Cunha's first goal against Fulham was the classic 3-touch finish. Bergkampesque. It doesn't get any better than that. But his second goal was a beauty too.
Good pod lads. Thank you. Cunha is in fine form and those were two brilliant finishes and an excellent disguised set up pass. But 10 other players' performances also achieved that 4-1 win on Saturday. We are NOT a one man show, And there is a long way to go to exit the dark tunnel we are in - a couple of wins is encouraging, but there is still an awful long way to go to clamber towards the light. I think there were two crucial elements in the hand that was dealt to Gary O'Neil by the enforced absences, both worked in a very positive manner: 1. Playing a real winger, and currently we only have two in Rodrigo Gomes and Forbs, was a crucial element, even though Rodrigo wasn't a shine out star of the show. Playing a proper winger, hugging the touchline and trying to get to the dead-ball line gives the opposition a problem that their full-backs must be alive to, None of Bellegarde, Sarabia or Hwang are really wingers, they are inside forwards and they don't naturally carry that threat. In my opinion we only have room for one of them in a starting XI. 2. Lemina playing at centre-back, meant Andre could be picked. In midfield Lemina, Andre and Doyle ALL play the defensive pivotal role. You can not play all of them in that one position and all three are less effective when they must concede that role to another player. I feel sorry for Tommy Doyle, but now we have bought Andre, his appearances, unless we get injuries are likely to be pretty restricted. I would really be tempted to continue with Lemina in the centre-back position and begin to phase out Craig Dawson as his star begins to fade with age. The FLA-FLU Derby, Jordan! It's THE biggy in Brazil. Talking of Guedes still being a thing and the possibility of him staying, don't overlook the fact that Kalajdzic is not only still on the books, but also on the mend and may not be entirely made of glass. It's unlikely I guess, but he would be a more natural back up if Strand-Larsen is unavailable. Guedes is a back up for Cunha currently in my opinion, but I guess Gary O'Neill will turn to Hwang if either of our current front two are unavailable. For the first 20 minutes of the game at Fulham we hardly had a kick. And we were lucky to be at 1-1 by half-time. The reality is that we didn't play hugely better than we have done in some matches where we have lost narrowly. Getting two late goals against ten men who are throwing caution to the wind to try and get an equaliser, it must be recognised, is NOT winning 4-1 by dominating and being the better side for 90 minutes. The reality is that Wolves have, in the most part, not been anywhere near as terrible as people have claimed during the winless run and equally we shouldn't let one big win convince us that all will be rosy and easy from now on. Every Premier League match is a struggle and no points are guaranteed. We hope we don't lose on Saturday to Bournemouth, but NO MATTER WHAT THE RESULT, the season still has a long way to go. The Southampton and Fulham results don't secure Gary O'Neil's tenure at the club for the rest of the season, but they do alleviate the pressure on him to an extent and on the team. And we should be happy about that. Results build confidence and confidence builds more effective, constructive and inventive play. My favourite goal would be Joao Gomes against Fulham. I love the moves where you are able to just stroke the ball into the net after a number of slick passes - rather than the spectacular out of the blue efforts. The purple shirt is horrible. Peak Raul rather than Cunha for me, apart from his penalty taking - I hated the foot stutter and the tap at goal irrespective of it being pretty fruitful aside from the crucial miss in the Sevilla QF match. As a Sa fan, I'm really glad he is playing instead of Johnstone - I think Sa is a far better keeper and I want him to stay at the club for as long as possible. Even if Johnstone was told he'd be number one choice, I hate the idea that ANY player is guaranteed a place in the team. You HAVE to earn being picked, in every match. dylanwolf in the billyQ
GON needs to keep winning games and drag us well up the table. I have huge doubts about him still but I'm very happy to see we've got some points on the board at last.
I agree, Guedes has talent and if given an extended run will score goals. If he is happy to stay give him the opportunity. I believe Chan wanted away in the summer and his form has suffered. Guedes in my view is the better option.
I know Cunha could well leave but no one was interested in him at athletico Madrid. He wasn't even starting every game for them. If he goes to another big club in the prem what's to say he doesn't feel the love again and drops off because the team isn't built around him. That thought gives me hope he will stay for 4/5 years
In terms of sheer class, Cunha beats ALL our other strikers hands down. Like Jord, Jota was always a massive favourite player for me. Up there with Bully and Robbie Keane in that regard. I was so sad when we sold him and still love to see him scoring even at Liverpool. But I'm also inclined to agree that Cunha is arguably the most technically gifted player in our modern era, although shout out to Moutinho and I'd say keep an eye on Andre too. Cunha's pure class anyway and rapidly becoming another all-time favourite.
Henry-esque performance from Cunha. It was so nice to see Andre and Gomes in the middle with Rodrigo Gomes FINALLY getting a chance. I fully expect an awful team selection from Gary next week though.
Neves was leaving every season, until he finally went, but we held on to him for longer than we thought, hopefully Cunha will stay longer than we think.
The footballing gods still hate us. A day, or two, after we get a spirit lifting win, they respond by handing one of the teams we'd hope to end above in the table by the end of the season, an unexpected victory too. Ipswich at Tottenham last week and now West Ham at Newcastle. It seems as though the gloss of a victory must always tarnished by results elsewhere. We're going to have struggle on through against blow after blow! dylanwolf in the billyQ
Maybe I'm being naive here, but I don't know that Cunha leaves in the summer. As Dave mentioned, he's enjoying his football here, enjoying playing for the manager, getting good minutes. It reminds me of Neves's situation - it felt like for a good 4 summers in a row the rumours were that Neves was going to leave the club before he ultimately did
I hear what Russ is saying with Andre and Gomes is the partnership but I don’t have a problem with Lemina replacing with one of them two as long as we’re playing a two in there and not a three. Leminas poor form at the start of the season is the blame of gon imo as you can’t squeeze three mids in there. Gomes and leminas form was off because of that.
I think we paid 40 million euros for Cunha (£35 million) so correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway, I hope we keep Cunha for as long as possible because he is a gem in every way. Pure class. But if Real Madrid come and make us a £150 million offer then I guess we'll have to consider it... (But come on Jord, we haven't been selling all our best players - at the end of last season when there were plenty of rumours surrounding RAN, Joao Gomes and to a lesser extent Cunha, we sold only Kilman and Neto, and both for very good money, and when injury-prone Neto desperately wanted a move anyway judging by his ungracious celebration of a bloody assist for a "garbage goal" as you call them. So anyway, this criticism just isn't fair - we have not been a selling club. Indeed, in the end we kept the hub of the team and then added to it with Strand-Larsen and Andre.)
Completely agree, End of the day every single club is a selling club one way or another. Lower clubs like us sell our top talents to regenerate and improve squad, the top teams sell their young talents to teams like us to develop and then sell on for a profit in the future. Unfortunately if you don't sell players you fall foul of the FFP / PSR nonsense.
So Jord says we’re blaming Fosun because results are bad, yet says he’s sick of the ‘sustainable model’ Fosun are taking currently Fosun are the reason we see bad results and we can’t compete. They have underfunded and under recruited, not to mention lied to, the past three/four managers. Their sustainable model has made us worse! It doesn’t matter what goes on on the pitch with Fosun in charge - we will slowly slip closer to relegation Open your eyes and look at what’s happening in real time - we are now in a pattern of selling our best assets and not replacing them with like for like quality-wise. That will never result in long term upwards movement in the league To watch this happen and not question, or oppose, the ownership is insanity FosunOut, until they’re Out.
fair play What I’d say is this isn’t the first time we’ve suffered injuries in concentrated areas of the squad under Fosun’s ownership They are the ones in charge of allowing the manager to recruit effectively We went into the season one CB short. We all knew it, despite all the smoke and mirrors from press and elements of the club. And where do our injuries come? CB If it happens once, it’s bad luck. If it happens more than once, you have to ask if it’s bad planning
Look where we were before Fosun, we've got a better squad now than ever. Yes lacking in centre half and thats very frustrating that wasnt addressed however it was fair to expect Mosquera to be Kilmans replacement, unfortunate with the injury. They've addressed the striker problem, brought in one of the biggest talents in Andre and supplemented the squad. Not to mention its Fosun who are bringing in players like Neves, Moutinho, Cunha, Neto, RAN, Gomes.. Careful what you wish for we are on the whole a very stable club and with the right couple of signings have a much higher ceiling now. Bring in a top centre half, a proper keeper and move a couple of the ones who need to go out the door and we will be a top top outfit
Football doesn’t work on memories. What Fosun have done for us previously is indisputable, but completely secondary to what they are doing for us currently We are seeing mismanagement at the ownership level, repeatedly, season on season. Lage was underfunded. Lopetegui was lied to. O’Neil was underfunded. The cycle will continue Say what you want about the squad. We are not replacing our biggest assets when we sell them, we are effectively downsizing, continually ‘replacing’ our strongest players with u23 players, and yet that’s supposed to make us a top outfit? If the strategy doesn’t change we will be stuck in the pack of teams circling the drain of relegation year on year
That's rubbish. Fosun have overseen our best period - seven conecutive seasons in the top division - since the seventies. They have demonstrated their commitment to the club and they have been generous in providing funds for new signings over that period, staying within the restrictions imposed by FFP regulations. Perhaps the Fosun knockers should take a good look at the full list of transfers in and out over the whole period and compare it with other clubs. Wolves have fared pretty well in the transfer market. Fosun may not be perfect and yeah I wish we weren't owned by a multinational Chinese conglomerate too. BUT REALITY is a thing and no club can compete in the long term in the Premier without such a backing. Fosun are better than the average conglomerate owner. Those demainding that Fosun should go are NOT accepting reality and, in truth, want to risk the actual existence of the club - all because we are not at the level of the Champions' League clubs and they think we could be. dylanwolf in the billyQ
Cunha's first goal against Fulham was the classic 3-touch finish. Bergkampesque. It doesn't get any better than that. But his second goal was a beauty too.
Good pod lads. Thank you.
Cunha is in fine form and those were two brilliant finishes and an excellent disguised set up pass. But 10 other players' performances also achieved that 4-1 win on Saturday. We are NOT a one man show, And there is a long way to go to exit the dark tunnel we are in - a couple of wins is encouraging, but there is still an awful long way to go to clamber towards the light.
I think there were two crucial elements in the hand that was dealt to Gary O'Neil by the enforced absences, both worked in a very positive manner:
1. Playing a real winger, and currently we only have two in Rodrigo Gomes and Forbs, was a crucial element, even though Rodrigo wasn't a shine out star of the show. Playing a proper winger, hugging the touchline and trying to get to the dead-ball line gives the opposition a problem that their full-backs must be alive to, None of Bellegarde, Sarabia or Hwang are really wingers, they are inside forwards and they don't naturally carry that threat. In my opinion we only have room for one of them in a starting XI.
2. Lemina playing at centre-back, meant Andre could be picked. In midfield Lemina, Andre and Doyle ALL play the defensive pivotal role. You can not play all of them in that one position and all three are less effective when they must concede that role to another player. I feel sorry for Tommy Doyle, but now we have bought Andre, his appearances, unless we get injuries are likely to be pretty restricted. I would really be tempted to continue with Lemina in the centre-back position and begin to phase out Craig Dawson as his star begins to fade with age.
The FLA-FLU Derby, Jordan! It's THE biggy in Brazil.
Talking of Guedes still being a thing and the possibility of him staying, don't overlook the fact that Kalajdzic is not only still on the books, but also on the mend and may not be entirely made of glass. It's unlikely I guess, but he would be a more natural back up if Strand-Larsen is unavailable. Guedes is a back up for Cunha currently in my opinion, but I guess Gary O'Neill will turn to Hwang if either of our current front two are unavailable.
For the first 20 minutes of the game at Fulham we hardly had a kick. And we were lucky to be at 1-1 by half-time. The reality is that we didn't play hugely better than we have done in some matches where we have lost narrowly.
Getting two late goals against ten men who are throwing caution to the wind to try and get an equaliser, it must be recognised, is NOT winning 4-1 by dominating and being the better side for 90 minutes.
The reality is that Wolves have, in the most part, not been anywhere near as terrible as people have claimed during the winless run and equally we shouldn't let one big win convince us that all will be rosy and easy from now on.
Every Premier League match is a struggle and no points are guaranteed. We hope we don't lose on Saturday to Bournemouth, but NO MATTER WHAT THE RESULT, the season still has a long way to go.
The Southampton and Fulham results don't secure Gary O'Neil's tenure at the club for the rest of the season, but they do alleviate the pressure on him to an extent and on the team. And we should be happy about that. Results build confidence and confidence builds more effective, constructive and inventive play.
My favourite goal would be Joao Gomes against Fulham. I love the moves where you are able to just stroke the ball into the net after a number of slick passes - rather than the spectacular out of the blue efforts. The purple shirt is horrible. Peak Raul rather than Cunha for me, apart from his penalty taking - I hated the foot stutter and the tap at goal irrespective of it being pretty fruitful aside from the crucial miss in the Sevilla QF match. As a Sa fan, I'm really glad he is playing instead of Johnstone - I think Sa is a far better keeper and I want him to stay at the club for as long as possible. Even if Johnstone was told he'd be number one choice, I hate the idea that ANY player is guaranteed a place in the team. You HAVE to earn being picked, in every match.
dylanwolf in the billyQ
GON needs to keep winning games and drag us well up the table. I have huge doubts about him still but I'm very happy to see we've got some points on the board at last.
I agree, Guedes has talent and if given an extended run will score goals. If he is happy to stay give him the opportunity. I believe Chan wanted away in the summer and his form has suffered. Guedes in my view is the better option.
I know Cunha could well leave but no one was interested in him at athletico Madrid. He wasn't even starting every game for them. If he goes to another big club in the prem what's to say he doesn't feel the love again and drops off because the team isn't built around him. That thought gives me hope he will stay for 4/5 years
Hope so.
I'm with Joe , that purple 🟣 shirt is fire 🔥
Top shirt that is mate
In terms of sheer class, Cunha beats ALL our other strikers hands down. Like Jord, Jota was always a massive favourite player for me. Up there with Bully and Robbie Keane in that regard. I was so sad when we sold him and still love to see him scoring even at Liverpool. But I'm also inclined to agree that Cunha is arguably the most technically gifted player in our modern era, although shout out to Moutinho and I'd say keep an eye on Andre too. Cunha's pure class anyway and rapidly becoming another all-time favourite.
Guedes needs to feel the ❤ from the fans.
Henry-esque performance from Cunha. It was so nice to see Andre and Gomes in the middle with Rodrigo Gomes FINALLY getting a chance. I fully expect an awful team selection from Gary next week though.
The Brazilian trio should now be the heartbeat of the team. On a related subject, I'd love to see Pedro Lima getting some minutes if he's fit.
Think Lima is out injured, hamstring or something weeks to a month or so I believe.
@@jackm2025 That's a shame. The lad looks classy too.
Neves was leaving every season, until he finally went, but we held on to him for longer than we thought, hopefully Cunha will stay longer than we think.
Normal service resumes on Saturday 😂 up the wolves 🐺
The footballing gods still hate us. A day, or two, after we get a spirit lifting win, they respond by handing one of the teams we'd hope to end above in the table by the end of the season, an unexpected victory too. Ipswich at Tottenham last week and now West Ham at Newcastle. It seems as though the gloss of a victory must always tarnished by results elsewhere. We're going to have struggle on through against blow after blow!
dylanwolf in the billyQ
UTW good pod today lads
@@kyledavies5399 thanks pal
No to censorship
I agree, it has to be at least $75-$80M to even entertain the idea of selling Cuhna.
Maybe I'm being naive here, but I don't know that Cunha leaves in the summer. As Dave mentioned, he's enjoying his football here, enjoying playing for the manager, getting good minutes. It reminds me of Neves's situation - it felt like for a good 4 summers in a row the rumours were that Neves was going to leave the club before he ultimately did
I hear what Russ is saying with Andre and Gomes is the partnership but I don’t have a problem with Lemina replacing with one of them two as long as we’re playing a two in there and not a three. Leminas poor form at the start of the season is the blame of gon imo as you can’t squeeze three mids in there. Gomes and leminas form was off because of that.
I think we paid 40 million euros for Cunha (£35 million) so correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway, I hope we keep Cunha for as long as possible because he is a gem in every way. Pure class. But if Real Madrid come and make us a £150 million offer then I guess we'll have to consider it...
(But come on Jord, we haven't been selling all our best players - at the end of last season when there were plenty of rumours surrounding RAN, Joao Gomes and to a lesser extent Cunha, we sold only Kilman and Neto, and both for very good money, and when injury-prone Neto desperately wanted a move anyway judging by his ungracious celebration of a bloody assist for a "garbage goal" as you call them. So anyway, this criticism just isn't fair - we have not been a selling club. Indeed, in the end we kept the hub of the team and then added to it with Strand-Larsen and Andre.)
Completely agree, End of the day every single club is a selling club one way or another. Lower clubs like us sell our top talents to regenerate and improve squad, the top teams sell their young talents to teams like us to develop and then sell on for a profit in the future. Unfortunately if you don't sell players you fall foul of the FFP / PSR nonsense.
So Jord says we’re blaming Fosun because results are bad, yet says he’s sick of the ‘sustainable model’ Fosun are taking currently
Fosun are the reason we see bad results and we can’t compete. They have underfunded and under recruited, not to mention lied to, the past three/four managers. Their sustainable model has made us worse!
It doesn’t matter what goes on on the pitch with Fosun in charge - we will slowly slip closer to relegation
Open your eyes and look at what’s happening in real time - we are now in a pattern of selling our best assets and not replacing them with like for like quality-wise. That will never result in long term upwards movement in the league
To watch this happen and not question, or oppose, the ownership is insanity
FosunOut, until they’re Out.
Agree with this stance, my point was only that you cant blame Fosun on 4 centre halves being injured, just unfortunate in circumstance
fair play
What I’d say is this isn’t the first time we’ve suffered injuries in concentrated areas of the squad under Fosun’s ownership
They are the ones in charge of allowing the manager to recruit effectively
We went into the season one CB short. We all knew it, despite all the smoke and mirrors from press and elements of the club. And where do our injuries come? CB
If it happens once, it’s bad luck. If it happens more than once, you have to ask if it’s bad planning
Look where we were before Fosun, we've got a better squad now than ever. Yes lacking in centre half and thats very frustrating that wasnt addressed however it was fair to expect Mosquera to be Kilmans replacement, unfortunate with the injury. They've addressed the striker problem, brought in one of the biggest talents in Andre and supplemented the squad. Not to mention its Fosun who are bringing in players like Neves, Moutinho, Cunha, Neto, RAN, Gomes.. Careful what you wish for we are on the whole a very stable club and with the right couple of signings have a much higher ceiling now. Bring in a top centre half, a proper keeper and move a couple of the ones who need to go out the door and we will be a top top outfit
Football doesn’t work on memories. What Fosun have done for us previously is indisputable, but completely secondary to what they are doing for us currently
We are seeing mismanagement at the ownership level, repeatedly, season on season. Lage was underfunded. Lopetegui was lied to. O’Neil was underfunded. The cycle will continue
Say what you want about the squad. We are not replacing our biggest assets when we sell them, we are effectively downsizing, continually ‘replacing’ our strongest players with u23 players, and yet that’s supposed to make us a top outfit?
If the strategy doesn’t change we will be stuck in the pack of teams circling the drain of relegation year on year
That's rubbish. Fosun have overseen our best period - seven conecutive seasons in the top division - since the seventies. They have demonstrated their commitment to the club and they have been generous in providing funds for new signings over that period, staying within the restrictions imposed by FFP regulations.
Perhaps the Fosun knockers should take a good look at the full list of transfers in and out over the whole period and compare it with other clubs. Wolves have fared pretty well in the transfer market.
Fosun may not be perfect and yeah I wish we weren't owned by a multinational Chinese conglomerate too. BUT REALITY is a thing and no club can compete in the long term in the Premier without such a backing. Fosun are better than the average conglomerate owner.
Those demainding that Fosun should go are NOT accepting reality and, in truth, want to risk the actual existence of the club - all because we are not at the level of the Champions' League clubs and they think we could be.
dylanwolf in the billyQ
If not for. Cunha GON would be gone
Gon out
Should be some good vibes in this one, at long last.....
@@Midland_Wolf_71 ✅