Football News: Wolverhampton Wanderers Player Ratings v Chelsea

Wolverhampton Wanderers Player Ratings v Chelsea

Watched the game "live" on TV - no rewind or 2nd glances. Overall conclusion is that we got lucky. Wolves started very slowly and could easily have been 2 or 3 down by half time. We grew into the game and in the end probably should have scored more as they panicked and chased the game. We were poor but they seem to have serious problems all over the pitch even after spending more money than we can dream of!

However, neither side was as bad as the ref (and it was a very easy game to ref as neither side really got out of first gear or showed that much passion!) who although probably favouring Chelsea overall was in fact just poor for both sides. Gave fouls when there weren't and didn't when there were! Booked players needlessly and wrongly but probably was very generous to Gallagher who could easily have gone!

Ratings:

Sa: 6 - Made a few good saves and had no chance with their goal. But distribution is poor - failing to find Hwang with 30 -40 yards of space to aim for was shameful and surely should have given it to Semedo not Gomes when he made his best save! Would like him to take crosses more positively as well.

Semedo: 5 - Was ok, but as he is so important to us as our key outlet and ball carrier he needs to do more!

Toti: 5 - Not as good as he was a few weeks ago, but solid enough. For the first 30 mins or so it was all very last minute panic and desperation. Fortunately, Chelsea were awful but we really need to tighten up - better communication would help as time after time two players stood looking at each other with neither reacting! And start at the first whistle!

Dawson: 6 - Best of 3 not very convinciing CBs who rode their luck. Hope he is fit for the next game as we need both his defensive strength and leadership!

Kilman: 4 - As above, but what was he doing for the goal? Had Nkunku (sp) standing next to him when Sterling swung in the cross, but simply stood still as the Chelsea player jumped to head in very poor!

RAN: 5 - Was good going forwards, but looked totally shot by 70 mins. Loads of potential but needs to take the next step and start delivering. For me Bueno at his best looks a better all round option.

Lemina: 9 - Last year I would have given him a 10, but i'm trying to be more balanced and 10s should be almost impossible to achieve (ask Craig!) Best player on pitch by a country mile including all those multi-million pound thoroughbreds from West London! Needs to improve his ref management as he was booked again! Fear another suspension is almost inevitable!

Gomes: 7 - Poor first half but was very good in second half.

Sarabia: 4 - Just couldn't get into the game. Lacks pace and power but given time and space is a good footballer!

Cunha: 4 - Disappointing, particularly as I have him in my fantasy team!

Hwang: 5 - Best of a very poor front 3. Works hard and shows flashes of quality, but just not consistent enough. If he only had a yard of pace, he would have got away several times but just lacks the pace to get away and so "missed" several good chances on the break.

Subs:

Bueno CB: 5 - Did not look out of place although by the time he came on we were on top and maybe he had the better half of the deal.

Doyle: 5 - Struggled to impose himself but added the body in the middle we needed.

Bueno: 6 - Was very solid and got forward well. It will be interesting to see if he gets the nod over RAN in the future?

Doherty: 6 - scored a great goal and was solid enough in the last few minutes.

GON - With a threadbare squad he got them fired up to more than match Chelsea. Made an adjustment after 20 mins or so and we improved. Subs were pretty much forced on him - injuries and players out on their feet - but they "worked". So well done Gary!

3 very welcome points that given the stirrings below us in the league look pretty important. Fingers crossed Dawson is fit and that Neto can start to reintegrate over the next game or so! It is obvious we need help in January, but I do not believe we will spend big in Jan but hope that maybe in the summer we can loosen the purse strings a little bit.

keep the faith!

Written by Thefutureisoldgold December 24 2023 19:14:46