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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
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
18 Sep 2024 21:53:07
2nd half report
Much better but please don't let the score mask the fact that we were v poor going forwards and defensively, especially in the first half, a disaster.
2nd half we had chances and lot of positions that should have led to chances but a lack of composure, poor decision making and/or poor touches meant that many of them did not lead to chances and we butchered those that did.
A wasted opportunity to get a confidence boosting win.
Sadly what it also shows is that there is v little depth outside the first 11.
Given how Doherty is regarded it must be a worry that he was one of our best players
Equally worrying is that Hwang was probably our worst.
1.) 18 Sep 2024 23:23:42
None of this comes as a surprise TFIOG. I didn't see the game but I'm guessing we lacked someone driving our attack forward with skill and pace and someone with good footballing skills stabilising our defensive line.
Yes, this was the toughest possible draw for a team in our position right now being the only pairing of two Premier League teams in the round, I believe. However, still a good opportunity to break the losing habit, nevertheless.
From reading the comments over the last few games the team seems to lack fitness, motivation, organisation and the ability to find a way to win. Relegation form no doubt so unless GON gets the nose up soon he will be GONE before Xmas. Even though I don't think its necessarily his fault, other than trying to play 4 at the back without the right personnel.
For me accept that, return to a 3/5 system, at least until those personnel are found and start Guedes more instead of Hwang.
2.) 19 Sep 2024 06:32:08
The trouble is Long, the more the losing streak continues, the lower the squad morale deteriorates and it is ever downward spiral.
3.) 19 Sep 2024 06:44:56
The scoreline flattered us. Second half better yes but still very disjointed. Agree regarding Hwang. Forgot he was playing. Positives were RG, Guedes and Doyle. Looking at both teams though we're light years behind Brighton.
4.) 19 Sep 2024 07:21:12
It seemed a motivational problem to me. As you say Tfig sarabia didn't want to be out there, petulant in kicking the ball away earns him a needless yellow. Hwang, where was he? They seemed to have little idea as to move collectively. Ok Lima, r gomes, pond (who I thought performed very well on his debut) were the obviously nervous, but others were just playing individually.
The second half we were energised, closing down and instead of the tedious playing out from the back we were getting the ball over and out to the wing, sadly we didn't get the players in the box or the the ball in was not good enough.
Lima had learnt his lesson and was much improved, doyle had become the dynamo we needed. Yes we should have equalised before they struck the killer 3rd and maybe have snatched a win but I'm afraid it did show up our frailties and its hitting home how difficult the season will be.
It's a conundrum in some ways, we have a lot of very good players, we have a decent manager, it's getting everything to gel. Forbes showed something in his short spell on the pitch and must be a starter for us.
Pressure on for vile now, but we need a victory soon.
5.) 19 Sep 2024 09:34:23
Guedes has to play against Villa, and how about giving Doyle the captain's armband, he has more drive in him than the rest put together. Get shot of Sa and Hwang they are an embarrassment.
6.) 19 Sep 2024 09:51:44
AbbeyWolf, this was one of my arguments if that's the right term for selling or allowing players to leave if they get their heads turned by the bigger clubs. I think Hwang, Sa and Sarabia fall into that category. There were some positives out there last night, not least Guedes who appears to be making an effort. A good run in the team and his sharpness will improve. You can't play with 8 v 11 though and expect anything other than what we got.
I'd be surprised if either of the 3 mentioned above make the subs bench on Saturday. GON really needs to get a grip of this because there were players out there not putting in the effort, hiding and it will affect the moral of the squad. I think now once we concede, I can't see a way back for us. At least RG, Forbes, Lima, Doyle have put themselves forward to be in Saturday's squad.
7.) 19 Sep 2024 10:29:02
Long you do need to split the halves either because GON sorted out some of the problems or sadly more likely Brighton took their foot off the pedal.
In the first half we had no outball as Sarabia was absent and Hwang sadly has reverted to pre purple run Hwang and is just out of his depth. Consequently we struggled to get out of our half and other than Guedes had no threat whatsoever going forwards.
Defensively we tried hard with lots of running about - but no discipline or organisation. Given we were playing 11 v 9 (Sarabia and Hwang were non events) they had lots of space and cut through us at will scoring 2 and having 1 disallowed (stupidly as the shot was probably going in before the offside player touched it).
We needed to keep shape and the ball but worryingly did neither - players diving in or over pressing - like watching 9 year olds at the park the ball had 3 or 4 players chasing it like a comet with a trail of gold shirts behind it.
The commentators were effectively laughing at how bad we were!
I am certainly starting to worry what GON does in training?
Second half it improved but despite having lots of the ball and Brighton seemingly playing as badly as we did in the first half for 30 mins or so we failed to score.
We in fact found numerous ways not to score when it really was easier to do so.
The lack of composure was dreadful and the player's touch was often very poor.
For me the biggest crime though was the continual "passing" to Steele when put through and had options. Doherty for the goal had the courage to hold the ball and pick a pass, everyone else just blindly hit it first time straight to Steele with no thought!
The lack of quality is not GON's fault, the lack of organisation and the basic errors are. I don't beleive Doyle for example didn't know that his position was horrendously wrong when Newcastle scored their second. So why was he, (and Gomes J for that matter), standing still in what was clearly the wrong place as Barnes scores!
8.) 19 Sep 2024 11:16:20
Firstly I'm not going to jump on the 'GON is a bad manager; bandwagon- not that long ago Nuno led us to successive 7th place finishes yet still there were 'fans' who criticised. What I will say though is there's a stubbornness on display here where he's determined to make this back 4 format work- if it works fine but if it continues like this he'll lose his job and his reputation.
Comments like 'we were the better side' from last night don't help and can surely only be made to try and keep confidence up, though as other have said with every defeat that becomes harder. A better second half display (albeit without the necessary finishing) doesn't cover up for the obvious problems and we need to turn things around soon.
9.) 19 Sep 2024 11:21:37
Morning guys. I didn't see any of the match, so reading your posts.
Agree with the point. The more the losing streak goes, the more it gets to their mindset, and it becomes difficult to get out of.
I can't see it, but we need a win against one of our next three opponents, and that may get us believing.
As I've said earlier, lose the next three, that will be one point from seven LGE games which in any situation, is untenable, and fosun will, make a change,
Hope we can do it.
Coyw
18 Sep 2024 20:50:59
Half time report
Truly awful!
Embarrassed at Sky commentators saying we are a shambles and disorganised
Furious at total disrespect of Sarabia who could not make it more clear he doesn't want to be on pitch.
Other wise 2 v poor goals - free shots from edge of box - ring any bells Newcastle?
We are (with the exception of Sarabia who should be pulled off and told in no uncertain terms to grow up and Hwang he who is simply hiding) trying but like headless chickens are running around to little effect - fear this will hurt us second half!
plus points?
Guedes trying hard, Gomes R looks ok, lacks pace and is light weight, but ok.
Doherty, (shows how poor the others are or how silly a lot of the criticism of him is, is a pro and looks solid ish as does surprisingly Pond!
Doyle ok
All in all v poor and lucky to be 2-1 - v good goal with prob our best 3 players involved - Guedes, Doherty and Gomes R
16 Sep 2024 23:19:49
I'm not tech savy enough to paste the photo here but if you either find it on social media or simply freeze frame the coverage of their second goal just before Barnes hits it you will see that:
We have 9 men in the picture - only Cunha and Johnstone out ouf frame.
We seem to be set, i.e. players are standing still not rushing to get into shape.
We have 5 across the edge of the box and Lemina and Hwang some 15 metres ahead of the ball - Doherty is battling/failing to stay with Barnes and Larson is looking lost behind Doherty.
Sadly this means that there is a gap bwetween our back 5 (why a back 5!) and the mid 2 large enough to drive the M1 motorway through and Barnes exploits this.
If Doyle was 5 yards further forward rather than sitting between Yerson and Dawson on the edge of our box marking no one/doing nothing and/or Lemina was 5 yards further back Barnes wouldn't even attempt to come inside and get a shot off - if he did he would run staight into Doyle/Lemina and as he is a clever player he wouldn't do that.
Doherty therefore possibly has assumed that Barnes will, as he should if we are set up correctly, try to go round/outside him get behind our defensive line and drive into our box to cross/cut back the ball with all of off our defenders turned and running back towards goal! This is something he can't allow so has he forced/allowed/encouraged/failed to stop Barnes to/from go/going inside into the traffic/Doyle/Lemina.
Except there is no one there and Barnes gets a free hit from 25 yards out and the rest is history.
Basically our defensive alignment is awful either because GON doesn't know what he is doing/ Doyle doesn't know what he is doing or the team is shattered and are sitting deep to take a rest.
None of this is acceptable!
We didn't play badly but missed chances and after 65 mins became far too passive/deep and paid the price
Are the players not fit enough/ does the system force them to run too much/ is our bench too weak/ is GON too conservative.
Clearly this is a new system and at the moment it isn't working but with what we have left not sure how else he sets up.
Thoughts on this perhaps in another post
A point maybe 3 thrown away. We can't afford to do this.
It may not be pretty but we must learn to close out games/stop giving away cheap goals.
1.) 17 Sep 2024 07:20:31
Tfig, I agree wholeheartedly heartedly. I havnt seen the game as such as I went out sun night, (pre arranged, tickets bought) but did sadly catch a glimpse (pub tv ) of both their 2 goals. I stood there willing a wolves player to come forward and wondering why we were all on the 18yrd line. I'm not doom and gloom yet, arsenal away not many teams will get anything there. Chelsea, a crazy game in which we imploded, again points wise thyll take off many others.
Forest I think will turn out to be avoid away point and Newcastle, unbeaten, we drop to two accurate long range strikes.
It'll be an interesting line up and approach at Brighton tomorrow, obviously mindful of the league challenges to come but a resounding win may instil some much needed confidence back in the lads and maybe surprise results in the next 2/3 weeks. Cheer up chaps.
2.) 17 Sep 2024 07:55:12
That should be a good away point at forest. Incidently, on a fast forwarded replay of the game and pausing at what seemed an exciting point, we didn't seem to be too direct in getting forward when we needed it. Maybe it's just my impression, maybe it was legs or personnel changes but we needed someone who could run at them.
3.) 17 Sep 2024 09:40:03
TFIOG as well as accounts and economics do you have a sideline in Uefa Pro license courses! On a more serious note I haven't actually seen any highlights. I've had other things to deal with but it looks like we need to work on team defence at the very least.
4.) 17 Sep 2024 10:16:31
Good post Futureisgold.
As you say, Harvey Barnes is an intelligent player and he knew if he got a shot on target there was only an ageing Sam Johnstone in goal and chances are he would be nowhere near it.
5.) 17 Sep 2024 15:30:54
Sam Johnstone ageing, really?
We should have tried the same against the geriatric Nick Pope on Saturday.
6.) 17 Sep 2024 16:10:20
Give E some slack, Wandering. Everyone is ageing. Even I'm older than when I started reading his nonsense.
7.) 17 Sep 2024 16:10:33
Sorry, I meant Sunday
8.) 17 Sep 2024 16:51:06
Thought we did try to beat geriatric Pope but he managed to keep out a header from Larsen and a volley from Cunha proving that a geriatric is better than our new keeper.
Our defenders were sitting deep as they have no confidence in SJ who almost cost us when trying to dribble out a couple of times.
9.) 17 Sep 2024 18:47:38
To be fair, some of Johnstone kicking was borderline scary. The defence as a whole needs to be sorted as we just gave Newcastle too much space.
10.) 17 Sep 2024 19:33:11
Old Wulf remember Peter Shilton in the play off semi vs Bolton?
A good keeper is worth how many points over a season?
I think we have a top championship keeper in SJ but like the Doc his best days are behind him.
11.) 17 Sep 2024 20:10:22
To suggest a keeper is over the top at 31 is simply ridiculous, E.
12.) 17 Sep 2024 21:16:07
Alisson Becker, Ederson, Nick Pope and Emiliano Martinez, All aged either the same as Jose Sa and Sam Johnstone or older. All considered to be in their prime, but no, our fans think 31 years old is 'past it'.
13.) 17 Sep 2024 21:52:07
To pay £10 million for a keeper who Palace paid £6.5 million two years ago and he only played 29 games for them with worse stats than Jose Sa in his all time Premier League appearances is also ridiculous Old Wulf.
Not saying SJ is over the top but that he never reached the top.
He’s a good championship keeper.
We were linked with Ramsdale who is on a different level to SJ.
14.) 17 Sep 2024 22:33:38
You said he was ageing, E. Irrespective of what you may think of him ability wise (he couldn't do anything about Newcastle's goals) he's hardly old for a keeper.
15.) 17 Sep 2024 23:04:01
Aaron Ramsdale really isn't any better that Johnstone.
Personally, the keeper I would have preferred to sign was Bazunu in the summer of 2023 but alas, he is out till next February. If he is available next summer then we should snap him up.
16.) 17 Sep 2024 23:33:16
Sorry Old Wulf and WS it was WBA who paid £6.5mill for SJ and he went to Palace on a free.
Didn’t realise that.
He couldn’t really do much about N’castle goals but I think he will cost us points and how is he worth £10mill now when he is older than when he went for 6.5 and then for free?
01 Sep 2024 07:39:16
{Ed's Note - Thefutureisoldgold has posted a new article entitled, Not a cataclysmically bad transfer window for Wolverhampton Wanderers
1.) 01 Sep 2024 09:29:46
Hi TFIOG, a well written piece which I think probably reflects the feelings of a lot of the fans. I do however slightly disagree as I think we are stronger overall despite losing Neto.
I agree we probably need to switch to 3 at the back but this allows us to get the best from Ait Nouri and either Semedo or Lima in the wing back positions. I Think we then play Andre and Gomes as box to box cms and 2 from hwang, Lemina, Sarabia, Cunha in behind Larson. Hwang and Sarabia if you want more width, Cunha and Lemina if you want one to float and one to stick and cover the cdms.
This leaves Doyle, Bellegarde and Traore when fit covering the cdm roles, Doherty and R Gomes covering the wing back roles.
Plus from what I've seen and read about him and Matt Hobbs interview on him, at some stage this season I think we'll see meyepiyou (spelling?) in the back 3 with a view to him and Mosquero being CBs in a back four next year (or maybe even this if Andre just sits and drops in to make a 3 when needed).
I think it could be exciting times ahead with GON able to play the fast flowing attack football he wants just in a slightly different formation than his original thoughts.
Or maybe I'm just too positive/deluded about the quality I believe we have in the squad especially some of the youngsters. Thoughts?
2.) 01 Sep 2024 11:14:44
Hi,
Just read your article and well written btw. I also think we had a decent transfer window and regarding buying kids in positions we don't need, didn't we buy 2 CB's. One from Chelsea and one from Nantes. If either or both look to be anything like Lima we'll have struck gold and whose to say either one won't get an opportunity.
3.) 01 Sep 2024 11:22:13
Wolfflea Andre's stats suggest he's not a prolific goalscorer, something like 3 in 150 in Brazil, his passing stats are a different issue
Quote from a recent article at vavel.com
"In 2023 and 2024, André boasted a 94% pass completion across 43 Série A games, the highest in the league, whereas Gomes stooped to an average of 80% across the two seasons he has spent at Wolves."
Continuing
"Tommy Doyle attempted the most for Wolves with 178 but only completed 59% of them, however André played 207 long balls with an accuracy of 80%, showing the versatility of his passing range. No Wolves midfielder completed more progressive passes than the Fluminense midfielder last season as he completed 185 but Gomes tallied just 101, showing the forward-thinking mentality he possesses rather than limiting himself to backwards and sidewards passing."
Finally
"André also completed more passes into the final third than any Wolves player with 223 last season, Max Kilman with the most for Wolves, however a defender playing the most passes into the final third shows the lack of creativity and passing quality the Wolves midfield has - something the Brazilian can improve."
I see him as a full on Neves replacement not a box to box player, but we'll see.
4.) 01 Sep 2024 12:49:06
Forgot to mention Guedes and Forbes who can cover in behind or upfront.
Also taking your point on Andre Arddunby, I see him as able to either sit and defend even dropping back in to make a back four a back 5 in game but with ability to make late runs aswell. But he may give us the option to continue with a back four and have him and either Gomes or Lemina dropping in to cover full backs or in the center so we don't leave big gaps at the back when full backs attack.
5.) 01 Sep 2024 17:11:32
Wolfflea71 - good considered response.
We may well have bought well for the "Future" but despite my nom de plume I am more concerned about the here and now and I'm not sure that I see things as you do.
Although we pick exactly the same side - so no doubt what our best 11 is - I don't think we are even close to as good a last year. We both agree we need to play 3, (Andre, Lemina and Gomes), defensive mids, (cf two last year), as our defence now relies far far too heavily on an ageing Dawson with both of the other 2 CBs raw kids (Toti appears to have regressed without adult supervision!) What happens if Dawson is injured!
But this means we have to lose a forward. Given we have sold - at pennies on the pound - our best forward/player we were already markedly weaker going forwards. However we are now forced to play a man short to cover the deficiencies in defence we have created by selling our first choice CB and captain.
Note this was in full knowledge that Dawson our other senior CB was certain to be ageing!
ps don't disagree with selling Kilman at that price do disagree with not replacing him!
pps Have you read the "GivemeSport" article on the transfer window.
They rank the 20 teams and we come dead last - apparently by a distance!
6.) 02 Sep 2024 17:25:39
Hi TFISOG dead last in which dept
7.) 02 Sep 2024 18:39:39
How well you did in the transfer window. The "i" also rated the window and we came 18th. Chelsea 19th were stated to be a shambles, don't disagree. However they did buy a lot of talent, including our best player, and lost no one of significance so not sure why they were rated worse than us.
Newcastle were 20th as it was stated they did nothing significant? Just sold 2 kids for big bucks. So again not sure why worse than us as we markedly weakened our first 11 and did v little to improve depth. We also made very modest money once Larsen and Forbs fees are taken into account.
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
08 Oct 2024 20:40:08
OOTD - The article you posted very carefully doesn't mention profits or debt?
But if you look at the the Fosun International accounts you will see that at the EBIT level they have lost money in each of the last 5 years.
They also - although talking in the article about reducing it - still have an absolute mountain of debt.
Their debt to EBITDA ratio is nearly 20x to give you some context Tesco's is 3.49.
But note the "Junk" comment is not mine but S and P's, one of the leading financial research companies in the world, who rate most of the major entities - countries, financial institutions etc etc as well as companies - in the world!
BB - is not good, it is the same for example as North Macedonia or Costa Rica!
08 Oct 2024 16:36:37
Acle - both are correct. We have a modest football wage bill but a huge and hard to explain non football wage bill!
Competing is "easy" (actually incredibly hard) - build commercial revenues and control non football costs (if I knew what they were it would be easier to discuss).
Most importantly and this is the hardest part of all - don't make mistakes in the transfer market both in talent terms (don't buy rubbish or sell your best players other than at silly prices) and structural terms (dont buy a LB if you need a RWF and don't sell a first choice CB and buy a 4th choice DM)
OOTD I think you need to be careful about overegging Fosun's financial capabilities - they are still rated BB- ie Junk - and are quite stretched financially.
Consequently it is highly unlikely that we are near the top of their list of problems or going to receive significant on going financial support.
Jeff is that man who links us to HO and as I have made clear several times appears in my opinion at least woefully inadequate in that role or indeed any/all others!
08 Oct 2024 12:51:02
V good post Long.
To be fair Fosun did/oversaw great things up until Seville.
Then for reasons we can only guess at, (Jeff is a pretty short odds candidate though!), Nuno fell out with the club and although he actually left 12 months later we were in a sharp downward spiral by then which we have yet to pull out from.
Why?
Well apart from losing a brilliant manager, post Seville, after a spell when everything we touched turned to (old) gold, we had a short period of insanity in the transfer market!
To be fair since then though although very scattergun and ill thought out we have actually signed lots of good players but those mad transfers in that short post Seville window of course hamstring you financially for 5 years ( or 6 if you are so staggeringly stupid as to extend a contract so we won't be "free " till summer 2026!).
We were also v unlucky to lose two top class players to effectively career ending injuries in Otto and Raul- Raul is however finally showing some signs of recovery!
Finally the total mismanagement of the finances, that sees our wage bill inexplicably out of control, has meant that we have gone from a solid stable side moving steadily forward to a club in chaos lurching from one crisis to another.
Managers have come and gone - costing a fortune in payoffs. The squad has been gutted to provide short term relief from the long term structural problems with the finances. Plus I guess the biggest indictment of all, the transfer policy has become a trolley dash. We are seemingly looking for yellow stickers, buy it if it is cheap regardless of if we needed it or not, rather than buying what we actually need.
So whilst we still have good players - not as many as we used to of course - the squad is hopelssly constructed. This means the latest manager is trying and seemingly failing to make sense of the squad he has been given. We are trying to play a defensive formation, surely not the one he wants to be playing but one presumably imposed on him, that jars with the attacking one! For example the defence requires FBs the attack WBs. We have 3 excellent DMs but not a single AM in the squad.
This summer we sold a CB and a creative attacking player and in first team terms bought a 3rd DM when we only play 2 and a slow big CF when previously we had not played with a CF but relied on our 3 skillful players using pace to open sides up.
Now we only have 2 creative players in the side and one is theoretically anchored at LB! We don't have enough if any CBs capable of playing the new system. Finally and damningly we only have 1 player capable of playing off the big man meaning our attack is still reliant on the FBs getting up to support and create- see Brentford for offensvie impact of RAN and Semedo but at what cost to the defence!
But we do have lots of young prospects either not yet ready it seems for first team football in the Prem or playing in positions we already have covered!
Are Fosun to blame for this tale of mismanagement?
If they aren't then who is and what have Fosun been doing to allow them this degree of control?
Sadly the finger has to be pointed at Jeff who is definitively in chage of the off field activities that sadly have leached onto the on field activities even if you discount the possibility of his rumoured highly illadvised and Machiavellian interference in transfers and.tactics!.
07 Oct 2024 18:45:17
V good q.
Of course it is possible that Hobbs and GON thought 4 at the back was a good idea - let's be fair at the moment there are still lots of Wolves fans on social media aggressively claiming it its the only way to go!
It is also possible that they thought the 4 CBs we had were adequate for the job and finally it is possible that they genuinely thought we would have no injuries, suspensions or loss of form etc etc.
This would be a horrendous indictment of their intellectual capabilities however.
What would be far more likely though is that GON was offered the biggest contract of his life and told to fall into line.
Given that he knew that if you cross Jeff you were toast and that he may never be offered this sort of job again the decison was surely easy?
It might work and if it does great but if it didn't- as he almost certainly knew it wouldn't since he does know something about football and it hadn't worked when the previous 3 managers were all "persuaded" to (briefly) give it a go he would still be unemployed bit with a lot of money in the bank and a ready made excuse for his "failure"
07 Oct 2024 18:10:32
Would not have spent £10m we clearly can't afford on a new GK when Sa was more than adequate and there were so many obviously more compelling needs.
But where is Sa's head now and to be fair to Johnstone he had a fair game on saturday keeping score down to 5 with zero defence - it could easily have been 8, 9 or 10 - by half time!
WBs obviously - but not according to many Wolves posters who are still convinced 4 at the back with FBs is the way to go!