Wolves Fans' Verdict v Braga: Underwhelming night

Matt Cooper (Talking Wolves)

Reaction to the Result

Absolutely no tempo, sideways passing and 95 per cent of the players are underperforming. Still early days but if it doesn’t improve then it’s going to be a long season. Completely void of confidence. We look completely out of ideas and if this does carry on, I can’t see Nuno lasting any longer than October with the ruthless nature of Fosun and I can’t help but feel he’s been let down in the summer in terms of recruitment. I really hope our misfortunes do turn around. Wolves had a handful of chances against Braga, mostly falling to Cutrone but we seemed to have forgotten how to score but yet again, individual errors have cost us. A bleak evening of football.

Man of the Match

Jonny Otto. Mr consistency himself. Mr dependable. You know you can count on Jonny to be your 7/10, week in, week out. He marshalled that left hand side along with Boly and got forward well.

Something to Improve

We have to take the chances that fall our way otherwise we will be punished at this level. There’s huge gaps between midfield and the front two so when it does go forward, the front line is so isolated. Essentially playing with a back six with Neves playing as another sweeper. This has to change.

Clive Smith

Reaction to the Result

Against a decent side, who started the game by pressing forward, we again looked just a bit below par. This time it was in the attacking third where our final ball into the box disappointed and chances were not taken. A slice of luck wouldn't go amiss, but it was hard not to feel downbeat at the end.

Man of the Match

Most players were pretty average to be honest. Doing good things one minute, but less so the next. Collectively there was no lack of effort, and on that basis Cutrone tried more than anyone and gets MOTM.

Something to Improve

Picking out the final pass into the box was our worst offence. Jonny, Gibbs-White and Dendoncker could all have done better in that area. There were too many careless passes, even when not under any pressure

Adam Virgo

Reaction to the Result

Result and performance once again nowhere good enough. We had a lot of possession but didn’t do enough with it and I know we had two good chances, however we needed to create more. We look absolutely lost in midfield at the moment, Dendoncker has been awful this season and Neves is practically playing in defence meaning our midfield is too far away from the attacking players which is a big reason as to why we aren’t creating enough. We also have a major problem at right centre back because Vallejo doesn’t look anywhere good enough and Bennett was very poor again. He only ever goes backwards or long with the ball and we’re paying the price for not improving the squad more in the summer.

Man of the Match

Probably have to say Willy Boly. Didn’t do much wrong and out of everyone he was our best player and always tried to move it quick in the second half when he was on the ball.

Something to Improve

Right now everything needs to be improved. We are starting games far too slow and it’s becoming more and more worrying. Neves is playing far too deep and the midfield as a whole is too far away from our forwards meaning we can’t create anywhere near enough as we should be.

Rob Cartwright

Reaction to the Result

We are firmly stuck in a bad run now. However, this was a good performance from Wolves who enjoyed the lions share of the play. Braga really went for it for 15 minutes, then appeared happy with a draw while looking dangerous on the counter attack. Their goal game from an individual error, by Bennett, followed by Boly not picking up the breaking player in our box. A bitter pill to swallow. The midfield was again poor, though the tactical formation does not help them. Why are we leaving so much space behind the strikers?

Man of the Match

I was ready to award Boly my Man of the Match. He looked rock solid in our box, but I really think he was caught cold for their goal and I expect him to do better in that situation, Therefore, Jonny gets it for an excellent performance. He showed great skill and control on a number of occasions and was picked out time after time, by Coady and Neves to start our breaks down the left hand wing.

Something to Improve

We desperately need a win on Sunday. I think the shape of the team needs changing, to enable midfielders to get further forward. The forwards have had very little supply in the last 3 games. Last night showed how much we missed Boly, but also how vital Moutinho is. Doherty had a reasonably good return and I expect him to start on Sunday. Gibbs-White flattered to deceive once more, contributing very little. An interesting dilemma for Nuno with Cutrone looking good, if not sharp, as Jota looked ready to return when he came on too.

Russ Evers (Hatherton Wolves)

Reaction to the Result

A slightly better performance than that against Chelsea where many players flickered but just missed out on the spark. Braga are a well organised side with vast recent European experience and it showed with their ability to manage the game – I was impressed by their set up but on a good day, we would have the beating of them. One moment of a collective defensive mix up caused the goal and try as we might, there was no way through at the other end. Just means we have to try and win in Istanbul which should go down well with the locals

Man of the Match

Cutrone for his work-rate and his creation of half chances – on another day he would have scored a couple. We just need that 'other day' to hurry up and return.

Something to Improve

This was better but not there yet and at times we looked too pedestrian with a lack of movement, but it is still a learning curve.