I thought we were quite lucky to beat Watford back in September for that crucial first league victory.
Still, it proved a catalyst for the good form that’s since seen us eclipse the efforts of the first half of last season. Quite some achievement.
Watford will be keen to avenge that defeat and the loss they suffered in this fixture last season, which handed the initiative to Wolves in the quest for European football.
Nigel Pearson has got them winning again and with our old friend Troy Deeney back in the mix, it promises to be a feisty old affair.
Watford
I’ve never written Watford off, even after sacking their second manager of the season.
I thought things looked bleak a few weeks ago, but have always maintained they’ve got the players to produce the type of run required to make things interesting.
And having seen off Man Utd and Villa in their last two home matches, sandwiching a useful draw at Sheffield Utd between, they’re doing more than making it interesting – they’re now just 3 points from safety.
Mid-table form is required over the second half of the campaign to survive and given that’s where I think they should be, it’s not a huge ask.
Like him or loathe him, Deeney gives them that focal point they lack in his absence and with record signing Ismaila Sarr now coming good, they’re looking formidable in attack.
If Pearson continues to keep them organised at the back, they’re a tough old proposition.
The home end
Some comments lifted from the pre-match thread on The Hornet’s Nest Forum.
This is going to be a very hard game. I said it in a previous thread – but to me, this is going to be as tough as Liverpool was. Wolves are much better than Man Utd are too, they work hard, run fast and under Nuno have a fantastic coach who makes them play for every ball and chase down every lost cause. Seeing Cathcart and Hughes go off yesterday was a blow, but we won’t know till nearer the game if either, both or neither will take part. I think Preyera in the middle is a good choice – spray some balls out to Sarr and Delafoo and try to get behind them. Deeney will more than likely head the forward line again and after listening to him alongside Gavin Mahon and Emma Saunders on Added Time, he knows this is a tough game. I would easily take a draw from this one, then follow it up with wins over Tranmere and Muff. We are not going to win every home game under Pearson we know that. If we show fight and keep up our high intensity, we are more than capable of getting something out of it. Although not beyond us to win it – it’s a really hard game. But I am sure Pearson will not allow the players to drop their style despite tough opposition. Watford 2 Wolves 2
Would be over the moon with a draw. They’re a great team, they are always at it and ultimately they are better than us all over the pitch. They’re obviously mindful of burning out with the two big games they’ve just played and want to leave something in the tank for us, because they rested a couple of key players from the start today including traore.
I’d be happy with a point but at the same time I’d be disappointed we didn’t go for a win, and I trust Nigel won’t instill that kind of mentality like Flores would’ve. Their strength clearly lies in attack (the only games they’ve failed to score being Leicester away on the opening day and Liverpool just now who are beating everyone) and being hard to beat, but apart from the games against City they’ve only beaten bottom five teams and surprisingly, have only kept four clean sheets against our six. But I don’t know if this is as good as they’ll get, or they’ve yet to move up a gear or two – if the latter, hopefully it’ll be after playing us!
Wolves
Back to the tried and tested for me. I thought the changes worked out well for us at Anfield, but we need to get on the front foot more in this one.
With rumours circulating that Patrick Cutrone could be moving on and Jesus Vallejo likely following him out the door, a few new faces would be handy in January.
I think Neto looks increasingly useful and with Vinagre, Bennett, Kilman and (fingers crossed) Boly all looking up to scratch, if we can replace the two summer recruits with better versions, we’ll be in good shape for everything that’s to come.
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Predictions
Quite a few people predicted Wolves to lose at Anfield but nobody said 1-0, so it’s a rare Gameweek with no maximums scored. Well done to Iceni Wolf though who tops the table as we cross into the second half of the season. View the full PL 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!
Happy New Year to everybody on here. Off to Watford, never been before, so that’s another ground off my to do list.
Wolves to carry on the good work, bring it on.
This will be much harder than the previous two games, as Watford can’t play football.
Still, I hope we don’t have to vent against our current enemies, Messrs. V, A and R.
We should be seething at the injustices handed out during our last two games, so Watford beware, especially Shrek, you ain’t getting a sniff.
5-1
There’s a double dose of medicine coming on Wednesday….
Simon Hooper is the VAR ‘expert’….
By a strange coincidence he was doing the same job (providing judgement on the clear and obvious) versus Liverpool on Sunday….
That’s us screwed then….
I think we’ve got too much for this resurgent watford side . No one at stockley supports watford either so var shouldn’t be an issue either .
Witley … well be in the moon under water Wheterspoons in the town
Keep your colours covered tho cos since that fa cup game things have got a bit tasty around the town these days . Shame but true
See you there.
If we win, after the game, Raul should put the mask on again.
1-4.
As you might expect Pearson ‘s arrival at Vicarage Road has brought an upturn in form for Watford. The question of course is can they maintain it? They have lost a couple of key players in Cathcart and Hughes. A lot could depend on whether Delefeu turns up. As we have good reason to know he can be devastating.
But I expect a win with the same score that we should have achieved at Wembley. It will be pretty physical I suspect and we must hope for a solid performance from the referee with more protection for Jota and Traore than they have received of late.
Watford 2
Wolves 3
Mind the gap.
Sorry for the dumb question. But, what does “mind the gap” mean?
I’m guessing it has something to do with Wolves being ahead of Villa. But, that’s just a guess.
When you are stepping from the platform onto an undeground (subway) train, pay attention to the gap between the two so you don’t trip.
And also what you stated.
Yeah, the gap between Wolves and Villa. But, I was TRYING to be funny with Watford Gap!
Timing of fixtures is always paramount and I think this is a bad time to be playing them. Should still be good for a draw.
Agreed, Thomas, particularly as Nigel Pearson has added some organisation and bite to what is, in my opinion, an underperforming squad.
Hope the lads haven’t had too much vino at NY and Watford suffer the back lash of the Anfield injustice.
COMBs!
After two such fantastic performances I won’t be surprised if we have an off day, and Watford do us over.
But let’s hope I’m wrong.
After two great performances I would not be surprised if we might be slightly below par. However Nuno did rest a couple of essential players in the last game to make sure we can perform well in this game. I can see us starting slowly, but with the coach’s half time rocket, we will fire up to win.
Now that Mexican wrestler is part of the Wolves organization. Unless it’s a joke.
I guess if Robert Plant is, this guy can be as well.
We should win on paper. But as usual it will be a tough game more so as wart-ford is in good form. I just hope we continue our relentless attacks and the goals should come. Good luck.
It will be a tight game but we should have enough to Nick it! Having said that our bad luck has to change sometime, so why not now! Comfortable win in the end!
Draw for me, after the Lord Mayors show, Norwich style match
Changed my mind mid prediction , 2-1 hahahaha
The busy schedule combined with their upturn in form means it’s not the best time to play this game. I’d probably take a point now but this wolves team keep on producing do who knows?
This is a tough one.
Troy Deaney or VAR – which is the greater stain on Wednesday’s match?
On balance I’ll go for VAR as we only have to suffer the chubby ex con twice a season at most whereas VAR is a constant.
Wolves to win, Raul to get the mask out again and a perfect start to 2020.
Happy New Year to all my Wolves Blog friends. Oh and Clive as well.
OODCL
Hope we keep the same back 3 that played against VAR the other day, and keep Dendonker in midfield. I`d be happy with 3 points so any winning score will do. They wont be able to cope with our front three in any case. Happy New Year everyone, going out soon so wheres my black and gold scarf mmmmm
Mark regarding Donc you could be right. Kilman and Bennett have played pretty well recently and Donc in midfield could add a greater physical presence. That combined with Coady ‘s increasing leadership qualities could get us over the line.
I would love to see their recent run stopped and their captain and goalkeeper sink with them into obscurity. Not satisfied with a lucky win in the cup semi they indulged in an orgy of gloating.
Short & sweet today. Wolves win.
There’s no doubt we are on fire, Troy Deeney is just a blip in the road to greater things for this magnificent set of lads.
If Jota can chase Virgil Van Dyke down, take the ball off him, sprint for goal so fast that VVD ends up on the deck, then Leander Dendonker chases Kevin de Bruyne down, takes the ball off him, spins around leaving KDB looking the other way and then he lays off a lovely pass, then we can beat this shower from the bottom three.
Neto and Vinagre were epic at LiVARpool, Bennett was solid at the back, we are truly the in form team.
I stand on the terraces and do not fear getting beat now, we have it within ourselves to stage great come backs.
Watford 0
Wolves 3, Jota 2, Doherty 1.
Start the Decade as Fosun mean us to go on.
If the first year was 1 AD, then the decade doesn’t start until 2021. Same old millennium arguments. Just saying. Apologies for my mischievity, Stu.
Happy New Year to all bloggers.
It’s like when you’re a small kid doofus. You have to spend a year hanging off your mum”s golden tit before you win the privilege of calling yourself one. (-; I
Two really great games on the trot. Can we manage a third? I don’t put anything past our squad. What a superb performance by the young inexperienced replacements. We need to be on top of our game as always in this league. They have great players and are now working more effectively. At our best we should win but it could be a banana skin. I will go for us winning three to two.
I would like to add my two pennies worth to the “Mind the Gap” song.
Calling all Wolves fans and bloggers……
They never were a bottom of the table side, the villains have that prerogative.
I’d like to keep their ugly number nine quiet but fear him mouthing off yet again so we may have to settle for another draw.
We are back to one game a week after Manure on Saturday and some sanity in the fixture list. I fear that after our exertions in the last two games, we may come unstuck in this one. Watford were never a bottom three side, now believe and are on a roll. A draw would be a very good result imo.
Tough game but we are good enough.
Wolves win.
Happy New Year
Can’t see past a draw for this one…
Yes, they’ve been getting better results recently but their performances have been unconvincing. Note to Rui Patricio – if they get a penalty and Deeney takes it just stand exactly where you are. Lacking even a smidgeon of sophistication, the lout will just blast it straight down the middle as he always does.
Us to win.
Should be interesting game think we can keep Deeney quiet and traore to demolish their defence
For the first time in all my years as a fan of Wolves I questioned myself. Standing on the terrace at Liverpool waiting for the umpteenth VAR decision, I felt so low I seriously questioned whether I needed to put myself through the injustice of some wankers decision in a remote hideaway down south somewhere.
It’s not my game anymore.
It’s not football anymore
I rarely feel the need to swear especially on the blog but if anyone comes on and says that they were the right decisions then they can FUCK OFF.
Our game should not be refereed by someone who is not even in the stadium, the game is live, decisions immediate and as such VAR and all its hangers on should be banned right away not at the end of the season.
Couldn’t post on this thread before as I have been too het up about the whole mess, so I am now having a mini rant.
We’ll still be there tomorrow at Vicarage Road though singing for the lads, hoping for the right result… with no interference from you know what
Have a happy new year everyone, let’s hope we get our game back
FOVAR
Very well said Lowves. I agree with you 100%. Like you I also feel some of my love for football has died this season thanks to the abomination called VAR. In truth the very first time some numpty on TV said “if he felt a touch he’s entitled to go down” and everyone else nodded in agreement I knew that football would never be the same again. A statement so obviously ridiculous should have been greeted with howls of laughter and derision. Never mind – keep the faith and, like our fabulous team of heroes, rise above it all.
OODCL
Difficult one to predict. Pre-Pearson it would have been a comfortable win for the Old Gold. But they are resurgent just now with Deeney in particular looking dangerous.
The last two games have shown that we can mix it with the big boys but 3 games in such a short time could take it’s toll and there’s a risk the boys might mentally switch off a bit for this one.
No, my head just can’t come up with a score for this one so I’m going with my heart. 3-1 to Wolves in a very feisty encounter.
Just heard that Jamie Carragher has decided the Man Of The Match award for our game against Watford is going to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
OODCL
Another tough game, but all the games are tough in this division.
Nigel Pearson has waved his magic wand and the Watford players have responded. They were always a good team so I don’t know what happened to them pre Pearson.
It’s been a tough week for all the prem players, both physically and mentally. I know our team is strong in both.
I think, or hope, that we will come out with that extra bit of quality and determination, particularly after the fiasco up at Anfield.
I think we are all of the same mindset that it will be a tough game. However, we now have enough guile and downright determination to ‘put a shift in’ as someone used to say, l cannot see where our next loss is going to be.
3 points heading back to Wolverhampton.
Very, very impressed about how we took the game to the World/European champs. Most neutral observers recognised we deserved something. Yes and less than 48 hours after defeating the reigning English champs. We are well and truly slugging it out on equal terms with the top sides. Bodes well for Europe.
My final thoughts on VAR is that it is a good thing. I would never want to return to pre VAR days. All we need to do in this country is to use it in the way it was intended i.e. to correct clear and obvious errors. We have gone beyond that brief to forensic examination! Ludicrous!! Let’s stick to clear and obvious errors. If the VAR official can’t determine this within a minute or so, let the referee’s decision stand. Simples.
Onto Watford. Nigel Pearson is doing a fantastic job and he will keep them up, He basically assembled the Leicester title-winning side and was only sacked for non footballing reasons. As well as we played over the break we surely will have an off day soon. I’m heartened by the sheer quality of those stepping up to rest others, like Vinagre, Pedro and Kilman. Bennett also. Let’s go out and des-troy Deeney’s comeback with a resounding win. 3-1 for me.
We can win this – and overcome the disappointment of the semi-final Wembley defeat.
Now the dust has settled I have to say that unfortunately I believe the Liverpool goal was fair, however the offside decision against our goal was an absolute travesty. This is not what VAR was supposed to be used for -a clear and obvious decision! – things will change, however it is too late now for this season.
Any of the top teams in Europe are going to find it hard to beat us let alone Watford.
Absolutely no qualms about this what so ever , no surprises , no amazing turnarounds from them and i couldnt give a flying f##k about Nigel Pearson and his never say die approach
This is a Wolves side full of supremely talented super fit men who are simply gonna steamroller the resurgent watford no matter what side nuno puts out .
We are just too good for them and we are angry very very angry.
Tough game but think we can just scrape it
I know it’s not a popular concept for some but I’m still hoping for a south coast clear out and they can take Watford with them and especially Deeney
Liverpool performance was very very encouraging as it shows how flexible the team rotation can be yet still provide the cohesion and consistency .. It’s “Wolves” brand and it works against anyone
Now if they’ve been practicing their long range shooting since Sunday then Watford have no chance
Always had a bit of a soft spot for Nigel Pearson.
Always had a bit of a soft spot for Watford.
Always had a bit of a soft spot for Troy Deeney.
It’s in the sludgy mess of rotting leaves and fish poo at the bottom of my lovely pond.
Watford are on the new manager bounce at the moment but how long will it last?
Until tomorrow I reckon.
Draw bore this time
We are on fire. Pushing on once again. We shall not give way, Foster, Deeney and co will be overcome.
Watford are a much better side than their league position indicates. As long as we show up and don’t regard them as easy pickings (a la Brighton) we should have more than enough to pull this one off.
My biggest concern is we’re getting all bitter and twisted about VAR (fucking hate it) but if we stuck away a quarter of the chances we create we could easily let the cheating bastards at Stockley park give every opponent a two goal lead and we’d still batter them.
Anyway, with the right attitude we’ll win
Dunno what happened there. Posted before I left a prediction!
Wishing all bloggers a very Happy New Year.
Tough match but the lads have enough in the tank to do this.
Clear cut goals & no VAR.
3 points.
Let’s take it out on WatVARd!
Happy New Year all!
Very impressed with the performances against last years premier league winners and the current world cup winners.
A continuation please….
From his royal hotness, Clive from Hastings…
As brilliant as we have been in our last two games I always fear the worst against Watford, they are still on the bounce from Pearson but hopefully, we will bring them back down to earth witha bang.
Special request for the one & only “Stuart of t’Wolf”
I find these “world time zones” absolutely fuckin amazing….
It’s already 2020 in Australia
However it’s still 2019 here
And yet Aston Villa are still in 1982
Please don’t send that to any Veela fans you know as may cause offence – like I just found out. Lmfao
Oh, and a HNY all you foot tappers & hand slappers
Not completely sure about this one … Watford are on a good spell and they have some dangerous players. But it’s still very hard to see beyond a win for us. I’m sure the players will have worked through their disappointment with the Anfield result (and who’d have thought three years ago that those words would apply to Wolves!!) and have been Nuno’d into the right frame of mind to go out and score a few goals. As someone above has said – if you score enough goals even VAR won’t be able to spoil things. So I’m going for the first – of many – victories in 2020.
COYW
Should be feisty, should be goals.
Now that we are a “big” team (and have gained quite a deal of respect from many pundits) , surely it is time that Wolves get a fortunate VAR “rub of the green” decision go our way and have Watford complaining that it was unfair to them… We might need it to rescue a point late on.
Yes they have been playing better, but so have we. A lot better!
Wish you all a peaceful, prosperous and healthy 2020.
Go Wolves!
New Year resolutions – I will not let VAR upset me. I will not let that twot Jamie Carragher upset me. I will not let the press, T.V. ,Sky etc and their total lack of respect for the greatest team the World Has Ever Seen upset me.
I will rise above it all Om !
Comfy win this afternoon.
Happy New year to one and all ,top four here we come.
Just wishing each and every one of you Wonderful people a Happy New Year.
Off to catch my train to Watford, have a good un.
StuWolf & Jen de Wolf
Resurgent Watford equals a draw
January fixtures (with exception of match 23/1) all look easily winnable. So at least 9 points this month which will put us over the ‘absolutely won’t get relegated’ line before February!
Tricky game, but think we will come through 2-1
This one has a draw nailed on for me
I’ll be watching it live of course , though full time will be around 1am and I have to get up at 4 am to make a flight so I’m hoping there is no v a r controversy to keep me restless during my 3 hour kip
Just get out of here with no injuries and a point or three and I’m “ over the moon Jim”
Utw
We need to make this great run of performances count against Watford although this one won’t be as easy as everyone may think. Good luck lads, we might need it!!!!
Watford are on the up and are playing like they should have from the start of the season. That said we have played so well so far over Xmas I can’t see us losing. 0-1 late winner.
This is my local fixture , I remember Nouha dicko on a wind and rain swept boxing day poking one in and last seasons ‘wind assisted’ jota goal
hope its blowing a gale ,
Happy New Year …F*”k VAR
Watford beware, there is nothing more dangerous than a wounded animal.
After the Liverpool debacle, I pretty well decided to stop watching league football until VAR was sorted, but I’ll be glued to the screen like everyone else who ain’t going.
A game, of course, we all really want to win and one we should win.
Usual line up. Usual game plan. Usual result. 2-1 Wolves. Jota and Jimi with the goals. Match completely ruined by VAR again. Even if they don’t disallow our goals, just the thought they might will stop me celebrating until we’ve kicked off again. Sad innit!
Happy New Year everyone!
It’s been a bit of a slog over Christmas – I mean me, not Wolves. I continue to be amazed how much this team keeps giving. A draw away would not be a disaster.
Got a feeling we may come unstuck today, but my wife says 3-2 to Wolves.She’s always right?.