And all this made Wolves a very, very, very big game - with Spurs away on Tuesday night, it was vital we stopped the slide, we got back to basics and achieved some sort of result. As hugely valuable as all points are at this stage, it was almost equally important from a psychological standpoint. Devoid of confidence and belief; the Albion needed to get it back, and fast.
A welcome discussion from Steve Sidwell- Far from the guesswork reports of player unrest, pointless conjecture and ignorant soundbites: “Hughton’s lost the players” “The team don’t care anymore, there are attitude problems in the squad”. No evidence whatsoever of this, and it’s repeated incessantly.
Far from being a happy clapper, from my perspective, I just believe strongly there is no value in postulating unhelpful possibilities, that have absolutely no evidence to support them. From the sounds of it, the Albion are ready to face this relegation battle, very much together.
Mr Naylor dropped a little team news teaser: “Anticipating a partnership not seen in a while”. Intriguing. Stephens and Kayal, perhaps? Surely no change to our centre back core? In the end, it transpired this long absent partnership was, in fact, Gaetan Bong and Izquierdo, the Colombian making his first start since December. A welcome return, we’ve missed his pace and direct approach in our attacking play. With Alireza struggling to make an impact since returning from the Asia Cup, March’s early season assist-frenzy wearing off, Locadia unable to hold down a place in the team, and Knockaert being decidedly French and emotional, we have certainly struggled in the wide areas since January. Moving to a 4-3-3, playing with three forwards, it’s is all very well taking a more proactive attacking approach, but if those individuals can’t make the most of being moved up further forward, then you’re likely to find it difficult.
El Capitan retains his place after a promising return midweek, along with our German creator Pascal Groß. Come on lads, let’s get this done.
No sooner had the game gotten underway, than a meaningful stoppage: Pröpper down clutching his thigh. Hamstring - 'sake. Kayal is quickly readied, and the Israeli enters the fray after barely 10 minutes. No Bissouma in the 18 too, looking at Davy’s injury, you’d expect that to change Tuesday.
An uneventful opening, the home side completely and utterly dominating possession. Given our recent affinity to conceding goals sloppy in nature and in vast quantity, the away following were content to see Albion sit deep, keep compact, and limit space for Wolves to attack into.
After 18 minutes, the first minor error from the Albion backline - a Dunk pass out of defence meant for Bong, instead finds Wolverhampton Wing-back Doherty. Please no. Doherty takes the ball on his right foot, but mercifully fires wide of the angle. Bit of a let off, that one.
Another tense moment shortly after, as Wolves play a quick one-two in the final third, Groß going to ground in somewhat desperate fashion. Looked an okay challenge but I freeze, thinking back to Pascal’s clumsy foul on Salah to gift the enigmatic Liverpool a penalty - can’t afford to be so charitable, the trouble we’re in. Jota crumples to the floor, demanding a penalty, the referee completely unmoved.
Another 10 minutes of threatening, but ultimately fruitless Wolves possession goes by. Albion disciplined, working hard, playing as a unit. Just over half an hour played, and the closest thing to a goal so far: the ball breaks for the lively Jota, who drives at the Albion defensive ranks. Declining to dive in a la Bournemouth, Dunk watches the ball dutifully, closing the angle, and forces the attacker into a shot. The situation defended about as well as possible, it would have been cruel indeed had Jota’s angled drive found its way into the bottom corner - thankfully, the ball drifted wide.
Another 10 minutes or so of the home side passing the ball from one Portuguese international to another, before another close call. Neves tries a shot from miles out, that takes a huge deflection off Stephens, and spirals perilously towards the lurking Jota, inside the area. Maty Ryan - so comfortable up until now - found himself oddly, disturbingly out of position, much too far over to the right. Whether Jota spotted this or not it’s unclear, but Ryan almost paid the price. A deft touch onto the looping ball sent the ball spinning towards goal, almost a head in hands, ‘all our hard work undone’ moment. Yet it appears the football Gods look down favourably on our desperate Albion - the ball just clipping the crossbar and bouncing over.
HT. Phew.
45 minutes away from a huge league point, and a huge turning point at that, you’d hope. The game gets back underway, but rather than resuming to the same format, Albion came out of blocks with purpose. Minute 49, and the Seagulls win their first corner of the afternoon.
German engine, Cruyff-turn King, Pascal Groß jogs over to take it. His deliveries are absolutely mint, shame we couldn’t earn any more opportunities for him to swing crosses in. This one is bang on, curling away from the goalkeeper...it misses Duffy, and fall right into the path of Lewis Dunk. Our first sniff at goal all game passes without troubling Rui Patricio - Dunk unable to decide whether to head the ball or volley it home, under pressure opting to do both, sort off. The ball screws wide, the chance was gone. Keep it up lads.
Five minutes later, and almost a goal of the season shoo-in from King Kayal. The dynamic midfielder received the ball some distance out from goal, and his eyes lit up. A classic, “**** it, why not” thought process, very much ‘Hit and hope’. Well bloody hell, a yard lower, and it takes the net off. Patricio caught off guard completely, looking mightily relieved to see the ball whistle just over. A great shift from Beram on his return, and whilst there’s no doubting Davy Pröpper’s quality, the effort and desire Kayal brings could be pivotal as the campaign draws to a close.
Brief Albion pressure subsiding, Wolves began to enjoy more of the ball once again, still struggling to create any clear cut chances. Bruno, after another classy performance from our club captain, has to make way due to injury. No Montoya, so Bernardo on to replace him. Big boots to fill, and after a less than promising debut from the Brazilian at right-back (mostly) against Watford on opening day, I have to say I felt a tad nervous watching El Capitan leave the pitch. Worries misplaced, a perfectly capable cameo from Bernardo. He’s improving every game, and should make himself a key member of the team in little time. Wherever you stand on our recruitment this year, with Bernardo, there’s a really good player in there for certain.
Two scares before the end: most notably, the combination of woodwork and Socceroo keeping the score at 0-0. Jimenez stands the ball up from the edge of the area, Duffy shapes to rise up and head the ball away, but inexplicably collapses under the ball. Jota is completely free, 7 yards out, but his deft header comes back off the inside of the left post. GET IT OUT, ALBION! The ball bounces directly back into danger, perfectly back into the path of the onrushing substitute, Leander Dendoncker. The Belgian lunges to slam the ball home, and surely would have done, if not for the magnificent Maty Ryan. Ryan smothers the shot from close range, and the ball squirms safely away. Get in.
The second scare, Dendoncker involved again. A nice delivery into the box, as March concedes a foul wide out on the right, headed back across and finding the midfielder in a criminal amount of space. ‘All our hard work undone’ 2.0, almost. The header, suitably powerful, but straight at Ryan.
That’s FT, no downplaying the importance of this result. Not a victory, but as has been voiced, it feels like one. Of course, the game means nothing if we don’t continue on now in the same vein, starting Tuesday. With Spurs focused on some tinpot midweek competition, there’s no doubt we can take a famous point or 3.
If this game proved anything however, it’s that we’re not giving up, not a chance. Any notion of the players giving up, not wanting to play for the manager, completely put to bed now. More of the resilience and fight shown today, and no question, we CAN claw ourselves back up from the dead.
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