The Joe Edwards debrief - Manchester United 1 Wolves 0
Wolves ended 2020 with a sickening stoppage-time loss at Manchester United, but there were positives to take from the game.
Having just 48 hours to recover from the draw with Tottenham, it was a spirited and organised defensive display at Old Trafford – Nuno Espirito Santo’s side cruelly falling to Marcus Rashford’s deflected strike in added time.
Superb Saiss
First things first, Romain Saiss put in an excellent performance.
The Moroccan was so unlucky to see the decisive deflection come off him as he had been both sound at the back and Wolves’ biggest threat going forward.
With Conor Coady playing on the right of the back three, Saiss took to the sweeper role like a duck to water.
He read the game extremely well, making several crucial tackles and blocks.
The 30-year-old also shaved the crossbar with a looping header and then forced David De Gea into action with a clever flick from Pedro Neto’s low free-kick.
We already knew what a versatile and dependable character Saiss is, but this outing reaffirmed his vast importance.
His current deal runs out at the end of this season but the club has the option to extend it for another year. Surely, that will be taken up as he has never let Wolves down.
Young pups
While experienced head Saiss shone, a pair of teenagers also held their own.
Ki-Jana Hoever looked very assured at right-wing-back.
Although undoubtedly helped by the presence of captain Coady just behind him, the 18-year-old Dutchman carried the ball confidently and was rarely beaten.
He has given Nuno something to think about for the trip to Brighton on Saturday.
Rayan Ait-Nouri, on the other side, also grew into the game considerably. He was one of the top performers in the second half and with questions marks over the fitness of Fernando Marcal, he could also start at the Amex.
Vitinha did OK on his first Premier League start, too. Fair play to those youngsters.
What is needed
Given the circumstances – so little time between games and tiredness showing towards the end – you could not expect much more from Wolves, but this did also reemphasise what is required now.
January is almost upon us and a striker simply must be snapped up. Fingers crossed, someone will arrive fairly soon. Playing without a conventional centre forward from the off at Old Trafford, there were times on the counter when decent crosses were played into the box – without a target man to get on the end of them.
Fabio Silva, who came on in the second half, has done well so far, but further help is desperately needed.
The club know a signing has to be made and, hopefully, the right man is found as swiftly as possible.
Perhaps a fresh face will arrive in time for the Black Country derby on January 16? With 15 goals from 16 matches, it is definitely a matter of urgency for Nuno.
Coming up
So, 2020, a truly wretched year for many of us, is finally coming to an end, and the first test of 2021 is a clash with the Seagulls.
They have struggled so far this campaign and this is one Wolves should, really, be winning, but the squad is likely to remain stretched.
Leander Dendoncker and Willy Boly are doubts again, while Marcal might not be fit either.
Do they stick with the three at the back, or return to the four instead? Should Silva be leading the line?
There are plenty of questions going into the game. Let’s hope for some positive answers.
