Burton Albion

What a difference a week makes.

Seven days after being thumped at Villa Park and we’re 13pts clear of Steve Bruce’s men, who is now attributing his latest defeat to the snow, having scoffed at our own prospects in the wintry weather a few months ago.

The irony won’t be lost on many, nor the endless ad-libbing about most facets of our club in every press conference he sits in.

Bruce, more than anyone, should appreciate that actions speak louder than words. Our actions on the pitch against Burton Albion were flawless, as we cruised to a second successive home win to inch us closer to the finishing line.

Winning (against weaker opposition) is one thing, but the self-assured manner of both victories has been quite astonishing in the context of the season, when Bruce, Radrizzani and their Machiavellian colleagues were cranking up the hysteria levels in a pretty transparent agenda. A winter of discontent, in other words.

Thankfully, Nuno’s men were as expressive on the ball as the rest of the league has been on the microphones, typified by the outrageously good Ruben Neves, who dictated proceedings like a conductor with the Philharmonic.

As Dave Jones actually bemoaned at roughly this time of the season when the wheels were falling off, struggling teams will still comprise of 11 men who try to stop us from winning. This time around, we appear to have the players who – to borrow another phrase from Jones – aren’t afflicted by ‘safety first football.’

Again, look no further than Neves, who positively demands the ball at all times when the easier option might be to pass the baton. Costa, Cavaleiro, Saiss…All of them in fact, are also desperate to have it to feet and express themselves positively. To comprise a squad of players with this common similarity is actually quite incredible, if not illegal depending on who you listen to. The end result is a sight to behold and a side in old gold who look to be genuinely enjoying themselves.

The full backs are occupying positions in the final third like they always used to and the understated Saiss spearheads the ‘mid-press’ philosophy that makes us as compelling without the ball as we are when we’re on it.

This was a nerveless display overseen by a nerveless manager in Nuno, whose ability to ignore the peripheral noises and concentrate on the job at hand is commendable. A head coach by day and a therapist at night for us compulsive obsessives.

And whilst lavishing praise on individuals isn’t Nuno’s style, he can only have purred at the performance of Benik Afobe who, to borrow a quote from another past-manager, looks like the final piece in the jigsaw.

If there can be one legitimate criticism of our side (rather than the ethics behind it) then it’s the lack of a Plan B when unpicking the lock. Those sumptuous goals at home to Sheffield United will live long in the memory, but Afobe’s first goal – and strike at Leeds – demonstrates a more direct route to goal that I’ll relish equally. A through ball, pace in behind and bang! Old fashioned number 9s might not be en-vogue, but with this diversity in place of Bonatini’s more predictable play, we only look stronger in the areas that matter.

Burton’s high line always looked likely to be breached at some point, with the only surprise in how quickly it was. Costa dispatched coolly from a stunning Coady through-ball early on and Afobe was clinical thereafter. Aside from questionable defending from a set play (which will surely be addressed ahead of a trip to Tony Pulis’ Boro), this was a breeze.

A clinically icy performance to further divide a division.

Someone on Twitter posted the results Wolves have achieved this season in matches that immediately follow a league defeat.

I can’t recall the precise figures, but they’ve won every game without conceding a goal.

It’s been lose, win, lose, win in the last four but those two victories have been as impressive as the defeats were demoralising.

The chips were well and truly down after losing at Fulham, but Leeds were routinely swept aside and it was the same in midweek after losing at Villa Park. Convincing responses that ease any fears of collapse.

Such ruthless professionalism is required again on Saturday, with victory expected, but far from guaranteed.

Burton

The Brewers were on the receiving end of a post-defeat backlash when Wolves battered them 4-0 at the end of September after losing to Sheffield Utd days before.

That was the most routine victory of the season against a Burton side possessing the worst home record in the Championship (currently reading 2 wins, 4 draws, 13 defeats).

Their away form isn’t quite so disastrous though (5 wins, 5 draws, 8 defeats) so odds are this will be a much closer game than the non-contest at the Pirelli.

With a goal difference of -38 it’s surprising they’ve managed to stay off the bottom (Sunderland playing a blinder). As with most strugglers goal scoring has been a problem. Only Blues (25) have scored less than their meagre 26 goal tally.

Darren Bent and record signing Liam Boyce (just back from long term injury) are the strikers they ambien insomnia treatment hope can score the goals they need in the remaining games but only have one goal between them so far.

Wolves

With Jota out, the team should pick itself.

It’s one start, one goal for Benik Afobe and I don’t think he’s anywhere close to top form yet. Confidence should be high after scoring in midweek though and that bodes well.

I still don’t understand why Nuno would ever leave Cavaleiro out of the side or for that matter why he so frequently takes him off midway through the second half? His ability to manipulate the ball and work positions will be crucial in this one against a team who will likely defend deep.

Helder Costa assisted two goals against Reading and saw a great effort from distance saved. He’ll be haunted by that late miss when clean through and still seems to be lacking belief. There’s still time for him to make a major contribution in the remaining games.

The odds

You can get odds as generous as 12/1 on a Burton win with Wolves overwhelming favourites to complete a league double over the Brewers. mybestbettingsites.co.uk provide a list of top betting websites in 2018 if you want to maximise your stake.

Predictions

I’m not sure if I’d describe this as ‘must win’ in every sense but I’ll certainly be disappointed if Wolves don’t collect the maximum.

I suspect Burton will provide a sterner test than many are anticipating but am hopeful of another professional performance to see us closer to the finish line.

2-0.

Up The Wolves!

In the wake of this victory – our most convincing of the season by some distance – one can only assume that the Wolves players wiled away the hours of Friday night playing FIFA 18.

The football on display at the Pirelli Stadium was often befitting of a video game, such was the precision of our build up play and composure in front of goal.

The footwork of the diminutive pairing of Ivan Cavaleiro and Ruben Vinagre was often the stuff of pure fantasy, with poor Stephen Warnock ending up on his backside when attempting to prevent our fourth and final goal.

It was a performance to behold, one that erased the premature fear of a dip in form following our defeat to Sheffield United.

Given our response to the loss against Cardiff earlier in the season, that always seemed unlikely but those of a glass half empty persuasion can be forgiven for expecting the worst given there is the small matter of the derby with in-form Aston Villa looming.

As pointed out in previous blogs, Wolves finally seem to have found themselves a manager capable of instilling a winning mentality within the club and that was never more apparent than yesterday.

Say what you like about the Brewers, but they’re a formidable side at home that try and play football the right way.

Nonetheless, their efforts were fruitless yesterday as we surged into an early two goal lead.

Cavaleiro, in the sort of form that makes him worthy of the seemingly never ending song that has been dedicated to him, did well to tee up the clinical Diogo Jota for the first, whilst the less Stephen Bywater hears about the Roman Saiss’ tap in that followed shortly after the better.

If those goals were pleasing but somewhat underwhelming, the following two made for gleeful viewing.

Ruben Vinagre, arguably the best performer on the pitch, weaved his way into the opposition box in a manner befitting of the world’s very best full backs before dispatching the ball low and hard past the hapless Bywater.

Though he is far from the finished article, it is becoming clearer with every passing game that the Portuguese loanee is a frightful talent that has the potential to go far in his career.

It was hard to see that goal being topped for quality, but the fourth was the result of some simply outrageous skill.

After turning the aforementioned Warnock inside out, Cavaleiro squared the ball to the also excellent Matt Doherty who rolled it nto the path of a gleeful Leo Bonatini for an easy fourth goal of his Wolves career.

Liquid football is the most appropriate term to describe this performance, and we now head into the international break, dependent on today’s results, sitting pretty in second place.

We can only hope that the ensuing spate of international games does not throw us off kilter, as you’d suspect we’ll have to replicate these standards when facing the more challenging prospect of Steve Bruce’s promotion chasers.

One thing’s for certain though, in this sort of form, Nuno’s men are capable of putting anyone to the sword.

In the same way that consecutive wins build confidence, back-to-back defeats are problematic.

After losing to Cardiff, we beat Southampton in the cup and got a solid point at Brentford. It felt like we were immediately back in business.

We need to do something similar again ahead of the international break with a derby to come against Villa straight after. We don’t want a bad result to become a bad run.

Burton are no slouches, particularly on their own ground, but this remains a good opportunity to bounce back.

Burton

They’re a funny old team who’ve registered all sorts of results so far, beating Fulham at home one week and getting slapped by Villa 4-0 the next. Leeds also took them to the cleaners at Elland Road.

Towards the end of last season they looked a dangerous side. Michael Kightly and Cauley Woodrow came in and they were making life difficult for everyone, including Wolves.

They beat us 2-1 to curtail Paul Lambert’s brief march up the table and were good value for that win, turning things around after Helder Costa’s penalty gave Wolves the lead.

But Kightly and Woodrow are no more. Their talisman Jackson Irvine was also sold to Hull in August so it’s been another summer reshuffle for Nigel Clough.

One player they have recruited is Sean Scannell and he has been a thorn in our side on several occasions for Huddersfield and could be again tomorrow.

Wolves man Joe Mason hasn’t been able to consistently force his way into their first eleven yet and they won’t be able to call on his services in this one against his parent club.

Wolves

The key question is who slots in while Conor Coady serves his suspension? Deslandes, Bennett and Hause are the most likely candidates but there are more left field solutions.

It would be a bold move to play Romain Saiss in the back three but he’s come on and played there a few times, so I believe this will be one of the ideas Nuno considers.

Surely Helder Costa will be given another chance to play? Like everyone else, I’m excited to see if he can link up with Jota and Bonatini to create one of the most formidable front three combinations we’ve ever had.

Bonatini also came off at half time against Sheffield United, so hopefully he’s fresh for this one, but with Costa back I can see both Enobakhare and Cavaleiro played down the middle if the Brazilian needs a rest.

Predictions

I’m backing us to get the win. I think it will be a tough game, but this group of players have the quality and a winning mentality.

The key is playing our way into the game and controlling possession. That won’t be easy on a tight pitch with the crowd on top of them, but they’ll get it done.

2-1.

Up The Wolves!

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I never thought I’d begin any piece of writing by paraphrasing the mildly annoying American rock band Paramore but the lyric ‘that’s what you get when you let your heart win’ seems appropriate for this particular report.

After the jubilation that followed last week’s heroics at Anfield and the impressive midweek victory over Barnsley, anyone would be forgiven for thinking that the good times would continue to roll at the Pirelli Stadium.

But, in true Wolves fashion, that was not to be and we all should have known better.

This club has a famed habit for kicking you in the nether regions when you’re feeling most hopeful and, true to form, the away contingent were made to endure our poorest showing under Paul Lambert.

It’s hard to recall a more unimaginative performance than the one that was churned in yesterday, our only tactic being to hit long balls to a striker that was at least half a foot shorter than the two centre backs marking him.

Burton’s torrid pitch no doubt played a part in this, with the players looking uncomfortable on it from the onset, but that excuse can only take you so far when Bristol City, Preston and Wigan have all claimed victory on it at various stages of the season.

The narrowness of the field stymied the counter attacking play that has become synonymous with Lambert’s Wolves and subsequently Weimann, Dicko and Helder Costa – the latest subject of a variation on the Dave Clark Five’s ‘Glad All Over’ – were left isolated for much of the game.

The home side on the other hand looked empowered by the conditions and dictated most of the play in a largely uneventful first half, with their recent influx of loan signings appearing to have added quality to the side that claimed a point at Molineux last September.

Keeper Jon McLaughlin conceded the initiative when he bundled Dave Edwards over just before the break and allowed Costa to claim his tenth goal of the season from the penalty spot.

It was a lead that flattered us and none of those crammed into the glamorous Russell Roof Tiles Stand were under the illusion that a major improvement was not required in the second half.

That was not forthcoming and the Brewers claimed a deserved equaliser on the hour mark through loanee Michael Kightly, becoming the latest beneficiaries of our notorious ex-players curse whilst doing so.

Wolves never looked capable of responding and Lambert was frustratingly rigid in his tactics, preferring to send Bright on ahead of Bodvarsson and deadline day recruit Ben Marshall.

By the time the latter pair had come on, the game was drawing to a close and we were hanging on for a point.

Torrid defending, otherwise known as the theme of our afternoon, prevented us from doing that and Cauley Woodrow tucked in a late winner that well and truly erases the feel good factor of last week and leaves us just seven points clear of the trapdoor.

Four successive league fixtures at home offer ample opportunity to rectify this but there can surely be seldom repeats of today’s showing if we’re to end the season comfortably.

I’m not sure how many of the players involved yesterday were planning to watch the fight between Kell Brook and GGG but but this encounter had the air of a 12 round slugfest.

A bruising affair ended with the spoils shared, which despite Walter Zenga’s protestations was a more than fair outcome.

I was surprised by the ferocity with which Burton attacked the game and it was refreshing to see an un-fancied away side play for more than a point.

It was a tactic that would have earned the Brewers an early lead had Carl Ikeme not turned away Lucas Atkins’ tame spot kick, which was dubiously awarded by referee James Adcock.

The improvement in Ikeme this season has been notable. To think his position was under threat this time last year is frankly bonkers.

Wolves slowly began to exert themselves as the game went on and showed plenty of fluidity in attack, if little execution.

Ivan Cavaleiro looks a player with the potential to reach talismanic status but shy of full fitness. It was no surprise to see him hooked in the second half.

Despite a needless booking, Helder Costa excited on the flank with purposeful dribbling and interlinked well with Cameron Borthwick-Jackson on a pleasingly frequent basis.

The latter’s debut was welcome and offered Dominic Iorfa some much needed respite after an error laden start to the campaign.

Much has been made about our new found strength in depth as of late and I’m of the opinion it will be of particular benefit in defence, an area where we were worryingly thin on numbers last season.

Of course a consequence of having plentiful options is that settling on a balance eleven can become difficult and we may have to stomach a few more frustrating outcomes over the coming weeks as our new look side find their rhythm.

The positives are there for all to see though. Wolves look like a side with attacking verve and boundless energy, two attributes which spell a recipe for success in a division as frenetic as the Championship.

It’s never ideal to drop points at the death but at this early stage of the season I think it’s wise to dwell on the good work being done by Zenga and the players, as opposed to the inadequacies (defending of set pieces and decision making in front of goal being two of them) that will hopefully be ironed out in the weeks to come.

Tuesday night sees another promoted side with wagging tails paying a visit and it’ll be interesting to see how the players respond from today’s late setback.

If early signs are anything to go by, I’m expecting something positive.