A simple win for us really and we were never really troubled. They had a go for 15 minutes but soon realised they didn't have anything to hurt us with really and then sat back. One chance went straight at Ruddy in the first half and he made a very good save in the second but you would expect him to make it, both were from set pieces which we desperately need to work on or we're going to continue giving away more goals from those situations than we should. Players that should be making a difference did make it and were involved in the goals.
Ruddy - Didn't have a lot to do and apart from one slight spill in the second half did everything that was asked of him very well. If we need him he's a fantastic back up to have.
Dendoncker - Couple of rusty touches early on but soon settled and was never troubled. Looks calm and assured on the ball as you would expect, could quite easily slot in to the team imo.
Coady - Easy nights work for him. Intercepted nicely a couple of times and played it out well from the back, again not really troubled.
Hause - Like Dendoncker i think he could slot in to the back 3 but on the left if we needed him. Like the rest of the back line he wasn't troubled by anything Sheff Wed did.
Doherty - Got forward a little but not like he would usually, didn't have a lot to do defensively but did it reasonably well when he had to. Was like a training session for him really.
Vinagre - This boy could be a talent, if he continues his progression. Was the best player early on as he defended well and got forward while looking very dangerous. Beats players when he goes forward and does it with flair, one bit of skill that involved him and Costa nearly ended up with him scoring late on and it would have been a deserved goal. Still not played many senior games but i think he could play in the Premier League now.
Saiss - Exactly what Saiss is, another that could slot in to the first team easily and while he's no Neves or Moutinho he could more than do a job. One fantastic run in the second half ended up with 2 Sheff Wed players taking each other out as they tried to tackle him.
Watt - Started slowly but grew into the game and looked at ease the longer the game went on by finding passes between the lines in to Leo, MGW etc. Not ready for the Premier League but got potential.
Traore - His ability to beat players is outstanding. He's going to frustrate at times because that's his game and he will try to take players on when he shouldn't on occasions but when he gets one on one he's going to take players on 99% of the time. Got kicked repeatedly and just kept going despite the ref being reluctant to give him free kicks. Set up Bonatini's goal with a decent run and deflected cross that lead to half the team going to celebrate with him and the others with Leo. He really could be match winner for us in big games.
MGW - Started sloppily and could have done better when Bonatini put him through but dragged wide with his left foot. Improved massively after the break and looked more comfortable on the ball and hit the post with a long range strike. Still not sure he knows where his position is going to be but needs to find out pretty soon.
Bonatini - Finished his goal well as he could have missed quite easily with how things have been going for him. Started quite poorly but then did well to create the change for MGW. Controlled the ball in to his face at one point in the second half but once he scored his touch improved until he was replaced. I don't think he's good enough but maybe it's just a lack of confidence on why he's so much worse than he was in the first half of last season. Agreed that some of the shit he gets on social media is unwarranted, we've had plenty of worse strikers who could only hope of scoring 12 goals in a season and while he wears a Wolves shirt i'll still sing his name.
SUBS
Pedro - Looked calm and assured on the ball and kept it moving. Had one speculative shot but wasn't really that close. Could do a job imo but not quite ready either but has lots of potential every time i've seen him.
Costa - Excellent run to earn himself a penalty and took that well sending the keeper the wrong way. Excellent option to have and i think Saturday may well have kick started his season, another who will win us games imo.
BAS - As soon as he came on he caused problems with his physicality and had a couple of shots that were on target but never really troubled their keeper. Should have had a penalty just before Costa won his when he was pulled down and wanted to take the one we did win but Nuno told him to give it to Costa. One turn in the box looked like he had created a fantastic chance for himself but their centre half fell over right in the way of the ball and forced him wide. Touch isn't always great but he will cause problems with his power.
As said it was a pretty routine win and the 2 chances they had from set pieces didn't really make Ruddy do anything you wouldn't expect him to. Hopefully that goal sees Bonatini get close to the striker we first signed that could control the football and we have excellent young players that could play right now or have the potential to get in a position where they could be ready. I know this cup isn't what it used to be but with the players we have we really could give it a good go and who wouldn't love a day out at Wembley at the end of it if we could do it.