Post by deadbat on Dec 1, 2019 18:33:38 GMT
The Blades long unbeaten record away from end remained intact on Sunday afternoon at Molineux as they drew at high flying Wolves. A quick-fire Lys Mousset goal after 63 seconds put them in front and they had chances in both halves to extend the lead but Fleck and McGoldrick missed big chances and Wolves came back. The goal was well crafted by Jiménez and Doherty stole in to head home. After this United had another great chance from McGoldrick just wide but then the home side looked the more likely and United had to put in a shift to take a point back to Sheffield.
Wilder made two changes with Henderson and Egan back in for Moore and Jagielka who dropped down to the bench. Wolves were coming off an entertaining draw in Portugal in the week as they qualified for the next stages of the Europa League. They had a side packed full on internationals and attacking threats.
The Blades made a lightening start to proceedings as Baldock’s throw was played back to him by Lundstram and the wing back’s cross evaded the entire Wolves backline. MOUSSET touch pirouetted him towards goal and he drove it low into the corner with his left foot. It was an incredible start for United. The next attack saw Dendoncker chopped down for a bad foul on the French striker who was bearing down on goal again. Wolves were struggling to hold the frontman, and United came again with Lundstram just failing to get onto Mousset’s overhit pass. United had been tremendous and Wolves had barely got out of their own half in the first ten minutes.
The home side awoke from their slumber and Traore caused problems with his running and then Doherty nutmegged Stevens and his deflected cross saw Jiménez head towards goal with a slight suspicion of a push on a defender, but Henderson flicked over for a corner.
Stevens then hauled down Traore whose pace was causing lots of problems as Wolves started to have more of the ball. However, Stevens nearly fed Mousset and Patricio had to be alert to kick away as United still looked a threat going forward.
Neves had a long-range effort blocked and then Basham and O’Connell made some brave interceptions. Neves and then Moutinho made some clever runs but both O’Connell and then Egan made timely tackles. Fleck was booked for a pull back as Traore threatened to get away.
United still were playing good football and some lovely work down the right saw Baldock and Norwood combine and McGoldrick’s touch was just too heavy. Basham then headed clear with checks for a VAR penalty quickly waved away as the game became more end to end.
The Blades had a great chance to make it two when Mousset’s lovely through ball through the legs of a Wolves defender saw Fleck in goal but his drilled effort was too close to the keeper who saved with his legs. Stevens then had an effort over the bar after taking an age to steady himself. United had been full value for the lead with the better chances throughout and Wolves only having one serious effort on goal.
The second half saw United start as they had the first half and they had several chances in a 5-10 minute spell to put the game away.
Fleck’s cross was chested down by Mousset to McGoldrick but his effort was too close to the keeper who saved. Soon after Fleck’s clever one two with McGoldrick saw the striker in but he again could not get the necessary power or direction and the keeper saved yet again. Mousset then blazed over after more good build up play. United really should have put the game to bed.
Wolves started to lift themselves after so many let offs and Baldock and then O’Connell were both booked. Traore remained the main threat with his strong running and Wolves won two corners in quick succession.
Just after the hour they were level. The first ball may have been offside but the ball was half cleared but no more than the goal chalked off at Spurs for the Blades, and after Stevens had toed away, the ball was at the feet of Jimenez who put a lovely flighted cross in between the keeper and defence and DOHERTY stole in to head home from close range. A poor goal to concede regardless of any controversy.
Wolves now sensed they could win the game and United had to cede possession for a period but they came out and won a free kick and from Norwood’s delivery, McGoldrick’s flicked header was narrowly wide. It seems like the striker will never score a Premier League goal!
Wolves had another good spell pinning United back but they could not create too much and strong defending from Basham again saw out a potential attack. Baldock was lucky not to get a second yellow for a poor foul as he chopped down Jota and the crowd howling for blood. McBurnie came on for the tiring McGoldrick and helped United get up the field by winning two headers. The first led to a half chance but Stevens angled effort missed the goal and a teammate. Wolves now were the side mostly in the ascendancy but again had not created much despite winning another free kick with Egan booked for a pull back in the build up to one attack.
Robinson and Freeman came on for Mousset and Lundstram respectively as the game entered three minutes additional time. Wolves had more of the ball in this spell and won a late free kick but the United defence held firm and the final whistle went soon after. Another point and another game without defeat on the road for the Blades but once again the performance may have yielded even better returns. United’s displays continue to be of a high standard for the most part and if they maintain this form and results, they will continue to look very comfortable in the top flight.
United – Mixed feelings again. Before the game I would have been delighted with a point and keep the run going but then after the game like with Man Utd and Spurs I had a real mixture of emotions.
Mousset scored a great early goal and then we had more chances and were all over them. They barely got in our half for the first 15 minutes. It was just like the last game at Spurs. We did not finish more half chances and breaks. They had a better spell and Henderson made a good save and they had a few half chances with Traore causing us all sort of problems even though we did well against Jota and Neves etc. We went in at the break 1-0 up but you feared they would come out and up things after the break.
The opposite happened as we really should have been 2 or 3-0 up and out of sight. We had a spell after the break where for 5-10 minutes we just went through them like knife through butter and Didzy especially missed a number of chances. We have to be more ruthless as we are outplaying teams with our pressing and then football when we turn over the opponents in possession. Ultimately though we have to put the ball in the net and make better choices in the final third. We did so much good stuff with tackling, pressing and getting amongst them. On the ball we moved it around and at pace. Mousset was causing them all sort of problems with Didz linking well too. We looked like a side that would create things but we just did not quite show that clinical finishing or right final ball. They came into the game and of course then got a well made and taken goal when we switched off a bit (VAR could have helped us out maybe or I am clutching at straws?). After this you felt just get the point but then Didzy nearly scored and Enda had a run and cross-shot. For the final 15 minutes though, they really came at us and we had to make tackles, blocks and dare I say it fouls to help stem the tide. They are really strong at home so you just take the result and move on. As I say before the game would have been delighted but after seeing another good performance where we moved it around well and created plenty as well as being solid defensively, you are a touch disappointed not to win. As I say all three of the last games, we have been the better side but only taken three draws. We have to ensure now we start putting our chances away and concentrating better at vital times the other way.
I will say it thought today that we were quite cynical. Some may say dirty. We got a lot of yellows and all were deserved save for Baldock who then ironically should have got a yellow and that would have been his second. Stevens took a daft one so early which meant he was on his heels all day against a dangerous opponent. Fleck committed several fouls before he was booked for a silly pull back. O’Connell’s was equally daft as it was out wide and then Egan blocked his man quite cynically. All quite blatant really. I am not sure we can complain. I am sure when Roy does his views from, they will say we were very dirty and we were today! Not seen us hack and foul as much like that for a long time but they have pace and runners. A contrast to maybe 2 years ago when we could not get close to them and they ran through us. Maybe holding them up and sharing out some fouls and booked stopped their momentum but I do feel some of the fouls and bookings were a bit rash and unnecessary really. It also meant we could not press and harry as much in the second half with Stevens and Fleck particularly dropping off more.
Does mean we now have Baldock, Fleck and Lundstram on 4 yellow cards, O’Connell is on 3 also (Stevens and Basham 2 yellow cards). So, it means the likes of both Freemans are sure to get some game time soon. You would almost hope they stay out of trouble until after Xmas but that would be a stretch – you almost would rather they miss Man City and Liverpool than the likes of Norwich, Villa, Brighton and Watford.
Big two games now as Wilder alluded to. We must take the game to Newcastle and maintain these performances. If we do that, I feel we can get a positive result from this and the game at Norwich against two teams that are poor defensively.
Ratings:
Henderson 7/10 – Thought his handling was very good today. He did not drop anything that came into his box and made some routine grabs and interceptions. One shot early on he palmed out but not sure he could do much more really. No chance on the goal as he was left badly exposed. The only knock was his one poor kick which led to a half chance in the first half. Always feel more secure with him in goal than Moore.
Baldock 6.5/10 – I thought it was the toughest game for the two wing backs maybe all season due to the running and pace from Wolves which comes from the wide areas both from likes of Doherty and also the more natural wide men higher up the field. Did well going forward to start the game and involved in some nice moves and intricate passing. He made the goal with the run and cross. After the break he struggled somewhat, got a soft booking and then it was more of a struggle. He was very lucky not to get another after this and should have but then the first was soft. On the goal he went with another man and no one went with the wing back (Didzy closed to him but maybe this is technically Lundstram’s man?).
Stevens 6.5/10 – Poorest he has been defensively against a top-level winger who gave him the run-around most of the game. Enda is solid defensively and normally stops his man/crosses and keeps to good positions but got left horrible exposed today (midfield and centre backs needed to help him more) and Traore’s pace and power was too much for him. Got the early yellow and then did well not to dive in after this but they had so many attacks down this side and that is where the main threat was. Going forward he had one effort that he took too long and shot over and then one drilled cross shot off target second half. He won’t face players with the combination of pace/power and skill like Traore every week though.
Basham 8/10 – Thought save for a few mistimed headers and slices in the first half he was excellent and pushed Mousset for our man of the match. He stayed compact and got some vital blocks and tackles in and even faced with quicker attackers, he managed to just keep good positional sense. Made a few vital blocks and tackles near the end when they came on strong. The fact he has only had 2 bookings shows how much concentration he has had this season and the only one of the back 5 not to be booked today.
O’Connell 7.5/10 – Solid game with headers and blocks and keeping a dangerous attack to few efforts on goal and we as the away side, had more chances and efforts really. He had to come around more also to help Enda on the cover due to Traore so effectively had to play almost two positions. He got a silly booking for diving in on the wing when Traore got the better of us again. Made a few good blocks and helped us see out the game at the end.
Egan 7.5/10 – As above. Other than a daft block off booking, he was really solid again with a number of headers and clearances but nice and composed on the ball too. Like with Henderson we do look a better side when he plays and that is no offence to Jagielka who was fine last week. He is able to just shore things up at the back and ensure we have that last line of defence. Jiminez was kept fairly quietly and the best thing he did was the cross out wide from the wide right-hand side for the goal.
Norwood 7/10 – Quietly effective most of the game. Probably saw less of the ball than he has in any game this season but when he did have it, he used it sensibly. Went a lot shorter than he normally does and was just nice and sensible. Got his foot in and helped protect the defence well. This was the sort of game with the runners they have in midfield where I felt we may struggle. They have players with pace and fluidity but we actually did well and limited them to few breaks and clear chances from such play. The goal came from a cross and header as we lacked a little bit of organisation.
Lundstram 7/10 – Solid game again with some neat passing and strong challenges helping us win the ball back. He was at the heart of a lot of the good things we did going forward. However, he did give it away a few times with some sloppy passes and second half for the final period I felt he tired quite a bit. Still, for the most part he had another decent game and showed some nice touches and passes when we did attack and create things. Maybe made a poor choice on one 3 on 3 break second half when he went the wrong way. That is being super critical.
Fleck 7/10 – Some excellent bits of link play and clever little passing. He made several tackles and the early part of the game he was to the fore with his running and probing. He then picked up a daft booking and could have had one before for constantly pulling men back. After this he sat off more and they had more of the ball and most of the second half after that first 10 minutes, him and the midfield had to do more holding their shape and line.
McGoldrick 6.5/10 – Really odd performance to describe. His finishing was like a 4/10 but his general play maybe an 8/10. In general play he was excellent at times with good link play and combining well with Mousset and the midfield. Some of his little reverse balls and one touch moments were great to watch again as he linked the midfield and attack. However, he also made some poor decisions when well placed on the attack and took too long to make decisions. He also had several really good chances and his efforts lacked power or conviction. One effort where he shot at the keeper and then another where he took too long to make a decision. He had another one on one on the angle. He always hit the target but his efforts were all too close to the keeper. Had one good headed effort after it went to 1-1 which was just wide. It seems like he is never going to score even those his performances remain good! He does have to start taking chances though as the last few games he has missed some really guilt edges one. Also, on the goal he was with Doherty and then seemed to stop running back. Not sure it was his man but he certainly did not get back. As Wilder says he makes us play and we are better with him in the team than without it but please let him score soon!
Mousset 8/10 – What a start. Clever turn inside and drilled finish in a minute! He then got hacked down on the next attack. Then he ran at them again and nearly made another chance. This was all in the first 5 minutes. He was a constant threat especially first half. They could not hold him up with his pace and power. He had a few other good runs and maybe did not quite execute the final ball but he as in motion. His hold up was much better too and he kept it most of the time finding a white shirt. Second half he started strong again and had a few more runs but again sometimes between the team they made the wrong choice. He also missed one decent chance. Faded a bit as they got level and then had more of the game as it ended but did last longer than he has been doing. Looks a bona fide top-level striker at the moment. Just needs games and time and I believe he will get better.
Subs:
McBurnie – Did well when he came on and won two or three headers including a flick that led to a chance for Stevens and another that saw us retain the ball. Also got back and defended when he could. Confidence probably gone up since last week’s late goal but he actually helped us retain the ball more after the front two had started to tire.
Robinson – Only played the last few minutes but he also did well in limited time helping us keep it a few times as we were under a bit of pressure at this point.
Freeman – Brought on in stoppage time as we tried to see time out. Adjudged to have given away a foul at the end but this seemed soft but luckily did not cost us.
Manager Wilder 7.5/10 – Solid away performance yet again. We started fantastically yet again as we have in so many games recently. We got a goal and could have had more. After this they had some chances but we still had the better opportunities and deserved to lead at the break. We then needed to take the chances after another high tempo start to the second half but after this you knew they would get a chance and so it proved. We went again and had a chance but at the end we looked tired which was odd considering they played Thursday but when you look at the possession stats, you see we had to chase around a lot (I do think we were more effective with the possession we had).
Wolverhampton – They were really slow out of the blocks and could have been a few goals down before they started. Some wretched defending really early on and one could have been two. It took them 15-20 minutes to properly start and then they got the ball to Traore and had some half chances and Henderson made one good save. They then had more of the ball but we always looked threatening and Fleck maybe had the next best chance outside of the goal in the first half.
After the break United should have got a second goal but they slowly came out buoyed by us not putting the game away. They had a spell of possession and then got the goal. After this though McGoldrick had maybe the best chance of winning the game with the header. They had a few efforts but nothing really that close and actually for all the possession and free kicks they had, they did not threaten too much even though they looked the side more likely to win it in the final stages of the game. They will say they were maybe fatigued after playing Thursday but in the end, they cannot say they deserved to win the game and actually maybe was more a point gained for them than us over the course of the game.
Shows how far we have come when we can go to a powerful side like Wolves who’s spending still blows ours out of the water and be a tad disappointed not to win the game. I expect them to finish anywhere from 6th-9th and a lot will depend on the Europa run as they may mean they struggle with the amount of games they have. Still, they have some quality players at the top of the field and in midfield. I think they need to improve the defence if they want to push on further as they will face far tougher and more clinical attacks than ours, even it did cause them problems.
Opponent Man of the Match – Not even close. Jota, Moutinho and Neves did some bits and pieces but were also wasteful and not as influential as they can be. Jiminez made the goal and had one good header first half but we played him quite well. Doherty was a threat getting forward too. However, the best player maybe on the pitch by some distance was Traore. He was unplayable at times. He has always been a dangerous player with his pace and power but often his end product has been wasteful but today he was dynamite all game. He beat our players time after time and put some dangerous crosses in. We had to double team him constantly and even then, he often got away from us.
Opponent Weak link – I thought defensively they looked very poor and out front two pulled them apart all game. Coady is often seen as a player many want us to sign back but not sure he is quite dominant aerially or fast enough for a centre back as steady and as good a captain as he has been for them. Kilman was a futsal player and playing non-league a few years ago and this was only his second start in the Premier League. He looked like someone not used to the pace and system and we caused them problems down this side. I also thought Dendoncker was poor and struggled with our movement. Castro was perhaps the poorest of the lot though and seemed to really struggle with us at the start of both halves.
Referee/Officials/VAR – David Coote. We had 5 bookings to 1 and we were certainly the more aggressive. We did leave the foot in late or pull them back a few times but he penalised this rightly. Wolves fans will be incredulous about the Baldock one which was a 2nd yellow but they will do well to remember the first one was very soft and his first foul and if anything, not even a foul – their man had hold of him equally. The Wolves fans were moaning about a few 50-50 decisions going against them but then seemed to even it up second half with a few going to the home team. The goal was offside from the initial pass and whilst Stevens poked away, this was no different to the one where Dier cleared at Spurs and we got on it. Being honest, I think neither goal should have been disallowed and we as Spurs did had time to clear but there is such inconsistency. Both these goals are the same really so not sure why this one was not even looked at for any length of time. It literally seems to be different one game and one week to the next. He did his best for Wolves in the final spell giving them lots of little nothing free kicks (the one in the 94th minute when it was already over the allotted time on Freeman a good example) and seemed to get influenced by the crowd.
Wilder made two changes with Henderson and Egan back in for Moore and Jagielka who dropped down to the bench. Wolves were coming off an entertaining draw in Portugal in the week as they qualified for the next stages of the Europa League. They had a side packed full on internationals and attacking threats.
The Blades made a lightening start to proceedings as Baldock’s throw was played back to him by Lundstram and the wing back’s cross evaded the entire Wolves backline. MOUSSET touch pirouetted him towards goal and he drove it low into the corner with his left foot. It was an incredible start for United. The next attack saw Dendoncker chopped down for a bad foul on the French striker who was bearing down on goal again. Wolves were struggling to hold the frontman, and United came again with Lundstram just failing to get onto Mousset’s overhit pass. United had been tremendous and Wolves had barely got out of their own half in the first ten minutes.
The home side awoke from their slumber and Traore caused problems with his running and then Doherty nutmegged Stevens and his deflected cross saw Jiménez head towards goal with a slight suspicion of a push on a defender, but Henderson flicked over for a corner.
Stevens then hauled down Traore whose pace was causing lots of problems as Wolves started to have more of the ball. However, Stevens nearly fed Mousset and Patricio had to be alert to kick away as United still looked a threat going forward.
Neves had a long-range effort blocked and then Basham and O’Connell made some brave interceptions. Neves and then Moutinho made some clever runs but both O’Connell and then Egan made timely tackles. Fleck was booked for a pull back as Traore threatened to get away.
United still were playing good football and some lovely work down the right saw Baldock and Norwood combine and McGoldrick’s touch was just too heavy. Basham then headed clear with checks for a VAR penalty quickly waved away as the game became more end to end.
The Blades had a great chance to make it two when Mousset’s lovely through ball through the legs of a Wolves defender saw Fleck in goal but his drilled effort was too close to the keeper who saved with his legs. Stevens then had an effort over the bar after taking an age to steady himself. United had been full value for the lead with the better chances throughout and Wolves only having one serious effort on goal.
The second half saw United start as they had the first half and they had several chances in a 5-10 minute spell to put the game away.
Fleck’s cross was chested down by Mousset to McGoldrick but his effort was too close to the keeper who saved. Soon after Fleck’s clever one two with McGoldrick saw the striker in but he again could not get the necessary power or direction and the keeper saved yet again. Mousset then blazed over after more good build up play. United really should have put the game to bed.
Wolves started to lift themselves after so many let offs and Baldock and then O’Connell were both booked. Traore remained the main threat with his strong running and Wolves won two corners in quick succession.
Just after the hour they were level. The first ball may have been offside but the ball was half cleared but no more than the goal chalked off at Spurs for the Blades, and after Stevens had toed away, the ball was at the feet of Jimenez who put a lovely flighted cross in between the keeper and defence and DOHERTY stole in to head home from close range. A poor goal to concede regardless of any controversy.
Wolves now sensed they could win the game and United had to cede possession for a period but they came out and won a free kick and from Norwood’s delivery, McGoldrick’s flicked header was narrowly wide. It seems like the striker will never score a Premier League goal!
Wolves had another good spell pinning United back but they could not create too much and strong defending from Basham again saw out a potential attack. Baldock was lucky not to get a second yellow for a poor foul as he chopped down Jota and the crowd howling for blood. McBurnie came on for the tiring McGoldrick and helped United get up the field by winning two headers. The first led to a half chance but Stevens angled effort missed the goal and a teammate. Wolves now were the side mostly in the ascendancy but again had not created much despite winning another free kick with Egan booked for a pull back in the build up to one attack.
Robinson and Freeman came on for Mousset and Lundstram respectively as the game entered three minutes additional time. Wolves had more of the ball in this spell and won a late free kick but the United defence held firm and the final whistle went soon after. Another point and another game without defeat on the road for the Blades but once again the performance may have yielded even better returns. United’s displays continue to be of a high standard for the most part and if they maintain this form and results, they will continue to look very comfortable in the top flight.
United – Mixed feelings again. Before the game I would have been delighted with a point and keep the run going but then after the game like with Man Utd and Spurs I had a real mixture of emotions.
Mousset scored a great early goal and then we had more chances and were all over them. They barely got in our half for the first 15 minutes. It was just like the last game at Spurs. We did not finish more half chances and breaks. They had a better spell and Henderson made a good save and they had a few half chances with Traore causing us all sort of problems even though we did well against Jota and Neves etc. We went in at the break 1-0 up but you feared they would come out and up things after the break.
The opposite happened as we really should have been 2 or 3-0 up and out of sight. We had a spell after the break where for 5-10 minutes we just went through them like knife through butter and Didzy especially missed a number of chances. We have to be more ruthless as we are outplaying teams with our pressing and then football when we turn over the opponents in possession. Ultimately though we have to put the ball in the net and make better choices in the final third. We did so much good stuff with tackling, pressing and getting amongst them. On the ball we moved it around and at pace. Mousset was causing them all sort of problems with Didz linking well too. We looked like a side that would create things but we just did not quite show that clinical finishing or right final ball. They came into the game and of course then got a well made and taken goal when we switched off a bit (VAR could have helped us out maybe or I am clutching at straws?). After this you felt just get the point but then Didzy nearly scored and Enda had a run and cross-shot. For the final 15 minutes though, they really came at us and we had to make tackles, blocks and dare I say it fouls to help stem the tide. They are really strong at home so you just take the result and move on. As I say before the game would have been delighted but after seeing another good performance where we moved it around well and created plenty as well as being solid defensively, you are a touch disappointed not to win. As I say all three of the last games, we have been the better side but only taken three draws. We have to ensure now we start putting our chances away and concentrating better at vital times the other way.
I will say it thought today that we were quite cynical. Some may say dirty. We got a lot of yellows and all were deserved save for Baldock who then ironically should have got a yellow and that would have been his second. Stevens took a daft one so early which meant he was on his heels all day against a dangerous opponent. Fleck committed several fouls before he was booked for a silly pull back. O’Connell’s was equally daft as it was out wide and then Egan blocked his man quite cynically. All quite blatant really. I am not sure we can complain. I am sure when Roy does his views from, they will say we were very dirty and we were today! Not seen us hack and foul as much like that for a long time but they have pace and runners. A contrast to maybe 2 years ago when we could not get close to them and they ran through us. Maybe holding them up and sharing out some fouls and booked stopped their momentum but I do feel some of the fouls and bookings were a bit rash and unnecessary really. It also meant we could not press and harry as much in the second half with Stevens and Fleck particularly dropping off more.
Does mean we now have Baldock, Fleck and Lundstram on 4 yellow cards, O’Connell is on 3 also (Stevens and Basham 2 yellow cards). So, it means the likes of both Freemans are sure to get some game time soon. You would almost hope they stay out of trouble until after Xmas but that would be a stretch – you almost would rather they miss Man City and Liverpool than the likes of Norwich, Villa, Brighton and Watford.
Big two games now as Wilder alluded to. We must take the game to Newcastle and maintain these performances. If we do that, I feel we can get a positive result from this and the game at Norwich against two teams that are poor defensively.
Ratings:
Henderson 7/10 – Thought his handling was very good today. He did not drop anything that came into his box and made some routine grabs and interceptions. One shot early on he palmed out but not sure he could do much more really. No chance on the goal as he was left badly exposed. The only knock was his one poor kick which led to a half chance in the first half. Always feel more secure with him in goal than Moore.
Baldock 6.5/10 – I thought it was the toughest game for the two wing backs maybe all season due to the running and pace from Wolves which comes from the wide areas both from likes of Doherty and also the more natural wide men higher up the field. Did well going forward to start the game and involved in some nice moves and intricate passing. He made the goal with the run and cross. After the break he struggled somewhat, got a soft booking and then it was more of a struggle. He was very lucky not to get another after this and should have but then the first was soft. On the goal he went with another man and no one went with the wing back (Didzy closed to him but maybe this is technically Lundstram’s man?).
Stevens 6.5/10 – Poorest he has been defensively against a top-level winger who gave him the run-around most of the game. Enda is solid defensively and normally stops his man/crosses and keeps to good positions but got left horrible exposed today (midfield and centre backs needed to help him more) and Traore’s pace and power was too much for him. Got the early yellow and then did well not to dive in after this but they had so many attacks down this side and that is where the main threat was. Going forward he had one effort that he took too long and shot over and then one drilled cross shot off target second half. He won’t face players with the combination of pace/power and skill like Traore every week though.
Basham 8/10 – Thought save for a few mistimed headers and slices in the first half he was excellent and pushed Mousset for our man of the match. He stayed compact and got some vital blocks and tackles in and even faced with quicker attackers, he managed to just keep good positional sense. Made a few vital blocks and tackles near the end when they came on strong. The fact he has only had 2 bookings shows how much concentration he has had this season and the only one of the back 5 not to be booked today.
O’Connell 7.5/10 – Solid game with headers and blocks and keeping a dangerous attack to few efforts on goal and we as the away side, had more chances and efforts really. He had to come around more also to help Enda on the cover due to Traore so effectively had to play almost two positions. He got a silly booking for diving in on the wing when Traore got the better of us again. Made a few good blocks and helped us see out the game at the end.
Egan 7.5/10 – As above. Other than a daft block off booking, he was really solid again with a number of headers and clearances but nice and composed on the ball too. Like with Henderson we do look a better side when he plays and that is no offence to Jagielka who was fine last week. He is able to just shore things up at the back and ensure we have that last line of defence. Jiminez was kept fairly quietly and the best thing he did was the cross out wide from the wide right-hand side for the goal.
Norwood 7/10 – Quietly effective most of the game. Probably saw less of the ball than he has in any game this season but when he did have it, he used it sensibly. Went a lot shorter than he normally does and was just nice and sensible. Got his foot in and helped protect the defence well. This was the sort of game with the runners they have in midfield where I felt we may struggle. They have players with pace and fluidity but we actually did well and limited them to few breaks and clear chances from such play. The goal came from a cross and header as we lacked a little bit of organisation.
Lundstram 7/10 – Solid game again with some neat passing and strong challenges helping us win the ball back. He was at the heart of a lot of the good things we did going forward. However, he did give it away a few times with some sloppy passes and second half for the final period I felt he tired quite a bit. Still, for the most part he had another decent game and showed some nice touches and passes when we did attack and create things. Maybe made a poor choice on one 3 on 3 break second half when he went the wrong way. That is being super critical.
Fleck 7/10 – Some excellent bits of link play and clever little passing. He made several tackles and the early part of the game he was to the fore with his running and probing. He then picked up a daft booking and could have had one before for constantly pulling men back. After this he sat off more and they had more of the ball and most of the second half after that first 10 minutes, him and the midfield had to do more holding their shape and line.
McGoldrick 6.5/10 – Really odd performance to describe. His finishing was like a 4/10 but his general play maybe an 8/10. In general play he was excellent at times with good link play and combining well with Mousset and the midfield. Some of his little reverse balls and one touch moments were great to watch again as he linked the midfield and attack. However, he also made some poor decisions when well placed on the attack and took too long to make decisions. He also had several really good chances and his efforts lacked power or conviction. One effort where he shot at the keeper and then another where he took too long to make a decision. He had another one on one on the angle. He always hit the target but his efforts were all too close to the keeper. Had one good headed effort after it went to 1-1 which was just wide. It seems like he is never going to score even those his performances remain good! He does have to start taking chances though as the last few games he has missed some really guilt edges one. Also, on the goal he was with Doherty and then seemed to stop running back. Not sure it was his man but he certainly did not get back. As Wilder says he makes us play and we are better with him in the team than without it but please let him score soon!
Mousset 8/10 – What a start. Clever turn inside and drilled finish in a minute! He then got hacked down on the next attack. Then he ran at them again and nearly made another chance. This was all in the first 5 minutes. He was a constant threat especially first half. They could not hold him up with his pace and power. He had a few other good runs and maybe did not quite execute the final ball but he as in motion. His hold up was much better too and he kept it most of the time finding a white shirt. Second half he started strong again and had a few more runs but again sometimes between the team they made the wrong choice. He also missed one decent chance. Faded a bit as they got level and then had more of the game as it ended but did last longer than he has been doing. Looks a bona fide top-level striker at the moment. Just needs games and time and I believe he will get better.
Subs:
McBurnie – Did well when he came on and won two or three headers including a flick that led to a chance for Stevens and another that saw us retain the ball. Also got back and defended when he could. Confidence probably gone up since last week’s late goal but he actually helped us retain the ball more after the front two had started to tire.
Robinson – Only played the last few minutes but he also did well in limited time helping us keep it a few times as we were under a bit of pressure at this point.
Freeman – Brought on in stoppage time as we tried to see time out. Adjudged to have given away a foul at the end but this seemed soft but luckily did not cost us.
Manager Wilder 7.5/10 – Solid away performance yet again. We started fantastically yet again as we have in so many games recently. We got a goal and could have had more. After this they had some chances but we still had the better opportunities and deserved to lead at the break. We then needed to take the chances after another high tempo start to the second half but after this you knew they would get a chance and so it proved. We went again and had a chance but at the end we looked tired which was odd considering they played Thursday but when you look at the possession stats, you see we had to chase around a lot (I do think we were more effective with the possession we had).
Wolverhampton – They were really slow out of the blocks and could have been a few goals down before they started. Some wretched defending really early on and one could have been two. It took them 15-20 minutes to properly start and then they got the ball to Traore and had some half chances and Henderson made one good save. They then had more of the ball but we always looked threatening and Fleck maybe had the next best chance outside of the goal in the first half.
After the break United should have got a second goal but they slowly came out buoyed by us not putting the game away. They had a spell of possession and then got the goal. After this though McGoldrick had maybe the best chance of winning the game with the header. They had a few efforts but nothing really that close and actually for all the possession and free kicks they had, they did not threaten too much even though they looked the side more likely to win it in the final stages of the game. They will say they were maybe fatigued after playing Thursday but in the end, they cannot say they deserved to win the game and actually maybe was more a point gained for them than us over the course of the game.
Shows how far we have come when we can go to a powerful side like Wolves who’s spending still blows ours out of the water and be a tad disappointed not to win the game. I expect them to finish anywhere from 6th-9th and a lot will depend on the Europa run as they may mean they struggle with the amount of games they have. Still, they have some quality players at the top of the field and in midfield. I think they need to improve the defence if they want to push on further as they will face far tougher and more clinical attacks than ours, even it did cause them problems.
Opponent Man of the Match – Not even close. Jota, Moutinho and Neves did some bits and pieces but were also wasteful and not as influential as they can be. Jiminez made the goal and had one good header first half but we played him quite well. Doherty was a threat getting forward too. However, the best player maybe on the pitch by some distance was Traore. He was unplayable at times. He has always been a dangerous player with his pace and power but often his end product has been wasteful but today he was dynamite all game. He beat our players time after time and put some dangerous crosses in. We had to double team him constantly and even then, he often got away from us.
Opponent Weak link – I thought defensively they looked very poor and out front two pulled them apart all game. Coady is often seen as a player many want us to sign back but not sure he is quite dominant aerially or fast enough for a centre back as steady and as good a captain as he has been for them. Kilman was a futsal player and playing non-league a few years ago and this was only his second start in the Premier League. He looked like someone not used to the pace and system and we caused them problems down this side. I also thought Dendoncker was poor and struggled with our movement. Castro was perhaps the poorest of the lot though and seemed to really struggle with us at the start of both halves.
Referee/Officials/VAR – David Coote. We had 5 bookings to 1 and we were certainly the more aggressive. We did leave the foot in late or pull them back a few times but he penalised this rightly. Wolves fans will be incredulous about the Baldock one which was a 2nd yellow but they will do well to remember the first one was very soft and his first foul and if anything, not even a foul – their man had hold of him equally. The Wolves fans were moaning about a few 50-50 decisions going against them but then seemed to even it up second half with a few going to the home team. The goal was offside from the initial pass and whilst Stevens poked away, this was no different to the one where Dier cleared at Spurs and we got on it. Being honest, I think neither goal should have been disallowed and we as Spurs did had time to clear but there is such inconsistency. Both these goals are the same really so not sure why this one was not even looked at for any length of time. It literally seems to be different one game and one week to the next. He did his best for Wolves in the final spell giving them lots of little nothing free kicks (the one in the 94th minute when it was already over the allotted time on Freeman a good example) and seemed to get influenced by the crowd.
