Will your opinion on Lopetegui sour if Raul isn't given a send-off this season?

[WickedWolfie]

It's like denying someone in a wheelchair access to a stadium because they're in a wheelchair. We are mathematically safe. And you don't think we should put him on the pitch even as a sub. He's not that bad of a player. This is the last time I am going to say this. Yet he just needs more confidence.

That really is not an apt analogy. Banning a wheelchair user from the ground because they are in a wheelchair is illegal. Our manager choosing not to select a player on merit grounds is not.

 

[Kebab Warrior]

It could be sung anyway?

This

 

[Guzeppi]

It might be nice to say goodbye on the pitch.

But would Raul even want to be picked out of pity? No longer good enough to be selected on merit by his manager, but wheeled out like a mascot to tug on our heartstrings?

I wouldn't mind a cameo. For old time's sake really. I'm sure he can be trotted out maybe as the last sub on 90+5 Minutes, use up a few seconds if ahead. Also Gives the North Bank an incentive to stay. Lemons, lemonade.

 

[SuperGran]

This

Raul is usually in the stands

 

[JimB]

I’m sure there are a few players that we didn’t have chance to say farewell, but that’s the way it goes. Wolves are in a competition to win football games, not parade departing players. Testimonials are for that.

 

[Mutchy]

It's like denying someone in a wheelchair access to a stadium because they're in a wheelchair. We are mathematically safe. And you don't think we should put him on the pitch even as a sub. He's not that bad of a player. This is the last time I am going to say this. Yet he just needs more confidence.

No. I can see that you feel strongly, and understand why you might, but thats not a valid comparison I'm afraid.

 

[SoCal_Wolf]

If he’s fit, then I see nothing wrong with a sub appearance in the last home game if we’re winning. It’s not like Hwang is streets above Raul when replacing Costa. Same with Mouts—he can see out the game just fine. Get Raul in the match day squad at the very least, just in case.

Let’s hope we smash Everton in the first half so we can see off those key players that made our first two seasons so memorable one last time…

 

[Zico]

It's like denying someone in a wheelchair access to a stadium because they're in a wheelchair. We are mathematically safe. And you don't think we should put him on the pitch even as a sub. He's not that bad of a player. This is the last time I am going to say this. Yet he just needs more confidence.

It's really not like that at all, come on you can't suggest those two situations are similar.

Julen doesn't think he is part of our strongest squad. We should always have our strongest squad out there, safe or not.

We've been saying he needs more confidence for the last two years. Not going to happen I'm afraid.

 

[SingYourHeartsOut]

Of course there's always the dream scenario. With Arsenal beating Wolves 1-0 after 90 minutes and City losing at Brentford, the Gunners can almost smell the league title. Lopetegui decides to have one last throw of the dice and puts Jimenez on with only injury time to play. Wolves win a corner and Raul rises majestically at the front post to flick it into the far corner past Ramsdale's desperate dive. Final whistles blow and the title is retained by City.

 

[Kebab Warrior]

All the players will do a lap at the end I’m sure, whether they played or not. Poor Ruben was in tears last year - probably because he’d found out he’d have to keep playing for Lage!

 

[so-called fan]

Be funny if we gave him some pitch time and a rousing farewell and then couldn't get him off the books.

 

[Perton Wolf]

I dont think it would picking him or Moutinho out of pity like there has been a suggestion of. To me, football is about the sentiment and emotion and 2 players like that deserve a send off from the fans, and they deserve to say goodbye to us as well. It wouldnt sour my opinion of Lopetegui, but i'd be disappointed with him if he didnt now we are safe. Sometimes things are bigger than personal disagreements which there clearly is with Raul and Lopetegui. I think it would be pretty cold not to let him say goodbye on the field to the fans after all he's given here.

Why not pick our strongest team, win the game and then allow them to speak to the fans afterwards?

 

[CelebrityWolf]

Wouldn't judge Julen if Raul doesn't get any minutes but i really hope Raul does get some minutes as it would be a nice way to draw a line under a great era.

Season is over so couldn't care less results wise, would rather we use the games to experiment and get a few players minutes for next season.

 

[I'm the Wanderer]

This 100% !!

Well said. Raul has done more for Wolves than Julen Lopetegui !!

It could be Bill McGarry and the departing Doog all over again. No need to be mean about it now that we’re safe with nothing at stake!!

exactly....people calling loppy a god for keeping us up. raul kept us up for 2-3 seasons and had us battling in europe and winning.

 

[I'm the Wanderer]

It might be nice to say goodbye on the pitch.

But would Raul even want to be picked out of pity? No longer good enough to be selected on merit by his manager, but wheeled out like a mascot to tug on our heartstrings?

is he not being played because he's bad or because of spite? that's the thing, it probably won't be a pity party if we knew the truth.

 

[waveney wolf]

This 100% !!

Well said. Raul has done more for Wolves than Julen Lopetegui !!

It could be Bill McGarry and the departing Doog all over again. No need to be mean about it now that we’re safe with nothing at stake!!

Agreed... Jimenez has given us some great memories, especially for those like me who went to Wembley...the bloke nearly died playing for us , and he's tried his best against all odds to come back to full fitness.
The man deserves a standing ovation from everyone in molineux, and I hope lopetegui is man enough to see that happens

 

[I'm the Wanderer]

Hes been a good servant to the club as has Neves and Mouts
If indeed they are leaving then yes a lap of honour after the game would be applicable and give the fans a chance to express their feelings
As for playing any individual then thats down to JL alone ,and sentiment cant be a part of it ,unless we are 4-0 up with 5 minutes to go which wont happen lol

is raul that much worse than costa, though? hell no. he deserves more respect than that. oh wait, i forgot, costa makes the team giggle and he scored off his shin....play him instead!

 

[Flump]

is he not being played because he's bad or because of spite? that's the thing, it probably won't be a pity party if we knew the truth.

Spite? Why would he not be being picked out of spite?

 

[Ned]

Wonder whether there’s some truth in JLo being unhappy that he went to the World Cup. He made a comment at the time that he wanted him to stay at Compton, didn’t he? Maybe he thinks that had Raul stayed and did the mini pre season, learned the system and was 100% from the off then he wouldn’t have the “fitness issues” that are being reported.

 

[I'm the Wanderer]

And that’s how you sum up Raul’s contribution since he joined us….

Spite? Why would he not be being picked out of spite?

Raul choosing to play in the WC against Loppy's wishes.

 

[BCWolf]

Wonder whether there’s some truth in JLo being unhappy that he went to the World Cup. He made a comment at the time that he wanted him to stay at Compton, didn’t he? Maybe he thinks that had Raul stayed and did the mini pre season, learned the system and was 100% from the off then he wouldn’t have the “fitness issues” that are being reported.

Would not surprise me in the least.

 

[I'm the Wanderer]

wouldn't it be great if Loppy and Raul had an agreement to keep him off the pitch to save him and play him all of next season because he's still under contract, effectively sending granpa costa packing?

yeah, that's it...took me a long time to figure it out!

 

[Flump]

Raul choosing to play in the WC against Loppy's wishes.

Lopetegui selected him frequently in his first few months, I don't see how his recent fall from favour would be related to that.

 

[old wittonian]

Absolutely. Doing otherwise is disrespectful to the competition and those other clubs in danger of relegation. Indeed we could face charges for doing so.

I'm not sure we

Absolutely. Doing otherwise is disrespectful to the competition and those other clubs in danger of relegation. Indeed we could face charges for doing so.

I'm not sure we could face charges because they are all squad members. I agree with you entirely though. Puts the integrity of the competition into question.

 

[Rhoswolf]

Quite simple, if Everton still threatened by relegation we play our strongest team.

 

[Adrian_Monk]

No, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC is not a charity.

I don't think anybody has mentioned the fact Everton have their survival to play for. If it was Wolves in Leeds or Forest' position and Everton were playing a team that left key players out to give players a send off we'd be calling for sanctions

 

[Rhoswolf]

I don't think anybody has mentioned the fact Everton have their survival to play for. If it was Wolves in Leeds or Forest' position and Everton were playing a team that left key players out to give players a send off we'd be calling for sanctions

Exactly!!

 

[northnorfolkwolf]

I’m sure there are a few players that we didn’t have chance to say farewell, but that’s the way it goes. Wolves are in a competition to win football games, not parade departing players. Testimonials are for that.

Thinking on this how many of Nuno's fantastic Champs winning side did we say 'goodbye' to? In their way I'd say Boly, Cav, Costa, Saiss, Doc, Jota, Coady and Bennett all deserved a big farewell and thankyou; doubt many got one tbh.

 

[Flump]

6 games not in squad, was when Lopetegui decided to be more stricter on team performance, and only select people who work hard on training. He changed his tactics slightly.

And none of that indicates spite, which is what I was replying to a post about.

 

[northnorfolkwolf]

Nobody is claiming Wolves FC is a charity. The subject regarding Raul is contentious, hence why someone started a thread about it, and everyone has their own points of view.

Hi there, it's me again! Can I ask that when you reply to a post can you include the post in the reply. Puts your reply into context. Thanks.

 

[DJW]

I think most Everton fans would rather Costa started to be honest. Hardly prolific is he?

 

[Perton Wolf]

I think most Everton fans would rather Costa started to be honest. Hardly prolific is he?

Especially compared to Raul, who hasn't scored in the PL since March 2022.......

 

[northnorfolkwolf]

Trying to, how do you include two posts in one post? I can't seem to get it to work.

I'm the last person to ask these technological questions of! I have trouble turning on the laptop. I'm sure one of the 'youngsters' on here will show you how. Hope you're having a good day.

 

[Rhoswolf]

Nobody is claiming Wolves FC is a charity. The subject regarding Raul is contentious, hence why someone started a thread about it, and everyone has their own points of view.

Edit: Just like every player is contentious because there is always mixed thoughts and feelings about them. When you are getting paid a lot of money, and in the spot light, you will get talked about. Negatively and positively. It's part of football.

Thought you'd stopped posting on this thread?
The issue is not charity but the integrity of the League, if Everton still could be relegated we play our strongest team surely?

 

[I'm the Wanderer]

I don't think anybody has mentioned the fact Everton have their survival to play for. If it was Wolves in Leeds or Forest' position and Everton were playing a team that left key players out to give players a send off we'd be calling for sanctions

At this point, i still think Raul is better than Costa. I know, I know, the boss thinks otherwise. I can't argue with that and surely that'll be your comeback.

 

[I'm the Wanderer]

Especially compared to Raul, who hasn't scored in the PL since March 2022.......

True, Everton will have their knees shaking from a guy who scored off his shin from a lucky deflection.

 

[Rhoswolf]

Changed my mind, I am quite happy to talk about it. What confused me though, is someone mentioned his injury and then tactical decisions. And I was just trying to say, it can't be both surely.

The quote you posted was mine not @northnorfolkwolf, now you've really upset me!

 

[Rhoswolf]

I am not really 'upset', I am just confused as to why people are trying to say, oh it's a tactical decision, and then mention his injury. It's just confusing bringing him up when he pretty much wasn't in the games for ages. So why is he suddenly being brought up now? Doesn't make sense does it.

Forget it mate, was saying it's me that's upset by being linked to @northnorfolkwolf, longstanding joke on here but leave it there.
Agree be great to have the opportunity to give Raul a great send-off even after the game, why I'm planning to attend.

 

[Mutchy]

Trying to, how do you include two posts in one post? I can't seem to get it to work.

Click quote for each post. Then click insert quotes in your reply box.

 

[Scallywolf]

I would personally like to see Raul on the bench for the Everton game.

It looks like Costa is JL’s first choice for the striker role now, but we will need someone on the bench to cover for him. I hope that’s Raul for our last home game.

Another thing to bear in mind is that there are £millions paid to clubs based on where they finish in the Premier League. Last season each place in the table was worth £2.2million and I’m sure Mr Shi is aware of that. We are currently 13th and if that’s where we are guaranteed to finish (can’t see us finishing higher than 12th, but we could still finish 17th)), maybe JL will ‘tinker’. With the kind of money on offer, sentiment should not come into team selection in these circumstances, as sad as I am to say it.

Whatever team and bench JL’s selects Raul will be at the Mol when we play Everton and will be on the pitch at the end. He will definitely receive his deserved ‘Si Senor’ chant. Maybe, just maybe he will be with us for one more season and it won’t be ‘Adios Senor’.