Express & Star

The Joe Edwards debrief - Wolves 1 Southampton 1

It was not the most inspiring of performances – but Wolves’ draw with Southampton extended the unbeaten run in the Premier League to four games.

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Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have picked up 11 points from nine matches.

Refreshed Raul

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Raul Jimenez (right) receives a yellow card from referee Peter Bankes

So, let’s start with the massive positive from Saturday – Raul Jimenez’s persistence and productiveness.

Thankfully for Wolves – after he barely had a pre-season because of being the star man in Mexico’s Gold Cup win – Jimenez did not represent his country over the international break just gone.

That was because boss Tata Martino decided to rest all of the nation’s players who are at clubs in Europe.

And if I could, I would buy Martino a beer because Jimenez was great against the Saints.

Wolves’ No.9 was top-drawer against Manchester City before the break too, but you cannot help but feel the fact he did not have to travel over to North America helped him put in another impressive display.

Jimenez had two goals disallowed after VAR checks before eventually getting his name on the scoresheet via the penalty spot.

Him converting from 12 yards was never in doubt.

And his all-round play was of high quality – drawing fouls, dribbling at defenders, bringing others into play.

Jimenez will be feeling much better after ending a six-game drought, and the goal takes him to nine for the season – from 17 games in all competitions.

He scored 17 times in all competitions last term. I’m sure I’m not alone in being confident he’ll better that this time around.

Joy against Jesus

Jesus Vallejo of Wolverhampton Wanderers. (AMA/Sam Bagnall)

Right, we are going from Wolves’ best player on the day in Jimenez to the worst in Jesus Vallejo.

The Real Madrid loanee was very poor after coming on for the injured Ryan Bennett.

Ideally, you would just put it down as a bad day at the office for the Spanish centre-half. We all have them, after all.

However, there is a trend forming. Every time Vallejo has donned gold and black, he has been unconvincing.

He does not appear to be reading the game. He is reacting to everything – and a second or two too late.

The dreadful clearance which played a significant part in the visitors’ opener was one of many passes that went wayward.

And then almost every time a Saints man ran at him, they got past.

This display, in particular, raised sizeable question marks over whether Vallejo can cut it in the Premier League.

But it is not just the league he has struggled in.

He should have looked assured against Reading in the Carabao Cup, but he did not.

And even against Pyunik in Europa League qualifying at Molineux, he was a little uncomfortable.

It was hoped the loan signing of Vallejo, who helped Spain to European U21 Championship glory in the summer, would strengthen Wolves’ backline but, so far, he has been the weakest link.

If this continues to be the case, with Bennett and Romain Saiss both not fully fit at the moment, something must be done when the transfer window reopens in January, surely.

Traore targeted

Adama Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ryan Bertrand of Southampton. (AMA/Sam Bagnall)

Ryan Bertrand is an accomplished footballer – a Champions League winner who has a fair amount of England caps as well.

He is not going to give you much breathing room.

He will mark you tightly, and to beat him you must mix things up.

However, Adama Traore’s approach was a bit predictable and Bertrand – briefed to keep the Spaniard quiet, with the help of Nathan Redmond on the cover – won the battle.

Traore dropped short in an attempt to get on the ball and run at Bertrand.

And after some initial glory, Bertrand, who has a nice turn of pace too, was able to nullify the threat.

Traore, after stealing the show at City, is going to be targeted even more so by teams now.

And if he is out wide, cutting inside more often and looking to get on the end of through-balls would give whoever is tasked with marking him a tougher time.

Bertrand’s been around the block, and Traore played into his hands.

Jota joy

Diogo Jota of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Yan Velery of Southampton. (AMA/Sam Bagnall)

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.

And even though it had only been a few weeks without seeing Diogo Jota in a Wolves shirt, you could not help but smile when seeing him come on as a substitute.

He was typically tenacious once on the pitch as well, constantly bombing down the left and looking to make things happen.

Matt Doherty did a fine job off the bench as well, winning the penalty.

Some have suggested it was a dive. It was not a dive.

It was a player posing problems, seeing if someone would fall into the trap and trip him – and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg did just that.

He did not exactly hack down Doherty, but it was enough to break his stride and send him to the floor.

Good stuff from those two subs. Jota and Doherty definitely put themselves forward to be in from the off against Slovan Bratislava on Thursday.

Up next

Who's up next for Nuno's men? (AMA/Sam Bagnall)

And what a peculiar game it is set up to be.

A Uefa sanction ordering the game to be played behind-closed-doors because of previous racist behaviour from Slovan fans means the ground will be empty, right?

Nope. In line with Uefa rules, there will actually be 21,000 Slovan supporters made up of under-14s with an adult accompanying every 10. They get in for free too.

It will be their biggest attendance of the season – a full house.

Wolves, meanwhile, have only been able to sell 200 tickets at an eye-watering £55 each (price set by Slovan).

It is imbalanced to say the least. Slovan, although without their usual supporters and gate receipts, get a huge home support while Wolves’ fans have to pay through the nose for a ticket as well as paying to get over there.

It truly is baffling, but, hopefully, the small gold and black contingent who make the trip end up coming back home with plenty to shout about.