Just how good were/was/is/are (Wolves Edition)

[The Bear]

From SkySports' stats article on us:


Jimenez has been able to count upon quality service from Joao Moutinho in midfield. The experienced Portuguese playmaker has been a combative presence in the centre of the pitch, ranking among the top five Premier League players for tackles and making more appearances in all competitions than any other Premier League midfielder.

But it is delivery from dead-ball situations that has been particularly important for Wolves. Only Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold has more assists from set plays than Moutinho and no player in the Premier League has created more chances from dead-ball situations.

 

[Law's Bus]

I can't decide whether I have a bigger man crush on Ruben Neves or Joao Moutinho.

 

[Parkins left foot]

Joao - just a god really

Even if he had only been 30% as effective, at £5m he would have been decent value - with the quality he has shown then it was unbelievable. So much time, experience & composure.

Want him to stay here for as long as he has got left at this level & for us to win a trophy somewhere to give him what he deserves.

 

[Tony Towner]

Nothing to add to what others have said. As long as his legs don't go completely I can see him playing another 4 years and being on the coaching staff. Clearly he won't be a starter by then, but if we are a goal up with 10 minutes to play he can come on, keep the ball and shut the game down

 

[YoungWolf]

Shares an award with Mark Rankine.

In all seriousness, he's one of the best footballers in the world. I absolutely adore him to an almost illegal degree.

I remember we rested him away at Fulham last season, we weren't playing that badly but lost a bit of control. He came on and just sorted it all out.

There are very, very, very few players I would swap him for. A brilliant player and gorgeous too.

Tottenham away as well he came on for the last 30 or so minutes and was incredible.

 

[Keef]

Whoever sweet talked him into leaving Monaco to move to a post industrial Midlands city team in their national league second division,should be given immediate freedom of Wolverhampton and get one of those big keys

 

[Tony Towner]

We were in the Prem when we signed him

 

[Keef]

We were in the Prem when we signed him

Aah,perhaps not give the sweet talker who got him here a big key ,he's obviously not earned it one bit

 

[lemonjelly]

I can't decide whether I have a bigger man crush on Ruben Neves or Joao Moutinho.

Sums it up really. I watched Ruben tearing up the championship, thinking it'd never get better than that.
For about 2 years, every single game I have been to, I have said after "How good was Moutinho?"

He is just a phenomenon.

 

[Derby Wolf]

He's a bit special isn't he? Not much to add. I must admit I don't have much knowledge of the European game, so whilst knowing the name didn't have any expectations but João is just a privilege to watch. He's unreal. He's genuine world class. I've been guilty of saying imagine him.5 years younger but I don't think there would be a hugely discernible difference, he's the smartest worker in the room.

I think the only thing which has prevented him from being more visible with the wider footballing public is goals. Career goals of 63 from 821 appearances for club and country is maybe a little on the low side? I don't know.

 

[Parkins left foot]

He's a bit special isn't he? Not much to add. I must admit I don't have much knowledge of the European game, so whilst knowing the name didn't have any expectations but João is just a privilege to watch. He's unreal. He's genuine world class. I've been guilty of saying imagine him.5 years younger but I don't think there would be a hugely discernible difference, he's the smartest worker in the room.

I think the only thing which has prevented him from being more visible with the wider footballing public is goals. Career goals of 63 from 821 appearances for club and country is maybe a little on the low side? I don't know.

Goals are really not what he is there for really - how many assists has he produced in that time (though would agree that if his goal tally was 163 rather than 63 then he would be more celebrated & possibly we wouldn't have been able to get him).

 

[Tony Towner]

He's a bit special isn't he? Not much to add. I must admit I don't have much knowledge of the European game, so whilst knowing the name didn't have any expectations but João is just a privilege to watch. He's unreal. He's genuine world class. I've been guilty of saying imagine him.5 years younger but I don't think there would be a hugely discernible difference, he's the smartest worker in the room.

I think the only thing which has prevented him from being more visible with the wider footballing public is goals. Career goals of 63 from 821 appearances for club and country is maybe a little on the low side? I don't know.

It's why we need to go ideally go back to 352. I appreciate that makes you Traoreless, but Moutinho, Neves and a box breaking midfielder would be a wonderful trio

 

[nimrod]

just the best player i've seen for us.

the sort of player that at most times in our last 30-40 year history you could never have imagined playing for us, even at our most optimistic.

didn't know how good he was until he was playing for us and he's just a pleasure to see in our colours.

just hope he stays fit and keeps going.

 

[WarwickWolf]

He's one of those players that always has time. He knows exactly where he is and where his team mates are before he even receives the ball and always keeps it simple. An absolute Rolls-Royce of a player and given his relatively low mileage because of the above, I hope he'll be there to pass on his experience for years to come. Then make him Nuno's assistant/deputy.

 

[Alan]

His sense of positioning reminds me of Xabi Alonso (albeit his other skills aren't 1:1 with my dear Spanish handsome man). He's that good.

 

[AndyWolves]

His attitude and desire are second to none too. He instills and inspires belief throughout the team

 

[Paul]

When you think of the fitness regime he puts himself through at that age to maintain that kind of level, it must put younger players to shame with regards to application (yes Mr Enobakare, I mean you)

 

[Jinky]

He just has that winning mentality and attitude. He absolutely hates losing (seen a few articles that this is his stance with everything, day in day out, at the training ground etc - if he loses, he's not happy). I've no doubt what-so-ever that his personality has rubbed off on everyone at the club for the better. There is no better mentor that Ruben Neves could be learning from either.

Probably the best footballer I have ever seen in a Wolves shirt.

 

[Dennisons Wrong Foot]

La crème de la crème

Arguably the biggest name ever to play for Wolves.

We would not be in Europe without him.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

27. Nathan Blake

Nathan Blake (born 27 January 1972) is a Welsh former professional footballer, who played in the Premier League for several clubs representing his country at the international levels. Blake was relegated from the Premier League five times, a record he holds jointly with Hermann Hreiðarsson. Blake is also one of the most promoted players to the Premier League with three promotions.

The striker remained at Ewood Park for two full seasons, the second of which saw him again win promotion, but he managed only 9 goals over these seasons. He started the club's return in the top flight, and scored their opening goal away at Derby County, but was swiftly returned to Division One when he was sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2001 for an initial £1.5m fee. Blake, who had a strained relationship with Blackburn manager Graeme Souness, was offered the chance to stay and fight for a place in the side but decided to accept the transfer.

Blake quickly refound his form at First Division Wolves, scoring on his debut against Stockport County, and ending the season with 11 goals. However, he missed out on another promotion as the club suffered a late slump to fall into the play-offs where they lost to Norwich City. The next season saw Blake better his tally, despite suffering a broken foot during a match against Portsmouth in November 2002, as his 12 goals helped the club go one step further as they won the play-offs. Blake himself scored in the 3–0 final win over his former club Sheffield United, held in his homecity of Cardiff.

His final crack at the Premier League was hindered by a year of niggling injuries that kept him sidelined for the majority of the games. He managed just one goal, against Newcastle United, from 13 appearances as the club proved unable to survive. This relegation gave Blake the unenviable distinction of the player suffering the most Premier League relegations with five different seasons ending in the drop, a record that has since been matched by Hermann Hreiðarsson.

Blake left the club in acrimonious circumstances, having fallen out of favour, Blake fell out with manager Dave Jones after a proposed move to Portsmouth fell through when Wolves continually raised their asking price for Blake before eventually cancelling the deal.

(A video of him scoring against us will have to do):