WOLVES FANS SHARE THEIR FRUSTRATIONS AND LOOK AT THE POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES IN WOLVES DEFEAT TO NEWCASTLE
CRAIG HICKEY
PAM WELLS
That was heartbreaking. The game started with Newcastle having most of the possession while we counter-attacked without much success. Gordon, as expected, caused most of the problems, but Mosquera and Dawson were solid, with Johnstone performing well behind them.
Our main threat came from counter-attack after winning the ball in midfield and playing it up to Cunha or Larsen, but we weren’t executing it well until the goal, which was really well worked. After the goal, we started to play better. At the start of the second half, we used the same setup, but Newcastle’s substitutions made a difference. Isak coming off eased the pressure on our centre-backs, but the two midfield subs caused us problems as they were much quicker and stronger.
We kept going but, as usual, nothing came off for us up front. Then we had the heartbreak of the equaliser, which deflected in off Dawson’s head, and the winner came when Doherty lost his man. Forbs looked good when he came on, but we just couldn’t get the equaliser that I think we deserved.
My performance rating is a 7, as we didn’t give up. I found it hard to choose the man of the match this week. Dawson, Lemina, and Andre all played well, but I’m going to give it to Andre since it was his debut, even though he came off.
KARL WHITEHOUSE
Cagey start from the team at the beginning of the game with Newcastle having plenty of possession. We slowly got back into the game with more time on the ball. Semedo got caught by Gordon, whose run nearly led to a goal, leaving our defence exposed. This needs sorting out if other teams try the same tactic.
There were too many close calls from Newcastle attacking our defence. We were sloppy in possession at times, failing to keep the ball and limiting ourselves to long-range chances as the first half went on. Larsen made a good run at the Newcastle defence, shrugging off Dan Burn. He held him off and played a great ball into the box to Mario Lemina. This was a good counterattack by the team, showing us how to score first.
We just need to keep the movement going. Our counterattacking play is good, but we must learn to avoid starting slowly in games. We haven’t often been in this position, leading at half-time. We need to maintain the momentum and continue attacking into the second half.
Second Half
It started the same as the first half, but we created chances, hitting the post from Larsen. We kept the momentum going, attacking Newcastle from all over the pitch. Lemina showed his ability with cross-field balls. He needs to keep producing these throughout the season.
This highlights the need for a second goal in games, as the opposition can score from nowhere. They got a goal with a deflection off Dawson. These are issues we need to sort out. Defending is our problem again. For the second goal we conceded, we gave Barnes space and time. We didn’t mark him properly, allowing him to score from distance. The back four system we’re using is a big concern, as we know we can’t play like this.
Cunha came close late on to equalise with Dawson pushed up front as a makeshift attacker, but we fell to another defeat. There must be fundamental questions about this performance. We have one win in 15 and six defeats in seven at home. There must be questions about the team’s performance with this setback. Gary has to find solutions, but we fans can see what’s wrong.
Overall, Gary must ditch this formation. Otherwise, we will be fighting against relegation, which we don’t want for our club. We need changes now.
BLACKPOOL WOLF
Frustration at yet another defeat in a game we didn’t deserve to lose. In the first half, I felt every player had at least a decent 45 minutes, except for Semedo, who had a poor game and was too easily beaten by Gordon throughout. Rayan Ait Nouri has definitely worked on his positioning. I thought Bellegarde had a good first half and always looked to get involved. Mosquera and Dawson cleaned up pretty much everything, and although Newcastle had more possession, Wolves looked more threatening.
That being said, I’m not sure what the formation was. Looking at the line-up before the game, I expected three in the middle with Cunha on the left, Bellegarde on the right, and Strand Larsen up front on his own. It was actually completely different, with Bellegarde on the left, Cunha behind Larsen, and Lemina probably popping up the most on the right. There were signs that we could be opened up easily. Andre had the best half for me. He reads the game well, is calm on the ball, and is not a bad passer. He looks to get the ball forward or switch play to get us going.
In the second half, I didn’t think it was a bad performance. Let’s be fair; it was two stunning goals that Johnstone couldn’t do much about. Maybe the goal when Barnes cut inside was too easy for Doherty and let him create his own space. I liked what I saw from Forbs. He looks like he has some pace and is willing to take players on, which is something Wolves have missed out wide since R. Gomes has been out of the team. We have had a tough start to the season, and four of the next five fixtures will be tough. We’re probably expected to lose, so we need to sort something out quickly. The pressure is on Gary O’Neil now to find our identity.
JOHN TARAS
Depressing this evening
Positives: we had more attempts on goal than before. Larsen and Cunha were both unlucky. Negatives: we didn’t go for a second goal. Pressure builds inevitably. Both goals allowed the attackers clear shots. Too much space. Compare Newcastle to us; they hounded us and pressed. Going forward We have a midweek cup game against Brighton. I’m not optimistic about a result. The pressure is on with the upcoming fixtures. Gary O’Neil has to lift the players to keep going. Defensively, we need to close down quicker. If we take the lead, we should go for a second goal. We can’t defend a one-nil lead. I still believe we have enough quality; we just need to adjust a few things and increase the tempo.
LOUIE LEFEVRE
Massive missed opportunity. O’Neil never seems to get it right with subs. Made all the changes 10 minutes after they should have happened and not sure what he was going for bringing Hwang on 1-0 up. We were never going to be able to hold on for so long and gave them so much space and time for their first goal. I think Doherty may be finished at a top level sadly. A shame to say about a club legend but time for Lima to step in. Decent home debuts for Andre and Johnstone while Dawson had a good game too.
Gary needs to be careful with his tactics and subs. The game was crying out for Sarabia and taking a big man upfront off to put Dawson there was a terrible decision. Wolves have too many players who put themselves about and not enough creative minds. A team full of purely workhorses is never going to get far. I felt bad for a few of the players out there and this result is down to Gary’s decision making and tactics.
GEORGE LAKIN
Testing times for O’Neil.
Deserved a point and we were good for 70 mins. But it’s a results based business ultimately- and seeing games out is as crucial a part of the game as anything.
Mentality, composure, control in key moments.. good teams have them all.
To play so well for so long only to throw it away at the end and come away with nothing is a tough one to take.
That horrible weight of not being able to buy a win only grows heavier. Can’t afford to slip into a ‘plucky but unlucky’ mindset (nothing worse imo).
Fixtures don’t help but they are what they are.
Deflating one today that’ll be tough on morale, and it’s up to Gary to pick the players up. If we don’t get at least one or two wins from our admittedly tough opening nine games we’ll be right in the mire.. with a quarter of the season gone.
If this does end up being the case, even the ‘easier’ fixtures to come thereafter will come with an added pressure on manager and players that certainly won’t help.
Need to see games out, need a big result or two (and soon), could be season defining even at this early stage. Purely because it’ll give us some confidence, some belief, some breathing space. Most importantly, it would steer us away -nice and early- from any impending sense of panic that could end up setting the tone for our season if it sets in.
On a separate and final note, Andre looks like he will be absolutely pivotal. Some home debut that.