Up until recently, the only blessing I could take from this tortuous season was the fact that whoever printed three incongruous words on the inside of our replica shirts did so where nobody could see them.
Better never stops.
Until Julen Lopetegui oversaw his first game on Boxing Day, a half-arsed squad of no hopers hadn’t bothered to get started. Twenty-seven points later, featuring three consecutive home wins and we’re positively racing towards safety.
These three priceless points were testament to a team who never stopped from the first minute to the last against an extremely impressive Crystal Palace side who had us on the ropes for long periods. That they didn’t blow the house down after lengthy spells of pressure was down to our own huffing and puffing in an admirable team effort that was barely recognisable a matter of months ago.
A far cry from Jonny and Neves playing centre backs at West Ham or the reverse fixture against Palace, when players couldn’t be bothered to track back or even mark their men. This win shows how far we’ve come under a manager who has worked miracles, whilst simultaneously reminding us that timing is everything.
Were it not for the gift of an unprecedented winter World Cup break, the chance to bang some heads together and the opportunity to recruit some new ones, we would surely have been cut adrift by this stage of the season. Fixtures against a beleaguered Frank Lampard (Everton) and a bereft Nathan Jones (Southampton) would also be taken like medicine. But neither of those wins, nor this one against Palace, would have been possible without some good old fashioned hard yakka.
It was more Big Mick shift than precision-peak Nuno and we were all the better for it against an Eagles side that never stopped attacking. Some crucial blocks, interceptions and a couple of fine Jose Sa saves kept Palace at bay, with one brilliant tip over the bar at the North Bank end evoking Darren Pitcher flashbacks, as the ball arrowed towards the same space where a stanchion used to perch.
Twenty-eight years since that FA Cup replay and there would be no repeat of that scoreline, even if this modern-day Palace side impressed me more than Chris Armstrong and company.
Tonight belonged to the good guys, with admirable levels of perspiration from every player worth its weight in gold, typified by Diego Costa’s tireless running from the front and Craig Dawson’s understated ruthlessness at the back. In between them, the best player to pull on a Wolves shirt since the days of Graham Taylor shone in ways reserved only for him. In slamming home the injury time penalty, torrents of adoration poured from the South Bank like waves, as if we knew it might be the last time we could tell him.
As the ball hit the South Bank net, redemption for this maligned squad would be complete.
Better late than never.
Wow, first to comment.
I thought Hugo was magnificent marking the palace winger.
Dawson and Costa are magnificient additions to the team.
Sa’s saves.
The whole team performance.
Twenty seven points since Xmas what a turnaround, ten for JL.
Yes what a contrast to those hapless times under Lage. The warhorses Costa and Dawson superb last night, so were Sa and Samedo.
Should now be ever closer to absolute safety. The promise of a new season under Super Lopetegui ever nearer. His points return of 1.5 a game would have us level with Brighton, so you hope next season should be a significant upgrade. Better never stops!
But blimey what a panicky 2nd half. It reminded me of watching National League, kick it anywhere. But it was what was at stake, we needed that win so much.
The relief of the penalty was palpable, Great night, including the young Frazer reading out the players names, “Come on me Babbies”, that should be a rallying cry for the players and fans.
Thought Palace were good, yes, but dirty and full of all the old professional shirt pulling, pushing and leaving a foot in where it hurts. Poetic justice really that their keeper give that penalty away and gave us such a collective sigh of relief.
Hope we finish the season in style now.
As ever, beautifully put Ben.
A TEAM performance (if I could have written that in bigger capital letters, I would have) against a highly talented Palace attack.
The fact that, apart from an own goal and a penalty, we never really looked like scoring doesn’t matter one jot.
We won in front of possibly the loudest Molineux I’ve witnessed.
And for Ruben to score the penalty in front of the worshipping South Bankers was a perfectly fitting way to celebrate his time with us and let him know, if he didn’t already, how much we all love him.
the loudest molineux was the play offs in the 90s again against Palace ..my palace mate reckons the noise inside the ground was the loudest hed ever heard inside any football ground.
Loud yes but a few Bundesliga clubs and Sevilla would give us a run for our money . Roma and Celtic Park atmosphere isn’t bad either. And then there’s Marseille and probably a few others I haven’t mentioned but certainly none near Witton or Halford Lanes.
That was a “good feeling at the end” kind of game. The lads worked hard and it was nice to see some lovely combinations, especially our 2 full/wing backs linking with the forwards.
I have also discovered a new definition for a true Wolves fan – cheering and waving arms in the air (very quietly) at 7am, whilst the lady of the house was asleep, as Wolves score their second goal – even though it ruined my 1-0 prediction. I thought it best for the team to secure 3 points, rather than me. 🙂
At the end of the game I had three sentiments
1. Relief. One of the most important games played at home in many a year, and we came through it with flying colors.
2. Pride. Our team played as a true team should. Full of fight and determination. Absolute commitment throughout. This was a team that would not lie down, even when under extreme pressure
3. Hope. Going forward at last we can have something to excite us.
But so much will depend upon the willingness of hapless Mr Shi to understand his role as the Club`s leader; an understanding that this is not to become directly involved in football matters of which quite clearly he has little knowledge, but simply to administer the affairs of the club: an understanding that to surround himself with Yes Men is not the answer; an understanding that having been rescued from the fiasco of the Bruno era, he must now fully support his new man so that this major improvement can be sustained.
And this surely means that he allows Lop to dictate the players HE wants to recruit to establish an attractive winning team, rather than having modest players foisted upon us as dictated by the whims of Mendez.
But suddenly the future is far brighter, and for this we must all be thankful. The trick now will be to take full advantage of a situation which just a few short months ago, none of could possibly have anticipated
Didn’t Lopetegui say something similar to that before he took the job after turning it down in the first place?
I`ve no idea what Lop said first time around, and frankly I don`t care. I`m only repeating what I`ve been saying consistently for the past two years, that until and unless Shi is either removed or changes his ways, we can have no real future.
Are you disagreeing with this common sense appraisal ?
Mike
I think most regular readers and posters on this forum are well aware that I have been probably one of Jeff’s fiercest critics (along with your good self!). And I will always stand by my contention that it all turned pear shaped when Laurie Dalrymple took his wisdom to the oval ball game.
But do we really know what Shi’s role is? How much autocracy does he really have and how much are his hands tied? How much are his actions dictated by Shanghai, by Guo himself and maybe even The PRC govt? We’ll probably never know.
But facts are facts and for the last 3 years WWFC has been run like Fred Carno’s Circus and as such Shi as CEO has to take responsibility.
Conversely, in the here and now since Christmas he has overseen one of the great recoveries in modern day football which has to be acknowledged.
The jury is still out and I think we’ll probably be much the wiser in about 6 months. But short term the man thing is that to all intents and purposes we have survived against all the odds.
You sum it up perfectly mate, as usual.
37 should be enough but you’d hope we’d scrape 40 now – an excellent achievement given what Lopetegui inherited. When he did his pre match lap of honour before the Arsenal game I thought ‘you’ve got a job on mate’ but he has delivered.
It hasn’t always been pretty but it’s been effective. Three consecutive cleansheets at home have got us there and I credit him for identifying the chronic issues we’ve had at full back and using Toti effectively. Dawson has been a colossus and both Kilman and Semedo have increased their levels as the season has progressed. Combined with more bite and mobility in midfield we look effective with a back four finally.
The other tactical tweak is playing more through the middle of the pitch. He’s got loads of wide players but has marginalised them all in recent weeks and both performances and results have improved. It’s also helped that Costa has found form and Cunha is playing in his preferred position.
Loads of players will leave in the summer but I just hope that enables Lopetegui to build the squad he wants so we can have a much better go next season.
Take what you say Thomas but I’ve watched it again and BT produced a graphic showing circa 85% of our attacking play coming down the flanks. Crossfield balls were more in evidence, usually ending up with Bueno and Semedo.
Hopefully, last night will have put to bed the nonsense that we are a better team without Neves .Palace were and are bang in form whereas Chelsea and Brentford were palpably out of form .
Yeah, not so much against Palace admittedly as this was more smash and grab. But I felt in the previous three we had a lot more success with Cunha and Hwang/Sarabia/Podence coming inside to link up with Costa more centrally. I’ll see if I can find a stat to support that view.
The turnaround under Lopetegui has been nothing short of remarkable, to go from bottom of the table to being a few points short of safety with five games to go is an incredible run.
If we do now stay up as is looking more likely, we will become only the fourth team to be bottom at Xmas and survive after West Brom (04/05), Sunderland (13/14) and Leicester (14/15).
And Leicester went on to win the league the following season, so we can always dream!
didn’t newcastle do the exact same thing last season? Bottom at Xmas, 5th with 6 games to go?
Almost, Newcastle were 19th on Xmas Day and eventually ended the season in 11th place with 9th being the highest they achieved.
Funnily, I never got the hype around Eddie Howe and always thought he was vastly over-rated, but full credit he has done a terrific job up there.
Anyone who can bring Bournemouth up to the top league must have some talent .
Yes, but they got promoted by breaking the FFP rules and paid a fine of £5m to settle things. That’s always rankled with me.
Looking at our points since Jlo arrived he’s turned us from relegation fodder to eighth best in the league.
With a summer and a squad refresh I’m optimistic he can get us in or around the European places next season
Firstly, thank you for the terrific summary Ben. Brilliant stuff.
Our team’s results, in the second half of last season, fell off a cliff and some speculated that this would carry over into this. Despite copious investment from our owners they were right. Until the World Cup we were dire and full credit to JLo who, with more investment from Fosun, has completed this massive turnaround. If this season can carry on into next, then we will be a force to be reckoned indeed.
This was a performance of the purest grit and determination, qualities which were sadly lacking earlier in the season. Everyone, like everyone, stepped up to the plate, dug deep and fought themselves to a standstill to cling onto that precious early lead. And cling on they did and Ruben’s late penalty was the perfect coup-de-grace to round off an evening of gripping entertainment.
And didn’t Ruben love it.
And don’t we love Ruben.
A famous old controversial record from back in the day was entitled ” NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS….HERE’S THE SEX PISTOLS”. Last night it was a case of NEVER MIND THE QUALITY….HERE’S THE 3 POINTS and precious they were. The players knew how huge it was to win that game and at times it was all hands to the pump and lamp the ball as far away from the box as possible. All of them ran themselves to a standstill. Wolves fans will forgive anything if they see the effort and fight and we saw that in spades last night. I think the early goal gave us something to hold on to and there was a bit of trepidation there about making any errors. But the 3 points were /are all that matter at this stage of the season and from xmas day no hopers we are now in a great position to kick on . Just seen a premier league table since xmas day and Wolves are 7th. Just think what J Lo can do with a full summer and a few more quality additions. Next up . Defeats for Forest and Everton will do very nicely indeed .
From bottom and bereft at Christmas to (almost) safe with 5 games to spare. A remarkable achievement, and even more so considering we’ve been so poor away from home.
Telling Wolves fans we’ll have to rely on our home form is enough to send shivers down the spine, much has been the pain we’ve suffered on our own patch over the years. There were the familiar nightmares In Bournemouth and Leeds which had me fearing we were toast but to string three home wins together in this league is no mean feat. Also amazing to think we had to beat Spurs, Liverpool and Chelsea to get to this position of relative comfort. Another reminder you can predict nothing from the fixture list.
Credit must go to Julen and game changing January signings in the form of Dawson, Lemina and, to a lesser extent, Gomes. The old warrior Neves did what he does, Nunes found form at last and what a joy to see Costa haring across the pitch these past few weeks.
We need a proven goalscorer if we’re to ever get anywhere in this league but that’s a mission for another day. For now, things are looking up.
By the way Ben, who in the Graham Taylor side (bar Bully) are we saying was better than Neves?!
Good point, who has ever been better than Neves? Like ever……?
The rollercoaster that is Wolverhampton Wanderers. Always felt we had too much talent to go down but thought it would have been closer to the wire. Some great performances last night (with exception of the officials, shocking decisions throughout the match. HTF was that not red on Pedro).
Costa is a joy to watch and if they can get him to do an extra year, coming in after a pre-season and trimmed down as he is, what a handful for opposition defenders.
Dawson for me is the buy of the season. A wily old fox who plays it perfectly. Costa and Dawsons influence on the team with their respective experience should not be underestimated either.
Yes it was headless chicken footy at times but the difference last night is they didn’t wilt and went at it as a team. You can see a team spirit there that was completely lacking in the previous setup. These guys are fighting for a manager that commands respect. From his first arrival at the training ground when the players half heartedly attempted bangs the back as he went between the players ‘wall of death’ you could sense that this was a no-nonsense no bullshit type of guy. I didn’t know the guy at all because I never watch other nations club football (we have the real thing). What he will do though is attract players that no other Wolves manager in my memory could have hoped to do so. We were lucky getting the likes of Reuben in but I think an element of that luck was due to how young he was at the time. Mr L will attract players of all ages and abilities and that bodes well for the future. Now let’s finish the season in style and see Everton and Morgan Gibbs Shite and possibly Leicester disappear down that rabbit hole.
Costa has come good at the right time but really Norsk, extend his contract? We need a number 9 who scores goals. We were desperate and in a dogfight when he came in but next season surely we expect so much more from this team than to be served up these crumbs of hope as necessary as they are. His overall season has been poor, only a month ago people were calling him a carthorse, i wouldn’t be so rude but surely if he stays he will only play a bit part in anything resembling a successful season.
Yes really HC. He has the fire in his belly again and if our manager is saying that what Costa does off the pitch and in the dressing room, including firing up the teams mentality then that my friend is priceless. I am imagining that he is not only scaring the opposition.
In a relegation fight I would agree Norsk and when he came in that was just what the team needed with the loss of Coady, Ruddy, Saiss and Boly impacting the dressing room mentality. Next season for me is a different matter altogether though, I sincerely hope he can’t get near the team and we no longer need him as a player or his admirable attributes off the pitch. Once the team is a cohesive unit we need a prolific goalscorer to make it a success. Although it sounds negative it’s optimistic.
Did anyone else notice what I thought was a fantastic refreshing change from the rest of season? We actually looked dangerous from corners and, apart from the first goal,we had several scoring opportunities and perhaps both Kilman and Dawson should have gone closer.
Reason? None of this short corner routine nonsense that sometimes ends up with Sa but, more to the point, quality delivery. So, stand up and take a bow Ruben(from the left) and Huego (from right).Not seen Neves take many corners before but his delivery is so spot on and we saw none of the floaty stuff that’s meat and drink to a decent keeper.
Actually the other way round (I was looking on from the North Bank) but hopefully you know what I mean!
That game epitomises the phrase ‘It doesn’t matter how we do it so long as we do it’. Iv blogged that a couple of times since Lage’s departure, a scrappy dog fight defending
a lead from an own goal for pretty much 90 minutes says it all. Our defense was immense throughout against essentially a much better side but we were due some luck with some of the bullshit officiating we’ve had to put up with this season. As a neutral that must’ve been an awful watch but for me seeing us fight tooth and nail was a joy given what was riding on the win especially with some of the toothless displays we’ve had to endure this season. I think we got lucky with Hwangs challenge in the box.
Over the line and only a miracle for 3 teams out the bottom 5 will see us go down instead of one of them, ain’t gonna happen.
Great to see Neves get the late pen in such a pivotal game, stay or go his love for this club is there for all to see. An incredible performance from our captain but imo we look too static with him in the side. JLo most likely not gonna need to find an answer to that conundrum next season anyway.
Costa gave his all and we look much better with him up front as a focal point but the clamour from some to give him another year is pure romance, we need goals next season not sentimentality.
Toti and Gomez out for the next game so more of the same against free scoring Brighton. Let’s hope for a repeat performance from our defense.
They say the team that’s bottom at Christmas is doomed and on Boxing Day morning we were that team with 10 points from 15 matches ad we looked the part. Then the new messiah took charge of his first league match,
Last night was a game we daren’t lose and everyone came to the party, even a couple of those who may have been arguably guilty in the past of not quite being as committed as they might have been. And in short 4 months Julen Lopetegui has transformed a rag tag assortment of often laconic individuals into a professional unit looking comfortably like a top half team again accruing 27 points from the 18 subsequent matches to back that assertion. JL has recreated the team ethic that Nuno produced.
I would be very surprised if we don’t acquire the couple of points needed for absolute safety soon and believe we can now sleep soundly without any serious fear of relegation.
But we do now face a major reconstruction phase. All the signs are that the manager we eventually acquired 6 years later than planned has all the qualities to get the great Fosun show back on the rails after a 3 year stall during which Jeff Shi has made some very poor calls. He and his bosses in Shanghai now need to back their new man as we are clearly at a watershed and which to be fair they did in January. With the change of culture in the club one or two of our best players who had itchy feet may even be tempted to stay and join what has the makings of a new golden era at Molineux. So in the words of Tammy Wynette “Stand by your Man” and continue to give him the freedom and resources he needs without being too shackled by the Gestitute connection. Wolverhampton Wanderers is run by Fosun not Jorge Mendes. It worked in January, so don’t fix it.
But for the moment hats off to JL and also to Jeff for finally hunting down his man.
Good post. Hats off to the players too id add for buying into what Lopetegui has implemented. Now Costa is fit and up to speed, he’s been absolutely key to this run of good form. Neves has been superb all season, dragging us through games single handedly especially in the early part of the season. What a job the manager and his coaches have done.
Did PJB just give some credit to Shi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The sun must surely be shining in Wolverhampton for this seismic event to happen. Get the bunting out…
Indeed I did HC.
I do try to be objective and give credit when it’s due.
More than i will PJB, he’s done nothing yet apart from oversee a shitshow and managed to avoid disaster, he’s goin nowhere though so i save my breath. See what happens next season.
Maybe us reaching the Europa League quarters and FA Cup semi was me having a wonderful dream.
Well it was better than 19 consecutive years in the second tier.
Was that Nuno or Shi though. Yeah Shi hired Nuno after Zenga and Lambert but he also sacked him too early and put that clown Lage in charge and kept him there despite form going off a cliff. A
very questionable transfer record. His form is chequered at best. We’ve avoided relegation and all is forgiven? I think I’ll reserve judgement till next season despite all the positive signs since JLo took over.
That was a real team performance against a very good Palace who really rattled our nerves and threaten to do a Leeds on us in the second half of attacking pressure.
But we held out ,block everything they could throw at us and counter attack them
when we could and that second goal was reward for a good team effort all round .
Dawson must be the steal of the season and the best 5 million we spent in a long while, leading the back line to another clean sheet, Costa leading the front and putting in a shift when needed in defence as well and our midfield working overtime with Neves covering every blade of grass
Don’t think we’re quite over the line yet but we’re almost there with another few points that should come in the next few games ,let’s get them at Brighton ,so we can relax and play with freedom and shows us what next season could look like
under Julio
C .O .Y .W
Great lead Ben .. thank you
Nice balance PJB
..I’ve waited for the chance to write that
We’re not on the beach yet … but JLo has brought some LIGHT
Thank you sir
and thank you to the gold shirted warriors that beat Palace by a force of will
Only two
Home games left
Hope the roof comes off in both
Thanks MW.
It can only be good good when we’re all on the same page and it’s a post I’ve been hoping to wrote for nearly 3 years;
What a different roller coaster ride we might have had if Spain hadn’t hijacked JL back in 2016 – better or worse, who knows. But one thing for sure I wouldn’t have wanted not to have had those first 3 magical years of Nuno. Hopefully we now have another who can create an era to match or better post war giants Cullis, McGarry, Barnwell and Nuno. Graham Turner did his bit to keep the club alive in very difficult times. And we had some good days under Ronnie Allen, Dave Jones and Big Mick. The rest are pretty forgettable.
Sorry for nostalgia overdose!
write
Given our current league position, I will gladly take an ugly win and three points all day long. Lopetegui knows how to win ugly. He did it against us in the Europa League with Sevilla. He’s been described as the most English of continental coaches. That probably means bloody Barnsley! Last night he channelled his inner Mick McCathy, that illustrious son of Barnsley, and the lads responded by putting a great shift it. We have the skills to match Palace but to engage in an open match last night against a Palace team in fine form might have been foolhardy. No way am I damning Lopetegui with faint praise though. Next season we will see a different side to him: the guy prepared to join us in the championship back in 2016, who saw a project in the making. He’s good enough to take us into Europe. It’s taken nearly seven years to get Fosun’s first choice of coach and I for one can’t wait for next season. My MOTM was the imperious Neves of course but honourable mention goes to Costa.
Anyone know where I could find – or, do you have – a table of results since the WC.
A few weeks ago we were 12th in that table. But, we’ve won 3 of 4 since
We’re 8th Lou, they showed it on MOTD last night
No, but:
Last games: 5th 10 pts.
Last 10 games: 10th 14 pts
Last 15 games: 7th 23 pts
Last 20 games: 11th 27 pts
Last 5 games, 10 points
Speaks for itself entirely..
For all bloggers who, for whatever reason couldn’t make it to Molineux yesterday. Here’s a couple of minutes of video that I shot from The Steve Bull to let you soak up some of the atmosphere – which was brilliant!
Including Ruben Neves despatching the penalty.
Isn’t it great to have a bit of Led Zep pounding out when the teams come on to the pitch instead of that insipid rubbish we used to have.
As John Lennon once said – Play loud!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcuJueHuqaI
Thanks Doog
Brilliant!!
So looking forward to seeing the Mol jumping on May 20
Will be at Park View and hoping to you guys there
OODCL
Oh yes! We’ll be there!
Haha, just watched your video DOOG, and apparently you sit maybe not even half a dozen seat behind my folks, who are in the same seats we had 35 plus years ago when I was going to the matches with my dad!
Damn but I miss the atmosphere of a packed Molineux. I have been to plenty of other sporting events in all kinds of arenas (NHL hockey here in Canada for example) and you really can’t beat the buzz from an English football stadium, especially when its jumping after a win!
Glad it brought back the memories MadBandit.
I’ll give your folks a wave next time I’m there for the Villa match.
Excellent Doog. Thank you. Reminded me of the atmosphere of past evening matches.
I noticed that as Neves’ goal was celebrated, No 7, Neto, did not appear to be in a hurry to join the celebration. I expect he will be off to pastures new soon.
Great stuff Mr Spielberg. It was kinda like that in my local boozer by the end.
Good ole Rockin’ all Over the World ‘. It’s become almost like the soundtrack of my life.
Thanks for that ,still miss it after 22years inN bloody Z
There’s no “I” in TEAM.
But there is a J, and an L.
When he joined us we had 10 points from 15 games.
We have 10 points from the last 5.
A full on turn around.
UTW
That’s absolutely brilliant DOOG and Mrs DOOG ..
Far far better than anything I’ve seen on You Tubs ..
Well done to you both ..
Sorry that we didn’t catch up last night .. we’ll do so hopefully against Villa …
Cheers mate.
Were you there last night? Sue had her bins out (Ooh! Matron) and couldn’t see you.
We were indeed Mark ..
We called in to see Trish after the game .. (which she consented to) … she’s such a lovely lady and no doubt you’ll agree .. but she’s took a right bump … hopefully no lasting damage .. but no doubt it will have lessened her confidence….
See you both soon ..
Love from us both .. xx
JL has done a very impressive job so far and at most we are now only one win from certain safety. As PJB said earlier Fosun backed him in January and that is to Jeff Shi’s credit. Assuming we secure safety shortly it should prove to be another fascinating summer. It is important that Jeff learns the lesson of our recent history. On the back of us getting within a handful of points of the CL under Nuno, we failed to capitalise on a strong foundation and make an investment to take the next step which ultimately began the spiral down to where JL stepped in. JL should be fully backed in the summer and given the authority to make his own choices within the budget provided. The January window has shown that good recruitment does not need to cost a kings ransom. Having turned the perilous situation around, JL and his recruitment team deserve the trust to act on their own judgement and not be constrained by choosing from a narrow pool of mendes clients.
Exactly Sutton.
In any business there are wheels within wheels but the incestuous relationship with Mendes/ Gestitute has latterly imo proved counter productive. The early flurry of Mendes signings included Neves, Jota, Cavaleiro, Helda Costa, Moutinho, Neto et al was a great launch ad for “the project”. But, latterly we are being fobbed off with second strings or transients (Nunes?). And I’m afraid the manner of Jota’s departure still rankles with me.
So to Jeff my message would be – carry on as Jan. and give our manager free rein but don’t exclude Mendes (who is Lopetegui’s agent anyway). A healthy balance is better than virtual exclusivity. But ultimately the Head Coach/Manager should always have the final say on the players being brought in to HIS squad.
Greetings Blog Massive,
We certainly are howling from the same hymn sheet this week. I wouldn’t argue with a contented PJB, and great notes contributed by all, a great team effort. Spirits well and truly lifted.
Sa turned it round from Villain to Hero. I thought he copped it from you lot last week, but he showed some class last night. The defence as a whole, rock solid. Another clean sheet.
J-Lo, like Nuno, was a goalie in his playing career, so I hoped the defence would improve, without us playing over defensively, as in the last days of Nuno, later days Bruno.
(For different reasons – Lack of available investment in Nuno’s case, to compensate for the horrific attack on Jimi. Some poor decision making from Bruno.)
Digging in to protect a single, own goal advantage, for 60 mins, is never going to make for attractive viewing, but the vital 3 points makes it all worth while at this stage of the season.
Whoever got J-Lo in deserves some decent credit. The man has transformed our fortunes.
1 lv & COYW.
Contended PJB Rasta indeed and massively relieved that Shanghai and Jeff finally saw the error of their ways when their football investment was about to disappear in front of their relegation haunted eyes. And to their credit when they belatedly reacted it was quickly and decisively. It’s probably a good thing that JL didn’t land 7 years ago because history says he then wouldn’t have been here today to pull off one of the greatest football escapes that I can recall in the PL – 10 points from 15 matches at Christmas really didn’t look good. 27 points from 18 matches on his watch represents a miraculous transformation. Ppg equation has exactly doubled in 4 months.
There’s little doubt we have we face a very tricky upheaval in the close season but I think January’s activity shows that Lopetegui has laid down a marker that he will do things his way and Fosun have thus far accepted it and given him the backing. Hopefully long may that continue in the same vein because if it does I can see some very good times ahead. At least we’ll have PL status from which to attract the players for a relaunch.
So, the potential is still there to reactivate the Fosun renaissance of The Mighty Wolves. And some of the self appointed big 6 currently look to be in disarray so maybe this could be the moment. Could we be in for a Geordie/Black Country inspired changing of the guard? Wouldn’t that be good.
Correction – ppg has actually more than doubled from .667 to 1.5.
JL walks on water.
I think 3 more points and we can relax although I agree with Nathan Judaha of the local rag in that Wolves can now turn on the gas and show what they can really do in the last few games.
I would love it…….shades of Keegan if we beat Arsenal on the last day of the season to deny them the title………..Love it…….calm down Kev…!
Just read a statistic on Wolves home games since J Lo’s arrival …
Games 8 .. W6 L2 D0 pts 18
Goals : For 12 Against 5
Clean sheets on 6 occasions .. all the wins..!!!
Molineux fortress confirmed…
Absolutely brilliant.. apart from the Leeds debacle .. we’ve excelled…
Was just about to make that comment Twix. You beat me to it. Makes that Leeds result just look bonkers. But like J Lo always says. It’s gone and we can only look to the next game. Here is another interesting stat looking to Brighton. Form table last 10 games. Brighton 15 points. Wolves 14 points. They have scored 5 more goals than us but conceded the same. So this fixture may be closer than a lot of people are thinking. We are also due an away win. 40 points anyone ??????
In fact. Just seen another table since xmas. Brighton 25 points. Wolves 24 points. Not much in it. Anyway. PPG update after last night. Still showing safety line at 34 points. It will still be 34 should Everton draw or lose tonight. However if Everton win it will go up to 35 points. So let’s hope the Geordies fo the business later on . Not too concerned for us as we are already on 37 points and 5 games to add to that. Plus our goal difference is worth an extra point. But worth keeping an eye on things !
I was at the game last night but thought I’d take my time and access before posting a comment. It’s Wednesday night and half time in the matches tonight. Chelsea are losing, Forest & West Ham both drawing in their respective games and for the record Arsenal are losing. So, I would like to think Julen and the guys will push on now, and will aim to overtake Chelsea and finish 11th this season. We can do it! In any case, I think we’re safe and we can start to look forward to next season. Btw a few excellent performances; Bueno, Kilman; Dawson; Lemina; Neves; Costa, but actually a very, very solid team performance and a really good atmosphere, followed by a couple of pints of Banks’s before the train journey back to London. Good times.
okay yeah..I mean assess. Come on guys.
I’ve just read this story on The E & S website, about the closing of the old South Bank stand which happened on May 1st 30 years ago.
Well worth a look.
https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2023/04/27/south-banks-last-stand/
Just thought I would share this I have just read from Frank Lampard’s Chelsea after their latest defeat to Brentford last night . And I quote Frank thus :
” Brentford had 1 shot on target and scored 2 goals ” …………
That’s the kind of striker we need to bring in during the summer !
I heard Lampard quite that and was a bit puzzled … it should be reclassified as … “balls headed or hit with the boot towards the opponents goal and on target but not necessarily by the attacking team … “
Get a life Frank … you lost .. for the 5th consecutive time …
Me thinks that Todd won’t be ringing you at home ..