Express & Star

Wolves blog: Taking the positives from FA Cup heartache

It’s only natural that we’re all feeling gloomy this week after the Semi Final...writes Wolves blogger Tom Tracey.

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You almost felt nothing could stop the Wolves juggernaut over the last two seasons, and some had already etched Wolves’ name onto the FA Cup in their minds.

This was taken away from us in the cruellest of circumstances, but everyone associated with Wolves should take the positives out of what happened once the sadness subsides.

The day began as expected. Leaving the Midlands and arriving at Wembley, being able to take a look around the stadium’s huge perimeter was awe-inspiring. Yes, we’d played here against Spurs in the league, but this time, half of this famous ground was going to be Old Gold.

Wembley itself is a strange place, with high-rise buildings and cranes everywhere, with seemingly not much else (though there is still a Wimpy there!)

Once Wolves fans in the sports bar we were in before the game discovered the jukebox, the same set of songs were played in rotation - though on such a big occasion, how can you ever tire of Hi Ho Silver Lining, The Liquidator, Sweet Caroline, Wonder of You et al?

Raul Jimenez (AMA)

Walking along Wembley Way was special, and the pre-match sight of the Wolves mosaic against the Watford flags was stunning. This was never going to be a boring game like the Man City versus Brighton match the day before. Goals in matches involving Wolves are free-flowing at both ends of the pitch.

Wolves sadly never got into top gear all day, even when 2-0 up. They had spells in the first half, early on and then again towards the end of the half, when they scored, although this was still slightly against the run of play.

How many times this season have Wolves’ short corners come to nothing, only for one to go in on the big stage? When Matt Doherty, Wolves’ fitting goalscorer given his FA Cup record this season, headed in, you felt fate was on our side.

Goalscorer then turned provider, as Doherty’s free kick was taken down superbly by Raul Jimenez, before he volleyed into the goal. This guy is phenomenal, what a stunning finish. Regarding his goal celebration, Luther Blissett and Troy Deeney need to give it a rest. Watford won, what’s their concern? The mask was great to see, although sadly it was as good as it got.

Wolves struggled in the final section of the second half, but it took a moment of class from Gerard Deulofeu to bring Watford back into the game.

Wolves were clinging on, but you still thought they’d do it. Off came Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota, as Nuno tried to shore things up. But Leander Dendoncker gave away a penalty, and whatever you think of Troy Deeney, he was never going to miss this chance.

For me, Nuno got the substitutions wrong. When the game went into extra time, and Joao Moutinho also went off, Wolves’ chance at getting to the final dwindled. The team were stretched as Delofeu scored again, and that was that.

The players looked shellshocked and devastated - as did the fans. Watching John Ruddy and Nuno’s interviews after the game proved they felt the pain as much as we did and do.

But this is just the start for this great club’s return. The song is still, ‘We’re on our way back’, because we aren’t there yet. This is a huge learning curve for the team, they need to remember this day and use it to grow and improve.

Some of these players will likely be replaced in the summer, others will hopefully stay at the club for a long time. Our main objective now has to be to try and finish as high up the league as possible - seventh place may still mean Europe for Wolves next season (as long as Man City win the FA Cup).

Ruben Neves (AMA)

Our opponents this weekend, Southampton, have improved and have won three of their last five, losing to Man United and Liverpool. They’ll be eager to win and put more daylight between themselves and Cardiff in the relegation zone, so will not be an easy task.

Besides, if Wolves were in a mini league with the bottom six this season, they’d shockingly be bottom!

There are six games left for Wolves to try and make it count, and not let the knockdown by Watford become the knockout blow.