‘Please go and buy a striker Fosun,’ implored ex-Wolves player Mel Eves, whose pained cry was coming over loud and clear on the radio airwaves.
Mel made the task sound so straightforward. Beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder. Had a pre-season purchase involved unfashionable matchwinner Glenn Murray, most of us would have grimaced. ‘Too slow,’ we’d complain. ‘Journeyman,’ we’d lament. ‘No better than what we have,’ others would bemoan.
But it was 35-year-old Murray who was the difference in this fixture that got away, who was in the right place at the right time to turn home Bruno’s mishit.
Having played with John Richards and Andy Gray for long enough, Eves is well placed to comment. Another primal shrill followed when a whipped corner from Cavaleiro was attacked by precisely nobody in the dying embers of the game.
For all of the plaudits heaped upon us since our Premier League return, it’s another game without a goal and a team sorely lacking a player with the natural instinct to get into the right place at the right time, like Murray the matchwinner.
Nine goals from 10 games – in a team that can hardly be called conservative – screams of a side lacking in that unfashionable number nine who Brighton will be toasting tonight. Apparently, yearning for such a player is missing the point these days anyway. But even if the purists are true, it would surely give us a Plan B that we appear to be lacking right now.
In a glaring juxta-position which won’t be picked up on MOTD, a delivery by Costa – moments after the deadlock had been broken – went to the exact same area where Murray was earlier loitering. No Wolves player within 5yds.
‘Oh for a Steve Bull in this side,’ added Eves, whose earlier British Bake Off analogy was pretty much spot on.
All the necessary ingredients are in place to produce an absolute showstopper, as witnessed by long sustained spells of pressure late in the second half featuring corners galore that Dunk and Duffy would have salivated over at the other end.
But the icing on the cake to really catch the attention is what we’re still desperately lacking. Twenty-five efforts (versus 7), 10 corners (versus 1) and 60% possession bears testament to this.
The home fans’ screams for the final whistle sounded deafening, which probably told Nuno all he needed to know. He saw the performance that he was calling for in the pre-match presser, making it a moral victory of sorts.
But such concepts don’t exist on MOTD where the only thing the experts will be reflecting on is ton-up goalscorer Murray.
He was worth his weight in gold.
Couldn’t agree more Ben.
Me too.
An excellent report which reflects my sentiments exactly.
We don’t have a finisher and we don’t have 5 or 6 players who will get 5 to 10 goals each and we don’t seem to have a plan B. Seeing Leo warming up didn’t fill me with hope. Will he really produce something that Jimmy won’t or was it change for the sake of it. We may as well have thrown Dendoncker on and pushed Willy up front to give Brighton a different set of problems.The stats are damning and the only one that really matters is that Brighton scored with one of their two real chances.
Two difficult games coming up.
Sorry to sound so negative – it’s just my opinion. We’ve done remarkably well and I would have happily settled for staying up in the summer. Since then we’ve exceeded expectations but with a finisher I feel we could be doing so much better. I think the lack of one worried a few of us at the outset.
Ben I think your knee jerk review was written too soon after the game while still smarting. Notwithstanding Mel’s opinion, my advice would be to sleep on the losses and reflect and write the morning after. Looks at what Nuno achieved last season and earlier this. And even in this game, look at the stats. No, obsessing about another striker isn’t the panacea.
Good summary mate and impossible to disagree when you see us have so much of the ball and so much territory and yet fail to score.
Doherty should twice have done better, especially in the first half when he worked the position expertly and then curled it wide. But also in the second half when he came onto that cross at the back post, he should have made better contact. Tough to criticise a wing back for not scoring the goals but he is capable of better.
I do think we’re a striker shy to at the very least give us an option. I also feel like our wide players aren’t getting into inside positions frequently enough to feed off Jimenez. Last season Jota was constantly marauding through the middle, but too often Traore, Cav, Costa and Jota when he came on were hugging the touchline, which has become a bit of a feature. We need more bodies in the box.
If my old school mate Mel Eves says we need a striker, then who am I to disagree. Let us not talk about letting Afobe go or keeping Bonatini, it is a striker of much higher ability than those that is now needed. I must admit to not considering that a priority, until recently. I liked how we played today, having managed to watch it on hesgoal.com, but we can only win if we score and that failing could stop us progressing.
So, Mel, I agree mate.
I live in Panama City Florida, where my family has survived the monster storm Michael. The roof of my house is pretty much destroyed. with the two heavy masonry chimneys deposited by 160 mph winds in someone`s garden up the street. No electricity or water fore many days, and only now, over two weeks later, have we got internet and phone services back.
But we are the very lucky ones. There are literally thousands here who have no home in which to sleep. Roads are still blocked by massive fallen oak trees. Absolute carnage. Fortunately the police /military are doing a magnificent security job in limiting the wicked activities of deplorable looters. An overnight night curfew remains in place with looters being being shot on sight. Would you believe that one such looter was shot dead as he tried to steal a police car ! !.
But amidst all the sorrow and gloom my family remains positive. Our home will be rebuilt. We are all alive. Thank you God.
In this context Football, even that played by beloved Wolves, matters not a lot. I only learned Wednesday that we had lost at home to Watford last weekend. ! ! So I was looking for a big pick-me up today with a win at Brighton. It didn`t happen, but at least we seemed to have played really well. This will in itself give me some inspiration as I return to shoveling up the endless debris which is piling some 10 feet high in the street.
I agree with everything said regarding the lack of a decent striker. But com on guys, think how far we have come in such a short time. Nuno will get this right. This is just the beginning for us. Absolutely certain.
What I need now to lift our spirits is a big win next weekend. Believing in Nuno as I do this must be a nailed on certainty.
Bloody hell Mike!
Your predicament certainly puts things in perspective. I feel a bit bad about my rant below now.
The present Mrs DG’er and I are sending positive thoughts your way.
Keep strong mate and we’ll try and do our bit this side of the pond by shouting the lads to a win next week.
You have my utmost sympathy, Mike.
We suffered similarly through Hurricane Harvey just last year, and I would not wish the suffering, heartache, devastation, overwhelming helplessness and grief on the worst Albion fan in the world. As you say, football takes a low place on the totem pole compared to this.
However, it was the Wolves, with their fabulous liquid football, together with Nuno and not least the marvelous piss taking and cameraderie of our fellow bloggers during our wonderful last season that really, really helped.
( Me, anyway, Marla just rolled her eyes!)
The only important thing is you are safe, the rest is only stuff.
I speak from experience, it will make you a better person, and you will not sweat the small shit things in life going forward.
Chin up, old chap, life goes on and life is good.
If you need to chat or vent, at any time, or just have a sympathetic ear to talk at, my number is 713 882 9816.
As to the Brighton match, I have to hold my hands up and now agree that a lot of you on the blog were right and I was wrong, we need a striker or two.
Traoree is not the answer.
He was crap.
At one point he even tripped himself up.
I lost the tv feed for the second half, but we should have been over the hill and far away before they got a sniff.
Nuno, I’m sure, has been on top of the situation for months, and no, we don’t want any Manure cast offs like Lukaku.
I said to anyone who would listen we should take stock of how we are doing after 10 games, quarter of the season.
I still think we are better off than most of us dared dream, so, onwards and upwards, bring on the spurms.
And FOwb
Good report Ben.
I watched the game on HesGoal.com (good stream only buffered once) and I am now more depressed and frustrated than I have been for a long time.
I’ve said before that I don’t think Traore should start. He doesn’t really fit into our way of playing. His head is down, he runs for the sake of beating someone three times, quite often trips himself up and he doesn’t seem aware enough to pick a pass when it needs picking.
As an impact player in the last fifteen minutes or so, when the game is stretched, he is in his element. Otherwise, he unbalances the team. Hopefully he will learn the Wolves way but he hasn’t yet.
The main thing that has frustrated and depressed me though is our total lack of ability in putting chances away.
We can outplay teams over three quarters of the pitch and then we are clueless when we get in sight of goal.
Even when we were throwing the kitchen sink at them during the last few minutes, apart from the Bennett shot, we didn’t really look like scoring and weren’t attacking the ball in the box with anywhere near enough bodies.
I know we are still ninth and we would all have bitten your hand at the start of the season…. etc etc…
…but three points were there for the taking against a VERY ordinary Brighton side who didn’t have anything really.
Apart from a striker who could put their ONE chance into the net.
But I know that Nuno will address these problems, and I know that the goals will come.
Starting with Spurs next Saturday.
Come on you Wolves!
Sorry to hear your plight Mike, I hope you get back to normal as soon as possible. Clive from Houston will be able to relate to your situation, having been a victim himself the last time.
I think the “new top class 20 + goal scoring striker will rage on” but the overall performance was back following last weeks “shock” defeat.
I also think this is the first time Nuno has lost two on the bounce, so that’s a stat he won’t be toasting tonight.
But Ben I have to disagree re the geriatric Murray, apart from (& yes it’s a big “apart from”) the shot that I think I could have scored he didn’t do jack all else. He created fouls, pulled shirts (even tried to wear Cavs) and argued with the ref, but seriously given the option of Murray at the Mol – no thanks.
I still bemoan the lack of a No 9 in the box but if we don’t/can’t/won’t feed them how will they score?
If we replaced Jimenez with Murray I don’t think we’d score more and Murray couldn’t break like Cav/Jota/Costa & would have twisted blood by half time.
Oh & given the option of a Steve Bull clone, then Fosun – YES PLEASE – brake the bank for him.
In Nuno I trust & believe we will tonk someone soon.
UTW
I blogged earlier we don’t play these very often……Thank god…!
Six times in the top flight and SIX times we have lost. I get the performance was better but I’d rather play crap and win
I agree totally with Eve’s we need a Murray a Troy Deaney some one who scores ugly goals in of his shines a poacher.
We just don’t have anyone in the squad who can do that.
All the possession doesn’t mean anything if you end up with no points. We are still finding our feet perhaps our good start gave us a false sense of how we have adapted to the Premier League
The truth is that many of us have been saying we needed a proper striker for a long time but the only one we signed (Afobe ) was sold at the drop of a hat . I love Nuno but his Achilles heel is a stubborn refusal to alter anything about his style or set up so he insists upon a Jiminez Bonatinibtype player . Thus I worry that the type of striker desired will not be bought . He could look at the young strikers like Ennis and Ashley Seal who are doing fabulously well in the U 23s in the meanwhile . Our present ones are not delivering .
Afobe was not the answer, doing nothing for Stoke so would have been woeful at this level.
No, Afobe was not THE answer; but he could have been AN answer to see us through to January if he hadn’t been shifted before we had a striker to replace him.
He’s scored 5 goals for Stoke this season (Jimenez, our top scorer, 2), and he managed to score 10 for Bournemouth at this level; hardly woeful. Think what he might have done with the supply our attack can provide.
Still, we are where we are and I’m hoping we already have someone ready to sign on day-0ne of the transfer window, not 5 minutes before it closes.
In the now unfamiliar position of two on the trot, I take heart not only from Nuno but also Chris Hughton’s words. He’s a wise man. But we need to find the scoring answer – is it a proven striker, of whom there are sadly few and even fewer available, or more confidence and clinicism (??!!) from those we love?
Next week we play what many consider to be a top 6 team.
A true reflection of our progress will be tested properly AGAIN by a top team.
If we get stuffed then Nuno will really have to rethink the whole job but I truly believe that the last two results were our re adjustment fixtures .
We were almost back today and by next week I hope we will be firing on all cylinders.
Scoring goals is ultimately our most urgent problem .
The system requires a special type of striker.
The huge call for an out and out goalscorer is understandable but a Steve bull mk 2 would be of no use in the system we play.
Our real problem is that we rely on Costa or jota to provide the goals and they are being taken out of the game as a matter of course by the opposition.
We really have to ask if they are good enough for the premier ?
I think they could be but are still re adjusting. We may have a painfull few weeks to endure yet.
Ultimately Nuno has to halt what could turn into a downward spiral.
Two tough games to come and two points with two clean sheets would do for me.
Tough luck today we deserved at least a point .
Spikey, who would you class as a suitable “special type of striker”?
We saw today on more than a couple of occasions the ball being played to near post – but no one was there – we then saw the ball hit long to the back stick – again no one there.
Did Jimenez have an off game? Not really the lad has a thankless role in creating space for others to exploit but then can’t always be stretched to meet the early near post cross or low ball, so if we don’t have him there he cannot score.
Nuno & the management WILL get this right, but Nuno won’t compromise on his “style” of play.
Agree Totaly with you as it seems almost as though we need an extra man because the one who should be on the end of these balls is the one who is doing the job of supplying them and obviously can’t be in two places at once.
Is it Nunos coaching and shape that means Jimmy has to provide as well as be there to score , is it that jota ,Costa are told to stay wide when maybe they should be the ones heading towards the goal .
Or is it that the standard of defending in the prem is vastly superior to the championship and we haven’t quite got to grips with it yet .
I have a feeling it’s a bit of everything to be honest .
Nuno tactics may have to change a bit and the players have got to change their thinking a bit but the defenders they are up against without doubt are nothing like they have been used to.
When I say special striker I mean someone who can play in our system but when the game shows a potential opening he will know to be selfish and Not be the provider but be the one who is on the end of it.
Jimmy could maybe be that man but Nuno will have to change the system to allow him the freedom to put himself in those positions .
One thing is certain we can’t carry on creating this many chances without scoring.
Yep! Same old, same old. Masses of possession. Dominance all round, but no points at the end of the day. Our team struggles to score goals. For all the attractive build-up play and chances created, it remains a a simple fact.
With that in mind, what was the thinking behind fielding Traore as a starter rather than Cav? The only player in our squad who has shown any semblance of clinicality in front of goal has been Cav and yet he was kept on the bench while Traore was given a start. I’ve said this before on here, but I’ll say it again now, Traore is a speed-merchant, but not much else. He keeps his head down and is not a “complete player” IMO. 18 million? Too much for me. Both Cav and Costa are far superior all-round footballers.
We now have 2 tough games coming up. Perhaps Wolves will meet the challenge, but Nuno needs to show some gumption in his selection for these 2 games.
So we didn’t win, but what a game of footy.
Mike’s house is in bits and we all send our regards and best wishes to him at this terrible time.
The Leicester owners helicopter has crashed in the car park adjacant to the ground, at this time no-one is aware of injuries or fatalities, our hearts and prayers go out to Leicester.
A 92 year old BHA fan collapsed at the game today and died in hospital, supporting the team he loved and going out in tragic circumstances.
We lost 3 points but played magnificently compared with 2 years ago. WTF guys and gals, it’s only numbers on a chart.
Lets all take a step back and thank Dog we’ve been able to go home to our loved ones one more time in this fragile World of ours.
Thoughts and prayers to Mike, Leicester and the 92 year old BHA fans relatives.
Wolves ay we.
Compassionate we are too.
Here here Stu,
Well said that man.
Well said Stu.
On a brighter note, congratulations on your 3 points today.
Thanks Steve,
I would gladly have sacrificed them for that elusive goal.
I think you’ve said it all Stu!
Well said StuWolf.
Thank you Stu for your good wishes. Means a lot.
Unless you are here it is not possible to understand the sheer might and destructive power of a Cat 5 hurricane such as Michael. The devastation is just mid blowing. My home is on the west side of the city so I am about 1o miles from the point where the hurricane came ashore. Here it is carnage, with house roofs blown away and sidings ripped off etc etc. Bu when you get near the main hurricane penetration center, its an entirely different story altogether. Homes are not just severely damaged There are virtually no homes left standing. They have just gone, leaving bare concrete bases on which they used to sit. Massive fallen trees still block roadways. making access virtually impossible. It is indescribable.
Yet amidst all of this destruction you can already see the positive and good side of human nature. People are coming together. Those who have food are cooking BBQ`s in the street and distributing it to anyone who is hungry. People with some water supply are opening up their part destroyed homes to enable those without to take a shower. Local small communities have formed vigilante type groups so that can look out for each other and protect what they still have from looters.
In summary recovery from all of this devastation will take years to accomplish. But whereas a few days ago there was nothing but misery and defeat, already you can feel the stirrings of hope and determination. We are resilient. We will resurrect our city. From here we can only go upwards.
Again we thank everyone for your moral support.
We need an entire top three. World class or the best we can sign that will fit into the playing style.
We better keep in the top 8 or no one will want to come.
Hope I’m not being too negative.
BTW: I’d rather us win the next two games than the last two.
I think you’re being too negative Tim.
A mention for Glenn Hoddle and his family.
He may not be a Molineux favourite but he was a great talent as a footballer and could well have been a successful England manager if it hadn’t been for Doris.
Get well soon Glenn.
I’m missing these games atm ‘cos I’m in peak marathon training right now for my marathon in 5 weeks, and our long runs are at the same time as the footy (dang!), so I cannot comment on what happened in the game. First thing I always do as soon as I finish my run is check the scores and press … although the full weight and fatigue of my 18-miler came flooding in on me as soon as I saw we lost, I can’t help but remain positive, despite the natural near term disappointment. I’m positive not because of some dumbfounded, rose-tinted glasses, but because I know we already have the players and infrastructure of a top-ten team, we have Nuno who knows exactly what kind of players he still needs, and we have Fosun who will back him to get them. It will all come good. The best is yet to come!
Heartfelt regards and best wishes to Mike and Clive who inspire with their positivity in the face of so much adversity … respect!
Go Wolves!!!
I’m with you GW, three years ago we were shite with no leader, structure or “style of play”, we now have all three with the later putting bums on seats with every Wolves available ticket being.
Nuno WILL get it right & I hope the footballing world will talk of Nuno in 20 years time as they do about Fergie.
This is still only 1/4 of the way into our first proper season in the prem.
Crap streaming so only got the second half , unlucky
Niall Ennis
Try ip tv on an android device only
Also check out the soccerstreams Reddit if you want to stay computer / browser based.
I use HesGoal.com if this helps. I have been impressed to date.
Fosun have delivered before and they must do again..I and others have asked for a new striker and I’ve said about £30M should do it.
We need 2 thank you.
If we don’t then all the good work so far will be sacrificed
Quite simply we can’t proceed
Up the league without puting goals in..
Mr Mendes please deliver…yesterday..
Whilst I agree with most of what has been said and my heart goes out to all those in worse circumstances than the majority of us are I keep saying to my self how many more points would we have now if that elusive striker had been bought. January might seem a long way off I just hope it will not be too late.
That last 10 minutes was the best Wolves spell EVER, but sadly no goal.
Somebloke.
My sediments exactly, best 20 mins at the end ever for me.
I would like to see Nuno start putting Ashley-Seal or Ennis on the bench instead of Bonatini. I have watched both of them and whilst they are still on a big development curve, they both have an instinct for goal. Bonatini doesn’t and Jimenez for all the strengths he brings to the team is not a natural finisher, so in situations like yesterday where we need a goal in the last 10 or 15 mins why not go with a kid who has an eye for goal. Being in the right place at the right time and having a clinical instinct is something even top pros will tell you is difficult to coach. Bonatini hasn’t scored for ages so what do we have to lose with going for a different option off the bench until january?
YES, we need a striker. It’s becoming increasingly obvious for everyone to see.
But, let’s put all this into perspective . . . . . . .
Brighton were the form team to win this, although the way we played we should have upset the form-book.
If we continue the way we are, we’re set to finish mid-table with no relegation worries. Five years ago, how many of us would have sold their children into slavery to be in this position today?
With our recent success, I think we’ve got a little ahead of ourselves. Was “Top 4” realistic for a newly promoted side? Our flair has shown, with a few tweaks. it looks a distinct possibility next season.
Fosun have a ten year plan and I’m sure a striker will be a top priority in January. We all make mistakes but if Jeff Shi has shown one special talent it’s that he learns bloody fast.
I should have sold my children into slavery years ago.
I would be retired now.
Hope they don’t read this .
Daddddd
How could you.
By the way, where’s mum?
Whilst I think that Adama is a better impact player I can understand why Nuno started him yesterday. I mean he was up against a 38 year old full back, should easily had the beating of him. Well that was not the case and fair play to Bruno who is excellent. Doc was excellent in his attacking role but his defensive side let’s him down some times, he stood and watched Murray when he should have been closer to him, poor defending.
We don’t play with an all-out striker but rather produce goals from across the team, which we did last season and, to some degree, this season.
Calling for the likes of Ennis and Austin Samuel to step up from U23’s football and produce the same at Premier league level is just not going to happen. The gulf is just too big.
Saturday’s televised game v Spurs will be interesting……………….
Onward’s & Upwards
🙂
Well said Sev. For all his attacking prowess Doherty needs to learn not to fall asleep when defending.
With everything what’s going on in the world of football at the moment, a mere result seems unimportant.
Having said that, I feel better about our team today than I did last week because, despite losing, we played really well and with a tiddley slice of luck would have gone home with the points. As for the ‘who’s gonna score the goals’ conundrum, I say look no further than our excellent U23’s, who already play ‘the system’, they’re free and raring to go and we don’t have to wait till January.
I feel we can get max points against Spurs as, unlike Brighton, they won’t be playing to sneak a 1-0. If we do, then yesterday will seem like a minor blip on our inexorable rise to the top.
It was really hard luck again as with the Leicester game. It is, as we all know, a matter of really fine chances at this level. Nearly all the players are still at the learning and developing stage with regard to the relentlessness of this league. Even players such as Moutino have not experienced this level of continuous demand. We need patience and we all knew that playing the way we do, going for it; we would win some and lose some. To my mind this has been the way things are going. Yes we need a world class or at least, effective striker goalwise.
However we did outplay a good home side and if we continue to play like this barring the occasional bad day, we will establish our side in this league, which is what we initially desired. The good run raised our expectations, which is not a bad thing, but we’ll get there with the support of our fans. The final part of that game was magical apart from our wishes being fully met.
I feel the disappointment but am trying to put it into the context of where we’ve come from and where we are going. The words of Phil Neville, I know, were insightful and apt for once on MOTD in my view. Let’s keep our peckers up. Looking forward to Saturday!!
Just a point to note,
Glenn Hoddle suffered a Heart Attack on the show yesterday, his life was saved by a member of the camera crew that had been taught to use the Defibrillator and put this wonderful training to good use.
I have missed a couple of games this season because I was at the BBC in London training their staff to do the same, this is not me blowing a trumpet but instead sending out a message..
Tell everyone you know about these fantastic machines that are all over the place, libraries, schools, airports, village phoneboxes, shopping Malls. With very little training they are second to none in Cardiac Arrest.
Spread the gospel guys and gals they are cheap but save hundreds of lives each year. If it can happen to Hoddle who has been fit and active all his life then anyone can fall victim, so tell your communities about them.
Rant over.
If we evaluate the last two games, I think the positive thing is that yesterday, we weren’t outplayed and their coach didn’t out strategize Nuno. Our shape and playing style didn’t let us down.
These are important things to remember because if Nuno were “out thought” again, then we are screwed. He is the foundation of our current and future success and if managers at this level can figure out ways to defeat us easily our chances for success at this and international levels will be greatly reduced.
What we are discussing as solutions to our problems are player personnel based, and that can easily be cured with a big fat cheque – and a top 8 position in the table to convince the players that we are for real.
So in summation, some times you win games you should have lost and some times you lose games you should have won. Yesterday it was the latter.
Let’s hope next week we win a game we should have won.
That’s much more positive Tim. 🙂
I like Sutton’s suggestion of Ennis on the bench. Two three years back he looked like he’d break into the team before awful injuries stopped him in his tracks. He’s a confident lad and has a real eye for goal. Also very mobile as per Nuno’s requirements.
If Gibbs – White can hack it on the verge of the team, then I feel Ennis certainly can. And he would’be being asked to play out of position.
As for youth, look how Brooks, who was very sheltered at Sheff U has taken to Prem with Bourne gob.
First away game of the season for me! Thought Wolves were great. Totally dominant. Midfield 2 back to their best, Boly & Doherty were exceptional.
As everyone recognises chances going begging the problem.
Third match at the Amex, for me, third defeat but the performances were Worlds apart. Once we got relegated to league 1 with Jamie O’Hara gesturing to the crowd, the other another 1-0 defeat in the Championship, outplayed then.
I’d like to see one of the U23’s given a chance from the bench like a lot of people on here. At times yesterday we just needed a predator in the box.
The amount of holding from the hulks of Brighton in the penalty area shouldn’t be tolerated. Glenn Murray had Cavaleiro in a very intimate arm lock at every corner. Had a great view of it as I was in row A!
It certainly puts the world of football in perspective hearing about the devastation of hurricane Michael in Florida. Cops shooting looters on sight, blimey! Terrible to hear about Hoddle as well, the helicopter crash at Leicester, & the 92 yr old Brighton fan dying.
Puts the 8 hours odd round journey on train & bus for nil points into perspective. Oh & the Brighton fans, so calm peaceful & friendly, it was like an outing to the Opera!
Here’s to us scoring at least 1 more goal than Spurs next Saturday evening. Up the Wolves. We couldn’t rip apart the Seagulls, but maybe the Cockerels will be devoured by our Hungry Wolves.
Wanting to buy a 20 goals plus striker and finding one a) willing to sign for Wolves and b) affordable under FFP rules are two different things.
And even if you succeed in doing so there’s no guarantee they will meet expectations. I give you Benteke, Veron and Andy Carroll as examples; all of you will be able to add to that list with hardly a pause for thought. So before we encourage Fosun to rush out to panic buy let’s let them proceed with their usual well thought out plans.
We were unlucky at The Amex; at least one stonewall pen and last ditch defending as Brighton rode their luck.
If we keep playing the way we are the goals will come. Hopefully next Saturday.
Hey Happy, with previous management I would have expected either a) knee jerk or b) ostrich syndrome, but neither Nuno, senior at our club or Fosun in the now will allow this to happen.
There’ll be a strategy to any recruits, probably won’t be brought but loaned (initially), as for the right striker I think uncle George & Jeff will make the right decisions.
And agreed the most one sided last 20 mins of any game I’ve witnessed for a while.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, if we were given 15th place as a guarantee I’d take it now, it’s just our newly formed expectations are getting in the way.
Let’s consolidate, play some more great football add to the squad sensibly & in 3 years time start bemoaning only being in the top 6.
COYW FWAW 🙂
Massive hero of mine Johnny Rotten (Sex pistols) once proclaimed ‘Ever get the feeling you’ ve been cheated ‘ That is how I felt yesterday. The brilliant footy was back. Devoid of any luck. Questionable referee. You will see a penalty given for either of those next week. Good thing for me is it will take at least 19/20 games for the bottom 4 to get to 15 points. By which time we will be on at least 27/28 points. All we need to do this year is survive. Sorry. Still got my tits up head on. But it helps me to take it all in perspective. No doubt Jeff and the boys will be lining up a striker in January. Until then. Relax. Light a cigar and delight in the failings at Villa Park and the Poor thorns.
First and foremost a huge get well soon Glen Hoddle.
Not our favourite coach from yesteryear ,down the mil, but what a player for Tottenham and England.
Back to the game I like most wolves fans have stressed we need another striker or two to make this team great.we dominated the play for almost all of the 90 minutes, but couldn’t score again.
I’m sure Nuno knows that but his hands are tied until January.
Saying that 10 games in and lying 10th in the table I’ll take that all day long.
Two tough games to come but you never know we could get 6 points,ever optimist. UTW FOWB.
Wide men don’t get to byline.
Pointless knocking ball into the likes of Duffy .
Low and hard was the way to go
I don’t want to be negative because Nuno has done everything we could ever have dreamed of from the minute he walked through the door.
The system is not broken. I just wonder whether the forwards can handle the Premier defenders? The defense is solud, the middle is top class, so the front three might need addressing at seasons end.
It’s no time to get the jitters, we’ll probably beat Tottingham and Arsenal with our game, because they won’t try to nullify our game.
UYW
Context is everything. 15 months ago we were a ‘going-nowhere’ Championship club. On Saturday we went to arguably one of the more difficult away grounds and played the opposition off the pitch. No points and we’re still in the top half of the Prem.
Otherwise, I was a little surprised by the subs as I thought Costa had little impact in the first half, but he stepped up his game in the 2nd. Castro has improved us defensively but doesn’t have the knack that Douglas had of popping up in the right attacking position when needed. Still, we shouldn’t be dependent on our wing-backs for goals – we urgently need the support strikers (i.e. not Jimenez) to find some form. Otherwise, there’s really not much wrong with us at the moment. If performances are good (and generally they are), results will follow.
Thanks for the write up Ben, totally agree – our need for a proper striker was so evident.
I managed to watch the first half live, in a hotel bar in Bangkok, on a Twitter link @WestHamPass6 . But I spent the second half trying to get the connection back.
In the morning I heard the terrible news from Leicester.
Off to Bali tomorrow, where I hope to catch the Spurs game.
I thought we were playing Spurs at Molineux!
Enjoy your holiday mate.
He means Balti, as in pies.
Typo
Alway alerted by the word pie Clive. The quintessential meal on the way um from 8 pints of lager and a chicken leg.
Hi exiled , if your in nusa dua or ubud I doubt you’ll find anywhere showing the footy but there a a few sports bars in Seminyak and Kuta and cheaper beer , there’s about a 40 min taxi ride though if you’re in the posh end ( nusa dua)
Utw
Hi Marney, and thanks for the tips. We’re staying in Denpasar, having got in to Bali last night. Will get a taxi over to Semiyak later today (once the heat drops a couple of notches).
OK, I’m sure you’ve all thought of this but I heard elsewhere that Jonny’s offensive game is different from Barry’s. Apparently, Douglas kept to the touch line whereas Jonny cuts in. This would have a fundamental impact on what Diogo does and where the space is on that side of the field.
Maybe Nuno should consider having Jonny, or Vinagre, replicate Douglas’ style as far as staying near the touchline just to see if that creates more space in the places that Diogo likes to exploit.
If Jonny is predominantly right footed, maybe he cuts in more to get the shot off on his strong foot (what did I tell you about one footed players?).
Also, did I see that wrong or did Neves actually pass the ball back with his left foot?
Anyway, I may have gotten the details wrong but maybe there is just something not clicking with Jonny and Diogo that can be rectified with analysis from earlier games and those from last year with regard to opening up space in the correct areas of the pitch. Maybe Diogo is forced a little wider and it is affecting the angles he passes with or makes the passes longer than he had last year and they aren’t getting through.
Something to think about, Nuno (yes, we know you are reading this).
See yer point Tim. One of the strongest parts of our forward game is the understanding and interaction between Helder and The Doc on the right side. Of course, they have played together for an extra season to develope that understanding, so the left side may need more time. Jonny being right-footed doesn’t help and this is where young Master Vinagre comes into the picture. But will NES drop Jonny to make way? Doubt it, and I’m not sure he should as Jonny’s defensive qualities and experience are a big plus.
Interesting point Tim.
And, yes, you did see Neves using his left foot. I spotted it too.
Spurs are fucking shit. We will beat them 3-1. You heard it here first. What the fuck is up with the Wembley pitch. It’s a fiasco. If I was a spurs fan I would demand a proper um immediately. Martin chivers must be goin apeshit.
If you was a spurs fan, you wouldn’t be on this site, and we wouldn’t have the pleasure of your insightful musings.
Thank dog for something!!
Real Madrid have sacked Lopetegui, what a shame for the lying, cheating double dealing bathplug, and Lopetegui ain’t much better.
We dodged a bullet with that disloyal Deigo.
It’ll be interesting what he does if and when he comes to England. I’m sure a few clubs will be sniffing around him. Probably some of the club’s that slagged us off when we appointed Nuno , and would now love to copy our model…no names but they wear blue and white!!
They are saying Pochettino might be the next Real coach.
Nothing like a little controversy to screw up the harmony at Spurs.
Let’s hope we can capitalize on that – not that we need it.
Three men die and are waiting at the Pearly Gates when St. Peter tells them that there will be a slight delay but not to worry that he will have Albert Einstein visit with them during their wait. Albert arrives and introduces himself to the first man and asks, “What is your IQ?” to which the first man answers, “162”.
“That is wonderful!”, says Albert.
“We will talk about the Grand Unification Theory and the mysteries of the Universe. We will have much to discuss!”.
Albert introduces himself to the second man and asks, “What is your IQ?” to which the second man answers, “98”.
“That is great!”, responds Albert.
“We can discuss politics and current affairs. We will have much to discuss!”
Albert goes to the third man and asks, “What is your IQ?” to which the third man answers, “45”.
“How about them Baggies eh?”, says Albert.
I went to see the Doctor the other day. I said “I keep thinking I’m a snooker table”. He said “Get to the end of the cue”.
I went to see the Doctor the other day. I said “I think I am a pair of curtains”. He said “You better pull yourself together”
Now I’m not one to be a killjoy, Halloween is not my cup of tea, just another way of those bloody yanks making money. But what a thing to do to children, bordering on Abuse.
I went to see the doctor the other day, with a side of bacon on my back.
I said “Here. Cure this”
I was pleased when Murray was doubtful for Brighton. Not pleased through when we have to worry about him when there will be far bigger tests to come. This is what I said before the Brighton game:
“I hear Glenn Murray might not be fit for the match. Funny how a cast off striker has done so well at Brighton. He was labelled just championship material after leaving, was it Bournemouth I think? There must be a lesson in this when a more talented player like Jota hasn’t made the step up to the PL yet. Jota’s 17 goals last season will add fuel to the fire that his level was the championship, but I hope not. I wouldn’t give up on him but I’d bench him for a few games”.