This is not a Nuno in or out thread, but it is one that offers a view whereby histories and expectations are taken into account and allow us to place the last 3+ years within context.
1) It may well be that the team over-achieved in the first year of return to the PL. Many commentators have talked about the naivete of Wolves which allowed them to play so fluidly against top opposition. This was less so against lower teams, which was not always consistent with the way we played in the Champ, where there were times when we were bullied, but others where we were just so much better.
2) If we did over-achieve, then the team were largely doing the same in the second. First game back after lockdown we won easily at West Ham. As the European season continued to impinge, domestic performances fell away, suggesting that a lot of the good results were run on adrenaline.
3) After achieving the same finish in the second season, but not qualifying for Europe, anything after that is going to feel like an anti-climax for the players, especially as the team is directly affected by lack of crowds (see Liverpool as another example).
4) The loss of Raul is the most fascinating thing to me. We were still playing OK with him, but as we lost our best players (and sold a few, e.g. Jota who was NOT a first team starter, but could have adequately filled in for him) the results dried up. The question is, would another team in our position manage to get the same results and finish position that we are currently on target for? I.e. has Nuno adjusted to extenuating circumstances to make the team get points and safety in a situation which no-one could have foreseen? The central question is: Would we have done worse with another manager and has Nuno just tried - mostly successfully - adjust to circumstances and pick up what is necessary for continuation of the project?
5) If we have over-achieved in the first seasons, would fans have accepted 3x mid table finishes (10-12) in the first three seasons back in the PL? It seems as if everything is relative and teams should improve each season, which is a nice idea, but in football there are always winners and losers and they are not always consistent year-to-year.
1) It may well be that the team over-achieved in the first year of return to the PL. Many commentators have talked about the naivete of Wolves which allowed them to play so fluidly against top opposition. This was less so against lower teams, which was not always consistent with the way we played in the Champ, where there were times when we were bullied, but others where we were just so much better.
2) If we did over-achieve, then the team were largely doing the same in the second. First game back after lockdown we won easily at West Ham. As the European season continued to impinge, domestic performances fell away, suggesting that a lot of the good results were run on adrenaline.
3) After achieving the same finish in the second season, but not qualifying for Europe, anything after that is going to feel like an anti-climax for the players, especially as the team is directly affected by lack of crowds (see Liverpool as another example).
4) The loss of Raul is the most fascinating thing to me. We were still playing OK with him, but as we lost our best players (and sold a few, e.g. Jota who was NOT a first team starter, but could have adequately filled in for him) the results dried up. The question is, would another team in our position manage to get the same results and finish position that we are currently on target for? I.e. has Nuno adjusted to extenuating circumstances to make the team get points and safety in a situation which no-one could have foreseen? The central question is: Would we have done worse with another manager and has Nuno just tried - mostly successfully - adjust to circumstances and pick up what is necessary for continuation of the project?
5) If we have over-achieved in the first seasons, would fans have accepted 3x mid table finishes (10-12) in the first three seasons back in the PL? It seems as if everything is relative and teams should improve each season, which is a nice idea, but in football there are always winners and losers and they are not always consistent year-to-year.
