10 Oct 2022 09:08:30
Honestly lads for the first time since we’ve been promoted I’m actually worried. The players look like they’re going through the motions, moutinho, Totti, Podence all put a shift in and showed passion, not saying they had great games but they looked like they cared, I’m not sure Nunes, Guedes and a few others really do, Guedes hardly broke a sweat, same with Nunes, looks like he’s playing with handbrake on.

It seems we get out run now by most teams. We all know the situation with the small squad, and it’s showing now but my main concern and what is much much worse at a football team is if morale/motivation is not there with a group of players. Think back to when we dropped down two divisions, I hope I’m wrong but I think something is wrong behind the scenes.

1.) 10 Oct 2022
10 Oct 2022 10:19:44
I'm not questioning any of the players commitment but I do think that there are a few who just aren't good enough. I've said before that Podence needs to cut out all the tricks and just concentrate on beating a man and passing the ball rather than showboating. Ait Nouri is the same. He beats a player then always seems to play the hardest possible pass. Hwang in my opinion is not good enough playing out wide. I know that he appears to be the scapegoat this season but we need to look at the stats. His goal return is not good enough but stripping this back even further, you will find that his goal involvements or final passes leading to a goal scoring opportunity just isn't there. Maybe he would be better utilised in a more central position like when he first came in and made a difference.

I'm not too worried at this stage as the base if the team is there. Moutinho is now too old to run a game for 90 mins and so the baton should be passed to Nunes who looked much better on Saturday. Neves. Nunes and Traore, on paper appears to have skill, guile and attacking flair needed. Collins and Kilman will get better but I still think that the new manager must come in and convince Coady that his future lies at Molineux. In my opinion, Coadys leadership is essential and we either find a place for him in as one of the CBs or look to re introduce him back into midfield.

2.) 10 Oct 2022
10 Oct 2022 10:50:48
Think the only way Coady comes back is if Everton don’t want to sign him as the deal was set up in their favour and it’s their call.

{Ed002's Note - And unless the player does not with to join them.}

3.) 10 Oct 2022
10 Oct 2022 11:09:13
I.M.O. We should get Dyche before he goes to the Albion. He did a fair job at Burnley with limited funds and knows the Prem. He would not stand for these skips, back heels, pirouettes and all the other crap. He would say, get the ball, run towards the goal and when you are in range don't fart about, give it one. If you don't shoot you don't score! End of sermon.

4.) 10 Oct 2022
10 Oct 2022 11:40:31
I like your style Alpine, just not sure about Dyche.

5.) 10 Oct 2022
10 Oct 2022 11:43:55
Jas - tend to agree with your thesis.
If we had no injuries or suspensions the starting 11 should be ok
Sa is not the keeper he appeared to be last year as the magnificent stuff has diminished and the crazy erratic stuff hasn't but he is still perfectly good enough for a mid table team.
Semedo is not a £30m defender in a million years but is a skillful, quick player who just needs coaching/confidence offensively and a bit more muscle and effort defensively.
Kilman and Collins look a good pair of young CBs.
Otto - tragically due to injuries he is no longer the star he was but in a proper line up with a organised defence he is still a top quality footballer.
Nunes, Neves and Moutinho (accepting his age means he shouldn't play 90 mins week in week out and against the better teams he might not have the legs) is a top 6 midfield oozing class and control if slightly lacking in a cutting edge. Nunes looks like he has goals in him but to date has missed 3 or 4 good chances we need him to bury!
Traore is a slightly luxury player in that he only does one thing and that is beat his man and put crosses in. However he is top class at that one thing and normally that one thing is v v important as it should lead to goals and stretched defensives. Indeed v Chelsea they double or triple marked him and even then he was able to create opportunties that we didn't take. It also meant that Chelsea were leaving space elsewhere that on the day we failed to exploit. I wish he did more and seemingly he has the physique and talent to do so but it just doesn't happen - coaching, tactics or a limitation in his game (mental or real?)
CF is the real problem Costa or Jimenez at their best is fantastic but are they ever going to be anywhere near their best again?
Neto again if fit is top class but will he ever be fit again.
So yes we have the basis of a side but a lot of qs remain and many if not most of the the backups fall a long way short of what is needed.
I agree with your views on all 3 of the players mentioned but am perhaps more forgiving of RAN, (who just needs better coaching/more experience) and Podence who I agree tries too much and often at the wrong times but in a side that tries too little is that forgiveable? I also forgive him a lot as he tries physically and mentally very hard - always wanting the ball and always putting his body on the line - sometimes a little to much for my and probably the refs liking!
I'm less sanguine re Hwang whose signing 6 months before we had to decide was a decision that I expect many now regret and sadly I fear Coady is gone.
He may come back if his nemesis was Lage and a suitable role (over and above playing - perhaps alongside Moutinho?) could be found but I fear that Lage was merely the mouthpiece of the problem and the sickness within the club that drove him out has yet to be cauterized.
Ukraine whilst the side never ran - Nuno devised a system to cover up the fact we have few real athletes in the side - you are absolutely correct re morale and effort. I discussed with Long if the recruitment team paid enough attention to the measurement of the players "good egg" level. William Jose, Trincao, Hoever and now albeit in a small sample and in difficult circumstances Guedes all seem to fall short of that bar. Add in Nuno, Coady, Saiss and even Dendonker going plus the totally avoidable foolish error of granting Fabio such an inflated contract surely upsetting more senior and better players who were on substantially lower wages as well it is perhaps not surprising that morale/team spirit has seemingly fallen off a cliff!

6.) 10 Oct 2022
10 Oct 2022 12:17:27
TFSG you have summed up Wolves current position in an exemplary manner. What more could be added? Only time will tell if the next manager can turn Wolves round to winning ways and further strengthen after the World Cup?
COYW.

7.) 10 Oct 2022
10 Oct 2022 12:57:16
Jas M.
It was a mistake letting Coady go seeing that we had no obvious replacement, on or off the field. Maybe if we'd have got Dawson, the situation wouldn't be looking so bad. Coady seems to be loving life at Everton, so it's difficult to see how he could ever come back. We have to move on, and encourage the players we've got to take more personal responsibility, we don't have a Coady replacement, but amongst our senior players, there should be enough experience to get us through until a natural leader emerges or is bought in. Never say never, but I think it's a safe bet that we've seen the last of Coady at the Mol.