Wolverhampton Wanderers Player Ratings v Newcastle United
Viewing from the television limits perspective, but this draw felt like a fair result between two sides offering little quality. Wolverhampton Wanderers showed improvement from earlier season capitulations, though the lack of attacking threat remains a glaring concern as the club drifts towards the Championship.
Match Context and Performance Level
I didn't go to the game, so only have a television viewer's opinion, so apologies if those of you who were there saw things not shown or seeable on the TV that I fail to take into account.
As Banksy stated and I commented in a post before the game, the side as currently set up should not be where it is. However, for reasons only Jeff knows, the club decided to burn the first half of the season with a manager who clearly had totally lost the plot after yet another abysmal transfer window.
Although these were lost points from what was needed, to be honest it was probably a fair result. Wolves have very little quality going forwards and did not look like scoring, but stayed in the game and were far from the rabble seen earlier this season. All in all, a poor game with little quality on show from either side.
Defensive Unit
Sa 6 - Had very little to do. Apart from punching when he should have caught the ball, he was low profile, which is what you want from the goalkeeper.
Jackson 6 - Albeit a very low bar, but one of his best performances of the season. Offered little going forwards but used his pace and strength well in defence.
Bueno 7 - Looks comfortable on the ball. Will be a star in the Championship.
Yerson 7 - Some crazy runs that with more composure could have led to something. Loads of energy and effort. Defensively okay, but lost his man for the Woltemade chance.
Santi 6 - Looks calm and composed but lacks a few yards of pace and is not really strong enough for a Premier League centre-back.
Midfield
Krejci 6 - A good player, sadly far too good to play in the Championship, who I feel has the quality to offer more with the ball.
Andre 7 - Stupid booking when frustrated by the failure of the ref to book a Newcastle player for a clear foul on him. The ref was okay but weak and certainly allowed too much to go unpunished. But a class act who keeps breaking up play and then passing the ball to someone in the same colour shirt. Maybe could try to be more progressive, but it is not his game.
Gomes 8 Man of the Match - I am baffled why he is so underappreciated here. Wins the ball, drives forward and passes really well. Perhaps needs to shoot rather than pass occasionally, but a top player who will be Wolves' next, and possibly last, giveaway when he is eventually sold at a fraction of his true value.
Hwang 5 - Just not involved enough, mainly because he is simply not good enough. Not sure what he brings to the party as he offers very little going forward due to his lack of technical ability and, although not hiding, is not an effective defender like Andre and Gomes. Oddly angry at being subbed, which is good to see, but perhaps some more energy and passion, and ability, on the pitch would mean he wasn't subbed.
Attack
Tolu 6 - Holds the ball up well, but for a man of his size he doesn't win as much in the air as one would hope. The best of a very poor lot upfront today, though.
Mane 6 - Didn't sparkle today but worked hard and wanted the ball. Sadly has probably done enough to ensure he won't be at the club next season, but could easily become a very solid Premier League professional.
Substitutes
Strand Larsen 5 - Didn't get involved. Looks unfit and slow. If anyone is offering forty million, I'd take it, as he is offering nothing here and by the summer will be worth a fair bit less.
Arias 6 - Did okay and is starting to look like he might be able to play at this level. Shame he probably won't be at Wolves next season, as in the Championship he might be quite good.
Rodrigo 6 - In a handful of minutes, he added more threat and involvement than Hwang did all game.
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