Dave Porter analyses wolves3-0 loss to Newcastle United
1. A BIT TIRED
What makes a team look tired? It is quite difficult to isolate, but if you want an example of a team that looked like this was a game too far, then look no further than Wolves yesterday. Whether it was the rain, the subtle body language, the lack of ideas, the basic errors, or the general lack of polish to any part of the play. Whatever the signs, Wolves looked a team in need of a rest. The effort was there, this wasn’t a team lacking in will and the players (those that aren’t injured) are physically fit, this felt like the sort of tiredness that the unconscious brain feels before it has sent the message to the players bodies. Seldom will you see such unanimous agreement on the assessment of a Wolves performance than this one. Wolves need a well-deserved rest.
2. A BIT UNLUCKY
Whilst Wolves were not at their best, there wasn’t much between the sides here. The three-goal victory flattered the hosts in terms of the margin of victory. All of the goals conceded had an element of bad luck to them. Two deflections and a clumsy stumble of a finish. Wolves did not have ‘the rub’ here. That said, there were errors for the three goals. They all felt very preventable despite the final crucial moment having a fortuity to them. At the other end, chances were difficult to create but when they arose, a combination of good goalkeeping and luck saw them swiped away. Sometimes it just isn’t your day, and it isn’t a coincidence that you tend to run out of luck when you need it the most.
3. A BIT LACKING IN DEPTH
When you look back at the team that finished this game, you will wonder how on earth we ever got into this position. Some of the names that featured will likely to be an answer to an obscure trivia quiz in future years. For reasons that have been discussed and argued upon for months, Wolves depth in key positions is lacking. The club would argue that is hard to predict that you would lose all your first-choice forwards at once, but it is the sort of outcome that is almost inevitable when you leave yourself a bit short. There are some huge games approaching and a lot of crossed fingers at the club that the injury situation does not cause Wolves to miss a massive opportunity.
4. A BIT OF A REALITY CHECK
It’s all been going so well. Sometimes you have to pause and remember where we are. Its hard not to talk about European football next year and to an extent, it would almost be an insult to the players efforts not to think about it, but you can’t win every game. We are a team that is part of a European conversation and looking to advance to a semi-final of the major domestic cup competition. Wolves may not make it to Europe, and they may not even make it to Wembley, but these are not the conversations that most supporters thought they would be having at the start of the season.
5. MOVE ON AND FORGET THIS ONE
If you had to pick a game to lose over the recent fixtures, then it was probably this one. Even O’Neil seemed to give it up quickly, preferring to withdraw players early or not even take a risk in starting them. It felt like a game that Wolves had earned the right to lose. Its one of those to put in the deleted items of the brain and never open again. There are more important days to come.
ARTICLE BY DAVE PORTER
Wolverhampton born, East Sussex based supporter. Old enough to have seen the descent to the bottom, young enough to not have experienced the days my friend. Not many Wolves fans to celebrate or commiserate with round these parts, so had to find an outlet to discuss the enormous highs, crushing lows and share the frustrations that only come with following Wolves.