Wolves 2 Bournemouth 0; The I hope their Chaiman is ok Verdict Thread

[The Bear]

The one where he went sliding in at speed but just missed in the 2nd half, was one I thought the ref would book him for when the ball went dead.

 

[Jinky]

I couldn't believe the abuse Costa was getting from those around me in the stadium yesterday. His mistakes are being far too exaggerated at the moment. Seems it's his turn to be the scapegoat, which is just nonsense. Sure he's not as electrifying as we know he can be, and he made some poor decisions yesterday, but he was still superb in possession, tidy on the ball and got his all important return ball to Cav just right - so much so that it even allowed Cav a heavy first touch!

That’s just football fans, unfortunately. The moans and groans were extremely easy to hear when Raul misplaced a pass straight out of play. Thirty seconds later he had scored and we were 1-0 up!

 

[Walnut]

Good job you're not a manager

So you think he played well?

 

[Tredman]

So you think he played well?

Can't comment too much as I only watched on TV, but big miss and a couple of weak touches aside yes I thought he looked ok. Not as good as Jota or Raul, but he certainly didn't deserve to be subbed off - regardless of what that would do to his and the teams morale / spirit.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

He was alright. Nothing better than that.

But subbing a sub is a TREMENDOUS way to absolutely destroy the last vestiges of confidence they have left. It is a humiliation. Much better to leave him on and give the opportunity for an assist that might help him in future games.

 

[Banjo]

So you think he played well?

Two seasons ago, Costa and Cav single handedly kept us in the Championship and Costa was the star of the show. He was unplayable at times- including in the cup games under Lambert.

He clearly has a confidence issue. The same way Jota did until he scored against Chelsea. Neither became a bad player overnight. Jota has got his break and Costa's will come.

These are such young players; subbing off a sub is a sure fire way to destroy any confidence he has left. He just needs a tap in and everything will change.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Two seasons ago, Costa and Cav single handedly kept us in the Championship and Costa was the star of the show. He was unplayable at times- including in the cup games under Lambert.

He clearly has a confidence issue. The same way Jota did until he scored against Chelsea. Neither became a bad player overnight. Jota has got his break and Costa's will come.

These are such young players; subbing off a sub is a sure fire way to destroy any confidence he has left. He just needs a tap in and everything will change.

Actually, I am not so sure. Not about subbing a sub that's never good,cBut whether Costa will cut it consistently

Jota has a bit of spite in him. A petulance. Aussies call it a bit of mongrel. That can work against him but more often works for him
Costa for all his skill is made of paper and gets knocked off the ball far too easily. That happened in the championship too. In the premier League the defenders are stronger still. Costa has had the chances and missed them. Raul missed a few too but he and Jota have turned that around and found an understanding with MgW.
To me Costa needs half a stone of muscle

 

[Premier Quality]

It’s quite odd, as he added a fair bit of muscle at the start of the season, I think it’s more attitude than physical.

I’d love the Costa of Lamberts era back, but given it’s been a season and a half now since his injury, It’s a possibility he never will be that good again (though he’s still young).

Either way, he shouldn’t be in the team - having a break did Jota the world of good, Costa needs the same.

 

[StuardoWulf]

When Jota is out of form he still gets stuck in, he's a different personality to Costa.

If they were in boxing Jota would be Roberto Duran and Costa would be Holdin Da Bucket :icon_biggrin:

(that is a joke btw) but he is a bit of a lightweight

 

[Langers]

It's almost like a sportsman is not allowed to suffer a loss in form. If they do they're 'never going to be the same again'. Like when the team went through a dodgy set of results, we'd been 'found out' and 'we need to look over our shoulder'.

 

[SLA]

I was out and about on Saturday so only followed the game on here. I genuinely thought we were losing and that Helder had cost us at least one goal. I believe he's thinking of changing his name by deed poll to FFS Costa!
Three wins out of three, up to seventh with only the big clubs ahead of us, and practically all people can talk about is one young out-of-form player. Weird.

 

[Tredman]

Tbf Costa is only getting the stick as it's difficult to direct it at Traore as he didn't make it off the bench. Normal service will resume next time he does get on the pitch.

 

[YoungWolf]

Costa is struggling for confidence. In all both seasons with us he has had fairly slow starts and then he has really hit top form in the second half of the season for different reasons. And I do think his injury also set him back somewhat mentally. Some time out of the starting eleven will do him some good I think like Jota.

 

[Lord Knows]

I couldn't believe the abuse Costa was getting from those around me in the stadium yesterday. His mistakes are being far too exaggerated at the moment. Seems it's his turn to be the scapegoat, which is just nonsense. Sure he's not as electrifying as we know he can be, and he made some poor decisions yesterday, but he was still superb in possession, tidy on the ball and got his all important return ball to Cav just right - so much so that it even allowed Cav a heavy first touch!

Good post, we all know Costa is a fantastic performer when near his best and its at times like the present when the game is a struggle he most needs the fans full support. Keep off his back and he finds his top form far quicker.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

I was out and about on Saturday so only followed the game on here. I genuinely thought we were losing and that Helder had cost us at least one goal. I believe he's thinking of changing his name by deed poll to FFS Costa!
Three wins out of three, up to seventh with only the big clubs ahead of us, and practically all people can talk about is one young out-of-form player. Weird.

Uh? Wolves fans? We do have a bit of previous here! :icon_lol:

 

[b3h]

Tbf Costa is only getting the stick as it's difficult to direct it at Traore as he didn't make it off the bench. Normal service will resume next time he does get on the pitch.

Things get over done but I think mostly people just think Traore is our weakest link and Costa is next. Don't think there's any agenda

 

[Johnny75]

Costa is struggling for confidence. In all both seasons with us he has had fairly slow starts and then he has really hit top form in the second half of the season for different reasons. And I do think his injury also set him back somewhat mentally. Some time out of the starting eleven will do him some good I think like Jota.

This is the popular phrase of the moment. I don't see how making the wrong decision when clean through is lacking in confidence, it's just a poor decision because 5 minutes later he drove in from the left side of the box and took the shot and forced Begovic into a good save. He then made a very good decision with the pass for Cav.

Sometimes players just make bad decisions.

I thought he played OK but he did get brushed off the ball too easily for 20 minutes, much like Willian did against us. I'm not sure what that is, it could be mental, it could be about protecting himself. He was a different player after 20 minutes. There was a ball from Boly into Costa who was standing in the centre circle, about 5 minutes into the 2nd half where Costa got easily brushed off the ball. 20 minutes later almost the exact same ball was played and Costa got side on and held the same defender off comfortably and waited for Moutinho to get on the angle to play in. It started a good counter down our right hand side (I think Jiminez dummied the ball to no-one).

Costa is in patchy form, duff one minute, brilliant the next. It happens.

 

[Johnny75]

Tbf Costa is only getting the stick as it's difficult to direct it at Traore as he didn't make it off the bench. Normal service will resume next time he does get on the pitch.

Obsessed.

 

[Tredman]

Obsessed.

 

[YoungWolf]

I think his effort lacked conviction when running through. He has the ability to drive the ball with his right foot towards the back post IMO but what happened was a pretty weak effort. Confidence maybe is the wrong word in terms of Saturday but it was nice to see him grow towards the end of the game.

I'm going to watch the game back this afternoon anyway because I'm sad and have the time. My reflections without having watched were that Costa didn't do nearly as bad as people made out anyway, but I do think he was hesitant and often took the 'easy' option.