One thing is certain – the Match of the Day team already have Sunday’s analysis locked and loaded.
Win at the King Power and the narrative is all about Wolves ‘hitting the ground running’ and being ‘ahead in their preparation’.
Lose and it’s ‘Europa League fatigue’ this ‘small squad’ that, blah, blah, blah.
Can’t argue about the small squad I suppose.
Like everyone else, I hoped for at least one more attack-minded addition but I’ve come to accept that the roster will probably always feel light while Nuno is laying out the cones.
We go again with a small, albeit upgraded (hopefully) group. It’s worked twice before so no reason to believe it won’t again.
Not much learned tonight that we didn’t already know.
For all Traore’s muscle power, we’re still a more potent outfit with Matt Doherty’s street smarts. He snuck in perfectly to receive Jota’s pass and get the all-important opener.
Nuno has a judgment call to make there with Doc, Vinagre and Traore all viable wingback choices for Sunday.
With an hour in the tank tonight though and the head coach insisting he’s conditioned and ready despite missing much of pre-season with injury, I think the bearded one has the edge.
Jimenez ruthlessly despatched both of his chances for the second consecutive outing and he looks as sharp as he’s even done, which bodes well for the early months of the campaign at least.
His strike partner isn’t far behind and with a hat-trick of assists tonight Jota looks well set to carry on his eye-catching form that propelled the team in the second half of last season.
Nice to see Patrick Cutrone get some game time too and winning a penalty with a smart bit of play.
I like that he was desperate to take the kick, which shows the type of appetite every top goalscorer should have, but also that he didn’t argue when told it wasn’t happening, thus demonstrating a team player with the right attitude.
He should get plenty more minutes in the return leg with progress already assured, as should several others from our minimalist group of reserves.
Leicester first though and still no reason to doubt this group will continue to write their own script.
All round, a top quality, ruthlessly professional performance from the team which showed again, as last year, that the way for less gifted squads to beat us is not to ”ave a go’. Gaps in their defense were ruthlessly exploited and when the tie was wrapped up in the first minute of the second half, we were able to get 45mins of passing practice.
Raul again was firing on all cylinders and Diogo too, although not on the scoresheet, proved himself a massive handful for the desperate defenders. We now seem to be blessed with four excellent wing-backs, each of whom brings something unique to the table, but for me, The Doc remains supreme. How cooly did he despatch the opening goal?
Sunday however will be the acid test, and the Foxes are a whole different proposition. Three points there and I will begin to believe that there is nothing we can’t achieve this season.
Finally a massive well done to the 47 (I think) travelling fans. Emphasis on the ‘travelling’ as it’s a hell of a long way to go for a football match. Or maybe that should be, emphasis on the ‘fans’. Our club is blessed with some of the very best, anywhere.
Fantastic result out there and gives us a chance to rest plenty of players next week .I very much doubt however that the very small squad we have is capable of delivering in Europe and in the PL .I hope I am wrong but am expecting a much more modest season .
If we avoid injuries I believe we have a good chance. Wing backs and central midfielders are the positions which have the hardest work burden. I’d wished we gambled on Lemina, a player with excellent technical attributes, because I think our system would get him to perform consistently on a very high level. The covers on the wingbacks are excellent. In midfield we have Saiss and Gibbs White in “backup”. I don’t think the club would have loaned out Enobakhare if they knew the end result of the transfer window. When that is said, I really don’t know how good the world class talents we brought in are :=))) In case of injuries among the central defenders we have both Saiss and Dendoncker, Vallejo and perhaps Cristoval ready to step in. Decent covers
Thanks for the write up Tom, really enjoyed the game tonight on wolves tv.
Disciplined, intelligent performance without breaking too much of a sweat. Pyunik came out all guns blazing first 20-30mins but were completely knackered after that.
Great to see Cutrone getting a few minutes, made an impact winning the penalty and I think he’ll bag is a few goals this season…
No injuries from tonight and hopefully not to much fatigue going into the opening weekend.
Can’t wait for Sunday now, bring on the foxes!
Class performance from a very disciplined unit
Much has been made of our very small squad. But the reality is that these guys know and respect each others abilities. They instinctively play for each other as only a thoroughly well coached team can do .
Nuno says he wants only a very small squad with which to work. Why should we doubt the maestro
Looking forward to the 2nd leg at the Mol, even though I expect the team will include a few young uns. Total respect to our travelling fans (idiots lol). Bring on Torino. Italy here we come.
Professional job that. In complete control after Doc put us 1-0 ahead. Good opportunity to rest players in the 2nd leg.
I was getting slightly frustrated by Pyunik playing around/through us quite easily in the first 25 minutes, while we were struggling to keep hold of the ball.
No matter. We got used to the bobbly pitch, our potency on the break put us 1-0 ahead, which allowed us to then take control.
Raul and Jota have picked up where they left off. Hunger for goals and assists. Great return for Doc – as much as Adama has improved, he’ll never give us that same composure. Vinagre is just getting better and better – his final product is coming along nicely.
As for how the squad looks after the window shut, I think it’s an exciting one with plenty of depth and talent. If anything, with 19 outfield players and two missing out per game, it’s what Nuno would call a large squad! I know people might not like that approach, but it’s the way it is.
It’s a shame we didn’t get a top quality CB, or even a Wallace type, to give us more numbers in defence. I think we were all expecting someone to unequivocally take Bennett’s place, although Vallejo could be that man in time.
A 10 would have been the icing on the cake, but they’re bloody hard to come by. I think I’m one of the few people excited by Jordao and Neto, with the latter earmarked for the 10 role. At the end of the day, our starting XI is incredibly strong. It’s hard to attract quality players when you can’t guarantee them a starting place. Buying young prospects and letting them develop under Nuno – like we’ve seen with Vinagre – is an obvious solution. They’ve give us some much needed depth.
I thought it funny that Traore apparently rushed to the airport but when he got there found he’d not got his passport. Hopefully he’s learning to think before he makes those runs.