Nuno Espirito Santo has revealed Wolves players have been practising penalties – and replicating shootout conditions – ahead of their FA Cup third round replay at Manchester United. Wolves are aiming to knock United out of the competition for the second time in as many seasons after their 2-1 win in the quarter-final in 2018-19. Nuno is selecting a strong team and is leaving nothing to chance, even trying to replicate shootout scenario in training. “Every player took their penalties in practice,” he said. “In the eventuality that we go to overtime, we have to assess the players on the…
Nuno Espirito Santo believes Manchester United’s ticket pricing for their FA Cup third round replay is unfair on Wolves fans. Visiting supporters are being charged between £37 and £55 for a seat at Old Trafford, where Wolves have been allocated 3,048 tickets. Home supporters will pay between £13 and £46 for an equivalent seat. United fans paid a maximum of £35 for their seats for the first tie at Molineux. “Fifty-five pounds? It’s too much isn’t it? So I don’t agree,” said Nuno. “I would prefer fans do not pay too much but I cannot do anything about it. Make…
Wolves are still hopeful of signing two forwards before the January transfer window shuts – but they are not likely to be Thomas Lemar, Jarrod Bowen or Max Eggestein. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been heavily linked with a move for versatile Atletico Madrid forward Lemar this transfer window. But it’s understood the financial package for the 24-year-old France World Cup winner, who cost around £50m when he moved from Monaco in summer 2018, would be too expensive for Wolves at the moment. Wolves know of Lemar’s terms through his agent Jorge Mendes, but they backed off when they learned…
Manchester United are likely to be without seven players for the visit of Wolves in the FA Cup third round replay on Wednesday. Ashley Young looks set to miss out again while fellow full back Luke Shaw must be a doubt after feeling a tight hamstring in the warm-up before Saturday’s 4-0 win aganst Norwich, with Tahith Chong taking his place on the bench. Jesse Lingard’s involvement is also uncertain after he missed the Norwich game through illness. Eric Bailly made his comeback from injury in the Under-23s’ victory against Newcastle on Friday, along with Tim Fosu-Mensah, and will continue…
Wolves goalkeeper John Ruddy is relishing going to Manchester United after idolising legendary number one Peter Schmeichel as a kid. Ruddy grew up with the Great Dane and Ryan Giggs firm favourites, but is able to say he has beaten Sir Alex Ferguson’s United before, 1-0 in November 2012 when he was at Norwich. Now he is aiming to do the same again, in Wednesday’s FA Cup third round replay at Old Trafford. “You always look forward to going to places like Old Trafford. I make no secret I enjoyed watching United as a kid,” said the 33-year-old. “Peter Schmeichel…
Wolves ‘beast’ Adama Traore has been branded the fastest player in the world – and more difficult to mark than Cristiano Ronaldo. Traore came face to face with Newcastle left back Jetro Willems in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Molineux. The 25-year-old Dutch international, on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt, has faced five-times Balon D’Or winner Ronaldo, but admits Traore gave him the most difficult game he has had. “I have played against some very good players in my career, but no-one quite as fast as Traore,” said Willems. “He is unbelievable, definitely a beast. Not only is he incredibly fast, he…
Wolves U23s 0 Blackburn Rovers U23s 1 (Lyons 27) Wolves Under-23s fell to second bottom of Premier League 2 Division 1 after a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn made it consecutive losses. A Brad Lyons goal midway through the first half proved to be the difference between the sides at St Georges Park, despite Wolves boasting 68 per cent possession. The hosts made a bright start at the home of the England national teams, with the fixture switched there due to the pitch conditions at AFC Telford United’s New Bucks Head. Wolves had the chance to take the lead in the…
Ruben Neves admits Wolves must ‘find solutions’ to beat ‘defensive’ teams such as Newcastle. Wolves dominated the injury-hit Magpies, forcing two fine saves from Martin Dubravka through Raul Jimenez and Pedro Neto, while Matt Doherty had an effort cleared off the line by Matty Longstaff. Newcastle, who were without nine players going into the game, failed to force a chance after Miguel Almiron gave them a seventh-minute lead, which was quickly cancelled out by Leander Dendoncker. The Geordies lost Paul Dummett and Dwight Gayle to hamstring injuries by the 28th minute, while striker Joelinton played with a groin problem through…
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo admits he wants to bring some magic to Molineux to break down stubborn defences like Newcastle. Nuno’s side laboured to a 1-1 draw against the injury-hit Magpies on Saturday when Raul Jimenez and Pedro Neto were denied by two fine saves by Martin Dubravka and Matt Doherty’s shot was cleared off the line. Wolves have gone four games without a win in all competitions and are without attacker Diogo Jota, who will undergo a further scan on his leg injury next week. The Portugal international definitely misses Wednesday’s FA Cup third round replay away to…
Steve Bruce admitted Newcastle striker Joelinton played ‘lame’ to save the possibility of his team going down to 10 men in their 1-1 draw against Wolves at Molineux. Newcastle lost centre back Paul Dummett and striker Dwight Gayle to injury in the first 28 minutes, and although Joelinton suffered a groin injury, the £40m club record signing stayed on to prevent the Magpies having no further substitutes to use. He was eventually replaced by Andy Carroll with 11 minutes left. “We lost Dwight and Jo is basically lame, but he carried on,” said manager Bruce. “He should have come off…