Wolves Fans' Verdict v Southampton: Finally...a win!

John Lalley

Prayers answered, result favourable and given our predicament, nothing else matters a hoot right now. 

This outcome was simply essential; all sorts of upheaval and turmoil was staring us starkly in the face had we faltered. This may only be a delay in what remains inevitable but it’s a start. 

A win and a clean sheet for us is a collector’s item and for the time being at least, a colossal boost of confidence. That said, Wolves will still have to improve vastly on this level of performance. 

Southampton retained possession with impressive ease but their end product was base zero. Jose Sa was never remotely troubled and saved by VAR on the sole occasion he was beaten. It was a strange feeling to be bailed out by that ghastly system; bordering on the unique if you happen to be of a Wolves persuasion. 

Unlike Saints, Wolves didn’t treat possession of the ball with such meticulous care; we carelessly squandered so much ball but the critical difference was that we fashioned two excellent goals and this time around, we refused to capitulate. 

Given the rousing start we made, there was natural disappointment and tension when we spent the remainder of the first half watching Southampton weave intricate pass and move routines with Wolves mere bystanders. But as the game progressed and from the moment Cunha struck so brilliantly, it was evident that we were under little serious threat. 

It’s likely to be a hard winter for both of these teams but Wolves responded here when the stakes could not have been much higher. What a relief!

Clive Smith

Ok, it wasn't pretty, but it was a win and we've not had one of those in a long while. 

Whether it was some lucky pants, a lucky urinal or someone who knows what they are doing, but the relief brimmed over at the final whistle. At last... the no win and the no clean sheet monkey off our back. 

You might have thought our dream start would calm things down - but there was no sign of that. Many of us are critical of Wolves playing it out from the back but Southampton take pointless passing to the extreme. I don't think, I know,  Molineux wouldn't tolerate that for very long. 

As it was, our passive approach was not what we wanted to see either. Ait-Nouri received the ball mid-half but instead of progressing a break, he turned back, while later on Larsen broke away and passed wide only to find Lemina had stopped his run just beyond halfway. 

Seeing Semedo permanently playing 10 yards away from their winger and Toti also being stretched on the other side, the formation seemed unusual to say the least. The possession stats no doubt told the story. 

Off the field the crowd were equally passive. Obviously aware of the importance of the result, glad to be leading 1-0,  but equally aware how quickly things could turn. A favourable VAR was enough to remind us of that.