Braga 3-3 Wolves: The Verdict

[Deutsch Wolf]

Disappointing not to see it out. Especially the second goal for them, so slack from both Saiss and Doc. Should have had a pen to put it to bed, I just don't get how that isn't given. Could we maybe have made our changes a bit earlier? The pitch was like an 80s rugby field in parts.

Never mind. Played well on the whole and we're through. That's all that matters.

 

[Tredman]

Pitch was atrocious. Definitely should have been a pen, but good to see Neto looking a threat.

On the whole I thought we looked quite toothless without Traore.

 

[Norman Deeley]

I was impressed by Neto's speed for the pen that wasn't. Slightly disappointed as we were the better team in both games against Braga. Just hope Slovan can do us a favour.

 

[Tony Towner]

Our players need a rest. We were leggy in the second half for the 3rd game running. Combined score 0-4. We've qualified we can't go chasing a first place we might not get anyway.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

West Ham seem the obliging sorts to give us a pipe and slippers game on Wednesday.

Obviously I'll be at the Besiktas game but play whatever team, I don't care. We're through.

 

[Parkins left foot]

Was out for most of this (came back in on about 80 mins at 3 - 3).

Dissapointing to lose a lead when ahead by 2, but we are in the knockout stage (& I am probably one of a smaller number on here who were there the last time we achieved that)

Can still win the group anyway, but to think that a few years ago we were watching us v Swindon in Lg 1 & now this. Really not going to be upset about not winning - 6 Europa away games & no one has beaten us!

 

[Norman Deeley]

Our players need a rest. We were leggy in the second half for the 3rd game running. Combined score 0-4. We've qualified we can't go chasing a first place we might not get anyway.

Yep, we'll do well to beat Sheff United after that. December's going to be a long, tough month...

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

At least we don't have a Carabao game in there as well.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Yep, we'll do well to beat Sheff United after that. December's going to be a long, tough month...

Look at it any way can't you. Sheff Utd are very decent (they'll be nowhere near relegation) but Sunday will have hit them hard mentally - 2-0 up, cruising and you don't win is a big blow. And as decent as they are, they aren't anywhere near our quality anywhere on the pitch.

A tough game but I'm not sure tonight will have too much of an impact. Our recovery rates are superb and there'll be at least one change regardless, Saiss can't play.

The front three all got some time off too. Think we deliberately stepped off to a point as Braga were offering nothing, then we gave them a goal with a crap ball out and then some 2014 Doc defending.

I'd love us to win every game but on that kind of deck if we did make that kind of decision I couldn't blame us. Not sure a domestic game would have gone ahead in those conditions.

 

[arklowolf]

Great to get out of the group. Brilliant for 60 mins. Poor defensively for their 2nd and 3rd.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Incidentally Jarvo was good as a pundit tonight. Sadly doesn't have a club at the moment but good to see him staying in the game.

 

[Monstrum]

Disappointing to concede two silly goals after that magnificent first half. They had 2 shots on target, we conceded 3 goals. Had a few good opportunities to finish it at 3-1 but didn't really take advantage. Still, away draw is a decent result.

 

[pavlosmacwolf]

From DW
" Think we deliberately stepped off to a point as Braga were offering nothing, then we gave them a goal with a crap ball out and then some 2014 Doc defending."

absolutely this, with Sunday in the minds of the players on a terrible pitch, but boy am i proud of them all, coaches and players.

 

[The Bion]

Neto was out at half time warming up in full kit (the only one doing so). So it seems like he was always going to come on early. If I was a conspirational type I might think Raul got himself booked deliberately as it was very out of character for him, whoever it was he fouled they seemed to be needling each other (do yellows carry over to the knockouts?)

1st half was as good as we've been in ages. 2nd we seemed to collapse mentally which is a shame. Maybe they tried to take it a bit easy, who knows. Thought the subs didn't help tbf, no issue with the personnel overall but it should've been Cutrone for Raul - Diogo's decent enough with the ball but we had a front 3 of Vinagre-Jota-Neto at a point when we were desperate for it to stick up front so we could get a break.

Meh. Chalk it up to a learning experience, I guess. For the fans, and the players.

Hope everyone made it there and back in one piece. Having had a hot shower back at the hotel I'm almost feeling human again.

Oh also I said out loud that the ref was having a good game at halftime. Sorry guys :icon_redface:

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Yes I think Raul did get booked on purpose. He kicked the ball away, pulled off a full on Mexican wrestling move, then yet another foul and finally carded. Then taken straight off.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Yes I think Raul did get booked on purpose. He kicked the ball away, pulled off a full on Mexican wrestling move, then yet another foul and finally carded. Then taken straight off.

Yes I thought exactly this too. Those incidents were out of character.

 

[sycophantia]

Obviously I'm delighted we're through and we've looked good in all our Europa games but can't help feel deflated at letting a 2 goal lead go, we were so much on top for 65 minutes and probably should have been 4-1 up before their second, then our game managenent seem to disappear, gave away lots of little niggly fouls and let them back in, bit tired second half? maybe.....anyway if you'd offered me qualification from the group stages a couple of months ago, I'd have snatched your hand off

 

[lemonjelly]

65 minutes or so we were exceptional. that bit of skill from Traore to create the goal was superb.
in the first half we were pretty much faultless. Jonny, Donck and especially Moutinho were really good.
looking forward to a fair few changes for the besiktas game. I expect a fair few will be rested, though Nuno will still be looking to win the game, as we know.

 

[MobNet Wolf]

I was very pissed off second half that we’d thrown away winning the group when it was entirely in our hands.

Now I’ve calmed down, thought about the format and consulted Paddy’s helpful thread, I’m inclined to feel it’s not as big a deal as I thought.

I don’t really fear any of the potential seeded sides except Sevilla/Dortmund/Inter (and each would be amazing ties), and after that the seeding falls away anyway for the last 16.

 

[YoungWolf]

I still think we can win the group!