Marcal was class tonight his best performance for us so far

To me Marcal is the right man on the left when we play a back 4, Ait Nouri probably more of a wing back.
No doubt the defence looks more open with this formation but I think it’s a price worth paying when we look much more likely to get goals. Coady and Boly did fine although Arsenal did look fairly toothless up front. Bit more of a test for them to come as they meet Salah, Mane and that Jota bloke next week and then the likes of Kane and Son soon.

Pleased for Silva tonight who would have won a lot of doubters over and we should have no problem playing him again in Raul’s absence. And much better from Moutinho tonight. Starting to think his best days were behind him but showed there’s still plenty of life left in him yet. Podence, Traore and particularly Neto were excellent and will trouble any defence playing behind the striker and regularly getting into the opposition box

comment by Oldgoldilox - 1 Carl Ikeme (U17303)
posted 44 minutes ago
Marcal was class tonight his best performance for us so far
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He did have a good game, but it was him marking Gabriel for the goal and he was very easily out muscled.

I guess the question is what formation done go with against Liverpool?

Defensive solidity of the back three or do we take them on whilst they have a weakened defence?

Maybe I saw a different match, but we seemed to play with a back 3 going forward and when Arsenal had the ball we had 5. Both Semedo and Neto played their part as wing backs and Marcal was very effective on the left side.

Neto was my man of the match but only just as I thought Coady was excellent. No bad performances from anyone and with more game time, Fabio Silva will become a very good assist.

Moutinhowas the midfield general and Dendonker's box to box display tells me he will get goals for us.

So well done Nuno and the lads.

comment by wolfieintheSunshineState (U16306)
posted less than a minute ago
Maybe I saw a different match, but we seemed to play with a back 3 going forward and when Arsenal had the ball we had 5. Both Semedo and Neto played their part as wing backs and Marcal was very effective on the left side.
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You definitely watched a different match.

Arsenal defender Holding after fouling Traore was caught on tape saying to the referee ‘he’s built like a brick sh**house, how come he went down like that?’

comment by Spangles (U17289)
posted about 7 hours ago
Arsenal defender Holding after fouling Traore was caught on tape saying to the referee ‘he’s built like a brick sh**house, how come he went down like that?’
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Which is probably why the ref later booked Traore for simulation instead of awarding the penalty he should have had.

That happened after the booking Gem. It was towards the end of the game when we were holding on.

I'm also not sure it was a definite penalty. I didn't see it as a clear and obvious error not to Traore one, so don't think VAR should have given it. It wasn't a dive from Traore though, so the yellow was harsh.

comment by Tamwolf (U17286)
posted less than a minute ago
That happened after the booking Gem. It was towards the end of the game when we were holding on.

I'm also not sure it was a definite penalty. I didn't see it as a clear and obvious error not to Traore one, so don't think VAR should have given it. It wasn't a dive from Traore though, so the yellow was harsh.
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*not to give one

On the refereeing, I seemed to be the only one annoyed about this... But should VAR not have looked at Luiz' attack on Jiminez? He doesn't get near the ball. I feel like we forgive stuff because you know "crowded penalty area, he's just competing etc" but if he did that on the halfway line when it was just him and jiminez he wouldn't get away with it would he because it would look like a dangerous bit of play with no regard for the other player? Why is that different at a corner? And if you went in with your feet or body with that degree of force and ended up that far from the ball but clumsily hitting a player then you also wouldn't get away with it would you?

FYI if you haven't seen a replay it's important to know that jiminez jumps basically straight up in the air while Luiz absolutely launches himself into the air at a very fast running speed from what looks to be about 8/10 feet from jiminez (I am trying to judge it fairly here but have only seen it a couple of times on redwing at normal speed from the main zoomed out corner angle)

VAR probably should have looked at it. They may have looked at it and we didn't know; as everyone's concern quite rightly was with the players.

I'm not sure you want to be sending people off for attacking the ball in the box though because of a freak accident. Dendoncker absolutely launched himself into his header that hit the bar leading to Neto's goal for example; I'm not sure we want to discourage that. Luiz was noticeably upset afterwards, Wolves players haven't said he should be punished or complained; so I'd suggest the focus was right.

All fair points and I agree that I don't think for one second it was anything other than an accident. With that said the fact Luiz was upset and wolves players didn't call for punishment doesn't really tell us anything does it - he was understandably upset at his involvement and wolves players may not have seen it clearly or felt it appropriate or their place to push for punishment, particularly given Luiz himself could have had an injury. But none of that means it wasn't dangerous play.

And the Dendoncker comparison is interesting, because he does strike the ball. A freak, rare accident is pretty hard to distinguish from a moment of exceptional recklessness (the combination of force and the fact he didn't get near the ball and his momentum meant he presumably couldn't even break the colission with jiminez with his hands or anything.) I don't know, I'm not saying it was intentional at all, just there should be consideration of whether it was unreasonable play or not. I'd have felt less aggrieved if VAR had confirmed it had been looked at.

Raul has a fractured skull and is recovering in a London hospital after having an operation last night

Best wishes to Raul Jimenez for a quick and full recovery.

Good to see the update from the club this morning, just hope he is as comfortable as he can be. Cant imagine what his family must have been thinking seeing the pictures on tv last night.

Was a weird night after the Raul's injury, I was watching us play some of the best football we've played since we got promoted yet didnt really feel invested in it. On reflection though a good result but a pity we didn't score more as Arsenal were there for the taking.

I think Im right in saying that Liverpool are the only side we havent taken league points off in the last three seasons so would be good to put that right next weekend. Might shut the Vile fan up in the local chippy who took delight in reeling off the names of the players that Villa had to sell to the "top clubs" over the years if we can keep Jota quiet.

Don Goodman fractured his skull in a game for Wolves against Huddersfield at Molineux. He didn’t play for 6 months but thankfully had no lasting effects and was able to resume his football career.

Hopefully Raul will also make a full recovery but in the meantime it looks like opportunity knocks for Fabio Silva and I suspect we will be in the market for a centre forward in January

comment by GeminMallorca Wenger sort out VAR FFS! (U18318)
posted 12 hours, 43 minutes ago
comment by Wulfrunnut (U17298)
posted 44 minutes ago
Agree about the attacking options. Without Raul, Podence, Neto and Silva will be fine but who comes on from the bench if needed?
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Errrr.....Adama Traore?
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How did I overlook Adama? I guess when it comes to counting Wolves' attackers I usually run out of fingers before I get to 5.

Cutrone might be back in the squad soon to. Aren't there rumours of him returning from his loan?

Cutrone has been a failure at Fiorentina and they would evidently love to offload him. Think we can do a lot better than him to be honest. Rather take a chance on Rafa Mir who does seem to be progressing. Although Fabio Silva may well prove to be better than both in my opinion. We would need a second option though

It was inevitable that Raul would sustain an injury of some sort sooner or later. Now we may pay the price for not investing in an established CF in the last couple of transfer windows. Fabio Silva did ok last night so who knows, maybe he will be able to pick up the batten but is't a big ask for an 18 year-old.

I would much rather we gave game time to Fabio Silva than any other option. Much like Ait-Nouri, I think he needs game time to develop.

I don't think Cutrone is a bad option to have off the bench though to cover if he were to come back.

there is a high risk that this is a career ending injury for raul - a tragedy for him and wolves.
cavani seems unsettled at united, a terrific player if we could get him,

Cavani unsettled at United? He scored twice yesterday, he may be after more starts and I guess he'll get them now. Cant see him moving to us so soon after signing for them.