BEN WHITEHOUSE SHARES HIS 5 KEY LESSONS FROM WOLVES OLD TRAFFORD TRIUMPH
1. Vitor at the Wheel!
I remember the distinct sense of resignation and defeatist attitude I was feeling on the return half of the 6-7 hour round trip to Molineux after the embarrassing 1-2 loss to Ipswich on a cold December night, most memorable for several players losing their discipline after the final whistle and of course, it being O’Neil’s final game at the helm.
In that moment, I’m not sure even the most optimistic of fans could have envisioned a situation of being safe from relegation 5 games before the end of the season, 5 wins in a row for the first time since the 70s and an overwhelming sense of unity amongst the club and fans which we haven’t witnessed in years.
Pereira has transformed this side from a limp, unassuming side who oppositions were grateful to get to play against into a formidable team who can definitely now be looking to finish comfortably mid-table rather than looking anxiously over our shoulders.
Whilst greatly improved individual player performances have undoubtedly been a major contributor to the recent successes, I believe that Pereira ought to bear the majority of praise: his tactical adjustments, assuredness and stoic nature when managing as well as light-heartedness and passion off the pitch has rejuvenated every inch of the club and brought faith back to a fanbase which was rapidly losing it, all without major investments from the owners.
Nowadays, managers are often alleviated of the blame by fans justifying poor performances with the usual ‘his players aren’t good enough, he needs the owners to give him money to bring in the players he wants,’ which often proves itself no better (few better examples than Man Utd themselves with Ten Haag spending extortionate money on his Ajax players and Amorim now.)
However, the true mark of an exceptional manager is being able to get the best out of whichever players they are presented with – it’s what Nuno specialised in and is proving so once again with Nottingham Forest, and it is definitely what Pereira is demonstrating this season.
2. Despite the performance…
All that being said, Wolves were honestly rather poor against United today. The overall performance was markedly weaker than previous weeks, especially in the attacking phases and midfield. The unit as a whole seemed a little more fragmented; the free-flowing, cohesive plays we had seen in games like the Spurs game were nowhere to be seen. Andre and Joao Gomes in the middle were quality once again but not quite as dominant as they have been recently, partly because they didn’t seem to have as many available options when they were on the ball, and partly due to some stellar Old Trafford refereeing wherein United players could throw themselves to ground at every opportunity available and be gifted free kicks, rather contrary to our midfield’s physical game.
However, defensively this was a strong team performance: a long standing issue of ours has been an inability to grind out a result and hold onto a lead especially in a first 6 months of this season characterised by late capitulations to gift away points against sides like Villa and Newcastle, but in this reinvented Wolves side, we defended valiantly, limited United to fairly speculative efforts and managed the game excellently (could have been capped off by a counter attacking goal in the 90th minute had Rodrigo Gomes chosen the right pass.)
The defensive strength was even more impressive considering the changes to the side with Doherty being rested for Santi Bueno to step in and Bentley assuming Sa’s position after he was injured in the warmup – being thrown into one of your first Premier League starts 15 minutes before kick off at a packed out Old Trafford and still holding your nerve and keeping a clean sheet is no mean feat.
3. The Sarabia Question
Well, he’s making a habit of this. Super Sub Sarabia did it again, merely 3 minutes after entering the fray, he struck one of the most sumptuous free kicks into Onana’s top corner which turned out to be the winner for Wolves.
After orchestrating a comeback against Ipswich almost single-handedly, he has catalysed 6 of our most important points this season and will be looked back on as vital in our survival this season.
Yet in spite of all this, he looks to be on his way out in the summer when his contract runs out, a move back to Sevilla looking most likely for the Spaniard as it stands. As one of the most highly paid players on the wage bill, Pereira faces the challenge of deciding whether or not his contributions are vital enough that he is deserving of another contract or if his inevitable restructuring in the summer means that Sarabia will be allowed to leave.
Personally, I think he is an excellent player to have in our squad, both to bring on to change a game and to start in certain matches; we have very few players who offer the same threat Pablo does, he has the ability to play that vital final ball and create chances from nothing.
That being said though, I can see why it becomes difficult to justify your highest paid player being someone who plays 15 minutes every week, so from my perspective I would be attempting to negotiate a new deal at some lower wages and if it wasn’t agreed to, allow him to leave.
4. Looking forwards
Whilst we are now acutely aware that we are mathematically safe from relegation this season, we have five more remaining games in which we are playing to prove to ourselves that this is a level which we deserve to be playing at next season and giving ourselves a platform to build off.
Next week’s fixture against Leicester at home ought to be another victory for us, especially seeing as we managed to dismantle them 0-3 away, home advantage should mean we can give a strong performance and spring ourselves up the table a little more.
It could be argued that resting Cunha for most of the rest of the season could be optimal as well, not wanting to jeopardise his sale with injury or his antics recurring again to deter buyers (would also give Pereira a chance to solidify a first team without Matheus in it which will most likely become a reality.)
Then our final 4 games will be very interesting: away games at the Etihad and Selhurst Park will undoubtedly be challenging but a necessary test of our mettle against tricky opposition and home fixtures against Brighton and Brentford on the final game of the season.
Whilst I see the next two games as fairly predictable games, Leicester are a very poor side and Man City are a high quality side (despite being fairly lacklustre this season) but the interesting games will be those final three – they are established Premier League sides of whom we hope to be amongst next season, securing mid table and challenging upwards to fringe European places. Performances against them are the true test of if we are on an upwards trajectory or papering over cracks for a few months.
As a club, we are used to being faintly disappointed in these matches, often gathering a little bit of form and then failing to take that final step in winnable games, beating a side like Brighton is a statement of intent.
5. And breathe…
I cannot imagine many Wolves fans thought this day would come this season, most of us resigned to relegation rather than the heights of 15th position! Yet today, we can finally breathe and relax, free to watch the Wolves without fear of relegation – as I am writing this I must admit my hardwired brain is still concerned that Liverpool aren’t beating Leicester yet even though it is now completely trivial!
I have tried to preach optimism in my articles throughout the season, even quite half-heartedly at times because I always sustain that belief is always more important than acting as though it is all over until it’s over, especially in football. It has been a roller coaster of a season, but we finally have some enjoyable football to watch at the weekends and faith restored in the club we all love. COYW!
ARTICLE BY BEN WHITEHOUSE
I’ve been a fan of Wolves all my life, based in the South-East, making for some fairly awkward school football conversations trying to argue that Kevin McDonald was better than Bruno Fernandes with the endless supply of Big 6 fans around here, just for the fun of it! Hoping to offer a insightful view into the performances, transfers, decisions and everything else our beloved Wanderers throw at us, good, bad and ugly (but preferably good!)