Neves

[wolvesnl]

Signed a new deal until 2029. A very weird choice to spend the best part of his career there, IMO.

The first part of his plan was brilliant. The second? Crazy.

I wonder whether it's more of a gentleman's agreement, i.e. you can leave in the summer, but we want some cash back for you.

 

[Big Mack]

Good luck to him.

He's doing well out there, still in the Portugal squad so his world cup won't be affected and he's making a fortune so his family are secure.

 

[Frank Lincoln]

Ruben has played in the championship before. Just saying…

 

[Contrarian]

Good luck to him.

He's doing well out there, still in the Portugal squad so his world cup won't be affected and he's making a fortune so his family are secure.

I should imagine his family are secure for the next 10 generations. A couple more seasons in Saudi and he will be able to buy Devon for them to live in!

 

[Scallywolf]

I should imagine his family are secure for the next 10 generations. A couple more seasons in Saudi and he will be able to buy Devon for them to live in!

Nah.

Buy Wolves instead!

 

[Golden Arrow]

Ruben has played in the championship before. Just saying…

Never in a million years.
Top 6 club and CL football would be more likely if ever he returned to these shores.

 

[maws]

3 years ago today he scored the third in a great win over Liverpool. The bench that day was scary, Adama, Moutinho, Raul, Collins, Podence,Jonny. They'd all start for us now even the ones past their best

 

[SingYourHeartsOut]

3 years ago today he scored the third in a great win over Liverpool. The bench that day was scary, Adama, Moutinho, Raul, Collins, Podence,Jonny. They'd all start for us now even the ones past their best

Mad.

For all the wonderful stuff that happened under Nuno I think that might have been the best we have played in decades and the only game I remember when Neves played like a crazy box to box midfielder in a performance I don't think I saw in any other game he played.

 

[maws]

Mad.

For all the wonderful stuff that happened under Nuno I think that might have been the best we have played in decades and the only game I remember when Neves played like a crazy box to box midfielder in a performance I don't think I saw in any other game he played.

I always think it's our best all round performance,totally bossing a team that 2 years later would dominate the league. Not the most memorable but definitely the most complete,as you say Neves was amazing that game. Also hard to believe that was Dawsons debut, he really had an up then down time here

 

[Lou Pine]

Mad.

For all the wonderful stuff that happened under Nuno I think that might have been the best we have played in decades and the only game I remember when Neves played like a crazy box to box midfielder in a performance I don't think I saw in any other game he played.

Thought it was Lopetegui in charge for that match?

 

[SingYourHeartsOut]

Thought it was Lopetegui in charge for that match?

Yes he was, I didn't phrase it very clearly, but that was what I meant, certainly the lost memorable game since Nuno left I'd say?

 

[Flaneur]

Yes he was, I didn't phrase it very clearly, but that was what I meant, certainly the lost memorable game since Nuno left I'd say?

Albion away, 4-2 away at Stamford Bridge with a Cunha hat-trick, 3-2 comeback at Villa Park under Lage spring to mind as some obvious others. I'm probably missing some more off the top of my head as well.

 

[SingYourHeartsOut]

Albion away, 4-2 away at Stamford Bridge with a Cunha hat-trick, 3-2 comeback at Villa Park under Lage spring to mind as some obvious others. I'm probably missing some more off the top of my head as well.

Thanks for the reminders. I was lucky enough to be at all of those. You're probably right, they are more memorable, I should have stuck with my original post of the best we played.

I mean Albion away was great fun obviously, more for them embarrassing themselves than the football.

The 4-2 at Stamford Bridge was brilliant, quite Nuno-esque to be fair. Counter-attacking at its finest. Not really the better team, but hugely effective.

The Villa Park game we were absolutely useless for about 70 minutes. Then Adama played some sort of insane position that scared the life out of them, and they completely bottled it.

So yes, all more memorable, but for my money not actually as good performances.

 

[WickedWolfie]

Thanks for the reminders. I was lucky enough to be at all of those. You're probably right, they are more memorable, I should have stuck with my original post of the best we played.

I mean Albion away was great fun obviously, more for them embarrassing themselves than the football.

The 4-2 at Stamford Bridge was brilliant, quite Nuno-esque to be fair. Counter-attacking at its finest. Not really the better team, but hugely effective.

The Villa Park game we were absolutely useless for about 70 minutes. Then Adama played some sort of insane position that scared the life out of them, and they completely bottled it.

So yes, all more memorable, but for my money not actually as good performances.

The fact that you struggled to list even a handful says a whole lot...

 

[Lou Pine]

Yes he was, I didn't phrase it very clearly, but that was what I meant, certainly the lost memorable game since Nuno left I'd say?

Sorry, misread it as the most memorable of the many memorable Nuno moments! I agree with you, I was on holiday when we thumped Arsenal at Molineux under Nuno so I’ve always felt that the Liverpool game was the day I’d dreamed of since I was 9…the day we battered one of the establishment at Molineux.

 

[Chris H]

Albion away, 4-2 away at Stamford Bridge with a Cunha hat-trick, 3-2 comeback at Villa Park under Lage spring to mind as some obvious others. I'm probably missing some more off the top of my head as well.

The obvious one is the FA Cup quarter final against Man Utd because of the occasion, under the lights on tv and the fact we went to Wembley (the less said about that the better though!!). 2-1 flattered them too.

For me one that usually gets overlooked is the 3-1 win at home against Arsenal. We absolutely took them apart first half and if we’d kept going second half it could have been 4 or 5. The fact it was Arsenal too, the one team in the big 6 we never seemed to get a result against made it even sweeter.

I know things are **** now and these games only serve to highlight the decline, but it does show you how lucky we were to have that period, some fans of different times or other clubs will never get a period like that. Not just the results and performances but the unity between the club, the fans and the squad. It’s something rare and very special.

 

[SingYourHeartsOut]

The obvious one is the FA Cup quarter final against Man Utd because of the occasion, under the lights on tv and the fact we went to Wembley (the less said about that the better though!!). 2-1 flattered them too.

For me one that usually gets overlooked is the 3-1 win at home against Arsenal. We absolutely took them apart first half and if we’d kept going second half it could have been 4 or 5. The fact it was Arsenal too, the one team in the big 6 we never seemed to get a result against made it even sweeter.

I know things are **** now and these games only serve to highlight the decline, but it does show you how lucky we were to have that period, some fans of different times or other clubs will never get a period like that. Not just the results and performances but the unity between the club, the fans and the squad. It’s something rare and very special.

Yes, we're on the best game since Nuno though (well I was anyway!)

 

[SuperGran]

Albion away, 4-2 away at Stamford Bridge with a Cunha hat-trick, 3-2 comeback at Villa Park under Lage spring to mind as some obvious others. I'm probably missing some more off the top of my head as well.

2-1 against spurs under GoN with both goals in additional time

 

[Chris H]

Yes, we're on the best game since Nuno though (well I was anyway!)

Sorry, I skim read a few posts where Nuno was mentioned.

Post Nuno the Watford 4-0 and 1-0 away at Old Trafford under Lage were both impressive. The score line doesn’t do the second game justice in how well we played.

Perhaps not our best game since Nuno but one of my favourite (and most infuriating) was the 3-3 at Anfield in the cup. Turned up to see a complete second string side against a near full strength Liverpool expecting a thrashing and we were absolutely robbed. Ironically it was a similar time to the 3-0 win against them that started this conversation.

Despite the talk of downgrading the squad since Nuno’s time I actually believe that squad we had under Lopetegui for a short while was probably the best we’ve had. It was a good 9, or revitalised Jimenez away from being very very good and it’s a shame all it has to show for it was overturning a dismal start to end up lower mid table. I think 38 games with that group under Lopetegui’s coaching staff could have hit the heights Nuno’s team did, perhaps even better.

 

[maws]

2-1 against spurs under GoN with both goals in additional time

My lads 18th birthday, at 90 minutes I said sorry son Wolves have a habit of letting us down. At the end, that's why we love Wolves mate!!

 

[WickedWolfie]

The obvious one is the FA Cup quarter final against Man Utd because of the occasion, under the lights on tv and the fact we went to Wembley (the less said about that the better though!!). 2-1 flattered them too.

For me one that usually gets overlooked is the 3-1 win at home against Arsenal. We absolutely took them apart first half and if we’d kept going second half it could have been 4 or 5. The fact it was Arsenal too, the one team in the big 6 we never seemed to get a result against made it even sweeter.

I know things are **** now and these games only serve to highlight the decline, but it does show you how lucky we were to have that period, some fans of different times or other clubs will never get a period like that. Not just the results and performances but the unity between the club, the fans and the squad. It’s something rare and very special.

I'd only add "the coaches" to your penultimate sentence.

 

[Flaneur]

The obvious one is the FA Cup quarter final against Man Utd because of the occasion, under the lights on tv and the fact we went to Wembley (the less said about that the better though!!). 2-1 flattered them too.

For me one that usually gets overlooked is the 3-1 win at home against Arsenal. We absolutely took them apart first half and if we’d kept going second half it could have been 4 or 5. The fact it was Arsenal too, the one team in the big 6 we never seemed to get a result against made it even sweeter.

I know things are **** now and these games only serve to highlight the decline, but it does show you how lucky we were to have that period, some fans of different times or other clubs will never get a period like that. Not just the results and performances but the unity between the club, the fans and the squad. It’s something rare and very special.

I was replying to best game(s) post Nuno

United in the cup is undoubtedly number 1 for me. I don't think I've celebrated a goal more in my life than I did when Jota scored the second

 

[Flaneur]

2-1 against spurs under GoN with both goals in additional time

Brilliant game, the touch and volley from Sarabia was top.. And remembering Lemina's winner makes me think what a shame it was that he ruined his cult status with the fans at the end, seriously good player in his first 12-18 months before it all fell apart.

 

[Pompey Wolf]

Well, I’m pleased he’s not signing for another Premier League team but, blimey, how many generations of his family will be able to live in idle luxury after he’s earned the sort of money he’s been getting paid in 6 years in Saudi?
.

 

[Mugwump]

Cant fault the bloke. Putting family first. I do think though its probably a deal to ensure his club get a fee if the right club comes back for him.

Or he is saving up the money to buy Wolves!

 

[fleck1]

Fair play to him, still in the Portugal set up why not continue picking up £400k a week tax free if his family are settled and he's happy. Great player wouldn't say he's top top elite and probably why them club never really pushed hard for him here, so why go and be part of a European giants squad when you've thrived as the main man here and now in Saudi.

 

[Wednesbury Wolf]

Well, I’m pleased he’s not signing for another Premier League team but, blimey, how many generations of his family will be able to live in idle luxury after he’s earned the sort of money he’s been getting paid in 6 years in Saudi?
.

If he wants to stay in the M.E. earning top money that's a sensible choice, he may not be playing to many fans but he obviously doesn't care about that. I don't see him returning to this country as a player what would he gain by that ?

 

[GY Wolf]

A dreadful waste, he could have played for anybody and still earned astronomical money

 

[Contrarian]

If he's staying there primarily/exclusively to put his family first, doesn't that imply that all the players who remain in the Premier League, Seria A, La Liga are selfish and putting themselves ahead of their families? For a player of top quality, sure, 2 maybe 3 seasons in a very highly paid but low quality league makes sense. Any more than that looks a bit mercenary, perhaps even greedy, to me. Unless, of course, there are factors we are unaware of. Perhaps he doesn't feel he could compete in the top leagues any more? (apologies for the heresies!)

 

[Hot Fuss]

A dreadful waste, he could have played for anybody and still earned astronomical money

Agree to be honest. He’s playing in a league with an average crowd of 8000.

Don’t for a second blame him for going there on those wages but from a football point of view it’s tragic a player of that quality, at nearly 29 years old, has spent his best years playing for us and Al-hilal.

Surely must be tempting to have a couple of years at a top European club. He’s taken home around 60 million pounds since he’s been in Saudi, how much money do you need?

 

[Dorbelflunk]

He won't end his career in that league. And you can quote me on that when I'm inevitably wrong.

 

[mroli74]

The thing that I always got from Neves is that the most important thing for him is that he's happy where he is and that his family is happy. He found that happiness at Wolves and I think part of that was creating "little Portugal" around him - but his teammates at the time talked about how he'd have people over and create a little community. I think it probably helped that us the fickle fans loved him so much as well. From what I can see of how he shows his life in the ME - he's got that there as well. Massively respected, still in the Portugal team, building multi-generational wealth with good teammates and it looks like his club love him too. When he does go back (and he's still got the opportunity to go to a big team at 31), I suspect he'll go to Porto. When I went to watch Braga v Wolves, the receptionist at the hotel I stayed at said "do you know Ruben Neves" - she came from the same street as him and said that him and his family were all lovely.

 

[Adrian_Monk]

I don't blame him one bit. I'd do exactly the same. He's getting to play football in a league where most of the foreign players are so good they can play in second gear, keeping themselves both injury free and match fit for their internationals.

He doesn't have to deal with the politics and insane expectations of being at one of the La Liga or Serie A giants, or burning himself out/left on the bench because yet another manager is afraid to drop Casemiro. If he has a bad game, which he never will over there, there's no social media abuse, and he's lifted more silverware than some players do their entire career - Hasselbaink, Reus, Torres, Gerrard, even Harry Kane for the majority of his career.

 

[GY Wolf]

If he's staying there primarily/exclusively to put his family first, doesn't that imply that all the players who remain in the Premier League, Seria A, La Liga are selfish and putting themselves ahead of their families? For a player of top quality, sure, 2 maybe 3 seasons in a very highly paid but low quality league makes sense. Any more than that looks a bit mercenary, perhaps even greedy, to me. Unless, of course, there are factors we are unaware of. Perhaps he doesn't feel he could compete in the top leagues any more? (apologies for the heresies!)

Agree 100%, and that's ignoring the despicable things that go on in Saudi

 

[Adrian_Monk]

Oops

 

[Mugwump]

Money talks. While the football level isnt great, from the outside he and his family seem happy and the money is fantastic. As somebody else said, his families happiness is more important to him that football. He lost his best mate which clearly must put it in to perspective that football isnt the most important thing in life.

Its easy for people to be critical of him taking the money. The kind of money he is getting nobody on here would turn down. Its easy to say you would, but if it actually happened, i doubt it.

 

[Contrarian]

Agree 100%, and that's ignoring the despicable things that go on in Saudi

Fair point, I honestly hadn't even thought of that - the sportswashing must be working.

 

[Mugwump]

If he's staying there primarily/exclusively to put his family first, doesn't that imply that all the players who remain in the Premier League, Seria A, La Liga are selfish and putting themselves ahead of their families? For a player of top quality, sure, 2 maybe 3 seasons in a very highly paid but low quality league makes sense. Any more than that looks a bit mercenary, perhaps even greedy, to me. Unless, of course, there are factors we are unaware of. Perhaps he doesn't feel he could compete in the top leagues any more? (apologies for the heresies!)

I dont think they are putting themselves above their families, but if Rubens family are happy there and are happy to stay ( which it appears they are ) then he's putting his career second for their happiness. I dont think there is a right or wrong for any player really.

Obviously, the money side of things is massive. Who knows, He might want the money as well to fund other projects to help others.

 

[Contrarian]

Its easy for people to be critical of him taking the money. The kind of money he is getting nobody on here would turn down. Its easy to say you would, but if it actually happened, i doubt it.

I'd choose England, Spain, Germany, Italy etc over Saudi, even if Saudi was offering 3 times as much for the same job. He's at his career peak. Unless he plans on owning a few palaces, I think when he's over 40, he may look back on this with some regret. He would have earned a fortune elsewhere, too, while also playing in memorable Champions League and perhaps title challenge matches - he's good enough.

His money will last till he's past 80, still earning interest. His legs won't last anywhere near that, though. I just hope we see him playing in real leagues before he's on the way out.

 

[Contrarian]

I don't blame him one bit. I'd do exactly the same. He's getting to play football in a league where most of the foreign players are so good they can play in second gear, keeping themselves both injury free and match fit for their internationals.

He doesn't have to deal with the politics and insane expectations of being at one of the La Liga or Serie A giants, or burning himself out/left on the bench because yet another manager is afraid to drop Casemiro. If he has a bad game, which he never will over there, there's no social media abuse, and he's lifted more silverware than some players do their entire career - Hasselbaink, Reus, Torres, Gerrard, even Harry Kane for the majority of his career.

Do you think he may regret it in, say 30 years time, when he meets up with his ex-colleagues and they show off their trophies, their Premier League, La Liga titles, their Champions League final medals and so on and all has is a huge pile of cash on his mantelpiece? (and a Championship winners medal, TBF)