Wolves Fans' Verdict v Brighton: Frustrating day at the Amex

Chris Hughes

What's your verdict on the match?

A frustrating afternoon on the South Coast this one.

We started brightly and had an early penalty shout that could well have been given for handball when Izquierdo turned his back on a Doherty shot which struck his outstretched elbow. While it was one of those incidents that we may have been aggrieved about had we had a decision go against us in a similar way, it was one that we’ve definitely seen given before and likely will we more like it awarded as penalties during the rest of the season.

That incident came from the first forward foray of the afternoon from the Irish Cafu on the right flank. By half time Doherty had also gotten in behind to thump a ball across the 6-yard box that no one attacked, come within inches of getting on to a Neves through ball, and rolled a good effort just past the post. For all of our attacking talent it was the Irishman who looked the most likely to make something happen in a first-half that we controlled perfectly, with Brighton having only one chance from their only corner of the game, without managing to find the net.

Having dominated the first-half we were hit with an absolute sucker punch within 3 minutes of the restart. Having conceded a throw-in near the corner flag (which was allowed to be taken 10 yards further away to create a better angle into the box) our defending was poor and allowed Glenn Murray, the top-scoring Englishman in the Premier League this season, ten yards of free space on the edge of the 6-yard box to finish a ball across the box. After a second look you’d say Coady will be the defender who will hold his hand up and take the blame for losing his man, having been marking Murray from the initial throw-in but then following the ball and moving back across the box instead of realising that Bennett had tracked the man he was marking into the middle.

This sparked a 45-minute session of attack vs defence as the Brighton box became the Alamo. Doherty tested Matt Ryan from 20 yards and forced a smart save to win a corner from which the ball fell to Neves who again struck a 20-yarder which Ryan somehow saved between his knees. Then Jota won a free-kick that was definitely in Neves range. He stuck it well and it looked like it would find the top corner until the impressive Lewis Dunk got his head to the shot and diverted the ball just over the bar.

Another jinking run from Jota left him with a chance from inside the box that Ryan was again equal to before the Australian somehow denied Bennett from 6-yards out with an excellent reaction save. We also had another penalty shout from a corner where the referee somehow missed Gaetan Bong grappling with Boly in the box with a bear hug that wouldn’t be allowed in the NFL let alone in a football match!

Coming out of the ground and heading back to the train station we had to mix with some of the home supporters and several passed comments on how fortunate they’d been not just to win the game but to have avoided a heavy defeat. One or two were already declaring us a top 8 side and stating we’d been one of the best sides they’ve seen since their return to the top flight.

While these comments are encouraging they also heightened the frustration being felt at another failure to convert chances into goals. It’s hard to know the answer because the system and the personnel performing in it are what produce the chances we’re creating at the moment. Some stated that if we’d had Murray in our side we’d have won the game yet I saw very little from him to suggest that he’d be of any use in our system with his general play and the chances we did have generally came from good movement by the man in the centre of the front three making spaces for others to shoot rather than chances falling to them. None of Raúl, Cavaleiro or Bonatini had a shooting opportunity all day while being deployed as the central member of the front three so how a goal poacher would improve us, I’m not sure. What I am sure of is that we’re still playing excellent football and creating chances. It’s when that stops happening that I might start to worry.

Who played well – and who didn't impress?

The standout performers were Neves and Moutinho, who put last week’s sloppy performance against Watford behind them to control this game from start to finish, and Doherty who, as I mentioned, was the most dangerous attacking player on the field for most of the game.

It’s hard to pick out anyone who was poor but Raúl did struggle to get much out of the imposing Dunk & Duffy at the back for Brighton. Even though he was below his usual high standards he did still manage a few key touches that helped create space for Doherty. When we took Raúl off and went with a front 3 of Jota, Costa & Cavaleiro we looked very impressive as the three dovetailed their movement to pull a well-drilled backline out of position and create space and chances.

Adam Virgo

What's your verdict on the match?

Another game where not being clinical enough has cost us at least a point, even potentially all three.

Apart from the Murray goal and the Duffy header in the first half, Brighton barely threatened, but for us to have 25 attempts at goal and not score is very frustrating.

Some of the efforts were unlucky not to go in, including Neves’ long range strike which Mat Ryan caught between his knees somehow, then his free kick which Lewis Dunk brilliantly headed over his own bar, and then Bennett’s late strike which forced a top save from Ryan.

Doherty should have scored in the first half, he did the hard work by beating his man and getting in on goal but then lacked composure with the finish.

In the second half, we got into so many good positions but then it ended up with a poor pull back, a cross which went out for a goal kick or headed away easily, it was frustrating in many senses because with a bit more quality and calmness around the box, we would have found the right pass or cross needed to score.

We didn’t commit enough bodies into the box at times either, we’d have one or two players in the box when someone was in a crossing position which made it so easy for Dunk and Duffy to deal with those crosses.

I think we miss an N’Diaye type of player, but better, in those type of games. Brighton were defending deep and having a midfielder who’s willing to make forward runs into the box can make a difference and cause their defenders problems. Moutinho and Neves both like to sit on the edge or around there and yes, they both have a lot of quality and there’s no denying that, but in situations like yesterday when Brighton were sitting on a 1-0 lead, having a different type of midfielder could be beneficial.

It wasn’t that we played badly at all, everything up until the final third was fine. We had control of the midfield and we defended well. The Murray goal had a stroke of luck with Bruno’s mishit going straight to the Brighton striker, but Traore could have done more to stop Bruno if he got closer to him quicker.

We were very unlucky to not get at least a point, but also we didn’t do enough in attacking areas in the second half to create ‘better’ opportunities. It’s still a very promising start to the season though being currently 9th in the league, potentially 10th depending on the Man United result, but with Spurs and Arsenal coming up, we are going to have to be more ruthless with our chances, otherwise they will both punish us.

Who played well – and who didn't impress?

Boly and Doherty were our best players. Doherty was our biggest attacking threat yesterday, he should have scored with his first half chance, but he offered so much to us in an attacking sense. He was unlucky with the penalty shout in the first half, Izquierdo blocked Doherty’s shot with his arm and who knows, the game might have been different if it had been given and we converted it.

Boly was a beast all afternoon. Didn’t give Murray a sniff first half and in the second, anytime someone was near him, he won the ball. Wasn’t afraid of carrying the ball forward at times either, he made himself a presence and he was helping us get the ball forward, especially on the counter.

Neves and Moutinho had control of the midfield and both played well. Neves was very unlucky with his long range effort that Ryan saved between his legs and the free kick in the second half which was destined for the top corner, but Dunk saved Brighton with his head.

Jonny defensively was sound but he could have done more going forward in the second half. Personally, I would have either brought Bonatini on for him sooner, or brought Vinagre on as he loves going forward, beating players and getting the ball into the box.

Jimenez didn’t have his best of games, however I wouldn’t have taken him off so early. He’s been our main source of goals this season whether it be him scoring or assisting, and taking him off but then crossing the ball to Cavaleiro, he had no chance against Dunk or Duffy. I thought Costa and Traore going off for Cav and Jota would have been better but it is what it is.

Traore was poor and proved that he’s a lot better coming off the bench as an impact player at the moment. He showed some good glimpses in the first half but nothing special, his decision making still needs a lot of working on, sometimes his feet are too quick for his brain.

Costa was poor too and needs dropping next week for me. He’s started every game this season and hasn’t got a single goal or assist which is a very poor return for a player in his position.

Same with Jota, he’s started every game bar yesterday and he hasn’t scored or assisted either. It’s a big worry because we need those type of players to get goals for us and that’s why we’ve only managed to score more than once in a game, twice all season, and we’ve only scored once in the first half too. Some work on our attacking play definitely needs some work.

Saying that, Jota was very positive when he came on, looked better than most games he’s played this season, however he still lacked composure in some areas and you can see he has very little confidence at the moment, as do all of our forwards, maybe except Cavaleiro at the moment.

Rob Cartwright

What's your verdict on the match?

So frustrating from Wolves. We completely dominated this game for 70 minutes. We controlled possession in the first half. The defence looked assured and the midfield were back on song, picking up any loose balls and winning most of the 50/50s. We were able to use the full width of the pitch, with Doherty the route for most of our attacking play.

The same doubt remains. The forwards are too slow with and without the ball and we are lacking an out and out striker. Time after time the opportunity was there to catch Brighton on the break. Costa, Jimenez or Jota were all guilty of holding the ball for too long and releasing it slowly, thus allowing Brighton’s defence to get back into order. Surprisingly, the same applies to Traore who played like he had too much on his mind. I think I would have preferred to see him run like a train towards goal.

That said, we should have had a penalty for handball and had the best scoring chance in the first half, when Doherty cut through into the box and fired wide.

We started the second half on the back foot and it didn’t take long for Murray to show us what we are lacking. A clinical finish to Brighton’s first shot of the game. Murray is an old style centre forward who finds space in the box, causes havoc and can play dirty. Just what we are crying out for.

This set us back for 15 minutes or so, but for the last 25 minutes we really went for it. We increased the pace and caused havoc in their defence. Cavaleiro made a positive impact and we created chance after chance with their keeper matching us every shot.

How you can have 25 goal attempts without scoring is hard to fathom, but this is not the first time this season. Let’s hope, at least, one of the 5000 players Thelwell is watching is an out and out striker!!

Who played well – and who didn't impress?

Patricio had nothing to do, other than Murray’s shot which he was not at fault.

I thought Boly was immense throughout. Bennett did well too, but either he or Coady should have been closer to Murray when he scored.

Doherty was the standout player and he got lots of the ball and used it well. Too often, there was not enough players in or around the box when he broke forward; except in the last 20 minutes. Otto had less joy getting forward.

Neves and Moutinho did well.

Costa, Jimenez and Traore were below par and not effective. The three subs were lively, but could not do enough to change the inevitable.

Overall, although this was a big improvement on last weekends game, we were lethargic and wasteful in the final third. If you can’t score you won’t win!

That’s two defeats against teams we would have expected points from. This will add pressure now to the Tottenham and Arsenal games ahead.

Final word to the Brighton fans I spoke with, after the game. Here's what they had to say: "Unlucky lads. You played us off the park and absolutely battered us.

"How we've won that I will never know."

Natalie Wood

What's your verdict on the match?

Wolves came out the blocks fighting, exactly the sort of start we wanted to see after last week's lacklustre performance. We were by far the better team and looked more like the sort of team we are used to seeing.

In the first half we were relentless and to be honest did everything but score. We moved the ball really well and created some good chances. Doherty was probably the stand out player for me in the first half. He had a very good shout for a penalty with quite a clear handball. He also was unlucky not to score with a superb shot whistling inches wide.Going into half time I think it seemed to just be a matter of time until we scored.

Second half obviously did not start well! It was a good finish by Murray but some awful defending by wolves, there was no one within 5 yards of him! It was such an undeserved lead by Brighton but showed the difference between Brighton and Wolves....the ability to take chances! After the goal it was pretty much all Wolves, we continued to be the better team and really did impress but to be honest there weren’t many occasions where we looked like we were going to score. Neves had 2 of the best chances of the second half, he was unlucky not to score from both a free kick and shot outside the area but aside from that there was still a lack of confidence upfront of goal from the whole team. However all of the misses nearly fell into distant memory when Bennett got himself into a great position right at the end to shoot for what surely was going to be our equaliser but it was a great stop by the Brighton keeper.

Who played well – and who didn't impress?

Man of the match for me was probably Doherty, he created some great chances all game and worked tirelessly throughout. I do think Nunos key error was playing Traore over Cav. Traore is a great player and in my eyes will always be our impact sub. He really lacks defensively and that impacted us a lot. I also think Neves is struggling at the moment, he just doesn’t look the same player he was and is making a number of key errors each game.

It still isn’t time to panic, we have only lost 2 games! However even though we played better against Brighton we are still not quite up to the standard we need to be consistently at. We need to sort out our strike force quickly, this is our weakness at the moment and ultimately it doesn’t make any difference how well we play if we are not scoring goals. For me the key change has to Cav starting next week and Traore to then come on later in the game once the defence are tired!! We have a really tough next couple of games but I still think we show all the signs of a team that can easily compete against the big boys....we just need to take our chances!

Clive Smith

What's your verdict on the match?

Brighton are hardly our favourite opponents given our record against them and that poor record continued. Even twenty minutes of throwing everything we had forward failed to earn us a point.

We started the game well, no sign of any hangover from last week, and dominated possession. Neves and Moutinho were on song and Doherty was our go-to guy for every attack. From box to box and side to side we were pleasing on the eye, the lack of a cutting edge around the goal being the obvious failing.

We had three corners that we taken short. They were all disappointingly wasted. Indeed it was from one of these, and another move that broke down in their box, that we nearly conceded from. Brighton on their occasional break looked dangerous. We survived though and it was good to see Jimenez race back to cover the right side where Doherty had vacated. Boly too had to switch sides to cover that area.

Our greatest strength, Doherty in the final third, also looked our greatest weakness, when we lost the ball.

It was no surprise that Doherty had the best chance of the half. A fine move saw him inside the box with just the keeper to beat, only for the shot to go wide. We had managed just a single shot on target, a weak effort from Traore that went straight at their keeper. The half ended leaving us optimistic that we could go on and win the game. After all, scoring in the first half is not what we do.

Before we had chance to find our rhythm we had conceded a sloppy goal. A throw in was flicked on and we found ourselves a man short at the far post. From the resulting poor shot Murray diverted it in. It was harsh on Wolves but here was time to recover.

We continued to be on the front foot with plenty of the ball which we generally circulated well. On the hour Nuno rotated the attack. To my surprise he kept Costa on instead of Jimenez.

Good chances were created but we found the opposition keeper in form. Doherty and Bennett had efforts well saved while a Neves shot could have deflected off several legs but instead went straight for the keeper to make another good save. Perhaps he needs to miss-hit them like Bruno had for their goal.

On reflection, it was the sort of performance that would have seen us score four or five against Bolton or Leeds last season. We have moved on though, the stakes are higher and the opposition much stronger. Having had just ten games at this level it shows we still have some improving to do, but we are better placed than ever to do it.

It does not need a tv expert to tell us we need to score goals and be more clinical. Our six strikers were all on show today and there is a similarity in their style. We do not have a Crouch, because we don't put in high crosses, but we don't have a Defoe either to put the finishing touches to our good approach play. We lack a physical presence too. Our team, our squad, is growing and learning though. Creating so many opportunities against a determined and resolute defence is a positive to take away and our League position is still not to shabby.

Who played well – and who didn't impress?

Patricio was hardly involved in the game. He had no chance with the goal and there was no other shot on target, just a far post header off a corner.

Otto constantly surged forward and got in numerous tackles.

If Doherty was a decent finisher he could have had five or six goals this season. Sadly he is not and again today it proved costly. His general play was good and work rate excellent. To get into the positions he does is hugely impressive. MOTM.

Boly started with a couple of errors but then had a solid game. He looked comfortable on the ball and tried to carry it forward when there was space ahead of him.

Coady was steady at the back. Defending by getting into the right position rather than being the one to make the tackle.

Too often Bennett gave the ball away cheaply, in what was, a below par performance from him. A little more luck with his late effort though could have made him the hero.

Neves looked far more up for it than last week. Constantly the ball was played to him and his passing was good. Besides one attempted tackle, that he thankfully made no contact with, he worked constantly to retrieve possession and break up Brighton moves.

Likewise with Moutinho. Matching his neat clever passing with a high energy level to put in tackles to win the ball back.

Costa saw the ball down his wing a lot but he was not influencing it much. He should be the one creating the chances Doherty is making, perhaps then his finishing touch would bring us more goals. Until the last twenty minutes he was often muscled out of the game.

I felt sorry for Jimenez. He was never going to get any joy in the air against two solid centre backs. He could have on the ground though but all our early passing went wide to the wing, never a through ball up the channel for Raul to run onto. He is often making those runs but gets ignored.

Traore starting the game did not really work. He was only occasionally in the game and offered very little when we wanted a player to make something happen in their box.

From the bench, Jota played the final thirty minutes, as did Cavaleiro. Although not directly because of them, it did coincide with when we looked most likely to score. Both players went looking for the ball and tried to be creative in a positive way. That in itself was hard against the massed ranks of the Brighton defence.

Bonatini had a couple of minutes but made no impact.

Russ Evers (Hatherton Wolves)

What's your verdict on the match?

We had 61% possession to their 39, 25 shots to their 7 and our keeper required to make 0 saves against theirs who made 7 and that's not including the goal bound Neves effort that hit Dunk and went for a corner. Yet we still lost, quite how no one is sure but the bogey team tag sticks.

Our best two chances fell to Matt Doherty but neither was converted and we were punished by a striker on top goal scoring form earning his wages. The way the entire Brighton team engulfed their keeper at the final whistle probably speaks loudest but this is an unforgiving league and we need to start scoring to maintain the feel good factor. A good performance but a poor result.