An abysmal performance last night but not a particularly unexpected result. We knew about Wolves’ excellent record against the top 6 and the team seemed resigned to losing, with a lack of urgency or a spark throughout the game producing a very blank performance. Whilst we started the more threatening, with some neat build up play and getting into dangerous areas, we lacked incisiveness or any real cutting edge or assertive play.
They scored from two set pieces, one cheaply given away after Mkhitaryan lost the ball high up the pitch, the second, whilst reinforcing the idea that Leno is still weak at commanding his box, also included abysmal defensive organisation from a set-piece for the second game running- something we have looked competent at this season previously.
The third goal just before half-time completely knocked the stuffing out of us, with dreadful defending and poor goalkeeping again. Whilst we dominated the ball and territory in the second period, again there was a lack of incision and we struggled to get through a stubborn Wolves defence. To me, this only emphasised my belief that we are desperate for a direct, natural winger who can create against a packed defence.
Top 4 is still on for me, but we need one particular game to go our way and to get at least 7 points from our remaining three games. Gutting.
PLAYER RATINGS vs Wolves:
1️⃣9️⃣ Leno 3
1️⃣5️⃣ Maitland-Niles 3
0️⃣5️⃣ Sokratis 3
0️⃣6️⃣ Koscielny 5
1️⃣8️⃣ Monreal 4
1️⃣1️⃣ Torreira 4
3️⃣4️⃣ Xhaka 5
0️⃣7️⃣ Mkhitaryan 3
1️⃣0️⃣ Ozil 4
1️⃣7️⃣ Iwobi 5
0️⃣9️⃣ Lacazette 4 –
Subs
3️⃣1️⃣ Kolasinac 5
2️⃣9️⃣ Guendouzi 6
4️⃣9️⃣ Nketiah 7 –
Tell me your thoughts below and if you don’t understand some of my ratings, ask below and I’ll give some justification
Alfie Culshaw