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23 Jan 2024 18:17:08
I watched the game on TV this afternoon.
First let's address the ref and the Cunha issue/yellow card. Whilst it would undoubtedly be a total waste of time appealing it was clearly a horrendous error/piece of work by the ref!
Although the ref in the second half was ok in the first half he was awful and sadly let Brighton make a fool of him.
I had always assumed Brighton played lovely stuff and were super exciting.
What I didn't realise was how versed in the darker arts they are now under Zebri (sp)
In the first couple of minutes Estupian (sp) body checked a Wolves player to stop a fast break - free kick but no booking! Over the next 40 minutes Gilmour did this 4 times! Not once was a free kick given - presumably the ref didn't see as it wasn't the man on the ball he brought down but a supporting runner - in each case Cunha.
Perhaps hard to criticize the ref, who presumably didn't see the fouls, but the linesman and VAR must have - indeed Jenas, who pinned his Brighton colours to the mast pretty early on, commented on the 3rd that it was a clear foul but Cunha over played the contact (?) - so what were they doing?Whatever you think of today and today's ref we do though have a serious problem with refs and the bookings, (and presumably eventually suspensions), continue to mount up. Given the size of our squad this may hurt us.
Overall, despite Brighton having most of the ball and territory, a point was a little disappointing with Wolves having by far the better chances. Note however I would have taken it in a flash before the game.
Ratings Sa 7 - Had a calm afternoon and made everything look easy - some of it wasn't. Still not sure why so many Wolves fans don't rate him?
Doherty 7 - Didn't get forward as much as he normally does - presumably under instructions - but was solid at the back.
Toti 7 - Played well. Didn't look flustered or hurried despite the pressure Brighton applied at times.
Dawson 7 - Dominated the box and was strong. Showed good leadership. Not sure why he was booked.
Kilman 7 - Like Dawson was very strong. Both made countless blocks
Semedo 8 - Excellent defensively. Given our set up didn't do much going forward.
Doyle 8 - Worked v hard and made lots of challenges but was also calm and progressive on the ball
Lemina 7 - He was poor in the first half but got better and better as he worked his way into the game T . Great Engine!
Sarabia 6 - Pace of the game was hard for him but did ok
Cunha 6 - Missed a few chances and wasn't quite at his best, probably upset by the injustice done to him. Needs to put it behind him and we need to ensure that the refs going forward are made aware of what the opposition are doing illegally!
Neto 8 - So close to being a superstar. It would have taken very little for him to have been the match winner. Given he has only just come back from injury (again) I am really hopeful that we have a genuine star in our ranks - DO NOT SELL!
Subs
Bellegard 6 - Didn't really get into the game
Chirewa N/A Albeit on a brief performance showed maturity and discipline when called upon.
Flat marks across the team demonstrate just what a solid performance this was.
We are midtable but at the moment I'm looking up not down!
1.) 23 Jan 2024 20:10:34
As always very much appreciated Thefutureisoldgold, An excellent post/read.
2.) 23 Jan 2024 20:31:50
Note it was stated Cunha was booked for constant infringements but when he was booked I am not sure he had actually committed a single foul?
In the move pre the booking however Cunha and Gilmour came together twice.
Fistly Cunha challenged Gilmour who went down and at full speed it looked like a foul but on the replay it was clear that Cunha played the ball and in fact not only was there no contact but there was at least 12 inches of clear air between them. Gilmour went down - fell over/dived - but regardless the ref seemingly and correctly gave nothing?
A few moments/passes later Wolves having won the ball were again breaking and Cunha was attempting to get up in support. Once again Gilmour aware of the danger ran over and shoulder charged him to the ground - a clear foul. Cunha was then booked.
Unsurprisingly he was unhappy and at half time you can lip read him talking to the linesman coming off saying "he fouled me". He obviously believed he had been booked for being fouled by Gilmour who was set on ensuring Cunha could not join in the Wolves attack.
The refs statement that it was for persistent infringments and the booking itself would be laughable were it not so serious!
3.) 23 Jan 2024 21:37:26
When Cunha was booked it was described as ridiculous by Mikey. Tommo and Tom King. The sad part is there will be no consequences for the referee and his assistants they seem to be untouchable. It's time that changed. it won't though mainly because there isn't enough of them available to cover all the matches.
4.) 24 Jan 2024 08:37:47
Thanks Future, I listened to the commentary but your assessment gives a fuller picture.
5.) 24 Jan 2024 16:25:55
For me Sarabia gave the ball away too easily and didn’t look comfortable.
There’s talk (click bait)? Of selling him on and looking at a winger from Sunderland (Clarke?).
Any thoughts?
6.) 24 Jan 2024 19:21:57
Jack Clarke, young winger/forward, quick, two footed and performing well in the Championship. Question is, can he make the step up?
7.) 25 Jan 2024 11:21:45
In reply to the above if Jack Clarke could make the step up, Chquinho has already proven that he can and he won't cost us anything!
8.) 25 Jan 2024 15:12:48
The young lad from Ipswich - Chirewa (sp) also looked completely comfortable albeit for only a few minutes at the end of the game.
Since GON brought him on one can only assume he is confident in him as well?
9.) 26 Jan 2024 07:17:33
Hi TFIG, yes I agree GON has done a good job with him in training getting him comfortable playing with the seniors and making him feel like he belongs on the pitch with them, looks calm on the ball.
06 Jan 2024 12:04:59
There is currently lots of noise about Neto's future at Wolves with a growing acceptance that he will leave in the summer, normally with Arsenal as the destination.
What is less clear however is the "value" that Wolves will obtain.
I have heard figures ranging from £30m to £80m mentioned with outliers at £100m + {Note his injury record is often mentioned as the reason for the "low" figures}
For Wolves however the problem is though how do you replace him not just for the fee (whatever it is you receive) or the wages but in terms of players who will come to Wolves (geography and football status).
I therefore get to thinking who would be capable, (even if not willing), of replacing him 1 for 1 in the Wolves team.
Note many players might have similar or even better stats, (actually far fewer do if you include assists and not just goals where he is actually a bit "light"), but if those stats are achieved in more favourable circumstances are they as solid?
So restricting yourself to players who currently play in the Prem who are you confident could come in and do a similar job for Wolves.
Once you have your list, (I assume you have a v short one), think what those players' clubs would demand for their man and that is what Wolves need to receive for Neto!
That outlier doesn't look so silly now does it!
{Ed002's Note - Pedro Neto (RW/LW) Versatile and looking to move on. Agent has been approached by Manchester United, who will need an Antony replacement, and Arsenal. It is unclear why Wolves are so kee and they clearly have other priorities, but they are. Juventus fear losing young left-footed RW in Matias Soule and may look to Neto. May be wanted in the Middle East which would push his value up. I would expect Wolves to as perhaps £50M for him.}
1.) 06 Jan 2024 12:48:30
I recent interview I heard by a Football finance expert was that Arsenal, Villa, Newcastle, Forest and Palace were all in danger of breaching FFP as they have spent big money on new players but not received as much for outgoing players. Arsenal have spent big on White, Partey, Rice, Odegaard and Jorginho in the latest FFP cycle and this is why they could only sign Raya on loan. If the sign Toney for £100m as well as Raya for £45m, then they will have to move some players on to facilitate any move for Neto.
We were linked with a young Portugese winger last week. Maybe he is the replacement for Neto. It is all guesswork at the moment but the good news is that we looked good recently when Neto was available so maybe GON is happy for him to move on for a big fee so that he can add more depth to the squad.
2.) 06 Jan 2024 16:07:19
Ed 002 and Jas thank you for two sensible responses. Jas you make valid points re Arsenal and depth - although not sure depth is easy to get right.
Given how hard I believe it will be to replace him (see below) and the fact that our FFP problens are now largely under control - still think we will need to be sensible this Jan but hopefully there will be a little wriggle room in the summer even without a major sale - I am as Ed 002 says unsure why Wolves are seemingly "keen" or even willing to countenance a sale?
I was hoping for a list of names from you guys of Premiership players who could replace him. Maybe you think he is irreplaceable? However, to encourage you, I will kick off.
I went through the mids on Fantasy football and identified those whose points per min were in line with Neto (ok not a perfect comparison but at least not subjective) and then eliminated those that played in a more central or defensive role but who, perhaps because they take pens, are up there. I then also eliminated the big team's players Salah, Son, Saka, Gordon, Doku, Foden etc.
This left:
Bowen and Kudus at WH, Olise and Eze at CP, Elanga at Forest, Mitoma at Brighton, Mbuemo at Brentford or Bailey or Diaby at Villa. How many of these can you realistically see coming to Wolves - maybe Elanga, (who I actually suggested as a Fabio option when United bought him for pennies a few years ago), but probably a round number?
Also, admittedly with my biased eye, I only really would want Bowen or Mitoma on a 1 for 1 basis, i.e. I would want to have cash left over aFter signing any of the others?
Thoughts or alternatives?
3.) 06 Jan 2024 18:36:59
Neto is unique as his runs direct and defenders and the quality of ball at the is normally up there.
Although some of these players have been in good form.
I would say Neto is similar to Jota before he left in that he is one of if not the best of the rest. And he would make a difference at a big side.
So for that reason I think he is worth more than £50m the others would be sold for £70m+.Why not Neto?
In terms of replacements it's tricky as the club have tried to bring in numerous players over the past 6 years.
When we played Chelsea they had Badiashiale and Madeuke who would have developed like Neves, Jota and Neto much better than they will at Chelsea.
But. Selling Wolverhampton a sthe place to play is hard.
4.) 06 Jan 2024 18:51:26
For me, if Neto does go, we don't need to rush out and replace him. Bellegarde and Hwang can play either side and we have Gonzalez currently adapting to English football and so he should be ready soon. Some players I would like and think can be a success with us are Dwight McNeil, Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison.
5.) 06 Jan 2024 22:53:00
Madman - v good post
Jas Dwight Mcneil is a v good shout. However Jas I think Neto is a class above both the 2 Wolves players you mention, even Hwang in his undeniably purple patch, so whilst I agree they could play in those areas - in fact have done - I'm not sure that it wouldn't be a drop off in quality for Wolves
The mention of Chelsea does though show how hard it is to put a cash price on it - they paid over £80m for Mudryk (sp) who is not even in the same postal district as Neto - but others, like Mitoma, were signed for pennies, allegedly £3m in Mitoma's case, albeit before he was established in the Prem like Neto is?
For me Wolves won't be able to replace him 1 or 1 so as Jas says we will need to do a deal or two to add depth. However that comes fraught with difficulty.
For every good deal there are numerous bad ones and once you sell Neto you can't go back.
Ask Southampton they sold Shearer to add depth and got Speedie and Dixon seemingly a great idea 2 top players for one - but Shearer goes onto be a legend and the other 2 disappear without trace. Closer to home look how we spent the Robbie Keane money - badly! Or more recently the Jota money!
If at all possible I wouldn't sell but look to build the team around him, Cunha, Lemina and Gomes.
I believe that we are on the right road and that we don't need revolution just slow evolution.
Only Dawson needs replacing in the short term and our growth therefore can be from a position of some strength?
6.) 07 Jan 2024 17:10:10
I forgot Man U bought Anthony for over £80m as well. So 2 players not fit to lace Neto's boots bought for over £80m each?
7.) 09 Jan 2024 07:01:09
If Neto played for Brighton or Brentford he would be worth £100m so why are Wolves players always undervalued. Even if the mentioned teams overvalue their players, they still get it!
8.) 09 Jan 2024 09:34:13
Adeee - hard to argue. Neves "only" fetched £40m from Saudi but after a few months evidence he looks a far better bet than Enzo or Caicedo (sp) at Chelsea both of whom cost over £100m. Having said that Rice who looks better than all 3 again went for just over £100m
Maybe we over rate our players or maybe we missed a trick in not engaging Chelsea or Man United who seem to be the outliers in overpaying?
08 Oct 2022 22:24:11
ps forgot to mention that although several of the team stood and applauded the fans only Traore - who had been subbed off and thus was sitting on the bench on half way at the final whistle got up and walked to the fans - where he gave away his shirt and signed some autographs. Classy during and after the game!
1.) 09 Oct 2022 08:03:22
Your report and player ratings Thefutureisoldgold in team and matches section.
?
2.) 09 Oct 2022 08:46:23
Just watching us on MOTD Thefutureisoldgold and saw the quality of Adama beat his man and cross for Whang who miss hit his shot it was perfect cross on a plate.
Whang take away the h and g and replace with another letter.
3.) 09 Oct 2022 10:11:56
Ps whang I mention for his miss yesterday.
I think he guedes and other players all have some quality it's a confidence thing I think.
Nunes I saw had an excellent run nearly the full length of the pitch and guedes fouled with the Chelsea player receiving a booking.
4.) 09 Oct 2022 10:16:13
Hwang is not a PL footballer, he started out well but petered out. Sell him to Leeds in January.
5.) 09 Oct 2022 10:16:51
Phil, that was just one moment in game, Hwang ran his socks off and chased every ball down, he could of done a bit better once or twice, but he was far from being bad, Costa, Podense, Nunes,Guedes all had good chances to get shots away,but either over played it or passed ball instead.
6.) 09 Oct 2022 10:28:56
Nice 1 Sydney ?
I redeemed myself as was wrong to judge on one miss that's all I was going on.
7.) 09 Oct 2022 10:49:39
Guedes is a waste of money.hwang aswell.nunes mite come good.but silly moneybwas spent on these players when we needed a quality fwd.lage has decimated our squad.i said wed be bottom after 10games with5points.not2far away.too many happyclappers out ther who couldnt/wouldnt see what was happening.lopetigui has been a good manager and should bring plenty of experience.but its time to break this portugese monopoly up.and the likes of jonny and motinhio need to be replaced along with jiminez aswell
8.) 09 Oct 2022 12:02:11
Tye happy clappers as you put it Bux is for me just wanting our team to do well.
Was the same in lower leagues in 80's growing up.
It never leaves me the thrill excitement of being wolves.
You are of course correct in your predictions as where we are now.
Regarding all.our players imo it's getting them to play to their abilities and as a team.
I have hope we will turn things around.
9.) 09 Oct 2022 13:14:09
Bux I was thinking similar regarding the Portuguese project maybe it's time to focus less on Portuguese talent and spread our wings more.
As for your happy clapper comment no need for it we just want the team to do well and we get behind the players.
10.) 09 Oct 2022 14:46:03
Tks Phil - his cross for Nunes was an even better chance - really Nunes has to score but doesn't. Sydney don't disagree re Hwangs work rate or your comment on us getting shots away - Costa in particular always seemed to miscontrol it or fail to get it out of his feet.
Bux obviously much of what you say I agree with although I think you know the problems are more complex and deep than maybe your posts lead people to think you believe.
Re Lage he obviously didn't help himself with some bizarre tactics/selections but given the issues in the squad/club his hand was somewhat forced.
Yesterday we only had 11 fit first 11 quality players but 3 are FBs so Toti had to play and I'm including Guedes - who currently looks hopeless, Costa who clearly isn't fit, Moutinho who shouldn't be playing 90 mins week in week out and Otto who hasn't yet recovered ( will he ever) from his injuries - in that 11. Not a great lot of choices there then in either selection or in reality tactics as 4,2,3,1 was pretty much the only line up they could play.
Indeed did Lage even get fired because he was losing games or because he effectively openly criticised Jeff with his failure to pick Toti (on the evidence of yesterday a correct decision mind!).
He like Nuno had clearly stated the squad was too small and openly stated he wanted amongst other things more senior CBs - in fact he wanted 2 players for each position in the squad!
Thus picking Neves was a direct challenge to Shi!
His pre sacking comments after the WH game on never losing when he had a first choice CF may in fact be correct I don't know but is also a totally unsubtle dig at Jeff.
He therefore, like Nuno, had to go regardless of the results.
Having gone from Champions league contenders after Seville (indeed even last Feb!) to now 2 years later relegation candidates if not favourites despite having spent circa £200m in the transfer market and hugely increasing the wage bill this surely indicates a genuine problem exists in the club far greater than the travails of Lage.
Who ever comes in now has a massive job on their hand and will need to spend v serious money in Jan to keep us up.
Who ever it is must be allowed to manage the club in the way both Nuno and Lage clearly stated it had to be run and Shi must have zero involvement - other than signing the cheques - from now on!
If you think this is going to be expensive - wait till you see what relegation costs!
11.) 09 Oct 2022 15:07:41
Fair comment.me too.was aimed at those that just refuse to see.and another thing. Am sick of podences stupid little flicks n tricks that never come off.he needs2grow up.coz he isn't all that.idiot
12.) 09 Oct 2022 17:04:31
Actually Sa also went over to the fans and gave his shirt to one, there is a video on Twitter.
13.) 09 Oct 2022 17:22:33
So Future your saying we got our shots away? because where I was sat, it was far from it, we got into good positions but la keep the confidence to get the shot away, instead 1 touch puch too many loosing possession or passing the ball, I agree with Costa comment, Hwang chased every ball around him, he's just turned into another scapegoat for the fans.
Some of the comments from so called fans in the away end are a discrace,yes they pay their money, but they are nothing but poison, that was my 10 years sons first away game and I felt sorry for him to listen to some of the rubbish at the final whistle.
14.) 09 Oct 2022 17:38:24
No Sydney I agree with you we didn't get our shots away!
Rated - I was there and didn't see that but if you have seen it on a video apologies to you and Sa!
15.) 09 Oct 2022 18:12:36
No apology needed thefuture mate I only originally saw Traore go to fans on tv, it was only when someone uploaded the video showing Sa going over too I knew Sa had.
16.) 09 Oct 2022 20:15:40
My apologies Future, I just read it back again with my glasses on this time, something I'm still getting used to.
17.) 10 Oct 2022 06:42:17
I was there on Saturday as well and thought though playing a superior side, we worked hard and rode our luck until the first goal.
TFOG summarises our woes very succinctly.
Saturday even more difficult due to the new manager unlikely to be with us by then.
This is a disaster 3 seasons in the making. The sacking of Dalrymple in 2019 was a seriously bad decision, compounded by Shi taking over the day-to-day running of the Club.
Now we have gone from having well-balanced squad to a dis-functional group.
Until Fosun realise their investment is at serious risk, we will continue to decline.
18.) 10 Oct 2022 06:51:03
Forest palace leicester next3up.should all be winable.but if not then wer in deep trouble whoever the manager is
19.) 10 Oct 2022 10:41:30
Not with the players currently at our disposal,Bux (Neves excepted). For games to be winnable we have to score and it's long odds on that we won't score in at least one of those games and it's odds on that we'll concede in all three. And there's our problem
20.) 10 Oct 2022 17:42:26
If Costa is going to have some fun it has to be with Leicester Forest Palace next up.
Thefutureisoldgold's banter posts with other poster's replies to Thefutureisoldgold's banter posts
04 Nov 2024 10:24:38
Sorry been away so haven't replied to the post by 1960 and his expert on transfers.
Clearly the expert works at Brighton because although they are quoted as the example they are in fact the exception.
Even then you have to take into account the fact that a vast proportion of their undeniable success in the market comes from trading with a single somewhat bizarrely run club Chelsea who surely overpaid staggeringly huge fees for 2 players Caicedo and Cucurella - just shy of £180m?
You also have to note that although a hugely successful policy for them it also was for Southampton, Leicester, West Ham and others for a brief period of time before they were relegated.
I'm not predicting Brighton's relegation because they do indeed appear to be a stellar example of a well run club.
However sadly if you look at the accounts of the other teams in the Prem the "experts" argument falls totally flat.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and Man City despite making highly profitable sales from their reserves/youth teams all make massive losses in the transfer market - Amorts less profit on sales.
Is this just the big teams then?
No every other club I looked up - Brentford, the poster boys like Brighton for smart transfer dealings, West Ham, Newcastle and of course us - lose hugely as well.
In fact it is surely obvious that clubs sell tickets, obtain sponsorship, run pop concerts etc etc etc to pay firstly the wages of the players but also the acquisition of the players.
Unsurprisingly most of the teams in the Prem - including Brighton run, excluding transfer dealings, not as the expert indicates at a loss but at a profit.
It is the profit from these activities that fund the team!
Sadly Wolves - a not well run club -do not do this consistently (losing money in 2023 due to an out of control wage bill and inadequate revenue generation), and thus in the years ending May 2024 and 2025, both yet to be reported, had to gut the side to make up for the previous year's mismanagement.
1.) 05 Nov 2024 06:28:43
TFIOG when Sellars was sacked and Shi sidelined I thought it would take 3 years to recover and rebuild a decent team plus right a few wrongs in the transfer market.
Not sure if financially we're in the clear yet, but football wise the water is still muddied to put it mildly.2025 should have been the season to look forward to, imo, not dred.
24 Oct 2024 07:39:17
{Ed's Note - Thefutureisoldgold has posted a new article entitled, Wolverhampton Wanderers Player Ratings v Man City
1.) 24 Oct 2024 17:07:26
A fair and well balanced appraisal TFIOG. I'm beginning to wonder how some of these refs get away with their decisions because the bias is both clear and obvious, subconscious or otherwise.
Does the bias towards the top 6 run deeper than just the ref on the pitch?
2.) 25 Oct 2024 17:40:29
Sums everything up nicely TFIG.
23 Oct 2024 22:22:29
Thefutureisoldgold has written an article entitled, Wolverhampton Wanderers Player Ratings v Man City
23 Oct 2024 20:26:12
Had major IT problems - computer died.
Don't want to make definitive statements about formations on the basis of one game and no formation should be set in stone as it should be horses for courses based on opposition and your available players but I thought we looked a lot better with our formerly "standard" 5 at the back formation against City.
1.) 23 Oct 2024 22:42:58
I don't think that's an unreasonable assumption TFIOG. The fact it took the inevitable 'controversial' goal to beat us I think supports that view, plus the fact that we didn't capitulate and let in a shed load.
I make no secret of my criticism of decision making at the club, of late. How the football professionals believed we were equipt to play four at the back in the first place being a prime one. If we do turn a corner returning to five at the back how will that look then?
Personally, assuming lessons have been learned I feel a bit more confident in the possibility of our survival, I'm just not sure if GON will still be in charge to see it. In my opinion he's got two games left to start to make things happen.
2.) 24 Oct 2024 06:37:24
Yes 2 games. The crystal palace game is a MUST win. A draw, loss will surely see GON fired. Don't give us much chance against Brighton at the Weekend. I suspect GON knows this.
3.) 24 Oct 2024 06:49:34
Wilson first scapegoat, O'Neil next, one assumes.
Sad times.It’s not the hope that kills you, it’s having your hope killed by the Owners and CEO that does it.
ps
Fosun have a problem, so many other Premiership chasing new investment, it will make it hard to bring in the funds needed to progress.
The old adage of "If you are standing still, you are going backwards'
really applies to us.
4.) 24 Oct 2024 09:02:41
I think we are the last club to be owned by Chinese owners, I don’t think investment will come while they are in charge. It happened down the road at the boggies, couldn’t get investment and the club went down and down till he had to sell to get some sort of return, don’t think many trust the Chinese owners enough to invest.
5.) 24 Oct 2024 16:01:50
Rugeley I think you and Wolvo make good points, the problem being that no amount of money received from minority investors will change our PSR circumstances which is more about expenditure (running costs, Wages, etc) verses income (gate receipts, TV, sponsorships, etc).
Fosun/the Club have not been very successful in raising income streams for much debated reasons but I suppose minority investment could be used to fund ground expansion, etc.
6.) 24 Oct 2024 18:44:21
Hi Everyone
I posted extracts from the accounts for the 3 years to 31 May 2023 a short time ago to try and help more informed discussion.
At least as far as those accounts are concerned LongmyndWolf is wrong. For those 3 years total income exceeded all running costs by over £4 million.
The problems lies in buying and selling players not the wages.
The cost of amortising the transfer fees for players over those 3 years is £210 million this is offset by profit on sale of player registrations amounting to £120 million ie a loss of £90 million.
So a profit of £4 million becomes a loss of £86 million when these costs are included
This may well worsen when the next accounts are published but for the minute the problem is the cost of buying and selling players
Wolves1960
7.) 24 Oct 2024 21:35:06
1960- I think you need to be careful when considering 3 year accounts as 2021, the first of your 3 years, is badly skewed by covid. If you read page 5 of the accounts it states that the turnover is inflated by over £32m due to the deferral of fixtures from the previous year.
If you simply look though at the pre covid to post covid period i.e. a 5 year period you can see that turnover is actually down from £172m to £168m but the wage bill has gone up from £92m to £141m.
I accept that we have also - well in reality largely just for a brief period post Seville - made some very bad decisions in the transfer market but if the turnover/wages issue was better managed we would be fine even after these v poor transfer dealings.
As a further point though I am not certain how you can say that player amorts are not a running cost?
Without players there is no club it is like saying that if I ignore the depreciation on my cars my taxi business is a huge success?
So whilst I am sure you have fairly carefully picked out the relevant numbers from the accounts I am far from certain that you have analysed them correctly.
All clubs/taxi firms have huge amorts it is the nature of the beast. The rest of the club/firm needs to be run to support these and the point Long made is that we haven't done it well enough. Your figure of £4m over 3 years - extrapolated to 5 years as a standard contract is 5 years - would have allowed the club to buy Sarabia as our sole purchase in that 3 year period. Is that realistic?
05 Oct 2024 19:39:45
Just got back so I need to take a moment to remain calm and balanced.
First of all let's admit the result in no way reflects the game.
Wolves could easily have scored a goal or even two more and going forwards we look threatening.
But if Brentford had scored 7, 8, 9 or even 10 no one could have complained.
Second half was reasonably calm although was that because Brentford were coasting or we improved?
But even in the first half we were fine when we had the ball in their half, unfortunately every time they crossed the half way line though they looked like scoring! 4 of the 5 goals came from crosses down our right and the 5th was a piece of suicide defending by Lemina and others.
Forbs gave Semedo no help but he was cut to ribbons and sadly the fears about our CBs inadequacy was writ large today.
Is it one year too far for Dawson and Toti looks hopelessly lost
There are still lots of Wolves fans on social media aggressively claiming 4 at the back is the only way to go but hopefully they will have watched today and now know that it is just not possible with the players we have.
(Even more importantly let's hope the club does - doubt it will concern GON though as I just don't see how he survives the total shambolic chaos delivered again today! Not sure however if we can afford to sack a 4th manager in the last few years- what a total mess!)
ps for those Wolves fans convinced that 4 at the back is the answer as it helps us get forward it doesn't matter how well you attack if you concede at the rate we are - and today we got lucky!
Ratings to follow
1.) 05 Oct 2024 19:47:11
Talking sense again TFIOG.
2.) 05 Oct 2024 23:12:01
Well obviously we can't defend.the midfield is non existant.wot does lemina think will happen with his arms round the guy and he throws himself to the ground.idiot.letting brentford put5past us isa joke.and then gon brings on hwang.whose side is he on.i really think he's got2go.NOW.and to concede that early.has he not been watching the opposition atall.fgs.pathetic.garbage.and he reminds me of mick after the albion game when he got sacked so.?
3.) 06 Oct 2024 08:01:37
Thefutureisoldgold has written an article entitled, Brentford v Wolverhampton Wanderers Player Ratings
4.) 06 Oct 2024 12:04:42
I could understand if he had brought Doyle and Bueno on, but hwang
and jrb
I think it's time for a change
Thefutureisoldgold's rumour replies
28 Aug 2024 20:42:32
Would be a very good signing.
But CM is the one area we are strong so why?
I'd happily sell Traore though and reinvest in Andre but gather Traore is injured now so that won't happen.
But we still need a CB or two.
If Podence and Sa are going to SA for biggish money £30-35m the pair?
Then if we are paying £10m for Johnstone then we might have a few bob left over for a CB?
28 Aug 2024 09:51:22
Bux - sadly I suspect that your assesment isn't a long way off. Alloa are probably Tamworth level. However given that despite/only (depending on your nuance) being 18 and his only senior football is at quasi non league level he is either, a long way behind where he should be if there is any chance of him ever making it at the level we require OR he is still developing and after all Ian Wright, Cyril Regis, Alan Devonshire and even our own Michael Kightly came direct from non league football to the big time!
But what is for certain is that he should be a very small footnote to our current transfer dealings not the main event particularly as he is not a CB!
23 Aug 2024 13:55:32
Clearly we don't fancy EFL based players as Ipswich have also picked up Greaves and now seemingly Clark from Sunderland, (both look v good propects), for circa £30m the pair.
Odd as lower risk, given no cultural adjustment issues to deal with etc etc, and also probably "homegrown" not an insignifincant benefit.
16 Aug 2024 15:37:38
Nuno moved to Spurs and is now at Forest? Odd if he wanted to be in Portugal?
Everton's finances when he arrived there were a basket case but have stablilised, ironically at roughly the level ours - we were making profits before he left - have now fallen to!
Note since his arrival there they are also well over £100m up in the transfer market and have gone from being substantially below us in the league to having a better record than us last season.
Don't think he will be too ashamed of that performance.
Obviously can't comment on Dalrymple's behaviour at Wolves but he went straight to Quins where he remains.
Since arriving there they have done v well but we sadly since he left - well you know the story?
Not sure why you defend a change in the management structure that coincided with us going from winning games and making money to loosing games and money?
16 Aug 2024 11:38:33
Bux
I assume you haven't read the accounts of his period in charge?
Over the last few years of his managment we lost absolutely vast amounts.
Mainly due to the club losing lots and lots of games!
The only way to make money is to win games and that requires you to build a team!
This allows you to drive revenues and diminishes the need to be too careful on costs.
Yes this probably does require either a ton of luck in your early days or a vast, ( now illegal), spend a la Chelsea and City.
Ironically however by 2020, when admittedly we had made a reasonable spend - pennies compared however to most of our rivals - we had enjoyed that ton of luck, (although I am minded to think that the more talent you have the luckier you tend to be and we had 3 v talented chaps in Thelwell, Dalrymple and Nuno)and we were winning lots of games and were also making substantial profits over £9m pa pre player sales in both 2019 and 2020 (ex Covid)!
That is what we need to bring back!
Thefutureisoldgold's banter replies
23 Nov 2024 21:57:53
Long - absolutely brilliant as always. Even better this week the team matched you!
20 Nov 2024 21:30:58
Wandering - according to your figures in 19/20, the year I stated that Traore was unplayable we scored 1.35 goals per game with him and 1 per game without. Surely that isn't as you say less but actually more?
You also have shown that after that year we scored far far less regardless of if he was playing or not, (I am ignoring the 2 in 1 you quote for 21-22 as far too small a sample), i.e. that season he made a massive difference to the team as I stated.
No one is disputing that post Seville his effectiveness went down sharply - although playing with Fabio not Jimenez would have had a lot to do with that.
However I think you also have to look v carefully at the figures you quote for goals per games played as other than in his golden year of 19/20 and the awful Fabio first season when he was asked to carry a very poorly performing team - did I mention Fabio was our main striker - he barely played.
In 21-22 you say he played 37 games out of 38 but he actually played less than 12 games FTE, i.e. he was either the sub or subbed regularly and rarely played many minutes.
Clearly therefore your goals per game numbers are not valid, even in his golden year he played less than 29 games FTE. To make them so you would v painfully need to check when the goals were scored relative to his time on the pitch - a very laborious task that no one is expecting you to do!
Also it should be noted when denigrating his efforts that although for a variety of reasons, (playing with Fabio as your partner in a very defensive side that was slowly falling/being torn apart didn't help), his contributions/effort/performances what ever all declined - hence playing less - he was "only" so "bad" that Barcelona, one of the super powers in world football, took him on loan and gave him game time - if only we had a player that "bad" today!
20 Nov 2024 09:18:51
ps In "Traore" post above I obviously meant Nuno's second season in the Prem not his second season overall
19 Nov 2024 22:40:57
Long -good post.
I said at the time of Andre's signing that it meant the transfer window was rescued from being abysmal to just bad as he is undoubtedly a class act bought cheaply.
However it is clear that he was not the player required and it is also clear - both by the fact they new players largely aren't playing but also by the terrible defence/results - that we didn't buy the players GON needed/wanted to play his preferred styles, 4, 3, 2, 1 or 4, 2, 3, 1.
Sadly we also didn't buy the players to play the 3, 4, 3 style the rest of the existing squad was suited/used to playing.
Following the sale of Neto and the signing of Larsen it probably now means we need to play 3, 4, 2, 1 or 3, 5, 2 but we didn't buy the players to do that either!
No adult CB to replace Kilman or either a quality WF or second number 10 alongside Cunha to replace Neto.
The only discernible thread running through our transfer dealings this summer was, " did it have a yellow sticker on it and could we on-sell in the future at a profit"
There was seemingly zero thought to actually playing and winning football matches!
Sadly no one, except probably GON, at the club seems to realise that you have to win matches to stay in the Prem and if you aren't in the Prem a few million or even tens of millions made from transfer dealing goes nowhere in replacing the 100s of millions lost over the next few years.
So in answer to your q - no I don't think GON and the club are on the same page (no manager since the early days of Nuno has been.)
In fact the only difference between Hobbs and Sellers appears to be that at least Hobbs on the whole buys pretty good players not Fabio and his ilk.
Without any joined up thinking however this is not enough and we are - although most non Wolves fans seemingly still don't believe it - now in genuine trouble!
19 Nov 2024 22:18:38
For a brief period -Nuno's second season? - Traore was unplayable. We were not high scorers - although v tight defensively but that is another discussion - but Traore, (and Doherty for all the Doherty haters out there), were major contributors to not only our attack but our whole set up.
Although statistically Traore's threat was often far greater than his reality, (we simply didn't score heavily as we were basically a very controlled/defensive side that often relied on playing on the break, frequently through Traore), that not only meant opposing teams were more cautious attacking wise for fear of leaving him room but also his very presence created time and space for everyone else in the team, (he would often be double or even treble marked!)
To date it would be very unfair to compare Forbes to Traore as the young lad is still finding his way and - if only for that brief period at least - Traore was a superstar of the game.