Wolves progressed into the Emirates FA Cup fifth round on Sunday afternoon with professional display against Blackburn Rovers and the Matchday Live Extra team were in position to give their thoughts post-match.
Coming into the game off the back of a morale-boosting victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League last weekend, Wolves had to deal with some early Blackburn pressure before two goals in less than 100 seconds from Joao Gomes and Matheus Cunha put the result beyond any doubt.
Marshall Munetsi also came on to make his debut and came close to scoring with a hat-trick of near misses, and after the match, former Wolves full-back Andy Thompson discussed the positives which came out of the latest FA Cup triumph over Championship opposition.
Putting their name in the hat for the fifth round
“They did a very professional job in the end. Blackburn caused them a few problems – but nothing major – in the first half and that 20-minute spell that they had, but I just felt Wolves controlled the whole game.
“They were able to nullify the attacks from Blackburn and even though they got a goal disallowed for offside, a couple of chances in the first half, it was nothing major. Then in the second half, we did a professional job and just nullified Blackburn whenever they looked like they were going to cause problems.
“There were good decisions made by the manager with who he played at the back today, and I just thought we looked stronger and more accomplished. He took Santi off at half time and then Doherty came on and still does a good job. He’s been consistent when he’s been playing there and it’s a 2-0 victory and through to the fifth round of the cup.”
Not realising Gomes’ shot had gone in
“I was in the same boat as the fans! I thought he’d saved it for a second and then it all of a sudden materialised underneath him. It was going that slow I don’t think the goalkeeper could believe it either.
“The fans were delayed, I was unsure whether it was making it over the line, but it counts and we got that first goal. We probably eased our way back into the game during the first half and deserved it.”
Cunha adding an all-important second
“It was a great finish. It was a very similar situation to Bellegarde’s goal against Aston Villa last week, where he’s got an opportunity down that right hand side. They’re hard chances and hard shots because you’ve got a small target where you can aim at, but he made it look so easy by finishing it off, and that’s the quality and the class he’s got.
“He’s a good player and he’s our match winner. He can win matches on his own at times, but I’d still like to see him a bit more involved, especially when we have the ball, because I think that’s one of his strengths – running from deep with the ball. He hasn’t done it much today, but he’s important in front of goal and that’s what we need to win games. They’re the type of players that win you matches and he’s won us that game today.
“We want a player who is going to work not only with the ball, but without the ball and that’s what he did. He went out there and he helped his teammates out. But that’s what I want to see from him because his all-round game is good, and I’d still like to see more from him, but that’s a good start from him. Helping his teammates out, knowing his teammates on a yellow card so helping him out in a situation, and that’s what we want from him.”
Up for the battle 🇧🇷💪 pic.twitter.com/z3hHlildWt
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 10, 2025
January signings Munetsi and Agbadou impressing
“He [Munetsi] was building up those opportunities in front of goal! If anything, as a player, he’s probably a bit disappointed that he didn’t get at least one of them. When we saw the replay, one of them was a bit wider than I thought, but there’s no reason why he doesn’t hit the target.
“It was a great ball in and he’s got across the player and has an opportunity to get his head onto it, but again, it’s a good start from him and he looked lively.
“Agbadou at the back, I thought he had a good game again, he looks so solid at the back and he’s just what we needed. We needed somebody at the back who was going to strengthen that defence and he’s done really well.
“He just looks in control of all situations, and we saw one at the end where he was tussling with their lad and the ball never made it to the ground – the pair were pushing that hard against each other, it just got stuck.”
Going to Anfield full of confidence
“Two clean sheets on the bounce, and that wins you games. We’ve said this all season that we need to stop conceding goals, and we know it’s going to be a totally different game next week because you’re coming up against a formidable team in Liverpool, especially at Anfield as well.
“But it just gives you a confidence boost that you can defend, you can keep teams out, but although it’s going to be a different game next week, it gives you something to build on.
“Confidence is a massive thing when you’re playing in the side, and as a team, as a back line, as a keeper, they’re the things that you want. They’re the plusses you want in your game; scoring two goals, keeping a clean sheet, and keeping teams out, because Johnstone didn’t have a massive amount to do.”
Thompson was talking to Mikey Burrows on Wolves’ official post-match podcast, Matchday Live Extra, which is available to listen to now on all podcast providers.
