The only disappointment is we didn’t end the long wait for a victory.
Albion missed as many chances in the 10 minutes they showed up as Wolves did with an hour of dominance, but the approach from the boys in sodden old gold warranted the three points.
Having been roasted in the Molineux sunshine at the weekend, a more vibrant, attack-minded Wolves emerged from the deluge at the Hawthorns to give much-needed respite.
They kept the ball, made the angles, and were deservedly rewarded with the good fortune that allowed Fabio Silva to profit.
Vitinha was the architect in chief, appearing everywhere to receive and pass, drive and pass or just pass and then pass again. It was a joy to behold given our inability to retain possession for most of the season.
If we’re to become a team that dominates the ball, keeping a player who does that so effectively- as well as breaking lines and shooting with venom – would be a good idea.
Otasowie took longer to grow into the game but by the time he was prematurely withdrawn, we’d seen enough to know he, along with Vitinha, can give us the things we’ve lacked – energy, imagination, and the confidence to carry the ball forward.
Some of the combination play, including that which lead to Fabio’s stroke of good fortune, were things we simply haven’t seen.
Even the full-backs, much maligned for their defensive shortcomings, showed what they can bring to the table in a more fluid system. Semedo was integral to the goal and also missed the best chance of the first half as we finally saw him enter the opposition’s penalty area.
Ait-Nouri too shimmied and shaked his way through the Albion defence on more than one occasion to remind us why he’s seen as a valuable prospect.
In fact, this was the game where all the summer signings finally made some sense, mainly because the team was setup to play to their strengths rather than the players they’re replacing.
Credit Nuno for team selection and tactics, but inevitably the question from his detractors will be, ‘why did it take so long?’.
It’s been such a grind all season that seeing a Wolves team rotate the ball and play forward passes was invigorating – even in the context of a draw against a team destined for relegation.
The coach will be disappointed in the spell leading up to the equaliser because all sorts of spaces began appearing in the penalty area, culminating in a free header for the goal.
Those five minutes of madness underline the need for defensive reinforcements if we’re to seriously contemplate a long-term relationship with a back four.
Against better opposition that won’t surrender so much territory and possession, it’s not hard to imagine this XI being caught short in prolonged periods without the ball, but it at least gives us something different to work with for the remaining games, as well as making us significantly easier on the eye.
With the likes of Boly, Dendoncker and Podence out of sorts (and frankly terrible of late), now is definitely the time to lean on these youngsters to see us home in a season that’s long been a total wash out.
Well, well, well… that was a surprise.
Some of our youngsters that we have castigated long and hard this season suddenly looked really promising last night.
Indeed, Thomas, why did it take so long?
In any case, then better late than never. At least we may not need a complete rebuild for next season.
I’m so glad my 4-0 defeat prediction was so wide of the mark heh heh!
Spot on Thomas. I think that’s the first time this season I watched a game without resorting to behind the sofa at some point.
As you say the new guys finally showed a part of the reason they were bought in amd hopefully it will continue for the rest of the season, which in my opinion can’t end soon enough.
That performance was a million miles away from the dross served up against Burnley
Better, but gave them a goal on a plate I’d have put Siase in midfield dropped the Donk…ey and had Kilman at the back.
Niuno still putting square pegs in round holes. We’ve given them a free header and we have Kilman on the bench 6.3 tall. Yes Nuno finally listened and played a couple of the kids but he is still giving a free ride to Dendonker who played his usual role of the invisible man.
I said in my blog in the preview that if he played in would be 11 v 10 and apart from the odd moments I was right.
Nuno needs to get tough we cannot carry anyone. We had more possession but no end product and that’s the problem with possession based tactics it no good having the ball if you don’t put it in the back of the net, plus this season has proved we don’t have the players to play that way effectively.
We’re Wolveselona :=)))
Otasowie is a towering figure who possesses deceptive speed, clever with the ball and oozes confidence. He is going to be very good indeed.
Outstanding prospect.
For the remaining games why not move him in the center of midfield to replace the totally ineffective Donk, and give him the freedom to actually play. As you say he`s got physical strength, skill and no little pace. Plus he`s got the essential quality of determination.
Tim to give him his chance
Will you Tim?
Semado at fault for the goal stood off there player aloud him to cross the ball didn’t get tight to him close him down we’ve conceded quite a few goals like that Southampton away only it was Dendonker then.
We give opersition wingers far to much space and time to cross the ball Nuno needs to tell them to get tight and put a tackle in to stop the cross not stand five feet off them with their arms by there side……shocking I’ve watched it back its just basic defending.
Paul that’s the problem when you allow your mindset to fix rigidly on negativity – you just don’t see the positives.
It seems like you feel now that you need to reinforce all previous criticisms even more strongly when there is a performance others may see as positives.
Right now history will show you are on the wrong side of the argument. Please for your sake don’t dig any deeper. You clearly know lots about football and you have a deep affection for Wolves. With so much other rubbish going on, enjoy the positives.
What argument are you talking about Jacko……I’m just giving my opinions.
Which don’t agree with yours…..so I’m in an argument…..with who..
Your right about one thing I know a it about football at that performance against a team that is all but relegated is nothing to shout about far from it.
The kids that he played done well but if you think they are the answer alone your kidding yourself.
Second half sat back on a 1.0 lead how many times has Nuno done that and it’s bit us on the arse …….like yesterday.
You can argue if you like I’ll just carry on giving my opinion.
Definition of argue – to give reasons or use evidence in support of an idea action or theory.
Wow. Vitinha.
So we’ve had a player on the bench all season who can play the number 10 role with aplomb and pull those string to make things happen? He was playing those little sliced through balls for Fabio to run onto. I’ve not seen us play that kind of ball all season long! Long overdue.
Ait-Nouri too showed the kind of drive we’ve been missing to push into the box and take men on.
a 30-40 million outlay on them both seems like a no brainer at the moment. Vitinha could be a big solution to the midfield creativity issue.
Stick with the kids Nuno. They’re showing the bite and drive we need for next season.
What’s happened to Podence and Donk though? Shades of the players we know they can be.
Totally agree Morph- with regard to Leander, Willy and Dan- they are very talented pros and whilst some posters continually seek to find scapegoats I prefer to give them credit for past performances make allowances for the debilitating effects of this Covid bug. Lets get the season over, rest, have a proper pre-season and we will see the above mentioned players blossom again. Full credit to Rúben too who showed real leadership and commitment despite several knocks.
Spot on Woodend. Neves,vDonk and Podence clearly trying to work their way through horrendous loss of form.
But class is permanent. They just need a break, return of colleagues and a playing style that fully engages them.
Dendonker class are you real……work there way horrendous form can you hear yourself no shit horrendous form.
I’ve heard it all know…..fuck me..so we keep playing him then even though he’s going through……your words ” Horrendous form ”
Jesus wept….!
So you don’t rate Donk, even on last season’s form? Fair enough, but you might wonder we he also gets regularly selected for the international team currently rated number one in the world.
Yeah and I’m amazed he does then again he has world class players to bail him out like De- Bryne.
I was going to make exactly the same point.
An improvement on the Burnley disaster for sure and the youngsters did well given their chance .Still I am afraid the fact t it has taken so so long to give them starts is an indictment of Nuno’s cautious approach even when we have desperately needed new energy .
We need to keep Saiss as a squad player as he is nowhere near good enough to be the first choice nowadays .Almost every game these days he makes at least one howler .
In my view we need to continue with playing these youngsters for the last 4 games .They are likely to be vital for next season given the inevitably constraints on how much can be spent in the summer .
There are green shoots starting to appear for the future although a dip into the Fosun wallet may still be required.
This result from an empty ground suffering a biblical deluge, even given the opponents seems an irrelevance this morning The fact that Nuno and co aren’t quite as inept at recruitment as some would have us believe is starting to become obvious.
A bigger squad and a proper pre season will give us every opportunity to be hunting around the top six again next year.
As for this season I fear the last four games could be more about showing promise than gathering points so I’ll be happy to maintain our league position. One I would have considered a major success two years ago as I suspect the Baggies would this year.
If it wasn’t for their freak win at Chelsea the other week we would have relegated them last night. But the draw really ended any flickering hope’s of safety. Much improved display by the boys in atrocious conditions and remember missing several of our big guns. The bottom line in a fierce derby is you show grit and determination and we did that. We didn’t do them any favours. Hopefully the attacking style on offer last night is a glimpse in to the future. Some new signings, fans back in August and much better stuff to look forward to.
So we drafted in the youngsters due to a slew of injuries to those who have served us so well in recent seasons and the burning question is now, how can we drop them again.
All of the youngsters impressed and, strangely, seemed to bring out the best in their more experienced teammates.
To say that Vitinha was a revelation would be wrong, because he has shown immense talent in his previous cameos and, of course, scored his stunner against Chorley. So he was only confirming what many of us had already seen. He’s a rising star of the game.
Fabio improves week by week and is now beginning to show why we have such faith in him.
Owen Otasowie struggled at first but, as his confidence grew, so did his influence on the game and his surging runs and ball control in tight areas were a delight to see.
Finally, Rayan Ait Nouri, who has blown a bit hot and cold during the season, has now tightened up his defensive work and made some excellent forays forward before succumbing to a knock late on.
Both MGW and Max Kilman looked good in their cameos and I was left with a golden post-match glow that the future, which looked so dark after Burnley, has suddenly been brightened by some brilliant shafts of light. A few quality purchases, especially in central defence, in the window, and next season could be a special one.
One thing to bear in mind is we were playing the second worst team in the league. The kids did well but against one of the better teams we would have been taken apart.
Still there are definitely signs for optimism going forward.
A little bit of a simplistic argument. We can’t bash them when we get hammered but not praise them when they play well. Would a great side have beaten us? Almost certainly. But they also would with that team that surrendered to Burnley. We’re not operating at that level. What’s more important is whether these players can improve the team/squad going into next season.
Look at us. We’ve been in relegation form since Christmas. We’ve no right at present to say we shouldn’t be beaten by the top sides.
Given their results and performances of late, I’m not sure WBA are currently the second worst in the league. They’re being relegated because of their start to the season, not the end.
Give some credit to the kids when it’s due Prawny. They deserve it. Frankly, I’m overjoyed with them.
Sorry I think I came across more negativity than I meant to. My point was playing “the kids” isn’t the solution on its own. I’ve no complaints overall with yesterday’s performance, I just don’t think we should heap too much pressure on young players after one decent showing.
Wolves have nothing to play for – so there’s no greater pressure than the pressure the team puts on itself to perform close to its top potential.
Came here to make many of the points Thomas already has, but worth repeating the praise for Vitinha and Otasowie. We’ve been so pedestrian in midfield for so long it was a joy to see some energy, quality and attacking intent.
Otasowie started slowly but noticeably grew in confidence the longer the game went on. It was a shame to see him withdrawn in the end. The fact some already wrote off Vitinha is staggering and he’s shown what he can do when he’s given more than 10 minutes to impact a game. This pair have to play till the end of the season now.
Credit to Fabio again for another decent display and being in the right place to get the goal.
So, many positives but when will we get a better chance to end our Hawthrons hoodoo? The truth is they missed as many clear chances as we did.
Not for around 20 years,unless we draw them in the cup,I’d say.
Much better performance, showing the intensity, energy and inventiveness that was so lacking against Burnley. For me a draw was a fair result, and in a local derby away from home in torrential rain, one that I’m happy to accept.
Thought Neves and Coady both had their best games for a long time and the younger players who came in all played well especially Vitinha. Felt a bit sorry for Otasowie being stuck out on the right when that clearly isn’t his position but he got better as the game went on.
For the remaining games I’d be tempted to stick to the same line up apart from swapping Saiss for Kilman (just for the kid to gain some experience) and let some of our experienced players get the break they seem to desperately need.
I’m almost looking forward to the Brighton game, who seem to be another of our bogey teams!
OODCL
I’d play Kilman because he’s better not just for experience. Yet again he looked calm and assured both when tackling and when in possession. So unlike Saiss, really.
Liked: Vitinha, Otasowie, Ait Nourie.
Disliked: Saiss, DenDonker.
Improvement, but never could see us scoring. Damn lucky in my opinion.
Kinda like Adama was lucky against Leeds.
Silva lucky to call that his goal.
Agree Brompton according to some in the space of a week Nuno’s turned us into world beaters.
Short memories……I’ll remind them Wolves 0 Burnley 4
I’d like to see Boly and Dendoncker together in central defense.
Brompton Wolf……you make your luck sometimes in life. No different in football.
Wow! How nice to see our younger players fighting for the ball, showing some spirit & determination.
I’ve felt that we hadn’t seen enough of Vitinha to judge him properly, we have now & I think he’s worth shelling out for. Ait Nouri is starting to look better, just hope the injury isn’t too serious. Just wish Silva could have got a 2nd as his confidence was up.
I agree Kilman should be starting & personally I prefer Saiss in midfield anyway.
Much better effort, even with the weather & Mr Dean thrown into the mix!
I didn’t watch the Burnley debacle, so I kept my mouth shut on that one. I was of course furious with the result, but felt I had nothing extra to weigh in after everything that had been said.
For this one, I did watch it, and it was a tough watch, but, as has been mentioned, a much more positive feel came out of it. If these kids can start to play together, if Fabio can stay lucky and if Vitinha can stay fit, we have every right to be optimistic for next year. This season has felt like a fraud ever since Raúl went down at Arsenal, and nothing has really been positive since that night. Yesterday we actually looked like we wanted to win, instead of grinding out a polite draw or clinging on to a goal. Yeah, Nuno is clearly a defensive minded coach, and that’s fine as long as you have some firepower up front. If we can get Raúl back, Adama can get some longer studs, Ruben can find his shooting boots and drop Dendoncker to the bench, we have a lot to look forward to. Plus it was lovely to see Albion heads drop towards the end, and BFS moaning we were “massively lucky’ after the season we have endured, made it worth scraping through to 40-odd points.
One last thing, I think given time and gentle management, Otasowie could be as good as he wants. He had something of Pogba, Zidane and Ince about him last night… Imagine him when he grows up and fills out even more!!
The only positive from the Burnley game was the match was free to watch. Big contrast last night with energy in abundance. Just checked out the highlights to remind myself of some of the key moments and clear that we could, and should have scored at least 3 goals but headers and shots in the first half were directed at the centre of the goal – aim for the corners and they would have been goals – Saiss early header, Semedo’s chance in the box, Vitinha’s shot from outside the box. Diagne, by contrast, planted his header in the corner giving Patricio no chance. I wonder whether this reflects confidence and a lack of ruthless determination in aiming for the corners – more chance of missing the goal obviously but against Premiership goalkeepers you have to take the risks.
Very impressed with Vitinha – constantly looking to slide balls through to Rabio and the confidence to take the forward option spread across the attacking players including Air Nourie and Semedo. I certainly felt there was a lot of real talent in the younger players and can well see Otasowie in future giving drive and energy to the midfield. The Burnley game seems to me to show how knackered (both physically and mentally) are the senior squad and hopefully the whole club will get a first real period of rest and recuperation since May 2019.
“It was only a draw against the second worst team in the division.”
NOT TRUE!
Whatever you say about Big Sam, he has got the town playing some pretty decent and competitive football since he took over.
In fact, looking at results over the last 12 games, they’re positioned just behind Liverpool… one place above Villa and two above Wolves.
So, 1-1 at The Poorthorns, fielding a weakened team, in atrocious conditions, while dominating the majority of play, seems to me a reasonable return.
Vitinha was an absolute revelation! If he can do that week in, week out, he would be the first name on my team sheet.
And Otasowie, after doing an impression of Podence recently, (giving the ball away with his first five passes), started to look like the real deal.
The full backs looked good going forward and Neves- shooting apart – was back to something like the player we have come to love.
Saiss proved once more that he isn’t a central defender, criminally leaving Diagne space for a free header. But he stopped a certain goal earlier, so call it quits on the night.
But I don’t know what Max Kilman has to do to get a run in the team.
The most important thing for me though was…
I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE MATCH.
And I really can’t remember the last time I could say that.
Great summary Thomas. I thought Vitinha was superb. He seemed sorry to leave when substituted, which is a very welcome sign. Yes, it begs the question, why has Nuno taken so long? And why did we switch to a pressing strategy in the first half when we seemed singularly unable to do so all season? My motto is start as you need to go on. If we’d been content to soak up inevitable Albion pressure in the first half, we would have lost the match.
Silva had a slice of luck with the fluky goal, but he made his own luck. Who’s to say the ball wouldn’t have gone in anyway? Silva never stopped trying, and had a superb long range shot in the second half that needed Johnstone to pull off a great diving save.
The biggest mystery was Kilman, the mystery being why hasn’t he been a regular. He looked assured well beyond his age (and modest cost) when he came on for a brief cameo. What does Nuno have against him? Maybe because he’s from Fulham, not Portugal and cost only £35K instead of £35mil. Discuss. In my opinion Kilman could be a long term replacement for Coady. He’s taller and stronger as well. Kilman might have prevented that Albion equaliser. The muscular presence of Kilman might have nullified Chris Wood in the Burnley debacle.
I agree about Kilman getting more game time, especially when you consider Saiss, Donk and Boly have all looked puffed out and made costly mistakes. He rarely makes mistakes and is good enough in possession to be considered a viable option.
His shortcomings are that he’s timid and lacks aggression, which I think is why he hasn’t stepped up to the first XI more often. I don’t think he can do what Coady does because half of what Coady does isn’t picked up by a TV camera. He’s directing traffic, cajoling others and generally leading from the back. Yes, Kilman might win more in the air but I think you might find you’d lose more than you gain overall in the exchange.
I’m not suggesting a straight exchange now, Kilman for Coady. As I said, I think it could be long term. Coady was nothing like the player he is now compared to his early days at Wolves, Coady has matured under Nuno and become an England international. For me, it’s time for Nuno to work on Kilman. Kilman has already represented England at Futbol so the promise is there surely.
Kilman was sort of on the scrapheap in non-league. He played Futbol only to keep fit, in the hope he could have a future in football. He didn’t give up. That to me shows determination. I hope he can now step up to the plate if Nuno gives him proper opportunity.
It must be very frustrating for the likes of Vitinha, Otasowie, Hoever, MGW and Kilman watching from the bench over the past couple of months. The first XI have hardly been setting the world on fire with performances which have often been at best mediocre.
What has happened to Dendoncker, Coady, Neves, Moutinho and Traore this season? They are often playing week in week out irrespective of form.
When we became safe with the likes of Sheff Utd, Burnley and Fulham coming up why did Nuno stick with the under performing experienced players rather than give 2 or 3 of the youngsters a run of games in their preferred positions?
Otasowie had already shown promise with power and driving runs from deep a quality we don’t possess in our usual ineffectual midfield. Vitinha would be my first midfielder on the team sheet v Brighton. He was far more effective than Neves against Albion who in my opinion has never quite fulfilled his potential in the Premiership. Pay the £18m, he is the type of midfielder that we need to dominate possession more in the centre of the park. MOTM by a long way for me.
Kilman should also be brought in for Saiss who is another that has had a disappointing season. Saiss and Coady as our centre halves doesn’t inspire too much confidence
My other point is our formation. Play 5 at the back against City, Liverpool etc by all means. However playing an extra midfielder against most sides means firstly we take the initiative more and are not straight on the back foot in games and secondly it is more entertaining!
Most fans agree Nuno is definitely worth another season but he has to be a little more creative in terms of selection and progressive in terms of formation!
Regarding induction of youngsters, it basically comes down to a value judgment. Nuno is the one who sees them in training and (in conjunction with his coaching team) has to make a call as to whether they are ready.
We can only second guess the factors that influence selection decisions, but one of them is surely attitude and this is clearly where Cutrone has suffered. Various accounts also indicate that Otasowie hasn’t helped his cause with his dreadful last ten minutes cameo at Man Citeh and some of his behaviour in training. Likewise MGW with his Covid breach and completely rumour based feedback regarding involvement in an earlier Boly injury. Kilman I just don’t know other than his shocking attempt at left-back.
Totally agree with three in midfield or maybe 4-2-3-1. But would ask consideration for the often unseen but very necessary muck and nettles work carried out by Neves and Donk. Though agreed that both have suffered form wise this season.
Are Vitinha and MGW the Wolves version of Gerrard and Lampard or could a place be found for both? Personally would love to see it.
Finally: amazing to think of the average age of so many last night – Vitinha, Fabio, Ait Nouri, MGW, Otasowie. May take a while to develop but what potential
Agree completely with all the positive comments made above. Thought we deserved to win the game and were the better side as the match stats showed.
Although Vitinha was down as a number 10 playing behind the strikers he certainly covered the pitch like a regular midfielder. For me whether 5 or 4 at the back we have to have 3 in midfield. That’s certainly when we were at our best when Raul and Jota were the front two.
I’d not be so quick either to knock any of the starting 11, yes Saiss lost his man for their goal, terrible defending, but his first half stop on the line was top quality defending.
Neves, shooting apart, had a good game and he’s definitely(or should that be definately?) a much better player with 2 with him in midfield. Dendoncker has his critics but he was covering pretty well in front of the back four second half.
Keep the youngsters, add a quality striker and centre half and midfielder and we’ll hopefully enjoy a better next season.
`Definitely`; be careful, you’ll have AC-12 after you. Agree with everything, but think we need to have much more cover next season, particularly as most top players will not get any break again this summer. I think the lack of an actual break, the number of games played and the inability to rest players this season has cost us badly and for the guys to have managed to steer clear of the relegation zone has, despite the sometimes dire games, shown that they have the class to achieve much more with additions to the squad. We expected more but Neves, to my mind, has personified the never ending continuation of game after game experienced over the past couple of seasons. We know what he is capable of but he has lacked the sharpness and ability which comes with being able to refresh the batteries when necessary. Larger squads have helped the `big` teams to alleviate some of these problems with the late ending to the last season; none later than us; but even Man City started poorly and Liverpool have not shown the same ability.
With the Euros occurring this summer, the need for a larger squad seems more important than has been apparent this season to my mind. From what Nuno and the owners have said this outlay will be attempted, so let’s hope for a return to the play of the past few seasons with us in touch with the top teams…
Yes agree bigger squad but not too big that can make certain players who are not playing disruptive.
As with others, enjoyed the game, particularly the vastly improved resolve. Just don’t know where the Burnley attitude came from, but suspect a combination of factors including foot off the gas and under estimating a side who had something to play for. No way Nuno was going to let that happen again.
On the subject of Nuno, I felt his tactics and selection were excellent last night. Backed up by a true captain’s performance.
Clearly for the Burnley game Neves was not fit, but I’m left wondering what the story was with Boly.
Going forward I would be really interested to see Vitinha and Gibbs-White start. Just got a feeling that might have the energy and creativity to move us into a possession based system.
Maybe Kang-in Lee from Valencia also has a part to play?
Can’t help feeling we’re not going to get our mojo back till Neves trims his beard. Looking far too shaggy.
It wasn’t me!!
It was good to finally enjoy a match although the outcome was always on a knife edge with the one goal lead. I agree with nearly all Thomas’s comments apart from the one about the equal number of chances; I had to check my feelings were right. Wolves had twenty shots opposed to Albion’s ten and we had ten on target as to their four. Their precedence being for a short time may have exaggerated their stats in people’s minds.
The young players really came with the right attitude and shone well, particularly Vitinha and latterly Otasowie. The difficult part is doing this game after game; not so easy with young heads and physiques, but they deserve the opportunity. Again, it may not be so easy against the better or more physical sides, but only time will tell.
I hope we can avoid the youngsters picking up injuries, which, at this stage in their careers can be so formative.
We definitely need a good, proven centre back to dominate the centre in defence and it is a shame that Boly has had such an up and down season and is suffering Covid related symptoms. Semedo had a great game but must learn to close down the wide man more quickly and effectively to prevent crosses, which is the full back or wing backs foremost job in defence; no diving in but cutting off and blocking the crosses. Saiss had a great game but came off his man for the goal despite Cody indicating to him to cover Diagne. Three points were deserved in my opinion and would have set us up nicely for a better finishing position.
Are we able to build on this? The following four games are much more demanding and young lads tend to lack consistency, so I guess we have to hope for the best but realise we may have to suffer some more dross. Maybe not, let’s hope so…
Another very good post DW. As the late, great Fred Trueman said relating to cricket’ if no one ever made a mistake, no one would ever take a wicket’. I thought all the lads showed brilliant application on the worst night of weather for a football match for a long time. Mistakes were inevitable but we looked streets ahead of Albion for long periods of play. Fabio surely has done enough now to get his critics off his back- at 18 he deserves better- there’s a top player there waiting to come out. Brighton should be another good game.
A Happy Star Wars Day to all our readers!
I feared the worst when Dean took over at half time, and so it proved.
A quick free kick pulled back, giving the shit defense the advantage, totally wrong in my book.
What kind of ism is it when a bloke hates a football team like he hates Wolves?
And the end of the game was a total farce, like water polo, which could have resulted in a freak goal for the undeserving tescos.
A much better performance by the team collectively, a few having excellent games, as mentioned above, but a few having stinkers, again.
Still, they’re going down and we aint, so life is good.
Another bogey team up next, let’s hope the starting 11 is the same as last night, with one notable exception.
No prizes for guessing who i would drop and never play again!
And now, we can really enjoy saying…..
All together …………..
F.O.w.b
“..What kind of ism is it when a bloke hates a football team like he hates Wolves?..”
Seriously?
Is there a question there, or a comment, or anything remotely relating to the match?
I’ve missed you, Mit, like I’ve missed the pox.
You are the one who hates WBA and even calls them names and posts an infantile FOwb at the end of each of your posts but say that Dean has some kind of issue with Wolves.
Are you really that un-self-unaware?
Honestly, you’ve got to be the d***est person I have ever come across on the internet.
Or un-selfaware.
Clive the daftest person on the internet? I’m not having that. I remember two blokes from the UK doing some ironing on Mount Everset.
Will you two stop bickering?
It’s like Just William and the Hubert Laneites on the blog recently.
Or is it Violet Elizabeth Bott?
Anyway, if you don’t start behaving I’ll “Thcweem and thcweem until I’m sick!”
Jeez I wish they would get a room and sort it out.
Weren’t you supposed to be constructing a feature of magnificence instead of watching the game? Also, I recall you stating that you don’t believe in bogey teams. Apart from your 5-1 predictions and Timmy baiting you are just the same as many of our players. No consistency!
It’s called ‘DEANISM’ . I looked it up on the Oxford English dictionary: “DEANISM. When a bunch of clowns make continuous disastrous systematic decisions against Wolverhampton Wanderers FC both on field and in Stockley Park involving comical offsides, missed assaults by Liverpool goalkeepers, missed handball by Liverpool defenders, award of penalties when Wolves player protecting face or ball kicked directly at arm from 2 inches away. Deanism. Being jolly useless actually. “
Finally, a sensible, well thought out and expertly written response to the most important question of the day.
Thank you, Stilton, Old Chap, if I had a hat I would take it off to you!
And, as ever, FOwb
I know it pisses off some of you!!!!!
Nah. F . O . W . B – Is perfectly fine. I noticed the turds were still playing The Liquidator on Monday night.
It’s good to see so much positivity on the blog as well as in the press. Our youngsters did well in a difficult context, they not only had to put up with the awful conditions but also the pressure of a local derby knowing how much it means to us, the fans. So that’s a physical and mental triumph, credit where credit is due.
However, I’m with Prawny and feel a bit of perspective is due. I’ve said before that had Jimenez not been assaulted and we had enjoyed a better season, Fabio would have been introduced slowly for bits of game time. He was chucked in at the deep end and looked like he would drown but now looks like he’s learnt to swim , similarly Ait-Nourri needs Jonny, Vitinha needs Moutinho. These young players need nurturing alongside experienced pros so yes, give them game time now because we can but don’t assume this will equip them for an attempt on a European place next season. We need to bring in oven ready first team players to improve the quality of the first XI and be more confident with who can be on the subs bench.
Like DOOGooder I really enjoyed the game, not had that experience much this season tbf. Was interesting on Sky waffle bollox bit, when Thierry Henry ran through their goal in slowmoe and highlighted Conor out shouting watch him, watch him…. unfortunately Saiss wasn’t and the rest as they say.
Happy with the team, the guys given their chance took it, some took longer than others. Can’t agree with the comments on 2nd worse team.. Albion stats showed most goals scored in the last month and biggest improvers overall, so we can’t pick and choose our stats, aka last week bemoaning Burnley running g 6km more than us and this week dismiss the Albion stats.
Was a result they didn’t need, they didn’t do the double, they didn’t get 3 points and the pond life that swam to the surface on our blog after the game at the Molineux are all strangely quiet.
Need another strong showing against our other bogey team to go out with heads held high, heaps of confidence too in after all, what has been a pretty grim season for everyone. Portuguese tourism minister on the BBC this morning saying travel corridor to reopen, so be a few happy faces in the squad.
Keep the faith.
Depends where you start judging from Marny. I always thought judgment was made over a full season.
Anyway it’s a moot point. They’ll be in the championship next season and we won’t.
Agree Prawny. Guess my point is and the pre match blog backed it up, most people thought we would lose. Not seen much of the Albion play, as I didn’t want to basically, but the games I have endured (sorry watched) they looked pretty good.
As you say,moot point because they are history.
Just like all the above I thoroughly enjoyed the enterprise and creativity displayed last night. It was heartening and, if maintained to the end of the season we can look forward to August with genuine hope of a decent campaign. Hopefully Neto will be back, and the football gods willing, a fit and firing Jiminez restored to the team. Hopefully Fosun and Jeff will add to the squad making Wolves genuine contenders for European a place.
One small disappointment last night was for me Traore ‘ s decision making, or rather lack of. Throughout the debate over Traore this season I have been on the fence but last night brought me out in the camp of those unimpressed. Too often the quick fire forward movement from midfield came to a halt when the ball was passed to Adama. He stopped moving and had a think before running into areas where he could n’t have an affect. To often he overlooked or ignored team mates in good positions, in particular the in form forward looking Ait-Nouri. Reluctantly I have come to the conclusion that if a good offer is made for him Jeff and Nuno should accept it.
Respectfully going to disagree with you on the Adama situation Happy. I think he misses Raúl (and Jota) more than the rest of the team. Last year he would head straight for the box knowing Raúl would be lurking, and Jota would be on the prowl in case of a mishit or needing to follow in. Now he’s got Fabio and Podence to aim at. Fabio I think does his best work outside of the box, and DanPod ain’t beating many people in the air. Traoré effectively hasn’t got a target for his favoured whipped-in cross, and Fabio hasn’t (yet) got the movement to make it worthwhile hitting the touchline and pulling anything back. I believe he’s worth until at least Christmas, with a fit and full-powered strike force to play with. He’s one of our few genuine game changers, but, unlike Neto for example, he can’t do it all by himself! All the best lads and ladettes!
He misses everyone in the box, time and time again!!!
Quite a few positives came out of this game in terms of our youth but don’t let’s get too carried away – we were playing a mid division Championship team and again only scored once.
It’s becoming very clear that a lot of our long term stalwarts are now very stale. Patricio, Dendoncker, Coady, Saiss, Moutinho, Neves, Podence and Traore are all consistently under performing. Are they immersed in a comfort zone or exhausted or both? Either way we need to add some serious experience to complement the promise of youth. And now we have a dilemma. Do we splash out £40 million on Vitinha and Ait Noori? I’d say yes to Ait Noori, not least because we have a long term problem at left back; as for Vitimha Nuno hasn’t allowed enough game time to make a fair assessment. But a starting XI next year including Hoever, Kilman, Ait-Noori, Ottasowie, Vitinha and Silva won’t cut it without some additional high quality older heads being brought in to help. Integration needed.
So to a certain extent “the ones for the future” are still just that.
Over to you Jeff and Guo.
In what world is Patrício underperforming?
Well said Lou. Perhaps he’d like Alan Boswell between the sticks!!!
Many deluded comments on this match, appreciate trying to be positive but
hey Baggies should have won it, young Vitinha played well as did Neves but
Silva will never make it in top flight football, yes he tries but has no attacking
skill worth mentioning ,they persist with him but he will be quietly loaned out
next season. Which was the team facing relegation ? I could not tell ,going to
very difficult to avoid relegation next season with this squad !
With the utmost respect LP, on the evidence of this game, if anyone is deluded, it’s you.
We’ll talk about Silva again in a year or so.
And as I said above, on recent form, Baggies are a mid table club.
Better than both us and Villa.
You’re out of your mind. As an 18 year old in a horrible position and constantly being maligned by ignorant fans, he has four goals and has created 3-4 clean chances per game. If you don’t see that he’s going to be among the best…I’m not sure what to say.
Our kids are just that – kids. But almost without exception they will become capable of holding down first team places.
I’m sticking to my guns when I repeat they played well enough against one of the worst teams in the division but a better team would have dismantled us.
Give them time and a few new experienced new heads and it’ll be a bright future I’m sure.
Prawny agree they played well, and like you say there are signs that they will come good and agree the opersition was poor against better teams we would have been beaten.
Monday’s result was not a turning point IMO although some bloggers seem to think Nuno’s has cracked it.
Drawing against a team that’s on brink of relegation is not a turning point…..it’s a point and if it was for our keeper we wouldn’t even got that.
So Jacko thinks Dendonker is world class….but on ” Horrendous form ” never in all my 50 years watching listening to football have I heard any manager player or pundit say ” he’s a world class player but on horrendous form” the two are polar opersites.
Unbelievable…..!
Did I actually at any point on any post say Donk is world class?
It’s as well to read posts thoroughly before commenting, even though you’re not arguing.
Do i Donk (along with several other members of the team) looking a shadow of last season? – definitely.
Do I think there is a good player in there who will come again a do a good job for Wolves – definitely.
Do I think you would acknowledge it if he was playing well next season – I really don’t know.
It’s worth pointing out that the reintroduction of the Donk stabilised our midfield and turned round our season when we were struggling to establish ourselves in the PL . As you say, JackoMac, class is permanent, he ( like several other mentally and physically drained senior pros ) needs time to recharge. This manager and squad have more than enough credit in the bank to warrant our loyalty in this most difficult of seasons.
Sorry yeah you said ” class is perminant ” ……..so you think Dendonker is class…..I wouldn’t rate him 2nd class…..just my opinion based on his horrendous form and not just this season.
He doesn’t tackle close down for the size of him he should be getting stuck in. He got no bottle doesn’t go in for 50 50 challenges was at fault for gaols away at Southampton against Burnley recently just ran along side Burnley player all the way to our penalty area without making a challenge he is lucky in that for Belguim he playing along side WORLD class players like De- Bryne from City.
Shocking player worse midfielder, I likened him to Dave Edwards but that was unfair on Edwards at least he score a few goals and tried.
Just a bit of an experiment………..all those bloggers who rate Dendonker give this blog a like and all those who don’t rate Dendonker give this blog a dislike.
For someone who is so obsessed with the guy, I’d have thought you would have learned to spell his name correctly: DENDONCKER.
I think he’s a great asset to the team.
P.S. And, the bloke he plays alongside for Belgium is De Bruyne
Hello Clive…if I said Nuno was great you’d disagree
You joker you….what a card I don’t know up to your little tricks again…. You are a one ….dow
Hello Paul.
I am not up to any tricks, if I think you are a dick, I will say so.
You can check with Thomas, who runs the blog, and he will confirm that nothing untoward is coming from my ip address.
Maybe you will finally realize that I am not the only one who dislikes your opinions.
Have a nice day.
FOwb
Have to say Clive you’ve got a double have you been cloned….I apologize whole heartedly and intended no malaise.
I think this blog has been backed…@#£&?!*€¥$¢^\}{?®©%?××??•|~¥$°°
Hacked ruddy text
“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.”
. . . . . just saying
Oh wise one ……there’s no doubting thou do talk.eth non….sense ……you
Sillly Old Bugger
It true though if I did say Nuno was God you’d disagree…….go on admit it.
Not bothered about people disagreeing with me I believe in free speech for everyone….. even those that talk Bollocks……great British Anglo Saxon word.
“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.”
. . . . . just saying, again
Better get that stammer seen to……! It was almost poetic the first time.
You need some new material repeating the same thing makes you look like ” A Silly Old Bugger “
Almost correct, Paul. The Anglo-Saxon was ballocks and that’s become bollocks in more recent centuries.
Can I add my two pennies worth? Or about nought point 833333 new pence for you youngsters. Over on the stripey lots’ fan pages, someone said that Donk man-marked Pereira out of the game! He was a handful against us at the Mol. Remember, this is the same Pereira who ran Chelsea ragged at Stamford Bridge recently. (5-2 WBA). Reflect on that thrashing of Chelsea. WBA are fighting for their lives but we managed to neutralise their danger man. Like many struggling teams, WBA will be like Jekyll and Hyde from match to match. Plus our miserable decades-long away record at the Hawthorns says it all. Monday was a good result for us in the circumstances.
So the Special One is going to Roma next season. The Portugal job is still up for grabs. I’m bracing myself for Nuno to take it.
Agreed dances
It’s the little things that are so easily missed.
Sometimes we just don’t see the results of what the players are asked to do.
Easy to just criticise without the ability to know what’s been asked of them.
A good point well made, Dances!
The trouble with this blog is the same as everywhere else on t’internet : those that know the least think they know the most.
We all have an opinion but that doesn’t mean all opinions are of equal merit.
Someone on here recently asked what was the point of Semedo. For fuck’s sake, he played over 80 times for the Barcelona, including over 20 appearances for them in the Champions League. Doesn’t that kind of record deserve just a modicum of respect?
As for the team performance on Monday, I thought it was a breath of fresh air and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fabio Silva is beginning to shine.
More of that please, Nuno.
Semedo has frustrated me at times but he is now adapting well to the more physical English game. He had a baptism of fire in this erratic season for Wolves but his class is showing through now. He reminds me of Ashley Cole.
Ashley Cole could tackle and close down. Semedo needs to add these attributes to his game.
Hi SOB, It was me that asked what the point of Semedo was. I respect his pedigree but it counts for nothing in respect of my only interest is what he delivers for wolves. If the 35m we have reportedly spent on him was your money would you expect a better return than 1 assist and no goals as his contribution over 30+ games? Do not be blinded by reputations or CVs I urge you to look at what he has actually delivered hence me asking what is the point of him? His attacking play has yielded what? His defensive play is even weaker and has cost us points on more than one occasion this season. His concession of a last minute penalty versus villa being a classic example. Watch the video of his effort to close down the cross to diagne vs Sandwell. I have nothing against him personally but for the transfer fee and wages he has so far been a complete waste of money
Bearing in mind what I’ve said above, I am under no illusion that I’m an expert but his pedigree shows that he has talent.
How those talents are used is another matter.
I believe the problem is that for many he was expected to be a direct replacement for Doherty when he’s a very different player.
I think it was clear that we had to make changes to our playing style if we were to progress to finish higher than 7th place and I believe he was brought in as part of a more attacking, proactive style.
The season hasn’t quite gone to plan, has it?
He does seem to have had problems adapting to the more ‘industrial’ aspects of Premier League football but I think he is getting there and I think he’ll become a genuine asset to the team.
I think I’ve watched all of the televised games this season and I’ve swore at the screen as much as anyone. Yes, he’s made mistakes, but so as everyone else in this team so I think it’s unfair to single out individuals.
True regarding Semedo’s closing down for the Baggies goal. But in fairness also need to acknowledge his significant contribution to the Wolves goal.
Clear where work is required but also clear is the quality on the ball.
Semedo hasn’t been a raging success this season, agreed, but who has? As I said above, he had a baptism of fire in this erratic Wolves season. In time I think his class will prevail over the physicality of the English game, and goals will come from him.
Does anyone know about Stu’s absence from this blog? He had great insight with Wolves.
Likewise Dances I had noticed Stu’s absence and hope he is ok.
I wonder if the frustrations of not getting to the Mol and/or some of the niggles on here have led him to prefer a break.
I hope so rather than any other personal/health reasons.
One of the many factors meaning that it will be better all round when this season is over.
Stuwolf is alive and kicking.
Not my place to comment on why he is not on the blog, but we text regularly during every game, and facetime at least every two weeks.
Lovely chap, good friend.
FOwb
Good to hear he’s well. Thanks. I think we will have a much time better next season, and hopefully Stu will be back here with his unique insight.
Hear, hear… StuWolf always added much context and common sense to all his posts. Hope he does come back.
And I thought Stu had some sense.
Hear hear. I had contact with him today. Like you said Clive it’s not my position to say why he is not blogging but I do feel this blog is not as enjoyable as it used to be.
Stu is fine, catch up with him most weeks. I think he is just fed up with the atmosphere on the blog at the moment.
Can’t say I blame him with some of the attitude’s on here at the moment.
I couldn’t agree with you more Tipton about the blog atmosphere…
There are some really great comments and banter from some great guys but some of it is frankly not worthy of reading or engaging with.
You will have noticed that many of the original core, read it but don’t (or rarely) comment.
I can well understand the ‘atmosphere’ just a grinds one down…
Thomas, Ben and Ben R and others really spend a lot of time on this blog and I believe their efforts are often undervalued as a result of some of the vitriol going on.
Shame really….
Too true TWIX. We all know who the main culprits are and really should just ignore them.
Pity Thomas cannot prevent them from posting on here.
Thanks for all the updates above about Stu. He has been missed but hopefully he will be back when the time is right. The main thing obviously is that his absence is not health related.
Good point Tipton- perhaps Thomas could put his ‘Mike Dean’ mantle on and issue yellow warnings for personal insults. Get two and you are banned for a week?
Our midfield is totally totally broken. If its nevez, donks, sais or Moutiniho Our midfield is aweful.
No good having people on the team that can make it look good. If they dont participate.
I think we should be trying to get the OX from Liverpool.
20mil is a bargain and he is unhappy with always being left out!
And he’s unhappy at always getting injured too. Haven’t we enough crocks at the moment?
Some stats:
Nelson Semedo has made more tackles than anyone else in the Wolves team this season.
Leander Dendoncker has won more aerial battles than anyone else in the Wolves team this season.
Semedo’s apparently appalling stat of only 1 assist is only bettered by Neto (6), Traore (2)and Podence (2).
Source: https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/38/Wolverhampton-Wanderers/stats
Going through the stats on Premier League site, it seems to suggest that rather than being the liability some see Semedo to be, he’s actually been one of our better players.
Admittedly, the bar is pretty low.
The overwhelming picture is that the whole team has underperformed this season and who can argue with that?
Sadly, I had an old boss who would never let the facts stand in the way of a rollicking. Same thing really.
These statistics are interesting but the couple of statistics that seems to have been omitted from the consideration are a) the errors leading to goals and hence dropped points b) he is the most expensive signing in the club’s history. For that investment it is not a question of “well he is ok…he is not as bad as some might think…” he simply has to deliver more value. I’m happy to give him another season to prove his case but as I’ve said previously, looks ok going forward but without much end product yet, but defensively simply hasn’t got to grips with what is required in the PL at all. On the point of tackles, Danny Batth used to make loads of those but unfortunately that was often because his defensive positioning and anticipation of movement by the opposition let him down, so statistics can be somewhat misleading when they are not centred in the key areas of goals scored or created
The stats on the Premier League site do include errors leading to goals:
Rui Patricio 2
Nelson Semedo 1
Conor Coady 1
are the leading three.
Whoever is compiling those stats must have Romain as a first name and have an assistant called Wily!
Yeah! And Neves has actually scored 23 goals this season, not five.
Sod the statistics! If they don’t agree with what I believe, they must be wrong.
Or, more probably, fixed!
By Mendes!!
Reversals from one season to the next can be quite common. Last season West Ham and Villa finished just above the drop zone. They brushed off those poor performances this season. It’s up to Wolves to put a dreadfully disappointing recruitment and playing season behind us.
Reports today claim that Wolves will buy players with experience in English football, following the example of Villa and West Ham. Link:
https://sportslens.com/wolverhampton-wanderers-set-to-change-recruitment-strategy-and-target-english-based-players/353254/