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Musings from Molineux 2022/23

gullykular

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Your one stop shop for all content produced by myself this season, primarily tactical analysis of matches and other themes.

Follow me on Twitter @MolineuxMusings

Gully's Tactical Analysis Wolves 0 0 Fulham

Gully's Tactical Analysis - Wolves 3-0 Liverpool
 
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gullykular

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With the imminent arrival of Matheus Nunes, we caught up with Dan Butler, a budding analyst to discuss what he would bring to the club earlier this summer:

 

gullykular

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Latest video talking Man City loss, how the back four shape was exposed and thoughts on Bruno Lage's future.
 

gullykular

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Had a look at potential new managers from outside of the Jorge Mendes carousel. Five options to peruse for you:

 

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Why is it that all tactical analysis, set piece training theory, Team talk and skill levels all disappear at Molineux as soon as the kick off whistle goes?
Beyond me.
 

gullykular

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Why is it that all tactical analysis, set piece training theory, Team talk and skill levels all disappear at Molineux as soon as the kick off whistle goes?
Beyond me.
You always have to view football in the context of opposition. There is always a plan, it just may be the case that opposition teams have better ones. That combined with the fact this group is incredibly fragile at the moment is why it may appear that way
 

AndyY

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Had an in-depth look at Julen Lopetegui's tenure at Sevilla for the Wolves Fancast
Gully, many thanks for this, it was very useful and must have been hard work to complete!!

My observation /fear (based on no specialist knowledge at all (couldn’t even get in my school team) apart from being a fan) is that:
1. Lopetegui is meant to like a high press and we don’t have the players/ energy for that
2. Neither Hwang or Guedes suit the wide left striker role; both are probably far better playing as a second striker close to the #9
3. Podence isn’t really a wide right striker and is probably best playing a link / free role behind a front 2 and in front of the midfield
4. Adama definitely isn’t a RB although I see how Semedo, Buenes and RAN fit this.
My Conclusion - we don’t have the players to play the Lopetegui version of 4-3-3 in some key areas (and certainly not in back ups), particularly whilst Neto and Chiquinho are injured. Our squad (at the moment) probably more naturally lends itself to 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2

Semedo Collins Kilman Bueno/RAN
Neves/ Moutinho, Nunes/ B Traore
Adama, Podence, Campbell/ Neto
Raul/ Costa

Or
Semedo Collins Kilman Bueno/ RAN
Adama, Neves/ Moutinho, Nunes/ B Traore, Campbell/ Neto
Raul/ Costa, Hwang/ Guedes

Thoughts?
 

A wanderer from Bristol

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You always have to view football in the context of opposition. There is always a plan, it just may be the case that opposition teams have better ones. That combined with the fact this group is incredibly fragile at the moment is why it may appear that way
Exactly. What's the Mike Tyson quote? Everybody's got a plan till someone punches you in the face
 

gullykular

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Gully, many thanks for this, it was very useful and must have been hard work to complete!!

My observation /fear (based on no specialist knowledge at all (couldn’t even get in my school team) apart from being a fan) is that:
1. Lopetegui is meant to like a high press and we don’t have the players/ energy for that
2. Neither Hwang or Guedes suit the wide left striker role; both are probably far better playing as a second striker close to the #9
3. Podence isn’t really a wide right striker and is probably best playing a link / free role behind a front 2 and in front of the midfield
4. Adama definitely isn’t a RB although I see how Semedo, Buenes and RAN fit this.
My Conclusion - we don’t have the players to play the Lopetegui version of 4-3-3 in some key areas (and certainly not in back ups), particularly whilst Neto and Chiquinho are injured. Our squad (at the moment) probably more naturally lends itself to 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2

Semedo Collins Kilman Bueno/RAN
Neves/ Moutinho, Nunes/ B Traore
Adama, Podence, Campbell/ Neto
Raul/ Costa

Or
Semedo Collins Kilman Bueno/ RAN
Adama, Neves/ Moutinho, Nunes/ B Traore, Campbell/ Neto
Raul/ Costa, Hwang/ Guedes

Thoughts?
Hi Andy - appreciate your comments.

I actually think he's more conservative than you're suggesting. His Sevilla side were bottom for pressures per 90 across La Liga for the last two seasons. I agree, this squad isn't built for a high press but I don't think we'll be seeing one.

I also think the 'wider forwards' won't really operate in those spaces. They'll naturally play closer to the striker with an overlapping full back providing the width. This should benefit Hwang/Guedes.

I don't think he joins without some assurances he can bring in players in January. but I think he has a better base to work from than he might at other clubs.
 

AndyY

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Hi Andy - appreciate your comments.

I actually think he's more conservative than you're suggesting. His Sevilla side were bottom for pressures per 90 across La Liga for the last two seasons. I agree, this squad isn't built for a high press but I don't think we'll be seeing one.

I also think the 'wider forwards' won't really operate in those spaces. They'll naturally play closer to the striker with an overlapping full back providing the width. This should benefit Hwang/Guedes.

I don't think he joins without some assurances he can bring in players in January. but I think he has a better base to work from than he might at other clubs.
Thanks for the reply.
It is going to be an interesting few months - i just hope that JL gets here sooner rather than later and can start getting his views and requirements across.
Cheers
 

YouGottaRaulWithIt

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"England fans paid to be ‘spies’ at World Cup to sing at opening ceremony, post positive social media messages and report any criticism" per ⁦@Lawton_Times⁩

Do you think they got the idea from someone doing the same on here?
 

gullykular

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"England fans paid to be ‘spies’ at World Cup to sing at opening ceremony, post positive social media messages and report any criticism" per ⁦@Lawton_Times⁩

Do you think they got the idea from someone doing the same on here?
Not sure how this relates to my content tbh or what you might be referring to....
 

YouGottaRaulWithIt

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Just musing. Sorry, didn't realise you were so precious about your thread.
 

gullykular

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Was fortunate enough to speak to Guillem Balague on Saturday afternoon prior to the Brighton game to gain some further insight on Julen Lopetegui.
 

gullykular

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Thought we were naive in pressing Brighton high up the pitch on Saturday and they played through us on a number of occasions. I explain why we shouldn't be looking to do it and where we went wrong.
 

gullykular

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A 50th episode of my Tactical Analysis videos on the Arsenal defeat. Thanks to all those who watch, engage and enjoy it's much appreciated as these require some work to put together. Plenty more to come.
 

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Caught up with European Football Expert David Cartlidge to further discuss Lopetegui's career prior to Sevilla and also touch on Fran Garagarza and his potential role
 

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Caught up with European Football Expert David Cartlidge to further discuss Lopetegui's career prior to Sevilla and also touch on Fran Garagarza and his potential role
Interesting stuff. I particularly like the info on JLs focus on bringing younger players through. I hope that the likes of Hodge, Lembikisa, Harkin, Campbell, Fraser etc are good enough and benefit from JLs input, and I really hope that JL has time to keep an eye on the U21s and U18s so that his footballing philosophy permeates throughout the club.
 

gullykular

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I’m back with the first tactical analysis of Julen Lopetegui’s tenure. Moutinho’s role, changes in shape, Nunes and Podence all feature
Gully's Tactical Analysis - Lopetegui's First Three
 

gullykular

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- Cunha's impact so far
- Playing out from the back
- Bueno vs RAN
 

AndyWolves

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Love your work!

One thing I'd love to know the answer to is the actual impact of traore on the pitch.

- does he force teams to defend deeper?
- does he free up space for other players?
- are we more dangerous with him in the side?
- do we win more when he plays?
- do we score / concede more when he plays?
 

gullykular

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Love your work!

One thing I'd love to know the answer to is the actual impact of traore on the pitch.

- does he force teams to defend deeper?
- does he free up space for other players?
- are we more dangerous with him in the side?
- do we win more when he plays?
- do we score / concede more when he plays?
Thanks Andy!

Limited in what I can share based on resources, but FBREF does have data aligned to Adama's time on the pitch and how well the team does with/without him. In short, it's not great:

1674212419703.png

1 point per match
4 goals scored
15 goals conceded, which equates to a GD of -1/3 per 90
xG is 9, so points to poor finishing, but xGA, which you can't necessarily attribute solely to him is there or thereabouts
 

gullykular

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Latest analysis looks at whether our goalscoring woes are down to bad finishing or poor chance creation, and how are new signings could go some way to solving the problem
 

CodsallWolf

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Latest analysis looks at whether our goalscoring woes are down to bad finishing or poor chance creation, and how are new signings could go some way to solving the problem
Really interesting - thanks Gully. Ultimately and as you say, this isn't about needing a new No. 9 - it's about doing more positive things with the possession and touches we are getting in the final third. Makes sense based on the analytics and also validates the signings JL has made.
 

gullykular

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Really interesting - thanks Gully. Ultimately and as you say, this isn't about needing a new No. 9 - it's about doing more positive things with the possession and touches we are getting in the final third. Makes sense based on the analytics and also validates the signings JL has made.
Thanks @CodsallWolf - for sure, it could literally come down to composure and decision making and we'll soon shoot up to mid-table which is what we are in the grand scheme. There has been a defensive underperformance too which needs rectifying of course which exacerbates the issue even more
 

gullykular

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Poor team selection and mis-profiling players at key points in the game. It's fair to say JL didn't read the Bournemouth game correctly.
 

gullykular

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Changed tack slightly on my regular videos with Dan on this week's show, delving into greater depth on how we overcame a bad start vs Tottenham to win 1-0 on Saturday
 

gullykular

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Chaos reigns at Molineux as Wolves lose the plot in both penalty areas vs Leeds

 

gullykular

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Picked up the pen for the first time in a while and decided to ramble on about referees:

 

AndyY

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Problems in build-up caused by a baffling starting line up in this week's review
Great (but worrying) analysis, Gully. ISTR that we have a team of 3 first team analysts, inc JL’s Son - I really hope that they are doing something similar to you and demonstrating to JL where our problems lie!
 

gullykular

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Great (but worrying) analysis, Gully. ISTR that we have a team of 3 first team analysts, inc JL’s Son - I really hope that they are doing something similar to you and demonstrating to JL where our problems lie!
I'm sure they are! It's always easier to identify a problem as opposed to fixing it and this is probably the extent to where my analysis is limited, but we have enough technicians in the squad to be much more complex and nuanced in building up moves.
 

AndyY

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I'm sure they are! It's always easier to identify a problem as opposed to fixing it and this is probably the extent to where my analysis is limited, but we have enough technicians in the squad to be much more complex and nuanced in building up moves.
Gully, I think we have too many technicians, tbh! I am absolutely not advocating "route 1" but I would like us to play with more energy/ pace/ dynamism and mix things up between the slower and possession based "technical, nuanced" stuff (particularly near our own 18 yard box) and a quicker and more direct approach to keep the opposition guessing.
We are too slow and too predictable at the moment and make it easy for teams like Forest to concede possession and hit us on the counter, or for top teams to press us in to making mistakes in our own half.
 

gullykular

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Gully, I think we have too many technicians, tbh! I am absolutely not advocating "route 1" but I would like us to play with more energy/ pace/ dynamism and mix things up between the slower and possession based "technical, nuanced" stuff (particularly near our own 18 yard box) and a quicker and more direct approach to keep the opposition guessing.
We are too slow and too predictable at the moment and make it easy for teams like Forest to concede possession and hit us on the counter, or for top teams to press us in to making mistakes in our own half.
I don't think having technicians in the team means it has to be slow and predictable though. They are capable of playing quicker and with more complexity. Brighton are the blueprint for me and that's just great coaching, combined with a good level of talent, but nothing out of our reach
 
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