Wolves Fans' Verdict v Sunderland: Frustrating

Heather Large

What's your verdict on the match?

On a day when we would have gladly welcomed a few goals to celebrate just to warm ourselves up in the freezing temperatures, we were instead left watching a game that was,on the whole, slightly underwhelming.

There was some of the style of the new era Wolves team we've come to know and love but we found it very tough against a very defensive Sunderland side that was clearly aiming for a point.

While we had a lot of the ball we found it difficult to find the space to play the way that works for us although to be fair to Ruben Neves, Ivan Cavaleiro and Diogo Jota they didn't give up, despite the latter taking quite a battering from the opposition.

Although we had some decent chances in front of goal we failed to make the most of them with our finishing touch way below the standard we've seen lately. Can't help feeling we should have put at least one of them away.

While it wasn't the result we wanted, it's certainly not a disaster because we're still top of the league with a healthy lead (fingers crossed that Reading help us out tomorrow night) but one for Nuno and the lads to learn from.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? I thought Conor Coady had a decent game along with Neves and Cavaleiro who were trying to move forward as much possible. But Leo Bonatini seemed to be having an off day while Willy Boly had a few nervy moments.

Rob Cartwright

What's your verdict on the match? Well the bubble has well and truly burst, it seems. A bit of snow and the goals dry up - not scored now for 172 minutes.

I was pleased with team picked, but for some reason we just didn’t click; ran out of steam. We were slow paced in first half and too many passes were going astray throughout. With an increasing number of gloves on show, this all adds up to a worrying trend.

We’re doomed!

Sunderland were very organised, playing five across the back initially, making that nine at the start of second half. Surely, it was only a matter of time before we managed to break through.

In reality, neither keeper had much to do without any memorable saves to make. We dominated possession and had most shots on goal, but most of these were from outside the box.

They got away with what they had come for and celebrated like it. Fair play to them.

The sell out ‘home’ crowd fell quiet proving that this is a two way thing with the players. I really wanted the fans to get the players firing on all cylinders. I think they were waiting for the team spark to ignite?

Nuno tried to change it for last 15 minutes, going four at back with the introduction of Costs, but to no avail.

In reality, this is another clean sheet, seven games undefeated and another point towards promotion. We are approaching the half way stage top of the league with an average of just under 2.3 points a game.

I’ve known worse seasons!

Who played well – and who didn't impress?

There was no faulting the effort shown. No one really had a bad game, it was just that a number of them were not quite at their best.

Ruddy had very little to do, again. Coady was the stand-out man in defence, as Boly and Bennett were a little erratic giving away possession when clearing. Something we were used to, but not any more.

Neves was the stand-out man in midfield picking out quality passes. I just wanted them made a little quicker. Saiss, Jota and Cavaleiro got plenty of attention from flying boots, but didn’t get rub of the green when in possession.

I was surprised that Cavaleiro and Bonatini played the full game – is this the first time?

Bonatini worked tirelessly with little joy. My man of the match was Neves.

Adam Virgo

What's your verdict on the match? Frustrating game overall but Sunderland came for a point and that’s what they got. Chris Coleman came with his game plan, set up to stop us and they that well, clearly.

First time we haven’t scored at home in the league all season but we’re still eight points ahead of third, seven games unbeaten and another clean sheet which are all positives. Last season that would have been disastrous and we’d have probably ended up losing 1-0 at the end.

This time around, it’s a lot easier to look at the positives still, you can’t win them all and we’re in a position where it’s not too major if we end up drawing a game. Hopefully Dave Edwards can do us a favour tomorrow night with Reading and at least get a draw against Cardiff.

In terms of the game, the first half was very flat and apart from a Bonatini chance late on there were very little chances. There was certainly no lack of effort or trying, the players were pushing but with so little space to work around we had to resort to long shots which were off point to say the least.

Not surprised at all that Cattermole got a red card, they were targeting Jota all game which I don’t understand. I know he’s our “key” man but taking him out like teams are doing isn’t right and something needs to be done otherwise he’s going to end up with a serious injury eventually. Fair play to him because he always get up and carries on with it, never afraid to get stuck in himself either, likewise Neves.

I felt like we could have done with a third sub being used, Vinagre for Cavaleiro or Bright on for Bonatini maybe just to add that extra bit of energy and pace. Nuno probably thought that Cavaleiro offered more technically with his shooting. Whenever we encounter a problem, Nuno always ends up finding the solution and I’m sure if a team tries to do the same again, we will get a goal.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? Defensively we had no problems at all, Sunderland registering one shot all game tells you everything you need to know. Boly and Bennett were playing on the edge of the Sunderland box towards the end which just shows how deep they were.

It wasn’t difficult for them but I still felt Bennett, Boly and Coady all had a good game, they stopped Sunderland whenever they ventured forward and moved the ball well, as usual.

Neves was our best player yesterday. His shooting was wayward but I felt like he was the only one trying to shoot often from outside the box. Not just that though, his passing was marvellous once again, pinging balls for fun and all game he kept everything moving. When he’s in the team so much play goes through him and that control in the 2nd half when the ball came down from high was sensational, great composure because a bad touch and Sunderland may have been in. A lot of players would have panicked there but not Neves, the quality he possesses is just unbelievable at times.

No one else really stood out for me, Cav and Bonatini both had poor games but Cav was always trying to make something happen. Bonatini’s touch was off and I feel like that was a game where we got punished for not having another striker as an option for him. He can’t do the business every game and he can’t always play well and when that’s the case you need someone to come on for him but I’m sure we’ll address that in January.

Jota tried too but it was just around the box we couldn’t get shots off or get the final ball where we wanted it, Sunderland were always able to clear their lines. It doesn’t help that he’s getting taken out all game because physically it’s tough on your body, legs especially. Going out of your way to stop a player and taking him out isn’t right, just because he’s good at football he gets punished and eventually he could get injured from it.

Can’t win them all though and since we lost to QPR we’ve won six and drawn one which I’m sure anyone would have taken. Tough game on Friday but Sheffield Wednesday being at home their fans will want to win and their manager is under pressure so they won’t sit back. Them attacking might make it better for us but I’m sure Nuno will get a reaction from yesterday.

Chris Hughes

What's your verdict on the match? On a day when the bad weather meant many fans left the car at home and chose public transport Chris Coleman decided to park the bus in front of the Sunderland goal and turn this game into a 90-minute session of attack vs defence. It ended with the defence emerging victorious.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a side come to Molineux with such a lack of attacking intent. Even in the League One days where we were expected to turn teams over the smaller clubs would still come and at least look to have a go. The gap between Sunderland’s two defensive lines and Lewis Grabban up front was wider than the Wear river at times such was their disinterest in coming forward.

We dominated possession and moved the ball around well but were unable to find that killer pass or cross to get a breakthrough. All credit to Sunderland for maintaining a shape and organisation throughout the game, even after the not-wholly-unexpected dismissal of Lee Cattermole, that restricted space around the penalty area and crowded us out. They came with a plan to be hard to break down and leave with a point and it worked for them.

A full time result that was more frustrating than getting to the pub and seeing the last cheese and onion cob being sold to the fella in front of you has ultimately put us another point ahead of third place in our long-term goal to get out of this division. There’ll be other days like this between now and May but the key is to follow Nuno’s lead, stay calm and move on to the next game.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? Ruddy and his back three were completely untroubled throughout and another clean sheet never looked in doubt.

Neves and Saiss moved the ball well through the middle third but we were frustrated in the final third repeatedly.

Cavaleiro was unplayable again at times but just couldn’t find the final ball for much of the game. His best ball was just before half time and picked Bonatini out a treat but, unusually, his choice of finish was terrible and his lash at the ball sent it spiralling wide when it would have been much easier to guide the ball home with his instep.

It marked an all round frustrating day for Bonatini. Sunderland’s set up meant that his usual tactic of dropping deep and drawing the centre halves out didn’t work at all, he just arrived at a second wall of blue in the form of Gibson and Cattemole (until his dismissal).

Clive Smith

What's your verdict on the match? Sunderland came with a game plan and it proved successful on the day. 4-5-1, not afraid to put a foot in and run the clock down as much as possible. Although we huffed and puffed we were far from our best in the final third. For a team in 23rd the end justified the means.

We struggled to get behind their defence and it was not until the stroke of half time when Cav did well, got to the byline and teed up Bonatini, that we looked likely to score. His first time effort was sadly well off target.

After the break our tempo was quicker and the game was easier on the eye. Sunderland even twice went down our left to cause a moments concern. However a couple of minutes of typical Cattermole put pay to an open game breaking out.

His dismissal just meant more of the ball for us. Getting good quality possession in their box proved just as hard though. Our patient approach translated into too many sideways passes and not enough craft in their penalty area.

Jota struggled to run away from his man, Bonatini's touch was not as tight as usual while Cav, was unable to find the back of the net after creating a few half chances. There was nothing clinical from our front three.

Our passing has been much better in other games. Here many passes looked 'at' a player rather than 'to' a player. This made control difficult and, with so many defenders at close quarters, meant the ball was lost.

There were times in the last 20 minutes when it looked like we had run out of ideas. The change in formation and subs failed to change the result.

A point gained or two lost then? Well the answer might depend on the Reading / Cardiff result – but escaping the manager of the month curse with a point could have been worse.

Who played well – and who didn't impress?

I find it hard remembering Ruddy having to do anything other than pick up one long range shot.

Douglas and Doherty were relatively subdued. A couple of early flurries from Matt promised more to come but he nor Douglas could not get behind the back nine.

Boly, Coady and Bennett were all competent without having much defending to do. At times they each tried to force the play with a killer pass but this usually meant possession was wasted.

Neves was a success and a failure. We seemed to miss him at Blues. Here he was on the ball countless times – he kept it rotating with several square passes and also tried to unlock the defence attempting his trademark diagonal balls.

However his shooting was dreadful, only once hitting the target while being way off on three other attempts. He is also so reluctant to run with the ball.

Saiss played second fiddle to Neves in midfield. Trying to support the forwards he failed to influence the game enough.

Bonatini had an off day. He didn't look likely to win a header from a cross and had little of the ball close to goal to test their defence. The wasted chance before half time was disappointing.

Jota too had little possession in space. Always subjected to close attention he only got free a couple of times. One shot was well saved.

Cav huffed and puffed as much as anyone and looked the most likely to provide the opening. Man of the match.

Costa and N'Diaye came on to try and break the deadlock.

Russ Evers (Hatherton Wolves)

What's your verdict on the match? Can't win them all! And if you are not going to win, good teams make sure they don't lose.

To be fair losing was hardly an option as the Mackems became the second side in a week to fail to register a shot on target.

We hardly made their keeper work overtime but remained the better side throughout.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? Jota had another game where he was almost kicked off the pitch whilst Bonatini and Cavaleiro were miles off where they have recently been. Still, 70 per cent possession and another clean sheet. Believe.

Natalie Wood

What's your verdict on the match? I think first of all full credit needs to be given to all the staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure the game could go ahead. I'm sure the same group will happily help Sunderland dig out their parked bus this morning! There will be some fans that wished it had been cancelled but to be honest I think in the long run a stalemate against a struggling side might just give us the bump to earth needed.

It was a very frustrating game to watch, Sunderland played so deep it was near impossible at times to even attempt to get near goal. The work rate of the players can’t really be disputed

It just seemed to be one of the days, crosses that would normally land perfectly at someone’s feet just didn’t quite get there and shots that normally would be buried in the top corner ended up 10 rows back. But to be honest I think credit has to be paid to Sunderland from the off they knew they would struggle to score so put everything behind stopping us. If we were in Sunderland’s position we would be applauding a battling display for sure!

Like I said earlier I think yesterday has hopefully given the players and fans a bit of a bump to earth, there seemed to be a level of complacency from the players over the past two games that have taken some of the spark away.

Hopefully this will shake that off and make them see they are not unbeatable and as the season goes on the opposition are only going to get wiser to our style of play.

Fan wise there has been the dreaded rise in expectation that can be so damaging at the Molineux. I’m glad Nuno finally mentioned something that many other managers would be afraid to say! Every game in the Championship is difficult no matter who you are and yesterday showed it, ultimately we have shown that we are by far the best team in the league when we are at the top of our game, we just need to get back there ASAP!

Who played well – and who didn't impress? Coady yet again was superb at the back, as was Boly.

Neves to me was the stand out man always looking for the spaces (very hard to spot yesterday!) and never taking the easy pass.