Match Thread: Brentford v Wolves 29.10.22 KO 3pm
Heads in Hands
By Ivybridge Wolf
October 29 2022
The headline picture tells it all!! Have this Wolves side got the fight? Are they up for the battle? What positives can we draw upon for this fixture versus an unpredictable but combative Brentford opposition. Well, Brentford lost 4-0 versus the Villa last time out, thrashed in the absence of Gerrard, that must be cause for a little optimism for Wolves fans, indeed in the last 6 matches Brentford have won just once (at home to Brighton) and have failed to score in 4 of those 6 (sound familiar?). Also, last time out we managed to get a cracking 2-1 win at the Brentford Stadium with a couple of brilliant goals from Neves and Moutinho. It could also be said that at Molineux last season, they turned us over with a bit of ease (from memory) 0-2. All I can say, will the poor Brentford step out on the pitch at 3pm this afternoon …. Please!
Our match versus Leicester was a total disaster. Yes, some good moments on the ball (especially early on) but how many times have Wolves fans witnessed our sometimes-superior possession statistics, even our shots on goal … 23-5 in our favour last week wasn’t it? How many times?? I suspect it’s the same number of times that we have also commented, yes, great stats but but no end product, a lack of decent crosses, too many wayward passes, too much sideways stuff, nobody in the box, poor finishing, couldn’t hit a barn door etc etc. Leicester was an absolute classic for all of that, combined with some kamikaze, lacklustre defending – which got worse as the game wore on. For the record our last 19 league matches are W2, D5, L12. That includes no win in the last 10 away fixtures. OMG.
Being positive, and I will, perhaps the real recent encouragement can be taken from the first half versus Crystal Palace. More combative and attacking, with a bit of purpose all round to provide a crumb of comfort dunked in an oasis of doom. Okay, let’s not discuss the second half. If Steve Davis can capture those good moments and crystallise a vison in the player minds, then a win today might not be off the cards or a point might be possible. With two home matches to come after today and before the world cup (Brighton and Arsenal) the equation is simple – we must start scoring, we must start taking points because clearly other sides, even Forest, are doing just that. We won’t be marooned if we lose this afternoon but surely we need a bit of confidence and better performances …. And before November 20th.
Whilst we wait to see if Jeff Shi (the silent one) is prepared to make a U-turn on his bizarre and inexplicable stance not appointing a manager until 2023, it remains that Steve Davis is in charge and picks the side. What will he do? To be honest, we’re a bit hamstrung in terms of options that can change our direction, but I would definitely keep going with Bueno, one of recent bright sparks. I’d get Semedo in for Jonny (what was going on with Jonny last week?) and potentially pick Traore number 2 in place of Moutinho, the rest likely being the same. Even Podence! Based on last week and the second half at Palace, Davis will no doubt have considerable concern about how our defending has gone south. Semedo, Kilman, Collins, Ait Nouri, Jonny all recently and jointly culpable. There have been some calls for a return to a back 5 but I’m not sure Toti is in for a return, so what would the options be? Please not Neves again!! (Mind you that was Bruno – who we do not talk about). On balance I think it’ll be a back four again but discipline, good positioning, tracking and sheer hard work will be the order of the day to stop Toney and the rest. Brentford will apply pressure for sure.
It's not just them though, midfield, in fact everywhere ….. we have to stop giving the ball away so cheaply. And then, all we have to do is score a goal …… answers on a postcard. Costa still has the umpf, does he have the legs? (or for that matter, the service?).
Despite the doubt, despite the genuine gloom that seems to ooze out of the club at the moment, I still think we have a chance in this one, we just must be on our metal. Credit to all those Wolves fans making the journey. Has anybody been to / seen the new Brentford Ground? Bang right next door the end of M4 and looks a decent venue.
This match kicks off at the traditional time of 3pm on Saturday afternoon. For those following match developments, please feel free to contribute to the thread, unfortunately Chesh will have difficulties in doing so today and I may be a little pushed too, nevertheless let’s hope for an entertaining and affirming outing to West London!
Enjoy the match and, as ever, UTW!! C’mon me babbies!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:11:11:11:05:30 by Cheshire wolf.
My optimism has me firmly rooted to the bottom of the prediction league but even so I am going for 2-1 to Wolves. Cmon lads.
It is what it is - they have to perform
Substitutes: Sarkic, Alt-Nouri, Hee-Chan, Mosquero, Guedes, Jonny, Joao Moutinho, Hodge, Campbell.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:10:29:14:16:57 by Ivybridge Wolf.
Predictably BTraore and Semedo are brought in . Optimism dies hard; UTW.
Stalemate so far
0-0 HT.
Bag of nerves.
Diego C doing more work than he likely expected. Anyway see if we can get a goal blitz in second half 😎
Shot from Costa saved
Better than the play against Leicester but we would have been punished by other teams. Semedo was better. Bueno looked the goods, and BTraore grew into the game. Suppose an away point would be OK , and of course it was not one of those must-win games we have been losing but no goals in sight. Before his early injury-time departure Costa did have a few decent chances but the years appear to have caught up, and he is rusty. Now a three match rest for him!!
Showed a bit more fight today but the forward line still looks pretty woeful not sure how that's going to change.
We New what we were getting with costa and hes lived up to expectations with a stupid head but.
Mee New what buttons to press and Costa fell for it, that's him missing for the next 3 games.
I hope they give the kid campbell a try, he's looked ok when he has played, he can't be no worse than our misfiring forward line.
a point is better than none I suppose but we need more to get us out of this mess.
Oh well on to our bogey team Brighton who spanked Chelsea today.
A better result than I anticipated and at least we scored: other than that I haven’t seen the highlights yet so can’t comment on the game other than to say what a stupid, irresponsible, feckless ba@tard Costa is. Surely the management team will have reminded him of the risk of someone very experienced like Ben Mee winding him up and how he needs to control himself not head but him?! Now we are without our only recognised striker for three games. I wouldn’t mind if he’d actually scored a goal yet, but he can’t do that!! I hope they fine him a huge amount for his stupidity!! Davis must be thoroughly pi$$ed off with such behaviour - as if his job isn’t already hard enough!!
Got to be happy with a point, though I understand we weren’t up to much first half but neither were Brentford. From all I can tell, Neves was our talisman yet again, not just with that beautiful finish but in terms of leadership and commitment. What on earth will be do if Chairman Shi can’t persuade him to stay in January ……. With reports pervading the web he may be off. That would be a disaster. On the goal, great to see another decent cross from Bueno.
As for Costa getting sent off ….. what a tool, exasperating and he should no better. Highlights suggested that he was a handful despite not scoring and so i think his aberration with Mee (who went down light a sack of the usual) will weaken our team for what will be two vital home league fixture, plus Leeds. Who will be in next week I wonder? Hwang?? Oh dear.
So to home v Brighton who pasted Chelsea yesterday. We simply have to get something out of that match. If reports are correct, we showed more intent yesterday, at least overall ….. but that wouldn’t be hard. Nevertheless getting that point at Brentford might just give the lads some belief. My god we need it.
UTW!!
But there we are. I don't think Hwang is a complete duffer, but it's that confidence thing again when things just aren't going right individually or in general at the club.
Hwang him in, and hopefully he can get on the end of some assists and Hwang in a goal or two.