Paul Merson has suggested that Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo disappointed him by setting his side up so defensively against Chelsea last week.
Wanderers managed to take a point from Stamford Bridge last Sunday, but Sky pundit Merson has been quick to express his displeasure at the boss’ approach.
Speaking on Soccer Saturday (Sky Sports News, 12pm, March 16th), he said: “Disappointed last week. That’s the first time I’ve seen him park the bus as a manager.
“I was shocked. Chelsea were there for them to take, and that’s the first time I’ve seem him park the bus.
“I thought ‘you’re not doing yourself any favours here’. That’s not like him. I hope he doesn’t fall back on that now.”
OPINION
Nuno has kind of painted himself into a corner in some respects. Wolves have become known for playing such exciting, attacking football under him, but that creates a rod for the manager’s back. As soon as he deviates from that progressive philosophy he is chastised for being too negative, when the reality of the situation is that there are times in top flight football when you have to go and be pragmatic, especially against the very top sides. There isn’t a side in the league, excepting perhaps Manchester City and maybe Liverpool, who haven’t gone into a game this season and tried to shut out the opposition to a larger extent than what they would usually be expected to. Thats just part and parcel of football at the top level, and a point at Chelsea, no matter how it is won, must be celebrated. It’s not like Wanderers fought for stalemate either. They took the lead, and were arguably unfortunate to conceded to a moment of Eden hazard magic late on. What would Merson prefer, they go one up and keep going for the jugular against a side who, if we’re being honest, are better than them? It wouldn’t make sense.