Interesting Challenge

By Wolves
December 20 2022

So... the first challenge faced by Wolves new boss Julen Lopetegui is to beat the team at the bottom of the Football League at Molineux, in order to get his team into the 5th Round of this season's Carabao Cup

After the pleasing win over Leeds United in nthe last round under Steve Davis, Julen Lopetegui now has the task of taking on and beating a team struggling badly at the bottom of Division Two to proceed in the competition. Former Millwall and Cardiff Manager Neil Harris is struggling to get a win for his team in the League - their last League win was on 1st October - but they did beat Brentford away from home on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the 3rd round of this competition, so Wolves will be aware of the risk they run in this game.

The whole Wolves squad has been back in training for a week now, following the various exits from the World Cup, however Boubacar Traore and Jonny have been declared unfit for this game. The warm weather training games in Marbella may well have informed the Boss on his preferred starting formation and line-up. He used a back three in the second game, but we can only wonder whether he will revert to a back four for this game, and whether he will give José Sa a game - after not playing at all in Qatar - to warm him up for the Everton game. Ruben Neves played a major part in the Portugal games whereas Matheus Nunes only played a bit part so the latter may be given a warm-up this evening too. Similarly Raul Jimenez made substitute appearances only for Mexico, but popular thinking is that he will be on the bench with Diego Costa starting in attack.

Tonight's game will kick off at 7:45pm and - just like the other three matches being played - is not being screened by any of the regular channels. With the help of a decent stream this board will hope to post regular updates on how the game progresses. Board members are encouraged to post their own observations and join in the conversation. 

Match Thread: Carabao Cup 4th Round Wolves vs Gillingham FC

Discussion started by Wolves , 20/12/2022 13:55

Wolves
20/12/2022 13:55

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:01:08:16:20:35 by Cheshire wolf.

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Lupy
20/12/2022 15:08

Looking forward to this one not particularly in terms of results but more to see JL on the touchline for the first time. If he can get the squad to respond to his ideas and adapt when and where necessary we shouldn't have any difficulties progressing. The new era dawns.

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Risca TM
20/12/2022 16:20

Thanks for the preview.

I'm glad we can finally get going again, and I hope Julen gets off to a good a start so the prevailing mood of defeat and despair is replaced by the hope he's brought with him. I really hope we can score some goals, and the players start to look like they are enjoying themselves again.

I can't stop that nagging feeling that this a banana skin of clown shoe proportions, but I've always been a glass-almost-empty type.

UTW!

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 19:20

The boss seems to really rate Joe Hodge, and shows it by giving him a starting slot ahead of Nunes. otherwise a fairly predictable but strong team in preparation for Everton away. Line-up:

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Lupy
20/12/2022 19:34

Hesgoal has been taken down.

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Ivybridge Wolf
20/12/2022 19:54

Lots of USA law organisations attached to the link to Hesgoal now, oh dear, the Fed (or ilk) have caught up with them. Additionally the Wolves Live Commentary is not working for me.

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 19:58

As perhaps expected it all Wolves so far with 85% possession. Hodge passes to Bueno who puts a lovely ball in, and as Pod aims to shoot’s it’s taken off his foot for a corner which comes to nothing

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 20:03

More excellent play from Bueno to set up Hodge but his shot is deflected. Collins goes down twice in the area but referee Michael Salisbury gives nothing. Free kick for a foul on Hodge just outside their area.

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 20:04

Dreadful free kick across the pitch by Guedes which goes straight into touch.

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 20:10

4 shots on goal by Wolves so far but only 1 on target! Gods all flighted in by Bueno but Costa can’t get a decent contact on it. G’ham are parking the bus naturally so shooting opportunities are limited

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 20:12

Long pass from Neves to Jose just to keep him warm!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:20:20:14:53 by Cheshire wolf.

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 20:20

Semedo clearance gives G’ham their 1st corner which is well cleared by Costa. Another free kick just outside their area after a nudge on Joao. Neves over it this time and he puts it just wide

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 20:23

Some careless errors by Wolves defenders put Jose under pressure, but then some good build up play down both sides.
Just realised I didn’t do my prediction before kick off!!

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 20:26

Good play by Costa to set up Hodge then Pod but the defensive pack keep it out. Then Joao fluffs an attempt after being set up by Costa

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 20:30

Pod feeds Costa but Turner out fro goal quickly to smother it. Pod’s shot rebounds from Turner but Costa can’t get there first. Good play down left side and Guedes puts it on Joe Hodge’s head but he puts it wide

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 20:36

2 minutes to go to half time + one added minute. Guedes shot blocked for a corner which is put across to Neves, whose sublime shot comes back off the right post, as the half time whistle sounds.
A frustrating half for Wolves with the majority of play and all the attempts on goal through a packed defence. Most of the attacking down the left wing through Guedes and Bueno. Podence has been lively through the middle and Costa has been alert in the centre but they still can’t find the net, although Neves was very unlucky with his shot.

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chicagowolf
20/12/2022 20:41

Halftime 0-0 . Right at the end a Wolves corner gave Neves a chance for one of his thunderbolts, which hit the bar.
Gillingham; talk about Park The Bus.

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Risca TM
20/12/2022 20:43

Time for the new manager to step up and find a solution to this perennial problem of not scoring any goals?

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 20:50

Traore on for Hodge as we start 2nd half

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 20:55

Plenty of passing and movement but little progress into their box. Joao gets a shot away which goes out off Adama’s boot.

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 21:00

G’ham get their 2nd corner off Semedo, but too close to Jose.

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Risca TM
20/12/2022 21:00

Get it in the mixer! Or something. Anything.

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 21:01

HCH and Nunes ready to come on, replacing Joao and Guedes



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:20:21:03:57 by Cheshire wolf.

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 21:07

Semedo gets a shot away with his left foot and as always doing so it’s high and wide. The he tries a cross which is even higher and wider- dreadful!!

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 21:12

Gillingham are wasting time at every opportunity which is irritating JL. Adama puts an excellent cross in for Costa but he deflects it wide. Jimenez ready to come on surprisingly replacing Pod

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 21:16

Costa almost sets up Raul but he can’t get a shot away. Hugo B puts a corner on to Raul’s head but it goes just over the bar.

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 21:20

Nines puts a lovely ball in for Semedo but it’s saved by the Hallie with his foot. Corner comes in and a penalty is awarded for shirt pulling. Raul steps up and slots it.
Wolves 1 G’ham 0

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 21:27

Wolves putting some good moves together now. Costa off, Ait-Nouri on. Free kick to G’ham ends with Neves hurt in our area, but he should be OK hopefully as we have no more subs to make!!

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 21:31

Ruben concedes a foul & free kick just outside our area as G’hammseek an equal
Lister, but straight into Jose’s arms.

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 21:32

Into final minute of normal time, & another free kick to G’ham cleared.

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 21:34

Jose pumps a goal kick down to HCH who passes to RAN to slot it in.
Wolves 2 G’ham 0 - game over!

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 21:37

Great ball from Raul to find HCH who goes around the defender and gently lob sit over the goal!!!

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chicagowolf
20/12/2022 21:41

2-0 final after nice RAN strike. 100% for the new coach and a goal for Raul.
Everton will be terrified 😄

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Cheshire wolf
20/12/2022 21:42

All over and a win for Julen Lopetegui in his first game as Wolves move into the 5th round for the first time since 1995/96 season. Not the best match, but as expected G’ham defended in numbers, and we were unlucky at times. The impressive thing was how JL changed things with his substitutions, which ultimately led to Ait-Nouri getting his goal.
Good to see Raul back in action and taking the penalty with his usual confidence. Not sure how this will set us up for the trip to Everton, but a win won’t do us any harm, and at least JL used all our subs, so he could take a good look at 16 players in action.
Wolves 2 Gillingham 0

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Lupy
20/12/2022 21:55

Hmm. Not sure what to think. Against a team so far below us l think we should have done a lot better. In the end we won but the problem in the final third still exists.
Bueno did really well on the left just a shame that Semedo couldn't replicate the same attacking threat on the right, l don't think l saw him go past the defender once all night. Kilman seemed a bit nervy but Collins seemed quite steady.
Neves did the miles and tidied up, Hodge and Moutinho reasonably effective but Nunes coming on was an improvement. Great to see Raul on the scoresheet again and he seemed a bit more up for the fight. I do rate RAN so nice to see him get a goal.
Much tougher opposition looming and not sure l learnt much tonight just hope that JL did.

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Risca TM
20/12/2022 22:37

Breathes.

Onwards and upwards.

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Ivybridge Wolf
20/12/2022 23:18

Thanks for the write up and commentary Chesh.

It’s a win and a decent crowd of about 27,000 and vitally in the hat for a quarter final.

Sounded like a frustrating encounter overall versus a very poor Gillingham side rock bottom of the football league. Small steps, maybe but Everton away looks daunting at present though I expect our team will step up to the standard of the opposition.

I expect Lopetegui is relieved to get the win. So am I!!

UTW!

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