When I look back over the season, Gary has got his tactics right more often that not.
But in recent weeks I’ve been scratching my head a bit.
For a start, I don’t get this weird hybrid back three with full backs being used on the outside when Santi Bueno is sat on the bench.
If this was making us more defensively secure or giving us added thrust moving forward I’d make my peace with it, but we’re conceding goals for fun and looking short in attack.
Would it not be better to play with a specialist centre half? Or even go to a back four and get that extra attacking player into the game from the start?
We kept the ball well for the first 10-15 minutes yesterday but as soon as we got a little bit loose, Palace had a feeding frenzy.
Eze was unusually wasteful with two glaring misses before Olise was allowed to come in on that left foot to plunder the first and open us up for the second.
The brief moments we looked like making it a meaningful contest in the second half were after the changes arrived and the team committed a few extra bodies forward. That’s really what it should have been from the start.
Nobody summed up the performance more than Matheus Cunha. When we were playing passively, he was dropping deep to get involved, losing the ball and creating more trouble for his own team than Palace.
When we finally played with more adventure, he scored the goal, put a glorious cross over for Hwang and came within a few centimetres of winning a penalty.
Palace are in a fine moment and may well have beaten us just as comprehensively in any configuration, but the point I’m making is if you can’t defend, you might as well attack with some purpose.
I hope that’s the approach we take at Anfield next week and can sign off on a high note.
They owe that to themselves for an effort that’s been above and beyond what most people expected.
Yesterday was disappointing but having listened to GON’s post match on interview he has a very balanced perspective on things and points out subtly that without significant transfer activity in the summer we not only have need of better players but also more players to improve the tiniest/ youngest squad in the league.
Our transfer windows are never dull and I expect this summer to be no different. There is a distinct opportunity for us as a number of teams will be restricted by PSR (previously FFP) whilst we have already gone through the pain required in the last 2 windows. Fosun now have nowhere to hide so to speak in terms of reinvigorating their commitment to their grand plan. I’m hopeful although not expectant as I feel they stopped investing properly a little while ago and now everything will have to be self generated. However, if that is the case with a shrewd strategy we can generate some significant sales and make some useful acquisitions to make us both a better and larger squad. Fingers crossed that GON is supported to help him make us a better team again next year in which case a tilt at a European place could be considered. Over to you Fosun………
They were better than us all over the pitch. One team vibrant and thriving, the other bereft of ideas, knackered and clearly in need of a rest.
How do you assess this season? Well, from where we were at the start and many of us fearing we would be doomed (ultimately the three promoted sides turned out to be pretty awful anyway) then it has been solid enough.
We enjoyed a really good period between September and January that had us dreaming of Europe. Some fabulous days including wins over City, Chelsea and THAT comeback against Spurs. There was also a quiet afternoon down the road in Smethwick.
But since then there hasn’t been much to shout about and it’s tailed off, like the Bruno Lage season did. There are of course some mitigating factors.
Neto’s inability to keep fit is cruel for both him and us as a team. He was one of the best players in the league in the first few months of the season and it left me wondering how we had a player this good. Sadly, his injury record is the reason why.
Injuries also meant we rarely saw that front three which can be so devastating. But even as players returned over recent weeks that spark seemed missing. Beating a poor Luton side is the only win we’ve achieved recently and the home form that served us so well in the first half of the season disappeared alarmingly in meek surrenders to West Ham, Bournemouth and now Palace.
We’d looked at those fixtures targeting Europe but we may now end the season in 14th, which would have been 15th without Everton’s points deduction. Another season of Premier League football and stability should never be taken for granted. It will be the first time in half a century we play our seventh successive season in the top flight.
It’s just a shame how the season fizzled out and we’re in a similar position to where we were this time last year. A frustrated manager making noises about his transfer budget and the need for investment.
Such is the way when you’re not a member of the big 6, I guess. We’ll go again in August, once again not knowing what lies ahead, a league possibly stronger depending who wins the play-offs.
As always in the Premier League, if you’re standing still, you’re going backwards. But I’ve seen enough from Gary and this Wolves side (if not for a few weeks now) to believe we’ll be ok.
I wasn’t surprised at the final result really. Palace are firing on all cylinders at the moment.
It’s a pity our season has ended very much like last season did.
We do have some work to do to get the team a bit more ship shape for next season, but we are still a reasonable premiership team, which counts for a lot considering the financial restrictions the lower placed teams have to endure.
Onwards and upwards
COYW!
To use an analogy, GON bought a clapped out old wreck of a vehicle with no chance to view it or give it a mot. Since last August he’s bodged and tuned it, and in the process had it running , for a while, far better than the sum of its parts. These parts are now failing. GON has, not so tacitly , noted that without new spare parts, and being allowed to keep the few fancy additions he was allowed ; the car will not run next year. Remember we had a 15 year old on the bench this season and two kids who need a loan in the championship to prosper or otherwise and no seasoned defenders. The teams coming up next season are, arguably, better than promoted ones this season, competition will be stiffer , there’s a need to invest. GON is a top coach, find the money for some new parts or the wheels may come off.
I’ve said it before – I think’s Gary’s reaction to young Fraser’s permformance against Coventry in the FA Cup quarters – when he was dragged off early – ( never to be seen again ) – ( why keep him in the match day squad – if he’s not going to be used ) – I think its punishment way over the top and serves no purpose – other than destroying the young lad’s confidence – he has to go on a season-long loan next season – as its clear Gary’s not going to use him – which if you don’t me saying – is odd behaviour from the great man !!
Bear in mind in the game in question against Coventry – he was starved of the ball – no one passed to him for some reason – and he was our centre forward on the day and we were playing at at Home with a great chance of progressing !!
Strange decision and grossly unfair in my humble opinion ..especially as we’ve been dreadful and very defence minded in the last 8 or 9 games – what’s going on and with all this nonsense playing around and backwards coming out of defence – where’s all this negativity come from ??
I think Gary maybe trying to be tooo clever by half and needs to take a rain- check and revert back to what we were so good at at the beginging and middle of the Season AND that takes into account all the dreadful injuries – something’s not quite right and can’t put my finger on it..
GON has, without doubt, exceeded all expectations. He has been innovative and wise in his use of tactics to disguise a limited paper thin squad to get unexpected results.
But of late warning bells have been ringing with increasing strength regarding a very inadequate defense. As a unit we have been disorganized, whilst a growing number of unforced errors have cost us goals in almost every game.
Playing out from the back is great if you have players with the skills to do it. But we do not. The result is that with some regularity we concede silly goals leaving us with a mountain to climb. The harsh reality is that in this league you cannot give teams a two goal start and expect to get anything from a game.
Of great concern must be the fact that we are devoid of leadership. Coady, who memorably barked out orders to great effect, has never been replaced. Kilman is not that man
I would hope that the summer window will be used to ensure that we start next season really strong at the back. Regular clean sheets are the basis of success.
WOEFUL WOLVES!
This is a media headline that I’ve seen far too many times recently and it hurts every time I see it.
Whether it’s accurate or not doesn’t mask the fact that we defend poorly and we’ve become sloppy in possession far too many times in 2024. Injuries and squad depth are of course an issue but one win in nine games is bottom of the table stuff and it makes summer recruitment all the more vital.
Jamie Carragher recently highlighted the need for a Tarkowski/ Branthwaite type of defensive partnership that should be the starting point for every team, stressing the importance of a solid defence . That should be an absolute priority for us over the next three months.
Then there is the injury prone enigma that is Pedro Neto. His nineteen games for us this season have emphasised his undoubted world class ability. Sadly he just can’t maintain his fitness and we comfort ourselves in the hope that next season things will improve. I’m not entirely certain this will ever be the case and while he will attract interest from from some of Europe’s wealthiest clubs I can’t see anybody willing to pay anywhere near the sums that have been bandied around.
Cash just isn’t sloshing around football clubs the way we’ve been used to and a balanced budget approach underlines the importance of getting recruitment absolutely right. Let’s hope our scouts and talent spotters can unearth a few more diamonds over the summer.
If we cast our minds back to the beginning of the season many of us were thinking 17th place will be a good result. The bloke from Boremouth was hastily shoved into the spot light, with Molineux faithful scratching their heads in bewilderment. Fast forward and yes we fizzled out like damp firework, but on the whole the journey was better than most feared. As ever with Wolverhampton Wanderers, it will be a summer of discontent and I for one am not going to 2nd guess what our owners will or won’t do. It is kinda obvious what is needed.
I hope the blogger’s bash went well. The Northern Soul gig was a success with a full floor all night. So, I am happy . One final positive for me, I finally met the Doogooder, a fine chap indeed and nice to say hello at last.
Til next season. Keep the Faith.
Somebody obviously doesn’t like the fact that you finally met me mate.
It can affect some people that way.
It was good to meet you yesterday and I’m glad your Northern Soul gig went well.
I’ve put you down for next year’s Ballbash. No excuses now.
Lol, yes I saw that. They clearly don’t know you DG!
Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I wasn’t trying to be negative, if anything the opposite. Ah well.
Consider the invite taken DG. See you next season .
Cheers Steve
aka Marnhull Wolves.
I have droned on about this all season, but when we play at pace we look devastating. This happened yesterday at the very start ( albeit 5 mins or so) and the period when we scored 1 and nearly 2. I am sorry but the pace has been dictated by the defense for the last few games so Killman and co rolling the bal around for 10 slow passes allows the other team to press high and ultimately make us give the ball away. Our only outlet was the long ball to Doc to try to head on. Lemina did his best Neves impression and played at the back most of the time so why not play him there at Anfield? One thing is for certain , Samedo is not a centre half! Missing Dawson is the biggest loss to the team this season and even he cannot go on forever. For me GONs biggest mistake was making Killman captain. His body language was awful yesterday. He does not talk and without communication Toti is lost. He was nowhere for the 3rd goal and just stopped and waved his hand for a hopeful offside. I hope Mosquera is ready. We have holes to fill for next season and as we have seen this, putting out 11 square pegs in round holes by playing people naturally out of position does not work.
I agree with comments above about why Santi was not playing. I think the fear is lack of pace at the back that presumably Samedo has, but he cannot head the ball at all for an International so should be a wing back.
Enough of the whining as a better season than we thought and a good summer and pre-season will relight the fan base. Hope to be in Jacksonville for preseason v Julien’s Hammers with renewed vigour.
Once again a dreadful first half. The Bournemouth, West Ham , Crystal Palace playbook chapter one; How to beat Wolves.
Wolves try to play out from the back but try it too often, too slowly and too deep, they are likely to concede possession within 30 yards of their own goal so push on and press.
Their midfield will play meaningless triangle passes in tight areas but rarely attempt forward passes behind opposition defenders so we can keep a relatively high line.
They don’t have a number 9 or anyone available who wants to be one so our spare centre back can float into midfield or drop off to pick up aimless long balls.
Job done , 9 points thrown away .
The selection of Semedo and Docherty on the right side is a defensive nightmare with zero attacking threat, not once yesterday did either player run past the left back.
Gary thinks we started well, I disagree, first shot was 18 minutes in, a hopeful toe bunt from distance by Ait-Nourri which flicked off a defender and rolled to the keeper.
These performances cannot be excused simply by bemoaning the absence of Dawson and Neto. The three teams mentioned are in the mid table league in which we were top after beating Fulham and we are now bottom. We have beaten all the teams below us who are in the relegation league so we are where we should be and would have taken that in August gladly.
But think on, ManU have been rubbish this year but will be stronger next year, so will Chelsea, Spurs, Newcastle so the top ten is pretty much a given, I fancy the teams coming up will be stronger than the three going down so where do Wolves fit in just by doing “a few bits and pieces” ?
Totally , spot on
This match showed our weakness, we can not play out off the back,Gary I’m sorry has made some strange decisions really,massive summer and clear out,defence without Dawson shambolic, its up to Gary to wheel and deal,I’ve said before it’s becoming boring be a wolves fan,no chance off Europe,just a cup run,odd few results against top 6,are fosun happy with that,I feel sorry for the poor people who pay to watch that game,sorry about the rant,God bless u all,wolves aie we!
The message is already being put out.
“Have to sell before we invest”.
God help us then when we have seen schoolboys on the bench over the last few weeks.
Fantastic job done by Gary O’Neil to steer us out of troubled waters and keep us there, but it now looks likely we’ll finish 15th. So our famous old gold is unable to do better than giants of the game like Brighton, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Fulham and even Brentford. It’s a far cry from Fosun’s boasts of competing at the highest levels of European football back in 2018 – utter bullshit, they have barely scratched the surface and we now face an annual relegation threat due to lack of and poor quality investment. Yes we have some top class players but also a lot of mediocrity to fill the gaps.
And watch out Jeff because another summer of low profile wheeling and dealing will see Gary GON down the same down road as Julen Lopetegui. And who could blame him. You, with Shanghai, and Hobbs seriously need to get your act together before we actually return to the massed ranks of Championship also rans for another extended spell in the wilderness. We’ve been going backwards ever since you grabbed sole control.
Suggest Fosun apologists take a serious look at the decline of our club since Nuno was marginalised by Shi’s autocratic approach to the future wellbeing of OUR FOOTBALL CLUB.
Decline of our club PJB. Laughable. When you think about your hero Sir Jack. His achievements are nothing compared to Fosun. Seven seasons in the Premier League compared to one. Major injections of cash compared to freezing spending. Commitment to continued support of WWFC. By the way Sir Jack was a tax avoider so although his non tax contribution helped WWFC it didn’t help schools NHS and everything else for normal folks.
Oh dear!
Firstly SJH is not “my hero”, but along with Jack Gallagher saved WWFC from oblivion and dragged it back through the divisions. And then rebuilt Molineux out of his own pocket. Your disrespect is in poor taste.
Chinese conglomerate Fosun has talked a great game but achieved very little other than to see their investment of £38 million increase around 8 fold since 2016.. Contrary to all their bullshit we are now facing annual relegation issues and the ground, which even Steve Morgan developed. is looking decidedly shabby at best. Oh and they have long forgotten the 50k seat stadium they promised to build.
Don’t know how much tax Fosun or Chinese national “Jeff” (listed at Companies House as Yu Shi) contribute to The Treasury but very much doubt whether they have as much respect for the UK or the patriotism that SJH had whatever his tax status.
Wrong. SJH didn’t save Wolves. SJH took over in 1990 when Wolves were already in the Championship. Wolves were saved in 1986 by Wolverhampton council and the builders Gallagher’s. I will give SJH credit in that he redeveloped Molineux from the Shambles it was. I also give him credit for spending a large amount of his own cash on transfer in comings. Neither of those observations in dispute. What we all want to see is Fosun give some meaningful investment in Summer 24 window. And PJB if that doesn’t happen I will hold my hands up.
Really don’t want to see you having to hold your hands up COD. We all want to get to the same place; it’s just a case of how we get there and Fosun have a lot to prove this summer.
Not exactly sure what you mean by ‘facing annual relegation issues’, in our 6 years we have had just 1 season ‘facing annual relegation’ issues as have just about every other team apart from the so called big 6.
We have apparently achieved very little during Fosun’s ownership apart from achieving promotion, qualifying for Europe, reaching a semifinal and about to go into our 7th season in the Premier League
I agree Fosun have made plenty of mistakes but I am still of the opinion they still have a certain amount of credit
The number of teams who are not facing an annual relegation battle is becoming larger every year, I would say at least 10. Easily named.
Wolves are not one of them which means we need to fight like hell , strengthen every year and hope we don’t get shafted by VAR or FSP.
40 points is the first target. ASAP.
Lest we forget that GON still isn’t playing with his team so surely we have that bonus to come next season.
But it does pain me that in more modern times we have rarely been able to muster a strike force that threatens a defence quite like that of Palace.
Right back from when Chris Armstrong wedged one in the top of the goal frame, then Zaha toying with us during many of his visits and now this current crop.
They are always seem so much bigger and stronger that it just feels to me like we are beaten right from the off.
Final third of the season (12 games). Our average PPG replicated over a season would give us 34/35 points. This spells danger. Fosun are not immune from criticism and I expect them to make a reasonable contribution to some decent acquisition to the team. Jeff made a public statement one year ago and stated there will be more flexibility in spending. I expect to see that. Gary is not immune from criticism either. My thoughts at the end of the season ? I am beginning to wonder if we have a discernable style of play. Palace came with a distinct game plan. As did Bournemouth. What is our method under Gary ? Not sure. So some issues to be ironed out by Fosun and Gary. We will see.
Honestly, I cannot ask for any more from this Wolves team and GON. They have given their all, exceeded expectations, and proved all us doubters (ok, me) wrong. I offer my sincere and most humble apologies to GON when I lashed out in frustration after the Ipswich game and referred to him as a Prius replacement for a Ferrari in his take over from JLo. How wrong I was. (So embarrassing.) GON proved to us he is a man of integrity, ambition and ample ability upon whom this club can rely on and build should they choose to. If the owners take a page out of his values, Wolverhampton Wanderers will do very well!
Wolves were partially unlucky with the injuries, but I think also partially brought upon themselves due to the small squad they had, running players into the ground trying to play each game like a cup final to get results. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and I think our pacing mid season was too hot, leaving us wanting as we hit the wall towards the end with all the injuries. We missed Dawson immensely. Our defense was never the same without him and that’s when things started to turn. Add to that the disruption in attack and suddenly we were left with a blunt colander for a team: no cutting edge and leaky at the bottom.
But I think the future could be bright. GON and Matt Hobbs seem like a formidable and trustworthy combination to build a team worthy of challenging for Europe, in a serious way, not in a hope and a prayer, fingers crossed way that deceived many this year. But in a real way, through strength and depth as required. It’s really down to Fosun now. Are they ready to invest to actually realize the potential of this team. They stumbled across a winning formula this year. All they need to do is pull a few weeds (sure, I understand there may need to be some sales) and grow the squad under Gary and Matt’s advisement.
Come on Fosun, let’s turn this season into the biggest positive possible. Don’t throw away what was gained this year. Don’t piss GON off until he leaves. The time to invest is now. The time to be courageous is now. The time to show ambition and turn heads is now.
Come on Wanderers. Let’s get back to winning ways!
Go Wolves!!
As always the proof of the pudding is in the eating .
Let us see what Fosun do .
Personally I am not optimistic as their decision making has been poor for several years now .Hope I am too negative about them
More to ‘patriotism’ than waving a union jack. How about contributing to society. The sick disabled NHS schools. That’s patriotism.
Ok mate. Said my bit. All the best PJB. I respect your contribution. As always.
Likewise COD.
COD
Don’t think this is the place for politics but if it was I might be tempted to wave a Taiwanese flag or plead a case for the Uyghurs..
First time I can say this since GTech(1-4).
‘I wuz there’!!
And a bit embarrassed and somewhat Puzzled as well.
But… in reverse order …
Another splendid Bloggers Bash with Combermere finale
What’s not to like?
So good to be with similarly afflicted folk… a blessing to spend time with you all
Thank you for your friendship and yes we are hopelessly addicted! The post match warmth around and clearly amongst players/ family /staff and waiting supporters after the awards ceremony was wonderful to experience and Promises much for the future .
But…the match yesterday?
After a neat start I was P-ed Off
We played
Ponderous
Predictable
Painful football ,so despite our talent on the pitch there was little Penetration (and sadly no Pedro in sight.).
Mr O Neal …why Presume that B Traore can drive midfield?
Against a hot team that was Poor.
Yep it got better later and we tried more slick and quick and guess what ? it worked …but by then the self – dug hole was too deep .Palace must have been Pinching themselves beforehand.
My Points?
Better squad would be nice but without a conveyor belt of brilliantly Professional Academy graduates we are constrained by buy/ sell trading results, given the straitjacket of FFP.
Can we play more dazzling and Penetrating football? I believe it and more success ( that everyone wants) is possible with time /talent and health …Plus Fosun : give GO’N whatsoever he needs!(but no Point deductions Please).
Truly the Light is coming and the Promise could and should be Pleasure ( maybe even delirium)week in week out throughout the seasons to come for all involved with this Purely wonderful football club.
I rest my case . It’s Positive.
For sure there was no lack of effort, but our tiny squad looked completely spent after a season in which if you’re fit, you play. Rest is for sissies.
We need a bigger squad next season. Some of our loaned out players have done well and could have a part to play. Mosquera, Chiquinho, Cundle. All could save us a wedge this summer and others like Fabio, Podence and Hoever could be moved on to swell the coffers.
I think when Fosun took over, the plan was to sell us to Chinese fans and the money from that huge market would finance our rise to the highest echelons of world football. Of course, within a couple of years, China had become public enemy number 1 in the west as their economy grew and are constantly berated and accused of all kinds of misdemeanours. This sharp decline is our relationship does, I’m sure, work both ways and suddenly, selling a British football team to Chinese fans is far from easy. So Fosun’s main finance stream has dried up. Without the income, FFP restricts how much they can spend even if they want to. See Newcastle.
Fosun will not want the value of their investment to diminish so will hopefully spend as much as allowed to prevent that happening.
Had a swell evening at the Ball bash and great to catch up with people I see all too rarely. Much gratitude to he who organised it.
A poor first half performance, but better in the second. Not a great way to sign off on the home matches.
A searing shaft of light did emerge from the darkness yesterday: the 2024 Bloggers’ Ball was a wonderful affair, enjoyed by all who came. A big ‘thanks’ to Lord Twix for organising.
Disappointed with the result and the performance.agree with other bloggers regarding playing out from the back and the ridiculous slow play. Are they trying to conserve energy as some of them are still not really fit.
Disappointed for them that the lap of appreciation was done in front of an almost empty stadium. What incentive is that for the players to stay when they have played their hearts out for most of the season.
Great evening at the bloggers ball. Lovely to meet everyone. See you all next season.
I don’t really want to say too much about the game, which we all have views about but left me underwhelmed to say the least.
However :-as the season draws to a close and we pack our XXL size Wolves tops back under the bed, there’s one thing that nobody can dispute.
The naysayers and doubters have all been proved wrong!
Lord Twix can indeed organise a piss up in a brewery… well, a restaurant and a pub, which is the same sort of thing.
A great evening was enjoyed by a select band of bloggers and fans from as far afield as USA, Denmark, the wilds of the West Country… and even some from Wolverhampton.
I say this every year, it would be really good to see more of you turning up for this occasion. It’s ONE night a year, SURELY you can clear your diary for it.
It’s open to all who have voiced an opinion on this excellent blog. We eat, we chat, we have been known to drink the odd drop of alcohol, and we all go home in good spirits, knowing that we’ve spent some quality time with some good mates.
See you all next year….
…?
Official statement ..
LORD TWIX in residence…
Thank you so much DOOG for the overwhelming “piss up in a brewery “ written award for this year .. I do try …
As you say .. this BLOG has bought together fans from across the globe .. and I mean that ..
from San Francisco, Copenhagen, Australia, Perth, New Zealand, USA, Norway, Spain.. and closer to home .. London, Cornwall, Wiltshire, Bedford, Manchester.. and yes Stafford and West Parkian ..
We had an absolutely brilliant evening on Saturday.. no heirs or graces .. just sheer fun and levity .. .. can’t wait to see the video highlights..
So thanks to everyone attending… yet another memorable BLOGGERS Ballbash ..
THANKS too to Nick and his team at Rosso E Nero .. get in .. xx