Spurs 1-0 Wolves: Verdict Thread

[Deutsch Wolf]

Understat has our xG from the first three games as 1.10, 0.98 and 0.69. We still create absolutely bugger all.

 

[Alan]

Does that make Nunes' the footballing Viagra?

 

[MARKakaJIM]

Does that make Nunes' the footballing Viagra?

Perhaps, doubt he'll provide a full blown penis enlargement but hope he turns out to be more than just a novelty condom.

 

[slink]

Is it? Obviously the formation has changed but the way we approach getting forward doesn't look all that different to me.

Well the fact that we have the ball more instantly means the approach has changed. Pretty much 50/50 possession and pinned Spurs back numerous times. Players trusting themselves more to find a team mate and more comfortable on the ball and looking to play out. The issue is when we get in to the final third and it’s not about patterns, movement it’s purely about decision making. Teams don’t create hundreds of clear chances in games so it’s really fine margins and for me we’ve recruited a bunch of forward players who aren’t goal threats because their decision making in the final third lacks conviction. We had 20 shots yesterday but second half there were numerous times a shot was on but we didn’t take it but then shot straight into a Spurs players legs.

Xg isn’t always the best tool either especially for individual games as I’m pretty sure it didn’t account for Neto not shooting against Fulham and that was the best chance of the game.

As i was saying though things are definitely different but what hasn’t been different is the decision making of the same forward players. We need Guedes to find the net sharpish along with Raul and the new striker but also Podence, Neto, Hwang, Donk or whoever is getting chances to finish them off.

 

[Tony Towner]

Understat has our xG from the first three games as 1.10, 0.98 and 0.69. We still create absolutely bugger all.

That's why I'm not bought into the Brexity power of belief that some are. Of course I can see we are having a lot more of the ball and in the main look comfortable in possession, but with zero cutting edge which runs deeper than just a number 9 imo it counts for nothing

 

[prawnking]

imo it counts for nothing

It's easier on the eye and more exciting?

 

[Tony Towner]

It's easier on the eye and more exciting?

I don't find excitement in losing.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the change, but I don't see it just clicking at some point the inevitability some others seem to. It needs coaching.

 

[prawnking]

I don't find excitement in losing.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the change, but I don't see it just clicking at some point the inevitability some others seem to. It needs coaching.

I didn't say losing is exciting, our intentions in the first half yesterday were definitely exciting. You said the way we were playing currently counts for nothing, it doesn't, it definitely counts for something.

Nuno got castigated for playing dire football towards the end, so did Bruno for some of last season, so there's been progress in some sense.

Obviously marrying 'not making your eyes bleed' football with a decent points haul is something we've struggled with as a club for 2 or 3 years. This intention is some kind of step in the right direction though, as are the recent signings, which probably explains the increase in belief.

I agree that coaching is a big part of the solution too though, along with the right personnel available and selected

 

[Alan]

Do Blackpool fans look fondly on their one season in the Prem? 2010/2011 or whenever that was?

 

[Tony Towner]

Do Blackpool fans look fondly on their one season in the Prem? 2010/2011 or whenever that was?

Yes as do Barnsley or Swindon with their 1

 

[prawnking]

Do Blackpool fans look fondly on their one season in the Prem? 2010/2011 or whenever that was?

What does that have to do with Wolves 2022?

 

[Alan]

What does that have to do with Wolves 2022?

It's a curiosity as they played "exciting" football that season but were shite.

 

[WsWolf]

I didn't say losing is exciting, our intentions in the first half yesterday were definitely exciting. You said the way we were playing currently counts for nothing, it doesn't, it definitely counts for something.

Nuno got castigated for playing dire football towards the end, so did Bruno for some of last season, so there's been progress in some sense.

Obviously marrying 'not making your eyes bleed' football with a decent points haul is something we've struggled with as a club for 2 or 3 years. This intention is some kind of step in the right direction though, as are the recent signings, which probably explains the increase in belief.

I agree that coaching is a big part of the solution too though, along with the right personnel available and selected

We did play some nice stuff but it was all in the middle third. We used to do the same under Glen Hoddle tbf.

 

[Tony Towner]

It's a curiosity as they played "exciting" football that season but were shite.

Not a good comparison as you looking at a team who for the previous 40 years had been mainly in the 3rd tier so a season in the PL was more than they'd ever hoped for so enjoyed it for what it was. The same as similar sized clubs like Swindon, Barnsley, Burnley (the first time)

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

We did play some nice stuff but it was all in the middle third. We used to do the same under Glen Hoddle tbf.

Yep, it's very Hoddle-esque to watch. Obviously there was additional frustration there as we should have made the top six in that division by default with the players we had, and we didn't, not even close.

 

[prawnking]

Hmmm OK i'm not sure what Blackpool and Glenn Hoddle have to do with anything. Especially after a sample size of three games.

Blackpool were pretty gung-ho and conceded a fair few, I don't see anything of that in us.

I also don't think the aim is Hoddlesque passing teams to death and inert midfield play, we're just struggling to evolve into a team that has more possession and to break teams down. Like I said earlier, you can see the intention is there.

 

[sycophantia]

There definitely seems more of an intent to pass the ball forwards and progressively to me this season, as PK says its the decision making in the final third that's often letting us down.

 

[Del Woppio]

I think there's just been a bit too much of a negative reaction when you consider it's spurs away. They're really well organised, with some class players and one of the best managers in the world, and we had to play Daniel Podence up front.

Nunes and Guedes settling in for a few weeks playing an actual centre forward are vital for this new dawn of football. I'm absolutely convinced that the club have written off the last third of last season and he's on a fresh slate, and will be judged accordingly between now and Qatar. Nobody's quite firing yet, but other than Neves and Sa they're all being asked to do different things on the pitch, and that's going to take a bit of time to bed in. The central defenders have got different demands, the full backs are all still getting used to new roles and lack of cover, and the front 3 have been missing a strong focal point. It'll come.

 

[WsWolf]

Hmmm OK i'm not sure what Blackpool and Glenn Hoddle have to do with anything. Especially after a sample size of three games.

Blackpool were pretty gung-ho and conceded a fair few, I don't see anything of that in us.

I also don't think the aim is Hoddlesque passing teams to death and inert midfield play, we're just struggling to evolve into a team that has more possession and to break teams down. Like I said earlier, you can see the intention is there.

It may not be the aim but it's what has happened so far in the 3 games I've watched. It's a lot more pleasing on the eye than last year, even semi enjoyable but it's a bit like an Adama Traore run completely pointless as it very rarely ends in a goal.

 

[Alan]

Not a good comparison as you looking at a team who for the previous 40 years had been mainly in the 3rd tier so a season in the PL was more than they'd ever hoped for so enjoyed it for what it was. The same as similar sized clubs like Swindon, Barnsley, Burnley (the first time)

Sure, but playing ostensibly “pretty” football didn’t do them any favors in prolonging that stay.