I’m not sure how many of the players involved yesterday were planning to watch the fight between Kell Brook and GGG but but this encounter had the air of a 12 round slugfest.
A bruising affair ended with the spoils shared, which despite Walter Zenga’s protestations was a more than fair outcome.
I was surprised by the ferocity with which Burton attacked the game and it was refreshing to see an un-fancied away side play for more than a point.
It was a tactic that would have earned the Brewers an early lead had Carl Ikeme not turned away Lucas Atkins’ tame spot kick, which was dubiously awarded by referee James Adcock.
The improvement in Ikeme this season has been notable. To think his position was under threat this time last year is frankly bonkers.
Wolves slowly began to exert themselves as the game went on and showed plenty of fluidity in attack, if little execution.
Ivan Cavaleiro looks a player with the potential to reach talismanic status but shy of full fitness. It was no surprise to see him hooked in the second half.
Despite a needless booking, Helder Costa excited on the flank with purposeful dribbling and interlinked well with Cameron Borthwick-Jackson on a pleasingly frequent basis.
The latter’s debut was welcome and offered Dominic Iorfa some much needed respite after an error laden start to the campaign.
Much has been made about our new found strength in depth as of late and I’m of the opinion it will be of particular benefit in defence, an area where we were worryingly thin on numbers last season.
Of course a consequence of having plentiful options is that settling on a balance eleven can become difficult and we may have to stomach a few more frustrating outcomes over the coming weeks as our new look side find their rhythm.
The positives are there for all to see though. Wolves look like a side with attacking verve and boundless energy, two attributes which spell a recipe for success in a division as frenetic as the Championship.
It’s never ideal to drop points at the death but at this early stage of the season I think it’s wise to dwell on the good work being done by Zenga and the players, as opposed to the inadequacies (defending of set pieces and decision making in front of goal being two of them) that will hopefully be ironed out in the weeks to come.
Tuesday night sees another promoted side with wagging tails paying a visit and it’ll be interesting to see how the players respond from today’s late setback.
If early signs are anything to go by, I’m expecting something positive.
Some player ratings…
Ikeme 7 – Guessed right and saved the meek pen and generally assured. Could he have come for the high hanging cross that lead to their equaliser? Maybe too harsh.
CBJ 6 – Gave the ball away in the lead up to Burton’s goal and often played a walking pace, but showed calmness, confidence and a good touch. Sent over a wicked cross the Bod should have netted.
Stearman 7 – Despite conceding the pen (I haven’t seen it back to know if right decision) his overall performance was good. Did the mucky stuff and also brought the ball out from defence.
Batth 6 – Steady. Not much to remember.
Doherty 6 – Doesn’t seem as effective at right back oddly. We missed his driving runs forward.
Costa 6 – The more useful of our wingers. Showed pace and a willingness to go at defenders. Booked for diving, which seemed harsh from my vantage point.
Coady 7 – Probably Man of the Match for me. Popped up everywhere and made some crucial blocks and interceptions in the defensive third. Went down in installments for a pen claim and was booked for diving. Still, we needed his energy and steel.
Oniangue 6 – Got the goal and showed some nice touches. But the game seemed to pass him by for long periods and our midfield was too open as a consequence. More to come hopefully.
Teixiera 5 – His worst outing to date. Had one good run in the first half, twisted and turned a few times, but generally weak and ineffective with his end product. No surprise to see him hooked with half an hour to go.
Cavaleiro 5 – Agree with Rasmin that he looked short of fitness. Expected a more powerful specimen but very lightweight. Didn’t track back and looked uninterested for long periods. Obviously has quality with the ball at his feet and for 15 minutes in the second half he looked dangerous. But we need more – much more.
Gladon 5 – The exact opposite to Cav, loads of effort but not sure the quality is there. Seemed to be constantly running but never influencing the game. Got very little service but we improve after he exited.
Subs
Mason 7 – The team improved after his introduction. He’s always buzzing around and has the knack of occupying wonderful positions. Sadly squandered his chances again but him and Bodvarson should be the first names on the team sheet against Barnsley.
Bodvarsson 8 – I love this guy. Almost won us the game single handedly after forcing his way through for Oniangue to score. Missed a good headed chance to net himself but in 20 minutes did more than anyone else in the final third.
Edwards n/a – Ran around for the final ten as Wolves looked to see it out, but not enough to make judgement.
Agree with most of your ratings,but I thought Jacko had a great game ,quality ,and for me a contender for MOM.
More Hodge Podge than the real minestrone, plenty of tasty ingredients, just needs to get the combination right, cook and fine tune the seasoning. I think that’s strained the soup analogy enough, hoping for our just desserts on Tuesday
Oniangue may be a Prince but Bodvarsson is a King
Listening to Elgar’s Land of Hope & Glory, a big Wolves fan according to the guide at the Elgar House when I last visited some years past.
How I’d love to hear that at the Golden Palace if we get promotion this season.
Frustrating to concede the late equaliser in a game we should be winning to achieve glory.
Agree with the balanced views of the game above. Thought Gladon disappointing, caught offside too often. Did’nt make things happen. Not bad in the air though.
Jon Dadi & Mason totally agree first names on the team sheet for me. Mason looks a different player now, he was tracking back deep yesterday. Zenga has clearly got his message through there.
I’d have marked Borthwick-Johnson higher, few slack passes & one led to the goal but he looks class. Jury’s out on the other new guys, Texeira twinkle toes but needs more end product.
Thought the ref was awful, Costa booked for diving. It did’nt look like a dive from the Billy Wright, it was a golden opportunity to score, why would he dive?
But upwards & upwards from here with hopefully a win on Tuesday night against high flyers Barnsley.
I’m surprised Bodvarson or Dadi was not playing I understand that players will be rotated but I thought that was if they were tired or out of form Dadi was neither, our top scorer on the bench where have we seen that before.
We should be putting out our best team on performance and form every time.
The midweek internationals with Iceland was cited as the reason for his omission.
Ok , so a game in midweek in 2 weeks, the guys in form surly he is fit enough for 2 games in 2 weeks over all, and his performance when he came on proved that.
He didn’t seem tired to me…..!
I couldn’t make it to the game yesterday so thanks for the review. What are people’s thoughts on oniangue? I read thomas’ thoughts on him with interest. We can’t have players in the middle of the park going missing for long periods. Time will tell with most of these new players so I’m not too concerned, I’m interested in what others think though
Can be a bit like Prince Charles in that he plays like he is waiting to inherit a proper role but is unsure what to do in the meantime
Ferris – saw him for the first time yesterday and I liked what I saw. Big, strong, powerful, athletic, long rangey legs – think Vieira, that type of player. I reckon he will be very, very good once he is fully up to speed and once the new side settles into more of a pattern. He also showed a lot of passion and desire which is always nice to see.
Ya ya Toure was the one I thought of, he collects the ball without looking at it whilst he’s looking for a player to deliver it to, then it’s a precise pass to feet 90% of the time. Love the guy, when others catch up with his way of thinking there’s going to be some sweet footy. Propa footy back at the molineux.
I went for a comfortable win so.I f*cked up and. I said,25 thousand plus, what do.I know, still.pleased cause we played well, bring on Tuesday.
My game thoughts are that although the new recruits were silky to watch at times the overriding factor for this game was it’s muck and nettles aspect …something that we lacked. Burton were tough, uncompromising and at times brutal, and having such a weak referee didn’t help. (The less said about him the better, considering his inadequacies and inconsistency.)
In Oniangue and Teixeira we need to have them commanding midfield and IMO Cavaleiro needs to improve his match fitness considerably… (that said he could be a real threat.)
As for Gladon … well he is not our 20 goal a season man but perhaps with some additional fitness and support he will improve the cause.
We shouldn’t lose sight that at 1-0 their defender made an amazing deflection / block to prevent a 2-0 …which would have made it more comfortable.
The one negative with Walter …although I love his gobby passion … was to sit too deep with about 8 mins to go and invite a Burton onslaught at the death … I saw there goal tho as a collective defensive mistake …but overall a fair result …although I hate to admit it.
Promising times ahead though…..
Sorry both my father, husband and myself do not see ‘promising times ahead’.
Yesterday was the no more excuses lets kick on for promotion beginning.
This was newly promoted Burton, with Barnsley and Wigan also this month to drop points to, not Real Madrid.
Several in this forum predicted cricket scores, rightly understandable too, based upon the international quality of the new imports, supposedly better than home produced.
While the transfer window dealings were breathlessly exciting, they also were amazingly chaotic.
Who was responsible for the Solbakkenesque mainly ‘budget buy’ mercenaries (perhaps at least one like Sako, will provide value for money) ?
Where did Walter find the time in that period or more probable, was Chip Butti assigned with a pre-planned list, in readiness for the takeover. ?
Blues are above us again and have,nt got a pot to pee in.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-early-edge-big-11870392?
Proof if ever it was needed, for the Wolves qualified investment managers in the stands and in this forum.
Having a good manager in the first instance, a Wolves perennial problem, is far more important than splashing the cash, now apparently willy nilly.
Walter is a nice passionate man but so is my Uncle Billy.
So many Wolves fans have been ‘bling’ blinded and are crowing that promotion is nailed on.
Sadly the jury is still out with even Wolves promotion, very much in doubt.
Hope we at home are all wrong. COYW
No rose-tinted specs there Amanda eh? I admire your realism.
The long journey home was punctuated by having to stop four times for me to throw up by the side of the road – sorry fellow travellers – as I’d picked up some kind of horrible sickness bug that didn’t subside till 4am Sunday morning. Hopefully Tuesday’s trip up and back will be less eventful.
That said, whilst the result was disappointing I was still quite upbeat as there are clear signs of the sort of quality we now have. Will reserve full judgement till we see Saiss and John play. I think Costa should be an impact sub rather than a starter.
On the theme of people seeing the same thing but seeing something quite different here are my player ratings;
Ikeme 7 (due to the penalty save)
Doherty 6
Batth 6
Stearman 6
Borthwick-Jackson 8 (MoTM)
Oniangue 7
Coady 7
Teixiera 6
Costa 6
Gladon 5
Cavaleiro 6
Subs: Bodvarsson 7, Mason 7, Edwards n/a
Firstly credit to Cloughie junior and his Burton team who came out with positive intent and gave us an entertaining game after the dourness of last season. (Though to be fair Jackett never had the attacking options that Zenga has available.) I’m sure they will think that a draw was a fair result.
A few thoughts/observations:-
I agree with Bedford wolf here I thought Borthwick-Jackson was MotM-a class act, time on the ball, superb first touch -you can understand why he played half the games for United last season.
Pretty disappointed with the £8M ‘star’ – but, far too early yet to make any criticism, we don’t yet know his state of fitness or how the team will gel together.
Texeira looked lightweight, as did Gladon.
Stearman back to what he does best and made the powers that be that sold him look very stupid. Couldn’t see from my position whether he handled for the pen – perhaps someone can comment on this.
Coady I thought had a good game , particularly in the first half. Whilst the Prince was ok, looked quite classy in possession, but too early to make a real impression – besides which Jack Pirce should always start in my team!
Firstly Mason (all energy) and then Bod completely changed things around and we could easily have gone 2 up – I felt sure the header was going in!
But………we defended far too deep for the last 15 mins and brought their equaliser down upon our own heads.
The least said about the ref the better – but I really would like to look again at the ‘diving’ and yellow cards to see how many were correct decisions – again perhaps someone with an objective eye can comment on this.
It is clear we are still in transition and Walter is giving everyone a chance to stake their claim, but as has been stated above we have to start with the 2 strikers that finished the game.
All in all things are on the up……….
Its one thing to have a squad of talented individuals, but entirely another to have a successful team. Historically, successful teams have been based around the concept of continuity in terms of selection and tactics — a group of motivated players who know and understand each other, and develop the knack to exploit individual strengths for the benefit of the whole. Leicester City last season, and Burton yesterday are good examples.
I hope that this is not lost on Mr Wenga. Yes, we may have a talented squad from which he can select, but his comments regarding extensive rotation are of concern. Success this season — and onward — can only come from a well drilled and organized team, rather than from a group of individuals, irrespective of how talented each one may be.
Agree Mike rotation should be out of necessary NOT as a matter of course or to keep players happy or give everyone a game you should have your best 11, then the rest should be viewed as replacements for either injury or loss of form.
Wondering what people think about the forearm to he head of Gladon. Gotta hand it to him, he got right back up and into the play. If it had happened to a Portuguese player, he would have stayed down and tried to get a penalty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Glwq3XEeb8
I actually agree a lot with Amanda Cape who seems to have achieved some sort of stability here which I welcome..
None of us could be blamed for thinking that after buying 13 players and crowing over the llikes of Cavaleiro Costa and Texeira That we shouldn’t dispatch Burton Albion like swotting a fly..
Indeed we had 3-1 4-1 5-1 6-0 plastered all over the review so who wouldn’t of been expectant..
We had 2 home games with 6 points on the table and a potential say – 2nd place in the table looking at us..
My fears regarding conceding didn’t recede and I can honestly say now that IMO the fragility of Batth Steerman could keep us in this league..CBJ although class is weak defending too..
If we can’t score for instance 2 against a team like Burton (yes Burton!) then If we hang on to a one goal lead then you can bet your Arse that we are going to let at least one in if not two..
Add the Championship favourites to that theory.. Newcastle, Brighton, Norwich, QPR etc (Barnsley)then I am sorry to say we have a problem..
We really have better than other teams forwards and prob midfield but some are unfit and we have yet to add Graham Dicko Zyro sometime in the future too but overall with Zenga bless him learning like crazy about the Championship he hasn’t yet twigged the don’t concede at the back tactic yet which I still think we need.
Jeff Shi is the master of U turns or Mendez is,so the Stearman scenario is going to rebound on us all and its already started again incidently..
So U turn, buy in a no 5 before it is too late..
Our management of the back is in the hands of our current captain DB I recently thought that he should stay but only as a side kick to a great centre half..
He lacks Williamson’s (short time I know) vocal and seniority but more so defensive presence and game reading ability…they all stood off the (2!!!) Burton forwards who equalised..
and he particularly as the Captain should of saw what was coming ..
He is Zenga’s eyes on the pitch as it happens and he isn’t up to it.
So..if we are to be positive then we have to take 2 points per game for Auto promo..now we will be lucky to get into the top six (although I still expect us to)…I basically blame our inability to defend ..totally criminal yesterday in the last 2 mins..chuck in the inconsistency of us taking chances then we have an edgy season to get promoted for me yet again..
On a very personal note there is no player yet which we have that can do what Sako can do and I’ve heard that his agent is active and you know where he could end up ..Clive..
Please don’t make this so he is cheap ..knows the championship and would relish twice as much a reception as Steers got..
We now have to beat Barnsley and then Newcastle just to keep pace ..but if your a betting man……
Mmm…It’s all a bit worrying ..
COYW and Sako plse
Yep, it’s all Stearmans fault.
Thomas, a little harsh in your assessment of Cavaleiro in my opinion. With this regime we will probably have to accept new players who have been shipped into a club they have probably never heard of might not run their socks off for the whole game like McCarthy’s grafters, but they make up for that with quality, like Sako did, and he showed a couple of glimpses of that yesterday.
By no means a particularly memorable debut but I think there’s definitely more to come.
As for the game, much more positives for me. Yes Burton put in a spirited display but it was us pushing for a winner in the second half and I thought we just did enough for the three points.
How some bloggers can say that Stearman is not good enough at this level is beyond me.
I can’t comment too much on the hand ball incident because, Wenger-like, I didn’t see it, but I thought he provided a master class in defending for the rest of the game.
I lost count of the number of defensive headers he won (so it must have been more than ten as I had my shoes on all game and could only use my fingers).
And he looked good bringing the ball out of defence.
I agree with Thomas that Coady was probably our best player, busy and quite creative, and that Doherty makes a better left back than right back. His cutting in from the wing on to his right foot can be devastating but he didn’t get a chance yesterday.
TheDOOGooder jury is out on Borthwick-Jackson. Some classy touches but looked off the pace defensively and gave the ball away way too often.
Gladon needs to learn the first rule of a centre forward. If you stand goalside of the last defender and then receive the ball YOU ARE GOING TO BE GIVEN OFFSIDE!
Doing it repeatedly does not alter the rule.
And I can’t tell at the moment whether our Benfica boys are wizards in the making who just need some time to bed down or a load of lightweight fancy dans who pull out of challenges and fall over as soon as an opponent comes within range of their designer after shave.
What I do know is that Jon ‘Doog’ Dadi is the real deal. What a difference when he came on!
And if Mr Zenga has any sense he will start him and Mason for the foreseeable future.
Ikeme is still a decent ‘keeper who specialises in kicking possession away but credit for keeping us in the game with the penalty save.
Summing up, a disappointing performance. Some decent approach work spoiled by panicky finishing and little end result.
As my sweet old gran used to say:- “All fart and no shit”.
One positive result was that we have another fan from across the water who is smitten with all things Wolves.
Welcome to the pack Blake.
Happy hunting!
I’ve just watched the highlights and if that was a penalty then the rules have changed since I last watched a match and the elbow on Gladon was, in my humble opinion, premeditated and a straight red card.
The referee obviously didn’t see it so, if Wolves make a big thing of it, a retrospective punishment should be the result.
Agree about the elbow – straight red.
Agree re: Dadi, disagree re: Steraman. Dadi should start every game unless he loses form or injured cannot see the point in rotation for rotations sake.
As Zenga once said: “We’re still in pre-season”
Trouble making DG …?
Steers could be your new KJ…lol
Well I predicted a tough game and a narrow win and everything was going to plan until injury time. What a kick in the teeth to concede so late on but in all honesty it was no more than Burton deserved who outplayed and outfought us for long periods of the game. There’s the makings of a good team in there somewhere but we’re too disjointed at the minute to find any sort of rhythm.
Borthwick-Jackson was the best player for me, this kid has premier league quality. Closely followed by Coady. Ikeme, Batth and Stearman played well and Oniangue showed glimpses of quality but didn’t get stuck in enough for me. Mason and Bodvarrson both made a real impact when they came on. Disappointed with Gladon, Teixeira and Cavaleiro today but hopefully there will be much more to come from them.
And one more thing, I don’t like to see players diving – especially our own. That needs to be stopped.
No one could complain about the result yesterday. Burton certainly deserved something. Fed up that we had a couple of chances in injury time to keep the ball in their half but didn’t. The referee was prone to some strange decisions (usually against us) and no idea where 6 added mins came from. Certainly there were bits of play which offered encouragement for the future but patience needed while it comes together. Barnsley come to town Tuesday. They have already scored 14 goals so not expecting a clean sheet. I think we may need 2 or 3 goals for 3 points. Then Newcastle away…… 4 points would be brilliant from the two.
What can you say? A disappointing result to a game in which we created several good chances and only converted one. If you’re only one up, there’s always a danger you’re gonna get bitten in the backside and so it proved. A one goal lead creates pressure in the defence which leads in turn to hopeful punts upfield and a loss of possession.
It’s such a relief to see Stearman back and reclaiming his place as number one scapegoat with Dangerous Dave becoming more of a bit part player nowadays. Onwards to Barnsley and another tough game.
Here we go again, so called Wolves Supporters, then we find they haven’t been to the match. 6 games gone, only 8 goals yet the same supporters keep on about the poor defence with a mighty 5 goals conceded with up until Stearmans signing have given Danny Batth a torrid time. Now SteArman is the villain of the peace . Looking at that so called penalty, have a look at it in slow motion, who is the one player who has run towards the winger to try and cut out the cross, yes SteArman, and what were the rest doing, nothing. Give them a rest and support the lads, if not keep off the blog.
Who hasn’t been to the match…..and don’t tell me to get off the Blogg and another thing I’ve never slagged off Batth that’s three things you’ve got wrong.
Unless you’ve forgot…..MATE we live in a democracy so like it or lump it we all have an option…….OK
Completely agree with you regarding Stears.
I’ve said before that you give a dog a bad name and no matter what he does from then on, he is stuck with it.
Stearman was by far our best defender yesterday and the penalty was a travesty.
W2
So we have a good enough Defence to go up with do we?
It would be unwise to of bought in a class defender even though we missed out on the Brasilian?
Is this what this Blogg has come to ………ah if you don’t agree with certaine bloggers hound them out……..well NO ones going to hound me out….FUCK that ill stand my ground No fuckers going to stop me put my option across, I’m happy to meet anyone any time to discuse it……!
Easy Paul, It ain’t 1970 and the shed are in town.
Disappointed to say the least,but bravo to plucky Burton.They came to play and play they did.
Our new players played well ,but need to learn fast in this league that you haven’t got time on the ball and need to move it quicker,
We’re not to far away but need that fox in the box,Dicko if fit could be that man.would like to see him paired with the Bod.
Jacko was my MOM for what its worth.
The ref was shite IMO,he gave us nothing.
We need 3 points come Tuesday then that draw won’t be so bad.UTW.
I am with you Paul F, 100 %
I dont get to the games, not out of choice, but I still have my opinions, and, as you may have noticed over the past few years, I occassionaly have a mild disagreement with someone!!
Its only a blog, its a bit of fun and its only a game.
Anyone who insults another blogger for their opinion is a troll and a cavedweller, and does not deserve a retort.
Unless I am accused of being a shit fan, then all bets are off!!
Envelop the blog my friend, most of us on here are harmless!
FOwb
Clive, mate I was at game and as I mentioned before I work shift 6 on 4 off for one of the emergency services and in fact have covered matches as part of my job working under the Jack Harris stand in the block.
But what really pisses me off is there is a click of bloggers on here and there hangers on, now I can dis agree with people and move on I have to in my job .
But one thing I’ve never done in my life is gang up on someone………..that s the cowards way if you disagree with someone’s option don’t just disagree with him disagree to with his likers …..hay …but that’s cowards for you…..11 Whestone Grove born and bred……..up the Wolves…!
I shouldn’t take any notice of very occasional bloggers telling you to bogoff mate.
Or regular bloggers if it comes to that.
Keep your opinions coming – and keep up your good work too!
Don’t really understand why Paul F and the steward kicked off – let’s keep it civilized guys. This is a class blog.
And the shit lost.
Be nice to see them and them Stokies get relegated, Shawcross is an animal.
I think a code should be drawn up for all bloggers myself included to adhere to. If you disagree with someone’s option fine, just say that…….you disagree I think because everyone on the Blogg is passionate at Wolves, which is a good think we and yes ME too gets carried away.
It should NEVER get personal , because the one thing we all have in comman is a love of Wolves we are never always going to agree on this player or that player……that’s football since the day a ball was kick people have always favoured or not that person kicking the ball, its as old as the game it’s self.
Me I’m going to make a effort from now on not to get over cellous in my critisium of other bloggers options if I don’t agree with them, that all I’m going today is ” I disagree ” .
By the way who and how do I pay the £2 a month too….?
My predictive text is up the spout………..I can spelt really…………DOW..,
Didn’t go to the match..
We need patience.
One of the reasons I come to the blog is to find out how we played!
Always like johnok’s report – No nonsense, tells it like it is.
Let’s hope we beat Barnsley…
For what it’s worth I disagree with a lot of the opinions given because they’re genuine, but to me seem to be a bit knee-jerk.
But I like reading them no-one has the rule on always being right. I don’t agree with the Batth& Stearman bashing because in my opinion they are both fine players.
Batth gives everything, Stearman likewise. Yes I’d like John Stones, but I’d rather get success with at least some homegrown talent in the side. But then I’m probably too romantic for the current realities of football/money ball.
I also find it hard to understand intolerant bloggers, just disagree but don’t get all uppity & say sod off!
The team do need to step up now, they are all including the gaffer on orders to get the three points on Tuesday.
Some interesting views from all commentators but have to say I think anyone that assumes we should roll over Burton, Barnsley or Wigan on reputation alone is just not giving those teams enough credit. Burton have already beat Wednesday and Derby, both of whom finished comfortably above us last season. Barnsley have barely lost this calendar year and Wigan romped to the L1 title last year. Think we’d do well to focus on the performance at the moment as the table has yet to start really taking shape and there’s plenty of positives to take!