Wolves 1-1 Southampton Verdict Thread

[pacamac]

I know what you're getting at pacamac, for me though I'm happy to trust Nuno on this unless we hit a horror run of dropping points due to these inexperienced players. Then steadying the ship with the likes of Marcal is an option to take them out of the firing line.

I also think with our paucity of goals RAN is a better offensive option than Marcal or Saiss in terms of team balance.

Yeah I'm happy to trust Nuno too.

We signed Marcal and RAN in the summer, he started with Marcal (only injury changed that in fact he also favoured an out of position Saiss initally) that suggests to me Nuno thinks RAN will be a great prospect but isn't quite there yet and Marcal will act as the stop gap while Ottos out/this season and then good cover as versatile.

I think he needs taking out the firing line now its too late to wait till its costing us numerous points (arguably already has).

Yes RAN is definitely a better offensive option and should be used as such 'an option' but not starting not against teams like Arsenal anyway.

 

[Jabbawolf]

Take the raw edges off RAN, and you have an absolute diamond - would have thought his ability and ceiling would be obvious to anybody. Time to back him not cast him aside - he’s played against better than Arsenal already, and thrived.

 

[malta mick]

As has been mentioned earlier, I wish Adama would cut inside more and take the defenders on. Firstly he has more space to work in than a 6 foot channel down the touchline, also giving Semedo space to run into. Secondly, if they foul him, which is taken for granted, the free kick would be more advantageous,
By continually attacking the bye line, which he seems to have to start from a standing start always, plays into the opposition pre conceived game plan for nullifying him.

 

[Johnny75]

Take the raw edges off RAN, and you have an absolute diamond - would have thought his ability and ceiling would be obvious to anybody. Time to back him not cast him aside - he’s played against better than Arsenal already, and thrived.

Anybody that understands the game can see the lad is ready.

I'm always staggered at the sheer ignorance of 'stick 'em in the reserves'. Reserve football isn't even Conference level which is why the bigger clubs have been pushing for B teams in the pyramid. Wolves then got relegated from the top level of this which is an even lower level.

That's why Nuno has his chosen youngsters in his squad training. RAN isn't a youngster bought from Maidenhead like Kilman he came from Ligue 1 and a not too shabby performance against Champions League finalists PSG.

 

[Jabbawolf]

Anybody that understands the game can see the lad is ready.

I'm always staggered at the sheer ignorance of 'stick 'em in the reserves'. Reserve football isn't even Conference level which is why the bigger clubs have been pushing for B teams in the pyramid. Wolves then got relegated from the top level of this which is an even lower level.

That's why Nuno has his chosen youngsters in his squad training. RAN isn't a youngster bought from Maidenhead like Kilman he came from Ligue 1 and a not too shabby performance against Champions League finalists PSG.

Yes - he’s played 3 times for us - 1st game excellent, 2nd less so, and 3rd in a back 4 - not bad for a young lad in an elite league.

 

[Premier Quality]

RAN will be fine - he’s a young lad so will make mistakes, and has a lot to work on (I’m not sure he can even stand on his right foot, let alone play football with it), but he also brings a lot to the team - he’s quick, excellent on the turn, his short passing is quick and crisp and he gets forward really well.

he just needs games and time to develop into a really top class LWB, and he’s getting that. He will make errors now and then while he’s learning but it will pay off for us in the long run (and he’ll be fine for us in the short term too)

 

[Boozad]

I love watching RAN. All he needs is time to settle, his performance for Angers against PSG was absolutely brilliant which was quite something for a team who lost 6-1. He’s got the skills and in that game showed he’s much more mature in his head than his years. Once he gets to know the setup and is completely comfortable we’ll see the best of him and he’s only going to improve.

Personslly I’d be wondering if Jonny will be first choice or not when he comes back, class player without a doubt but RAN will offer more on the front foot. It will be interesting to see.

 

[YoungWolf]

Yeah, think about Jonny is he is a genuinely top class footballer at the top level. We'll have some great options when he is back. Marcal equally is a really good footballer who I'd have no issue playing himself.

 

[Boozad]

I can see RAN and Marcal covering LWB (for the short term) and possibly Jonny and Semedo covering RWB. With Marcel being 32 he’s obviously no long term solution, but either way we’ve got an embarrassment of riches in the wing back positions at the moment.

 

[BGreenWolf]

If we play Coady, we play with a back 3. I don't think that changes any time soon.

 

[b3h]

"hey remember that time we played 4ATB?" ~ us, soon.

Just why did we play 4ATB? Only opportunity to try it as a one off?

 

[Kenny]

"hey remember that time we played 4ATB?" ~ us, soon.

Just why did we play 4ATB? Only opportunity to try it as a one off?

Well you have to presume the change has been in Nuno's thinking. Games where Coady has been rested/suspended we have popped someone in the centre of the 3. Danny Batth has played in the Coady role.

It may just be he saw the opportunity to try it and the 4 at the back opens up more options for us to change in a game going forward. We have often said we are too rigid with the back 3, especially against teams that set up camp in their own half.

 

[Jabbawolf]

If we play Coady, we play with a back 3. I don't think that changes any time soon.

Don’t think we recruited Semedo or RAN to play a four either.

 

[pacamac]

Well you have to presume the change has been in Nuno's thinking. Games where Coady has been rested/suspended we have popped someone in the centre of the 3. Danny Batth has played in the Coady role.

It may just be he saw the opportunity to try it and the 4 at the back opens up more options for us to change in a game going forward. We have often said we are too rigid with the back 3, especially against teams that set up camp in their own half.

Not so sure, think the Saiss situation forced his hand further if Saiss would have been clear to play but not Coady think we would have seen a 3/5 at the back.

Poss Dendoncker in Coadys role with Saiss in the middle or Saiss as the LCB and Boly in Coady's role.

 

[Premier Quality]

Saw this on one of those crappy newsnow sites, but thought it was interesting...

Dendoncker recorded the lowest rating (6.0) of any player, both home and away. He won just three of 14 duels (21%), lost possession 11 times, made no tackles and missed one big chance

 

[PuntsWolf]

Yeah I thought he was terrible. Lost at least one header prior to the goal we conceded which he really shouldn’t have which would have prevented the whole thing. He was better when we went 4-2-4 / 4-2-3-1 for those last 20. Really don’t think he has the ability off the ball and on the ball when we’re possesion to play as an #8. Particularly if he’s expected to be the player most advanced.

Playing facing forward from a deep CM position he’s fine.

 

[YoungWolf]

Especially agree on that last point Punts. It's why I really liked him in the back 3 last season to be honest!

 

[Deleted Cyber]

iI loved the fact that we at last showed we have a viable alternative game plan , for the first time in a long time. We were able to step it up to get something out of the game. Sure, there is plenty to improve on but I saw some nice green shoots.
RAN is a great lwb.. He has the potential to be a legend there. He is a bit raw but to me has more natural ability that Vinagre. He is also a kid! If we are creating 20 opportunities a game he will be well worth any risk and will improve game by game. Marcel is his back up regardless of system for me unless he really plummets in form.

 

[Parkins left foot]

RAN needs to learn when to stand strong & ferry the player away from the danger area - still young and has more potential than Vinagre had.

Some games you do need the experience though and wonder whether Marcal would have been a better bet v Soton given the change in formation.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

I've been a little surprised at the criticism of RAN for this game, i have a lot more time for an inexperienced player making minor mistakes than an experienced player making critical mistakes as per the Semedo.

Given Semedo's pedigree i've been a little disappointed so far, he's good on the ball and has been stymied by Traore when he has played in front of him, but defensively he hasn't been great, and i'm being kind there. Leeds away in the 2nd half, the error against Southampton, lets hope he steps up, and quickly.