when_you're_smiling

I had really low expectations to begin with anyway. With Southampton bringing in a decent keeper in and Ipswich’s signings while we were obviously weaker I couldn’t see how we’d stay up. That’s partly down to underestimating Mads who has more than proven he belongs at this level. I dread to think where we’d have been without him. I do think we’re better than Ipswich and Southampton now. It’s a struggle currently seeing who else we can get above. It could depend on how long the Wolves new manager bounce lasts. I did wonder if Everton might fall down after an unusually good start, but they’ve just had two 0-0 draws with Chelsea and Arsenal. You wouldn’t back us to get a clean sheet against anyone. It’s also really worrying opposition players like Gakpo are commenting they’re surprised about how much time and options they have playing against. It needs at least a Robert Huth-like game changing signing at the back. It’s difficult to buy in January though. You’re either going to pay over the odds or have to go for someone out of favour.

The worst thing about today is we’re going to get his post match lecture about how good we are. He hasn’t been able to do that to anyone since Russell Martin.

Very well written. The most depressing thing is a lot of it is PSR and the fact we didn’t sell one summer when we were trying to take the next step. Clubs like Man U and Chelsea can make expensive mistakes galore and because of their wealth the worst that happens to them is they finish mid-table. The latter have been dreadfully run recently but the worst that’s happening to them is they had to knick our manager and best player and be given a comfortable waltz towards a European title that they’re not even that fussed about. Not selling a player so cash is suddenly tight, plus keeping Rodgers for too long, were critical errors for us in the way they’re not for the richer clubs. Same with the current ‘well run’ poster boy clubs. They’re just a couple of mistakes from following the path we have. That’s how modern football has been set up to be.

Same with the Broncos tbf. Didn’t go for two and I can’t believe how many times on crucial plays they’ve thrown five yards behind the line of scrimmage.

One of the worst best games I’ve seen.

The one in second half was on Daka, the one in the first half was a very poor ball from Mavididi. I don’t think he realised how easy a pass it was to make and hit it too hard.

He said too he was surprised how many options he always had, which would be on the whole team, not just Justin. You’re right though, surely RVN or any of the staff who provided his match report pointed it out.

Real strange mix today. Excellent assist and our only decent ball forward in the entire second half, but on a couple of occasions a lack of quality meant we didn’t create a chance we should have done. Ultimately I don’t think he truly believes in himself currently. Seemed too hesitant with the ball, especially in the second half. It’s a bit unfair to be too judgemental though because there needs to be more than just him as our only attacking midfielder linking the play with the strikers. It seemed at times all on him to get us forward bar Ayew occasionally falling over to get free kicks.

Cody Gakpo saying how surprised he was with how much space he had all game and the options he had probably tells us more about our side than anything we’ve seen to be honest.

Edouard?

To be fair we did that last year and got promoted.

They’ve only had four fouls given against them according to the stats.

First ones onside, second one isn’t if the ball goes forward.

We’ve gone into that mode where we make it far too easy for teams again. Losing most of the 50/50s.

And then when Mavididi does get it right, Daka ****s up. Just a general lack of quality.

This. If some of our players in the final third had his quality we’d be passing through these.

A bit more quality from Mavididi and we could have had more actually. The defending from crosses has been good but we’ve let too many come in and it was inevitable not closing down was going to cost us.

That was a ‘get the home fans back on side’ yellow.

Had hoped they’d drop down, but after conceding one goal against Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea there’s no way they’re going to collapse now and finish below one of us promoted clubs. It just leaves Wolves really. If they get a new manager bounce it’s difficult to see anyone else even being in contention for relegation.

All I can think of with this Beyoncé half time show is when Birch brought Bernie on to the pitch at half time of a game.

They’ve done it for a few years now.

He’s the Bob Geldof of Africa. Sings a song every year about Do They Know It’s Christmas in Fulham.

Brilliantly ironic that fans that say it’s their right to boo whoever and whenever they want, then get upset at the slightest bit of criticism for doing that.

RVN’s actual quotes from The Guardian match report - Van Nistelrooy said of Ward’s treatment: “We all understand disappointment from the crowd, but it should not all go to one player. Booing or being disappointed with the result, I think it’s a right of a supporter, of a fan, to show your emotions, and we all do that, but when it really goes to one person that is something that is hard to see for me personally. I think he kept his composure very well; it is not easy when something happens like that. I think he handled it very well. It must be difficult for him. Hopefully he can turn things around quickly.” https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/dec/22/leicester-wolves-premier-league-match-report

Maybe we’ll keep a clean sheet.