The inability of the bottom three to get meaningful results has been the sole crumb of comfort.
But it won’t last forever.
I remain convinced this group isn’t as bad as the table or our recent results suggest, so Nuno has to start getting a tune out of them.
If we need inspiration, we need only look at our opponents tomorrow who couldn’t buy a win before Christmas but have since managed 5 and are unbeaten in 7.
There’s no reason we can’t do exactly the same.
Arsenal
It was an unexpected win against Chelsea that got the ball rolling again for Mikel Arteta and they’ve carried on from there.
You might look at wins against Brighton, Albion and Newcastle and think they were expected to win, but as we know all too painfully, that counts for nothing.
An air-tight defence has helped with only league leaders Man City (13) conceding fewer goals than the Gunners (20).
It remains to be seen whether influential trio Tierney, Saka and Aubameyang return having missed the draw with Man Utd at the weekend, but they did alright without them in that game.
New loan signing Martin Odegaard could make his first start after joining from Real Madrid and is widely regarded as a high quality attacking midfielder.
With such up, down and then up again form this season, it’s hard to really get the measure of them or what their aspirations should be from this point onwards.
European football of any description and finishing above Spurs would probably be high on the shopping list of most supporters I imagine. Both look achievable.
The away end
Some comments lifted from the pre-match thread on a popular Arsenal forum.
Simply has to be a win as Wolves can’t score to save themselves. If we get some of the key players we missed today back then I’m confident we’ll get a win. If we don’t then I can see some boring stalemate.
This is a must win but I’m getting worried. Saka and Tierney still doubts, Laca and Pepe both gassed, Auba who knows. Arteta needs to find a lineup that can score a goal or two.
Ceballos was out with an injury last time I checked. Auba will be out because he either travelled abroad or came in contact with someone with COVID-19 per the latest reports. Martinelli as ST is too much of a risk right now. Hasn’t played in ages there and I don’t think Mikel used him in that role since he came. I wouldn’t necessarily object it if Mikel gave it a go though. We should have enough quality around Elneny and Eddie anyway to get past Wolves with their recent form.
Why are people predicting a Wolves win? They have been so so so bad lately. They are bottom of the form table!!
Wolves
We went with a very attacking team at The Emirates and deservedly won the game. I wonder if Nuno will consider the same again?
There’s a definite logic to going with a back four, which would allow both Podence and Traore to start.
If it’s a back three, I’d bring Neves back into the side and Saiss down the left assuming he’s fit and not being sold to Liverpool (as per dodgy social media rumours).
Traore should come in for Podence if it’s a straight choice to give us a more direct attacking threat.
Last time out
Although the game will be remembered for the horrendous injury to Raul, we created two brilliant goals and defended well to get the win at The Emirates earlier this season.
Arsenal won at Molineux post-lockdown last season, deservedly taking the points with goals from Saka and Lacazette.
Predictions
Iceni Wolf and Steve L Biles both correctly predicted the 1-0 defeat at Selhurst Park to score a maximum.
MILDENHALL WOLF still leads the overall table at the end of Gameweek 21.
As always if you’d like to join in, simply leave your prediction for this game in the comment section below, which is where you’ll find my best guess.
Up The Wolves!
I never back our opponents, however on this occasion I’m going to have to, if only to stop the rot ?. Pretty please, come on Wolves!!
When you’re losing games like we are and constantly shifting the team around to try and find an answer, it’s just the worst. It feels like everything you do is wrong. I’m glad I’m not picking the team. Whoever plays, we’ve just got to dig out a result.
We’ve been competitive in all our home games and even in our current dismal state, I expect us to compete and push Arsenal all the way. The fact that they’re not a free-scoring team either (with the exception of the shellacking they gave Albion) bodes well for our prospects.
I can’t predict us to win but I will back us to score and take a point.
The midfield needs shaking up and Moutinho and Dendoncker could not argue if they where both dropped as they where dreadful against Palace. So it’s Neves and one other, I would love to see Otasowie given a chance. He showed some great promise in his second half appearance against Chelsea but had not been used in his best position since. Also, would love us to play 4-2-3-1 the first half away at Arsenal showed the potential of this shape. However shape and formations don’t make much difference when 8/9 players are playing badly. The run is awful but we are not as bad as this run would suggest.
I agree with all this. Especially Otasowie being given a run out. He’d have been a standout player against Palace. New number 12 also looks like he may do well. Having said that… I am expecting more dark before the dawn.
I think we can win if we show up. The solutions are inside the team.
I would go with a back 3/5. May as well try something we should know how to handle.
Cut out the mistakes. Pass forward. Easy peasy.
1-0
I fear that the LWB injury situation is unbalancing our attacking options now. Semedo looks half the player on the left and with Saiss still injured I wonder whether Hoever can play there. Potentially another tough game in prospect whilst we watch Arsenal set up camp in midfield and try to pick a way through us. To achieve a win we need a dramatic change in confidence levels from our hitherto stalwarts Coady and Dendoncker. However, a return to form must surely happen at some stage so why not tomorrow night. I fancy a scrappy ‘one nil to the Wanderers’ with Jose getting a debut headed goal. Hope springs eternal.
Why are my comments being moderated?
Maybe you’ve morphed into Clive?
That would require some serious morphing magic, which Timmy babe ain’t got, coz he’s from up North.
Just hope we can improve we have a chance might be slim but we need some thing 2-1the Wolves
“This is what we expect, this is what we wish, we want him to feel happy again and play his football,” explained Nuno. “A striker is always concerned about goals but before that Patrick has to work very hard wherever he is.
“He has to commit to daily work so he can start scoring and playing to be what we expect – a good option for us in the future.”
What he really means is if he starts scoring again, Wolves can get more of the money they spend on him back.
I fancy Kilman (played 38 times at LB 41 times at CB in his short career so far) on the left of a back four with Boly inside of him next to Coady and Semedo at RB. We need to give the midfield and attack something extra with that extra man further up the pitch. Start Adama, Jose, Neto up top with Podence in the 10 role with Neves and Dendoncker in the middle. Maybe this leaves us too vulnerable at the back but I want to see up take games by the scruff of the neck now.
I don’t see us abandoning the 3/5 defence for either this or the Leicester game. I’d put Saiss in the centre of the 3 (Coady out), Hoever and Semedo at WB. Podence has been playing as part of a notional front 3, but required to drop back to help in midfield. Unfortunately he’s not built for such physical battles and has little impact in that area. So I would suggest that, now we have a target man to aim for, we return him to his natural habitat on the wing where he would have room to show his technical ability. And lets abandon the two defensive midfielders approach; play Neves and Otosawie and tell them to support the front 3 (Podence José Neto)- i.e. get in the box from time to time.
After their recent performances Dendoncker and Moutinho should be nowhere near our starting XI. I’d like to see Otasowie start but I can’t see it.
5 at the back, keep it tight and I’d take a draw against an in form arsenal.
Jose to grab his first.
Hate to predict a wolves loss but I can see being undone once again here. If Nuno abandons his caution first approach we might nick something but if we adopt the same mindset as palace I can see it being another depressing loss.
Can’t see anything other than a defeat. But let’s stay positive…
We can’t buy a win at the moment.
Would love a win, take a draw but expect a loss unfortunately.
Not confident about this one, but our best hope may be for a boring 0-0 draw. This is the first time ever in all of the many years that I have supported Wolves, that I genuinely feel a 0-0 is on the cards for three consecutive games, and it shows the form of the team and my confidence levels in them!
However, players don’t turn bad overnight and I do believe we are not that far off from grinding out a couple of results, our poor run of luck surely cannot continue indefinitely. A good break for us, or dare I say it, if we manage to score first, and the levels of intensity should improve dramatically. And please, Nuno, please, do not field 8 Carl Henry’s as you did in the last game. I know you did not tell them to play that way!
Moutino out, and maybe even Tarore, who most of the time slows right down for a few seconds before he attempts to speed up, and this gives the defense time to get back in position, and a second player to defend against him.
I know my comments are all over the place, but that’s no different from how Wolves are playing right now!
We need a win simple no matter how that comes about we just need a win.
Every loss from now on cranks up the pressure on everyone, Nuno the players and the board we have to end this run or heads will roll we cannot bury our heads in the sand win or change personal that’s the bottom line it’s all about results and they haven’t been no where near good enough.
A win has got to there somewhere; about time it happened soon.
Confidence, or rather the lack of it, is showing on the players. Has something happened within the group which is being very tightly guarded? There has been such a drastic turn of fortune for there not to have been.
Anyway, us fans will never get to know, we will just have to keep on supporting our team from afar and hope that some tiny spark rekindles our earlier form and bring about that much needed confidence.
We beat them at their place, now let’s get our 1st double of the season.
You have to love a good conspiracy theory. Here’s mine.
Two players moved on (players do that)
Two very important players have been injured and are missing large chunks of the season (again it happens)
One, you could argue two, new signings are taking a while to bed in but patience and persistence is starting to see results.
A couple of our best players are starting to show fatigue after the longest period of football without a break in history.
That’s my conspiracy theory.
I would add to that and state one of the biggest earners, a young lad bought for 36 million, who is nowhere near Premier League standard could be causing a problem.Ofcourse it’s not the players fault just a miscalculation on the part of the management and wow what a miscalculation. This must be an absolute sickener for all of the other players,and can easily de motivate the entire team.
A win has got to there somewhere; about time it happened soon.
Confidence, or rather the lack of it, is showing on the players. Has something happened within the group which is being very tightly guarded? There has been such a drastic turn of fortune for there not to have been.
Anyway, us fans will never get to know, we will just have to keep on supporting our team from afar and hope that some tiny spark rekindles our earlier form and bring about that much needed confidence.
We beat them at their place, now let’s get our 1st double of the season.
Like
Wolves 2
Arsenal 1
Neves will play tomorrow, and have the game of his life now his missus has given birth, his newborn child is fine, and he knows he is soon gonna get some, after a few months abstinence!
I’m not looking for miracles, just a repeat of the first game I ever watched on my Dad’s new color TV, back in 1971!
5-1
Few months abstinence? Not too sure about that , Clive. Someone hasn’t told you porkies in the past have they to ensure you don’t come near?
Maybe.
Something about having a picture of my right hand in my wallet?
And I’m left handed.
Colour? Bleeding nora ..you were rich lol.
You were lucky…we lived in the carcass of a black and white portable.
We got ours in 1983. Redifusion told us we were the only ones left with a black and white set and they weren’t prepared to maintain it any more
I can’t for the life of me understand how we’ve got into this mess .
I’d be happy with a point but our new striker looks good so wolves to end this dismal run with a win
Jonny did he knee ligaments Matt. Luiz smashed Raul’s skull. Marcel prefers the treatment room to the pitch. etc etc. Confidence shot to pieces. No fans to lift ’em back up.
That’s how we got into this mess. The perfect storm.
A sorry state
Aye Aye Aye Aye
Rui is better than Yashin
Traore is better than Eusebio
And Arsenal are in for a thrashin’.
Well, that might be stretching a point but tomorrow we, and they, have to believe it.
And belief is what we have lacked recently.
With the clubs beneath us starting to pick up points and confidence, we need a win.
And we need it soon, before our narrow points advantage over the ‘Three worse teams than us’ dwindles to nothing.
Come on Nuno, your man management skills are renowned.
You have to make them count now.
Stretching it a bit, with the Eusebio thing there.
Come to think of it, the Yashin reference is pushing it as well!
Now, Phylis was better than Yashin, and our Ernie better than that Portuguese fella, but I agree we’ll give them a thrashin’, if only for Raul.
How many predictions do you want?
5-1, 4-1, are you going to go through every permutation?
Damn!
Foiled again!
You saw through my cunning plot.
Will.have to.start calling him Chalkie.
Would never dream of stealing your name, Tentboy
I sometimes think the problem is playing 2 in midfield, (with two wingbacks). Would prefer to see Neves, Donk, Moutinho all starting and two up front. For now I guess its Willian + Neto as starters. Time to grind out some results however ugly it looks.
I expected us to beat Palace. A win here would be more than I expect.
Forgot to add:
We need to give Luis payback, in spades, the bastard.
I was thinking the same thing. One of the players who doesn’t get any game time anyway can come on and give an errant elbow or something.
Agreed. I don’t want to see him come off that field with more than one bollock.
Afraid I have to predict an odd goal in it … against us!
Yes. Let’s hope his fly away hair gets mangled up in a passing seagull which them proceeds to elevate him to the top of Mander House and has a shit on him.
Maitland niles to the shite what the hell is going on there ??????? if he thinks playing for them is going to get him back in the england team hes lost the plot !!
Anyway never commented on the palace game as to be honest i was completely bewildered ..the same as the team were.
Four at the back five at the back three at the back nine at the back !!! for f###s sake its no wonder the players are in a mental mess so lets carry on with one formation and make the best of it.
We can hold arsenal we do have the quality if all the players get their finger out but im not sure we can beat them unless we can have some of the luck the vile are having at the moment.
fingers crossed traore starts and puts some studs in his boots then we could do it.
need to win so i get my money of mike from the chip shop.
Afraid it’s a bore draw from me. I do hope I’m wrong
Who really knows what to expect particularly as it’s unlikely that Nuno is one to give the hairdryer treatment after such a poor performance.
Molineux seems to be a wider pitch than that at Selhurst Park and that might help our wide men deliver decent balls to Jose who showed enough on debut to indicate that he’s an aerial threat.
Arsenal are no great shakes but are on a decent run so hopefully we’ll get at least a draw.
Beginning to think I can’t keep doing this so no opinion just a very hopeful prediction.
I agree with your scoreline Happy, except that I’m afraid I have to reverse it. This is because our form appears to be in a severe trough right now and we show no sign of digging ourselves out of it as yet.
So a 2-0 defeat alas…….
I’m Suggesting we brace ourselves for a rocky few weeks with few points being added to The meagre 23 right now
But at least let’s see if we can establish a more positive style that threatens to
Score goals…and that requires picking our strongest attack ..every game.. for at least 6 in a row
So Willian Podence Neto Traore to start
(And Neves to take free licks and no
short wasted corners …and..well, .you know)
We are Wolves
I’d rather lose 2-3 than 0-1
I’m going to defend Dendoncker and Moutinho. Midfield players want to pass forwards but need players in front of them to give them options either by showing face to face or running into forward spaces. We used to be very good at that with Jota and Jimenez , Traore’s best games come when he is running onto the ball rather than receiving it standing still and waiting until a queue forms to stop him.
If this isn’t happening, for whatever reason, midfield players will look sideways or backwards to retain possession . It’s the coach’s job to put this right.
I agree with your point about D & M, BG.
Hopefully Jose will start to make those runs when he gets used to the way we like to play.
And I really don’t know why Adama insists on standing still until three defenders have lined up against him.
Get the ball – get going!
But what do we know.
I really do have to question our recruitment policy . No Reberto Sanches and then to top it all AMN has gone to sandwell town…ffs
After our performance at Palace we need a massive kick up the arse and someone needs to tell our players that we are in serious trouble of sleep walking into a relegation battle . Put basically we need a win and another one on Sunday please . My blood pressure cant take any more.
PS Dr Nuno can you put Saiss in for Hooever . I spent the hole of last Saturday shooting at the kid every time he gave the ball away . I give Moutinho a rest please . Finally no more short conners…we now have a very tiddy centre forward whis good in the air and needs service as shown on Saturday……rant over
COYW
Jose for the win
I hope we play our strongest available team which for me must include Neves and Traore. Hopefully Saiss is fit too and if he is I’d play him alongside Neves in midfield with Traore up front on the right with Moutinho, Dendoncker and Podence missing out from the team at Palace. If Saiss isn’t fit then Otasowie to partner Neves.
Important we start well and play at a high tempo. Arsenal are in good form but their defence is still suspect especially their full backs if Tierney is still out.
OODCL
Nope…
The question is will the fashionable North London outfit enjoy a chilly Tuesday evening in Whitmore Reans? I sent next door neighbours cat (NDNC) to interview Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. ….
NDNC “Hello Mikel. How are you looking forward to a wintry evening in Whitmore Reans?
MA ” Very nice. Never been interviewed by a cat before. Yes …Yes very good singer”
NDNC ” I’m sorry ?”
MA ” Si . Very good singer. Ooooh I wanna dance with somebody. Somebody who loves me…… yes! ”
NDNC ” Er no you misunderstand me. I said Whimore Reans”
MA ” Si. Si. Very nice . Whitney Houston in Jean’s. Ah. Si si. And when the night falls. My lonely heart calls……”
So that went well. As it will tomorrow. Sooner or later someone is gonna end our bad run. It started the game after Arsenal away and it will end after Arsenal at home. Looking at some of the games in our bad run. Villa home. 0-0 last ten mins Fabio shot hits the inside of the post. Lost in injury time. Man utd away.Saiss header off the bar. Unlucky deflection off Saiss injury time costs a point. Brighton away. Dunks header probably going wide deflects off Saiss head in to net. WBA home first penalty outside the box. WBA defender plays basketball no penalty. Palace Saturday unlucky clip off Wolves defender steers ball to Eze. Goal. My glass is usually half full and no doubt folks will come back at me . That’s fine. But to me it’s fine margins. A bit of luck. I accept we haven’t been scintillating but I reckon a bit of luck in some of the games and we are looking at another 4 or 5 points. So tomorrow its gonna be WWFC 2 Arsenal 1.
I’d like to be positive but Saturday’s no show is still hounding me.
Cheesey is right about our recent results being ‘fine margin’ outcomes , but until we get some going our way … it matters not.
I can’t see anything other than a cat and mouse game of chess tomorrow, although nothing would give me greater pleasure seeing Willian Jose score a 20 minute first half hat trick and seeing that thug Luiz getting the hook for not coping with his onslaught.
Craig Pawson on the whistle and John moss on VAR duty…..
Staying optimistic for a win. ( though my prediction track record has been dismal) 🙂
Come on Wanderers!
It gets harder to predict what will happen… in the dark ages, we turned thinking we would lose, get a point and be satisfied a win and be over the moon. Along cones Dr Nuno, we all started believing and expecting to win every game.
At least we are capable of turning over anyone, when we turn up.
Surely, we can’t be worse than the Palace game?
If they all turn up, well who knows. Agree that Donk probably needs a rest on the bench, Neves back and hopefully Saiss back too.
Can never bring myself to predict us to lose… So I’m going with a pulsating entertaining end to end score draw.
Oh, then I woke up xx
Some of the comments and threads have given me a much needed lift (along with the text offering me my 1st vivid vaccination on Thursday; 2nd in April).
I have to remain hopeful.
Please Wolves, up the pace, keep possession and score first. That’s all I ask.
Would like Neves to start, Jose up front flanked by Neto and Podence. Ambivalent about Traore; he has speed sure, but doesn’t seem, imo, to have a natural footballing brain. But that doesn’t mean I’d sell him to another Premier League team!
Going fo a win, would settle for a draw.
Well done on the vaccination mate. Brilliant. First steps on ths way to getting a full and vibrant Molineux putting the shits up our opponents!
Thanks!
I’m beginning to feel that it will be some time before a team can be put back together to match that of the previous seasons. They were new to the PL, played with confidence and pride in their own skills and ability, as a team, not scared of anyone, especially ‘top six’. They only came unstuck when the little clubs outbattled them.
But maybe now this broken up team of mixed experience seem either stale and jaded, and simply not yet on the same wavelength. We can hope that Jose will find the net, but that won’t be enough against Arsenal and Leicester.
I’ll still hope for a miracle though.
I’ll take a clean sheet and be glad of the point ( fingers crossed a sneaky win from a penalty conceded by Luiz)
we just have to dig in for now, dip in form doesn’t give us confidence , no crowds worsens the situation. in Nuno I trust!
COYW
My head says it cannot see anything but a defeat or at best a drab 0-0 draw.
We have problems folks!
But because I’m a wolf my heart says we’ll thrash ’em.
I have lost all faith in this team. In fact we can’t even call them a team… so disappointing…
Apparently our very own Ben is on Talk Sport tonight, midnight your time, so all you night owls and fellow bloggers who can get permission to stay up late, have a listen. I am sure the blog will get a mention.
Just looking around on social media tonight and all the negative doom mongers are out. Funny how they describe rational level headed supporters (like me) as happy clappers. Which is quite hilarious really.. I reckon these people were nowhere to be seen until 4 years ago when they suddenly became fans and quite extraordinary ‘happy clappers ‘. I said on this blog about 3 years ago that when things start to go tits up they are the first to moan and groan. Think they will be there if we go down.? No chance.
Hope not, then I might be able to get a ticket!!
And me. Bloody tossers. 4 months before Nuno arrived I went to Forest away under Lambert. There were 1000 tickets unsold. If I remember right Cav got the winner in front of the Wolves fans who could be bothered to go. Great day out in Nottingham.
Was a great day out Cheese. If I’d know you then I would have bought a pint.
I have a feeling that we might finally get a penalty … but that still wont be enough to get us a point.
With SU v WBA and CP v Newcastle, we will inevitably concede ground to those around and below us, making things a little bleaker.
But if we win ash, we may go around 13 points above the relegation places!
Keep the faith
Utw
Well I said we would get a penalty and you said we would win so we are both right / geniuses! Great to get the 3 points
Well we some how have have changed from a team nobody wants to play to a team everyone wants to play.
If we want a dodgy soft penalty, we have to be playing around their penalty box,
If we want a dodgy deflection into the bottom corner, we have to be shooting around their penalty box
If we want a goal from a set piece, we have to stick the ball into their box directly from the corner and not pass it back to rui,
Arsenal are still not great but if we start slowly by sitting deep and giving them the ball then it will be another hard watch so let’s get at them early doors, put them on the back foot and let them know that they are in for a bloody tough game.
It’s about time we got our home form back where it should be.
For no other reason than we seem unable to produce two similar performances on the bounce, this should be a good one.
I’ll be up at stupid o clock again so don’t spoil my day again lads .
Come on you wolves
Proud of you Marney…..
2am kick off your time…. I think.
You won’t be able to sleep after the game … you’ll be buzzing …
Wolves 5 – 1 Arsenal….. just like Clive’s first view on colour tv…1971..?
Hi twix
If that’s the score, I’m watching it back again immediately.
Utw
Winning tonight would be typical Wolves just as we think there’s no chance. Tough game but we’ll somehow get the points
Was speaking with a relative today about a medical issue. They stated that a positive attitude can do so much so…
Let’s Go Wolves!
I am scared we might let in an early goal. I am scared of letting in a very late goal. Jeez, like most Wolves fans at the moment I am just scared trying to predict a score !! Throw in some totally unexpected results in the PL and you can see, this is just plain guessing game. Nothing else. Will our team turn up at all? We seem to play our best games against (supposedly) strong teams. Well this is one of them. In other words – I have No Friggin Idea.!!
Boring draw. 0-0.
As long as Podence don’t start we should be able to muster a result here…
With Neto and Adama Looking for Jose rather then trying to play the free role themselves should give Arsenal trouble!
We can’t buy a win at the moment so as much as it pains me to do so Arsenal at a canter for me.
Being at a complete loss to try and predict a score I decided to check the Runes and they predict a draw 9 – 9, translated = 0 – 0 just hope the defence turns up and holds out
We will win a game soon, so why not tonight? It’s difficult to predict a positive result, but I’m hopeful!
Things are pretty grim at the moment, but it’s the bad times that make you appreciate the good times all the more.
Three at the back please. Neves in the middle with the Donk and Otasowie, the latter two with instructions to get forward at every opportunity to support Pedro and Willian.
Just go for it. What have we got to lose? Pedro Neto if things carry on like they are.
Given the way we are playing and the lack of confidence there is no way we will beat one of the league’s better teams.
Therefore, I am predicting a win.
According to Tim Spiers Wolves board not concerned
I am
I think it’ll be postponed because those southern jessies like this weather less than our Portuguese millionaires.
Any road glad we didn’t go for Josh King, he makes Fabio look fab.
After a surprisingly toothless display against Palace I fancy Wolves to bounce back. I’ve placed a couple of bets this morning but I should really wait till Nuno names the team. I didn’t wait as I though the odds looked fair and they could change against me later. I’ve gone Wolves to win at 27/10 and ditto with both teams to score at 13/2 .
The whole squad seems to have suffered a collective loss of confidence. For me, it’s time to shake the team up Nobody should be pre-printed on the team sheet. I would play Ruddy. He’s vocal, he commands his area and he’s not shy at advancing to pick off crosses. I would also drop Donk and Moutinho. Saiss must come in if he’s fit. Coady for me is on probation. He’s fighting for his Wolves place and also his England place in the Euros, but I fancy he’s blown the latter already.. These days he looks like he’s liable to give away a penalty at any moment.
For a counter=attacking side we’ve been having a lot of trouble getting out of our own penalty area, let alone our own half! Once upon a time, in our first two seasons in the PL, we could beat any side on our day with thrilling breaks at speed. We’re failing badly in midfield and pussy-footing with nervous sideways and backwards passes. Those long diagonal pinpoint passes forward from Coady and Neves seem to be a distant memory. If we can’t pull this game out of the bag, we, and Nuno, are in serious trouble. Nothing less than a point will do for me but I’m expecting to clean up on both bets with a 2-1 win.
Well done, you must be a lot happier tonight ! I had 2-1 with Paddy to, and my usual ‘Wolves to come from behind and win’.
We should of gone in for Josh King. Great striker who is direct but couldnt really do much with Bournemouth.
I am still unsure why everyone comes out with there tactician board like we are a bad team and people need to be wary for there place, After a little bit of a bad run, bad fixtures and injury’s. To go as far as Connor Coady is on probation for his place is blinding.
I have been saying for weeks now that Neves and Podence are the issues IN MY OPINION and I think it might be evident now.
As good as podence is on the ball, or how far he runs, he is useless. He cannot battle for anything, He cannot read a game and trys all these stupid fucking passes that always lose possession.
He wouldn’t of got into the Wallsall Athletic side I was in 7 years ago… let alone at this level.
Josh King would have been a good shout. For that matter Troy Deeney would have been too. Deeney has been a consistent PL scorer and not afraid to mix it physically, and a thorn in our flesh for years. He scored a penalty against QPR in the championship last night. I’m really surprised Big Sam didn’t make a move for him at Albion.
What I don’t get is Nuno’s reluctance to sign English players. Our Portuguese contingent is;literally cut off from families back home, and are probably depressed as a result. Thank god for Kilman though. He’s a big, young and strong lad but unlike Portuguese ‘ones for the future’ he’s holding his own in the best league in the world. We paid Maidenhead, what, £35K for him? If he’d been a prospect from Portugal we might have shelled out £35mil for him… Just saying.
I seen a pre-game or post-game interview when we first did get that Fabio – and the question to Nuno was that of the inkling that “you spent a lot on this young talent, how much game time is he expecting” and I thought the look he gave the interviewer was a “I had nothing to do with this transaction and now don’t have a choice” if Ever I seen one.
It looks like the Board and owners want to make a good business out of Wolves as well as a good team. So that is important, but as a fan we want to see what Nuno can do with the money and the players he would bring in.
We also should take into consideration of the average age of our team, even when we have every player available, experience is vital in the prem and a few of our Portuguese contingent are having to gain experience totally alone in the deep end.
Adama is not good enough to be coaching the youngsters on game day – Coady is trying to coach too much and trying to make up for the mistakes. Its such a fine balance – we have players like Podence and Adama who think they are a difference in the game – when actually only 1 has the potential to actually single handed change a game. I think we really do have something special for the future building right now… this is why results don’t really faze me currently as I cannot see us going down with the standard of football being played.
********* ALSO F**K AINSLEY MAITLEND NILES – Would of been a good signing had we been able to complete it – now he is at the baggies, makes me sad.
Couldn’t agree more about Maitland-Niles. The fee went up by £5mil when he was MOTM in the FA Cup final and he was also selected for England. Why didn’t we swallow the increase? Instead we had no compunction about shelling out £35mil for an unknown teenager from Portugal. I strongly suspect that Nuno had little or no say in the Fabio Silva transfer. If we lose against Arsenal, Nuno might well pay a heavy price for being so compliant….
Maitland-Niles isn’t considered good enough for a bang average Arsenal team and zI personally think that we’ve dodged a bullet for a change instead of the Silva one which has gone right through the centre of our heads!
Could still be 3 at the back with Traore as right wing back.
My heart is telling me to go for a win. This prediction thing is as frustrating as playing the lottery.
I’ve got high hopes for New Willy but worry about our ability to stop arsenal scoring. A good performance with a point to show for it would be a good result tonight so that’s what I’m going for.
My one longer term concern is whether it’s three or four at the back our centre backs are having to patrol the six yard box which is normally the undisputed real estate property of the keeper. Ours doesn’t like to take more than one foot off the white line and is creating unnecessary pressure every time there’s a set piece or a ball into the box.
I don’t get the same nerves when Ruddy is playing.
Although I’m disappointed that we diodn;t do more with the transfer window, our squad is a lot better than our current form and I am confident something will click and we will finish the season more strongly.
However, Arsenal are in very good form at the moment. If we get anything out of this game it might just be the catalyst we need but I don’t think this will be the one.
I remember the first time I took a former girlfriend up the arsenal……a moment of exquisite pleasure……….Andy Gray and John Richards in a 3-2 win at the old Highbury.
Are you Frankie Howard in disguise ????
I thought it might lighten the mood.
Are you allowed to say that?
Using words like ‘Exquisite’ on the blog.
You’ll have Clive rummaging in his drawers for his ‘Pocket Thesaurus’.
I was there too, but it seems that you didn’t see much of the game!
Yes it was certainly a tight squeeze in the end I was in.
An out of form goalkeeper, fragile defence, lethargic midfield, forwards who have forgotten where the goal is. Apart from that, though, everything is looking good.
I just can’t see where the next win is coming from.
We need a remarkable change in attitude, tactics and energy. I’m expecting more of the same thought.
Praying for a win
Hoping for a draw
Expecting a defeat
Can but agree with you- whilst our lightweight, technical players look great when we are on the front foot with a strong midfield platform they are easily dispossessed. We need scrappers who can roll their sleeves up and battle- an Alex Rae or Paul Ince character who demand blood sweat and tears. Sadly, only Neves shows this attitude. We look better with 3 in midfield with Moutinho and Jonny snapping at heels,, winning back possession higher up the pitch and then releasing our fast paced counterattacks which we have been treated to for the last couple of seasons. Our fortunes won’t change until a fully fit Jonny is back, imho. I agree Ruddy should come back in if only to re-motivate Rui.
The second highest (official) attendance at Molineux was against Arsenal in January 1938 when 61,267 filed obediently through the turnstiles. I reckon there could well be someone, somewhere in their 90’s who can claim to “have been there” 83 years ago.
Fat forward nearly 30 years to October 1967 and Arsenal arrived at Molineux – like today in a period of transition as they finished 9th that season. The diminutive figure of club physiotherapist Bertie Mee had been appointed manager to replace Billy Wright and in turn, to make up for his lack of tactical awareness, Mee appointed Don Howe and Dave Sexton as his assistants. Arsenal had not won a trophy since 1953 but that was about to change as Mee guided the club to the FA cup and Division 1 elusive double in 1971 thereby becoming only the second team in the 20th century to achieve the feat. (Tottenham Hotspur were the first in 1961 whilst Wolves missed out by a single point in 1960 thank to the “Lancashire Conspiracy”). Although not quite the force they were about to become Arsenal had some fine players including Jon Sammels, John Radford, George Graham and George Armstrong. Coming through the ranks were Charlie George, Pat Rice and Ray Kennedy.
Recently promoted Wolves had made a useful start to life in the top flight and were in 12th position (out of 22) at kick off. Victories over Fulham, Leeds, West Ham and Burnley and a few hard earned draws saw us in mid table. Dougan and Knowles had quickly adjusted to life up front and driven on by the best captain I have seen in over 60 years – Mike Bailey – we had high hopes of a victory over the Gunners.
Yes and so it proved. Wolves actually raced into a 3 goal lead (Dougan 2 and Knowles) before goals from Armstrong and Graham made it a nervy climax in front a very healthy crowd of 37,000. So the number 58 bus home was a happy place to be for dad and I as was the playground the following day! (I seem to recall the match was played on a Monday evening but I have no idea why, as there was no such thing as an international break to disrupt the league programme 54 years ago).
A similar result tonight would be just what the doctor ordered but somehow I can’t quite envisage such a score line.
But I think we will win 2-0 for the simple reason the Palace performance plumbed the very depths of despair and it surely cannot be as bad again – can it? Anyway I shall be behind the sofa!
Bedfordshire Old Gold
BOG
It’s been an interesting week or so, with me missing virtually all of the last two matches. I’m back now and looking forward to tonight’s tussle with Arsenal.
Wolves desperately need a change of fortune and…..I was going to say application. As I understand it there was plenty of the latter against Chelsea. Just need that again, plus a bit of luck.
I trust Nuno to put it right, hopefully starting tonight.
Radio Times for today (P. 77): “Rayan Ait-Nouri will be a threat down the left For Wolves” . . . . .
. . . . . well that ain’t gonna happen but I am overflowing with optimism for this one.
Home debut hat-trick for Jose, I think.
I’m not a religious man but, please, God, please!!!!!
Trying to predict a unique wolves win score but Cliove seems to have predicted them all.
Let’s all think positive thoughts.
This is the best I can do, Tim.
COMBs!
Attacking line-up, hope we have enough in midfield to retain the ball and create pressure.
Just seen the line up.
I’m liking the intent. I just hope we are able to make it work.
We’re definitely not playing it safe.
The BBC has it as a 4-3-3 but I suspect it will be more of a 4-1-2-3
Whether you agree with the selection or not you have to admire Nuno for going for it.
Just in time to get a prediction in, but not really much to base it on. Some very strange results coming out of this crowdless season so anything could happen. On the basis that we have to win a league match sometime I’m going for a win – even though I’m not sure why.
COYW
CET
Not a word on Teletext on BBC in the Tuesday Premier League Previews! We’ve become that insignificant – but so have Arsenal. Can anybody rustle up a goal, a shot on target?
Don’t think so. 0-0 for me.
Teletext? Maybe that’s because we weren’t in the Premier League in the 90’s.
Could still be 3-4-3 with Traore at wing back.
Horses mouth. Nuno confirmed it’s a 4
I’m not expecting a win this evening, I’m not even sure if I’ll have chance to watch!
But the team know they have to get out of this mindset, they know they need to improve, they know they need points.
I just cannot bring myself to predict a loss, I can’t even be arsed to go for a draw so with nothing to lose (as I’m nowhere in the PL anyway) I’m going for the old faithful prediction. I’ve got to get it right at some point.
Jose to get 2 in the net.
COYW
Nothing matters just now.
RIP Capt Sir Tom. Your duty is over
Very true
Football way down the pecking order compared to that gentleman
FFS we’re getting marmalised and mullered!
You didn’t know the gods were smiling on us !
Semedo !!why is Nuno playing him
Is completely inept …dangerous ….is worth a goal to them on his own perhaps 2 the way he’s playing
What has happened to our team..
Nuno..
He’s not inept, he’s a very talented footballer.
Ha ! Luis gone
Karma!!!!
Jesus – that first half was tough to watch. Should be 3 .-0 down.
The penalty could change everything. Against 10 men second half so it could be the massive stroke of luck that we have needed. Fingers crossed !!
Luis ha, ha, ha
If the commentary team had their way they would have over turned that.
Not been convincing, but we need to kick on and win this now
Not quite ‘Instant’ Karma for David Luis.
But it’ll do for now.
Should be 3-0 down, but it’s a funny game Confidence and lack of a midfielder ain’t doing us no favours. But, come on, we are better than this… That forward ball for our penalty is what has been missing in my opinion; the ability to thread the needle. Great run and play by the two lads; Podence and Jose.
When you get a chance check out the Best Goals From La Liga video currently embedded on the BBC Live footie page. A brilliant goal from Rafa Mir at no. 5. Get him back!
That Icelandic bloke we had around 8-10 years ago managed to score a brilliant goal. It takes more than that although, to be fair, Mir did also score a hat trick against Valladolid last Friday.
GET IN
Did I say I wasn’t religious?
I am now :0)
Hallelujah
That’ll do nicely lads. 3 points & the double over them.
Fine margins. Went our way tonight. The equaliser on half time a big turning point. Relieved. A very very long second half.
OK at last it goes our way! Cheats don’t, as I was told as a child, prosper. Pity nobody could give Luis a head butt on the way off.
Well played Wolves. I love you still.
Wasn’t it just! With a 2 man advantage, it was still very nervous. Fantastic win though, and the shite lost as well!!
A wonder strike from Moutinho and suddenly the shackles were lifted. I know it was against 10 men for the next 20 minutes but our first touch was better, we sprayed the ball around and Adama suddenly remembered what he was born to do. The second red card was a bonus but I reckon that we would have won without the added help. We started to look like the team that we know we can be and maybe – just maybe, we might have turned the proverbial corner !!
OODCL
I thought Semedo played well tonight!
Difficult game to judge for 90 minutes due to playing against 9 men, so I wont. 3 points is 3 points. I will take that and hope this kickstarts us.
It’s probably harder to team up on Adama when you’re playing with 9 or 10 men.
Can we play them every week??
God on our side .amen.thank you.
Only you Brompton after my above comment would say Semedo played well you must track me..lol give or take him loosing the ball for their goal. Yep…Fantastic player..
Anyway..COYW blinding second goal.
I was being sarcastic mate. Everyone who watched the game would have seen he did not. Nothing to do with your post Steve.