Football News: Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United Player Ratings and Review

Firstly once again, I have only seen the 30 minute highlights program, so apologies if a 90 minute viewing would have given a different perspective of the Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United match.

Secondly, what an incredible transformation under Julen Lopetegui (JL) and it's obvious that there are still simple, but not easy to enact changes that could be made to make us even better. For example, Cunha is a class act, but not a 9. If Jimenez can recover or we buy a 9 then we can play Cunha as a number 10 off of him. However, that means we have to either drop one of the WF or the CM playing in the hole. Nice to have too many quality options though!

Player Ratings and Review:

Sa 6 - Didn't seem to have much to do and looked calm and composed.

Semedo 7 - Carries the ball really well and seems more switched on defensively.

Collins 6 - Seems to have split opinions on social media and this week. I fall more on the negative side of the argument noting that he was bullied by both Antonio and Scimacca (sp). However still looks a genuine prospect for me and happy to pick the Kilman Collins pair for the foreseeable!

Kilman 7 - Very solid performance. Don't understand all the negativity around our youngish CB pair, who I think will get better and better under JL.

Bueno 7 - Looks the real deal and impressed going forwards more than usual as well!

Neves 7 - Got forward more than usual and deserved a goal. Disappointed that in the 96th minute he didn't roll the ball to Traore to run in on goal, but waited until he was marked to pass?

Nunes 6 - Another who looks transformed under JL. So smooth on the ball.

Moutinho 6 - Solid performance in the advanced CM role - could Podence play here or (not sure on this) Cunha?

Podence 7 - Becoming more consistent or perhaps the goals buy him tolerance from the less convinced? A player I have always liked and one I would want to get more out of by perhaps trying him in a more central role? Can he do the defensive work we would need from the Moutinho role?

Cunha 7 - Good player, creative and aggressive in his movement and passing. But not a 9. Lots of upside to come from him!

Hwang 6 - Am I becoming a fan? He works so hard, so I understand why he gets picked but surely we can do better?

Subs:

RAN 6 - In the 30 minute highlights didn't really show.

Jimenez 6 - Was offside, but only just. A better showing after being very poor last time out though and although this could be more wishful thinking than cold analysis could he still come back?

Lemina 7 - Impressive debut. Put a foot in and maybe is the muscle we desperately need in Midfield? Not sure how he fits though as neither Neves or Nunes want to play the 10 and Lemina clearly isn't that either? More nice problems for the manager.

Traore 6 - Did not show much, but will be disappointed not to have been played in by Neves in the last minute.

Toti 7 - Was solid in those few minutes when West Ham pressed. Not sure though that this tactic is the way to go as it appears to signal a surrender of intent and allows the opposition to simply pound us, which we won't always survive?

3 points keep us on track and we now have 2 games where a point will be a bonus. However, excited to see what JL does with the new players and new options.

Written by Thefutureisoldgold January 15 2023 11:24:31