Express & Star

The Tim Spiers debrief – Wolves 2 Bournemouth 0

Another game, another win for Wolves who made a bit of history at Molineux.

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Raul Jimenez and Ivan Cavaleiro were on target against a stubborn Bournemouth side on Saturday.

Case for the defence

The priority for Nuno Espirito Santo, week after week, is stopping the opposition from scoring.

After earning four clean sheets in five games earlier in the campaign, Wolves had gone eight matches without doing so – and this victory was built on defensive stability.

Wolves only gave away one clear-cut chance to the Cherries – and that was swiftly snuffed out by a superb last-ditch Conor Coady tackle.

Bournemouth fielded an attacking formation which included Junior Stanislas, Jordan Ibe, Joshua King and Ryan Fraser.

However, despite some jittery moments and a few occasions when Wolves failed to clear their lines, Nuno's team were resolute, organised and worked tremendously hard in very difficult conditions at Molineux.

“We dominated the ball... ultimately, they’re a team that don’t concede many goals,” Eddie Howe said. “I thought they defended well.”

Only the league’s best four teams – Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur – have conceded fewer goals than Nuno Espirito Santo’s team this term. Rui Patricio only had a couple of saves to make. The three players immediately in front of him offered almost perfect protection, with Ryan Bennett in particular excelling yet again, doing what he does best.

Like a trusty postman he keeps his shirt tucked in and gets the job done with minimal fuss.

A word too for Ruben Neves who instead of the artistry we know him for became a midfield destroyer, frequently intercepting the ball and covering the back three/five.

It was, as Mick McCarthy would say, a ‘reet good shift’ from Neves.

Rampant Raul

That's five goals for Raul Jimenez now, who was in the right place at the right time to turn in Diogo Jota’s deflected shot.

What a pity if Jota is injured – he had finally got into a groove with three effective performances which all included the end product of either a goal or an assist.

A hamstring strain comes at just the wrong time for him and Wolves. While Helder Costa, Adama Traore and Ivan Cavaleiro can all fill in, none of that trio have demanded selection with their performances of late, albeit we certainly know to back Cavaleiro to score in a one-on-one situation (unlike Costa).

Jimenez, though, was the star of this show, not only for his goal of course, but mostly for his relentless defending from the front.

His work rate is exceptional and he's so unselfish (the one man in the squad you can guarantee would pass on his last Rolo) but, unlike a number of other strikers we’ve seen at Molineux over the years, that doesn’t mean he lacks quality in front of goal, far from it.

Indeed, Jimenez is almost the complete package in terms of finishing, work ethic, strength and an ability to link the play.

Yes he’s not the most clinical, but five goals and five assists in an excellent return.

If he doubles that to 10 and 10 he’ll be worth the £30m (in today’s inflated market) Wolves can pay for him next summer.

Tweaky blinder

Morgan Gibbs-White has demanded selection with his performances – and demanded that Nuno change his beloved 3-4-3 formation slightly to accommodate him. That’s a huge feather in the teenager’s cap and, while Gibbs-White wasn’t at his best here, he did enough to trouble Bournemouth and make this an experiment worth pursuing.

He's such a lively presence in and around the final third, constantly looking to make things happen, get his head up and, like Jimenez, is far from selfish. It's a huge success story for Wolves' academy and Gibbs-White has quickly become a darling of the South Bank

You wonder, though, if Nuno may move Joao Moutinho to the ‘10’ role on Friday?

He has the intelligence to play there, if not the pace, and Gibbs-White’s workload will surely be managed to prevent him from burnout. Either way, they are good options to have. Personally I'd stick with MGW.

Jonny be good

We were told by the Spanish FA that Jonny Castro Otto would be sidelined for six weeks.

Either they were telling porkie pies or the Wolves medical team has worked wonder yet again.

The likeable wing-back was a bit ring rusty in the first half and conceded possession too easily, but he settled into the game and improved as it went on.

Importantly he proved his fitness ahead of Friday night, when his defensive nous will be tested to the limit.

Seventh heaven

Five years ago Wolves were losing 2-0 at home to MK Dons in League One.

These days they’re seventh in the Premier League and, tantalisingly, have plenty of room for improvement.

Several of their players aren’t at the top of their game yet – the likes of Neves, Costa and, until recently, Jota, haven’t played to their undoubted potential and £30m worth of signings in Adama Traore and Leander Dendoncker haven’t been integrated into the side.

With a couple of additions in January and improvements from a few key players, not least the forwards who we know can boost their goal tallies, who knows what this team can achieve in the coming months.

Friday night’s clash with Liverpool has possibly become the most eagerly-anticipated match of Wolves’ season.

A point will take Wolves to sixth above a flagging Manchester United and a win would end England's last unbeaten record (it wouldn't be the first time Wolves have done that, as Man United will remember well from 2011).

Most importantly, though, Wolves are establishing themselves in a pack of eight teams (separated by five points, from United in sixth to Brighton in 13th) who are increasingly unlikely to get sucked into a relegation battle – and are instead fighting for a top half finish or even a European spot. Indeed, Wolves are now 13 points clear of the relegation zone. Five defeats in six seems like a long time ago.

These are heady days to savour.

Final word

Star man: Raul Jimenez

The boss: Showing his adaptability

Fans: Sodden but noisy

Magic moment: Pure elation and relief when Cavaleiro's goal sealed it

In a word: Professional

Picture perfect:

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