5 LESSONS FROM WOLVES 1-0 DEFEAT TO ASTON VILLA

1. Wolves Cannot Buy a Break

Whether we play well or play badly the end result is the same, another defeat. We certainly have a bottom half squad that’s focus was entirely expected to be about survival but we are not a team that is as bad as the 9 points we are currently adrift of safety.

Mind set and inertia are huge in sport and when you start the season so badly the pattern is often set. You could argue for a better return in a number of games and this weekend was one of those. This was a very acceptable performance away against a team that lie in fourth place and who are bang in form. Yet we came away with nothing.

The defence and midfield battled with considerable effort and organisation whilst it is hard to believe we did not score. The disallowed Larsen goal sums it up. A great move wiped out by an offside decision that was bound to be given by VAR but would probably not have been saved even without the interfering player. Arias was just unfortunately there having made the run towards goal.

Indeed,  the goal we conceded was after a clear foul on Joao that left him on the floor, too remote for VAR but the shot came from an area he was usually protecting, such fine margins determine results in the Premier League.

We need a slice of luck to get that win, the football gods are not on our side.

2. A Pointless Manager Bounce

Rob Edwards has brought energy without the pints. The problems at the club arguably run deep and changing the manager does not alter that. However Vitor had to go, the team selection at Fulham was the thinking of a manager that had run out of ideas.

Edwards has certainly got some things right in the first two matches the reinstatement of Joao and Andre for one. Above all he has brought some fresh ideas where old ones had run their course.

There can be no doubt of the players commitment in the last two matches but more than that there is a plan and improved organisation. It never really felt like there was a huge problem with a lack of effort or individual belief from the players even towards the end with Vitor but there certainly was a look that players didn’t understand what was expected of them or what the style of play was.

There are good players in this team and the sense you get from the end of game faces is that they believe in themselves individually and are struggling to believe they keep losing. If Edwards can keep the confidence high a win must be around the corner.

3. Championship or Premier League

The question is are we still fighting for survival or preparing for the Championship? Logically the latter is on the cards but of course we must not give up as fans and neither should the players. Sport can kick you in the teeth or unexpectedly lift you, we must believe. No individual will save this season and only a collective effort and the discovery of a winning team selection and pattern will improve the current woe. This has implications for the rest of the season.

Firstly, Rob Edwards has every right to experiment. His first match saw the gamble of two big men up front which largely failed because they were two distant from a midfield that lacked any creative ability on the ball. This time he replaced Arakodare and Munetsi with Bellegarde and Arias, two players who are happier on the ball and offer some creativity, the latter unfortunately still to match the expectancy he came with. Thankfully it was much better and we did create chances.

Secondly, we saw the introduction of two of the younger players in Chirewa and Mane. Whether they are good enough or not is yet to be proven but we cannot fault a manager for trying after, so called, better players have failed.

Finally, the answer to the question will greatly impact transfer decisions in January. If we remain 9 points adrift no amount of incomings will change the outcome. We have to find a team with what we have whether that team is destined for the Championship or Premiership.

4. Form is Temporary Class is Permanent

Andre and Joao are Brazilian central midfield internationals and the idea that they are not good enough for our team was ridiculous, of course they can play together.

Agdabou is back and should remain. His performances last season were a key reason our season turned around and he backed up an improved performance against Palace with his best display of the season at Villa.

Larsen another player with a poor season to date finally looked energetic and sharp. Apart from his unluckily disallowed goal he nipped ahead of the defender to almost score another, as well as generally getting involved in much of Wolves good forward work. These players are the spine of the team and the ones we need to build around.

Arias was in the team of the tournament at the summer club world cup and could be therefore considered in the class category. Is he the exception that proves the rule or can we be brave enough to believe class will prevail?

5. Goalkeepers Win Games

As a fan we get excited when we sign a new striker but less so when we sign a keeper but yesterday Martinez won Villa the game. His save for the Mosquera header was world class his finger tips enough to change the angle the ball hit the bar. There is no doubt Johnstone has rightly earned his place ahead of Sa for his consistency and safety with the ball at his feet. Similarly I have no doubt he will be a welcome keeper to have in the Championship but at the top level are we missing something?

Peter Schmeichel is the best keeper I have ever seen and he created the feeling that when a striker was one on one, he as the goalie was favourite and his mentality and presence certainly put that in the strikers head. Does Johnstone have that presence needed at the very elite?

We keep conceding so called world goals from outside the box and at some point you begin to think, is it more than just bad luck. That said this is a problem for next season not this.