The first home game of the 2023-24 season sees Wolves welcome Roberto Di Zerbi and his team Brighton and Hove Albion to Molineux this afternoon. Seeen by many as a 'bogey team' for Wolves, today's game will certainly be a challenge for Gary O'Neil in his first home game after taking over the head coach role.
After the huge disappointment of leaving Old Trafford empty handed on Monday night, when the chance to earn a draw from a blatant penalty was not granted, Wolves must pick themselves up and prepare for the challenge they will face today from a team which excelled in the Premiership last season and earnt a place in Europe. They also won their first game at home last weekend so will be in a positive frame of mind coming to Molineux.
After a very impressive first game performance from his new team O'Neil must surely be feeling positive about the upcoming season whilst adopting a clearly pragmatic approach. Matheus Cunha made a huge impression with his surging runs through the centre of the pitch in possession, which was only let down by his failure to convert in front of goal. Pedro Neto also had a huge impact on the game and showed signs of his levels a couple of seasons ago. Our midfield also looked very solid despite the obvious loss of Ruben Neves, with Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes particularly strong whilst Matheus showed his undoubted skills in possession. Jose Sa showed some of his risky behaviour in possession once again and one can only wonder whether Dan Bentley will soon get another opportunity in goal. No injuries have been reported following the Utd game, so O'Neil has a full squad to choose from.
It would seem from his press conference that the likely first choice penalty taker to replace Neves would be Matheus Cunha, with Matheus Nunes as a probable second choice.
Brighton have of course lost some of their top players to Liverpool and Chelsea during the transfer window, but they seem to have an unnerving knack of replacing them with players of similar skill levels.
Following the débacle of their failure to review the penalty claim at Utd, and the ensuing apology, the refereeing team have been 'withdrawn from service' this weekend, whilst it has been announced that Andy Madley will take charge of today's game with Peter Bankes on VAR Duty.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 3pm at Molineux and will not be screened buy any TV station before MoTD.
Unfortunately family commitments for both Ivybridge Wolf and Cheshire Wolf will prevent either from watching or reporting on the today's game, but it is hoped board members and visitors will share observations and opinions before during after afterwards.
Match Thread: Wolves vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Posted by: Wolves (IP Logged)
Date: 19/08/2023 10:51
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:05:09:09:49 by Ivybridge Wolf.
It's not going to be easy against the Seagulls but if we can replicate the level of effort and belief that was evident against Utd there is no reason why we shouldn't claim the points. The crowd will play a big part so hopefully they are on song this afternoon and can spur the boys on. I've predicted a home win so fingers crossed.
Cmon lads.
No stream unfortunately so will be reduced to listening to commentary only.
Took Brighton longer than I expected to kill the game but there it is , same time next week gentlemen. The fabster could have 5 open goals and miss them all .
Apart from some periods in the first half it sounded as if Brighton were giving us a bit of a footballing lesson, all a little bit too easy for them. The ground started to empty well before the end, not a good sign.
Well bogey Brighton strike again, no surprise is it really.
Didn't really expect much from the first 2 games when the fixtures were released but it looks like it was false hope how well we played at man utd.
Fosun owner there today to witness that rubbish.
Surely he can see that this squad needs help, if this team does not get any quality editions in the next couple of weeks championship football beckons.
What a sad mess we have become.☹
Huge game at Everton next week already!
I don't blame the manager, our " strikers" wouldn't score regularly in league 2, the midfield is powder puff and the defence is an utter shambles. I think Hwang is our best finisher which says it all. Sa is never an upgrade on Patricio despite 1 good season, our best defender Coady was branded not good enough by large elements of our spectacularly thick fanbase who wouldn't know a Messi from a Frankowski I'm afraid and we have the apparent wonder boy Silva who needs games, but couldn't finish his dinner. The recruitment in players and managers has been dreadful, we deserve to be relegated TBH.
I was afraid that Brighton would carve us open today ...... and it will get worse before it gets better.
Having watched Man Utd get bullied by Spurs it would now appear that our performance at Old Trafford was a false dawn. GON looked shell shocked in his post match interview. Fosun have no interest anymore, that much is clear. We conceded 3 goals in 9 minutes today. Shocking stuff.
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