As a dearly departed manager once said, dreaming is for free.
And England’s summer exploits have provided a timely reminder of the value of that adage.
Our team of humble fledglings have drawn plenty of praise, and rightfully so. In the perfect antidote to the doom and gloom that has permeated the last 16 months, the Three Lions are on the edge of glory.
Orchestrating this feel-good story has been the unlikeliest of masterminds. Despite an underwhelming spell at Middlesbrough, Gareth Southgate has ascended to a status afforded to few other England managers.
So, what could Bruno Lage learn from his success?
Embrace the past
It’s common knowledge that the England players of yesteryear have been perennially crippled by the burden of expectation. Despite us not contesting a cup final for 55 years, the shirt has weighed heavy.
That seems to be changing on Southgate’s watch, and that’s perhaps because he and his coaching team have been willing to embrace the learnings of past failings. It was hard not to be moved by the manager reminiscing on his fateful penalty miss in ’96, but it very much sounded like the musings of a man determined to rewrite history rather than erase it.
Bruno will know that he has a tough act to follow at Wolves. It will be the elephant in the room for some time, especially if his predecessor gets off to a good start in his new gig. But it was comforting to hear him talk of wanting to improve on the foundations laid by Nuno, rather than let them go unmentioned.
Build from the back
We’re all hoping to see a much bigger improvement in attack under the new regime. But it’s just as important that Bruno fixes a defence that dramatically regressed last season.
Both England and Italy have shown that it’s possible to thrive offensively while keeping things tight at the back. Indeed, many of Euro 2020’s more gung-ho sides were sent packing early, including tournament favourites France.
It’d be remiss of Bruno not to address one of the biggest failings of last season, and the early addition of Yerson Mosquera suggests that this is something the new gaffer knows only too well.
It’s a squad game
Pre-game Twitter meltdowns have become as synonymous with England games as ‘God Save Our Queen’ in recent years. Southgate has shown an impressive knack for drowning out the noise and sticking to his guns, no matter how fervent the clamour for a fan favourite becomes.
This is because he knows the importance of making the most of his squad, with England showing impressive tactical flexibility throughout the tournament. Nuno is a fine coach but Patrick Cutrone wasn’t wrong when he said he has his favourites, with a number of players struggling to find regular game time over the last couple of seasons.
Hopefully, a new regime will present a clean slate for the likes of Max Kilman, Morgan Gibbs-White and Vitinha (if he returns). And the ability to revert to a Plan B wouldn’t go amiss either.
These may well be the musings of a writer suffering a serious case of football fever. After all, Bruno will have arrived at Molineux with his own ideas. But, having started work amidst a groundswell of national fervour, he won’t have had to look too far for inspiration.
You’ve gotta get the results.
Gareth has done a fine job and yet, had we lost to Germany, which we could have done easily, he would have been hounded for perceived negativity and not lauded for finding a way.
The only thing that proves you right is winning matches and whether Bruno builds from the back or goes all guns blazing, he’ll only win people over with…well, wins.
Nuno had a pleasing habit of conjuring a result when he really needed it. Even last season when things became painfully turgid, a victory always arrived to keep us clear of the bottom three.
Does Bruno have the same knack? I hope so, but a limited track record gives us scarce evidence to say definitively either way.
I think your point on it being a ‘Squad Game’ is pertinent mate and for me, we still need to give him a squad. Gareth has the spine of a team he trusts completely and five or six players of like-for-like quality waiting on the bench, whereas Bruno is working almost from scratch.
Trincao is a nice addition and Mosquera fits the profile of center half we need (fast and strong in the air), but if we sell the likes of Traore and Neves along with Patricio, I worry we’re dispensing with battle-hardened pros in favour of kids who might have the talent but lack the know-how. I hope that’s in the minds of those making the decisions.
Yes, England was solid defensively. Southgates biggest mistake was not using Grealish, which had impressed in earlier games when he came in as impact sub. He’s the most creative player in the squad, yet he wasn’t used until the second half of extra time in the final. How is it possible not to use Grealish earlier when England struggled to create chances? Instead he used Saka which succumbed to the pressure also during the match. I’m referring to this bad touch after nice foreplay by Grealish.
Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech is reportedly transfer listed (arrived at Chelsea for 33 mill). I wonder if he could end up as a target for Wolves if Palinha gets too expensive. Sporting demands 50 mill for him.
Personally I have faith in Fosun this time to get it right .
The question and answer session they were willing to do and the answers they gave made lots of sense to me not least the Red Bull analogy .Looking to appoint a more attacking coach fits with the desire to improve and grow the brand to enable the revenue to increase and give the club a chance in the years to come to compete with the clubs with four times plus the revenue .
They probably need to sell at least Neves and probably Traore ( although I would prefer to keep Traore who with a more attacking team and Jiminez back will surely increase his value ) and then invest in an experienced centre back (maybe Tarkowski ) and a proper box to box midfielder to add to the current recruits .
As to Patricio he seems to want to go so we should get the best money we can and replace him with another good keeper who distributes better and can dominate his box .Then we might be able to do better against Burnley !
I am very much looking forward to a return to action seeing a more attacking team .If we end up with entertainment like Leeds I will be happy .
A mate has just got a tasty couple of tickets for the Euro final. £100 each including hospitality. But he’s gutted as he’s getting married at the same time. Anyone available?
It’s Wolverhampton Registry Office. Bride’s name is Sheila. Lovely girl, you’ll like her.
All this is true. But the reality is that we surely need to recruit wisely in the coming weeks if Bruno is to have a real chance of success.
Thus far we seem to have been very prudent in the transfer market, new comers having considerable potential to enhance the quality of the squad. But my take is that we should concentrate on experience,rather than a further influx of ‘ones for tomorrow ‘ so that Bruno can enjoy a solid, proven base to work with. To this end, I hope that any intent to purchase youngsters, such as Vitinha, at an inflated price, is firmly resisted. We surely need to do better than this with the available cash
‘Inflated price’ though is very much in the eye of the beholder. Vitinha could well be excellent for us next season should we be wise enough to buy him.
Agree 100%.
Buy Ziyech from Chelsea for 30 mill instead.
Buy him as well. Why not?
– Yes, I fear Palinha will be too expensive now with the new 50 mill price tag attached to him.
… and another problem has surfaced: both Vitinha and Palinha have been heavily linked with Spurs. The Mendez Nuno link up.
The first three England games were mind numbingly boring, we could easily have lost to Germany, the Ukraines fell apart and wilted, and we were extremely lucky to beat the Danes. Yes we were the better team, but still played the same way for a lot of the game.
I think Southgate has been secretly watching Wolves all season, and Nuno’s sideways, backwards, keep possession at all costs tactics.
Yes, I’m happy we are in the final, but we haven’t played against a good team yet, and need to try and attack instead of playing keep ball in our own half.
So, to answer your question, Ben, I hope Bruno does NOT learn anything from Southgate, except to employ totally different tactics, and play attacking football.
Let’s see what Bruno can learn from Southgate. He can learn that unlike England, he does not have favourable schedule to get the season started. Our first three games are pretty tough.
He will learn that unlike England, only half of his games are played at home.
He can learn that unlike England, he may not have destiny! England equalized with a Denmark own goal, before Stearling dribbled past a second ball on the pitch just before entering the box, a very soft and dubious penalty, which Kane misses, only for the ball to fall right at his feet!I
He can learn that both the referee and VAR decisions can be dubious at times.
And he can learn that it’s going to Rome, and not home!
My apologies if I have offended anyone, but a lot of my friends are supporting England, as I am, but the way they carry on, you would think rocket fuel comes out of the players backsides and that they can walk on water!!I
Good luck to England tomorrow, ( don’t tell my friends) and let’s hope it is an entertaining game!
Took a negative pill st kitts?
Blimey, on the positive side,,, we have only let one goal in, to a dubious free kick
The ref gave soft decisions from the first to 120 minute and as we were the only team trying to win the semi playing football, it was only a matter of time before we scored.
The ‘own goal’ was was going into the net if their defender missed it anyway,
Italy played home games too .
We have earned our home game ( which was organised 18 months ago and nobody complained)
I also believe most England fans realise we are in for a brutal game but can win it and are just enjoying themselves after being locked up for so long, give em a break .
It’s coming home
Utw
He can learn that, as both Nuno and Southgate have proved, showing integrity and acting in a decent and honest way will endear him to his supporters and get them right behind him.
He can learn that, in both League and tournament football, it can take time for a team to jell before results start to come.
He can learn that a successful team is usually a lucky team that, due to using certain tactics, can ‘make their own luck’.
He can also learn that referees, and VAR, can often seem to be a law unto themselves and you take any verdict in your favour when you can.
And, if we’re being pedantic and taking the ‘England’ analogy further, he can also learn that Denmark’s goal should have been disallowed because their ‘wall’ was not the requisite distance from ours when the free kick was taken.
A lot of learning to be done.
COME ON ENGLAND!!!!
Both Nuno and Gareth show dignity and composure in all circumstances and hopefully Senor Lage will exhibit a similar trait. This can transfer itself to the team and stand them in good stead when the going gets tough in the toughest league in the world.
Luck, skill or fate it doesn’t matter a jot to me England are in the final. All the great managers down the years both Club and International have gone on record to say you need a bit of luck along the way to win trophies.
England have had plenty of luck……..and mostly if not all BAD……so for once let’s enjoy there’s and our good fortune and cheer then on and help them get over this final hurdle.
Stuff me, Paul, that’s twice this year I’ve agreed with you!
I must be suffering from O.L.D. !!
And about the rest of the World bitching with regard to Sterling.
Everybody knows he is a diving, cheating powderpuff, so the Danes should have kept away from him.
If the foot had been in the other boot, no one would have batted an eyelid.
So bollocks to them.
But I still think Sterling is shit.
Me too
It would appear Walsall have decided to quit football altogether,
They’ve signed Stephen Ward!!!!
As Mrs BardWolf keeps reminding me if we can put a man into space then:-
(1) Why can’t we put them all up there?
(2) Why do they have to come back?
Good luck to Richard Branson first 70 year old in space, perhaps Clive should be next?
Oh and good luck to ingerland tonight, Southgate and Nuno both honest and honourable men I hope Bruno can measure up them.
Groundhog day again.
How many times do the side who miss the first kick go on to win?
Its the hope that kills you…………..no matter what you getting to the final was a major achievement and if the football Gods had smiled on us well……..if its a small word but it has a big implications.
I for one am proud of England it just wasn’t meant to be the wait goes on.
When the dust finally settles, the hangovers have gone, and common sense coupled with brutal honesty have kicked in, everyone will realize that the England team were basically shit.
The Italians were shell shocked in the first couple of minutes, over awed that England actually mounted an attack, and, even more amazing, scored.
But that was it.
Not another shot on target for the next ninety odd minutes.
No plan B or C.
Headless chickens chasing the neat interpassing of their opponents.
The much vaunted but ultimately uselessly ineffective Sterling running into blind alleys constantly, never once beating an opponent, but whinging about the unfairness of it all.
No bottle in the team.
No sense of urgency, just the usual plodding, long hopeful punts upfield, or sideways passing.
No one to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, shake it up and change the style.
This performance was pathetic, aptly summed up by bringing on two expert penalty takers at the end, who never touched the ball before the final whistle, and who both missed their spot kicks.
Admittedly the ref was crap as well, totally taken in by the spoiling and downright cheating tactics of the Italians, but take nothing away, Italy were by far the better team, and deserved to win.
England need a complete overhaul, starting with a new coaching staff.
I said in a previous post that England had not faced a good team thus far, and when they did, they hadn’t a clue.
Some on here have bemoaned the fact that Wolves haven’t gone after or signed any English players, and I’ve replied “who?”
After yesterday’s dire performance, I case my rests.
Firstly, the better side won on the night, which is as it should be, but, obviously, not what I wanted. It could have gone the other way and, if it had, we would have obtained a confidence that may have stayed with us for a generation.
Gareth has done a lot to bring together a squad and team of backroom people who have exceeded our hopes from previous ventures, but, like any manager, he, I, you, has strengths and weaknesses, including strengths which can lead to weaknesses; Loyalty being one that immediately comes to mind…
All the second half my wife had to listen to me chanting, `Change it now, Gareth, change it. Fresh legs, Gareth. Sterling has been great, but this is not his day, change it. Kane had a brilliant first half, but he is shot away and non existent ; Change it!!`
As with the semi final no decisive change was made until a great period of time had passed, something, as a Wolves fan, we used to experience regularly before Nuno and towards his latter days, maybe for understandable reasons, looking at his bench. Wow, managers sometimes don’t know what to do. Mancini knew.
I’m not asking for Gareth to go as the positives, to my mind, far outweigh the negatives at present. On the level, I was never a Southgate fan, but was won over by his and the teams deeds, although his safety first attitude, a positive, did to my mind, become a serious negative with the apparent, to me, fear of bringing on players with a more attacking gene pool; Sancho, Grealish, Rashford,etc.
To bring on and choose penalty takers who are both cold in match play and young seemed, to my thinking, bizarre. To leave a nineteen year old to take the final kick, seemed positively stupid. But there you go…
The better team won but we could, so easily; not the right word, have woken up to a much better day full of joy for another sixteen months.
One more thing which constantly grated on my nerves. `We deserved it because we have gone through so much of late. Hello, we were playing Italy. Many, many countries have been going through and are still going through the self same experiences. I do think commentators think they are talking to the brain dead at times. In some cases, they may be right regarding some `supporters` who continue to behave disgustedly. The vast majority are impeccable in their support and behaviour and are repelled by the social media cowards, but, hey, that’s not worthy news to sell newspapers or fill screen time. It was ever thus…
Now, back to those Wolves; what’s happening? Saturday, yes, a game on Wolves’ TV. Back to games soon, Where’s Sanderson? Who are we signing?
Kenny Jackett was never quick with subs. Usually the game was lost by the time he woke up. In some ways Southgate reminds me of Jackett. Both very polite, modest men. That’s not what you want in a leader. Winston Churchill once described Clement Attlee as a modest man, with much to be modest about…
Sure, Italy were the better team all night long and all century long. But, twice we had the opportunity to win and twice we fluffed it. We surprised ourselves with the early goal, but then surrendered possession for the rest of the 120 minutes. It’s very tiring NOT having the ball. Then we go and fluff the shoot out. Who in god’s name is going to allow a teenager who has never taken a penalty for Arsenal, to take potentially the most important England penalty in 55 years, when experienced players were available ahead of him? Step forward Gareth Southgate, who explains that the penalty strategy was all sorted out during training. With all due respects a training ground does not replicate the emotive-charged gut-clenching atmosphere and sheer terror of a Wembley final with a worldwide TV audience and the whole nation pining for a win after 55 years. Gareth Southgate is simply not a winner in the mould of Ferguson, Guardiola, Mourinho, Klopp etc. In fact, reading Gareth’s bio, his football career looked so bleak at one time that he was advised to become a travel agent instead. I can just picture him in a high street travel agency, behind his desk, saying, the computer says no…
Your so right but this country of sheep not lions will be lining up his knighthood for services to football. I also fully expect him to make another pizza advert.
Spot on- when I saw Chielllini’s throat tackle on Saka I thought they will stop at nothing to win. Our forwards need to have more fire in their veins and stop falling over.
What’s the quickest way out of Wembley?
South Gate.
Churchill’s joke is often seen as Churchill belittling Attlee.
Nothing could be further from the truth: Churchill held Attlee in the highest esteem requesting that he be a pallbearer at his funeral and Attlee, although very frail, insisted on carrying out Churchill’s will.
Very different in character, both truly great Britons.
Leo McKinstry’s dual biography, Attlee and Churchill: Allies in War, Adversaries in Peace, is well worth a read.
God knows what they’d think of the twat currently residing in Downing Street or the idiots he keeps in the Cabinet.
You’re quite right about Attlee. He was a man for the times straight after the second world war, and set the country on the path to recovery and eventual economic prosperity in the 1950s. Churchill was joking. He liked a joke. My favourite was when he was at a dinner party seated next to Lady Astor. He evidently said something that riled her ladyship, so she said, if you were my husband I would poison your tea! Churchill quipped, madam, if you were ,my wife I would drink it….
Don’t get me started on Boris the fake footie supporter. Just as well he’s not called Billy as he would be given the second name of Liar.
Wolves have signed Bendeguz Bolla 21year old a Hungarian right back and farmed him out to Grasshoppers.
Another one for the future. Jeff and Co more interested in signing players to flog on IF…..they make the grade than building a football team to compete. Neves linked to Arsenal in talks which means he has one foot out the door he’ll be another who is hitting his prime that Wolves sell on to make a quick buck.
Should be building a team round him and our other top players not selling them on once they hit there peck……but that’s Jeff and FOSUN it’s about making money not building a team.
Probably the first time I’ve been prompted to draft a reply to Paul in which I agree with him. By selling Neves and/or Traore , we’re sending a message that we’re not really interested in breaking into the top six and European territory (even though we say we are), actually we’ll take the cash and risk it on a young unproven prospect. Where have Arsenal found all this money suddenly with no fan income , no European fixtures to come, a big debt on the stadium and £50m earmarked for Ben White plus £25 m for other pending arrivals, no one too bothered about FFP?
Yes it makes sense to sell Mir and Cutrone and a few other fringe players but that income has to be spent on improving the first choice XI, not depleting it and giving Bruno a fighting chance of eclipsing Nuno’s era.
BG, we appear to be the only club in the Premier League adhering to FFP rules which begs the question why……if you ask Jeff he will come out with the well practiced and scripted answer……..the real reason is FOSUN don’t want to invest the funds to take us to the next level they are happy to stay were we are buying and selling players for profit.
I have only two words for you – Francisco Trincao.
He is not a regular in The Barca team we havent even brought him just got him in on loan…….he Will end up going back like Vitinhia the lad from Porto did because Wolves wont pay the fee………again.
Since FOSUN have taken over we have not Made one stella signing most if all have been unknown and most we have taken on loan with a view to buying not the way IMO to build a football team. And when they have come good we sell them on for a quick profit.
We rely on one agent for recruiting and sales who just happens to be part owned by……..guess who FOSUN.
We have a brillionare ownerwho has no intention of investing any of those Billions into building a team Capable of competing a the top end of the League……it Could have only happened to Wolves.
He is not a regular in The Barca team we havent even brought him just got him in on loan……
Neither was Neto when we bought him, but that worked out ok. And we have an option to buy, so if he doesn’t work out we haven’t wasted 25 mill.
.he Will end up going back like Vitinhia the lad from Porto did because Wolves wont pay the fee………again.
I understand Vitinha’s position has not been finalised yet, so you are simply assuming Wolves (Fosun) won’t pay.
Since FOSUN have taken over we have not Made one stella signing most if all have been unknown
Rui Patricio and Joao Moutinho unknown ? Ruben Neves ? Raul Jimenez ? You don’t know much about European football do you ?
and most we have taken on loan with a view to buying not the way IMO to build a football team.
Not in your opinion, but as with Trincao its a good way to see if a player is up to the standard you need before splurging big money on him.
And when they have come good we sell them on for a quick profit.,
The club needs to increase its income in order to finance an attack on the BIg 6, for which they need better (read ‘more expensive’ ) players. This is a good way to do that given that ALL players move on eventually; so if you can make a profit on them, good luck. I assume you’re referring to Jota, (sold after 3 stellar seasons) but can you name me any others that have come good and been sold on ‘for a quick profit’ ?
We rely on one agent for recruiting and sales who just happens to be part owned by……..guess who FOSUN.
No we don’t. We have several players who are not represented by Mendes. His agency, Gestifute, is NOT part owned by Fosun. It is Fosun’s majority shareholder who owns a small stake in Fosun.
We have a brillionare ownerwho has no intention of investing any of those Billions into building a team Capable of competing a the top end of the League……
Last time I checked 7th place was at the ‘top end’ of a League of 20 teams.
it Could have only happened to Wolves.
Personally, I’m very glad it did happen to Wolves after decades of false promises by previous regimes. Can’t believe we’re on the cusp of a new season and already we have this sort of negativity in the air.
Correction; ‘It is Fosun’s majority shareholder who owns a small stake in Gestifute.’
Neto, Raul, Jota and Neves all unknown not regular starters in there clubs first team hence why none of the big clubs around Europe were in for them.
Patricio canceled his contract with his club fee set by tribunal and Matinio was the wrong side of 30 and only £5 million and again none of the so called big clubs were interested both of them do not qualify as marquee signing for the reasons above.
Since FOSUN brought Wolves net spend over 4 years £220 million sales brought in £160 million. Aston Villa who also have Billionare owners last season there secound since promotion spent over £200 million.
Jeff has gone on record as saying Wolves won’t buy established player because there is no sell on value Wolves will only buy players who can be sold for a profit……WE ARE in Jeffs own words A SELLING CLUB.
Building a football team means keeping your best players and adding the best to complement them NOT sell your best players when they hit there prime to make a profit to keep on doing these season after season means every time you sell a player you have to pay more to replace them like for like…..but FOSUN won’t replace like for like they will buy another one for the future in the hope they come good and then repeat the process of selling them on for a profit.
‘Neto, Raul, Jota and Neves all unknown not regular starters in there clubs first team hence why none of the big clubs around Europe were in for them.’
Really ? Neto was at Lazio, Raul at Benfica, Jota at Atletico Madrid and Neves at Porto but you claim ‘none of the big clubs around Europe were in for them’.
Maybe thats because they were already at some of the biggest clubs in Europe ?
Given our that our turnover is considerably less than that of the Big 6 how would you suggest we ‘narrow the gap’ to them without buying and selling players at a profit. You quote Aston Villa (presumably as an example to follow) but if they ever get into Europe they are going to be hit hard by European FFP regulations. Its not a susstainable model.
Either way, it seems your mind is made up that Fosun are not to be trusted.
Correct……and you seem to have made your mind up they are committed.
As I have said why didn’t Man Utd, Chelsea and others not pluck Raul from Benfica or Neto from Lazio tell you why because they were’nt established there…..Wolves took a chance and yes it payed off but it won’t every time.
As for Villa at least there owners are willing to invest there wealth and if they do get into Europe they are the clout and guts to take on UEFA just like City did because the FFP rules are basis towards the so called big clubs the FFP rules prevent fair completion. If an owner of a football club which is a business just like any other wants to invest there wealth they should be allowed it would happen in any other business that’s how they grow so why should foot ball be any different.
City took UEFA to the Spots Arbatration and won yes they got a fine but they won in principle because they argued the rules were unfair to start with don’t forget just over ten years ago City were in League One look what they have achieved with financial backing…….they didn’t adopt the ” ones for the future ” model they went all out.
Just a point you say I don’t trust FOSUN, the issue I have with FOSUN ownership of Wolves is Why…….Why would a Billionare buy a football club and not invest in it.
You can make a case regarding FFP rules so in that case why buy a football club if they knew they wouldn’t be able to pour there wealth into it to make it successfull like Chelsea or City.
That would be my first question to Jeff……why did FOSUN buy Wolves…..? These are savvy bussiness people they knew the lay out the rules so why did the buy Wolves when less than 2 per cent of football clubs make a profit.
I’m looking forward to hear the new man speak. I expect there will be some interviews in the next week or so, especially following the new kit and jul 19 relaxation.
When we want Bruno’s view, Jeff will him what it is!
While we’re on the subject of Gareth Southgate, I’d like to add my pennyworth.
He’s taken the England team to the semi finals of The World Cup and the Final of The Euros.
Something that has never been achieved by any of the other so called high profile, serial winner, managers since Sir Alf.
55 YEARS AGO!
England have been serial underachievers for longer than a lot of bloggers have been alive.
Southgate has managed to achieve a togetherness in the squad without the petty club rivalries, which has possibly only once before been achieved in that time – by Terry Venables.
The players in the squad have lost the ‘Untouchable, unapproachable’ air that many ’Supertstar’ footballers exude.
Yes, he’s made mistakes, but so has every other manager, including Sir Alf, who possibly made the biggest boobs in history (shut up Clive) in the 1970 quarter finals against West Germany.
OK, we played most of our matches at Wembley this year.
In 1966, England played ALL of their matches at home.
OK, all our performances this year weren’t brilliant.
In 1966, we drew our first game 0-0 against Uruguay, only scored 4 goals in the group matches but conceded none.
Not much better than England 2021.
OK, we got a little lucky against Denmark with that penalty.
No luck involved at all in 1966. That second Geoff Hurst goal was YARDS over the line.
Sir Alf and the England side from ’66 have gone on to become legends.
Gareth Southgate and the present side are obviously all crap though.
He should be sacked immediately and the whole squad should never play for their country again.
Just renewed my season ticket for 21/22. ! Let’s hope we can all get in come August.
My pennyworth DG is that Southgate should be sacked immediately, but the whole squad IS good enough to play for their country. Various reports have emerged that the players were surprised/shocked by the choice and order of penalty takers. One journo suggests that Southgate ‘froze’ at two different and critical points in the match. I think that at times of intense pressure in the match, Southgate was like a rabbit in the headlights. I know it’s easy to be wise after the event, and hindsight is 20/20 and all that, but it was clear that the England strategy was being questioned soon after going ahead. Italy are technically better than us, but they were below par in this match, which should have gifted us the win. Mancini made the right substitutions at the right times while Southgate dilly dallied.
This was a gift of a tournament for us. Playing mainly at home, and with the clear favourite nations underperforming, we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. I’m sure he is a lovely bloke but Southgate just doesn’t have the balls or the killer instinct to inspire his players to win major tournaments. I just can’t imagine him giving anyone the hairdryer treatment. And that it what’s needed at times.
That’s a bit harsh DWW, we lost on penalties to a team operating at it’s peak in terms of experience, the players are motivated by the shirt and clearly want to play for him and within his methods (only Venables had that level of support). Getting the substitutions right is a nightmare whether you are managing a park team or Premier League so at the moment there is no other manager who could do better or who is challenging for Southgate’s job, neither are there any players not in his squad who should be. So on balance we need to stick with him and support the team. We do need to focus on a strategy to improve the standard of penalty taking and penalty saving, that is where England teams have come unstuck too often.
Back to the Wolves strand, putting the gossip inches jig-saw together suggests that Wolves have put a price on Neves which Arsenal can’t afford unless they sell first. Good, I hope he stays and gets Palhinha as his partner on Moutinho’s wages (who we assume has gone home to Porto).
Well, thank you BG, but I stick to my opinion of Southgate. He’s the epitome of a middle manager in a big company. Polite and a yes-man. No brown envelopes or scandal in his backyard. After Big Sam and that Swedish twat, no wonder the FA likes Southgate! That final match needed to be won in 90 minutes given that Italy were underperforming. Any top 4/6 PL manager would have succeeded. There is no way on earth that Southgate will ever manage a top 4/6 PL club in my opinion. He couldn’t even keep Middlesborough in the PL. As for focusing on a strategy to improve penalty-taking, we have been saying that since 1996. One strategy I suggest is to NOT let a teenager take his very first senior penalty in the cauldron of a major final. Poor kid.
I agree about Neves and Palhina. I am however worried about Jittery Jeff accepting a low price for Neves. I feel that we have come off worst in our transfer negotiations since last summer. It’s easy to think that Neves cost us bugger all, so £25mil is marvellous, but it’s not. The same goes for a sale of Traore. I hope we have the balls to do a Daniel Levy and extract the maximum if we are forced to sell.
Hi dear Bloggers
Returning from summer retreat
Thought Euro event was superb
Great games brilliant goals and discovered players I’d never heard of ( my bad) like Schick
England were one of the best teams but lost to the best
Wembley crap a sad reflection on crap people wo
Think
Kicking shit out of Italian fans
Breaking into
Stadium
Terrorizing decent fans
Is all ok
It’s not,… it’s abhorrent and we should not get the 2030 World Cup
Meantime Southgate does not have winning instincts
( Saka did well at practice penalties???!)
Never will
Have
But he did way better than I expected
No one in sight as replacement so …
We will
Get to quarter finals in Qatar
Meantime we’re like frogs boiling slowly at Molineux
Nuno and his team gone
Patricio gone
Neves and Traore going …probably
Moutinho?
Italy showed you need brilliant hard men in defence and fast skillful midfielders who keep possession without passing back and sideways
It’s early days so there are no team by team pundit forecasts for the season but without hard evidence that Jimenez is back I’m
Expecting to see us as relegation fodder
Sorry to
make st Kitts look like an optimist
Help me please to
See why I’m
Wrong
Where’s the light?
It’s coming out of the darkness!
Have faith, dear boy, all will be well.
Nuno coming back for the first home match, if he still has a job, and little Olly up next.
Nine easy points to start off Bruno’s reign!
We are gonna surprise the snot out of the rest of the division, with our fabulous attacking, liquid football as we storm into Chumpion’s League qualification.
Forget the Euros, we didn’t want to win them anyrode!
And FOWB
Amazing how rosie the world looks after a few Rodro Clown double IPAs!!
Wow that beer must have miraculous powers
I’ll get some? and I’ll take 9 points after 6 matches thank you
Don’t know if you California softies can take a real Texas beer!!
If you can’t get Rodeo Clown, try their single IPA, Hopadillo.
Excellent brew, I always keep a case in the drinks fridge.
How you keeping, young man?
Things are looking up, apologies to all non misogynist supporters.
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/wolves-signing-fiancee-model-instagram-24548417
Chatting with a chap at my local morrisons cafe and found out he played professional football in the early seventies, apparently John Richards was the best man at his wedding.
Really is a small world.
Strapping girl. More like Raquel Welch than Raquel Trotter in Only Fools & Horses. I hope Sa can keep his mind on stopping shots! I can look after his missus when he’s at work, to set his mind at rest.
Not exactly overwhelmed by our transfer business so far. The fact Jeff has gone on record to say Wolves won’t be buying established players because they cost to much and don’t have any sell on value says to me we will be getting more of the same ” ones for the future ”
Rumours abound about our star assets Neves Adama the only saving grace IS Neto is injured because for sure he would be sold for a profit.
And that sums up our owners with billions in the bank , IMO only interested in buying players for there sell on value NOT building a football team to compete for honours.
The big six will spend big as will Everton and Villa who also have Billionare owners the difference between ours and there’s they are committed to building there teams , they are willing to invest there wealth and they don’t give a FUCK about the FFP rules or use them as an excuse.
Paul, make your judgements when the window has closed. I’m a bit sceptical of Fosun’s ambition too but I actually think the business done in this window to date has been quite shrewd. Things will become a lot clearer as players in the Euros return from holidays and the market accelerates. In the next few weeks we will all know exactly where we stand with our owners.
Really looking forward to todays game. Seeing the return of Raul, the tricks of Trincao. In fact, it’ll be good to see the Old Gold back on the pitch and doing their thing, even if there’ll be a lot of youngsters in this one. They’re still Wolves. They’ll still fight for the cause. All one pack.
COYW
Hmm. Would not have happened under Nuno’s watch. IMO.
Well that for me was disappointing.
Ok I know it’s a friendly, and a lot of the senior pros were still resting from international duties, but we had no cutting edge, seemed fumbling in defence and passed it sideways , back, forwards, sideways … etc
I’ll repeat myself .. yes a friendly.. but the pattern of play, style, attacking intent etc just didn’t come across for me.
Passes were loose and Trincao seemed more bothered with his hair than the game itself.
In fact , perhaps Jimenez, looked sharp at all… and Fabio Silva needs to stop loving the defenders… and man up… put it about etc.
First impressions give me a scary perception of what we’re heading into…. Please let’s hope I’m not jumping the gun…
No panic buttons yet of course but a lot of … same as last year stuck out for me…. I so hope Bruno is up to the task..