Opinion Archives - Talking Wolves

Where do Wolves need to strengthen in January?

January 8, 2024

by Tom Murray with No Comment News Opinion

January transfer windows can be especially challenging for teams looking to strengthen, as few sides want to sell their best players. If a player is surplus to requirements, there is often a good reason for that, whether that be form, fitness or attitude.

However, with the 2023-24 reporting period for FFP concluding in March, some clubs will look to balance the books, and often all it takes is one transfer to create a snowball of movement across the leagues.

With that in mind, we look at where Wolves might want to do business this month, and where they might defer to the summer.

Goalkeeper

A duo of Jose Sa and Dan Bentley may not inspire the most confidence in fans, but with a small budget (according to Sky reporter, Johnny Phillips), this feels less pressing than other positions. Although Sa is prone to baffling decision-making, he is otherwise a relatively safe pair of hands for a mid-table side. Moreover, upsetting a reasonably stable defence might not be wise mid-season.

Defence

Rayan Ait-Nouri has left for the African Cup of Nations and potentially misses several games with his impressive Algerian national team. However, between Hugo Bueno and Toti Gomes, there is adequate cover at left back.

At centre-back, Craig Dawson, Max Kilman and Santi Bueno represent three robust options, and we know that Toti can slot in there too. Long-term, we will need a Dawson replacement, who will not last forever, and the rumour mill is awash linking Kilman with moves. Unless there is a serious injury or departure, a CB signing can wait until summer.

Right back is Nelson Semedo’s spot, and well-earned. However, with Matt Doherty as the one cover, I wouldn’t rule out Wolves being open to a young deputy for Semedo in the market, if the right deal arose.

Midfield

Despite losing Boubacar Traore to the AFCON, Wolves have a lot of central or holding options between Mario Lemina, Jean-Ricner, Joao Gomes, Joe Hodge and Tommy Doyle. The partnership of Lemina and Gomes in particular has looked really robust this season.

In the more advanced positions, Pablo Sarabia and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde have both impressed, and our recent goal-scoring suggests that our creativity is not a major issue. Sarabia will not be with us forever, but that is perhaps a consideration for the summer.

It is in wide positions that Wolves feel a lack of depth. There is overlap here with the forwards, but losing the prolific Hee-Chan Hwang to the Asian Cup may need addressing. Hwang, who is probably best suited off a central striker has been shunted out wide to cover our lack of options, as has Ait-Nouri.

With Pedro Neto as the only genuine wide man, there is a lot of pressure on a player returning from injury. Gary O’Neil has already highlighted the need for support in this area, and Wolves will likely be in the market to create a more balanced forward line. They will also be mindful that Neto will have a number of suitors in the summer, and may want to blood his replacement early.

Striker

Fabio Silva has gone on loan to Rangers and Sasa Kalajdzic to Eintracht Frankfurt for the reason for the season. That just leaves the impressive Matheus Cunha to lead the line. O’Neil has been vocal that Cunha is not a true number 9 and would flourish in a freer role. Again, the rumour mill has linked us with a lot of traditional number 9s who would ease Cunha’ burden and free him up in a more supportive role.

However, getting a prolific striker in January on a limited budget can be a real challenge. Even with the best will in the world from Messrs. O’Neil, Shi and Hobbs, the right option might not emerge in this window. Recent form might mean that the board will be more sanguine about this possibility, and sustainable financial practice is unlikely to be shucked in a panic over this.

What can Wolves fans expect under Gary O’Neil

August 10, 2023

by Cam Smith with No Comment News Opinion

A less-than-ideal summer has led to a wild week within the ranks at Wolverhampton Wanderers. As Julen Lopetegui leaves the club after just nine months in charge, ex-Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil has found himself at the helm. Less than a week before the season opener at Old Trafford.

During the negotiations surrounding Lopetegui’s departure, the club reportedly held positive talks with the Englishman. What can fans come to expect from their side under O’Neil?

Steadying the ship

After a 9-0 defeat away at Anfield, O’Neil was placed in charge at Bournemouth, originally on an interim basis. With 16 goals conceded in three games, changing the fortunes of a side seemingly in disarray was never going to be a simple task. O’Neil was given one job, to steady the ship.

In his first match in charge, his side achieved a morale-boosting result. Wolves, with Bruno Lage in charge, failed to score away at The Vitality. Whilst not being the prettiest, a 0-0 draw at home proved vital for the Cherries, kick-starting a six-match unbeaten run.

Wins against the likes of Nottingham Forest and Leicester, and draws against Newcastle, Brentford and Fulham saw the club amass crucial points as the World Cup break neared.

January reinforcements proved to be crucial to see the club over the line regarding safety. Post-World Cup, the tight nature of last campaign’s relegation was evident. As Wolves proved under Lopetegui, only a handful of wins would be required to achieve safety with games to spare.

O’Neil’s side did what they had to do. With highlight wins against the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham, the club were successfully steered away from relegation with two games remaining.

A likeable and honest manager who completed the task set in keeping Bournemouth in the top flight. His departure came as a surprise. However, higher ups within the club decided that a more nuanced approach was the way forward, hence the appointment of highly regard Andoni Iraola. What does this mean for Wolves?

Tactical outlook

On the pitch, O’Neil set his side up in a 442, with the outlook being to get the best out of the exciting attacking players at his disposal following on from the January transfer window. The signings of Dango Ouattara and Matias Vina, in particular, allowed Bournemouth to be much more expansive in counter-attacking scenarios.

A sense of ‘common sense’ was applied within the tactical setup. Remaining tight and compact defensively mitigated the issues (whilst not perfectly) present earlier in the season, whilst the attacking values revolved around getting the best out of their more technically gifted forwards.

Racking up nearly half of Bournemouth goals between them, there were no two players more important to the side, than Dominic Solanke and Philip Billing.

Billing was deployed in a role much higher up the pitch than had come to be expected of the Dane throughout his career. Acting as an archetypal ‘second-striker’, Billing thrived under O’Neil. With seven goals to his name, he formed half of a fantastic partnership with Dominic Solanke.

Solanke himself had his best goalscoring season in the Premier League, with six. However, his seven assists proved his importance to the side. He showcased himself as a versatile centre-forward, comfortable in deeper areas, whilst being vital in the final third.

In forward areas, the use of cutbacks became somewhat archetypal for Bournemouth. Yet again a ‘common sense’ approach, however, its effectiveness cannot be ignored. Wolves supporters will remember Marcus Tavernier’s winner at Molineux in February. A simple movement from Solanke dragged multiple defenders into wider areas, allowing Tavernier to ghost into the box, before bundling the ball home.

In terms of chance creation, cutbacks proved to be a vital source for Bournemouth. Philip Billing’s winner against Liverpool is a prime example. The excellent movement into the box, supplied by Solanke yet again.

This form of chance creation revolves around the idea of creating high-quality chances. Despite taking only 9.45 shots per game, (footystats.org) the lowest in The Premier League, Gary O’Neil’s side managed to outscore their relegation rivals Southampton, Everton and Wolves.

O’Neil recognised the flaws in his side and adjusted to this. In a relegation battle, points are more important than performances. Remaining compact defensively, whilst being effective during transition proved crucial. A simple, yet efficient outlook that ultimately steered Bournemouth to safety.

How does this translate to Wolves?

Despite the talk revolving around behind the scenes issues at the club, pre-season performances against Luton and Stade Rennais raised the spirits of supporters in terms of on-the-pitch performance. Despite the lack of investment, there is the nucleus of a more than capable squad at Wolves. How might Gary O’Neil set up his side?

There is no doubt that under Lopetegui, Wolves were at their best when set up in a 442. In terms of profiles, the Wolves squad carries certain similarities with what O’Neil had at his disposal last campaign.

The use of a marauding left back works in the favour of both Rayan Ait-Nouri and Hugo Bueno. The transitional nature of the side could play a part when it comes to Pedro Neto getting back to his best.

These are just a handful of examples when it comes to profiles similar to that of O’Neil’s Bournemouth. All over the pitch, Wolves have the personnel to cause problems. The catch is that each individual requires the correct use, which has not been the case in recent times with what has seemed like a ‘square pegs in round holes’ approach.

The importance of Matheus Cunha

The correct use of Matheus Cunha will prove crucial. On multiple occasions last season, the Wolves were toothless in the final third. This was not aided with the clubs record signing being deployed in as a lone striker, in a team that created next to nothing. At his best, Cunha is a dynamic, elegant and forward-thinking ‘second striker’. This has been evident throughout pre season, where he has been effective when utilised correctly.

He may fit the bill for the Philip Billing role perfectly, and when diving deeper into the players, it is clear to see the similarities. Matheus, like Billing last campaign, is someone who carries great versatility. His ability to link the midfield and forward lines, whilst being able to capitalise on loose balls in the final third makes him an almost perfect profile for the ‘second-striker’ role.

During his final full season at Hertha Berlin, when Matheus was at his arguable best, his numbers speak for themselves. Recording seven goals and four assists across the campaign proved to be a respectable tally in a low-scoring side. His overall impact however set his move to Atletico Madrid in motion. According to Fbref.com, Cunha recorded 110 shot-creating actions over the course of the season. This role behind a natural centre forward allows The Brazilian to operate at his best. Only time will tell as to whether this will be Sasa Kalajdzic or Fabio Silva. However, when Cunha’s elegance and overall impact on a side is considered, he simply has to be a mainstay in the side.

Verdict

To open a season in this manner, is far from ideal for any football club. Frustrations from supporters are understandable when a manager with Lopetegui’s credentials, is replaced by someone entering his second year in management.

With a difficult set of opening fixtures, will supporters give leverage to the new man at the helm? Or will the sour atmosphere around the club, which has been building over the summer months reach the point of toxicity?

Gary O’Neil is far from a statement appointment compared to his predecessor. A new dawn is yet again, on the horizon at at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Galvanising the squad and getting his ideas across quickly will prove to be crucial. The club simply cannot find themselves playing catch up yet again. Only time will tell as to whether this risk will pay off for the Wolves. However for now, it is over to you Gary O’Neil.

Who will be Wolves’ top assister?

Pedro Neto

Three predictions for the wider league:

Spurs to finish in the top 4, Fulham to stop up and Kane to win the Golden Boot.

How good can Rayan Aït-Nouri be?

August 2, 2022

by Luca Sahadew with No Comment News Opinion

Amid interest from the likes of Man City, we look at Ait-Nouri’s Wolves journey so far and how much potential the the 21 year old has.

What we learnt from Wolves’ pre-season

August 2, 2022

by Tom Parker with No Comment News Opinion

Wolves’ second and final pre-season trip ended at the weekend with the side drawing 1-1 with Portuguese second division side Farense. This year’s pre-season has been fiery, exciting and a hopeful precursor to more attacking football at Molineux. With eight games being played and the side collecting four wins, two draws, and two losses, it’s undoubtedly been a success. We have seen fringe players stake a claim to be involved in the first team and some familiar faces reminding us that they are here to compete.

In this article, we will look at some of the insights learned over the course of the summer and how Wolves are shaping up before a testing start at Leeds this weekend. So sit back, grab a cup of tea, and relax as we relive the glimpses of Bruno Lage’s vision for the upcoming campaign.

Fantastic four at the back

Much has been said about Wolves’ reluctance to stray away from their trusty 3-4-3 or 5-2-3-1 formations that garnered a large amount of success over the course of the past five seasons; a call to switch to a four at the back has long been the call from fans as they are desperate to see a team full of attacking talent do what they are capable of doing – namely scoring buckets of goals and entertaining the masses around the world.

Bruno Lage has also been keen to play a more attacking and controlled style of play which would see the side make use of their technically gifted players. The signing of Nathan Collins was a welcome arrival and one that potentially signaled, finally, a change in system for Lage’s men. This was to be the case. In all but one of their friendlies (They did briefly switch to a 3-4-3 against Villarreal B) Wolves played a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3, this allowed for players such as Pedro Neto, Daniel Podence, and Morgan Gibbs-White to make use of their talents going forward and create a higher volume of chances.

The biggest concern for Wolves fans was the impact at the back. With centre-backs that had only played in a three for several years, a switch to one less man in the central areas was bound to cause issues. However, for the most part, those fears can be silenced for now. Max Kilman and Nathan Collins formed a solid partnership against Alaves, Besiktas and Sporting CP; showing of their adeptness on the ball and being intelligent in their challenges. Kilman’s solo-goal against Alaves was an excellent showing of just what our centre-backs can do. Collins had a similar ‘tekkers’ moment against Besiktas when, facing his own goal, he controlled the ball with the back of his neck and turned away from the opposition forward.

It is an experiment that has seemed to pay off, and the money spent on Collins looks to have been a wise move with the club needing someone to partner the ever-improving Kilman. Press-resistant defenders are gold dust in the modern game, and having two young and developing players within that category will benefit Wolves hugely. The switch to a four has certainly brought out the best in both, and you would hope that that form can be continued into the Premier League season. Wolves’ attacking and defensive play relies on the four at the back being successful.

The final note on this particular topic would be the improvement within central midfield. Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho looked particularly impressive in a two and it is clear to see that having more options in front of them suits their game down to a tee. If they can keep the spark between them then the midfield looks to have another lease of life.

Wonderful Wing-Backs

With the switch to a four, you might have expected Wolves’ wing-backs to be a bit more conservative. Bruno Lage would highly disagree.

Rayan Ait-Nouri has looked his best in Wolves colours, flying up and down the left-hand side and showing off some remarkable dribbling and ball retention to help drive Wolves up the pitch. His energy has been clear to see and Lage has consistently started him despite Bueno also showing great promise. Not only has the Frenchman shown excellent ability on the ball, his defensive nous is also a weapon that he has improved within his arsenal. He was rarely beaten one-on-one and consistently won the ball back well to begin his driving runs. A huge season ahead for him.

Jonny went a little under the radar but he was also a consistent performer. His delightful cross for Daniel Podence’s goal against Alaves shows his improvement going forward and defensively he was as sound as ever. The consummate 7/10 performer every game. Him and Semedo will provide excellent options at right-back.

The types of runs both players have made, similar to Joao Cancelo at Manchester City, created overloads on either side and this is where Wolves pressing high has really reaped its rewards. Yet again the wing-backs will be key in creating chances, and with the stamina shown so far, it is safe to say we have options up for the job.

Fearsome Frontline

Prior to the frustrating injury to Raul Jimenez, Wolves’ frontline looked the best it has ever been. Gibbs-White, Neto and Jimenez all combined fantastically in the first half against Alaves and you could argue they improved even more with the introduction of the 4-2-3-1.

Neto and Gibbs-White are giving Wolves fans the excitement we have needed for the past two seasons. Both young players have come on leaps and bounds this summer and fit into Lage’s vision perfectly. Gibbs-White has shown some excellent positional intelligence and passing selection which has allowed Wolves to transition at far greater speeds and with more potency. Neto, on the other hand, has added the finishing touch to the attacking moves and was a nightmare for defenders. The Portuguese International won two penalties alongside his two goals in Spain and Portugal and looked back to his scintillating best.

The interlinking play between those two and Podence has been marvellous on the eye and just goes to show how good Wolves can be when given the right conditions to make use of their attacking talent. The lack of a striker is a huge concern as the side will need to be clinical. Gibbs-White has shown the most potency in front of goal in his career but to rely on him as the main source of goals would be a lot of pressure to put on a player who hasn’t tasted consistent Premier League football.

Plenty of promise but additions are certainly needed.

Rejuvenated Ronan

It’s been a strange career so far for Conor Ronan. He has been sent out on loan to a variety of teams in a variety of countries but never looked likely to break into this squad. Similarly to Gibbs-White, he saw his game time limited due to not fitting into the 3-4-3 played by Nuno. However, with Bruno changing systems he was given a surprise chance this summer to prove himself, and my word did he take it.

Ronan has provided great delivery from set-pieces, good positional intelligence and a great range of passing that has impressed many. We have all known of his considerable talent, having broken into the first team setup at 18 in Fosun’s first season, but that has not manifested at Wolves until now. His pre-season form has certainly seen him as a contender in the first team squad just months after the club were considering selling him to teams linked in Scotland.

Having two academy players playing well for the first team would certainly be fantastic for the club as they have spent heavily on young players since Fosun took over. Whether Ronan can make the step up in the Premier League is yet to be seen, but he has the chance to prove it now and in a system that plays to his strengths. One to watch for Wolves this season.

Dodgy Depth

By far the biggest (and maybe only) negative of Wolves’ pre-season has been the lack of depth. The club is known to prefer having a smaller squad in the name of unity and fewer complaints over game-time. However, this has resulted in the squad looking extremely thin and not good enough to cope with the intense Premier League schedule.

When playing the second team against Villareal B, Levante, and Farense it was clear to see how desperate the squad is for reinforcements. A feeling only exacerbated by Jimenez’s injury which means Wolves have zero centre-forwards at the club with Cutrone and Bonatini frozen out and looking for moves away.

The back four against Farense featured four centre-backs in Coady, Boly, Mosquera and Toti. For a club that has been in the Premier League for five years, to not have any cover at full-back is simply negligence. Huge Bueno was also forced to play in the front three when he is usually deployed at left-back.

Conor Coady and Willy Boly have also had some shaky moments against lesser opposition, and this opens up another can of worms about the quality of the depth, and not just having raw numbers. The majority of Wolves’ bench was made up of U21’s and U18’s players, something which is great for the young players, but a damning indictment of the club’s reducing recruitment. Whilst the window is not shut yet, Leeds is only a few days away and Wolves still have no-one to replace Jimenez and have the same midfield three for the fourth season in a row.

Whilst the starting eleven is full of quality, you dread to think what would happen should we suffer another major injury.

Conclusion

There’s been plenty of food for thought over the course of the trips to Spain and Portugal and there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming campaign. If we have learnt anything, it is that Wolves, for better or worse, will be an entertaining team to watch. A departure from an arguably stale formation could lead to the side defying the odds again and fighting for European football or fall short.

One thing that does not need teaching however, is that the fanbase will be behind them every step of the way.

Patrick Cutrone: Where did it all go wrong?

July 28, 2022

by Sam Tilley with No Comment News Opinion

Somehow Patrick Cutrone will start the season as Wolves’ number one striker.

Following the pre-season injuries to Raul Jimenez and Hwang Hee-chan, and Fabio Silva’s season-long loan to Anderlecht, Cutrone is the last remaining first team centre forward – on paper anyway.

As it stands then, Wolves are in the slightly odd position of there being no expectations that their only remaining senior out and out striker will score a goal or even play a single minute in the 22/23 season.

But where did it all go wrong for Cutrone? There have been several strange transfer decisions since Fosun took over in 2016 but the Italian didn’t seem to be one of them.

A reluctance to sign anyone in the month of January has been a source of frustration for Wolves fans for a number of years now. The abject failure of the Adama Traore Barcelona deal is a beyond a parody. And who can forget the sheer insanity of the 16/17 summer window – just over a month of the new owners seemingly throwing everything at a wall and hoping something would stick.

But it’s the man from Italy who can stake a reasonable claim to being the biggest head-scratcher of the past five years.

An exciting start

Signed from AC Milan for a reported £16m in 2019, Cutrone was expected to provide a bit of healthy competition for the then-imperious Jimenez. A product of the Milan academy, he was deemed surplus to requirements at the San Siro; his situation having not been helped by the revolving door of managers to grace the dressing room of I Rossoneri.

Initial reaction to his signing was – on the whole – one of excitement. Having secured European football at the first time of asking, confidence was high amongst supporters.

The successful signings of Diogo Jota, Ruben Neves and Jonny had proven there was method in Wolves’ targeting of young continental players who could then slot fairly effortlessly into the system Nuno had established to great success.

More than a few tweets under the announcement that Cutrone had penned a four-year deal were supportive and underlined the idea that “evolution, not revolution” was now the club’s mantra in the transfer market.

Other comparable centre forward signings in that same window don’t paint Wolves’ business in a bad light either. The last summer window pre-COVID had led to some frankly ludicrous transfer fees (West Ham dropping £45m on Sebastian Haller and Leicester’s inexplicable £30m signing of Ayoze Perez prime amongst them) and fans were relieved to see that Wolves weren’t going to let continental football go to their heads.

The overwhelming sense was that Wolves’ transfer team had a lot of credit in the bank and that Cutrone was another useful option up front.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t going to last.

A rough awakening

The Premier League is a daunting prospect for many a new signing. For every Sergio Aguero, there’s an Alvaro Morata; for every Son, a Falcao. It’s the most physical of the major European leagues and Nuno’s regimented formation-based game had taken multiple signings months to adapt to.

It quickly became apparent that Cutrone was going to play second fiddle to Jimenez – not entirely unsurprisingly it must be said but with Wolves in four competitions, game time wasn’t going to be a problem.

In the first half of the Premier League season, Cutrone started just three games and made a further nine appearances from the bench. Goals against West Ham and Chelsea in the league (and one against Villa in the Carabao) remain his only scoresheet contributions for Wolves. Nor could he make his mark in Europe, failing to score in ten games. It was clear he was struggling with the intensity of his new league and team and was visibly short of confidence on the pitch.

With his Wolves career compounded by a particularly bad miss against Braga in the Europa League – missing the goal entirely from about six yards out – disquiet began to grow. It wasn’t that Cutrone was unpopular (fans who visited Molineux in that season were often caught singing unimaginatively about the Italian’s love of pizza and pasta), but it was obvious that the player was struggling in his first time playing away from his home nation.

A tale of three loans

Nuno evidently agreed and shipped him to Fiorentina that January on an eighteen-month loan deal. The deal included an option to buy and many fans, this one included, thought that was the end of that.

The horror injury to Jimenez a year later meant he was recalled to Molineux – having hardly set the world alight in Florence. His agent moaned that he was “gone into oblivion” after barely starting any games and notching up just five goals in 34 matches. Cutrone himself even mentioned that “Wolverhampton didn’t trust [him] anymore”; not the words of a man expecting to return to his parent club.

Another four games in the Old Gold (no goals) and the loan signing of Willian Jose (himself only getting one goal in 17 so hardly a huge upgrade) meant that Wolves were comfortable enough to send him out to Valencia before the window shut.

After failing to score a single goal in Spain, in admittedly only seven appearances, Cutrone found himself back in the Midlands and impressing under new coach Bruno Lage. This led to yet another loan spell, this time to newly promoted Italian side Empoli and another poor season in front of goal. In total, Cutrone has scored eight goals in 72 appearances out on loan. He also has the unfortunate distinction of having played for as many loan clubs as he has scored goals in all competitions for Wolves.

What next for Cutrone?

With a mere 12 months left on his contract, the most likely scenario now is either yet another loan move or a cut price move away from Molineux. Any chance of Wolves recouping anywhere near the £16m seems like a pipe dream, and for a club that repeatedly tells us we need to sell in order to buy, this will undoubtedly be seen as a crushing failure.

Even putting aside any talk of a transfer fee, it remains to be seen if any club can be tempted by a striker whose game-to-goal ratio was equal to that of full-back Jonny. There’ve been reports that a trip north of the border to the Ibrox is under consideration, although this will depend primarily on whether Rangers want to move on Alfredo Morelos. He’s also been linked to clubs in both Italy and Spain.

There’s only a week left before the Premier League season kicks off and it’s believed Wolves are more likely to utilise a rusty Hwang Hee-chan, or Podence in a false nine, than give Cutrone what would be his fourth fresh start in a Wolves shirt.

Perhaps it was never to be for Cutrone at Molineux, but for a player who has made such little impact on the pitch, he’ll always be remembered for what could have been.

What next for Connor Ronan?

July 25, 2022

by Matthew Gentile with No Comment News Opinion

Connor Ronan has been a surprise inclusion to Bruno Lage’s 30-man squad, travelling to Spain for a two-week training camp.

The 24-year-old from Rochdale has been on Wolves books since the summer of 2014 when he joined at the age of 16. He quickly progressed through the ranks and in 2016, he made his first team debut in a 2-0-win vs Nottingham Forest, having come on as a late substitute for Helder Costa. Under Paul Lambert, Ronan managed to amass a total of four Championship appearances and featured twice in Wolves FA Cup run, the historic 2-1 away win at Anfield and the home fixture vs Chelsea.

The Following season in a new and revamped Wolves, which saw Nuno Espirito Santo take charge, the young midfielder featured occasionally, with three appearances from the bench in the Championship and four in the EFL Cup.

Carabao Cup Fourth Round vs Man City, this was Ronan’s last match in an old gold and black shirt before being sent out on loan six times to teams in various leagues and countries.

Spells out on loan

Halfway through Wolves Championship winning season, Ronan headed out on loan to get game time and experience, he did so at League One side Portsmouth, under the guidance of former Wolves manager Kenny Jackett. While at Pompey he made nine starts, eight appearances from the bench and provided one assist as they had a top ten finish and missed out on the League One play-offs by two places.

Having had a brief taste of League One action and ready for more, Ronan departed Wolves on transfer deadline day to join local side Walsall on a four-month loan deal. The switch seemed and looked to be the best for all parties involved. Walsall had had a very good start to their season, unbeaten in their first five matches, in the playoff area and it was thought Ronan would be able to kick on and flourish. Unfortunately, this was not to be, his game time was very limited and scattered, he made just eight starts, and seven cameos as a substitute with one assist. Once the four months had passed the loan was not renewed. He returned to Wolves as they searched for a more adequate destination and in the meantime, Walsall would struggle that season and be relegated.

With Wolves teammate Christian Herc back in his homeland and thriving at Slovakian side FC DAC, Wolves decided to loan him and Daniel Csoka to the Fortuna Liga. It did not take him long to get going and after three matches he was a regular fixture and played all the 90 minutes in the following 11 games. With a great end to the season for the club and the Ireland international, they were now in a very good position for the upcoming season, as it was also confirmed he would be at DAC for the first half of the next season.

While Wolves were charging through the Europa League Qualifications in 2019, Ronan was also in action with DAC, scoring in the second leg of their first-round fixture vs Cracovia. He would continue to thrive and gain confidence during this loan playing a total of 20 games with one goal and four assists. The only thing that managed to stop him in his tracks was a fractured rib which side-lined him for a month. Once the loan came to its natural end it was time for Ronan to head back out on loan to League One, this time with Blackpool, where unfortunately due to the covid-19 pandemic, League One clubs voted to curtail the season. In his brief stint with the club, he still managed to catch the eye of many fans and produce some Man of the Match performances.

In 2020, league football slowly restarting and a new chapter and adventure for Wolves, as they have entered in partnership with Swiss side Grasshoppers. Connor Ronan, having just signed a new deal until 2024, was sent out on loan to the Challenge League along with Toti Gomes and Leo Bonatini. He did not have the best of starts as he sustained an injury during pre-season and missed out on the first two fixtures. Having recovered he did manage to slowly get going and help push the Swiss side to promotion to the first division, but his season did end two games in advance as he suffered a metatarsal fracture. So, overall it was a good experience for Ronan but at the same time an unfortunate one with injuries.

Having recovered from the metatarsal injury, roaring and ready to get back into action the midfielder was sent up north to play for St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership in 2021. This loan move would prove to be his most fruitful, finally showing his true ability confirming this by winning Player of the Year, social media Player of the Year and the goal of the season. This was not the first time Ronan has won an award, in the 2016/17 season he won Wolves Young Professional of the Year. His numerous Man of the Match performances and the tally of 30 games, eight goals and five assists certainly caught the eyes of many fans and even the coaching staff at Wolves. He was part of the group of loanees that trained at Compton during January and now he has been given the chance to impress while in Spain, ahead of the likes of midfield counterpart Bruno Jordao, who has been deemed surplus to requirements.

Connor Ronan’s style of play

The Irish international who stands at 5ft 7, is a very technically gifted right-footed midfielder that has mainly occupied the central midfield position but can also be adapted to play in an attacking or defensive midfield position. His main key attributes are his short and long range passing. He is also a very good set-piece taker and has regularly taken them while out on loan.

What does the future hold this season for Ronan?

Even though it seems like he is still a very young and promising talent, it must be noted that he is 24 years old, just one year younger than the very experienced and much-adored Ruben Neves. He is now at a crossroads. Is he a late bloomer just like Max Kilman? Ronan must not be brushed aside because Bruno Lage must have seen a spark in him if he has given him a chance by including him in the 30-man squad, where his teammates have pleasantly been impressed and open to him staying. Ronan has seen a number of minutes in pre-season and has impressed in a midfield role. He’s also registered two assists from set pieces.

Interest has been shown in him, firstly by Aberdeen where he would be reunited with his former St-Mirren coach and then by Hearts which offers good wages and guaranteed European group stages. As of now though, no concrete offers have been placed and Hearts are very hesitant about paying the 500k that Wolves were demanding for him back in June.

In my opinion, the fee that we are reportedly demanding, to begin with, is very low for what he has to offer and with Wolves current situation it would benefit us more if we kept him, at least for the upcoming season. It seems and looks very difficult to imagine a massive influx of incoming players at Molineux any time soon. The current squad depth in the team isn’t great and much worse can be done than keeping Ronan. It remains obvious to be said that he isn’t a starter or close to knocking either Ruben Neves or Joao Moutinho from their places, but he could be a good rotational player. Compared to the likes of Luke Cundle, Joe Hodge and Harvey Griffiths who are currently training with the squad, he has experience at professional level and keeping him would possibly allow at least one of the previous three to head out on loan and gain vital experience.

Once again, it remains to be emphasised that keeping Ronan will not resolve our midfield problems or more widely with the whole squad, but he can be an alternative and another option who has worked his way up the ladder and always been determined to make his mark and play at Wolves again.

Make or Break for Bruno Lage?

July 20, 2022

by Ciaran Baker with No Comment News Opinion

Wolves are set to embark on their fifth successive Premier League season, the second under Head Coach Bruno Lage. It was a season of ups and downs in the Portuguese’s first season at Molineux, a year full of promise which ultimately fizzled out into mid-table mediocrity. There were some promising signs for sure, but an alarming dip in form at the end of the season led to some questioning his ability to lead the team going forward. Pessimism has been rife among the Wolves fanbase in recent weeks, but the addition of Nathan Collins from Burnley has wet the appetite for more arrivals. Lage stated that he wanted most of the business done before pre-season began, but that wish has not been fulfilled. Ahead of Wolves’ pre-season games in Alicante, Talking Wolves looks back at Bruno Lage’s first season in charge, and what might be in store for the season ahead.

A Look Back

Promising Beginnings

Lage’s first season at Molineux started with great promise. A tough opening run saw Wolves lost all three first games 1-0, but performance levels warranted far more, leaving fans were optimistic of what the season may bring. As the season progressed, good football was ultimately sacrificed for better results. Wolves suffered just 4 defeats in 19 games from the 1-0 win at Southampton in February to the 2-1 win over Leicester in March. While performance levels had not matched that of the opening games, Wolves’ results were not undeserved. Impressive and deserved wins against Everton, Brighton, Manchester United, Tottenham and Brentford had Wolves fans revelling in what may come under Lage. The Monday night win against Everton at the beginning of November moved Lage’s men into 7th and they didn’t drop out of the top 8 until the final day of the season.

A Disappointing End

Unfortunately, Wolves failed when it really mattered. Successive defeats against European rivals Arsenal in February seemed to be the catalyst for a poor run of form, as well as a lacklustre display away at West Ham who were just a point ahead of Wolves at the time. There is no way of hiding it, it was a dreadful end to the season. Just three wins in the final 14 games is, in truth, relegation form. After the aforementioned defeats, Wolves had looked as if they had overcome their blip with wins over Watford and Everton. However, a dramatic and controversial defeat at home to Leeds United proved to be the tipping point. Wolves blew away Aston Villa at an ecstatic Molineux the following week, but that would be their final victory of the season. An impressive comeback at Chelsea which Lage watched from home having contracted COVID-19 was the only bright spark in the final seven games. Finishing 10^th was, in many ways, an underachievement and disappointment given the great run of results during the winter and the league position entering the final stage of the season. However, expectations were low going into the season and many Wolves fans would have taken it with some signs of progression under Lage heading into the 2022/23 campaign.

A Look Ahead

Alarm bells were certainly ringing at the end of the season, and rumours on Lage’s future (without substance) were in sections of the media. What was noticeable was a lack of Wolves fans agreeing with or even entertaining such rumours. Fans were concerned, but far more concerned at the club’s ability to recruit well in what was clearly a crucial summer ahead. There is certainly a feeling of ‘Back Bruno’ rather than sack him, as fans want him to get the chance he deserves with his own players, perhaps changing the formation and style of play.

As reported by the Express & Star, it is becoming increasingly likely that Wolves will switch to a back four and play a more attacking style of play this season. This is something Lage had wanted to do from the off, but he felt the players at the club were not of the right profile to do so. Despite the optimism, a formation change may bring, there is no room for a poor start to the 2022/23 campaign. The poor end to the season is still very much in the memory, and a poor start will no doubt raise concern about the season ahead.

Some would argue Lage was hardly backed by the club prior to the 2021/22 campaign. While Jose Sa was a superb addition to the side, Wolves did very little to improve the squad from the previous year. An uncertain and incomplete start to the transfer window has fans contemplating what success may look like. It is still early days in the transfer window, but Wolves begin their pre-season tour with games against Alaves on Wednesday, Levante on Thursday, and Besiktas on Saturday. Lage will want his squad to begin to take shape by the end of the tour with the trip to Leeds less than three weeks away.

Lage clearly has a huge amount of gratitude for the fans, and he had begun to build a close connection with them, particularly travelling fans after away games. This was something that had been lacking early in the season, but whoever followed Nuno Espirito Santo into the role was always going to face that difficulty. Wolves fans appreciate him, and he has mentioned several times his surprise at the level of support he has been given. A strong start to the season would only see this relationship grow stronger. A formation change looks increasingly likely, which will bring a sense of excitement to the season. There is also still an expectation that Wolves will bring in at least another three players. If this is the case, and star man Ruben Neves stays with the club, who knows what another full pre-season under the dedicated and attack-minded Lage could bring.

Ciaran Barker is part of the Talking Wolves editorial team – you can follow him on Twitter here.

The Adama Traoré Conundrum

July 17, 2022

by Daniel Cavanaugh with No Comment News Opinion Wolves Rumours

On the Field

Before going out on loan last season, Traoré was struggling to become a team sheet regular because of his play on the pitch. Traoré is an elite dribbler, who oftentimes is one of the strongest and fastest players on the pitch. The rare blend of abilities results in plays that leave Premier League defenders doing anything they can to take him to the ground. The caveat is, the same jaw-dropping plays lead to some of the most frustrating moments of Traoré’s time at Wolves.

For all the clips of Traoré leaving three defenders behind him, his goal and assist totals are very low. According to Fbref, he is in the 97th percentile for attackers in progressive carries and 75th in shot-creating actions, yet he is only in the 8th percentile for non-penalty goals, averaging 0.05 per 90 minutes. The lack of goals scored could be overlooked if he boasted high assist totals but he only has four assists in his last 64 appearances in all competitions for the club.

In previous seasons, Traoré was dangerous when using his speed down the flanks to create crossing opportunities but his play style has seemingly changed. In the first half of last season, Traoré only attempted 28 crosses in total (on pace for his lowest in his time at Wolves) and had his highest shots per 90 number of his Wolves career (per FBref). This coincides with the head injury to striker Raul Jiminez, which led to Traoré cutting inside more often to create chances for himself.

On the other hand, Wolves looked like a completely different team after his departure. The already struggling attack missed Traoré’s ability to create opportunities out of seemingly nothing. Without him in the side, Wolves won only five of their last 17 matches.

Contract and Injury Situation

On top of the questions about the play of Traoré, his contract expires at the end of the upcoming season. This leaves Wolves with a decision to either sell Traoré for less than a player of his ability is worth or let him play one more season before he leaves the club on a free transfer. Either result is a far cry from what seemed destined for Traoré two seasons ago after producing nine assists in the league.

After contract negotiations stalled due to rumours of Traoré wanting to be among the highest paid players at the club, the player staying at Molineux past this season looks unlikely. His loan move in January was a surprise move that had all signs pointing towards the La Masia graduate returning to Barcelona permanently but after a strong start, he struggled for game time. It seems very unlikely a new contract will be signed this season unless Wolves change their stance on wanting to up his wages to convince him to stay.

Lastly, fresh injury concerns complicate things even further as the club sorts Traoré’s future. While the injury may not be severe, it can either limit the amount a team is willing to pay for him at the present moment, given not being available to get integrated with a new side or it could lead to Wolves wasting the final season as he sits out with injuries – however this is unlikely.

So what next for Adama Traore?

It would be best for the club to move on from Traoré if unable to sign him to a new deal. While he is an exciting player that has brought many great moments, his lack of end product makes it hard to justify turning down offers for one more season. The Chiquinho injury last week makes the need for wingers in the squad more necessary but I would rather see the club take the rumoured £10 million offers and invest the money in another young winger.

If he does end up leaving this transfer window, we have gotten to watch one of the most unique players in the world for the past four seasons and I wish him nothing but the best for the memories he has given us.

Defensive reinforcements shouldn’t spell the end of Conor Coady

July 14, 2022

by Ian Young with No Comment News Opinion

Wolves may be set for a tactical readjustment ahead of the 2022/23 season. The signing of young centre back Nathan Collins from Burnley has combined with Bruno Lage changing Wolves’ system from a five man defensive line to a four man one. This potential long-term departure from the system that was the foundation of recent Wolves success has begun to lead to discussion among fans: what’s next for Conor Coady?

Coady is one of the most influential characters at Wolves and is loved by all his colleagues – both playing and non playing staff. The 29-year-old has been the club captain since 2018, with his distribution and marshalling of the backline leading to 10 England caps. However, physical limitations have led to some questions about his vulnerability as part of a centre back pairing. Added to the significant outlay on Collins (and last season’s blossoming from Max Kilman), for the first time in five years, his status as a sure-fire starter may be in doubt.

Playing Time

Coady has been an almost ever-present for Wolves since 2018. However, on a couple of occasions last season he was substituted by Lage when chasing games, to allow the side to move to a more attacking formation. Coady hasn’t shown any obvious dissent, but Lage clearly sees his playing time as dispensable, and the captain may well be set for fewer starts. Coady might be faced with a choice as to whether he wants to play the last of his peak years in a bit-part role or whether to seek regular starts somewhere else.

There is no certainty that Lage will totally eliminate the five at the back approach. He also spoke glowingly about Coady during the 21/22 season and evidently values his leadership. It’s very possible that Wolves regularly play with five at the back next season, especially as Collins’ ability to step out of defence might allow a more attacking approach in that formation. Coady’s footballing intelligence may also see him as a potential starter in a four in some games if Lage puts his faith in him.

The World Cup

While Coady might be comfortable with a reduction in playing time, he also might have England duty in his sights. With the World Cup beginning in November, Coady will be desperate to be on the plane to Qatar. Having not seen the pitch in a Covid-marred Euros last summer, he’ll be conscious that there is a chance to go and win the tournament, with England among the favourites.

Like Lage, England manager Gareth Southgate values Coady’s off-field contribution, but a crowded field of potential centre backs may mean that minutes are vital – and not having such a prominent role in his club side could make selecting him difficult. That might be a chance that Coady is unwilling to take.

Potential departure

If Coady decided to leave Molineux, it is difficult to see where he might end up. He is one of the hardest people in the Wolves squad to put a valuation on, because his influence and ability has flourished in very specific circumstances. At 29 years old he also represents a financial risk.

From Wolves’ perspective, Coady would need to command some notable financial return. His departure would leave a gaping hole in the dressing room, and the ever-rumoured potential departure of Ruben Neves (who takes the armband in Coady’s absence) would further hit Wolves’ group of leaders.

This value to Wolves as a captain and effective central centre back likely outweighs the value he could offer to a bidding club. While some teams have deep pockets, many teams won’t want to spend money on a player who might command high wages and offers next to no re-sale value. There is no obvious destination for Coady to go and play 90 minutes every week to enhance his World Cup selection case.

The future

For Coady to be anywhere other than Wolves in September relies on a few unlikely seeming dominoes to fall and I am certainly not ushering him out the door. He should be given the chance to play a significant role in Wolves’ defence next season. There is also a lack of obvious teams to convince Wolves to part with him. Wolves won’t want to lose a man who has been so impactful in the success of the last half decade. Finally, with three years left on his contract, there is no evidence that he wants to leave. He represents so much of what has seen Wolves’ stature as a club grow, and he looks set to be part of that, at least in the short term.

Goalkeeper

Defence

Midfield

Striker

Steadying the ship

Tactical outlook

How does this translate to Wolves?

The importance of Matheus Cunha

Verdict

Matt Cooper

Dave Azzopardi

Fin Morris

Jordan Russell

Tom Parker

Ciaran Barker

Billy Dobson

Matt Grubb

Sam Beeken

Meg Skelding

Jack Heather

Sam Gollings

Ian Young

Liam Kennedy

Stan Darlington

Noah Williams

Matthew Gentile