When the weatherman says it’s rainin’, you’ll never hear me complainin‘.
Yes, the forecast called for a dry, cloudy evening but it was pouring goals at Molineux tonight with Wolves making a splash.
Our second string side lacked any pace or width so it was all about picking Blackpool off with fluid passing through the lines. One paced at times but ultimately very effective.
It suited the likes of Doherty, Sarabia and Jonny to a tee. They luxuriated in stroking it around and waiting for the right moments.
Pablo showed how effective he can be – albeit against meagre opposition – with incisive runs in behind and lots of disguised through balls.
Fabio and Sasa both profited from his work, finishing calmly to all but settle the game inside 25 minutes.
Blackpool had their say, hitting the woodwork twice and blocking Wolves in their defensive third for extended periods. They were probably worth at least one goal on the balance of play, but were ultimately restricted to pot shots from distance before being soundly punished on the counter as the game developed.
Matt Doherty, playing at walking pace for much of the contest, picked his moments like the seasoned pro he’s become and showed the quality in front of goal we know he possesses. I think he should be in the team on Sunday.
It was great to see Nathan Fraser get what I believe is his first goal in professional football and several other youngsters get minutes under their belts.
Less pleasing was Joe Hodge pulling his hamstring, which almost certainly rules him out for a spell and further reduces Gary O’Neil’s ever shrinking options in midfield. Please do something about that Jeff.
Boubacar Traore did some good and not so good things but I can forgive him for being rusty with such limited game time in recent months.
Wolves were wasteful in possession at times and Traore, Toti and one or two others will have to sharpen up if they’re to force their way into first team contention.
But, we scored five, we didn’t concede and we’re through to the next round.
I ain’t complainin’.
Loved Thommo’s quip on the commentary “5, it normally takes us a few months to score that many “
Just going to enjoy the fact we scored 5. Chuffed for both strikers especially young Fabio, might keep the knockers off his back for a game or two. His effort can’t be faulted and positioning and touch improving all the time. Once he gets a couple in the PL he will be fine.
Doherty deserves a start against Palace.
You never know it might just be that with 2 or 3 additions in the next couple of days we may even surprise ourselves.
Well, if Blackpool had scored the goal you said they deserved, that would have made the score , “a Clive!!”
RIP.
I know a lot of people won’t agree with me but my personal opinion is that when Saribia is on the pitch we pass the ball quicker and more effectively
At united on the opening day , the quick inertchanging of the ball was mainly orchestrated by him , when he was brought on against Brighton… we started to press higher even though we were three goals down by then
At everton he came on in the 73 rd min ( I think) and by the 87 min we had scored the winner … tonight we scored 5 and he was instrumental in At least 3 of the goals .
I think he is going to be very important for wolves this season
I was pleased when Matt Doherty returned to Wolves and even more pleased that he scored two goals last night, albeit against league one opposition.
I, too, think he should be on the field against Palace on Saturday (in his old position) and, at least, he seems to know where the goalposts are.
Let’s hope that bit of target practice starts to pay dividends for the rest of the team too.
COYW
Sunday, not Saturday…
Excepting we were playing being lower league opposition, having back to back wins, despite the overall performance, has to help the dressing room in feeling a bit more confident .
Was nice to see the Doc back.
KTF
There is a theory that you can judge the worth of a squad by how it performs against lower opposition. (Actually that’s just my theory but it could be right).
I commented to her Ladyship leaving the ground that we’d just seen our goals quota through till Xmas…. Let’s hope not …
An impressive result, which imo, flatters us slightly in so much that Blackpool had two thunderous efforts rattling the woodwork, the first when it was 1-0… but as is said .. you can only beat what’s in front of you.
Of course Lady Twix was in raptures with ‘the Doc’ popping up with a couple of classic ‘Doc’ goals. (Newcastle away last minute)….
I too agree that Sarabia caught the eye and so did Ait Nouri as a wing back …
Silvas’ goal will give him some more confidence but the spaces won’t be there by PL defensive standards…
That said , a great confidence boosting result given all of the issues going on and let’s hope that Joe Hodge’s injury isn’t as serious as it looked ..
We did what we needed to do and scored goals along the way.
Altogether a very satisfying performance and an enjoyable evening.
Big traffic problems on the trip to the match meant we had barely taken our seats when things were underway. Sasa caused the defence problems throughout and showcased once more the fact that he is not just a gert lummox. He has much skill on the ball and a keen eye for a pass. Important we can keep him fit and well this season.
So pleased to see Fabio score and, of course, the Doc did what we came to expect over many years.
Credit to Blackpool, who rustled up two fantastic shots which rattled our woodwork and didn’t, in the main, resort to strong arm tactics.
Sarabia, I feel, is skilful and can see a telling pass, but struggles somewhat with the physicality of the league. He needs, I would think, to have a few months on the Adama diet.
The Doc should definitely be in our starting eleven.
Over the years he has been instrumental in making, and scoring, goals for us. And he obviously hasn’t lost the knack.
I couldn’t believe the stats. We had thirteen shots, nine of which were on target and scored five goals. So THAT’S where the net is! Hopefully lesson learned.
Much harder tests to come, much more wheeling and dealing to be done before the transfer window closes, much more nail biting ahead.
But it’s a start.
How many times have we disappointed in the past against lower league teams? If Man City had beaten Blackpool 5-0 at home, the headlines would have been the usual, fawning super-citi stuff.
We put out a second-string team and exceeded our expectations. For me, special mention of the Wolves transfer bargain of the century (twice over). Doc from Bohemians for about 85 grand and now again for a free. This is the player voted Premier League player of the month, September 2018. We may have wasted untold tens of millions on others but Doc has repaid Wolves in spades. Surely he’s worth a start against Palace. Nelson Semedo might well have gone to Man U by then.
A very timely win, never mind the opposition. Hopes raised in and out of the dressing room, expectations re-ignited, fans’ positive state of mind restored until we next get thrashed.
That’s the joy of being a fan. Love it . Always a Wolf .
Just food for thought in case FoSun wants to spend some money in January:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AtlantaUnited/comments/15xf9yo/mls_transfers_source_thiago_almada_has_formally/?rdt=62723
https://youtu.be/q2ngQqq3WBs?si=Ou_5s2HFheIJjHL_
Well done last night. Job done and clinically as well.
But by far the bigger story at the moment is Nunes.
And I’m probably going to surprise most on here. Much talk about us having “bottled it” on various forums, but IF we sell him for close to £50 million probably plus add ons it’s a great deal for a player who clearly NEVER wanted to be here in the first place and showed his displeasure almost weekly, We were never going to get £60 million it was a negotiating marker.
So if it does go through on this occasion I’d like to be the first to say well done Jeff Shi and his team for striking an excellent deal for a player who never really performed for us. Over £10 million profit for a snake in the grass has to be good business,
Are you referring to Mendes when you say “snake in the grass”?
For once PJB I find myself in full agreement with you. Good luck to him and Man City; they deserve each other. Nunes is the next Kalvin Phillips and will join him in obscurity. When Pep eventually decides to discard him no decent club will overlook his failure of character. Maybe Besitkas will have him
It is indeed, good business which could turn out to be great business if it enables several players to join us before the window closes.
Tommy Doyle is a very promising young player who has proved himself at Championship level – on a Loan basis it may turn out to be a better deal than the outright purchase of Alex Scott., who significantly was not being courted by the big boys.
Further additions in defence and striker would complement our squad.
It’s even better with Tommy Doyle. It’s a loan with the option to buy at £5mil. Of course, we would never have got that deal without Nunes going the other way. In fact, we would not have got Doyle on loan at all (we did try and fail) as Pep wanted him to go to a top half PL side or equivalent in Europe. As much as I wanted us to play hardball with the price for Nunes, it was bluff and Russian roulette. If Pep had walked away, we would have been stuck with Nunes the Great Sulk for I don’t know how long. With other rumoured incomings, it’s looking to shape up as a good window, with O’Neil’s stamp on things.
Agree totally PJB. Always flattered to deceive. I’d give him 3/10 for his time here and like I said on a previous thread anyone who doesn’t want to give everything for the famous Old Gold shirt can clear off. Looks like we are getting Tommy Doyle as part of the deal. Plus someone from Uruguay – Beueno ? Maybe another couple more by Friday. As for last night . THREE Wolves strikers hitting the net in the same match. Bonkers ! Next round drawn tonight at 10.15pm.
And another thing. Whenever Chairman Guo makes an appearance things start to happen with signings…..or maybe it’s just a coincidence !
Who’ve we signed Cheese?
Doyle. Bueno. Some geezer Enzo something on radar apparently.
Signing post dated checks
Great win! It’s been a very positive few days for Wolves. A good away victory in the prem, 5 goals scored by us in a match for the first time in years plus our younger players Cundle, Campbell and Hoever either scoring or assisting for the respective clubs where they’re on loan. Luxury models like Guedes has gone out on loan again and Nunes has been sold at a healthy profit with some talented, young and cheaper models coming in. Doc is back and I’ve said a few times on here he should never have been sold and Semedo was never an upgrade. Mendes has been found out! I’m liking this new approach and liking Gary O’Neil’s style too. ‘I fully expect Mattheus to be a Wolves player after Friday’ is a classic piece of bluff. O’Neil is clearly embracing the opportunity he has of being at our club, and wants to work only with players who want to play for him and for Wolves. In just a couple of weeks we’re playing football that is far more entertaining than we’ve seen for a good while. I’m actually looking forward to trips to Molineux again rather than fearing them. I’m not forgetting Brighton, I was there and yes it was bad, there will be a few hiccups along the way, but it’s early days. I’ve got a feeling O’Neil and his team might surprise a few people this season. Let’s give them our support I say!
Chem Campbell to the Addicks?
Given the circumstances, it’s the least we could do for our beleaguered brethren in the big smoke. Watch out for the £12.50 ULEZ charge when driving your team car / old banger to training. 1 lv.
Loaning players to championship is an insurance for relegation.
We would have 4/5 experienced championship players, when we would have to let the high earners/ PremPrimaDonnas go.
I know there are still two days of the transfer window to go, and a lot could go right or wrong, but does anyone else get the impression that Lopetgui could have had exactly what he wanted if he’d kept his mouth shut and just been patient?
I’ve always been more positive about our situation than some on here, but I’m becoming increasingly more optimistic that we’ve turned a corner and J.Lo pissing off was very much a plus.
I like Gary O’Neil.
At least I can feel that the manager is proud to be at the club rather than here under sufferance. I think this attitude will transmit to the team and we will see it manifested on the pitch.
The return of ‘The Pack’?
The burning question is…does Doyle really want to play for Wolves?
He was born in Manchester and a City supporter all his (short) life with family ties to the club – isn’t he related to Glyn Pardoe?
I’m sure he would have preferred to have had a long career with them.
However, he’s a professional sportsman and competitive. He was happy to play in the Championship last season and so playing with Wolves may not have been his dream team but his career is progressing now he’ll be playing in the Premier League.
It seems unlikely he’ll ever go back to City so hopefully he’ll try to gain success with whoever he happens to be playing with and, if that team becomes successful, why wouldn’t he be content?
It’s not like he grew up on the sunny Iberian peninsula and Wolverhampton will be a culture shock.
Conor Coady grew to love Wolves. Did anyone ask if really wanted to play for us when Liverpool were his dream team?
Burning question? Bollocks!!
Could U Now Translate
Had this from my mate who is a Blades fan, when I asked him about Doyle.
“Bloody brilliant player. I’m disappointed he’s not coming back to us but I guess the Nunes deal has made the switch to Wolves happen. Bosses the midfield and can strike a ball!’
The question Jim from Sutton asks, is relevant. Guess, he will get more time playing, so maybe that’s a motivating thought.
Very disappointed the way Nunes has behaved. It really does show that today’s players are really disconnected with reality and their fan base. They say money is the root of all evil. Football demonstrates that too often it seems.
What ever happens, WWFC will be in our blood and we will always turn up.
KTF
As someone pointed out elsewhere, teams do it to players so why not the reverse.
What happened to Bale a couple seasons ago?
Could U Now Translate
Enso Gonzalez has now signed for Wolves. He’s very fast. Maybe he will be nicknamed Speedy Gonzalez?
La La Laaa …. La La La La La La La laaa … you better come home SPEEDY GONZALES …
We paid with Tequila and green stamps. He’s coming home Speedi Gonzalez.
What’s not to like Twix.
I chipped in with some Engassy coupons I found in the loft ..
Hope you’re well my friend ..
… Embassy..
All good,thank t Mike. Hope all good with you and yours.
Which watering hole are you using these days??
Pre Beatles classic by Pat Boone as I recall LT.
Bang on the money PJB .. I just you tubed it .. 1962 .. goodness me ..
Let’s hope he provides us with some Magic Moments.
This is a generational think PJB. I think we are slowly becoming isolated.
As someone pointed out elsewhere, teams do it to players so why not the reverse.
What happened to Bale a couple seasons ago?
Whose idea was it for Podence not to train with Wolves senior team? Do we know for sure it was Podence and not the coach trying to force him to leave?
Hugo….Hugo Hugo…..Hugo Hugo…… Hugo Hugo Bueno
Santi…..Santi Santi……Santi Santi …..Santi Santi Bueno
FWAW
Che Adams next according to John Percy- Telegraph- not done yet though.
Did you order a Code Red for Santiago?
Remember that….Tom Cruise…A few Good Men.
Let’s hope VAR missed that one.