Wolves v Chelsea - 15th December- Build up and Matchday thread

[Alan]

The comms moaning about Semedo, but I think he’s doing ok given the numbers of opposition he’s having to take into account.

Indeed.

Podence has been uber frustrating, Donck is getting carried, but otherwise we're doing pretty well. Our marking on corners has been kinda pish, though.

 

[prawnking]

This is a shocking take based on today.

Let me guess... Jinky should wait till Semedo retires before having an opinion on him

 

[Deano]

Don't get me wrong as I said think he's been a mixed bag tonight, but he's definitely the target for some people. Boo-boy if fans were allowed in

He is a 30m full back/ wing back and he is just far too easy to go past and get crosses in against. I accept it's not easy for him when they overload his side but even 1v1 he looks a big weak link to me.

 

[GLASGOWOLF]

Semedo is beeing isolated and its been a tough half for him.

I would not write him off he made 1 mistake against Villa, and has been beaten 2 or 3 times by Pulisic, not many full backs have got the better of them.
The left hand side of Pulisic, and Chilwell will give most teams a tough half.
Its tough for Dendonker, if he comes accross to cover there is a huge gap inside.

With having a front 3 of Podence, Neto, and Silva you have to concede something and it has been assistance for Semedo.

 

[YoungWolf]

So I think the plan all along was to contain, stay in the game til the later stages of the game at which point we can play a bit higher and get Traore on the pitch. In general this plan has worked but there will be aspects that Nuno won't be happy with as we've got away with chances at set pieces.

Fortunately, it's still nil nil and we can take it from there.

There are times when we make nice combinations but without enough of a threat behind their back four. Ultimately it allows Chelsea to stay in their shape. As such our better efforts have been from outside the area. Something to consider moving forward, not just in this game.

 

[The Bion]

We seem to be deliberately falling into 3-4-1-2 out of possession with Podence in the middle. Can only assume (hope?) there might be a thought to try and counter into the spaces the Chelsea FBs are leaving coming forward.

 

[Alan]

Let me guess... Jinky should wait till Semedo retires before having an opinion on him

Now you're getting it!

But seriously, if that's a bad performance from Semedo, then we ought to just fuck defending off altogether because if you aren't 100% perfect, you'll get labeled a "dud".

He's defending three incredibly gifted attacking players 1-on-1 and they've created very little. He should be credited for that.

 

[Alan]

So I think the plan all along was to contain, stay in the game til the later stages of the game at which point we can play a bit higher and get Traore on the pitch. In general this plan has worked but there will be aspects that Nuno won't be happy with as we've got away with chances at set pieces.

Harry Burgoyne was on the Fancast a couple of weeks ago and said that this is basically exactly what Nuno preached while he (Harry) was still at the club. Contain during the first half and let the opponent run themselves out of gas, basically. Little reason to think that's changed.

 

[YoungWolf]

He's defending three incredibly gifted attacking players 1-on-1 and they've created very little. He should be credited for that.

This bit is generally true, as much of a threat they look the situations we have largely dealt with. It's set plays we have struggled more with.

Don't think Pulisic is playing 90 so they will have to adapt their shape somehow.

 

[Derby Wolf]

Pulisic is a baller. Could watch him all day.

Somedo might be up against very tough opposition who can pull the pants of the very best full backs down but like the FK he gave away towards the end of the half there was just no need and that's entirely on him.

Think generally we've done okay but corners are a huge worry and had two huge let offs from Giroud and Zouma.

 

[YoungWolf]

Harry Burgoyne was on the Fancast a couple of weeks ago and said that this is basically exactly what Nuno preached while he (Harry) was still at the club. Contain during the first half and let the opponent run themselves out of gas, basically. Little reason to think that's changed.

I don't listen to the fancast but I might give that a listen

 

[prawnking]

We've played OK, could have easily gone in 1-0 down, feel like Chelsea have another gear to go up into though.

We've defended ok, I'm liking the simple and effective way Marcal plays the game. Encouraging by Fabio, can't wait for his first goal.

Going forward we still lack conviction. The short corners need to go, the slowing the game down when we have a chance to stretch the opposition needs to go, the no-chance long shots need to go, the rush of blood high crosses into the box need to go.

Still in it, looks like a matter of time till we concede and 0-0 is best realistic outcome but you never know...

 

[YoungWolf]

Pulisic is a baller. Could watch him all day.

Somedo might be up against very tough opposition who can pull the pants of the very best full backs down but like the FK he gave away towards the end of the half there was just no need and that's entirely on him.

Think generally we've done okay but corners are a huge worry and had two huge let offs from Giroud and Zouma.

The Zouma one is actually a pretty difficult header from that distance (he's a very good header of the ball though), it's just how the rebound fell to Giroud where it was a bit of a relief to see it go wide. Can't let them keep having those free headers though

 

[Wolvensam]

Anybody else willing Fabio to score?

 

[PuntsWolf]

45 mins I won’t get back but I’ll take another 45mins like that for the 0-0

 

[Wolvensam]

Looks like Otasowie is coming on..

 

[Derby Wolf]

Otasowie inbound!

 

[Tredman]

Wow! Big statement.

 

[prawnking]

Oooooh

 

[Alan]

Woah. Otasowie coming on.