Scout Notes

West Brom revival starts with exploiting Wolves’ ongoing defensive issues

WOLVES 2-3 WEST BROM

  • Goals: Fabio Silva (£5.2m), Willy Boly (£5.4m)| Matheus Pereira (£5.6m) x2, Semi Ajayi (£4.8m)
  • Assists: Boly| Callum Robinson (£5.4m) x2, Kyle Bartley (£4.4m)
  • Bonus: Pereira x3, Boly x2, Silva x1, Robinson x1

Roll of the Dyce

Wolves’ defensive credentials remain under serious scrutiny as they conceded three goals at home to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Despite being able to draw on Leander Dendoncker (£4.7m) and Willy Boly (£5.4m) again following injury, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are still searching for a first clean sheet since Gameweek 7.

Set pieces proved the main issue for Wolves as they gave up two spot-kicks and the Baggies’ only non-penalty goal at Molineux started with a Dara O’Shea (£4.5m) throw-in.

Kyle Bartley (£4.4m) then won the flick-on which allowed Semi Ajayi (£4.8m) to loop a header over Rui Patricio (£5.4m).

Asked if West Brom had rehearsed the dead-ball routine, Sam Allardyce revealed:

“Yeah…Wolves’ stats are not that great on set-pieces. In saying that, we weren’t very good on set-pieces ourselves! But Wolves on set-pieces do let a lot of goals in. So we felt we could exploit that area. And in open play, I’m disappointed we didn’t score the chances we created but at least we created more than I’ve seen since I’ve been here.” – Sam Allardyce

Nuno knew what the Baggies would throw at his team, though Wolves were unable to deal with it.

“We knew [the set-piece threat would come]. We knew. We knew that West Brom [would] try to do these kind of things; throw-ins, long balls, set-pieces. And we didn’t defend well. Disappointing, frustrated with the way we played and the result. The beginning of the second half, we started very poorly. Two penalties and a throw-in [were West Brom’s goals]. We knew we required better defending. We must rectify it and do better.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

The Wolves manager is clearly in a desperate search for solutions to their problems considering the decisions he made on Saturday afternoon.

He made the surprise call of taking off captain and ever-present (when fit) central defender Conor Coady (£4.9m) in the 64th minute, replacing him with Rayan Aït-Nouri (£5.0m) in a tactical change.

“Options, options. We had Romain [Saiss] and [Willy] Boly, and we decided to go with Rayan [Ait-Nouri], the left-back. Simple decision.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

New no for Nuno

The Wolves boss stuck with a back four in Double Gameweek 19

Considering Wolves’ ongoing defensive problems, they have gone from a team FPL bosses looked to for shut-outs, to a side that may get targeted with opposition attacking assets.

With immediate fixtures against Chelsea (away), Crystal Palace (away) and Arsenal (home), there is further time to assess the deteriorating situation at Wolves, as players from those three teams may not be on the fantasy radar considering other fixtures.

It does seem, however, that Nuno will continue with a four-man defence. Wolves’ team-sheet graphic suggested a back three for West Brom’s visit but that did not prove to be the case. The Wolves manager said post-match:

“We think that a back four is better for us with the players we have. It is time to analyse and see what the next step forwards is.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

Willy Goaly

Willy Boly puts Wolves back in front in the first half

It was a tumultuous return to action for Willy Boly (£5.4m) at Molineux on Saturday.

The centre-back conceded the first of two penalties that Wolves gave up to West Brom.

Boly then turned a lovely pass around the corner of the West Brom defence in the opposite box, allowing Fabio Silva (£5.2m) to shoot past David Button (£4.0m).

And it was the Ivory Coast defender who put Wolves 2-1 up before half time, capitalising on a bouncing ball in the area to fire home.

Boly is unlikely to attract too many FPL investors, however, considering his price and Wolves’ aforementioned issues in defence.

Flat to the Mat

Matheus Pereira converts the first of two penalties

Matheus Pereira (£5.6m) twice converted from the penalty spot against Wolves, after fouls on Callum Robinson (£5.4m) by both Boly and Coady.

The West Brom winger, as with Boly, is unlikely to be a consideration for our squads at present. However, the Baggies do embark on a relatively favourable fixture run from Gameweek 25.

On the overall performance by his team, Allardyce mused:

“In the vast majority of that performance, I thought the plan and the way the lads carried out the tactics was excellent. It’s the best I’ve seen us in possession since I’ve been here. We [did] some good defending at Liverpool [in Gameweek 15] but from there on, we’ve been waiting to get the defending side right and getting the attacking side right. Apart from slipping up on a set-piece, or two set-pieces – a wide free-kick and a corner which put us on the back foot – I’d have to say the lads were excellent, [especially] in the second half. You could’ve felt that the heads would go down with the problems and the results we’ve had recently but they came bouncing back.” – Sam Allardyce


Wolves XI (4-3-3): Patricio; Saiss, Coady (Ait-Nouri 63′), Boly, Semedo; Dendoncker, Neves (Gibbs-White 59′), Moutinho (Cutrone 79′); Neto, Fabio Silva, A Traoré.

West Bromwich Albion XI (4-2-3-1): Button; Gibbs, Bartley, Ajayi, O’Shea; Livermore, Sawyers; Grosicki (Robson-Kanu 69′), M Pereira, Snodgrass, (Furlong 82′); C Robinson.

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1,119 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which GW was the earliest you read someone post "Season Over"?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Guessing some funny soul like Fudgy did it within 5 minutes of GW1 starting

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mine was week 1 with the fixtures and wildcarding into teams that didn't perform.

    3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I read myself post that last night - No James, Bamford blank, Soucek blank, Vardy blank, Vardy hobbling

    4. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure, but Mourinho assisted in ending mine with that Son troll. 😀

    5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      GW1

  2. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Spurs set up 343 to attack and break Sheffield United down from both sides?

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same play style no matter what lineup they play.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I doubt it against Sheffield United.

        Mourinho knows the English game well enough to know his team have to take it to them.

    2. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Set to lead 1-0, sit on the lead, lose the lead. Like always

  3. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Oooohhh burn.
    Sky Sports presenter:
    “Jose seems happy doesn’t he? (then quickly says) see what he’s like when they drop points anyway.”

    1. Nimby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not very professional! Which one said that?

    2. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If they take the lead then drop points is what he actually said

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ah thanks mate. Can’t rewind as I’m on Now TV. But basically the same.

  4. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lol Spurs playing 5 at the back against a non existent Sheffield United team with the worst attack we’ve seen in the league in many years...

    What the hell is this mentality from Mourinho?

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Back 5 does not immediately mean defensive. See Atalanta.

      1. Dirty Leeds
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        True that but Mourinho simply means defensive.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      343

    3. Nimby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably decided that if he matches Sheff Utd formation his team's better quality will see him win.

    4. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's the wingback system, 3-5-2 or 3-4-3. He's tried this before, probably wanting to fit Doherty in.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yep. 343 from what I can see.

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Davies, Dier and Rodon in a back 3.

          Some width and plenty in the middle and upfront.

          1. Pukki Blinders
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Still playing 6 defenders in against Sheffield is a cowardly mentality. If the fullbacks play more as wingers than fullbacks then I will retract my statement

    5. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cowardly manager

    6. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Does it mean Pool play with 2 defenders if Fab and Hendo start at CB?

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Put it this way, I had 2 options for a -4 hit this week given that I didn't have any City players:

      A. DCL + Son 》 KDB + Brew
      B. DCL + Taylor 》 Antonio + Cancelo

      Of course I went A and played Bamford and Dallas. Son is guaranteed to haul today to rub more salt in the wound.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Okay

      2. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes similar situation.
        Not a great start so far to the DGW.

  5. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have TAA to move on. Best option?

    A. Coufal/Ogbonna
    B. Stones/Cancelo
    C. Justin
    D. Other

    Current defence is

    Mendy
    TAA Dias Regulion Dallas Targett

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

    3. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

    4. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

      If you don’t want double def, I’d go D (Digne)

    5. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B with Cancelo

    6. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd be tempted on C to be honest, infuriating not owning him and I don't like double ups in defence

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ty

        It is tempting me a fair bit. Generally aiming to spread the load and avoid unnecessary double ups. Very foreseeable that there'll be more fixture cancellations quite apart from other double up concerns

  6. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Matip plays according to Carra

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wow

  7. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I know I'm gonna end up regretting selling Son for KDB.

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same, see my comment a couple of posts above

    1. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Well never saw that coming!

    2. Nimby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That would be well annoying.

    3. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Glass broke again

    4. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not much new there, hope he starts and gets 60 but would take 30-40 off the bench

      • AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Pure speculation.

        Does that itk account have any track record?

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          He's one of the most reliable as far as I know

        2. Nimby
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          He does, yeah.

      • WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Haha this is why I kept 1m ITB when I brought him in! Can't argue that he was a good pick, should have had a hattrick and may get some minutes v West Brom

      • wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        jeez

      • Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        And play who instead? They have no one the clowns

      • Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Holly molly

    5. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mings out of isolation. Any other villa news.

      1. Hooky
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Mother, I tried please believe me
        I'm doing the best that I can
        I'm ashamed of the things I've been put through
        I'm ashamed of the person I am
        Isolation, isolation,…

        1. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Cover songs now eh Hooky

    6. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      As a spurs fan I’ll personally be annoyed if this is a repeat of previous weeks, I can see us coming out here and trying to score 2-3

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Or is that wishful thinking and mour won’t change

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          If you’re expecting more than 1 goal then you’re watching the wrong game

    7. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Did spurs buy Doherty just to make sure Wolves finish below them?

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes. Mourinho master stroke. 😀

    8. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Did any strongman and/or boxing fans watch Thor vs Ward? What do you think? Watched it last night and I thought Thor did well given the fact he was up against a pro, it was his first fight and he has been training less than 6 months

    9. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      New article

    10. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Let the horses run free now 🙂

    11. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane way off the pace today.