Wolves fans face an extraordinary final game of the 2020-21 season this afternoon, knowing that it will be the last match which will see Nuno Espirito Santo at the helm. The much loved and most successful Coach of recent times will leave the Club by what is claimed to be mutual consent after today's game.
In footballing terms Wolves have nothing to play for in this afternoon's game, other than to maintain 12th place in the Premier League, and of course to seek to gain the scalp of Manchester United in a league game at Molineux. However the day will be dominated by the fact that the Club's owners Fosun and Nuno have agreed that he and his team should leave the club they have led for four seasons. This will undoubtedly totally spoil the day for those fans returning to the ground to watch a game for the first time this season, hoping to celebrate achieving another season in the top league.
It isn't necessary on here to record all the successes Nuno and his team have achieved during the past four seasons, except to say that this season has unquestionably been disappointing in terms of the success achieved and the football played by our team. This has been hugely influenced by major injuries and Covid-19 related absences, which have led to young players being drafted in - perhaps prematurely - to fill the obvious gaps. The Winter Transfer Window did not prove to be of any assistance to the team management at all, when only Willian José could be found to stand in for the injured striker Raul Jimenez, and the youngster Rayan Ait-Nouri to assist at left back.
If we can believe what we read in the press, it appears that Nuno has been sacked rather than mutually agreeing to leave, but perhaps that doesn't really make any difference. It is claimed that the club were dissatisfied with the achievements of the team this season, whilst Nuno is unhappy with the club's lack of intentions in the summer recruitment plans, which suggests a mutual disharmony which could not be resolved. However it could reasonably be expected that a strong objection from the fans at Molineux today may be witnessed against the Club's position in this situation. All fans will surely be hoping that a repeat of the collapse which we witnessed when the club's last most succesful Manager Mick McCarthy was sacked will not be seen. Fans will also be hopeful that a mass exodus of Portuguese players will not be on the cards either.
There will surely be fans who will be in favour of Nuno leaving after a season of fairly sterile football, which started so well at Bramhall Lane and was cruelly interupted at the Emirates. This opinion has been clearly visible on Social Media for some time, suggesting that "Nuno has taken the team as far as he can". Others will be fearful of what awaits when we regroup in August, and whether it will simply be a matter of Jorge Mendes's Gestifute finding the 'best man for the club'!!
In terms of today's game, Wolves still have a problem assembling a cogent strike force in the team in the absence of Jimenez, Neto and Podence, and it is difficuilt to see where goals will come from - as in the last two games - other than from Adama Traore, who is likely once again to be heavily marked. It is likely that the remainder of the squad will get an opportunity to play as a parting gift from Nuno.
Manchester United have their own issues, with McTominay, McGuire, Fred, James and Martial all injured. However they are still likely to be able to field a potent team, even taking into account that they have a Europa League Final to play on Wednesday!!
Today's game will kick off at the same time as all other PL matches - 4pm - and will be screened by BT Sport 1
In a week when Wolves were declared third on the Premier League Fair Play League, our referee will be the often controversial Mike Dean - the only referee to send one of our players off this season!!! Andy Madley will be on VAR duty.
For the final time this season this board will carry updates on the progress of the game and the occasion. Board members are encouraged to post their own observations and let us know you are out there!!
Match Thread: Wolves vs Manchester United
Posted by: Wolves (IP Logged)
Date: 23/05/2021 11:51
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:06:02:19:00:00 by Ivybridge Wolf.
Last match for Nuno so I expect all the players to be at their best today, a win would be a great farewell for our gentleman manager who has done so much for the team and the community since he arrived.
The crowd hopefully will be in good voice to relay the sentiments so many of us feel but will be unable to express. Wondering if there will be any crowds gathering outside to cheer him on his way.
Well folks - Ivybridge Wolf has made it to Molineux!! As expected Man Utd have saved all their 'first team players' for Wednesday's final, but Nuno is still playing his strongest team available for his final game. Line-up:
Very emotional seeing Nuno arrive at the ground and then his interview on BT. What a loss.
As for the term ‘taken us as far as he can” banded about by some, relatively few to be honest, and not that I’ve read on here ….. it’s possibly one of the laziest football cliches of the modern era. What does it mean? In our context, how do equate such a phrase to what has happened and hindered us this year? Nuno has never been above criticism, but how much is he actually involved in transfer targets and acquisitions? And the injuries and player sales? And we haven’t even mentioned COVID.
Mutual consent? Here’s a lazy cliche of my own “mutual consent, my ar$e”.
Yes, I’m still gutted.
Would love to be there today, just for Nuno. Coady was emotional too in his interview, just hope the players on the pitch channel that emotion in the right way, I couldn’t give two hoots about the Man Utd side, I hope they give Nuno the farewell he deserves on the pitch ….. the 4,500 will do the rest.
Sorry for that misunderstanding Chesh - I’m in the pouring rain ….. in Devon, well indoors. Sent a photo on to Chesh but don’t have the technical ability to share a photo on here received by by friend in the crowd waiting for Nuno to arrive at Molineux. Scenes looked amazing and yep, wished I was there. Truly.
Adama smashes loose ball from corner to earn another corner.on the right side Adama fall into the area looking for a pen & looks stupid. He then goes down feeling his hamstring which may just reduce our chances in this game to nil!
Ridiculous yellow card shown to RAN by Dean after he got a full foot on the ball. Donk also gets shown a card for complaining!! Fans are telling Dean what a Tw*t he is!!
Utd attacking & Van De Beck goes down in the area after slight touch from Saiss
VAR checking & Dean goes to watch it & see if it’s a clear & obvious mistake. He gives the penalty - obviously!!
Juan Mata takes it & scores on the stroke of half time
Wolves 1 Utd 2
Half time in a good game to watch and Wolves trail after a dubious penalty awarded after slow motion replay seen by Dean. We lost Adama which is a real blow but scored a great goal through Nelson Semedo
All to play for in the second half. Great to hear the fans responses and singing all through so far
Wolves 1 Utd 2
Sounds as though we've played a decent 1st half. Surprised that United got a dodgy penalty, that doesn't happen too often. Pleased for Semedo scoring his first goal.
Maybe the fans shouldn't have had a go at Dean - no way was he not going to give MU a penalty! He's a complete (insert whatever word you deem appropriate!). Pleased for Nelson - he's taken some stick lately!
Big Willy brushes off Elanga on the edge of the area & makes the crowd laugh! Neves feeds Semedo whose ball in to Jose is met by Bailly before he can get to it.
The wind inside the stadium is making long crosses difficult at times. Fabio chases the ball in to the area putting Bailly in trouble. RAN does well down left to get a corner.
Neves tries one from distance but gets another corner which goes straight to Henderson. We have to watch Newcastle now who are on same points as us & they would need another two goals to pas us
Good play by RAN but his cross is poor. Elanga falls down & Dean gives a foul against Semedo on the edge of our box. Telles free kick well intercepted by Joao
Fabio has run his heart out this after but often still can’t get the ball. Good work & cross by MGW but Jose just can’t reach it. We are attacking well but as always struggling with the final ball. Semedo doing his best to attack down the right
It’s all one way traffic but we cannot get the final touch. MGW sets up Fabio but both his efforts are blocked. Utd bringing on two youngsters one of whom is called Hannibal!!!
Ahmad gets a shot away deflects off CC but Rui collects. Now Ait Nouri is down hurt. Juan Mata is subbed & possibly leaves the pitch for the last time in this league - a real professional. Marcal replaces RAN
Into final 2 minutes of the season. Utd hoping to complete the season unbeaten away from home whilst Wolves are hoping for a goal to give Nuno a positive result to finish on.
Willy Boly takes a shot only just too high. Newcastle win 2-0 and go above us perhaps on goals scored. Silly foul by MGW gets him a yellow card. Crowd singing to Nuno
All over and we finish the season with a loss to Man United as another team do the double over us. Sad finish for Nunowho has hugs for everyone on the pitch.
Fabio played his heart out today but we always lacked a real threat up front. MGW did well when he came on too. The one player we needed today only lasted 25 minutes Adama!
Fans stay in situ to greet their players at the end of the season
Wolves 1 Man United 2
Sounds s though we gave it a good go but with the usual problems at the business end of the pitch.
Not sorry the season's over and a big summer ahead. Who will be in charge by the time we re-start?
Thanks for the summaries Chesh, a good job, and thanks for everything and good luck Nuno.
Have to say, those lucky enough to have BT pictures, they showed all the important post match stuff, following Nuno around the pitch, taking the fans accolades, the guard of honour by the players for Nuno.
Thank you to the mods for another season. Must admit I have lost interest in the forum and the club to some extent - difficult to maintain interest in televised matches from empty grounds. I am still here though and I hope former posters are also with us albeit in the background for the time being for whatever reason. Let's hope for a less sterile season from August both for the club and the forum
Thanks as always for your commentaries Chesh. Lets hope the players all get a good rest from this harrowing season; we get a good new manager, and all the injured players come back raring to go plus some new quality players. Good luck Nuno.
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