Player ratings vs. Wolves

A new season starts following a season like no other. It felt really good to have the fans back and see the old faces around me again. Dare I say it, it was even good to see the opposition fans back, bless ‘em.
I did plan to do a ratings article for the Villareal friendly, but after the Fofana injury I didn’t have the heart.

As for this match…

Schmeichel: 8 - Offered for confidence, positioning and trying to calm a match that threatened to escape us.
Pereira: 8 - Excellent in the first half and a constant threat. Lovely trick and cross for the goal. Second half more subdued.
Amartey: 6 - A mixed bag. Some good defending, a couple of bad mistakes that went unpunished. Not the kind of performance that will guarantee him a start in the next match.
Soyuncu: 7 - Went about his business sensibly, although I’m starting to have questions about his communication along the back line. Might need to learn to take more control this season.
Thomas: 7 - One really daft throw put Amartey in trouble, and he sometimes looked unsure whether to press or drop. But otherwise good, tough and it was pleasing to see his crossing return to quality.
Ndidi: 7 - Controlled the game well in the first half, got a little bypassed in the second after the formation change. Kept digging in as things got messy and looked secure on the ball.
Tielemans: 7 - Perhaps a game or two short in preparation, which is understandable, with a few loose passes and tiring late on. But still led the midfield well.
Perez: 6 - Has looked quite good in pre-season and started this match well, until some old habits started to return. Decent and watchful defensively, although couldn’t create much.
Maddison: 6 - Doesn’t look entirely fit to me, a bit heavy-legged. Still has good vision but injury questions remain.
Barnes: 6 - Had an enjoyable battle with Hoever in the first half, which came out as a score draw. More to come as he gains fitness but showed some good signs.
Vardy: 8 - Looked hungry today. Like the wolf, you might say. Good to see him taking shots first time again and got his reward at the end of the first half. Could have had more if some through balls had an extra few revs on them. Marginally my choice for our MOTM, although I wouldn’t argue with a choice of Ricardo.

Vestergaard: 6 - Has to be remembered that he hasn’t had much time with his new teammates, but initial impressions: Good passer through the lines; got strong-armed out of an aerial by Traore (fairly) and needs to do better there; looked nervous at times, but understandably so.
Soumaré: 5 - Was part of a second half midfield that struggled; he looked a bit off the pace to me, although I’m not sure the tactics helped him. Came on to provide some physical dominance and wasn’t able to do so.
Iheanacho: 7 - Diligent and effective, a man with new life breathed into him. Again, not sure the formation was right when he came on, but he did well with what he had.

As alluded to, the first half performance was good, the passing slick and with some good, creative moves - particularly down the right. We were deservedly in the lead at half time. The second half started slow and descended into something of a mess, partly with Wolves’ improved tactics and partly our own. It would be unfair to say we were hanging on, because that would imply some sort of influence on our part; ultimately Wolves didn’t have their shooting boots on. They didn’t look likely to finish higher than mid-table on that form but certainly shouldn’t have concerns about finishing lower either.

A note on VAR too: I’m well on record as hating it on principle because it takes away the moment of celebration. But if it has to be there, at least it was quick today. Stockley Park didn’t need to spend three minutes putting up offside lines, and the experience of VAR was better for it. It’ll be interesting actually see how tight particularly the Coady decision was on replay.