Wolves fell to a deflating defeat in the FA Cup Fifth Round at home to Southampton. Goals from Danny Ings and Stuart Armstrong at the beginning and end of the second half sent the Saints home happy as they head into the quarter finals where they will face Bournemouth. It was a poor performance in which Wolves mustered just one shot on target, with the away side dominating for large parts of the game. Wolves now face the Saints in league action on Sunday afternoon where they will look to make it three unbeaten in the Premier League.
John Ruddy
A frustrating afternoon for Wolves backup shot stopper who was unlucky to see his initial save bounce back off Danny Ings and into the net for the Saints opener. Ruddy was then dealt a shocking back pass by Leander Dendoncker which ultimately led to Stuart Armstrong sealing the game. Ruddy could perhaps have let the ball run behind for a corner, or put the ball in the stands, and will be disappointed to have given the ball straight to the away side in the penalty area from which they scored. Ruddy did make several saves which kept Wolves in the tie earlier in the game. 5/10
Leander Dendoncker
Continued his place on the right of the back three and struggled to contain the Southampton forwards throughout. He allowed Danny Ings through on multiple occasions in the first half and ultimately cost Wolves the second goal with a poor back pass to Ruddy. Will likely make way for Conor Coady to return for the league game on Sunday. 4/10
Romain Saiss
Returned to the starting XI after a period on the side-lines with injury and played in the centre of the back three. He blocked several shots and crosses including a superb effort to deny Danny Ings a certain goal mid-way through the first half. 6/10
Max Kilman
Like Saiss was in the right place at the right time to block Southampton shots and crosses. However, Kilman was out of line to ultimately play Danny Ings onside for the opening goal of the game and struggled to deal with the pace of Nathan Redmond. 5/10
Ki-Jana Hoever
Given his chance from the off after numerous impressive performances in the Premier League without playing the full 90 minutes. Hoever was direct in attack and looked to stride towards the box wherever possible, creating one of just two Wolves chances for Fabio Silva. 6/10
Joao Moutinho
It was a frustrating night for Moutinho after impressing during Wolves’ recent upturn in form. The veteran midfielder was a yard off the pace at times, giving away numerous fouls when Wolves could have kept possession in the Southampton half. He failed to make any impact on the game in an attacking sense. 5/10
Ruben Neves
Captain for the night, but Neves struggled to assert any dominance in the midfield as Wolves laboured to defeat. Despite his best efforts he failed to link with the changed front three and wasted a free kick in a promising position in the second half, firing straight into the wall. 5/10
Jonny
A second 45 minutes on the comeback trail for Wolves’ much-missed left wing back and he will be wondering just what he has come back too. Jonny’s final game prior to injury was the 1-0 win over Olympiacos which saw Wolves progress into the Europa League Quarter Finals, Wolves now sit 14th and out of all of the cup competitions. Wolves will hope for Jonny to be fit enough to be involved for longer than 45 minutes on Sunday! 6/10
Morgan Gibbs-White
Starting just his second game since he returned from his loan spell at Swansea and Gibbs-White, like many others, failed to take his opportunity. He will perhaps feel hard done by to have not been awarded a penalty for a tackle late on in the first half, but in truth, Gibbs-White has got to offer more if he is to stake a claim for a regular starting place. 4/10
Fabio Silva
Just where do you start with Fabio Silva. His intelligent movement was once again evident throughout, and it is certainly not without trying, but his finishing and overall play in the penalty area means it is yet another game without a goal for the young striker. There is certainly promise there, but there is also plenty of work to be done if he is to fulfil his potential. 5/10
Vitinha
Vitinha, like Gibbs-White, failed to take advantage of his opportunity to earn a starting place in Nuno’s side. He had very little impact on the game and was outdone physically on numerous occasions, an aspect of his game that must improve. 4/10
Subs:
Ryan Ait-Nouri
A planned substitute as Jonny continues his comeback from injury. Ait-Nouri failed to assert any kind of influence on the game going forward, a far cry from the ability he showcased early on in his Wolves career. Nuno will want to see more of his attacking intent and ability if he is to challenge Jonny once he is match fit. 5/10
Adama Traore
Sent on after Wolves fell behind early in the second half but could not fashion a good opportunity to get the home side back into the game. He did however, waste what was arguably Wolves’ best chance as he sent his six-yard effort straight at Forster. 6/10
Willian Jose
Was introduced alongside Traore but also failed to impact the game in a positive way. His assured hold up play meant Wolves could keep possession higher up the pitch in the latter stages, but he did not have a chance to level the scores. 5/10
Pedro Neto
Not even Wolves’ Player of the Season so far could find a way to goal on a desperate night for Nuno’s men. Neto’s direct running and high intensity brought positivity and won a couple of free kick in promising positions, none of which came to fruition. 6/10
Ciaran Barker is part of the Talking Wolves editorial team – you can follow him on Twitter here.