Wolves Fans' Verdict v Leicester: A vital win

John Lalley

Can’t stress too much the pivotal importance of this result. But getting carried is a non-starter. 

The overwhelming priority remains, which is to salvage something from the rubble of this season. 

Leicester’s deficiencies were glaringly exploited but that’s their problem and very much to our credit. Wolves facing the pressures of a game they could ill-afford to lose, rose to the occasion and finally buried the hoodoo of this stadium. 

More than most places, Wolves have suffered an excess of frustration from questionable decisions at the King Power, so this result is deeply satisfying. That said, far more challenging opposition – starting on Boxing Day - lies ahead, but it would be churlish in the extreme not to acknowledge the immediate impact of Vitor Pereira on this game. 

He won’t be deluding himself thinking that he has any special transformational powers, but he will be pleased with exerting sufficient influence from the outset to provide a structure and a sense of organisation to the team. The Portuguese allegiance saw the liberation of Goncalo Guedes who was simply outstanding. 

Criminally underused in recent weeks despite the energy and subtlety he has shown as a belated substitute, he might just be on the verge of fully unveiling his substantial range of talent. His goal, the result of a delightful assist from the captain Nelson Semedo. 

Rodrigo Gomes, a peripheral figure all season, weighs in with his first goal for the club. Jose Sa, angry and troubled of late, returns and keeps a clean sheet with genuine authority. Toti Gomes despite losing his balance and presenting a great chance for Vardy, has the presence of mind to recover rapidly and prevent a certain score with a clearance off the goal-line. 

This Iberian synergy might just be a coincidence, but it could prove to be significant. We were desperate for a fresh outlook and realistically we remain in deep trouble, but spirits have undeniably been lifted.

Clive Smith

Let's enjoy that. We might not be challenging for Europe but the win, the score, the points, much of the performance, and the atmosphere made it a grand day out.

How different did we look, well we've not turned into world beaters (Leicester were not very good), but there appeared a few tweaks that made us look better.