Wolves Fans' Verdict v Chelsea: Back four handily beaten at Molineux

Quite an eventful week off the field with probably more activity than most of us expected. Sensibly the movement of players was directed at the future rather than the here and now. 

The 'now' remains a challenge that still has to be dealt with however.

The team selection was somewhat surprising. The Krejci illness may have been a factor, but our four previous managers have all tried playing four at the back without success. When that four includes Doherty, and we're up against a strong hugely expensively constructed side, it was always going to be a difficult challenge.

Having bossed the opening 10 minutes we then lost the game over the rest of the half. The gaps between our defenders was exploited by Chelsea's width and pace. Two careless challenges resulted in two penalties and a third goal put the game to bed by the break. Sa thankfully made some saves to prevent the score being more bruising.

Krejci had by then been brought on and a more familiar formation made us at least look more competitive. Despite the numerous references to our level of quality this season, you can't question our team's resilience. Far better than that show by much of the crowd. The commitment was there, as at City, throughout the second half even though the game had gone. J.Gomes worked tireless from box to box while Mane covered more ground than anyone else on the pitch.

It was Mane who beat the keeper with an inventive chip onto the post before a corner was flicked on by debutant Armstrong and Tolu scored from close in. Our other debutant, Angel, was a shining light. I am maybe setting the bar too high, but his range of passing, predominantly forward and being comfortable on the ball, was the like of which we've not seen since Ruben.

I do hope, either I'm wrong, or Rob Edwards realises a back four is not the way to go.

John Lalley

‘Ludicrous,’ Rob Edwards bemoaned post-match and he was spot-on. Chunter all you like about reverting to a back four rather than a five, but your choice of system is irrelevant if you gift the opposition a couple of outrageous free gifts. 

The two penalties determined the result; Chelsea created relatively little they simply didn’t need to. Had they required an increase in tempo, they surely would have delivered it. 

Our inexplicable naivety left us with nothing but respectability to play for in the second half. The introduction of Krejci and Rodrigo Gomes ensured a better structure and with Chelsea happy to sit on their laurels, Wolves improved appreciably without ever seriously threatening to alter the course of the game. 

In fact, Pedro Neto wasted a glorious opportunity with the weakest of headers - never his forte - when he was left unchallenged in front of goal. No matter; looking physically stronger than he was at Molineux, he overpowered Hugo Bueno to set up the first penalty and continued to painfully remind us of the quality we have dispensed with and replaced inadequately. 

The two latest newcomers had an early introduction into the monumental task that awaits them. Armstrong had little service, but provided an assist and showed a decent touch whilst Gomes was easy in possession, distributed effectively and overall, made a positive initial impression. 

But yet another depressing game where superior opposition without exerting themselves glide through a comfortable afternoon safe in the knowledge that Wolves offer no sort of stiff challenge. Ludicrous indeed.