Wolves Player Ratings vs Newcastle United: Arokodare Shows Promise, But Lack of Impact from Others Raises Concern
Wolverhampton Wanderers travelled to St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon to face off against Newcastle United in what turned out to be their most complete Premier League performance of the season so far — at least in the first half.
From the first whistle, Wolves came out with intensity and purpose, launching several attacking moves in the opening minutes. Newcastle responded in kind, creating a thrilling, fast-paced first half filled with chances at both ends. It was a refreshing change for Wolves supporters, who have been used to more tepid displays this season.
Head coach Vítor Pereira made bold decisions with his team selection, opting for five changes from the side that lost to Everton prior to the international break. Notably, Tolu Arokodare and Ladislav Krejci were handed their debuts, with fans eager to see what the new signings could bring to the squad.
Despite the lively first 30 minutes, it was Newcastle who found the breakthrough. Nick Woltemade, also on debut, opened the scoring with a well-placed header that ultimately proved to be the match-winner. Unfortunately, the second half failed to live up to the first, with both sides struggling to generate quality chances as the game became increasingly scrappy.
Here’s a closer look at how each Wolves player performed on the day:
Player Ratings
Sam Johnstone – 7/10
With José Sá sidelined due to illness, Johnstone was handed a rare start — and he didn’t disappoint. He made a crucial reflex save from close range after a dangerous long throw-in and generally handled his area well. While he had no chance with the goal — a bullet header — he was otherwise calm in possession and commanded his box with assurance.
Rodrigo Gomes – 6/10
Gomes, rewarded with a start thanks to his recent goal contributions, wasted no time in getting involved, testing the Newcastle keeper within the first minute. He continued to be a threat cutting inside from the left but lacked end product. A livelier presence than some, but he’ll feel he should have done more with the opportunities he had.
Yerson Mosquera – 7/10
Back from injury, Mosquera slotted in seamlessly. His ability to break the lines with his passing stood out, frequently bypassing Newcastle’s press and putting Wolves on the front foot. Defensively, he looked composed and handled his responsibilities with confidence.
Emmanuel Agbadou – 6/10
A mixed afternoon for Agbadou. While he should have done better in tracking the flight of the ball for Newcastle’s goal, it wasn’t a catastrophic error. In general play, he looked steadier than in previous performances and contributed to a defensively solid team effort.
Toti Gomes – 6/10
Toti, captaining the side, delivered a no-nonsense performance. Like many of his defensive colleagues, he had a relatively clean game apart from the goal conceded. His leadership and calmness were evident, even if he didn’t stand out individually.
Hugo Bueno – 6/10
Bueno benefited from Pereira’s tactical tweak to invert the wing-backs, allowing him more freedom to influence attacks. He took up smart positions and looked to link play, but struggled to deliver a decisive final ball. A solid but unspectacular outing.
Ladislav Krejci – 6/10
Thrust straight into the starting XI, Krejci was deployed as part of a midfield three despite being brought in as a defender. He made his presence felt early, clattering into Bruno Guimarães to pick up a yellow card, but generally showed good positional sense and calmness on the ball. His versatility could prove useful moving forward.
Andre – 5/10
One of Wolves’ quieter players on the pitch. Andre matched Newcastle’s midfield physically but failed to impose himself creatively or influence the flow of the game. He’ll need to offer more if he wants to cement his place in the lineup.
Joao Gomes – 6/10
A typically industrious display from Gomes, who covered a lot of ground and made life difficult for Newcastle’s midfielders. While he contributed defensively, he lacked the killer pass or forward run that could have made the difference.
Hwang Hee-chan – 5/10
A shadow of the player Wolves fans are used to seeing against Newcastle, Hwang was largely ineffective. Isolated for large spells and unable to get into dangerous areas, his lack of impact is becoming a concern if he’s to be a regular starter.
Tolu Arokodare – 6/10
The towering striker made a positive first impression. Unfazed by the presence of the equally massive Dan Burn, Arokodare used his physicality well and nearly marked his debut with a goal — only denied by a brilliant last-ditch block from Fabian Schär. Substituted just after the hour mark due to fitness concerns, his limited minutes showed enough to excite fans for what’s to come.
Substitutes
Jhon Arias – 5/10
As always, Arias didn’t shy away from a tackle and brought energy, but struggled to contribute in the final third. Decision-making let him down at key moments.
Marshall Munetsi – 5/10
Came on in midfield but failed to make any notable impact. His introduction felt overly conservative in a game that was crying out for creativity and attacking intent.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde – 5/10
Offered an occasional outlet on the break but lacked composure with his final ball. A frustrating cameo for a player capable of much more.
Fer Lopez – 5/10
Was introduced late and couldn’t really influence proceedings. His involvement was too limited to be judged fairly, but Pereira might regret not bringing him on earlier.
Jackson Tchatchoua – 5/10
Steady defensively, but offered very little going forward. Another late substitution that didn’t shift the game’s momentum.
Final Verdict
Despite the defeat, this was arguably one of Wolves’ more promising outings under Vítor Pereira, especially in the first half. The team showed structure, intensity, and some encouraging signs — particularly from debutants Arokodare and Krejci. However, the lack of end product and some underwhelming performances from key players like Hwang and Andre raise valid concerns moving forward.
The second half’s drop in tempo and creativity, coupled with uninspiring substitutions, ultimately left Wolves without a response after conceding. It’s clear that while progress is being made, consistency and sharper attacking play are still missing.
Wolves fans will hope the spark shown in the opening stages can be harnessed into more complete performances — and soon.