SEAN STANTON GIVES HIS PLAYER RATINGS FOR SOUTHAMPTON V WOLVES
JOSE SA 8.5
Although his playing out from the back has induced some severe sphincter loosening moments amongst the Molineux faithful recently, Jose saved us today.
He couldn’t do anything about the goal but made a vital, superb intervention to prevent Wolves going 2-0 down when Kilman’s sloppy back pass put the Saints player in one on one.
NELSON SEMEDO 6
I’m still not convinced his attacking qualities make up for his defensive shortcomings but you are always guaranteed 100% effort.
Didn’t get much chance to go forward and looked vunerable at times in defence.
Booked early on and substituted late in the game.
CRAIG DAWSON 7.5
Solid as a rock. Getting his head in and making vital blocks. Already looks undroppable.
You can see why the Hammers fans were gutted to lose the balding northerner.
Also now vying with Matheus Nunes for the “Who’s got the most sticky out ears in the squad” title.
MAX KILMAN 5
He’ll be buying Jose Sa a few pints tonight. The Portuguese goalie saved his blushes after the big left footed defenders catastrophic back pass let a Saints player in. Apart from dropping that enormous bollock and a few other little errors he did OK. Needs to be more consistent.
RAYAN AIT-NOURI 6
He didn’t get much opportunity to show his attacking flair as he struggled to control Southampton’s pacey right winger. Didn’t look half as cool either because of a severe haircut. Needs to change his barber. Booked and substituted at half time.
MARIO LEMINA 5
Struggled to follow up his outstanding performance against Liverpool. Probably trying too hard against his old club.
His first booking was debatable but his second (apparently for running at the ref in an aggressive way) was ludicrous.
Would the ref have booked and sent off Kevin De Bruyne or Harry Kane for the same offence if they were already on a yellow ?
Of course not.
A pathetic decision by the ref. I hope he gets piles.
RUBEN NEVES 8
The closer it gets to his inevitable departure the better he seems to become. He is a magnificent player. The beating heart of the team. Another commanding showing.
Rumours are he’ll be going to the Camp Nou next year.
For God’s sake why ?
I mean, apart from architecture, history, culture, climate and location what has Barcelona got to offer that we haven’t ?
If only Freddie Mercury would rise from the dead and sing a song about Wolverhampton.
JOAO MOUTINHO 6
The little maestro never really got into the game.
Maybe coming on after an hour when the opponents are getting knackered like he did last week against Liverpool is how he is going to impact games in the future, now that Wolves have more options.
Substituted at half time.
MATHEUS NUNES 6.5
Exuding confidence and displaying silky skills Matheus seems to glide past players effortlessly but for some reason he is yet to stamp his authority on this team or this league but you feel it is inevitable that he soon will.
Gives the ball away too often.
Substituted in the second half.
PABLO SARABIA 6
He hasn’t shown that much for Wolves yet apart from maximum commitment to the team and the positive body language that his predecessors Guedes and Trincao failed to show.
MATHEUS CUNHA 5.5
A bit too casual in possession and lacking urgency. He’s a big guy and he could do with getting a few tips off Costa about using his physical attributes.
Substituted in the second half.
SUBSTITUTES
ADAMA TRAORE 7.5
On at half time for Joao. The fact that the opposition always put two and sometimes three men on Adama helped even things up with Wolves down to ten men. With his greased up bulging biceps the human bullet train was unlucky not to be awarded the equaliser. It was his shot and it was going in. I love watching Adama and I hope to god the manager can convince him to stay.
HUGO BUENO 7
On at half time for Rayan. A bit more conservative and reassuring defensively than Ait-Nouri, young Hugo did a good job.
He also put a great cross in for the equaliser.
DIEGO COSTA 7
On in the second half for Cunha. Unlike the guy he replaced, Costa used his physicality really well. He occupied the defenders and put himself about big time. Along with Adama he was really instrumental in using his sheer presence to seemingly even things up numbers wise with Wolves being a man down.
JOAO GOMES 8.5
On in the second half for Nunes. He seemed solid enough and played a lovely ball through for Costa to run onto.Then he picked up a loose ball and carried it into the box. For a kid making his debut in the hardest league in the world, how well did he take that goal ?
He didn’t snatch at it.
He didn’ t blast it.
When his first shot was blocked he calmly picked his spot and with defenders closing in he placed the ball past the keeper.
Who says dreams don’t come true ?
JONNY N/A
On late in the second half for Nelson.
From my position behind the sofa in the closing minutes I haven’t got a clue how Jonny did.
What I do know however is that the Wolves manager uses his subs superbly.
Well done to everyone.
What a fantastic win.
article by Sean stanton
Born in Wolverhampton. Raised in Dudley, Drank in the Beacon in Sedgley until he had children. Now drinks at home.