Friendly in Dublin

[Oh Robbie Robie]

Good run out. Far too many people are making too much of it. It was a friendly. A chance to try some things. A chance to give players some minutes. The performance was OK. Lacking a cutting edge as normal. Meanwhile WBA are playing Bolton in a friendly. Chill out people. Have a good weekend.

 

[SWest Wolf]

Doherty, Silva and RAN changed the game for us. Cuhna should have scored a couple today, good penalty, then with higher confidence, had a great shot which forced a brilliant save from Hart at the end.

 

[GoldenHorseshoe]

I've just come in. What's the score?

5-1 to Celtic I think, but only going on this thread.

 

[Southdownswolf]

Apparently a bit of a kerfuffle in the"mixed"section of the ground with a wolves supporter being escorted out with blood on his face

 

[Contrarian]

Fabio and Cunha looking like they could develop a beautiful partnership.

Yes. We need to find some balance in our forward line. What we've seen so far, Neto/Sarabia/Cunha just doesn't work. It's far too lightweight. Sarabia/Cunha has been pretty much useless since day 1. Though individually Sarabia was OK today, still as a team it wasn't working out. Any one of those alongside Fabio could be the way to go - or Sasa if/when available.

Was also worried about midfield, that also looks lightweight. Once we had Fabio and Hwang on, also Doc, Toti and RAN, the extra physicality all over the pitch made a difference.

 

[old wittonian]

Fabio has made a difference. Looks a very natural centre forward. Whilst he doesn’t have blistering pace, he has the physique and creativity in the mould of Zlatan Ibrahimović‘a game.

I like Fabio. However. I was a left half in my late teens and thrown up front when we were chasing a game. At 6'4" I was diabolical in the air. I just jumped and hoped it hit me but it never did. Fabio reminds me of myself in that respect.

 

[Woody]

Thoroughly enjoyed the Celtic TV commentary towards the end, harping on about Doherty's dive, how superior Celtic were and how much more deserving of a win they were

 

[Tring Wolf]

Awful defensively for the first 20 minutes, continuing on from the horror shows at the end of last season. Nunes and Neto the pick of the first 45. Bueno, Hodge and Dawson struggling.

Good last 15 with RAN and Fabio impressing. Noticeable how Cunha came alive when he had someone to link up with.

With Neves gone, we have 4 top young talents in Fabio, Nunes, RAN and Neto. We have to put our trust in and build the side around them, Cunha and Kilman.

 

[SWest Wolf]

But agree with the comments re: Cuhna and Silva should start up front.

 

[Supadavewolf]

Well done Joe Hodge. You lasted the 90 well, were neat and tidy recycling the ball, put in some decent challenges and even won a couple of headers.

Not necessarily a starter in the PL, but at this rate a valuable squad member IMV.

 

[Ditton Wolf]

Special mention to Hodge might not be our best player but he plays for the shirt, good engine and very competitive.
Won his fair share of duels and those in the air, not bad for small guy.

Good squad player for this season.

 

[TheConcourse]

Hodge looks like he will improve with games.

Agree, but think he needs to go out and play games out of a Wolves shirt for a year or two.

 

[RMNottm]

I like Fabio. However. I was a left half in my late teens and thrown up front when we were chasing a game. At 6'4" I was diabolical in the air. I just jumped and hoped it hit me but it never did. Fabio reminds me of myself in that respect.

I do not know you but Fabio has a highly developed game awareness. He will put his head and body but not pointlessly.

 

[Wignall 3-0]

Yes thought Joe Hodge had a very good game.

 

[Evthewolf]

Not being too critical but given Gomes or Boubacar for Hodge, who was largely anonymous and the midfield isn’t too bad.

Defensively, it seems that we are one key player from looking decent.

In attack, I am convinced we should go with a 2. Fabio/Cunha Sasa/Cunha, Hwang/Fabio, I’d even like to see Fabio/Sasa, just in case it works. Whatever combination, I think it’s our best option.

Hopefully, with preseason rustiness wearing off and players getting up to speed, we don’t look too bad.

If we could only make one major signing, then for me I would love a leader who is a quality CB.

 

[RMNottm]

Agree, but think he needs to go out and play games out of a Wolves shirt for a year or two.

Would agree in general. Depends on others fitnessetc

 

[Contrarian]

5-1 to Celtic I think, but only going on this thread.

It could well have been that on 80 mins! They'd scored, hit the post twice and had one cleared off the line in the first half hour. Meanwhile we'd missed a virtual open goal too.

This team does this. We were awful for most of the first 60 minutes then somehow ground out a result. Have to give credit to our defence for keeping us in it, as usual. Or was it that Celtic were poor finishers?

 

[TheConcourse]

Awful defensively for the first 20 minutes, continuing on from the horror shows at the end of last season. Nunes and Neto the pick of the first 45. Bueno, Hodge and Dawson struggling.

Good last 15 with RAN and Fabio impressing. Noticeable how Cunha came alive when he had someone to link up with.

With Neves gone, we have 4 top young talents in Fabio, Nunes, RAN and Neto. We have to put our trust in and build the side around them, Cunha and Kilman.

Couldn’t. Agree. More.

RAN looked loads better advanced. Nunes in with Gomes please. Cunha off Silva and we’ll cause problems.

 

[RMNottm]

Well not a bad away performance at this stage. Looks like a great day out, I hope all enjoyed it.

 

[JOSWolf]

A much better game when Fabio and Doc came on. Lopetegui simply cannot play Cunha as the lone striker. It is madness and does not work. I will also say that RAN needs playing and as an attacking option. Cunha as a ten with Fabio as the 9 could be potentially very good. We simply must not sell young talents like RAN and Fabio.

Dawson concerns me. I cant see him managing a full season. We need another centre back with pace.

Hodge also needs replacing in the line up with Gomes.

 

[MattWolf]

Doc slated when we signed him. He's not perfect but we've missed a player that makes the runs he does.

I think we all forget just how much he contributed with his forward play last time he was with us. It's not all about goals and assists, it's about being able to create play further up the pitch and he does that.

Semedo would never make the runs doc does.

Its also got to be a Fabio/Cuhna partnership, it allows us to play on the front foot so much more. Fabio is such an intelligent footballer.

 

[Bryce]

Take that before so not grumbling too much

 

[Oh When the Wolves]

Who plays when Silva is injured

 

[superwolves]

Not being too critical but given Gomes or Boubacar for Hodge, who was largely anonymous and the midfield isn’t too bad.

Defensively, it seems that we are one key player from looking decent.

In attack, I am convinced we should go with a 2. Fabio/Cunha Sasa/Cunha, Hwang/Fabio, I’d even like to see Fabio/Sasa, just in case it works. Whatever combination, I think it’s our best option.

Hopefully, with preseason rustiness wearing off and players getting up to speed, we don’t look too bad.

If we could only make one major signing, then for me I would love a leader who is a quality CB.

Thought Hodge had a big influence on the game definitely not out of place. Covered players well who were dragged out of position nice and tidy in possession worked tirelessly can see how he's got into the team

 

[TheConcourse]

Doc slated when we signed him. He's not perfect but we've missed a player that makes the runs he does.

I think we all forget just how much he contributed with his forward play last time he was with us. It's not all about goals and assists, it's about being able to create play further up the pitch and he does that.

Semedo would never make the runs doc does.

Its also got to be a Fabio/Cuhna partnership, it allows us to play on the front foot so much more. Fabio is such an intelligent footballer.

I’m on #teamslateDoc, but I agree with you. In an attacking sense he’s very good for us.

Different strokes for different occasions IMO. Semedo does things that Doc can’t do defensively, so it’s nice to have real balance in that position.

I’d have Doc every day of the week if we went to a back three, which I also think we should do immediately.

 

[WickedWolfie]

A much better game when Fabio and Doc came on. Lopetegui simply cannot play Cunha as the lone striker. It is madness and does not work. I will also say that RAN needs playing and as an attacking option. Cunha as a ten with Fabio as the 9 could be potentially very good. We simply must not sell young talents like RAN and Fabio.

Dawson concerns me. I cant see him managing a full season. We need another centre back with pace.

Hodge also needs replacing in the line up with Gomes.

Sadly l increasingly agree re Dawson. Instrumental though he was in keeping us up last season (and worth the fee for that alone) it looks like West Ham got shut at the right time. That makes me even less keen on a Cresswell deal too.

 

[TheConcourse]

Who plays when Silva is injured

Sasa. Or Cunha plays advanced. Hwang.

 

[Mile End Wanderer]

Take that before so not grumbling too much

Would take a repeat at OT

 

[Eastyorksyeltz]

If the club really do follow the Mix, as reputed, hope they and Fabio are reading this thread today and do not sell!

 

[The Clock]

Good run out. Far too many people are making too much of it. It was a friendly. A chance to try some things. A chance to give players some minutes.

But he didn’t

 

[Lobo de Ouro]

If the club really do follow the Mix, as reputed, hope they and Fabio are reading this thread today and do not sell!

Well it's rare that MM is unanimous about anything, but everyone seems to be agreeing about Fabio.

If we can all see it, but Julen doesn't.... I really would despair.

Has to play.

 

[Tojo the grass]

Not a bad pre season friendly in the end, clearly things that we need to improve but some positives as well.

 

[Mile End Wanderer]

Semedo Nunes .........wouldnt be missed if sold

Too Luxury and casual for the PL get rid and replace

 

[JamesWolves]

Thoroughly enjoyed the Celtic TV commentary towards the end, harping on about Doherty's dive, how superior Celtic were and how much more deserving of a win they were

Why do they care so much about a pre season friendly

 

[clivewolves]

Another good workout.

 

[Lobo de Ouro]

A much better game when Fabio and Doc came on. Lopetegui simply cannot play Cunha as the lone striker. It is madness and does not work. I will also say that RAN needs playing and as an attacking option. Cunha as a ten with Fabio as the 9 could be potentially very good. We simply must not sell young talents like RAN and Fabio.

Dawson concerns me. I cant see him managing a full season. We need another centre back with pace.

Hodge also needs replacing in the line up with Gomes.

It really is that obvious. Surely he saw what we all saw?

Gomes nursing a slight knock which is why he didn't appear today.

 

[Eastyorksyeltz]

Why do they care so much about a pre season friendly

It's the way of the old firm, used to small ponds.

 

[JayStringer]

If JL is sticking with 4231 then I think it needs to be Nunes, Cunha and Sarabia behind Silva, with Sasa and Neto as bench options to change the shape.

Also think Doc has a chance of starting the season as first choice.

 

[92WWFC]

Only managed the last 30 mins. Looked okay but came alive when Fabio came on, the boy has some class and Cunha looks like the talented footballer he is with a striker to link up with. If Lop doesn't start those two together I'm convinced he is having a tantrum and deliberately playing a weaker team ... maybe harsh but leaving Fabio out makes no sense to me unless it's a fitness issue but he's playing Neto and they came back pretty much at the same time so idk.

Nice to see a trademark Doc run into the penalty area again.

Other than that not going to over think a preseason game.

 

[northnorfolkwolf]

Thought you'd already made your mind up on Fabio?

He's not worth £35 mil but tbh he's all we've got so he must be given a chance to start on Wednesday. He certainly shows nice touches and him and Cunha together must be worth a try. Cunha on his own does not work.