SEAN STANTON GIVES US HIS PLAYER RATINGS
When Wolves reached 37 points after beating Palace at Molineux most people thought we were safe.
The players certainly did and they were on the beach when they got battered at Brighton a week later.
Lopetegui dragged them off the beach and they were definitely back “at it” for the victory over Villa.
With Premier League survival confirmed the players weren’t just back on the beach for the game against Man Utd, they were actually asleep on their sun loungers. Especially in the first half.
Last week was the first match since Lopetegui arrived where the result didn’t really matter. I felt it as a fan so I’m sure it affected the players as well. Subconsciously or not.
On to today.
Everton were fighting for their lives.
Were the Wolves players still on the beach ?
DAN BENTLEY 5
Was solid and did well against Everton’s corners and physicality but made a bit of a horlics with the cross that led to their goal. Hence the lower mark.
NELSON SEMEDO 5.5
A bit all over the place in the first half. Had his work cut out in the second half too. Failed to stop too many crosses and shots for my liking.
NATHAN COLLINS 6
Coped quite well with the aerial bombardment but was hesitant and a bit rusty on occasion.
CRAIG DAWSON 7
As reliable as ever. In the right places at the right times. Safe as houses.
TOTI GOMES 6
A bit shaky but didn’t get much help from anyone and seemed isolated at times.
RUBEN NEVES 8 & MAN OF THE MATCH
Magnificent. Appeared all over the pitch. Spraying passes, making tackles, pressing and tracking back.
God. He’s going to be missed.
Subbed off to rapturous applause.
JOAO GOMES 7
Battled hard. Won balls. Made a lot of short passes. Never seems rushed or flushed.
PABLO SARABIA 5
Worked hard off the ball but wasn’t good on it. Especially in the first half.
Giving it away. Falling over.
Improved a bit in the second half and went close with a shot but was crying out to be subbed and he was.
ADAMA TRAORE 7.5
Didn’t start well but the run that resulted in the goal was just incredible. I love watching him run with the ball and I’m praying he’ll stay. Subbed
LITTLE DAN PODENCE 5.5
His flicks and blind passes make me want to pull my hair out sometimes and he gave the ball away constantly, but they look so good when they work and there are not many who are as dangerous as he is when he’s in the box and the defenders can’t foul him. Subbed.
SUBSTITUTES
CUNHA – n/a
COSTA – 6 Ran around a lot and had a shot saved.
BOUBACAR – n/a
NUNES – 7 Showed some flashes of brilliance and went on a run that was nearly as good as Adama’s but his shot was saved.
LEMINA – 6.5 His usual busy, hard working self.
ARTICLE BY SEAN STANTON
Born in Wolverhampton. Raised in Dudley, Drank in the Beacon in Sedgley until he had children. Now drinks at home.
