NICK PARKES REVIEW WOLVES 2-0 DEFEAT TO BRENTFORD
Wolves made it back-to-back defeats at home with a 2-0 loss against Brentofrd. The 4th time we have played the Bees in 45 days. Goals from Norgaard and Toney brought us back down to earth following our emphatic win against Chelsea.
FIRST HALF
Brentford started on the front foot and looked threatening down our right with them finding space to push forward. Only a shot from Ait-Nouri and Cunha gave the home fans anything to sing about early on. Unluckily for Wolves, Cunha picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Bellegarde, and after his hat trick last time out it was a big blow to the game plan O’Neil had created.
Sa had a very difficult afternoon and caused Wolves unnecessary problems with poor goalkeeping and distribution. Gifting the ball to Brentford early on led to Maupay almost scoring but Sa redeemed himself by saving and also saving well on the subsequent corner. Wolves continued to ride their luck as Brentford missed two more great opportunities when a free run down their left allowed them to put a ball across and somehow not be punished and the shot straight after from close range should have also gone in.
Our luck eventually ran out with more poor defending a goalkeeper error and another goal conceded from a corner. A ball in the box found Norgaard free to head into the goal. Dawson was caught out but also, Sa should have come and claimed an easy catch. A poor goal to let in from a Wolves perspective but fully deserved for Brentford.
Wolves almost pulled level before half time with a Pedro Neto header at the back post. He does everything right by hitting it down into the ground and it looked to be heading into the bottom corner but for an excellent save to deny Wolves.
SECOND HALF
A change of formation meant O’Neil taking off Toti to be replaced by local boy Fraser with us looking to be more direct and have a focal point up front and we did look more aggressive going forward, Ait-Nouri broke forward and played a ball across to Neto, he cut inside and shot for it to be saved and pushed onto the post. A few moments later Wolves thought they’d pulled themselves level with a great ball in from Neto finding Dawson to touch it into the back of the net. Unfortunately, Dawson’s foot was offside and the goal was rightly chalked off.
That was the highlight of the game for Wolves as we struggled to create real chances after that and another sloppy piece of passing, this time from Dawson meant Brentford picked up the ball in our half and with players out of position the ball ended up at the foot of Toney and he slotted home to make it 2-0 and put the game beyond Wolves.
Brentford went on to see out the game and picked up 3 important points. A frustrating game for Wolves, especially after the great win last week. The away team’s tactics also played into their hands and we fell for it, a typical annoying Brentford.
FINALLY
Thankfully this is the last game against Brentford this season and Wolves will look to bounce back against Spurs away next week. A poor performance from players like Dawson and Sa in particular, a bad day at the office for Wolves but we remain in 10th for the time being.
ARTICLE BY NICK PARKES
Hi, I’m Nick! Born in Wolverhampton and currently living in Barcelona. I’ve been a Wolves fan since birth (dad’s choice) and was a north bank season ticket holder in my younger days. My favourite all-time player, Bully!