Our unbeaten run goes on as we take a point away at Wolves. A good performance from the Magpies, who dominated despite missing influential due Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimaraes.
Here come the ratings following the 1-1 draw at Molineux:
Nick Pope – 7 – Nothing he could do about the wonder goal by Neves, as he was left unsighted. Strong from crosses, good handling and quick off his line to cut out a few Wolves counter attacks.
Kieran Trippier – 7.5 – Set piece delivery was below his best, but he was creative from open play, playing some lovely balls down the line and getting on the ball a lot. Linked up nicely with Almiron, battled on well after picking up a knock and dealt with Neto well. Astonished he wasn’t given the final free kick of the game considering his record!
Fabian Schar – 6 – Booked for a foul on Neto in the second half which was checked by VAR and wasted a big chance to win it at the death as his free kick was dragged wide, but it was a steady display in the main.
Sven Botman – 8 – Definitely his best performance in the black and white for the Dutch rolls royce. Won all of hit aerial duels (four), got the better of Raul Jimenez – who couldn’t handle physicality – and showed quality in his passing out from the back.
Dan Burn – 6 – Struggled on the ball and isn’t a natural from an attacking point of view, meaning Saint-Maximin was often forced to go it alone down the left. Did a solid job defensively but looks much better in the middle.
Sean Longstaff – 5 – Filling in for the missing Bruno Guimaraes. Lost possession 16 times, only won one of his five duels and completed 78% of his passes. Made a fantastic interception, however, in the first half to deny Wolves a huge chance on the counter. Lacks consistency and quality to play in our midfield week in, week out. A poor performance on his 100th appearance from the local lad.
Joelinton – 7.5 – Made four tackles during the game, battled well and drove us forward, completing more dribbles than any other player on the pitch (4). Sometimes comes unstuck in the final third, but made four key passes and was a big presence in a midfield three that sometimes struggled without Bruno. Had more touches than any other player on the pitch.
Joe Willock – 6 – Missed a big chance at 0-0 to put us in the lead. Although the chance came to him fast, he should’ve done better and he knew it. Made some good runs and carries the ball well when he hits his stride, but could’ve done more to close down Neves’ shot at the other end.
Miguel Almiron – 7.5 – He’s very left-footed, but he was a constant pest down the right, looking confident on the ball, making some good runs and linking up nicely with Kieran Trippier. Was unfortunate to have a few well struck shots blocked and ran himself into the ground as always.
Allan Saint-Maximin – 8* – Was our dominant threat going forward all afternoon and never gave up in his battle with Nelson Semedo. Scored an absolute wonder goal late on the salvage a point – I bet he won’t score many better than that in his NUFC career! Hopefully his hamstring is OK after he hobbled off in injury time.
Chris Wood – 5 – Had just 13 touches all afternoon in the 65 minutes that he played. He works hard and puts himself about, but he never really looks like scoring. Good pro and handy as a third choice forward, but I’m unsure how he fits into our plans going forward.
SUBS:
Matt Targett – 6.5 – Subbed on for Burn in the 68th minute and immediately offered more threat going forward. Attempted six crosses (five more than Burn). Has a lot more influence on the game offensively than Burn. I think we will see him back in the first 11 next week.
Ryan Fraser – 7 – Completely changed the game when he came on in the 70th minute with his direct running and aggressive pressing. Two key passes and four crosses summed up a fantastic cameo for the Scotsman.
Jacob Murphy – N/A – Not on long enough to give a fair rating, but created the chance for the ASM goal with some good pressure down the right.
Elliot Anderson – N/A – He wasn’t on long, but he made a real impact. Won a few free kick – one right on the edge of the box – and almost won it for us as his header hit the bar. Looks confident on the ball and capable of making an impact.
Matt Ritchie – N/A – Replaced Saint-Maximin in the 99th minute.
Chris Wood has to go he looks lost most of the time.And what does it say about Howe taking him off without giving him a full match he must know he is Useless.Bad bit of business.Who ever recommended Wood should be Sacked £25 million for a Donkey.😂😂😂😂😂
Jonboy(Quote)
Wood, Longstaff shouldn’t be anywhere near the first team, Fraser and Anderson looked lively when they came on offering good movement and for once in a long time Murphy looked as though he could deliver a ball.
Almiron does he practice with his right foot in training? If not he should be and the coaches should be insisting he does good players should be able to instinctively play with both feet.
He allows defences to get back by constantly checking back onto his left and opportunities are wasted if he is not capable play him on the left.
Joseph(Quote)
It is beginning to annoy me this constant harping on about Miggy and his left footedness. No one seems to mention Salah in the same way even though he is also totally reliant on that left peg. “Why didn’t he shoot with his right” say the commentators when Miggy switches but nothing when Salah does exactly the same – the last perfect example was in the first half on Saturday when Salah cut back to take the shot on his favoured left and screwed it past the past when an earlier right footed shot would surely have been successful. No criticism from the commentators until Ian Wright on MOTD pointed it out. And what about the many right foot reliant players in the league which no one seems to notice!
2nytoon(Quote)
Howe also took off St Maximin, Almiron, Willock and Burn – should he also be getting rid of them?
Daveys **** mate(Quote)
This is a typical fan’s selective memory.
St Maximin hadonly 2 shots on goal, but one of them was a fluky wonder-strike so he gets an 8.
The rest of his performance, with all the falling over giving the ball away warranted a 4, but one lucky shot gets him an 8?
Daveys **** mate(Quote)
I would get rid of maximin he likes to trip himself up at the best of times and forget about the goal.Almiron get a good price get rid off.And Willock?Well cabbage Head seemed to get the best out of him so yeah sell those 3 and get reliable players? Anything else to quote Knob jockey?
Jonboy(Quote)