Former Wolves winger Michael Kightly has announced his retirement at the age of 33. Kightly made 425 career appearances, including 127 in gold and black, and played in the Premier League for Wolves, Stoke and Burnley. But he has decided to call it a day because he no longer feels he can do what he used to do. Basildon-born Kightly had a year left on his contract with Southend, where he started and finished his career, but felt it was the right decision to quit now. “It’s frustrating when your legs can’t do what they used to do,” said Kightly.…
Wolves midfielder Leander Dendoncker admitted seeing his goal chalked off at Leicester was hard to take but he accepts the new rules. The Belgium international thought he had put Nuno Espirito Santo’s side ahead at the King Power Stadium after he fired home from eight yards, but his initial header hit the arm of the unsighted Willy Boly beforehand, rendering it void under new rules brought in this season which state goals cannot be allowed after a handball in the build-up. “We fought really hard to keep a clean sheet, and then we managed to score, but it got cancelled…
Kenny Hibbitt understands Wolves fans’ frustrations but insists his old club can have no complaints at their disallowed goal at Leicester. The Molineux legend, now one of the Premier League’s longest-serving referees assessors, was in the stands at the King Power Stadium for Sunday’s 0-0 draw. The 68-year-old watched as Leander Dendoncker’s effort was ruled out by VAR after an accidental handball from Willy Boly was spotted in the build-up. Like all the Premier League managers and coaches, Hibbitt has been shown the workings of VAR and the new rule changes this summer. The former midfielder believes the decision followed…
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo is concerned VAR could ruin the game. Nuno’s side had a goal disallowed in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Leicester after VAR ruled Willy Boly had handballed before Leander Dendoncker fired home at the King Power Stadium. New rules state if a goal is scored after any handball in the build-up, it must be disallowed. Nuno went into the game convinced VAR would improve the game. But events from Leicester have made him think differently. “I’ve been informed by my assistant that it’s probably handball from Boly, is it a handball?” said the Wolves head coach.…
Exasperated Conor Coady reckons players will have to play with their ‘hands chopped off’ in future after VAR disallowed a goal for Wolves at Leicester. Leander Dendonckder’s 51st-minute strike was chalked off after his header struck the arm of team-mate Willy Boly at point-blank range before the Belgian fired home. New rules state goals will not be allowed if there is a handball in the build-up. Coady felt the decision was harsh on Wolves. “They said VAR would clarify the situation but it hasn’t because I’ve come out and it’s the first thing I’m talking about,” said the Wolves captain.…
Leicester City 0 Wolves 0. A VAR decision robbed Wolves of victory at Leicester in their Premier League opener. Leander Dendoncker’s effort was ruled out by the new technology which has been introduced in the top flight this season after the Belgian’s header hit the arm of Willy Boly before he fired past Kasper Schmeichel from eight yards out. New rules state any handball in the build-up to a goal – whether it is accidental, as in this case, or not – have to be ruled out. Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, who confidently predicted VAR would be a success…
Matt Doherty is a better option at wing back than Adama Traore for Wolves. That’s the view of League Cup winner and regular summariser for BBC Radio WM, Mel Eves. Doherty got the nod for the 4-0 win at FC Pyunik on Thursday night in the Europa League – and scored the opener – when Traore missed out because he forgot his passport, and for Sunday’s opening Premier League clash at Leicester. Traore played in Doherty’s position when the Ireland international was injured for the two Europa ties against Crusaders and looked steady, setting up Diogo Jota for Wolves’ first…
Joe Gallagher has lifted the lid on his sacking from Wolves – and admits he was to blame. Almost 37 years since last pulling on a gold and black jersey, the former central defender regrets not appearing on a team photograph to promote new shirt sponsors Tatung. Gallagher arrived in the summer of 1981 as a big money signing at £350,000 from Birmingham City ready to add some much-needed experience to John Barnwell’s side after the departure of captain Emlyn Hughes and John McAlle that summer. It all started well, as Gallagher captained the team that beat Liverpool 1-0 on…
Matt Doherty insists Wolves can handle the pressures of thriving in the Premier League and in Europe. Wolves kick off their league campaign at Leicester on Sunday just three days after a gruelling 6,370-mile round trip to Armenia to face FC Pyunik. Players had electric stimulation on the plane to help with recovery after the 4-0 win. Nuno Espirito Santo’s small squad have already played three games this season in the Europa League and they face the return against Pyunik on Thursday before hosting Manchester United in their first Premier League home game of the campaign the following Monday. Doherty,…
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo has delivered his verdict on Leicester City, insisting they will be tough not once, but FIVE times. Nuno’s side face the Foxes at the King Power Stadium on Sunday hoping to get off to a promising start in their Premier League opener. Both sides have ambitions of trying to finish in the top six this season after Wolves ended seventh and Leicester in ninth, five points behind them. Brendan Rodgers’s side might have lost star defender Harry Maguire to Manchester United for £85m – a world record fee for a defender – but Nuno does…