Wolves Fans' Verdict v Sheffield United: What a start!

Matt Cooper (Talking Wolves)

As far as starts to the season go, they don't get much better than that.

Although I feel like we should be beating teams like Sheffield United, it's still a tough place to go nonetheless so to go there on the opening day and take all three points is commendable.

It was refreshing to see us be so brave from the off last night.

I’d said last season we needed to take the handbrake off as we’ve got the quality to hurt teams and we’d wrapped the game up within ten minutes.

Is this now going to be the new normal in the next cycle of Wolverhampton Wanderers? It's too early to say but I certainly hope so.

Clive Smith

Things are still far from normal on and off the pitch. Our match day experience is far from ideal. None of that however prevented the inner glow and smile that only a Wolves win can bring. To be up and running, a comfortable win, plus a clean sheet for Nuno, there were plenty of reasons to be cheerful.

Two well crafted goals inside the opening minutes were enough to secure the win. For thirty minutes we totally dominated the game and looked by far the fitter team.

The absence of Jonny and Doc gave an unfamiliar look on the wings, but with Traore playing behind a front three we looked set up to play on the front foot.

Saiss was impressive from start to finish and gets MOTM. Coady was on his game and in full voice. Podence deserved his start given the way he finished last season, and he linked up well with Jimenez. They both looked very sharp in the first half, put in a good shift after, before tiring at the end.

Regarding Traore, it felt like we 'got away' with him at wing back as the only danger in open play from Sheff U came down that side with him and Boly seemingly unable to stop the ball being played between them. When he was released by Buur to play in attack it looked like he had a point to prove and he was the player most likely to score.

Sheffield always offer a physical challenge and we stood up to the test well. Traore and Jimenez were the usual targets but Marcal also came in for plenty of attention. Our defending of set pieces was well tested but we looked comfortable doing that.

The only areas for improvement were perhaps the performance of Neto and Boly, while it was disappointing to see Sheffield get behind our defence so often.

Adam Virgo

Two goals, clean sheet, Romain Saiss playing like a prime Paolo Maldini, The perfect start to our Premier League campaign.

I’m used to Wolves being more conserved in the first half but the way we came out of the blocks was fantastic to see. The first goal all started because we kept the ball in a tight area rather than going long and it paid dividends in the end.

Brilliant play from Podence to draw John Lundstram in, then to absolutely burn him alive and the finish from Jimenez was exceptional. The Mexican’s first half showed everyone that his game is more than just scoring goals and keeping him is extremely important.

We slowed down a lot during the second half which did accept some pressure but apart from when they hit the post I wasn’t really worried about conceding. It would be have been nice to kill the game earlier and get a third, Saiss looking like he was going to get a hat trick.

Saiss was man of the match, it felt like he was absolutely everywhere, could have scored three and defensively he was outstanding, especially the goal-line clearance at the end. Jimenez was very good and Marcal settled in beautifully, he looked a very tidy player at times.

The right wing back position definitely needs improving on but I’m not going to criticise Adama too much as it’s not his natural position. When Buur came on it meant Traore moved into the attack and he looked very dangerous on the break, that’s where we need him.

Rob Cartwright

Absolutely delighted with this result and the way we came out of the blocks.

Nuno has stated he wants to see more possession and attacking this season and he picked a team to do that. They did not disappoint racing into a two goal lead within the first few minutes.

We created lots of chances to increase the lead and although Sheffield got more into the game in the second half, the central defence looked solid. Both teams hit the woodwork with chances at both ends, towards the end of the game.

You have to admire this performance. We’ve had the shortest close season of all teams, the squad have only returned to training for a few days, yet they showed that a Nuno’s message has got through to them all. Three league debuts means there is lots to be pleased with.

There were a few great performances. I thought Coady was excellent, in front of the watching England manager. It must have crossed his mind that he could be England captain too.

Podence and Neto were dangerous out wide and Marcal had an assured debut.

Jimenez was awesome and scored a great goal.

My man of the match goes to Saiss. He was great in defence and scored a excellent header. He kept popping up in their box and very nearly scored two more. He was getting involved all over the pitch.

Russ Evers

And we didn't even need to play the latest wonderkid from Porto!

A whirlwind start to a game for the first time in a while and Jimenez was unplayable in the first half and could have bagged another one or two goals in the second.

Coady was his usual self and Boly assured at the back meaning Rui was left with very little to do but for me Saiss was head and shoulders above everything else on that pitch – he scored, nearly got a second and defended superbly including a goal-line clearance.

Sheffield are no mugs and are a physical unit which we were able to deal with very well and we looked very dangerous every time we broke, especially Adama later on. Another undefeated opening day and the dream starts again.