PLAYER RATINGS FOR WOLVES V PALACE

Craig Hickey assesses Wolves performance against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park

JOSE SA 8

Three goals conceded doesn’t really highlight his performance, he had a decent game today, some good saves and collections of high balls from crosses and a few quick distributions forward that didn’t quite reach his targets. What does worry us is the persistent short goal kicks that get us into trouble, one incident was a combination of his hesitancy and poor passing that nearly cost a goal. This really needs addressing and fast.

NELSO SEMEDO 6

I can’t fault his effort today, always willing to get forward and also passing into the midfield to retain possession was good. He seemed to stem the flow of Eze in the first half with some help from the midfield but unfortunately, he was caught out of position for the first goal, he wasn’t helped by being exposed by Sarabia not following his man. Too much space was allowed on that right side in the second half which contributed to conceding. Not up to his latest standards today.

RAYAN AIT-NOURI 5.5

Broke forward alot today but his defending is an area that he still shows weakness, got booked for an altercation with Ayew, who I thought raised his hands to RAN and didn’t get booked. Lost possession too much and put pressure on our defence. On one occasion he nearly cost us a goal, only for Sa to pull off a good save. Subbed 82 mins.

MAX KILMAN 6

Started well but gradually struggled to reach the high standards we know he has, one sloppy piece of play from a Sa goal kick caused him to retreat back to his line and clear a certain goal. After this he seemed to be second best to Eduoard and Eze in the box and that resulted in three of their goals where he was closest. One for him to review and improve on for the next big test.

CRAIG DAWSON 6.5

Not a great day for him as part of the defence, took an early knock but put himself about with challenges, blocks and headers away, like Kilman, he’s not upto his normal high standards, today he tried to push forward with his distribution but the forwards didn’t help with holding the ball up. Better days will come.

JOAO GOMES 6

Battled all game, tried to break forward and on one occasion he broke forward and shot, when a far post ball to Neto was a better option. His determination and aggression is his best asset but niggly fouls are going to catch up with him soon and a ban is enevitable. Subbed 81 mins

MARIO LEMINA 5.5

This game passed him by today, some good tackles and breaking up of play but he along with Gomes should have dominated a fairly ordinary Palace midfield. We’ve seen better and maybe with Doyle or Bellegarde in front to drive forward, he may feel more confident.

PEDRO NETO 8.5

We are now seeing the Neto we know, driving forward, skills, taking people on, shooting and proving two assists today from his left foot. Pedro shone today and this is where we need to build a team around his skills, when he plays like this I will add. He needs a goal now and he will push on.

PABLO SARABIA 5

A game that really showed his weaknesses for me, no tracking back, pushed off the ball too easy, loose passes and no killer pass into dangerous areas. You can see what he is trying to do but other players can’t read those reverse passes or little dinks into space. a game to forget for him. Subbed 60 mins.

MATHEUS CUNHA 6

He just couldn’t get into the game for 70 minutes, none of those tricky runs and silky dribbling, too far away from Silva and maybe he needs to play with another striker rather than just behind. Took his goal well and did run down the wings more in the last 10 minutes.

FABIO SILVA 5

Took the famous number 9 shirt but this was way off a performance to show respect for the shirt. Bustled off the ball, unable to hold it up and no runs into the box to cause any trouble. One too many games this week has shown he needs to step it up. Subbed 74 mins

Hwang 6 (60 mins)

Came on in place of Sarabia to add some bite and urgency to the attack, got himself a headed goal within 5 minutes to level the score. Tracked back better than Pablo but didn’t really have the service to break and cause any problems.

Traore 5 (74 mins)

Came off the bench but couldn’t make an impact on the game, he didn’t close down a run in midfield by Eduoard who went on to score after some quick one/two’s.

Bueno (82 mins)

Not enough time to make any impact

Kalajdzic (81 mins)

Not enough to make any impact but he could have helped stop Eduoard from progressing with the 3^rd goal.

A big improvement needed for Liverpool in 2 weeks, Gary O’Neill can now work with the squad and newcomers on his strategy for this period, time for a reboot.

article by Craig hickey

A 53 year old season ticket holder in the Steve Bull stand. Go along with my two young lads who love the Wolves and so far, the positive times. Long may it continue.

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