Wolves 0-1 Norwich (FA Cup 4th Rd): Verdict Thread

[PuntsWolf]

Would have been Liverpool away

Would we have been the same ball number? Even still, very winnable game against Liverpool reserves who have the cup final and CL around that time.

 

[Tony Towner]

Would we have been the same ball number? Even still, very winnable game against Liverpool reserves who have the cup final and CL around that time.

Yes

 

[Alan]

He may have had the rug pulled from underneath him by the owners promising players and not delivering.

I’m glad we’re getting along better lately but this is some conclusion to draw. surely no manager worth his/her salt would tolerate outright lies from ownership?

EDIT: You know what, given the BS happening in the NFL right now, I’m going to retract this, as I’m probably giving owners far too much benefit of the doubt (in general, not just Fosun).

 

[Del Woppio]

It's not just Lage that's getting bullshitted, we are too. Shi said as recently as January that budget wasn't a problem and we're able to sign players

 

[PuntsWolf]

There can only really be two schools of thought now.

1) They are creating a lot of of breathing space with FFP to have a big sustained push over the next couple of years.

2) They are creating the breathing space to make the accounts look atractive to a potential buyer.

The only other option is that they are paying themselves back the money but this would be really stupid as the only way they don’t get that money back is getting relegated, and having less money in the club makes that more likely whilst also limiting your wiggle room to get out of it if we did find ourselves in a relegation battle.

 

[Alan]

It's not just Lage that's getting bullshitted, we are too. Shi said as recently as January that budget wasn't a problem and we're able to sign players

In fairness, I don't see "money is not a problem" as equaling "we will buy willy nilly". It is clear, if nothing else, that we won't purchase players on a whim, we clearly need to see a path forward for the player (whether that path is to the first team or to go out on loan for a hopeful profit later). Obviously, that doesn't mean we'll hit every purchase out of the park, but IMO the thinking is logical.

But it's a tough line to walk and I think Fosun have legitimately strayed on the wrong side of it by allowing Jordao to leave without anyone else to come in.

 

[Tony Towner]

Much as I thought and still think Bruno was lucky to get the job, I don't think he would have taken it if he didn't feel he could implement his favoured style in the first season. Being shafted doesn't mean you have to have Donck trying to do what he was yesterday, but it still doesn't mean you weren't shafted

 

[Del Woppio]

In fairness, I don't see "money is not a problem" as equaling "we will buy willy nilly". It is clear, if nothing else, that we won't purchase players on a whim, we clearly need to see a path forward for the player (whether that path is to the first team or to go out on loan for a hopeful profit later). Obviously, that doesn't mean we'll hit every purchase out of the park, but IMO the thinking is logical.

But it's a tough line to walk and I think Fosun have legitimately strayed on the wrong side of it by allowing Jordao to leave without anyone else to come in.

The opposite of "not spending anything for the last 5 windows" isn't 'buying willy nilly'. I'm not asking for Chelsea levels of spending, neither is Bruno. But the strategy of zero net spend is utterly unheard of at any club with an iota of ambition, an insult to a manger who's begging for players, and a piss take of fans who are paying top 6 prices.

 

[Johnny75]

I’m glad we’re getting along better lately but this is some conclusion to draw. surely no manager worth his/her salt would tolerate outright lies from ownership?

EDIT: You know what, given the BS happening in the NFL right now, I’m going to retract this, as I’m probably giving owners far too much benefit of the doubt (in general, not just Fosun).

Just a suggestion really. Having dealt with a fair few Chinese companies this would not be unusual behaviour (I know that's really broad brush and different industry but the point stand).

I also don't think the manager would say the things he has if he was happy with the squad when he walked into the job.

This all stemmed from a certain poster saying our transfer activity has no bearing on results, which is patently not true.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Saw nothing of the game live, it's a terrible goal to concede. Stupid free kick (very soft, but get your hands off him, he's going nowhere), taken from the wrong place, free header and does Ruddy think it's going over or something? Because it's awful. Probably won't play for us again now.

Disappointing as we had it in us to go on two fronts given the points on the board. Hoping for a return to January's standards on Thursday.

 

[AndyWolves]

Just a suggestion really. Having dealt with a fair few Chinese companies this would not be unusual behaviour (I know that's really broad brush and different industry but the point stand).

I also don't think the manager would say the things he has if he was happy with the squad when he walked into the job.

This all stemmed from a certain poster saying our transfer activity has no bearing on results, which is patently not true.

If you're referring to me I haven't said results plural, I said result singular Vs Norwich.

Are we really saying we need to add to our squad to be able to beat Norwich?

 

[pavlosmacwolf]

Personally I don't think it is all down to a tight fisted fosun.
I think we are in a difficult position re new signings. The few good ones available cost lots of bucks and want salaries that would wreck the balance among the other players.
I also think Neto is a problem amongst forwards, if he comes back as we all hope as good as he was, then that makes a big difference up front,add trincao and the hope that Raul gets his mojo back, and that's the forwards sorted.
We have a lot of good defenders now, with mosquera? To come back, that just leaves the midfield for me, and good attacking midfielders simply aren't growing on trees.
I will judge them this summer.

 

[Throbber3]

I do understand the disappointment, but the for the last 40 years of your 49 years we've mainly been average to shit, so a bit of perspective is needed

Yes I get that. I think I was spoilt in 2017 and was taken in by the general Fosun hype and rhetoric. The last two years have been very Moxey and Morganesque . We got within touching distance of the sky six then decided that we were not prepared to stump up to truly compete, yet trotted out some FFP nonsense to excuse the change in strategy while hitting the genuine fan in their pocket. I am not liking the club and it’s leaders much at the moment. They are pissing on STH heads and telling them it’s raining and I think they are being greedy. Huge caveat that the March accounts will prove them right but I really can’t see it at all at the moment. The squad has not improved in two years.

 

[WsWolf]

As much as you can blame a lack of activity and I think he's obviously been sold well short of what he wants, why is Lage playing Dendoncker as some weird attacking mid/inside forward hybrid anyway. If you want to play 343 then put Chiquinho or Campbell in, either would have been better than donk yesterday.

 

[Throbber3]

As much as you can blame a lack of activity and I think he's obviously been sold well short of what he wants, why is Lage playing Dendoncker as some weird attacking mid/inside forward hybrid anyway. If you want to play 343 then put Chiquinho or Campbell in, either would have been better than donk yesterday.

That’s fair comment. Perhaps trying to show his lack of options? Chiquinho in hindsight, should probably have started.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Picking a player miles out of position to prove a point is shit management, whatever you think of the owners. If that's why he did it of course.

 

[The Bear]

I don't think he did. I just think he got deluded into what Donk could do going forwards after a couple of decent forward runs in previous games.

He'll never play him in that role again.

 

[Tony Towner]

I don't think it was point making. I think it does speak to where he thinks Chiquinho is at. Thinking Donck doing 'that' is a better option speaks volumes

 

[AndyWolves]

I can understand not wanting to start chiquinho, but if donk has to play them surely there is a way where donk becomes more of a sitting / defensive player to allow Neves or Moutinho to play further up the pitch.

Donk is awful in the final third, Neves and Moutinho aren't

 

[PuntsWolf]

I can understand not wanting to start chiquinho, but if donk has to play them surely there is a way where donk becomes more of a sitting / defensive player to allow Neves or Moutinho to play further up the pitch.

Donk is awful in the final third, Neves and Moutinho aren't

What makes you think Donck could play DM? He can’t receive the ball off the CBs so Neves and Moutinho would have to that. Even if he did and did actually face the right way he wouldn’t be able to play forwards into them.

In a team that wants to play through the thirds he simply cannot play anywhere. Not aggressive enough to be a defender. Not good enough on the ball to play in midfield.