Hull vs Wolves

[markwwfc1992]

I would have taken 6 points for the whole of August and been happy, but 6 points from our first 2 games I'm over the moon with.

Without sounding negative I think we will suffer our first defeat here. Hull has never been a good hunting ground for us, and I fear Nuno might change a few players so we wont be at our strongest. Hull will be full of confidence with their big victory vs Burton too.

Ruddy

Coady - Miranda - Boly
Doherty -------------------------- Douglas
Neves - Saiss

Cav' - Dicko - Jota
​

Hull to win 2-1.

 

[markwwfc1992]

The BBC have given their analysis for the game, and if we're as bad as we were 98 years ago then we're in for a long old night..

• Hull are one of two teams to put double figures past Wolves in the league, doing so in December 1919 (10-3), with Man Utd the other (10-1, October 1892).

 

[Bentos]

I'll take a draw.

 

[HtfcWArrior]

2-1

 

[markwwfc1992]

Unchanged team for the 3rd league game in a row:

Ruddy

Coady - Miranda - Boly
Doherty --------------------- Douglas
Neves - Saiss

Enobakhare - Jota
Bonatini​

 

[markwwfc1992]

Ruben Neves... why is this guy playing in the Championship

 

[HertsWolf]

Conceded a goal. Nuno out!!! Nuno out!!!

 

[HertsWolf]

Goal scored! Nuno! Nuno! Nuno!

 

[markwwfc1992]

JOOTTAAAAA

 

[HertsWolf]

Just noticed, Mark, that of the players (from last season) in your signature pic, there's only three on the pitch tonight, I think. Coady, Doherty, Enobakhare.

 

[markwwfc1992]

Just noticed, Mark, that of the players (from last season) in your signature pic, there's only three on the pitch tonight, I think. Coady, Doherty, Enobakhare.

Only two I think mate, I think it's Prince Oniangue rather than Enobakhare. Not sure if Prince is even still at the club to be honest.

 

[Aber gas]

Ruben Neves... why is this guy playing in the Championship

 

[big mean bunny]

Bright Enobakhare is looking sublime! Remember when you said he was shit Mark!?

 

[markwwfc1992]

Bright Enobakhare is looking sublime! Remember when you said he was shit Mark!?

Fair play he's certainly shut me up.

If I'm being really critical I think he could work on his finishing, but if he could finish he'd probably be in the Premier League.

 

[markwwfc1992]

NOUHA DICKOOOO

 

[big mean bunny]

Stupid soft pen to give away that.

 

[markwwfc1992]

3 wins from Middlesbrough, Derby and Hull... I don't think you would have found a single Wolves fan who would have predicted a start like that.

 

[Super_horns]

Wolves settling in well despite what some pundits said.

 

[big mean bunny]

Ah, my concern (because we are Wolves fans and just enjoying success isnt what we do) will be squad depth now. If we lose or need to rest Boly, Miranda or Neves, I don't think we have anywhere near the players on the bench to even cover half of what they have contributed.

As Mark says, its a fantastic haul. How to Cardiff too on Saturday so another very interesting game.

 

[HertsWolf]

Ah, my concern (because we are Wolves fans and just enjoying success isnt what we do) will be squad depth now. If we lose or need to rest Boly, Miranda or Neves, I don't think we have anywhere near the players on the bench to even cover half of what they have contributed.

As Mark says, its a fantastic haul. How to Cardiff too on Saturday so another very interesting game.

Not too concerned about the depth. Across the midfield we still have Ronan and Price, then wider there's Costa, Marshall, Graham and Zyro. (However, I suspect Zyro will move on soon). At the back, there's Bennett, Hause, Batth. Up front, yes we remain weak. Personally, despite flashes of sheer brilliance, Bright is still not the finished article (Nor is Bonatini, now, it seems) but we all know we need more there.

For me, I am more interested in the Southampton League Cup game than the Cardiff match, because I think that will show the strength of the squad - or not. It's the wing-back positions that are puzzling. Nuno has show he can successfully get players working successfully in unfamiliar positions (eg Coady, Jota). Maybe we will see how much Deslandes has come on. The Southampton match will show how the team will cope. Or not. Playing 3-4-3 must be exhausting for the back 3, and we will need those others frequently.

Also, so far, in each match it has been noticeable that the opposition just hasn't responded intelligently to Wolves' width. In some respects it was like playing against a 9 man team as their midfield crowded the middle allowing Wolves to constantly pick up the wing backs with long passes. It looks impressive, but when their midfield is in the centre of the pitch, pretty much any long ball has a high chance of picking out our player out wide. I think others will pick up on this. I suspect our party will end with Brentford who always seem a very intelligent team. Of course, the danger of matching our width is that you then leave a lot of space for Neves, Saiss, Enobakhare and Jota in the middle.

As Oliveira has shown at Norwich, it is difficult for managers to keep the powder dry with expensive divas at this stage in the season. You keep some rested now and they throw hissy fits but the reality is that some decent players need to be available for those long January and February nights. Some are going to be rested now, some later.

We live in expensive times. Suspect we are no longer the dark horse.

 

[markwwfc1992]

We seem to be covered everywhere except for a main striker and RWB (hopefully wont be an issue when Ofosu-Ayeh is fit). The trouble is if Bonatini or Dicko get injured we are very light up top. We have a plethora of attacking midfielders though so worst case scenario I think we would play Jota/Cav or even Zyro there as a temporary fix. It's amazing to think how strong our attacking options are at the moment, considering we still have Costa and Ben Marshall to come back next month.

 

[markwwfc1992]

Also I'm guessing Mason will be leaving either on loan or permanently. I don't think he has made any matchday squad so far?

 

[HertsWolf]

It wouldnt surprise me if we just go with what we have right now and look for someone in January. I suspect any of Dicko, Bright, Cavaleiro, Jota, Zyro, Graham, Costa could fill the front three positions. Maybe even Edwards. In fact Edwards might even be better up there than in the new midfield. He now looks out of his depth and confused in midfield. I reckon Nuno might give him a run out up front...maybe against Southampton? Even if not, that's seven players for three places. I'm not sure we can afford anyone right now anyway, and I'm not sure we need anyone. Get £1m for each of Zyro and Mason and we could put a deposit down on someone better than Mason certainly. Pity we never gave Mendez-Laing a chance. Or Sam Winnall.

 

[markwwfc1992]

Not sure what to think of Zyro. When we first signed him he looked brilliant, and then the injury hit and has only just returned. He doesn't seem to feature much in Nuno's plans but I think he is a very good squad player to have at this level. Like you said in those Jan/Feb months and the injuries start rolling in to bigger names, I think Zyro could have a big impact (similar to when we signed him).

Lonergan will go, I think Prince, Mason and maybe even Price/Edwards too. I think realistically if we do bring in another striker (not so desperate at the moment) it will be another loan.

I am quite surprised about Mendez-Liang. He has been in and around L1 clubs for the past few years but has really hit the ground running at Cardiff... and you know being an ex player he is nailed on to score against us on Saturday. Sam Winall is another who we will regret releasing, he is a clinical Championship striker, and those are like gold dust at the moment.

 

[Bentos]

Wolves were a different class. I don't think we'll play a better team this season. I don't think we were particularly bad, they simply had their tactics spot on.

THAT SAID...

Ruben Neves is incredible. His passing ability and vision are superb. Best player I've seen at this level for some time, and could easily play higher. What I don't understand is his incessant cheating. There were constant issues with feigning injury, but the most infuriating for me was when he rolled around clutching his face after being fouled by Campbell. Fraizer dragged him down, it was a foul, but there was no contact with his face whatsoever. It was to the extent that our normally cool-headed captain got booked for his reaction to yet more play-acting in injury time. After the final whistle, Allan McGregor also saw fit to have it out with him on the pitch. It's a shame he has to resort to such behaviour as he's a wonderfully talented player in what appears to be a team heading for a decent challenge for promotion.

 

[Bentos]

Hernandez is out for 8 months...

 

[BCFC David]

Hernandez is out for 8 months...

Ouch

 

[HertsWolf]

What I don't understand is his incessant cheating. There were constant issues with feigning injury, .... It was to the extent that our normally cool-headed captain got booked for his reaction to yet more play-acting in injury time. After the final whistle, Allan McGregor also saw fit to have it out with him on the pitch. It's a shame he has to resort to such behaviour as he's a wonderfully talented player in what appears to be a team heading for a decent challenge for promotion.

Umm. That injury time "play acting", Clark deliberately shouldered Neves in the face. No idea why Dawson was booked. Other times, it's clear Neves was a constant target for your players.

As for Allan McGregor "having it out with him on the pitch", obviously McGregor was totally in the right, and Neves was totally wrong. Goes without saying. No idea why, just is. I think we should get rid of Neves as a result.

 

[big mean bunny]

We have the other Portuguese lad on loan who is a lwb, also think Marshall might be cover for the right side too as well as the Bundesliga signing whose name I am so poor at spelling I cant even copy it from above and get it right.

 

[Bentos]

Goes without saying. No idea why, just is. I think we should get rid of Neves as a result.

Weird reaction. I understand the feeling of wanting to defend your own players, but Neves went down every opportunity he got. He milked every challenge. In the first half, having just dived in recklessly to win the ball and being clattered by our player in the process who had to leap over his wild challenge, he stayed down for a good couple of minutes, struggled to carry his war-torn body off the pitch, only to return to action 20 seconds later with a sprint and spring in his step.

My point is merely this: he's an incredible player. Why does he need to resort to such spoiling tactics when he clearly doesn't need them?