Express & Star

Shrewsbury 2 Wolves 2 – player ratings

Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers rates the players after a 2-2 FA Cup draw at Shrewsbury.

Published

John Ruddy

Not a comfortable afternoon for Ruddy who spilled a couple of crosses and was uncharacteristically rooted to his line for Shrewsbury's second goal. The first had whistled past him via a nick off Saiss. 5/10

Ryan Bennett

A game for 'proper' defenders and Bennett seemed to relish the challenge. A couple of important interceptions, distribution was fairly sound. 6/10

Conor Coady

A bit wayward with some of his raking passes to the flanks but in general Coady did absolutely fine. Good covering to clean up after Ruddy saved from Docherty in the first half. 6/10

Romain Saiss

Just doesn't look comfortable at centre half. Won a decent number of headers but in possession he was too often hesitant. Neither a ball-playing centre half, nor a blood and guts one. 5/10

Matt Doherty

Mr Dependable was Wolves' best player on the pitch. Some familiar searching runs to the byline – on a number of occasions – including when he teed up Traore for an excellent first-half chance. Five key passes was three more than anyone on the field. And there he is in the 93rd minute popping up with his second injury time goal this season, a forceful header which earned Wolves a replay. 8/10

Ruben Neves

Tried to unpick the Shrewsbury lock but either the passes weren't there or the runs ahead of him weren't inventive enough. Touched the ball 86 times, more than anyone on either team. Sent a long-range effort whistling wide via a deflection. However he's misjudged the direction of the ball in the build-up to Shrewsbury's first. Was also marking Waterfall for the second goal, but to be fair to Neves that's a bit like asking Jimmy Krankie to keep an eye on Tyson Fury. 6/10

Morgan Gibbs-White

A first start since Boxing Day for Gibbs-White and he was pretty anonymous. Plenty of running and he did his fair share of defensive work, but there was little spark in the final third from the youngster who was substituted late on. 5/10

Leander Dendoncker

Kept his defensive discipline and registered a pass accuracy of 96 per cent, albeit he touched the all fewer times (38) of anyone who started. Did the simple things well. Departed on the hour mark when Nuno changed formation. 6/10

Ryan Giles

The stuff dreams are made of for Telford-born Giles who was handed his debut on his 19th birthday. Acquitted himself really well – was obviously a bit nervous and gave the ball away too often, but he did his job defensively and grew into the game. On another day he'd have had an assist, but Jimenez shanked his shot after Giles did well to get to the byline. Hopefully the first of many Wolves appearances for the likeable academy product. 6/10

Adama Traore

This guy splits opinion more than most, but one thing you can't accuse Traore of is shying away. Wasted a great chance in the first half and nothing much was going right for him, but he never stopped demanding the ball and kept running at Shrewsbury defenders, trying to create a spark. His persistence finally paid off in the 93rd minute with a perfect floated cross after getting to the byline. Looked so much better on the right in a front three. Shock. 7/10

Helder Costa

Helder, what's wrong? If ever a performance screamed 'my confidence is shot', it was this one. Two chances to score but a heavy touch ruins the first one (he did look to be fouled after, though) and then sends a free six-yard header too close to the keeper for the second. Otherwise he was anonymous and lacked the confidence to take players on. Against League One opposition that's a pretty damning indictment. Needs a boost – and soon. Hasn't looked himself for quite a while now. 4/10

Substitutes

Raul Jimenez (for Dendoncker, 59)

There's no doubt about it, Wolves look a much better team when Raul Jimenez is in it. Should have scored with his first touch, had a couple of other half chances and was in the right place to fire home Cavaleiro's cross for his eighth goal of the campaign. Where would Wolves be without him this season? 7/10

Ivan Cavaleiro (for Giles, 73)

Added some trickery and provided the assist for Jimenez's goal, whipping the ball in at pace. 6/10

Joao Moutinho (for Gibbs-White, 79)

Kept the tempo up as Wolves chased the game in the closing minutes. 6/10

Subs not used: Norris, Kilman, Jonny, Vinagre.