Wolves Fans' Verdict v Chelsea: Lack of fight results in another loss

John Lalley

In terms of gleaning some encouragement for battles ahead, there was nothing to offer any peace of mind from this routine surrender. 

Chelsea, from the outset turned the screw, effortlessly got in front and were cruising before inexplicably losing their composure to gift us a lifeline just before half-time. 

But Wolves simply lacked the quality to cash-in. Chelsea reasserted their dominance and Wolves predictably succumbed showing yet again just why they offer minimal resistance under even moderate pressure. 

Chelsea’s clinching third goal was a microcosm of all that has plagued us this ghastly campaign. The ineptitude was embarrassing and any notion that the new managerial regime might address this recurring nightmare is evaporating alarmingly. 

The refreshing clean sheets obtained in Pereira’s first couple of games were a mirage; we look as defensively uncertain and as vulnerable as at any time all season. There was little by way of response as Chelsea easily restrained our passive approach and once more a substantial number of our players remained anonymous, struggling to compete in this resolute environment. 

Going through the motions, steadfastly resigned to the inevitable and at this level, a creaking soft touch. Right now, it looks a straight fight between us and last season’s trio of promoted teams to avoid relegation. 

Relying on those three outfits to be marginally worse than we are is a very dangerous approach. We are up to our necks in trouble; lacking genuine class, devoid of leaders on the pitch and wholly short of game-changing alternatives. And what hurts the most is that this mess is entirely self-inflicted.

Clive Smith

Unfortunately we suffered another bad result. From the start it looked like a team full of confidence playing against a team with very little. The opening minutes saw a constant stream of crosses that went into our box from both flanks. Our area was full of blue shirts and there was always one beyond the far post to pick up any crumbs.

For 30 minutes we couldn't lay a glove on them and only when Semedo and Ait-Nouri switched sides did we start to get some possession beyond halfway. Madueke and Neto had drifted out of the game too. By then we were a goal behind though.

Eventually we did see some possession in our attacking third. Too often our approach play lacked the pace to really cause them any concerns.

Even when we gained a little momentum our first corner went out of play, while our second did not beat the first defender. It was therefore somewhat surprising we made the third one count. With bodies everywhere, a scramble, and Doherty made it even by the interval.

We were fortunate to be level on the balance of play but that was sadly as good as it got. Our defence had already been working hard but were required to put in another tough shift in the second half. 

Chelsea's pace and physicality were too much for us. Two close range goals meant the game had been put to bed with barely an hour gone.

It was not a game we'd really expected to get anything from but we so need some more points soon.

Our standout was again Gomes who was, frankly, head and shoulders above anyone else and MOTM. 

Sarabia was perhaps a surprising starter but he was the hardest working forward in the first half. Defensively our inability to manage the wide players and prevent crosses put a lot of pressure on our central defenders. 

Larsen had little joy but was clearly trying very hard and indeed did help link up moves some of the time. Cunha was poor throughout, plenty of histrionics when he didn't get the ball but showed far less effort to make himself available to receive a pass.

Harry Lee

The honeymoon period for Vitor Pereira is well and truly over, with Wolves suffering from the same defensive woes as they did under Gary O’Neil.  Chelsea did not have to get out of third gear for the whole of the game. 

Three goals conceded in each of the last three games, injuries have had an impact but it is simply not good enough, if not rectified on the training pitch and transfer market then Wolves are heading only one way. 

The lack of aggression on set pieces is glaringly obvious, the hybrid set up defending the six yard box with few man marking/blocking does not help this as there is no responsibility. 

Worryingly the body language from some of the players suggests they may not be up for the scrap that they are responsible for.  

If Wolves are to get out of this, then we are going to need fighters with pure heart and energy like both Joao Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes who should have started high and wide in place of Sarabia. 

A towering centre back who is a leader on and off the pitch is a must. Along with a fast direct winger to complement Larsen and Cunha as Forbs, Hwang, Bellegarde and Sarabia.  But the January window is notoriously tough to navigate, and the likes of Boubacar Traore returning from injury will be like new signings, right? 

Elen Young

If we can consistently play like we did in the last 15 minutes of the first half, we’ll be fine. If we play like we did for the last 20 minutes of the second half, we’re going down.

I thought it was an OK start, and actually the result is the least concerning thing about last night’s game. It was fifth versus 17th so it was never going to be easy, and actually when we were 1-1 at half time I was feeling optimistic, especially as it felt like the momentum was on our side towards the end of it.

Too many times Chelsea were just able to cut behind us and our forwards were way off it (although I thought Strand Larsen was good on the ball), there are too many instances in the box where we’re just hoofing the ball straight into the path of the defenders.

One shining light was Doherty, who I think deserves to keep starting and I really like him in the CB position, his heading ability got us out of trouble a few times.

By far the worst and most concerning bit of the match though, was Cunha’s body language and him going straight down the tunnel. He gets a pass on this occasion given the passion and commitment he’s showed up to this point, and the fact we’d be certain to be relegated without him, but he knows what the rumours are and to then go and do that is really disappointing.

Matt Gallimore

We thought we had seen the worst version of us this season but for me, this performance was the most abysmal showing of them all.

We shouldn't be surprised though; this is the culmination of many seasons now where we have been neglected by the ownership. If Fosun and Jeff Shi don't care, why should the players?!

Footballers are not daft, they know when the ambition and intent to achieve those ambitions has gone, and is now the reason why you are seeing many of these players dismayed at being here.

If the players no longer care then you have absolutely no chance of doing anything. If you concede two or three goals a game you have absolutely no hope in winning any football match. The body language of so many of these players was appalling. Strolling around the pitch with no heart, no passion or no hunger to go and battle.

As much as I like Strand Larsen, he has to be given a break. For a guy his size he is so weak and offers us nothing up top. Santi Bueno is as poor a defender as your likely to see at Premier League level and the goalkeeper is one big mistake waiting to happen.

Unless we sign two or three more players that will walk into that side, then we can forget staying up. It's not going to happen. When you lose that fight as a team, you are in serious trouble.

This is all on Fosun, Jeff Shi and Matt Hobbs. They have 10 days left to sort the issue, because if they don't, we are doomed.

Liam Berry

Feels like the team is heavily reliant on individuals at the moment, with Cunha being the obvious one that we look to for attacking output. However it seems as if Cunha has a bad game, we struggle to really hurt teams. 

We can’t be relying on him to get us out of this mess, it HAS to be a collective effort. However recent performances have not been up to standard, there’s no movement when we have the ball in the final third, hense the reason we always have to go backwards. In a time where the club needs to be all together, it feels as if it is as far apart as it has been in the last few years.

If you take a look back at all of the Premier League proven players we have let go, without bringing in any adequate replacement is not a good sign at any club, let alone a club in the Premier League. Raul Jimenez, Nathan Collins, Morgan Gibbs-White, Adama Traore, just to name a few, all of which still playing in the Premier League, for a team doing better than Wolves have this season. The recruitment has been a failure, and when you’re on a downward trajectory in this league, there’s only one way you are going.

With a tough run of fixtures ahead, hopefully Vitor Pereira can get a tune out of what he has, and hopefully what else he gets in the transfer window.