Wolves Fans' Verdict v Brentford: A worthwhile comeback point

Harry Lee

After the disappointment across the previous three games for many different reasons, Wolves were worthy of their draw at home to Brentford, who still had European places to play for.  

Aside from Strand Larsen being not quite fit enough to start, Vitor Pereira picked his strongest side, the one that ground out those important results across the previous nine games.

A pattern that has emerged over the recent defeats has been overplaying in defence, unfortunately this continued against Brentford, with Ait-Nouri losing possession for the Mbeumo goal.  Sharpening up with the ball and playing passes to the man/in front will be much welcomed next season. 

The Wolves reaction, especially in the second half was encouraging, Munetsi having a better game with the ball at his feet and was rewarded for his endeavours with a fantastic strike on the half volley from Strand Larsen’s flick on. 

Guedes has had the nod in the last couple of games and has not took his chance. Clearly has ability but lacks the power and pace for the Premier League - maybe his final chance. 

The lap of appreciation highlighted the togetherness in the squad, despite impending departures, Pereira has transformed the club and gives hope to every Wolves fan for next season and beyond.

John Lalley

The increase in tempo during the second half compensated in part for a listless first period. Brentford should really have turned around with a decisive lead: the pace and purpose of their counter attacks in direct contrast to Wolves' laboured build-up. 

The goal we conceded was indicative of the uncertainty and irresolution that pervaded during the first half: in other words, it was an avoidable gift. Even with the increased intention we displayed after halftime, we struggled to create much in terms of chances with a well drilled Brentford repelling us comfortably. 

When Guedes as he has so often done this season, lost all composure in front of goal and butchered a glorious chance to equalise, we almost accepted what appeared inevitable. But credit for perseverance: and after so much painstaking approach work that came to nothing, route one came to the rescue. 

Agbadou thumps a goal kick centrally, Strand Larsen nods on and Munetsi finishes with a flourish worthy of Bobby Charlton. All created and concluded in seconds: football for all its complications can be a delightfully simple game! 

Brentford remained the slicker outfit coming forward but they lacked a cutting edge. They would have left Molineux frustrated that they failed to take advantage whilst Wolves were dithering. 

Having regained a measure of defensive composure and added a touch of defiance, we probably earned a point and avoided what would have been a really deflating defeat. And on the day the admirable Gary Pierce was remembered, it was pleasing to see another keeper Tom King given the opportunity to follow in Pierce's footsteps. Gary would have approved: no doubt on that score.

Clive Smith

With the exception of Larsen it was thankfully back to our first XI,  following the experiment at Palace. Imagine the stress had we needed a point to stay up... thankfully that was all sorted in April prior to our tricky May fixtures. League places were at stake though, so it still felt like it was a meaningful game.

Brentford played at a slightly quicker tempo and their long throw-in looked a useful asset. Quite a contrast to our throw-ins that invariably involve one pass and the ball is back with Sa. It's a positive, forward-based mentality, that is still lacking with Wolves, while very apparent with the likes of Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth and our other rivals.

Munetsi was playing well forward and was visibly as our most energetic forward. Cunha was deeper and looking for the ball whenever we had possession. Although wasteful at times, he always looked the player most likely to score, if he could only avoid putting his attempts right at their keeper.

Yet again our downfall was engineered by ourselves, untidy and careless passing and losing the ball just outside our box. It cost us a goal - only a good save by Sa and some recovering tackles prevented it from being more.

By the interval we'd been second best, but not by much, and we had created chances. Semedo saw plenty of the ball and had our best attempt with a terrific strike as the half ended.

We raised our game in the second half. Guedes miss a really good, well worked, chance which was swiftly followed by his substitution, allowing Larsen and Rodrigo time to turn things around. Ten minutes later, never mind all this faffing about at the back. A goal kick, a flick header from the big man, a couple of bounces and a terrific wallop. Pick that one out. Route one, that'll do nicely. Munetsi - did we know he had a finish like that!? Wow. Even sweeter than Bellegarde's effort at Forest.

From them on there were a few tired legs and the game got very open. It was good to come away with a point from a difficult month and indeed a difficult season.

Cunha and Semedo showed today what we are likely to miss next season. Two big holes to fill. We will have some quality though, demonstrated yet again my MOTM Gomes and his sidekick Andre.

Have a good summer, thanks for reading throughout the season. All the best.