Wolves failed to build on their superb performance against Sheffield United on Monday as they lost 1-0 to Championship side Stoke at Molineux. A late goal from Potters winger Jacob Brown ensured that Wolves fell at the first hurdle of the Carabao Cup for the first time since 2014.
John Ruddy
Only had one routine save to make from Souttar’s header before he somehow let Brown’s routine effort in. Also flapped at a first-half cross before the offside flag saved him. Worryingly, this is not the first time that Ruddy has made a big error in a cup game for Wolves, and the experienced keeper looks shakier and shakier whenever he gets a start in between the sticks. His dressing room presence cannot be doubted, but his goalkeeping certainly can. 3/10.
Willy Boly
Not one of Boly’s better games. Was caught out positionally for Stoke’s winner and looked slack with his distribution all night. Definitely more suited to playing on the left-hand side but moving Saiss would be very harsh. 4/10.
Conor Coady
Was rarely troubled defensively and hit a couple of useful diagonals in the first half. As usual, his instructions and leadership could have been heard miles away, which helped the more inexperienced members of a new look starting XI. 6/10.
Romain Saiss
Played some lovely balls down the channels into Vinagre’s path but did not reach the dizzy heights of his Bramall Lane performance. Looked content defensively and even found himself further up the pitch as Wolves looked for an opening goal. 6/10.
Oskar Buur Rasmussen
The Dane was making just his third Wolves start but didn’t make the impression he would’ve liked. Buur was rarely involved in the game and was looking quite suspect defensively before he was withdrawn for Jimenez. If it wasn’t for Wolves’ non-existent depth in his position, Buur would surely be looking at a season on loan. 4/10.
Leander Dendoncker
Managed to get forward as he so often does when Wolves play a midfield three. Had the first chance of the game when his header went wide at the near post but was ineffective from then on. Was taken off for Podence 13 minutes from time. 5/10.
Ruben Neves
Was Wolves’ chief creator in the first half, playing some good forward balls towards Silva and even drifting wide to cross the ball in. Held his own as the side’s lynchpin in the second half, as Nuno placed six attacking players ahead of him when in possession. One of few Wolves players to come out of the game with any credit. 7/10.
Ruben Vinagre
Was dispossessed regularly in a disappointing performance and was caught too high up the pitch on more than one occasion. Looked lightweight when he reached the final third and failed to get the better of Stoke’s more experienced wing back, Tommy Smith. With a performance like this, it looks like the left-wing back spot is Marcal’s to keep. 4/10.
Adama Traore
Became Wolves’ only attacking outlet at times during the 90 minutes in a worryingly similar pattern to some of the side’s attacks last campaign. Managed to beat players at will, as he does so often, but lacked any sort of end product. When Adama doesn’t perform against teams sitting deep, neither do Wolves. 6/10.
Fabio Silva
Did not have the debut he’d have hoped for. His hold up play could not be faulted and he linked up well with his new teammates, but when chances fell to Silva, he looked rushed. Should’ve seen Wolves through to round three but skewed a sitter wide from less than six yards. Hopefully there is a lot more to come from Wolves’ £35m man. 5/10.
Vitinha
Played in multiple positions on his first Molineux start and completed some superb passes. Was not allowed the freedom to get as far forward as he would have liked, which was probably down to tactics rather than Vitinha himself. Would have been more settled if he was playing in a set position. Unlucky to be the first withdrawn, however. 6/10.
Pedro Neto
Went on a couple of Adama-esque runs after being brought on for Vitinha on the hour mark. His set pieces were far off the standards of Monday, but the Portuguese looked to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and dragged his teammates forward on occasion. 7/10.
Raul Jimenez
Was only afforded one shot at goal after his introduction as the Potters backline held firm. Was afforded little service but did not seem to link well with new boy Silva. 6/10.
Daniel Podence
Beat a couple of players in trademark Podence style but struggled to make an impact. 6/10.
James Wynn is part of the Talking Wolves editorial team – you can follow him on Twitter here.