Wolves 2-1 Villa: Verdict Thread

[Lupo]

The more I see the penalty, the more I can’t believe it wasn’t overruled. Then again Nuno’s favourite Lee Mason was on VAR. That says it all.

Quite. England wasted no time pointing to the spot but there was still VAR to step in but didn't. Yet again, we get no favours do we?

We didn't think it was a penalty in real time but as our lads didn't complain too much we thought maybe it was but seeing the replays its a ridiculous decision (again) and gave Villa a foothold in the game and made the last few minutes far more nerve-wracking than they needed to be.

In truth we could and should have put this game to bed by half time.

Thought Marcal was the bad pick when the team was announced but he was fine on the day. There's a good, steady calmness on the right with Boly in the back 3 and Jonny at RWB, hard to believe that they were ever away and I really hope we see Boly again next season. Boly, Coady and Kilman provide a stern rearguard and should continue now barring injuries or suspension. Sa too made some fine saves again.

Moutinho was my MOTM. Everything goes through him and talk of him being in the twilight of his career and unable to play every game was premature. Just come back from Portugal too where he played 2 rather important games the Selecao too, imperious player.

We will obviously miss Neves over the next few weeks but yesterday Donk was ok in his place. Not Neves of course but did his job ok.

The front 3 were fine, Silva getting involved in everything and showing good running and technique. Had 2 noteable efforts - the one that just skimmed the post and the one which drew a fine save top right from Martinez. Podence spends too much time on the floor, whether its making a meal of things or because he is small and lightweight but he's down a lot! We need more goals from them though, as said, we should have been out of sight at half time and relied on goals from RWB and OG (the latter must be near the top of our scoring chart now).

Villa were pretty dire. Their defence making plenty of mistakes and handing us opportunities. Loved it when Fabio mugged that thug Mings in the first half to set up a one on one with Martinez. McGinn was his typical snidey little cunt self, dishing it out but whining when he got it back and trying to get our players booked. Watkins was a cunt too, channelling his inner Michael Branch but thankfully without the end product then clattering into Sa to win a penalty.

No doubt at all who won out of Moutinho vs Coutinho, the latter was anonymous before being subbed.

First half I thought England was ok but must have had a call from VAR HQ at half time as he was diabolical in the second half before losing all control of the game in the last few minutes. No surprise VAR didn't overturn the penalty decision with that idiot Mason at the joystick.

Great day, great result, good performance and 12 points clear of Leicester in 9th and 13 of Villa in 10th.

 

[Tyrannosaurus Dan]

Last match a goalkeeper and a forward collide and our player gets penalised and sent off, this match a goalkeeper and forward collide and our player gets a penalty given against him. Ridiculous.

 

[The Bear]

I wish we'd make more of it in interviews. The only way to make people accountable is to talk about it. Just look at Lampard who demanded an apology and got one.

 

[Templeton Peck]

To those convinced refs are out to get us, my only question is why? There is not a conspiracy to stop us finishing 7th. Nobody really cares outside of us, it's not even West Ham's priority at the moment. I'm not questioning the 3 shockers we've had this season although it's probably only Leeds that actually cost us points, just what would be the motivation for a conspiracy? Personally I think that gives too much respect to what is just institutional incompetence

Yep. No conspiracy just fucking awful refereeing. I'm old enough to remember when VAR was meant to end bad decisions.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

Last match a goalkeeper and a forward collide and our player gets penalised and sent off, this match a goalkeeper and forward collide and our player gets a penalty given against him. Ridiculous.

Player that got to the ball won the foul in both instances.

 

[sycophantia]

As with others, Podence winds me up a lot of the time with his falling over and histrionics, however yesterday I think he was hard done by. Most of the times he went down he had been clattered, Mcguinn went through the back of him at least twice.
Marcal getting some praise on here and his cross for the o.g. was excellent but quite a few times he played us into trouble defensively. As a 3m 4th choice, he's ok but shouldn't be starting for me.
Trincao had a really good spell early on but still too often backed out 50/50s (60/40s?) Still not sure whether he'll cut it.
Gunna be controversial now. Don't think Boly is first choice any more, he was
fine for large parts yesterday but it looked to me like his body is gone, was very slow getting to the ball and not as athletic as usual.
Thought it was Donks best game for some time even with his terrible shot and the weird shank that went straight up in the air. Brought the ball out of defence nicely a couple times, broke the play up and even contributed going forward.

 

[Tredman]

One of our staff has definitley commented - should get in trouble for it too:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1510438321046052869

he does come across as a bit of a dick

 

[sycophantia]

Player that got to the ball won the foul in both instances.

I've seen a few Wolves fans say it was a pen cos Watkins got to the ball first, which is just nonsense, it doesn't matter who gets to the ball first if the guy then takes out the opposition. If anything the nick on the ball takes it closer to Sa and the collision stops Sa getting to it. Foul on the keeper all day long.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

I've seen a few Wolves fans say it was a pen cos Watkins got to the ball first, which is just nonsense, it doesn't matter who gets to the ball first if the guy then takes out the opposition. If anything the nick on the ball takes it closer to Sa and the collision stops Sa getting to it. Foul on the keeper all day long.

I'm just pointing out some consistency between the two incidents.

Think calling it a 'nick on the ball' is plain wrong though, Watkins plays it well out of Sa's reach and the only way the keeper was ever getting to that ball first is if no-one else attempts to. Coady the biggest issue for me though, didn't seem to be aware that Watkins was behind him so he let it run into a dangerous area and did nothing to make it difficult for the forward to get in between him and the keeper.

Watkins had the better of Coady for most the second half.

 

[Kenny]

One of our staff has definitley commented - should get in trouble for it too:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1510438321046052869

he does come across as a bit of a dick

I like Roberts. He is a brilliant contradiction. You hear him talk and expect some 1970's "my mother in law" jokes but his coaching side is bang up to date. Keepers seem to respond to him well and let's not forget he has sorted out us being an utter bombscare everytime (well 98% of the time) a set play hits our penalty area.

 

[Derby Wolf]

Just completed the double over our local rivals, whats the major talking point? the scintillating first half display? a coming of age performance from Silva? Marcal proving us all wrong for 90 mins? no it's the fucking wankers in the middle. PGMOL are destroying the game from within.

These parasites plead respect but then avoid any and all scrutiny and accountability. I wonder why respect for officials isn't as big an issue in other sports. It's a mystery.

If Moutinho is allowed to leave and he isn't committed to leaving it'll be incompetence almost at the level of the clowns we're assigned to referee our games. Sellers or Shi, I dont care, they'd have proven themselves completely unfit to run a football club.

I'm not ready for that goodbye and after yesterday's performance Moutinho isn't at a stage to hang up playing at the highest level. He was fucking majestic.

Fabio was very good yesterday, shame he didn't take his chance in the first half which would've been all his making, the only blemish really. Another performance like that against Newcastle please. Only concern I have is its perfectly normal for players at that age to look the part in one game and then fall off the next. So we need a bit of patience.

Dendoncker did the role I want from him, disruptor, he broke up play and that's exactly what I want from him, simplify his game. That said I'd have wanted anybody, anybody else on the end of his chance. Again, the only blemish.

Jonny is just a delight, he's just a constant 7 or 8 out of ten. He was excellent.

Trincao was largely positive, good tracking backfor the Silva opportunity, needed to pull the trigger sooner on his chance though. Hwang should make it 3-0.

CB's were much of a muchness, Coady was rash in getting the booking it was a bit needless but aside from the two Watkins chances did well.

Onto the Geordies.

 

[Dire Wolf]

I agree with that, Mark, the penalty would never have happened if Coady had defended properly. Still wasn't a penalty and if that incident happened exactly like that 20 more times 19 of them would not be given as penalties.

 

[sycophantia]

I'm just pointing out some consistency between the two incidents.

Think calling it a 'nick on the ball' is plain wrong though, Watkins plays it well out of Sa's reach and the only way the keeper was ever getting to that ball first is if no-one else attempts to. Coady the biggest issue for me though, didn't seem to be aware that Watkins was behind him so he let it run into a dangerous area and did nothing to make it difficult for the forward to get in between him and the keeper.

Watkins had the better of Coady for most the second half.

Yeah, Coady struggled with Watkins a few times at the end.
My final word on the penalty incident, after looking at it (yet again), it could be said that Watkins went in out of control with his studs 18" off the ground, reckless and endangering a fellow professional.

 

[Del Woppio]

I'm in a tiny minority here but I can see why the penalty was given. I don't think the opinion of 'Watkins got the ball and was then clattered by the keeper coming off his line' is particularly controversial tbh, we'd have definitely wanted it the other way. I'm not sure if I'd have given it, but I can see why he has, and why it wasn't overturned - it wouldn't have been overturned either way, it's one of them.

Onto the football, some really good stuff, I liked that front three, and but for better finishing or decision making we really could have been 4 up at half time, despite that weird 20 minutes where we put ourselves under the cosh.

Silva put in a really mature performance, he worked hard and showed good technical ability, movement and decent physicality.

Donk and Marcal were my two questions, but the were both serviceable to good, so fair play.

Joao Moutinho was simply wonderful, again. He's such a consistently wonderful footballer, and the level of his performance just never seems to dip. Just give him two years for fucks sake.

Jonny similarly, was top drawer - I do think he looks a lot better on the right - and the subs were actually the right players at the right time.

I like Bruno. I like how he sees the game, I like how he wants us to play, and I like the standards he sets. The way he talks about the game and his expectations actually remind me of Pep, and I think his high expectations will be good for the players. I'm not for a minute comparing their quality as coaches, but I do see certain similarities. He's done a good job.

Great win, it clearly meant a lot to the players. They get it. 7th still on

 

[PuntsWolf]

I like Roberts. He is a brilliant contradiction. You here him talk and expect some 1970's "my mother in law" jokes but his coaching side is bang up to date. Keepers seem to respond to him well and let's not forget he has sorted out us being an utter bombscare everytime (well 98% of the time) a set play hits our penalty area.

Still no idea why people are trying not to like him.

Getting results on the pitch both at club and international level, respected by his peers, Dave Edwards, Conor Coady and John Ruddy have nothing but praise for him saying he’s one of the best they’ve worked with and is a great guy etc. and he’s literally said or done nothing to warrant a negative view.

 

[Wulfie88]

 

[The Bear]

Coady was obviously leaving it for Sa, who probably gave him a shout. Not really his fault.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

Yeah, Coady struggled with Watkins a few times at the end.
My final word on the penalty incident, after looking at it (yet again), it could be said that Watkins went in out of control with his studs 18" off the ground, reckless and endangering a fellow professional.

His studs are nowhere near endangering anyone, the contact with Sa is torso to torso. It's just opportunistic from him, nip in there and poke the ball away, make sure there's some contact after 'winning' the ball and give the referee a decision to make. I can't blame him for it, Coady shouldn't have given him the chance to make that play, but always grates when a forward puts the ball well out of their out reach and gets something out of it. He'd have had to do something really special to get in there, take the ball away from Sa and keep control of it enough to make an attempt on goal.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

Coady was obviously leaving it for Sa, who probably gave him a shout. Not really his fault.

Wasn't Zubar's fault against Bolton with Stearman pointing him back to the keeper then?

We saw all to well against Leeds what happens when you take silly gambles in late stages and let this happen in your box, Boly should've done more to get rid before Ayling scored the winner. Coady may well get a shout but he's got his own mind, there's a loose ball in the box and he's got no idea what's behind him, don't fucking leave that to chance.

 

[Johnny75]

Still no idea why people are trying not to like him.

Getting results on the pitch both at club and international level, respected by his peers, Dave Edwards, Conor Coady and John Ruddy have nothing but praise for him saying he’s one of the best they’ve worked with and is a great guy etc. and he’s literally said or done nothing to warrant a negative view.

He has but that's an old story and matter of opinion.

He comes across as a complete cock to me but he's clearly doing a very good job for us and you don't have to like everybody at the club.

It's not a cult.