Wolves Fans' Verdict v Sheffield United: "Is this really happening?"

Rob Cartwright

What's your verdict on the match? Just wow!

When we are bad we are good; when we are good we are very very good.

On a grey day at Molineux the sunshine effect was clear for all to see. We simply brushed Sheffield away on a whim. Blades played well to be honest, but they were never going to win this game; they were never going to score.

Just look at Clarke, Evans and Stearman and think about how far we have come in just six months. Our bench, complete with three strikers, would take on and beat most teams.

Some of the football takes your breath away. Is this really happening? Is this really Wolves?

We have to endure this for 16 more games, so try and enjoy without becoming blasé about it. I’m now expecting our centre halves to make 60 yard passes straight to feet to set up yet another attack. The midfield to ping the ball, across field, splitting the opposition defence in the process. Jota to get hacked down by some lumberjack only for him to get back up, smile and then go on to score.

When Neves scores, you know it will be a good ‘un. This one was top notch. We’ve seen Ronaldo do it hundreds of times, but this one was better. It was ours!

The interchange play leading to Jota’s goal was mesmerising. In a crowded penalty box too. You have to remember to breath!

I think we all expected to score from the free kick, following the assault on Jota.

I admit, I thought it would be Douglas, but same result as the Bristol game when their replacement keeper’s first touch is to retrieve the ball from the net. Love that!

We could have scored more, but don’t really need to. Top scorers, lowest conceded and all that. Clean sheet no.17 for the season.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? These are the words of our genius..."The boys in the team, the boys outside the team – they all work hard together and enjoy their football together. They make each other better because of how hard they all work - this is the spirit of the team."

That about sums it up. Neves was man of the match, closely followed by N’Diaye in my opinion. He gives us the added attacking momentum.

Special mention to the fans too. Creating a wall of noise throughout, and from all 4 stands. We don’t need clappers or free beer. We’re Wolverhampton, we’re top of the league.

Chris Hughes

What's your verdict on the match? What a day. What a lovely, lovely day. I don’t know why, maybe it’s the link with Neil Warnock being a fan, but I really enjoy it when we beat Sheffield United. I enjoy it even more when we completely humiliate them.

The whole day was great to be honest. There’s something about these 5.30pm kick-offs that gets Molineux bouncing. From starting out with drinks down the Lye (great organisation from @sab4019) to grabbing a quick pint in the Bohemian before getting into the stand just in time to see the pre-match pyro it just felt like it was going to be one of those days where things were going to fall right for us.

Even before Neves’ showed his silky skills with another sublime strike for the Sky cameras the crowd was rocking. 2,000 Sheffield fans had made the journey down and I’ve never heard that many fans make that little noise. From the off, our fans created a wall of noise that seemed to make the Blades realise the inevitability of their defeat.

As good as Neves’ opener was, it was outdone by our second goal. Where Neves displayed an example of individual technical brilliance the second goal showed why we are the outstanding team in this division and sit atop it with a double-digit points lead. Every player who touched the ball in the United half in the build up to that goal was well marked by an opponent yet they cut through the back line like a knife through butter, Cavaleiro dancing away from people and knocking quick one-two’s to create space where there seemingly was none before Jota casually stroked the ball home.

When Cav’s second half free kick deflected home (off big Leon, just to cap a great day off) to send the crowd wild again after another assault on Jota, we even got to see the returning hero Afobe make his second debut from the bench. At that moment it really hit home just how good we could be if we can turn teams over without a recognised centre forward. The day was good enough as it was but, had Afobe’s header found its way a foot or so to the left and nestled into the bottom corner, I think the roof would’ve come off the place.

When the final whistle blew I told a friend I was disappointed the game had to end, such was my enjoyment. His response was that he doesn’t want the season to end. It just feels that special and we’re lucky to be watching it. We’ve got three more months to enjoy it before stepping up to bigger challenges.

Natalie Wood

What's your verdict on the match? Fantastic performance all round. We dominated from start to finish and really showed that we are a class above most teams in this league.

I’ve said now for a few weeks that we need to maximise the opportunities in the opening 15 minutes and we are finally starting to do it. By scoring early on it forces the opposition to actually play some football and not to just park the bus.

After Neves scored Sheffield United had to start playing and therefore gave us more space...which is the dream for us and the nightmare for them!

No doubt Neves’ goal was superb, the sort of goal we would normally be sitting there watching saying “why can’t we find someone that does that” but for me our second goal summed up what we are all about. A fantastic team goal with just the right level of skill, calmness and class. A really special goal.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? It hard to pick a man of the match when every player had a brilliant game. There were no weak links in the side and everything just clicked into place. I think if I had to pick one player it would be Jota, a fantastic performance that really showed him at his best.

We’re turning out to be an alright side really aren’t we...

Clive Smith

What's your verdict on the match? Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air...hey, the Wolves wow factor is well and truly back.

Just how good was that to watch? Football....but not as we know it.

We know all about Sheff U. Neves and Jota spent time on the damp Molineux surface inside the opening minutes. That'll be them out the game then! Not so apparently.

Costa hit a volley wide before an unforgettable moment. If Carlsberg did tap-ins, then Neves would be their man.

How often do we get to say, of a Wolves player, he put it in the top right corner? Well he did. The sort of goal that gives you that inner glow, makes you want to clench your fist and punch the air even after the twentieth TV replay. Wow eh?

We had set the bar high – our season in a nutshell really. We were a joy to watch from then on. Everywhere on the pitch we had standout players. Neves frequently on the ball, N'Diaye looking strong, Costa flowing with the ball stuck to his laces, Boly winning headers like Clarke was only five foot six.

It looked only a matter of time before we scored another, and again it was a goal of pure joy. It was like the warm-up when the bibs are inside the circle and they chase around as the ball is pinged across the circle, they never get to touch the ball. The move ended, after a dozen passes, with a glorious one-two in the box and a Jota finish. Molineux was buzzing.

We should have added to the score before the interval when a breakaway by Jota saw him try to pass to a floored Costa instead of an open Cavaleiro.

We calmed down from then on. Keeping the clean sheet looked more important than going flat out for our third goal. Nuno's habits die hard. Typical too that the first change is to bring on Bonatini. Almost the forgotten man in our attack. A quick turn and shot reminded us of his ability, this one just a foot wide.

We were not done yet though. A through ball towards Jota saw their keeper try a head high kick. An obvious red card.

A free-kick, edge of the box, new keeper on. As at Bristol, only one outcome. Cavaleiro stood there as a decoy while our experts, Douglas and Neves, lined things up. Change the script and a hugely grinning Cav put the ball in the net.

Change the script part two and Afobe comes off the bench, minus his sulk. He must have been wondering how he was ever going to get a game after seeing the first half. Quite a reception he got too - almost as if Bully and Thommo had returned.

It is all about the 'Pack' though, so a goal for him can wait for another day.

How rare that the ref did not show a yellow card the whole game - he had options too.

Nuno is such a fan! Goes ballistic for ninety minutes, makes every pass, header, tackle, then after the final whistle he turns back into a rational well behaved human being for his day job. Am I the only one quite grateful there is not a camera on me for the 90 minutes, when my rational human behaviour might occasionally slip.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? In short, they were all bostin'.

Again Ruddy was well protected and had just routine things to deal with.

Doherty and Douglas were less of our attacking focus than usual but were there in support and competent in defence. Doherty was part of the passing move in that wonderful second goal.

Bennett, as always, just does a damn good job. One loose pass sticks out, because they are so rare. Boly looks a real leader on the pitch, sets a great example and defends brilliantly. oady defended well and those trademark long passes were as impressive as ever.

Neves was the main man in the first half in the attacking half. Always open it seemed even when marked! sed the ball impressively. After the beak, he played deeper and played neat tidy football with accurate passing all ver the pitch. It is great to watch him when he is on song. ith more game time N'Diaye is looking better and better. Countless surges from midfield into the box offers a physical presence in a way Saiss and Neves don't do as frequently.

The front three - what a nightmare they must have been to try and mark. Coming deep then sprinting forward, with or without the ball. Costa had his quick feet in good working order, how he goes past players from a standing start is amazing. His awareness of players around him has improved significantly from last season. A hint of a drama queen at times.

It would be interesting to see Cavaleiro's running stats this season compared to last. They seem to have improved no end. If he can improve his passing he will be an even greater threat. He was whipped off as soon as he scored and had a bigger grin than Nuno. Great energy levels and balance when in possession.

Jota - a real joy to watch. More involved than in some recent games, unpredictable, and always looking a threat. Man of the match just ahead of a few others.

From the bench Bonatini, Afobe and Gibbs-White all brought something of merit into the game. Morgan did a lovely two turns inside the box from the Costa playbook, and the other two were close to scoring.

Keep smiling everyone. Enjoy the ride.

Russ Evers (Hatherton Wolves)

What's your verdict on the match? February starts as most previous months since August have finished.

This was as clear an indicator of how far we have come as a team since the defeat at Bramall Lane on a similarly wet and miserable evening.

Wolves simply lit the place up with some quite brilliant football and great finishing. The three talismen got the goals the first two of which were stunners but no one in old gold rated below 8 out of 10.

And the bad news for the 16 teams we are shortly to come up against is that we are only going to get better. Its magic you know

Heather Large

What's your verdict on the match? I loved every minute – definitely one of the most enjoyable and memorable matches at Molineux this season.

As soon as we kicked off, it was obvious that the players were definitely up for it (hyped up on vitamin D no doubt).

There was none of the hesitancy shown against Barnsley and Forest, there was only one way this was going to end, we were out to show everyone why we deserve to be top of the league.

We were in full control of the game, playing the way we wanted and loving it! Sheffield Utd never really got a look in.

And Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota – what can I say that hasn’t been said before? They are an absolute joy to watch. Their stylish, incredible goals are ones you can keep watching again and again.

For the fans, gone are the worries that when we go 1-0 up we’re going to throw it away like the Wolves of past seasons. We never once looked like losing control of the game yesterday, and after the third went in, they kept looking for the fourth goal.

On days like this I do still feel like punching myself to double check that I’m not dreaming because we’re that good!

Who played well – and who didn't impress? Ten minutes before the end I was asked who would be my man of the match and I really didn’t know who to name.

It’s very hard to choose between Jota and Neves - both were truly immense all game. I would probably give it to the former though just for the sheer effort he puts in.

But it was a real team effort and it was also nice to see Ivan Cavaleiro’s return to form while Helder Costa is looking more like his old self with every game.

Adam Virgo

What's your verdict on the match? Back to our best for sure yesterday. Last week at Ipswich we played well but yesterday was a notch up from that and was definitely one of our best performances this season.

Sheffield United couldn’t get close to us all evening, we were miles better in every department and it shows the class we have throughout. The first two goals were brilliant in their own way, we can score all types of goals and that’s what you need to win games.

It’s fantastic that we have the defensive quality and resilience to be able to grind out 1-0 wins but then we can have games like yesterday where we completely open teams up and play scintillating football, such a privilege to watch. To think it felt like a chore in the last two seasons to watch us at home but now it’s the complete opposite and you can’t wait for the next game.

Nuno built the team and foundations from the back and then the players in front are able to have the freedom to do what they wish pretty much. We press well from the front though so it’s difficult for teams to get the ball at our defence and even when they do, BBC (Bennett, Boly, Coady) are there to protect.

Glad we got rid of Lee Evans, was never going to be good enough for us and yesterday he got outclassed in the middle all game. What a surprise that he let his frustration get to his head when he smashed the ball into the family stand out of anger. Always thought he was better than he was, tries to be someone he’s not and that’s down to his poor attitude.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? I think I’m running out of adjectives to describe Ruben Neves’ ability. He really is a magical player and where ever he wants the ball to go, it will go there. It’s like he has laser vision. Very similar to his goal at Hull at the beginning of the season, no keeper in the world was stopping it.

It’s not just about the goal he scored, okay maybe it is... but the rest of his game was just unbelievable too. Even the pass to set Jota off which ended up with their keeper getting a red card was incredible. The guy just oozes quality and if Portugal don’t call him up to their World Cup squad this summer, they’re missing out on a huge talent.

Jota was also back to his best again. Same with Cavaleiro too. Both of them caused fathomless problems for Sheffield United’s defence, making runs in behind and on the ball, making things happen constantly. The link up play for the 2nd goal was just as good as Neves’ strike in its own way, most players would have panicked in Jota’s position but he stayed calm and reaped the rewards.

A man who deserves huge credit for his recent performances and last night too is Alfred N’Diaye. His work in midfield goes unnoticed at times because of how good the likes of Neves, Cav and Jota are in an attacking sense. Big Alf is proving his worth in this squad at the moment and no one is moving him from central midfield (not like anyone could move him anyway) with the way he’s playing. Even if Saiss is back next week, I would keep the N’Diaye/Neves partnership rolling.

Coady’s pass to Cavaleiro which led to Neves’ banger deserves a mention also. Just remember, Coady couldn’t even get a start in our team a couple of years ago when our squad was practically awful and now he’s one of our main players. Just shows that Nuno sees what other managers didn’t and that’s the difference in a bang average manager and a quality one like Nuno, he knows when he sees a good player.

Great to see Afobe back in a Wolves shirt and playing at Molineux. Almost a dream return with his header going inches wide. At first glance I thought it was heading for the bottom corner...if only.

Russ Cockburn

What's your verdict on the match? Russ Cockburn had a dream, to support a decent footy team...

Well it’s no longer a dream. After 38 years of mediocrity, let-downs and a lot of professional players cheating a living, the Wolverhampton Wanderers I’ve always dreamed about have arrived.

Not only are we top of the league, we are playing some jaw-dropping football that is the envy of the Championship, actually it is probably the envy of some of the Premiership.

Last night was another emphatic performance to blunt the Blades and a bit of payback for the 2-0 loss we suffered up there earlier in the season. It was also a knife in the heart to the Seals and Derby, who had both racked up wins to cut the lead at the top and probably thought this could be a tricky fixture. Secretly a few of us at Simon Batham’s drinks party in Lye probably felt the same.

This is a different Wolves. This is Nuno’s team and they don’t suffer from nerves or the anxiety of years of under-achievement.

The former Porto man stalks the touchline like a hunter, trying to spot and exploit any chink in the opposition’s armour. There were plenty of chinks last night.

Sheffield United had no answer for our pace, control and the interchanging front three that left Stearman looking more bemused than when Dave Edwards was made captain by Lambert.

Neves glistened under the Molineux floodlights, pulling all the strings. Just when our footballing orchestra was reaching a crescendo he caressed a 25-yarder into the top corner to take the roof off the stadium and make the away fans choke on their greasy chip butties.

Goal of the day competition wrapped up – or was it? Up steps Diogo Jota. Like a rampant rabbit, the Portuguese forward delivered the climax to a passing move that had everyone in the ground buzzing.

The second half was relatively straight forward with Wolves continuing to probe, whilst Ruddy got out his desk chair and downloaded the latest episode of Four in a Bed to keep him entertained.

There was still time for another Neves/Jota moment, with the latter adding ‘decapitation’ to the latest in a long line of attempts to take him out of the game. Like the ones before, he rubbed it off and got back up…just in time to see another goal by the inspired Cav.

3-0 and sitting pretty at the top of the table...mind the gap, I’ve seen better Chases on ITV.

Who played well – and who didn't impress? I feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, but you’d struggle to look past Neves and Jota for man of the match contenders. Those two are the caviar and champagne, but we shouldn’t neglect the pint of Bathams and packet of scratchings that are Coady and Bennett.

They are massively important to our defensive shape and have fitted seamlessly into the way we retain possession. Captain marvel, in particular, is often the first architect in our attacks, shifting the ball quickly or sending 70 yard-passes on to a sixpence. Coady is the heart of the team and whilst he is beating we’ll be a very difficult team to play against.

Helder Costa also put in a very good performance, probably his best for some time. The swagger looked like it had returned, which is good news for us and bad news for Championship defenders.

Finally, a big well done to Molineux for rediscovering its spirit and creating a fantastic atmosphere. I was critical of the noise levels a few weeks back, but last night was back to its best, with many Sheffield United fans mentioned on Twitter about the level of support.

I have no doubt it set the tempo for our performance. Nuno had a dream...