It was alright I suppose.
Wolves knocked it around and did some good things between the boxes, but two fundamental problems persist.
The first is we don’t look like scoring in a month of Sundays.
Short of Adama Traore galloping through five tackles and planting a finish in the top bin, there are no other conceivable routes to goal.
Fabio was on the edge of the game throughout with the occasional fancy touch or piece of hold-up play, but zero goal threat. Willian Jose then came on and operated everywhere but the penalty area.
These are our strikers.
If we start next season with the squad we currently have, it’s indisputable we’ll be bottom of the table because we can’t score a goal.
Get Raul back, get Pedro fit again and sign at least two other players capable of scoring a goal and maybe we can talk about something other than a relegation battle.
We’ve got to defend crosses better too though. That’s the other issue.
I feel like a broken record going on about the lack of height in the starting XI but we’ve seen Burnley, Brighton and Everton all profit because of Nuno’s preference for the vertically challenged.
If you can’t head crosses away, forget about consistently getting results at any level.
I know Saiss and Dendoncker are popular punching bags, but those two and Boly should be the first names on the teamsheet for the simple fact they can get up and head the ball away and/or score at the other end.
How many corners did we have today? And yet, there’s no chance of scoring because there are only elves waiting inside the 18-yard box.
Everton were dire, lets be honest.
But just as the hostile home crowd was about to murder them, we handed over the game through our inability to defend a set-piece.
Fortunately, that problem should be easy enough to solve.
There are still some useful components within this squad to build another good team, but at present, it feels miles away due to the shortcomings of those currently available.
Credit to Adama Traore for another purposeful display and Gibbs-White who I thought was good up until being prematurely withdrawn. They were the only two players who came even remotely close to scoring too.
For that alone, they should be the first names Nuno considers for Sunday’s finale.
Before the match, Sky showed the home Wolves vs Man City match from last season. I watched this evenings game…..Raul’s November injury has hit us so bad…..but losing Matt and Diago….goal scorers has hit us hard. Last season was Shakespeare, now we have Janet and John football. It’ been a long time since I have seen such poor technical play, thank goodness for Traore…entertaining but he must be so frustrated.
Truly awful ,will not be paying good money to watch that next season !
Nearly over, a forgettable season.
Thanks Thomas, I agree wholeheartedly. Lots of huff and puff but no end product. Glad the next match is our last for the season and hope the powers that be sort out the problems for the start of the next.
Couldn’t disagree with any of that Thomas…
I watch games now with the expectation we’re going to lose.. and I’m certainly not disappointed.
I thought we carried zero goal threat with Silva and Jose on the pitch…. we just don’t have any cutting edge whatsoever…
Yes our corner count far outweighed theirs but if we’ve got mice in the box what f@@kin hope is there.
Yet another sleep inducing performance… credit to Traore, Neves and Gibbs White for having a go .. and Ruddy for not letting anyone down .. but the rest…: yuk
Thomas. You say that we can’t defend crosses and that we need tall central defenders, but it was Willy Boly who was out jumped by Richarlison who must be a good three inches shorter.
Height isn’t everything. Timing the jump and proper man marking are just as important.
In that skill, Boly, Saiss and Dendoncker are often lacking.
I’ll comment more later when I’ve eaten my dinner.
I take your point Doog.
That said, in the two seasons we’ve been much tougher to break down we’ve had Raul marshalling the near post, Saiss, Donk and Boly defending the six-yard box plus Doherty who was also very handy in the air.
Each of those players could also go down the other end and head crosses in for goals too, which constituted a significant percentage of our overall tally. You can accuse them of not being very good at jumping but I don’t remember the likes of Kilman or Fabio rising like a salmon to dominate in either box.
If you’re not going to deploy players that can head the ball you’ve got to be very good on the deck (as we were for most of the first half yesterday in fairness). I just find it frustrating, that given our inability to score from open play we don’t at least try to carry a threat from a set-piece.
I’ve said it before. Nuno does not know how to set up his team to score goals on a consistent basis . Forget the Jimenez absence. Look at our goals per game ratio when he was in the team and firing on all cylinders. Nuno may get us back to being a better and more threatening side next season but are we ever going to score heavily enough to threaten a champions league place ( which is part of the Fosun ambition) ? Sorry I just can’t see it. Nuno has been a very good manager for us. Arguably the best since I became a season ticket holder in 1974. In the ultra competitive world of football today, will he win us a major honour ? I doubt it. If our ambition is to be a competitive team in the PL, with the right backing I think he is a safe pair of hands to deliver that . If fosun are serious in their ambition to make us a regular feature in European football, I think sooner or later we will move on from him. He is a genuinely decent guy , has restored a lot of pride to the club and has given us some fantastic moments. However, in the cold light of day, I think he probably just isn’t quite good enough to deliver Fosun’s ambition, assuming, of course, that is their sincere ambition, which, is unfortunately, increasingly open to question
Agree Sutton especially your point about FOSUN well written and thought out Blog.
Can we just finally agree that Fabio is s**t
No.
No.
Silva is 18 years old. In a new country. During a pandemic none of us alive today have experienced. Did not set his fee. Has lots of potential and no shortage of ability now. Apparently, he has tremendous attitude and works his socks off according to those in the know. Watch the team celebrating with him when he scores. He’s more than well liked. Watch how he reacted when MGW missed a sitter. First to console him.
I’ll repeat. He’s 18.
I for one not only disagree with you. I struggle to wrap my head around why you think it’s acceptable to post such an inane derogatory comment about one of the young players in the team you supposedly support.
I’m all for people offering up their opinions and reasoned arguments. And they should be respected. But your comment is neither reasoned nor respectful.
Its difficult to watch his team mates celebrate with him when he scores, because he so rarely does !
I agree that the boy has potential. But how often is potential in eighteen year olds ever truly realized ! The real point is that given his present standard he should be nowhere near inclusion in a Premiership side having serious intent. He`s just not good enough
In fairness to him why not loan him out for next season and allow him time to develop out of the limelight ? Give him a chance to turn potential into reality.
I think the plan was for him to be Jimenez’s apprentice, training with him, playing with him, maybe coming on as a sub later in the game, so his development would be more gradual.
After what happened in November, the risk of having such a small squad became very apparent, with the youngster thrust into the limelight.
All things considered he’s done remarkably well. We need at least one more proven top quality striker and Jimenez fit. Then Fabio can continue his development with one of the best in the business and much less pressure and expectation.
……one more thing, sorry, in defence of cheesy, whom I’ve never met, but felt I should offer some balance in defence of his post at the end of the preview blog for this game. His use of expletives was unnecessary but he is certainly not an idiot. He has posted many reasoned and insightful views on here. He strikes me as a passionate and devoted wolves fan. Frustration and the odd beer may get get the better of him from time to time but there but for the grace of god go all true wolves fans. For the occasional high there are many depressing lows, we should cut anyone slack who occasionally goes over the top, it shows they care. Apathy, not passion,is the worst trait to show in the face of adversity
There seriously needs to be a Plan B for Raul NOT coming back, at least as the same player he was previously. There were the first murmurings today about it being complicated and who could expect otherwise? Hands up those who fancy the thick of the aerial action having had their brainpower seriously prejudiced. I do think there’s lots of young talent in the squad, which can only grow, but there are big gaps to fill. Otherwise a relegation battle looms, and that’s been characteristic of much of our season.
Just read on the Athletic that Raul has been given the all clear to play from the start of next season wearing a head guard.
Tremendous news!
Surely we can not go for Moutihno and Neves in midfield next season. They lack pace and are almost never in the box. Build up is far too slow, and our strikers easy marked out. (And why is Neves marking a centerback 5 inches taller at corners?) Keep Neves, retire M, use MGW, buy a couple of new central midfielders, or beef up Vitihna.
Must admit tonight we never really threatened their goal. It wasn’t that good really. And apologies to the bloggers on the previous thread. Sorry. Been on the beer since 2pm and I just got like a knobhead. Soz. Wolves ay we. But we will be back !
Sutton. Nuno knew exactly how to set up a team to score – when we had Raul up front. Without worrying about the score and looking at one or two of the performances a good many pieces of the jigsaw are already in place. I’m not going to bang on about who we need and where as that’s covered by nearly every other post but no doubt there will be changes because the people making the decisions aren’t stupid!
My big worry is Raul. Reading Nuno’s body language in the pre-match interview, tomorrow’s health update might not be all we
Want it go be.
My biggest take from tonight’s game was when we needed to make changes there was no one on the bench who could make us better.
Sorry Prawny, you are denying the facts.
Wolves Pl goal scoring record under Nuno 47 first season, 51 second season, 35 this season with one game to go. Look at the current top 7 in the pl as I write, with one and a bit games to go- 57, 57,64, 64, 66, 71 and 78. So my point was that even with Raul on fire we are not getting anywhere near threatening the goal scoring prowess needed to threaten a CL place, hence my comment
Sutton I do take your point. I think that goes some way to explaining the formation change. I do think though that with a smaller injury list and a couple of well chosen additions we can improve on the shortcomings.
Always good to debate with you. I enjoy your comments although I must admit I don’t think the team needs as much fixing as you do.
You could well be right. The creation of a successful football team is a strange alchemy- sometimes one or two additions can transform fortunes. I guess on the basis of a poorly performing team such as ours this season
I’ve focussed on the individual components . Bar Traore, I just don’t see anything at the moment that makes me think we could be anything better than in a relegation tussle next season without major restructuring. I guess we will all have a better sense of things by mid august. I need to keep the faith!
That was painful, whole teams kneeds rebuilding, Adama can u blame him for going, corners awful, relegation battle next season, wolves u driving me to more drink, nuno has solutions by the way, wolves aie we.
Hot off the press. Raul has been given the green light to return to full training. He will have to wear protective headgear for the rest of his career.
Looks like I’m rubbish at body language. Thank God!
Best news of the season.
Bullisgod. Yes absolutely !
Another goal conceded from aset piece Nuno changes the system again as often as he changes personnel…..why..? How are we ever going to get a settled team with the constant changing of systems and personnel every other game.
No wonder we are losing the players don’t know whether they are coming or going.
What do they coach a Compton all week it’s not how to defend or shoot on target it appears all season press conference after press conference we hear how we need to learn and find solutions much more of these feeble performance ‘s and that will be taken out of Nuno’s hands. To many of the this squad have been flattering to deceive for most of this season and yeah I know all about it being a difficult season and all the reasons but you cannot blame everything that is wrong with this squad solely on those reasons.
The whole set up has gone stale from Jeff down no M.D no Director of Football to advise Jeff Scott Sellers aparantly advising Jeff on all football matters a Super Agent seems to be our only go to for players. Everything needs a total restructure and rethink including where do FOSUN really want to take us.
Is it more of the same Nuno and rely on Mendez for recruitment and carry on buying players for there sell on value. Or do they actually want to build a club and a team to compete look at Leicester just won the Cup will finish top four look how they are run.
It time for FOSUN to either put there money where there mouth is or sell up.
I thought John Ruddy commanded his area well. It was a pleasant change.
So was Nuno rewarding John Ruddy for his loyalty and not making a fuss over the last 3 seasons or is he punishing Rui for asking to leave?
yes ruddy wolves motm
Adama?
does rui want to leave?
Just rumours that Roma want him (Mourinho) as far as I know.
Rumours is rather different to your first comment, Tim, which seemed to suggest it was fact. Who’d swap Wolverhampton for Rome anyway? Wroxeter is almost as impressive as the Forum and our beer and curry houses are far superior while the cut is cleaner than the Tiber.
It could have been read as a fact or a question of if there was more information out there.
Anyway, as of now, it is just rumours.
Didn’t watch or listen to us today as I knew we’d lose. And I’m sick of listening to us losing with such insipid performances.
I hate to say this…here’s the but…unless something changes, and I mean very soon, we’re going to find ourselves in a Sheffield Utd position next year because the teams coming up are somewhat premier league hardened and won’t be the pushovers that Fulham and albino have been for most sides this year.
Now, I’m not a doom and gloom merchant, but this HAS to change. I’m sick of hearing about it all being down to Raul’s injury. It isn’t. At the best it’s lacking to prepare for the possibility that Raul might get injured. The planning is not sufficient for a premier league team and relying upon a teenager, however promising, is patently unfair on Silva. To be honest, that deal looks purely like Jorge making a down payment on his new yatch.
I am not a “Nuno out” proclaimer, far from it. What he’s achieved for us in the past few years has gladdened my heart and brought me back to a club I’d given up on, including when Mick or Dave Jones got us up and my immediate thought was ‘well done mate, now clear off and do it with another championship club. They weren’t good enough for the premier you see.
The question is, and I’ve faced this one myself; is Nuno burned out? Some of his team selections are beginning to baffle me now….and I just wonder and hope that I’m wrong.
The bright light is, that unlike last season, he has a rest and pre-season with the lads to reignite the fire he instilled into a highly competent team that didn’t just get promoted as champions but stormed the league with two seventh place finishes.
That alone gives Nuno time to do the same again.
If we get to Christmas and I’m in a similar frame of mind as the one I’m in now…only then will we need a change.
For all Wolves, I beg it be the former.
To have an opinion Lawrence you really need to watch the game and not judge the performance on the result.
Hi Prawny. maybe so. But to watch these endless repetitions of dross is becoming very difficult for even the most loyal of supporters.
After every game Nuno berates the defensive mistakes from which ” we must learn ” But we never do. We go on repeating the same basic errors.
Midfield we are slow with zero creativity.
Up front we are completely toothless, our main strike option being a young boy with potential, but who presently is a very long way away from being Premiership quality, but who has almost zero support.
The reality is we are a very poor team, desperately in need of added quality throughout, which if not forthcoming will surely result in a relegation avoiding season next time around.
Fair enough Mike, but any true fan will watch, regardless. It’s a punishment that we just have to put ourselves through. Many people I knew would be turning over in their graves at such comments given the dross that they had to endure in the 80’s, 90’s and noughties. Some perspective is needed with all the missing personnel but, of course, astute recruitment has become an imperative too. Trouble is, many other clubs are in the same boat so I can envisage the summer being frustrating for those looking to see standout acquisitions
The only difference tonight is That Everton scored a goal, again from a set piece and we couldn’t defend it as usual, all though we definitely were the better side in the first half.having said that Everton have some quality players and made the better chances second half.everyone knows we have struggled with the injuries but eventually the club have to sum up why we have failed and faired so badly this term… Fosun will want answers as to why with their investments, we have faired so badly especially with the amount of money they have invested .
Hopefully Fosun will go again and put a sizeable war chest into the club to get us back on track for next season.
Forgot to say , if Everton think they have desires of making it into Europe playing like that, they are in dreamland.
What out the penalty we should’ve got , I’ve seen those given all season. Fuck VAR.
Who’d a thunk, at the last kick of last season, that Sheffield United would be as shit as they have been this season?
No one.
So, following that somewhat myopic, twisted and biased logic, who is gonna think that Wolves will, next season, be a vast, huge improvement on this campaign?
Well, me, for starters.
I refuse to think that Dr. Nuno and his merry band of fellow cohorts will take this season lying down.
Everything has been against us, from fixture congestion to var and everything in between.
Since we achieved Prem safety, nothing has mattered, and he’s been playing with the line ups, to see who is still interested, who wants out, who has the bottle for a scrap etc. etc.
It is blatently obvious changes are needed, and I’m sure they are all in the pipeline.
We can argue the toss left right and center on here, and now in Cheesy’s pub, until we are as blue in the face as a shit shirt, but none of us know the facts, and until something concrete happens, I suggest we stop sniping at each other when opinions differ, leave it ip to them that make the decisions, and really get behind the lads, no matter the team selection, on Sunday.
We owe them red twats a thumping for the spawny way they beat us at OT
FOwb
Clive. Like you I`ve always been a firm Nuno fan and still remain so But my take is that like a lot of his team, he`s temporarily burned out. He needs a good rest way from it all to take stock and to recharge his batteries.
That can be the only reason for some of his apparent weird decisions and comments of late.
Hopefully come the time of the new pre season Nuno `ll, return with a bag full of renewed enthusiasm, to find that some of the present ‘ has beens or never will bes’ have been replaced by decent new talent for him to to work with. Then, top four here we come
Nuno after match press conference……he was happy with the performance…..says it all really.
It was a really difficult watch. The introduction of Jose for anyone cannot be classed as a tactical substitution as he brings virtually nothing to the table.
However, I do believe the improvement Fabio has made lately will bear fruit with an active strike partner.
I wonder what Jeff was thinking sitting there?
At least the frustration ends on Sunday. Those of you with tickets sing loud and proud and consign this season to history in good voice.
Doogie re: comment that Boly is taller than Richarlison – absolutely correct. He lost his man and when also viewing some of his passing, it seemed to me he needed this game and was just a few degrees under. Why was he picked? Because he’s our best defender and you never really know if players are 100% till they play. Other than that their corners were beautifully taken but didn’t really hurt us.
What are the weird selection decisions? Who was crying out to be selected but didn’t start? Boly was fit so he played. People shouting for Kilman so he played. People shouting to dump Donk, he was dropped. So I’m guessing it’s Vitinha (invisible at Spurs) Hoever (slightly battered at Spurs) and Otasowie (big call to trust him centrally)
“Some things need to change” yep called a transfer window and difficult to make transfers till it opens.
“We’re suffering for crap previous transfer windows” yep, ridiculous to invest so much of a limited pot of money on someone who will not be ready for two years and assume our current main goal contributor would play as often as previous seasons. But it happened and we are where we are – mid-table Prem. Hopefully lessons will be learned
“Why do we keep making team changes?” Because we need to know as much as possible about the squad before we change it.
” Why aren’t we Leeds? ” Because this is their first season with fresh impetus. Anyone remember our first season back in the Prem and will Leeds match that?
I can understand opposition fans and pundits ignoring our circumstances and looking for chances to stick the blade in, but for our own fans to keep picking the scabs and not be able to accept that the factors and people who made impossible dreams come true are struggling is just tough to take.
I was mulling over in my mind what I would put in my post then ‘BAM’, there’s your post and my problem is solved. I fully agree with every word. Not sure everyone will agree but this season has been the perfect storm on many fronts and the culmination is mid-table mediocrity. Not relegation, or even a relegation battle. Mid-table mediocrity. Given all that’s happened and the far from ideal lack of pre-season, I’ll take that.
Some repeatedly suggest Fosun have lost interest. Can’t see it myself, and this summer will be the acid test.
Once more, great post Jackomac.
We were destined for mid-table mediocrity without all of the injuries. We were leapfrogged by a couple other teams who bought for this season and changed their coaches.
I’m not sure what we were destined for Tim. I’m not sure how you can know either, to be honest.
It was my assumption based on the fact that we didn’t improve the first team and others around us did. Everton are in 8th and they have as many points as we had last season.
Much posted here is an opinion and that is mine.
True, of course. But it’s equally fair to say that without losing Jimenez and Jonny for much of the season and Willy B for long periods, we’d have a similar points total to last season. Well, I would imagine so, anyway. That’s all we can do really. Imagine.
Very well said as always jackomac,I can’t add anymore and besides I can’t be bothered.
I’m looking forward to a break from all the repetitive negativity tbh once we stuff Man U ( please let’s stuff Man U )
Utw
Agree with all you say there. Let’s get the weekend out the way, hope for a good transfer window, give the lads a much needed break, decent pre-season, Jimenez back & look forward to the future.
We are Wolves!
Very well said JackoMac!
2 points
Silva, definitely has potential, but did you see Robbie Keane at the age of 16, unbelievable talent, scored on his debut at Norwich, I was there!
Second point
Nuno is a superb manager, to many people have short memories, this is Wolves, what we are achieving now is incredible, be real, Nuno deserves at least one more season for Christ’s sake! P..S He might even quit yet and you never know who might roll up then, up the Wolves!
Jamie Vardy was swanning around in village teams well into his twenties. Players develop at different rates.
Hi Bognor , good point regarding Keane , I watched that game at Norwich from afar.
It’s also worth remembering though that bull was let go by our neighbours because he just wasn’t going to cut it.
Players peak at different times, fabio has loads of that in front of him so here’s hoping.
Utw
Yes I agree I think he will come good next year crossed fingers, when some more experienced players help him out more, cheers
Keane at 17 was in the Championship. Last Night the Keane who won MoTM is a proven international defender plying his trade in the best league in the world.
Eggs need comparing with eggs!
Just in case it’s not clear my point is Silva is up against much better defenders.
Agreed Prawny but, hand on heart, do you really think Fabio has as much talent as Keane had at the same age? Those of us around at the time were almost certain that Keane would make it to the top, whereas surely even the most blinkered supporter would think it debatable in Fabio’s case. I really hope he does but there’s so many aspects of his game that need developing and improving. In Keane’s case all that was needed was more experience.
Kean was eventually one of the best strikers in the world He was a bloody good teenager but his first season was in the Championship.
If Silva comes even close you can’t argue it will have been money well spent. Keane would be in the Sancho money bracket in today’s market.
Wouldn’t he be perfect for Wolves now?
Hugh Curran (47 goals in 98 appearances !) was still playing semi-pro football for Corby Town when he was 21.
Keano was an unbelievable talent, once in generation a gift from the gods.
But just a little helpful to make a low-key league debut at Championship Norwich.
Fabio made a league debut against Man City at home carrying the label – ‘Club’s most expensive signing ever’
Fair point JackoMac UTW
What is our ambition for next season? We need to avoid a relegation scrap and survive for another season in the prem.
Is that being too negative?
Of course I’d love to see us challenging for a European place but that will take a load of dosh and being able to get the right players. We are in the same group as Brighton, Palace, Soton, Newcastle, Burnley. Their fans are saying exactly the same as us. And we shouldn’t think that Raul coming back will make all the difference. We need more strength in depth throughout the team. Bring in some experienced players who have played in this country to compliment the youngsters.
I think Clive’s theory (May 17th) that Nuno’s recent team selection may have been intended to prove a point is not as far fetched as some might imagine. Adding to what Clive suggested how about this for a hypothesis ?
Two basic points first. Five years ago reports suggested one of the reasons Fosun decided to get involved in football was because they saw huge profits could be made from buying and selling players. When they purchased Wolves Jeff was quoted as saying he knew nothing about football and was entirely dependant on Jorge Mendes advice in this regard. From the start Jeff decided to adopt a completely autocratic approach and all major decisions on transfers in and out were taken by him alone after he had consulted with Jorge Mendes. Nuno found himself in a difficult position. Jorge had been a close friend of his for many years and he genuinely wanted to get involved with the Wolves project and help make a success of it. So he decided to tolerate having no say in recruitment. Meanwhile It became apparent to Thelwell and Dalrymple that their opinions were being completely ignored by Jeff so they both decided to seek employment elsewhere and departed. It gradually became clear to Jorge that Jeff’s completely autocratic approach might well, in the long run, leave Wolves on shaky ground. He became torn between the project succeeding and making hay while the sun shines. As time went by Nuno became increasingly exasperated by the recruitment decisions. Being a genuinely caring person he still badly wants Wolves to do well and if he falls out with Jeff his time at Wolves is as good as finished. So once Wolves are safe from relegation he decides to let team selection do the talking for him. End of hypothesis.
I will say one final thing. When the decision to sign Fabio Silva was taken I was interested to find out more and watched a You Tube video of him scoring his goals. One thing stood out; there was no evidence at all that he was a good header of the ball. Furthermore he showed none of those moments of magic I had hoped to see. I want the lad to succeed and I hope he does.I don’t want to be negative and make matters worse so I will only say one thing. If Wolves have committed to paying £35 million for him without any conditions such as goals scored and/or the number of full first team appearances ,(and personally I still doubt it, ) then it was a poor decision and one Nuno surely wasn’t happy with. And, if he also had no say in the matter as my hypothesis suggests then our first team coach must be one of the most frustrated men in the world.
Bilko,
There may be some mileage in your theory it does appear Jeff is making all the decisions on everything including football matters which is worrying there does not appear to be anyone, either a M.D or Director of Football to advise hm and his knowledge of how football works a running a football club is very ltd.
My concern is he thinks only from a business perspective hence the ” ones for the future ” plan buying and selling players for a profit ,football doesn’t work like that football is like no other businesses.
He doesn’t seem to realise you have to invest every season it’s a constant process of trying to improve the squad year on year with quality additions that are first team ready. The last couple of windows have neglected the first team completely our recruitment over all for some time now has been poor Jeff needs an experienced football head alongside him to give him a balanced view from a football perspective .
I don’t think Nuno has been help by our recruitment policy and you may be right in that he is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
The Board or should I say Jeff need to learn from this season some big lessons and decide if they are committed to there stated aims of making Wolves a top six team competing for honours and Europe…..I have my doubts they are still committed to the project.
Thank you very much for your comments Paul, I have very similar views to you. Unless Wolves get someone in charge of recruitment who is very experienced and has a thorough knowledge of the Premier and more, they will not be able to compete successfully with other clubs who already have such people in place. If Jeff really pushed the boat out to attract the right person to the club it would be money well spent
And Jeff will have made a lot of money from the Fabio sale too! Possibly more important than the actual benefit! From the time the advisors left, never trusted Jeff from Forsun. Hope I am wrong!
In a word… frustrating.
Adama made many attacks deep into the Everton half, but I knew that they were going to amount to nothing because there was no one there on the end of them.
First half was quite good, second half disappointingly not.
Poor old Neves has lost his mojo.
I’m glad Kilman was playing, at last, and where is Otasowie? He seems to be forgotten in the scheme of things since he started to look promising in the last game he played.
There is a lot of work to do this summer if we want to get a top ten hit next season.
Personally I blame Clive from Texas.
No particular reason but lots of others seem to have a downer on my mate so thought I’d jump on the bandwagon.
OODCL
Yeah, Clive’s fault.
Plastic yank.
I was going to make a banner for Sunday which says “Five for Clive” but can’t be arsed lol.
I love you too, Chalkie!!
Kiss kiss kiss
Well, it’s all been said really, but for my two penneth worth, I thought the first half wasn’t at all bad. I liked the 3412 line up (same way as Leicester have played this season), with Kilman on the left of the back three, and Gibbs-White as a number 10, and best of all two forwards (how I miss having two up front!). Perhaps Traore can be converted from a winger to a centre forward, food for thought?
Then as soon as we conceded from a corner (surprise, surprise), we just lost all of our steam and that was that unfortunately. I don’t think the subs added anything to the team, and while there may be potential I don’t think Vitinha is worth £20m of our summer transfer budget.
Finally, good to see Ruddy get a game, his contract is up at the end of the season and I’m guessing he will move on. Been a great servant and played a big part in getting us promoted.
More hot press. Having achieved his lifetime goal of steering Sandwell to relegation, big Sam has announced he is leaving. 10/10 Agent Allardyce.
Good summary Thomas. We had 59% possession and 12 corners t0 Everton’s 7. Why is it that we seem to have Snow White and the Seven Dwarves defending corners? Don’t get me started on our corner-taking. Again and again we do some stupid short pass instead of getting the ball into the box. Why? Once upon a time the short pass might have led to a goal but I’m struggling to remember when. We all know the definition of madness: repeating something over and again without getting a different result.
We actually played some good football last night, and probably bossed the first half. This may have been due to Everton’s poor recent form. At least our first half performances are improving, but probably at the expense of our inability to recover from losing positions. Traore again was our main threat, but without actually coming close to a goal. Silva ran around a lot to little effect. Jose ran around less, to even less effect. MGW almost scored with a great strike though, and should have been left on. Moutinho looks ready for his buss pass.
Our goal scoring threat has actually dwindled. I can’t see where the next goal is coming from. Thankfully this disappointing season will end on Sunday. If the next season is more of the same, we will be in deep trouble.
A quote from the end of the last blog:
” . . . . no need for that type of language that is what is driving people away from this Blog”.
No! What is driving people away from this blog is all the negativity and constant sniping at Nuno and the players.
As far as I’m aware no one on here is privy to the thoughts of Jeff Shi, Mendes, or Nuno and his staff.
So, how come some much specualtion is asserted as if it were fact.
Here’s a suggestion for everyone on here:
Next season, why not just SUPPORT whoever the head coach sends out to represent our fantastic club?
How about cutting back a bit on your happy pills?
I’m in Team Cock.
Since everyone else is throwing their theories about here, I will offer one or two.
The reason we are not hearing from Jeff is that he is embarrassed about how things are going.
He is making all of the decisions or approving them and things have gone badly wrong.
Small squad. Buying for the future.
He thought he figured out the game better than all of the Westerners who have been involved for decades and in only one or two short years.
He has ended up having egg foo young on his face.
You see, Paul AD67?
It’s not the bad language that is driving people away, it’s twats like Tim!
Goodbye blog!
What are the other names you post by?
My theory is he uses a pseudonym and spends his evenings on this blog as Clive from Houston.
It’s as good as any other theory!
After all the dust has settled and my dinner has gone down (and my breakfast actually), I have a few thoughts on our situation, last night’s game and some people’s reaction to the performance.
Morgan Gibbs-White, absolute shite!
Well, no actually. He seems to be starting to look like he might belong in a Premier League team. And he nearly bagged a goal that, if Ruben had scored it, we would have been talking about it in hushed and reverent tones for years.
Adama Traore, a one trick pony!
Perhaps there might be an argument to say that but…. IT’S A TRICK!!!! AND HE CAN DO IT!! And when he performs it, nobody can see how it’s done, or how to stop it.
Semedo, waste of space and money!!
I thought he played pretty well yesterday and is improving with each game. He and Ait-Nouri will cause some trouble amongst Premier League defences in seasons to come.
Given all the lacklustre recent performances and results, I can understand why the general reaction to a single goal defeat at Everton is negative.
But if you took this game and dropped it back into last season when we were doing quite nicely thank you, I think that we would be saying:-
“To play a club who are challenging for Europe, with four of our usual first team players missing, dominate possession, have a half decent penalty shout turned down and come away probably deserving at least a draw… Not too bad”.
Kilman continues to look good, Neves was back to spraying passes around and Silva worked his socks off and is starting to look stronger.
And I reserve a special mention for John Ruddy who was dominating and safe in goal.
I hope he stays.
Fair enough. There were more than a few positives in a narrow defeat to an Everton team that has been talked about as top-four contenders.
Commonsensicle posts like this Doog are becoming an endangered species.
Theory #2.
Sheffield did well last season and then tanked this season. They were a team that was built around a completely different type of player, coach, and style.
That is the kind of team that is more likely to have a second-season drop-off.
Wolves are built on players who represent their country(s) internationally and play a more “European” style. As I said a few years ago, we were already a Premier League team playing in the Championship that season.
We are not going to be anywhere near the relegation zone if the team does what it says it is going to do over the summer.
Some loan players to fill in for Jonny and Neto, maybe. A big, international class centre back. Maybe another striker to back up/share the load with Raul and Fabio relegated to first-team practice and some 10 minute appearances.
We will be in the top half easily if we can manage to play for 90 minutes each game.
Well that’s it for me bloggers. I said a while back that if we did not get into the top 7 I would take time out.
That, coupled with the fact that I no longer enjoy coming on here to read a load of moaning and whinging posts from Tim and others, has made me decide that after the Man Utd match I will no longer be posting. I have a few bloggers contact numbers so may stay in touch.
Take care guys.
Fair comment Brompton, we are all feeling spent by the much debated season’s ups and downs. Let’s just count our blessings and hope we keep the good and improve the bad before it all starts again. If we are feeling drained, imagine how Nuno and his coaching team feel what with being separated from family for so long. They need the rest more than any of us. The blogging community is like an enlarged family- some you like, admire, are reasonable and rational. Others irritate, moan, bitch and are generally unrealistic and boorish. Such is life and I would not change any of it – not even Tim and Paul! Their views are not universally popular, should always be listened to and how good will it be when we can meet again at the Golden Palace.
It was agreed upon a few weeks ago that a difference of opinions was acceptable here. If you do not like it, I’m sorry but that was the general consensus.
Frankly, I’m pretty tired of all the happy clappers who continually say that Nuno is the best coach we’ve had in 40 years, even though he has had much better players than any of the others.
That being said, I’m sorry you have singled out me. I think there are many who criticize the team in a much more aggressive way.
I can understand your feelings Mate.
The blog has rather descended into a bit of a bitchfest this season.
I don’t mind differences of opinion as long as they are voiced in acceptable ways. Certainly, Tim and Paul have their views which I don’t necessarily agree with but, although they can get tiresome and repetitive, am not offended by.
The thing that annoys me is if someone writes something aimed in my direction which, if they were sat across a table from me in a pub would end up with them having to retrieve some teeth from their beer glass.
I hope you feel better after a few weeks break.
And don’t think that just ‘cos you want to leave the blog you are going to get away without buying that beer you owe me!
Stay safe.
I agree but would like to point out that others repeat themselves a lot, too.
Very true. Very true. Very true. Very true.
Agreed, imagine just how bad it would be if we were actually having a really bad season rather than just a disappointing season in comparison to the three previous exceptional seasons!
On the point of abusive language, one of the biggest culprits is Cheeseburger who thinks its acceptable to let rip or accuse people of supporting the Albion after he’s had a few drinks. But at least we know he is actually a Wolves fan, unlike Tim who I am convinced is a sarcastic wind up merchant who enjoys trying to get a bite out of people. I could be wrong but….
Hopefully next season we can all behave a bit better or we may just lose this great blog for good.
OODCL
It’s OK for everyone to insult any of the players and they aren’t windup merchants but me, who rarely criticizes any of the players is?
Sure thing.
Don’t worry, I figured out what these people are upset about and no longer feel any kind of guilt.
By the way, did people used to criticize other coaches on this blog under the previous ownership? How about Moxey and Morgan? Were they criticized here?
You bet they were.
It’s not about criticising players, managers, owners etc. It’s the tone of your posts that makes me think this. They are sarcastic, contrary and generally provoke a response in which you seem to delight in having the last word.
I could be wrong, but there you go.
Anyway, where in Canada are you? I have a lot in family in Hamilton. Next time I visit we can meet up, I’m sure you’re normal in real life. I can bring you a scarf or something from the club shop.
I don’t think I am sarcastic most of the time but sometimes the post I am responding to seems to warrant it. I will try to do better. I do censor myself quite a bit already, believe it or not.
Actually, Theo is from very close to Hamilton, if not Hamilton itself.
I’m in Toronto.
He also apologised in fairness.
Never met you Brompton hopefully one day I will. Agree 100% I am fairly new to the blog, came to as I was told by another blogger ‘Its sensible, balanced and offers a fans view’ unfortunately now far from that. I hope my posts have been balanced and realistic. But , I too will be off. I’ve been told to ‘be a man’ ‘grow up’, frankly like most social media keyboard warriors, easy to spout when it’s online.
Keep the faith. Always Wolves. 54 years and counting.
As soon as we’re back on our normal trajectory the naysayers will ship up Marny.
Moaning, sadly I’ve always found to be the Wolverhampton way.
Take comfort from the fact that most on here whilst not always agreeing on everything will are usually happy to debate alternative views.
Both you and Brompton are two of the more reasoned voices on here so stick around for the rest of us – please!
Your posts are balanced and realistic Marnhull Wolves. Just the sort of stuff the blog needs and thrives on.
So ‘Be a man’, ‘Grow up’ and stay blogging!!
You know it makes sense.
Lol, DOOG. Brilliant. But as Cheese would probably say #@@@%!! It, alright then.
That’s understandable Brompton. I hope a successful new season will tempt you back soon. In the meantime stay safe.
Hey Steve. If you’re serious about this and you don’t happen to have my email address, ask Ben/Thomas for it. The beer in the Combemere always tastes better when you’ve bought it for me. (There, how’s that for a long memory).
However, in the memorable words of ‘The Brat’, ‘You can not be serious’.
I just looked back about 11 years ago and there was a poster called Clive who called Mick “Pathetic, Cowardly.”
He seemed to hate Stephen Ward, too.
And swore a lot.
How come Brompton Wolf is upset with me but not Clive?
You’re more than welcome to include my number in your .. ‘pals list’ mate.
In fact, as The DOOG has posted below…. that drink you promised me will always be great fully received…
Hang in there Brompton… your input is always good value mate…
Its been one heck of a long 2 seasons hasn’t it.
Not much in the way of rest ,no fans, players probably homesick and more injuries than I used to have hairs on my head ?
Next week can’t come quickly enough……then what everyone needs-a break
We all need refreshing and come back with a smile ?
yep the Everton game was really frustrating to watch
…but let me offer an alternative view
With Raul and Jonny and Neto and Marcal back in the team we have a lot of quality…yes we need a new midfield general and I’m not now convinced the Young Prince is the sidekick Raul needs,,,,,so get Lookman or someone like Eze instead
What’s my point?
this is all about coaching
We need to play more like a Norwich or…risking ridicule here…Citeh ie keep the ball on the ground!! Traore and Neto will get to the byline several times a game…..just make sure that they cut the ball back into the Box and have players in the box who can shoot straight or play fast one-twos to open up a look on goal
Central defenders at Everton Brighton Burnley etc can head the ball away all day long\ that’s what they do for a living,,,,so don’t feed them…make them look clumsy with the ball on the ground
Now the broken record
Coach corners so we don’t waste them or concede from them
Coach free kicks so we score from them
Coach throw ins so we keep possession
etc etc
My opinion is the MGW and Ait Nouri and others have great skills….playing the ball down with fast I mean fast exchange and movement off the ball is the answer to being able to carve defences open and they could do this
In a way it is rocket science…but watch Leeds….they play that way ….but our players need to be better coached so opponents can’t easily defend…then the goals will come and we will not be dreading first halves
So maybe Nuno needs to look at his COACHING team ???
they have transformed Coady and Traore and others.( Semedo is getting better)..now lets transform the way we play when we have the ball….on the ground please
Just a thought
And a good thought at that.
That’s a really good post Marin. We do have some fast/skilful/short players on the books so we have to make use of those assets. This, I’m sure, is why we play short corners rather than just lob it in. Problem is, we’re crap at it.
thank you and also theDoogerder
just worried now that Nuno took this personally
I’m totally bummed he’s going…he could have taken us to top 6
Now then lets get a bit of perspective
Have you ever read some of the other so called blogs.
If you think we have a bitch and moan on here you would not get your breath with most if not all of the others.
Look this season has been a let down ..we know .. but life has been a let down for 12 months or more for almost everyone unless you’ve won the lottery so we regroup rub our selves down with the radio times and go again next season.
Life will be so much better after a bit of sunshine which will come and a good break.
So endeth tonights and this seasons lesson.
Any one up for a pint of bathams in the great western on sunday to watch us smash the mancs.
There is only one reason Brompton is having a little pity party, in his tent on the side of the M62, and that is, his alter ego, Chalkie The Cheat, has not been able to fix the prediction league, as he usually does.
So, little cry baby Brompto has thrown all his toys out the pram and is sulking in darkest Bromptonshire.
But, I will say this for the chap.
He is good at mending his mate’s glasses.
We both had vision problems at the Novotel a few years back, so after breakfast, we fixed each others specs.
Friggin’ weird, but a very good bromance moment!!
Love ya Stevie babe, talk soon.
Oh, and if you don’t return to the blog I will publish your address, e mail and phone numbers!!
Hasta la pasta.
They tried tried but, thanks again in no small measure to VAR, Wolves came away empty handed. In truth, watching the match on tv, there wasn’t a lot between the two teams.
That said, it’s been tough, disjointed campaign in trying circumstances – and that’s purely from a supporting perspective. We’ve all struggled, including Nuno and the team, both on-field and back room. He, at least, has my respect for all that he has done for the club over the the last few years and more so for his support of the Feed Our Pack campaign.
The football this season hasn’t been anything to write home about guys but, hey ho, we have a new Premier League season to look forward to come August.
Keep the faith.
I would like to wish all my bloggers a lovely break, we may have our own opinions, but we should be respectful for others, wolves aie we.