Match Thread: Wolves vs Chelsea

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019:10:01:17:15:48 by Cheshire wolf.

An interesting change of line-up for today's game, with seemingly Dendoncker dropping into the back three to replace Boly, and Vallejo replacing Bennett.

Line-up: Patricio, Traore, Vallejo, Coady, Dendoncker, Jonny, Moutinho, Neves, Saiss, Jimenez, Jota

Subs: Ruddy, Vinagre, Doherty, Kilman, Gibbs-White, Neto, Cutrone

Big day. No Bennett, Boly or Doherty for different reasons, so we can expect some defensive fun!
Chance for Neves and Moutinho to show their magic in midfield.

Here we go then on a bright midlands afternoon. Our referee is Graham Scott

Frenetic start to the game with excellent play by Wolves down both flanks, then Chelsea attack but concede a free kick

Traore already giving Alonso a tough time at left back. Saiss appears to be playing in place of Boly. Coady has already made a successful pass back to Patricio!!

Chelsea are well organised and playing in cohesive style so Wolves needing to be very switched on and coordinated in defence

Some really good passing play in attack from Wolves with Raul at the heart of it

Vallejo seems to be very comfortable in defence

Corner to Chelsea, and another corner, well cleared.

Saiss is playing very well out of his usual position today. Vallejo rescues Neves after a mistaken pass. No shots on target from either team so far - nearly 30 minutes gone. William makes room for a shot but puts it over the bar

Both defenses look easy but a good move leads to another Chelsea corner

Another corner to Chelsea which is cleared, but Tomori smashes it in from about 25 yards
Wolves 0 Chelsea 1

1-0 from Tomori for Chelsea. Patricio might have done better

Tomori breaks into the area, ball breaks to Abraham who turns and buries it.
Wolves 0 Chelsea 2



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019:09:14:15:37:21 by Cheshire wolf.

2-0 Tammy Abraham!!

Great play by Traore to set up Jota who should have hit it first time

Chelsea are far too good for Wolves Alonso puts the ball into the area and Abraham outjumps Coady and puts a header into the top left corner
Wolves 0 Chelsea

Afternoon best forgotten I think!

Into 2 added minutes at the end of first half

I said a few weeks back our start to the season was disappointing with concerning performances yet it was an " undefeated " start with no cause for concern apparently according to a few... well the alarm bells are ringing now

Good work by Adama to get past Alonso and centre the ball, but Raul heads just over the bar

That might mute the 130 year celebration somewhat. I was disappointed when Abraham didn’t come to us; more so now.

First half ends with a shocking score for Wolves. Chelsea have been superior in all areas really. Their first goal was a great shot from outside the area by their left back!! Abrahams then took a straightforward chance, before converting with an excellent header. Jota and Jimenez have tried hard upfront, but got no change particularly out of Rudiger, and Kepa has been untroubled in the Chelsea goal. Where to from here???

The championship cheshire unless we pick up.. btw I want to hear none of the Europa league responsible for this mantra from people as we havent played in it for two weeks. A poor transfer window and lack of tactical versatility higher up the blame list for me, although I cant see us being relegated. All hopes of a top 6 finish long gone and 40 points clearly the target to get ASAP

Quote:

Cheshire wolf
First half ends with a shocking score for Wolves. Chelsea have been superior in all areas really. Their first goal was a great shot from outside the area by their left back!! Abrahams then took a straightforward chance, before converting with an excellent header. Jota and Jimenez have tried hard upfront, but got no change particularly out of Rudiger, and Kepa has been untroubled in the Chelsea goal. Where to from here???

This has echoes of that match between Man U and City a few years back when Fergie allowed his team to chase the game and lost by six. We should probably shut up shop to limit the damage. If we do get a goal early on Chelsea might feel nerves, but unlikely

We are far too predictable in the way we play, and are being found out by most teams that we meet now. Nuno likes this formation but there does need to be more flexibility in the way we play or we are going to be in for a struggle this season.

Second half underway., and no changes to Wolves side. Raul caught offside

I missed the beginning of second half and now see Cutrone is on for Jota. Doc being prepared to come on.
However Abraham gets past Coady and buries the ball again
Wolves 0 Chelsea 4

Wolves players should refund the fans who have paid to watch this cr*ap. I'm a firm believer in performance related pay in any job and I dont see why any wolves player should be paid for this

Serious upgrades are required, the likes of dendonkey for eg should be nowhere near a prem starting X1

Quite rightly a feee kick given against Alonso for - another - dive!

It appears Cutrone replaced Dendoncker and Doc has replaced Traore. Abraham booked for a foul on Jota

Christenson booked for a foul on Jota

Mount puts into the side netting after easily rounding Patrio & should have scored

Sharp move by Cutrone who puts a left footed shot into side netting

Moutinho puts a corner in met by Saiss, Kepa can only parry it
Wolves 1 Chelsea 4

Ross Bartley on for Kovacic & Gibbs-White replaces Jimenez

Doc goes down against Alonso but no penalty confirmed by VAR, which looked correct

Doc wins a corner which is cleared. Ake stopped as Abraham down in their area with cramp! Abraham also possibly credited with an own goal for Wolves

Abraham replaced by Batshuayi. Saiss tangles with Willian and gets a yellow card. Zouma heads over from free kick

Wolves playing it out from the back until losing possession, and Chelsea go close to scoring again!

Gibbs-White feeds Doc whose shot is parried, then Cutrone converts, However VAR checking if Doc was offside. Goal given and Cutrone credited with his first for Wolves
Wolves 2 Chelsea 4

Free kick to Chelsea just outside area headed over by Batshuayi

Cross by Azpilcueta very well cleared by Vallejo. Six added minutes to play. VAR confirmed no penalty for Cutrone after he collided with Tomori in the area

Good shot by Jonny well held by Kepa



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019:09:14:17:00:03 by Cheshire wolf.

Mason Mount scores a classy 96th minute goal to complete a comprehensive defeat by Chelsea
Wolves 2 Chelsea 5

Lost my stream, but now see we have reached full time with no further score.

I think an independent football fan would say it was a good game, and Frank Lampard should be very proud of his team as they were a classy outfit, with young English talent Abraham, Mount and Tomori having a huge impact for them. Wolves never really got near them for skill or threat.
I thought Vallejo and Saiss did quite well at the back, but we possessed very little threat in our attack. Our season will not be judged on results against teams such as this, but we really need to get a win to keep spirits up and get up the table before the mood dips too far.
Final score Wo,ves 2 Chelsea 5

Thanks for sticking with it Cheshire - very depressing afternoon. Certainly nothing there to celebrate! Back to the drawing board!

Cheshire you say our season wont be judged on results against teams like this... really? A team under transfer embargo with a new manager that we beat last season?

Incidentally the bookies had both teams pre match almost identical odds for the win with the draw the longest odds available so I cant see how we can write this game off as a game we were never likely to win and we will be judged on other results.

Oh dear. Dire score line and worrying. 5 matches, no wins and second bottom.

Haven’t been able to follow the match other than via the depressing Wolves app updates bleeping egregiously (like that word and seems to fit!)

What to do?

Has our formation been countered this season, have we just too many players off form, is confidence down, impact of transfers telling? Personally, when compared to last season, I think our lack of a settled side is having an influence.

Too good to go down? Well we all know this is a ridiculous statement but we should be too good to go down, if you know what I mean.

Crystal Palace next week ...... hmmmmmm!? 3 points there anyone?





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019:09:14:17:24:59 by Ivybridge Wolf.

A little concerning Fosun are looking to sell part of the club emerging today - first cracks starting to appear in the new era possibly on the field and off it

Where’d you get that from Angry?

It seems to me that Chelsea played like they had nothing to lose.

Abraham in particular looked like a striker with a point to prove, making his manager think he has to pick him week in week out!
In fact this season is the best I’ve seen him play having watch him since we showed interest last season!

The good thing we can take from this game, is the die hard attitude, we never gave up, we chased everything, I wouldn’t even say we defended badly, just that we miss the brick wall that is Boly..
We do need a win under our belts, but I’m not panicking just yet...
A good run and we will be to 6 again...

What is on my mind though is how thin the squad is, I know the special one thinks it’s good to have a small squad, but I’d of kept a few that can change a game, Costa springs to mind straight away!
I do know we are still growing and Speedy Traore will come good, but he is NOT a very good defender and when you’re playing a top 4 side Transfer blocked or not, we need a solid back 4-5.

Saiss isn’t one of my favourite players, I think he gives too many free kicks away, but with Big B out would Vinagre done any better... I think so!

Perhaps we also should of took the opportunity to play some of our youngsters Vinagre, Neto to name just 2! 😬✌️

Oh well, back to the drawing board!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019:09:14:17:56:33 by barmy army wolf.

Are they selling, or bringing in another partner. I understood they wanted to bring other partners into the ownership of Wolves. So not sure about that.

We were outclassed today by an excellent Chelsea side.

I thought the start to the season looked tough which few have commented about.

Leicester & Everton away are not games we would be confident of a win.
Man UTD & Chelsea are still games where to get anything is a bonus
And Burnley are in excellent form at the moment and look like a mid table side again.

Our next game is Crystal Palace away, which is going to be another very difficult game.

We easily could have lost every game so far. This league is brutal, and it won't do us any harm to have some adversity. We ain't as good as we think we are, and more than a few people need to take a cold shower.

Lose at Selhurst Park next week and we have RELEGATION 6 Pointer against Watford. I bet no one thought that might be happening. I am not surprised.

But if we don't start winning against sides in the lower half we will be relegated. Last season was special but a one off. At the moment there are a few players who are showing they have gone as far as they can.

Hopefully folks will stop complaining about Coady not being in the England squad

Morgan Gibbs-White (he needs to decide on Gibbs or bloody White) was shown what level he needs to be at with the performance of Mason Mount today. I think he could be going out on loan.

How we have managed to not identify and sign an exciting attacking midfielder by now is incompetent?

How we did not sign a solid Premier League level central defender and wing back is another?

You don't get second chances.

I'll say it now I think we could be flirting with relegation this season unless the manager makes changes. But what changes? Bring Doherty & Bennett back in the side? I think we'll need some key signings in January to stay up.

We lose at Selhurst Park, and only draw, or even lose, against a desperate Watford and then we go to the Eithad where a heavy defeat to Man City could well underline we will be fighting for survival.

Nuno needs to get back to the formation he had last season. Apart from Cutrone we have made no signings that look like adding anything to the team. And that is @#$%& negligent.

Get Doherty fit and back on the right and Bennett back on the right and try and do what they did last season. Somehow beat top 6 teams and do OK against lower half teams.

Hang on. Does anyone see a @#$%& problem with that. Top 6 turn us over, and the lower half take more points of us = Relegation battle.

I forget who it was in the Newcastle side who said having been unlucky at St James's Park & only getting a draw at molineux when in both games Newcastle outplayed us, that he couldn't work out why we were 7th or 8th at the time I think.

Worried, we should be. There is no obviously weak side in the Premier League this season. I think we could find ourselves back in the Championship, and that new stadium can go on hold indefinitely

OldnGold we've played 5 games, talking of relegation is ridiculous at this stage … you were only saying a few weeks ago what a good transfer window we had and how times have changed under Fosun. Every club outside the top 6 is theoretically in a relegation dog fight with very fine lines involved.

Ivy, fosun are looking to sell 20 % of the club apparently to get their money back. I don't think it is necessarily a pre cursor to giving up the ghost and selling up completely but it makes you wonder why such a mega rich organisation are looking to flog part of the club as we have been led to believe they are determined to turn us into a global brand rather than simply majority shareholders recouping money incase things turn sour.

20%? They would go a long way to getting their initial investment back , at least, I would have thought. 20% is quite a chunk too, positively you’d say looking for new investment and partnerships, negatively the first chink in confidence in their own Fosun project. In reality we, as mere mortals, are unlikely to know the real business driver and motivation, so hopefully their interest in our ‘brand’ (hate that phrase) continues ....

Difficult to understand what went on from MOTD highlights alone, though some of our defending looked somewhat shambolic. From my reading it appears on top of that, our midfield and attacking was powder puff again, if so, another below par performance across the board and continues this seasons general theme. Credit to this Chelsea side, they looked great. A shame that what had been an otherwise tight match was cleaved with that first goal, out of the blue but brilliant.

3 points from 5 fixtures, no wins and 3 at home, the same 5 matches gained us wins versus Manchester United, Burnley, Everton and Chelsea last season. I’m not panicking just yet, i have faith, particularly in Nuno, however quite a concern, and with two fixtures coming up which now look very tough indeed.

UTW!

Quote:

an angry wolf
OldnGold we've played 5 games, talking of relegation is ridiculous at this stage … you were only saying a few weeks ago what a good transfer window we had and how times have changed under Fosun. Every club outside the top 6 is theoretically in a relegation dog fight with very fine lines involved.
Ivy, fosun are looking to sell 20 % of the club apparently to get their money back. I don't think it is necessarily a pre cursor to giving up the ghost and selling up completely but it makes you wonder why such a mega rich organisation are looking to flog part of the club as we have been led to believe they are determined to turn us into a global brand rather than simply majority shareholders recouping money incase things turn sour.

Talk of relegation 5 games into the season is daft. We had a run similar to this last season and still finished 7th, and whilst I don't think we'll be challenging the top 6 this season we certainly won't be going down. The club were complacent in the transfer market but we still have the core of players who did so well last season, and that will stand us in decent stead until January. Expect a more robust transfer window if we aren't in the top half come Christmas, though.

I dont think we will go down but no one can say it's a certainty we won't.. as discussed before football is at least 50% motivation and regardless of quality the players don't look like they can be bothered in the league. Maybe they realise the "best of the rest " finish was as high as we can realistically achieve so the novelty of coming up and shocking people has worn off for a few.

There will be many viewpoints expressed on here so I will chuck mine in for what it’s worth.
I have stated several times about the predictability of our style of play and I strongly feel that this is the nub of the problem.
The players are stuck in a regimented fashion of play which stifles any individualism and they play to a well rehearsed format which rarely allows for any demonstration of individual flair or adventure.
There are not many teams who will play the ball from the edge of the opponent penalty area back to their own penalty area yet we do so with alarming regularity, which immediately takes the pressure off the opposition and often places us under unnecessary pressure.
The acceptance of allowing the opposition the bulk of possession with the hope that we can score on the break is also giving us poor returns.
We have very talented individuals who should be allowed a degree of expression to vary the game and not just rely on Jota or Raul to latch on to a long ball and make something of it.
Neves and Moutinho have skills that are under-utilised because they play too deeply.
Traoré should be played up front because his defending is poor to say the least.
The gap between our front two and midfield needs to be addressed as currently there is little or no reliable support.
With the number of quality players we have it would be reasonable to allow them to play to their strengths because at present some of them are looking disinterested and are just going through the motions. Time for more adventure.

And so you should express your opinions on here LH - that's what we're here for.

My concern was that fledgling manager Frank Lampard had the courage to change his defensive line-up to three at the back to match up with us, whereas we continue with the same approach each and every game, no matter who the opposition is, and clearly many teams have sussed us out and expect no change from us. I also have to wonder why Vallejo was brought in to play instead of Bennett, when a third of our usual defence ie: Boly was already absent. I didn't think Vallejo payed too badly, but others commenting do. However Coady was caught out at every turn by Abrahams which was worrying.
I think there might be an argument for playing Moutinho and Neves as more defensive midfielders,
pulling Jota back into attacking midfield and giving Cutrino a start upfront alongside Jimenez.
I also wonder why we are not hearing from Nuno after these defeats - on the OS, You Tube or Facebook - no sign of him!!

I'm not convinced we have been sussed out. It's a frequently used phrase to explain defeats but does anyone really think Solskjaer changed formation playing us or Dyche ? I honestly think it's down to a second season in the premiership with the novelty wearing off for many players and either reverting to our natural level or sinking to a level below what we are capable.. probably a combination of both. It's highly likely as unpalatable as it sounds that nuno will be gone in a few games if results continue with a new manager mooted as being tactically better. Results will pick up due to players wanting to secure their future under a new manager with mortgages, Instagram accounts, women to impress with their flash cars being in the forefront of their minds... fast forward another 18 months and after the honey moon period ( motivation levels drop with familiarity of manager) we hear the we have been sussed out argument again and the managerial carousel revolves like every club bar a very small number that stick with managers. Watford have recently employed their old manager because they know tactics is secondary to getting a new face in and getting them running around a bit more. If tactics mattered, the managers heralded as tactical geniuses wouldnt keep getting booted out of their respective clubs after players simply cant be ar/sed anymore



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019:09:16:19:43:16 by an angry wolf.

I really believe that’s it’s fatigue, that has set in...
The heavy legs, tiredness from long flights.... it will all add to the body!

That said, the back ground staff, nutritionist etc, will have them right again in a few weeks....

🤞

Absolutely Barmy , the 90 minute flight back from Turin 3 weeks back probably shattered the players and its a miracle we didnt lose by more to Chelsea in fairness. Will they even be able to tie their own shoe laces next week after going to London?

Hopefully he can rest Moutinho and Jimenez. Doherty and Jonny should go on the bench as well.

I don't think it is lack of energy that caused the slow start. I think it is a combination of a very tough start with really only Burnley at home where we would definitely expect 3 points.

Also think they're struggling with quick Thursday to Sunday turnaround and shorter prep for games. Last season's success was built on a consistent line up and time on preparation by the staff and players executing what they were told.

Angry; The English Premier League players have to tie their own laces? WTF 😂😂😂


I sit by what I said, their bodies have been through a lot already over the past couple of months,
China, Armenia and Italy, I’ve been back from the USA for a week now, and my body is still fubared from the 10 hour flight!
I suppose if I was 23 and the high end of my fitness, and on 50k a week I’d feel a little better and have more motivation though!😬✌️

I suppose the new rule changes and VAR have impacted the game as well?

Or is it collective of shorter training sessions, new rules, VAR, body fatigue, still finding our best back for Boly, Tatical changes?? Etc etc

Surely you cant believe Barmy that a 90 minute flight back on a private plane 3 weeks ago can contribute to fatigue against Chelsea lol. If that's the case , maybe we should chip in for wheelbarrows to wheel the lads out on the pitch later for the Europa league tie due to the distance from the changing room to the pitch .

Quote:

an angry wolf
Surely you cant believe Barmy that a 90 minute flight back on a private plane 3 weeks ago can contribute to fatigue against Chelsea lol. If that's the case , maybe we should chip in for wheelbarrows to wheel the lads out on the pitch later for the Europa league tie due to the distance from the changing room to the pitch .

I personally don't buy the fatigue argument either. What I think it actually is is the problem we had last season - the players seeming more up for the bigger games. They probably see the Premier League as a bit of a sideshow to our Europa League campaign (as, to be fair, a lot of our fans do too, including myself). They need to get out of that mentality pretty quicky if that is the case as we really need to pick some points up in the next 3 games, else we'll be in a bit of trouble.

I have a spare wheelbarrow.

If the arguments about that flights / travel etc are correct, then there must be an inquest into the way we went to China .... rather than to merely celebrate new fan clubs in Beijing!

Personally I remain unconvinced by any schedule issues and tiredness BUT at the same time the Europa pre-qualification fixture timings are as saft as they come! The club knew what we in for however.

I think we succeeded so well last year, and the season before because Nuno found the right formula with a defined and limited selection from our squad of players. Changes were limited and maintained continuity. The selection has, this season, been from a wider pool and things just haven’t gelled yet and may have even served to unsettle. Add to the fact that some players are being slotted in in unfamiliar positions e.g Traore. This chap has deserved to get his chance but he is not a defender. In the Mick era, we might have said ‘square pegs in round holes’ .... or the like! Additionally I am not convinced by our summer sales / purchases - I appreciate that’s in hindsight, but getting players in aye me job! Looking at stuff so far, I still don’t understand why we got rid of Cav, unless he wanted to play week in week out.

Tonight is a bonus match for me, play with a bit of freedom, Palace however is much more important to get confidence up and get back on track. I remain optimistic! I feel the gelling is surely just round the corner.

Like I said I think it’s a collective, of it all...

I never said a 90 minute private jet back 3 weeks ago contributed to a lose against Chelsea...

Just a thought though, were any of our players that played against Chelsea away during the national break, playing for their nations?

Here’s a thought for Maiseytaw, are our players up and more motivated for the bigger games or are the teams in the lower end of the premier more up’ed when they play us? Are the bigger teams less motivated when they play us?

Looking to find the problem in tiredness or International representation is some way off the mark, these guys are extremely fit and will have quick recovery times. City, Spurs etc etc all have to cope with a frantic schedule of matches and also shuffle their squads so I think we can dismiss that idea too.
Premier club managers know exactly how we are going to play and could probably pick the team for us. They then set about nullifying our approach as Chelsea did and take us on knowing that we will surrender possession, try to defend and hopefully hit them on the break.
European managers may not be so well informed about us which gives us some slight advantage
and possibly goes some way to explaining why we are currently doing better against foreign teams.

Quote:

barmy army wolf
Like I said I think it’s a collective, of it all...
I never said a 90 minute private jet back 3 weeks ago contributed to a lose against Chelsea...

Just a thought though, were any of our players that played against Chelsea away during the national break, playing for their nations?

Here’s a thought for Maiseytaw, are our players up and more motivated for the bigger games or are the teams in the lower end of the premier more up’ed when they play us? Are the bigger teams less motivated when they play us?

so what about the Chelsea players on international duty? I'm not buying the fatigue argument at all and agree with the above comments that motivation looks an issue as we are not likely to improve on 7th