Wolves 1-0 Palace: FA Cup Rd3 Verdict Thread

[Tredman]

I don’t get how people are saying Cutrone has to start based on tonight when he touched the ball about 3 times. I think he should start but not because of that!

id be more worried if Fabio wasn’t getting anywhere near the ball in the box. He’s got the instinct you need. He’s going to be a pretty simple goal scorer, nothing flashy I think long term, with the potential to be lethal if we get it right.

It’s not that Fabio is bad, it’s just he doesn’t influence the game at all. His chasing is weak at best, he very rarely puts a challenge in and, since Arsenal, he hasn’t really linked with the other players at all too. He’s not bad, but given he’s not scoring he offers nothing at all to the game.

 

[Jabbawolf]

I have to say that I am getting really disillusioned with the comments about Silva - not really sure what people expect from a teenager. So much impatience, bordering on entitlement, because we chose to pay £35M for his potential.

The way to get him up to speed is not constant criticism and moaning, but supporting him on his early steps in the professional game, and helping him improve as a player and develop as a man - I’m confident that Nuno is likely to nurture him rather better and not resort to the rather distasteful impatience demonstrated in some of the posts.

 

[Carrotdude]

Sitters:

- On his debut vs Stoke
- Spurs at the end
- Tonight

Don't think anything else falls into that bracket. The header off the corner wasn't. The near post chance vs Chelsea wasn't. The shot against the post vs Villa wasn't. If I'm forgetting something particularly glaring then forgive me.

Raul misses some horror shows too, quite often as well, happens to every striker. What you don't want is someone doing a Kevin Doyle 2013 and running towards the corner flag, too scared to even have a go.

This is a very good point about Raul, he misses a lot of good chances - obviously he scores plenty too - but he’s played worse than Fabio did tonight.

 

[NicholasG1973]

Sitters:

- On his debut vs Stoke
- Spurs at the end
- Tonight

Don't think anything else falls into that bracket. The header off the corner wasn't. The near post chance vs Chelsea wasn't. The shot against the post vs Villa wasn't. If I'm forgetting something particularly glaring then forgive me.

Raul misses some horror shows too, quite often as well, happens to every striker. What you don't want is someone doing a Kevin Doyle 2013 and running towards the corner flag, too scared to even have a go.

I agree totally with this, they haven’t all been sitters and - yes- all strikers miss chances.

I guess the issue slightly for me is that he doesn’t ever actually look like scoring. The fact that he cost £35m keeps convincing me that he must be good somehow - I’m just not really seeing it though.

He looks pretty slow too, and goes down too easily - though that might be his physical strength not up to strength.

I really hope Cutrone hits the ground running and we can keep Fabio in the background, like was planned from the beginning.

Im not entirely sure it’s doing him much good being a bit crap every week either.

 

[redvictor]

It’s not that Fabio is bad, it’s just he doesn’t influence the game at all. His chasing is weak at best, he very rarely puts a challenge in and, since Arsenal, he hasn’t really linked with the other players at all too. He’s not bad, but given he’s not scoring he offers nothing at all to the game.

This. He WILL be good, but now he doesn't offer enough to be a lone striker. Even Nuno said he has to score from Neto's cross. Donk should have scored too from Traore's excellent cross to him. In a team that struggles to score goals taking a chance on an 18 yr old not only hurts us, but knocks the lads confidence too.

 

[GLASGOWOLF]

Had a closer look or at least tried to whilst serving Pints.

Really impressed with Silva.
His movement in and around the box is special, the header was a tough chance was sort of behind him trying to stoop.
Then his header at the back post.
The movement of his when Dendonker missed was superb, went to back post checked pulled to the Penalty spot and was totally unmarked. It was top draw movement

We always said in coaching seminars and sessions, if Centre forwards get in the right position it will happen.

One thing about centre forwards when they come up from other the leagues is they dont get enough chances, Generally their movement is not good enough to get on the end of the chances.

Silva's movement is good enough.

His link up play can be improved generally with experience, as will his strength and holding play.

We have the makings of a good forward there

 

[darlowolf64]

what's the excuse for his bad miss on the corner header, then?

look, I've defended Fabio as much as anyone in the past weeks as his positioning is generally pretty good and he has some good ideas in him. but how many sitters has he missed? much as i like the look if him, cutrone looks to be the better option for the time being

I’ll try... as he was going for the ball Adama came off the post and back towards him, getting pretty close to him. He saw Adama coming and took his eye off the ball

 

[Alan]

did you mean to type “now Andre ayew, HE is also massively shite”?

En garde, sir!

 

[Jinky]

I understand that “all strikers miss chances”, but when we’re a side who aren’t creating much, if a cutting edge opportunity or ‘sitter’ gets missed, of course it will be highlighted.

For me, Fabio looks alright - I don’t think he’s played at the level he did on his debut in the games that have followed - but he makes some good movement off the ball. He looks to be what you’d expect of a young striker learning the trade - inconsistent.

Cutrone looked like he really wanted to put himself about when he came on. He also showed some good movement & looked like he had a point to prove. He just ‘looks’ stronger as well. Harder to knock off the ball etc. For me, Cutrone has to start moving forward - but that’s not because I don’t think Fabio will eventually be good enough. Just not right now.

Semedo & Neves both played well tonight and Adama is definitely coming in to some form so I just hope his injury is alright. Palace were abysmal, though.

 

[Trips]

Very good first half, second half they saw more of the ball but never looked like creating anything. Easy 1-0 victory

Neves and Semedo looked excellent tonight, Neves is having a much better season than last.

Silva - there is definitely a quality player there. His movement and positions he takes up in the box are very good for someone of his experience. He is however being asked to perform a role he isnt ready for, and Cutrone comes in on Tuesday I think. We need to remember though that he is still only a teenager, and there are very few teenagers who come through and look the part for a Premier League side, especially one outside the Sky Six. He needs time to develop and our patience, regardless of the fee.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Watched the "Match Pack" preview on BT after our coverage had finished. They pointed out that Fabio is the only player to date born in 2002 or later to score a Premier League goal. Basically no-one else of his age is outperforming him, it's only freakshows like Rooney who look 32 when they're 16 and flying machines such as Owen who have a chance of seriously excelling at that age - and then they don't tend to last very long into their 30s at elite level, so it cuts both ways.

 

[Wolvensam]

Great to see Traore go over and celebrate with Nuno after his goal, and also Nuno giving Cutrone a pat and putting his arm round him at the end.

Never noticed it before but Dendoncker makes a huge difference to our solidity. Neves is different gravy when Leander is playing.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

If he could finish that would be tremendously helpful! Could *easily* have half a dozen goals so far this season. It's not a bad save by Butland tonight but he's gone the wrong side. Even scuff it towards the opposite corner and it probably goes in.

But then if he could finish, he probably wouldn't be playing for us. Maybe he can learn to a point, Dave Edwards' scoring record was pathetic for years then he really ramped it up in his late 20s/early 30s. Of course he could do absolutely nothing else so it was still of limited use for us (and it would come in bursts so you'd still end up with him going 20 games without a goal and offering nowt) but that doesn't and won't apply to Donck.

 

[Wolvensam]

His goalscoring record leaves a lot to be desired currently, but his footballing intelligence is second to none. Our defensive record is better with than without.

Wish he'd run properly though.

 

[Johnny75]

I agree with that Sam.

I was impressed first half with the tempo we played at which was noticeably higher than previous games and our movement off the ball, whilst still not fluid, was a huge improvement than any previous game this season. This gave Neves the space to operate.

Sadly we reverted to type in the second half and our possession and lack of creativity was noticeable. Poor MGW, I think that’s the worst sub performance under Nuno, truly shocking but a mistake on Nuno’s part to shove him out right.

Having said that I’d love us to play MGW behind Cutrone with Donk and Neves deeper and at the high tempo as I think with Adama’s crossing and slalom running, defences would not be able to press us like they do when we’re slow and ponderous.

I was impressed with Semedo and RAN driving inside from wider positions and Traore in particular being an option both inside and out gave Nelssssonnn the space to show his talent. I thought Neto had a relatively poor game and understanding with RAN by comparison and he often hampered the full backs runs. This more positive approach to running with the ball also unsettled Palace and we should’ve sewn the game up before HT (poor Fabio).

I can’t leave my verdict without heaping praise on Traore, he was his majestic best and showed he has a brain too. A top class performance and more of that please.

 

[AndyWolves]

I've seen some comments, not necessarily on here, that Cutrone offered more than Silva did but I just don't see what.

He came on, ran about a bit, but didn't really get involved as we weren't really playing on the offensive much.

It's not to knock Cutrone or Silva, but I don't see what Cutrone did that Silva didn't so I'm just checking my perspective

 

[Jabbawolf]

Traore was, for the most part, excellent - great that he let fly as he does possess a hammer of a shot - only gripe would be some of his lateral passing in their final third, generally not good options nor well executed.

That said, he looked much more like the player who caused havoc last season.

 

[leedswolf]

Wish he'd run properly though.

Get him some longer bootlaces?

 

[Jabbawolf]

Nicked this -

@At 18 Steve Bull was playing for Tipton Town, Ian Wright for Greenwich Borough and Jamie Vardy for Stocksbridge Park Steels.”

 

[Jabbawolf]

Interested in views of RAN - I have great hope for him - think he has the raw materials - however, he is more raw than I thought he was going to be - silly little things like falling over lots, trapping the ball 5 yards, weak in the air, letting his man get goalside - I am excited for when Jonny is back and he can see how to be solid and do the basics right because if he can get those things right he will be an excellent LB/LWB.