Wolves Fans' Verdict v Watford: Heartbreaking

Rob Cartwright

What's your verdict on the match? The highs and lows of football – the so-called beautiful game.

This day had all the components for an epic occasion. Wolves didn’t just have one foot in the final; we had one foot and three toes in the final. It was that close.

It’s hard to believe that we were 2-0 up with only 11 minutes to play. What could possibly go wrong? The look of ecstasy on people’s faces was soon to change. There would tears in the East stands, but not tears of joy.

For the neutral, this was your classic FA Cup tie.

I never felt that Wolves had found their rhythm, but somehow we got two goals in front.

A short corner to Jota saw him put a great ball into the box for Doherty to head in. Both teams then had chances to score and then Doherty became the provider for Jimenez, early in the second half.

It was tense. Too tense to really enjoy. I could detect Wolves were collectively tiring from around 75 minutes onwards.

The game was turned on the impact of both team's substitutes. Ours were made late and were questionable; theirs won the game.

Deulofeu came on after 66 minutes and had such an impact he won the game for Watford. He was taken back off on 112 minutes, job done.

I think Nuno got this wrong. He thought the game was won, when replacing Jota with Cavaleiro in the last minute. The Jimenez/Jota combo is our most lethal combination.

He also shuffled the defence, which was not needed in my opinion.

With a few seconds remaining, Dendoncker made a needless challenge. A soft but fair penalty. The stadium announcer said it was five seconds before the end of added time.

It’s fair to say “the writing was on the wall” as we entered extra time. The momentum shifted massively to Watford; Deulofeu had one more part still to play.

It dawned on me that we would end the game without Neves, Moutinho and Jota with the possibility of penalties!

In the last few moments, Cavaleiro had a chance to level. We've seen him score similar goals before, but it wasn’t to be.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? Moutinho was probably our best player and I didn’t want to see him taken off in extra time.

Jimenez had another good game and scored a fabulous goal. He was awarded man of the match in the stadium, with the score at 2-1. Boly, Coady and Jota did well too.

Neves and Dendoncker can do much more.

Jonny and Doherty looked good, but we didn’t get them on the ball enough throughout.

I’m a big fan of John Ruddy, but I question his positioning for the first goal and thought he could do better with the third. Not blaming him, as both were excellent finishes.

So, a big disappointment, but I’ve enjoyed our cup run. The club and team have gone forward massively in the last two years. Thank you for a great day out at Wembley.

This is just the start. We’re not there yet, but “we're Wolverhampton, we're on our way back".

Chris Hughes

What's your verdict on the match? Gutting.

It hurt at Villa Park in 1998 but that was a game we were never in against a much better side. Being, what, two minutes from a place in the final? That stings.

Despite us getting the two-goal lead, I always felt Watford were having the better of the game. Both of our goals were against the run of play but, having having the advantage, it’s terrible that we didn’t manage the game and see out the victory.

Nuno will have to shoulder some of the blame. It was clear that we were retreating into our shell and sitting ever-deeper, inviting relentless Watford pressure. That wasn’t the answer. Nuno’s defensive substitutions just made it worse. Like the players, he will learn from this experience.

As for us fans, the noise levels after the Watford goal were embarrassing. That was the time the players needed us the most and we failed to deliver. Small pockets of noise among 34,000 could not generate the atmosphere to raise the players for that final 15 minutes of the game.

Too many - perhaps knowing how the next act of this sporting theatre would play out from previous heartbreaks – chose to sit on their hands. The dejection following the equaliser meant extra-time played out in near-silence from the Wolves end of Wembley. It was horrendous. With no Neves, Jota or Moutinho on the field, it wasn’t much better there for the last 30 minutes either.

This day will go in the box with the 1998 semi-final defeat, the 01/02 implosion that let them down the road pip us to automatic promotion, the Bolton, Palace, Norwich and Albion play-off defeats, and the relegations of 03/04, 11/12 and 12/13 as moments to look back on to make the feeling of future successes feel even sweeter.

Unlike 1998, as a plodding mid-table second tier club, this group of players have the talent to bring us back here again. This isn’t the end, it’s the beginning...

Who played well – and who didn't impress? Our attacking threat was primarily through four players. Both wing-backs played superbly. Doc loves the cup and got himself another goal and Jonny was unlucky not to have got one for himself with the early chance that he curled just wide and the late chance the Gomes saved. Raúl scored a goal of superb technique and, alongside the superb Diogo J, lead the line well after a quiet opening half an hour.

That Jota came off was a travesty. Was he jaded? Maybe. But so were half a dozen of the players on the pitch and our Portuguese talisman still looked our biggest threat. How we yearned to have him on the field in extra-time.

Of the rest, Boly was the other stand-out. He was imperious at the back, winning headers and challenges all game. The big man did not deserve to end up on the losing side.

As in the home defeat in the league, it was in midfield that the battle was lost. Dendoncker, Neves and Moutinho were all below the high standards they have set this season.

All struggled to impose themselves against the energy of Watford’s midfield and gave the ball away far too often. Two of the three ended up being substituted looking shattered but the one who seemed to be most fatigued was Dendoncker, and he will be bitterly disappointed that his tired dangle of a leg ended up putting Deeney in a heap to concede the equalising penalty.

Russ Evers (Hatherton Wolves)

What's your verdict on the match? Only Wolves! The famous rollercoaster rides on. We all know what happened and when, but to throw it away like that is hard to take.

In truth we didn't play and retreated further into our shells when the main three were taken off, in an attempt to shore up the game, which unfortunately backfired in spectacular fashion.

The first Wembley loss for me but those shirts must be cursed. No blame attached to anyone and it's been a rare old ride to now but that silver trophy is as far away now as ever.

Time now to concentrate on the league and not to bottle the finish. But it broke my heart.

Natalie Wood

What's your verdict on the match? This one really hurt.

I’m sure in a few weeks times I’ll look back and be proud of the fact we reached the semi-final but at the moment I’m heartbroken – not so much because of the loss but more the manner of the defeat.

A trip to watch Wolves at Wembley was always something I had dreamed of doing but for many years. Aside from the result the day was just as special as I expected.

More than 30,000 Wolves fans all in very fine voice generated an incredible atmosphere from the off.

The first half was a really close affair, as expected. While Wolves had more chances I would say Watford had a bit more control of the game. They saw a lot more possession and looked the more likely to score.

But after a great strike from Dendoncker was saved by Gomes the following corner saw us finally break the deadlock. A great cross from Jota off a short Moutinho corner saw Doherty head us into the lead and send the Wolves end into ecstasy.

It was against the run of play but after that we had a lot more control of the game and looked more likely to score. As the first half came to an end Watford sent a warning sign with a ball coming through to Deeney who looked almost certain to score but was blocked by an excellent stop from Coady. We had the lead at the break but it was clear the game was far from over.

The second half we started well on top and were creating some great opportunities. Jimenez and Jota really came to life and were causing chaos for the Watford defence. Our second goal was thoroughly deserved and it was yet another superb finish from Jimenez.

It felt like dreamland and along with many other Wolves fans I really started to believe this might happen…we might reach a FA Cup final.

But obviously this is Wolves…it was never going to be that straightforward. We continued to look the more likely to score right up until Watford scored against the run of play.

After that we were a completely different team, our shape disappeared, we sat further and further back and almost welcomed the pressure. With seconds to go Dendoncker gave away the silliest of penalties and Watford slotted home to take us to extra time.

We definitely had our fair share of possession and chances in extra time but it was no surprise when Watford took the lead. They looked hungrier and ready to pounce when we gave away possession very easily.

Traore made an impact when coming on but his crosses just couldn’t find anyone on the end of them. We were looking tired and out of options. Then came our moment, Cav found himself free in the box and in a superb position to score but he panicked, delayed his shot and gave Watford time to get it clear.

For me our downfall were our changes, we took off some of our most influential players and it really showed. Cav's miss summed it up…what would have happened if Jota had found himself free the box instead of Cav? Potentially a very different outcome.

The final whistle was gut-wrenching, there was no anger from the fans but also no pride in the team…at that point it was just silence and disbelief. Like I said earlier I’m sure over time the pride in our FA Cup journey will reappear but at the moment it felt like we just threw it away.

We gave possession away easily and allowed Watford to completely unravel us. When I actually look back at the game as a whole I wouldn’t say it was a good performance, it was mediocre. We had a few spells of great play and flashes of our normal selves but on the whole it just wasn’t there.

That should have been the game when every player was at the top of their game and it just wasn’t there- that is probably the most disappointing part.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? My man of the match would be between Matt Doherty and Jimenez. Doherty was probably one of the only players who did play to his normal standard.

He was obviously a big part of both of our goals but he ran his socks off all game and deserves some credit. Jimenez was also a vital part of the team and most of our big chances all had Jimenez at the heart of it. Even though he found himself on the losing side I am sure he will be the player that is praised the most by the media…definitely more than a certain Mr Deeney.

The list of players that didn’t have the best game was unfortunately a lot longer but finger pointing to individual players doesn’t really make any difference, we got a lot wrong and I’m sure we will grow from it.

Its going to take a while to get over this but we will and I have no doubt we will bounce back from it. The FA Cup run is over but our season isn’t! We go to Southampton next week ready to continue our battle for seventh…and we just have to hope Watford don’t pull off a famous victory in the final.

Clive Smith

What's your verdict on the match? Losing a semi is the worst feeling in football.

Forty six years ago to the day I went to my first away game, that was a semi, and I still bear a grudge against Billy Bremner and Dirty Leeds.

Relegation is bad, but it creeps up on you. In a one-off game there is more of a shock factor. This defeat hardly crept up on us. With just over 10 minutes to go the game felt done and dusted. Even at 2-1 and with the minutes slowly ticking by up to the ninetieth, plus the four added, we looked to have it won.

Then our world fell apart.

All those late goals we have scored this season, none surely inflicted the same level of pain on others that we felt today.

The game had not flowed well for either side.

Quite a scrappy affair. We had two good chances in the first five minutes but our passing was below par and our wing backs were not getting behind their defence.

We did however look the better side and just as I finished complaining about 'another bleeping short corner' one worked!

Jimenez and Jota both looked on form and likely to score, but there was a scare also in our box when a cross was met and put over the bar instead of into our net. Also, just before the break, a brilliant block by Coady was worth a 'goal' and maintained our lead.

On the hour a typical Doherty cross and an equally classy finish by Jimenez gave us the breathing space we needed. We then defended well, in numbers, while Jota was constantly the perfect escape route.

Watford then dominated possession. They scored a 'consolation' goal. Then came the penalty and extra time. Fair play to Watford. From looking a beaten side they began to appear fitter and stronger than us. Their best move of the match brought a clever finish and the winning goal.

At the final whistle, as some players from both sides fell to the floor, and some handshakes were done, Coady broke away and walked towards us. My heart went out to him. His body language showed the same feeling as his heart went out to all of us. Emotional. Reminded me of seeing Bully, sitting on the floor, totally dejected after that Bolton play-off defeat some years ago.

'Enjoy the day', everyone said. Well, the walk down Wembley Way, with gold smoke in the air, flags waving, hearing outbreaks of 'Nuno had a dream' every couple of minutes was fantastic. A sea of Wolves fans.

That was before the game. The contrast after, with barely any chatter, no flags aloft, a mass of miserable looking faces are images that make it hard to convince me that I enjoyed the day without the result to go with it.

The boys will be really down after today. They will need our support more than ever next week against the Saints. Come on you Wolves, we're still on our way back.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? Ruddy may have been soundly beaten three times, but he played well. An early punch and catch set the tone.

Doherty started on the back foot but had a huge influence on the game. Scoring and providing an assist, he looked to still have energy as he drove us forward right to the end.

Otto could, and perhaps should, have scored inside a minute. He did later run out of steam and was missing for that final goal.

Saiss made us hold our breath following an early yellow, but defended well enough before moving to midfield. He looked less effective there.

Boly had an excellent game. Deserved to be a winner.

Neves was inconsistent. He had some lovely trademark passes but also got caught in possession too. The first to be replaced, his energy was lacking near the end.

Moutinho was busy and put in a decent shift tackling. Perhaps the pace caught up with him too.

Dendoncker could have scored with a lovely shot that forced a save but could equally have done more to close down on the first goal and also not put his foot in for the penalty.

Jota was my man of the match. His form was good during the whole game. He looked likely to out pace a defender and score. He was substituted at 2-1, we really missed him during extra time.

Jimenez again led the line well. Another well taken goal, but his overall effort and commitment was equally impressive.

With the possible exception of Bennett, each substitution made us weaker. Even he effectively only swapped Neves for Saiss.

Cavaleiro was wasteful, especially when he had the ball in the box but failed to get a shot off. Traore showed that frustrating side of his game.

What we wanted was him to whip a cross into the box, but he either over played or wasted the chance. Likewise Vinagre, he tried too hard on the ball when we needed him to be direct.

Adam Virgo

What's your verdict on the match? Devastated, heartbroken, dejected. A few words to sum up how I and every single Wolves fan felt after extra time.

From the position we were in, to lose how we did is just the worst way and I can only imagine it’s taken a lot out of the players. So, so proud of the team to get as far as they did but it’s obviously gutting to lose, especially after being 2-0 up.

Up until our first goal, Watford were the better side in all fairness, they stopped us playing, forcing us to go long a lot of the time.

After that, we did well for a while and of course the longer the game was going on, the more risks they took, meaning we could catch them on the break. However, whenever we had good opportunities to do so they took the foul, understandably.

Jimenez did absolutely brilliant for his goal and clearly Troy Deeney is uneducated about the Sin Cara mask with his post-match comments, although he probably needs it more than anyone.

At 2-0 I’m sure most fans thought we were going to win, we’ve only ever lost once from a winning position under Nuno which was when we lost 2-1 away to Cardiff earlier this season. In general terms, it was the so called “Wolves way” but under Nuno we’ve rarely had anything like that.

Gerard Deulofeu changed the game completely, there’s no doubt about that. His first goal was a fantastic finish but from our point of view, we should have gone to block him quicker or gotten tighter to him so we could have showed him onto his left foot.

After that we sat so deep but I don’t get why. We didn’t need to drop that much, they were always going to take major risks so we should have played slightly higher and then counter attacked them more effectively, hence why the subs were wrong from Nuno.

Jota was our main out ball and was one of our best players, we should have kept him on. I understand you have to freshen things up but with the subs Nuno made, it was so defensive and then going to extra time with the players we had taken off made it even harder.

I haven’t seen the penalty back but I thought it was as soon as Dendoncker went into the challenge. Deeney wasn’t going anywhere so from that point of view it’s frustrating, especially with a couple of minutes left.

In extra time, everything was flat from us but I expected that with how we choked the 2-0 lead anyway. No one could believe what they had seen and Watford had all the momentum, reminded me a little bit of the England loss in the World Cup semi final.

Deulofeu once again punishing us after they caught us on the break. Personally think Ruddy should have saved it though, he weirdly went with his legs when if he uses his hands he probably gets down and saves it.

Not going to point the blame though, we got there as a team and lost as a team. This season has still been fantastic so far, yesterday has just knocked a lot out of us. The worst part about it is we always have that “what if” feeling.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? Jota and Jimenez both played well, the Mexican of course getting on the scoresheet again. Troy Deeney said he is glad he didn’t see it at the time because he’d have “lost his head”, imagine being that pathetic. I’d much rather have Raúl Jiménez, who yes was a loser yesterday but he has won far more in his career than Deeney ever will. 71 caps for Mexico for Raúl whereas Deeney has 0 caps for England, enough said.

I don’t think any player particularly played badly, Ruddy should have done better for the third goal, maybe his positioning wasn’t the best for the first but in all fairness, Deulofeu should have been closed down by a defender before he even got the shot away. Until then, Ruddy had been great, caught/punched every cross and dealt with everything pretty well.

Nuno got it wrong more than anyone I think in terms of his subs. We went far too defensive at 2-1 and then taking Moutinho off in extra time meant we lost all creativity in midfield.

Even so, at 2-0 we should be doing better as a team to see the game out but Watford deserve some credit for getting themselves back into it. I still hope City smash them in the final though.