Atrocious game management cost Wolves two points at the Amex against Brighton. Wolves looked comfortable going into the break but an early Brighton penalty and then a ridiculous decision to switch to five at the back meant Wolves invited pressure and surrendered a two-goal lead.
Rui Patricio
Should have done better on the goal as he seemed to hesitate to make a decision which combined with other shambolic defending, lead to conceding. Didn’t have a fat lot to do apart from that. 6/10
Rayan Aït Nouri
Looked to get forward and be positive whenever he could but he was lacking defensively. Should have stopped the cross for the first goal and lucky to get away with the referee saving him for Trossard’s disallowed goal. 5/10
Conor Coady
Didn’t have a lot to do and sprayed a few nice balls around but was an average performance overall. Did make a very good block in the 60th minute at 3-2. 6/10
Romain Saiss
Did his job at one end of the pitch but it wasn’t the end we were expecting! Dreadful defending for the first goal as he really should have cut the cross out but redeemed himself with an accomplished header, back across goal. 6/10
Nelson Semedo
Continues to improve in each game that he plays and looks to have turned a bit of a corner. Great cross for Saiss’ goal. No doubt some fans will blame him for the result though. 7/10
Joao Moutinho
Stupidly hung a leg out to give away a penalty early into the second half which put Wolves under pressure. Maupay was looking for someone to stick a leg out and Moutinho obliged. Was the catalyst for the Brighton come back and you expect more from such an experienced pro. 4/10
Ruben Neves
Finally got himself on the scoresheet, albeit from the penalty spot. Hopefully, this kick starts a bit of goalscoring form for Neves who struggled to find the net in 2020. Sprayed a few wonderful passes about – most notably the one out wide to Neto which lead to the second goal. 7/10
Vitinha
Showed some nice turns in the first half but failed to have a real impact on the game. 4/10
Adama Traore
Finally, we saw Adama Traore really have a go and target an opposition defender and as if by magic he was the best player on the pitch. Dan Burn will be checking under his bed tonight for Adama Traore. He caused Brighton countless problems and won a penalty after roasting Dan Burn for the umpteenth time. 8/10
Pedro Neto
Was a constant threat down the left-hand side and without his positivity, Wolves wouldn’t have got their second goal. Fizzled out in the second half but it’s frightening how good Neto is already and at just 20 years of age, he’s going to be a special talent. 6/10
Fabio Silva
It’s just not quite happening for Silva at the minute but he’s doing all the right things. His movement and pressing were good but it’s just not falling for him. Doing a decent job of holding the front line despite being thrown in at the deep end but another forward is certainly needed in this window. 6/10
Subs
Max Kilman
Didn’t have a lot do and was probably unlucky to be dropped. 6/10
Owen Otasowie
Could have won the game at the death. N/A
Matt Cooper is a Talking Wolves founder, you can follow him on Twitter here.