Wolves were punished for a wasteful performance as Bolton Wanderers took home a remarkable 3 points at Molineux. A stagnant first half hour was bookended by a goal for the visitors, after Sa fumbled the ball into the feet of goalscorer Ito from a corner. Wolves peppered Bolton with crosses, including several corners from Captain Keiran Trippier but were unable to find a goal before halftime. A lively start to the second half saw Wolves draw level via a tidy Jean-Ricner Bellegarde finish.
Despite pressure from the home side, Bolton added a second against the run of play with Sam Dalby slotting home from close range. Sheehan soon added Bolton’s third and final goal in style, as his 25 yard effort sailed past Sa to nestle into the top corner. I cannot recall the last article I wrote in which Wolves won a game of football and yet being able to list off 2 positives seems an even trickier task than that. While we’re here though, we may as well have a crack at attempting to name 2 good and 2 bad from yesterday’s game.
Good: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s (half) resurgence
Coming into the starting lineup for the first time since Wolves relegation to the Championship, he found himself presenting multiple opportunities in the box for Wolves to latch onto in the first half. He also linked up well with Trippier on the right side, particularly in the opening 45. Bellegarde added his first goal of the campaign after latching onto an incredible lofted ball, bringing Wolves level. While he wasn’t perfect, often frustratingly slowing the intensity of attacks down, his goal allowed Wolves a brief spell of hope for 3 points. Having missed the opening few games through injury and largely featuring for Wolves from the bench last season, it could prove to be a big boost having Bellegarde back amongst contention for positions in the starting lineup.
Good: More minutes in the tank for Rafiki Said
Admittedly this is a bit of a stretch but I am clutching at straws, so please bare with me. Having made a divisive debut for Wolves at the weekend, Said more than held his own in his first appearance at Molineux. Coming off the bench to replace the still goalless Mateus Mane saw Said immediately drive at the Bolton backline. After creating problems for fullback Larrazabal, Said created Wolves biggest missed chance of the evening as his cross was denied an assist by an unbelievable Gavin Bazunu save. With goalscoring becoming an increasingly worrying problem at Wolves, having quality depth in the front line will go a long way in ensuring Wolves return to form.
Bad: Worrying end product
19 shots and 3 on target. With 9 less shots, a Bolton side who started the evening in joint 18th managed to double the shots on target that Wolves produced. Despite Jimenez’ injury, its should be no secret that Wolves front line on paper have the ability to put the ball in the back of net. In reality we looked no sharper than your average FIFA pro clubs strikeforce. While we did create chances, several of which in the 6 yard box, they were anything but taken. Both Jordan James and Adam Armstrong saw shots dribble into the arms of the keeper with Mateus Mane also struggling to find the target. With Mane yet to provide a goal involvement and Armstrong massively underperforming, it begs the question as to if its time for some changes in the lineup from Peixoto.
Bad: Sean Neave on the bench
Seriously, why sign the kid if you don’t trust him? On paper Bolton seemed like the perfect game to introduce the Newcastle loanee, having seen sparse minutes off the bench in previous outings. Likewise, an out of form and unconfident Adam Armstrong has hardly struck fear into opposition defences so far this season. Jimenez’ untimely injury has also left a massive gap in the team, with nobody central for the team to bounce off of and aim for in the box. It begs the question as to whether Peixoto has simply been giving him token minutes so far because he has to. Boasting an impressive record at youth level and clear energy levels and hunger that the team so desperately needs, Neave simply has to be breaking into the starting lineup soon.
