Many of us have questioned whether some of this Wolves squad have the stomach for a relegation fight.
Based on yesterday’s win, it’s an emphatic yes.
Most pleasing was the appetite for hard work. Some North Bank natives probably had enough of me standing up and applauding a particular piece of pressing or defending.
But I was excitable because the lads were finally showing some character.
Admittedly it was a poor Chelsea side, but for large periods we didn’t give them a minute’s rest. An old gold and black shirt was either pressing a Chelsea player off the ball or perfectly positioned for an interception.
Kudos to Lopetegui for playing his part with the selection of a balanced side especially the midfield of Lemina, Nunes and Gomes.
If you looked up workhorse in the dictionary, you’d find Lemina. A lot of his work goes unnoticed but subtly he’s bossing the base of our midfield, which allowed Gomes and Nunes to push on.
The former looked much more assured than his Leeds performance. Gomes is technically sound but isn’t afraid of a tackle or a spot of pressing either.
Regarding Nunes, that was probably his best Wolves performance. Play him in his best position where he can bomb on and we have a player on our hands. As for the finish, I was right behind the shot and it felt like a missile was heading straight towards me.
A word for Toti too. Like all of the defence yesterday, the work he got through was exemplary, whether that was sniffing out danger or a last-ditch tackle. Toti obviously isn’t a natural going forward, but he held his own.
The front three worked too. Cunha, Costa and Podence perhaps weren’t at their very creative best, but they linked up nicely at times and understood the need to cut out the fancy flicks. We all know Costa isn’t the player of old, but he still has something to offer leading the line. He must start there in our remaining games.
Talking of games ahead, it’s amazing to think that there’s eight left, but if we beat Brentford on Saturday then we’re almost safe. I don’t think my heart could take our safety still up for question in the last home game against Everton.
The most surprising and most welcome aspect of yesterdays game was the performance .
Without a doubt.
The most important …… 3 points.
But it was the performance that has given me hope that we will be fine, as long as the same front foot, fighting for each other, positive intent remains.
If it does, we can relax and enjoy the Spring run in, with hope and positive expectations for next season. Belief in JL and his ability to rebuild the team re-established and everything in the world feels a bit better.
Mentality is everything.
And what an absolute rocket from Nunes.
UTW
Agree, agree few words needed that was a performance to restore the belief in this team.
Well done Wolves. To beat a team of multi-million pound players made the 3 points sweeter.
It’s looking rosier but still a couple of wins needed, play like we did yesterday and hopefully we should deliver.
Massive win. At last we played with intensity, defended like our lives depended on it and had two up front. Well done to the team and JL and his staff. Paddy’s summary of individual performances is spot on and at last Nunes looked like a £40m player. We didn’t miss Neves and in fact, we seemed to look more dangerous without him which is no mean achievement as he has been outstanding and the heart beat of the team . One win but probably two will see us playing PL football again next year. Please get the points on the board soon lads………
Old Frank must be sick of old gold. Lost on his last visit as Chelsea manager, lost twice as Everton manager and lost again yesterday.
‘Can we play you every week?’ has never felt more apt.
Wolves were magnificent.
I challenged them to lift the mood and couldn’t have imagined a better response.
We weren’t fast out of the blocks but instead just harried and hassled and kicked and bodied our way into the game, forcing the issue in a way I didn’t think this group were capable.
I’ve been critical of Lopetegui’s team selections but he got it right yesterday. They all covered the ground, put in the tackles and generally made life miserable for a disjointed Chelsea side.
The only player who didn’t have to make a significant contribution was Jose Sa. He was fortified by a much improved defensive unit with Nelson enjoying one of his better afteroons, Toti giving it all down the left and two holding midfielders snapping at every ankle in sight.
It was beautiful to see some of the tackles made by Lemina and in particular João Gomes. We’ve enjoyed serious quality from Neves and Moutinho in recent years but neither can get around the pitch and enforce themselves in the same way. It was a refreshing change.
And then there’s Matheus Nunes, a player I couldn’t have criticised more for what I’ve perceived as a lack of application of the talent he clearly possesses. I said all would be forgiven if he made a few vital contributions to keep us up and boy, this was one of those. Like Paddy I had a perfect vantage point to see that projectile leave his boot and almost instantly hit the net. Ruben has scored some screamers but I can only think of one that holds a candle to that strike. His all round performance was lifted by the moment and he got through plenty of the nasty stuff in the second half before limping off at the end. Well done mate.
Cunha and Costa both deserve credit for occupying the Chelsea centre halves, which our forwards hardly ever do. Costa spluttered out in the second half but that’s understandable and in Hwang and Moutinho we had other willing runners that helped us see it out.
More of the same in the remaining eight and we’ll survive with a bit to spare.
A great summary Thomas. The performances of Lemina, Gomez and Nunes have been very correctly highlighted, but I believe one other guy is fully worthy of similar Aacclaim
Toti.
He may not be the most accomplished footballer, but he is absolutely committed and rock solid. A real team player.
Essential for us is that Toti fully understands that exciting surges forward can never be his most important function. Rather, his primary responsibility is to defend. Yesterday he did that to perfection. The much lauded Sterling never had a look in, being completely marginalized.
Our defense looks far more solid with Toti in it. In the past he has been under-rated, but now he surely deserves to retain his position. He can only improve further if given the opportunity.
Mike
Toti reminds me of Big George Elokobi in many ways; a very wholehearted footballer and what you see is what you get!
Nice effort lads Hopefully the same team turns up against brentford,we even got a var decision ,is this the corner being turned,noticed are dodgy decisions we’re sent to Fulham and Brightonwith are best wishes
As we know to our cost when you start snapping at the heels of the cartel in the PL the decisions start to go against you.
That was a massive game for both those clubs PJB. A Europa League six pointer which had Spurs lost, Brighton would have been 1 point behind them with 2 games in hand and on current form that 5th place spot would have been theirs to lose. They got no calls the entire match, no VAR intervention, nothing. Absolute bullshit, how can anybody seriously believe this league is not a total fraud after watching that game. No ref can be that incompetent, even if you flipped a coin it you would have got a fairer balance on decisions. Corruption in plain view and we are wasting our time caring, a rigged game where we just make up the numbers whilst the big clubs get their Super League in all but name. Pundits always talk about how much money a club can lose on these ‘incorrect’ decisions and how the apologies are worthless but what they should start talking about is how much money the beneficiary of the ‘incorrect’ decisions will make including club, sponsers and the TV companies. Only then we will start to get closer to the truth.
Awesome stuff. A massive 3 points.
Like a bunch of lizards that have to spend hours on a sunny rock before moving an eyelid, the spring sunshine motivated the team into a performance of outstanding courage and endeavour. All over the park.
And what a strike by Matheus. Great credit to the team for keeping a clean sheet and making that the moment of the match.
Of course we need to build on this performance to keep the nerves in check for the rest of the season. Can we keep the team intact or will Wolves’ shop window with its display of pseudo Ronaldo’s prove too enticing come the summer? For now we need focus and consistency, pedal to the metal.
Thanks J-Lo and all for cheering us up. It’s been a tuff winter.
1 lv & COYW.
11 warriors, thats all I ask, give it your all, nunes play him in correct position, different player, God bless u all, wolves aie we.
What a performance and what a result.
Credit to every man jack on the pitch yesterday to get over the line with a massive massive win.
There were a number of standouts.. but praise must go to Nunes for a goal of the season… Joao Gomes and Lemina for a dominating midfield performance and Diego Costa for an awesome 100% effort, both defending, linking play and attacking threat.
This win was totally deserved bearing in mind we were without Neves ..
We harried and pressed the like of which hasn’t been seen for a long time…
The defence stood firm against mounting pressure.. which come the penalty area was snuffed out.. bar a couple of low crosses.
And to hear the “Lampard song” .. “you’re getting sacked in the morning” made it all very sweet at 4:55…
AND FINALLY … a special mention too for Peter Bankes, yesterday’s match referee … to penalise cheating Chilwell for handball following the most blatant attempt to gain a free kick (with a joke dive) at the death was commendable.
Well done to me babbeez …. those 3 precious points have lifted some of the pressure in the battle to move away from the bottom three…. another performance and result like that and we’ll be fine …
Big shout too for Paul in Perth (Oz .. 2am in the morning) who was texting me just after the final whistle… in a euphoric state … great Wolves fan ..
Finally, a disciplined and responsible Wolves performance. Two yellow cards against Chelsea’s five. And with discipline comes clarity and controlled hard work, qualities we have sadly lacked recently. We’re not bottom of the Fair Play league for nothing. Yesterday was a turning point though. The absence of. Neves energised the team and shows there is a future in the PL with or without him.
Congratulations to Burnley on promotion.
Nothing much to add to what already said above. Nunes brilliant. Gomes Lemina superb. Massive win. Another round of games ticked off. Here is how the bottom of the table will look season end if current PPG is maintained:
12. West Ham 39.31 -12
13. Palace 39.31 -13
14. Wolves 39.27 -18
15. Leeds 38.00 -11
16. Bnmouth 38.00 -29
17. Everton 34.20 -20
18. Forest 34.20 -30
19. Leicester 31.67 -12
20. Saints 29.13 -27
So looking a bit better for us now. And 35 points will keep you up. Probably 34 on goal difference.
All round terrific. Performance, result, everything.
We did, in the main,marmalize ’em. Our pressing was superb and led to countless turnovers as we snaffled up the loose balls.
A team full of stars today and the picture seemed to come together perfectly despite the jigsaw missing one of it’s most important pieces.
I don’t, like some, put this down to the team suddenly trying. Frankly, I’ve seen no lack of effort in many of our recent fixtures. No. This was down to tactics, square pegs in square holes and using the resources you have to the best effect. We did that and our opponents, whose resources make ours pale into insignificance, patently didn’t.
Finally, if Hwang outmuscling Koulibaly to set up a certain goal is a foul, we may as well all pack up and go home. What happened to letting the play continue and calling a foul in the build-up after the goal is scored?
My guess is, if the boot was on the the other foot, that’s how it would be.
Massive, massive 3 points. Well done to all involved today.
Makes a huge difference when one and all put a shift in a la Mick McC. Maybe a lesson to be learned for all those looking for their next move in the shop window, but let’s not spoil the day.
Sound defensively, solid midfield with Gomes outstanding; Nunes (what a goal) at last looked the player who Liverpool seem to be prepared to pay £50 million for and Lemina competitive as always. And Costa may be past his best but he really does put a shift in up front.
So to all those who are looking to their next move (we know who you are) all we can now ask is that you give your all for the remaining 8 matches to dig us out of the situation you ave helped to create. The least you owe us is that and contrary to our friend Cheeseburger I still think 38 points minimum is the safety line with our poor GD. So please leave the Jeckyll and Hyde act behind until the end of May, we need you all to continue to follow that McCarthy mantra every time until then.
And to those who want to stay we can rebuild around players who actually have respect for our club and maximise income for any departing mercenaries.
Note. Neves / Moutinho not in the mercenary category – best wishes to both, though I do hope Neves goes abroad rather than be here to haunt us twice a season’.
PJB. My calculations are just a guide. After each round of games I recalculate the average points per game achieved by each side. Then multiply that average by number of games left. This will give you an approximate outcome at the end. So after this round of games the safety line is around 34/35 points. If all thosw in the bottom places win next week the safety line will probably go up by about another point. If they all won again the week after it goes up again. So you may well be right that 38 points will be the figure at some stage. Dependant on results between now and game 38. But as we sit here at this moment in time the indicator is about 34/35 points. It has been around 34/35/36 for many weeks now so is quite reliable . But I accept it can change. This is why i update it every week. It is noticeable the bottom 3 didn’t gain any points midweek or yesterday and the safety line indicator has gone down from approx 35/36 to approx 34/35.
And good on you too COD, because over the last few wees your 34/35 marker has probably helped us all sleep better.
weeks, sorry folks.
Cheers mate. I think we will be ok.
No PJB. I think you were correct the first time.
It’s interesting how Nunes had his best game whilst Neves was suspended.
Perhaps they both cancel each out on the field together.
What a screamer of a goal! That’s more like it.
Yesterday’s result made this old Wolves fan very happy indeed!
Onwards and upwards.
COYW.
A great battling performance which was co-ordinated, and that is what we want to see! Fighting for the cause!
Particularly impressed with the effort of Toti, who gave his all from start to finish.
On occasions, we gave the ball away a little too easily, but overall, a brilliant team performance!
And my Chelsea supporting brother will be eating a lot of humble pie until next season!! Ha ha!! It sweet me!
Great stuff!
A balanced team with a full blooded and committed performance by everyone in a gold shirt.
And won with a goal worthy of the great Ruben himself.
I must remember to miss more games. It seems to do the trick as far as Wolves performances go.
Unfortunately the PMDG’er and I will be at the Brentford game next week, and, doing the mother in law thing this weekend, has earned me enough Brownie points to come to the midweek Palace game too.
If we can perform like this every week, we are in no danger of going down.
But, if we could perform like this EVERY week, we’d be in contention for a top eight finish.
Therein lies our problem this season. Let’s hope we’ve solved it.
If you haven’t yet, try and catch the feature on The Wolves Foundation in the repeated MOD this morning. It starts about 54 minutes in to the programme.
Well worth a watch.
See you next week DG.
Good man!
I would like to thank all u bloggers for all your support, like a big family when I’m down with my health, its horrible not being the man I was before , wolves aie we.
Hiya Binda … life’s tough my friend and ill health drags you down … but remember … you’re a Wolves blogger and fan and we all look out for you… good times and bad …
Best wishes from both of us …Mike and Lilian .. xx
Thank u for your kind words sir
Definitely a very Happy Easter for me!
Fantastic all round team performance and I agre J.Lop got his selection and formation spot on.
I have been calling for Gomes to start for weeks and he didn’t let me down the team or himself he is that horrible terrier min midfield everyone hates playing against he is quick skilful and most pleasing of all not afraid to get stuck in great performance from him.
Nunes that what we paid £28 Million for and it just shows if he is played in his best position and he is in the mood he is a terrific player. I blogged before the game if certain players don’t want to be here they are not going to get there big move by downing tools while they are here…….a nod if Nunes is thinking I want to go then fair enough, but while I’m here I’ll give my all I certainly won’t begrudge him his move that’s all I ask from these players is……..while your here gives us your all and the future will take care of its self……and every one of those players yesterday gave there all…..and I thank them.
Just a word on J.Lop well done for being brave in your selections and formation.
Come on now lads let’s not waste what you achieved yesterday let’s build on this and finish of the season on a high.
WELL DONE ME BABIES…..!
i’m loving this hard aggressive midfield… if it move’s tackle it !
finally some hardened steel guarding a back 4 !!??
Brilliant Jlo .. thank you
Post World Cup mini league
1 Wolves P15 21pts (-2gd)
2 West H P14 16pts (-5gd)
3 Crystal P P16 14pts (-8gd)
4 Forest P15 14pts (-11gd)
5 Leeds P16 14pts (-11gd)
6 Bournemouth P15 14pts (-15gd)
7 Everton P15 13pts (-14gd)
8 Southpton P15 11pts (-13gd)
9 Leicester P15 8pts (-12gd)
Great weekend. Wolves won. Albion lost and Worcestershire have just beaten Derbyshire by 8 wickets !
A very pleasing performance. Organised, balanced and combative from back to front and start to finish. The players seemed to be very clear on what they were supposed to be doing. Gomes looks a gem, (the new Ruben?) and the midfield controlled things well. I like Cunha too, but a lot of really positive performances. Let’s face it Chelsea weren’t great, but Wolves home performances like that this season would’ve given us more points from the likes of of Leeds, Leicester and Bournemouth. I’ve been calling for two up front albeit with Raul and Cunha, but it also worked with Costa and Cunha. Surely Nunes best performance – with or without that wonderful strike – he needs to be played in the right position. Now, very interesting that we seemed to play more as a team and be more balanced, plus not arguing the toss with the ref throughout, without our hero Ruben! Next week will be without him again , so let’s see if we can replicate this performance. After a long wait the the two pints afterwards were again to celebrate rather than drown our sorrows. Yes!
7 more points required
One factor not mentioned so far…. us, the crowd. Other clubs in our position have fans who are protesting, moaning and clamouring for change, some have succeeded (Saints, Leeds, Everton) others are clinging on (Forest, WHam) but the support for our team has to be making a difference. The morons making the homophobic Chelsea chants are letting themselves and the club down, such a pointless chant anyway whereas “Come on Wanderers” from all four sides must lift the players and must continue to do so.
It was a proper team performance with everyone hitting 8/10 at lease, it’s five years since Neves scored the GOAT but Nunes ‘ strike was outstanding.
I disagree that 3 points next Saturday makes us safe, it would seriously help though.
I agree mate re the pointless chanting. Just plain silly. Any one who defends it needs to have a look in the mirror. Two more wins required and I reckon we are there. The objective from J Lo was to secure premier league status. Not quite. But almost.
Please lets cut the sentiment Neves and Moutinho need to move on so WWFC can move forward !!!
In 106 games scoring just 97 goals over 3 seasons nearly, thats the first game without either Neves and Moutinho !!!.What did yesterday say ?
It has to be said Mir, Cutrone, Jose, Fabio now Raul Costa and even Cunha and Hwang all got or get, very little service from the pair of stiflers.
Ruben although class (not a Wolves captain though) and Moutinho who should be put to grass despite good sub performances. Both should be moved on soonest.
They bear much responsibility for Wanderers struggling against relegation
Lets move on in 2023/24 and score goals, win games, aspire to the top and win trophies. Or is everybody loving about Ruben staying or going, DAY IN DAY OUT on social media while we are fighting relegation ? coyw.
Garry, in Neves and Moutinio, I recognise two high calibre , international players.
When we signed Moutinio , it caused a stir in the football community. Spurs were livid. Players of such quality in The Championship!
How fortunate were we.
Sentiment? No, but I have respect for them and their contribution.But I agree that players cannot be selected on sentiment.
Some say they have been great servants. I dislike that notion. They are not servants. They have been handsomely rewarded , and still are, although Moutinio receives considerably more than Neves.
I , like many on this blog, saw a very different Wolves side on Saturday..
Different in terms of grit, endeavour , energy and urgency. João Gomes, epitomised that. He will, of course , play against Brentford and if he maintains that level of performance, Lopetigui will have a nice problem for the following team selection.
I do not hold these players responsible for Wolves current situation. They were selected by the coaches and directed by the coaches. Certainly, Moutinio has inevitably lost some pace as would be expected at his age and I agree that he can no longer play with the sharpness needed today. Neves is also not a pacey player. He brings other qualities, which he will no doubt take with him at the end of the season when he inevitably moves on. In fact, I anticipate that there will be a small exodus of players, especially Iberian ones leaving courtesy of Mendes .
I agree that the midfield we saw on Saturday was a revelation . It was dynamic.
Let us hope for a repeat against Brentford.
It’s too early to call on Nunes/Gomes/Semina midfield combo Gary, it looks promising and lets hope it bears fruit as this will be next season’s mainstay with the inevitable departure of Neves. Calling our most talented and most consistent player a stifler after one good game without him is a hasty kneejerk reaction. I hope you’re are right but i very much doubt it will be that simple. Even if it was the case it would not be the fault of Neves as his ability is unquestionable, the blame would have to lie with the manager not utilising him properly. Mouthino has been used to good effect as a sub since JLo took over, shifting the direction of some games in our favour at times. He is an excellent squad player despite his age.
Spot in Happy.
I absolutely love Neves but the midfield yesterday was anything but defensive.
I’ve wondered if neves leaves wed collapse as he is such an important player but yesterday said another for me.
We pressed, pressed and pressed.
Brilliant!
Exciting and positive.
Has anyone ever told you you look a bit like Nicola Sturgeon?
Yes although I does get on me tits sometimes wolf
So that’s where she’s hidden the SNP funds!
It was just one game though, shed.Let’s see if they can produce a similar performance against a less high profile team next week. One that is superior nevertheless and without the prima donnas (that’s players, supporters, manager and owners!).
This might come across like I’ve come to pick a fight, but it’s just my observations having had 30 odd hours to let the euphoria settle.
We beat one of the worst teams I’ve seen at Molineux in a while by a single goal – although it was as good a goal as I’ve seen at the Golden Palace for some time.
Chelsea still see themselves as a team that should be beating sides like little old Wolves so there was none of that 10 behind the ball which week in week out we fail to break down.
The team on the surface of it looked like more effort was being put in. I disagree with this on several fronts, 1. I really don’t believe that not giving their all is in the nature of our players. There have been plenty of instances where individuals heads could have dropped for all sorts of reasons over the years and the opposite has undoubtedly been true. Secondly, If Chelsea had pulled us back to a draw and even beaten us with a last gasp winner, despite the performance the narrative and reporting would have been very different.
I’ve suspected for a while that our midfield have been tripping over each other. The absence of Neves gave others the opportunity to show what they’re capable of. It’s not that I’m not a huge admirer of Neves but I’m fairly sure when the likes of Nunes arrived there was never a plan for them to be shoe horned into the same team.
As welcome as this win is, as a stand alone result it says little about how our season will end and probably says more about the calamitous state of the opposition.
If we win next Saturday I’ll maybe think we’re starting to turn a corner. I’ve just seen too many false dawns to get excited just yet.
If you take our form since the restart esp Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool I don’t think there’s any question of false dawn’s, steady improvement under JLo albeit a tad inconsistent.
Were we rubbish last week and world beaters on Saturday? Neither really but on our day we showed evidence again that we can compete with and overcome what, on paper at least, is a very talented premiership side.
We certainly played Chelsea at at good time. I don’t really go with the ‘turning a corner’ view- yes, our play looked more effective but each opposing team has different strengths and challenges. This is where the most experienced managers pick a team and tactics to outwit the other.
Truth is that we looked better balanced by having two strikers and less width. Ruben and Adama are both gifted footballers but I do feel that we have become too reliant on them as a first outlet and have become predictable. Other teams pick up on this and both have been less effective this season.
Brentford is winnable and with Palace doing a ‘Clive’ that will be hard fought too. It’s why we keep
going back- you just never know what to expect..
We’re not safe yet.
Woodend, I am with you all the way.
“One swallow does not make a summer”.
However, Wolves always appear to have better performances against teams above them in the league. Always have. Wolves, certainly at present, do not thrive on high possession because they have little creativity or real presence in the opposition penalty area. They perform better against attacking sides.
In such games, our defence is busy and dogged. Against Chelsea every player was alert and involved. João Gomes , especially, was quick, mobile , energetic and quick in the tackle. A very different player than Neves. Totti Gomez added another level of safety. At last, there seems to be an awakening to the dire position we are in. If this level of determination and aggression is maintained on Saturday, we will prevail.
Let us hope that more swallows arrive and that Thomas Frank chokes on his gum.
Why did you not allow my post ?
There was nothing racist or abusive simply an opinion on Neves and Moutinho.
Obviously you found it divisive and unworthy so imply I should not bother !
The same old posters week in week out agreeing with your review, of course OK.
Another nail in Sandwell Towns play off hopes today. My calculations suggest they need to win 5 of their last 6. This would get them 72 points and may just scrape in the play offs. They have taken 1 point out of 6 v Rotherham and QPR over Easter. What a jolly splendid weekend.
Let them get promoted Cheesy. How can we beat them if we don’t play them?
I’m hoping they cling on to some sort of existence given their current owner bleeding them dry.
I’m just not sure we would be able to transfer the rivalry to Walsall or Shrewsbury if they ceased to exist.
I just want them to suffer in division 4 like we did Prawny. I don’t want them extinct. Even tonight on the BBC HYS a few Wolves fans have been on the WBA (me included) game and the salty bastards have been giving it out about when we were division 4 and the 5-1. I want them to suffer badly. Really badly.
Their finances are a real mess, their team is underfunded and bang average, decent coach that won’t be there too long so not worth worrying about. They’re not getting promoted anytime soon so as long as we stay in the Premier we shouldn’t be bothered. We can’t change the past but the future is golden so cheer up and chill out Cheesy, they hate us because they can’t be like us.
Thank you Wolves Blog.Perhaps I was hasty in reacting.
Maybe I should predict 0-3 every game?
I was shocked by how badly Chelsea played but that was in no small part down to our collective aggression and ball winning
Anyway delighted to be so wrong
There’s still ways to go to secure our status … I won’t be relaxed until 39 points are in the bag
Meantime some interesting puzzles lie ahead … like how to get Neto into the mix and life after Neves /Moutinho… but I’m getting to be cautiously optimistic
Still think Brentford will put :3 past us???
Trincao scores hat trick for Sporting.
Silva making pretty clear noises that he doesn’t want to come back.
Guedes – say no more,
Nunes – probably in regular contact with Klopp a la Jota.
Semedo making clear overtures to Benfica.
Traore (Adama) wants to play for anyone other than Wolves.
Neto thinks he’s too good for us.
Vitinha has decided he actually wants to be a footballer now he’s elsewhere.
Podence – depends on his mood.
Common thread.
Welcome to Wolverhampton, Jorge Mendes’s staging post for wannabe Portuguese footballers.
And Mendes is supposed to be an ally!?!?!?!
At least thanks to Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho for proving that every rule has exceptions and for your loyal service despite your agent.
Maybe it’s just naive to expect these footballers to have any connection with those of us who actually still pay their wages directly and otherwise, because I think if the pandemic proved one thing it was that football played in empty stadiums is not much of a spectacle and that the golden egg is still imbedded in the atmosphere of full grounds before the TV cameras move in.
Bottom line – imo the Mendes connection is no longer working in Wolves favour.
And Jan. non Mendes signings Lemina, Sarabia, Dawson and Gomes all look as if they actually want to be here in contrast to those cited above (collectively c.£200million plus wages for loans).
Fresh approach re recruitment desperately needed regardless of which division we’re in and after yesterday it’s looking a lot more hopeful for PL survival. Our club should not be run by a flash harry from Porto, regardless of his Fosun connections.
PJB. In regard to potential departures, I think your forecast is very likely to happen. I think Costa, Jiminez , Johnny and Sa are also likely to be in the departure lounge. Podence could also be off.
The players we have mentioned are all potential leavers , irrespective of our end of season fate.
It is likely to be an interesting close season and potentially very long and drawn out. Major surgery could be required given the above potential departures.
Let us hope that Wolves have a plan of players they want to sign , players they want to keep, and those they intend to jettison.
In the meantime, it is in the interests of all of the current squad to impress.
None of them want relegation to feature on their CVs.
And all this bad weather is the fault of Mendez too.
I thought we’d settled on blaming Scot Sellars for everything else??
Absolutely.
As is the war in Ukraine, global warming and the cost of living crisis. And that’s before we even start on Sellars.
Seriously, can you really justify the above catalogue of failure? It’s not a settled football club, more like the annual Travellers’ convention at Appleby in Westmorland. The only difference is that these travellers drive Ferraris and Maserati’s instead of tented horse drawn caravans and those towed by 4 x 4s.
I’m sure you enjoy your rants PHB but they are so, so subjective. Holes could be picked everywhere on your individual player comments but that would be boring so here is just one:
Vitinha 2022/23 season:
28 games played.
Goals:0
Assists:1
And that’s playing for PSG where you only have to give the ball to Messi or Mbappe on the halfway line to get an assist ( touch of hyperbole maybe but I’m sure you get my drift).
So where exactly is the evidence that he’s decided that he wants to be a footballer now he’s elsewhere?
PJB, apologies .
If anyone is in need of a rush, a hit, a pick-me-up, a feel good moment… or just wants to wallow in the memory of one of the best goals I’ve ever seen, scored in one of the best seasons I’ve enjoyed supporting Wolves…
Forget the white powder, or the whacky baccy…
Watch this.
https://tv.wolves.co.uk/player?feedId=81e4f698-9dbf-4e6f-b6a1-18963bf6539b§ionId=c75e43be-715a-427d-9691-e291e47ba02f&entryId=0_pt1os8zk
Thanks for sharing this Doog. Quite simply the best goal I have ever witnessed live. Nunes ‘s was spectacular and Kenny hibbitt’s chip over pat jennings at Highbury in the cup was exquisite but it is the only time I can remember a crowd collectively gasping momentarily at what they had just witnessed.
Do you know Sutton after watching the clip of the Neves goal (must be almost 5 years to the day) I reflected and came to exactly the same conclusion.
But that Neves goal was a lifetime moment.
Hair’s still stand up on the back of my neck when I see that goal.
Thanks Doog.
A privilege to witness that goal, yes the crowd noise was completely different.
Just a few days later I was at Cardiff to see him score the winner from a free kick and that was a special night too.
Memo to Jeff Shi; Pay him what he wants.
If I could like this x 1000000 .. I would…
I just don’t want him to leave … …
I’ve been to Porto….. a fantastic stadium .. but Molineux is better suited to Ruben and his family ..
and I’ve got him and I in a selfie….
My Lord
Have been going to Molineux since 1959 and rate Ruben Neves in any Wolves XI over the last 60 years. Like you would love him to stay but how can we begrudge him a shot at the big prizes that Fosun have clearly decided are no longer in our sights, which was a cornerstone of the original remit.
For a bit of fun and nostalgia.
4-3-3 of Wolves legends from my time.
Sa (yes Sa!)
Parkin
Slater
Munro
Thomson
Bailey
NEVES
Flowers
Richards
Dougan
Wagstaffe
Subs-
Parkes
Doherty
Coady
Hibbitt
Broadbent
McCalliog
Bull
Jota
Gray
Above squad could have beaten anyone in the world on it’s day.
And don’t forget to make room for Knocker Knowles
Knocker would be one of the first on my, and certainly Clive’s, team sheet.
I’d include ‘wee’ Johnny Hancocks all day long. Pocket rocket on the wing. Top scorer in two seasons in spite of bigger name forwards in the side. His record of 158 goals in 343 matches for Wolves speaks for itself.
I don’t know if I agree that Fosun have decided that big prizes are no longer in our remit. OK, they lost the plot in sacking Nuno instead of backing him. But, Lopetegui is not here to go through the motions. He was even prepared to come here when we were in the championship. He knows a project when he sees one. Assuming survival this season, get ready to fasten your seatbelt next season…
Great post PJB- the backbone of your team is the 1974 Cup winning team and what a day out that was.
We all have our favourites and I would have squeezed Steve Kindon onto the bench for his sheer entertainment value- the Doog would hold his head in his hands at some overhit crosses. Adama would be in good company!
With the ‘spitgate’ farce currently being pursued by the FA, does anyone remember Dick le Flem’s transfer from Forest- Noddy Hinton completing the reverse transfer. We got much the worst of the deal if my memory serves me correctly.
Lots of pun opportunities there.
Woodend, Dances, DOOG, Scruffysid
As you say we all have our favourites but think we probably agree on most of the choices – they almost pick themselves.
Some add ons/explanations –
1.Left Knowles out on 2 counts. Broadbent was similar but better, but more importantly he deserted for an eccentric religious sect.
2.Never saw Hancocks play.
3, Norman Deeley should also be in with a shout; anyone scoring 2 winning goals in an FA Cup Final should be.
4. Steve Kindon. Now there’s an enigma, yes almost a precursor to Traore and evokes memories of another great goal which he scored one Easter in the early seventies, I think against Arsenal, where he took off in his own inimitable style, this time for once taking the ball with him all the way, virtually the length of the pitch leaving a trail of flailing failed tackles behind him before finishing it off as cool as you like.
Some great shared memories eh!
‘Those WERE the days, my friend.’
I saw the Kindon goal you referred to- Bob Wilson in goal and the shot went through him. My father reckoned that Pter Broadbent was the best player he ever saw in a Wolves shirt, including all the greats in the 50’s.
Wouldn’t disagree with your Dad Woodend, Broadbent was real class, but it’s hard to pick just one out isn’t it.
The one thing I will say is that they were different (better?) days. These players were top class footballers but the Doog was an (inter)national celebrity and without exception they would all be happy to have a chat if you met them in the pub. Bit of a contrast to today I think.
Those were indeed the days.
But let’s hope JL can follow in the footsteps of Cullis, Allen/ McGarry, Barnwell/Barker and Nuno to leave us another set of memories to be proud of.
Cheeky I know, but to borrow a Blues anthem – “Keep right on the end of the road” for us old guys.
But as it was, is and always will be above all COYW.
Ah! Peter! George Best was a massive fan.
Remember the famous Bert Trautman City Cup Final?
As a nine year old, I watched that at a friend’s house along with Peter and Ron Flowers, his mate.
Well, we can all be allowed to boast occasionally can’t we!
Does anyone remember the pre match warm up when a Kindon rocket knocked out one of our players? I think it was Doog.
It was The Doog Kendal..
Same mould as myself PJB … although I did see little Johnny (Hancocks) smash the net with a few penalties back in the day .. something we don’t seem to get in the PL…
We all have memorable goals.
Does anyone remember Derek Dougan’s debut at Molineux?
What a day! He scored a hat trick.
Waggy was stunning that day.
For me, Derek’s third goal is ingrained in my memory.
We were attacking The North Bank ( Cowshed), and Doog met a cross from the right wing. He flicked the ball over his head with his right foot and unleashed a left foot, close range rocket. Magic! Check it out on YouTube.
I do Kendall and was there to witness it. Remember him scoring a rocket with his right foot (!) in Feb 1973 in a 1-0 win away at Birmingham when we didn’t get in until just before half time and ran the gauntlet in the Tilton End.
And here it is . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGG96tWV3cQ
Well done My Hero. Thank you.
And that for our younger bloggers was 56 years ago.(1967).
A lethal CF , in the box, getting three chances and scoring each time.
Happy days!
Memories are made of this.
You are now, officially, My Hero.
The Doog was the real deal ,remember his duels with Mike England if the this lot watched it today they’d faint, loved watching the forgotten Hugh Curran as well
Hughie, Hughie faster than lightening….no-one you see is faster than he!