Wolves player ratings vs Ipswich Town, Gary O’Neil on the brink as two players get 1/10
Wolves welcomed Ipswich, their competitors in the battle against relegation, for what marked the most crucial match of the Premier League season to date.
Following defeats to Bournemouth, Everton, and West Ham, Gary O'Neil was lucky to still hold his position on the sidelines when his team faced Ipswich at Wolves.
The Old Gold have faced numerous critical matches lately, but this one was the most crucial. Unfortunately, it started off poorly, as some terrible defending allowed the opposing team to score first.
Chaplin's shot deflected off Toti Gomes and then Matt Doherty before finally crossing the goal line, all while the crowd at Molineux erupted in chants calling for O’Neil to be dismissed.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde had a great opportunity to score, but the French player sent the ball flying well over the crossbar. It wasn't until the 33rd minute that they finally managed their first shot on goal.
The first half was disappointing and filled with poor performance. The second half didn't show much improvement either, until Matheus Cunha scored with his less dominant left foot, assisted by substitute Goncalo Guedes.
Wolves appeared to be the team more likely to find the winning goal, thanks to the impact of substitute Tommy Doyle, who orchestrated play in midfield, along with the significant presence of Cunha.
As the match seemed headed for a 1-1 tie, Wolves faced their biggest weakness in the last moments of extra time when they allowed a goal from a corner kick. This setback significantly harmed their hopes of staying up, leaving O’Neil's job hanging by a thread once again.
Here’s how the players performed.
Wolves Player Ratings: Ipswich Match Review
Sam Johnstone: Four Key Highlights
Johnstone highlighted the issues O'Neil faces with his Wolves goalkeepers. The Englishman hurried out of his net before Ipswich netted their first goal and struggled with several crosses. While he did pull off some good saves, his overall performance was far from reassuring.
Nelson Semedo: A Star Turns 4
Semedo has been appointed as the new captain of Wolves, a decision that sparked some debate. However, he didn't exactly set the best example during the match. At 31 years old, he struggled against the strong Liam Delap, which contributed to Ipswich's opening goal. It seems he performs better in a right wing-back role.
Santi Bueno: A Star In The Making At 4
Bueno demonstrated his lack of experience at the top level. He played recklessly, making unnecessary tackles and conceding small fouls. His slow speed and limited movement are concerning.
Toti Gomes: A Talent To Watch
Toti had a shaky performance, frequently losing possession without much reason, and he failed to inspire confidence when defending. He was another player who struggled against the relentless attack from Delap.
Matt Doherty: A Look At His Career
Matt Doherty had an impressive performance against West Ham, demonstrating his potential as a key offensive player and even netting a goal. However, in this match, he struggled significantly, inadvertently scoring an own goal and failing to make an impact in the attack.
Mario Lemina: Five Key Highlights
This week, Lemina lost his captaincy following his poor behavior on Monday night. The midfielder committed several fouls, and when the team needed him to perform well, he really let them down.
A really frustrating display from the Brazilian player. At a time when Wolves needed some skill and creativity in midfield, he didn't deliver and was understandably substituted for Tommy Doyle at halftime.
Rayan Ait-Nouri: A Talented Rising Star
Ait-Nouri struggled defensively when matched up against Wes Burns, and he was lucky not to receive a yellow card for headbutting and lightly slapping Burns. Just moments later, he was booked and will be unavailable for the upcoming match against Leicester. His performance was disappointing and lacked professionalism.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde: A Rising Star
Wolves supporters may have wondered about his place in the starting lineup, especially with a two-man midfield in Gomes’ absence. The French player didn’t prove his worth on the field; he squandered a great opportunity by sending a shot over the bar and often seemed incapable of contributing to his team's offense.
Matheus Cunha: Player Rating Of 8
Cunha came to the rescue for Wolves yet again. While it wasn’t his finest performance in their gold kit, he once again proved to be their key player. He scored a fantastic goal with his weaker left foot and made several important plays near the end, forcing Arijanet into some crucial saves.
Jorgen Strand Larsen: A Look At 7 Highlights
On a challenging afternoon for Wolves, Strand Larsen showcased his positivity every time he got hold of the ball, posing a significant threat. The Norwegian was particularly unlucky not to find the back of the net in the closing moments, as his outstretched shot narrowly missed the post.
Tommy Doyle: A Talent To Watch At 7
Doyle had a significant impact in the midfield after coming on for Andre. He handled the ball effectively, taking charge of the game in the center and quickly moving the ball instead of keeping it too long. The Englishman has definitely earned his spot in the lineup.
Goncalo Guedes: A Strong Performance Rated 7
Guedes quickly made his presence felt in the second half after entering the match as a substitute by setting up a goal for Cunha.
