Munetsi’s Thunderbolt Earns Wolves a Draw Against Brentford

So we reach the end of another rollercoaster season being one of two halves pre and post Vitor Pereira. The doldrums of the early season blown away by a new vibrance brought by a manger that has reconnected the fans. Whilst points then pints may come back to haunt the manger if things go wrong, it has positively reflected the new found confidence and joy that Vitor has brought and served us well for the second half of the season.

 

End of season games tend have a hint of party and a dash of pre-season sluggishness but there was a lot to play for with Brentford hoping for 8^th and Wolves having the chance to stay above Spurs, West Ham and of course the hapless Manchester United. Not forgetting the extra money on offer, amounts that used to be a seasons budget.

 

The starting line up showed no surprises other than Larsen on the bench who was surely only there as he is carrying a knock.

 

 

Sa, Doherty, Agbadou, Toti Gomes, Ait-Nouri, Semedo, Andre, Jao Gomes, Cunha, Guedes, Munetsi

After the first few minutes Wolves began to dominate the ball with Brentford competent at keeping it at the back and always threatening with the long ball to the speedy Wissa and Mbeumo, defensive focus was needed.

 

The first real chance came from a flashed cross from Ait-Nouri but Guedes could not direct his header from a good position. Wolves were creating well down the right with Semedo clearly desperate to do well on his likely last game, combining well first with Munetsi and then a second time with Guedes leading to a decent effort. Cunha and Ait-Nouri were working well together and things looked promising although the match was yet to gain any real intensity.

 

After 20 minutes Toti gave the ball away too easily ending in a Brentford shot landing in the hands of Sa. The crowds murmurs of discontent had barely settled when Sa rolled the ball into Cunha playing Ait-Nouri into a tight spot and his attempt to dribble backwards out of it failed. Brentford pounced and passed their way into the first goal. The early season problem of gifting a goal or two had returned at Palace last week and it cost us again today.

 

Wolves and Brentford exchanged blows for the rest of the half with either team looking like they could score. Semedo, Cunha, Andre and Joao all with chances but none of the kind you would expect to rattle the net. A moment of genius from Wissa at he other end brought a smart save from Sa.

 

The half ended with Wolves a little unlucky to be behind in what was a reasonable effort from both teams. Brentford very adept at holding their lead and one of the more secure teams at moving the ball out from the back, Wolves rarely won possession high up the pitch.

Wolves started the second half brightly with Cunha and Ait Nouri getting into good positions on the byline but failing to pick the right pass. Joao Gomes was beginning to dominate in midfield winning countless tussles and quickly setting Wolves on the front foot.

 

A well hit volley from Cunha managed to find the keeper rather than the net and later he was denied by a tremendous defensive block. Another smart move down the left ended wit a powerful Ait Nouri shot but was easily parried by the keeper.

 

Then Munetsi burst clear on the right and this time he did find his man. A perfectly weighted pass to Guedes who completely mishit when he had half the goal to hit from around the penalty box. Another example of why Guedes will not make the grade in the Premier League, although he is frustratingly close.

 

Now it was it time for substitutes and noticeably Larsen entered the fray a much needed threat. His impact was evident immediately and it was not long before he was glancing a Sa clearance perfectly into the path of Munetsi and with no hesitation he smashed it into the top corner, possibly the most satisfying goal at Molineux this year. Munetsi needs a special mention. His work off the ball is immense and for all to see but in this game he did so much more with the ball than we had seen before and with that comes confidence evident in the stunning strike. He might just turn out to be real gem.

The game ended all square in what was probably a fair reflection. Brentford are a good team and we are to an extent relieved that we did not lose the last 4.

 

There  is no doubt we will miss Cunha and Semedo next year, the latter a consistent strong performer and his pace defensively needs to be replaced. Cunha has been majestic at times but with the money comes hope that if well spent it could be a good outcome for us.

 

We survived and after the start of the season that was all we could achieve. So it is Mission Accomplished and as this writer is the same age as Tom Cruise I feel like I have performed my own heroic stunts in watching all but 2 games. There will be new hope and a new mission next year should you choose to accept.