After a busy league schedule, up next for the boys in old gold and black were League Two strugglers Shrewsbury Town, by way of the FA Cup. A game which maybe came at the wrong time after Wolves’ recent upturn in league form, but a truly professional performance followed with plenty of goals on show for the brave Molineux faithful to enjoy.
Sam Johnstone – 6
Didn’t have a save to make in the first half. A comfortable Saturday afternoon’s work for the currently out of favour Wolves goalkeeper. Solid.
Jackson Tchatchoua – 5
So much pace, so much energy, but lacking in that quality delivery and still giving the ball away too much. I don’t want to give up on him just yet because his pace is such a lethal threat, and there are moments of ability; but he must improve his passing in the final third to win over the Molineux faithful.
Matt Doherty – 7
Showed there’s still life in the old dog yet, winning the majority of his duels and leading the backline by example. A calming, mature presence in this fairly inexperienced Wolves team. A true club legend and nobody more deserving of wearing the armband today.
Santiago Bueno – 8
As always, calm and comfortable defensively, didn’t put a foot wrong, always in the right spot and helping clear a couple off the line when Shrewsbury briefly threatened our goal in the second half. We always look better at the back with Santi in the team, our Uruguayan is such an underrated and underappreciated presence at the back. I really love his gracefulness on the ball and those little moments where he gets a toe on it to clear the lines which goes under the radar. Ageing like a fine wine.
Ladislav Krejci – 6
Appeared to turn up wearing somebody else’s boots, passing was well off in the first half and sliced a fairly easy chance around the half hour mark which should’ve hit the target. Woke up in the second half and kept things neat and tidy.
David Moller Wolfe – 8
Linked up well down the left hand side with Hwang, offering plenty of overlapping and underlapping runs down the left hand side. His work rate was fantastic and offered us real energy going forward. I like him. Deserved his assist late on. Well played David.
Andre – 7
Oozed class on the ball and showed he’s a level far, far above a game like this. Played with a cigar in his mouth during the second half, looking a real class above. Andre will certainly be catching the eye of a lot of teams during the January window. Let’s hope he stays with us.
Joao Gomes – 6
Showed good fight and energy in the first half but some misplayed passes led to him being taken off shortly before the hour mark. Didn’t particularly do much wrong but didn’t stand out today either. He’ll be better next week.
Jhon Arias – 6
Took his goal well early on and then shortly after conceded a ridiculous and unnecessary penalty. Absolutely no need for him to commit to the challenge, which totally changed the momentum of the game for 10 minutes until Wolves took control again. Linked up well in the second half with the forward line and grew in confidence.
Hwang Hee-Chan – 6
Nice assist early on with a great burst of pace to beat the Shrewsbury backline and put one on a plate for Strand-Larsen, but then stupidly gave the ball away in his own half to lead to the Shrewsbury penalty. Hwang in the opponent’s half and Hwang in his own half are like two entirely different players. A typical Hee Chan performance with moments of brilliance, but unfortunately an obligatory error to boot. Typical.
Jorgen Strand Larsen – 10
Wow. I know it’s “only Shrewsbury” but what a performance that was. A fantastic early goal set the tone, with a lovely backheel finish from the Norwegian showing the class we all know he has had all along. Intercepted the Shrewsbury goalkeeper’s misplaced pass for his second and showed pure class with quick feet and another well placed, calm finish for his third. Three goals and an assist for our Norwegian number 9, and that’s a perfect match rating. Let’s hope it’s not the last time we see him in a Wolves shirt.
Substitutes:
Mateus Mane – 7
Another excellent display from our new favourite wonderkid, those moments of brilliance on the half turn, winning a couple of fouls and taking the sting out of the game during the final quarter. The lad is pure class and will only go on to get better and better. A joy to watch.
Rodrigo Gomes – 8
So happy for the young lad scoring on his return to the team. As with Mane, his energy and desire is so, so infectious, great to see him back after a lengthy spell away from the side. I really hope he stays with us and becomes a mainstay in the team next season, when he’s fit, he’s a real addition for us. Seems to love it here and we love having him here too.
Tolu Arokodare – 7
Missed an open goal shortly after coming on but woke up the longer he was on the pitch and delivered a simple but well timed assist for Rodrigo’s finish and then finished his own to make it 6-1. He’s really starting to look settled in this side and long may it continue.
Fer Lopez – 7
Came on late and looked classy on the ball, his passing was excellent and had a look of Sarabia about him. Bags and bags of potential, just remains to be seen whether it happens for him at Wolves. Does he stay or does he go? All I know, is performances like today will do his confidence the world of good.
Pedro Lima – N/A
To round off, a throughly enjoyable morning at Molineux, with six goals smashed into the opposition net and a performance that should hopefully keep the confidence flying. Four games unbeaten with two wins and two draws, let’s hope Edwards and the boys can keep this up. Who knows what could happen this season? It’s not over yet…
