Have no fear threadsters, Halfy’s back to lead us into Europe. His magical carrot shall rise across the continent as we embark on a proud moment in the clubs history
Live @ http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/410485
One match ban enabled
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo says his team will respect Northern Ireland side Crusaders in Thursday's Europa League qualifier.
Wolves are hosting European football for the first time in 39 years and Nuno wants to make the club proud.
"I feel a lot of pride because I'm the manager of a fantastic group of players who want to improve," Nuno said.
Irish Cup champions Crusaders defeated B36 Torshavn of the Faroe Islands in the first qualifying round.
The Crues, who finished fourth in the Irish Premiership last season, will host Wolves in the second leg at Seaview next Thursday.
First Stephen Baxter's side must try to leave Molineux with as little damage inflicted as possible from a side which finished seventh in the Premier League last season.
Crusaders' Philip Lowry (right) scored in the first leg of the Europa League first round qualifier win over B36 Torshavn at Seaview
"We're trying to get enough work done, trying to get as much information as we can and see what type of formation they (Wolves) work to," said the Crusaders manager.
"It will be a full house and a fabulous experience for everybody.
"We've played big teams before but it will be a tough task. If we can get out of there even with a 2-0 or 3-0 (defeat) that might be a very good result."
Mexican striker Raul Jimenez and Morocco midfielder Romain Saiss are unlikely to feature after only returning from international duty on Monday.
Republic of Ireland midfielder Matt Doherty is sidelined with a knee injury but Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota and captain Conor Coady should start.
Wolves last played in Europe in 1980 when they beat PSV Eindhoven 1-0, losing 3-2 on aggregate in the first round of the Uefa Cup, and Nuno is relishing their big night.
"It's our third year together, we know each other very well and we expect things to improve.
"Of course (we will respect Crusaders).
"No matter who you play against it's about how you prepare yourself to compete. It's a big, big game for the club. It's up to us to make something special so people are proud of us."
The winners of the second round tie will play Pyunik of Armenia or Czech Republic side Jablonec in the Europa League third qualifying round.
🇪🇺Wolves v Crusaders🇪🇺[LIVE]
posted on 28/7/19
It is a frustration watching Wolves struggle against these defensive teams. And it’s nothing new as people who have watched Carabao Cup ties at Molineux over the years will testify. Everyone seems to have a theory as to what we need to do better or differently but even a very good manager like Nuno hasn’t cracked it yet. I suspect if Jiminez had been on from the beginning on Thursday we would have won quite easily, but with all due respect to the Crusaders, you can’t help feeling we shouldn’t need to have a full strength team on the pitch to win more easily against this level of opposition.
posted on 28/7/19
comment by GeminMallorca (U18318)
posted 41 minutes ago
comment by ☠Tube of Lies ☕ (U16473)
posted about an hour ago
Just read a comment on the MolMix forum that what we missed from the Crusaders match was a "Dave Edwards type player".
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Daft as that sounds I think I see where they are coming from. One thing Dave used to do well was make timed runs into the box to get on the end of crossing balls. It's how he score the majority of his goals.
Our biggest problem at the moment seems to be breaking down teams that get 10/11 players behind the ball and our strategy seems to be to keep moving the ball around 20 - 30 yards out hoping that something is going to happen. We have to get in amongst the defenders and create havoc.
I have seen it said that players who can do that cost mega bucks, but I have also seen Jota just waiting for a ball so that he can run directly at the defenders and been disappointed when the ball once agin gets re-cycled around the area.
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Yes, that was what the poster alluded to. Someone with the guile to ghost in at opportune moments.
posted on 28/7/19
comment by ☠Tube of Lies ☕ (U16473)
posted about 2 hours ago
Just read a comment on the MolMix forum that what we missed from the Crusaders match was a "Dave Edwards type player".
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Completely agree, I think the away crusaders goal would likely have given us more determination to score more.
posted on 28/7/19
posted on 28/7/19
comment by Spangles (U17289)
posted about 8 hours ago
I’m sure Dave would have made a difference. Whether that would be a positive difference is up for debate
Just 159 tickets left now for the away leg. Going to be a sell out 3,000 crowd which is about double Crusaders average gate. The Crues are evidently a professional team but on crowds like that I doubt their players salaries would be very attractive. Suspect many Wolves players would earn more in a week than they would in a year
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Think I heard on the commentary that the Crusaders annual salary bill was around £80k. so about £7,500 per player per year
posted on 28/7/19
My gardener earns more ........
posted on 29/7/19
any vacancies ?
i'm always on the lookout for an employer with plenty of money and no brain
posted on 29/7/19
comment by Vicious Sid (U8869)
posted 8 hours, 35 minutes ago
any vacancies ?
i'm always on the lookout for an employer with plenty of money and no brain
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No
posted on 29/7/19
150
posted on 29/7/19
comment by Vicious Sid (U8869)
posted about 10 hours ago
any vacancies ?
i'm always on the lookout for an employer with plenty of money and no brain
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Half a brain.