Billy Wright Stand Molineux

Wolves 2-2 Tottenham (2-3 on penalties) – Player Ratings

by with No Comment OpinionPlayer Ratings

Wolves were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening after fighting back from two goals down against Nuno Espiritio Santo’s Tottenham, only to lose on penalties at Molineux. It was a poor start to the game with Wolves two goals down in the first half an hour as a frustrated Molineux watched on, but Leander Dendoncker’s header five minutes before half time changed the game. Daniel Podence restored parity in front of the Southbank but Wolves failed to capitalise on the momentum, and had John Ruddy to thank for keeping the scores level. Having converted their first two penalties, Wolves went on to miss their next three and Spurs went through as deserved winners.

 

John Ruddy

Couldn’t really have done any more as he make two excellent saves in the second half to ensure the tie went to penalties. He almost let one slip through his gloves too but his misjudgement only resulted in a corner. In the shootout Ruddy saved from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to keep the home side in it, but Wolves could not convert their own penalties. 8/10
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Yerson Mosquera

A frustrating start to his Wolves career continued as he lasted just nine minutes before having to leave the field through injury. N/A

 

Willy Boly

It was great to see Boly back in the starting XI and he reminded Wolves fans what they had been missing in defence. He will have been disappointed with the first Spurs goal but otherwise put in an assured display. Without Boly the game almost certainly would have been over before penalties. 7/10

 

Max Kilman

Struggled with the defensive shape at times which was not helped by changing personal both before and during the game. He didn’t look his usual self on the ball, particularly in the first half as Wolves were uncomfortable and the crowd became frustrated. Much better in the second half and is likely to keep his place in the side on Sunday. 6/10

 

Ki-Jana Hoever

There is a lot to like about the youngster now in his second season at the club. Hoever uses the ball well and looks to link play down the flank or come inside to get up the field at every opportunity. There is still work to do defensively, and he could certainly do with improving his strength, but that will no doubt improve as he gains experience. 7/10

 

Leander Dendoncker

Just a second start of the season for Leander Dendoncker who, like many, struggled as Spurs dominated the early stages of the game. He covered a lot of ground as we have come to expect but he lacked conviction with his passing. His performance improved in the second period, and he began to get a foothold in the midfield, looking to set Hwang and Traore down the fright hand side. 6/10

 

Ruben Neves

A disappointing night for Ruben Neves who started the night as captain as Conor Coady dropped to the bench. Neves’ passing was nowhere near the standards which he sets and he, along with Dendoncker, failed to assert any control in the midfield in the first half. He went close on two occasions in the second with a long range deflected effort as well as a free kick. His penalty in the shootout was blazed over and rather summed up his evening. 5/10

 

Rayan Ait-Nouri

A promising performance from Ait-Nouri who was good on the ball and looked on take players on at every opportunity. His crossing was excellent, including a superb corner which was converted by Dendoncker in the first half. He left the field with concussion with just ten minutes remaining, but will certainly have given Bruno Lage food for thought ahead of Sunday. 7/10

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Daniel Podence

Another player who will also have given the Head Coach food for thought is Podence. Took his goal extremely well but also looked like Wolves’ most threatening outlet, particularly in the second half. He looks fit and ready following his injury set back over the summer, and it won’t be long before he finds himself in the starting XI for a league game. 7/10

 

Fabio Silva

A frustrating night for Fabio Silva, who although it was not entirely his fault, just could not get going. He cut an isolated figure at times with Wolves on the back foot for most of the first half. His first touch was poor, but he was not helped by those around him who didn’t exactly give him the service which he thrives upon. He was withdrawn at half time as Bruno Lage looked for a way back into the game in Adama Traore. 5/10

 

Hee Chan Hwang

There was a lot of excitement for Hwang’s full debut, but he failed to live up to the heights of his performances against Watford and Brentford. His first touch was poor, and his movement was not quite on the same wavelength as those around him. This will certainly improve over time as he spends more time on the training pitch with his new teammates 6/10

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Subs:

Conor Coady

Came on much earlier than anticipated due to the injury to Mosquera. Had an extremely poor first half, putting Boly in a very difficult position for the first goal when in truth it was an entirely avoidable situation. Looked uncomfortable on the right-hand side of defence but improved as he moved back into the more familiar centre. He, like many, didn’t have his best night in a Wolves shirt. 5/10

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Adama Traore

Came on at half time and injected some much-needed pace and energy into the attack. He got Wolves up the pitch, but his end product was once again lacking despite getting into some good areas down the right-hand side. He was less effective in the middle of the park where Spurs crowded him out too easily as Traore didn’t get the help he needed from those around him. 7/10

 

Nelson Semedo (Concussion Substitution)

Played on the left-hand side for the final ten minutes and looked to get involved in attacks as Wolves searched for a winner. Was comfortable defensively without too much to do. 6/10

 

Joao Moutinho

Came on in the closing stages and added greater assurance to the midfield. He dispatched his penalty superbly which cannot be said for the others. Perhaps most importantly, Moutinho had a well-earned rest ahead of Southampton on Sunday. 6/10

 

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

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Spurs 2-0 Wolves Player Ratings

by with No Comment NewsPlayer Ratings

Wolves fell to a disappointing defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with goals either side of half time from Harry Kane and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg giving the home side all three points. Wolve defended resolutely in the first half, spearheaded by captain Conor Coady, but conceded two poor and avoidable goals which put the game beyond them. Adama Traore was threatening on the break but often cut an isolate figure as Wolves failed to assert a spell of sustained pressure on the Spurs goal. 

 

Rui Patricio

Following a week of speculation surrounding his future, Patricio turned in a performance of quality against Tottenham, keeping the score at a respectable two. He turned Harry Kane efforts onto the post on two occasions and commanded his area well as Wolves improved in their defending of set pieces. 7/10

 

Ki-Jana Hoever

Kept his place in the side following a solid display against Brighton last week. Hoever struggled up against Reguilon and Bale and lacks a general defensive presence when the ball is put into the box. He had little impact going forwards on the break on a disappointing afternoon but an important learning curve for the nineteen-year-old.  5/10

 

Conor Coady

A rare occasion where a defender on the losing side was given man of the match, which speaks volumes about the overall Wolves performance. Coady was excellent defensively, particularly in the first half where he cleared just about everything that came his way. He was also dominant in the air against Harry Kane from set pieces. He will however be disappointed to have let Kane through for the opening goal, but the poor defensive line which ultimately played him onside certainly didn’t help. 8/10

 

Romain Saiss

Reinstated back into the side and put in a solid if not spectacular display. He made few mistakes and was an aerial presence in the box. The Moroccon captain’s distribution left a lot to be desired at times, and he certainly looks more at home in a back three. 6/10

Nelson Semedo

Playing out of position on the left-hand side essentially nullified his main strength of bringing the ball forwards down the flank. He struggled defensively and was once again caught out of line playing Kane onside which led to the opening goal of the game. 5/10

 

Leander Dendoncker

Won the ball back in the centre of the park to break down Tottenham attacks but was relatively ineffective going forwards, with his passing failing to stick to the three playing ahead of him. 6/10

 

Joao Moutinho

Passive and ineffective as the Spurs midfield bypassed him on almost every occasion. He tried to get the ball to Traore whenever possible, but Wolves’ attack building was far too predictable, causing little problems. 5/10

 

Adama Traore

Wolves’ main attacking outlet, looking to get on the front foot at every opportunity and was at the heart of every half chance Nuno’s side had. He came closest to goal in the second half cutting inside on his left foot but firing just past the near post. He was often isolated with little support in the box and cut a frustrated figure at full time. 7/10

 

Vitinha

A disappointing game for Vitinha who failed to live up to the hype of his previous two performances. He was outmuscled on numerous occasions and had very little impact with the ball at his feet. 5/10

 

Morgan Gibbs-White

Gibbs-White was not afraid to get involved and showed for the ball at every opportunity, but it was not midfielders’ day. He like Vitinha, struggled physically and had next to no impact in the penalty area. 6/10

 

Fabio Silva

Often isolated on his own up front seeing very little of the ball. He had a couple of half chances created by Traore on breakaways, one of which won a corner but in truth he never really threatened Hugo Lloris in the Tottenham goal. 6/10

 

Subs:

Willian Jose

Came on in the second half and brought his usual strength of hold up play which meant Wolves could keep the ball higher up the field. However, he posed no goal threat at all which added to the frustration as Traore got into a number of good crossing positions in the second period. 5/10

 

Ruben Neves

Added some much-needed energy into the midfield but it was too little too late for Wolves. It was a surprise to see Neves dropped from the starting eleven and the performances of Dendoncker and Moutinho certainly didn’t justify it. 6/10

 

Theo Corbeanu

Introduced for his long-awaited senior debut and played predominantly on the left-hand side. He provided a new-found energy but saw little of the ball in his ten minutes on the field. 6/10

 

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

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Tottenham vs Wolves Match Preview 

by with No Comment Match PreviewsNews

Wolves travel to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Sunday afternoon, looking to build on last week’s impressive second half display at home to Brighton. Wolves will look to draw closer to local rivals Aston Villa with a win in London against a Spurs side who have had an indifferent start under interim manager Ryan Mason. 

 

Wolves Form 

Although it may not feel like it, Wolves are in relatively good form having lost just one of their last five games. No one needs reminding which game that was! Last Sunday’s victory against Brighton provided a much-needed morale boost for players and fans alike. The second half display was entertaining, and Wolves ran out deserved winners against the Seagulls who played half an hour with ten men. Many of the younger players impressed for the second consecutive game, with Ryan Ait-Nouri and Morgan Gibbs-White the standouts. Wolves are cemented in 12th position with three games to go, four points ahead of Crystal Palace and four points behind Aston Villa. With very little to play for and a top half finish highly unlikely, many are hoping Nuno continues to give the youngsters a chance to flourish against better quality opposition in the final three games. 

 

Opposition form 

It has certainly not been as dull at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as it has been at Molineux in recent months. Since April, Tottenham have sacked Jose Mourinho, replaced him on an interim basis Ryan Mason who is now the youngest ever Premier League manager and also lost a Cup final at Wembley. Amongst all that, they are still fighting for a top six place, and got themselves back on track with home victories against Southampton and Sheffield United. However, last Saturday’s defeat at Leeds was concerning, with Marcelo Bielsa’s side beating Tottenham in every department. 

 

Team News

Predicting how Wolves will line up on Sunday is a bit like predicting the Wolverhampton weather in the past few weeks. It is more than plausible to believe that Nuno could revert to a back three for the two tough away trips in the coming week, as well as bring some more experienced players such as Leander Dendoncker and Willian Jose into the starting line up. However, following last week’s win, many will hope Nuno sticks to the back four and continue to give the younger players a chance. There are no fresh injury concerns ahead of the fixture, while Marcal and Wily Boly have returned to training but both are unlikely to be involved from the off. Ki-Jana Hoever put in an assured display at right back against Brighton, but it is likely that regardless of formation the more experienced Nelson Semedo will come back in. Max Kilman continued his record of solid performances in a Wolves shirt and looks for more comfortable in a back four than Romain Saiss, meaning he should also keep his place. Daniel Podence was withdrawn in the second half against Brighton and has struggled for form since picking up an injury, which means Adama Traore may come back into the starting line-up, alongside the energetic Vitinha and Gibbs-White. 

 

Likely Line Up: Patricio, Semedo, Coady, Kilman, Ait-Nouri, Neves, Moutinho, Traore, Gibbs-White, Vitinha, Silva (Subs: Ruddy, Saiss, Hoever, Richards, Cundle, Dendoncker, Podence, Corbeanu, Jose)

 

Ben Davies remains Tottenham’s only notable absence as they look to break into the top six. Since taking charge Ryan Mason has adopted a more offensive approach in comparison to Jose Mourinho. Against Leeds, Lo Celso, Bale, Alli, Son and Kane all started, but Spurs were ultimately caught out with Leeds playing through a weak midfield. Bale has also gone on record stating that the players are enjoying their new attacking freedoms in recent weeks, but Spurs will need to defend better if they are to qualify for European football next season.

 

Head-to-head 

The game will be the 99th competitive meeting between the two clubs, with Tottenham having the upper hand, winning half of the previous encounters. Wolves have won just 29 games against Spurs in their history. They do, however, have a relatively good record against Spurs in recent years, with two wins against the London outfit, both away from home in the past two seasons. Raul Jimenez’s memorable winner at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season was the final away goal that was celebrated by Wolves fans in a stadium. Earlier in the season the game ended all square at Molineux thanks to a late equaliser from Romain Saiss. Tottenham took the lead in the first minute, but Wolves came on strong and were fully deserving of the point. 

 

Prediction

 

How the game pans out will depend on exactly how Wolves line up. If Nuno adopts a similar approach to the previous two matches, this has the possibility of being an entertaining encounter between two sides who will want to be on the front foot. The game is likely to be won in the midfield, where Leeds had so much joy in their victory over Spurs last Sunday. Neves and Moutinho have had indifferent runs of form this season, but Neves consistently ranks as one of the best midfielders at retrieving the ball in the league. If he can do this and put Wolves on the front foot, Nuno’s men have every chance of getting on the scoresheet with the likes of Traore, Vitinha and Silva ahead of them. However, Spurs’ front line is exceptionally talented and has underperformed at times this season. If Wolves play a back four it is inevitable Spurs will create chances and the quality of their strike force will not pass too many chances by. 

 

Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Wolves     

 

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