A New Start

By Wolves
December 2 2022

Wolves first team squad has largely returned to the training ground now after a two week break to join up with new Boss Julen Lopetegui and his fairly large team of new trainers.

With five players having been away on World Cup duties, the number is now gradually reducing as teams drop out of the competition. Mexico narrowly missed out on qualification when Saudi Arabia managed to score towards the end of their game putting Mexico into third place, which means Raul Jimenez - who now appears fit to at least make an appearance off the bench - will join up with his new boss, as will Hwang Hee Chan who has made no appearances in his team's games due to a hamstring problem, and it looks likely that his team will also fail to qualify for the knockout rounds - especially as for their final game they have to face top of the table Portugal today! Portugal of course contain our three remaining players at the Finals. Ruben Neves has played in both of their games so far, whilst Matheus Nunes made a substitute appearance in their second game. Jose Sa is yet to join the fray, but may perhaps be given a run-out today. They are set to enter the knockout stage, which has already seen a number of surprising failures in gaining places, notably Belgium and Germany.

Julen Lopetegui will doubtless be more than pleased to get as many of his squad together as soon as possible, to try and start formulating a style of play which will bring out the best of a team struggling at the bottom of the Premier League. Shortfalls in attack will hopefully be addressed with the return of Jimenez and Costa, and perhaps an upturn in the performance of Guedes and Hwang under new management. The showing by our right backs Nelson Semedo and Jonny are also an area of concern which can be examined over the next couple of weeks as well as general defensive issues. We have perhaps been given an opportune 'easyish' starter for the new boss when we have a home match against Gillingham on 20th December in the Carabao Cup 4th Round in preparation for our Premier League match away at Everton on Boxing Day - the only bonus of which is that Connor Coady will not be allowed to play in that game which - coupled with injury issues - may disrupt their defensive strategy!! We then have the delight of an away game at Anfield in the FA Cup 3rd Round to look forward to in January, although it must be remembered that we have won there before in such circumstances - when we were in the Championship - not so long ago, and when Herr Klopp was already in post there!!

So... all in all some interesting times lay ahead of us. We have the new Management Team that our Club wanted in place. Technical Director Scott Sellars has left the Club in response to fan opinion, and Matthew Hobbs has been appointed Sporting Director, the first time the post has been used since Kevin Thelwell left. They all have a couple of weeks to prepare which should include three friendly games in the slightly warmer weather in Spain (which will hopefully be streamed by the Club) so that the players are ready to battle in the second half of our season and restore our Club to where it should be in the League

Wolves World Cup Update

Discussion started by Wolves , 02/12/2022 08:17

Wolves
02/12/2022 08:17

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:26:12:53:26 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Risca TM
02/12/2022 10:39

Thanks for the update!

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Cheshire wolf
02/12/2022 10:58

Quote:

Risca TM
Thanks for the update!

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An angry wolf
02/12/2022 21:39

Hee chan , the player all fans seem to despise with the goal knocking uruguay out and sending South Korea through to the last 16 with the winner. A moment that will probably mean more to him than any goal with wolves let's face it.

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Cheshire wolf
02/12/2022 22:48

Quote:

An angry wolf
Hee chan , the player all fans seem to despise with the goal knocking uruguay out and sending South Korea through to the last 16 with the winner. A moment that will probably mean more to him than any goal with wolves let's face it.

An unbelievable and quite unpredictable outcome - especially seeing he missed both of their first two matches!!!

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Risca TM
03/12/2022 15:37

Hwang's run into space and finish was similar to how he first started out at Wolves. Let's hope he returns with his confidence boosted and is motivated to push on under a new manager.

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chicagowolf
03/12/2022 21:10

None of us thought this a great time to have the World Cup but this has been great. Not like the Summer when you have to sit indoors when it is warm and daylight. And the matches. Germany out, Belgium out ; ahh bliss. If we can ease past Senegal life will be sweet (for a few days at least).
As for Raul and Hwang, glad you had/are having a good time. Time to come back to the factory and do some serious work.

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Andy Fincher
04/12/2022 11:15

The four Wolves players to score in the World Cup , Jimmy Mullen, Dennis Wilshaw, Ron Flowers and Hee Chan Hwang. He's in good company. Good luck to him.

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Ivybridge Wolf
05/12/2022 15:58

Yes good luck, a moment of supreme ecstasy for him and the South Korean nation. I sincerely hope South Korea can give Brazil a game this evening. Consistency is everything, sadly Hwang’s consistency has been at the opposite end of the spectrum to where Wolves fans would want it …… is this the spur he needs? At Wolves, I am unconvinced but would be more than happy if he starts banging them in the net and get us away from the bottom 3.

As for Jimenez, he didn’t really get much positive play in this World Cup, sad for him and Mexico. Like Hwang, keeping everything crossed Lopetegui can reverse his current fortunes.

……. And England? Some dodgy moments in the first half v Senegal but a lovely win and I was extremely relaxed in the second half …… I assure you that is unusual for me when watching England! A great match in prospect on Saturday v France. Nerves a plenty.

Overall, this World Cup has some exceptionally good football moments, hope they keep coming.





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:05:16:00:20 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Andy Fincher
05/12/2022 20:51

I'm unconvinced by Hwang as well but to be fair, he's not had a bad game against Brazil.

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Ivybridge Wolf
06/12/2022 08:46

Despite the dismantling of South Korea last might, they were all over the place in the first half, I agree that their only player to come out with real credit based on energy and effort for the whole match (and with some very decent shots) was Hwang. He can be proud of his performance.

Brazil were on fire and a class above.

Were Spain and Portugal to qualify today, that would be quite a final 8. I would prefer to see Morocco and Switzerland however!!

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Lupy
07/12/2022 08:37

Our old warrior Romaine Saiss into the quarter finals and well deserved.

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Ivybridge Wolf
08/12/2022 11:41

That was quite a defensive rearguard action from Saiss and Morocco showing that football isn’t just about attacking …… although they fluffed their own lines up front when opportunities arose. A really exciting match , including extra time even though 0-0 but what a poor set of penalties from Spain ….. reminded me of England in the Euro final!

Does anybody see any circumstances where Coady will get on the pitch? Unfortunately I don’t.

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Lupy
08/12/2022 20:48

I'm not expecting Coady to get any game time but Southgate included him in the squad because of his value in the dressing room and for keeping up morale.

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Ivybridge Wolf
14/12/2022 19:06

Very best of luck to Romain Saiss tonight in a World Cup semi final! A bit of a warrior in this tournament, didn’t think he’d be playing after his injury but there he is in the team.

As I type, France take the lead

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Ivybridge Wolf
14/12/2022 19:21

20 minutes and he’s off, subbed because of his pre-existing injury by the looks

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