Wolves Fans' Verdict v Slovan Bratislava: A satisfying success

Matt Cooper (Talking Wolves)

Reaction to the Result

A crisp and quiet Molineux were treated to another late Wolves goal after what was a fairly average performance. Wolves started the game a little bit better than they have previously, excluding Arsenal, and if it wasn’t for the safe hands of the Slovan Bratislava ‘keeper, it could have been two before half time. It’s a shame Wolves couldn’t sustain a higher tempo in the second half as the game threatened to fizzle out. Wolves had a lot of joy in the wide areas but poor final balls throughout the night meant attacks were often thwarted. However, points over performance and Wolves are in touching distance of the knockout stages.

Man of the Match

I thought Adama was a thorn in the Bratislava side all night but Max Kilman looked so comfortable all evening. He brought the ball out from the back well and read the game tremendously for an inexperienced centre-back. Physically he may not be completely there yet but that’ll improve and he’s continuing to impress.

Something to Improve

Wolves started a little better and actually threatened in the first half but they failed to match the tempo in the second half. The delivery from the wide areas was poor all night too.

Clive Smith

Reaction to the Result

A patchy performance with spells of delightful passing and interaction from box to box, but, as at Arsenal, we disappointed with our crosses into the goalmouth. We played very much on the front foot, while looking tight in our defensive third. Thoroughly deserving of the win.

Man of the Match

A shout out for the ref, who let the game flow, which helped improved it as a spectacle. The link up between Traore and Doherty flourished again while Neves was on song but for one moment! Max Kilman was the MOTM though with a solid performance that meant he never once looked out of place or inexperienced.

Something to Improve

The obvious – crosses into the box. Traore, Vinagre and Doherty all wasted excellent chances to add to their number of assists.

Adam Virgo

Reaction to the Result

A huge three points and a big step towards qualifying for the knockout stages. There were a couple of scares early on as Bratislava weren’t afraid to commit men forward but the longer the game went it looked more likely we were going to score. The less said about Neves’ penalty the better, Jimenez should be first choice whenever he’s on the pitch. In the end we deservedly got the goal through the Mexican with a brilliant header, just a shame we couldn’t have scored a couple more, however the win was the priority and hopefully the same again on Sunday.

Man of the Match

Moutinho, Traore and Jimenez were our best players but a couple others played very well also. Adama caused problems all evening and it was his cross which set up the goal, his end product really has improved massively this season and long may it continue. Moutinho controlled the game for fun, it was like a training session for him at times and Jimenez was running with the ball well, almost scored in the first half and then leaped like a gazelle for the winner. I also thought Max Kilman looked really good and he’s improving constantly which is fantastic to see, Neves, apart from his penalty miss, played well too.

Something to Improve

We had most of the possession and play, created more than enough chances, the only thing lacking were the goals. We are playing well at the moment but without Jota we are heavily reliant on Jimenez scoring but thankfully the Portuguese forward will be back for the Villa game.

Rob Cartwright

Reaction to the Result

Absolutely thrilled with this win, which puts us on the verge of qualification for the knockout stage in Europe. I thought the players were excellent; nothing spectacular but we had all the possession, kept very good shape and created lots of chances. Another 20 shots on goal last night, makes it 45 in the last two games. In a strangely subdued Molineux, I think the fans were more anxious than the players. This could easily have been the Braga (defeat) all over again, but this team are learning quickly and have adapted well between the different types of game in League and Europa. We overcame a penalty miss and a long delay for an injury to their player. With 12 minutes added time, I remained confident that we would get the goal. It was a well rehearsed move with Traore taking on the full back once more and picking out Jimenez with a high cross. Give the ball to Raul and he will score.

Man of the Match

Some very good performances. It was great to see Neves playing further forward again. This is the key to the recent surge in scoring attempts. Not only is he taking shots, he is also pushing the ball out wide more often for crosses to come into the opponent's box. I thought Neves and Moutinho were tremendous together. Coady and Dendoncker was another good partnership, and the same can be said about Doherty and Traore. My Man of the Match goes to Kilman. Calm and collected throughout using the ball intelligently and always keeps possession and looking to move the ball forward. He has an old head on young shoulders and is quickly developing into a fine player.

Something to Improve

We missed the partnership between Jimenez and Jota. Though clearly playing with 3 up front, Netto and Traore were mostly so wide that it was difficult for them to link up when in possession. This makes Jimenez too isolated for most of the game. However, he worked tirelessly to get the ball and overcame anguish over the injury to get his goal. He has massive strength of character showed when he tried another overhead kick/shot on goal, just before scoring. Though he must have been bursting with joy, he refused to celebrate widely. What a man. Also, who spotted his “rabona” cross? Another first for Molineux. Overall, I’m thrilled that the European journey remains on track. Next stop Portugal. Don’t you just love those cold November night games!

Russ Evers (Hatherton Wolves)

Reaction to the Result

An old school European game that has occurred too infrequently at Molineux in the past few decades. A noisy and packed Molineux, boisterous away fans and a 'typical' European game with the home team controlling most of the ball and Slovan trying to catch us on the break. It all nearly ended in Greif – as in the Slovan keeper who had a blinder including saving a pretty well struck Ruben Neves penalty. But cometh the 92nd minute, cometh the man!

Man of the Match

For the second game running, everyone did well but Traore again had the beating of them and Jimenez just doesn't stop scoring.

Something to Improve

Some of our countless crosses into the box – be nice to beat the first man 8 times out of 10 rather than 2 but with that many crosses, one was going to count!