Wolves banter 6

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.

07 Sep 2026 18:53:52.
After the Blues game I have a couple of comments.
Jackson is awfully and to be honest should have been replaced in the summer.
If we play Andre then it has to be with another two in mid flield.
Don’t think Raul is match fit.


Fer Lopez is a baller.
The two CB looked decent however our left is an issue which could be resolved with a three man midfield.
Mane is a luxury.
Armstrong is a starter.
Just my thoughts.

07 Sep 2026 20:44:04
Other than Armstrong is a starter, I somewhat agree, but for me, Armstrong is poor.

07 Sep 2026 21:11:25
Armstrong does not justify his place. He is not strong, physical, hard working, and has little quality. He reminds me of Hwang. He never gave his all and was not good enough. Belgarde would be the one for me once fit, he has enough to be moulded into that role.

However, Tolu would have been ideal in the Championship, but wherever he plays he needs a strong, disciplined manager.

07 Sep 2026 21:53:08
I do think Armstrong is very hard working. He always seems to be making runs, but doesn't often get the ball. However, Ronevo, I agree with your other points and that miss was shocking.

08 Sep 2026 08:52:41
I gotta be honest. There's no way to excuse it. Armstrong's miss was terrible, but, and it's a but with exceptions, I prefer him to Mane as a team player.
In the first half I noticed Armstrong clearing away in defence. His running takes defenders away from Fer and Raul, and also his positive runs rarely get fed.
Mane, I find, is a little static off the ball, and slow in his decision making when he gets it.
Of course he can be electric taking on players and can score a spectacular goal, but that's where he's so frustrating, coz he'll shoot when he should pass, and try a pass when he should shoot.


He's young, he's got talent, and he worries teams, but he's got a lot to learn, one of them being 'meet the ball'. He relies too much on receipt and turning a player, and he won't get much joy with that in the Championship in terms of free kicks.
I think there are times for one or the other. At the moment it's an Armstrong start, Mane coming on to light us up.

07 Sep 2026 14:25:30
After the Blues game I have the same doubts after watching our first game v Blackburn.

Our two CDM Andre & Munetsi aren’t doing there job in my opinion.
Munetsi seems to have been told to attack more leaving big holes in which we are being exploited.

I see a lot of moaning about other players but I can’t remember seeing anyone mentioning the fact Andre hasn’t looked the same player.
Celebrating winning a throw in v Preston near there goal and few times since.

My point is we seem quick to blame a player like Jackson but there’s other players who seem to get away with bad games.



Not sure if it’s a formation issue for Andre or if it’s a form issue.

I’ll back what ever 11 is put on the field as that what we should be doing in my opinion.

Not one of us feels as bad as Jackson after what happened so let’s sing his name and back the lad as we all want to win.

My 11 for next weekend would be:

Sa
Jackson Djiga Krejci Hugo

Doyle Andre

Lopez. James. Mane

Raul.
Need to change it up as Raul isn’t getting anything fed through to him.

Just my thoughts on what I’ve seen on the pitch and also what I’ve read.
Back the lads we all want a great season.

07 Sep 2026 15:28:29
No, Doyle is rubbish, sorry.
I don't get the love for him. He's worse than Munetsi.
I'd play that young lad Neave alongside Raul, as he has pace.

07 Sep 2026 16:30:12
Have to agree with RKO regarding Tommy Doyle. He offers almost nothing.

There is no reason for Peixoto to be selecting Doyle before Bellegarde or Boubacar Traore.

07 Sep 2026 19:22:29
I agree with Rated too. If Munetsi is told to be more offensive and push up, then it isn't necessarily his fault that Andre is left alone at times. And, if that is the case, then I would prefer James in place of Munetsi, since he is a better attacking option imo.

Doyle isn't the best replacement. If we are playing two true defensive mids, then Munetsi should be adequate alongside Andre. I'm sure Andre is still used to Joao Gomes being right there with him. It takes time to adjust to new personnel.

07 Sep 2026 21:01:02
Andre and Gomez were the main reason for no midfield creativity last season, resulting in square balls, back passing, and running into trouble. This is what Andre is continuing to do. Jordan James needs to be played in midfield.

He will be our star player and future legend. Watch him go. However, like everyone has said, we need the defence sorted. We now have the players, if their heads are with Wolves.

08 Sep 2026 14:17:17
Can only assume that Jonk has forgotten that Rodrigo Gomes exists. FWAW.

07 Sep 2026 12:16:07
Think we have to give CP some time, overall we have been a better watch than last season’s rubbish.
Fix defence. Realise probably more tricky than it sounds, but with Trippier, Krejci, Digija and Bueno looks much better. Unfortunately Trippier not available. Anyone know how long he is out?

07 Sep 2026 13:06:30
Agreed, but why are we playing JT? He's purely an athlete not a footballer. His decision making is dreadful & he can't cross a decent ball into the box.
Surely there's better options in this position, RG or PL. At least they know how to cross a decent ball for Raul.

07 Sep 2026 11:09:03
{Ed's Note - thefutureisoldgold3 has posted a new article entitled, Wolves Ratings v Birmingham City

07 Sep 2026 10:21:06
Don’t think Cesar Peixoto is up to the demands of the Championship.
He’s another nice guy.
Mowbray, Nuno and the Birmingham manager have all outwitted him with in game tactic changes and we’re not getting the required results even though we have better players than most of our opponents.

07 Sep 2026 10:47:56
Let's wait until he has the team out there that he wants to pay before passing judgement. It's still early days. Give the guy a chance to do that.

07 Sep 2026 10:54:38
It's five games in and Nuno is on the exact same points as Cesar despite having a better squad and despite having a six month head start! I'm not saying he's the answer, but let's give him some time to actually work with the squad that he's had to cobble together at the last minute due to more, yet more pee poor planning from Fosun.

I think what concerns me currently is the lack of clean sheets. We have one of the worst defences in the league right now (statistically), and that needs to change, and quick. 👍

07 Sep 2026 11:02:50
If he can sort the defence out, we'll be fine. Trippier's return will, no doubt, be most welcomed, as not only will it strengthen the starting 11, Jackson will also be able to learn from one of the best RBs in recent history.

07 Sep 2026 11:35:21
If Trippier can turn Jackson into a decent footballer that would be in the realms of miracles.

07 Sep 2026 14:24:10
Wait until CP has the team he wants on the pitch?
Will that be before the West Brom game or after? Most of the fans want to win this one more than any other game this season.
As you point out, BB, CP has exactly the same points as Nuno, and we are currently sitting on the edge of the play off zone, but he has two points less than James Morrison, who has only been in the job for a few months, but is already ahead of us with a worse squad, the same as the other 8 teams above us.


Chris Wilder is no mug either, and I will be surprised if we get any points from that game. By the time the game arrives, we could be in the bottom half of the table with low confidence, and in-house fallouts between the players who want to be here and the ones going through the motions until they get the move to a club they want to be at.

07 Sep 2026 14:31:23
Actually want to change manager again after the bloke's only had 5 games? Ridiculous, mate. To be honest, I completely disagree with you. I value everyone has an opinion, but come on, he's 5 games in, we don't want to change managers after 5 games.

07 Sep 2026 14:34:59
He needs to sort the defence.
let's see how he goes over the next couple of games.
It needs to be resolved quickly!

07 Sep 2026 15:28:53
I didn't say 'change the manager,' Simon/Laura. I just said that I don't think he has the experience to get us promoted, and the teams that do go up will likely have battle hardened Championship managers.
We've gone from 7th in the Premier, and considered best of the rest, to sitting just outside the play off zone in the Championship, which is now eight teams instead of six.


It's not CP's fault, but Fosun and CP will get treated the same as our last six or seven managers sooner or later.
Won't he?

07 Sep 2026 08:30:13
Why was Armstrong still on the pitch? Should have been the second sub behind Jackson at half time.

07 Sep 2026 06:35:54
If Armstrong hadn't missed a chance my sofa bound mother could have walked we win. Leave Jackson alone.

07 Sep 2026 11:32:52
If Jackson hadn't over hit the worst back pass in the world, then we also still win. Either it's a team problem or it isn't, I'm afraid. You can't say 'leave player x alone' because it's player y's fault anyway; it's all the same problem. 👍

06 Sep 2026 22:47:32
Once the Traore signing is confirmed and he is up to fitness and Trippier is back fully fit, the squad looks a lot better and the team should be:

Sa, Trippier, Djiga, Krejci, Hugo Bueno, Bertrand Traore, James, Andre, Rodrigo, Lopez, Raul.

Subs, Virginia, Mosquera, Konan, Lima, Jackson, Munetsi, Doyle, Neave, Said, Mane and Bellegarde.

I've left Jackson and Toti out purposely.

07 Sep 2026 09:45:22
In order to include Traore, we need to lose one player presently in squad. Beggars can be choosers, and it may well depend on who, out of Santiago Bueno and Bellegarde, attracts interest. Given that buying club can do the math, we are going to have to settle for a loan with option. Not ideal, but the result of little interest being shown in those surplus to requirements.
I would prefer to keep Bellegarde. I think he has shown glimpses in the past of being able to create opportunities by his willingness to carry the ball from central positions.

He played that role for Haiti in the World Cup, and is more effective there than when deployed wide.
It's a bit of a concern that we have had to settle for loans with those who have been shipped out. Hopefully they will play well enough to attract offers next year. Certainly don't want any returning irrespective of the league we are in (unless it's League One!!!!).

07 Sep 2026 10:01:32
Can we sell Jackson?

06 Sep 2026 22:35:19
We have what we have. I know this is all about opinions. Can’t keep making scapegoats out of them. Mane out 1 week, Armstrong out, Gimenez out. Da out. I’ve heard it all on here. Only one person to blame. Fosun, let’s not take it out on the players. Take it out on them. Only 1 place to blame this s*** show on.