Are Wolves Really That Good?

[JJH]

I'm not posting this to be purposely controversial or "edgy" but I've seen lots of comments about Wolves banded about this season, "best team to play in the Championship ever" "would be top 10 in the PL with their squad" etc etc, but are they really that good?

I've watched Wolves several times this season so feel fit to comment with some sort of value, and whilst they are a fantastic side at this level I think they'd really struggle in the PL.

Wolves play great football but won't be on the front foot every week in games and I think they'll come a bit unstuck. I've no doubt Wolves will chuck plenty of cash about but I seriously think for the first team they need a keeper, two centre halves, a central midfielder, a winger and a striker as I don't think that any of Ruddy, Bennett, Coady, Saiss, N'Diaye, Costa, Bonatini and maybe Cavaleiro who are all starters are good enough for the PL and will need upgrades in their position.

They play some fantastic stuff and certainly are better to watch than Newcastle were last season, but Toon were only a couple of points behind Wolves at the same stage last season, and I think players like Lascelles, Clark, Shelvey, Ritchie and Gayle would all walk into Wolves side currently.

Bit of a strange one and I'm not knocking Wolves at all, they're a delight to watch but I think they've got some way to go to become the force that Fosun want them to be.

 

[Craig]

They were bang average at Oakwell, but that's the only time I've watched them for 90 minutes to be fair. They're certainly not pissing the league by accident though.

 

[JJH]

They were bang average at Oakwell, but that's the only time I've watched them for 90 minutes to be fair. They're certainly not pissing the league by accident though.

Are they pissing the league though? Cardiff are 6 (I think) points behind them and they still have to go Cardiff and Villa, they've come unstuck a bit in recent weeks, mainly since Neves got suspended or injured or whatever.

 

[Craig]

Fair point their form has dipped a little, but they're still 10 points clear of third with 12 games left and have only lost 2 of the last 20. Would take a monumental collapse for them not to take an automatic spot I reckon.

 

[JJH]

Fair point their form has dipped a little, but they're still 10 points clear of third with 12 games left and have only lost 2 of the last 20. Would take a monumental collapse for them not to take an automatic spot I reckon.

I agree with you I still think they'll win it, but I don't think it'll be by as emphatic a margin as people expected.

Lots of flaws in their side that'll need addressing if/when they get promoted imo.

 

[TomPNE94]

They need a new CB, Coady has been alright but he’s still a CM playing at CB and you can tell. Doherty probably needs improving as well along with Ruddy but other than that I think they would easily stay up in the Prem.

 

[JJH]

They need a new CB, Coady has been alright but he’s still a CM playing at CB and you can tell. Doherty probably needs improving as well along with Ruddy but other than that I think they would easily stay up in the Prem.

Definitely need another midfielder to partner Neves so they can get Gibbs-White out on loan. I'd take Gibbs-White here next season.

 

[CharlieAdamno1Fan]

I did say there be fucked when the cold weather comes

 

[Jockney]

Hard to predict these things because so much changes, including the approach of players and coaching staff. Bournemouth and Burnley are good examples of how to succeed at that level working largely with what you already have. If someone had told in 2012 that the likes Charlie Daniels, Simon Francis, Junior Stanislas, Joshua King, Ben Mee, Ashley Barnes, Scott Arfield, etc, would go on to more than hold their own at that level, I wouldn’t have believed you.

 

[villa loyal]

They are a good team, but I definitely think some of their fans are overrating them. The facts are, they are only 6 points Infront of a terrible footballing side like Cardiff, so they are hardly running away with it. They will definitely go up though, and will probably win the league.

 

[LancashireTrotters]

They’re good, no doubt about it. But there’s better sides from yesteryear.
Reading (2006), Fulham (2001), Sunderland (1999), Bolton (1997) spring to mind.

 

[SF_]

Newcastle and Brighton from last season were both better.

 

[SF_]

They’re good, no doubt about it. But there’s of better sides from yesteryear.
Reading (2006), Fulham (2001), Sunderland (1999), Bolton (1997) spring to mind.

Man City 01-02 & Pompey 02-03 are worth a mention too.

 

[SoutheySWFC]

For the money spent I'd expect them to be walking the league.....

 

[markwwfc1992]

Contrary to popular belief I think we will thrive more in the Premier League than we have done down here. Our players have come out in recent weeks to say that teams 'find another gear' when they play us. They see Wolves as top of the league whilst throwing money around so it gives other teams more of an incentive to beat us (Matt Doherty's words). The quick, counter attacking football we play perfectly suits us against teams that like to play against us, rather than those who put 10 men behind the ball. These are the teams we seem to struggle against this season.

I think some recruitment is needed, but not nescessarily the players you mentioned JJH. I'll list what our best team is now.

Ruddy
Bennett - Coady - Boly
Doherty ------------- Douglas
Neves - Saiss
Costa - Cavalerio - Jota
​

In the summer, I think we will get a new goalkeeper, Ruddy doesn't convince me enough to be our number 1 in the PL, Norris will be in the squad. Sadly I can't see Ikeme coming back.

In defence, Batth will go, a good servant for the club, but this is his level. Think Kourtney Hause will also leave to a Championship club. Boly and Vinagre should sign permanently, and I think we will also sign another CB, and a RB to compete with Doherty.

In midfield, N'Diaye may or may not sign permanently. He will cost us €9m, but we will be charged €2.5m as a loan fee if we chose not to sign him permanently. We will also sign another CM hopefully. I hope Gibbs-White stays, I think he has a big future at Wolves, and think he is ready.

Up top I think both Afobe and Bonatini will be released from their loans, I doubt both are good enough for the PL. That means ideally we need 2 forward players. One will be Andre Silva I am fairly sure about. Cavalerio, Costa and Jota will thrive in the PL I think. Rafa Mir will step up for Bonatini's role.

It's all guesswork but if we follow something like that, I think we will be comfortably midtable next season. If Fosun are willing to spend £50m in the Championship, I should think we will have an open chequebook next season.

​

 

[Bobbin']

Charlton 2000

 

[markwwfc1992]

Newcastle and Brighton from last season were both better.

We're on course to finish with more points than both of those, so not sure I agree with that.

 

[SF_]

We're on course to finish with more points than both of those, so not sure I agree with that.

Fair enough, I don't believe you have the depth or solidity of either of those sides. You seem to have done well in avoiding injuries.

Seems a more even league this year and I think those two sides would have walked automatic promotion again.

Just based on what i've seen.

 

[MagpieBee]

Fair enough, I don't believe you have the depth or solidity of either of those sides. You seem to have done well in avoiding injuries.

Seems a more even league this year and I think those two sides would have walked automatic promotion again.

Just based on what i've seen.

Yeah, Wolves are only a couple of points above where those teams were, and there were arguably more "better" teams last year.

Our players have come out in recent weeks to say that teams 'find another gear' when they play us.

You don't think this happened to Newcastle or Brighton? This happens to pretty much every team who are close to the top of the league, in every league in football, everywhere. Most sides that come to Griffin Park stick 10 men behind the ball.

Disagree with the way you are making the argument, but I do think Wolves will do quite well next season. They'll need investment for sure, but they'll get it (the owners haven't exactly been shy in buying this season!), I also think they play in a way that will serve them well in the PL, providing they improve their defence.

Wouldn't go anywhere near saying they are the best side the Championship has seen, not even close for me, and with their current squad they'd be really struggling in the PL.

 

[markwwfc1992]

Yeah, Wolves are only a couple of points above where those teams were, and there were arguably more "better" teams last year.


You don't think this happened to Newcastle or Brighton? This happens to pretty much every team who are close to the top of the league, in every league in football, everywhere. Most sides that come to Griffin Park stick 10 men behind the ball.

Disagree with the way you are making the argument, but I do think Wolves will do quite well next season. They'll need investment for sure, but they'll get it (the owners haven't exactly been shy in buying this season!), I also think they play in a way that will serve them well in the PL, providing they improve their defence.

Wouldn't go anywhere near saying they are the best side the Championship has seen, not even close for me, and with their current squad they'd be really struggling in the PL.

In my defence I have never said we are the best team in the Championship. I do think we play the best style of football in the Championship though. I think Fulham in 2001 under Jean Tigana would come close to that.

Also their is a stigma about the top half Championship and bottom half of the Prem. Besides money, there really isn't much between these teams. For example give Bristol City a Premier League transfer budget and they aren't much different to say Swansea. I think we will finish around 10th next season considering how much we will improve our current squad. As I said it will thrive a lot more in the PL when teams attack us, this is when we are at our best.

Another thing I stand by is that Neves is in the top 5 CM's in the country. I think he'll give us 1 year in the prem.

 

[The Southbank]

Come back when you've managed 106 points, boys.

 

[markwwfc1992]

Come back when you've managed 106 points, boys.

I'll be surprised if anyone manages that again.

 

[Super_horns]

Well guess its a case of if you give them time and space then Wolves will hurt you but maybe teams have learnt their lesson second time around?

Seem to be shipping a few goals which no matter what your attack is like won't help - we had that problem under Zola.

Still going to be ok for promotion though I am sure.

 

[MagpieBee]

In my defence I have never said we are the best team in the Championship. I do think we play the best style of football in the Championship though. I think Fulham in 2001 under Jean Tigana would come close to that.

Also their is a stigma about the top half Championship and bottom half of the Prem. Besides money, there really isn't much between these teams. For example give Bristol City a Premier League transfer budget and they aren't much different to say Swansea. I think we will finish around 10th next season considering how much we will improve our current squad. As I said it will thrive a lot more in the PL when teams attack us, this is when we are at our best.

Another thing I stand by is that Neves is in the top 5 CM's in the country. I think he'll give us 1 year in the prem.

Fair enough mate. I do think you'll do well next year, but have got you pegged more around the 14th mark. If you can get 2-3 players the quality of Jota and Neves through, that could change.

Wouldn't put Neves in the top 5 CMs in the country, but he'll certainly be a star in the PL.

 

[villa loyal]

Charlton 2000

Who? Never heard of 'em

 

[Bobbin']

Who? Never heard of 'em

Must admit, it does sound more like a phoenix club.

 

[KevinMcallister]

Leeds 90 were better you silly tarts

 

[SoutheySWFC]

Leeds 90 were better you silly tarts

Wednesday 1991 were better too.

 

[villa loyal]

I can remember Leeds and Wednesday having very good teams in the early 90s. Wolves on their day are a joy to watch, and it's because of that foreign style of play at times, that they come across better than they actually are. The league table says they are the best team, but it also says they are being overrated a bit. Let's see how it looks at the end.

 

[Benladdie3000]

He team is good but the fans are only full of confidence if they have a 15 point lead. Anything less and they start having a period over not coming in top 2. Jeez