Discussion
I was born, but too young to remember that really. Was 1988 before I have any memories of the club. Was begging for Chorley away during the cup and it happened!
Last night was disappointing. Controlled most of the game, but no cutting edge. Not a fan of 4 at the back. Our squad is built to play a back 3/5.
I like Cutrone and hope he finds himself again, but he's not a player who can lead a line. Fabio Silva is the only player in our squad who can play that role, but he's too underdeveloped to do it regularly in the Premier League.
Injuries are killing us at the moment. With no Adama or Podence (and obviously Raul) our attack is seriously depleted. The Midfield is working ok at the moment, particularly with Dendoncker back. We serious miss Boly and Jonny is so consistently good that he's a big miss. I don't like playing with a back 4. It's par for the course though with a small squad and build up of injuries, but we need most of those players back fit ASAP and we still need to try and land a loan/short-term deal for a Striker.
Last night was disappointing. Controlled most of the game, but no cutting edge. Not a fan of 4 at the back. Our squad is built to play a back 3/5.
I like Cutrone and hope he finds himself again, but he's not a player who can lead a line. Fabio Silva is the only player in our squad who can play that role, but he's too underdeveloped to do it regularly in the Premier League.
Injuries are killing us at the moment. With no Adama or Podence (and obviously Raul) our attack is seriously depleted. The Midfield is working ok at the moment, particularly with Dendoncker back. We serious miss Boly and Jonny is so consistently good that he's a big miss. I don't like playing with a back 4. It's par for the course though with a small squad and build up of injuries, but we need most of those players back fit ASAP and we still need to try and land a loan/short-term deal for a Striker.
So poor at the minute, Nuno looks dejected, sat down and out of ideas. Something doesn't seem right. I switched off talksport before the season started when Adrian Durham said Wolves will end up in a relegation battle. His comments aren't too far off.
Do we see Nuno still here at the end of the season given what's happening on and off the pitch?
Do we see Nuno still here at the end of the season given what's happening on and off the pitch?
We’ve been unlucky with player injuries (Raul especially) but our squad just isn’t flexible enough to cope.
Coady getting substituted was a surprise. Glad Boly had a good game, penalty aside.
Fabio needs to learn the ways of the Premier league quicky, diving in the box when there’s no contact isn’t the way to progress.
Nuno needs to get a grip of things, and with some urgency.
Coady getting substituted was a surprise. Glad Boly had a good game, penalty aside.
Fabio needs to learn the ways of the Premier league quicky, diving in the box when there’s no contact isn’t the way to progress.
Nuno needs to get a grip of things, and with some urgency.
The injuries have somewhat written this season off, but I think it's also the wrong time for Nuno to be trying to transition how we play (with a back 4).
Struggling for goals is one thing, but when we're giving away needless penalties the other it's a recipe for disaster.
I'm not surprised at the result at all, which is why I won £400 on 2 bets in favour of west brom :hhee:
Struggling for goals is one thing, but when we're giving away needless penalties the other it's a recipe for disaster.
I'm not surprised at the result at all, which is why I won £400 on 2 bets in favour of west brom :hhee:
Again incredible worrying. Why Neves wasn't brought on or even starting is something i've been wondering all afternoon. Moutinho, dear me what's happened to him? A legend for Portugal, brilliant when he first arrived (also so surprising he came to Wolves) now no where near the level we (and I bet he knows he) needs to be at.
Coady poor, our leader and all round top bloke has had a stinker the past few weeks. I think Ruddy should be in goal right now, someone who commands his area. I sit behind the goals (well to the right of them) when we could go and i've never heard Patricio's voice. Thats always been a gripe of mine since he came to us.
Neto needs to lift his head up when he's going to cross the ball in to the box, that's my only criticism of him as he's one of the few shining lights. Podence too, he for me is a delight to watch. Genuinely believe they won't be with us next season unless something changes (we improve).
I know it's been reported numerous times this is a "transition season" but we ain't doing enough to stay up the way it's going. We have become so boring to watch it feels like the olden days when I couldn't be arsed to travel and lose an afternoon watching that drivel.
I think Jose will be a good addition and think he did well for his first game after he's actually trained with us and met the players.
I notice a few fans are now on Nuno's back all calling for him to go, but we need to remember what he has done for us and how his personal life is taking a massive hit with whats going on in the world. There are more important things than football at the minute and can fully understand if he can't fully concentrate on Wolves. Also what an incredible gesture he made this week to support those not so fortunate than us in Wolverhampton.
I'll stop rambling now and get another beer out of the fridge...
Coady poor, our leader and all round top bloke has had a stinker the past few weeks. I think Ruddy should be in goal right now, someone who commands his area. I sit behind the goals (well to the right of them) when we could go and i've never heard Patricio's voice. Thats always been a gripe of mine since he came to us.
Neto needs to lift his head up when he's going to cross the ball in to the box, that's my only criticism of him as he's one of the few shining lights. Podence too, he for me is a delight to watch. Genuinely believe they won't be with us next season unless something changes (we improve).
I know it's been reported numerous times this is a "transition season" but we ain't doing enough to stay up the way it's going. We have become so boring to watch it feels like the olden days when I couldn't be arsed to travel and lose an afternoon watching that drivel.
I think Jose will be a good addition and think he did well for his first game after he's actually trained with us and met the players.
I notice a few fans are now on Nuno's back all calling for him to go, but we need to remember what he has done for us and how his personal life is taking a massive hit with whats going on in the world. There are more important things than football at the minute and can fully understand if he can't fully concentrate on Wolves. Also what an incredible gesture he made this week to support those not so fortunate than us in Wolverhampton.
I'll stop rambling now and get another beer out of the fridge...
_Rich_ said:
I think Jose will be a good addition and think he did well for his first game after he's actually trained with us and met the players.
I notice a few fans are now on Nuno's back all calling for him to go, but we need to remember what he has done for us and how his personal life is taking a massive hit with whats going on in the world. There are more important things than football at the minute and can fully understand if he can't fully concentrate on Wolves. Also what an incredible gesture he made this week to support those not so fortunate than us in Wolverhampton.
Yup, Jose looked sharp.I notice a few fans are now on Nuno's back all calling for him to go, but we need to remember what he has done for us and how his personal life is taking a massive hit with whats going on in the world. There are more important things than football at the minute and can fully understand if he can't fully concentrate on Wolves. Also what an incredible gesture he made this week to support those not so fortunate than us in Wolverhampton.
Dendonker should’ve done better and Rui had a stinker for the goal today.
Nuno made a fantastic gesture this week and it’s utterly wrong for some to be on his back.
I’m not sure what the solution is to be honest, surely we can reverse these performances sooner rather than later.
Agree with you regarding Neves..
You've been poor for quite a while, but if you had a fit Jimenez for the whole of the season you'd probably be about 6 or 7 points better off. I think you just need to put together a couple of wins and you'll be fine, 30 points or so is probably enough to stay up this season. Now you've got Jose in he'll bag a handful before the end of the season and should help you out. I always found you good to watch in terms of counter attacking, but thought when the other team sat back you struggled, so against the bigger teams it worked in your favour. See how the next few weeks go, but the main thing is just getting a few more points and making it to the summer where you can start afresh.
Fantastic gesture by Nuno btw, amazing stuff!
Fantastic gesture by Nuno btw, amazing stuff!
I think we're suffering from last season and the circumstances around at the moment more than any other team really.
Our season last season is the longest in history. Everyone said we would fade and wouldn't finish 7th again. We did. We could and probably should have finished higher. We had a break due to the first lockdown. Did that help at the time? Maybe.
But factor in that season, plus no pre-season and a very short break and straight back into this season, I think the fatigue, particularly mentally is going to be affecting many of our players and also staff more than any other club. Contact with family and friends is going to be very limited for many of our players.
The fans, who in times gone by have probably hindered the team for long periods, have been immense ever since Nuno arrived and really have been the twelfth man. I think as a team, we miss fans more than any other, whilst lack of fans has probably helped some other teams.
The past couple of seasons we have been very fortunate with injuries. Our staff and methods again have played a big part in this, but no manner of preparation helps to stop a leg being snapped in half (just an example) and this season, we have gone to the other extreme and been very unfortunate with injuries.
Factor all of this in and easy to see why, and to some extent sympathise, with how flat we are looking.
If you add in the other factor that we have been trying to change and have a "transition" of sorts, I think the timing to try something like that couldn't be worse.
Look back at Dendoncker and Podence and how long it took them to be "trusted" in the starting XI or anywhere near the team really. This i because since Nuno arrived, we have been the most well drilled and organised side you'll find anywhere. A lot of that has gone missing in recent weeks and months. Selling Doherty was understandable. Nuno worked miracles with him and had him doing exactly what he wanted, but he was clearly the weakest link in some areas. We all warned Spurs fans that A. He wouldn't perform in a back 4. He never looked convincing in a back 4, even in League One and B. He wouldn't be the same player without Nuno directing him and putting an arm on his shoulder when required.
BUT
To play wing back for Wolves, to the levels we have been used to over the past couple of seasons, is a very tough ask. Nelson Semedo is clearly very talented, but to come straight into the starting XI in this team without studying and training for what we are all about is a tough ask and a big, big change. Give him a pre season and I think he will be a hell of a lot more consistent.
That also leads us to Jonny. As soon as we saw him get injured, I knew he'd be a huge miss. So, so consistent. Never below a 7/10 performance. Rarely below an 8/10. Marcal would slot in nicely, but he cost peanuts because of his injury record. Ait Nouri looked fresher than Vinagre going forwards, but he has tailed off.
I don't think Moutinho has lost it. I think he has a good few years left in him yet because of the way he plays the game, but he's not really influencing things like he should recently. Is it fair to assume that as a more senior player he may be struggling from the issues listed above more than most? Probably. I thought he looked back to somewhere near his best in the first half against Palace, but nowhere in the second half. Dendoncker also had possibly his worst game for us there. Coady was all over the place to.
I still think we should stick to a back 3/5. We need to keep things tight. If we do play with a 4, only Boly & Kilman are centre halves. Coady is a Sweeper.
Think some of the criticism of Rui is harsh. The Palace goal wasn't an easy one to save for any keeper. It was hit hard and it's more difficult to save one that's right into you than one that's just to one side or the other. He was left woefully exposed by Dendoncker. If Dendoncker wasn't there, Rui would have had a different stance. Dendoncker should have been showing him a wider angle there. That said, a fully confident Rui in a fully confident team last season probably would have saved it.
The Palace game was a particular wounder, which left us all feeling flat because they didn't have to do a lot to win the game, we didn't show what we should have, we have beaten Palace recently twine, very comfortably, and should probably have done the same again. And on top of all that, I think we'd all just found a little bit of positivity following the point at Chelsea and the signing of Willian Jose. So it kind of flattened that very quickly, so it felt even worse.
All in all though, we will only need 3 wins to survive I feel. On current form and with the fixtures that are coming up, that sounds aq big enough task in itself, but surely we won't go on the same run again as the last 8 games in the next 8.
There are a lot of teams reaching for Top 4/6/8/10 this season and it's a bit of topsy-turvy season alse because of no fans, so hopefully normality will resume next season and after we've hopefully had a decent rest and pre-season. There's always a danger in the Premier League of not doing as well as previous seasons. I guess this is a frustration as it should present an opportunity to us, not an obstacle. But as I've always said before this season, as long as we stay in the Premier League and aren't seriously involved in a relegation battle, we should always take that and back them to bounce back in the following season. So, keep the faith and we will come back stronger. Once we have our full squad back fit, I do think that the vast majority of those solutions are in the squad. We could do with a more dynamic and powerful option in midfield (Otasowie looks promising, but young and very raw/inexperienced at this level) and perhaps a top quality Centre Half. Ruben Dias was always the first choice, but always looked likely to join a team who were in Champions League and in with a high chance of challenging for titles.
Our season last season is the longest in history. Everyone said we would fade and wouldn't finish 7th again. We did. We could and probably should have finished higher. We had a break due to the first lockdown. Did that help at the time? Maybe.
But factor in that season, plus no pre-season and a very short break and straight back into this season, I think the fatigue, particularly mentally is going to be affecting many of our players and also staff more than any other club. Contact with family and friends is going to be very limited for many of our players.
The fans, who in times gone by have probably hindered the team for long periods, have been immense ever since Nuno arrived and really have been the twelfth man. I think as a team, we miss fans more than any other, whilst lack of fans has probably helped some other teams.
The past couple of seasons we have been very fortunate with injuries. Our staff and methods again have played a big part in this, but no manner of preparation helps to stop a leg being snapped in half (just an example) and this season, we have gone to the other extreme and been very unfortunate with injuries.
Factor all of this in and easy to see why, and to some extent sympathise, with how flat we are looking.
If you add in the other factor that we have been trying to change and have a "transition" of sorts, I think the timing to try something like that couldn't be worse.
Look back at Dendoncker and Podence and how long it took them to be "trusted" in the starting XI or anywhere near the team really. This i because since Nuno arrived, we have been the most well drilled and organised side you'll find anywhere. A lot of that has gone missing in recent weeks and months. Selling Doherty was understandable. Nuno worked miracles with him and had him doing exactly what he wanted, but he was clearly the weakest link in some areas. We all warned Spurs fans that A. He wouldn't perform in a back 4. He never looked convincing in a back 4, even in League One and B. He wouldn't be the same player without Nuno directing him and putting an arm on his shoulder when required.
BUT
To play wing back for Wolves, to the levels we have been used to over the past couple of seasons, is a very tough ask. Nelson Semedo is clearly very talented, but to come straight into the starting XI in this team without studying and training for what we are all about is a tough ask and a big, big change. Give him a pre season and I think he will be a hell of a lot more consistent.
That also leads us to Jonny. As soon as we saw him get injured, I knew he'd be a huge miss. So, so consistent. Never below a 7/10 performance. Rarely below an 8/10. Marcal would slot in nicely, but he cost peanuts because of his injury record. Ait Nouri looked fresher than Vinagre going forwards, but he has tailed off.
I don't think Moutinho has lost it. I think he has a good few years left in him yet because of the way he plays the game, but he's not really influencing things like he should recently. Is it fair to assume that as a more senior player he may be struggling from the issues listed above more than most? Probably. I thought he looked back to somewhere near his best in the first half against Palace, but nowhere in the second half. Dendoncker also had possibly his worst game for us there. Coady was all over the place to.
I still think we should stick to a back 3/5. We need to keep things tight. If we do play with a 4, only Boly & Kilman are centre halves. Coady is a Sweeper.
Think some of the criticism of Rui is harsh. The Palace goal wasn't an easy one to save for any keeper. It was hit hard and it's more difficult to save one that's right into you than one that's just to one side or the other. He was left woefully exposed by Dendoncker. If Dendoncker wasn't there, Rui would have had a different stance. Dendoncker should have been showing him a wider angle there. That said, a fully confident Rui in a fully confident team last season probably would have saved it.
The Palace game was a particular wounder, which left us all feeling flat because they didn't have to do a lot to win the game, we didn't show what we should have, we have beaten Palace recently twine, very comfortably, and should probably have done the same again. And on top of all that, I think we'd all just found a little bit of positivity following the point at Chelsea and the signing of Willian Jose. So it kind of flattened that very quickly, so it felt even worse.
All in all though, we will only need 3 wins to survive I feel. On current form and with the fixtures that are coming up, that sounds aq big enough task in itself, but surely we won't go on the same run again as the last 8 games in the next 8.
There are a lot of teams reaching for Top 4/6/8/10 this season and it's a bit of topsy-turvy season alse because of no fans, so hopefully normality will resume next season and after we've hopefully had a decent rest and pre-season. There's always a danger in the Premier League of not doing as well as previous seasons. I guess this is a frustration as it should present an opportunity to us, not an obstacle. But as I've always said before this season, as long as we stay in the Premier League and aren't seriously involved in a relegation battle, we should always take that and back them to bounce back in the following season. So, keep the faith and we will come back stronger. Once we have our full squad back fit, I do think that the vast majority of those solutions are in the squad. We could do with a more dynamic and powerful option in midfield (Otasowie looks promising, but young and very raw/inexperienced at this level) and perhaps a top quality Centre Half. Ruben Dias was always the first choice, but always looked likely to join a team who were in Champions League and in with a high chance of challenging for titles.
Well, that was an interesting game..
Could've easily been 4-0 Arsenal in the first half.
I'd feel aggrieved if the first red was against us.
Penalty, sure. But a red seems harsh. I've seen some people saying that by letter of the law, a clearly accidental minor foul in such a situation is a penalty and yellow.
On the flip side, I'm sure there's nothing stopping players "accidentally" fouling in such a situation so they at least get to stay on the pitch.
It was against Luiz though, so I've little sympathy.
Moutinho's goal however - Christ.
As he was lining up to hit it, I actually said "don't do it.." and then he pulls that outta no where.
Usually when he takes such an attempt, the ball will come bouncing down my street 8 miles away
Hopefully the albeit scrappy win helps get a bit of confidence back.
Could've easily been 4-0 Arsenal in the first half.
I'd feel aggrieved if the first red was against us.
Penalty, sure. But a red seems harsh. I've seen some people saying that by letter of the law, a clearly accidental minor foul in such a situation is a penalty and yellow.
On the flip side, I'm sure there's nothing stopping players "accidentally" fouling in such a situation so they at least get to stay on the pitch.
It was against Luiz though, so I've little sympathy.
Moutinho's goal however - Christ.
As he was lining up to hit it, I actually said "don't do it.." and then he pulls that outta no where.
Usually when he takes such an attempt, the ball will come bouncing down my street 8 miles away
Hopefully the albeit scrappy win helps get a bit of confidence back.
Three points, no matter how it came about, was all that matters and is a good starting point to build on.
I think that was a mixed bag. The back four scares the life out of me and we were very fortunate that Arsenal weren't at least 2-0 up after they did actually score, but after they did score I thought we played pretty well in the last 20 minutes of the first half and deserved to go in level either way.
The timing of the goal and the fact that it was accompanied by a red car was great for us. It was a stonewall penalty and a few years ago it's a clear red, but since they started trying to discourage a "double punishment" in those situations, then it comes into question. But for me, it's a penalty and a red card all day long.
Second half we started well and. The second was an obvious red card. Disappointing that we couldn't go on and get a couple more goals, but we were in total control and had over 90% possession for a 15 minute period. I think if we hadn't been on such a bad run, we would have pushed more, but holding onto what we had very comfortably made sense. We did push it a bit and got through and should have scored on two occasions really, but we were sensible with it.
We did give them a foot on the ball in the last five minutes, which made it a bit nervy. Weirdly, it felt a bit like holding on in the game at Middlesbrough when we had 9 men.
Moutinho man of the match for me. Consistent throughout. Thought Willian Jose was lively. Nelson Semedo and Neves would also have been in the running for Man of the Match, were it not for their part in their goal. Neto very positive again and Adama looking a bit more like last season. Kilman had a shaky start. He's no left back really, but after that didn't put a foot wrong and Willy Boly was immense as usual.
I think that was a mixed bag. The back four scares the life out of me and we were very fortunate that Arsenal weren't at least 2-0 up after they did actually score, but after they did score I thought we played pretty well in the last 20 minutes of the first half and deserved to go in level either way.
The timing of the goal and the fact that it was accompanied by a red car was great for us. It was a stonewall penalty and a few years ago it's a clear red, but since they started trying to discourage a "double punishment" in those situations, then it comes into question. But for me, it's a penalty and a red card all day long.
Second half we started well and. The second was an obvious red card. Disappointing that we couldn't go on and get a couple more goals, but we were in total control and had over 90% possession for a 15 minute period. I think if we hadn't been on such a bad run, we would have pushed more, but holding onto what we had very comfortably made sense. We did push it a bit and got through and should have scored on two occasions really, but we were sensible with it.
We did give them a foot on the ball in the last five minutes, which made it a bit nervy. Weirdly, it felt a bit like holding on in the game at Middlesbrough when we had 9 men.
Moutinho man of the match for me. Consistent throughout. Thought Willian Jose was lively. Nelson Semedo and Neves would also have been in the running for Man of the Match, were it not for their part in their goal. Neto very positive again and Adama looking a bit more like last season. Kilman had a shaky start. He's no left back really, but after that didn't put a foot wrong and Willy Boly was immense as usual.
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