DSC_6365

Farense 1-1 Wolves: Player Ratings

by with No Comment NewsPlayer Ratings

Wolves rounded off their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw against Farense. The hosts took the lead just five minutes into the game, a direct free-kick from Christian Ponde beating the dive of Jackson Smith. Wolves did manage to level the game after half-time, with Hee Chan Hwang converting a penalty won by Chem Campbell. Neither side were able to take control of the game in the later stages, with Bruno Lage giving opportunities to many of Wolves’ Under 21 squad.

Jackson Smith

Smith was called into action early in the game, but could not keep out Ponde’s free-kick. His confidence did not seem to be affected, acting as a commanding figure throughout. A strong one-handed save late on would prove to be his highlight, completing a successful pre-season for the goalkeeper.

7/10

Yerson Mosquera

Mosquera was played at right back by Lage, not for the first time this pre-season. The Colombian struggled outside of his more natural central role, sometimes getting caught out by Farense’s attack. If beaten, Mosquera did at times have the pace to recover. Wolves will be hoping Nelson Semedo can soon return, allowing Mosquera to play more minutes in the centre.

5/10

Conor Coady

Picking up an early yellow card, Coady did concede the free-kick which Farense scored from, although it was arguably Willy Boly who put the Englishman in danger. Despite this, if the same challenge was made in a competitive game, Coady may have been sent for an early shower. The Wolves captain did recover well and played neat football for the remainder of the game.

6/10

Willy Boly

As mentioned before, Boly was the man arguably at fault for the host’s opener. The Ivorian international did improve during the game, stepping into midfield with the ball on a couple of occasions. With Boly already Lage’s fourth choice centre half, he may be looking nervously over his shoulder at the development of both Mosquera and Toti Gomes.

6/10

Toti Gomes

If Toti Gomes is to push Boly for his spot in the first team squad, he will hope to play more minutes at centre half as opposed to left back. Similarly to Mosquera, Gomes struggled in a more unfamiliar position. In attack, Gomes seemed reluctant to cross the ball, instead looking at options from midfield. Lage substituted Gomes at half time.

5/10

Joe Hodge

A key part of James Collins’ Under 23 squad last campaign, Joe Hodge has impressed in pre-season. Taking on the role of Ruben Neves is no mean feat, but the youngster can hold his head high after last night’s performance. Linking defence and midfield with short, sharp passes as well as breaking down opposition attacks, Hodge may benefit from a loan spell away from Molineux in the near future.

7/10

Conor Ronan

With it looking more likely with each passing day that Ronan will remain in Wolves’ squad this season, the 24-year-old put in another admirable performance. A sweeping pass from deep early in the second half released Campbell, winning the penalty that pulled Wolves level. With a severe lack of squad depth, Ronan looks set to join Luke Cundle as Wolves’ back-up midfielders.

7/10

Luke Cundle

Cundle started the match in a midfield three, before moving into the attack at half time. He looked to move Wolves’ attack along at a quicker intensity, playing a similar role to that of Joao Moutinho. Although a loan move would also benefit Cundle this season, Lage cannot afford to lose another midfielder from his squad.

6/10

Chem Campbell

Campbell got his chance to impress after just a handful of minutes against Sporting on Saturday. The 19-year-old looked like a bright spark in Wolves’ attack, winning the penalty after already beating one man in the build up. Campbell should have got his name on the scoresheet early in the game, putting a golden chance wide of an empty net. A good start to the season for James Collins’ side could see Campbell knocking on the door of the first team.

7/10

Hee Chan Hwang

Hwang scored his first goal of pre-season, calmly slotting away his chance from the spot. In the opening stages of the second half, he did have two opportunities to drag Wolves level, failing to convert either chance. Before his substitution, Hwang was deployed through the middle, auditioning to fill the void that injury to Raul Jimenez has left.

6/10

Hugo Bueno

Hugo Bueno started the game in the front three, before moving to left back in the second half. While looking competent in attack, Bueno impressed at full back, with his overlapping runs a key to his game. A delightful cross just evaded Hwang, preventing the Spaniard from what would have been a fantastic assist.

7/10

SUBS

Harvey Griffiths

Griffiths replaced Toti at half time, leading to a reshuffle from Lage. He slotted into the base of a midfield three, sitting just in front of Coady and Boly. Griffiths fell victim to the lethargic nature of the game, leading him to play safe passes when in possession.

6/10

Harry Birtwistle

Birtwistle, the first ever Singaporean to have a Premier League contract, played on the right wing, more advanced than his usual right wing-back slot. He managed to provide fans with a glimpse of his pace when going forwards, creating a some good opportunities that the attackers failed to capitalise on. It was certainly a promising performance from the youngster.

7/10

Ollie Tipton

Tipton is usually deployed as a centre half, but was used at right back. Similarly to Mosquera and Gomes, it was clear to see the this was not Tipton’s natural position, although the youngster did remain calm both with and without the ball.

6/10

Lee Harkin

Harkin was introduced to the action with 20 minutes left in the game, but failed to make a significant impact. Another victim of the slow pace of play and Wolves’ lack of attacking threat towards the end, Harkin spent most of his minutes out of possession.

5/10

Nathan Fraser

Nathan Fraser is one of Wolves’ brightest talents, although he did not have enough time on the pitch to showcase his talent.

N/A

Jack Hodnett

Hodnett also entered the action late in the game, and therefore could not stamp his authority on the game.

N/A

Other subs: James Storer 

DSC_6390

Sporting CP 1-1 Wolves: Player Ratings

by with No Comment NewsPlayer Ratings

Wolves kicked off their double header in the Algarve with a 1-1 draw against Sporting CP. Ruben Neves gave Wolves the lead from the penalty spot, before former Wolves man Pedro Goncalves levelled for the Portuguese side. In a display that showcased free-flowing football and direct counterattacks, supporters can be excited for next weekends Premier League opener at Elland Road.

Jose Sa

In his first appearance since May, Sa can be pleased with his performance. A quiet start, only tested by the penalty, he made an impressive save in the second half to keep the score locked at 1-1. His confidence on the ball cannot be underestimated in Lage’s new system, offering himself to both centre halves when in possession.

6/10

 

Jonny

Jonny’s defensive ability is there for all to see, rarely letting anybody past him. His positional awareness both with and without the ball was impressive, with his attacking runs in the first half causing issues for the Sporting back line. A full 90 minutes will fill the full back with confidence heading into the new season.

7/10

Nathan Collins

A second start for Wolves’ only summer signing, Collins was in the thick of the action. The Irishman was at fault for Sporting’s penalty, desperately lunging at the feet of striker Paulinho. He recovered well in defence, putting in some strong headed clearances, as well as showing maturity when in possession.

6/10

Max Kilman

If Lage does utilise the same 11 at Elland Road, Kilman has become Wolves’ senior centre half. The 25-year-old put in another good display, rarely challenged by Paulinho. A repeat of Kilman’s wondergoal against Deportivo Alaves seemed to be on the cards, before releasing the ball on the halfway line. He was substituted with 10 minutes to go after suffering with cramp.

7/10

Rayan Ait Nouri

Ait Nouri’s forward runs are becoming a trademark of his game. The Frenchman showed his ability on the ball once more, driving down the left hand side on multiple occasions. He was at the heart of some strong build-up play in the first half, linking well with Kilman and the three midfielders.

7/10

Ruben Neves

Taking the armband once more, Neves certainly put in a captain’s performance. He stepped up confidently to score his penalty, while displaying his dominance on the ball when building from the back. Breaking up Sporting attacks were also a key feature in what was another quality outing from the Portuguese maestro.

8/10

Joao Moutinho

Moutinho put in another good performance against his former side, with short passes the key to his game. Often the middle man in transition, Moutinho attempted to move play along at a higher tempo than what we have become used to seeing over previous years.

6/10

Leander Dendoncker

A vicious strike early in the game tested the palms of Israel, arriving late into the box at the far post. Not as involved as his midfield partners, Dendoncker did provide good physicality in the middle of the park. His forward runs may be crucial to a Wolves side lacking height in attack.

6/10

Morgan Gibbs-White

The England Under 21 international has been full of promise in pre-season, with today being no different. He may feel aggrieved that Pedro Neto failed to square the ball in the second half, but the willingness to break at speed is something that supporters will only admire. Gibbs-White was also substituted with 10 minutes to go.

7/10

Daniel Podence

In a feisty affair against his former employers, Podence seemed keen to make an impact. His one-touch football in the final third caused issues for Sporting, with defenders often chasing shadows. Filling in for Raul Jimenez, Podence started the game as a false nine, but was interchanging with Neto and Gibbs-White throughout.

7/10

Pedro Neto

Neto’s promising pre-season performances continued today. The winger won Wolves’ penalty in the first half, drawing in a challenge from Matheus Reis. There were glimpses of Neto’s impressive 2021 form, running at defenders before quickly moving the ball onto his left foot and unleashing a strike at goal. He will arguably be the key man for Wolves’ in Raul’s absence.

8/10

SUBS

Hee Chan Hwang

Similarly to Sa, Hwang made his first performance of pre-season. Replacing Neto after 66 minutes, Hwang was deployed on the left of a front three. He found himself through on goal in the latter stages of the game, rounding the keeper before having his shot cleared off the line. It was a chance that he would have expected to bury.

5/10

Cham Campbell

Some neat footwork in the middle of the park was the highlight for Campbell, who did not have a great deal of time to show his talent. The 19-year-old will be hoping for some more minutes in tomorrow’s final pre-season friendly against Farense.

6/10

Conor Coady

Coady replaced Kilman with little time left in the game, slotting into the back four. A sloppy pass out from the back almost allowed Sporting in on goal, before recovering and conceding a corner.

N/A

Hugo Bueno

Coming onto the pitch with just two minutes left, Hugo Bueno had no time to make an impact on the game.

N/A

Other subs: Jackson Smith, Yerson Mosquera, Willy Boly, Toti Gomes, Luke Cundle, Connor Ronan, Joe Hodge, Harvey Griffiths

DSC_6377

Patrick Cutrone: Where did it all go wrong?

by with No Comment NewsOpinion

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.

DSC_6398

What next for Connor Ronan?

by with No Comment NewsOpinion

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.

 

 

DSC_6370

Wolves 3-0 Besiktas J.K: Player ratings

by with No Comment NewsPlayer Ratings

Wolves fans will have reason to be excited after the performance against Besiktas in Alicante. Raúl Jiménez opened the scoring by winning the ball from the Besiktas keeper and rolling it into an empty net. Podence scored not long after having been set up by a sparkling run and pass from Rayan Aït-Nouri and Pedro Neto rounded the goalkeeper for a third before halftime. Supplemented by further dangerous attacks in the second half and little pressure on the defence, it was a very satisfactory outing for Bruno Lage’s men.

Jackson Smith

Thrown into the starting line up against high profile opposition, Smith was nerveless. He made a smart early save from a free kick and looked comfortable distributing the ball during some early Besiktas pressure. In the first half he also came out sharply to nullify a 1 on 1 chance and made another strong save direct from a cross in the second half. Earned a clean sheet that he can be very happy with.

7/10

Jonny

A quiet game for the right back. Tested minimally defensively, he made a block early in the game and then started to work the ball inside to Moutinho and Neves in the second half. He really didn’t have much to do.

6/10

Nathan Collins

He was overshadowed by Kilman in the first half, with a couple of clever interceptions balancing out being caught out of position to let Besiktas in on goal. He also missed a sitter with the goal gaping from a set piece at the end of the half. In the second half, he showed composure to work his way out of some pressurising situations and became more dominant once his defensive partner was replaced by Conor Coady. All in all a fairly encouraging outing in Wolves’ new formation.

7/10

Max Kilman

Kilman was solid, being entrusted with the lion’s share of defensive possession when Besiktas pressed high early in the game. He also burst forward on occasion, including threatening to repeat his Alaves wondergoal by stepping up into the opposition half on a mazy run. Typically consistent, and looks set to be the anchor in Wolves defence for large parts of next season.

7/10

Rayan Aït-Nouri

A tremendous outing for the young Frenchman and potential big club suitors will have been impressed by his attacking prowess. After looking shaky in possession early, he created the second goal with a brilliant nutmeg, driving run into the box and then a precise pick out of Daniel Podence. He added to this with some excellent interplay with Pedro Neto and then some outrageous skill to pass three Besiktas players in midfield. Continuing to threaten in the second half, he was the man of the match amongst a number of excellent Wolves performances.

9/10

Rúben Neves

Wolves’ talisman did all the small things right, comfortably controlling the tempo and playing a few of his trademark passes. He covered a lot of ground, getting forward at times while also dropping deep in the first half to prevent Collins and Kilman from being flooded. He’s had more notable games for Wolves but he did his job comfortably.

7/10

João Moutinho

The 35-year-old showed early in the game a willingness to get stuck in as always. He looked to be overwhelmed slightly in midfield early on as Wolves looked to long balls for outlets but in the second half he put his stamp on the middle of the pitch. Boundless energy that shouldn’t be surprising, but in a pre-season game it is even more impressive that he is performing to this level at this age.

7/10

Morgan Gibbs-White

Coasted through the game, with plenty of excellent turns and touches in tight spaces. Linked very well with the rest of the front three and played some beautiful passes. He was very assertive and helped to carry Wolves through the lines on plenty of occasions. The only black marks on a very polished performance were giving the ball away a couple of times (although this is expected with his playing style) and a bad miss when he hit the bar from a headed Dendoncker cross. A lot to look forward to from MGW this season.

8/10

Daniel Podence

Podence needs to add more goals to his game and this run-out showed positive signs but also why he has scored so few. He might have grabbed a hat trick, with a smart finish for the second goal added to forcing a couple of saves from Ersin in the Turkish side’s goal when he maybe should have done better. He also threaded through a nice pass for Neto’s goal and showed his technical excellence with some outstanding interplay. Moved into a false 9 role in the second half he brought his attacking partners into the game excellently, with what became a pure front three looking very fluid and dangerous.

8/10

Pedro Neto

Pedro Neto was terrific in a very well-rounded performance. A willing runner in behind early on, he pressed hard and deserved his goal having stayed composed when the goalkeeper got a hand to the ball while he rounded him. He looked excellent when switching wings and was maybe the most consistent threat in old gold all game. He linked up superbly with Aït-Nouri on the left and was a close second to him as Wolves’ standout on the afternoon.

9/10

Raúl Jiménez

Jiménez is still clearly not at his best, but there were further recovery signs. Following up a Neves free kick early he missed with the goal gaping, snatching at a chance with the outside of his boot. However, he immediately followed up by capitalising on a disastrous mistake from the Besiktas keeper to give himself a tap in. He also pressed hard all game and almost connected with Neto through a couple of smart flick-ons. Removed as an injury precaution just before half time, hopefully, an open play goal will continue to build his confidence.

7/10

Subs

Leander Dendoncker

Dendoncker looked useful replacing Raúl Jiménez. Dropping into midfield with Neves and Moutinho, he showed some signs of the ‘old’ Dendoncker, covering lots of ground and adding a useful body getting forward. He set up good chances for Podence and Gibbs-White and consistently made his presence known.

7/10

Conor Coady

Coady was brought on with the game all but over and had next to nothing to do. He was outpaced on one stage by an unthreatening ball over the top but he did what he had to do keeping possession ticking out of defence. This game was not a test that shows whether or not he can play in a four-man defence against strong opposition.

6/10

Luke Cundle

Cundle didn’t have a huge amount of opportunity to assert himself, but he was willing to show for the ball and looked fairly tidy when he had it. He played further forward than might be expected as Lage experimented a bit more wildly with the game out of sight.

6/10

Other subs: Harvey Griffiths, Connor Ronan, Joe Hodge, Theo Corbeanu, Hugo Bueno, Yerson Mosquera, Dexter Lembikisa

DSC_6409

Levante 2-1 Wolves -Player Ratings

by with No Comment NewsPlayer Ratings

Less than 16 hours after a 4-0 win that saw spectacular performances from the Starting 11, Wolves took on Levante in a “practice match” that featured a blend of under 23s and a few first-team players. Wolves lost 2-1 in a match that will have people talking more about the fights during the game over the actual football played. 

 

Jackson Smith

Smith, a goalkeeper for the U23 side, was not asked to do much during the match. The defenders did not pass back to him often and Levante did not have a consistent attacking presence to ask questions of him. He did let in two goals, the first a one-on-one and the second was a very well-hit strike. He did show poise getting off his line at times, but overall it was an average performance.

5/10

 

Hugo Bueno

Bueno, another U23, had a similar performance. He was well positioned throughout, navigating his way up and down the left flank with ease. He showed some good ideas on the ball but did get careless a few times.

6/10

 

Toti Gomes

It was a hot and cold performance for Toti. Overall he looked solid, showing composure on the ball, but seemingly tripped, allowing a ball in behind him for the first Levante goal. He made up for his earlier error, scoring on a corner kick in the waning moments.

7/10

 

Nathan Collins

Collins looked great in the first half in a hybrid role of the middle of a back three and the right centre back in a back four. He showed control of the offence, rattling off a range of passes. In the second half, he did not show as much, but I’m going to choose to remember his first half.

7/10

 

Yerson Mosquera

 Mosquera started the match in an advanced role. He was looking great on the ball and boasted great vision, spotting passing lanes. It would have been great for him to have kept his composure, but he had been hit by multiple late tackles so it is hard to blame him too much for his red card in the 35th minute.

6/10

 

Theo Corbeanu

Corbeanu started the match at right winger/wingback. He struggled on the ball, losing the ball multiple times. He looked better in an attacking role in the second half, showing good runs even though he was not targeted often.

5/10

 

Connor Ronan

My favourite performance of the morning. Ronan, who started in a deeper midfield role, looked comfortable conducting the attack. His movement was terrific and with the ball, he showed good dribbling and accurate passing. He also provided a great delivery on a corner kick led to Gomes’ goal. 

9/10

 

Luke Cundle

It was a relatively silent performance from Cundle. He played more advanced, but the relatively quiet Wolves’ attack resulted in him not receiving the ball often. When he had the ball, he is quite good though. 

5/10

 

Leander Dendoncker

I would’ve liked to have seen Dendoncker assert himself more in a midfield that lacked experience. He played a rather safe performance other than a long shot and an attempted chip pass into the 18.

5/10

 

Daniel Podence

The first 20 or so minutes of the match were highlighted by the chemistry between Podence and Morgan Gibbs-White. Podence seamlessly switched sides and his pass led to the indirect free kick. He was not able to contribute to a goal, but every time Podence touched the ball he tried to make something happen. Similar to Mosquera, it would have been great to see him keep his cool, but Podence being sent off for fighting was the least surprising event of the match.

6/10

 

Morgan Gibbs-White

Throughout the match, Gibbs-White showed a fantastic work rate. Similar to Podence, he showed a real effort to ask questions of defenders while also making an impact in dropping back on the defensive end. While Wolves didn’t create many genuine chances, MGW showed promise in a striker-type role.

7/10

 

Willy Boly

Boly came on in the second half and played well. His movement and willingness to push the ball up the field were strong throughout his 40 minutes. He overextended on the ball at times, one of them creating space behind the defence leading to the second Levante goal, but overall good performance. 

7.5/10

 

Conor Coady

Coady did a good job covering for the more aggressive Boly. He had a few good passes and tackles, but overall it wasn’t a noteworthy half.

5/10

 

Harvey Griffiths

Griffiths did not try to do too much in his cameo, but overall seemed competent on the ball and showed good movement.

5/10

 

Joe Hodge

Hodge showed a good work rate and had some good dribble moves, but similar to Griffiths didn’t try to do too much.

5.5/10

 

Dexter Lembikisa

Flashed some good runs down the right-hand side, but did not get targeted often. He had a failed clearance that resulted in the second Levante goal.

4/10

 

DSC_6400

Deportivo Alavés 0-4 Wolves: Player Ratings

by with No Comment NewsPlayer Ratings

Wolves kicked off their pre-season tour of Alicante in scintillating style as they blew away Deportivo Alavés 4-0. The Spanish heat complimented their red hot performance as they took the lead through a Raul Jimenez penalty, won excellently by Pedro Neto. Neto then combined well with standout performer Morgan Gibbs-White and finished well for the second. Podence scored an unlikely header early into the second half, and the rout was finished off by an outstanding solo goal from Max Kilman.

Let’s take a look at the key player ratings from the match.

 

Matija Šarkić

Unfortunately for Šarkić his rating was limited simply because of how comfortable the defence were. The Montenegrin barely had a save to make except from a speculative effort in the second half which he palmed onto the post. What was encouraging was his comfort in possession. Not too dissimilarly to Jose Sa, he offered a useful outlet for Wolves to play out from the back and picked his passes well. He did all you could have asked from him and kept a clean sheet.

7/10

 

Jonny

As consistent as ever from the Spaniard. Moreso a threat in the second half with a surprising number of central runs, similar to Joao Cancelo at Manchester City, and of course set up the third goal with a delightful floated cross. Was a calm presence in defence and showed great energy to last the majority of the game before being replaced by Dexter Lembikisa.

8/10

 

Rayan Aït-Nouri

Like his full-back counterpart, Ait-Nouri provided some much-needed energy and direct play. His aggressive play going forward helped create constant overloads which Alaves simply could not cope with. He was not involved in the goals to the same extent as Jonny but was a beneficiary of this new attacking system. Solid defensively aswell, as he rarely got beaten.

7/10

 

Conor Coady

A respectable showing from the club captain. There were a couple of shaky moments in the first half where he put Šarkić in trouble with some misplaced passes across the box, but apart from that, it was a confident and commanding performance. Did not look out of place in a back four which is a good sign for his chances this season. His comfort in possession still plays into the system well.

7/10

 

Willy Boly

A performance more reminiscent of a prime Willy Boly. He won virtually every header needed and got Wolves out of some tight spots with his passing range. Some good reading of the game throughout to keep the side moving at a consistent pace. An encouraging game after injury and covid troubles for the Ivorian.

8/10

 

Ruben Neves

What a delight this man is. Playing in a deeper playmaker role in the starting midfield three, Neves was allowed to use his intelligence to pull off some wonderful passes to the wingers. Worked well in a defensive sense too with some important tackles for ball retention. Also set up the penalty with a sumptuous pass to Neto before the winger was hacked to the ground. A metronome that never stops ticking. Pure football joy again from the Portuguese maestro.

9/10

 

João Moutinho

A more advanced role for the 36-year-old in this game, and it suited him down to the ground. His passing vision and ability to retain the ball were a breath of fresh air higher up the pitch. Almost set up Gibbs-White for a goal in the first half with an unbelievable defence-splitting pass which was slightly overhit. Still has plenty to offer at his age and his talents were well utilised here.

8/10

 

Leander Dendoncker

Was perhaps the least effective of the midfield trio in this one. Got on the ball a few times but failed to really stamp any authority on the game. Could have scored with an effort in the penalty area which was well saved. Got booked later in the half and appeared to begin to lose his cool, possibly a reason he was hooked at half-time.

6/10

 

Morgan Gibbs-White

Another standout performer. Gibbs-White showed why he was so successful at Sheffield United last season. Excellent movement and link-up play with Jimenez and Neto and offered Wolves an option in midfield that could find spaces and drive with the ball. He is the player fans have been crying out for. Assisted the second goal and was a constant threat throughout the game. Got a big reception when taken off and rightly so.

9/10

 

Pedro Neto

Like Gibbs-White, Neto’s return to the side has been a huge positive before the start of the season. He showed his quality again with constant drive on the ball and an eagerness to create chances. An excellent run before he was brought down for the penalty and of course brilliantly finished off Wolves’ second goal after combining with Gibbs-White. Those two players could be a partnership we needed. A great first game of this tour for the young winger.

9/10

 

Raúl Jiménez

A strong performance more akin to the Raul of old. Some tidy bits interchanging play with the wingers and showed more energy than he did in the latter half of last season. Not afraid to have a shot and got his goal from the penalty spot. An extra point added on for his celebration.

8/10

 

SUBS

Daniel Podence

Came on for Dendoncker as Wolves switched to a 4-2-3-1 and was a joy to watch. Started off the half with some great touches in the central areas and looked to create something every time he got on the ball. Scored the most unlikely of headers in front of two centre-backs and could have had a second goal later in the half. His agility and directness will be crucial you feel.

8/10

 

Max Kilman

Maximilian Maradona. Much has been made of Kilman’s ability on the ball and ‘many’ futsal puns later he’s truly shown off what he threatened to do last season. An outrageous solo goal running from midway inside the Wolves half, beating several defenders and placing his shot in off the post. A composed performance defensively too to round off a flawless 45 minutes. So much promise about this lad and deserving of a full match rating (the goal certainly added some extra points, it’s pre-season why not).

10/10

 

Theo Corbeanu

A mixed evening for the young Canadian. Had a slow start with some poor ball control but grew into the contest as it went on. Made some well-timed runs and showed glimpses of what he can do on the ball with some impressive dribbling runs. Maybe should have scored a good chance from around 12 yards but we’ll chalk it off to lack of experience.

6/10

 

Other subs: Dexter Lembikisa, Joe Hodge, Harvey Griffiths, Luke Cundle, Toti Gomes, Chem Campbell

DSC_6294

Make or Break for Bruno Lage?

by with No Comment NewsOpinion

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 10th 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.

DSC_6369

The Adama Traoré Conundrum

by with No Comment NewsOpinionWolves 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.

 

DSC_6363

Defensive reinforcements shouldn’t spell the end of Conor Coady

by with No Comment NewsOpinion

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.