Supporters of Wolverhampton Wanderers have been reacting to a tweet from Tim Spiers which included a ‘shocking stat’ on the Old Gold.
On Tuesday night, the Athletic reporter shared a post which stated that the last time Wolves played in the Europa League, a 4-0 victory over Besiktas on 12th December (per BBC), was the last time that Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored first in a football match, which had some shocked.
Wolves are back in Europa League action on Thursday.
Since they last played in Europe (4-0 v Besiktas) they haven't scored first in a football match. pic.twitter.com/EEnHsZyJP7
— Tim Spiers (@TimSpiers) February 18, 2020
Shocking stat. We need to sort that out ASAP.
— Greg Cooper (@GeeCCee) February 18, 2020
It’s been a problem right from the start of the season. Too passive particularly at home. But we are a counter attacking team so it’s about finding the balance. Still don’t think we have found an answer to teams that sit in with ten men behind the ball
— Zackary Haynes (@zhaynes93) February 18, 2020
That’s because we can’t shoot or head straight ? need an extra striker ?
— marley ??? keep calm its only a tweet ??? (@Debby41Allen) February 19, 2020
Where do you believe to be the fault of Tim Spiers' stat?VAR, we've been ridiculously unlucky
Lack of depth, we need another striker
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However, in the club’s last outing, Wolves had looked to have scored first against Leicester City through Willy Boly, but Pedro Neto’s heel was adjudged to have been offside and the goal was ruled out by VAR (per BBC).
So, while some supporters were airing their disappointment over the stat itself, some fans had pinpointed what they thought to be the cause of Spiers’ tweet.
Apart from Leicester & twice against Utd, when they were VAR’d!!!
— Craig Gracey (@Gracey1970) February 19, 2020
That’s only cuz of var
— Tommy Logue (@tommy_logue) February 18, 2020
— Jason (@JasonJ1987) February 18, 2020
What do we think?
It is fair to say that Wolves have had more than their fair share of bad luck with VAR, which has led to supporters being encouraged to turn their backs whenever the system is in operation (per Express and Star).
However, the fault cannot solely lie with VAR and as some supporters alluded to, it may be in the fault of not having enough out-and-out striking options, with Raul Jimenez as the club’s only recognised first-team striker (per WhoScored).