07 Sep 2026 23:08:44
For me the defensive issues over the first 5 games have been 3 fold:
Neither of the full backs are strong enough defensively. Consequently, crosses are coming in far too easily and far too often - the return of Trippier and possibly the new guy Konan (sp? ) should alleviate this.
The Gks and CBs have been weak dealing with the crosses. However going forwards Sa should be, despite his issues at WHU, a major upgrade on Bentley and Krejci is a massive upgrade on Toti so the ability to deal with crosses should improve.
The CM is disjointed with Munetsi leaving Andre exposed, either due to poor positional discipline/inability or instructions, and Andre making errors, (possibly as a result? ), so that shots are being allowed from the edge of the box. The inclusion of James should alleviate this.
The goals conceded, to a not insignificant extent, can be traced to these 3 factors.
Against Blackburn both goals come from crosses down the left - Wolfe and Toti
Against Preston the goal is a shot from the middle that the Gk should save - James tries to close down but can't get to the scorer.
Against Stoke a shot from the middle that Munetsi tries to close down - but a shot that was too good but won't be repeated often!
Against WHU The first was a shot from middle that Andre was slow to close down that the Gk also had no chance with - so despite the statement above an unstoppable shot was repeated. The 2nd was a penalty after Andre was beaten and foolishly tried to make up for it by snapping in and conceding a pen. The 3rd was a deflected shot that again Sa had no chance with - a fluke that should not be repeated often and the 4th was a corner that no one dealt with and Sa did not cover himself in glory over.
Against Brum a sensational shot - as before, indeed the 3rd one, that should not be repeated - from a cross from the left, to be fair not unchallenged, with Andre slightly off his man as the left CB Krejci was pulled out of position. The 2nd was a bizarre surely not to be repeated OG.
All in all a bizarre OG, a fluke, 3 unstoppable shots, 1 stoppable shot all from the edge of the middle of the box, a pen and 3 from crosses.
Improve the 3 features identified, (and the steps to do so are simple and indeed have begun to be taken), and at least one of the Blackburn goals is not scored, the Preston goal is not scored, WHU's 4th is not scored and Brum's 2nd is not scored.
Wolves have 4 more points and are top and everyone is happy!
Consequently hold tight and let Wolves continue to solve the issues and things should improve.
08 Sep 2026 06:39:41
Too many goals that shouldn't be repeated because they are worldies or brilliant strikes are actually getting repeated on a regular basis, so there's got to be a reason. That reason, in my view, is that lots of our players are ineffective in closing down and actually marking opponents.
Without space, none of those goals would have been scored. Surely, this can be effectively addressed by appropriate coaching.
08 Sep 2026 08:49:19
The defensive issues have been there since GON was coach. VP had a short-lived amount of joy, but our defensive record since JLO has been shocking.
As much as I didn't believe in Edwards, I think the negative football he had the team playing was because he knew the ability of the players, and was trying to stop us being spanked 4-0 every week.
We've now changed the system with most of the same personnel to a back 4 with a new coach. That will take time to work - if it does at all.
As Old Wulf says, closing down and marking are poor. But they're basics.
The own goal was beyond words as well. I was taught as a schoolboy, if you have to play it back to the keeper, play it either side of the post. That way, if there's an error, you concede a corner and not a goal. Jackson put Sa in an impossible situation with that pass. It's a mistake that just should not happen at that level of football.
08 Sep 2026 09:08:35
I think Sa gets a bum deal, as all keepers do when they concede, but we could be alot worse off without him, have we noted saves made in the games so far?
No, he's not perfect. Who is?
I'm glad he's signed a contract and glad we've got him over other choices.
I don't understand people who blame him for not getting Jackson's woeful ball, Sa wasn't expecting anything like it and wasn't anywhere close enough to stop it.
Full back wise, Tripps is the class we need, obviously. Lima maybe could be more 'lightweight' than Jackson, but crosses maybe more accurate, but until Tripps return I'd stick with Jackson.
MF, yes, Andre is isolated, Munestsi races around and pops up unexpectedly every now and then, but I think the new lad should get the nod and provide a more stable footing.
Raul adds that bit of nous, distraction and ability up front, but sadly isn't as young as he was. I've actually got big hopes for Nease (is it?). I've never seen him, know nothing of him, but a gut feeling is that, as the season goes on, he may well grow into the role with confidence.
08 Sep 2026 09:35:19
What the club needs is an experienced defender who can come in and improve the starting eleven, much like Craig Dawson did a few years ago. Someone like Adam Webster, who is a free agent.
08 Sep 2026 10:35:56
Old agreed, and that was my point 3. Clearly, too many shots are being allowed from the edge of the box. However, I think only the Whu first obviously could have been closed down. For the others, the CM was not in a bad position and was trying, but due to the skill (?) of the forward, he was unable to do so.
Abbey agreed, and I acknowledge that in my post. Although he was poor v Whu so far this season, the only goal he should have stopped is the Whu 4th - the others were not his fault, either flukes, pens, OGs or shots he has no right to save.
Good, I agree and said so regularly during the transfer window. For me, Mings was the one to go for, although I see he is now playing for Villa, so may not have been available after all, but Webster is certainly not a bad idea - and HG!
You would need to shift out another player to fit him into the squad, and assuming Santi is the one making room for B Traore, I'd guess either Jrb or Said, both of whom are currently injured.