Who remembers Hassan Yebda?
Me neither, but he was the only goalscorer on that fateful day in 2009 when Portsmouth came to Molineux to claim their first Premier League victory of the season at the 8th attempt.
That was an unpleasant episode so it would be splendid if we could avoid a repeat tomorrow.
Things are slightly different this time in that we haven’t won yet either, so hopefully, that banishes any complacency about the job in the hand against a team we know better than anyone can dole out some pain.
Winning and losing this one means nothing in isolation (Portsmouth still went down in 2009 and Wolves survived) but it feels significant in the present climate.
Watford
There’s no shame in taking a shellacking at The Etihad but that was just the exclamation point on a horrible start to the season for Watford.
Comprehensive home defeats to Brighton and West Ham and just one point from Newcastle and Everton left them bottom even before their traumatic experiences in Manchester.
Javi Gracia had already paid with his job by this point, which is no great shock given the life expectancy of coaches at Vicarage Road.
Slightly more surprising is that they’ve turned back to Quique Sánchez Flores – the man they sacked in 2016 despite guiding them to midtable in the Premier League and another cup semi-final in his one season in charge.
Like Wolves, they could easily have got that elusive first win, particularly at home to Arsenal when they fought back from two down and missed a clear chance in the dying moments.
VAR hasn’t been their friend either with a clear handball in the build-up to Newcastle’s equaliser strangely overlooked.
Although their goals against column has taken a pounding, they’ve only netted 4 at the opposite end in 6 matches.
Talisman Troy Deeney will sit this one out injured but Danny Welbeck did score his first goal for the club in the midweek cup victory over Swansea, while they also have £30 million record signing Ismaïla Sarr who they can rightfully hope will chip in at some point.
The away end
Some comments lifted from the pre-match thread on WFCForums:
Wolves have come away with some undeserved points this season, home to united was similar to our arsenal performance as they played well second half but burnley and palace they deserved nothing and better teams would of put those games to bed. But one thing they had earlier against palace was fight they never gave up even if they were shocking, Raul as much as I dislike him works his socks off every game. We really need to isolate coady other teams have done this and punished them this season. Who’d of thought this would be a relegation six pointer when the fixtures came out? What ever team QSF picks let’s just prey they put the effort in. If Dawson and foster play they will be in for a torrid day from the home Neanderthal support let’s hope they can handle the occasion and it improves their performances as Dawson’s yet to turn up in a yellow shirt.
Worth noting that Wolves fans won’t shut up about their major complaint, which is the same as it has always been under NES in their current 3-at-the-back incarnation, being that they have no idea how to respond to teams who sit back solidly and invite Wolves onto them; they can’t break them down, and they have no plan B. Having fielded a cowardly 7-full-back lineup against City, it would be so very ‘us’ to then send out a flying squad at Molineux to charge straight into Wolves’ hands and get torn apart like wet bread on the break. That’s what we should really be judging Quique’s prospects on: whether or not he can work out the Prem’s most open secret; that there’s a cheat code for beating Wolves that everyone already knows. Guess we’ll find out come 2pm this Saturday.
As long as we play a different line up we have a chance. Play the same pathetic excuse of a team who crapped themselves’ Saturday gone and we will lose for sure. Look back to last season, we got played off the park by Muff at the Vic, lost 4-0, it was pouring down with rain all day. Went home and felt awful. Then we went to Wolves, scored two goals in the space of five minutes, and suddenly the Muff game was forgotten. Can lightning strike twice? Can we really go there again, put in a five star performance and make us all love them again? No. Its more or less the same side still, but confidence wasn’t in the toilet due to the start we had. I want us to win, and get some confidence back, but in reality our second string has more chance of beating Swansea on Tuesday than our first team full of Jokers has at getting a result at Wolves. But – would so loved to proved wrong. I commented when will we get our first win and who from? It won’t be this game either. 0-2
Wolves
I wouldn’t play Saiss who has looked like a walking red card in all his outings this season, but I liked the composition of the team we saw at Selhurst Park.
It actually allowed us to get bodies forward without losing too much defensively and meant everyone is operating in the area of the pitch they’re most comfortable.
We’ve got 343 and we’ve got 352 and I feel like Nuno needs to use both of these shapes depending on what the opposition is most likely trying to do.
Perhaps it’s overly simplistic to suggest teams who want to defend get the 343, whereas the better sides who want to get on the ball and dictate get the 352, but more fluidity is required.
If we sit back and allow Watford’s midfielders to dictate the game I really fear for us. We should get after them and ask their defenders to defend.
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The Poll
Predictions
Well done to Paul AD67, Prawny and Tipton Exile who all scored the maximum 3 points last time out by correctly predicting a 1-1 draw at Palace. Adrian leads the way after Gameweek 6 and you can check out the full table here.
If you’d like to join in this week simply leave your prediction in the comment section below using the boxes provided.
That’s where you’ll also find my best guess for this one.
Up The Wolves!
Bennett, Coady, Boly and the Doc at the back surely with Jonny that’s our best defensive Line and offensive back line if Valero is any where near the team we will lose.
I know it looks like I’m picking on him and in a way I suppose I am but he is either not up to full fitness or he is simply not up to the job having seen him play in the flesh 4 times out of his 5 appearances I’m sorry to say IMO he’s simply not up to the job especially the Premier League.
No result would surprise me, but prior to Palace’s fortuitous opener and the Saiss brain fart, I thought we looked much more like our old selves last week.
With pretty much everyone rested and a full week to recover I have high hopes of getting that first win.
343 is definitely my preferred shape for this one. The only thing worse than losing would be losing without putting that Watford defence under serious pressure after what they endured last weekend.
I really don’t fancy going to Man City next Sunday, bottom of the table and feeling broken. Please get the job done lads.
Interesting lineup, but hoping the scoreline stays true
Lose this one and I’m going to really start worrying.
Last season with3-4-3 we got found out in midfield so much as I would like to do so I think we should play 3-5-2 .
We desperately need to score first which we have not done in the PL this season to have a chance of victory .
Going to games I am always worried these days …. please boys win this one and let me save my nerves 🙂
Well said Nick, 343 (more like 523 in actuality because of the wide wing backs) simply invites the other team to take control of midfield and we shouldn’t allow that to happen given Watford’s undoubted fragility following last week’s debacle.
Hate to say this but Watford’s thrashing was probably a bad thing for us but I can still see the points being shared.
Yep, I’m afraid I agree SP. We still haven’t looked impressive in any of our PL games and, on top of that, tomorrow a lot of people will be expecting us to win against Watford, given their wretched start to their season.
I hope I’m proven wrong of course, but I feel I need more evidence that we’re improving before I can confidently forecast a win.
So I’m going for a draw too and I’m taking the same scoreline as yourself also.
It maybe early in the season but to bring back some semblance of confidence to both players and fans we really do need to get our 1st league win of the season under our belts tomorrow.
I’m sure we’ll do that and in fine form; then next week we can make it two on the bounce?
Totally agree with Thomas re making a fast start. I know we didn’t get the goal v Palace in the first half, but we were much like our oldselves in terms of playing on the front foot and moving the ball about. Our default position this season has been to sit back and we look so much worse for it, as we can’t gain a foothold.
Donck was better v Palace but still offer nowhere enough on the ball, or even look confident. Agree that Saiss is a bit of a walking red car but think he will shore up the midfield and offer more on the ball, helping Moutinho out. He can’t do it all on his own.
Fast start, get an early goal and hopefully we can go on from there.
Watford have had a shocking start to the season, but they are still a dangerous outfit with players that can hurt you on their day. Although we beat them to 7th spot in the end last term, I think they have a psychological edge over us after dumping us out of the cup in the way they did. On top of that they still seem to feel a sense of injustice due to mask-gate that may motivate them just that little bit more too.
On the positive side, they will be missing the Deeney and we should be back to a more familiar line up and with some key players rested. I think we are just a slice of luck away from hitting some form.
I don’t see this as a walk in the park by any means though and I wouldn’t be surprised if we lose this one. Damn it, I have to predict a loss.
Not sure why Palace deserved any points that game either.
Nuno has to go back to the tried and true regarding defense and settle things down.
Now that we know we don’t have to face superstar Troy, we can breath easy.
By the way, I finally got my coat yesterday, after ordering it on Sept. 4th.
Cost me $28.80 in duties, taxes and fees so total cost of about $115.80. or £70.98.
Heavier than I thought. I mean, a winter coat in a country that barely gets below freezing must be a jacket in Canada.
3-5-2
3-4-3
5-2-1-2
I don’t bloody well care what formation we play.
Just get on the front foot, don’t keep getting near their penalty area and then passing back and across, put them under PRESSURE from the start, play with confidence…
…AND WE WILL WIN!
I’ve had a quick word with our captain.
On paper we are much, much the better side.
Let’s prove it on Molineux turf!
You look better in your little icon picture thing.
True, but that was taken a couple of years ago Tim.
I’ve since gone prematurely grey supporting the Wolves.
And stop calling me ‘thing’.
Ridiculous as it sounds, I’m dreading this one. Watford did a real job on us at Molineux last season and shouldn’t be taken lightly, despite their drubbing at the Etihad.
Team selection will be interesting. I liked the fact that Nuno mixed it up at Selhurst Park but I worry about going with a midfield two on Saturday. Doucoure and Capoue dominated this fixture last season and could do again, especially with Dendoncker out of sorts. I’d be tempted to bring Saiss and Neves back in, probably at the expense of Donck and Doherty.
Really struggling to predict a scoreline, it’s such a big game for both teams. I’ve been wrong on every occasion this season so I’ll go with a score draw in the hope that I’m wrong again and we win!
For Watford, new manager bounce v Arsenal turned into a dead cat bounce against Man City and hopefully that will be the case tomorrow.
Welbeck could be their biggest threat but I don’t believe they can be as lucky and resilient as they were at Wembley when we gifted them the last twenty minutes and extra time. If Nuno needs to provide motivation that memory should do it.
If we manage to cock this one up, I will be truly worried about how the rest of the season will go. I don’t expect it to be an easy win, but I expect a win nonetheless.
Love the …’home Neanderthal support ‘ comment above…… (tosser with a stone club).
For that comment alone I’m praying that we give them a mullering of biblical proportions.
By all accounts they were lucky to get NIL goals last weekend.
Let’s get at them from the off with our tried and trusted plan A and Plan B can be mothballed or thrown into the Neanderthal trash bin….. just like Watford.
Nuno certainly mixed it all up last week at Palace, Traore playing in front of Doherty was great to see and they bounced off each other well. Doherty is getting fitter now and If we play like the first half Sunday and Wednesday I think we will be ok, not too concerned about Watford, clearly a team living in La La land, crap stadium crap fans and whinging bloody players.
We need to get back into our winning habit, nothing better for confidence.
Wolves 4 Neves, Boly, Jimmy & Jota.
Watford 1 , og from The Donk.
COMBambinos
What have you got against moi?
agree with the Saiss point
It’s already been said elsewhere but got to leave either Jota or Traore up when we defend corners . Traore can be a liability in our box sometimes and his pace in a one on one situation would pay off
Along with Bennett’s long throw lets hoof it now and again . Purists aye we (not)
I think we will win this game, but based on previous defensive performances we may need to score three to finish the job.
Absolutely gutted for the two youngsters injured on Wednesday. I thought the curse of the debut disaster had been lifted.
Want this to be a small payback for Wembley
Coady had his deserved rest (week must seem like a month to him)
Please play Boly in his best position and bring Bennett back
Need a solid win
Is it to early in the season to call this must win? Thought there where some positive signs in the first half against Palace but after conceding early in the second half we where poor their after but hung in there to claim a point. Hopefully the game will get Diogo going. Interesting to see if Nuno sticks with 3-4-3 especially as this Watford completely bossed the mid field in the home game last season. After their 8-0 thumping I would expect some sort of reaction from them but an early goal would certainly knock them.
I think we will win…we’ve got to!!!!!
We HAVE to win this one and kick on or else…
It was about this time last season that we turned the corner and went on from there to seventh place. This is a good game to make our move and we know we have the players and the passion, so come on Wolves and give us our first league win of the season and then it should be plain sailing (talk about being postive, but at least that’s what we all still believe)
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start.
The games a’foot!
Follow your spirit and upon this charge
Cry “Win for Fosun, Wolves and Saint Nuno!”
Wolves to win.
Shame their pug ugly number 9 isn’t playing.
OODCL
Must win.
COMBs and stick it up Foster, Deeney and those idiotic Watford thread comments!
Tough game, but surely we can’t bottle this one, can we?
UTW!
This is gonna be a bloodbath. We have to win, whatever it takes. Use your heads Wolves, play smart, and we got this!
Finally in the win column. Raul and Adama
First home match of the season I am going to miss so that guarantees the three points. The lads must be desperate to stuff them -I agree it will be a bloodbath with red and yellow blood seeping into the Molineux soil!
As many say, this is a must win game and I would certainly start with a 3-5-2- formation; we were punished by their midfield last season at home when we had the two central midfielders against three in the middle for them with Capoue and Doucoure excelling. We altered our formation when we found ourselves to be outnumbered there in some games and our results improved with the 3-5-2 formation. However, in some games, with three up front including the mercurial Traore; a fit Doc at wing back every time for me; we can be outstanding going forward, so we need to change to that as and when able to in my opinion.
I’ve absolutely no idea as to what the resultant score will be, but I’ll go for a three one win for the lads.
We are not there yet, still a lot of work to be done.
trying to fight off a queasy feeling about this match…whatever the formation and the eleven players sent out lets for Dogs sake get after them and bombard their penalty box with cutbacks/crosses/handballs whatever
I don’t care if it isn’t pretty
Time for a nerve calming win, Nuno will have the boys well drilled after a week without a match. First goal imperative. Wouldn’t like to be Ben Foster tomorrow, he is on for well deserved stick. Comfortable win
Full of confidence we will win.
Trying to get more dislikes than me by any chance?
Huge game tomorrow….really is shit or bust ! If we play like we did in the first half against Palace should be more than ok . I agree with other bloggers comments on here…we must press high…none of this side to side movement and pointless back passes
I would also like to see Nevez playing higher up the pitch , not in defence . Bennett to partner Boly and Coady and Siass in for the Donk in midfield.
Fingers crossed we should be ok…..COYW
turning point was last weeks bit of luck
3-5-2 tomorrow as they will employ swamping tactics in the middle as usual
use traore to play around them and get our passing accuracy standards back up.
we wont balls this up .
dont let the demons of old come to get you folks .
trust in nuno
Brave win needed
More revenge from the semi final wolves win
They’ll not lack confidence against us due to their success last season, but hopefully our lads will equally be determined to get some revenge.
We’re gonna get a good win sometime soon..
Has to be 3-5-2 with Jota and Jiminez up front.
I know Doc has been injured and is getting back to full fitness but he had a face like a slapped arse when he came on the pitch against Palace. The bloke just looks well pissed off.
I wouldn’t mind Donk and Neves swapping roles, though I can’t see Nuno doing that.
Everything crossed for a win.
Some consider my face to be rather fetching, so don’t be so disrespectful!
Unfortunately I am going to miss our first league win of the season as we are in Hull to see the gorgeous Clare Grogan in concert ( please don’t say “who is Clare Grogan ?” like Stu did) She is to me in female singers what Steve Bull is to me in footballers – a legend. So, since the 17th of July against Newcastle in The Asia Trophy we have played 16 games and lost THREE ! God we are shit – glad that I am going to a concert. 13 games where we didn’t lose is disgusting. Second season syndrome I hear, well it can be cured, just like nappy rash. We will win tomorrow, sorry Brompton, and the rest will be history. This is the year…………….and I really do love my football team. Got our tickets for the Southampton game today so look forward to meeting some of you lovely people at that one.
Clare who?
Bully had a better right foot than Clare, but I thought she edged it in Red Dwarf.
Oh yeah Clare. I remember her, I think. Shortish bird with big ttttttteeth . Used to hang round with the fat kid in Nottingham. Did not know she was a singer, but there again she always had her mouth full when we met.
Used to Love Ms Grogan back in the days when you were allowed to declare a sexual preference.
Anyway back to my first love. I think I saw the green shoots of recovery against Palace so I’m going for a solid win.
I suggested after the Chelsea match that 4 points was a minimum requirement from Palace and Watford. We will win tomorrow so that would suggest the 4 points are sealed. But no. Due to an ancient prorogation rule dating back to 1375 which allowed a couple of goats to be beheaded in Wolverhampton church and their blood runneth over in to nearby cess pits. If we score a goal after 42 minutes and 17 seconds it means the English Premier League will be compelled by the order of Zephaniah Bonkers-Blodwyn of the ancient sword weilders of Shropshire to award us 20 points for the win. Thus taking us comfortably to the top of the table. So it will be WWFC 1 Watford 0. Raul. 42.17.
Oh and forgot to add the Order of Zephaniah also means Troy Deeney and Ben Foster are a pair of wankers. We still owe him one at Molineux. If he tweets Wo1ve5 after the game I will personally saw his f**kin arm off.
Who is Newark Wolf??
My good friend and ex lover Clive from Hastings says Wolves will win easily this weekend by five to one, which is a score not a time.
So who are I to argue?
you should be happy
Burnley, Palace and now friggin’ Watford.
Three teams who have never won much, if anything between them, and we are linked in the same league as them.
Dis pick able.
For once, we are going to NOT end a losing streak, and we are going to stuff ’em six ways to Hampstead.
I will check with Dooglegooder, as he will remember, but I believe that Watford style knuckle draggers were around long before Wolverhampton Neanderthals, so bollocks, you stingless hornets.
I actually quite like that:
Wolverhampton Neanderthals.
Gotta nice ring to it, my precious.
5-1 all day long, see y’all at Nick’s Place in the morning.
FOwb
Not got 1 right this season. So going for a draw hoping I am wrong again @nd we win
I would never have thought that this fixture would be a bottom of the table clash. I do think that we are not yet firing on all cylinders but there is no panic Mr Mannering, not yet. In this team I completely trust xx
I’m forecasting a win rather more in hope than expectation. Small differences can have large effects and we seem to have had quite a few of them in the PL so far,
I’m also forecasting a win because Watford don’t exactly endear themselves to me for some reason, possibly there’s a clue in the opposition view at the top of this blog!
All in all I think I’d rather not have Saiss in the starting line-up, perhaps on the bench to come on when there’s only time for one yellow card!!
Never an easy game for us against this lot but I think we are in deep doo-doo in we don’t win.
We have a terrible record against struggling teams,coupled with so many players
off form,with a small squad to choose from.We have yet to take the lead in a game,so you know Watford are going to come out and play on the front foot.The match imo will be won or lost in midfield and despite their position in the league,Doucure,Capoue have been their best players.If only we could exploit their weak defensive frailties,and poor positioning goaltender (he tends to let in goals)with shots on target.So,much as it hurts to predict a loss,l can only say as l see it,and of course hope to be proved wrong.
Well, as things stand, if we can’t beat the only team below us, then we are DOOMED! So let’s get positive. I am going for a 3-1 win. I like the formation suggested, although would prefer Neves to the Donk in the middle. I wonder what the betting is on Traore scoring.
A couple of things will happen today
We will score first and we will get our first win in the league
In Singapore ( one of the best places in the world to watch epl) for this one so I’m doing my usual recon mission to find a suitable place to watch the game tonight, found a nice new inglish pub ( not a spelling mistake) the queens , so hopefully convince the staff that wolves v Watford is the big game tonight
Get the family fed, watered and back to the hotel by 9-30 , stroll down to watch the game for 10 pm
A win and another upturn in our general form will get man City fretting next weekend
Come on you wolves
Twtdmf
Gee it would be nice to score first and actually lead in a EPL game. Think it is time for that first win, but not expecting it to be easy
It all ones together for the first win of the season.
This becomes a simply must win game to get points on the board and get clear of the relegation zone.
COYW
Let’s hope the equaliser at Palace is the turning point we need.
Boy, we need to win today. I hope to see Bennett return as well as Moutinho, Jota & Jimenez. Neves will with Saiss out suspended. I’m not sure what to say about Traore. Our best player this season, so far, but still frail in defence could mean Doherty is the preferred start.
Either way, we need a win. That requires are more mobile and speedy midfield.
Wolves will turn the corner at some point ….today is the day
Can we please getback to winning ways today oh mighty footie gods?
Feeling nervous about this one. Really hope we can get that first win out of the way and kick start our season. I’d play Neves instead of Dendoncker. I dont think he’d play as deep in a two and he’s a lot more creative when able to get forward. Raul to score.
Big event today, Wolves upwards and onwards.
Soooo important to get a win today. 2-1 to the good guys. High tempo from start please.
We need to win this one, and win well for the effect it will have on teams we should be able to piss all over.
I hope the South Bank gives that wanker Foster the welcome and disrespect he deserves.
Stick to 3-5-2 for me and back to the tried and trusted Bennet, Coady, Bolly back three.
Looking for a good hard fought win.
Must win! Come back begins today.
COYW
A nice 2-0 win to send us off to Istanbul on a high. Glad we are playing there, I bought a t-shirt in the souk when our cruise ship docked there a few years ago, when I got it home it was too small, wonder if they would change it?
Note to all supporters going today, give BF (very apt) stick from the first minute to the last, the knobhead deserves all he gets.
Must be a cruise thing!
My shirts are always too small when I get home too ??
Ok I thought we were pretty good at Palace and without the sending off would have fancied us to kick on to 3 points. This feels an important one and I fancy us to get the win. 2-0.
Play like we did in the first half at Selhurst and we’ll be strong candidates for the win.
Watford will obviously have some fight in them so we need a mature performance from our back five as well to steady the ship.
Praying for a win.
I’m on my way to Stamford Bridge soon for Chelsea v Brighton. I will have my mobile handy all match for news from Molineux.
Obviously Watford will want to bounce back from that 8-0 shocker. We’re both after that elusive first win, so something has got to give. For us to come away with only a point would be akin to a defeat. For Watford, a point would be a good result.
I’m going for us to get that first win, probably 2-0.
I felt for the two youngsters injured on Wednesday. Wishing them both a speedy recovery.
Watford today is, for me, a ‘must win’. A largely refreshed Wolves team should do the business against Watford.
If I cared about the prediction league I would predict a loss but I can’t do it
The draw at Palace felt like a win but anything other than a win today will feel like a defeat for sure.
If Traore plays, make it on the right side of a three and keep him well away from the defence. I always thought that the Doc worked best when he could play pass and move with dear, departed Helder Costa. Perhaps, given time, he and Adama can strike up a similarly productive partnership.
Midfield remains an issue but for me, Ruben, Joao and Leander are our best three. The week off will have done them a power of good and we should let them play themselves back into form.
If the first half at Selhurst is anything to go by, a convincing victory.
Bostin ay it. 3 points ay it. 13th ay we.gap over Vile re established.
Comfortable win Coady, Boly, Siais, Doc, Jonny were brilliant defended like last season, Coady from where i was sitting top North Bank looked bad to his best the rest in midweek done him good.
Matinio was class in the middle Dendonker drifted in and out he seemed as if he mind was else where may be he needs a rest as does Raul he looks tied and he got agitated a couple of times when the through ball was on but it was passed side ways .
But all that’s for another day we needed this win and the boys done good…!