It was a much more enjoyable performance to watch than there has been for a long, long time. Trying to get up the pitch and press a team rather than endlessly dropping back into shape, players getting forward into better passing positions with the ball rather than just pumping it to the wingers and watching them go, a bit of impetus goes a long way.
It was a long way from perfect though, and there is still a lot to work to get this new approach more refined and more productive.
The higher press was a bit disjointed at times, though a team like Leeds are always going to be difficult to pin down given the way they play, think it was particularly evident when Leeds went back to their centre halves as they split quite wide so very difficult for Jose to get across if they squared it between them, then Neto or Traore are stuck with a problem of pushing on to the centre half who has just received or keep their fullback in check. It's relatively new to them though, compared to what they've done previously at Wolves under Nuno, so with more time they should be able to find ways in those situations to steer the opposition passing towards the areas where Wolves can better apply pressure rather than let them easily escape it. Part of me would have been tempted to Fabio yesterday with that in mind as he's usually quite thoughtful in that side of the game, let him do an hour of running to make Leeds' life difficult and then bought Jose on against the tired legs but it would've been a bit of a gamble.
I still think the wide players default position is too wide at times, having them on the opposite sides does help negate that to an extent as it encourages both to come inside more when they get the ball but too often they were both still in much wider positions to receive the ball which makes it difficult to pop off quick first time passes to the centre forward and drive towards the opposition goal for the return. It did have the positive against Leeds of helping to rein in their fullbacks who usually get well up the pitch, so perhaps that's had an impact on their positioning when play has turned over. Going forwards though I'd like to see them receiving the ball within the width of the penalty area more so than outside of it, rather than ending up there after 4-5 touches instead.
Sort of tied into the above was nice to see Semedo finally getting into some more productive positions, really pushing on beyond the wide forward ahead of him, providing extra width and another passing option in attacking areas. Having the wide forwards playing narrower naturally invites that sort of play from the wingbacks as it gives them a huge amount of space to attack. Think Semedo was a little unlucky with his two chances, first a slightly underhit pass by Neto meant he needed a touch to get it out of his feet and that allowed the defender across forcing him into a near post effort then Jose gave him the opposite and forced him too wide shortly after. More of that though and it's bound to start reaping dividends. I have a minor doubt on the other side though, as good as Jonny is I don't think he's ever looked to have that swashbuckling element to his game to the same degree, he's always been the steadier option on the opposite side to Doherty. Adding to that doubt, him playing on his weaker foot means it's more difficult for him to provide just a natural outlet down the outside to maintain the width if the attacker ahead of him is now moving inside more often, I guess there's always the option of RAN for that option in the right circumstances.
I think there's still a tendency to take too many touches and be too slow to release the pass too, mainly from the wide forwards. Again, i think that's linked to their wider starting positions, having them coming inside is opening up more passing options for them but they're still usually a bit too wide and isolated in the first instance so they have to take a touch, bring it inside slightly and then they get close enough to others to start picking the passes between them. It's another one like the pressing that should hopefully improve naturally with a bit more time playing in this way, players seeing what works better and what doesn't hopefully the coaches too noticing the slight niggles and looking to hone it further by tweaking starting positions etc.
As refreshing as it was to see the new attitude of Wolves last night, and long may that mentality continue, there were still precious few real chances created. I can't really think of anything beyond Semedo's two first half opportunities, and both of those were compromised, other than some pot shots from outside the area. Had the one situation where Neto should've tried to square it across the edge of the box for Jose but he went at the defender instead and then the option was taken away from him but who knows if he even gets the ball across never mind anything that happens afterward.
Can't fail to mention set pieces either, which continue to be a mess in both attacking and defensive situations. The attacking side has been done to death, you can't have a player (even of Moutinho's ilk) deciding to make things up on the fly and see how it goes, it's a fucking farce. The one where he tried to get Neto into the corner with about 5 minutes left was a joke, great position to get it into the box and the big lads are up for it, roll it 15 yards towards the corner to a lad outnumbered by defenders and isolated from his team mates, why waste the time and energy of Saiss and Dendoncker going forwards for that? It's not like his delivery is even reliable when he does decide to play it more simply, nor do Wolves ever really seem to attack things with much vigour, it's all a bit amateurish at times and completely at odds with the preparation which is afforded other parts of the game, likewise the Sunday League throw-ins. Defensively there did at least seem to be a new approach last night, holding the higher line rather than everyone standing under the flight of the ball, wasn't anymore effective on that viewing but I do think it's got more potential as long as they can get their heads around it. You can only hold the line so long and then you do have to get back to try and win the ball, too many times yesterday it appeared Wolves failed to match the desire of Leeds players to get on the end of their crosses allowing their men to have free attempts on goal. Think Patricio has to do more in those situations at times too, if you're holding the high line then there's a big gap to drop the ball into and he's got the help close it when the flight of the ball favours him, the one where Dendoncker lost his man was always going to be coming almost straight at goal from the angle it was taken but he stayed rooted to his line.
Plenty to improve on but I've got far more faith in this new attitude and mentality than the previous one, there are going to be niggles to overcome because it is a major shift from what they've attempted previously so it'll require some patience at times. It should have far greater potential in the long term though I feel to go after games in a more assertive manor and actually display your desire to force the result in your favour.