Express & Star

Nottm Forest 1 Wolves 2 – player ratings

Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers rates the players after a hard-fought 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest.

Published

John Ruddy

A good save from Dariwka in the closing minutes...but what was he thinking for Forest's goal? Gave Carayol a huge target to aim at with some dreadful positioning. Fortunately it didn't cost Wolves. 5/10

Danny Batth

Continued his recent good form with a third good performance in a week. Consistency was an issue at times for Batth last year but with his Vegan diet making him fitter, stronger and lean, in his own words, the centre half will give Nuno a selection headache when Willy Boly returns. 7/10

Conor Coady

Yet to put in a duff performance this season. Suits the spare centre half role perfectly with the way he reads the game and he was big reason why Forest created next to no clear-cut chances. 7/10

Roderick Miranda

Good distribution and generally unruffled in a Wolves defensive performance that deserved a clean sheet. After a dodgy first couple of weeks he's found his feet. 7/10

Matt Doherty

A bit more withdrawn in terms of attacking ventures, aside from the last 10 minutes when he was almost played in by N'Diaye. Rarely beaten down that right hand side and got Wolves moving for the second goal when finding Jota. 7/10

Ruben Neves

As against Bristol City he was a bit subdued at times but still kept Wolves ticking. Nothing spectacular but nothing silly either. 6/10

Romain Saiss

Like almost everyone in the side his passing range was way off in the first half but this game was all about what he did off the ball – and that was offer great protection to the back three. This stability was missed in midweek when Wolves conceded three. 7/10

Ruben Vinagre

One lively moment when he got in behind the Forest defence, leading to a Bontini chance, but otherwise he looked a bit leggy, as did a number of his team mates. In fairness most of the passes that came his way seemed to be hopeful high balls that he didn't have a prayer of winning in the air. Taken off injured just past the hour mark. With Douglas also sidelined Wolves will be crossing their fingers it's not serious. 6/10

Ivan Cavaleiro

Off the pace for most of his 62-minute performance. He'd ran himself into the ground on Tuesday and it didn't look like he'd recovered in time for this one. Got in good positions on a couple of occasions but the end product just wasn't there....and then on 47 minutes he goes and produces a superb cross to set up Jota's opener. Cavaleiro in a nutshell. 6/10

Leo Bonatini

The unsung hero of this team? They don't sing about him in the stands yet but Bonatini was vital to this victory. His qualities won't be in evidence on a highlights reel – Bonatini does the dirty work so that the likes of Jota can shine. Also, of the 26 (yes, 26) players used by Nuno already this season Bonatini has started more games (nine) than anyone else. Talking of Jota, the pair have a telepathic understanding and have done almost from week one. They combined to great effect for the winner, playing one of their familiar one-twos with Bonatini getting absolutely clattered by a very nasty Matt Mills challenge in the process, forcing him to be substituted. It goes without saying Wolves can't afford for this guy to be injured. Superb link-up play yet again and he came close to scoring with one that whistled over. A real team player. 8/10

Diogo Jota

In a tight game he was the difference. Four goals in three matches....or five in his past six....who needs a new striker?? Make no mistake Wolves have a very special footballer on their hands here. Great awareness for the first goal (dare I say a striker's instinct) when he reacted to turn in Cavaleiro's cross. And for the winner he helped create it himself, playing a one-two with Bonatini and then keeping his cool to beat the keeper. The guy just glides effortlessly around the pitch like a particularly serene swan. Beautiful to watch. As @AydenCallaghan remarked on Twitter it might be wise to give Jota 3/10 every week in a futile attempt to keep him under the radar. Sorry Ayden but it's another 8/10

Substitutes

Ben Marshall (for Cavaleiro, 62)

A decent cameo from Marshall who got in some great positions and should have scored at least one goal. Another start against Bristol Rovers in midweek will do him good as he builds up that all-important sharpness. 6/10

Sylvain Deslandes (for Vinagre, 64)

A first league appearance since April 2016 for the young Frenchman who's impressed at centre half of late but played left wing back here owing to Ruben Vinagre's injury. A bit of a nervy start but after he settled he did well to help quell any momentum Forest may have had from their equaliser. 6/10

Alfred N'Diaye (for Bonatini, 83)

Some late hustling and harrying from the front. N/A

Subs not used: Norris, Price, Ronan, Enobakhare.