Sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward.
These opening four fixtures will feel like a regressive stride for most of us – certainly in terms of performance – but to yield six points from 12 is a haul that should be cherished.
Or to coin a phrase from a magician of yesteryear, time to ‘wipe your gob and take the points.’
Consider Nuno’s gob wiped. In a weird way, this 1-0 slog says as much about ‘the project’ and the places we want to gate-crash as it does the merits of a 3-4-3, a 3-5-2, a Diogo Jota here or a Matt Doherty there.
Even at its very worst, it still suggested that the team that did so well to finish seventh in consecutive seasons wasn’t good enough for the here and now, hence the arrival of Semedo, Hoever and the promotion of Neto, who would prove to be the match-winner.
Smashing through the glass ceiling we did so well to brush on our tiptoes was an achievement to treasure forever. So to retain the exact same XI that got there would be an admission that we’re not going to burst through it again any time soon?
Ergo, we need to evolve and this team is a visual representation of such a train of thought. It’s a work in progress; an unfinished symphony.
A neat linear line graph was never representative of such an ambitious evolution, with peaks and troughs to be expected. That we have six points during what feels like a dip – more than at this stage during the last two years – is an unlikely peak to raise a smile.
So too is a seventh home clean sheet in the Premier League in 2020, more than any other side. With the Premier League raining goals left, right and centre since this strange old season began, it can’t be a statistic to take lightly (irrespective of the opponent).
While it looked disjointed and regularly wretched on the eye, such fare might be something to suck up and get used to for a while, as the finishing touches are added on the training field. With no pre-season to speak of and a gruelling 12 months just gone, it’s hardly a surprise we’d would look like this, is it?
Who knows if we’ll end up where we want to, but for the time being it’s best to trust in the process.
If this performance taught us anything it’s that the first team as we know it – whatever its parts may be – requires time. It might be that an international break arrives at an opportune moment, partly to quell Leeds United’s irresistible momentum and partly to give 85% of our players more minutes under their belts in a different colour shirt.
When the lads reconvene, it is clear that Leander Dendoncker needs to start, such is his work ethic and ability to cover so many blades of grass. In the two games he’s started we’ve won both and while that can’t all be attributed to him, his role is far from inconsiderable. That a squad player of the past two seasons now assumes an indispensable role in today’s first XI might still be a telling commentary on how thinly spread we are in the most critical area of the pitch. Time for an addition before the window closes, perhaps?
And what price Patricio in today’s bloated market? While he wasn’t overly extended in chalking up his latest clean sheet, our keeper continues to keep his head while Adrián, Kepa, De Gea, Pickford and company take it in turns to lose theirs every weekend.
All the above being said, a draw was the least Fulham deserved, with substitute Lookman morphing into a ‘94 Richard Cadette for the visitors late in the day. Unlike a Millwall goalscorer of yesteryear (prizes for guessing the scoreline from a game that still haunts me!), Fulham were unable to capitalise on the momentum they seized in the second half.
Instead, we can all reflect on Pedro Neto’s intervention as the only thing of beauty in a pretty ugly spectacle.
It was a moment of 20/20 vision; persuasive enough to make the present look brighter, if not the distant months to come.
Yes. It is all about evolution. I fully accept there will be ups and downs. But I also accept a very uninspiring 3 points today. I even said as we settled down in front of the telly that a scruffy 1-0 win would do . And as the weird results keep coming in the 3 points are magnificent. We can just keep to our business and keep accumulating points . As I said in the pub earlier. We will go to Leeds and unleash our game . They like to go for it. It will suit us down to the ground
Our squad looks stale, but nearly all our transfer activity is concentrating on “ones for the future”. The Jota transfer seems to indicate that many of these signings may be for the benefit of someone else’s future rather than ours; sorry Jorge, Nuno and Jeff but we need some players for the here and now if the Fosun project is for real.
Well said PJB ……..couldn’t agree more I know there are a lot a very a hell of a lot more Wolves fans who think the same just because they don’t appear on this Blog this Blog isn’t a full representation of all Wolves fans views……..they like to think they are…..but they are not.
Yes, but it will give the youth players more playing time so they can develop into classy players though. Wolves can probably kiss trophies and a top six placement goodbye, but who knows? Watched the cup match between u-23 Wolves and Bristol City and was impressed by some of the performers. Some of them are probably on the brink of breaking into the first team. Our Nigerian midfielder for instance which has been on the bench for the first team for instance. Ashley Seal has probably better finishing attributes than Fabio Silva, but is another type of player and not as gifted as Silva on the ball.
We dug deep and managed to get passed the mighty Fuham who have been shipping in goals for fun till they played us.
Words to describe that performance, laboured couscous defensive passive….and I mean side ways most of the first half nearly fell asleep.
We played with fear…….fear of losing and it showed and we were luck y Fulham should have had a point. Neto and may be Donk only positives.
Midfield well what midfield Neves is so deep all the time what’s happened to Neves the defence splitting passes the thunderous shots from outside the area we are killing this lads game he should be playing in the hole behind Raul picking up loose balls and shooting he’s a slither of the player he was its desperate watching now.
Beating Fulham is nothing to be shouting about…..and I use the word beating sparingly because we didn’t we scrapped past them.
Looks like the lad from Angers has signed ……better nudge up on the bench here another one.
Yawn. Yawn . Yawn. The twitter boring army on the go again.
Very childish cheese………bed time I think……up the wooden hill….go on!
Sleep it off.
Proof of the pudding is in the eating son. I will gladly hold my hands up come May next year. Wolves are not a bad side and quality comes through on the end.
I haven’t said we are a bad side, what I’m saying is there’s no coheition from the back to midfield to attack something we were brilliant at first 2 seasons.
I’m saying change isn’t working to many players are struggling you can see it you can at get a square peg in a round hole.
It the timing as well with no preseason also new additions there’s just to much going on.
And it’s enevetable that performances will suffer we are we are not just moving house with the style were moving continent and yes the team has been strengthened enough to cope with all that IMO midfield for instance..
I hope your right I do and I’ll go on this Blog and put it in writing that you were right because your vision is a lot better than mine at the moment.
No need for that mate. I appreciate your viewpoint . I just think sometimes there is an over reaction. You only have to look at Liverpool tonight who have lost to a croc of shit Villa side. I still think we are better than them. It was just their night. Its the way it goes mate.
I appreciate Paul and Cheesy’s viewpoints on this. Maybe somehere in between with me. I am still cautiously hopeful for a new signing before the window closes… And time for this team to knit together.
I think he said he is drunk by now so don’t worry too much about it.
And yet we won.
The current jacetory suggests 57 points. Which may be enough for 7th/6th given the weird early results. Just saying like…
Well!
This new possession based football is having a difficult birth.
While we dominated possession we were slow, predictable, lacking any penetration and…. well, just bad really.
The times we looked dangerous were when we counter attacked.
Breaking from defence, with pace, just like we did last season.
Is it because we are not used to the new method?
Or is it because we are not capable of playing that way?
My mind goes back to the days of Glenn Hoddle and Stale Solbakken.
Both managers had their firm ideas on how football should be played, but both lost their jobs because the players wouldn’t, or more likely couldn’t,take on board those ideas.
I’m not, for a second, advocating or predicting Nuno’s demise, I love the man, but… we need to get on top of this new style or we will end up at the wrong end of the table.
Counterattacking football is in the ‘New Wolves’ DNA and has brought us BIG success over the past two and a bit seasons.
It still works. We have the players with the pace to destroy any team who come at us.
Why change?
PS. As anyone who has read my contributions to this blog knows, I am not a football expert, just a fan.
I wouldn’t ask Nuno to tell me how to design a corporate logo or come up with a snappy headline. I’m sure he would feel the same way about my thoughts on Wolves’ footballing strategy.
I am quite prepared (and desperately hope) to be proven wrong as the season progresses. I’m just saying what I feel after a number of less than adequate performances.
But whatever happens, like my fellow bloggers, I’ll remain, a loyal Wolves fan.
COYW!!!
PPS. Well done Neto and Max Kilman. And Big Willy looked a lot better than he has done for a while.
PPPS. Just watched Veela stuff Liverpool. What the…?
Fulham had more possession than us, according to the BBC website.
And counter-attacking football doesn’t work when the other team parks the bus.
I am wondering if Nuno knows how to coach this new style of play. He has been coaching counter-attacking football for so long that he knows where he wants every player to be in every situation. Does he know that or can he know that in a more possession-based game where you presumably want a lot of quick passes to open up the other teams’ defense?
You’ve misread what I was trying to say Tim.
I said WHILE we were dominating possession we were poor.
And Fulham didn’t park the bus. They were coming at us, which is why looked dangerous on the break.
I think you’re a football expert Doog x
here, here.
Cheers Witley!
All those years of doing my best Nuno impersonation between the sticks for The Clifton Rockets in Bristol Downs Premier League football haven’t gone to waste then.
Oooh! I love it when you talk dirty!
You’re too kind Ben.
Leicester 0 West Ham 3
Man Utd 1 Spurs 6
Villa 7 Liverpool 2
Southampton 2 The Shite 0
Wolves 1 Fulham 0
In 2 years time we will look at these results and those are the scores, not how bad we have or have not played that day.
It’s 3 points, no more no less it doesn’t matter which team we played, we won.
Positives,
Kilman got a game and to be fair, stuck to his task.
Saiss ran himself all over the pitch with his new found freedom, put a few decent crosses in albeit not as clinical as could be, but he was crossing.
Neto played better, linking up with the forward guys in the box a lot better than previous.
Semedo continues to show his talents, I really like this guy.
You can see stuff developing in amongst the gawky, awkward stumbling, trying to get the new system sorted out, we had a lot more people in the opposition box, we put much better one to one passes in the area, we just lack the finesse.
For the love of Dog, we are only 4 games into the craziest season we’ve known, we’re above Man City, Man Utd and Sheff Utd.
And the Shite lost, again.
We all want success, don’t start tearing bits off each other again, if we lose more matches plenty of other fans will do that for us.
The Strength is in the pack.
A poor performance not disguised by a result that we did not deserve
Possession football maybe Nuno`s new ideal, but it seems to me that it will be far less easy to change our style than perhaps he expects. It is already clear that this, most certainly will not be a seamless process.
What seems apparent is that to change style so dramatically surely needs an input of new blood already well versed in this type of play, particularly having regard to the mid field. In that area we are now slow and predictable, creating very little so that Raul is left to ply a lone furrow up front with little support.
An obvious question would seem to be just why are we spending so much on very young players completely unproven at the level to sit on the bench , whilst ignoring the essential need to sign quality guys who can contribute immediately ?
That’s our sixth signing of the widow ……..only two are considered first team ready on a regular basis.
There’s something to maul over….!
So what do you want. A load of 29 year old has been on massive wages and inflated purchase prices?
Now your going from one extreme to the other. It’s not what I want it’s what the team needs and the new players that are ready to go straight in to the first team.
I wouldn’t mind if theses ” ones for the future” we’re ACTUALLY give a chance not just ten minutes here and there.
Play them…..then……play them that’s the only way we are going to find out if there good enough not sat on the bench.
Come on then play them…..millions of pounds sat on the bench…….
Best part of £50 plus million pound sat on the bench……I’d like to see them played…..why not.
They might actually be better than what we’ve got…….there’s only one way to find out….son..!
Hi Cheeseburger. No, we don`t want a load of over paid aging prima donas. But I recall that at the end of last season Nuno said specifically that the side needed strengthening. I, for one, took that to mean he wanted a few proven experienced players able to readily step into the side and supplement the quality already available.
But the reality is that a lot of cash has been expended on young guys who clearly are not yet ready . They may have loads of potential. But as we all know, in a lot of cases youthful potential does not materialize as expected. There is a lot of risk in this policy.
My take is that maybe we have the balance somewhat wrong. It can`t all be about tomorrows potential. The need for experience now surely cannot be ignored.
Mike, I think if Nuno had guaranteed European football we might have signed some proven players. I have no idea whether they even tried to get any, but 20-30m gets you kids. Everyone else is silly money. Like what we’ve seen with chelsea this window and in some ways Jota going to Liverpool. I think it’s mostly circumstantial and our transfer policy will be different once we qualify for the European completions in the future. We all hope.
Rubbish……. We have totally ignored certain markets and have concentrated on Mendez recommendations.
Totally agree mate.
Agree with you Mike
We have been investing in “ones for the future” ever since the Fosun takeover. I’m bot knocking this policy per se but it does seem that this is currently mainly working to the benefit of others rather than WWFC. There have been numerous such acquisitions but I can only recall Jota (gone, obviously) and Vinagre (to a certain extent and going) plus Neto (still a work in progress) who have seriously worked out in 4+ years . Conversely we arguably already have several mistakes on our hands (most notably Cuitrone, but also possibly eg. Jordao, Dashidov, Burr, Mir to mention a few) and now have a £35 million striker with one senior appearance to his name and a young Ecuador full international (out on loan) as the only back up for Jiminez.
Where are the upgrades (Semedo excepted} for the present or are we now settling for mid table mediocrity at best? From where I am sitting it looks horribly like it and this flawed policy no longer seems to be consistent with the pursuit of Fosun’s claimed grand ambitions.
Spot on Pj,
All those you have mentioned ” one for the future” have disappeared without trace and got no where near the first team……and do you know why 1, they weren’t good enough 2, Nuno didn’t want them in the first place.
We’ll said thank God there are people like you who can see through the hype and spin by FOSUN.
Utter tosh imo. We can only wait and see where we sit at the end of the season before we can say we are not progressing .
Utter tosh because it doesn’t happen to be in line with your view.
Good civilised, well reasoned discussion forums in Brompton then.
I don’t think we should be mauling over widows mate!
It’s a good debate. Like I have said millions of times. We are all Wolves ay we.
Widows.
I’m fed up of people saying I’m being critical and coming back with childish arguments.
So I’m saying play them let’s see what all the fuss is about why Wolves have spent all this money.
Because that’s is the only way I’ll shut up …..put these kids on let them shut me up with there performances.
It’s simple…..what did Alex Fergusion say ” if there good enough there old enough “
Never said that mate. As you know. Wolves blog is a space where you are able to say what you want. Unlike other childish platforms. Paul. No one is trying to subdue your comments. I think it is good to have a debate about stuff. Boring world otherwise.
I agree partly with what you say about seeing what they can do. Especially with a hefty outlay on players this transfer window. Sheffield Utd have bought Brewster and Chris wilder acknowledged that that’s what 20 odd mill gets you nowadays. A teenager. Joint bottom I guess we will see whether he leads the line for them game after game. The difference is that the core of our team is strong, regardless of our results of late. I think Nuno always demands proof they deserve a chance in the first team. Or at least someone who he deems in need of dropping from the first 11. He could probably play silva and jiminez up top in a 352?
Call me a pedant (most people do) but it was Sir Matt Busby who said
“If you’re good enough you’re old enough”.
But I know what you mean Paul.
I think Fergie repeated it when Hanson said you won’t win anything with kids.
Nuno knows what he’s doing … you can’t make a good omelette without breaking few eggs .
I have every confidence .
Up the mighty wolves !
it was not a good game to watch Nuno wants to change the way we play which is possession based fast flowing football. Quick passing and moving the ball forward to try and get the ball in behind the there defence but the problem is the 20 passes between Coady Bolly and Saiss a cross the pitch slows every thing down. By the time we got the ball forward they had a goalie and ten defenders which we struggled to break down its just far to slow and the captain is partly to blame we need to play at a faster pace.
Those clamouring for the negatives in that game, and there were a few I admit, would probably find their time better spent looking at what’s going on in the league. This isn’t a dig at anyone on here at all, because I believe everyone deserves a lot of slack when trying to predict what this wolves side will accomplish come the end of season. It doesn’t matter if you’re more positive, negative or somewhere in the middle, we all have so little to base our predictions on. Having played only 4 games so far, no preseason, lots of changes of personnel, and the fact it still feels like we are playing the 2019-20 season such was the short gap in between, where do you even begin?
My point being, we can’t rely on anything at the moment. Everton sit comfortably atop the league, closely followed by a team that narrowly avoided relegation last season, who today thumped the champions 7-2. I couldn’t believe it. Already a worse season by the pool than the last, for that one defeat alone.
I really liked it yesterday, when Ancelotti said “football really isn’t that complicated”. And in some ways he’s right. Not having fans at the games is simplifying the dynamics and is clearly levelling results across the board. Increasing the goal margins while it’s at it.
You could also argue that this isn’t a bad season for Nuno to shuffle the pack. All teams look like they will get a 7-2 or a 6-1 drumming at some point, so let’s give wolves a chance to improve, because the basics are still there and Nuno is a fine coach. Plus Clive might even get his prediction right…. only 34 possibilities left!
Semedo also looked better today, and we did win the game thanks to a class finish by Neto. Coady also looked ready to drive on and carry the team forwards whenever he could. It might just take a bit of time to get everyone hitting the same notes, and more importantly get the possession element of our game right. Fulham looked way more comfortable on the ball and that just didn’t make sense…. but what does at the moment. As my father would say, “it’s a funny old life”.
And that my friend really does sum it all up. What a brilliant post.
And it was written way past my bed time…. Thanks cheese. Always some great discussions on here, glad to be a part of it.
Got to say … absolutely brilliant.
Great Post Dom. Succinctly put. Supporting Wolves evokes a lot of passion, debate and sometimes people take things the wrong way, when it is in text. Your synopsis is perfect.
We all share the same goal at the end of the day, The Wolves!
We’re still misfiring but to win when you’re not playing well isn’t a bad thing is it?
I can see the embryo of what Nuno is trying to achieve, my biggest concern and something that needs urgent attention is the supply to Raul.
Given some of the other results this weekend, we might look back at today as a good day at the office.
OK. It weren’t much to look at and apart from Pedro’s well taken goal, there weren’t much to get the pulse racing. But it’s three points and with some of the results in this crazy season, we must be grateful for that.
On the bigger picture, Nuno seems to want to change our methods somewhat and we’ve had a few injuries and we’ve lost two big players to our rivals. I do recall though, that when they took us over, Fosun said they had a ten year plan to make us a force to be reckoned with. We still have six seasons left of that so these 18/19/20 yr olds we are bringing in, I see as part of that building process. Silva and Vitinha have already seen game time and Ait Nouri seems to be of a standard that he could well challenge Marcel for a place.
Personally, if I have a choice between jam today or the Hartley’s factory tomorrow, I’ll take the latter thanks.
Just my opinion, you understand.
Forgot about Ki Jana Hoever, who I feel could soon be a valuable part of our first team squad.
Is he primarily a sweeper.
I think he’s good but some say he sucks.
That reminds me of a Goblin Housemaid we had years ago.
Whilst it was pretty dire, I am not buying that Fulham deserved a point. We scored the only goal and had the 2 next best chances, with Jiminez 1:1, and a brilliant point-blank save with Semedo’s chance on the rebound.
Is there a record for youngest EPL team? I can see a time (probably just at the end of games) when we have Hoever (18), Ait Nouri (19), Vitinha (20), Neto (20) and Silva (18) all on the pitch at once.
I agree it wasn’t a great game to watch, and that Wolves were lacking in fluidity and panache. But I’m afraid I have to disagree that Fulham deserved anything out of that game. They had a total of two shots on goal, the first of which came on the 73rd minute, straight into Patricio’s arms. Patricio hardly had to bust a gut in this game, did he! I’m sorry, this was all Wolves for me. I never felt for a second we’d lose this one and Fulham got exactly what they deserved in my opinion. Nought.
I’m not saying we were fantastic, playing Brazilian style. Far from it. But I think perspective is required. I thought the defence looked solid, and after the debacle against West Ham, I can certainly understand the priority today was a clean sheet, grab the three points, no more injuries, and into the international break to continue to prepare and figure out the new look team.
On the positive side, I like the look and work rate of Semedo. I thought he showed quality and looked solid. Given time, I think he will be an improvement to the squad. Kilman also looked solid. Neto is the new Jota. Jimenez tried hard and on a good day could have had his goal. Podence, Donker, … both played great. In fact individually, I don’t think anyone put much of a foot wrong.
So where’s the problem? What’s not clicking? I think it’s partnerships. They take time to develop, and when you change a number of players (I count injuries as changes too) and try to change a system, those partnerships have to be rebuilt. Remember a big stint to our first season’s success was the Jota/Jimenez partnership. Then it was the Jimenez/Traore partnership. Don’t forget Doc/Traore. All these need to be rebuilt. I think Podence and Jimenz are starting to click and may be onto something. We basically changed both our wingbacks this year and that’s cutting off out fluid transition from defence to attack. All I am saying is we need to give it some time.
That apart, we also need to get more clinical and chip in from across the field. I don’t think our players are contributing to their best potential. Don’t know if that’s the new system but I think the system we play has to suit the talent we have, not vice versa. I want to see more goals from Neves (where are his wonder strikes) – how he lit up the championship with his scorchers. Surely we have to find a system that takes better advantage of his talents. I want to see more goals from Adama (where are his unstoppable runs). We need a system that activates his beast mode. If Nuno can find a system that activates all the talent we possess while we keep our back door shut, we will go far.
Last December Wolves came back from 2-0 down to Man City and tore them apart to win it 3-2. I think Wolves need to rewatch that game until they figure out what changed since then, and how to reignite.
We still have the talent and the commitment. And we have time. Just 4 games in. Table means absolutely nothing at this stage. Teams running full steam ahead will collapse. Secret is to build slowly for the long haul and keep improving.
And I think that’s what Nuno is trying to do.
Go Wolves!!!
Another good post.
‘If Nuno can find a system that activates all the talent we possess while we keep our back door shut, we will go far.’
This. In spades.
Luckily this was one of the very few times when I could watch the game live at a decent time (midnight). Now that was a true example of “winning ugly”. But we won. However, let’s not forget we were playing the team right at the bottom of the table.
I believe the changes that have happened in our team has affected our performances – that is clear to see. To see Jimenez dropping deep to get some ball possession said it all. I believe he is missing the service he got when playing with Jota and Traore on either side of him. New combinations are going to take time to gel. I was very worried to see Kilman and Saiss on the left side. I thought the youngster did well for a full game – but wingback needs to be speedy. Not a word to describe Saiss.
I agree with Paul regarding getting all these youngsters in and then leaving them on the bench. It would have been nice to see them getting some game time – even at under 23 level. At least it might give them some confidence.
3 weeks ago I predicted we would be top of the league after our 5th game when I saw the fixture list. Boy was I wrong ! There’s W.Ham hammering us and Leicester and then we have Man.U and Liverpool letting in 13 goals between them on the same night. What a crazy (and exciting) league. I bet there weren’t many 3 pointers in their prediction leagues 🙂
Except 3 points from that poor game
Hope Kondogbia is not just talk as this would allow Neves to be pushed up behind the forwards where he should be, remember his goals from outside the box ? That’s what I want to see again not toiling about giving protection to the defence
Mendes should get Kondogbia to us and not Leeds
Really worry about playing Leeds because they look impressive under Bielsa who looks a master tactician
Interesting debate and I don’t think anything I have read is ridiculous or in anyway anti wolves. But I do think that some of the points are just a little simplistic and my biggest issue is the way that Ben’s excellent introduction has been ignored.
I think Ben’s explanation as to why evolution was necessary and the implications of change sums up the situation perfectly. But I would add a couple of points for clarity.
The change isn’t about possession for the sake of it. It’s about maximising and maintaining an offensive threat. Why do we need to do that? Because against Chelsea, Olympiakos and most obviously Sevilla we were locked in our own half. Allowing the opposition to camp in our half with cover in place to prevent the cross-field balls to wing-backs of the Traore express. We were sussed.
Watching West Ham dismantle us and Leicester with the breakout plan.Having previously seen Leicester use it to dismantle Citeh, and then watching Spurs use it to create chaos in the United defence, it would be easy assume counter-attack is the most powerful strategy of all. But there are a few points to consider. (1) no two versions are the same, it depends on the players available. (2) It can be stopped – do you have a plan b (3) what if both sides try to adopt it – think back to United cup games.
Is Nuno doing the right thing trying to evolve another form of playing to enable us to adapt to different playing styles? Of course he is. The success of his previous approach can be seen in the tactics now being used by half the prem, but he wants to progress. Is it risky? (As quoted by Doogie) Ask Solbakken. Is Nuno certain what version of the new strategy will evolve, who will be the key players and can they deliver exactly what is required? Definitely not. The need for new players and lack of a pre-season means he is learning just a little ahead of us. Does he deserve our support and patience? More now than ever.
Nuno was clearly impressed with the Seville model, and why not it was a work of art. But even as we speak it is being dismantled and adjusted.
Don’t get me started on the need for perfect new players at the right age ready to slot straight in. Go and ask Olé how easy it is and what £100m doesn’t buy you. So far it looks like Everton have done well and good luck to them. Long way to go yet.
Wolves and Fulham obviously did not get the memo about letting in loads of goals if you were unable to score lots.
I thought Wolves the likeliest to put a few in, until that is Lookman came on. Good job he did n’t start. Fortunately he was unable to create chances and be on hand to put them away. Mostly Wolves looked OK with Fulham ‘s keeper a candidate for MOTM.
As for all the other results Greavsie’s old saying says it all. “Funny old game”.
I’m surprised Kilman’s contribution hasn’t been commented on more, thought he looked good in what must have been his Prem league debut, I think?
He distributed the ball well, and defensively was sound. Also Saiss did well in a new position for him.
Maybe we buy kids because we can’t get the established talent, they don’t want to come.? The forward we bid for, from Benfica I think, went to Spurs on loan. The guy from Arsenal( Niles )non! Then the Man City guy Zinchenko, non!
I’m not a conspiracy theorist so don’t think it’s all about lining the pockets of corporate agents, getting in young talent and selling on for big bucks.
But I’m not naive enough to think that isn’t also a big part of football. Indeed all of the big clubs do it. Jota is not setting the world on fire at Liverpool, and the Doc could be warming the bench this season.
Neto’s bit of brilliance won a turgid and nervy game, he’s a young talent. I’d rather see young talent bought, developed and reap the rewards on the pitch. There’s something more satisfying in that , as long as we are winning of course.
It’s too early to be either worried or to be too ecstatic about what we’re going to achieve this season. A lot of the teams look a lot better this time around, West Ham, Everton and Vile.
Well chuffed with the 3 points so it is onwards and upwards. There’s a lot to be positive about. Jiminez has signed a four year contract, Coady a five year. We’ve lost 2 very good players, but have a £35 million pound reserve striker. Just a word about Vinagre, he started with great promise but ultimately failed at Wolves, disappointed for him. I hope he prospers in Athens. Both for his sake and the profit we’ll get from his £22.5 million transfer fee.
Up the Wolves!
Villa’s result against Liverpool on the surface looks like a fluke but they have recruited well this time round they got the lad from Brentford who scored 27 goals last season in the Championship one of the hardest Leagues going
They’ve learnt there lesson from there first season and made astute signings.
Barkley wouldn’t have been a bad choice for us in my opinion. I saw that Villa played him much further forward than Chelsea were doing.
Funny old game, funny old weekend really. I will take the three points and move on.
Obviously we are a new work in progress, whether we needed to be is a moot point, but Nuno is the coach and he is in charge, we either have to lump or like it.
The Villa had a lucky result imo and the Shite are still shit.
You don’t beat this Liverpool team by luck you might not be able to say it but I will Villa deserved there win nine points out of nine that’s not lucky that the sign of a good team fully committed and know there roles.
Same with Everton they haven’t won all four of there games by luck either.
Have a bit of grace.
Well said , Paul although of course Liverpool’s best midfielders were absent as was Mane but their biggest miss was Ederson who is on a par with Rui as the best keeper in the league. Hopefully Rui will go through the season without injury.
I know, I meant Allison. Ederson is that other Brazilian ok keeper.
There defence was there normal defence Van Dyke Robinson.
I’m with Paul on this one
their
I’d like a bit of Grace.
When is she coming over?
What a difference a few weeks between last season and this can make; we’ve gone from a team that, in my opinion, should beat any other to one that looks more likely to lose. Boly has turned into Bennett, Raul has turned into Jota and, to coin a phrase, is it Neves’ brother that’s playing? Moutinho appears to have shot his bolt and Neves’ shot has bolted. Plus points, we have the best keeper week in week out in Patricio, Lord Nelson looks the biz and Neto is turning into a real star and Traore’s latest hair style is the best in the prem. Oh, and the Donk needs to play every game.
Work in progress..
Just three years ago we’d all be chuffed as punch for this result and performance…
Possiblity that this is the best year to have made so many changes…
It will come right
Good blog mate and I agree with the ‘fake it until you make it’ sentiment. Clearly, the team is in transition and we have to give them a bit of time.
I can understand why there are calls for another midfielder, but I think the main reason our performances have been disjointed is the wingbacks.
For two years, we’ve had the steady, reassuring presence of Jonny on one side and Doherty on the other. What both of those two did ever so well was get on the ball and link the play. Jonny, in particular, would often come inside and act as another midfielder. It gave the team more structure and solidity.
Semedo is not in the Doherty mould. In both games, he’s played like a winger. That’s not a criticism and he nearly scored yesterday, but it’s a clear departure from what has been happening down the right-hand side. Then on the left, we’ve had Marcal injured, Vinagre not performing and finally, Saiss asked to do a job.
Hopefully, after the international break, Marcal will be fit because his experience and stature would add a lot to the team. If not, hopefully, Rayan Ait-Nouri can offer a solution.
I have faith that there’s enough talent for Nuno to work with and ultimately find a combination that delivers performances and results.
Thomas I had just written more or less what you have just posted (not as elegantly I will admit)and your post popped up just as I was going to post mine, which is now consigned to the dustbin. I am glad someone else sees things as I do and I think that Ait-Nouri could be the surprise package of the season. I hope so.
We have possibly the best keeper in the league, one of the best strikers (when he gets service), Adama has hardly been let loose in an attacking role yet, Neto gets better every game and we haven’t seen the best of Podence. Lots of positives for the season especially if the midfield can find their mojo.
Thomas you have put that perfectly, thank you.
As for yesterday, we weren’t the best but I’ll take the 3 points.
Plus there were some positives to take, Semedo showed a glimpse of what he can do, Neto ran his socks off & I thought Kilman had a good solid game.
Let’s face it we’ve had no pre-season, Saiss was playing out of position & the new lads aren’t fully adjusted yet. No our fault but the current strange situation we are all in.
As for Fosun only in this for investment reasons, Tim Spiers put something on Twitter a while back from an interview with our owner. Apparently Guo Guangchang sets his alarm for 3am to watch the match (assuming 3pm kick off) then goes back to bed at 5! Now that’s dedication!
Its all been said so although this is a wolves blog i would like to express my total dismay with the scousers.
Do they not realise i live amongst those arrogant vile norbets ?
I now have to spend all week in lockdown because i dare not go anywhere near the pub.
Vile shirts , facemasks, hats and anything else they have in their wardrobes will be out and on display.
So who replaced the villa team with super aliens from another world or did the scousers have their brains washed by some strange light in the dressing room if i was klopp id have the tea tested.
There surely cant be another explanation and while we are at it have west ham hypnotised their players or are they all now super aliens as well.
What is going on ? will normal service be resumed shortly or have spectre bought the dildo brothers shares off them and unleashed some secret weapon.
Either way the vile sticking seven up the scousers is not something of this world so when you see a big spaceship hovering over vile park don’t be surprised.
Strange things are happening and i think nuno has sussed this out and decided that now is the time for change while everyone is waiting for the aliens to piss off which they surely will when they realize what a bollock they’ve dropped .
By the time reality returns we will have morphed into our new shape and everyone will think its wolves that have been taken over by super aliens as we rip the prem a new.
Keep the faith nuno knows what he is doing !
There lots of mentions of aliens and spaceships Spikey. Have you been smoking something?
oh come on cheesy surely of all people you must have a conspiracy theory to entertain us with.
Yes well there is a massive pigeon in the tree overlooking my back garden. And it keeps having an enormous shit on my lawn. So I blame EVERYTHING on that. Even when we lost to West Ham.
I’d get the neighbour’s cat on to that pigeon mate. He’ll sort it.
Agree with comments on Dendoncker, he just has to start. Neves and Moutinho are too similar and don’t get forward often enough Donk offers a different attacking option. The one thing we really lack is a driving midfielder, in the ilk of Barkley who impressed on his Villa debut. So often Neves, in particular, sits so deep and will choose a simple pass rather than attempt to drive forward.
An excellent report / summing up of our current position.
I think I mentioned elsewhere that, in my opinion, one of the reasons we were and had been off the boil since the restart was due to the vast number of high pressure games our lads played, including many international call ups, creating some temporary burn out. I think this along with the drop in times when the first team squad can get together for training and coaching, again due to call ups and periods of isolation have not helped. Previous to the break due to Covid, we always came very strong in the last twenty minutes of each game; the reverse tends to be true now. Other teams which were involved with the extended season for those in European competitions seem, also, to be experiencing difficulties at times when their class players look jaded and are making `tired` mistakes. Nuno seemed to recognise this, hence his comments on rest and recovery. After the European games many of the squads were straight away off, travelling training and playing in National teams. Some guys seem to be able to cope with the non stop requirements but some seem ground down to some extent, the edge, so necessary, at this level is missing from a number of player’s games to my mind. Class will come to the fore in the end so long as confidence is maintained. Neves seemed to be more like his old self at times yesterday with the inclusion of the hard working Dendonker taking some of the strain. Moutino is no spring chicken and needs to be used, in my opinion, more sympathetically picking and choosing the games he starts in as he will never lose the class. The only gripe I have at present is the need for a proven goal scorer to cover and assist Raul, but, hey ho, nobody wants to sell such players, so let’s hope the young lad can come good with time. With most of the squad gone and Leeds up next, that game is not going to be at all easy, but then no game is. I’d just love to be there being a small part of the twelfth man that our players find uplifting. Come on you Wolves…
Your logic is inescapable Debenham.
Ok, the match wasn’t great – they seldom are when your side is defending a 1-0 lead. Subsequent results in the day had a soothing effect on my outlook Wolveswise. We take the 3 points and move on.
It is a strange world we’re living in at the moment and football is doing its best to mimic it. I’m thinking it is not such a bad time for Nuno to develop a Wolves Mark 2.
Former E&S correspondent Tim Spiers seems to think that Wolves have completed their incomings for this window. If that is so, I am content with the Fabio Silva, Vitinha, Marcal, Semedo and Ait-Nouri signings (but disappointed with Jota’s departure). I look forward to them flourishing over the season, preferably sooner than later.
Arsenal have released gunnersaurus
This guy is class and would offer real competition to Patrício , not as mobile obviously but the sheer size of the guy would make it very difficult for any striker to put the ball past him .
If we only make one more signing before 11-30 tonight, I really hope it’s this guy .
Utw
Thanks Ben,
Realism in type. Love it.
“Nuno wants us to be a possession side, with no pre-season, that’s gonna take a little time, be patient, he knows what he is doing”
With the new blood not yet bloodied in, and a sort of change in our game play, this break has come at the right time for me. I do not expect us to lose our focus but expecting us to play awesome immediately after taking on new players is laughable really. I remain patient and I also see us, once Nuno has completed his nurturing and preparation, finishing in the top six without a doubt. I can be quoted in May!!!
Agree that the break has come at the right time Brompto’, but a pity so many of our players are away on international duty. I still feel this has been the best season to miss out on European footie as It gives us more time between games to work on systems, patterns etc etc.
I’ve come to the conclusion Wolves or should I say FOSUN are buying up all these young players with potential for one reason and one reason only future value it’s got nothing to do with improving the first team it’s all about future profit, hoping they’ll come good and will make a profit when sold on.
When other teams are buy players with experience and I’m not talking 33 year olds looking for a last pay check been there done that got the scars still.
look at Villa brought Watkins he’s 24 but been in the championship learning his trade and now he’s scored a hat trick on his debut against the current Premier League and World club Champions and it was not fluke.
PJB made a good point were are all the Mirs Burrs and Jordinos the fist batch of ones for the future gone farmed out with barely a sniff of the first team because Nuno didn’t rate them or want them.
L
I figure if you’re trying to make money rather than build a football team, you’re better off playing roulette. Less chance of losing your stake.
And your point……?
If you want to keep your money never mind add to it you wouldn’t do either..!
So why would an investment company buy a football club……..?
Because they might be able to have a return on the investment. It’s not rocket science.
There is no evidence to support this theory whatsoever.
Interesting facts.
Doherty played zero minutes for Spurs yesterday, and they scored six at OT.
Diogo played 90 plus minutes for Liverpool, and they let in seven.
Surely now the moaners and groaners and Fosun haters, on here especially, will admit, even if just to themselves, that Merlin Dr. Nuno knows what he is doing and did, when he let those two go.
And to all the naysayers, bitchers and complainers, I say this:
Fulham didn’t deserve anything from the game, because they couldn’t and didn’t score.
That is their problem not ours.
Cast your minds back to Spurs at home last season, when we played them off the park, and lost.
We played great, but didn’t deserve anything because they scored more than us.
We got over it, just like we will get over winning “ugly” whatever that is.
There is no such thing as a bad goal, and there is no such thing as a bad win.
Three points is ALL that matters.
Merlin has proved to be correct many more times than not, knows what he is doing and what he needs.
Fosun would not back him with a new contract if they had any doubts, with their money they could get anyone in to replace him, but no, in Nuno they trust, therefore so do I also, as well, besides.
And as I’ve stated once or twice (!) on here before, the future record books will show we won a football match by scoring more than our opposition, which really is the point, isn’t it?
Can’t argue with that .
Yes. Well said Clive. People should just chill out and relax. Bob Marley said ” Don’t worry about a thing . Every little thing gonna be alright”….
Yes but the players bought in are with Nuno’s blessing. He said yesterday he is happy with the transfer business. He also signed a new contract 2 weeks ago so he seems content with the set up.
when i first started scuba diving many years ago my instructor was a dutch man named evo van der gerven and before we went down deep for the first time he pulled out some toy monsters and said no matter what you see down in the dark cold gloom there wont be any monsters because they dont exist so do not panic keep calm and carry on.
now it seems to me a few people are seeing these monsters every where they look at the moment when really they should ignore them and carry on because all will be well in the end.
that said first time i dived in egypt a bloody great shark nearly took my head off so he was talking a right load of bollocks wasnt he !
For all of you who haven’t figured it out yet, Jorge and Nuno are pulling the strings. The young players they are bringing in are their choices, not Jeff or Fosun.
They did the same thing at Valencia.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/sep/21/valencia-fans-turn-on-nuno-la-liga
“…So? So this was the second summer backed by Peter Lim’s financial muscle and fans wanted stars. They got three 19-year-olds: exciting players understandably presented as a sign that the club were building for the future but not the players some supporters demand, while two of them were represented by Jorge Mendes, Lim’s business partner. …”
But Jeff and Fosun are signing the cheque. I don’t think decisions would be made without their involvement.
Reading the article Tim my impression is that Valencia fans love to moan (just like some other fans I can think of) and Nuno was a handy scapegoat.
We should sign that shark for 35m quid and play it in midfield. It would provide a ‘cutting edge’. The shark would be delighted to come to Wolverhampton. It would be impressed with the Art gallery. The grand theatre. The mon on the oss. And loads of pubs. I’ve heard there is a new lockdown rule coming for Wolverhampton pubs which admits up to 4 sharks . Table service only. And they must be in a bath 2m apart. Wearing a mask. Each shark is also limited to 10 pints of lager and will be kicked out at 10pm.
I think they would like it best in the Anchor, or the mermaid .. or perhaps the Moon under Water..
Like it…
I like mooning under water………….
I like mooning.
Combermere? Maybe not as that’s fresh water.
Thank goodness Lookman didn’t start
He immediately provided penetration and for me that’s the key
There’s a variety of ways to penetrate and I’m of the view that we are putting in place the players with the speed , technique and guts to overcome most defences… but getting to a place where they can each read each other’s minds will take time
( like Kane’s free kick to Son yesterday)
I get the 3 pts. is all that counts bit but I’ll take some losses if we can start to see progress in penetration
Podence
Traore
Neto
plus new better wingbacks, a revitalized Neves … Fabio and Jiménez will be thinking they’ve died and gone to
Heaven
So will we
OODCL
No teeth at all at present plus minimal service for Jiminez. Can’t quite understand what the club’s philosophy is currently as we keep acquiring “ones for the future” who either fall by the wayside, are loaned out or sit idling on the bench while the old “ones for the future” – notably Jota (major loss) and Vinagre are being shipped out of the door at a massive paper profit.
Rather than strengthening the squad I feel it is definitely weaker despite Nuno,’s cry for help in the summer and It certainly isn’t better balanced.
Sorry to be a naysayer but we are regressing and there seems now to be a real danger that the party could be over almost as quickly as it began.
Please prove me wrong Mssrs. Shi and Santo.
Nuno said yesterday he is happy with the transfer business. Wolves have a potential outlay of 110 million on transfers in. How can you doubt the backing of Fosun. It is beyond doubt. All business is directed by Nuno. He has said it himself. What is the problem?
Nuno’s not come out in public and say he’s not happy is he,as PJB has alauded to we have been her before, and it’s ended with them being shipped out with out a sniff of first team playing time apart from 10 minutes here and there.
Nuno’s is notorious for holding new players back from the first team, Adama, Catroni even Pedonce.
How do you know all business is directed by Nuno how do you know that Mendez is not whispering in Jeffs ear about his clients……vested interests.
And yet your all seeing oracle knows everything opposite to Cheeseburger’s……..
Interesting, that.
Because he has been in press conferences and post match interviews and said so. How clear does it need to be? Or is it just something that doesn’t fit your theory ?
Outlay of £110 million patently not true
For provisional NET outlay see below; assuming Vitinha and Vinagre deals eventually both go through they would roughly cancel each other out – if anything we should be around £5 million to the good.
Transfers in this window –
Sarkic free
Silva£ 35 million
Semedo £32 million
Marcal £2 million
Hoever £ 9 million
Vitinha (loan with option)
Ait Nouri (loan with option)
TOTAL £78 million
Transfers out / income
Doherty £15 million
Jota £45 million
Vinagre (loan with option)
Promotion Bonus payments for Costa / Cav £ 10 million
TOTAL £70 million
So not an outlay of £110 million but actually significantly less than £10 million.
In Jota we have lost a player who will probably go all the way to the top.
Barring Semedo all incomings can be considered short term or “ones for the future”, but we already have “ones for the future” on the books including Mir, Campana, Jordao, Cuitrone, Dashidov, Mathison who are all out on loan plus Leo Bonatini – total transfer value paid = over £30 million.
Sorry Jorge, Jeff and Nuno but this transfer strategy does little to convince me that we will be playing Champions League football in the near future as per your stated ambitions; it smacks more of treading water at best.
Nuno and Jeff seem content to take things a little slower than most of us fans would like.
I don’t mine personally if it means we build something better and more sustainable than a quick fix
We have our hands tied financially with financial un – fair play rules and are not in Europe this year so we can’t get certain players even if we offered them silly money.
I think Fosun are doing a brilliant job with our growth tbh
Jota may well go all the way to the top and if he does, good luck to him but he may not!
He may just carry on being inconsistent and warming the bench!
There were plenty who got frustrated with his form from time to time last year and Neto – podence we’re getting ahead of him anyway,
Let’s hope most of our young players are all peaking in a couple of years time and rip the league up
Either way this is 100 percent better than any thing I have watched since Richards, hibbitt,wagstaff etc
Utw
Marney
Agree with pretty much everything you say, and like you hope that at least some of this multi million pound array of potential we have purchased actually makes the grade because many up to now have fallen by the wayside. Also, if and when they do I would like to see them stay at OUR CLUB at least until they reach their full potential which I don’t believe has been the case with Jota.
Your point about FFP is also very valid. It’s no secret that FFP is designed to protect the self appointed UEFA elite against a whole clutch of ambitious clubs around Europe such as ourselves, Everton, Napoli, Sevilla and others of similar standing mainly in Italy, Spain, France and Germany (plus Portugal!).
And to be fair to Jeff and Fosun I think their transfer strategy is at least in part aimed at combating this issue – he has alluded to it himself more than once .
My main point is that whilst looking to a hopefully still bright future is all well and good you have also to concentrate very hard on the present. I am not confident that the current scenario is quite striking the right balance and I would hate to see all the fantastic work done over the last 3 years being compromised as a result. We all know that our squad last season was far too thin and all indications are that if anything it now looks even more so. I suspect if he could state his true feelings Nuno would say the same.
Consequently, at the very least we are currently losing momentum and a bad run of injuries (which we must be due) could just see us become involved in a potentially catastrophic relegation scrap.
Pjb
I remember when we bought podence wondering where he was going to play and it’s been said that maybe nuno made his decision to sell Jota and Doherty months ago, I will agree to disagree with you regarding players been moved on before their potential though
Coady
Boly
Jimenez
Patricio Dendoncker and possibly traore are all on or close to their potential and we’re very possibly being looked at by others but we kept them, in fact if you had of offered me those two going and not jimmy, neves or traore I’d have happily taken that .
I’m no European expert on our new guys but to be honest I didn’t know hardly any of our team before they arrived.
Maybe I see things Through a more positive lens than yourself because I absolutely do not see a relegation struggle.
We will play approximately 12-15 less games to last season and only have around a dozen games until the next window if we pick up too many injuries so I’m not too fussed.
It’s certainly going to be interesting though and we haven’t always been able to say that!
Incidentally, do you post on the bbc s. Football hys ?
Utw
Marney
just to tidy up I think we are really on the same page.
When I referred to reaching their full potential I was thinking more of the youngsters bought for their potential not those who were originally brought in as first teamers (almost all of whom have succeeded). But you have to admit that other than Jota, Vinagre (just) and Neto none have really made their mark and have almost without exception fallen by the wayside.
I don’t necessarily think your views are over positive, but neither am I a half glass empty person and I don’t EXPECT to be in a relegation battle; however I do think it’s realistic to fear that if Lady Luck is unkind to us with injuries then we could face a very tough season with the lack of numbers and experience at our disposal, the bench can look very green and immature.
And yes I do sometimes post on the BBC hys, but find on a busy day a lot of both content and context can get submerged in a morass of often idiotic remarks.
I predict a halfway finish but still hope for better with a fair wind behind us despite my misgivings.
All good mate, I have only just started reading the bbc posts but your right, a wolves thread can quickly get taken over by morons from other clubs .
Fingers crossed Regards to our injuries then and hopefully good game time for the young dude’s.
Utw
1. How do you know where we will finish this season? We are only 4 games in. 2. I said ‘potential outlay’ which includes converting loans in to deals and is not a ‘net spend’.
1. I don’t know but would think around mid table and hope for better.
2, Outlay figures (potential or otherwise) are still meaningless unless income is also taken into account. As I said the probable NET OUTLAY (ie PROJECTED OUTGOINGS LESS PROJECTED INCOME) is likely to be around £10 million not £110 million – a very different story. Your-figure is skewed and misleading.
Everyone seems to forget Jota wasn’t exactly pulling up trees for most of last season and a fresh challenge will do him got for which I wish him the very best of luck – as I do with Vinagre.
I’m of the mind that was a great piece of business.
*Do him good.
you mentioned penetration twice and penertrate once ……thats bordering on naughty .
or is it my warped mind?
So what happens to Bennett and Miranda?
You can quibble about whether our starting 11 are a little better or worse than last season but we have certainly lost ground to many teams above and around us in the Premier League, as far as player personnel goes.
Add to that people now saying Joao has suddenly become useless and I don’t know where we will end up?
Around 9th or 10th?
But on the positive side, we are still on target for 57 points.
I forgot that the domestic market is still open.
You make things up, Tim. Nobody has said that Moutinho is useless.
Problem is he needs a rest because unlike Neves and the recently departed Jota he has been playing virtually all 90 minutes in Portugal’s games.He will come again, have no doubt.
We have 6 points from 12 @1.5 per game
Over 38 games that’s 57 points
Not a bad start while new players settle in really
Utw
Clive from Houston…
“What the best dressedM62 tent dwellers are wearing”
-Mountain warehouse has Properly gone downhill .
You have just stepped over the line !
When Fosun bought wolves, they not only bought one of the oldest football clubs in the world but also one of the most recognisable logos in the world.
Glance at a bunch of logos and try to put a name to it instantly! It’s a bit tricky, but one look at our and most people know who we are.
With the premier league going out to over 180 countries with an audience of over 4 billion the coverage is massive.
When people ask why an investment company would buy a club like wolves? I think they are asking the wrong question,
Maybe it should be why wouldn’t an investment company buy a club like wolves .
Utw
We have the best logo in the world oh so that’s why Fosun brought Wolves yeah it all makes sense now…..non sense……..haven’t won a major trophy for 40 years 60 if like a lot of people you discount the League Cup.
Well that logo hasn’t appeared in many finals lately . I havent heard such dribble in all my life.
Your welcome.
We are in a better position to win a trophy now than 4 years ago
It’s very simple
Utw
And what do you think when all these people round the world think when they see our logo………..who are they probably never heard of them have they won anything……where as Liverpool there thinking winners European Champions, Club World Champions ,Premier League Champions.
Honestly, really.
We would get more recognised and exposure if we actually won a trophy why do you think everyone instantly recognises Utd badge, Liverpools bagde Chelseas badge.
Blooming eckk give us a chance weve only just come out of the darkness and into the light.
Its taken those teams you mentioned years and hundreds of millions to get where they’ve got.
A few more seasons please and you will get your trophies……. lots of them.
For now have some patience .
Well, someone has to say it, and it might as well be me, as I have been accused of having no filters.
Paul, are you a 100% wind up merchant, or do you truly detest anything Wolves related, as all your posts seem to suggest?
If the former, you are doing a great job.
If the latter, may I all so very politely, in my option, as you put it, ask you to go to Anfield, whose boots you seem to enjoy licking and drooling about?
Quite a few on this blog are growing weary of your tiresome tirades and rants, your constant selling of dead equines.
We get your pain, but you need to get over it and move on.
You will notice, despite my better judgement, a complete lack of profanities, expletives and cuss words.
I must be mellowing.
All the big words can be found in a dictionary.
Posted at 14:08 …
And surprisingly no reply….
Come on AD67 let’s have it then….
Both barrels…..
I too have grown tired of the negativity you emanate…
Of course we’re all entitled to an opinion…..
But the one common denominator is that we all love Wolves ( bar a few) and considering where we’ve come from and allegedly to where we are going to I think we’ve done amazingly well….
OK some outs don’t sit well but if you prefer Moxey, or maybe Dean Saunders,, or perhaps Terry Connor … then head off in their direction….
I have been wondering if Paul is a Sandwell Town supporter – it seems a possible explanation for his apparently extreme views, and that he is on a wind-up. As a citizen of Sandwell it would also explain his distinctive use of the English language.
How’s that for restraint CFH.
Its a good sign alot of peoples attitude towards recent performances. I mean we are acting like a top 6 team now. But i still think time is needed, with the influx of new players adding there own skills to the pack – it was never going to work after 1 game. Going out the league cup is a hindrance but the level/expectation of the players brought in is massive.
This is (in essence) a new group. New defence etc – its going to take time. This season should be used to gel THESE players together for a champions league finish next season. Obviously this is my opinion but there is no need to panic…. just yet.
Still feel underwhelmed by our transfer business.
We have overloaded in some positions and not addressed in others.
I personally would have liked Traore sold before Jota and it now seems he is a key player going forward.
We are going to be very lucky for all these new players to hit the ground running.I just cannot see us improving on last season as our rivals have all improved their squads.
Agree Dave , I’d have kept Jota two and Adama and added quality proven players.
Very interesting analysis on sky sports re: transfer activity which is perhaps a sign of how Fosun intend to conduct transfer activity as we evolve i.e. buy predominantly young premium talent with potentially high re sale values over 3 to 5 Year period. Hopefully in the intervening period they help wolves climb the table but will likely to be sold on by 23-27 at latest when they likely reach peak value. Our net spend in this transfer window is 5th lowest at 7.6m. The six teams who finished above us last season have net spends ranging between 36m and 213m. It will be interesting to see where this strategy takes us but I think Fosun by and large have concluded their seed investment. Everything from this point is likely to be self financing through player sales, increased commercial revenues etc or from partner investment.
Nice one sutton you as i live amongst the vile so i feel for you.
(By the way they are already talking about winning the champions league.)
Yes thats seems a very level headed way to run a business and just because our owners choose not to simply throw good money after bad in the pursuit of the holy grail it doesnt mean we wont be up there with them by journey’s end.
If we end up in continous mid table mediocrity in a few seasons time obviously i will feel differently but at the moment i believe fosun are searching for a different path to the promised land .
I also firmly believe we are being watched very closely in our methods as even the most wealthy billionaires dont like wasting their money and im quite sure if fosun find a different way they will follow .
Short term success is all very well… in the short term…. but sustainable success without emptying the bank account seems to be a much more sensible way forward.
I feel the pain of both of you having gone through school as the only wolves fan amongst hundreds of blues- Villa .
Now I’m surrounded by all comers and strangely enough quite a few wolves fans!
Utw
I’m a Wolves fan and as such, I judge my club on results and performances. The last few years have seen progress in those areas that I could have scarcely imagined previously.
Fosun are the owners. Whatever they want from the club is their business and as long as I see results and performances, they’ll get my absolute backing. It’s their money. I lose any claim to it when after I’ve bought my match ticket or woolly scarf. They spend as they see fit and results and performances since they bought us show they are doing a bloody good job of it. A few poor performances will not shake my belief, not by a long cheese.
However they want to get there is fine by me. I’m confident that their goals and mine are pretty much the same.
Thank you Steve. I say thank you as I believe you feel as the MAJORITY feel. It is a shame that a few others are so ignorantly impatient. When Man City “bought” their success they did not achieve it for some time. This is our 3rd season only, so I too am extremely happy with what Nuno is doing. I have never seen Wolves at this level ever.
Cheers Brompto’. I’m always fearing that Jeff Shi will read all the complaints and say ‘sod ’em then’ and we’ll be back where we started.
I say thank you too Steven boy … a very very level headed response..
Like it…..
I say thank you too Stevie boy … a very very level headed response..
Like it…..
OK Twixy. I got it the first time.
Seriously though, it’s just the way I see it and I’ve seen absolutely no evidence that they are losing interest in the ‘project’. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Several posters have commented positively about Max Kilman.
On the few occasions I have seen him play I have been impressed.
He is 23 now. On Sunday he did not put a foot wrong. Solid , strong and consistent are qualities frequently cited to be important in a centre back. I think in addition to those qualities he is calm, confident on the ball , sure footed and can pass accurately. Of course, he is good in the air too. He demonstrated all of those qualities against Fulham.
Imagine if we had just signed him from another club , like Hoever for about £10
million and this was his first game. I , for one, would be delighted.
I wonder how much he is worth in the transfer market.
I know he is now very much a part of the first team squad and I hope to see more of him.
Had the highest percentage for his passing too Kendal
Very assured I thought although he looked nervous as hell in the tunnel before the game.
More games will help him now
Utw
I think this is an excellent point Kendal. Other than the victory, he was a big positive that came out from the game. Considering our LWB injuries and vinagre leaving, I was somewhat reassured when he was on the team sheet. Despite his lack of games, I instinctively think that he’s going to do better than saiss, because he is a central defender playing in his preferred position. I love saiss to bits, but LCB is not his natural position. If anything he looked better on the wing. At least it was in midfield!
I’d like to see Kilman hold down his place. With the issues trying to make the possession football work / being a tad lightweight in the centre of midfield, you feel he could be better placed to help there.
But Nuno knows more than all of us. So let’s see what happens.
Good point KW. I don’t recall him having a ‘bad’ game and would be more than happy if he were given a run of games to try to cement his place.
He would have had an ‘assist’ too if Raul had put away his clearance?
Interesting chat on the bbc regarding transfer window,
One neutral fan suggesting wolves have had the best window- keeping our best players and buying up some of Europe’s best young talent,
Very similar to the Dortmund system?
Utw
Anyone interested in seeing this, here is a blow by blow of –
Our Transfer incoming spending. (£83.6m)
Our Transfer Outgoing income. (£76m)
Our total spending. (£7.6m)
Number of players in (7)
Number of players out (17)
If we do well this year and these guys come up Trumps, then we are running the best football club in Europe.
Yes, it could all go tits up, by I’m in the camp where I think it will work.
Anyone think Chelsea are going to win the league, having spent almost 1/4 billion pounds.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12090622/premier-league-transfers-spending-breakdown-after-deadline-day
Man City brought there success so, they have owners wh o want success and the finance to make it happen there not pissing about with 10 year plans they want to we trophies NOW and so do there fans.
As buying success goes what wrong with that every club that has been successfull in the last 25 years or so of the Premier League era has brought success starting with Blackburn.
But even before then when transfers were first introduced God knows when clubs have been buying and selling players to achieve success, nothing new.
And I find it really arrrogant and misleading of some on here the claim there view is the majority view of all Wolves fans………show me the proof have you conducted a pole of all 22,500 season ticket holders.
It might be the majority of Bloggers on this site does not give you the right to claim you speak for ALL Wolves fans…..how bloody arrogant, some on here believe there own self importance to much.
One last thing Any sports team or sports person became part of a team or compete solo to win……to try and be the best at there sport…..not to finish 2nd 3rd oh and it’s not the taking part that counts ….its winning, winning trophies oh but aparantly not if you are a Wolves fan…..according to claims made by this blog most Wolves fans are just happy with mediocre ………not me or thousands more Wolves fans that this blog does not and cannot claim to represent.
But Paul. We have come from bottom 3rd championship side in 2017 . Yes 2017. To two consecutive top 7 finishes on the premier league. And I would argue VAR robbed us of at least top 5 last season. An FA Cup semi final ( as painful as it was) and a Europa League quarter final. Do you seriously have such a massive distrust in the serious Decision Makers currently at our club. And I most definitely include you Paul. Because I believe you just want the best for Wolves. But I do find some of the negative moaning and whining amongst some fans to be quite unreasonable. And come next April/May if Wolves are in a perilous position then I will gladly hold my hands up and say I was wrong. Its alright banging on about trophies but how many league titles have Villa won in the last 100 years. Two less than Wolves. I just ask for some understanding of how far we have come . You also have to listen closely to what Fosun and Nuno are saying. You cant just dismiss it as rhetoric. Some fans are suggesting they know better than Nuno as to what is required. This bloke has earned loads of respect for what he has done so far and deserves some leeway whilst the rebuild and evolution is in process.
Who rembers teams that finished 7th…..who rembers teams that got to a semi final part from there own fans.
People rembers winners……..not losers.
I will forever remember the excitement and sea change under Fosun. Who can forget those pulsating wins at Spurs (twice). Man City ( home and away). Chelsea. Arsenal. The list goes on. Not good enough for you though Paul.
Every time Wolves win its not just good it’s brilliant. A we’ve had 2 good seasons in the Premier League finished 7th.
I to was excited when Fosun took over and to be fair they’ve done a really well for us.
But I’m the sort of person who looks forward the past is the past if we are forever going to judge our progression and success by were we were 3, 4, 5, years ago then we may as well just accept finishing 17th in the Premier League year on year.
When I say I’m not the sort of person who looks at the past, if I did I’d look back to the mid 1950’s when we’re were champions 3 times and won a F.A Cup in 1960 and just missed out on the double.
Well. Well. I actually agree with you to a certain extent. But where we part company is the insinuation that Fosun are backward looking. But hey! Let the dust settle on the window. We have all made our views forcibly known. And we are Wolves. All of us. Only time will deliver the verdict.
They can’t all be typographical errors Paul. Its, ‘their’, not ‘there ‘. So there!
Don’t be pedanntic.
It’s pedantic.
Have you thought about supporting Liverpool? Might cheer you up.
Please stop being so negative and argumentative. It is so depressing.
Just my opinion.
Don’t worry about it Paul, these old folks are still comparing the current situation to the Bhatti brothers era.
That being said, we have half or one-third of the revenue of some other teams and so we can’t go out and just buy whoever we want. We have to try to multiply our investments by buying young or buying and selling.
Not comparing to Bhatti era at all. If you are comparing the Bhatti brothers to Fosun international then you are seriously deluded.
Paul, this blog certainly cannot claim to fully represent 22,000 season ticket holders or the hundreds of thousands of Wolves fans across the World.
But it is read by a large cross section of supporters. Thomas probably has the figures but it must run in to the thousands.
Anybody can have an opinion and make it known.
Out of those who want to comment, most of them have a different opinion to you.
Thomas hasn’t recruited just Fosun fans or Nuno nuts to make comments.
So, by the law of averages, it would seem logical that their opinions are in the majority.
They are not arrogant, self important or happy with the mediocre.
They are just stating what they feel.
That’s their right – and yours.
When people come out with ” I think I can speak for most Wolves supporters or I’m sure most Wolves supporters ” that is not an valid statement.
I never say I speak for most Wolves fan because I don’t . And let me correct you it was Brompton who used the ” ignorant impatient ” term first when talking about Bloggers with views that are not the same as his.
I get labeled with ” moaner ” fine and other childish terms…just reinforces my point of view when people cannot come back with a sensible counter argument.
I’ve tried to explain, quite reasonably and rationally I thought, why people seem to disagree with you.
Obviously without success.
Goodnight Paul.
Sleep well mate.
Would like to clarify my point about this transfer window,for the patient smug.
Whether or not he would have come to the club,or we could afford him,was James Rodrigues ever offered?
After all he is Mendes client.
There in lies the challenge this club has,can we attract this kind of player?
Are we forced to look for potential youthful players as a result?
While l have no objection to this policy and let’s hope it’s a good formula,my concern is the EPL is an unforgiving learning league.
I don’t think Paul is an A****n fan, I can remember him on the E&S page some years ago and he was always moaning then.
Some people are glass half full, some glass half empty. Sadly Paul doesn’t even have a glass.
This is the best we’ve been for what? Forty or fifty years? If you can’t be happy now or at least content then you never will be.
And what if this is as good as it gets? What if we never break into the top four? Will you spend the rest of your life miserable? Plenty of clubs would love to swap places with us and I try to look for the positives in life.
And then when it all goes pear shaped I just spend more time in the allotment. Does wonders for my inner calms!
Mediocre……….Mediocre……….I think that sums up your argument, your life and intellect.
Never was on the E&S page………again come back with facts and a sensible counter argument instead of silly captions. I bet you jump on every band wagon because yo cannot formulate a view of your own.
It’s to easy it really is…..!
I have gone on record several times if not more to say we have come a long way. My point is do we stop here a tread water or do we go to the next level.
Fosun again I’ve documented this are not true football people we are an investment hence the policy of buying young players with potential and then sell them on for a profit which in my eyes makes us a nursery club for bigger clubs long term but at the same time keep the first team ticking over without actually committing to challenging the elite.
As for attacking players City are attracting the top players because they have a record of competing and winning trophies.
Someone has blogged even if we went for the top players the might not come there may be a certain truth in that but when Chelsea and City and going back Blackburn came in to money that’s how they persuaded the best to come and play for them they went the extra mile then once you start winning trophies it get easier to attract top players because they see the club are serious about winning silverware.
Fosun are not the owners in the same mold as City and Abramavich and never will be now or in five or ten years they will keep on investing just enough to make Wolves variable they keep bringing in players to sell on we might get the odd Europa League spot might even win a Cup if they take them serious .
But don’t kid yourselves that in five ten years we are going to be word beaters……it’ s fantasy………it’s a way of keeping the fans on side.
Gotta say, Paul, I love your last sentence above, and you are 100% correct, you will never be a word beater!!
Have a good week.
Paul, Clive knows of what he speaks. He is the master beater.
Please can you explain what “true football people ” are Paul. If you look at the ownership of any top club in England, I think that you might be hard pushed to claim that they are true football people. Name just one and I bet that there would be an argument for shoot that assertion down in flames. Like it or not, football at the very top is now big business.
I’m always on side … was onside when I was a little kid … was onside and at the lowest ever attendance .. was onside when were so skint t hat we couldn’t print a programme
Was onside trudging round factories in the Midlands selling scratch cards to try and raise money for the Wolves and ill be onside when I take my last fucking breath .
Not if VAR has it’s way, you won’t.
Well I’m off………. I’ll leave you all to it may be ill come back in 5 years see how your getting on.
Hopefully we’ll have won something by then. Stranger things have happened.
I’m happy with my contribution to this Blogb and think I have put my views across with good grace most of the times.
It’s been fun, emotional, entertaining frustrating but it’s become a chore it’s become them and us and I cannot be bothered to deal with people who result to labelling and pigeon hole people just because there views are different.
Wolves For Ever…..!
I posted this above but perhaps, given your last statement, it belongs here.
I’ve tried to explain, quite reasonably and rationally I thought, why people seem to disagree with you.
Obviously without success.
Goodnight Paul.
Sleep well mate.
Paul. I hope you don’t leave the blog. It’s just people expressing their views. You give as good as you get and fair play to you.For me. I apologise if you feel fed up about it . Between you and me it is just a bit of jousting. Hope you will continue on the blog. And anyway will miss our chat about the old punk scene.
Lighten up, for fuck sake Paul, its only a football blog,its a bit of fun for Wolves fans.
Trust you to call it like it is Witley.
Trouble is, Paul has drained all the fun and banter out of this blog with his non stop whinging. He needs a sense of humour and perspective. The blog has started to turn sour similar to when Amanda was expelled several years ago.
You mean Clive’s girlfriend?
FUN… for Wolves fans?….
Nope! Doesn’t compute mate.
Good riddance!
Speaking of ones for the future, Shabani was one for the future last summer, coming from a little team called Bayern Munich, where he backed up some guy called James Rodriguez, and now he can’t even get on the bench because some Portuguese kid with a stupid hairstyle has been signed. (Maybe what Patrick said was right)
So let’s not get all excited about ones for the future.
It’s not the future yet, Tim.
Yes, but he’s already been eclipsed by someone from Portugal. Nuno has discarded him faster than Prince Charles discards underwear.
Tim, meritan shabani had an anterior cruciate ligament injury on his first team debut for wolves and so missed the lion share of last season. The fact he has got in the squad and the bench so quickly on his return ( in at least one of the games this season I think) indicates to me that he hasn’t been discarded rather he is gently being eased back. However, because of his injury it’s probably wise that neither of us try to predict what might happen with him in the fullness of time
Exactly, Sutton. Might be worth checking your facts before making such wild comments, Tim. He didn’t exactly cost the earth either. Also, how was he a back up for someone who was primarily a back up himself? You do get my back up with some of comments.
Someone making 43 appearances in 2 years is a back-up?
Well yes, actually Tim. That’s out of 76 league games and how many of them were as substitute? On the back of a fantastic 2014 world cup he secured a move to Real but was a relative failure there and at Bayern.
Pliny the Elder said “The only certainty is that nothing is certain.“ Those words of wisdom can be received as either encouraging or disheartening.
Complaining and pessimism are negative and damaging. Success is much more likely in an atmosphere of optimism.
Mike Bailey was one of the best players and captains Wolves ever had.Towards the end of his time as a Wolves player I recall he had quite a lengthy lay off with an injury. In his first match back he didn’t play well and a significant proportion of the Molineux crowd booed him off the pitch. I was there and I remember it well because I found it so appalling.How shortsighted and foolish that was. Negativity raising its ugly head once again.We have to learn from the mistakes of the past.
Nuno must have a detailed understanding of Fosun’s plan. He wouldn’t have signed a new contract unless the plan was supportive of further progress over the next three years.
Fosun had no knowledge of Football when they purchased Wolves but I believe they have learned quickly and Jeff Shi in particular seems dedicated to his job and to achieving success. What they did have right from the start was shrewdness and the ability to spend money efficiently and wisely. To compare Wolves net spending in this transfer window to that of other clubs is taking a very narrow short term view. Some clubs will have spent money foolishly others very obviously can afford to spend more than Wolves.If you must judge Fosun the best way is to simply consider what they have achieved since they arrived.
Bookmakers are another shrewd bunch. Their current betting odds indicate Wolves will finish in ninth place which in a season of change would be very good. Another reason to be optimistic.
Keep smiling everyone !
ooh i like that one old chap.. well said.
When pondering on our present position I set myself a simple quiz.
So simple, it consists of just the one question:-
Q) What would you prefer
Wolves owned by a Super-rich Chinese organisation prepared to invest big money in the club in order to remain, and hopefully be successful, in The Premier League. Even though some people might think they are only in it to make money.
Or
Morgan and Moxey.
Haven’t quite come up with the answer yet, but give me time…
Do Chelsea fans say 6th place will be good enough because the previous owners were bad?
Asking for a friend.
Tell your friend that Chelsea have had the same owner for years.
He’s invested millions of pounds in them.
They’ve achieved loads of success.
Now the fans assume they are entitled to more.
So the short answer to your ‘friend’s’ question is “NO”.
…I think.
Doogooder.
6th place for Chelsea this season will see Lampard get the sack. Even 4th place is risky. As a season ticket holder I’ve seen more Chelsea matches than I’ve had hot dinners. I know the vibe there. I know what they think before they even think of it. Trust me!
Please sir can i answer !!!
Ok……. i think Fosun because i believe they will invest every penny and more back into the club = certainty
BUT….. some people think they wont or dont = uncertainty
but i do so thats my mind made up.
Sceptics should answer morgan and moxey..because.. you know 100% that if the club made any money they would keep it for themselves…. = certaintY
how many out of ten ?
could i say something else please.
thanks.
hands up who is bored shitless by international breaks ?
Really enjoyed reading this, thought it was written really well! I agree with the point regarding how the evolution wasn’t going to be linear and dips and troughs are absolutely to be expected.
Regardless of whether he succeeds at Spurs, Doherty was a vital cog in the Wolves machine and represents a huge loss to the club. However, while Wolves grow into one of the big hitters in the Premier League, losses like this are unfortunately inevitable and the main thing is to be able to try and level them out with smart signings. Semedo might not set the world alight but all that is needed to steady the ship in the absence of the likes of Jota and Doherty are a few sensible signings, whilst, as you said, things right themselves on the training ground and in future transfer windows.
I do genuinely enjoy this blog and have commented on a few posts now, so I hope this doesn’t purely come across as a vehicle for shameless self promotion, but I have written a piece on a few hidden gems that the Championship has to offer now that the Premier League window is closed. I’d love to get your guys’ thoughts on whether you think some of these more low profile signings would be any good, especially since one of them is a former Wolves player –
https://latestfooty.net/2020/10/07/the-hidden-gems-that-premier-league-clubs-should-be-looking-at/
Like your inclusion of Wallace, always liked him when he played here and I agree he has improved as he got older. However I do not think he would improve our current team.
So all of you talking about this buying one for the future, here’s a question.
Whatever happened to Zeli Ismail? Has he turned good yet?
There’s an expression we have on this side of that big water thing. It goes like this.
“A bird in hand is worth two in the bush”.
Another one is.
“Don’t count your chickens until they hatch”.
Instead of “bird” or “chicken”, think “starting 11 player”.
I prefer:
“A hand in the bush of a bird or two”
But that’s just my old mind, dating back to the Bhatti years.
We didn’t buy Zeli.
He was an academy product. Joined Wolves at the age of ten.
Didn’t cost us anything.
Don’t remember him being hatched or in a bush.
WE also have several expressions on our side of the water.
“What point are you trying to make?” Is one of them.
Doesn’t matter if you buy him or develop him.
And the point should be obvious – You can buy a lot of potential starts and they may work out or you can buy one already star and increase the likelihood that he will be good on your team.
I think we have at least 4 young attacking midfielders. Gibbs-White, Jordao, Vitinha and Shabani. Plus the ones in the under-23s. Could have just bought one very good one and be done with it.
Gibbs-white (academy product), Jordão (<10m), Vitinha (no cost so far), Shabani (<2m).
What’s your point Tim? Which ‘and have done with it’ player for the first team would you like for 12m?
If your suggesting we should have already made that investment, in the form of a better first team player, we would have breached FFP more than we already have. You’ve already mentioned on previous occasions our lower net income compared with the established elite clubs. And that doesn’t put us in the most commanding position to go out and spend more.
We spent nothing this transfer window. Zero!!!
And if you want to play the loan game, then we can loan some international with an option to buy. See, I can do that, too.
(I know his wages are super high but James seems to be doing OK. Everton have similar revenue to us. €25 million was spent to buy him.)
It must have been a magic money tree. It was nice to see Fabio Marcal Semedo Hoever all come in for nothing. Bloody good business I say.
I also want to see the best quality players at the club. And a player like James Rodríguez would be perfect. But I can also understand the transfer policy we have had in place to date.
From my point of view we’ve spent a lot, and received a lot. If you bring sums into it, yes we’ve balanced the books. Is that seen as a bad thing now?
If I made a few hundred pounds at work, and then spent it all on wolves merchandise, I’m sure my wife wouldn’t be chuffed with the argument I hadn’t actually spent any money at all.
If you sold old Wolves merchandise and then used that money to buy new Wolves merchandise, would your wife be chuffed with the argument ? Whatever chuffed means.
It’s been fun Tim, but let’s do this again some time on a different subject. Doesn’t look like we are changing each other’s views on this one anytime soon. I don’t think I will ever understand the thinking that you’ve only spent money if you also don’t sell. Just my opinion and value yours too.
And chuffed is another word for happy.
Which VERY good one would you suggest?
And would he come to a club like Wolves who are not ‘Top Six’, who’s owners are, in your words, only out to make money and are not ‘football people’.
Asking for a friend.
I prefer –
A bird in the hand sh*ts on your wrist.
The thing with ones for the future is that we all need to have very clear expectations. In many respects the under 23s and downwards versus the first team are almost completely separate entities. In an ideal world there would be a steady conveyor belt of talent from one to the other but the fall out rate from one to the other is always going to be immense – not just as wolves but at any other club. In the mid 70s when I started watching wolves the progression between the reserves was more evident – think of brazier, hazel, berry, eves et al. However, now it is a global game and so competition to even get into our academy teams is a lot fiercer than it has ever been. You then have to consider we are also now a pl team recently competing in Europe and so the transition is massive compared to what it was only a few years ago when talent was jumping to league one or the championship. Fosun’s primary purpose for buying ones for the future is I think two fold. In the majority of cases it will be to make young players better so that they can be sold on at a profit to fund investment in areas of the club including potential first team acquisitions. The other dimension is occasionally they will unearth a star of true pl quality. Remember however, over the course of c. 15-20 years pre Fosun, we in reality probably only unearthed 3 such gems in Keane, lescott and Murray. I don’t think Fosun should be criticised for its investment in future stars. They should only be criticised if it starts to become unbalanced and to the detriment of building an ever better first team squad
Si Senor
Give the ball to Raul and he will score………… for Mexico!
Come on me Ninos!!
What do you call a Mexican footballer from West Texas?
El Paso!
And 6 players taking the field in tonight’s Spain/Portugal match and one ex in Jota!
Spain had 60% of the play in the first half and were all over the Portuguese. In the second half Traore came on and caused havoc, the Portuguese guys brought on some good subs and improved greatly, almost scoring against the run of play. Patricio made some great saves and kept the team in the game.
Jota came on, did a lot of running around some nice touches but couldn’t get a goal.
Semedo had a terrific game lot’s of nice touches but couldn’t contain Traore
Pundits on TV raving about what a great game it was but no goals.
Ended 0-0.
Seem familiar to any of you?
Asking for myself, Iv’e got no friends.
Sound familiar too?
Phew. On down, one to go.
No, incorrect. One has probably gone, the other is getting better ……. I think.
I really struggled to understand a certain individual, I tried but I failed. Hopefully I will start enjoying the blog again, disagreeing with my fellow bloggers about how I saw a game go and discussing views without there being a sort of disbelief verging on hatred of the fact the owners have a plan for the future. The “I want to win, not now but right now” attitude took it’s toll on me.
Bring on Leeds.
Sorry Steve,
I will have a word with Clive.
I might have missed something but I haven’t read anything on this blog about the fact that Conor Coady was the players’ representative sitting next to Gareth Southgate at the England Wales prematch press conference.
Should we read anything into this?
Being groomed for captaincy?
Or is it just because he’s probably the one player who can be trusted not to get pissed, invite girls to his room, have a party which breaks Covid 19 rules or attack a policeman?
Either way, it’s a bit of a coup for the lad.
He’s clearly very proud to wear the England shirt and desperate to keep it. Over the years he has worked hard and earned his cap. Unlike Foden, Greenwood, Abraham, Sancho and Chilwell who have been on the scene for five minutes.
Fortunately Coady is a grown up with a family and loving his time as a footballer with our team, appreciating what he’s got. Any manager would love him.
And he’s got us! What more is there?
England v wales itv. I reckon Roy Keane has downed a few bevvies. He sounds a bit pissed.
YESSSSSSSS!
CONOR COADY!!!!!
Our Connor scoring for England!
W t f Conor ??
Sorry .. captain Conor of England
Conner .:. 2 n s
OH MY LIFE
CONNOR COADY …PLAYING FOR ENGLAND
CONNOR COADY…CAPTAIN OF ENGLAND
CONNOR COADY… SCORING FOR ENGLAND
WOW !!!!
Humble pie for those calling for his head after the West Ham game? What a great role model compared to the prat’s who seem to think rules apply to others.
We know what you are.
We know what you are.
Captain of England.
We know what you are.
First Wolves player to captain England since Billy Wright ? Wow. Right up there with a true Wolves legend !
I stand corrected. Apparently it was Emlyn Hughes in 1980. Bloody long time however you look at it.
Doherty misses a penalty in the shootouts and the Rep of Ireland are out.
Oops.
Captain Connor.
Cometh the hour…………
George Saville is still shit.
And Coady’ s shit eating grin is bigger than Clive’s
Congrats Conor. Does anyone deserve it more?
I knew I’ve seen the away shirt before.
Last year they were calling him the guy with the annoying voice. How far he’s come on.
https://twitter.com/wolves/status/1314582390665211904?s=21
That’s great Stu. He spoke with real feeling.
Pedro Neto (2) and Vitinha providing all the goals so far for Portugal U21 tonight against Norway.
Future is looking good.
Conor Coady, we are so proud of you, captain of Wolves and England. (Can you start scoring for us now please)
BBC report on Portugal v Spain, “Can we call this The Wolves derby”
Can anyone out there seriously say they saw this coming when Nuno was hired?
And not to belabour the point but we don’t just want to get into the Champions League or the Europa League for prestigue or to attract better players but there is also a financial gain to being there which will allow us to buy bettter players – both young and established.
So dicking around and saying we will be better in 3 or 4 years might cost us 100 million pounds or more in television revenue.
We see through your cunning plan, Tim.
You are continuing with your theory so this blog post can reach 300 comments, a feat rarely achieved.
With another week to go before the Leeds preview, if you get in touch with your mates Amanda and Paul you might well get there!
If you change your subject, you might even get some positive responses, …………………… but I doubt it.
Clivestroker:
I’m not looking for positive comments – I’m looking for the truth.
Some of you are a little slow on the uptake and after I say something, realize I was correct a month or two later, once the facts on the ground show me to be.
For instance, I was all in favour of hiring a manager who would have Wolves play a more European style while many people here wanted to stay with a coach with Championship experience. You know, Paul Lambert.
As soon as you saw Wolves first exhibition match people saw the light and said we were playing like Brazil, not Stoke. They quickly jumped on board.
Then there were the people who wanted to sell Adama because he would never amount to anything good. I said to keep him because of his unique skill set and slowly teach him what to do – for example, look while he is driving to the goal line so he can see where to pass it.
Guess who was right?
Then there were the people who thought we would finish in the bottom quarter of the table our first year in the Premier League. Some of you said you would be more than happy to finish 17th and just survive. You know – consolidate.
I said we would finish 5th (and you said 3rd) and I was much closer to the correct answer.
Do you think people on here would have the same immense pride in Wolves current team if we had finished 17th and 14th in the first two seasons?
So yeah, I’m not here to get positive comments, I’m here so that my friends get the valuable insight into the future from me, Nostratimmus.
Mouse and clockwork comes to mind, or are you really Dog Almighty?
So you said we would finish 5th. You have spent a great deal of time arguing we are inadequate due to signings. So what is the prediction now?
Self opinionated dick head comes to mind, Cheesy. Tim is a wind up merchant, no question.
I love coming on here , but when I see the name Tim I know I don’t want to be here.
There’s people on this blog who have serious problems and need a few minutes away from the real world to cheer them selves up, then they get Tim. Got to be a baggie, certain.
You can see tims point about chucking hundreds of millions at the club and buying your way to the top quickly as we do have the management team to do it and the not to be sniffed at extra revenue would give us the ability to stay there ..BUT..
There is one giant obstacle in the way that he keeps ignoring .. financial stability rules will simply not allow us to do it that way any more those days are gone.
Every club has to work within their means so we have no choice but to do it the hard and unfortunately long way which is frustrating the hell out of some people but thats just the way it is and fosun will definitely have a plan to get there and get there properly which we will do so calm down tim and wait like the rest of us
also tim i firmly believe fosun wouldnt take a blind bit of notice of your hair brained plan.
at least we will never be accused of buying our way to the top !
All hail the mighty Tim!
He IS The Messiah.
Born of our Lady Amanda and put on this blog to save Wolveskind.
Praise Him!
And one final thing you will be talking about in the months to come.
Is Nuno really helping those young kids who just sit on the bench and never play much?
Sure they are getting excellent training but they are getting next to zero game time.
Finally, they realized Gibbs-White wasn’t developing and Burr and Kilman got even less game time.
So the development of these players has been stunted because Nuno wants a small squad and wants to supplement them with U23s, who just act as emergency cover in some cases.
If we had a better senior squad with more depth, they would be playing elsewhere.
Now he is doing the same with the new crop of players. Fabio will get 10 or 15 minutes instead of a constant 90. Others, like Shabani, are getting 0 so far.
So it seems, Tim, your prayers have finally been answered.
There is an opening for a new first team coach.
They are going to knock the teeth out of your big gob and put in seats.
Another anonymous comment from Clive.
So what would you do Tim the messiah? Put them in the team and lose? They are learning all the time in training and will get their chance if good enough or if injuries dictate. Look at Neto for example. It’s not always the youngsters who warm the bench either before they get their chance either. Examples this time are Dendoncker and Traore. Apologies in advance, maybe you should stick to commenting on something you know about. Ice hockey?
I would put them in the U23s or loan them to a team in a lower division, in England or Portugal.
Then I would find suitable players to sit on the bench as emergency players.
Bennett? Bonatini? Miranda?
Players of this ilk can warm the bench, or more in the case of Bennett, while our prospects develop playing games against men instead of practicing where they giggle when someone takes the ball away from them. They need some serious competition where it matters when they make a mistake.
Another glimpse into the future for y’all.
The difference between Neto and Burr and Kilman is that he is playing and making an impact.
The other two are not.
If they were playing more, I wouldn’t have mentioned it.
Predicted England XI (3-4-3): Pickford; Gomez, Dier, Maguire; Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Henderson, Trippier; Sancho, Calvert-Lewin, Rashford
Wot no Coady??
So, the bigger picture project sees the ‘big six’ start to flex their muscles. All sold under the benevolent cover of a bigger share-out for the football league. But the really significant message is a tighter grip by and a louder voice allocated to the top six.
Why now? Oh it’s purely a reaction to closed grounds and the need to share revenue! If that was the case why are you reducing the opportunity for
yo yo clubs to get a toe hold.
Last year Wolves took up one of the Euro spots and made the last eight. This past season Spurs and Arsenal nearly missed out. If it hadn’t been for Chelsea playing strongly against us then the next week rolling over in a surprisingly meek manner in the cup final we would have been there. Leicester did qualify and at one time it looked like us and Sheff Utd would join them. This has really shaken them.
How long before the the only matches not Pay per view will be the top six and they will negotiate a separate (higher) deal with Sky/BT/Prime. All games will be televised but for non top six sides playing other non top six you either pay a one-off £15 or buy a season ticket of £40 a month – on top of Sky/BT/Prime subscription.
Imagine greater top six control how do you fancy impartial VAR then?
I can’t say I have really thought the implications through thoroughly. There are better brains on here to make sense of it. But I am concerned and I am suspicious.
Is this the inevitable power of the capitalist market? I would appreciate some re-assurance.
Rest easy, Jack, normal service has been resumed.
Seven of England’s starting eleven are from the so called big six.
The donkey who should never play for England, McGuire, is in and Captain Connor dropped.
And, the Belgian Donk is not playing.
Southgate’s pockets must be bulging with all them stuffed envelopes.
Dire Dier at it again!
The south bank resistance laters blog sums it up perfectly jackomac
And funny too
Utw
Wasn’t Belgium voted the most boring place in the world once? Or was it Basingstoke post office? Or both. I contest both of them. There is a shrubbery in front of Gornal public library.
Boys and Girls of this illustrious blog,
Watching Mr Nelson Semedo in the first 45 minutes is setting my hairs on end, it’s similar to watching Nuno’s newbies pre-season in Austria.
This guy is certainly no Doherty, his dribbling, ball control and movement along that line is to die for.
This was easily the best purchase of this transfer window in my humble opinion. He’s no slouch against Mbappe either.
Another gem methinks.
Portuhampton ay we
Nah.
Wolvergal
Porwolugalampton.
On another note, very interesting article in Mondays Daily Telegraph about the big 6 trying to change the way the Premier league is controlled.
Worth a read if proof was needed that the big boys don’t want their cosy party broken up.
It’s in the BBC news, too. With special voting rights for those Premier league heavyweights Southampton and West Ham! Beware all.