Wolves Fans' Verdict v Bournemouth: A deserved and crucial three points

Harry Lee

There is no doubt that this is an absolutely huge three points for Wolves in their bid for Premier League survival! With the promoted teams all losing on the same weekend being the ‘cherry’ on top.

Looking back to late November in one of Gary O’Neil’s last games in charge, which ended in a calamitous 4-2 defeat against Bournemouth, the reverse fixture under Vitor Pereira could not have been more different. 

A defensively sound performance against an impressive in form attack, Bueno, Doc and Toti were all at their best for most of the game, shielded brilliantly by the excellent Andre who worked tirelessly for the team. 

Vitor Pereira’s team selection was as many Wolves fans would have selected, with Munetsi and Bellegarde adding work rate whilst offering genuine threat. The in game management also much improved to ensure no repeat of the Arsenal fixture a few weeks ago with J.Gomes and Bueno being substituted. 

When you have the quality of Matheus Cunha you will always carry a goal threat, his form returning to that same level he was at pre January. To have Strand Larsen back in the squad will add another dimension to the attack in what is a crucial period of the season.  

Wolves now need to carry this momentum into the next games, two at home in the Premier League against teams outside of the top six with what will hopefully be another successful trip to the Vitality Stadium in the cup sandwiched in between.

John Lalley

A great deal still to be done, but undeniably a potentially pivotal weekend for Wolves that should be a massive confidence booster. 

Zabarnyi’s merited red card presented us with a huge advantage and it was so important that we cashed-in within five minutes of his dismissal. Cunha’s quick goalscoring response never fully settled our nerves, but it ensured that it was Bournemouth and not us left to chase the game. 

Significantly, the coach did not repeat the error of allowing the cautioned Joao Gomes to run amok oblivious to the consequences as he had done against Arsenal. Referees, subconsciously or otherwise are keen to redress the balance regarding red cards and Gomes is a serial recidivist who simply can’t restrain himself, so substituting him immediately made total sense.