I'd say "offensively excellent" over-eggs it a bit actually. Better offensively than defensively certainly.
7pts from the last 3 games, isn't a bad tally, and on an unbeaten run. But, it does kinda feel like 2 pts dropped today, Wolves were there for the taking.
Before kick-off I would have been quite happy with a point but after watching it, I am disappointed we did not bag all 3 points - had the chances.
Loss of Normann early was a major blow. With him for 90 minutes I fancy the added impetus would have gof is the win.
BBC Final Score reported that we don’t have the striking quality to put teams away. Can’t see the AV lad Davis? making any difference. With only 7 goals scored so far this season this only supports this statement. Very frustrating match with us in the ascendancy in terms of chances, but without a goal. Away to NUFC on Tuesday this should be our best chance to get 3 points from them before the expected changes in playing personnel.
I think confidence is still a bit shaky, which means shots are being snatched at. The less we concede and the more we keep playing well, shooting will improve. Lets not forget we also just played a team in good form with a very settled, stingy defence. We did well to forge out some of the decent chances we did. And it was great to cut out the silly defensive errors second half.
I thought Rupp was excellent. His 7.3 rating on WhoScored was equal top for all of our players, which is amazing considering he didn't come on until the 35th minute. He took over Normann's role and looked solid defensively and in attack where he almost scored. IMO one of our best performances this season and we made a very good Wolves team look ordinary. A goal would have finished it off but still a good point to take the unbeaten run to 3 games. The clean sheet will boost our defensive confidence moving on to Newcastle. Yes there were some odd mistakes, but generally we were well organised and disciplined against some very skillful players. DS is making us a much tighter unit and once again we looked very solid against corners and dangerous with our own.
You guys must watch a completely different Aarons to me. He is rarely caught out of position, his covering is excellent and he also rarely gets beaten on the outside. He almost never makes a passing mistake (today’s poor pass to Krul was notable because he’s the only defender we have who hardly ever makes a mistake and despite some hammerings I don’t remember him putting a dangerous pass like that before this season). Offensively I think his crossing and decision making leaves a little bit to be desired sometimes, but the fact that he’s able to contribute offensively so much despite rarely being caught out of position is quite surprising. He also seems to be the consummate professional. And he’s what, 22? There’s a reason he’s been linked with big clubs. I think he’ll make the grade.
For the xG lovers, check it out https://understat.com/match/16505 And who put in the assist for our two best chances for Pukki and Aarons? Rupp…
Aarons is still only 21 and I agree with Rob that his game has matured to a solid PL standard. Our whole defence looked well organised and limited Wolves to 5 shots, none of which had a high xG (.3 overall). Smith and his team have been working overtime. We really did look to be a solid PL team today and Smith has only just started.
The first game in a while where we haven't winged it or ridden our luck too much. We bossed that game - especially the second half and I like how we are playing