Southampton (H) 23/11 Build-Up & Match Thread

[Deutsch Wolf]

Excitement at fever pitch for this one I see

Ings is definitely out, JWP pulled out of the England squad but I suspect he will be fit. Obviously critical to not concede set pieces around the box with the form he's in, he's lethal.

Donck may be a doubt after apparently picking up an injury while playing for Belgium.

Coady should be ok unless he tests positive (unlikely).

----------------------------Patricio--------------------

-----------Boly------------Coady--------Kilman------

Semedo-----------Moutinho-------Neves-------Ait-Nouri

-------------Neto--------Jimenez------Traoré----------------

2019/20: D 1-1 (H), W 3-2 (A)
2018/19: W 2-0 (H), L 1-3 (A)
2017/18: W 2-0 (A, LC)
2008/9: W 3-0 (H), W 2-1 (A)
2007/8: D 2-2 (H), D 0-0 (A)
2006/7: L 0-6 (H), L 0-2 (A)
2005/6: D 0-0 (H), D 0-0 (A)
2003/4: L 1-4 (H), L 0-2 (A)
2002/3: L 0-2 (A, FAC)

 

[YoungWolf]

I think that would be my team too. Traore on the right though, we just need to get him receiving the ball inside of Semedo more (which he did a bit of when he came on against Leicester).

They are setting up in a 343 at the moment I think but regardless, key will be getting past their press I would say. When we did that in the game in January we were a threat everytime we attacked, as their centre backs are still pretty weak I would say I would be targetting that area. Be aggressive and direct, which is when we are at our best IMO anyway.

 

[Johnny75]

----------------------------------Patricio----------------------------

------------------Boly-----------Coady--------Kilman--------------

Semedo-----------Moutinho---Vitiniha-----Neves-------Ait-Nouri

--------------------------Neto--------Jimenez----------------------

With Vitinha and Moutinho taking it in turns to support Raul. If we need more height put Fabio on up top and drop Neto in behind (in place of Joao/ Clone of Joao) for a 3-4-1-2

 

[Tredman]

Same team, though I might consider Marçal on the left of Traore if playing there.

Would be good to see Traore and Neto swapping throughout the game.

 

[pacamac]

Any update on Dendoncker?

If fit I'd go:

Patricio
Semedo Boly Coady Kilman Marcal
Dendoncker Moutinho
Podence Jimenez Neto (obviously Neto/Podence switching like normal)

 

[The Bear]

.................... Rui

......... Boly Coady Kilman

Semedo Donk Neves Ait-Nouri

................. Traore

........... Raul........ Neto


Free role for Traore, to pick the ball up wherever he likes between the lines, and run and drive at the defence.

 

[Boozad]

Is Podence injured? Not seen anything lately.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Nope. Just not selected for Portugal (presumably didn't sit up straight enough on the bench).

He wasn't very good vs Leicester so I think he's just more of a candidate to miss out for most people if we are going to make a change. Neto was alright.

 

[Dinowolf]

----------------------------------Patricio----------------------------

------------------Boly-----------Coady--------Kilman--------------

Semedo-----------Moutinho---Vitiniha-----Neves-------Ait-Nouri

--------------------------Neto--------Jimenez----------------------

With Vitinha and Moutinho taking it in turns to support Raul. If we need more height put Fabio on up top and drop Neto in behind (in place of Joao/ Clone of Joao) for a 3-4-1-2

I like this set-up but I'd start with Saiss instead of Vitinha, if Dendonker is unavailable.

 

[Parkins left foot]

Would go for DW's team - though Marcal for Ait Nouri would be acceptable

Moving Traore to the left would help as he & Semedo were trying to occupy the same space at times

 

[Premier Quality]

.................... Rui

......... Boly Coady Kilman

Semedo Donk Neves Ait-Nouri

................. Traore

........... Raul........ Neto


Free role for Traore, to pick the ball up wherever he likes between the lines, and run and drive at the defence.

Yes, this. I think teams have sussed that the way to nullify Traore is to have the left back and left mid funnel him to the corner flag. Let him have a central free role and he then can’t be funnelled and won’t tread on Semedo’s toes. Looking forward to a run of games so he can prove a few people wrong.

Neto can then support on whichever wing the ball is on, and Raul can stay central rather than being anywhere but inside the box.

god I’ve missed football, I couldn’t give the slightest crap about international games (unless wolves players are in them).

 

[Lycan]

Patrício

Boly Coady Kilman

Semedo Neves Moutinho Marçal

Podence Raúl Neto

Subs: Ruddy, Saïss, Traoré, Hoever, Aït-Nouri, Silva, Otasowie

Wouldn't play Aït-Nouri again for a while after Leicester. Clearly has a lot to learn. Like Leicester, Southampton won't allow us as much room out wide as Palace did so the onus is on Podence & Neto to find some space inside and try to create.

I think Nuno has clearly decided that Vitinha isn't ready as well. He's been playing for Portugal u21 so isn't injured. I'd probably guess at it being a physicality issue rather than tactical.

 

[Lycan]

The idea of Adama being given a 'free role' fills me with dread btw. That sort of thing doesn't (or at least shouldn't) exist in modern football unless the player is of Messi-level quality for the level they're playing at. The only managers sending players out with the instruction to 'do whatever he likes' are guys like Steve Bruce who've never had an intelligent tactical thought in their career. You're certainly never going to get it for someone as tactically disciplined as Nuno.

As far as I see it there are 2 roles for Adama in this current Wolves side. Up front in a 2, which I think we can all agree on isn't his best position (although it did cause Southampton problems last time we played them), or wide right in a front 3.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I believe he could work off the left. Note *could*.

We need him driving into central areas but he is absolutely pish as a centre forward, I mean Lee Mills bad.

 

[Lycan]

Only time I can remember us intentionally lining him up on the left was Brighton away in the first Prem season. Didn't look particularly pretty.

Either way, I wouldn't be breaking up Podence/Raúl/Neto.

 

[Parkins left foot]

If Traore & Semedo could agree who's going to go where then he can operate on the right, though to date they haven't

Does have some sucess driving through the middle, but wouldn't offer him a 'do as you like' option.

 

[PuntsWolf]

Not really fussed ‘who’ we play it’s ‘how’ we play. If the WBs are deep, the forwards wide and the midfield not getting involved then it will be another dour game (regardless of personal) which could just as equally be 1-0, 0-0 or 0-1. If the WBs play high, forwards narrow, midfielder getting involved and CBs stepping in then we will most likely get an entertaining win.

 

[lemonjelly]

if we were to have Traore on the left, think I'd prefer Marcal behind him over Ait-Nouri.

Going to assume the CM pairing will depend on Dendonckers knock. We know it'll be 2 from 3.

And agree with PQ. International breaks sap the will to live!

 

[prawnking]

Either way, I wouldn't be breaking up Podence/Raúl/Neto.

They've not cemented themselves unassailably as the first choice trio though, surely? We're not exactly wowing the PL with our attacking and goalscoring prowess so far

 

[Kenny]

Donck playing tonight so safe to say he is fit