Wolves Fans' Verdict v Ipswich: Sun does the trick

Chris Hughes

What's your verdict on the match? While the debate still rages over whether we’re three or five at the back this game definitively confirmed that we do, indeed, have pace in attack.

Don’t let the 1-0 score line fool you, this was a game we could, and probably should, have won much more comfortably. The pace and movement of Jota, Costa and Cavaleiro in attack caused Ipswich all sorts of problems as they created space for themselves and others throughout the game while also applying pressure in a high pressing game that forced Ipswich into making errors.

There was more energy and a higher tempo than against Forest last Saturday and it made Nuno’s decision to take the squad to Marbella for a week look like a master stroke. Having looked particularly heavy-legged last week the two wing backs were back on their A-game here and it was they who combined to put us ahead when Douglas finished an excellent passing move with a cross to the far post for Doherty to rise highest to head the ball home. The Irishman had obviously made good use of the time spent topping up his Vitamin D levels when he passed himself off as Cavaleiro in the eyes of the stadium announcer!

On another day we would have added three or four more goals to Doherty’s strike. Jota was particularly wasteful with three or four good opportunities but a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping kept the score down with Costa, Bonatini, N’Diaye and Bright all having efforts saved while Neves put a couple of free-kicks over the bar.

At the final whistle it felt like an important win to get us back on track after a week where a few fans were preparing to hit the panic button after our mini ‘blip’, while it was also satisfying to have done the double over the dour Yorkshireman having waited so long to finally beat him since his Molineux departure.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? Everyone involved had a good game in a solid team performance.

The midfield two stood out as Neves dictated play, with his sublime passing range drawing some noises in the stand usually only heard in a bedroom setting, while N’Diaye showed his ability to run with the ball and drive through midfield to make things happen.

Both wing-backs were full of energy throughout and, as mentioned, the starting front three caused chaos from the outset.

Add to this another impressive performance from the wall at the back to bag the 16th clean sheet of the season for Ruddy and it made a very long trip worthwhile.

Natalie Wood

What's your verdict on the match? So it turned out all we needed was a bit of Spanish sun to get back to our best.

Jota, Costa and Cavaleiro worked really well together up front, always looking a threat and constantly pushing forward. Straight from the off we were on the front foot, creating some great chances in the opening minutes before taking a deserved lead through Matt Doherty.

The lead up to the goal was superb from N’Diaye before a perfect cross from Douglas – something that had gone missing in the past few weeks. After that the first half really went without many issues, we were well in control and comfortable going into the break.

Second half saw us in a position where we could have (and should have!) scored four more but again the finish just wasn’t there. Still a slight concern going into the business end of the season.

But the fact we were back creating some excellent opportunities was enough. Jota in particular was excellent. It would have been nice for us to see the game off to avoid the last minute jitters but hey it keeps it exciting.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? Hard to pick a man of the match, it was a good solid performance by all the team.

N’Diaye was excellent, strong and a real driving force in midfield. Jota looked a lot more like his old self, breaking forward and showing his quality – it was nice to see him back at his best.

Cavaleiro again was excellent, his passing was very good and he even managed to score a goal without touching the ball! But I think Neves was top of the pile, similar to Jota his performances had dropped slightly but yesterday he was back to his best – making passes most players could dream of and controlling the game. It was great to see him playing with such confidence again.

Overall a great team performance that really put the sting back in our season. It was an exciting game, full of chances and passion. Over to you Derby!

Russ Evers (Hatherton Wolves)

What's your verdict on the match? And relax. A week in the sun seems to have worked although there was very little in the way of sunshine in Suffolk.

This was a performance typical of our earlier season games and we were head and shoulders above Ipswich for the entire game.

Just the one gal but could have been many more. The swagger is back!

Who played well – and who didn't impress? Everyone had a good game with Neves, Coady, Boly and N’Daiye particularly impressive.

Clive Smith

What's your verdict on the match? This weekend a year ago we had our day at Anfield. Of the 14 players who took part that day, only three made the line up at Ipswich while half are no longer at the club. A lot has changed.

Even a week can be a long time in football and since last Saturday our blip, crisis, call it what you want, seems to have got worse day by day! Fresh stats were quoted to prove the point.

Thankfully at Ipswich the facts have gone and spoilt a good story. Our 20 win out of 29, another clean sheet, the most home wins, most away wins, most goals – this is great! Enjoy.

Nuno had not left the rain on the plane but might just have thought about a Plan B as more teams press us when we have the ball the games have been more condensed. So, for much of the first half we played a lot of long balls, over the top and through the channels. The rotating pace of Costa, Jota and Cavaleiro always found a willing runner. If the defence got there first we either picked up the second ball, or applied our own pressing game on them in their half. It worked well.

With the pitch holding the ball up our 'pack' frequently picked the ball up cheaply.

What helped was a goal. It was nice to see both wing backs only a few yards from the Ipswich by-line in open play. Between them they manufactured a cross for Doherty to nod in. The tannoy man announced it as Cavaleiro – does he not know Matt wears gloves!

The perceived crisis had passed and we were full of confidence again. Efficient, organised and always an attacking threat sums up our game nicely. Again, we were very good without the ball.

The Ipswich locals (who thought they had played well) had little to cheer. A well worked corner, where we ball-watched, and a shot Ruddy tipped over the bar, were the only concerning moments for us. At 1-0 you always worry, but we closed the game out with ease.

Had we been at our very best we could well have made it a more like a five-goal home drubbing.

Jota had a couple of chances the keeper saved. On another he made a bad choice passing behind Costa. Bonatini put in a 20 minute Cav-like cameo and could have scored two and made one. Costa too wasted a chance.

Not to worry – one day soon surely they will click and some team will take a pounding.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? A competent Ruddy made everything he did seem routine. Again.

The way Ipswich set up they were quite predictable. Old fashioned high balls for the forwards to try and feed off. This was food and drink for Boly and Bennett. Commanding in the air throughout the whole game. The latter had more to do so gets the man of the match award. Coady was less active as he could drop off and watch all the play taking place in front of him.

For Douglas and Doherty, normal service has resumed. Doherty in particular kept cutting into their box looking for more attacking action.

With Saiss and his hair absent N'Diaye played well and as good as he has done in a Wolves shirt. Stealing the ball and usually giving it to Neves. Wasteful with a few passes, he did not spot the open forward as quickly as he could have.

Neves put in a shift with and without the ball. He looked the main man when it came to circulating the ball. Not the Plan A diagonal balls, there were few of them until we started to counter late on, but feeding the front three.

It was a good game for Costa. Just when it looked like a defender and the mud had slowed him up he would do a delightful turn and dart forward. Worked as hard as he ever has without the ball.

Jota saw more of the ball than in recent games which has to be good. That brought goal scoring chances and it must just be moments away before he hits the jackpot. His pace at times still amazes. He can steal a yard against a defender in an instant.

Cavaleiro had the longer stint instead of Leo. Worked equally as hard as the other front two. His stamina, on a heavy pitch, stood up well.

Bonatini looked a man on a mission. Lack of recent goals has not knocked his confidence.

One rasping volley looked odds on a goal but hit a defender who knew little about it. Another cross shot forced a save from their keeper, who had an annoyingly good day!

Enobakhare brought fresh legs for the closing 10 minutes.

Adam Virgo

What's your verdict on the match? I wonder if we’re still falling apart? The little blip of two league games lasted long didn’t it. Great to be back to winning ways, did you really expect much else from a side managed by Nuno Santo though? He’s fantastic at getting us to bounce back.

I think we should arrange for the players to go to Marbella more often, everyone looked a lot more refreshed and energetic than in recent weeks. Who knew that Vitamin D could have such an impact.

Could and probably should have won by more, we spurned a few really good chances but at least it didn’t come back to haunt us. Very resolute in defence as always, Ipswich barely threatened us and their keeper kept them in the game throughout.

It was just nice to win again to get back on track, hopefully we can kick on from that and go on another good run, just like we did after losing to QPR back in October.

The goal was a weird one, no one knew it had gone in until Doherty started wheeling away in celebration. Still don’t understand how Ipswich thought it was Cavaleiro who scored, I know the lads went to Marbella for a week and they had the same coloured boots on but Doc had barely tanned.

The pitch was arguably one of the worst we’ve played on this season too, looked like Ipswich had been training on it all week.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? Ruben Neves and Alfred N’Diaye were both solid in midfield, if Saiss is back next week, I wouldn’t start him personally. He’s been poor in recent games and N’Diaye has certainly proved he can do a good job in midfield. Saiss also needs to sack that blonde hair off before he comes back as well.

N’Diaye never gets outmuscled and he rarely loses aerial duels. Absolute tank in the middle, nevermind vitamin D in Marbella, he’s been on the petrol. Nice flick into Douglas for the Doherty goal too.

The front three really impressed me in terms of the movement and interchanging throughout the game. Just a shame that neither of them got on the scoresheet.

The chance when Jota was clean through and tried to square it to Costa was the one we should have taken to kill the game. Jota probably should have just curled it around the keeper but instead he passed it behind Costa, somehow.

The defence was solid. No problems whatsoever, apart from when Ruddy flapped at a cross late on but that was more our own-doing rather than Ipswich threatening us.

Forget the famous BBC partnership of Bonucci, Barzagli and Chiellini when they were all at Juventus, Boly, Bennett and Coady are looking incredible, and have been all season.