If Saturday was about the collective team performance, the positives to take from this tame League Cup exit were all about individuals.
Silvio being one such example, appearing on the teamsheet after a month and a half in the wilderness and turning in a steady seven out of ten.
Former Benfica team mate Ola John also got his debut and impressed in a 45 minute cameo, showing pace and flair in an otherwise toothless attacking effort from Wolves.
Jed Wallace squandered the team’s only meaningful effort, running through on goal but shooting tamely at the goalkeeper. His wastefulness against Barnsley proved costly and so it proved again last night.
To Newcastle’s credit the two goals they scored were Premier League quality. First Matt Richie’s neat one-two opened the door for a neat finish before the winger laid on the cross for Yoan Gouffran to let rip with an unstoppable volley.
I suppose after that double blow it has to be considered a positive that Wolves stuck at it and didn’t go to pieces.
And after John’s introduction, there was some hope of finding a way back into the contest, albeit fleetingly. But he’ll be a weapon in the weeks and months to come.
More disappointing was Paul Gladon, who again tried his very hardest to impose himself on the game but struggled to lead the line with anything like the effectiveness of Jon Dadi Bodvarrson.
With the Dutch man failing to impress and Joe Mason playing deeper, that puts a lot of pressure on the big Icelander, meaning Nouha Dicko’s return can’t come soon enough.
He scored for the U23’s on Monday and looked close to match fitness judging by the highlights. I wonder how much longer it will be before he’s considered ready for first team activity?
You probably won’t get a direct answer out of Walter Zenga, who continues to talk in riddles and metaphors, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Nobody will be second guessing Wolves while he’s in charge.
Least of all, any of us.
* Highlights of the game can be viewed here.
As much as we’d all like a cup run I think this will be seen as the best result for us in the months to come.
If we’re going to have a run in any cup I would prefer it in the FA Cup, by which time I would hope that we will have a settled side and the squad pecking order will have been established.
I think anybody would have taken a League win and this loss before the weekend so I’m reasonably satisfied.
Can’t wait to see what Nuoah will do when he’s put alongside Big Dadi.
Looking at the team sheet I wasn’t optimistic, I don’t think Walter wanted all those extra fixtures, but it was a good introduction for Silvio and John. He knows his best players now, and all fit, with Dicko to come soon, we should be fine. Some, like Wallace and Mason, have had their chances to impress, and can be seen only as reserves for now. I should think we could lose a few surplus players soon.
Hoping for and expecting a return to winning form on Saturday.
Yes, I’m interested how Dicko will feature when deemed up to speed, as well.
I do think we lack consistent goal scorers in the squad, and Dicko, as we know, could certainly, if he’s played to his strengths, make a big difference in this regard.
However, this is where I have always seen the issue:
We know that Zenga does not like to play 442 and that he prefers having one big physical presence up front with others playing off him. However, as powerful as Dicko is when on he’s his game, I’m not sure I see him fitting the mould Zenga is looking for in this position.
Therefore, the other option could be to play Dicko in a more withdrawn role, meaning we could play 4411. However, as much as he could ‘do a job’ in this position, I’m not sure we would certainly not be playing to his strengths.
Maybe Zenga will therefore use him as an alternative to big Dadi or when chasing a game and in need of goals?
He played out “wide” in 4-3-3 sometimes under Jackett with Afobe in the centre, if I remember right.
Correction – the last sentence in the second to last paragraph should read: ‘… I’m not sure we would be playing to his strengths.’
To me, Wolves are in a state of flux and I’m reluctant to assume anything.
It will take time for all our new players to adjust.
Many seem to be quickly writing off Gladon, but he needs time.
Also, Dicko might return as good as he was, on the other hand he might not.
Nothing is certain in a not quite circular world.
Personally I like Zenga.
He has more charisma in his left finger than Jackett did in his whole being.
I believe he will take us into the Premier league….
I cannot understand any of you lot.
Going on about Dicko’s return, Mason and Wallace not up to snuff, Zenga’s rotation issues,
Stearman, should he be in the team, is it a good thing we are out of this cup competition, etc, etc,
Not one of you has brought up the most earth shattering event of yesterday.
How everything else pales into insignificance in comparison.
How can you be so uncaring, so heartless, so cruel?
How can you go on about football at a time like this?
Brad and Angelina have split up!
Jeez, anyone would think the world has ended.
I’d just stopped crying about it and you just had to go and open the wound again, didn’t you!
I’ve not felt so devastated since Robbie Williams left whoever the tedious boy band was that he used to be in.
So take that!!!
…………………………………………………………and party!
Brad lost his tits, so what? Maybe Photoshop could do the trick? LOL
Gutted,about bradgelia!!!
Wolves lost out the cup
Move on
I want 3 points Saturday though big time
Play starting 11 we had last Saturday and,now,we have,Silvio and john to call on.
Wallace and Saville have had there,chances
Sorry everyone,I ment to say
Brangelina my mistake was trying to walk along scaffold at the time!
I’m still.a bit upset about it aswell.
My dad got upset walking along scaffold once. But, then again he was the last man in the UK to be hung.
Suspended sentence?
Walter is running out of places to hide now, he has tried and tested all his newbies, I thought I was never ever going to see Silvio. As we bought players, I read up about them and some stood out, others not. Mendes definitely has a strong influence in what’s going on at Wolves, me, I ‘m not too disappointed. We bought Costa and loaned Texieira a brilliant piece of business. I was a defender when I played and I love this guy Costa.
We bought Prince and from what Iv’e seen we have another gem. Similar to Costa, I had read loads on Siass, anticipation was high, the signing process protracted, but boy, did we get another bargain.
Ola John, single handed turned a dire slog on Tuesday night into something slightly watchable and he will also fit in well IMO.
Bodvarsson, the Ice cool Bully, same ilk, same mold same passion, nailed on star. Nuff said about this guy.
So poor old Walter, his only problem now as I see it from my perch on the terraces is a goal scorer, if we do a Bully on Bodvarsson, then his career will be cut short too. We need a guy who can supply balls to his feet and who can also come in and do a job himself.
Enter stage left, Nouha Dicko right on cue, up to speed, firing on all cylinders. A great goal on Monday night at Telford by all accounts so he is on track and special praise to the medical team for that. Playing Dicko slightly behind Bodvarsson will shore up this team, with one diferrence, if we do get the winter injuries then there is no shortage of bit part players waiting in the wings.
Walter can now look at slacking off on his rotation plans, we don’t need to change 8 players at once, find the tired guys and supplement them with fresh legs, so we have the necleus of a team and minimal necessity for tinkering, two or three players at a time is sensible, 8 no way that will happen again.
So as I said at the beginning, “Walty boy has a dilemma”, he has his best 15 in his head, now all he needs to do is play them and rotate only tired, under performing players two or three at a time. Then come January move some on, bring some repairs in as we should have spotted the short comings by then.
The future is Bright the future is Orange and Black.
🙂
Don’t know where you get your orange and black from, unless you got lost last night and ended up on Blackpool beach.
Until my dying day, our colours will be Old Gold and Black.
Some things are sacrosanct.
Put in there for absent (annoying) friends, I can assure you my heart is Old Gold and Black.
Unlike some of my fellow bloggers who shall remain unnamed CLIVE, who sport yellow dusters.
The official color ( American spelling ) of that shirt, when ordered at the monogrammers, was Gold.
As I am old, it qualifies as old gold.
And yellow dusters are Texan, anyrode.
Have you never heard of The Yellow Rose of Texas?
“She’s the sweetest little rosebud that Texas ever knew,
Her eyes are bright as diamonds, they sparkle like the dew,
You may talk about your Clementine, and sing of Rosalee,
But the Yellow Rose of Texas is the only girl for me.”
So there.
But if you look up the original words to that song, be warned, they would now be considered extremely racist.
Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree…………………….
Bloody Newcastle, letting children into the ground for £3 a ticket without their mum and dad, then afterwards the little cherubs came round to get a piece of the Wolves fans.
Look at the vieo, tha average age was about 11 years old.
What the papers don’t say is the bottles were plastic, talk about complete Numpties. Wolves fans walked through the middle of them laughing and singing.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/547241/video-Newcastle-Wolves-fans-face-off-bottles-thrown-police-called
Daily Star Eh?
What a fine newspaper.
Telling you the truth, the whole truth and then making the rest up.
Last night it must have been very cold, they still have their tops on.
Food for thought, hows about this guys and gals as one for the future.
Ikeme
C B Jackson Batth Iorfa Silvio
Prince Siass Ola John /Caravalho
Costa Dicko Bodvarsson
Subs.
Lonnie Donergann
Hause
Gladon
Mason
Price
Teixeira
I wasn’t aware that Ola John or Caravalho were central midfielders, nor Bodvarsson a winger?
It’s my feckin team I’ll play them where I want smart arse.
That’s exactly where Ola John played last night and Cavalerio sat just nicely in the midfield making lovely runs down the wing on Saturday.
If you watch Bodvarsson you will see he plays where the feck he wants. Christ, you just can’t please some folk, too pernickety.
If you want to split hairs.
I was unaware that Lonergann is a goalie, but that’s where Walter plays him.
🙂
Holy Sheet, Stu Baby, someone’s got the pig on today!!
Anyone would think you’d been on a long road trip to the North East last night!!
I love split hares, although from a distance they look like Welsh Rarebits!!!
Many years ago, when the blog first started, there were, what I referred to, as clockwork mice on here.
Wind ’em up, and off they go!!
T’would seem some have come back.
To all those who think that Stu is having a go at them, think again.
You would never find a nicer bloke on this or any other blog.
Except me
And Doogle.
And possibly Twixfix if he pays me that money he owes.
And Ben and his Dad.
And big Mark.
In fact we are a lovely bunch of dozy ….s!!
And Thomas
And Amanda.
NNNOOOTTT!!
what about me you bleeding Yankee git! I’m flipping lovely and if you anything different I’ll smash your face in!
Check yer geography, Bedders.
Yankees are the USA Northern equivalent of you Southern softies over there.
We down here, South of The Mason Dixon line, are the true Americans.
None of your liberal bullshit, just barbecue, rodeo and NASCAR!!!
The South will rise again!!!
Told you before Clive my boy, us Londoners are as hard as nails. If we were footballers we’d be Norman Hunter crossed with Ron Harris with a touch of Tommy Smith thrown in. You Texans would be more like some namby pamby girlie lacrosse players!
The only thing Norman Hunter bit was his fingernails, the only thing Chopper ‘Arris chopped was firestarters and Tommy Smith was a drunk.
Also, two of them three you mention were from up Norff.
Now if you had said John McGrath or Hughie Fisher, then they were……….dirty bastards!!
I remember Fisher going into a tackle, falling over, then sitting up screaming “You’ve broke my fuckin’ leg”
He then proceeded to stand up on his good leg, rip off the broken one, and smash the wet end in the ref’s face!!
That’s a fib,…..he used the end with his boot still on.
From what I heard, John and Silvio had good games. Let’s not assume they will play this well every game. Look at Teixeira, who seems to have come back down to earth after his first game.
That being said, it looks like Walter will have a lot of high quality choices for the rest of the season.
From what I heard, Gladon was not at fault for not making more of an impact because he was denied much service.
I agree with other commenters that Walter should wait until players show signs of fatigue before subbing them. It’s early in the season and they are fairly young so they shouldn’t be tired yet.
Stu Wolf, given that you opened your latest post with the words, ‘Food for thought, hows about this guys and girls as one for the future’, before then going to list a possible starting 11 plus subs – I, clearly incorrectly, assumed that you were throwing this out there for discussion.
If you are going to say such things and then respond so defensively when someone else dares question what you’ve suggested, can I suggest that you consider not doing this going forward?
I commented a couple of weeks ago after becoming tired of the, at times, quite nasty tone I felt the blog was increasingly descending to that it was surprising how fragile the sensibilities are of some regulars on here – a post Thomas replied to by saying he was in agreement with.
C’mon – I know I’m not part of the Wolves Blog ‘inner circle’, but I am entitled to have an opinion without it being responded to quite so bizarrely defensively and being referred to a ‘smart arse’.
Thomas’s hope is that this blog can grow going forward; can I dare to suggest that the chances of this happening – whilst some appear quite so defensive of their positions/status on here – appear quite remote at the moment.
Mancinian Wolf.
Mate you couldn’t have taken it more the wrong way if you tried really hard.
If you look at the smiley face at the end of my third post you will see, it was very much tongue in cheek. If you have taken the time to look at some of the other comments to the point of being offended mate, then surely you will have noticed I am one of the least serious posters on here. Like you I get down with people being offensive or appearing to know it all.
My post and reply to you was very lighthearted and you have certainly taken them comletely out of context.
Please go back, re read both but this time without seeing any form of malice or seriousness what so ever.
In Walter we trust, nobody on this blog p, inner circle or not would ever trust my team selections.
🙂 🙂
Get a life Mancinian.
Disappointed in the result but good to see a few new faces getting a run out. Not easy to get used to this league. We will improve and the players will gel together and who knows we might even make the play offs.
Stu wolf that was funny mate
I like that one!
Mmmmm….. seen the goals, very good ones, that’s why a left footed player plays right wing. The second – well did he mean to do that, goal of the month candidate.
If we miss chances like our lightweight ex Pompey lad did, well we`ve no chance at all. Could have drawn the game last night or even lost 6-0. Back to the main business on Sat against another high scoring side last Sat, this probably means at least a 3 nil win for the lads.
Three points Walter please. Thankyou.
Was Ant and Dec there ? Along with a load of chavs off the Byker by the sounds of it. I wonder if we will be there again next season ? Well Walter has pretty much seen all the new boys in action now. I stand to be corrected. So, what is the team v Brentford? The team Stu suggests above looks pretty tasty on paper and based on the performances to date. What will WZ do next. …. .
OK, we’re out of the League Cup but, as far as Wolves are concerned, the season starts here. We’ve had a look now at all our incoming transfers, and Walt has seen them in a match situation. Mostly a pretty impressive lot I would say.
Fascinating to see what team Walt puts out on Saturday but every points a prisoner and we need to accumulate a few and move up the table a little. Like many on here, last Saturday’s team would do for me.
I think we’ve done well so far to remain midtable-ish while Walt assessed his assets, so not much ground to make up on the early pacesetters. But it would be good now to put all that assessment to good use and start moving on up.
Despite last night’s reverse, my own confidence in our heroes is at a new high.
Hope the bubble of optimism still holds with the visit of Brentford. Last season’s game with them at the Molineux was one of our very poorest displays in a season of quite a few.
Think Stu Wolf missed the blossoming talents of Doherty in his team of the future. Thought he was very good Saturday.
Looks like Zenga will play the same side as Saturday v Brentford. With Cavaleiro in at the start for Teixeira. That would look a tough team to beat.
Always disappointing to drop out any cup though but 60 Per cent happy is not bad.
I’m beginning to think Xmas is going to come early for Wolves fans – we could well go on a very long winning run, how about after maybe a few more games to get Dicko on board, then – unbeaten until May ?
Just a kick about for league practice in the end ..as has been said the FA cup is worth crying about..
Courtney Hause to go out on loan?
DB missed in this case..unusual for me to say I admit..
The league is everything and it’s all about the Brenford match for me and the must must have 3 points..
If we beat Brentford and Wigan then we should be up there some where in the top frame..
I’ve just read we are interested in Brentfords Scott hogan who put in a shed load of goals recently…
Our interest in players is relentless
I must say..
Stu wolf ..
You’ve just been found out that you forget who the players are or where they play ..like Macdonald isn’t on the bench,-he’s gone to Fulham mate.
I put it down to your age, the fact that your Scottish and your endearing philosophy that everything’s going to be alright even if your not sure where the players play…..
Team v Brentford
The goalie
Right back
Left back
Centre half
Centre half
Left mid
Right mid
Centre mid
Centre mid
Centre forward
Centre forward
That should beat Brentford
I think you lot should agree
Un bloody stoppable that team peggers.
Let’s hope he don’t start rotating that one or we are up sheet lane without a bird in the hand.
PC’sLP – That all looks a bit too new fangled and modern for me. Where are the half backs? No inside forwards? Or outside forwards? I used to be a left back y’know. Left back in the changing room while all the others went out and played. Boom-boom!
You forgot a sub.
Cheeseburger of death
I think I saw,spuggy outside the ground up at Newcastle!
Calling Finsbury Park!
Calling Brompton!
Calling London Wolves Loyal!
You all owe me and the daily interest on your debt is starting to mount up.
Hurry up and pay up or I’ll send the boys round (obviously I’d need to find out where you all live first but you get the general idea).
You haven’t fallen for the old ‘Brompton’ scam have you?
It’s a bit like the Prediction League but he gains pounds not points.
Apparently he’s on manoeuvres or something. A likely story no doubt!
Bedford wolf
Where u the one that used to be picked last in the queue that know one wanted???
Yeah, Billy Bedders No Mates!!!
Actually no – I was a decent player in my day. Captained my school team, and the District team and played for my County (Middlesex). I also – very briefly – signed forms with Cokchester United in 1975 but my ‘career’, such as it was, was ended after an alcohol fuelled car smash that damaged by leg and eyes.
See Clive – I do have mates!
P.s. of course if all that hadn’t happened I would never have met my wife and had my four fabulous children and two grandchildren!
How does that prove you have mates?
Bet you were a spoilt little rich kid, who’s Mummy bribed all the others to play with you.
Anyway, Middlesex isn’t a county, its a gender.
Oh Clive my lad, how little you Yankee doodles know of the real world. A rich kid? When I were a lad I used to have to get up four hours before i’d gone to bed, eat a teaspoonful of wet gravel laced with poison, work 37 hours a day down a sewer – and pay the sewer owner for the privilege! – then when I’d get home our Dad would slice us in two with a machete and feed our body parts through a mangle and then feed the result to our cat. You trying telling that to young people today – or Clive – or Americans – and they won’t believe you.
Anyway, gotta go now as I need to send a cheque to some chap called TwixFix in Monaco apparently. Dunno why but he seems genuine enough. Apparently he’s got tubular balls or something so is trying to raise money for an operation.
You were lucky………………
Thank you and goodnight, Mr. Cleese!!!
Mancinian Wolfs comments has just reminded me that …….
ALL INNER CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP SUBS ARE NOW DUE ……CAN ALL THOSE CONCERNED AND ANY OTHER BUDDING INNER CIRCLE APPLICANT NEW MEMBERS PLEASE FORWARD THEIR CHEQUES TO ……TWIXFIX HOLDINGS (MONACO) LTD.
Unfortunately receipts will not be given because my admin dept have run out of laser inkjets and secondly I’ll deny all knowledge of receiving same…. Thank you…..
You’re a very naughty boy!
And I suspect, not the Messiah.
Wot me guvner…..
Bedford. It’s a little unfortunate that you once played for Cokchester Utd. At least you didn’t play for Bollocks Athletic like me.
That was L of a mistype eh?
To be fair Brompton does go on manoeuvres he did have a very distinguished military career. He once posted a picture in his medals there was so many he had to put two on his sleeve. He sometimes says goodbye to us all with hints at mysterious destinations but he is usually back on the blog within a week.
That’s crap.
He gets them made at the same place the cheating rat gets his ” I won the Preddo League” t shits.
( bad spelling on a porpoise)
Ps when Stu calls you smart arse you are right in the thick of the inner circle.
That’s magic! A magic circle if you will.
Now I’m gonna piss you all off, except Armani Carp, or whatever his name is.
JEZABEL MOXEY.
See, you were having such a nice few weeks, no mention of the fat turd, and I go and spoil it for
y’all!!
Ha Ha
It’s less than a month and the slimy greasy weasel will be back at The Mol.
Hope someone on the door denies him entry, coz he’s too fat, or something.
Lock up the pies, his missus will probably be with him, slobbering for a freebie.
FOwb
Now correct me if I’m wrong but no-one has seen Clive since May. Coincidently – or is it? – no-one has seen Moxey since May either. Could they be one and the same person?
Clive – are YOU Jezebel Moxey? Are you now secretly sampling the delights of Delia’s dumplings? I think we (k)nead to dough – I mean know.
And if you say Norfolk and chance we won’t believe you!
Oh Bollocks!
Sussed!
Delia’s dumplings are marvelous….and her cooking is not bad either!
It’s amazing what rises when stuffed in the oven.
Now go to bed, Bedders, you got school in the morning