Wolves Fans' Verdict v Preston: An enjoyable away win!

John Lalley

This surely the definitive example of the kind of game Wolves must win if they are to make a serious impact this season. Asserting their authority against moderate opposition and exposing the frailties of clubs such as Preston.

After the settling influence of Lopez converting so superbly early on, North End did see more possession but Wolves held firm before pulling away comfortably in the second half proving themselves easily the superior outfit.

The delightful interlink between provider Jimenez and scorer Armstrong effectively settled the issue.

Wolves were not seriously tested and Lopez given both time and space gratefully extended the range of his impressive start to the season. The way he hustled a defender on half way to create his first goal, the pace and determination of his thrust into the box and the emphatic finish, all suggest a physically more robust player compared to last season’s brief and unfulfilling cameo.

Couple this with his abundant skill and innovation and the mixture is intoxicating. A guy on a mission right now. But he wasn’t alone; the much- maligned Tchatchoua replaced Trippier more than competently and Djiga who experienced some inconsistencies on loan at Rangers last season, likewise let nobody down.

Jose Sa will no doubt be infuriated conceding his clean sheet late on, but the goalkeeping conundrum had to be solved and if he is staying, we are stronger as a result.

Both Mane and Rodrigo Gomes will become sharper, the need for more incision on the flanks already quite evident. But a good result, professionally delivered. Certainly, more strident opposition to follow.

Adam Virgo

An away win in the league for the first time in what feels like forever but my word was it unreal. Over 5000 Wolves fans singing throughout, a quality performance and three points.

Fer Lopez is an absolute star and he is going to tear this league apart. In both league games now he’s been fantastic and against Preston he was ridiculously good. The finish for the first goal was top class and he ran the game.

Jackson Tchatchoua had a really good game also, he looked more confident as the game went on and defensively he was fantastic. Toti and Djiga too both had good games in fairness to them also.

The goal we conceded was the only frustrating thing because a clean sheet would have been brilliant and Jose Sa should have saved it. Everything else was fine, we limited them to very little and created quite a few chances ourselves.

We have to build on this performance and result now, you could definitely see the confidence rising throughout the second half.

Andre’s pass out wide which led to Armstrong’s goal was Neves-esque and it was also great to see Jordan James get some minutes too.

Cameron Smith

What a difference a week makes.

After the disappointment of the Blackburn game, it feels like we saw something much more like what we should expect from Wolves in the Championship.

Fer Lopez set the tone with a brilliant opener, and Wolves looked far more controlled from there. Preston had their moments, but we never looked like a side that could be opened up at will - perhaps the most encouraging part for me!

I mentioned after Blackburn how easily they played through our press, and it was great to see Cesar Peixoto adjust at Deepdale rather than stubbornly sticking to one approach. Lopez’s comments afterwards about not jumping as much because Preston preferred to go long summed this up.

Then, once the game opened up, the squad's quality proved the difference maker.

Adam Armstrong’s goal was excellent, while Lopez thoroughly deserved his second. He has started this season brilliantly and looks so direct and confident. If Peixoto can continue getting that version of him, he will be frightening at this level.

There were positives all over the pitch too, with Nasser Djiga and Jackson Tchatchoua coming into the side and doing well, while Jordan James also racked up his first minutes in a Wolves shirt.

The late consolation was frustrating, but that would be me being incredibly picky. Four points from two is a solid start, and 5,600 Wolves fans finally got an away win in the league to celebrate.

Much, much better, but now these performances need to become the norm.