WOLVES FANS SHARE THEIR HONEST OPINIONS TO DEFEAT TO LIVERPOOL IN THE FA CUP.
CRAIG HICKEY
BECCA
Well my hopes of going to Wembley were short lived. Liverpool showed us why we are bottom of the league. Nowhere near good enough tonight. Andre was a big miss. Also it needed Jose Sa’s leadership.
Rating 3
Man of the Match Joao Gomes
DAVE
Just really disappointing. If there was a game plan, it went out the window when Jackson failed to put a cross in, despite having plenty of space. Instead, he hit a Liverpool player while we were finally pushing forward. Ten seconds later we were 1-0 down, and 90 seconds after that it felt like game over.
It could have been far more than three in the end. We chased shadows all night and they cut us apart whenever they wanted.
Just disappointing. We’ve had some really great nights over the last two weeks in the league, and we need to finish the season as strong as we can.
The only positive was the tribute and respect shown by both sets of fans for Diogo. 💛
KARL & Lesley WHITEHOUSE
Tonight we both went to the game hoping to see the same level we showed in the league, but Rob’s team selection felt like a problem waiting to happen even before kick-off.
From the start we looked short of what was needed. We could not match Liverpool’s aggression or their press, and they forced errors, especially through the middle.
We did have moments, and Joao Gomes was basically trying to run the midfield on his own. Too many others looked off the pace, or struggled to pick the right pass. And once again, we barely tested them in the first half. It felt like déjà vu.
The second half was worse. Liverpool came out like a team with something to prove, and we did not cope. We were outfought, unbalanced, and once the goals went in the game was gone. The late goal was something, but it was far too late.
We really missed Andre tonight. He gives us so much, and the replacement just was not at the same level, but that is football.
We’re both disappointed with the outcome, but we’ll move on. The cup is done, so it is all about the league now. Eight games left, and they will define where we finish and what next season looks like. We have to back the team and focus on the next one.
Player of the match: Joao Gomes
Match rating: 5/10
JOHN TARAS
It was always going to be a huge ask for Wolves to repeat their Tuesday heroics.
Both teams made changes, with Edwards making six. The key change was the suspended Andre, replaced by Angel Gomes, Mane, and Bellegarde. None of the three were able to bring what Andre does. Liverpool changed three of their back four and brought in Ngumoha on the left wing. He was a constant threat to Tchatchoua, who battled with him all night. At only 17, he had a brilliant game.
The first half was uneventful, with Liverpool probing and Wolves clearing attack after attack. The problem was Wolves could not create any pressure of their own.
The second half was a completely different story. This was a top-six side against the bottom team in the Premiership, and Tuesday’s success felt a distant memory.
Wolves looked beaten, but kept pushing for a goal. It came on 91 minutes when Hwang chased a long kick from Johnstone, won the race, and dinked it past Becker.
Liverpool had several chances for more goals, and the game was theirs. The result was fair. Wolves matched Liverpool for 45 minutes, but after half time the difference in class told and Liverpool were worthy winners.
So where does that leave Wolves? Eight games to go, with Brentford up next. Realistically, relegation beckons unless Wolves can win at least seven of those games. That feels an impossible ask.
How they perform over the next few matches will matter, for themselves and for the paying fans. Who lines up next season is anyone’s guess. Wolves tried, but the task was too much on this occasion.
A philosophical Wolf.
REBECCA FERNANDEZ
Well, a sad night and the end of the sugar rush. Back to normal.
The tactics of sitting back and doing nothing did not work. On top of that, we gave the ball away constantly. The passing, crossing, and defending were all poor, and it led to our downfall.
I cannot believe neither Kreijck nor R. Gomes got on, and once again the subs were far too late. The tactics needed changing, and after the second goal we should have thrown everything at them with fresh legs.
I really hope this was just a blip, and not a sign that those two wins were the exception.
MOM: J. Gomes
Performance: 4/10
Best moment: Jota’s tribute
PAM WELLS
What a disappointing end to what has been an encouraging couple of weeks.
In that time, we showed we can compete with the big boys, but last night it was back to normal. A toothless, lacklustre display. We were not as solid in defence, and I put some of that down to Rob leaving Krejci out.
We were not as good in midfield either. We really missed André. Jackson slipped back into one of his weaker games, and we offered nothing up front. Rob’s subs came far too late again, but it was good to see Hwang back among the goals.
Now we have to put everything into the last eight games. No excuses.
Man of the Match: João Gomes
Performance rating: 4/10
SCOTT DRAME
Disappointed with the result, but we move on.
Match thoughts: This is not a competition we can afford to prioritise. The main job is staying in the Premier League.
Team selection: Rob Edwards named a very average lineup, with six changes. Two of those changes could not be helped, but I was still not happy with six.
Man of the match: Sam Johnstone. He made loads of saves and even got an assist. It just was not enough to keep every shot out tonight.
Performance: 3/10. Not good, but we got a goal. The FA Cup run ends here.