Something in the Making: Lam Matteo

[Matt10]

Preseason: Friendly 1
Wolves v NAC Breda (NED)

1-1
Ebanks-Blake 72'
Gorter 92'
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Caution: Henry (Wolves)
Sent Off: None

Injured: Roberts (Wolves)

WOLVES UNABLE TO HOLD ON
Matteo pleased with Ebanks-Blake finish

Johnson Peoples, wolves.uk

Ebanks-Blake came on for the injured Roberts, and scored a beauty.

All was well until Gorter's fantastic chip over the rock solid Hahneman.

"We put up a good fight, it's just unfortunate that we couldn't taste victory. I'm pleased with all the players - this is exactly what this club needed after last year."

Next Match: v Karabuksp (Away)
Injury Notes: Striker, Stefan Roberts, has partially torn his MCL, will be out for 40 days.

Good start

Nervous, but fits the role well

"This was a milestone for my career in football. I'm excited it has started off in the right direction. If I didn't have grey hairs already, I'm surely getting some soon."

[Matt10]

Wolves News
7/15/21: The club has signed FC Dallas (MLS) midfielder, Brick Shea, for an undisclosed amount. The 25-year old has recently received his first international cap for the United States, and could be part of Hans Backe's World Cup squad next year.

7/16/21: Rumors have arised that Wolves manager, Lam Matteo, is also pursuing DC United shot stopper, Bill Hamid. Hamid has averaged a 1.96 average the last two seasons for the recent MLS Cup runner ups. Along with Hamid, teammate Chris Pontius is also on the radar.

7/17/21: Wolves have a friendly in Turkey against Karabuksp, after a strong showing last week Lam Matteo's side will be expected to come away with a victory.

[Matt10]

Preseason: Friendly 2
Karabukspor (TUR) v Wolves

0-0
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Caution: Jarvis (Wolves)
Sent Off: None
Injured: None

SCORELESS IN TURKEY
Despite dominating, Wolves unable to score

Johnson Peoples, wolves.uk

Kightly will be sure to finish the next one so he can move from the bench.

"It's been an exhausting trip, but we definitely needed this workout to prepare for the upcoming season. Good to see different types of football displayed, too bad we could not see any goals today."

Next Match: v Getafe (Home)
Injury Notes: None

Still no hiccups

The real test comes in a month

"Things are starting to come around. I don't have to say this team is gelling together, because they've been together for a number of years already - it's just adjusting to the fact that I'm the youngest manager they have seen. Haven't quite been galled "gaffer" just yet, haha."

[Matt10]

Wolves News
7/17/21: The club has signed DC United (MLS) striker, Chris Pontius. Pontius joins Brick Shea, who just signed earlier this week (and traveled to Turkey to play with the side). Pontius, 25 yrs old, can be used on the wings as well as up front as a target man.

7/18/21: Immediately following his teammate's signing, keeper Bill Hamid has officially signed with Wolves. Hamid will compete for the first spot behind 44-year old American Marcus Hahneman.

[Matt10]

Preseason: Friendly 3
Wolves v Getafe (ESP)

1-2
Pedro Rios 21'
Jarvis 45'
Pallardo 92'
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Caution: Jarvis (Wolves)
Sent Off: None
Injured: None

HEARTBREAKER
Wolves give up late goal to lose last friendly

Johnson Peoples, wolves.uk

Matt Jarvis equalized at the stroke of half time.

Pallardo's strong run paid off, resulting in a blast of a finish.

"There are no complaints about tonight's match. I'm ready for the Championship season in a couple of weeks. We played well tonight, and I think Wolves is going to impress some critics this year."

Next Match: v Barnsley (Home) - first league game
Injury Notes: None

Two Weeks

Matteo has his team, will there be an addition?

"I think the team is good where it's at right now. There are some tempting notions to sign a real standout player, but that is not what Wolves is all about. Plus, the funds they are requesting these days are beyond high."

[Matt10]

*ignore the date, I had to sim 5 years, storyline is that this is year 2020, if I had simmed 10 years, EA would only let me play 5 more years (out of 15)

[Matt10]

WINNING DEBUT
Matteo's first stint as manager nets all points

Shea scores a sitter, Henry makes an aggressive challenge, Jarvis scores the opener

Fixture 1: nPower Championship
Wolves v Barnsley

3-1
Jarvis 13'
Doyle 33'
Hammil 45'
Shea 62'

-----

Caution: Henry (Wolves) Hamill (Barnsley)

Sent Off: None
Injured: Hume (Barnsley)

Johnson Peoples, wolves.uk

Molineaux Stadium - Lam Matteo's name has been sung throughout the streets near the stadium, the youngest manager in the club's history at aged 30, has surpassed all expectation and taken Wolves to a comfortable victory over a strong Barnsley side 3-1.

Before the match Matteo was not expected to get off to a great start considering the side had look weary after a so-so preseason, which ended with a 2-1 loss to Getafe. Nonetheless, Wolves pressed forward, and each surging attack was led by American midfielder, Chris Pontius. Pontius was selected as man of the match for his work effort, being part of each goal Wolves scored. The offseason transfer from the MLS was listed as a high for his career, and he proved it today.

Wolves went ahead on a beautifully designed free kick play where Pontius played a short pass to a diagonal runner in Kevin Doyle, who's one touch pass to Matt Jarvis was enough for the Wolves faithful servant to blast from outside the box. The ball technology played tricks on Steele as the ball was struck with venom, but dipped at the last second, no chance for the Barnsley keeper.

Twenty minutes later, another strong breakaway for the Wolves attack, led by the piercing run of Ebanks-Blake, who sped into the penalty box, before cooly slotting a perfect pass to a wide open Kevin Doyle. The Irish international could not have had an easier goal, and it was 2-0 to Wolves; Molineaux Stadium was in tears of joy.

The visitors did manage a goal back when Hammil found just enough room at the top of the box, letting fly a hard curving, dipping ball with the outside of his foot. The ball screamed pass Hahneman, and Barnsley were within one goal at the end of the first half.

Matteo's instructions for the second half was obviously to defend the lead, but to counter when the chance arose.

The orders were heard loud and clear in the 63rd minute when Chris Pontius played a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Kevin Doyle, who had the speed to get into the box, and then seeing Shea's curling run into space, finding the American for the third goal of the match.

The final whistle was not audible, but the motion of the referee putting the device to his mouth was enough for Molineaux to erupt like a volcano of cheering for Wolves and Matteo - all mixed into one chant that signified how Wolves want to start this year.

"We put up a good fight today, and won. There is no better feeling than scoring two goals quickly - and then another for insurance. On top of that you get three different players scoring goals, it was a great day for Wolves."

Next Match: v Crewe Alexandra FC (Home - League Cup, 1st round)

Injury Notes: ST Roberts, 30 days till recovery (torn MCL)

Glory with Wolves

As a player he flourished with them, now manager?

"There is a lot of unknown tradition with Wolverhampton. They are seriously a rags to riches story, as a player I was honored to play with them, now I can truly make a difference as a manager though. I just hope they keep chanting my name in a good way."