Billy Wright Stand Molineux

Wolves 1-0 Sheff Utd Match Report

by with No Comment Match ReviewsNews

Wolves made it back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time since February thanks to a first goal in old gold for Willian Jose. It was a dull encounter which ultimately confirmed Sheffield United’s relegation to the SkyBet Championship. The Blades were spirited and more than a match for Wolves, but the away side failed to find the net meaning Nuno’s men cement themselves in 12th place on 41 points.

Wolves (3-4-3): Patricio, Boly, Coady, Saiss, Semedo, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Ait-Nouri, Podence, Jose, Traore (Subs Used: Vitinha, Silva)

Sheff Utd (3-5-2): Ramsdale, Baldock, Ampadu, Egan, Bryan, Stevens, Osborn, Norwood, Fleck, Brewster, McGoldrick. (Subs Used: Mousset, Burke, Bogle)

Just as Nuno seemed to have set out his stall for a four at the back formation for the remainder of the season, he changed it once again and opted for the more familiar back three. It was surprising to see after a relatively comfortable defensive display against Fulham last weekend, and the return of Wolves’ strongest defender Willy Boly. The absence of Pedro Neto may have forced his hand, but the likes of Fabio Silva, Vitinha and Morgan Gibbs-White have all earned more playing time than they have received in recent months. Daniel Podence adopted a more central position, playing in the ‘Number 10’ role behind Willian Jose and Adama Traore, the latter of which embraced his role in a front two. Sheffield United interim manager Paul Heckingbottom has continued to with the 3-5-2 formation which was prominent throughout Chris Wilder’s time in charge, meaning the sides were relatively similar in terms of shape. 

And it was not just in shape where Wolves and Sheffield United were indifferent, as a cagey first half ended goalless. Willy Boly came closest to opening the scoring after an unorthodox back heel was cleared onto the bar before falling into the arms of Ramsdale. United had little in the way of opportunities but controlled possession well, with Wolves happy for the away side to keep the ball in their own half. Wolves improved in the second half, with the game panning out almost exactly as many will have predicted. Willian Jose’s goal owed a lot to Nelson Semedo who blocked Edna Stevens effort just seconds before at the other end, before Traore’s great work to set up the Brazilian. Sheffield United then opened up and forced a fingertip save from Rui Patricio as Edna Stevens turned away from Leander Dendoncker on the edge of the area. However, Wolves saw the game through without any major scares, and perhaps should have doubled their head as Romain Saiss missed from close range after controlling a Joao Moutinho free kick in a good position.   

 

Key Moments 

Jose Goal  – A deadly Wolves counterattack ended in a very welcome goal for Willian Jose. It could have been so different had Nelson Semedo not blocked Enda Stevens goal bound strike at the other end, before picking out Daniel Podence on the right. He found Dendoncker who was closed down by Bryan, leaving space for Adama Traore to run at John Egan. He passed the Ireland international with ease and found the unmarked Willian Jose who fired home beyond Ramsdale from six yards.

 

Man of the Match – Adama Traore

It was a game that needed Adama Traore, without whom Wolves would probably not have left with all three points. While he did at times appear wasteful in the final third, he was keen to get on the ball and direct in attack. He embraced the more central role and looked to support Willian Jose higher up the pitch, something that led to an improved performance from the Brazilian striker too. After coming under criticism this season, one goal and two assists in his last three games have shown that Adama is still one of Wolves’ most valuable players.

 

Final Thoughts 

Wolves must keep hold of Traore 

If there was even the slightest bit of doubt in any Wolves fans mind that Adama Traore wasn’t a key player in the side, they have surely been eradicated in these past few weeks. He is very much back to his best, having a big influence on games and finally getting his first Premier League goal of the season, as well as two assists. But these stats have not done Traore justice this season, with his stunning goal in the FA Cup win over Crystal Palace, his wonder strike which cannoned off the crossbar onto the goalkeeper and into the net against Leeds and the penalty he won which Neves converted against Brighton all seemingly forgotten about by the stat enthusiasts. He poses a threat at any given time and can produce a spontaneous moment of brilliance to win a football match when others would not, as shown with his goal in stoppage time against Fulham last weekend. 

 

The ever-improving Semedo 

Club record signing Nelson Semedo came in for a lot of criticism early in the season, much of which was vindicated after a number of lacklustre performances which included mistakes directly leading to goals. Since the turn of the year the Portuguese international has improved tenfold and is beginning to show why Wolves paid such a high fee for him. He is comfortable in possession and has adapted his game having realised Premier League players will not give you the time on the ball he may have had in LaLiga. He looks to get forward at every opportunity and began to work up a promising partnership with Pedro Neto prior to his injury. And perhaps most important of all Semedo has cut out the mistakes and become a reliable and solid defender as both a wing back and a full back. He handled Fulham’s Antonee Robinson extremely well at Craven Cottage, and also produced a vital block in Saturdays win which ultimately led to the winning goal. He could well be a crucial part of the side next season as Wolves look to get back to into the European hunt. 

 

This just isn’t entertainment 

Successive wins mean Wolves are all but safe and could even push for a top half finish if they finish the season strongly. However, almost every game is met with numerous complaints about just how boring Wolves have been for large parts of this season, and this is hard to argue against. There are a number of factors that explain Wolves’ demise into the bottom half of the table, and many fans accept that. But it is hard to accept the drab football that has been on offer, especially when playing three at the back. The narrow win against a stranded Sheffield United side brought back fairly recent memories of the 2015/16 season, when Wolves went 4 successive home games drawing 0-0 and averaged just one shot on target per game. Then Head Coach Kenny Jackett came under intense pressure with such poor football on offer and was relieved of his duties by new owners Fosun at the end of the season. Now Wolves are nowhere near that stage, but the entertainment value must improve. Wolves have very little to play for with just six games remaining, so some form of experimentation with some more attacking football on offer would improve the mood among the fanbase who are still watching on from home. 

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

Steve Bull Stand

Wolves 1-0 Sheffield United : The Debrief

by with No Comment NewsOpinion

“Sign him up, sign him up, sign him up!” You can almost hear the chants from the terraces. The name’s Jose, Willian Jose – GOAL MACHINE.

It wasn’t pretty, certainly no classic, but as Sheffield United fell into the relegation abyss, another three points in the bank for Wolves is what really mattered. In years to come, highlights packages from the 2020/21 campaign will be downloaded by sinister entities and used as elaborate torture devices to extract information.

Much like in the 1-0 win over Chorley -January 22, FA Cup Fourth Round- Wolves’ opponents on Saturday evening toiled hard, created chances and gave off a vibe of plucky underdogs doing better than expected. 

Patronising that may be, the visitors are a team looking for any green shoots of hope as a long grind in the Championship awaits. Given the unorthodox nature of the current season (Covid – you might have heard of it) mid-table mediocrity is not the end of the world for any top seven aspirants.

 

‘Everyone at Wolves is baffled as to why it keeps happening’

 

Quietly seething on the sidelines, Nuno Espirito Santo seemed as bemused and puzzled as many watching at home over the reasons behind his side’s lacklustre first half display. Wolves’ stolid style once again strangled the life out of a game played against clearly poor opposition. 

It’s a far cry from the swashbuckling days of old when Wolves would’ve comfortably and swiftly put such an outfit to the sword. That well-worn statement about the absent Reuben Neves being a free kick specialist is trudged out before every wayward set piece attempt. Similarly, the perplexity behind Wolves’ continuous inability to reach and remain in a higher gear is oft repeated by commentators.

 

Sheffield United woke Wolves up

 

It took an Enda Stevens miss to immediately wake the home side up. Good defending from Semedo led to a nifty turn around and a sporadic counter attack kicked in. Traore accelerated and Willian Jose tucked it away beautifully. Bang. First goal for Billy Joe and you couldn’t help but feel pleased for him.

It’s hard to know whether it was better or worse than the win at Fulham, but two 1-0 victories in a row will do nicely. Just don’t ask anyone to watch them back again.

 

Relegating the opposition becomes a thing

 

Ever since a 2-0 opening day loss to Wolves, the away side busied themselves trying to become the worst team in Premier League history. That dubious honour still belongs to Derby who ended the 2007/08 season with a measly 11 points. 

United are now two points off Huddersfield’s 2018/19 total of 16. That number could’ve been even worse for Huddersfield had home and away wins over Wolves not provided six of those points and helped nudge them up and away from Derby’s inauspicious standing. 

As match week gathered pace the prospect of being responsible for United’s relegation became an increasing source of excitement for a subset of supporters. In a dismal season, short on moments of inspiration, any feeling of superiority will do. 

 

Sheffield United arrived low on confidence

 

As former Wolves striker Don Goodman explained on the Sky mic, Sheffield United arrived as a team low on confidence and demoralised, bottom of the league by a country mile. 

Paul Heckingbottom’s men had also ditched their usual red and white stripes in favour of a washed-out pink number, reminiscent of a rogue red sock in the white load. Perhaps the unnecessary kit change would help them forget who they were for an evening. 

That worked in spells, but it’s hard to see the door being smashed down for too many of their players come the summer. Understandably low on confidence, Rhian Brewster’s tagline as a striker would need to be investigated under the Trade Descriptions Act. Rarely has a player carrying such a heavy receipt offered so little. 

Another young man carrying the weight of an inflated cost price, Fabio Silva, is the anti-Brewster. Rollocking forward with reckless abandon, only a late slip-slide on the turf halted his chance to replicate the sparkling West Ham finish.

Positives? There were a few. Semedo and Ait-Nouri both worked well down the flanks. The latter may have deemed himself fortunate to have got away with an “over the top” job on Brewster. Vitinha came on to show once again that the reputation and reality of his abilities are yet to align.

 

Wolves will take the three points and move on

 

For the final 20 minutes Wolves slumped back further into a defensive posture, almost willing The Blades to grab an equaliser – a scant moment of consolation to ease their pain on the long ride home. 

Like an enthused parent rolling a fly-away football in front of their stumbling toddler, the men in Gold and Black stood back to offer the visitors a way back in to the game.

Courteous to their hosts, United politely refused. Leaving with nothing has become the norm. In a rotten season, Sheffield United continue to wallow in the swamp of the EPL’s all-time worst. 

On a night when not much went right, be thankful that one side will travel to the likes of Luton, Millwall and Coventry next season, while the other will reset, rebuild and once again rub shoulders with the elite.

Steve Wellings is part of the Talking Wolves editorial team

 

Billy Wright Stand

Wolves Women in the FA Cup

by with No Comment Newswolves women

By recent standards this has been a disappointing few months for Wolves fans. Dumped out of the FA Cup, inconsistent league results, poor football, a plethora of injuries and the list goes on. But a shining light in 2021 has been Wolves Women. After two consecutive victories against higher division sides, they now face Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the 4th Round of the FA Cup, and on current form you simply cannot bet against them. 

Yet 2021 did not get off to the best start for Wolves Women either. For the second consecutive season, their league campaign was declared null and void, winning every game they played and scoring 37 goals along the way. The squad were understandably distraught, but there remains the possibility of Wolves playing tier 3 football next season, with a league re-structure in the pipeline which would allow them to play at the level they certainly deserve to be. The heartache of the season’s curtailment had driven them on to progress in their FA Cup campaign, and the girls are absolutely flourishing. 

Their second-round victory came after a penalty shootout win against Nottingham Forest at Castlecroft. The official Wolves media team were in attendance, with the game streamed live on Wolves TV, reaching out to over 1,000 fans. The media team were not the only club officials in attendance, with Executive Chairman Jeff Shi and Director John Bowater both in attendance. It was an enthralling encounter played on a knife edge, but for the vast majority of the game Wolves were certainly the better side. It was a goalless first half which Wolves dominated, looking comfortable in possession but they were unable to finish a number of half chances that they created. They were made to pay as Rosie Axten put Forest ahead just after the re-start. However, Nyah Edwards responded ten minute later with a stunning strike to level the scores and the momentum was back with the home side. Parity remained and the game entered extra time and within three minutes Wolves were ahead thanks to top scorer Jade Cross. However, Forest ensured the game went all the way after Axten got her second from the penalty spot. Wolves certainly did enough to win the game in 120 minutes, but penalties were forthcoming. Wolves goalkeeper Bec Thomas was the hero as she saved from Olivia Cook with the shootout in sudden death, much to the delight of those watching on. The save sparked ecstatic scenes on the pitch after a stunning performance, made all the more impressive by the short amount of preparation time the team had having been unable to train throughout the UK lockdown. Perhaps the only disappointment was the inability for fans to be there, with interest in the women’s side growing and over 1,000 watching on from home. 

Watford, the Southern Premier Division league leaders stood between Wolves and a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Once again Wolves’ media team provided exemplary coverage for fans to enjoy, but could the girls live up to the occasion? Of course, they could, as they sank Watford as easy as Brits sinking pints on the night the pubs re-opened. Similar to the game against Forest, it was a closely contested first half that ended all square. However, there are three things that are certain in life: death, taxes and a Jade Cross goal. So of course, it was Cross that gave Wolves the lead just nine minutes into the game. Wolves created a number of chances in the first half, but once again they were made to pay as with just minutes remaining before half time Katie O’Leary equalised for the home side from close range. But this was merely a bump in the road as Wolves’ second half was certainly enjoyed by fans making the most of the chance to watch on from home. Kelly Darby put McNamara’s side back in front, before Anna Morphet dispatched a spot kick to extend their lead after Tammi Geroge was fouled in the penalty area. Shortly after, Wolves were in dreamland as Palmer’s long-range effort made it four and pit the game beyond doubt. There were once again extraordinary scenes at the end as the players enjoyed their moment after the setbacks suffered in the past year. An emotional Dan McNamara spoke to Official Wolves after the game: 

“Watford will be in the Championship in the next two years, and they’ve beaten them. I’m speechless… that’s what heart gets you, that’s what determination gets you, and that’s what a unified group gets you. They deserve that, as does everyone back at home as well

“What was effective is pressing their backline. I think they played out from goal kicks every time, which played into our hands.

“It’s about being effective and being effective was getting the ball into Jade Cross as quick as we could. I thought Jamila was fantastic up there and she put an absolute shift in, Ali as well, but they all have. They were absolutely tremendous.”

“When the fourth one’s gone in, it was just incredible, but I don’t think it was anything short of what they deserved. Jade will get the plaudits, but I thought Kelly Darby, Emma Cross and Anna Morphet defended like trojans.

“Anna’s just had the best 90 minutes I’ve seen her play in a Wolves shirt, marking an outstanding centre forward in Fatuga-Dada. I’m speechless, but I’m not shocked because that’s what you get from that group. They’re incredible.”

However, it is still very much feet still on the ground for the Wolves Women Head Coach as they prepare to go one better against Championship opposition next week; “We don’t get ahead of ourselves. Next week will be a totally different ball game because Blackburn haven’t stopped this year. Blackburn would’ve played for the whole time we’ve been off.

But I’m just enjoying it. This is what football is about, this is what I’ve been harping on about in all my interviews; these are the moments you cherish. This is what’s going to unite me and Anna Price in 15 years’ time when we’re walking around Wolverhampton.”

And the word ‘unite’ is certainly an appropriate word to some up this team. They are united like no other and most important of all, are an excellent football team who have deserved their wins in recent weeks. Whatever happens against Blackburn, this has been an extremely impressive cup run in the most difficult of times. With the possibility of playing tier three football next season still viable, and continued growth of support from Jeff Shi and the club, Dan and the team have every chance of success in the coming years with their undoubted ability and team spirit. 

Best of luck against Blackburn girls, we’re all behind you! 

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

 

craven cottage

Fulham 0-1 Wolves : The Debrief

by with One Comment NewsOpinion

Typical Wolves. Just as you’re ready to pen a withering diatribe about system failures or thump out a tweet listing the names of players you’d gladly flog in the summer, up pops Traore with a screamer. Grimacing, you accept the three points.

Nuno and his coaching staff merged in to a familiar celebratory huddle as Alphonse Areola committed the ultimate goalkeeping crime of being beaten at his near post. In the opposite corner, Scott Parker looked like a man who could do with an arm around the shoulder himself.

 

Fulham’s tears on the Thames

 

As anyone with a pair of eyes will attest, it was far from perfect, but Wolves got the win, smashed and grabbed three points and left Fulham wallowing in literal tears of misery. It was harsh on the home team.

In fact, making a case that either side deserved maximum points would be a stretch. Silva’s through ball was divine, Traore’s thumping finish ruthless and the previous hour-and-a-half of tedium almost forgotten.

 

Conor Coady won his battle with Mitrovic

 

There were personal battles raging all over the pitch. Kongolo, Tete and Andersen toiled hard to keep Podence, Neto (briefly) and Traore honest. Back in the side to torment his old defensive foe, Conor Coady, Serbian international Aleksandar Mitrovic had spent a lot of the season warming the bench.

Enjoying good international form, when Mitrovic scored against Aston Villa on Sunday, Fulham were half an hour away from closing the gap even more on a Wolves side that lost to West Ham shortly after. Fulham opted for capitulation, Villa came back to win 3-1 and the gap remained.

 

Jose’s first Wolves goal disallowed

 

Back at Craven Cottage, in first half injury time Daniel Podence teased a dainty cross into the box and Willian Jose did what he was supposed to do. Powering a header past Areola, the Brazilian wheeled away in delight having finally broken his duck. Or so he thought.

Instead, VAR crashed the Wolves party room, flicking on the light like an angry parent. Jose and company had been cruelly foiled. This new-fangled technology, designed to remove discussion and debate over contentious decisions, once again attempted to suck away any last vestige of goal scoring enjoyment. 

 

Cavaleiro missed his opportunity for revenge

 

The sign of Ivan Cavaleiro leisurely jogging on to the turf may have filled some observers with dread. Old player coming back to bite Wolves, just as former favourite Diogo Jota had done for Liverpool. It was written. Or maybe not. As reliable as a Duncan Castles scoop, ‘Cav’ dutifully drifted into obscurity.

Time and again Adama was outnumbered and ruthlessly dumped to the ground. Time and again Daniel Podence, still sluggishly recovering from injury, found his usually reliable touch and tidy ball control strangely absent.

Despite Fulham’s apparent tooth lessness going forward, still the Wolves handbrake remained intact. Scott Parker’s urgency increased. His substitutions became more offensive. Fulham fancied it.

With 15 minutes remaining Wolves suddenly looked a little fingernail ragged, clinging on with a touch more desperation as each minute passed. The end-to-end frivolity of Monday night’s defeat to West Ham garnered little fruit while providing sporadic moments of entertainment. This was just dire.

 

Portuguese wonderkid drops an assist

 

The away side’s kit may have strongly resembled the free-flowing pleasures of a prime Portugal, but that was where the similarities ended. Wolves’ approach was stale. It lacked imagination. Nobody would’ve batted an eyelid had the camera panned pitch side to find Jose Mourinho sitting in the away dugout, pulling the tactical strings.

Bounding around the field with all the enthusiasm of a new-born puppy, snapping at the heels of the Fulham players, Fabio Silva’s endeavour was never beyond question. Even an unfortunate collision with an advertising hoarding failed to dampen his zeal. 

Unlike his impressive cameo against West Ham, Silva was unable to hit the net. No matter, VAR probably would’ve ruled it out anyway. Fabio made do with a silky slide rule assist to release the beast that is Traore and help push the Cottagers further into the relegation mire.

 

Wolves meander into mid table

 

Even the slithering killjoys at Stockley Park were unable to prevent the marauding Spaniard from ending his goal drought. Adama’s powerful strike successfully killed off any lingering doubts around Premier League survival.

The muscled Adonis had engineered a reward for months of fruitless labour and for another night the wider cracks remain glued with a few sheets of A4. 

As bubbling frustrations across Wolverhampton and beyond quickly simmered, Nuno will not sit comfortably. Those withering tweets are merely postponed. Consigned to drafts until we return.

 

Steve Wellings is part of the Talking Wolves editorial team – you can follow him on Twitter here