Wolves 2-1 Brighton: Verdict Thread

[Tony Towner]

Some things we already knew:
We can't zonally defend set pieces, it's pitiful
Fabio needs players around him
Adama is better off the bench
Neves shouldn't be allowed near free kicks at the moment
Whatever is wrong with Podence, it needs fixing. Spiers was even trying to put it on his dead dog this week ffs

Things we have had confirmed:
MGW is an option as a 10. Not build your team around good, but let him have the next 3 games there good.
RAN is developing nicely, my MOTM
Hoever isn't a right back. Time will tell if he's a centre half

Things people are missing:
Coady is not a centre half in a 4. Watch again how many times he's caught the wrong side of Welbeck, he recovers well because he tries hard and Welbeck can't run, but would get punished against someone better

Something new:
Against 10 men, we moved a team around, rather than just running at them and throwing every forward option off the bench in an incoherent fashion. Good to see

 

[t3ch]

looking through the reddit thread about the red card, a brighton fan posted

"He was fouled three or four times with no calls, most were not that clear but a couple were including an obvious push in the back shortly before they scored. Not saying the goal shouldn't have happened but he was clearly annoyed by that.

Not defending him of course he's totally at fault for getting this red but Moss was incompetent today. It wasn't even a difficult match to referee, the teams were playing clean and there wasn't huge intensity."

so maybe those more specific instances, imagined or not. admittedly I wasn't paying close enough attention to have noticed

 

[Tony Towner]

Does anyone know why Maupay lost his shit at the end of the game to get his red card?

Think it was when he thought Bissouma was fouled in the box in the last minute

 

[Derby Wolf]

When Nuno first arrived Batth transitioned from starter to squad player, playing when called upon but it being obvious why he was being phased out when we saw him, then at the end he was let go entirely.

Sadly, its time Coady starts that journey. I love the bloke to bits but its just the way it is. Today was his 272nd appearance, I hope he reaches 300 by the end of next season covering cups/AFCON/injuries but shouldn't be a starter come August.

 

[Tony Towner]

When Nuno first arrived Batth transitioned from starter to squad player, playing when called upon but it being obvious why he was being phased out when we saw him, then at the end he was let go entirely.

Sadly, its time Coady starts that journey. I love the bloke to bits but its just the way it is. Today was his 272nd appearance, I hope he reaches 300 by the end of next season covering cups/AFCON/injuries but shouldn't be a starter come August.

All depends on where Nuno wants to go formation wise. If it's 4 at the back and only ever 4 then I'd agree. I think we'll see a mixture of both. Coady some games a number 10 others

 

[northfield wolf]

We should also remember, this is the first time we have beaten Brighton in the top flight. Happy days, Happy me.

 

[Wolvensam]

Another nice thing to see from Fabio today was his chat with MGW after the open goal miss telling him to keep his chin up. It's great to see the comradery amongst the younger players.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

I would keep Coady as one of the two and work on him in pre-season (assuming he doesn't get an England call-up for the Euros)

Never going to work, he can't defend one on one.

 

[AndyWolves]

Yeah but he was clearly losing it about something that went on during the game, with Coady I think, I'm just not sure what it was.

Probably when Coady sat on his arse in the 94th minute and said "I'm happy" to the ref

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

When Nuno first arrived Batth transitioned from starter to squad player, playing when called upon but it being obvious why he was being phased out when we saw him, then at the end he was let go entirely.

Sadly, its time Coady starts that journey. I love the bloke to bits but its just the way it is. Today was his 272nd appearance, I hope he reaches 300 by the end of next season covering cups/AFCON/injuries but shouldn't be a starter come August.

What about his performance today leads you to that conclusion?

 

[The Bion]

RAN's starting to really show the promise he was getting hyped over, good stuff. It seemed like he lost confidence for a while but he has that really dynamic movement with the ball when he's feeling it...and he does produce some end product, rather than Vinagre's countless stepovers. The two aren't comparable at this point for me.

Quiet one for Vitinha but again a flash of real quality with the 1-2 that led to the red card. His confidence in possession and willingness to try (and execute) the difficult attacking pass is really notable.

Personally I would still have him as a 10 over MGW as I think he can do more damage there, but, I do think he could be an effective 8. MGW is definitely a 10 though - maybe a less effective one but still capable of doing good things. Chuffed for him, showed good character to put the miss behind him and score. Shame the fans couldn't be there as scoring your first in front of a full South Bank would've been perfect.

Really good extended cameo from Traore - hard to say how much of it was because of Brighton being down to 10 but it was really notable how often he was passing to play others into space when they were the better option. I won't hold my breath but I live in hope that maybe something has clicked there after too many games where he has played with his head down.

Good stuff again from Silva. I broached it last week but I do think there's a possibility he and Raul can play together somehow - they're both smart and unselfish with good awareness of what's around them, could dovetail really nicely.

Not a doctor but have to assume Neves is struggling after Covid as he doesn't look himself at all. And for someone who self-professedly thinks of themselves as an attacking player Hoever's got a lot to work on. Podence did show some neat touches (the spin off his marker from the short corner in the 1st half was sublime) so I'm cautiously optimistic he might be getting some form back. Ways to go yet but better.

First half was concerning, for sure, but tbf start of the 2nd we did have much better energy and forced the red card, so have to say they do deserve the plaudits overall. Hopefully it's a good learning experience for the kids.

 

[David Webb]

Mgw needs to slow down round the estate. Him and his mrs. There are kids playing out here. Apart from that he had a decent game

 

[Throbber3]

I think he said something to the ref, and the ref sent him off for being a massive twat

In fairness he should have been sent off as soon as he walked on the pitch as his default setting is “massive twat “

 

[Paul]

Hoever isn't a right back. Time will tell if he's a centre half

Apart from his dismal attempts at crosses he made some nice runs into the box and wasn't afraid to do stuff, what makes you say he isn't a right back or are we writing him off at the age of 19 ?

 

[Dire Wolf]

Yeah, I thought Hoever did ok apart from a few poor crosses.

 

[Throbber3]

The noisiest voice on the pitch was Coady. He makes up for some of his limits defending with his organisation. For me that is why Southgate called him up. Put a proper solid lump beside him with a bit of pace and he would be fine, four or five at the back.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Too slow, MGW or Vitinha do that better too.

You just really don’t seem to like him. No idea why, but let’s hope he proves you wrong.

 

[Charlie Wolf]

If you are going to do young then they may as well bring back Dion Sanderson to learn. For me it needs a ready made CB.

Good call

 

[AndyWolves]

Another nice thing to see from Fabio today was his chat with MGW after the open goal miss telling him to keep his chin up. It's great to see the comradery amongst the younger players.

That's an excellent spot, remember OO when no-one went over to him.

Good lad Fabio

 

[Johnny75]

You just really don’t seem to like him. No idea why, but let’s hope he proves you wrong.

I don't think it's as binary as liking a player or not.

Silva looks a good false 9 to me but not a centre forward like Raul (or Bull). Play him with fast players and clever passers and he'll be a very good goal scorer/ creator.

I don't think he's a CAM at all, just not quick enough.