I wonder how many of the players that started this semi-routine victory have a realistic chance of getting into first team contention?
One definite is Adama Traore.
Our record signing drifted in and out of the action but was ultimately devastating in a ten minute purple patch that won the game.
There were warning signs before he waltzed through the Owls defence to setup Leo Bonatini for his first goal in nearly 24 hours of football, but as Wednesday discovered once he gets going there’s pretty much no stopping him.
The player he’ll have to dislodge from the side is the man who scored the other goal who funnily enough is starting to show improved form.
Having won and scored the penalty after a solid display against Man City at the weekend, it would feel harsh for Helder Costa to lose his place, but you couldn’t blame Nuno for turning to a player of Traore’s obvious capability as Wolves hunt a first Premier League victory.
Morgan Gibbs-White was the other player who caught the eye, occupying advanced positions and going close on three occasions, twice when he probably should have scored and once where he was desperately unfortunate not to find the net.
He’s an interesting player and no doubt someone the head coach will be turning to when more attacking impetus is required from central areas. His progression over the summer has been significant.
Eyes were invariably on Leander Dendoncker, who nestled in alongside Conor Coady in a fairly strong defensive lineup that were seldom troubled from open play, making it difficult to confidently assess his credentials.
But with 90 minutes in his legs he moves a step closer to challenging and as Kevin Thelwell commented the other day, he can be useful in a number of positions.
It’s definitely a longer game for fellow debutants Elliot Watt, Pedro Goncalves and Benny Ashley-Seal but all did themselves justice in their first senior outings for the club, particularly Watt who was given the ultimate vote of confidence with a starting place.
With Kortney Hause included in the side and Danny Batth not even in the squad, it paints a fairly obvious picture of which of the backup defenders will likely be hanging around for the season.
Much like Dendoncker it’s hard for Hause to stake a realistic claim in such a routine night at the races, but he’ll hang around and hope for a Premier League debut at some point.
It’s the same story for John Ruddy who made a couple of smart saves to return with a cleansheet. No matter what he does in the cup competitions he’s relying on injury or a serious loss of form from Rui Patricio to open the gates.
Vinagre is a player who can certainly force his own way into the side and with Matt Doherty not playing to his best in recent weeks he’ll have picked up the scent of opportunity.
Another very tidy outing last night coupled with decent cameos against Everton and City will have put him right at the forefront of Nuno’s thoughts.
Leo Bonatini is rarely forgotten about by his coach either and the Brazilian reminded everyone he can do damage inside the area as well as out of it by confidently tucking away Traore’s cutback.
He deserved that break of the ball and with confidence hopefully restored can keep Raul Jimenez on his toes in the weeks and months to come.
With serene progress in the competition, it will be interesting to see what constitutes our reserve side by the time the next round comes along.
A pretty impressive display, albeit against limited opposition.
I must admit that it makes me smile every time Traore gets the ball. It’s often when he’s standing still but that is when he’s at his most deadly. I think he would beat most specialist sprinters over 10 metres from a standing start, so 98% of Premier League defenders won’t stand a cat in hell’s chance of catching him once he’s motoring.
I also love the way he starts off… and then stops… lets the defender catch up… and then sets off again, leaving the poor chap floundering in his wake once more.
Morgan Gibbs-White is beginning to look like a first team player and Leo Bonatini is starting to look like he’s rediscovered where the goal is – so there were a lot of plus points from last night’s display.
A shame that it looks like Danny Batth is dropping further down the pecking order. I remember when he first came on the scene a few of us wondered whether we might be looking at a future England player.
Not to be I’m afraid, which is sad because he’s Wolves through and through.
But that’s the reality of Premier League football…
…And that’s where we are…
The Premier League.
Still sounds good, doesn’t it!
Regards DB he is a local flag waver hence the club captain title but he quite literally cost us games before Nuno..He shone in the first got worse in the championship and it would be rather silly to have him allow us to loose 8 nil in the prem.
Good in the air has difficulty passing the ball…
I expected him to go to Birmingham City…
‘Sad’ is hardly an adequate word to describe Danny Batth’s decline. Danny looked really promising when he first appeared in the first team.
And, then, he suddenly went backwards. At first, when a fellow defender gained possession of the ball, I noticed that Danny used to immediately move into a good position to receive the ball. He lost that habit (ability?) about five years ago, and has never recovered it. He also seems to have lost speed.
Difficult to know what happens in the heads of some young players, but in Danny’s case it was very sad.
Not the best of games but a win is a win and a great run out for some fringe/young players. Great to see Leo back on the scoresheet and Adama again making the difference. I can’t wait to see him unleashed at West Ham on Saturday.
Sandwell Town in the next round please.
This is unbelievable, I’m now on a 2 match run of correctly predicting the scoreline, and I’m normally lucky to get 2 in a season!
I mean yeah, it’s nice the team is doing well and all that, but can we all just take a moment to appreciate me and my predictions? Ta
Duly noted Sleachy. But unfortunately, it’s all downhill from here.
Don’t ask me to be happy for you Sleachy, we’d have been joint top of the league if they’d listened to me!!!
I guess this is not a competition we would worry too much about exiting. But with our first 14/15 seemingly set in stone, the importance of these cup games cannot be underestimated. The chance for the back-up players to be seen and get match sharpness is massive to the overall effectiveness of the whole squad. Of the players on show, only Dendonker can be reasonably expected to debut in the first team and I wouldn’t want to have to choose who should make way.
Either way, an efficient victory after a slow start and a little confidence boost too to gain our first win in a competitive game in the new season. Congrats to Leo on his goal. It couldn’t happen to a nicer fellah.
I would think Coady, Doherty, Bonatini, Traore, Gibbs White, Dendoncker, Vinagre and, occasionally, Ruddy have a chance for first team games this season.
Sorry, this was supposed to be a general comment and not linked to the above comment.
With you, Tim, but I wouldn’t exclude Kortney Hause from my list.
By the sound of it, a pretty impressive performance, not needing to get out of second gear. Traore is a raw and exciting talent. He is already pushing Costa hard for a starting place, which is what it’s all about. Nuno will have very welcome selection headaches. Batth looks like he is on his way out on loan this week, maybe never to return. Sad because he is Wolves through and through. Regular playing time will do him the world of good.
For the first time this season I got the score exactly right, but the Karaoke Cup doesn’t count!
Well done Leo do wonders for his confidence great to see the young players been given a run out.
Brilliant away support and confirmed we are the loudest in the prem at home.
Cum On Feel The Noize.
Albion next round.
An impressive win, given the amount of changes made.
Agree re Vinagre, I said last season that I think his potential is huge. Fully expect him to be our first choice left back in the years to come.
Great to see Dendoncker get 90 minutes. The defence were much improved against City but still concern me, and he sounds like the sort of calm and collected head teams need at this level.
As for Traore, he’s a hugely exciting player that fits the Wolves mould. Would be tempted to keep him as an impact player for now though, especially seeing as Costa’s form is beginning to pick up. Then again, I expect any of our wingers to cause West Ham’s defence problems…
All in all a good night at the office, let’s see what the next round brings!
It’s a tough one re Traore or Costa to start.
What I would say is that I had the perfect view in the Steve Bull of Traore terrorising Mendy and Laporte for 20 mins – same at Leicester as well in the second half.
Almost every time Traore gets on the ball, he gets you off your feet and is capable of making things happen.
While Costa is coming into some good form (he really stepped it up v City, and last night by the sounds of things), Traore will produce more often for me.
Something I nearly forgot.
I was chatting to one of the nice AA men who towed the PMDG’ers Mini Cooper S back home after the unfortunate ‘clutch incident’ and mentioned that we were Wolves fans.
He told me about his dad who was a regular supporter and followed Wolves all round Europe in the heady days of the Doog, Waggy et al.
His name was Edward Rhoden and he sadly passed away from a particularly aggressive form of cancer earlier in the year.
I just wondered if any blogger of a certain age knew him.
So far this season, five goals and five different scorers.
Bodes well for rest of season.
Nice win last night, don’t care who we draw in next round, bring ’em on!!
Pellagreenio already looks like a dead manager walking, and will do so even more after his “Ammers get Ammered on Saturday.
Cor wait.
They did get a win in their match yesterday Clive, after coming from behind. Maybe their confidence has received a shot in the arm? Let’s hope not anyway!
Allegedly Man U and Man City are rivals to sign Neves for £60M. The arrogance of these clubs. Why would Wolves sell? Time everyone realized Wolves are a buying club and don’t sell any player they want to keep.
I hope you’re right, Happy, that would make me very happy too. But we have to face the fact that the FFP rules complicate the decision making for Jeff and co. Not so simple.
I’d put his price tag at 200 million and see who comes calling.
Could come down to what Ruben wants I suppose. I hope he sees the sense in staying with project Wolves.
Sounds like a good performance even if the first half was a bit naf. Hope we can continue the run in this competition as it gives valuable game time to the reserves. I think it was Tim on Old Gold & Black who pointed out that if we lost it would be next Jan before some of them get another chance to start, providing we stay injury free.
Winning is always good. Sounds like we played quite well and good to see Leo on the score sheet.
With Vinagre showing his potential it would not surprise me to see Jonny switch to right back and Vinagre on the left. I still believe that Adama is a great impact player so would leave Costa starting.
Heart says a win but going for a score draw it’s difficult predicting early on in season
Keep same team as city
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