Wolves Fans' Verdict v Crystal Palace: A big summer ahead after reality check

Felt like we were gatecrashing a party with an inevitable outcome to the celebrations. 

Pereira shuffled the pack, experimented a little but despite a spirited effort, Wolves were inevitably somewhat disjointed and ultimately paid the penalty. We had plenty of possession but rather like the Brighton game last week, we were lacking the drive and creativity needed to create openings. 

Palace, like the fine counter attacking side that they are, took advantage ruthlessly when Wolves surrendered possession. They exploited our mistakes, responded almost immediately after we had taken the lead and enjoyed some crucial good fortune with the deflection for the third goal. And although Wolves did find a response with Strand Larsen’s goal, we never really threatened to save the game. 

After the euphoria of six consecutive wins, this run of three successive defeats is a reality check suggesting that the depth of quality in our squad is worryingly thin. Who leaves the club this summer is open to conjecture, but all season we have rarely fielded a strong bench and of the regular substitute occupants, a good proportion need to be replaced. 

Reinforcements are a priority; players who are immediate candidates for the starting XI, not utility fillers or youngsters who may develop over an extended period. This was clearly in evidence at Selhurst Park. 

With safety assured last season, we finished the campaign alarmingly. O’Neil wasn’t supported and the outcome was catastrophic. Lopetegui prior to O’Neil quit in frustration. We are better placed this time around under Pereira but we would do well not to repeat previous mistakes.

Clive Smith

After driving for four hours and 25 mins for my least favourite away trip, it immediately looked like VP had thrown us under the bus with his team selection and formation. The tannoy man played Livin' on a Prayer.. was he having a laugh? Although he did play Mr Brightside straight after.

We, however, were far from bright for most of the game. Defensively we were poor - I suspect Liam Keen is hovering with his 4/10 verdicts for several defenders!

We started with attacking wing-backs, who neglected their defensive duties, both were playing ten yards too far forward. The quick counter attack, or straightforward ball over the top, has caught out better teams than us, but our right side looked vulnerable right from the opening minutes. Djiga needed help covering but Rodrigo was playing in a different zip/post code.

Sarabia carried on where he left off in the Brighton game, failing miserably with his passing accuracy and getting caught in possession. To be fair he was not the only one, Ait-Nouri and Bellegarde were also repeatedly at fault.

When balls to Larsen found their target he did a decent job of finding a colleague, usually Bellegarde, but the next pass was almost exclusively backwards. Momentum was lost, or at least stifled momentarily.

We had seen plenty of the ball but little of our play looked like bringing a goal - until surprisingly we did just that. A couple of headers won from a corner ended with Agbadou being the unlikely scorer.

That however was as good as it got because within 10 minutes poor and casual defending meant we were then losing. 

Another low point in the half was a Rodrigo throw-in, must be the worst ever! earning Agbadou a yellow!

Half-time changes were inevitable and very welcome. Semedo and Gomes were introduced, it was a shame to see Andre taken off though.

Almost at once a deflected freekick made it 3-1. Game over you would have expected but another goal from a corner and two further substitutions meant with 20 minutes to play we were very much still in the game. 10 minutes of energy in the attacking third was our best minutes of the game. Munetsi, Cunha and Ait-Nouri all had chances before the inevitable Eze goal put the final nail in an away game for this season.

Harry Lee

On the beach? Curse of manager of the month? Bogey sides? Whichever statement you run with, ultimately Wolves’ performances have dipped for the most part over the last few games. 

Facing the FA Cup winners only a few days after their victory on paper felt like a lucky fixture, cemented by the fact that the likes of Guehi, Eze and Mateta were out of the starting line-up. 

Surprisingly Wolves also made significant changes, which you’d have to say did not pay off.  There is no doubt that strength in depth is lacking, especially in the forward areas.  The lack of creativity in open play was very telling. 

Breaking down a team playing five at the back is never easy, as shown by our relative solidity under Vitor, but the lack of running in behind and pace was clear from the outset. 

Agbadou has been immense since joining, but it is no coincidence that conceding four goals happened in his worst performance in a Wolves shirt. 

It seems to be said every season, but there is no doubt that this summer transfer window will be huge for the football club.

Matt Gallimore

It's hard to judge games when the objectives have been met and there is literally nothing to play for, but there were a few things of concern moving forwards.

Firstly, after VP decided to experiment slightly and give minutes to squad members, us and him were looking at these players and hoping they could prove a point and show us what they can offer to the side. The simple evidence from this performance was that they failed on their mission. Bentley showed why he isn't a first choice Premier League Goalkeeper, Djiga looked miles off the pace, Rodrigo Gomes tried but couldn't get into the game, and then Guedes and Sarabia showing why the physicality of the Premier League is above them.

The signs are this squad needs a massive overhaul and with rumours of Cunha, Semedo and possibly Ait-Nouri leaving, it means that besides the depth of the squad needing sorting, it also requires three first teamer's replacing too.

It's a huge summer ahead and one where important decisions and recruitment need to be made. Otherwise, it's just going to be another battle to stay up. Luckily this season we had three really poor sides occupying the relegation spaces and we can't go again next season hoping that this will be the case again.

As a fan, I have resigned myself to the fact that we as a club no longer have the ambition and intent we showed when signing the likes of Moutinho, Raul, Neves, Jota, Patricio and Cunha. Proven quality with the intent to actually try and achieve something. Now it's just buy cheap and hope it pays off. Unfortunately, when you keep selling your best players you are continually watering down the quality, to the point that one season it will be a step too far.

Vitor has earnt the right to be supported with the superb effort he has made to keep us up, but it's clear as day after this Palace game that he needs to be, otherwise we could possibly be adding another name to the list of managers seen before him who were failed by the owners.

Every single penny we receive from the Cunha, Fabio Silva and possibly Ait-Nouri deals needs to be reinvested so that we can rebuild sufficiently enough to maintain our Premier League status without the same struggles we encountered this year.

Here's hoping, but for years now the trust and belief in it actually happening is far from certain!