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Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:41 pm
by Carwin261
Apart from the 1st 10 & the last 5 mins this has to be the worst performance under Kompany ,players dithering around with the ball ,2nd best to everything ,we’re going to get some real thrashing until we show some steel,another crap ball out from Trafford giving our winger no chance the ball comes back and they get a pen,only hope is that there may be three other teams with less fight ,Brownhill and Roberts who are supposed to be the dynamism in the team too easily giving the ball away Berge turning like a tank .


Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:43 pm
by cockneyclaret
Seriously!!! Have you watched who we're playing
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:49 pm
by Robbie_painter
cockneyclaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:43 pm
Seriously!!! Have you watched who we're playing
I don’t agree with the op but we can’t keep saying what you are saying every game,Wolves currently beating the champions of Europe btw.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:50 pm
by JimmyRobbo
Name of your autobiography?
Step back from the ledge. We're not as good as they are. Why would you expect us to beat them?
Our strength is that we have lots of speed and trickery on the bench for later in the season when those around us might not. No need to panic.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:57 pm
by Billyblah
Carwin on you're living in "cloud cuckoo land" . We were never going to get much against a team assembled by a billionaire Arab conglomerate.
We 're in the mini league competing in the lowest third part of the PL.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:00 pm
by HahaYeah
JimmyRobbo wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:50 pm
Name of your autobiography?

Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:03 pm
by Carwin261
Don’t care who we’re playing there’s no excuse for the lazy passing and be 2nd to the ball on every occasion,and I know it’s tough on the likes of Trafford but VK needs to have that Joe Hart moment and take him out of the firing line ok he made a couple of good saves ,but his contribution to the creative side of the team is a mile off Muric’s ,we can’t keep saying that we’re playing all the top teams and it’ll all even out against the Luton’s of this world,if we show that little fight against Luton they’ll overpowers us.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:04 pm
by KRBFC
I thought we competed well to remain in the game for so long, Berge was really good imo.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:07 pm
by Carwin261
Billyblah wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:57 pm
Carwin on you're living in "cloud cuckoo land" . We were never going to get much against a team assembled by a billionaire Arab conglomerate.
We 're in the mini league competing in the lowest third part of the PL.
So how do the likes of Wolves beat City and Brentford beat Arsenal and Crystal Pal beat Utd ,Al Dakeel and Beyer we thought were world beaters last season are now getting torn about every week ,
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:09 pm
by equinox
Trippier and Pope probably the difference, gggrrrrrrrrrrrr
Big and little fnckers!!!!!!
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:10 pm
by ElectroClaret
KRBFC wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:04 pm
I thought we competed well to remain in the game for so long, Berge was really good imo.
Don't disagree about Berge, but when we went one down,
did anybody seriously think we'd come back.
Not a hope.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:12 pm
by KRBFC
ElectroClaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:10 pm
Don't disagree about Berge, but when we went one down,
did anybody seriously think we'd come back.
Not a hope.
Nope, I thought we’d get beat comfortably before a ball was kicked. We just aren’t as good as a PL team in the Champs League unfortunately.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:12 pm
by DCWat
I just hope we start to see better from the likes of Cullen and Brownhill against the more beatable sides.
Our midfield looks slow in possession and the passing isn’t quick, sharp or often clever enough. Out of possession, we are all over the place, slow, weak and too small.
Whether or not Brownhill could step up remained a question from our last Premier League season, the same now applies to Cullen.
Games against the lesser teams will be the barometer of that.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:15 pm
by Superjohnnyfrancis
Trafford is playing so good he’s undroppable according to some


Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:16 pm
by jedi_master
Brownhill was never a Premier League player. Tries his best and a good squad option, but when you spend the money we have done we really shouldn’t be starting him. Not having a go at the lad on a personal level there, he’s been a great servant - just the way I see it.
Cullen I firmly believed would step up, but he’s undoubtedly struggled with the pace and strength of his peers at this level. Berge didn’t have a good game today in my opinion and hasn’t yet solidified a role in this side but I remain hopeful with him. We should certainly have bought another Centre mid though (I don’t include Ramsey in that assessment as he’s far more of an attacking player and doesn’t have the physicality to play in a two yet).
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:17 pm
by KRBFC
DCWat wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:12 pm
I just hope we start to see better from the likes of Cullen and Brownhill against the more beatable sides.
Our midfield looks slow in possession and the passing isn’t quick, sharp or often clever enough. Out of possession, we are all over the place, slow, weak and too small.
Whether or not Brownhill could step up remained a question from our last Premier League season, the same now applies to Cullen.
Games against the lesser teams will be the barometer of that.
Agree with this, we’re incredibly weak at full back and those two in midfield. Zero drive or quickness in thought from either of them, very static and ponderous. I got criticised for saying Brownhill wasn’t PL standard last time we were in this division, I just dont think he’s anywhere near good enough on the ball.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:19 pm
by Bin Ont Turf
I'd say more like, weak, too casual and inexperienced.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:19 pm
by Neil
DCWat wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:12 pm
I just hope we start to see better from the likes of Cullen and Brownhill against the more beatable sides.
Our midfield looks slow in possession and the passing isn’t quick, sharp or often clever enough. Out of possession, we are all over the place, slow, weak and too small.
Whether or not Brownhill could step up remained a question from our last Premier League season, the same now applies to Cullen.
Games against the lesser teams will be the barometer of that.
Midfield seriously short of creativity and panic under pressure as they are not good enough on the ball at this level.
We have lots of quick, skilful wide men but can't work enough openings to get them into good, attacking positions.
And while I'm there, why did he buy so many wide men?
I know it's been done to death but how the hell does he rotate them all?
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:20 pm
by DCWat
jedi_master wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:16 pm
Brownhill was never a Premier League player. Tries his best and a good squad option, but when you spend the money we have done we really shouldn’t be starting him. Not having a go at the lad on a personal level there, he’s been a great servant - just the way I see it.
Cullen I firmly believed would step up, but he’s undoubtedly struggled with the pace and strength of his peers at this level. Berge didn’t have a good game today in my opinion and hasn’t yet solidified a role in this side but I remain hopeful with him. We should certainly have bought another Centre mid though (I don’t include Ramsey in that assessment as he’s far more of an attacking player and doesn’t have the physicality to play in a two yet).
We needed another central midfielder based on the signings that we made (and a left back). We don’t have the quality required in midfield to play two wingers, a ten and a striker.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:20 pm
by NewClaret
KRBFC wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:12 pm
Nope, I thought we’d get beat comfortably before a ball was kicked. We just aren’t as good as a PL team in the Champs League unfortunately.
This is the issue - expectations.
Honestly, why anyone would think we could beat Champions League teams, top 4-8 quality, big City clubs witb Saudi state backing, away from home, with a team of largely 18-21 year olds who have never kicked a ball in this league… is, well, beyond me. I can’t work it out, but I imagine it’s because we’ve previously been more competitive with these teams. That’s because we had more experience in the side so errors like todays we’re not made.
Our guys need to learn from their mistakes today but never in a million years did I expect a win today and I’m quite pleased with how we played (bar the errors).
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:21 pm
by ksrclaret
Palace winning at Man Utd and Wolves beating Man City shows that competing against the upper PL teams isn’t the absolutely impossible task many would have us believe.
A pragmatic approach can work wonders sometimes. I wish we had that in us.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:22 pm
by Spijed
NewClaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:20 pm
This is the issue - expectations.
Honestly, why anyone would think we could beat Champions League teams, top 4-8 quality, big City clubs witb Saudi state backing, away from home, with a team of largely 18-21 year olds who have never kicked a ball in this league… is, well, beyond me. I can’t work it out, but I imagine it’s because we’ve previously been more competitive with these teams. That’s because we had more experience in the side so errors like todays we’re not made.
Our guys need to learn from their mistakes today but never in a million years did I expect a win today and I’m quite pleased with how we played (bar the errors).
Wolves just beat Man City.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:23 pm
by AlargeClaret
Personally thought they were a slightly better alround version of ourselves , a lot more streetwise and packed with quality and experience. Unlucky to lose to a pen and an error ( albeit a very sloppy one ) and another champs league team out the way . Do we need to improve ? of course .
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:24 pm
by Superjohnnyfrancis
KRBFC wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:17 pm
Agree with this, we’re incredibly weak at full back and those two in midfield. Zero drive or quickness in thought from either of them, very static and ponderous. I got criticised for saying Brownhill wasn’t PL standard last time we were in this division, I just dont think he’s anywhere near good enough on the ball.
I’ve been saying for years he constantly loses the ball in dangerous positions in the prem. Sounds like nothings changed. Wasted millions on twenty wingers when all we needed was a midfield enforcer.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:24 pm
by ksrclaret
NewClaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:20 pm
This is the issue - expectations.
Honestly, why anyone would think we could beat Champions League teams, top 4-8 quality, big City clubs witb Saudi state backing, away from home, with a team of largely 18-21 year olds who have never kicked a ball in this league… is, well, beyond me. I can’t work it out, but I imagine it’s because we’ve previously been more competitive with these teams. That’s because we had more experience in the side so errors like todays we’re not made.
Our guys need to learn from their mistakes today but never in a million years did I expect a win today and I’m quite pleased with how we played (bar the errors).
That’s the biggest issue.
We turned up with a team of 18-21 year olds and tried to out football the best pressing side in the league.
I’d be surprised if anyone expected a win but a sensible approach might have been within reality?
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:25 pm
by NewClaret
Spijed wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:22 pm
Wolves just beat Man City.
Wolves are by far more established Prem team with far more experience in their side.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:27 pm
by ElectroClaret
ksrclaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:21 pm
Palace winning at Man Utd and Wolves beating Man City shows that competing against the upper PL teams isn’t the absolutely impossible task many would have us believe.
Yes, it's an unarguable point.
I said before the game that a point would have been a good return, considering the nature of the opposition.
However, the way we're shaping up at the moment, it seems like that was too optimistic.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:27 pm
by jedi_master
NewClaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:20 pm
This is the issue - expectations.
Honestly, why anyone would think we could beat Champions League teams, top 4-8 quality, big City clubs witb Saudi state backing, away from home, with a team of largely 18-21 year olds who have never kicked a ball in this league… is, well, beyond me. I can’t work it out, but I imagine it’s because we’ve previously been more competitive with these teams. That’s because we had more experience in the side so errors like todays we’re not made.
Our guys need to learn from their mistakes today but never in a million years did I expect a win today and I’m quite pleased with how we played (bar the errors).
Fair points in the main (and sure, I don’t think anyone expected a result today), but the one point I’d have to take issue is with the age of our squad being a get out clause against expectation. The club and manager chose to pursue players of that profile who’ve never played at this level and lack the raw physical attributes of the players they’re up against. If we are effectively saying this squad simply cannot compete against the top seven or so due to recruitment, that’s a bit of a sad indictment of a £100m+ spend.
We definitely needed more of a mix in the summer. We need to try and stay in touch till January with an eye on a couple of wily types to help us out. I know we tried for Milner and he would have surely made a difference.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:27 pm
by tarkys_ears
Oh well, I've just cut the grass and forgotten all about it.
Onto the next one
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:27 pm
by NewClaret
ksrclaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:24 pm
That’s the biggest issue.
We turned up with a team of 18-21 year olds and tried to out football the best pressing side in the league.
I’d be surprised if anyone expected a win but a sensible approach might have been within reality?
What would you recommend?
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:27 pm
by Neil
NewClaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:25 pm
Wolves are by far more established Prem team with far more experience in their side.
We've had one season outside the prem and have chosen to assemble a squad without experience.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:27 pm
by Carwin261
NewClaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:20 pm
This is the issue - expectations.
Honestly, why anyone would think we could beat Champions League teams, top 4-8 quality, big City clubs witb Saudi state backing, away from home, with a team of largely 18-21 year olds who have never kicked a ball in this league… is, well, beyond me. I can’t work it out, but I imagine it’s because we’ve previously been more competitive with these teams. That’s because we had more experience in the side so errors like todays we’re not made.
Our guys need to learn from their mistakes today but never in a million years did I expect a win today and I’m quite pleased with how we played (bar the errors).
I think the team had made their mind up on the coach to the ground ,VK’s seems great at bringing subs on but doesn’t seem to react to what the other manager does Koleosho started really brightly ,but Howe but 2 men on him and nullified his threat ,so we should have had a spare man somewhere but we didn’t react .
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:28 pm
by RVclaret
ksrclaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:24 pm
That’s the biggest issue.
We turned up with a team of 18-21 year olds and tried to out football the best pressing side in the league.
I’d be surprised if anyone expected a win but a sensible approach might have been within reality?
To be fair Brentford turned up to Newcastle with a more pragmatic approach recently and still came away with 0 points and 0 goals. It’s tough.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:29 pm
by Nori1958
Carwin261 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:41 pm
Apart from the 1st 10 & the last 5 mins this has to be the worst performance under Kompany ,players dithering around with the ball ,2nd best to everything ,we’re going to get some real thrashing until we show some steel,another crap ball out from Trafford giving our winger no chance the ball comes back and they get a pen,only hope is that there may be three other teams with less fight ,Brownhill and Roberts who are supposed to be the dynamism in the team too easily giving the ball away Berge turning like a tank .

There are certain things you need to do after a loss
One is log off here, therefore not seeing over reactive posts like this. How do you cope with everyday life?
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:29 pm
by taio
ksrclaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:24 pm
That’s the biggest issue.
We turned up with a team of 18-21 year olds and tried to out football the best pressing side in the league.
I’d be surprised if anyone expected a win but a sensible approach might have been within reality?
Just come off. The reference to pressing is very astute among the usual noise. Howe's tactics with the pressing made this game easy for them.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:29 pm
by NewClaret
Neil wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:27 pm
We've had one season outside the prem and have chosen to assemble a squad without experience.
The year outside the Prem is irrelevant really because, as you say, our squad has completely changed.
Very true re: this being our choice and if you’re not on board with that then fine.
I am okay with it personally but accept it’s a strategy that has limitations.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:29 pm
by ksrclaret
NewClaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:27 pm
What would you recommend?
Sit deeper, allow them the ball in front, then play on the transitions and exploit our advantage of pace by hitting balls in behind Lacelles and Burn.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:30 pm
by Robbie_painter
Superjohnnyfrancis wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:15 pm
Trafford is playing so good he’s undroppable according to some

Our man of the match today.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:31 pm
by Jakubclaret
ksrclaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:21 pm
Palace winning at Man Utd and Wolves beating Man City shows that competing against the upper PL teams isn’t the absolutely impossible task many would have us believe.
A pragmatic approach can work wonders sometimes. I wish we had that in us.
I actually agree with you, far too many people seem to be resigned to defeat as a forgone conclusion there's nothing wrong with being realistic that the odds are against you, but constantly having the mindset it's impossible to get a result because of the quality of opposition just leads to no hope when hope should be there.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:33 pm
by ksrclaret
RVclaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:28 pm
To be fair Brentford turned up to Newcastle with a more pragmatic approach recently and still came away with 0 points and 0 goals. It’s tough.
I didn’t say we’d have got anything, but trying to play through that press time and time again? Madness.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:33 pm
by CombatClaret
NewClaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:20 pm
Our guys need to learn from their mistakes today but never in a million years did I expect a win today and I’m quite pleased with how we played (bar the errors).
City, United, Spurs, Arsenal, Villa, Liverpool, Newcastle
As individual teams no one expects wins, but we need to be able to get a couple points from them as a group. We're slowly working our way through them, writing games off before we kick a ball.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:33 pm
by Stayingup
Neil wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:27 pm
We've had one season outside the prem and have chosen to assemble a squad without experience.
Perhaps the management shoukd have gone all out to buy the three players who we had on loan last season. THB, Tella and of course Maatsen - although he wouldn't come - and not signed Trafford for example. All maybes. We'll have to see what develops now. Chin up!!!
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:34 pm
by NewClaret
ksrclaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:29 pm
Sit deeper, allow them the ball in front, then play on the transitions and exploit our advantage of pace by hitting balls in behind Lacelles and Burn.
I think we did that in huge portions of the game where we didn’t have the ball.
Every time we tried to expose Burn the final ball wasn’t good enough or our pace wasn’t the advantage we thought it was.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:34 pm
by Neil
NewClaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:29 pm
The year outside the Prem is irrelevant really because, as you say, our squad has completely changed.
Very true re: this being our choice and if you’re not on board with that then fine.
I am okay with it personally but accept it’s a strategy that has limitations.
I was really making the point that most have thought Wolves have been rubbish this season and are a contender for relegation.
But yes I'm on board with the strategy. However, I also understand its a very risky one and a hell of a lot of it depends on surviving the first season back.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:34 pm
by Newcastleclaret93
ksrclaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:21 pm
Palace winning at Man Utd and Wolves beating Man City shows that competing against the upper PL teams isn’t the absolutely impossible task many would have us believe.
A pragmatic approach can work wonders sometimes. I wish we had that in us.
We don’t usually agree but I think you’re spot on.
Ruling out 33% of the teams in the league because they are (top teams) makes staying in this league incredibly difficult.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:34 pm
by BurnleyFC
The recruitment was daft in the summer. Plenty of talent through the door but we neglected some priority positions.
It’s biting us on the arse big time.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:35 pm
by ArmchairDetective
I feel it's too early to get wound up about us losing to teams like City, Villa, Spurs, Man U and Newcastle. Life's too short and the season too long for that. Let's see where we are in a couple of months.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:36 pm
by NewClaret
CombatClaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:33 pm
City, United, Spurs, Arsenal, Villa, Liverpool, Newcastle
As individual teams no one expects wins, but we need to be able to get a couple points from them as a group. We're slowly working our way through them, writing games off before we kick a ball.
I honestly think for newly promoted sides these are unrealistic prospects. I feel we might be able to look at these games differently in a year or two though (if we stay up of course).
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:37 pm
by Superjohnnyfrancis
I don’t expect us to get any points from the top ten. If we don’t get many points from the bottom ten then we will go down. Playing players that aren’t good enough will not do us much good in the long run.
Re: Inept and spineless
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:37 pm
by ksrclaret
NewClaret wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:34 pm
I think we did that in huge portions of the game where we didn’t have the ball.
Every time we tried to expose Burn the final ball wasn’t good enough or our pace wasn’t the advantage we thought it was.
Not sure we ever played proper transitional football. We looked to keep the ball for too long before trying a ball in behind, and surprise surprise they were organised. And the number of times we lost the ball trying to play was ridiculous.
Agree that the final passes were poor.