As good as Wolves have been they can get better.
An air tight defence has got us where we are with only 6 goals conceded. The teams around us in the table like Bournemouth, Leicester and our opponents tomorrow have all shipped twice as many while Man Utd have let in 14.
If the team remains as organised and resolute as it has been in recent weeks, it will be tough for anyone to find a way through.
But equally startling is the paucity of goals scored. 9 in 8 games is pretty measly when you consider the arsenal of attacking weapons at the team’s disposal.
I’m of the firm belief we will at some point get a more complete performance at both ends of the pitch, which is an exciting prospect to say the least.
Watford are the type of side who may allow us the openings so hopes are high it could be this weekend.
Watford
It always seems to be all or nothing with Watford, constantly straddling that line between unfathomable success and total failure.
After a rapid start, they’ve subsequently lost three of their last four and were completely swept aside by Bournemouth in their previous outing.
Javi Gracia said it was first game they didn’t really compete and I can believe him. They’ve got a compelling mixture of finesse and grit which makes them a dangerous proposition.
They’ve gone with two strikers in previous years and this season is no different with Troy Deeney and Wolverhampton-born Andre Gray leading the line.
With technicians like Will Hughes, Etienne Capoue and Roberto Pereyra tucked in behind alongside the powerful Abdoulaye Doucouré, they’re boasting some serious talent.
Incredible to think they also had Richarlison last season. The recruitment at the club has been outstanding in recent years.
Despite so many positive attributes consistency always seems to be an issue and they do concede goals, which is definite cause for optimism from our perspective.
I lifted the following from the match thread on a popular Watford fan forum.
Not got much hope for this game as wolves have played well in most games and one of our squad centre backs will be playing. 0-2.
Can’t see anything other than us getting a bit of a pasting I’m afraid.
Wolves seem to be this season’s Bournemouth – Lineker and his merry men fawning over them, saying how great their style of play is, what a great bloke their weirdy beardy manager is. As far as I’m concerned Espirito Santo’s greatest achievement is making me agree with Colin about his arrogance.
Yes, “a bit of a pasting” just about sums up my prediction. The forwards seem to have stopped scoring and the defence will be decimated. 3-0 wolves.
Play like we have done overall we may snag a point. They are looking like the sort of side to sit back and win games late on, either that or come back and get a result. Both of which we have are also more than capable of. Regardless of the actual result it’s more interesting to see the line up. Will Success start? Will Chalobah get a sniff? Will gray get dropped to second half sub? I really can’t see anything past a loss. If Gracia has us fired up from last fortnight we may grab a draw. Wolves are playing well and picking up points, we seem to of gone backwards not in terms of effort but goal scoring. Something Wolves have little trouble with. 1-3
The odds
Wolves are 3/4 favourites for the win, while Watford are 17/4 and the draw is 11/4. If you want to make some serious dosh probably best to place an accumulator with bet365 and try a few of the markets to pump up your returns. Jota is 5/1 for first goalscorer, while Andre Gray is 9/1 for the Hornets.
Wolves
Can anyone break the unbreakable starting XI? Wouldn’t seem likely this weekend unless injury rules someone out.
As others have suggested I do think Jota has found the going tough, but he’s obviously a player Nuno places a lot of trust in and is key to how the team is setup so I certainly won’t be calling for his omission.
That said, if Cav or Traore were to enter the team at his expense, it wouldn’t be the greatest surprise. The former has scored one and hit the bar in two cameo appearances and already looks up to speed.
Whoever starts, it would be nice to see us having a good go at a questionable Watford defence, weakened further by the suspension of Christian Kabasele.
Predictions
Well done to vicsmith who continues to lead the way in the Prediction League table after Gameweek 8 with Paddy Day, LukeW and Teddy Eley all within striking distance. View the full table here.
As always, you can join in by leaving your prediction in the comment thread below, which is where you’ll also find my best guess.
Up The Wolves!
Weirdy beardy? Arrogant? Agreeing with Colin? that fan is asking for a damn good thrashing, I hope he will be at Molineux to witness it!!!!
I’ve seen Watford play away a few times and been impressed. They dominated Fulham for a good hour at Craven Cottage and somehow ended up hanging on for a point. They also had a lot of good chances at Arsenal before going down 2-0.
I’m expecting them to cause us some grief going forward but leave spaces at the back so Wolves have to take their chances.
Should be a fun match and definitely one I feel confident Wolves are going to win if they submit their usual standard of performance.
I believe our rock of a defence will prevail!
Nuno is going to break the manager of the month curse and notch another 3 points.
Costa has managed to find the net for Portugal, that should boost his confidence and get him back to the levels he finished last season at. Opposition teams will be paying more attention to Doherty now that his profile has increased and that will play straight into Helder’s hands.
Cav and Traore as impact subs if needed.
Watford to me will always be a tinpot Elton John club with a lop-sided Rugby Union ground. Let’s stuff ’em!
Seems quite some time since we played and l’m really looking forward to getting back into it tomorrow.
No game is going to be easy but our expectancies should be a reality come 5pm with a further 3 points in the bag.
European football now being talked about; WOW. Initially it was survival, then top half.
I think what NES and the whole outfit have done, to date, far exceeds almost all of our expectations. The way the squad appears to be fearless, whoever they come up against, bar the nervy 1st game of the season, is really a sight to behold.
This season’s ride just gets better.
Watford are a decent team but not consistent enough so far this season. I’m never one to underestimate the opposition but we think we will win this one quite comfortably. Our players returning from their respective countries have made great impressions at national level this last week, we welcome their return back home and look forward to their experiences rubbing off on the rest of the squad. Let’s show the rest of the premier league that we’re Wolverhampton we ARE most definitely back…
Hoping our defence continue to be as tight as a ducks arse and we take a couple of the chances we are likely to create. Plenty of attacking options on the bench if required.
2 defenders suspended means our biggest win of the season to date.
Jota to open his account.
Jiminez
Costa
A home win for me.
Me too Bagsy.
COMBS!
Nuno arrogant ! Who is this cockney one eyed idiot ?
That’s it now ! I was going to take it easy on them but after that comment the gloves are off .
I would get a tad nervous about facing Liverpool or man city but Watford don’t raise my heartbeat by one .
Tomorrow we prove yet again how superior we are to the also rans.
We are no flash in the pan we are the real deal and you Mr Watford fan are going to have your mouth shut big style.
I think their defensive absentees could be key. Centre half suspended but also the left back, Holebas who has one goal and 4 assists, and takes their set-pieces I think. They also have a poor away record.
Hoping the club made sure Jiminez got a comfy bed on the plane back after his international exertions.
Thank god the international break is over.
Ahhhhh, and proper football resumes!!! Buzzing for this weekend again, some cracking games not least ours, nothing but a win in my view….
#FWAW
Complacency is the greatest threat but I don’t believe Nuno will allow that to happen.
Deeney will be a handful but I don’t see our back three being bullied. Hughes impressed me last season at Derby and it seems he’s carried that form into the prem.
But we have a confident squad and will I think achieve a narrow victory.
Going for the tried and tested formula of predict a draw and we win, so
Unless we take our chances Watford will cause a surprise. I am afraid the international break will cause rustiness. Hopefully we score another lucky last minute winner.
With the left side of their defence out in Christian Kabasele and Jose Holebas, our front three will be licking their lips. Really hope we see a confident Jota taking it to Watford tomorrow.
Capoue and Hughes both very good technicians but if our back 3 can deal with Deeney and Gray, then that’s the supply line cut off.
I can see Watford sneaking a goal but I think we’ll create much more than them.
Looking forward to a good win – would be nice to knock in a few goals.
Really hoping Costa or Jota, or both, can get on the scoresheet. Seeing as Costa did it for Portugal, I got him and Jimenez netting on either side of a Gray goal. Looking forward to this one.
I think Watford will blow out after 30 odd mins. Their 4-4-2 formation will mean they are outnumbered and struggle to get the ball off our technicians. The 2 up front is a bit of a different challenge to our defenders and they both are capable of causing problems. If we don’t concede early on I see us winning by the odd goal. 2-1.
Like Happy Wanderer above, I quite like Will Hughes, but if memory serves well, he was taken off during the game last year at their place because he couldn’t find a way through. Our back three are even more solid this season and are getting stronger by the week.
No matches are easy, this is the Premier league in the World for a reason, but what can’t speak, can’t lie, the table shows us 7th in the league.
So for me it’s a Wolves win.
Wolves 3
Watford 0
Been trying all week to plait snot, but can’t. Same outcome in my attempts to purchase away tickets so far this season. Will I get to see Wolves at Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Everton? Probably snot!
But …….. I will be there tomorrow.
I have missed 14 home games in 62 years and like you cant get an away ticket. A lot of supporters who have joined the fan base in the last 2 years seem to be able to get away tickets due to their loyalty over that period of time. Any views bloggers
It’s a hard one Treeman. You can’t please everyone. Seems you’ve got to be a STH to have any chance. I’m 200 miles from Wolvo and a STH is a no-go for me, so no away games either.
But they have to have some criteria to choose. Pity they can’t be shared around a little though.
We are stone cold certanties to get beaten tomorrow!
Why? Because Lawro has predicted that we’re going to win 2-0.
Be afraid, be very afraid.
Having said that, I’m not driving all the way from the wilds of Wiltshire to see anything less than a resounding Wolves victory, and even the crappest pundit can get a prediction right some of the time – take me for instance…. I did once…. I think.
Ergo, WE GO!!!
Same starting eleven, same fifteen or so minutes for Traore if we need an injection of rocket fuel.
Maybe longer for Cav, half an hour or so because I think that he will be the one who eventually levers out either Jota or Costa if they don’t start firing on all cylinders.
I can’t really see anything else but a win, so I’ll get behind Mark Lawrenson (somebody ought to, with a sharp stick) and go for 2-0.
See you all in the West Park Cafe prematch?
See you in APV for a post match coffee?
You bet your sweet bippy!!
Where did that quote come from? Answers on a postcard.
You tend to lose postcards!!
I did NOT lose the bloody postcard!!
I did NOT lose the bloody postcard!!
I did NOT lose the bloody postcard!!
I did NOT lose the bloody postcard!!
…Well, maybe a little bit.
Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-in
“Very interesting… But stupid”
Well, correct actually, but you know where I’m coming from.
Another 3 points
Home win, three more points
This is the nearest premier league team to my house
I don’t want to disrespect them as my wife and her entire family support them
But having read that bit about weird beard
And agreeing with Colin
Well fuck em
Wolves win 2 nil
Order vs Chaos
The system will prevail
Will we concede a goal ? thought no all week then come and here and waver for a 3-1, then thought again about Rui and the great deal.
I can’t see the Hornets suffering this bad run for much longer, they are a decent side. However I don’t think this Saturday will be their day. I fancy another big Willy goal this week and at 12-1 to score that’s a must for me.
Watford are a good side on their day, they will have noted how Saints smothered our midfield and as ever, the first goal is key. We have a very effective plan B and hoping for a win, but until we start to put more chances away, we will remain vulnerable to a lucky deflection/ own goal as we found out at Leicester. Initially good to hear the MOTD guys praising us but always better to be under the radar as they will be just as quick to rip into us if our standards drop.
I agree Woodend, 4-4-2 to stop Wolves playing so a tight game.
Result will be by an odd goal and later on in the game.
One of our flying wingers to get the winner in the last ten minutes.
As many have already said Watford are a good side and I fancy them to push us all the way tomorrow. I thnk the game could play out like the Palace game with it being a tight scrappy game that the Wolves win by a single goal.
Weirdy beardie Nuno? Karren Brady of West Ham seems to think it’s a sign of virility!
Sounds like she has the hots for him! Hands off our Saint Nuno, Ms Brady.
I can see an unchanged side for the ninth time, subject to any injury hangover from the international break. Joto will be persevered with, his quality must soon break through surely? Cav and Traore will be straining on the leash to come on though, I can only see one result, a Wolves win by a couple of goals. 2-0 or 3-1. Will go for the clean sheet.
Wolves to win 3-0.
All in the second half.
BOG
You okay mate,? Lol.
May see you tomorrow.
Hello Brompton
Good to hear from you bud.
Hope you are well.
Will be there tomorrow but our train is not due in until 1.37 so we are taking sandwiches.
How boring is that!
All the best
BOG
Hi Brompton
On reflection I think you may have me mixed up with your buddy Dave – Bedford Wolf.
I shall be travelling with Dave tomorrow by train to Wolverhampton.
At the moment I believe he is taking a sabbatical from the blog.
BOG
I’m finally going to cast off my hesitant shackles when it comes to predictions.
My… “still can’t believe how well we’re doing and it won’t be too long before we get beaten” … can go on hold now because Nuno has instilled a magnificent mindset into these boys that were going to win every game.
So tomorrow our weirdo with the beardo will be sticking his fingers up to the cheeky, insulting Watford git who likes Colin Wanker, the dinosaur…
Up yours mate…..
I know a few Watford fans, none of them are optimistic about getting a result at ours ……. I think we could for it tomorrow
Clive ?
Stroll on tomorrow…I hate these international breaks !
With a weakened defence and the pace of our attack , I cant see anything other than a Wolves win .
Just need to shackle Denny like we did with Zaha last time out
Hopefully Jota to get on the scoresheet………COYW
Watford on a losing streak.
International break.
Wolves on a not losing streak.
Manager of the Month.
All banana skins to slip on.
In the olden days.
This is the Golden days, we are NOT the Wolves of yesteryear, making the same old mistakes, worrying about the opposition to the point of scarediness, following the tried and trusted rule of if it can be cocked up, we will cock it up.
No, all that baggage has gone out the window, and we are writing a completely new history, and the quicker everyone realizes it, the better.
Watford?
What is that, other than a Gap on the M1?
Cannon fodder.
Deeney? Oxford English Dictionary literal translation…a carthorse.
I foresee a creaming, the first of many to come.
Our guys are gelling brilliantly, Cav’s toothpaste advertizing smile is back in all it’s radiance, all is well with the world.
Three points and top six.
FOwb
Weird beard?
Agreeing with Colin?
Just goes to prove how stupid some folks can get.
Hopefully same starting team for 9th time another clean sheet and 3 more points for us.
Fancy a high scoring game but our defenders are on a high at the moment so most will be in the Watford goal 4-1 wolves
2-1 Wolves.
I was reading some former Napoli (I think) player said that the reason Wolves have started so well is because Patricio signed for us rather than Napoli.
Has he done that much more than Ruddy would have?
Anyway, Jota has to score some time. May as well be Saturday.
Tim ,
He commands his area he balls he shouts he positions people and when it comes to it he does the business
If I was a defender playing in front of him I would be In seventh heaven.
Can the same be said of ruddy ?
Good keeper without doubt… but ?
My nephew came through the ranks at wolves but was let go , ended up captaining Watford in the premier ! Who’d a thunk it ! So I once got to sit in decent seats when one of my trips back home coincided with us playdown there …….. seriously, how are they in the premier league
They are a tad maverick but we are ice man
They are Barney rubble to our Fred flint stone
Faux to our macoy
I don’t agree that there are no easy games in this league btw , there are easy games and this is one , I’m convinced after the next two games we will here for the first time “ can wolves finish in the top four “ by one of the so called experts pundits ( not Lawro) Tottenham plodding along , Arsenal Beaton a bunch of nobodies ( lost to both decent teams they have played) move over we are coming through
Utw
Let’s go 6th boys!
Go Wolves!!!
No easy games in this league but everything seems to be in our favour for this one.
Another rock solid defensive performance coming up. Boly to arm-wrestle Deeney to a standstill. We’re not a Keegan-like Newcastle, liable to score for fun, but we do the business results-wise, a bit like George Graham’s Arsenal but far more entertaining.
Relaxing in the Novotel before tomorrow’s game. Bit of a family get-together as the exiles return to the town (city now) of their childhood.
Coming up for this one, confident of a performance, hopeful of a result and certain to have serious hangover on Sunday morn.
Watford are no mugs, but I don’t think they’ll have the nous to pick their way through our defence or the organisation to shut down our forwards. And if our midfield maestros play the tunes we know they can, we’ll lead them a merry dance.
Lunchtime beer in the Combemere so may even make the West Park meet-up. Be good to catch up. It’s been a while.
OK, after Clive’s usual confidence and bullyishness (!!!) I cant predict anything other than a good performance and a solid victory. I don’t see it being a Clive scoreline tho I think it’ll be close, we’ll concede first but still win.
I like that word, bullyishness, but can’t work out if I’ve just been insulted or not!!
Either way, it’s a bostin’ word.
Clive your a legend and you never insult people like that. So no it’s not an insult its respect….. and what s not to like about being compared to Steve Bull anyway.
Another difficult game but I’m going for a two one win. COYW!
This is a tough one.
The international break came at the wrong time for us, and Watford are no mugs, I think a draw could be on the cards.
Looks like all our players are back from international duty and are fit so we have a full squad yet again. I expect an unchanged side with Cav and Traore to create havoc late on. What a squad we have now – stunning players on the bench and a £14m signing who currently can’t even get a sub spot !!!!
They are all tough games in the EPL but I expect to win this one – hopefully with Jota breaking his duck.
As they say – there are no easy games in the PL ….. but I’ll continue to be optimistic until given reason not to be. COYW
While most of the bonkers were on holiday, we gave grandad clear instructions to go for three 1-1 draws. So, he went for three 2-1 wins including the ManU game! (He’s bonkers. He still fondly remembers the 3-1 win in January 1972, standing in the open end (!) at Old Trafford)
Anyway, grandad, thanks for getting us 4 points. And, he’s right, we haven’t seen a 2-1 in ages so that’s what we’re all going for again.
Come on our amigos!
2-1 Wolves
UTW
I hope I’m not getting too complacent but I can’t see us losing this one. We just need to convert more of our scoring opportunities to ensure another victory.
Looking for another victory to keep us in contention with the top six,
Watford are unpredictable in as they have a leaky defence and a very good goal scoring
forward line,
So on that basis I think we’ll win,I just hope with some of our players on international duty, haven’t picked up any niggling injuries to Mar our great start in our best ever premier start.
So I’m going for a 3-1 win to the wanderers.
UTW FOWB
I am slightly concerned with the miles that Jiminez has but If all our international players have returned fit then it’s the same 11 for me. Yes Jota is not flying going forwards but he plays a vital role in our shape and work rate off the ball and he has too much talent not to come good.
Watford started well but have lost their way of late and losing their two centre halves for tomorrow will hurt them.
Another win for me.
Hopefully there will be no after effects from the international games and travel. We should have enough in the tank to win this game if we are at it for the 90 minutes.
I’m really happy that the international break is over and we can revert to “proper” football. Much more exciting.
I believe a Wolves win is likely but we have still to hit the heights on scoring. I expect a solid defence from Wolves and a couple of goals from our superior attacking force.
Goals from Boly and Jota lead to another win.
The mighty Wolves to kick on to the next level, Wolves stun Watford !!!
Thought tte palace came would be tte floodgates game. maybe this one then?
I’m always nervous when we play a team with recognised goalscorers, but with our defence I’m finding that clean sheets are more likely.
I’m going for 2-0 again. Jimenez to score one of them hopefully, but just as likely to come from any of our super players.
Harry the Hornet will be running around like Usain Bolt on acid. But I don’t care. Because Harry the Hornet is a wanker. Not quite as big a wanker as Baggie Bird. But who gives a shit. Not the cat next door who is due a kicking. Not Trevor Cleaver off Grange Hill. Not the Soup Dragon off The Clangers. Not Dot Cotton off East Enders. Or Tomasz Frankowski who did fuck all. WOLVES AY WE. Watford to fall apart like a Wildebeest lost in Tipton
Cheesie,
Watch art fawr them there Wildabeasts in Tip’on, as they mek a raert fekin mess when they fall apart! Especially if them r chasin peskie cats. 🙁
Rick. The cats in Tipton are more akin to Wildebeest than cuddly little fury things that eat whiskas. The Lost City is full of them.
On the grounds of not wanting to jinx things I’ll stick to my usual prediction – even though it’s never accurate.
Jota not been at full throttle yet but I’ve no doubt he’ll get there. Team should be raring to go.
COYW
Before I read the preview, I was thinking a draw. But after seeing some fan describe Nuno as weirdly beardy and arrogant, I hope we kick their arses!
Murphy’s mob can feck off back through the gap, there’s nothing for you here in luvely Wolverhamperton. Nuno is the special one and you ay got a candle in the winds chance.
I think it will be similar to the Southampton match. They will press us hard and aim to keep it tight, but if we can score the ever important first goal I see the same result. And Jota to score.
Games after an international break are never easy to predict. However, given the fact that Nuno says we have no injuries worries I’m going for a 2-1 win for Wolves here. Uncharacteristically optimistic for me and I apologise in advance if I’ve administered the kiss of death!
I expect the same team to start, tho Cavaleiro must be close now.
The international break has been a long and boring fortnight.
Looking forward to a rare 3pm home kick off and expect another win.
I’m thinking that weirdy beardies is not a bad moniker
down in cabo mexico for mountain biker annual retreat so technologically challenging to summon nbc sports gold for 8 am kick off…but hopefully will get a live screen somehow
meantime not sure that this match isn’t going to be a bit scary……yes we will get three….but we are due to give up a penalty and/ or worse…but another three points coming here
A few weeks ago I would have been happy with a point for this fixture. Since then we have seen our boys growing stronger and them lot crumbling: so with raised expectations I predict a 2-0 for us.
Welcome back to normality, with Saturday footy at the Mol and an honest performance from the boys.
Keep it up guys, the skys the limit. What more can we say at this stage.
A clean sheet home win with the A’s to score – Costa & Jota.
These are the games to keep winning to ensure a top half finish.
Listened to Nuno’s pre-match interview – gotta love him. Loved the comment about Rui Patricio just doing his job.
They will be looking to bounce back from their capitulation to Bournemouth but I think we can do enough to keep our run going. Wolves 2 – 0
Short on time atm, just leaving my prediction.
Presently travelling up by train from Merthyr Tydfil and relying on BR snacks.
Should be my excuse to say that I look forward to our Wolves feasting on the Hornets – but I won’t.
A routine win for our boys methinks.
I used to use a lot of cliches.
Now I avoid them like the plague.
Time to carry on where we left off, with another win. It will be tough as Watford are very decent.
Same team, same result.
Onwards & Upwards
🙂
We should be impregnable at home so I’m forecasting another clean sheet.
Scoring does still seem a problem but I think we’ll get a couple even if the victory won’t be as comfortable as 2-0 would suggest.
Hoping for another 3 points today but it’ll be a tough game. Cav to come on and score
I think we’ll win this one but to predict different I’ll go for……
I’m sticking with the same score as I have since Citeh.
Watching the team is just enthralling. (don’t ever remember using that term before). I watch our boys wear down and mentally destroy weaker opposition like a boa constrictor would it’s prey. It’s just bloody marvellous.
So enjoy the game wherever ye may be, cos we are the boys from the Wolves, ay we!
UTW
I’m caught in two minds for this fixture.
We – great defence – them with ex Wulfrunian Gray & Denie the bully.
But whilst we haven’t scored profilically, we have created the chances, so if we’re clinical today could be a mualing if them wasp like Whorenets.
Plus never really liked Elton Johns suits or glasses
3 goals to the team with the Weirdy Beardy Manager & 1 consolation goal for the hornets
Can’t remember the last time we lost to a bunch of insects.
We normally bat away them Brentford Bees and trample the hornets.
Let’s do it again! Stompo!
Unbeatable Patricio, immovable back four, unbelievable mid-field, unstoppable forwards and incomprehensible Nuno. (Cor understand what he’s on about most the time.)
We am Wolves, aye we.
Carl, you’ll always be number one. For you, Saba and the Ikeme babbies we’re heading into Europe.
Watford always dangerous.
Don’t want to get too excited because of the usual worries of getting ahead of ourselves – will be as always hoping for a win
COYW.
Should be easy Peary all those who doubt!
oh dear, it all went peary shaped ! Knocked out with an old one two.
I think we were beaten by one good shot and the second straight from the kick off.
We were much better afterwards, but that was pretty well impossible to recover from.
Lets go down to Brighton next week and stuff them !
Another hard fought game, glad to see Deeney not playing. , please a bit more of Traore!
Bollocks!!
21 mins . . . . . . Wolves 0 – 2 Watford
What’s Nuno going to do now? Traore??
International break or manager of the month curse? Discuss
No complaints, beaten by a better organised and willing team.
On to the next one.
The ref seemed to do everything in his power to hold them back in the second half.