Wolves traveled to the south coast to take on Bournemouth for the second time in as many weeks. The Old Gold are looking to replicate their recent Premier League win and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Although there were some suggestions Vitor Pereira could name a weakened Wolves starting lineup against Bournemouth, the 56-year-old announced a strong team including star man Matheus Cunha.
There was one major change, though and for this player, things haven’t gone as he would have hoped.
READ: IFAB announces major rule change for 2025-26 season, it will affect Jose Sa the most
Sam Johnstone blamed for Evanilson’s FA Cup opener
Sam Johnstone was awarded just his 10th start of the season. The 31-year-old goalkeeper came in for number one Jose Sa.
Under pressure to perform, Johnstone would have been attempting to keep a clean sheet, just like Sa did at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League last month.
Unfortunately for the former Crystal Palace man, it took Evanilson just 30 minutes to open the scoring for Bournemouth.
The Brazilian was gifted an open net after Johnstone, who was way off his line, parried a strike from Antoine Semenyo, and fans didn’t waste any time criticising the back-up keeper for his poor positioning and decision making.
Such an easy goal to concede. Toti's got to do a bit better but why is Johnstone so far off his line to begin with?
— Dave (@daveazzopardi) March 1, 2025
Another fan added: “He’s not a serious goalkeeper. Good chance to stake a claim after Sa’s error last week and then switches off like that.”
Sam Johnstone's positioning is horrendous again…
— Luke Baker (@LukeBaker7) March 1, 2025
A fourth fan wrote: “Johnstone truly is abysmal.”
Other supporters on X, formerly Twitter, questioned what the goalkeeper was doing and why he was caught so far off his line.
What was Johnstone doing !!
— Jay 111 (@JayWilkes34) March 1, 2025
A new goalkeeper needed
While the January transfer window was dominated by Pereira’s need to sign a new centre-back and defensive midfielder, this summer will see the Old Gold go after wing-backs.
However, the goalkeeping position is one Wolves should be attentive to. Even though the club have four senior keepers on their books, none are really good enough.
Sa has been a good servant, but, at the age of 32, is well past his best. Next season will see him enter the final 12 months on his contract. He is unlikely to be offered a renewed deal, so looking to the future is a necessity.
Daniel Bentley and Tom King are nothing but emergency options with Johnstone once again proving he doesn’t have what it takes to takes the number one jersey.