfield.
I tend to look at the stats. Which say of the last 6 premier league away games we have won 2. Drawn 3. Lost 1. This is not a side going down. Admit I was a bit fed up second half having been the better side but I expected a reaction from Fulham. Their goal came out of nowhere. But would have taken a point. That is what we got. My mantra from now on in is keep at least a point a game and we will be fine. Tonight. 24 from 24. I will take it.
Not sure a point a game is definitely enough CoD; Everton, West Ham, and Leeds are all capable of putting a run together and it’s still too early to write off Bournemouth and Southampton, It’s going to the wire and think it might need 40 points to stay up.
Cheers PJB. After todays games 35 points is still looking a good pointer to safety. Despite them beating us Bournemouth are shit and are going down. Southampton too. Everton can’t score goals and their mini revival is Dyche 3 home games out of 4. We are looking like a side who can compete. And get points. 14 points. 9 games under J Lo. Is an average of 1.55 points per game. Prior to J Lo it was 0.67 points per games. So a massive improvement. We will be ok. My guess is we will be safe with 3 games to go. And that is based on current points accumulation of all sides in the basement battle.
So ‘what you’re saying is’ (as the girl on Channel 4 likes to say), we’re in the Premier League, full of capable teams, and we can’t be expected to win every match.
Ben’s ‘penchant for acquiescence’ (wow !!) may be simply that other teams of full of great players who are well motivated to fight back.
Fulham’s goal was a worldie, yet some still want to blame the goalie.
We won’t be relegated, the best is yet to come. Cunha will soon get it together, playing in the right position with the right support.
We may not beat Liverpool this evening, but should give them a good fight.
A bit disappointed that we came away with a point when we so nearly had three, despite getting bombarded by Fulham in the second half .
Splendid first half though.
But… coming away with a point against these big boys was good.
Let’s hope. We can rattle the cages of the other teams for the rest of the season and prove that we are too good to go down.
For me the biggest plus form tonight`s game was the fact that at long last we played with two up front. We actually began to look seriously dangerous, with Raul playing like a man reborn. For how long has he been expected to plow a lone furrow up front with zero support — is any wonder that his form deteriorated? Tonight this guy showed that he is by no means yesterday`s man but that if he`s played with a genuine strike partner he still has a great deal to offer us.
Sarabia not only showed us an ability to finish sweetly, but demonstrated all round savvy which bodes well for the future. His relationship with Raoul could well prove to be key to our survival. Encouragingly there was tonight the semblance of a developing understanding.
Like Ben I`m increasingly doubtful as to the merit of signing Cunha for such an immense sum, but hopefully his injury will not be major, and he also will be able to benefit form playing alongside Raoul.
Tonight`s result is one that was well deserved, and the way we played against a top six team should give all of us a real hope that we can escape the mess in which, courtesy of the hapless Bruno, we have found ourselves.
Inconsistency of performance of this team is so frustrating. A win against lowly Bournemouth would have meant that this point away from home against a team in the top six is an excellent result. A point away from home in the premiership always is a good result! However, as it is we need more because we are currently only three points above the relegation zone have a poor goal difference and have played a game more, with Liverpool, Spurs and Newcastle coming up. An excellent first half performance meant that three points were there for the taking, but we declined to take them and could have lost but for a great save from Sa. Don’t get me wrong, there are definite signs of improvement, and I like the Lopetegui style, but please, let’s not kid ourselves that we are ‘too good to go down’.
No real inconsistency in my view. Since Lopetegui’s arrival we’ve done well against teams that try and attack ( Man City being the exception that proves the rule) and less well against those that defend and try and snatch a goal but, even then, Lemina was of course missing against Bournemouth.
If the season had started at Christmas the school report would have shown a B+
As it is a reasonable run is being looked at through a rather longer lense.
Keep playing like tonight and we’ll be fine. Then some squad adjustments will be needed in the summer.
if on;y….Raul has had a few chances to score this season and his misses have cost us dear
eg last minute vs Manure and a whisker away today…but he’s quality and hopefully Cunha wil learn from him (whilst learning the darker arts from Costa)
First half was very impressive and if we can play like for longer in a game then I think we can hold our own with most teams ,,….. but still need the 2 goals a game to make life less miserable …. 1 insufficient!
On to Liverpool….
Lopetegui has certainly improved us and we now look like a PL side that can compete in every game. If points were awarded on that basis I would be very confident that we will stop up. Unfortunately, to win football matches you need to be able to score goals and unfortunately we continue to struggle on that front. Like others on here I’m not sure what Cunha brings to the team and Nunes continues to flatter to deceive. However, the only concern right now is staying up . Recruitment generally already looks far better under JL and if he can manage Shi and Mendes away from the process in the summer we have a chance of being a much improved team next season……..but, we still need 14 points and that is far from a given with such impotent attacking threat
As of half-time Saturday (first set of games), none of the teams has scored.
And then West Ham scored 4. So what’s your point?
Half time scores should count if they go our way, of course!
Jimenez did well. I thought Bueno was outstanding. Lemina seems to be a top signing, especially with Boubacar Traore still out. Adama had one of his less effective cameos and Podence looked out of sorts. We looked disjointed at the end. Once Fulham equalized I never had the feeling we were gonna score the winner. Fulham play in a clear 4–3-3. Our structure was all over the place after Cunha departed which allowed them to pile on pressure. Glass half full well taken goal and Sarabia is off the mark.
Never thought I would say this but we need Hwang back, and soon
Very true and ultimately it felt like a defeat after leading for a long period.
Yes, we would have taken a point before the match and Fulham would always have a period of sustained pressure- this is the PL and the league table does not lie. We do appear to be improving individually and also as a team. Every game is going to be a scrap for points and Hwang has combined well with Raul previously, let’s hope he is back by the Leeds game. Adama does have his moments of brilliance but can we harness this into an end product- unless we can then he needs to move on in the summer.
Expecting a backlash from Liverpool on Wednesday.
Good point away against a top six team who are up there on merit. Killing the game off when we are on top continues to be our problem though, we were the only team in it in the first half. Great to see Sarabia off the mark but absolutely gutted to see Cunha stretchered off who was having an excellent game up to that point and we looked unbalanced after that. One step forward, two steps back.
Fabio was on fire for PSV on Thurs, a goal and an assist against Sevilla in the Europa. Bodes well for next season if he’s doing the business at that level.
Hopefully you are right Happy but it was only a 30 min cameo and he’s just been a bit part player for PSV so far. He’s under master tutelage however given who their manager is.
See how he gets on tomorrow Pedant. He must’ve earned a starting place with that showing.
He did and notched against Twente.
He looks more like the missing peice to J.Lo’s project every game.
I was really pleased with the starting lineup as, at last we had a leader of the line with the link players in the right positions in my view. Raul looks to be getting his mojo back but needs some luck to boost his confidence in front of goal; a great assist though…
The nerves definitely got to us in the second half with just the one goal lead but we held out.
That ridiculous Bournemouth result may come back to haunt us.
Liverpool!? Could be an interesting game but they, to my mind, must be favourites, but let’s hope for the best..
Well done to Bueno in particular who had an immaculate game.
If we can maintain some confidence this set up should only improve as the the new players learn each others’ play in actual game time; could be really good. Maintaining confidence will be the key to my mind. No team in our position is too good to go down as my elderly years have taught me.
COYW!
A game of two halfs! It took a wonder goal for Fulham to score, but Sa made a fabulous save towards the end for us to keep a point!
Again I have constructive criticism against Semendo. Reasonably good in defense, but really offers nothing in attack. Always checks and then passes back. Several times he was in perfect position for a one-two and he does not run forward. Compare his creative performance to Bruno’s attacking effectivness. Not even close!
We certainly need a more creative right back in the summer!
Well, it’s certainly an improvement.
We’ve gone from playing great football for 45 minutes, to playing great football for 55 minutes.
Nunes looked more like the man we were promised, for the first 45 minutes.
Bueno and Lemina looked the real deal for the full 98 minutes.
Cunha may not have been brilliant before his injury, but Raul looked like a new man with someone to interact with upfront.
A point well earned in the end.
It always amazes me how two people can watch the same game and draw completely different conclusions. I refer to St Kitts Wolves comments above.
I thought Nelson Semedo was superb throughout and treated us to one of his best performances in the Gold shirt. His interplay and driving runs down the right wing, especially in that terrific first half, almost made him worthy, in my eyes, of MOTM. Sorry St Kitts.
Otherwise, a point away at one of the divisions form teams cannot be sniffed at, especially given the performance level for much of the game.
Spirits greatly uplifted.
I agree Wolfstroker, Samedo is one of the most improved players since J.Lo arrived and is a regular starter because of that, i wouldn’t say he was MOTM though, i think Bueno deserved his award who equally is turning in some excellent performances.
You’re right of course, but I did say ‘almost’.
Excellent Wolfie. Most Wolves fans will be happy with a point last night. We were solid enough and deserved the point. This at the home of a club on a crest of a wave and we made them look ordinary. At the start of the weekend we were 3 points clear of danger. We are still 3 points clear of danger. Another game gone.
Agree Wolfstroker but, like so many in the squad, his final ball needs to improve drastically.
Deliberately held back from drawing current conclusions / thoughts until today’s results were all in. On reflection marginally a point gained but we should have won it before half time.
Many on here accuse me of being “glass half empty”. Well tonight I’m not sure what I am, but would claim to be a realist
As above (reply to Cheeseburger)not sure that a point a game will be enough (deduct 1 point for our GD). Despite some quirky results Southampton and Bournemouth are probably sinking like The Titanic which would leave Leicester, Forest, Leeds, Everton. West Ham and ourselves all fighting to avoid the drop zone. Would you write any one of these teams off? Looks like a 6 way dogfight. And with our next 3 fixtures we could play brilliantly in all and finish up with a very lowly points return.
With our lack of firepower we’re going to have rely on our rejuvenated defence (without Collins) to grind out some difficult replays of Custer’s Last Stand to see us home,
However, before the downvotes flood in I’m currently “glass half full” as I.m a believer in the old “points on the board” adage, but it’s going to be tough.
COYW
I think you can add Palace to your list if they don’t beat Liverpool tonight. Villa aren’t out of it either. Nor Chelsea!
Villa are 10 points clear of the drop zone, it grates me to say it but they are safe now, not sure about Palace, if we were 6 points clear i doubt we would feel too vulnerable. Eight teams below them though are in the scrap though for sure. We are the form team out of those 8 with Forest getting smashed.
Seven points from the four games in February is an excellent return but typically for Wolves we lose the easiest game on paper.
The Lopetegui effect has been remarkable but I can’t help feeling this will go down to the wire.
Post World Cup mini league:
(1) Wolves P9 14pts (1 gd)
(2) Forest P9 12pts (-5 gd)
(3) West Ham P9 9pts (-1 gd)
(4) Leeds P10 7pts (-6 gd)
(5) Leicester P9 7pts (-6 gd)
(6) Everton P9 7pts (-9 gd)
(7) Southampton P9 6pts (-8 gd)
(8) Bournemouth P9 5pts (-12 gd)
Time for a joke perhaps to relieve our troubles.
Two fans from down the ‘Crem.’, Arthur and Albert, gradually got to know a Scotsman quite well and they began to go down the pub together for a few beers after the match. He always paid for the drinks and over the months their friendship gradually grew stronger.
One night after they’d each sunk three or four bevvies he asked the two them if they’d like to help him out with a little job he had in mind.He’d reward them well for their trouble he said.
There was a very wealthy couple who lived in a big house a few doors away he told them. They were away on holiday and he intended to break in and relieve them of a few of their possessions. “ Robbing the rich to help the poor” as he put it.
The drinks had given Arthur and Albert some ‘dutch courage’ and they agreed to help him without any hesitation.They all had another round and set off for the house. The Scotsman pulled a jemmy out of his overcoat and forced the front door. He told Arthur and Albert to search the upstairs while he rifled the downstairs. Cash and jewellery was what he was after he said.
Unknown to the three of them somebody had tipped the police off. They were lying in wait and watched as they entered the premises. After a minute or two they followed them into the house. Arthur and Albert, being upstairs, got caught red handed and arrested but the Scotsman got away.
Next day Arthur and Albert were called up before the judge. The judge told them they had committed a very serious crime but said he was prepared to be lenient if they helped him find the Scotsman who was obviously the ringleader. “ I want you to tell me everything you know about this man “ he said.
Arthur and Albert thought carefully and Arthur, who acted as their spokesman, told the judge they knew nothing at all about him except for one thing; he had two back passages. The judge thought carefully for a moment and continued. “This is an extremely rare medical condition. This man can be traced through medical records but it will be extremely expensive to do so. Are you absolutely certain of this? “
“There’s no doubt about it “ Arthur replied. “ Every time Albert and me went into the pub with him the people said “ There’s that Scotsman with the two arseholes ! “
Just for a bit of fun really. But I am going to say we will be safe after game 35 (Villa at home). Basing this on the current points achieved purely under J Lo and projecting that forward ( 1.55 points per game). By game 35 that would put us on 41 points. The current ppg of the bottom 3 we see them on no higher than 31 points. Meaning the most they could get would be 40 points. So none of them could overtake us ! Simple really. On the flip side. If we continue the current overall trajectory of 1 point per game we will be on 37 points from 37 games. The current bottom 3 would on no higher than 33 points and could only get to 36 so in that senario safety comes without us needing anything at Arsenal away last match. Obviously things change each week depending on form and points accumulated by different players.
But Cheesy if we continue to beat the likes of Liverpool 3-0 then lose to teams at the bottom personally I’m not convinced by statistics no matter how much I want you to be right.
I recon we’ve got an optimistic 16 points to come from this season which gets us to 40 points. If I’m right so are you but when was it ever so simple?
It was just a bit of a light hearted look at the stats chap. I know as well as you it won’t work out like that. But I do remember the promotion season 2018. And as far out as January I predicted our promotion in April. Using PPG. My prediction was promotion Cardiff away. We were actually auto promoted the following week v Birmingham City. So using PPG Is not an exact science but it is a good indicator.
Naturally my estimation is made with unblemished certainty (I wish)
Frankly I care not at all about our points haul to stay up – so long as we do. What is as important to me is we continue the improvements we’ve been showing since Christmas and games become fun to watch again.
Sorry if I came across rather too earnest in the previous post.
Mate. You know me. I call a spade a spade. I like folks to come on here and have a bit of a chat. It’s great. We are Wolves ay we.
Not very often I support Man Utd but I did today. The Newcastle ‘big club’ crap does my head in. Never won bugger all. And all this 60000 geordies turn up day in day out. Rubbish. I went there in 1991 in division 2 and the crowd was 17000 with 2500 Wolves fans. And we won 2-1 with Tim Steele getting the winner!
You have to feel for them though Cheese, I spotted several out there today who clearly couldn’t afford shirts although judging by the torsos on display the same can’t be said for liquid refreshment!
R. Good one chap. They are a funny lot ay they. You see them walking about in t shirts and shorts in horizontal sleet.
Normally I would have been very happy with a point away to a top six side. But to me, Fulham are not a top six side, they’ve overachieved and will be found out, like Newcastle are being found out. They are both in false positions, but maddeningly, so are we! I don’t think either team is as good as Nuno’s great Wolves promotion team. Seeing the Toon at Wembley I was reminded that it was great a shame he fouled up that semi against Watford with us cruising at 2-0.
My MOTM at the Cottage was Bueno. What a player. Honourable mentions to Lemina and Jimenez.
With a tough three games coming up, we really needed the cushion of four points from Bournemouth and Fulham instead of one. Expect no favours away to Liverpool and Newcastle, and home to Spurs. But hopefully a minimum of three points and anything more will be a bonus.
I see that Conor got a bit of stick against Villa. Sadly, I hope that Conor goes down with Everton. Bournemouth and Southampton with them.
If Everton are relegated, Conor will be back.
I think Conor won’t be on Dyche’s shopping list at the end of the season .. regardless of what division they’re in ..
His football style is via the clouds…