Wolves maintained their unbeaten run thanks to Sasa Kalajdzic’s late winner at Bournemouth at the weekend and Matchday Live Extra’s Andy Thompson was in position to give his post-match thoughts at the Vitality Stadium.
Dominance even before the red
Wolves were hard done by to be trailing at the break, so when they upped the intensity after the interval, they quickly hurt the hosts with the equaliser, before turning the screw and getting the winner later on.
Former Old Gold full-back and Hall of Famer Thompson said: “I said if they did it right, they’d get the right result. They were a bit sloppy in the first half, which allowed Bournemouth to get a bit too advanced up the pitch at times, and the goal typified that. Billing has that much time and space to pick out a pass and when they watch it again, they won’t be very happy with the way they conceded the goal. They had a lot of possession and play and had opportunities. Even before the sending off, the 11 they had were struggling with Wolves. It couldn’t have come at a better time from Cunha, it was a class finish. He’d struggled to get into the game in the first half but what a finish.”
Doyle’s influence off the bench
The key substitute was Tommy Doyle, replacing Joao Gomes at the break. Only two players made more passes than the youngster, who only played 45 minutes, and his positive display will give Gary O’Neil food for thought.
Thompson said: “You can see why they brought him to the club. I know he’s not had opportunities with Lemina and Gomes in there. When he came on, I know there was only ten players for a period of time, but you could see what kind of player he is, he was neat and tidy, he tried to thread balls and break the lines of the Bournemouth midfield and defence. I thought he did well.
“If I had one big complaint about this season so far, it would be that our play is too slow. It’s too slow to get teams to move around. The quicker you move the ball, the more opportunities you’re going to get. It allows teams to move across and mark because the ball’s moving too slow. As soon as you pick up the pace it’s a big concern for the opposition. That’s what Doyle was telling the team, they needed to speed it up, it was too slow. It shows his confidence.
“I think he’ll go back to the formation and players he normally does. It’s unfortunate for Doyle, but same as Doherty, he’s shown the manager what he can do. He’s got the manager to actually think about what the starting line-up will be next week. It’s nice he’s got an option. Players have come into the side – Doherty, Doyle, Traore – and given him a dilemma. It’s a great dilemma to have. I’m hoping it spurs the players on, so if they don’t perform, they’re not going to be playing. You’ve hoping the players who have the opportunity come in, perform, and it puts pressure on the manager and players.”
Only two players made more passes than @Tommy_Doyle8 on Saturday 🔢
— Wolves (@Wolves) October 23, 2023
Not bad for 45 minutes' work 😅 pic.twitter.com/h68dY2m6q4
Kalajdzic with the telling contribution
Kalajdzic was given the final eight minutes off the bench and made them count with the winning goal, calmly slotting home Hee Chan Hwang’s pass, showing the all-round game the Austrian possesses.
Thompson said: “The goalkeeper’s made a massive error trying to play out rather than waiting for everybody to get out of the area. He’s tried to play the ball quick to Billing and loses possession and the rest is history with the finish. It’s about making sure you’re effective. Would I start him? Probably not at the moment. I think the three he’s got he’s going to stick with, Cunha needs to do a bit more throughout the 90 minutes, but I don’t think he’s ready to start.”
Sasa's second late winner this season.
— Wolves (@Wolves) October 22, 2023
🇦🇹🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZwhrydqFbi
Hwang’s consistent form
Hwang’s assist for Kalajdzic was the latest big contribution for the South Korean, who has scored five times so far this season, and although he couldn’t add to his own tally, Thompson was impressed by the attacker once more.
Thompson said: “This year he seems a little bit more sturdy, more confident, and he’s getting his just rewards. He’s quick, he’s strong, and he’s showing his attributes now when he’s playing and that’s what people want to see. He looks a totally different player. There’s no doubting the qualities that he’s got, he can finish, he can play, he can run. He knows how to play the game. He had the vision to spot that ball, because if he passed it along the ball, it would get blocked, but he put it into his path. He’s got the goals and his performance and looking good as well.”
Doherty back in from the start
O’Neil revealed post-match that Doherty played through the pain barrier of a calf injury on Saturday, and in an ideal world wouldn’t have been risked, which displays the character of the Irishman, who was starting for Wolves in the Premier League for the first time in three years.
Thompson said: “I thought he did well. He doesn’t get fazed by anything and he’s experienced enough to know the position, he’s played it time and time again. He hit some great balls in the right. He had quality on the ball and gets in the right positions, and he gives you an outlet aerially as well. I’ve always liked him and this formation suits him, with three at the back. At one stage he got eight goals in two consecutive seasons – if you give him the ball in the right area, he’ll finish it off. Even though he looks laid back, he’s good on the ball and can pick a pass.
“He’s done himself no harm with the way he’s played. He defended well, he got in the right positions, he reads the game well and offers going forward. He’s more than done enough to give the manager a decision to make next week which is all he could do. Give the manager an option to pick him from his performance and that’s what he’s done.
“You go game by game. Keep the formation because everybody knows what it is. Sometimes you have to tweak the team and think about the opposition, but you don’t want to think about them too much so it ruins your own game. You’ve got to make sure when you pick a side it gives you a chance of winning the game, not just nullifying the other team.”
