Wolves Fans' Verdict v Grimsby: A professional display in difficult circumstances

On a surface reminiscent of the Baseball Ground circa 1970 and entirely restricting any meaningful ball-carrying, Wolves subdued a committed Grimsby outfit reasonably comfortably ensuring that Sam Johnstone was virtually untested. 

Ploughing through mud and water meant that hopeful forward passes were the safest option for both sides and inevitably the game had little structure or quality making for a poor spectacle. 

Wolves themselves created few positive outcomes; Joao Gomes was unfortunate with a fine set-piece and Adam Armstrong wasted a clear opportunity that was gifted to him by a Grimsby error. 

Later, Mateus Mane shot wildly when well-placed but otherwise the game simply became a war of attrition. Wolves, to their credit were prepared to adapt to the conditions and match a fired-up home team for application and intensity. 

The buffer was that the margin for error in this game was far more substantial than the unforgiving Premier League. When Wolves did make mistakes, Grimsby didn’t possess the necessary acumen to cash-in decisively. 

It can’t have been a razzle for the players facing the restrictions of such conditions and it was a surprise that Rob Edwards seemed reluctant to utilise the bench until time had virtually elapsed. 

Mane in particular appeared neutralised by the elements and seemed to be labouring physically; thought he deserved a break from the slog. 

A single goal was always likely to decide the outcome in our favour even though Grimsby finished strongly. Andy Cook headed weakly when well-placed and at the death, a misunderstanding between Ladislav Krejci and a slithering Yerson Mosquera wasn’t exploited. No matter; Wolves weren’t punished and ultimately deserved the win.

Adam Virgo

A win in absolutely terrible conditions and with us going down at least we have something to cheer for in the FA Cup at the moment.

I’m surprised the game even went ahead with how cut up the pitch was. It was almost impossible to even play our own game and it was a proper old school battle on the pitch.

The game looked destined for extra time and penalties with how the first half went but Santi Bueno had other ideas and at 1-0 we defended well for the most part.

These kinds of games are tough for anyone so the main thing was getting over the line and into the next round which we’ve managed. I’m not saying we’re going to win it because I don’t think that at all but another trip to Wembley after the season we’ve had to endure would be nice.

Clive Smith

You can put that banana skin away, it's not needed here! A lifeboat however was more likely at one point as it seemed the North Sea was being transferred across the road onto the pitch. 

This was a real trip down memory lane for a certain generation of Wolves fans. Not exactly the Hill Dickinson or Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. A blast from the past was seeing the penalty spot being painted just 20 mins before kick-off. 

With no VAR and a patch of grass resembling a waterlogged pitch there was no sign of passing out from the back either. Pep Guardiola would have had to look the other way had he been present.

Our options were somewhat limited but with just the four team changes - we were taking it seriously! To avoid making headlines for the wrong reasons we needed to be professional, resolute, determined, etc and overall we were.

Better passing, better link-up play and winning more 50-50's would have made life easier but the majority of the chances in and around the box fell to us. Armstrong, Mane and Tolu Arokodare, more than once, put the ball over the bar when well placed. J.Gomes also hit the bar with a free kick after a clever run by Armstrong.

An early shot across the goal and a late effort over the bar were the highlights from Grimsby although S.Bueno made an excellent blocked tackle to cap a fine performance from him. His knack for getting scrambled close range goals has proved useful and was enough to see us through to the next round. Our first away win since Old Trafford in April, with only three players having played in both games.

Harry Lee

Drawing an in-form League Two team away from home in the FA cup, hardly a blade of grass on the pitch with the rain hammering down, it really did have cup shock written all over it!  

The team selection showed how seriously we were taking the competition and rightfully so, with relegation all but confirmed. Fair play to Wolves for holding firm and playing the right sort of game, this was not the occasion to attempt to play out from the back and this was realised by the team early on in the 90 minutes.  

We definitely had the better of the chances, with Tolu and Armstrong guilty of missing chances, in their defence it was not the game where you could rely on placing a finish with the ball getting caught up in the mud.

S.Bueno has an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time doesn't he? His man of the match award was well deserved, being solid at the back including a goal saving challenge towards the end, after he'd shinned in the opener from a J.Gomes cross.  

Being in the centre of a back three really does suit him, less chance of getting isolated with his main weakness being a lack of pace, with the athleticism of Mosquera and ball-player Krejci flanking either side.  

The front two will need to get closer to each other going forwards to form any sort of partnership, but it is still early days.

You'd have to say with the sales in January as well as injuries the team picks itself for the remaining games, with Angel Gomes vs Jean-Ricner Bellegarde being the main selection headache, but one thing is for certain, Rob Edwards needs to prioritise those who will 100 per cent be at the club next season as the rebuild is going to need a lot of work.