Wolves Fans' Verdict v Brighton: Wolves outmuscled and outclassed at home

Clive Smith

What is it about Brighton, they always look world beaters whenever we play them? Right from the opening few minutes they looked like they were going to be a tough challenge. Although possession and momentum ebbed and flowed throughout the game Brighton always looked sharper with their first time passing and stronger when it came to winning the 50-50s.

Our level was not as high as in recent games with a much greater number of unforced error. Our game plan too looked suspect. Why we constantly invited their high press, when we looked vulnerable, while a Sa long ball to Ait-Nouri up against a 5ft 4inch Lamptey, would surely have brought more joy.

Other decisions looked suspect, collectively and individually. After having two chances early on Guedes spent little time in the box. Munetsi still looks out of his comfort zone when near goal. Gomes and Ait-Nouri were reluctant to shoot when the chance arose and Cunha tended to overplay which played into Brighton's hands. Turnovers set them up and we were frequently stretched.

All of the above might sound harsh but the game was a stark reminder that for us to finish near the top 10 in the Premier League still needs probably more improvement than we perhaps thought. 

VP's introduction of four subs on the hour was a clear reflection of what he thought was needed. After a couple of good moves even that failed to turn the tide.

John Lalley

There was an air of inevitability about the outcome. Vitor winning the oft poisoned chalice of the manager of the month, and the arrival of the bogey side who simply have to disembark at Molineux, sing a verse of ‘Sussex by the Sea’ and collect three points without bothering to trill out the chorus. 

We were second best in every department; an impressive Brighton were sharper, better organised and not averse to leaving a foot in when necessary. For the first time in a good while, Wolves were out-muscled, consistently denied the second ball and ultimately overpowered. 

We started sluggishly and proceeded sloppily, yet Guedes spurned a couple of good chances inside the first 10 minutes. Clear opportunities appear to chronically faze this guy; any scoring instinct or hint of conviction desert him and the ensuing body language spells utter introspection until the inevitable subbing puts him out of his misery.

Apart from some clever footwork by Ait-Nouri to get behind the Brighton defence on a few occasions, the Guedes chances were just about the only ones we created. 

Having been rescued by VAR after an interminable offside inquisition, we declined to learn our lesson. Our culpability in shambolically presenting Brighton with a wholly avoidable penalty was beyond embarrassing. There was little optimism amongst the fans at half-time; Brighton had laid down a positive marker and the rest of the game followed a predictable route. 

A mass substitution briefly engendered some urgency into our approach but it was a fleeting improvement. We finished devoid of ideas, brushed aside too easily with the only surprise being that Brighton took so long to inflict the final wound.