Match Thread: Tottenham Hotspur vs Wolves

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:08:31:11:17:49 by Cheshire wolf.

Looking forward to a good open match, lots of skill on display and hopefully a good result for us as Lage new reliance on the new formation starts to gel.

Both of our new boys start today, Nunes in midfield alongside Neves, and Guedes up front so a strong team being fielded by Bruno. And our bench now looks positive with Raul Jimenez, Adama Traore, Nelson Semedo and Leander Dendoncker in its number. Line-up:

We have a good record away at Spurs, generally, in the premier league. I’ve managed to get to two, the first one to see Mad Micks men valiantly defend a 1-0 Doyle goal for 89 nad a half minutes, the second at Wembley, when we come back from 1-0 down at half time to win 3-1. Both matches we were brilliant.

More of the same today if at all possibly please!!

Everything crossed and the new men get a start too

Wolves XI: Sa, Jonny, Collins, Kilman, Ait Nouri, Nunes, Neves, Moutinho Podence, Guedes, Neto.

Subs: Sarkic, Jimenez, Hwang, Boly, Semedo, Toti, Dendoncker, Traore, Cundle

UTW

I was at the first of the two games you refer to Ivy, it was always a case of when not if wolves would eventually concede.

Really looking forward to this game. Come on you Wolves

Good to see Collins break out with the ball

Neto has started on right side. Pod in the middle & Guedes on left.

GC wins our first corner after a delightful pass from Neves. Neves strikes a volley from distance but straight at Loris

Collins concedes a careless free kick on their left wing but Son puts in a terrible cross. Guedes gets a shot away up other end but wide. GC breaks & brought down by Hojbjergwho gets a yellow card

Collins looks a liability , literally pushing son over several times. How is he an upgrade on coady ?

Quote:

An angry wolf
Collins looks a liability , literally pushing son over several times. How is he an upgrade on coady ?

I never understood the claim that Coady couldn’t play in a back four Angry

Good to see Neves getting into a striking position but just too wide. Nunes seems quite comfortable in midfield linking up well with Joao & Neves

Wolves on top at the moment. Poor free kick from Neto but good possession after. Another foul on GC, Nunes puts his header wide fro free kick

Great chance for DPin the area but he snatched at it & put it wide like last week.
Another foul on GC goes unpunished. Spurs get a fortunate corner, Kilman gets to but we get a goal kick!!

Good defending by Neto who is falling into defence when needed. Now he’s attacking up the right wing & linking up well up front. Great pass from Neves to pick out Nunes and his header is just wide - so close!

Periodic crosses and Kane’s header needs saving by Jose. More flurryin our defence Theban Jose puts it up for GC to attack, but he eventually shoots wide. Referee is letting a lot of Spurs fouls go. GC tees up Nunez who gets a corner. Kilman heads wide as whistle goes for half time.
A good half for Wolves who are well organised and linking up together really well.
Looking forward to seeing if Raul can capitalise on the build up when he comes on
Spurs 0: Wolves 0

Donk & Raul replace Joao & DP. Brilliant challenge by Collins to deny Son a few moments ago

RAN can expect to be hooked after getting a yellow card. Good break forward by Neto but comes to nothing

Spurs going close through Son but he hits the post. Perisic down left side for a corner, which Kane converts from close range after a Periscope flick on.
Spurs 1 Wolves 0

Kane being an ar$whole as he often does, barging Neves down. Collins steps in, Kane pleads his innocence but he & Collins get yellow cards

Shocking defending from Collins, probably game over now. 2 strikers needed before the window closes, pretty football with no cutting edge as usual

Adama, NS & HCH being prepared. Neto & RAN off

Neves fouled by Son & takes feee kick which just the wrong side of the post. Sessignon & Richarlison being prepared for Spurs

Perisic and Son leave the game

Trying to get Adama into the gamer. Brilliant play Raul to set up Donk who totally misses the ball for an open goal!!!

Hwang replaces GC. Richarlison breaks unto stopped by Neve in the area, but stays down looking for the penalty - as usual!!

Hwang & Adama doing well down the flanks, for a corner. Bissouma on for Koulisevsky. Semedo playing very well at left back. Royals takes a Hwang clearance in the gentleman’s area!!

Good cross by Adama headed out for a corner - and another taken by Neves but eventually goes out off Raul’s head. 4 added minutes to play

Richarlison shoots past the post. Final whistle goes and our third game finishes in a loss, but no shame. Spurs had to work very hard for the points, and typically it was Kane on hand to finish off a corner. Wolves attacked at every opportunity but still lacked a real threat on the box. More potent when Raul came on, and in fairness HCH looked dangerous on the left side. Adama only warming up so far. Guedes and Nunes slotted in well and will surely improve. Collins and Kilman were pretty solid at the back & Semedo good when he came on - back to fitness.
A disappointing result but not a bad performance.
Spurs 1 Wolves 0

A much more assured performance despite the one nil loss. Missed Moutinho when he was subbed but the team are starting to look as if they are beginning to apply themselves to the new formation. It was never going to be an easy day out against Spurs but we gave a good account of ourselves, particularly in the first half where we made the opposition look very ordinary. A much stronger bench today and as those players come back to full fitness we should see further improvements. Good first appearance for Nunes who didn't look phased at all by the occasion and RAN has obviously been working on his defensive duties.
MOM for me was Neves who was a constant thorn in their side, whether offensive or defensive. Onwards and upwards with more optimism than I have recently been able to summon.

We played well first half, thought spurs were there for the taking but it was the same old story we didn't take our chances. 20 shots at goal and we didnt score says it all. Thought the new boys fitted in well and look quality. 2nd half I thought we let spurs bully us a little and they bossed it. Thought we deserved something from the game but good strikers change games and kane did that being in the right place at the right time. Quality striker desperately needed or we will carry on struggling in front of goal. Nice to see raul back thought he was a threat when he came on.

What a disappointing result. Plenty of effort across the pitch from Wolves players and probably the better (if just edged it) in the first half. We were a match for Spurs who were the better side in the second half and crucially had the important cutting edge. Collins was done by Kane, but other than I thought he did well.

Podence likely had the best of our chances however once again we had a lack of bite up front. Having said that, hopefully there remains an amount of gelling with the new set up and Raul looked lively after coming on. Nunes and Guedes did okay I thought.

We just need a goal or two to get us going, the perennial problem.

Newcastle next up ….. won’t be easy.

UTW





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:08:20:15:12:41 by Ivybridge Wolf.

The whole point of a football club is progression.. nunes aside there isnt any. We were told that the club had realistic aspirations to at least challenge for the top 6. There is one completely shot striker suffering a life changing head injury incapable of heading a ball properly which was his main asset and lethargy bringing anyone in. If a club suffers administration it gets a 12 points deduction meaning it is considered doomed regarding any league " success". We have thrown away 8 points by apathy in the transfer market meaning the top 6 slim hopes even at this stage have gone.

I'm not really interested in a " top ten finish" , if the goal is simply to avoid relegation then exciting times are indeed ahead but I'm bored to tears with the constant lack of goals and quite frankly lack of ambition. Fast forward to January and the same sad b*stards on the mix will be saying with the right additions we can finish above villa 12th with next summer being the next do or die window. Other than simply staying up, what's the point of the season again?

With some new players, a different formation and style of play things will take time to settle down. We've just lost 1-0 from a set piece away from home to a side that will finish in the top 4 after being the better team, certainly in the first half.
Not too sure about Collins yet but Neves was excellent as usual. If Semedo is considered fit I would like to see him and Jonny at full-back with Semedo on the right.
If we can get a goalscorer in I'm optimistic.

The new formation and style is a red herring, we have 3 points from the last 30 and 1 from 9. What are you optimistic of, mid table?

Righto.

Cheers for the insight andy , if you think having no fit strikers as a premier league club 3 games in to a new season is progression, I'd love to see what regression is . If fosun had invested properly in a couple of strikers we would probably have at least 7 points not 1. A change of style doesnt cut it

Incidentally I think bruno is doing a decent job, our strike force wouldnt get goals in the championship

Spurs are a decent side, and in Kane, they have a player (whatever is written about him) who has a nasty habit of scoring goals. Ultimately we lost because we were unable to achieve what Spurs and Kane managed i.e. score a goal. In that respect and massively important matter, we were second best. Again.

And in the second half we were second best, they looked brighter and more up for it, still bar our resolute defence and the woodwork (twice), Sa didn’t have loads to do.

Spurs being a decent side, I thought we more than matched them for long periods, and I’ll take those significant periods as positives. There was a great deal there for me to feel the performance would merit a much higher final league placement. We lost our first three of the season last year - deja vu and we picked up after that, it’s possible.

On the other hand we are concerned about 10 with no win and the scoring drought, and losing, like winning, can become a habit. Nevertheless, I think there is a difference in the style of play and personal to draw a line under last season’s end and separate from the start of this. But, my god we need to see that onion bag once in a while! That’s been the case in football since 1863!! Or 1877 even We need a finisher to supplement Jimenez..

As to where we’ll finish or what the club or target is 2022/23, of course it will vary dependent on who you speak to or think yourself, I would imagine or expect that to be finishing in a European qualifying position.

In terms of progression however, would love it but not too sure about that at Molineux . I started going in 1971/72, we finished 4th in the league and got to the UEFA cup final. We have never reached them lofty heights since, bar 2 league cups …… sometimes exhilarating, sometimes depressing, sometimes shear sh&te and boredom. Overall, you could argue regression . However them are the breaks, that’s been Wolves for me. 50 seasons later and no nearer to a sniff at winning the league! Yet!! .

On that last note, an anecdote from a wonderful 9 year old Wolves supporting lad I had the honour of sitting next to at Molineux last week with my wife. He was fantastic, so positive, amusing and a deep love of football and his Wolves. Anyway ….. On the Thursday, 2 days before the Fulham match he had his birthday party at Molineux, a senior player attended (I think his Dad said Neves …. Let’s say Neves) and he took some questions. Birthday boy piped up with a great one, “Do you think you’ll be dead when Wolves will first win the premier league?” . A bit flummoxed but appreciating the humour but seriousness of the question, Neves, searching for an answer was interrupted by our 9 year old ……. “I don’t” he exclaimed passionately, “because I think we’re going to win it this season”!!!! Superb!! The lesson for me …… keep the faith, in good, bad and indifferent!

Newcastle next up, did I mention we need some goals?!

UTW!





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:08:21:00:25:07 by Ivybridge Wolf.

We would be a decent side if we had a focal point upfront and whilst I respect what Raul has done for the club, I think it's time to accept the post injury version isnt good enough to lead a premier league forward line. A hold up player that cant head a football is as much use as a chocolate teapot and the club need to accept reality. It's frustrating seeing the same issues every week, we must be the only club above conference level that doesnt have a striker. I've no idea what 4 foot 2 podence is , neto is a wide player .. there is Hwang I suppose.

We have had the issue of lack of goals for eons now, no one expects us to go to spurs and win but I expect us to beat Fulham and get at least a point against Leeds not to mention the end of last season. Andy mentions changes in formation , but it's irrelevant if we dont have anyone that can score a goal. Are the powers that be who signed that useless tickturd silva for 35 million now on loan to a Belgium team so daft they plan on not signing one.. who knows .On a side note, anyone see the joshua fight where he had a meltdown after the fight.. I've always considered him to be an arrogant outspoken spunktrumpet which he confirmed with his mad rant 🤡

I can only log in here on a mobile, the password doesnt work on laptop but for some reason stay logged in on a smart phone 🤷‍♂️

The continuing calls for another striker are absolutely justified but should not be seen as the answer to the current shortcomings, Raul, when fit, should fit the bill nicely but does need someone to challenge him for the position. The successful teams score goals from all positions, wingers,midfielders and defenders so to continually focus on the striker situation misses the fact that others in the team are not contributing their fair share of goals throughout the season. Podence, Neto, Hwang, Traore, et al do very little to add to our goal count and when we start to rely on a worldy from Neves you just know that we may be grasping at straws. Some of the approach play yesterday was lovely to watch but needs to be more direct and incisive rather than playing attractive football in front of their defence who take that time to get themselves into position and deal with the situation once we do manage to get ourselves into a threatening position. I'm not advocating any form of long ball game but something more direct could pay dividends. I do feel optimistic that this team will come good but it is frustrating waiting for the transformation.

Raul will never be the player he was and isnt good enough to be in any premier league team. He has been consistently poor for 2 years, we arent a charity.

Successful teams have a focal point upfront, how can you say other teams have defenders who score goals lupine implying we dont when connor was our second or third highest goal scorer last season with 4. I seem to recall boly when playing scored a few in previous seasons. Neto and neves scored 10 last season between them as non strikers so havent a clue what you're on about tbh.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:08:21:10:49:21 by An angry wolf.

Top post, Ivy.

Given the discussion is in regards to the current goal drought there have been no goal contributions from midfield or defence to date this season so whilst we can all draw a point of view historically I stand by my point . It's my point of view and quite happy for others to disagree which you obviously do Angry, it will be more open for statistical debate as the season progresses.

I think you’re right Lupy. We have (or have had) many midfielders or wide men of a similar mould in the premier league. For example the likes of Hwang, Podence, Trincao, Vitinha and Costa and all should have been supporting the forwards with both quality service and a tally of goals themselves . Of course they haven’t, in both disciplines, and that general failure that cannot be underestimated.
Then there are players who have added more to the side overall e.g. Caveleiro, Neto, Adama, yet these lads cannot be relied on when push comes to shove in front of the goal. Then Moutinho and the increasingly wild (but still brilliant) Neves.
It is my fervent hope that Nunes and Guedes will plug some of that supporting forward play gap, get their scoring boots on as well as playing decent balls up front to Jimenez, who needs to find form. I have confidence in him, however I still think we need another to push him.
We have, for far too long had scorers of great goals. What we need, desperately, is a great goal scorer ….. and some energetic and active players who can regularly add 6-10 each season to the total.
I know, it’s a wish list, but we need players to break the mould of the last few years.

You can't draw conclusions based on 3 games I'm afraid, one season we beat city home and away so using that short term thinking we are better than them. We have seen enough over the years to realise where the issues lie but not to worry, let 's get some more defenders in so the goals flow as they havent scored enough. There's no point bothering with strikers IMO and we can pretend a striker with a life changing injury who never had pace relying on his aerial prowess wearing a headband for the rest of his career is the answer as a target man. I dont know why any club bother with pesky strikers when the defenders aren't banging the goals in tbh.

I dont have an issue with lupy or andy not agreeing, there's no point of forum if we all agree.

No issues from my point of view..