ANDREW BENNETT SHARES HIS THOUGHTSAND PLAYER RATINGS FOR WOLVES 2-1 VICTORY AGAINST FULHAM
JOSE SA 7.5
Made some fantastic saves especially one from a powerful Adama Traore strike tipping over the right side of the crossbar. A good all round performance by the Wolves number one with the exception of a few kicks. Unfortunate to concede with less than 5 seconds to go, but couldn’t be blamed as Iwobi had an easy tap home.
NELSON SEMEDO 8
Great performance from Semedo firstly defensively stopping Willian for most of the second half, and barely had anything to do in the first half as Fulham played without traditional wingers for the first half. Got a rare goal although via a deflection off Tom Cairney a great performance from the former Barcelona man.
MAX KILMAN 7
A great captains performance from Kilman as alongside S.Bueno dealing with Munoz and Broja later in the second half. Looked assured on the ball and really didn’t have to much to do. When called upon stepped up and nicked in to win the ball on multiple occasions.
SANTI BUENO 6.5
Maybe switched off for the final seconds to allow Broja’s flick on and Iwobi to score. Other than this, Bueno handled the Fulham attackers with confidence and a positive performance from the Uruguay international for whom minutes have been limited. Particularly impressive to play a first half alongside Kilman in a back 4 rarely used by Wolves this season.
Rayan Ait-Nouri - 8 (Man of the Match)
A brilliant performance from a versatile Ait-Nouri who across the 90 minutes played left back, left wing back, a striker and right midfield. Scored the opening goal with a brilliant finish into the top of the net, oozing confidence when on the ball going forward making everything look easy. His quality shown in the final moments keeping the ball in the corner with great skill and technique. Defensively when playing left back and left wing back didn’t have a lot to do and handled the respective Fulham attackers.
JOAO GOMES 7.5
A wonderful performance by Gomes who covered ground all around the pitch. Winning the ball in midfield repeatedly living upto his nickname the Pitbull. Had multiple opportunities to potentially shoot but opted to pass would be the only criticism if any from today’s game, sometimes just gambling can pay off as we saw with Semedo’s deflected finish.
MARIO LEMINA 8
Beautiful performance from Lemina against one of his former teams. Looked at ease in the midfield with Gomes for the short time he was in there before moving up to left midfield/left winger when Bellegarde went off injured. Out of position and up the pitch Lemina’s performance deserved a goal which nearly came in the final moments as he fired just wide. Repeatedly started the high press to support Gomes and Doyle gain possession a solid performance from magic Mario.
PEDRO NETO 5
Sadly for Wolves Neto went off injured just before the half. Didn’t put in a memorable performance for the first 45, potentially wasn’t fully fit? We will never know, it looks like Wolves will miss a star player for a few weeks with a hamstring injury. The injury happened as Pedro was taking on Robinson on the right and just pulled up.
PABLO SARABIA 6.5
Experienced performance from Sarabia who grew into the game, the only senior orthodox attacker on the pitch after Neto’s injury. Didn’t have any standout moment I can recall but was good at linking up the play and keeping Wolves forward momentum especially in a phenomenal second half.
JEAN RICNER BELLEGARDE N/A
Left the field after just over 10 minutes of play with a knee injury. Hopefully the injury is not that bad with a lack of attacking options available.
NATHAN FRASER 7
Brilliant performance from the homegrown forward. Hustled the two Fulham defenders in Bassey and Diop, won a couple of attacking free kicks, had a difficult opportunity well saved by Leno and played a great part in Semedo’s goal. Consistently running applying pressure to Fulham players even on a couple of occasions was seen coming back and winning the ball. A top performance on his Premier League debut from the teenager.
TOMMY DOYLE (SUB) 7.5
Brilliant performance from Doyle coming on early for the injured Bellegarde. Sat deep in midfield with Gomes and often picked up loose Fulham passes spayed the ball around the park and put in another solid performance from the midfielder who simply must be purchased in the summer.
TOTI GOMES (SUB) 7
Played the full second half and a few moments in the first coming on for the injured Pedro Neto as Wolves adjusted shape to return to a back 3/5. A top performance similar to Kilman and Bueno looking defensively assured clearing the ball and being confident in possession. Got the assist for Ait-Nouri’s opener knocking it back from a set piece. A good performance to come off the bench as Toti has been a regular starter in Gary O’Neils side.
MATT DOHERTY (SUB) 7
Didn’t put a foot wrong coming on in the 77th minute for Fraser, helping Wolves see out the game dealing with Adama’s pace with ease. A good experienced addition helping the home side see the game out.
IN SUMMARY...
n summary a great performance from the boys, especially during the second half filling in unnatural positions in some cases for Gary O’Neil’s barmy army!
Moving forward, with only Sarabia our fit attacking option as it stands will be interesting to see the Wolves team to take on Coventry in the huge FA Cup quarter final next weekend.
ARTICLE BY ANDREW BENNETT
From my first Wolves match against Chelsea in 2003 I fell in love with the team and matchday experience. I work in digital marketing and have lived in Germany and Estonia over the past few years, this doesn’t stop me following Wolves and ensuring all my international friends become invested to the Wolf pack. I enjoy football, board games, a pint and travelling always excited to try new things. You will find me in the north bank on a matchday.
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