Wolves Banter Mobile

17 Apr 2025 14:05:37
Vitor has said he doesn't need a lot of money for new signings Fuson will be jumping with joy. Vitor said you buy the right people you save a lot of money let's hope he's right.

17 Apr 2025 21:09:57
Fosun are just like any other business and want good value for money and why wouldn't they/us?
Most likely they've learnt from their earlier mistakes such as Fabio, Guedes and Nunes.
Good quality, young and enthusiastic players are out there and I am very optimistic with VP's experience and worldwide travel we'll find them.

17 Apr 2025 22:14:56
They should be looking at Cherki from Lyon, that boy can play! Perfect replacement for Cunha.

17 Apr 2025 07:39:12
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Manchester United Need To Recruit More From The Domestic Leagues

15 Apr 2025 14:19:40
{Ed's Note - Thefutureisoldgold1 has posted a new article entitled, Vitor Pereira Needs The Chance To Rebuild Wolverhampton Wanderers

15 Apr 2025 15:44:18
It's all were, was, ifs and maybes' at the mo Tfig, Fosun have remained relatively quiet in communication with us, the fans, only the glib 'wolves not the club for you if you want success' type comment sticks.
What will Fosun do? Sell up after cashing in? Pass control to a new interest? Continue in similar vein to what as been or actually give VP the time and resources to create?

We don't know and won't know unless
we have some statement of intent, or maybe we'll be just left wondering and hoping as we are now.

15 Apr 2025 15:50:00
This constant turnover of Players and Head Coach's has been a concern of mine for a number of years TFIOG.

You are, of course correct with your plea for a period of stability with just small adjustments to the squad as and when needed, form, injuries, etc. I've always believed the current policies were/are a race to the bottom and so it transpired, the question being, have lessons been learnt?

I certainly hope so, let's see what the Summer brings.

15 Apr 2025 20:10:46
Hi TFIOG1,
Firstly we should be thankful that we're still a premier league club. It was touch and go at one point, but barring a sequence of absolutely bizarre results we'll be ok this season and I actually fancy us to beat UTD on Sunday. You mentioned we lost kilman, Neto, Dawson and Lemina. We're they such a loss?
Dawson was becoming a liability, we're above WH now and who would you rather have Aga or Kilman? Lemina threw his toys out the pram and his best years were behind him. Our midfield is now far better without Lemina. Chelsea will be lucky to make champions league and Neto is not exactly idolised by their fans and I would say the same for WH fans and Kilman. Why would we sell Gomes and Andre as both have long contracts and neither has indicated they want to move. In short we now have a great defence, great midfield and ok attack. Nobody seems to mention we have H Bueno to return and so IF we need to sell one LWB we have a great replacement.
IMHO and I've said it before poor signings in the past has cost us dearly particularly Fabio and Guedes. We get rid of these and other players who aren't contributing and we don't need to sell anyone. IF Cuhna goes then that money gets reinvested to bring in other quality players. I'm confident that VP has already identified his targets and they don't have to cost £50Mill+ to be quality. Look at Spurs, WH and MUFC.
We should be in a far better position this summer than previous years. I'm not saying Fosun won't sell Wolves, but it's obvious they don't want to lose PL status and I suspect VP will be a bit more demanding than GON, but not have the sweet shop mentality of Lopetegi.
Not sure if you read the article, but Wolves had the 8th lowest expenditure on player agents this season and considering the current team we must be doing something right.

16 Apr 2025 10:07:33
Depending on the system or systems Vitor would like the team to play, I don't think we're far off a good team. If we're talking 433, gk needs addressing whatever we play but conventional right and left backs and CH cover. We're probably OK in midfield and a pacy striker/ winger to play alongside Strand Larson with Cunha at number 10.

This of course assumes no one leaves.

16 Apr 2025 14:36:26
Agree that we have to be very grateful to be pretty much assured of Prem football next season as we certainly were in trouble earlier on in the season.
As Long says all squads need a little turnover - I have previously suggested 3 to 4 a season to cover injuries, old age and loss of form.
Hence the difference between my 2 sides - last seasons and next seasons if no one else leaves- at 5 is perhaps only 1 or 2 more changes than I would like.
The players missing are Dawson - had to go due to old age and injuries. Hwang has to go due to loss of form and then Kilman, Neto and Lemina.
Kilman I can't complain about because the offer was just too good to turn down for a modest premier League CB. (The big errors were firstly not replacing wither Dawson or Kilman until Emmanuel arrived in Jan, {Yerson was an unproven kid with an horrific injury record}, and thinking that you could go to 4 at the back without a single experienced Premier league quality CB and 2fbs who are more comfortable going forwards than defending)
Note last season with Dawson and Kilman we were v tight at the back, (organised and solid), without Dawson and then later on Kilman we fell apart were disorganised, lacked shape and discipline and - given we had lost both of the aerial dominant CBs -  were hopeless from crosses and set pieces. Maybe it wasn't GON but Dawsons who kept it on track?
Lemina sadly was a victim of the sheer chaos that engulfed the club before Xmas. It appears he had some sort of breakdown. From being one of the best CMs in the Prem to being a very unhappy liability in 6 months. V sad and a damning indictment on GON and the club. Selling him for pennies on the pound, as we were forced to do, was a catastrophe! 
Neto however in my opinion was our best player last season and would still be a huge asset to the side now and next season. His poor form at Chelsea in my view, merely tells us he went to the wrong club. Wolves play quickly and would leave lots of grass in front of Neto - as Liverpool do for Salah - but Chelsea play very slowly and thus are often faced with a well set defence. Neto's game is based on receiving the ball early, beating his man and crossing for a CF to score. At Chelsea everything goes into Palmer and only comes out again rarely and slowly. They also struggle at CF so that even when he does his magic it often fails to  convert into a goal.
It works ok for them as a club  as Palmer, especially before Xmas, is sensational . But it hasn't helped Neto. 
As Ardunby says - as I did as well - if we don't lose anyone we could have a strong season. Vitor has 26 points from 16 games (circa 62 points in a full season) from a standing start. With a pre season maybe I was too conservative and we could challenge for Europe.
But that sadly almost certainly won't happen.
Cunha was lost during that period of chaos even if he is only transferred this summer and the club seemingly won't renew Semedo despite his obvious value and talent (and Vitor wanting him!).
However it may well be worse than this.Black asked why would we sell Andre and Gomes?
Sadly for the same reason we sold Neves, MGW, Neto, Kilman, Nunes etc etc etc.
The Premier league imposes a rule that you can only lose £105m over a 3 year period. Wolves lost £240m over the last 3 years, pre players sales, and thus had to sell players to remain compliant.
Unless Jeff can change this hopeless performance we will have to sell the better players to remain compliant going forwards and Andre and Gomes are excellent players!

16 Apr 2025 20:41:20
Hi TFIOG1,
It has been reported 'Birminham Live' that Wolves have actually started negotiations with Semado on a contract extension.
Regarding trading losses I've started to look at the accounts sheets which can easily be found online. They are as clear as mud, but I did pick up one thing and I type the end of the article as written re 2023/2024 accounts where it was reported Wolves lost £14Million after everything down from £67Million the previous year.

'After all the cost cutting Wolves still posted a £14 Million loss, but this was one of the better results to date in the premier league, where nearly half of the clubs lost more than £50 Million led by Manchester United's terrible £131 Million loss'

I realise this is just a snapshot of what goes on, but it does suggest (assuming like for like) that we're actually performing at least on par with the other PL clubs and maybe better than some.

17 Apr 2025 08:38:35
Excellent news re Semedo!
The £14m and £67m you quote is I assume lifted from the article in the express and star as in the actual published accounts the loss is only just over £10m and £64m i.e. slightly better still (see page 17 of accounts for both years).
However your comparison with other clubs is slightly disingenuous as Wolves only achieved those figures by selling
a ton of talent - Neves, Nunes, Collins, MGW etc etc making some £108m profit across the two years
Did the other clubs sell a number of their best players to achieve their outcome?
We have examined numerous clubs over the past few weeks as other posters have like you questioned the facts about Wolves financial mismanagement and the answer was no!
If my salary is £30, 000 a year and yours is £45, 000 but in each of the last 2 years a maiden aunt has died and left me £20k so that my income for each year has been £50, 000 am I doing better than you?
No as I will soon run out of aunts to leave me large cash lump sums!

17 Apr 2025 10:01:08
Excellent example, TFIOG. Thank you for that. Even my brain, normally a financial vacuum whenever talk strays into such matters, was able to follow it.

17 Apr 2025 17:25:43
Thanks TFIOG, a thoughtful article. I believe VP's success thus far is in getting players to play as a team and show their abilities. I also believe that they are enjoying their football. We do need a clear out, and it would be good to keep as much of the team VP wants as we possibly can. If VP can start next season in that way with maybe 1or2 new faces I would have high hopes for an enjoyable season. As you rightly say TFIOG Fosun could spoil the party. I am not sure this club could weather another relegation fight.

15 Apr 2025 12:30:28
So folks it looks like we are safe and can look forward to a Stella season in the Premier League next year.
After that game against Spurs I'm even more optimistic about it. The core of the team looks strong, Agbadou and Toti, Gomez and Andre and Strand Larsen.
Hope we can hang onto Doc and Bellegard.
So what do we need to do? If RAN goes the a left wingback also the same on the right if Semedo goes as predicted. Would have to say a replacement for both Sarabia and Guedes and Hwang however would not be surprised if Sarabia stays. The the Cunha question, let him go and get a very strong replacement in.

15 Apr 2025 13:20:16
Nando I hope we'll find Hugo bueno back for left cover, Lima hopefully proving good enough on right, we've got ricardo gomez too. A new striker to complement larsen and munetsi can find his true position of attacking midfield, a new GK maybe a real necessity tho. I think we could be in for a treat next season.

15 Apr 2025 14:00:18
I think the biggest question is 3 at the back or 4? We've seen in recent seasons an attempt to switch that has been abandoned to stay in the league. If there is a switch to a back 4 new fullbacks is a must as I'm not sure any of our current ones can play there effectively.

There should be room to evolve the squad, but the priority and type of signings will surely depend on the formation that the manager (or owners) want us to play next season.

17 Apr 2025 01:49:26
Looks like we might finally get some money from Fabio's sale.

14 Apr 2025 15:34:35
Here's a bold prediction. We will finish in the top ten next season.

14 Apr 2025 17:13:10
I don't doubt that Lostcity. A weight has been lifted off our shoulders with the appointment of VP. And we are not getting those VAR howlers against us as we did under Gary. I just wonder if there was more to those VAR decisions than met the eye? Did some people have it in for Gary? Outrageous if so. VP seems to command the respect that Gary didn't.

14 Apr 2025 17:24:24
Only if supported by Fosun.which is debatable

14 Apr 2025 17:50:16
If Cunha is sold, plus probably Sarabia and Guedes, possibly Semedo and of course Silva but they keep the rest, why not?

They will have to replace Cunha, of course, but with Bueno, Lima and Rodriguez waiting in the wings we don't look too badly off. Johnstone will also go but do we need 4 keepers in the squad?

Cunha's replacement will likely be another South American reasonably priced prospect but they are out there. Earlier in the season Wolves relied 100% on Cunha but of late VP seems to have got the team performing without him, with Strand Larsen coming more into his own.

Obviously, I'd prefer him to stay but Fosun's policies will likely preclude that so let's see what the Summer brings.

14 Apr 2025 18:11:29
I think Hwang might go also and possibly Doyle. Didn't even make the bench on Sunday. It'll be an interesting summer, but I'm very optimistic with our new manager.

14 Apr 2025 19:05:02
I think keeping J Gomes and Andre will be key, I can see high bids coming during the summer, will fosun be able to refuse things given the current state of global politics?

14 Apr 2025 19:41:27
Long, we definitely need a keeper. Possibly 2. Johnstone will leave Bentley and King are championship standard at best. And Sa is way too unpredictable and often a liability, with dreadful distribution.

14 Apr 2025 20:51:16
East totally agree with you on Bentley and King, they need to go but I just think 4 is a bit ott. I don't rate Johnstone either really but Sa tbf has pulled off some pretty good saves to keep us in games.

I think they will target a new keeper, just not sure where that leaves Sa, will he go or will he stay as a No 2?

14 Apr 2025 23:21:42
Johnstone was a strange signing, A total waste of time and money. Bentley and King are a waste of space. Sa is by far our best option, but we do need a viable back up, also a promising young keeper as our third choice.

15 Apr 2025 06:30:52
Totally agree on Johnstone LCW. He's either sick, injured or when he did play was useless. A complete waste of money. Unfortunately another player we'll probably struggle to offload and doubt we'll even break even if we do sell him.

15 Apr 2025 07:20:51
Review all the goals we've conceded this season, I suspect Sa was directly at fault for at least 10. Yes he's a good shot stopper, (but so is Johnstone on his day.) But as I said his distribution is rubbish, as is his decision making and positioning. You say he has kept us in games, well I'd say in the early part of the season, he's lost us a lot more games.

15 Apr 2025 09:44:33
Hi EMW2,
Difficult with Sa really. You say he cost us games in the early part of the season. Possibly but I think his confidence was shot to bits with the poor defence he had in front of him. I think we that defence it would have made any keeper look poor.

15 Apr 2025 10:00:18
Was it our keeper East or was it the woeful defence in front of him. The one area that Wolves, in fairness, completely improved at Xmas and look at the results since, with Sa playing his part in that.

It's all subjective I know but a ropey defence can make any goalkeeper look dodgy, but some do manage it unaided, like on Sunday.

15 Apr 2025 11:59:25
It's difficult to predict defensive errors, if the whole unit is not well drilled and acting together it's going to be hard work for any keeper.

15 Apr 2025 16:21:34
In my opinion the defense was jittery because of Sa rather than the other way around. It's hard enough to defend without having to be second guessing what your keeper is going to do next. Sa's unpredictableness hasn't only been early this campaign. It's been a long time I've been wincing at his performances.

15 Apr 2025 17:36:14
Have to agree with Long on this and the stats also back it up. Jose Sa is currently on 6 clean sheets this season, now 5 of those have come since VP (and Agbadou) have been at the club, that ain't just a coincidence! Other thing with this is how much do peeps want us to spend on a keeper? Cause both Sa and Johnstone cost £10m, so if we want an upgrade we will have to at least double that spend. In the grand scheme of our current transfer policy I just don't think it's a sensible way to spend money. I actually think Sa has been very decent since VP arrived, he's made some big saves in some big games. I think the interesting question actually is does Sa still want to leave cause that may decide things either way 👍