Rapid Progress

[Bill McCai]

This is the United team that started today (with our players in team v Bournemouth in brackets). Both Howe and OGS have tried to play 3 at the back in the last day, and both have had to ditch it at half time. Yet when you look at the Utd XI and compare it to ours, it makes you realise how well - in one and a third PL seasons - Wolves have done. Obviously there a few missing (Boly, Pogba etc).

DDG ( Patricio )

Lindelhof ( Dendoncker )
Maguire ( Coady )
Jones ( Saiss )

AWB ( Doc )
Perreira ( Moutinho )
Fred ( Neves )
Williams ( Jonny )

James ( Traore )
Martial ( Jimenez )
Rashford ( Jota )

Amazing. Our team cost around £135m, the same as AWB and Maguire combined.

Of course, we also have Nuno.

 

[RMNottm]

Buy quality, buy once.

And as for Pogba, absolutely world class on his day but.... attitude is a factor over the season. You could list the players who could have been so much more. Football is a team game.

 

[JadeWolf]

Of course, we also have Nuno.

great post but this is the key bit for me.

 

[northnorfolkwolf]

We broke the mould when we came up last season in that we went on the offensive from day 1. I can't think of any other Champs sides that adopted such a policy; promoted sides would generally park the bus with the result they went straight back down. Sheffield, Villa and Norwich have all tried to adopt our philosophy this season with differing results but all 3 sides want to play football. It annoys me a bit when the media eulogise about Sheffield and Chris Wilder without giving the nod to Nuno and what we did last season. Our progress has been fantastic and we have set a blue-print for promoted sides to adopt.

 

[WonderWolf]

'We're Wolverhampton we lead the way!'

But to be fair a system change, or for that matter, an identity shift, requires a good grounding period.

Never ever easy to drop change in and for it to click sweetly, no matter the supposed quality of individuals. It's always about being becoming attuned with practice.

 

[Deleted member 9788]

This is the United team that started today (with our players in team v Bournemouth in brackets). Both Howe and OGS have tried to play 3 at the back in the last day, and both have had to ditch it at half time. Yet when you look at the Utd XI and compare it to ours, it makes you realise how well - in one and a third PL seasons - Wolves have done. Obviously there a few missing (Boly, Pogba etc).

DDG ( Patricio )

Lindelhof ( Dendoncker )
Maguire ( Coady )
Jones ( Saiss )

AWB ( Doc )
Perreira ( Moutinho )
Fred ( Neves )
Williams ( Jonny )

James ( Traore )
Martial ( Jimenez )
Rashford ( Jota )

Amazing. Our team cost around £135m, the same as AWB and Maguire combined.

Of course, we also have Nuno.

From that team I'm struggling to see who I would take from them. De gea maybe but harsh on rui. Awb is a quality right back but doc gets the nod as a rwb. Coads gets in my team as skipper so would be donk and Maguire beside him. Maybe in 5 years we would have Williams over Jonny but right now it's Jonny. The midfield 2 theirs don't stand a chance. Traore on form is probably the best rwf in the league at the moment (inc salah), jota over rashford anyday and I'm pretty certain if you asked a United fan if they would take Raul over martial they would rip your hand off.

Manager wise no competition

 

[ShropshireLad]

From that team I'm struggling to see who I would take from them. De gea maybe but harsh on rui. Awb is a quality right back but doc gets the nod as a rwb. Coads gets in my team as skipper so would be donk and Maguire beside him. Maybe in 5 years we would have Williams over Jonny but right now it's Jonny. The midfield 2 theirs don't stand a chance. Traore on form is probably the best rwf in the league at the moment (inc salah), jota over rashford anyday and I'm pretty certain if you asked a United fan if they would take Raul over martial they would rip your hand off.

Manager wise no competition

Rashford and de Gea would be the only ones but they'd be on the bench for me.

 

[Deleted member 9788]

Rashford and de Gea would be the only ones but they'd be on the bench for me.

Don't get me wrong I'm being harsh on saiss but if big Willy was fit then no contest.

 

[Ginger Chimp]

We broke the mould when we came up last season in that we went on the offensive from day 1. I can't think of any other Champs sides that adopted such a policy; promoted sides would generally park the bus with the result they went straight back down. Sheffield, Villa and Norwich have all tried to adopt our philosophy this season with differing results but all 3 sides want to play football. It annoys me a bit when the media eulogise about Sheffield and Chris Wilder without giving the nod to Nuno and what we did last season. Our progress has been fantastic and we have set a blue-print for promoted sides to adopt.

To be fair, their start has been better than ours was.

 

[ShropshireLad]

To be fair, their start has been better than ours was.

But it's the finish which counts.

 

[Deleted member 9788]

But it's the finish which counts.

That's what she said

 

[WW1963]

We broke the mould when we came up last season in that we went on the offensive from day 1. I can't think of any other Champs sides that adopted such a policy; promoted sides would generally park the bus with the result they went straight back down. Sheffield, Villa and Norwich have all tried to adopt our philosophy this season with differing results but all 3 sides want to play football. It annoys me a bit when the media eulogise about Sheffield and Chris Wilder without giving the nod to Nuno and what we did last season. Our progress has been fantastic and we have set a blue-print for promoted sides to adopt.

We were bigged up most of last season by Shearer. Actually, we weren't - he never exaggerated but simply told the truth. I don't think that soy boy Lineker likes us one bit and Danny Murphy hates us, so they will tend to undercook us or ignore as as much as the script will allow.

Crooks is an idiot. SKY are idiots. WM are largely idiots.

 

[Deleted at own request (WeAreTheWolves)]

Weird how everyone is knocking United non-stop and they were a contentious VAR decision from going in front of us in the league and will still probably finish above us come May.

So, are we underachieving?

 

[Big Nosed Wolf]

When we played them last season in the cup I posted I wouldn't swap anyone at United for any current Wolves player or coaching staff for that matter. I have not had cause to change that.

 

[merseawolf]

Weird how everyone is knocking United non-stop and they were a contentious VAR decision from going in front of us in the league and will still probably finish above us come May.

So, are we underachieving?

They get knocked because they are arguably the biggest club side in the world and have spent and wasted a huge fortune of cash on players. Long may it continue.

 

[Deleted member 9788]

Weird how everyone is knocking United non-stop and they were a contentious VAR decision from going in front of us in the league and will still probably finish above us come May.

So, are we underachieving?

No offence but have you actually ever said a good word about wolves on this forum?

I think most people are knocking United because the footballing world had to put up with ****y arrogant **** for 20 odd years. Plus they won't finish above us this year

 

[Deleted at own request (WeAreTheWolves)]

They get knocked because they are arguably the biggest club side in the world and have spent and wasted a huge fortune of cash on players. Long may it continue.

I get that, but we act as though we are better for some reason?

They have an awful squad, poor manager and anything from 0-2 players who would get in our team.

We are the opposite, yet we couldn't finish close to them last season (points wise) and are only two ahead of them now.

 

[Deleted at own request (WeAreTheWolves)]

No offence but have you actually ever said a good word about wolves on this forum?

I think most people are knocking United because the footballing world had to put up with ****y arrogant **** for 20 odd years. Plus they won't finish above us this year

Yes, I have.

I reckon they will finish above us, we shall see.

 

[Deleted member 9788]

I get that, but we act as though we are better for some reason?

They have an awful squad, poor manager and anything from 0-2 players who would get in our team.

We are the opposite, yet we couldn't finish close to them last season (points wise) and are only two ahead of them now.

So out of the line-up comparison the op did what would be your combined 11 out of interest?

 

[northnorfolkwolf]

To be fair, their start has been better than ours was.

Can't be much in it points-wise but I don't see them lasting the distance like we did. They deserve to stay up but I think it may be touch and go tbh.

 

[Deleted at own request (WeAreTheWolves)]

So out of the line-up comparison the op did what would be your combined 11 out of interest?

De Gea
Lindelof - Maguire - Saiss
AWB - Moutinho - Neves - Jonny
Traore - Rashford - Martial

It's hard though. There's not much between Doherty/AWB, Jota/Martial, Rashford/Jimenez, Traore/James. If anyone disagreed with my suggestions on them I'd be fine, the keepers too tbh.

I'm not coming on here saying United are amazing, but if they're that bad, why are we only two points ahead? And, neither side have changed THAT much from last season, so why were we so far behind them then?

 

[Deleted member 9788]

De Gea
Lindelof - Maguire - Saiss
AWB - Moutinho - Neves - Jonny
Traore - Rashford - Martial

It's hard though. There's not much between Doherty/AWB, Jota/Martial, Rashford/Jimenez, Traore/James. If anyone disagreed with my suggestions on them I'd be fine, the keepers too tbh.

I'm not coming on here saying United are amazing, but if they're that bad, why are we only two points ahead? And, neither side have changed THAT much from last season, so why were we so far behind them then?

Wow rashford over Raul? I've got plenty of glory supporting United mates and I'll put my **** on the line e to say there won't be many saying they would take him over Raul!!

Awb as a rightback is top..but like today when he is played at rwb he is ****.

Saiss in ahead of donk? Ok your opinion.

Traore and James are not close. Adama has gone on to another planet.

The main difference between us and them from that year is we now have a years premier league experience. That's why I'm sure we will finish above them

 

[Bill McCai]

It was more about how well we have progressed. We've spent a lot of money (in comparison to what we are used to) but we now have a "comparable" team to a PL mainstay who spent around the same on two players. And we have done it all in less than one and a half seasons.

 

[Deleted at own request (WeAreTheWolves)]

Wow rashford over Raul? I've got plenty of glory supporting United mates and I'll put my **** on the line e to say there won't be many saying they would take him over Raul!!

Awb as a rightback is top..but like today when he is played at rwb he is ****.

Saiss in ahead of donk? Ok your opinion.

Traore and James are not close. Adama has gone on to another planet.

The main difference between us and them from that year is we now have a years premier league experience. That's why I'm sure we will finish above them

Like I said, not much between them. Rashford has more goals and assists. Actually, I'd probably stick Rashford to the left and Jimenez up top, getting rid of Martial thinking about it. But again, not much between any of them, and James also has more goals than Traore so to say they not close is wrong IMO.

Agree about AWB, not as good going forward but overall a good player. Saiss was picked because left-side.

So, why are we only two points ahead of them and why were we so far behind them last season?

 

[merseawolf]

I get that, but we act as though we are better for some reason?

They have an awful squad, poor manager and anything from 0-2 players who would get in our team.

We are the opposite, yet we couldn't finish close to them last season (points wise) and are only two ahead of them now.

They have some fantastic players still.
Just no identity and the manager is so out of his depth

 

[Deleted member 9788]

Like I said, not much between them. Rashford has more goals and assists. Actually, I'd probably stick Rashford to the left and Jimenez up top, getting rid of Martial thinking about it. But again, not much between any of them, and James also has more goals than Traore so to say they not close is wrong IMO.

Agree about AWB, not as good going forward but overall a good player. Saiss was picked because left-side.

So, why are we only two points ahead of them and why were we so far behind them last season?

Daniel James- 3 goals and 3 assists in 1075 minutes
Adama- 2 goals and 3 assists 922 minutes.

So James has got 1 goal more in 2 games more of playing..

 

[Deleted at own request (WeAreTheWolves)]

Daniel James- 3 goals and 3 assists in 1075 minutes
Adama- 2 goals and 3 assists 922 minutes.

So James has got 1 goal more in 2 games more of playing..

Yeah, so there's not much between them and I picked Traore, so I clearly think he's better. I just said if someone picked James I wouldn't say they were mad.

 

[WolfInSheep'sClothing]

I would have David De Gea. Maguire. Jones over Saiss but not Boly.
Donk vs lindeloff is harder cos donk hasn't played all that many games at centre-back and whilst he looks very good there at the moment I don't think he
Wan-Bissaka I'd have over doc if we ever went to a back 4 but as a wing back it is a no contest in docs favour. Moutinho and Neves beats Pereira and Fred hands down for me. But I'd take a fit Pogba over one of them(not sure which). Rashford over Jota on current form. I'd definitely keep Traore and jiminez over Martial and James.

 

[JonahWolf]

Weird how everyone is knocking United non-stop and they were a contentious VAR decision from going in front of us in the league and will still probably finish above us come May.

So, are we underachieving?

Not that convinced they will. So no, we’re not, they are.
Money ball. Every point we get is of greater value, and value for money, than they get.
Biggest spend should, and usually does, mean best result.

You’re trying to imply that they can’t be underachieving and us doing well, while being on similar points.
That’s facile.

 

[sc91]

I get that, but we act as though we are better for some reason?

They have an awful squad, poor manager and anything from 0-2 players who would get in our team.

We are the opposite, yet we couldn't finish close to them last season (points wise) and are only two ahead of them now.

They've spent the best part of a billion. I know you love the devil advocate role but this is a wrong tree you are barking up.

 

[WasStefan]

Utd have some very good upcoming young players being coached by a complete novice. It’s fundamentally flawed.

 

[Deleted at own request (WeAreTheWolves)]

They've spent the best part of a billion. I know you love the devil advocate role but this is a wrong tree you are barking up.

I saw a thing on Twitter that said we're the fourth highest net spend in England in the past three years, admittedly not to their level.

Anyway, it was more sticking up for United than having a dig at us. I'd do the same if people were slagging of Arsenal.

Everyone is so quick to criticise them, stick the boot in, they're supposedly in crisis, an embarrassment, a circus etc. and we're TWO points ahead of Man Utd!!

Of course they should be better because of the finances but the way these bigger sides are dismissed is way over the top IMO.

 

[JonahWolf]

I saw a thing on Twitter that said we're the fourth highest net spend in England in the past three years, admittedly not to their level.

Anyway, it was more sticking up for United than having a dig at us. I'd do the same if people were slagging of Arsenal.

Everyone is so quick to criticise them, stick the boot in, they're supposedly in crisis, an embarrassment, a circus etc. and we're TWO points ahead of Man Utd!!

Of course they should be better because of the finances but the way these bigger sides are dismissed is way over the top IMO.

They’re dismissed appropriately to their budget and expectations.
Of course it’s hyperbolic to say ‘they’re ****’ and mean that in the completely literal sense.
They’re better than nearly every team in England (being as there are 91 professional clubs atm), they have squads most clubs even in the prem would kill for.

But both United and Arsenal have nowhere near the level of quality they should have, in terms of budget and history. They’re not even performing as well as those limited squads should be.

So yes. They’re ****.
We outplayed Arsenal for at least 60 of the 90 mins. Got a draw out of United when we were playing ****.
So yeah. They’re ****.

I could have seen your point last season. No good calling them **** when they both outpointed us by a significant margin over the course of the season.
This time looks to be a different story.

The 4th biggest net spend thing is still a nonsense though. It doesn’t take into account the starting point for the squad.
Try looking at squad value and wage bill per league point.
By those measurements, we’re a much better team than United and Arsenal.
But not as good as Sheff Utd so far or indeed Cardiff last season. To be in with a shout of staying up with that absolute dog**** squad was an incredible (almost) achievement.

 

[Miniwolf]

I saw a thing on Twitter that said we're the fourth highest net spend in England in the past three years, admittedly not to their level.

Anyway, it was more sticking up for United than having a dig at us. I'd do the same if people were slagging of Arsenal.

Everyone is so quick to criticise them, stick the boot in, they're supposedly in crisis, an embarrassment, a circus etc. and we're TWO points ahead of Man Utd!!

Of course they should be better because of the finances but the way these bigger sides are dismissed is way over the top IMO.

I think its to do with expectation, for Man u fans (plastic or otherwise) they are having a terrible season, as they did last season despite being well ahead of us, but because they are used to success anything else is deemed not good enough. In our case a 7th place finish is fantastic but for them its a disaster, its all about perspective. For me, I wouldnt criticise them, its not our place really as thats for their fans to do if they are not living upto what they expect. We were still way behind them last season, which given the two clubs history over the last few decades isnt suprising but the difference is we were over the moon where we finished and they were not despite a fairly large points difference. So I guess if you asked the question who's fans are happier right now it would be ours, despite us still being behind them in reality.

 

[oldgoldheart]

To be fair, their start has been better than ours was.

By two points. Lets see where their finish is

 

[Padraig]

I would have David De Gea. Maguire. Jones over Saiss but not Boly.
Donk vs lindeloff is harder cos donk hasn't played all that many games at centre-back and whilst he looks very good there at the moment I don't think he
Wan-Bissaka I'd have over doc if we ever went to a back 4 but as a wing back it is a no contest in docs favour. Moutinho and Neves beats Pereira and Fred hands down for me. But I'd take a fit Pogba over one of them(not sure which). Rashford over Jota on current form. I'd definitely keep Traore and jiminez over Martial and James.

Jones?! You've got to be joking. Looked like a Championship player last night.

 

[WolfInSheep'sClothing]

Jones?! You've got to be joking. Looked like a Championship player last night.

Funny because he's never played at championship level in his life. In a straight swap for Saiss as a defender I'd take him in a second.

 

[Ginger Chimp]

By two points. Lets see where their finish is

Of course ...

 

[Miniwolf]

Funny because he's never played at championship level in his life. In a straight swap for Saiss as a defender I'd take him in a second.

He was run ragged by Sheff U yesterday playing on left of a 3, so much so he was hooked at HT. In that position, I'd have Saiss.

 

[Padraig]

Funny because he's never played at championship level in his life. In a straight swap for Saiss as a defender I'd take him in a second.

But I bet he will by the time his career’s over