Espanyol (H) 4-0 to the wan-der-ers VERDICT THREAD

[Aikiwolf]

Amazing! What a result! This is Wolves in a top (or 2nd rate) European competition and we've just won 4-0 plus a wonder strike by Neves.

 

[The Weasel]

And we got to rest Adama and Raul a bit for the big game on Sunday

 

[PuntsWolf]

Got the tie done in the first leg. No chance they are playing a string side and even if they did we ain’t conceding 4. Gives Kilman, Ruddy, Vinagre (if fit) and Podence a chance to get an extended run out.

First half was a bit meh, relying purely on Traore/set pieces but second half we were better. We actually were better as a team when Traore went off.

 

[YoungWolf]

Great result, improved as it went on.

We were never hanging on as some seemed to think though. It was obvious where their priorities lie, so imagine they won’t even put a strong team out in the second leg.

Neves has been brilliant for months now (since we changed to 343 really) but chuffed for him to get a goal like that

 

[BillyDee]

It was great when we were winning 4-0 in the early stages of the competition, but it's the knock out stages and we're still winning 4-0...

 

[arklowolf]

Well done Wolves! Enjoy your trip to Barca. Beware of the Spanish polis tho!! Thanks again to everyone who gave me tips about my trip to Braga. C'mon the Rangers

Well done Gers coming back from 2-0 down too!

 

[jdrodrigues]

What a majestic goal from Neves!

Couldnt watch the game but was getting regular updates from DDW and FotMob app. I'm going to try and eatch the game tomorrow though.

What a dream

 

[WolfmanOz]

First half was a bit meh, relying purely on Traore/set pieces but second half we were better. We actually were better as a team when Traore went off.

100% agree.

Traore had the beating of the fullback but it seemed to go his head as he seemed to ignore other options.

I’d be tempted not to start him against Norwich (especially given his shoulder) as Neto could come in (I have a love crush on the young man as I think he has the potential to be something really special).

 

[Pablowolf]

C'mon guys, no more sly digs about earlier posts and posters.

That person may be nuttier than squirrel jiz, but he/she has feelings too.

 

[Parkins left foot]

Well that was really quite good.

Would have taken that at 2 - 0 after Neves got one on target, but happy to have 2 more & Diogo is properly back.

Talked to a couple of Espanyol fans back at the hotel - reckon that they will win 5 - 0 there, though that was a bit of a joke on their part.

 

[The Bion]

Alright, I'll play Debbie Downer slightly, even though I'm delighted with the result.

Would not have blinked twice if Jota and Traore had both gone off early, thought they were both pretty sloppy, though obviously the former improved a lot as the game went on. As fun as it is to see Adama cut infield and (sometimes) beat people I really wish he'd lay it off for a give and go sometimes. And his crossing was just off tonight.

Think we actually looked better in 3-5-2 truth be told, although how much of that is down to the game already being nearly settled is hard to say.

I sincerely hope Jota is back, but I thought he was after the Brighton game and that didn't go too well, so I'll reserve judgment for now.

Neves was imperious, even without the goal. And I could swear I saw him making a bursting late run into the box??! Perhaps I really was dreaming.

Moutinho giving out fleas in ears more than once was good to see. Natural leader, even if he isn't (and doesn't need to be) captain.

Rui's fuckup aside (and whoever it was who hit that daft up and under towards our own goal in the first place) thought everyone else played pretty well, we looked secure for the most part and what attempts they had Rui either had covered or handled well - could easily have spilled a couple of them.

Can understand if people think this is nitpicking (because it is) think the score flattered us slightly, though equally we were inches away from at least another. Fabulous result, all things said.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I think Neto is going to be very, VERY special

 

[Tom Hark]

Such a strange feeling, scoring that first goal and not have VAR looking for a reason to disallow it. Didn't dare celebrate; when they kicked off again I thought the ref had made a mistake. I stayed off the matchday thread but, brain farts aside, I thought we were a joy to watch from start to finish. (Which we usually are when on song, to be fair.) If only Neto's shot had gone in!

 

[Lupo]

Very satisfying evening.

We started the game very well, scored, then turned to shit for the rest of the first half, barely being able to get the ball. This form continued into the second half until the Neves thunderbolt. Wow! Vintage Neves that was!

After that we took control of the game and could have notched more than the 4. Great build up and finish for Jota to grab his hat-trick.

Lovely ball in from Jonny met by a great run by Donck but unfortunately his chest down let him down. Then the Neto effort, another wow! So unlucky not to get the goal but magnificent nonetheless. I love Neto and have done from his first appearances but he is really growing into some player.

Another clean sheet, Boly being back has made the difference.

Great result, proud, the away leg should be a formality

 

[The Bear]

Great night. Great scoreline even though you could argue the performance was only average overall. Neves my MOTM just ahead of Jota. Completely ran the show in CM, especially second half.

Jota improved once he went up front and we went to 3-5-2, and so did Jonny too IMO. Two really good finishes, and I think all three goals were with his right foot too. Let's hope he takes that into the league now.

I also thought Doherty had more room to do his forward runs once Traore went off. His assist was classic Doc.

Another good cameo from Neto too. He has a really good brain on where to run on and off the ball.

My only criticism is I wanted Podence to get on earlier, as again he didn't really have time to do anything.

 

[Tom Hark]

Very satisfying evening.

We started the game very well, scored, then turned to shit for the rest of the first half, barely being able to get the ball. This form continued into the second half until the Neves thunderbolt.

A bit harsh, that - or maybe I was just watching through old-gold-tinted glasses. At least we're both satisfied

 

[sycophantia]

Great result, thought it was a bit of a weird game, they attacked far more than I thought they would and they had great passing and movement....but they didn't really look like scoring (Rui/Raul comedy show apart). When we got forward we always looked dangerous. Me and my lad were discussing whether they could keep that high press all game....turns out not, plus after dominating the opening exchanges at the start of second half, Neves goal knocked the stuffing out of them and we controlled the rest of the game. Neves motm, he is getting even better weekly. Feel a bit sorry for Neto, plays well every game now but struggling to get a start especially now Jotas found his shooting boots, maybe he could replace Traore Sunday, think he needs a break

 

[Dennisons Wrong Foot]

Such a strange feeling, scoring that first goal and not have VAR looking for a reason to disallow it. Didn't dare celebrate; when they kicked off again I thought the ref had made a mistake. I stayed off the matchday thread but, brain farts aside, I thought we were a joy to watch from start to finish. (Which we usually are when on song, to be fair.) If only Neto's shot had gone in!

My first thought was that Jota's left foot may have been offside, but not seen a definitive replay one way or the other.

The Neves goal I was cheering the moment he chested it - there was only one place that was going!

 

[pavlosmacwolf]

seem to agree with the sychophant here, i think Traore might need a short spell on the bench, and maybe play a front three of Jota, Raul and Neto.
as for Neto i think this kid is going to be a wizard in the coming months.
but overall what a kin great night!

 

[Derby Wolf]

I thought Rui was lucky yes but he was played into trouble by Raul. That's twice in two games when bizzare rushes of blood (throw v Leicester) have almost ended disasterously.

Only blemish on an otherwise good display. Diogo has 6 goals in 239 minutes and currently sharing competition top scorer.

Boly and Saiss were immense and Coady ever reliable. Three games three clean sheets since Bolys return it isn't coincidence. Love the big guy, so languid, his house could be on fire and he'd slowly amble out while the roof collapses behind him :icon_lol:

Neves goal aside was on for MOTM already. The last few weeks he's really kicked it up a couple of gears. Healthy cameo from Neto and unlucky not to break the net with that pile-driver.

I hope Podence gets a full 90 next week, hard to influence anything with just 9 minutes. Be good to have a proper look at him.