My first game since forest last season.
As has been mentioned, the atmosphere is electric, and not just inside the ground, but around the ground too. The walk to the stadium builds the electricity. It is palpable - it is in the air. Every wolves fan is optimistic, and looking forwards to the football. The noise in the subway, the smiles on peoples faces, the camaraderie. It is phenomenally different to recent times.
In the ground, the noise was phenomenal. I was in the NB, and I couldn't hear a peep from the SB, cos the NB were all singing loudly. The whole environment is set up to build, and it is so well done.
Prior to the game, machin couldn't bring himself to order me half a lager, so presented me with a glass of rocket fuel.
For the first half, I wasn't sure if I was under the influence. It seemed I was watching us totally dominate the opposition. As slink said, it was almost 90 mins of attack vs defence. At no point in the entire game was I concerned that villa would score.
Text conversation with darlo at half time comparing what we'd seen the past 2 years to this was phenomenal. To think this is the same venue where we lined up 4-5-1 v MK dons.
That was total control. To a man, we were brilliant. No-one deserves less than 7 out of 10.
I doubt we will be outside the top 2 the rest of the season. We are going up. No doubt.
The above said, I think Nuno got it wrong with the selection. Bonatini should have started. For those saying Douglas was our worst player, nothing came off for Costa. I can see what Nuno was trying, get at chester, hutton & terry with pace (chester effectively shat himself for 90 minutes) it wasn't working. That said, because of the quality we have, we still controlled the game. Bonatini coming on at the start of the 2nd half escalated our control, and I was seriously impressed with him. Plus, great finish.
Ruddy, though had little to do, in the last 10 mins was immense - covering when coady allowed a ball to bounce, and a couple of good claims. Really commands his area, gives his defence confidence.
Miranda/Coady/Baath - all superd and in control. Really impressed with all 3.
Doherty had a great game, best I've seen him play. Douglas gave the ball away a couple of times, but still played well imo. He does a fucking lot of work.
Saiss is so improved from last season. And Reuben fucking Neves. Jesus christ he is so good. My erection still hasn't gone down. What a player.
Cavaleiro was brilliant, so involved in so much in so many areas of the pitch. Got clattered a few times, but kept going. Brilliant display.
Jota - capable of making space, but then doing something phenomenal.
Costa was quiet - wanting to get involved, but it didn't quite work. We know he'll improve with games. Right to sub him.
Bonatini - brilliant. Changed the game, & this is what we need, players who can change games. We've about 11 of them. Options, it is brilliant.
In prior years, we've hoped that 1 player in the team (SEB, Sako, Dicko) would create a bit of magic that would get us victory. We now have probably 16 players in the matchday 18 capable of that. Hell, there are some players unlucky not to be making the 18.
We are awesome!
Great to see so many friends too - wonderful to see darlo & sam (been too long, hope it won't be as long til next time) deutsch & kenny, machin and his introducing me to a lovely ale, lycan (brilliant to see him smiling!) and to meet trips for the first time. We also saw victhegreek walk past the royal london, but apparently the staff stopped letting people in.
I'm still grinning like a cheshire. Like parkin has mentioned, I am concerned regarding being able to get a ticket in the future. That's not a short term problem, I know I'm unlikely to be able to afford one til the new year. But have to say after yesterday, I am really envious of you posters who will get to see that regularly.
