Defence

[Lycan]

I think the last 3 games have shown just how good Willy Boly is and how we desperately need an upgrade in quality across our back 3. Incredibly harsh on Bennett who in any other era would be one of the best players in our squad and Conor Coady who is a genuine Wolves hero but that's football.

I still feel that Leander Dendoncker was signed as the long term option at sweeper and that he will replace Coady at some point (who knows when, I'm certainly not going to bet against Conor holding his place for years to come the fucking warrior that he is).

 

[Pablowolf]

FIFY x

I'm a force of nature and you love my company.

 

[YoungWolf]

We've still got one of the best defensive records in the league - we've actually under performed in terms of xG against as well I believe!

Think we will look for someone who can bring the ball out from the right side (seemed the plan was Donck and Saiss before him but scrapped that?).

https://understat.com/match/9427

We restricted them to just 0.13 xG yesterday and our xG against is the 4th best in the division!

I think Sam is right in the sense that eventually (as brilliant as they are doing) Bennett and Coady will need to be upgraded in the long term. Coady's will be a difficult one to do so, we may need to develop someone in that role. Kilman is someone we seem to see potential in. With better quality we will start to perform better in terms of matching the xG against IMO.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

I think the last 3 games have shown just how good Willy Boly is and how we desperately need an upgrade in quality across our back 3. Incredibly harsh on Bennett who in any other era would be one of the best players in our squad and Conor Coady who is a genuine Wolves hero but that's football.

I still feel that Leander Dendoncker was signed as the long term option at sweeper and that he will replace Coady at some point (who knows when, I'm certainly not going to bet against Conor holding his place for years to come the fucking warrior that he is).

Coady is only 25. Look at how far he has come in 18 months. Its not inconcievable for him to get even better in that role. Bennett is 28. This is his peak, probably so I can see an upgrade being needed there. Boly is 27 and class. The Donk now seems to be integral to the midfield rather than a spare centre back so I can see us getting another CB in.


The questions I would ask of the squad

1. Coady is injured who covers?
2. Raul is injured who covers?

Cover those positions with decent players and we have not only a good first 11 but some decent back up too. I say this as Saiss is not Boly , but he has done a decent job covering even if he is a walking yellow card.

 

[YoungWolf]

If Coady is injured I think Dendoncker or Saiss would play there at the moment. The only person who has really played that role since Nuno has been here is Batth (cup and when Coady was suspended).

Question 2 is harder because we have lots of different options but no stand out individual who would come in.

 

[The Bear]

Dendoncker would slot into the centre of defence I reckon. He reads the game well enough and can pass.

If Raul is out, and we want to keep the same formation then for me it'd be Cavaleiro. He's a good finisher and works hard. Just his touch and passing let him down at times. Either that or go back to 4-3-3 with Jota through the middle.

 

[Deano]

I don't personally think there is anyone else who can play Coadys role in the squad. There might be a player who could step in for a game or two but i'd be more concerned if he had a long term injury but I can't really think of anyone we could sign that could come in and provide back up or play that position either, his range of passing from that position is absolutely superb.

 

[Tredman]

Coady is brilliant, perfect fit as a player & captain for the team and the style we play. Can't really see any glaring deficiencies in his play (heading maybe?) - so really don't see us upgrading on him full stop. He's probably the best sweeper in England, perhaps not as good as Stones but he's more consistent.

 

[Lycan]

Dendoncker could definitely play that role. He's not really had the opportunity to show his range of passing in this formation yet but if you watch clips of his time at Anderlecht where he was the main creative player from deep he's spraying long diagonal passes all over the pitch.

 

[Johnny75]

If Coady is injured I think Dendoncker or Saiss would play there at the moment. The only person who has really played that role since Nuno has been here is Batth (cup and when Coady was suspended).

Question 2 is harder because we have lots of different options but no stand out individual who would come in.

If (and it is a big if) we qualified for Europe next season I'd be looking at somebody like Christensen at Chelsea who wants more playing time. He could do both roles and does do for Chelsea.

Captains and organisers are hard to find at the top level so maybe we just have to keep Coady fit!

 

[lemonjelly]

The organisation, captaincy side, and communication that Coady does is not insignificant. We debated after the game yesterday who could've covered him if he'd come off, and there was no real consensus.
edit - cross posted with Johnny!

 

[Deano]

The organisation, captaincy side, and communication that Coady does is not insignificant. We debated after the game yesterday who could've covered him if he'd come off, and there was no real consensus.
edit - cross posted with Johnny!

Agreed, plus even if Dendoncker moves back there, you lose him from midfield which would be a shame considering how well he has complimented Neves and Moutinho, people who had watched him play for Anderlecht and their fans were also pretty strong in the opinion that he is much better in midfield than in defence. Would be a tough call, fingers crossed Coady stays fit though and this wont matter so much.

 

[YoungWolf]

Christensen is not a bad shout at all. I think we could attract someone like that. I'm a big fan of Ampadu who could also do similar (though seems to be playing in midfield more at the moment)

 

[The Bear]

Christensen sounds like he is off to Juve or Dortmund on loan.

 

[Johnny75]

Christensen sounds like he is off to Juve or Dortmund on loan.

That's what his agent wants.

 

[Lycan]

Nathan Ake?

 

[Rui_CostCo]

Some Top 20 defensive stats so far this season

Most tackles made

4. João Moutinho
12. Willy Boly
12. Rúben Neves
19. Jonny

Most last man tackles

5. Willy Boly

Most blocks

11. Willy Boly
16. Conor Coady

Most interceptions

8. Rúben Neves
11. Willy Boly
19. Matt Doherty

Most headed clearances

13. Willy Boly
20. Ryan Bennett

Aerial battles won

8. Matt Doherty
18. Ryan Bennett

 

[Johnny75]

Nathan Ake?

Never sure on Ake, he's got all the attributes to be top class but his brain goes wandering at least once a game. I'm not sure on his leadership abilities as I've not seen enough of him live.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Ake is probably going back to Chelsea, they've got a buyback clause on him.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

Think Ake would be better suit to a wider centre back role than the man in the middle.