Wolves Fans' Verdict v Crystal Palace: Deservedly through to the next round

Matt Cooper (Talking Wolves)

Wolves looked a lot better and although Palace weren’t all full strength, they couldn’t lay a glove on us – especially in the first half where we truly dominated.

The second half was a bit more of a tight affair, but I thought Wolves managed the game out extremely well and restricted Palace to a few half-chances.

This was a chance for some of the returning loan players to stake their claim for first-team football, but it was all about Neves and Traore.

Traore looks back to his best, as he did at Brighton, and Neves completely dominated and dictated the middle of the park. It’s the best we’ve seen from Neves in a while.

Semedo was also vastly improved, as he has been in the last few games. Encouraging signs against a poor side. Into round four.

Clive Smith

Traore scores, a first half goal, a clean sheet – so everything in the world is ok after all.

In the end, it all seemed quite routine. We had four at the back with two marauding full-backs which meant for the first half we were permanently on the front foot.

As is often the case with our play, the attempts on goal do not reflect our dominance. The best chance came after a dozen minutes with what seemed like Silva's first touch. A close range header should really have put us ahead.

Neto looked sharp throughout but it was Traore who carried on from the Brighton game. He looked far more confident on the ball and had a smile back on his face.

His shot was well hit and screamed into the net. He celebrated with Nuno, so his unsigned contract can't have anything to do with friction with Nuno.

After the break it looked like Palace felt obliged to up their game but a few set pieces was all they had to show for their extra possession. Ruddy had nothing to do all night.

Overall we looked more like our usual selves even with just a back four. Saiss and Coady did well enough making tackles and blocks as required. Ait-Nouri, and Semedo in particular, were willing to take the ball forward as often as they could. Neves and Moutinho always provided a passing option which was helped by the support of Dendoncker. With those three on form, maybe four at the back is a long term viable option.

It was hard not to have sympathy for Silva because all his running seemed fruitless while every half chance he gets he is not sharp enough to put away, then he beats himself up. He needs a Nuno hug without any social distancing.

Neto and MOTM Traore were the stars. Neto went all across the front line trying to get on the ball. It was just a shame he could not receive the ball further forward to allow him to attack the box more one on one. Traore was not marked as tight as in many games and he made the most of it. Going outside, putting in crosses or coming inside and shooting.

I suspect our next two games, at home, will be a greater challenge, but we go into them with a bit more confidence. If we could just tease a goal out of Dendoncker, and Silva, then our injury list might look a little less daunting.

Adam Virgo

A much deserved win when we really needed it after recent form. Clean sheet and into the FA Cup fourth round.

It would have been nice to see us score more with the amount of possession we had and some of the chances we had, especially for Silva. He had to put at least one of his headers away, more-so the first one as Neto put the spoon in his mouth, all he had to do was swallow and he choked.

Adama and Semedo seem to be building up a good partnership currently which is scary for left-backs. Against Brighton they were both very good and in this game against Palace they were exceptional at times. The goal from Traore was long overdue but worth the wait, fantastic strike and hopefully he can gain a lot of confidence from it.

It will be interesting to see how much Gibbs-White and Cutrone will be used now they’ve been recalled, I can see Cutrone starting against Everton because he looked lively when he came on. Gibbs-White could be used in the number 10 role but I do hope he gets minutes otherwise halting his development at Swansea was pointless.

Two big league games coming up now where we can take confidence into it. Palace were dreadful but we got a clean sheet which can only help the defence.

Adama with braids is back and is improving, and we were creating chances. We can’t afford to miss big chances against Everton otherwise they’ll more than likely punish us.

Rob Cartwright

A Cup run this season would be very welcome and it’s good to be in the hat for the fourth and fifth round draw on Monday.

With everything that has been happening this season, it does seem that the FA Cup may be more important to the club and fans. Nuno confirmed this with his team selection too.

I was really pleased to see Dendoncker return – he has been greatly missed. I was surprised that Neves and Moutinho both started, but I thought all three midfielders did well and gave Palace little chance on the ball through the middle.

It was a good first half, without anything to get us on the edge of our seats. Wolves completely dominated the play and created a lot of chances on goal. Traore and Semedo are starting to understand each other. They saw lots of the ball. It was good to see Traore cutting inside rather than going down the wing at every opportunity.

He scored a cracking goal, from the edge of the box, which will do him the power of good. We will never know how much his foot injury has been affecting him the last two months.

Neto was a bundle of tricks and was creating chances, especially for Silva. He’s getting in the right places without the end product. Two headers and a smart turn and shot could all have produced goals in this game. I’m sure it will come.

The defence had a fairly quiet night, though we still look vulnerable at set pieces. Ait-Nouri had a trouble free time and had the space and time to get forward with the ball.

Neves is on a good run of form and his passing here was spot on. Moutinho has the energy of a teenager unless one-on-one in a sprint. He is worthy of his place.

Dendoncker is vital when the other two play together. He is the missing link and does the messy bits that maintain or win possession.

The second half sort of drifted along. Palace were trying to get back into the game but were doing little to cause us any damage and were not getting any attempts on target. It was all fairly comfortable and we were able to give Cutrone and Gibbs-White time back on the pitch towards the end. Both welcome additions to the squad with points to prove. Fingers crossed.

My man of the match was Traore, his goal just swinging it to his favour, with both Neves and Neto also doing well.

So we look forward to the draw on Monday, and then Everton on Tuesday. Another win is needed then.

Russ Evers

A hard-working, full-of-running team performance was far too much for Palace who couldn't manage a single shot on target.

Coady and Saiss did well to remain awake whilst the returning Ruddy must have wondered what the problem has been with keeping clean sheets.

Neves ran the game for the first three quarters and Semedo had easily his best game in a gold shirt. In fact no-one was below par and it is amazing to compare the stats on games won when Dendoncker starts as opposed to when he doesn't.

Young Fabio did not look out of place but is in desperate need of a goal, especially with the pizza/pasta master back in the fold.