Wolves Fans' Verdict v Burnley: Bitter pill to swallow

Matt Cooper (Talking Wolves)

It's another late blow that has left a sour taste in my mouth for the second time in as many weeks. The biggest talking point in the match was the penalty decision, which was the right call for me. Doc isn't close to Wood and although his foot is high, he's not endangering him and it strikes his arm.

I thought Wolves did okay in the match and did enough to win it as Burnley could barely lay a glove on us, but that's what makes it even more difficult to take.

It's going to be a tight end to the season with Arsenal and Spurs both winning their games. I wouldn't be surprised if Wolves didn't qualify for European football this season, purely based off the sucker-punch witnessed here.

Neves was fantastic again though and he's really starting to look like an experienced player who dictates the tempo at his discretion. A special mention goes to Jimenez too. That finish was world class.

Clive Smith

There are times when you can fall out of love with football. Following the test at Sheffield United, this was one of those days.

We dominated the game. Nuno's team selection worked a treat and made sure we were on the front foot for most of the opening half. The only disappointment was we had not made better use of a string of corners.

Podence showed the same energy he had on Sunday. He may have had a greater influence if his off-the-ball runs had been picked out by a colleague. Traore had little defending to do and contributed brilliantly for our superb goal after game-changer Doherty had been introduced. A stunning Jimenez finish makes you wish he had more shots on goal. Our familiar midfield duo controlled the game with MOTM Neves again very prominent.

More points stolen from us late on, a bleep bleep decision from the referee, no VAR when you need it, drinks breaks, dreadful TV coverage – a grumpy mood will remain for a good while.

Adam Virgo

Absolutely sickening is the only way I can describe the feeling after conceding so late. Firstly though, Jimenez needs serious respect on his name because his finish was world class. The technique to strike the ball how he did when it sat up awkwardly for him, not an easy finish at all but it was such a huge goal for us in terms of trying to solidify 6th place and still push for a top 4 spot.

The last five minutes were extremely nervy because we decided to sit back and accept pressure rather than trying to control the situation ourselves. Moments before their goal we got away with absolute murder, a rare mistake from Patricio and somehow Wood put it wide. It was at that moment I thought the gods were on our side and that surely now we’d hold on after that scare. However, when Mike Dean is referee he has to make everything about him. It’s a tough penalty decision to call, VAR wouldn’t have overturned it regardless of what Mike Dean did as they didn’t deem it as a “clear and obvious” error. Both teams would argue against it if the decision had gone either way of course, it’s just frustrating that it’s another decision gone against us.

For me, it was a natural reaction from Doherty as him challenging the ball completely head on with Wood’s boot in the air risks himself of a serious injury, but then on the other hand Wood has every right to go for the ball and it’s not exactly his fault, so it’s tough.

Neves deserved man of the match because he was brilliant once again throughout. Defensively he stopped two big chances for Burnley in crucial positions and his passing was exquisite throughout. Adama caused them many problems too and deserves a lot of credit for getting us up the pitch for Jimenez’s goal.

Normally when we’re leading a game, we do end up winning. Against a Burnley side that love to get balls into the box and put you under pressure, we sat too deep. Whether that was just a natural reaction from the players or the subs from Nuno, that encouraged Burnley which inevitably resulted in them having a glorious chance and then a penalty shortly after.

Two massive games left for us now and I just really hope we don’t end up slipping out of a Europa League spot. Crystal Palace is a must-win and then we’ll see what happens going into the final game against Chelsea. It would be frustrating to finish below 6th but I think at worst we do need to finish 7th because if we end up not being in Europe, then we could potentially lose some key players. On the other hand, if we do end up in the Europa League or Champions League (via winning the Europa League) then I really hope we can hold on to all of our players.

Rob Cartwright

This is a real sickener. Why is it always Dean? Why was Kevin Friend involved, in the shadows of Stockley Park? Why, oh why, does VAR not correct the wrong decisions?

These are like the villains in a Scooby Doo thriller and boy do we need Velma to come up with a solution now!

Wolves took the game to Burnley in the first half and really threatened to dominate. With possession, chances and 8 corners this was the time to put this game to bed. The team selected and players showed our intent to attack. Going in at half-time 0-0 is not really good enough.

Burnley came back in the second half and this made for a tense game. The half was slipping by quickly, until we scored. Then the clock slowed for a painful last 14 minutes plus added time.

I felt the two subs on 84 minutes were defensive and encouraged the team to “hold on”. Twice in a week we have succumbed to added time goals and this has cost us 3 points.

These 3 points could well be the difference between Europe or not next season. If there is any justice, we’ll go to Chelsea next week with something special still to play for. Other than that, we will regroup for the Europa League games to come.

Neves and Moutinho did well in midfield. Vinagre and Traore both did well at wing back. Jimenez scores a cracker of a goal. My man of the match was Traore for his overall impact and disciplined defensive play.

Russ Evers (Hatherton Wolves)

Another late goal and another refereeing disgrace backed up by VAR. But we contrived to toss a couple of points away by going to a more defensive set up late on, inviting Burnley onto us and if Wood had found the net from three feet two minutes earlier, it could have been worse.

Watched the game in a bar near Alicante and every one of the punters thought the penalty decision was wrong. Perhaps it was too much sun or too may pints at under £1.50 each, but definitely two points lost rather than a point won.