Liam Keen's Wolves debrief: Molineux men are ticking all the boxes

Resilience

With three Premier League wins in a row, Wolves showed a mixture of professionalism, a clinical edge and a creative spark across those fixtures.

But coming up against Brentford again, and with Joao Gomes sent off after just nine minutes, Wolves had a show a different side. This time, resilience was key.

Although they did go 1-0 behind just before half-time, Wolves were fairly comfortable after losing Gomes and then came out in the second half the better team, before equalising.

This team is together, a strong unit and the players are playing for each other, Gary O’Neil and the fans.

It is genuinely impressive how they keep overcoming obstacles and showing a different side to them and they will have to keep doing that as setbacks are undoubtedly on the way at some point this season.

Wolves must also try and guard against this small squad running out of steam later in the season.

That would be the biggest concern at this moment in time, with Sasa Kalajdzic’s impending loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt set to further deplete this small squad.

Wolves’ change of heart to let him go before bringing in a replacement is a risk, but understandable with the player keen to play and get his family settled, with his first baby on the way.

Taking opportunities

Within every team during every season, opportunity presents itself.

Toti Gomes is an example of a player who has taken his chance in recent years, while many players come and go without pushing on or being given that opportunity.

Tommy Doyle has certainly taken his in the last few weeks. Covering for Mario Lemina’s compassionate leave, Doyle put in an excellent display against Everton and backed it up on Friday at Brentford.

His goal was thunderous and his display even more impressive with midfield partner Gomes being dismissed.

Pedro Neto also took his chance off the bench, as they increase his minutes following his injury. He was electric and gave Wolves a lift.

The challenge now goes to other fringe members of the Wolves squad to take their opportunity when it arises. This squad needs everyone at their best.

VAR controversy

Wolves have been on the wrong end of several VAR controversies this season and the latest has supporters angry once again.

There is a strong argument that Gomes was not out of control or putting in a dangerous tackle on Christian Norgaard and that a yellow was sufficient.

But the biggest issue is consistency. Minutes after Gomes was sent off, Mikkel Damsgaard dangerously caught Doyle and referee Tony Harrington did not even give a foul.

At the end of the game, Keane Lewis-Potter grabbed Nelson Semedo by the throat which caused a scuffle between both players and Harrington booked the pair.

VAR did not intervene in any of the three scenarios and it begs the question why VAR is in place at all.

Inconsistency among on-field referees is being exacerbated by VAR’s incompetence and many clubs are suffering.