Always Wolves
Always Wolves
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Crystal Palace Wolves by Always Wolves 1 minute ago
WOLVES FANS TALK: PALACE 1 WOLVES 0
Wolves fans share their opinion on the 1-0 defeat to palace, red cards and missed penalties.
KARL WHITEHOUSE
Where do you even start with this reaction to Crystal Palace? Rob made one change from the Arsenal game, and for a while it looked like we might finally build on a decent performance.
The first half was actually encouraging. We created chances, tested their goalkeeper, and caused Palace problems. That is exactly what you want to see. We looked organised, competitive, and in control for spells.
Then came the key moment before half time. We won a penalty, but Tolu’s effort was poor and it was an easy save for the keeper. It felt like a huge missed opportunity, especially when there were other options on the pitch who could have stepped up and taken it.
The second half was a different story. We did not start with the same intensity and we dropped to Palace’s level, which is hard to accept. We should be the side setting the tempo, not matching a team low on confidence.
Then we had a moment of madness. Krejci was sent off after two yellow cards in the space of three minutes, with the second coming from kicking the ball away. You know what happens after that. You give the ref a decision to make and you put the whole team under pressure.
From there, we were hanging on. Palace were the better team in the second half and we had to sacrifice Armstrong to reshuffle after the red card. That was a big blow because he was one of our best players on the pitch. I was also frustrated with Rob’s subs today. They were not the changes I would have made and they left us looking unbalanced.
In the end, we let Palace score late and we looked tired in those final moments. It is hard to escape the feeling that this was a match we should have taken something from, but we did not. We are running out of games and the points total still looks far too thin.
The conclusion is simple. The missed penalty and the red card cost us. Now the biggest question is what happens next, because we keep finding ways to make things harder for ourselves.
Player of the Match: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
Match Rating: 5.5
Palace mugged Wolves in the 90th minute after we had played with 10 men for 29 minutes without too much trouble.
Wolves’ inability to put away chances was summed up when Tolu missed a glorious opportunity to give us a deserved half time lead. His soft penalty was easy for Henderson to get down to and save. That was as close as Wolves came.
Once again, the inconsistency of the match officials hurt Wolves. In the first half, Hughes was booked for a bad tackle, but a few minutes later he got away with a very similar foul.
Krejci was booked in the second half and then Thomas Kirk judged him to have kicked the ball away down the line. Krejci clearly felt the ball was still in play, and it was a soft decision.
The inconsistency showed again in added time when Palace knocked the ball away to delay Wolves as we tried to keep attacking for an equaliser. No bookings. How does that add up?
Wolves controlled the game for large parts, and you could not see Palace scoring until the extra man told in the final minutes.
I must confess, with the way this season has gone, I cannot wait for the end. Yes, we will be in the Championship and a number of players will move on, but we can at least hope the officials show a bit more ability and common sense.
Rearing its ugly head this week is ticket prices. Based on the level of performances, it would be fair to ask for a refund on the grounds that you did not get what you paid for. If the club hike prices again next season on the basis they expect Wolves to return to the Premier League for 27/28 and they cannot just react to a blip, I think they are in for a shock from a portion of the fans.
Today, Palace should have been beaten, but Wolves lack the killer instinct.
Next up is Villa, followed by Liverpool, both at home. Points?
A dissatisfied fan.
BECCA
The first half looked promising. But again creating chances and not taking them or putting too much on the ball. The 2nd half we were awful. There’s no way that Tolu should ever take penalties. The fans were incredible as always.
Can’t give a man of the match.
Rating 4 just for the 1st half
REBECCA FERNANDEZ
I actually feel numb writing my fan reaction after watching this game.
We came out right from the start with fight and conviction, great out play with Andre and Bellegarde doing a fantastic job in midfield and also Armstrong picking up runs. Defence made a few early errors but after a few wobbles relaxed into the match.
Then Crystal Palace started tackling hard and a few kicking up in the air, yellow cards start flying, one of which in my opinion should have been a red when the tackle from Hughes went in on Mosquera.
Our chance came when we were tackled in the box (again possible red card) and the penalty given. Tolu steps up and what a terrible penalty shot, it was weak and straight at Henderson.
We continued to fight on in the second half and we had all the possession and some good game play. Mané made a few strange passes and looked tired.
Then lightening struck and Krejci red card, an absolute silly second yellow especially when two others were not given, the fate was being written.
Armstrong came off to make way for Wolfe. Then Rob Edwards made some subs that I have to ask why?? The game was crying out for Rodrigo Gomes and Pedro Lima as Palace had no pace and a weak defence. Bellegarde off (why??) and Joao Gomes on. Then Mosquera off and AngelGomes on. I just do not get this at all. Plus everything always left so late in the game. Subs wrong and it just went downhill.
Joao Gomes left his man and in goes the goal. Again fate was written missing the penalty, Red Card and all the possesion.
The game was poor and looked more like a Championship game rather than a Premier League one. But for me again I have to question the managers tactics and subs. We didn’t deserve the defeat but we had enough opportunities to take the game and we didn’t do that.
Man of the match – Bellegarde
Performance rating 5
Best.moment … To see Jorgen Strand Larsen was still poor.
PAM WELLS
An away game against Crystal Palace, who have been struggling lately. We started the game strongly and gave Palace very few chances.
We made one or two defensive mistakes, were good in midfield, but lacked quality in the final third. That nearly changed on 40 minutes when we were awarded a penalty for a push on Mané.
Unfortunately, it was a poor penalty from Tolu and Henderson saved it comfortably.
The second half started much the same, but on 60 minutes Krejci was sent off for a second yellow. After that, our backs were really against the wall. Wolfe came on for Armstrong and Palace pushed a bit harder, but we defended well. We still tried to attack, but it was always going to be difficult with ten men.
Late on, João Gomes came on for Bellegarde. Then, in the final minutes, the inevitable happened and Palace scored. There were eight minutes of added time, but we offered very little.
What a golden opportunity missed. Palace were there for the taking, but we just do not show enough quality up front. With two tough games to come, even beating Derby’s record feels a long way off. Very disappointing after the performance against Arsenal on Wednesday.
Man of the Match: André
Performance rating: 5
SCOTT DRAME
Disappointing result.
It should have been 1-1, or even a win, but you cannot win every game, every week.
Rob Edwards put out a strong line up, but there was not much depth on the bench and the substitutes did not really change the game.
Man of the Match: Hugo Bueno, back to back for him. He did a very good job, we just could not hold on until the end.
Match performance today: 3/10. We had some good spells, but we did not take our chances. Krejci being sent off made it feel like the loss was coming.
WOLVES FANS TALK: PALACE 1 WOLVES 0
Pukka