Live @ http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/410185
One match ban enabled
On Wednesday 17th Wolves take on Newcastle United in Nanjing.
Wolves’ owners Fosun Group are creating a massive footprint for the club in China and it came as no surprise that when the squad arrived in Shanghai on Sunday they were greeted by a large group of Chinese fans wearing Wolves shirts.
On Monday the new away strip was unveiled at the opening of the Shanghai Wolves mega store, the first to be opened by the cub overseas. Although supporters from both clubs will have travelled from the UK to China, it is to be expected that Wolves will have the greater local support.
Thanks to the departure of Rafa Benitez and the club’s failure to appoint a replacement, the Magpies have arrived in China with Caretaker Manager Ben Dawson in charge. The former reserve team boss will be supported by ex-Leeds boss Neil Redfearn. In the meantime, back in the UK, the club are in talks with Steve Bruce and Sheffield Wednesday to try to agree a compensation package which will result in Bruce taking over as Benitez’s replacement.
Wolves squad is without 3 senior players. Raul Jimenez and Romain Saiss are both having a 2 week break after their recent international duties for Mexico and Morocco respectively. Wing back Matt Doherty suffered an injury during training and is receiving treatment back at Compton. As there have been no signings to date this summer, Nuno Espirito Santo has elected to take no fewer than eleven U23 players to make up the numbers.
Newcastle will also be fielding a very different side from the one that last met Wolves. Solomon Rondon, Ayoze Perez and Mo Diame are all gone. Florian Lejeune and DeAndre Yedlin are recovering from injuries and Christian Atsu and Miguel Almiron are not available due to international commitments. The Magpies squad will also be filled out with U23 players and reserves.
The game will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event with a kick off time of 11.00 am UK time.
Wolves v Magpies Match Preview [LIVE]
posted on 17/7/19
Great opportunity to boost our profile in China by beating the premier league champions.
Fosun looking to bribe city as we speak.
posted on 17/7/19
Won't be necessary Cinci
posted on 17/7/19
No match thread?? Cant get the staff.
Didnt sound like much of a work out for our boys, though good for the fitness in that heat. Pleased MGW got a goal.
Full time in t'other semi, 4-1 to City.
posted on 17/7/19
Disagree , I thought it was an excellent work out. To be so on our game in the first friendly of the summer is virtually unheard of. Lots of good performances including from Traore and Gibbs White who made the most of their first team chances. It was almost like we hadn’t had a break. And that in very testing humid conditions.
posted on 17/7/19
Agree Spangles. As a pre-season game I thought we did well. Much of the first half was reminiscent of last season, except with two player changes, both of whom did well.
Traore could get a few more starts this season if he could repeat that, but I'm not sure he ever had to make a defensive challenge, did he? MGW, we know he has talent, but any chances he gets will definitely not be as a stand in for Jiminez.
Very poor opposition though.
posted on 17/7/19
Hopefully MGW looks sharp again at the start of this season, he looked liked he got worse as last season went on for some reason after a promising start.
posted on 17/7/19
Yes wulfrun, MGW did well today despite playing out of position. And he took his goal really well. It’s probably not yet totally clear where his best position will be in the long term. Probably as an attacking midfield player but he is very mobile and could fit anywhere around the middle. He could probably compete with either Moutinho or Dendoncker in our current set up if he progresses
posted on 17/7/19
And Traore does ok as a wing back in games where we focus on attack. He could terrify the opposition in the early Europa games. But against strong opposition he would surely be found out defensively.
posted on 17/7/19
comment by Vicious Sid (U8869)
posted 5 hours, 39 minutes ago
more comments on a midweek pre-season friendly than one of halfwits prem games
halfwit out
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shut it fatso !
posted on 17/7/19
Good that we're looking sharp already. Much better than getting battered by Morecambe or Shrewsbury. We are at a later stage of preparation though than the mags, their first competitive game being over 3 weeks away, ours is next week.