It's the manager - not the players!

[cannockwolves]

This is not a dig at Nuno - quite the opposite. I firmly believe that we are in the prem 80% down to Nuno and his system, and not because of the players.

Don't get me wrong we have some good players. Neves, Jota, Bolly, Doc, Jonny, and Jimenez are top 10 premier league players and MGW will join that group in a few years.

But I have seen enough of the lower Premier league teams now to say Costa, Bennett, Cav, Traore, Moutinho and even Patricio are average compared to other lower end teams. Costa has no heart for the fight, Bennett has been terrific to get us this far but lacks pace, Cav is borderline for me. He shows flashes but can't do it for 90 minutes. Traore is too selfish and loses the ball too much, and Moutinho does have the physical presence need for a top 10 side (great footballer he is). I expected more from Patricio to be honest. Good shot stopper but crosses and kicking at not that great.

Over the next two windows we need 5 or 6 better more physical players if we are going to push on. I trust Nuno but I really do believe he has over achieved with the players he has available. We have a small squad and have no strength in depth.

 

[ShropshireLad]

This is not a dig at Nuno - quite the opposite. I firmly believe that we are in the prem 80% down to Nuno and his system, and not because of the players.

Don't get me wrong we have some good players. Neves, Jota, Bolly, Doc, Jonny, and Jimenez are top 10 premier league players and MGW will join that group in a few years.

But I have seen enough of the lower Premier league teams now to say Costa, Bennett, Cav, Traore, Moutinho and even Patricio are average compared to other lower end teams. Costa has no heart for the fight, Bennett has been terrific to get us this far but lacks pace, Cav is borderline for me. He shows flashes but can't do it for 90 minutes. Traore is too selfish and loses the ball too much, and Moutinho does have the physical presence need for a top 10 side (great footballer he is). I expected more from Patricio to be honest. Good shot stopper but crosses and kicking at not that great.

Over the next two windows we need 5 or 6 better more physical players if we are going to push on. I trust Nuno but I really do believe he has over achieved with the players he has available. We have a small squad and have no strength in depth.

I don't agree with you, mate. End of. No point in ranting about it, we have different opinions, that's all.

 

[Axle]

You say it’s the manager . . .

And then list all of the players who you say are not performing!!!

 

[those were the days]

Maybe a bit of a misleading thread title. Think you're arguing the opposite unless I'm not understanding properly. We've currently got a mid to mid-lower table squad imo and Nuno is getting plenty out of the side.

Nuno's shown his system works against expansive teams but we're struggling against teams who come to nullify us. As you say, we don't have the personnel to play how Nuno wants at the mo against these type of teams so will need to be a bit flexible and pragmatic in the interim. To be fair, Nuno's shown plenty of flexibility since the Chelsea game onwards but last night was perhaps a step backwards (not helped by injuries). All a learning curve though and onwards and upwards am sure.
Nuno's the best thing that's happened to Wolves in a long time though and lucky to have him at the tiller!

 

[Golden Arrow]

This is not a dig at Nuno - quite the opposite. I firmly believe that we are in the prem 80% down to Nuno and his system, and not because of the players.

Don't get me wrong we have some good players. Neves, Jota, Bolly, Doc, Jonny, and Jimenez are top 10 premier league players and MGW will join that group in a few years.

But I have seen enough of the lower Premier league teams now to say Costa, Bennett, Cav, Traore, Moutinho and even Patricio are average compared to other lower end teams. Costa has no heart for the fight, Bennett has been terrific to get us this far but lacks pace, Cav is borderline for me. He shows flashes but can't do it for 90 minutes. Traore is too selfish and loses the ball too much, and Moutinho does have the physical presence need for a top 10 side (great footballer he is). I expected more from Patricio to be honest. Good shot stopper but crosses and kicking at not that great.

Over the next two windows we need 5 or 6 better more physical players if we are going to push on. I trust Nuno but I really do believe he has over achieved with the players he has available. We have a small squad and have no strength in depth.

To say Moutinho is "average" is somewhat dis-respectful.
If you were at the game last Saturday you would have seen how instrumental he was when he came on in the second half. He literally orchestrated the game from midfield and was influential in a fine Wolves win.
Was last night his game, maybe not but please don't castigate a player on the strength of one game as throughout the season (Man Utd comes to mind as well as others) he's been exceptional.

 

[we8wba]

I was with you when saying it’s the manager ie tactics need changing for home games or adapting when teams sit so deep like palace and Fulham

But then you listed the players and moaned at them

 

[OoohRobbieRobbie]

This is not a dig at Nuno - quite the opposite. I firmly believe that we are in the prem 80% down to Nuno and his system, and not because of the players.

Don't get me wrong we have some good players. Neves, Jota, Bolly, Doc, Jonny, and Jimenez are top 10 premier league players and MGW will join that group in a few years.

But I have seen enough of the lower Premier league teams now to say Costa, Bennett, Cav, Traore, Moutinho and even Patricio are average compared to other lower end teams. Costa has no heart for the fight, Bennett has been terrific to get us this far but lacks pace, Cav is borderline for me. He shows flashes but can't do it for 90 minutes. Traore is too selfish and loses the ball too much, and Moutinho does have the physical presence need for a top 10 side (great footballer he is). I expected more from Patricio to be honest. Good shot stopper but crosses and kicking at not that great.

Over the next two windows we need 5 or 6 better more physical players if we are going to push on. I trust Nuno but I really do believe he has over achieved with the players he has available. We have a small squad and have no strength in depth.

Not much point reading on after that is there.

 

[Stourport wolf]

I think we have to look at the whole season, where we are and we expected to be. The .manager has to take credit for that and the players. This is my best time as a Wolves supporter. Not just because of our position, but because we are respected as a footballing team and people are talking about us. That is because of Nuño Esposito Santo. He is our identity and we are very lucky to have him.

 

[BarryM]

To say Moutinho is "average" is somewhat dis-respectful.
If you were at the game last Saturday you would have seen how instrumental he was when he came on in the second half. He literally orchestrated the game from midfield and was influential in a fine Wolves win.
Was last night his game, maybe not but please don't castigate a player on the strength of one game as throughout the season (Man Utd comes to mind as well as others) he's been exceptional.

As good as he was on Saturday ... he was that bad last night.

Had an absolute stinker.

I know the subs changed the game on Saturday but Nuno dropped a clanger last night with his team selection. You don’t win away at Wembley and then change your centre midfield completely.

 

[Ponty]

Moutinho spent half of last night helping Bennett and Doherty do their jobs as they couldn't cope with Zaha. Improve on Bennett and Doherty and the midfield might have time to do their own jobs!

 

[Golden Arrow]

As good as he was on Saturday ... he was that bad last night.

Had an absolute stinker.

I know the subs changed the game on Saturday but Nuno dropped a clanger last night with his team selection. You don’t win away at Wembley and then change your centre midfield completely.

I'm not denying that at all, but I was picking up on the comments that he's "average".
Should he have played last night (which I too would question) is for another discussion. Having said that, hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Onwards and upwards.

 

[Deleted member 4124]

Moutinho spent half of last night helping Bennett and Doherty do their jobs as they couldn't cope with Zaha. Improve on Bennett and Doherty and the midfield might have time to do their own jobs!

Oof, that’s going to upset some people.

 

[SingYourHeartsOut]

So a while ago he was stupid to not use the squad, now he's stupid to change a winning team (even by including the player who largely won us the game). It can't be easy being Nuno.

 

[Mugwump]

Moutinho and Patricio average? Ok then

 

[xbomber]

So a while ago he was stupid to not use the squad, now he's stupid to change a winning team (even by including the player who largely won us the game). It can't be easy being Nuno.

It's not. He's had to grow a large beard to deflect such criticism. His beard is in the process of growing a beard so he'll have a bearded beard but some of the moaning will still get through.

 

[meeee67]

Just remember where we have come from and people still moan..............................................
[PROMOTED TO BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE 2012/13]
1. Cardiff City 87
2. Hull City 79
--------------------------------
[QUALIFY FOR PLAY-OFFS]
3. Watford 77
4 . Brighton and Hove Albion 75
5. Crystal Palace 72
6. Leicester City 68
--------------------------------
7. Bolton Wanderers 68
8. Nottingham Forest 67
9. Charlton Athletic 65
10. Derby County 61
11. Burnley 61
12. Birmingham City 61
13. Leeds United 61
14. Ipswich Town 60
15. Blackpool 59
16. Middlesbrough 59
17. Blackburn Rovers 58
18. Sheffield Wednesday 58
19. Huddersfield Town 58
20. Millwall 56
21. Barnsley 55
---------------------------------
[RELEGATED TO NPOWER LEAGUE ONE]
22. Peterborough United 54
23. Wolverhampton Wanderers 51
24. Bristol City 41

 

[Ponty]

Just remember where we have come from and people still moan..............................................
[PROMOTED TO BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE 2012/13]
1. Cardiff City 87
2. Hull City 79
--------------------------------
[QUALIFY FOR PLAY-OFFS]
3. Watford 77
4 . Brighton and Hove Albion 75
5. Crystal Palace 72
6. Leicester City 68
--------------------------------
7. Bolton Wanderers 68
8. Nottingham Forest 67
9. Charlton Athletic 65
10. Derby County 61
11. Burnley 61
12. Birmingham City 61
13. Leeds United 61
14. Ipswich Town 60
15. Blackpool 59
16. Middlesbrough 59
17. Blackburn Rovers 58
18. Sheffield Wednesday 58
19. Huddersfield Town 58
20. Millwall 56
21. Barnsley 55
---------------------------------
[RELEGATED TO NPOWER LEAGUE ONE]
22. Peterborough United 54
23. Wolverhampton Wanderers 51
24. Bristol City 41

So if Man City lose to Liverpool tonight because of predictable tactical flaws that's ok because a while ago they were ****?

 

[BN1Wolves]

WTF ?!?!

 

[Deleted member 4594]

Just remember where we have come from and people still moan..............................................
[PROMOTED TO BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE 2012/13]
1. Cardiff City 87
2. Hull City 79
--------------------------------
[QUALIFY FOR PLAY-OFFS]
3. Watford 77
4 . Brighton and Hove Albion 75
5. Crystal Palace 72
6. Leicester City 68
--------------------------------
7. Bolton Wanderers 68
8. Nottingham Forest 67
9. Charlton Athletic 65
10. Derby County 61
11. Burnley 61
12. Birmingham City 61
13. Leeds United 61
14. Ipswich Town 60
15. Blackpool 59
16. Middlesbrough 59
17. Blackburn Rovers 58
18. Sheffield Wednesday 58
19. Huddersfield Town 58
20. Millwall 56
21. Barnsley 55
---------------------------------
[RELEGATED TO NPOWER LEAGUE ONE]
22. Peterborough United 54
23. Wolverhampton Wanderers 51
24. Bristol City 41

I’m going to be honest mate, I wish people would stop saying “remember where we were 2/5/30 years ago”.
We’ve moved on, we’re a completely different club now.
It’s completely irrelevant and I guarantee Nuno and Fosun won’t be thinking like that.

 

[Sussex Wolf]

Moutinho spent half of last night helping Bennett and Doherty do their jobs as they couldn't cope with Zaha. Improve on Bennett and Doherty and the midfield might have time to do their own jobs!

Actually said this to my son watching the game last night. Doc was not getting forward enough to cause them problems, as he was spending most of his time containing Zaha - understandable given his importance to Palace. I’m not criticising Bennett for this, or Doc, but it was the nature of the opposition which required or prompted this strategy. If Jota had been fit and playing on the other side, then perhaps we’d have had more joy over there and grabbed a goal or two before they could score. Unfortunately, we didn’t, and our forwards only rarely looked dangerous last night. It wasn’t helped by Boly having a mare of a game. His silly mistakes early on would have unsettled the team, and encouraged Palace on, and our boys to be more cautious. Couple that with poor passing, and a lack of movement in the middle third, and we got what we deserved.

 

[JOSWolf]

I’m going to be honest mate, I wish people would stop saying “remember where we were 2/5/30 years ago”.
We’ve moved on, we’re a completely different club now.
It’s completely irrelevant and I guarantee Nuno and Fosun won’t be thinking like that.

Spiers has quoted similar today about remembering where we were a few years back. Frankly sick of hearing it. We are in the present now and frankly dont want to hear about our loss at home to Tipton Town back in the day!

 

[meeee67]

I’m going to be honest mate, I wish people would stop saying “remember where we were 2/5/30 years ago”.
We’ve moved on, we’re a completely different club now.
It’s completely irrelevant and I guarantee Nuno and Fosun won’t be thinking like that.

I just think if we are doing the same thing in the premier league next year or the year after then there would be more justification that is all....

 

[meeee67]

So if Man City lose to Liverpool tonight because of predictable tactical flaws that's ok because a while ago they were ****?

Man City will always be **** also Liverpool ,Man Utd,Tottenham, Villa, Albion etc the list goes on and on and on.....................

 

[MotorWoden]

Moutinho spent half of last night helping Bennett and Doherty do their jobs as they couldn't cope with Zaha. Improve on Bennett and Doherty and the midfield might have time to do their own jobs!

On the other hand Bennett and Doherty spent too much time having to defend because Moutinho couldn't get forward, hold on to it or pass it to his team mates when pressed. Bennett and Doherty were on the pitch against Spurs too dont forget.
It's a bit of eveything if you ask me. Moutinho was superb On Saturday but look back at how much time he was given on the ball - literally oceans of space. He consistently struggles in the tight games, when we need someone of his experience and quality to find time and space. He is not helped by the fact that there is no movement around him a good deal of the time. Only Jimenez is really moving. Some of that is the rigidity of the system - its both a strength and a weakness .

 

[Adrian_Monk]

There is no point Nuno training the players relentlessly into a system and then signing players who improve us and changing the system.

The players we have now have adapted well to the system but lack a bit of consistency. It's tough in this league to play a certain way and not make mistakes or let your heads drop if things aren't going to plan.

You could probably argue that Doherty and Bennett are playing above themselves. They've been superb value and holding their own at mid table in the premier league. But eventually we will need another Boly and a Cancelo type player for us to move forward.

Likewise Coady, he's been very good at times this season but the system really hinges on the sweepers ability to drive out of defence and long passing. The latter he has done reasonably well, the former we have only seen very fleetingly compared with last season where he carried the ball forward regularly. That's not to say he's a bad player or needs replacing immediately, but he will have his shortcomings at this level.

You could argue similar flaws for Saïss, Costa and Cavaleiro - the only players who are the next level up in class are IMO Patricio, Boly, Moutinho, Neves, Jimenez, probably Jonny and possibly Traore and Gibbs-White. Dendoncker I can't comment on as I haven't seen enough of him.

They aren't bad players, they are genuinely decent players who could easily stay on as squad players and do a job, but for the system to work at its most effective every position needs a specialist almost. The problem last night was not the system, nor was it physical fatigue. Mentally the players played with fear. They didn't want to lose. The passing was short or over hit - that isn't because they can't pass the ball, in training they will find each other every pass where the pressure is off, it's the mental focus and intensity that is needed in the premier league that sometimes if you lack a little ability but have been coached to an inch of your life, you fall short, and that's really why we struggled IMO. Nobody took any risks.

The creativity gap last night is a disease that spreads. The wing-backs are worried about Palaces wingers so they aren't quite as attacking. So there's one outlet gone. Cavaleiro and Costa decide to go wider and try to cut in but that left huge gaps in our attacking play and we were easily dispossessed. Their movement was predictable and easy to play against.

Then you have a relatively immobile midfield of Moutinho and Saïss who just couldn't close the gaps quickly enough and as they failed to influence the game got deeper and deeper. To try and mitigate this we brought on MGW to try and link play but he's a teenager and it's a lot of responsibility to keep throwing at him. Plus then you have Jimenez starting to find space and nobody in the box to do his job whilst he does Costa's.

What I'm trying to say in a roundabout way is the squad has weaknesses and sometimes we will cover them sometimes we won't, but we are doing fine where we are and just need to finish as high as we can, because attracting better players will be easier and will be necessary just to stand still let alone progress.

 

[Ewok vs Wolf]

Few days ago we were 7th place and Europa league bound, 1 defeat and almost every player is listed as not doing enough. This place is so extreme.

 

[SteveBullsKnee]

Theres a lot of pant wetting on here the last 24 hours after a poor performance but lets get some context. It was a leggy performance by many who have played a huge amount of games in a small window, it was bound to happen eventually. Even Coady who is like the duracell bunny was running through treacle the last 15 mins.

 

[S G Wolves]

Your Title is a bit misleading.

The issues why we cannot fire against the bottom team is a squad issue and that means management, coaching staff and players. It is something we will need to figure out, it is not a coincidence anymore. (Been said already many times.)

In regards to our players, they will always be hero's of mine, love them all to bits, however realistically and with regret some will be moved on and upgraded in the next two or three widows. With absolute certainty our recruiting staff are looking and new players and funding strategy (FFP).

This is a new era and some of us and me included sometimes cannot believe or react to the success we have had over the last year.

Onwards and upwards..

 

[justfriggin]

Don't see anything to rebuke here. Tough 'ol Christmas. No doubt the second string will pluckily defy the 'dippers' in the cup. Then a refreshed first team incl. Jota will shake the Etihad Mancs foundations.

 

[Edgmond Wolf]

Few days ago we were 7th place and Europa league bound, 1 defeat and almost every player is listed as not doing enough. This place is so extreme.

Do you think we played well yesterday?

 

[Ponty]

On the other hand Bennett and Doherty spent too much time having to defend because Moutinho couldn't get forward, hold on to it or pass it to his team mates when pressed. Bennett and Doherty were on the pitch against Spurs too dont forget.
It's a bit of eveything if you ask me. Moutinho was superb On Saturday but look back at how much time he was given on the ball - literally oceans of space. He consistently struggles in the tight games, when we need someone of his experience and quality to find time and space. He is not helped by the fact that there is no movement around him a good deal of the time. Only Jimenez is really moving. Some of that is the rigidity of the system - its both a strength and a weakness .

I'm not suggesting that Bennett and Doherty were the only problem but their inability to cope with Zaha pulled Moutinho across leaving Saiss on his own so not surprisingly he struggled against three Palace players. Compare this to Cav and Costa who even though only up against a single full back barely troubled them all match. Their tactic of bodies in midfield coupled with Zaha terrorising our defence enabled them to dominate possession and win the game.

 

[Ewok vs Wolf]

Do you think we played well yesterday?

Everyone can see we didn't play well yesterday, **** happens, no reason for extreme reactions and scapegoating though.

 

[Deleted at own request (WeAreTheWolves)]

It is the manager.

He needs to adapt. Nuno is literally as good a counter-attacking coach as we have ever had and you could say with justification arguably one of the best in the Premier League right now.

That's backed up by our results.

We've played 21 games, we're at the stage where you can pick up trends and ours are as clear as day.

Last night was not a bad day at the office, it was not bad luck, it was another disgraceful performance against a side that set up to contain us.

Fortunately, the approach Nuno has perfected will work for virtually all away games and home games against the bigger sides to a degree.

But, for the 13 other home games it's becoming a MASSIVE problem.

Excluding the top six, we've played Everton, Burnley, Southampton, Watford, Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Palace at Molineux.

Ten points from seven games, which is decent but we should be targeting more and it doesn't tell the whole story in terms of performances.

Everton - very poor considering we played ten.
Burnley - incredible, outstanding, unfortunately an anomaly.
Southampton - if we're honest, a nothing game that we nicked late on.
Watford - deservedly beaten
Huddersfield - worst performance under Nuno IMO
Bournemouth - limited them so didn't deserve to lose but sat back and game changed on a ridiculous Daniels error
Palace - Close to Huddersfield levels of poor

In the last four games against those sides (Watford, Huddersfield, Bournemouth, Palace) we have managed EIGHT shots on target - bear in mind last night's was a 30-yard deflected effort from Neves.

That is unbelievably bad.

These players aren't bad players, IMO we have a squad that should be competing for 7th but anywhere down to 12th would represent a decent/good season.

But, this can't go on. It's also alarming that we played like that last night when it's been happening since the start of the season.

We need to be so much braver at home but I fear that, perhaps like Mourinho, Nuno is the sort to double down when he's getting criticised and I'd be surprised if he changed.

Again, he's a brilliant manager in other aspects so this is not an overall criticism of him, we're 9th, which falls into a good season in my book, it's merely a worry that he hasn't changed what is a major flaw in this current team and is all down to him and how we setup.

 

[Edgmond Wolf]

Everyone can see we didn't play well yesterday, **** happens, no reason for extreme reactions and scapegoating though.

Not sure I have scape goateed anyone?
I thought I was quite balanced in my remarks?

 

[Edgmond Wolf]

It is the manager.

He needs to adapt. Nuno is literally as good a counter-attacking coach as we have ever had and you could say with justification arguably one of the best in the Premier League right now.

That's backed up by our results.

We've played 21 games, we're at the stage where you can pick up trends and ours are as clear as day.

Last night was not a bad day at the office, it was not bad luck, it was another disgraceful performance against a side that set up to contain us.

Fortunately, the approach Nuno has perfected will work for virtually all away games and home games against the bigger sides to a degree.

But, for the 13 other home games it's becoming a MASSIVE problem.

Excluding the top six, we've played Everton, Burnley, Southampton, Watford, Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Palace at Molineux.

Ten points from seven games, which is decent but we should be targeting more and it doesn't tell the whole story in terms of performances.

Everton - very poor considering we played ten.
Burnley - incredible, outstanding, unfortunately an anomaly.
Southampton - if we're honest, a nothing game that we nicked late on.
Watford - deservedly beaten
Huddersfield - worst performance under Nuno IMO
Bournemouth - limited them so didn't deserve to lose but sat back and game changed on a ridiculous Daniels error
Palace - Close to Huddersfield levels of poor

In the last four games against those sides (Watford, Huddersfield, Bournemouth, Palace) we have managed EIGHT shots on target - bear in mind last night's was a 30-yard deflected effort from Neves.

That is unbelievably bad.

These players aren't bad players, IMO we have a squad that should be competing for 7th but anywhere down to 12th would represent a decent/good season.

But, this can't go on. It's also alarming that we played like that last night when it's been happening since the start of the season.

We need to be so much braver at home but I fear that, perhaps like Mourinho, Nuno is the sort to double down when he's getting criticised and I'd be surprised if he changed.

Again, he's a brilliant manager in other aspects so this is not an overall criticism of him, we're 9th, which falls into a good season in my book, it's merely a worry that he hasn't changed what is a major flaw in this current team and is all down to him and how we setup.

Good sensible post mate

 

[CITIZEN ERASED]

This thread is a bit clickbaity isn't it?

Title doesn't reflect the initial post...not really got much else to say other than you are wrong about Moutinho, Bennett, Patricio, Cav...jury still out on Traore and Costa at this level.

Moutinho may not have the physical presence of say Big Alf...but he's a little terrier (think Alex Rae) really gets stuck in and is great in the tackle, amazes me how often he pinches the ball given his small stature.

Bennett has been consistent and you don't need to be Linford Christie in defence....how many times has he popped up with last ditch blocks and tackles he had no right to get to?

Patricio's kicking has been frustrating I'll admit but the rest of his game is pretty much spot on, pretty confident in coming to claim crosses...fairly quick if getting out of the box....has pulled off a few wordlies and makes himself big in 1 on 1 situations. Can't ask for much more.

Cav gets goals although I will admit I do prefer him as an impact player.

 

[JonahWolf]

Insightful from @Adrian_Monk.

We really don’t have a mobile midfield, with any of the combinations, and it has a serious knock-on effect against teams that sit in and spoil.

Will continue to work against big teams that send runners flying through midfield, leaving big gaps once they run aground on the super organised (apart from last night) back 3/5/7.

Work in progress, but what I wouldn’t give for a mobile, progressive, athletic midfielder to make those entrenched teams worried and reactive, like a Pogba/Loftus-Cheek/Docouré.

Having said that, bits I’ve seen of Dendocker at Anderlecht say he’s perfectly capable of doing that kind of job (striding forward, quick 1-2, making space), but remains to be seen if he can do it at this level rather than the Belgian league.

 

[Flea]

This is not a dig at Nuno - quite the opposite. I firmly believe that we are in the prem 80% down to Nuno and his system, and not because of the players.

Don't get me wrong we have some good players. Neves, Jota, Bolly, Doc, Jonny, and Jimenez are top 10 premier league players and MGW will join that group in a few years.

But I have seen enough of the lower Premier league teams now to say Costa, Bennett, Cav, Traore, Moutinho and even Patricio are average compared to other lower end teams. Costa has no heart for the fight, Bennett has been terrific to get us this far but lacks pace, Cav is borderline for me. He shows flashes but can't do it for 90 minutes. Traore is too selfish and loses the ball too much, and Moutinho does have the physical presence need for a top 10 side (great footballer he is). I expected more from Patricio to be honest. Good shot stopper but crosses and kicking at not that great.

Over the next two windows we need 5 or 6 better more physical players if we are going to push on. I trust Nuno but I really do believe he has over achieved with the players he has available. We have a small squad and have no strength in depth.

I agree if you take Patricio out of there.
It will take a number of big signings and a lot of money for us to really be challenging for a top six place.

 

[Bankswolf The Third]

I wasnt at the game so cant comment on how bad we were although I did check the stats in the second half and made some assumption that with the 0 shots on target it was highlighting in the second half it werent great.
Personally the system, any system works with the players in it. There are two types of wolves. The wolves that Fosun want us to be and the wolves we are now.
The wolves Fosun want us to be is a top six elite squad that plays attacking football and take the world by storm. To get there we have to be ruthless and I imagine the time will come players we have grown to know and love (Cav, Costa, Bennett etc) players I myself like and admire will be sold with the same ruthlessness as Mr Douglas as we look to build and replace because the squad I saw V Huddersfield and Watford is what wolves are now.
Which is average. For all the applause we got for the second half against spurs which I maintain is the best second half performance I have seen since we beat the villa the first half was a bit meh and thats what we are. We are capable of beating teams but we are always capable of teams doing a job.
Thats midtable and it will stay that way until the ruthless signings begin which I anticipate will take place next summer. Until then we just got to ride this season out and treat every game like a cup final and get behind the boys. The minute we get past 40 points and there is no danger of relegation then I anticipate the team will see a massive change.

 

[Hrothgar]

It is the manager.

He needs to adapt. Nuno is literally as good a counter-attacking coach as we have ever had and you could say with justification arguably one of the best in the Premier League right now.

That's backed up by our results.

We've played 21 games, we're at the stage where you can pick up trends and ours are as clear as day.

Last night was not a bad day at the office, it was not bad luck, it was another disgraceful performance against a side that set up to contain us.

Fortunately, the approach Nuno has perfected will work for virtually all away games and home games against the bigger sides to a degree.

But, for the 13 other home games it's becoming a MASSIVE problem.

Excluding the top six, we've played Everton, Burnley, Southampton, Watford, Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Palace at Molineux.

Ten points from seven games, which is decent but we should be targeting more and it doesn't tell the whole story in terms of performances.

Everton - very poor considering we played ten.
Burnley - incredible, outstanding, unfortunately an anomaly.
Southampton - if we're honest, a nothing game that we nicked late on.
Watford - deservedly beaten
Huddersfield - worst performance under Nuno IMO
Bournemouth - limited them so didn't deserve to lose but sat back and game changed on a ridiculous Daniels error
Palace - Close to Huddersfield levels of poor

In the last four games against those sides (Watford, Huddersfield, Bournemouth, Palace) we have managed EIGHT shots on target - bear in mind last night's was a 30-yard deflected effort from Neves.

That is unbelievably bad.

These players aren't bad players, IMO we have a squad that should be competing for 7th but anywhere down to 12th would represent a decent/good season.

But, this can't go on. It's also alarming that we played like that last night when it's been happening since the start of the season.

We need to be so much braver at home but I fear that, perhaps like Mourinho, Nuno is the sort to double down when he's getting criticised and I'd be surprised if he changed.

Again, he's a brilliant manager in other aspects so this is not an overall criticism of him, we're 9th, which falls into a good season in my book, it's merely a worry that he hasn't changed what is a major flaw in this current team and is all down to him and how we setup.

Think youre spot on with this! Being resolute and vowing not to change is all well and good whilst things are going well ( which clearly on the whole they have) but there does come a point where such an approach segues into obstinacy and inflexibility. Clearly we have the players to compete against the best sides in the country- the results prove it. To suggest as many are doing that we simply need better players ( to compete better against lesser quality sides) is just plain illogical! The issue is primarily tactical and to do with how the side is set up against these teams. Buying more players will not in itself improve things unless and until the coach works out a better system of approach against them. At present we are basically a very good away team but a rather poor home team and yet with exactly the same players. And at the end of the day its home form that really matters most- we wont go on and on getting full- houses just through fancy lightshows and firework displays!! And Fosun's patience will not last too long either!!