Wolves
Match Thread: Wolves v Besiktas (Europa League)
By Ivybridge Wolf
December 12 2019
With the expectation (and press reports) that Nuno will make any number of changes, Wolves play Besiktas at Molineux tonight (8pm KO) in their last fixture in Europa League Group K. Wolves have already qualified after the mud soaked 3-3 draw in Braga a couple of weeks ago, however a win tonight might end with us winning the group, dependent on results elsewhere. Whether first or second, qualification is thoroughly deserved, and our last 32 knockout opponents will be revealed during the draw to be held next Monday (16th December) at 12pm GMT in Nyon, Switzerland. I presume it’s on telly …. Somewhere? It was 3rd October when we last played Besiktas, just after we lost our opener to Braga …. You will remember we won it, 3rd minute of injury time, with a last gasp lovely finish by Willy Boly. At the time, Besiktas were struggling in the Turkish Top league, however it must be noted that they have won the last 6 league fixtures on the trot, taking them to 2nd in the table – having said that their only win in Europa Group K was in their last match against Slovan Bratislava. They’ve lost the other four. So their overall league form has improved and it’ll be interesting to see how they approach the match tonight having already been eliminted.
What changes will Nuno actually make? That too will be interesting, the Express and Star predicting significant rare outings, including youngsters. John Ruddy looks very likely to start in goal. Whatever the line up, good luck to the lads tonight, I hope they give it a real go for the 3 points to please what will be another really good gate.
In the usual way, please feel free to add your thoughts, comments and observations in this match thread.
UP THE WOLVES, as ever .... enjoy the match!!
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StumbleuponMatch Thread: Wolves v Besiktas (Europa League)
Discussion started by Wolves , 12/12/2019 18:05
Wolves
12/12/2019 18:05
12/12/2019 18:05
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019:12:27:11:16:28 by Cheshire wolf.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019:12:27:11:16:28 by Cheshire wolf.
As for the team selection, not as massive change from Nuno's general thinking, perhaps with the exception of Raymond Buur. A good player for a cold night. 
To be honest I'd forgotten he was still around, though remember his goal headed at the South Bank end in our promotion winning season.
Obviously the bench is full of kids, including 23 year old rookie Diogo Jota!
UTW!
To be honest I'd forgotten he was still around, though remember his goal headed at the South Bank end in our promotion winning season.
Obviously the bench is full of kids, including 23 year old rookie Diogo Jota!
UTW!
I have to say I think that’s a fair starting Xl Ivy. Lots of experience in midfield and defence with a good chance for the youngsters included too. Oscar Buur scores last time I remember him playing, Kilman had a good game against Sheffield United, and Neto and Cutrone up front know what needs to be done.
Quote:Ivybridge Wolf
As for the team selection, not as massive change from Nuno's general thinking, perhaps with the exception of Raymond Buur. A good player for a cold night.
Raymond Buur - didn't he used to play Perry Mason and Ironside??? LOl!!
Buur - caught on camera just after hearing the good new about his selection in tonights match
First test for Ruddy from distance - no problem. First shot at goal for Wolves from Joao but easily collected
Neves forward to Cutrone who is unlucky not to feed Neto for a good chance
More excellent forward play by Neves but Donk just can't get on the end of it. Cool calm play from Coady typically at the back too
Well, I’ve got the Wolves commentary and pictures which are 10 seconds out. The good news about the commentary is that Thommo is summarising.
We look promising so far, no massive chances either way.
Good cross from Vinagre just catches a defenders boot. Could have ended up anywhere, landed in the keepers arms
We look promising so far, no massive chances either way.
Good cross from Vinagre just catches a defenders boot. Could have ended up anywhere, landed in the keepers arms
Cutrone had a great opportunity but flagged off, not necessarily correct
Vinagre intercepts a poor clearance from B'tas goalie and passes to Cutrone but he's offside. No excuse for it!! As a stand-in for the suspended Jimenez he is still a bit lightweight much of the time
Thought Vinagre was as much to blame as Cutrone - poor offside and pass timing / selection
Cutrone puts it in the net but offside again. Now B'tas have a corner cleared by Coady. Donk fouled in full flow after good cross field pass by Cutrone. Free kick in a good position for Neves but it's an easy collect for their keeper
Wolves struggling to get some control in this game so far. They have had a lot of possession but it's unproductive. Oskar Burr looking confident and doing some good work on the right side
It’s settled into a bit of a dull match. We don’t seem to be able to keep the ball in the areas that matter. Lack of urgency from Wolves
Donk is back to playing in midfield tonight and is not having much success their tbh
Blur lacks the confidence to shoot on the edge of the area after a deflection on Vinagre's cross. Passes to Neves and he puts it weigh over the bar
Kilman’s yellow was unnecessary, seemed to dive in.
Neves shoots, almost makes the top tier of the North Bank!! Sums it up
Neves shoots, almost makes the top tier of the North Bank!! Sums it up
Increasingly poor half the longer it progressed.
No magic I’m afraid.
Shame, Braga and Slovan Bratislava are drawing
No magic I’m afraid.
Shame, Braga and Slovan Bratislava are drawing
Half time. It started promisingly and deteriorated slowly. Typically Wolves are struggling to break down a side which is defending heavily. Clearly in view of the progress they have made in their league even though they are out of Europe after tonight they want to keep their momentum going.
Defence and midfield have been OK but no bit up front at all and no real ideas either. Wonder if Jota will make an appearance early on.
Defence and midfield have been OK but no bit up front at all and no real ideas either. Wonder if Jota will make an appearance early on.
Thought Moutinho was our best player by some distance. Vinagre was somewhat unimpressive.
We’ve off again. Start with an early corner blo0dy blazed over by Neto.
Then Vinagre gets a great cross in - the Donk failed to make anything of it.
We’ve off again. Start with an early corner blo0dy blazed over by Neto.
Then Vinagre gets a great cross in - the Donk failed to make anything of it.
Ruddy makes a good save even though it turns out to be offside. Risky play from Joao led to it. Up the other end play breaks down and Wolves think the ref is failing them!!
And Jota scores straight away after good work by Neto
Wolves 1 B'tas 0
Wolves 1 B'tas 0
Hahaha!
Jota on for 2 minutes and scores. Great flick from Cutrone. Good wing play and cross from Neto and Diogo plants home an excellent and not at all easy header!
Jota on for 2 minutes and scores. Great flick from Cutrone. Good wing play and cross from Neto and Diogo plants home an excellent and not at all easy header!
As things stand at present Wolves top the group
Good play from Vinagre up the left wing
Good play from Vinagre up the left wing
Donk unlucky to hit the post from the corner, then Kilman's header goes wide. Wolves looking much better so far this half.
Brilliant strike from Donk well saved but Jota is there again to make it 2 - 0
Well, well, well. A absolutely superb 25 yarder from the Donk, an outstanding, brilliant save onto the post ........ Diogo follows up!!!!!!
2-0
Just before Donk had hit the post with a reaction shot from 8 yards. We are looking so much better this half, Diogo the icing on the cake!
2-0
Just before Donk had hit the post with a reaction shot from 8 yards. We are looking so much better this half, Diogo the icing on the cake!
Much better and more confident forward play from Wolves earns another corner. Young Taylor Perry being prepared to come on. At last Donk gets the goal he deserves from a Joao corner
Wolves 3 B'tas 0
Wolves 3 B'tas 0
Brilliant attacking play especially from Buur to win the ball and cross it for Jota to convert for his hat trick
Wolves. 4 B'tas 0
Wolves. 4 B'tas 0
Raymond Buur cross, Jota hatrick in 11 minutes
Superb.
This is the game of the proverbial two halves
Superb.
This is the game of the proverbial two halves
After another excellent game Joao goes off for a rest ready to face Spurs and is replaced by 18 year old Taylor Perry
I’m now annoyed with Diogo. I made the 4.5 hour drive across to Brighton and he chose this match to get his hat trick ..... smarting about the chance which should have made it 2-0
Young midfielder Owen Otasowie replaces Leander Dendoncker, who had a poor first half but a superb second!!
Bratislava took the lead, then Braga equalised and now Braga take the lead so we are back to second in the group.
Vinagre's cross from the left is just too far ahead of Cutrone.
Vinagre's cross from the left is just too far ahead of Cutrone.
Otasowie hit the cross bar after a very good cross a few minutes ago.
Taylor Perry is from Kingswinford, didn’t realise, good to see a local lad in the side, a couple of miles down the road from me - originally.
Shame about Braga scoring twice, I’d like to win this group
Taylor Perry is from Kingswinford, didn’t realise, good to see a local lad in the side, a couple of miles down the road from me - originally.
Shame about Braga scoring twice, I’d like to win this group
Into the last ten minutes we go. Keeping fingers crossed that Bratislava will manage the draw!
Excellent break down the right wing by Neto and a super pass, which a defender puts out just before Cutrone can get to it. Corner goes out off Kilman
Neto put another great cross in, Cutrone just missed and last gasp defending denies Jota. Nothing from the corner
Jim Beglin commentating for BT says he has seen 3 of our Euro games this season and I still becoming a Wolves fan!!
Surprised anyones interested in this game - its a dead rubber. Im awaiting the poll result at 10 pm which will hopefully see Corbyn wiped out
Some impressive first team debuts by our youngsters tonight in the Europa Lge. Oskar Buur has been very confident and solid on the right side. Neto has had a good game overall, and Taylor and Otisowie have fitted into the midfield well to replavce two very senior players. Kilman has also been very efficient in defence with Voady & Bennett.
Three minutes added time to be played
Three minutes added time to be played
Winning the group is irrelevant as we are going to be playing the better teams at some stage and there is no guarantee of playing a weaker team. It has a feeling of a meaningless pre season friendly with both teams playing reserves .. roll on games that matter
Cutrone an inch or so with a good header in injury time.
It’s been a great half Angry, really good Wolves performance, interesting largely following Neves being subbed.
It’s been a great half Angry, really good Wolves performance, interesting largely following Neves being subbed.
Cutrone unlucky with a header from Neto's free kick, having just been booked with a defender for jostling each other.
That's it full time after an eleven minute hat trick for Diogo Jota, and Wolves are unlucky not to top the group after Braga score three at Bratislava.
Wolves 4 Besiktas 0
That's it full time after an eleven minute hat trick for Diogo Jota, and Wolves are unlucky not to top the group after Braga score three at Bratislava.
Wolves 4 Besiktas 0
I’ve said before that coming second shouldn’t be a major issue, just would’ve nice to win the league. I don’t think we’ve got anything to fear, just give it a go whoever we draw.
For the record Braga won 4-2.
For the record Braga won 4-2.
Just got home - great result - Jota seems to have found the way! Angry - looks like you might get your election wish!
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