Express & Star

E&S fans' verdict on Wolves 1 Burton 1

Our fans have their say after Wolves are held at home by Burton Albion.

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CHRIS HUGHES

What's your verdict on the match? On balance of play a draw was a fair outcome.

As is becoming par for the course in our performances under Zenga, the second half display was much improved from a laboured first 45 minutes.

A disjointed first half could be attributed to the high number of debutants in the side - with several attacks ending through communication breakdowns or players not quite being in the same thought process as a teammate and runs being mistimed - while the second half saw us take the game to Burton far more assertively and get our skilled wide players involved more often.

The most worrying part of the performance was the regularity of Burton's chances at goal. A better side may have punished some very poor positional awareness from the back four, from crosses in particular, throughout the game.

Who played well - and who didn't impress? THE GOOD: Borthwick-Jackson looked very assured throughout the game and the calmest player on the field. He did slightly blot his copybook with a poor clearance in the build up to the equaliser, though there was still plenty of opportunity to clear from there.

Coady was a driving force in midfield both in and out of possession. He's looked a much better player since Zenga's arrival.

Bodvarsson changed the game following his introduction. Gladon had done okay but looked like someone who hadn't worked with his team mates much. Bodvarsson's touch and interplay was much slicker.

THE BAD: While being generally solid against balls being hoofed in their general direction, both centre halves were positionally very poor when we were defending against crosses, getting sucked under the ball and requiring help from the full-backs to deal with trouble.

This indirectly lead to the equaliser, as Doherty was again sucked in to cover behind Batth to leave his man free at the back post to pull the ball back.

THE UGLY: For all of their skills, tricks and endeavour, the Portuguese trio of Costa, Teixiera and Cavaleiro spent far too much time hitting the ground at the slightest of touches, with unnecessary theatrics a common theme.

Worryingly Coady joined Costa in the referees notebook for 'simulation' and we could be at risk of becoming a team known for going down too easily.

I counted at least a dozen situations during the game where one of those three threw themselves down looking for free-kicks when it would have been easier to continue their runs. If we play like that until January I expect to see Tom Daley added to the transfer window shopping list as he'll fit right in!

ROB CARTWRIGHT

What's your verdict on the match? I was excited when the team was announced, though the match itself was a bit of an anticlimax.

Although we had the lion's share of possession Burton more than matched us for large spells of the game and created the most shooting opportunities.

Wolves looked good in midfield, showing an attacking flair that I hope we get used to. There was plenty of quick passing and getting the ball into wide areas well. Back to the Future? Well we had five players breaking forward with speed on occasions...great football.

I was surprised that we didn't see subs at half-time, but when they did come on Mason and Bodvarsson both had a positive impact on the team.

It was a terrible time to concede, it felt like a defeat at the end. Our defence got stretched and even though we had six players in our own box, no-one picked up the goalscorer. All in all, a fair result.

Two more points from me - 1) I don't like diving. Even though it did Leicester City no harm, I'd like to see it cut out. And 2) An attendance of 22,049 disappoints me immensely. The new owners have played their part; we have an infectious manager, now over to the fans!

Who played well - and who didn't impress? I thought Coady and Oniangue both impressed in the centre.

It was also good to see Cavaleiro and Costa interchange between the wings with ease. Doherty did well back at right back and Stearman had a decent game. I thought the handball was harsh.

Borthwick-Jackson has split opinion. Many gave him man of the match - I felt he gave the ball away too often and looked nervous defensively.

He was better going forward and I'm sure he will turn out to be a great asset for us this season.

My man of the match goes to Coady. Certainly our most improved player under Zenga. Good to see him doing it back in midfield.

I'm not one to criticise refs, but James Adcock gave an inept performance from start to finish, clearly wanting to be centre of attention.

SARAH CONNOLLY

What's your verdict on the match? It's always a very cruel way to lose points when a goal comes in added time, but on reflection a draw was probably a fair result.

Burton were well organised and defended well which proved hard for us to break down in the end.

Again, we had flashes of absolute brilliance in the team, and if you see the longer term goal we should gel to become a very effective attacking team.

There were a few silly simulations which weren't needed in the game and at times we just couldn't pick the right pass. But there was some good play there, we have pace when we go forward now, we just need that finish to go with it.

The referee has to be commented on as he was so erroneous and at times showed a complete lack of consistency. A very poor standard of refereeing for the Championship.

However, I absolutely love Zenga's passion. If you haven't already, just spend a few minutes watching him in the next game. He's involved, he's proactive and he knows what he wants his team to do. Our goal celebration shows how his passion has filtered down into the team and it's great to see. Everyone is willing this to work, we just need that time to gel.

Who played well - and who didn't impress? CBJ had an incredible game, he looks to be an absolute steal and played through some great passes and crosses. With a run in the team I can see him becoming on of our top players this season if we can keep him.

Prince also had a very good game in midfield - he's starting to show his potential now.

It has to be said that once Mason and Bodvarsson came on, they changed the game. Mason looks 10 times the player he was last season when he plays alongside JDB and once we get our midfield running smoothly, I think they will be a very good attacking force with excellent reinforcements still to come back and on the bench.

Our midfield combination still just doesn't feel right. We have some good talent there and maybe it's because they just need to learn to play together. It will be interesting to see how Zenga rotates them going forward.

We have more to be enthused about this season however, if we just step back to look at how things are going:

-We're scoring goals

-Unbeaten at home

-Good back up options on the bench and more to come (Dicko, Graham, Zyro)

-Only 6/7 weeks into Zenga's regime and we're already seeing glimpses of what is to come and how he wants us to set up and play.

-We're playing more of the attacking style of football everyone was so desperate to see last season.

I'm enjoying the rollercoaster so far and long may the buzz and good feeling last!

STEVE PLANT

What's your verdict on the match? Where do I start with this one?! Firstly I don't think we played badly at all and probably deserved all three points for the second half display alone.

Yes on paper we should really steamroller teams like Burton but as we all know the game is played on grass. Add in the heightened expectancy of an improved but still poor crowd and it was never going to be easy.

Burton were strong, organised and at times looked the most likely to score. Wolves reminded me of the Harlem Globetrotters - skill to burn, eye catching flicks and tricks aplenty but still lacking the killer touch in front of goal that will eventually put better teams than Burton to the sword this season.

Coady continues to get better by the game, providing the best three passes of the first half. Costa, once he goes, will take some catching and the defence looked much stronger and assured with Stearman's added experience.

I came away feeling like it was a defeat but the point gained today added to the three I believe we will get on Tuesday would be a decent return from the two games. Another draw or defeat however would put a totally different complexion on things.

Although the reasons Wolves failed to win were of their own making I must mention the referee. This man wants to be the centre of attention and after watching his performance today he should be. A clown at Billy Smart's Circus sounds just about right...

In summary I don't think we did a lot wrong other than not put away enough of the excellent chances created.

Who played well - and who didn't impress? On any other day it could have been Costa or Coady but for me the classiest performer on the pitch was the on loan Manchester United defender Borthwick-Jackson. Not flawless but still a class above.

As for who didn't play well...it's fair to say I don't think I will be feeling Gladon all over too often this season...

PETER ABBOTT (LONDON WOLVES)

What's your verdict on the match? It felt like first game of the season all over again with many of our new signings in the starting line-up. However that many changes doesn't usually work in any team - and so it proved.

It was a disappointing outcome from a pacy game against a big strong side who clearly had mixed it together before today. I got the impression that Nigel Clough wanted them to have pushed onto us more before half time.

However the real centre of attraction was, unfortunately, the referee. Some strange stops for fouls and other niggles, then two bookings for Wolves players apparently diving (I've yet to study in slow-mo), resulting in lots of arm waving at the fourth official from both managers.

Who played well - and who didn't impress? It was a quiet game for new boys Gladon (early strong challenge on their goalkeeper unrewarded) and Cavaleiro (clearly not yet ready to 'blow us away' just yet) but a cracking first start for Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.

His first touch was good throughout although he will kick himself for a poor clearance which led directly to their equaliser. I thought Stearman, the other 'debutant', had an okay game and was unlucky to concede the penalty.

Once again there were game-changing substitutions in bringing on Bodvarsson and Mason and each contributed to an increasing number of attacks and goal chances in the second half. Their persistence led to Prince's cracking strike to score. Zenga may very well start with them up front on Tuesday.

Teixeira busied himself through the game however no doubt he was eclipsed by Costa.

My man of the match was Coady with a strong performance, this time in front of the back four and not part of it.

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