CRAIG HICKEY GIVES HIS PLAYER RATINGS FOR WOLVES V VILLA
…Well it could only get better after last week’s debacle!!! It wasn’t a must win but for me it was a must not lose….🤔
JOSE SA 7
A good steady performance from Jose, one fabulous save in the first half to his right. Calm, no tippy tappy nonsense, just did the simple things right.
NELSON SEMEDO 7
He had his hands full against the Villa left side, exposed a few times but overall played well. His distribution and passing were simple and worked better with Nunes as the game wore on.
CRAIG DAWSON 8
A solid performance from him as he kept Watkins very quiet, always a threat at set pieces. One superb block in the first half, plenty of tackles and crisp passing. Showed some strength in the last few minutes to shield the ball in the corner, he’s alright I reckon.
MAX KILMAN 8
Mr Dependable gave his usual no nonsense defensive display. Assured passing, strong tackling and calmness personified. Willing to get hurt for the cause when it appeared he got an elbow by Watkins.
TOTI GOMES 8.5 & MAN OF THE MATCH
On reflection, he for me gets Man of the Match worked hard, showed some silly skills and driving runs, as well as defending excellently. His goal was a superb leap and driven header that went into the top corner of the goal and hitting the underside of the bar to go in. One run produced a Cruyff turn that megged his opposing player, pure filth. Got beaten by Bailey who used some fabulous footwork and dragged him back to take one for the team and a yellow card. Superb today.
MARIO LEMINA 7.5
Low key but integral to the team with his tackling, supporting the defence and the discipline to sit in front of the defence, allowing Neves to control the build up play. Simple passing but an effective addition to nullifying the Villa midfield.
RUBEN NEVES 7.5
Ruben had to do a lot ugly duties today but he did these well. Tried to build up attacks but relied on the front players and wide men to press forward. Closing down the Villa defence and keeper to stop the out ball to Watkins and the other anonymous forward. Got the assist for the goal.
MATHEUS NUNES 7
Matheus showed glimpses of his skills and driving runs but had to work hard defending for large parts of the game. Helped stem the attacks down the right side after leaving Semedo exposed in the first twenty minutes.
PEDRO NETO 7.5
Always willing to receive the ball and take people on, tracked back, battled and supported Toti when defending. One particular closing down effort resulted with him sprinting across the Villa back line to hassle the keeper and defenders, preventing them breaking out of their defence.
MATHEUS CUNHA 8
A very good display from him today, endless running and link up play with Costa, we missed that last week. One fantastic run from his own half ended in a well timed tackle by a defender when he was entering the penalty area. Good skills and tracking back throughout the 65 mins he played. He should have scored just before half time but maybe he hit it too well.
DIEGO COSTA 8
Worked hard, which is the usual standard of late. Keep Ming’s and Konsa busy, in fact Ming’s and Diego were involved in a clash which drew a yellow card for them both. Had a glorious chance to score after great interplay but a good stop by Martinez denied him.
SUBSTITUTES
Hwang – 6.5 – Came into the game for Cunha and made himself a nuisance by closing down the defenders. Again, did the ugly jobs well
Adama Traore – Not enough time to make any impact.
Nathan Collins – not enough time on the pitch to grade but didn’t put a foot wrong
Joao Moutinho – Not sure he touched the ball for the little time he had.
Man of the Match – Toti Gomes, superb display.
ARTICLE BY CRAIG HICKEY
A 53 year old season ticket holder in the Steve Bull stand. Go along with my two young lads who love the Wolves and so far, the positive times. Long may it continue.
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