WE ASKED WOLVES FANS TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON WOLVES 1-1 DRAW AT FOREST
LOUIE LEFEVRE
“Wolves looked good in the first half during an end-to-end affair but seemed to settle for a point as the game went on. A welcome return to the Premier League starting eleven for Semedo and Dawson who both had very good games. Dawson was my man of the match and added an assured presence at the back that was clear to see midweek against Burnley, while Toti seemed to struggle next to him. It’s good to get a point on the board but you felt Wolves could have pushed for more rather than sitting back but then again, it feels like we always draw with Forest.”
BLACKPOOL WOLF
A draw is probably a fair result. There are some encouraging signs, but there’s still a lot to work on.
Once again, we conceded a goal from a corner. I mentioned it against Chelsea. It seems like we are set up to defend the six-yard box, and when the corner came in, Wood had so much space to head Forest into the lead.
Bellegarde’s goal was a wonder strike. In the first half, he tried much harder to get on the ball and make things happen, but he didn’t get into the game at all in the second half. Dawson was composed and commanding; he won many aerial battles and, in my opinion, was probably the best player in a Wolves shirt today. Cunha works tirelessly and is always thinking positively. You can see he’s really trying to build a partnership with Larsen.
I think Wolves are missing a starting player who will run at the defence down the wings. We have been lucky over the years to see Jota, Traore, and Neto run at players out wide. At the moment, it seems like we are always looking to play back to the defence and try to build again. For me, R. Gomes needs more game time. He’s someone who will run at players. I’m still advocating for Pedro Lima to maybe play higher up the pitch with his pace and ability. I was disappointed he didn’t make the bench again.
Overall, it’s positive to get our first point of the season. With Andre and Forbs coming in, it will be interesting to see what they can add. I want to add that I’ve never been a fan of Sa. For me, goalkeeper was a position we desperately needed to strengthen. When I found out we were signing Johnstone, it didn’t fill me with excitement. However, if he continues to play the way he did today, I think that strengthens us massively. He made a couple of good saves, seemed calm on the ball, and didn’t kick the ball out of play once.
KARL WHITEHOUSE
Much better performance from the game against Chelsea where Gary made three changes to the side.
First Half
We started the game well with plenty of possession. Our nemesis Chris Wood always likes to score against us. He was allowed to score from a corner where Sam Johnstone couldn’t get to it, with Anthony Elanga causing issues for him. Jean Ricner Bellegarde showed us that we can score from 25 yards out with a lovely goal, the first from outside the area since Brentford away in the FA Cup. We had opportunities in the game to score, just as Forest did, but our frailties were also exposed by Forest on the left-hand side. This could be an issue for us this season as we didn’t strengthen in the transfer window, so we need to keep a close eye on it.
Second Half
The second half started the same way as the first, with Forest creating chances. Johnstone had no trouble keeping out the shots, which were either tipped over the bar or pushed around the post, keeping Wolves in the game. We missed Ait Nouri’s runs into the opposition box today, which could have caused problems for Forest. He clearly wasn’t happy about being substituted. When will he get a full game to play? Cunha had chances to win it, but they went wide of the post. Today, it was a hard-fought point against a decent Forest side under Nuno, who has got the team playing well. Gary needs to sort out the weaknesses in the back four, particularly on the left-hand side. It was nice to see Dawson back in the side; he was solid in the game.
Player of the match: Craig Dawson, rating 7.5 for the matc
PAM WELLS
JOHN TARAS
- Stand out performance from Dawson, played like a rock and marshalled the defence.
- Team defended much better than Chelsea.
- Brilliant strike by Bellegarde.
- Good display by Johnstone. Didn’t kick one ball out! Made two good saves!
- Struggled in the middle for pace.
- Forest attacked with pace and we were fire fighting at times.
- O’Neil has more options now on team formation. Andre, Forbs, Gueddes, Lima and R Gomes will be exciting additions.
- Shame it’s international weekend next. However more practice time before Newcastle game
- Bigger squad will allow for different permutations during the game!
- Today Ait-Nouri didn’t benefit from playing further forwards. He’s an enigma!
- Our prospects now are better with the bigger squad.
- The propect of Lima and R Gomes on opposite wings is mouthwatering.
- Young Forbs should also improve our attack.
- All things being equal we should be a stronger team post Internationals.
GEORGE LAKIN
Overall, I’m satisfied with a point. Forest away is never an easy fixture. While the performance left a fair bit to be desired, I think any team coming of the back of shipping 6 at home was always going to look shaky at times, so not unexpected nor overly concerning. Our defensive issues are systematic, and were never going to be solved in a week.
So, if we’ve learnt anything from today’s game it’s surely that -until we bring in any potential defensive reinforcements in January- Craig Dawson must start. Mosquera seemed more-level headed and composed on the whole, and far less rash; that right there is the benefit of having Dawson in his ear guiding him through the game. Yerson has the makings of a great defender, but needs some poise alongside him to flourish. I think O’Neil has realised this now, and I doubt we’ll see the Toti/Mosquera partnership as the two in a four again this campaign (injuries/suspensions permitting).
Briefly on the goals, Forest undoing us from a set piece didn’t surprise me, Chris Wood knocking it in surprised me even less. Sadly, it’s become almost inevitable now. On a serious note, we look fragile defending set plays, and if we’re not careful, it’s a weakness teams will really start to target more and more. Whether or not new zonal marking strategies are being implemented (as part of the our new set piece coach is working on) and things are not yet fully embedded I’m not sure. But I didn’t like the fact that Rodrigo Gomes seemed to be picking up Gabriel on corners in the first half against Arsenal… and I don’t particularly like what I’ve seen since.
Our goal was a superb strike by Bellegarde but I’m still unconvinced that his overall game offers us enough going forward. With the abundance of attacking options we now have, I’ve been surprised to see him start our opening three fixtures.
In all, it’s a point on the board to get our season started; nothing more, nothing less.
The international break has come at a good time.
J. MICHAEL GRAY
After a disastrous showing against Chelsea, the Wolves came into the game hoping to bounce back with a solid outing against Nottingham Forest. It only took ten minutes however, for them to give up a goal and find themselves at an early disadvantage.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde quickly came to the rescue providing an equalizer just a couple of minutes later with his laser shot into the upper right corner of the net, evening up the score at 1-1.
Despite a valiant effort and a number of substitutions in the second half, the winning goal proved elusive for the Wolves. The game ended in a draw and with a much needed point for Wolves in the table.
Parting thought…given the need for a go-ahead goal, I’m unsure why Rodrigo Gomes didn’t come on in the last half of the match. He, no doubt, would have offered more of a scoring threat than Hwang, who was virtually invisible once again.
Man of the Match
While Matheus Cunha, Craig Dawson, and newcomer Sam Johnstone are all worthy, I have to give the nod to Johnstone. With the exception of the early goal, he made multiple saves, deflections, and punch outs. Additionally, he looked much more comfortable on the ball and with distribution than Jose Sa.
SCOTT DRAME
Today’s performance was impressive. O’Neil’s tactics clicked perfectly, creating fluid and effective plays. Although the defence was solid overall, it could have been a bit tighter at times. On the bright side, VAR was on point this time, making decisions without fuss. Sam Johnstone really caught me off guard with his exceptional skills—did anyone expect such a standout performance from him? Also, Lemina was consistently impressive throughout the match, showcasing his abilities with confidence and precision.