Wolves 3-2 West Ham (LC) - Verdict Thread

[Deutsch Wolf]

Apparently this is our first ever cup win over West Ham. I remember us losing to them in the FA Cup in 2004 and 2016 and there's one more that is before my time.

I mean it's early round League Cup stuff. It'll always be disjointed because it's not a proper team and the intensity is never going to be there. But I thought we did largely ok in an uneven performance.

We can't let crosses come in that easily (it's a feature, not a bug with Hugo Bueno) and that's compounded by Brick Head in goal never coming more than 10 inches off his line.

Hwang and Bellegarde are not very good footballers.

Fer Lopez has a way to go.

I thought Arias took time to grow into it (which I wouldn't expect from someone who is 28, not 18) but he did improve.

All the non-Doherty subs were good.

It's a win, we needed a win, I thought we deserved the win. Now go out and sign the three first team players we obviously need, and don't sell/give away JSL or Sasa please.

 

[Wilf Wolf]

More first team regulars playing for both sides than in a typical league cup tie. Much better second half. The big takeaway for me was Hwang should be sold for whatever we can get, he’s so far off the required standard it’s laughable.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

More first team regulars playing for both sides than in a typical league cup tie. Much better second half. The big takeaway for me was Hwang should be sold for whatever we can get, he’s so far off the required standard it’s laughable.

He tries but my word his technique is so poor and he's 30 soon.

I find it incredible that for two years in a row we've had serious interest in him and yet we've rebuffed it.

Across 2024 and 2025 he has scored 4 league goals.

 

[Jinky]

Until we made the substitutions tonight (and without being given a penalty) we were hopeless as an attacking entity. So slow, predictable and lethargic. Arias and Fer both looked like huge downgrades.

But I have to say, Arias grew in to it and once we had Jackson, Gomes, JSL & Sasa (!) on the field, we looked a completely different side.

That’s why we can’t sell JSL. Hwang may be a nice chap, but he’s an awful footballer. Sasa as first choice back up, please, if we don’t sign anyone (I hope they do).

Nice to have Yerson back in the mix. Bit agricultural with his passing, but a proper defender. Still got concerns over Agbadou and in the PL he’s getting sent off for that tackle on Soucek and it’s likely we go on to lose that game. No idea what’s going on with him.

 

[Lycan]

Lots of things I liked, lots I didn't. Main thing is we're through to the next round.

Most of the things I didn't like revolved around Hwang but I was pretty annoyed by the reaction to him being subbed off. It's not like he isn't trying. He didn't deserve that.

 

[Lycan]

How quick is Tchatchoua by the way? Going to be a useful player if he can sort out his decision making.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Also, just because I can, a repeat of my post from the matchday thread...

How is Max Kilman both overweight (such an incredibly strange build for a top level footballer) but also lighter than a helium balloon! It's incredible.





I'm so confused.

But not our problem now.

They have a miserable season in front of them. Bowen aside (as Paqueta clearly doesn't give a shit) there's not a single one of their players where as a fan I would think "yes, I am looking forward to watching him on Saturday".

 

[AndyWolves]

Id be looking forward to seeing areloa play

 

[AndyWolves]

JSL and a fit SASA are decent options for our pl bracket.

You can start to see options with either just JSL or jsl & SASA.

We need to play actual footballers though and not just runners

 

[Jinky]

Sa
Yerson Agbadou Krejci
Jackson Gomes Andre H. Bueno
Arias
JSL Sasa
​

Get it in the mixer and watch chaos unfold

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Sa
Yerson Agbadou Krejci
Jackson Gomes Andre H. Bueno
Arias
JSL Sasa
​

Get it in the mixer and watch chaos unfold

I mean you need Marshall rather than Arias just so he can run into the box without knowing what he's doing.

You'd probably also want Doc for his knack of scoring a headed goal (he probably has more for us since 2010 than anyone other than Fletcher, Edwards or Raul. Might even beat some of them)

 

[AndyWolves]

Sa
Yerson Agbadou Krejci
Jackson Gomes Andre H. Bueno
Arias
JSL Sasa
​

Get it in the mixer and watch chaos unfold

Swap arias for uche if/when/maybe

 

[pfafftownapp]

Energizing finish, feeling much more hopeful now than 80 minutes into that game.

Haven’t seen anything from Bellegarde this season other than being knocked over. It paid off for the penalty, but otherwise that should be about it for his minutes.

Some combination that includes JSL, Arias, Jackson, Joao and Andre would be, dare I say it, exciting. Round that group out with two of Munetsi, Fer and Hugo Bueno. Bueno has maybe been the best player through 3 games, JSL goals aside.

A man of Vitor’s age probably not should be wearing what Vitor wore today.

 

[Lupo]

Important win, we needed that and the spirit (Vitor's favourite word) to win from 2-1 down. Like the look of Jackson, lovely cross for JSL's second. Hopefully not a farewell appearance from him, fuck the money, we are not replacing him this week. Please sell Hwang, he is diabolical. 2 pens we've had recently and he's missed them both then that free kick, well wide.

JSL and Sasa, supported by Arias, no sign of Munetsi and Hwang off looks our best chance of goals.

Bueno looked decent on the left and a combative display once Joao Gomes and Andre were in midfield.

Just relieved that we've won a game and some things to bring a bit of optimism second half providing we don't do anything stupid like selling JSL or Andre this week or turning down bids for Hwang!

 

[Lycan]

JSL and a fit SASA are decent options for our pl bracket.

You can start to see options with either just JSL or jsl & SASA.

We need to play actual footballers though and not just runners

Lots of teams starting to play with split strikers. Helps protect the middle of the pitch while you're pressing but as soon as you win the ball back they spread and take advantage of space behind the full backs if they've pushed up. Depending on who we sign this could definitely be an option for us.

I remain convinced that Sasa will leave on loan to a less intense league given his injuries but if he stays and stays injury free he's an excellent option for us and not just off the bench.

 

[Jolemai]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1960442143069110601

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Lots of teams starting to play with split strikers. Helps protect the middle of the pitch while you're pressing but as soon as you win the ball back they spread and take advantage of space behind the full backs if they've pushed up. Depending on who we sign this could definitely be an option for us.

I remain convinced that Sasa will leave on loan to a less intense league given his injuries but if he stays and stays injury free he's an excellent option for us and not just off the bench.

I just think for a team that's so limited in possession - we've lost all our running with Cunha and RAN leaving - lamping it up to some giant isn't the worst idea providing you make something of the second ball. It's how the winner comes. There's nothing sophisticated about it, it just takes us 1 second what would take 8 seconds before.

Do I particularly think that's how a team in their 8th straight season of Premier League football should play?

Or even the best possible use of Sasa Kalajdzic, who is not just a head on legs?

No, on both counts.

But we are where we are and it's an option we'd be daft to throw away.

(Ron Howard voiceover: Wolves often do daft things)

 

[Quirkafleeg]

The good and the bad of The Southbank in just over seven days. The treatment given Hwang going off was pathetic. Can see him looking to move on before Monday now.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I've no problem with someone being given the bird when they get hauled off if they haven't tried (hello Leon Clarke).

Hwang does try, he's not very good, you can save the ire for the pub afterwards.

 

[Lycan]

I've no problem with someone being given the bird when they get hauled off if they haven't tried (hello Leon Clarke).

Hwang does try, he's not very good, you can save the ire for the pub afterwards.

Exactly. Say whatever you want about him on here and I'll probably agree with you, celebrating his substitution like a goal after he's tried his best is nothing but pathetic.