I’ll be glad to get this one out the way.
You’d be stupid to say we’ve got no chance, given our record against City is won two, drawn one, lost two since returning to the Premier League, but this seems like the toughest assignment so far.
We’re not quite as good as we have been and they’re in a golden moment with an army of brilliant players.
We’ll be banking up and closing down spaces though, which is still a Nuno speciality and the longer we can keep them out, the greater the chance they’ll surrender something on the counter.
Stranger things have happened.
Man City
20 straight victories. 27 games unbeaten. What else is there to say?
Just before they started reeling off the wins I did actually wonder whether Pep had lost the magic. They looked tired and workmanlike – solid but far from spectacular.
Then Ruben Dias began to establish himself in defence and Joao Cancelo emerged as a playmaker from right-back. Lift-off.
Often playing without a recognised striker they’ve looked even better, giving freedom to the likes of Foden, Silva and in particular, Gundogan, to attack the box.
I watched them take West Brom apart in one of the best first half performances I’ve seen in a long while and they’ve done similar to plenty of others.
More recently though, they’ve been grinding out narrower wins, with Arsenal and West Ham pushing them harder.
Most impressively of all, they seem able to swap four or five in and out all over the pitch and remain just as formidable.
Whatever happens tomorrow, they’re going to win the league. Both the domestic cups and the Champions League remain in play too and I wouldn’t be betting against them in any of those competitions.
The home end
I lifted the following from the intro to the pre-match thread on the Blue Moon Forum.
I think most of you will agree with me if asked to point out the best performances of this season for us and Chelsea (A) in January would probably top the list … but Wolves (A), our first game of the season won’t be far behind. Yes we have been winning games in a row recently and there’s that consistency which wasn’t there at the start of the season but that swashbuckling style and fluidity in movement all over the pitch in the first half of that game was surely a thing of beauty and that sent alarm bells ringing across the league that we meant business. Sure, we didn’t follow it through in our early season on form but our performance in that reverse fixture remains right up there amongst one of the best this season. Where the two teams are now … play half that good and it’d be good enough for all three points!
Wolves
I’m not entirely certain about the personnel available (Nuno was typically cryptic in his pre-match press conference), but I’d be playing an extra man in midfield for obvious reasons.
If we’re sacrificing an attacker to make that happen I think it’s got to be Willian Jose, as the other two can conjure something out of nothing.
Nuno gave Vitinha and Hoever a run-out at Old Trafford in a similarly defensive setup, so he might consider the same again if he wants to preserve legs for the more winnable game at Villa at the weekend.
It will be interesting to see what he does.
Last time out
Man City won the opening fixture of their season at Molineux back in August, starting fast and deservedly getting a few goals. But after Raul got one back we had chances to get a point before Jesus sealed the deal with the last kick of the game.
We won at The Etihad last season thanks to two goals from Adama Traore, who ended a long sequence without finding the net. He couldn’t, could he?
Predictions
Well done to Matt Cook, PeteRobbo, Wokywolf, Bedford Lone Wolf, Iceni Wolf, BG, Woodend wolf and Martin1957 who all correctly predicted a 1-1 draw at St. James’ Park.
Bedford Wolf now has the outright lead in the overall table at the end of Gameweek 26.
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!
We’re well drilled in parking the bus so everyone will know what’s expected.
Can we keep them out though? And can we inflict damage when the opportunity presents itself?
I can’t see it.
Both victories last season relied on the guile of Raul and without him, the mountain feels too steep. It would be the greatest win under Nuno if we did it.
I’m tempted to go for a win and yet… it’s a big ask
Going to be tough but could stop their winning run
I was incredibly frustrated with the Newcastle performance, we yet again showed little intent at the start of the game leading to a pretty poor Newcastle team gaining confidence and having 19 shots on our goal. Surely it’s not a plan to start slowly but it’s happening to often now. Start slowly against City and it will be a long night. I don’t give us much of a chance tomorrow, previously when we have played them I always felt you could get at them but the signing of Ruben Dias (sigh) has really addressed that issue. I would go 5-3-2 to try and shut down the midfield but it’s going to be a big ask.
1-1. Why not?
I have consulted with Henrietta the psychic slug who lives in the back garden. Henrietta has predicted a surprise. A 1-1 draw. She says Nuno will play a radical 11-0-0 formation which basically means the teams will run out on the pitch, kick off and then the entire Wolves team will just line up along our own goal line and not move for 95 minutes. So I said to Henrietta how on earth are we going to get a goal. The answer? A KDB own goal. Such will be his frustration with the Wolves defensive stranglehold, he will boot the ball against our cross bar with such anger and force that it flies back out across the pitch, bounces over the startled City goalie , who is by now smoking a fag in a deckchair and in to the net. City get a late penalty after a controversial VAR decision when the ball is adjudged to have hit the arm of Romain Saiss. So a defensive masterclass from Nuno and I am going with Henrietta the psychic slug. CITEH 1 WWFC 1.
How lucky can I get? We pick up a point…….. I slip down to 13th in in Pred league, how unlucky can I get ? I have done my bit for Wolves in February, 5 games unbeaten and 11 points from those games. Can’t predict a win or a draw this week(again) as we are, without doubt, playing the best team in the Premier.
Best team in the prem? Yes. Our type of Opponents? also, Yes.
We struggle against the teams that sit behind the ball, we look way more on edge and evidently like Newcastle, just we cannot break them down.
However, a Wildly open, position changing title winning man city? Just what we beed.
Agree with the picked team above, I reckon neto and adama will catch them atleast once in this game.
We gave the other Manchester lot a good run for their money and I can see us setting up with a similar line up. Maybe with Donck in midfield rather than Vitinha and our usual full-backs rather than the younger pairing of RAN and Hoever. Can’t say I’m optimistic though. One of those matches where I’d be delighted with a draw.
This will not be unlike in “Rain Man” when I think a pot of tooth picks fell on the floor in the restaurant….
Dusty Bin Hoffman guesses the score against the wolves.
Might ensure we have a power cut tomorrow.
Cheeseburger says Saiss will give away a pen. So Nuno, don’t play him.
Can we beat City tomorrow . I doubt it tbh.
It was the slug actually Brompton. Never underestimate the power of a garden slug discussing defensive formations and results in Premier league games. I was too scared to ask what will happen in the 4th Test on Thursday.
This has got to be the easiest three points we are going to pick up this season!
Oh! Hang on, I thought we were playing Villa.
Never mind. There is a chance that we will ship some goals tomorrow, so I am hoping that we keep them to a minimum.
I’m with you Thomas in thinking that this will be aided by NOT playing Dendoncker in defence but shoving him into midfield and bringing Maximillian back into the back three.
I would certainly leave out Jose because if he can’t score against ordinary sides, he ain’t going to get any change out of Stones and Co.
It’s the sort of game that might be better left unwatched.
But you just know that we seem to put on a show against the odds.
I wonder….
Just let’s rewatch a certain League Cup Final and King John, again, and again.
And a certain evening match from late December 2019, back when the World was still sane, and the shit were still in their rightful place, division two!
I”ll be the 1st to predict a narrow win. Don’t expect to add to my points in the prediction league but miracles do happen (and it would have to be a big miracle.)
It’s gonna be a tough month for us with these next 3 games; however, let’s see what the boys are made of.
I’m going for a 2-1 Wolves win somebody has to beat them why not Wolves.
City playing great football
Have virtually 2 top premier team quality players to choose from in every position which has undoubtedly given them an advantage in this 2 game a week Covid effected season
But it’s still possible to cause a major upset
.
Agreed.
All good, and bad, runs come to an end sometime, and after last season, when they just turned up and walked all over us, NOT, they will be wary.
Maybe not scared, until our third goal without reply goes in, but trepidatious, if that’s a word.
Then, when they score their only goal, they will be so cock a hoop that their defense, and drawers will be down for our fourth and fifth.
Simples.
Then I will wake up.
I will never, ever predict a Wolves loss, so, 5-1 to me babbeez.
And has Bedders changed his name to Chalkie?
FOwb
No!
No too.
No three.
Winning runs come to an end sooner or later, and often when you don’t expect it. I like your team Thomas and I’m expecting the jammiest counter-attacking win of all time. Man City 80% possession, Wolves 20% but 2-1 Wolves.
It’s an optimistic draw from me
Yep …a cup of tea and a bun this one
Our best results against City have come from having a go at them sit back and try and defend wave after wave of attack and we are in for a hiding.
The defence in a major issue why Kilman isn’t in I don’t know could do with his height. Dendonker is not a defender for a bloke of his build and height you think he would be half decent in the air but no , in fact he is just as bad in the air in attack as he is in defence.
If Nuno try’s to contain City it will be a long night., but as has been the case for most games this season he will probably try and get to half time without conceding……….good luck there…!
I’m sure most of us would take a draw right now if offered. In theory we should lose. We are playing the best team in England, possibly Europe, and who are slap bang in form whereas we are, well we aren’t really are we!
Having said that there is always a possibility that if we don’t concede early, if Traore and Neto are bang at it, if Willian Jose breaks his duck, if Semedo doesn’t do anything rash in our box and if Neves goes mental and scores ANOTHER goal from inside the box then maybe, just maybe we can get something from this game.
A few too many ‘ifs’ for me this time unfortunately.
OODCL
We sat back and defended for wave after wave of attacks in Oct 2019 and came out 2-0 winners.
This is a different City, and actually we took the game to them remember Catrone missing Raul in on goal and should have had a penalty we took the game to them then punished them on the break.
‘…we took the game to them then punished them on the break.’
No we didn’t. We sat in deep from the very first minute and looked to use the space behind their back 4 on the break. ALL of our chances came on the break, (some when City gifted us the ball !). Check out the highlights on Youtube.
So Catrone didn’t miss a sitter and Raul didn’t get brought down in the box the first half………check the highlights on YouTube.
Yes those events both happened, but on the break not by ‘taking the game to them’.
Also we are not the Wolves team of 2019 not by half.
Just 2 points down on where we were. Not a massive difference.
I thought we would have no chance, until Thomas said I would have to be stupid, so changed my mind to,if we turn up, bide our time, we may get a draw!!
Won’t end their unbeaten run, or stop the Citeh juggernaut rail roading to the title, but give us another point towards the top half of the league and lots of press coverage on how poor Citeh had to play twice in 3 days and how unlucky they were blah, blah.
Agree with Clive, can’t predict a loss
Agree with others, give Kilman a go, move Donk to midfield, give João a rest. Free hit, nothing to lose, give them a good game and try and keep tight at the rear (said the actress to the Bishop)
1 – 1
hello Steve
Yep agreed- nothing to lose. I like the bit about keeping it tight at the back!
If we can get through to half time all square well anything can happen after that.
Maybe tweak the line up as you suggested – right now still with 6 hours and 5 minutes to kick off my stomach is having a churn. Ridiculous for someone of my advanced years!
Lets hope we are swapping celebratory blogs this time tomorrow.
Enjoy the game – I guess I wont be the only one behind the sofa so to speak.
BOG
Know what you mean Mike… Not really looking forward tonight.
Whilst our small world stories are abound, plus further proof, it’s a small world. Back into the mid 70’s I was into (still am!) into the Northern Soul scene. Wolves match then train to Wigan, Blackpool, Scarborough et Al for all nighters. One of the DJ’s, Bill Shannon, big Citeh fan, home and away, during their dark days too, always chatted music and footie. Lost touch, but then I move to Marnhull and, yep you guessed Bill lives just down the lane!!! So, he will be all over me on whatsap tonight! Deep joy.
Whatever the outcome, just hope we turn up.
Steve.
Well I have just had a look at a couple of comments on ‘Blue Moon’ the Citeh forum. One comment is ” I hate playing these f**kers” . Another comment “I’d take a draw now”. …. perspective at it ….
West Ham came near to at least a draw, so we might say why not us? But West ham are better than us this season. This isn’t the Wolves team that did so well against top teams in previous seasons. We’ve had plenty of well deserved luck in the past few games, but we’ll need a great deal more if we’re not to be thrashed by this brilliant squad. If I was a neutral I’d be betting 3-1, but as a fan I’ll go 0-2, but I can’t see it in my wildest dreams.Maybe I’ll bet us to win with a goal start ?
I’ll be watching this one from the Dr Who position of my youth – peering from behind the Sofa.
They’ll take better sides than us apart this season. I’ll take Thomas’s lineup although I wouldn’t be too fed up if Nuno were to play our “FA cup” side with half an eye on the Villa match.
I hope I’m terribly wrong but common sense says this one is going to make for some scary TV.
Manchester City v Wolves
Well, it could not be closer bloggers. Since the first fixture in 1899, head-to-head Wolves and Man City have won 49 each with 25 draws. Perhaps the most remarkable fact is the number of goals generated from those 123 fixtures, which stands at 467 in the back of the onion bag. Virtually 4 goals per game on average.
Some of the scorelines are quite astonishing, even considering more goals were generally evident in bygone years, but not all these were from the distant past – 7-1, 7-3, 8-0, 8-1, 6-4, 6-0, 1-6 and loads of 5’s and 4’s and 4-3 and 3-2 etc.
I would guess that not many other fixtures have generated this quantity of goals over a comparable period.
In September 1987, Wolves were in division 4 but the seeds of recovery were being sown under Graham Turner. Having lost in the promotion play offs to Aldershot in 1986-87, we were confident of automatic promotion although a relative inauspicious start saw just 3 wins in the first 8 league fixtures. After beating Notts County in the first round of the league cup, glory be Manchester City came out of the hat in the second round to be played over 2 legs with the first game at the iconic Maine Road stadium, sandwiched between the thousands of back-to-back terrace houses in Moss Side. After some years in the wilderness and playing in stadiums such as (with all due respect) The Shay, Spotland, Victoria Park, Old Show Ground, Plainmoor etc against teams we only ever used to see on the Littlewoods Pools Coupon, the opportunity to visit Maine Road was welcome. Maine Road – home of countless FA cup semi-finals and which was the scene of the highest ever home attendance of any English football league club when 84,569 sardined into the stadium for a cup tie v Stoke City.
Despite being relegated from the top flight the previous season, Manchester City were/are a big name. However, one small problem was on the horizon – tickets! Due to the misbehaviour of their supporters at away games, fans of Wolverhampton Wanderers were banned from attending any away fixtures until Operation GROWTH wheedled out the lunatics.
No matter, I contacted a business friend – Bill Cardey – who resides in Manchester and is a nailed on Blue Manc. A cracking geezer. (He still runs the business in Stockport – Preferred Steel Tubes). I explained the situation and he obtained 4 tickets for the main stand opposite The Kippax. (3 for me and 1 for Bill as he decided to sit with us – providing of course we kept stum in the event of Wolves scoring).
Having availed ourselves with the excellent hospitality of Mrs Cardey, who provided splendid pre-match fare, we set off for Maine Road in Bill’s car as I left mine at his home.
Well, wouldn’t you just know it, against all the odds goals by Steve Bull and Robbie Dennison secured a 2-1 victory to take into the second leg at Molineux. Bill was a little bit nonplussed to be defeated by a 4th division team. When we scored, for a moment the three of us from Wolverhampton sat there a little motionless but around us Wolves fans leapt up in delight! Other Wolves fans had defied the ban and somehow obtained tickets for Maine Road.
As you may well imagine it was a joyous journey home and we had not experienced too many of those in the 1980’s I can tell you.
Well, yes, we do go up against the finest football team in the league by a country mile tomorrow evening, but like that September evening over 33 years ago, we can upset the odds. By the same score as well! Belief lads belief.
I know the Etihad is all bright and modern and spectator friendly and following Ibrox, Bradford and Hillsborough obviously something had to be done. Some of our stadiums were death traps.
Herewith a photograph of a football stadium which is a throwback to another era. Maine Road in the 1960’s with the Platt Lane stand behind the nearest goal and the huge Kippax terrace running the length of the pitch on the far side. The stadium is hemmed in by 100’s of “Coronation Streets”. In 1973 The Kippax throbbed to the sound of thousands of Wolves fans in the FA cup semi-final. It was an unbelievable atmosphere.
Bedfordshire Old Gold
BOG
Man City 1
Wolves 2
(No fellow bloggers, I ain’t pissed believe me – maybe just a tad optimistic – consequently I have no chance of ever winning the prediction league because I can’t for the life of me normally predict anything but a win!).
Another great post BOG. The old Maine Rd was funny place to go to. Even worse getting out after the match, trying to get to the car, which if you didn’t pay up, ran the risk of no windows. Happy days, or maybe not.
In many ways much more atmosphere than the Ethiad for me.
Hi Marnhull
Oh yes you are right – the atmosphere generated by a large crowd at Maine Road was terrific compared to the Etihad.
The downside was parking in the vicinity and hoping the car was not damaged (or indeed still parked up) after the game. And there were always the ubiquitous “locals” asking for some cash to “mind yer car”.
A fellow blogger on todays thread – Cannock Wolves – had his car windows put through at the September 1987 fixture.
The joys of away travel circa 1970’s/80’s!
Once again bog ,you paint such a wonderful picture of days gone past ..you have a true gift and you could write a bestseller written for wolves fans bringing days gone by back to life.
I read a diary of an arsenal fan for one decade of his footballing life in the early 80s a while back.
Couldn’t put it down.
Your scribe
‘Fingers’
Ha ha – your blog made me laugh out loud. I showed my wife (she detests the game) who commented “you spend any more time on football and I am off”. I think she was being serious…..!
However many thanks indeed for the comment My Garden Shed. Very much appreciated but I have very limited skills in all walks of life as my wife will surely concur – one of them being scribing….
However I do greatly appreciate you reading these daft stories from many years ago. Its nice to have memories – especially when it comes to WWFC.
Enjoy tonight……………..! You never know!
BOG
I was at that game at at Maine Road but cannot remember for the life of me how we got tickets. Four of us went up to Manchester in my brand new Rover company car and parked in a side street in Moss Side. We drove home elated but with two broken windows !!! ???
hi Cannock Wolf
We could have been sitting near one another! You may have been one that jumped up in front of us lot when Wolves scored.
I am not surprised you had the car windows put through – Moss Side was one sure-fire grim area.
Lets hope for a similar score line tonight. How good will that feel!
All the best
BOG
Thanks for the Maine Road Memories, I wasn’t at that game but went several times. Back in the mid fifties Dad and I went up even though we would have to leave quarter of an hour before the end because of an appointment in the evening. As we left we were losing 3-2 and, in those pre car-radio – at least for us!! – days we had to wait until we got home to find that we had ended up winning 4-3.
I can also remember Eddie Stuart clattering Dave Wagstaffe, still playing for them, into the wall in front of the Kippax Terrace.
At the Mol in 1958, I think, it was a tight game and we had gone a goal up before going down to ten men because of an injury – no subs then of course. We got a penalty and that should have calmed our nerves, but Eddie Clamp, normally reliable from the spot, took what remains the worst penalty I have ever seen. The ball landed about the middle of the roof of the North Bank stand. I think Peter Broadbent got the first and eventually Norman Deeley made it safe.
The League Cup win at Wembley was a great event as others have said. I can remember Kenny Hibbitt being interviewed in the dressing room after the game and when he was asked about his goal he admitted that he’d mis-hit it. He was actually aiming for the the other side of the goal. King John’s winner was very well taken, but the ball was deflected to him by a defender. But what a day, what a forward line they had with Marsh, Law, Lee and Bell – they only managed one though Garry Pierce played a blinder.
The of course nearer today who can forget Adama’s double.
So all in all,when we play City anything can, and frequently does, happen. I’ve really no idea what will happen tonight but feel sure something will – here’s hoping we remember it for the right reasons!!
COYW
CET
Going to be a tough ask this one . If I were Nino I would rest several keys players for the game against the vile on Saturday.
Maybe rest Jonny Semedo and Mountiou . Play the likes of Ryan and Hoever
Basically it’s a free hit
COYW
We could well be in for a shellacking I’m afraid.
Keep it to a reasonable score lads.
It s amazing how some are saying rest players for Sunday against Villa almost McCarthy like almost the same as the F.A.Cup v Saints why don’t we just not bother turning up.
We have come so far in the last two seasons and statements like the above show how far we have fallen if we are talking about not fielding our strongest team against the Champions elect isn’t that the whole point of being in the Premier League to test ourselves against the best otherwise may as well be in the Championship still.
Unbelievable…….I just don’t understand the logic.
It’s amazing how some can predict a 4-0 defeat. After we fairly comfortably held Chelsea away to a great point. And should have quite reasonably held Man Utd to a point as well. Pots and kettles and all that.
Should of could of its all relative……..if my Auntie had a pair of bollocks she’d be my Uncle..!
And the misery propaganda is we were some sort of swashbuckling team in the 2 top 7 finishes. And we have been crap for 12 months. Rubbish. We have always played the same under Nuno. Essentially keep it tight and counter attack. I recall a number of home games when I came away thinking that was distinctly average. And I will do some research and name them. Well Huddrsfield . Cardiff. Watford. Southampton. To name a few. Not exactly an expansive attack fest. It is what it is.
I agree with The Dodgster – rest a few players, take the loss, and prepare for a strong run home.
If we struggled hard to score at Newcastle then it’s hard to see us doing it tomorrow. Our opponents in Manchester are comfortably the best team in the league and we’re still short of a potent goal scoring threat of our own.
So take a defeat on the chin I suppose and move on to lesser challenges.
Sometime in the last century I was walking up to Molineux and realised that the Coronation Street character Curly Watts was behind me talking about the game ahead with Man City. He was a genuine fan and knew his club, they like ourselves were messing about in Division Two having seen darker times and hopeful of better times in the future. We battered them 3-0 but that was then and this is now. Any of their subs would be first teamers elsewhere and that is true strength. After last season they strengthened their defence with Dias who has been outstanding individually and for their collective defending. The way Jimenez and Traore dismantled their defence in our last meeting was noted and acted on. They are going to win the league and set records on the way, sadly I can only hope for a narrow defeat which doesn’t wreck our goal difference. They have improved on last season and for various reasons we haven’t.
I am feeling optimistic about this game, we are underdogs and all fans bar City and Albion will be rooting for us. Whilst I understand the sentiment of bolstering the midfield and parking the bus , I think this would be suicide against City in their current form. We would defend ever deeper, the inevitable mistake made and unable to change our game plan in trying to chase the game. If we do change then Saiss in midfield and leave the Donk in back 3 – a better passer and more physicality than Leander. I would keep our current formation, our best chance of a result is by playing our own game , we have proven matchwinners in Adama and Pedro and we can emulate our win from last season. No reason to be intimidated, there is nothing to fear but fear itself.
Next time we are able to get in to the Molineux. Here is what I think. Do the players want to hear booing. Having ‘fans’ shouting abuse at them from the sidelines. Having streams of negative comments on social media. Or do they want (and I think this is what they believe) a Molineux which appreciates where we have come to. A Molineux which is ferocious and intimidating ? I dunno. Maybe it’s just me.
Everyone has an opinon and everyone is entitled to an opinon just because you don’t agree or like other people’s opinon doesn’t mean that they don’t have the right to air it….after all it’s still a free country last time I looked.
I could say your a happy clapper just like you could say I’m a moaner, your happy to clap along while we watch dire first half performances go behind almost every game.
You have your say and I’ll have mine that’s called democracy.
Ok. Fair enough. As usual some decent banter. FWAW.
If they play well, they will get applause. If they do a Roger Johnson, they will not. MGW just started getting flack when he started to act like a prima donna.
I think that we all know the format for this one so it all depends on how well we can defend until Adama and Pedro are unleashed for breakaways and how effective those breakaways can be.
Trouble is that we have needed luck on our side to keep out powder puff teams like Newcastle and Southampton so, without our big Wily, I fear the writing to be on the wall. Particularly as Pep held back some of his big guns from the West Ham game as he well knew which was going to be the more difficult fixture.
Traore to shine but Netto from out of the limelight scores at least 1.
That leaves neves to finally get a decent shot on target for no 2.
Are we good enough to keep them out?
Nope I give them 1 with Patricio playing a blinder..then I woke up..
Optimism
COYW
Just think this one will be tough, right after Newcastle away.
Lanzarote about 15 years ago. Me mates stag do. We walk in to this bar with a load of City stuff in the window. It was called Arthur’s Bar. Its mid afternoon. Fairly quiet. I get the round in. Arthur goes ‘ are you lot Villa? ‘ I went ‘ nah mate we are Wolves’. He went ‘ Wolves ? Eh…they like a bit don’t they ‘. Then proceeded to tell us when his mate, a Wolves fan took him in the Feathers before the match v City. He said he sat up the corner and kept his gob shut!. Good bloke he was. Always liked City. Great fans.
Just like every other week, a lot depends on which Wolves team will turn up. We know what Man C team will turn up – that is scary enough. If we can play to our best standard we could very well manage a draw out of this one.
I certainly agree with your team selection, and wouldn’t mind giving young Otasowie a go instead of Mautinho. Give the old fella a rest for the Villa game. Yep 3-5-2 is the obvious formation, if we hope to slow them down.
In the end however, I don’t believe we will be able to slow their march towards the championship.
Just think.
The country is in lockdown, yet there will still be more fans at their muckheap than there were last year!!
A library inside a mauseleum inside a graveyard.
This is a game we will have to run until we drop to have any chance, with the speed they move the ball. Agree Dendonker to midfield and Killman in the back. Also feel Moutino should be rested, so bring in another midfielder, but not a lightweight, perhaps give Ostowie to push around a few of their players. If we are still in a shout in the second half, then we can bring on a striker. A lot of things would have to fall in . Place from us to win, including luck. Would love to stuff them!
Probably the toughest game of the season. We’re not playing well enough to get a anything here. Dust ourselves down after and beat villa at the weekend
Best odds I can find are 5-1… that we score the final goal
I assume that scenario is a reverse ‘Clive’
Guess we will
Line up as usual then revert to 4/5/1 … or 7/2/1
I confess that I love watching Citeh … their speed technique and movement are just at a higher level
But if Sandwell can thwart them then anyone can
Just not us tho…
Still can replay last season’ games in my head …simply times of joy
Who were the last team to do the double over them? Dunno
Ah yes payback coming
Guess I’ll ascribe to the theory of Nuno resting players and taking the loss. Don’t usually predict a loss and I hope I’m wrong.
Let’s Go Wolves!
My very first live game as a 7 year old watching wolves beat Man City in the 1974 league cup final. Fell in love with the old gold and black. Never had a choice really as my dad had been going to the wolves since during the war games. My second game following the wolves? Losing 4-1 I think it was, at home to Fulham in the first round of the league cup in 1975, a second division team, with an ageing Bobby Moore and George best in their team! ……and so here we are 47 years later…… since my first two games, wolves have given me joy and pain all the way….as the french say …….plus la change plus la meme chose Rodney
Speaking of Rodney, I don’t think he went up for his medal.
It was a star studded team we beat…….Bell, Lee, Summerbee, Marsh et al ( who, before you ask, was signed from FC Marrakesh). I was there too.
And me!!!
And me, and to Maine Road 3 weeks after in the league that was scary but great fun just 2 coach loads of us good old Don Everall.
Our chance of winning this one are as strong as our chance of finishing top 10
Wolves 0 – 3 City
If WBA can hold them to a draw and Wolves can best West Brom then logically a Wolves win tonight. See – this predicting is simple. Don’t know what all the fuss is about.
Your theory falls down on the fact that we lost to the baggies. Fortunately, football doesn’t work that way though.
Quite right Ped Ant – what I should have said if I was being serious is we should best West Brom.
To get anything here, we need Patricio in top form, an improved defence with no silly errors (yes Donk and Semedo – don’t leave a leg out near Sterling), an improved midfield with command of space , incisive passing and non-stop running, an improved and clinical forward set-up…
or a heap of luck
This has citeh win all over it yet quite a lot of their fans are predicting a tough one goal win ?
They will win the league and I’m ok with that but they can’t keep winning forever and someone has to beat them.
I wasn’t going to touch this game with dollar until those cheeky chappies at sports bet offered 18-1 for a wolves win, Yes E I g H T E E N – one .
If traore and Neto have ambitions of one day playing for pep then this could be a good time to show him what they have in their locker.
65-35 possession to them
15 – 4 shots to them
7-3 corners to them
1-0 penalties to them ( saved by rui)
One – nil to us
Utw
Yeah go for it Marney! When we beat them at the Mol (December 2019) they were offering ridiculous odds at the ground. So many people took it up (including me who hardly ever bets) Corals ran out of money.
It’s not always easy predicting the outcome of young talent
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56243780
I think I will hide behind the sofa with a hood over my head.
Very bad feeling about this one, sooner or later they are going to give us a right tanking and it could be tonight.
Not normally so pesimistic but don’t think we have a prayer.
Don’t think it will be a thrashing. Backs to the wall job and see what Adama can do on the break. But a big ask to keep them out.
West Brom got a decent result up there so who knows?
Not sure I feel that confident
There’s no easy answer against a City in sparkling form. But I seem to remember that when we got a a result out of Man City when we were fresh out of the Championship it was because we didn’t sit back and try to hit them on the break. We actually got at them and gave them a game. Sitting back and inviting them onto us seems like suicide to me, especially at the moment where our defense isn’t quite as solid as it was back then.
In any case, it’s a free hit really, we may as well go for it and at least see if we can’t be first on MOTD for a change.
Like the look of Thomas’s team because it means that Dendoncker won’t play in defence. I thought he was poor against Newcastle.
Would be extra good if Boly is fit.
I think that unfortunately we will struggle.
Saw Wolves beat City 5.1 in the 72-73 season. Hat-trick by the Doog and Richards bagged the other two. Happy days. If we start as slow as we have done in the past two games we’re doomed. I’ll go for a draw. You never know…
Any result is a positive
hopefully we do what we did against Chelsea and repel them from the off
We’re not expected to win this game, even if we did the media won’t give us credit for it.
Like Clive I won’t predict a loss, so I’ll happily go along with Cheesys Henrietta with equal points. I’ll also go with Thomas on the team.
A win is unlikely given the way City are playing, but not impossible!
COYW
It would be just like us to get a result tonight, there again, I can also see a drubbing for us. So clearly a draw then!!
Two main areas of concern.
1. Without Boly we seem to be unable to deal with inswinging crosses and they have a world expert at that art in KDB.
2. We give away possession far too easily in midfield which will be fatal against this Citeh team.
Hope I’m wrong but I don’t see anything other than a loss tonight.
There have been quite a few references on this blog topic refering to some supposed football team from near the M5 , west of Brummieland.
In fact, far too many.
This is, after all, a family show, and excessive swearing is just not on.
I get a bollocking for the occassional slip up, so should everyone else.
In future, all that needs to be done is call them the shit, as they are.
Thank you and goodnight.
I’m torn between a 4-0 battering or a 6-0 mullering…. but I just don’t think we could score Six against the PL champions elect….
Although we not expected to win and on paper Man C are a classy team.. I always come back to Wolfstroker’s artful comment that games like this aren’t won on paper…!
Regardless of team personnel it’s going to require a gargantuan effort to come away with a point or three.
Going back to a couple of other big team away games this year .. we came close at Man U and even closer at Chelsea… so there’s every reason why a repeat of these is possible.
Man City don’t like the way we play… 5:4:1 or 6:4:0. ..(known as parking the bus) so it’s up to them to find a way through… but sadly without success….
0-0 for me and who knows if Adama can race away and slide in a winner…
I don’t know why some people say the season is over. Don’t they care if Leeds or AV finish ahead of us?
Miracles have and do happen….if we can score an early goal, if we can contain them for a period, if all the runes line up and I’m wearing my lucky bobble hat….
But alas, common sense dictates we’ll get a lesson or two tonight in where we want to be so the best I can hope for is a draw, worse case scenario we get spanked, so I’ll go for the middle ground….
Well have to be on top of our game, but stranger things have happened.
Expect an avalanche on our goal; can we score?
My prediction is that all of the pre-, intra- , and post-match guffins will be about Citeh. So another sync the picture with Wolves TV commentary for me. (I rarely bother to do otherwise now.)
I would take a draw and hope for a sneaky, last minute winner from Fabio, or Willian, if he’s still on the pitch.
Looking forward to watching the Wolves tonight, irrespective of the result. I did, however, take up Paddy Power’s odds of 11/2 on a draw. Foolish? Maybe, but we can dream.
Now that the match is just over two hours away I am not so optimistic
Difficult to see how we’re going to score unless it’s from a set piece.
Can’t see us successfully parking the bus for the whole game à la Chelsea game.
Hope I’m wrong.
COMBs!
We’re on a run of five without defeat, but all good things must come to an end sooner or later. So I figure that if anyone can end a good run, it’s us and Citeh are about to see their impressive recent winning streak come to a shuddering halt at the hands of their Old Gold nemesis.
I would play both Patricio and Ruddy in goal to help strengthen us at the back and then soak it up, frustrate ’em, and leave it to Adama to apply his customary coup-de-grace.
This is being touted in the presx
“Wolves are reportedly planning to offload Max Kilman this summer.
Despite signing a new 5 year deal earlier this season, the 23 year old is set to leave permanently or on a season long loan at the start of next season. [source: Football Insider]
If its true, leaving permanently I would argue is a blow.
Don’t believe everything you read in the press.
True Wolf but Mr Spiers has mentioned too, usually he is reasonably resource.
But, as we know WWFC, rarely let on to goings on until it happens.
So for now he has 5 year deal and we should nurture the talent.
Nuno may be making room for a Portuguese CB.
They are due a slip up but will it be tonight? Hoping but doubt our break aways will be enough to score more than one. Had to beef up midfield and good see Hoov getting a chance in the back 3 to balance the line up.
Well youth that lineup you can’t say we’re not going for it.
*with
Let’s all wish the best of luck to Kevin McDonald who is due a kidney transplant. I have incredible respect for the guy who has played all these years following doctor’s advice all along.
Two all tonight, I hope…
SAMEDO is awful anybody who thinks otherwise is deluded.
Nuno is deluded than.
And it’s Semedo, not Samedo.
And its nuno is deluded then
Not
Nuno is deluded than
If your going to pick up on my spelling get your own correct ?…
It’s a fair cop guv’nor!
I don’t usually comment until after the match has ended, but can Dendonker be replaced at half time please and sent on loan to Rushall Olyempic to improve his game.
Could say that about several of them mate
If anyone wants to see the ultimate in misery take a look at the Comms thread on Molineux Mix. If that wasn’t a bunch of Sandwell fans taking the piss I would be very surprised. Unbelievable.
Do you think Liverpool have stopped laughing yet about selling us that hoever
It really is laughable.
This is getting embarrassing hes bringing silva on .
EMBARRASSING
Find it bizarre when Wolves ‘fans’ are arguing City VAR goal being cancelled is the wrong decision. WTF. Are you a fan or not ?
Great effort from the lads, 3 errors for their goals! Let’s do the Villa. Poor commentating they
didn’t understand if you go toe to toe with City you loose ! Sit back defend and try to nick something !
Silva is not a professional footballer !
1st half showed to much respect. 2nd half much better. 4-1 flattering scoreline. But, we just ain’t good enough. Beat the Villa please.
Jim Beglan summed it up ‘Pep has the luxury of having at least 2 world class players for every position’
That’s the difference. We’ll most of didn’t expect anything and that’s what we got.
Pick up, move on, it’s done.
Note to Jeff and FOSUN. That’s what, ie City investment and backing yor manager gets you.
A team that will probably win the League, League Cup, F.A Cup and I wouldn’t back against them winning the Champions League because the have invested in quality player for the team season on season not for 10 years time in fact We would probably still lose to these in 10 years time.
Jeff FOSUN if you are having second thought be pressurised or just not interested any more SELL UP don’t try and pull the wool over our eyes we have seen it all before.
Yeah and we get another Morgan or Bhatti brothers or Mike f**king Ashley.
Ridiculous post Paul
Ridiculous……..we will see how ridiculous this summer transfer window. You might be happy with mediocre mid table suppose your looking around dowey eyed still happy to be here.
City are what FOSUN should be aspiring to make Wolves be.
As usual the same people criticising the usual click……it’s getting boring lads.
What is wrong with being 12th in the Premier League in March 2021.? I bet you would have given an arm and a leg for that in March 2017?
So are you mate.
Which end……?
Opposite end to you.!!!!!!!!
Man City are a mega rich blokes plaything. There aren’t too many of them knocking around and even fewer that won’t get bored and move on or just turn the money tap off and forget about you.
We’re growing sustainably and reasonably organically although we’re probably ahead of that curve too.
I want to win every game but we’re not going to. Just look how long it took Man City, longer than the two and a half years we’ve been kicking around in the prem.
I’m bemused by your vendetta against Fosun Paul. I think your problem may be our over achievement over the last two years and the fact that we are very marginally worse off in this rather bizarre season.
One solution might be stick your billion quid into the pot and run things the way you want to,
I haven’t a problem or a vendetta against FOSUN I have been supporting Wolves for best part of 50 years I’ve seen owners come in a blaze of glory make promises and disapair out the back door as soon as the relisation/going gets tough I know the signs the reluctance to invest the none communication with the fan base seen it all before fella. I have an opinion and you might not agree with it fair enough.
By the way City have been successful since their third year back in the Premier League they won the F.A Cup and they haven’t looked back since……wonder why……?
Probably coz they don’t have moaning minnies like you as fans!!
I don’t mind reasoned criticism of the team but the sarcastic vitriol is just plain wrong. Who needs fans like that. And the ! Doesn’t help. Anyway. We were never gonna get anything out of the game tonight unless fates conspired in our favour. Move on to Vile.
No point slagging off individuals. Grow up.
Accept that Man City are better than any other team in Europe, better financed and better resources on and off the pitch.
Some teams are going to get a real pasting , they are ruthless and relentless, their subs come on and raise the quality and tempo.
We have gifted three goals through defensive disorganisation which can be put right,
we must buy a specialist centre back and a specialist midfielder who are first team Premier League ready, and hope that Raul recovers. Then we’ll be better than we are now. Move on.
No sarcasm here , it was a great effort from the lads and could have been very different
score without individual errors !
Silva is just embarrassing !
Ok. Soz.
No probs.
What happened To
“We aren’t going up just to make up the numbers”
£30 mill for Semedo and Silva…
What a joke..
34 points from 27 games. Three consecutive seasons in the top league for the first time since the mid 70’s. Consolidate and move on .
How many years are we going to consolidate then Cheese………before we move on you know to winning things competing the next level………answers on a postcode to Jeff..!
Paul. Me and you often have a debate about stuff. I respect your opinion and I totally get your frustration that we have stalled in our progress this season. I can’t argue with that. BUT you only have to look at teams like Leicester and Everton. They are alway riding a wave up and down. Disgruntled fan bases. Etc etc. I think you just have to accept that this season is just gonna be one where we just get enough points and write it off and move on. Your analysis of Fosun will become a reality in the summer. Let’s see what happens.
Exactly Nige…….some or should I say ” The Click ” are still rubbing there eyes cannot believe we are in the Premier League.
City are light years ahead of us and most teams because they have an owner who is committed and willing to invest in the team to win Trophies not just make up the numbers win Trophies not ten years time now next season and the season after.
I some times think some fans aren’t bothered if we never win a Trophy again just happy to be at the party but not collect a medal.
I think most fans, after 40 years of complete dross are quite happy to have a team consolidated in the Prem. With a possibility to build and move on.
Looking back, why do you keep harping on about the past…..ok let’s look back to the 50’s when we were winning Titles don’t you want us to be winning Titles again.
The past is in the past life’s about living looking forward if you are constantly measuring success by the last forty years then your always be happy with mediocre happy to settle for mid table happy to settle for secound best pick your head up stop walking round looking at the floor look up sky’s the limit if you think positive think big think small….well..!
Because it is relevant in looking at where we are now. You draw a mark in the sand. Have we gone forward or have we gone back. Most Wolves fans would agree we have moved forward.
Yeah so are we going to carry on going forward or stand still……or go backwards you tell me…?
Ask yourself this…..did City’s owners think great we are in the Premier League we will consolidate we will devise a 10 year master plan….No they invested and moved on.
That is why I signed off my post above with let’s look at what Fosun do in the summer. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.
I will hold you to that…..but if you are expecting big investment this summer your going to be disappointed just like me the only difference is I won’t be suprised.
We are half way through to ten year master plan next season no trophy so far I’d say that deserves a increase in investment……..if Jeff & Co: are still on board with the project to not make us ” Just also fans” Jeff’s words not mine when he waltz down the Waterlloo Rd and rocked up at the Mol:
Your continuous and quite frankly boring diatribe against Fosun will drive even more of us away from this excellent blog. Give it and us a rest Paul.
Fair enough if you don’t have the intelegence to take part in this debates……….move on frankly.
I don’t ask you to read my Blogs or care……frankly oh and I been Blogging on here since the Blog started and you or anyone else are not going to stop me continuing.
Gotta agree with Woodend, Paul, your continual bitching over the same subject ad nauseum is getting to be a pain in the neck.
Please shut the fuck up, and give your arse a chance.
Thank you and it’s goodnight from me.
Clive……grow up……stop acting like a five year old your what in your 50’s 60’s act your age.
You don’t like my blogs there’s a simple answer…..don’t read them.
You shut up…..see we don’t all need to use abusive language to express ourselves some of us can communicate like adults.
Wow first of all City are probably the best team in world football now
They work tremendously for each other number of time when we had the ball we got surrounded by 3/4 city players was unbelievable
Pitched looked to be twice the size because of their movement
We gave it all with what we had but in the end when we went toe to toe they damaged us
We are quite a way from where we want to be, players were eased off the ball by strength and some of our players pace is well short
We will learn a hell of a lot from that experience (hopefully) because we were beaten by a top top team
To get there we must evolve and not become a selling club, as City have evolved
Go back to when Shi is reported to have said to Fosun when asked if we needed any money and his reported reply was No
Well if we are to get anywhere near City in future years we do need more funds in the next transfer window
Leave this year as a transitional year for Nuno to evolve the team (hopefully he can do it).
Reminded me when I played table tennis and we draw the top team in the West Midlands to beat them we had to get just 4 points out of 21/game. Needless to say even hoping for lucky edges and their mistakes we never got near them
Support Wolves for ever so we go again put this game behind us and go and stuff the Vile
I’m not someone settling for midtable…and some may say we are going backwards but apart from brief periods last night I thoroughly enjoyed the game including the bits we were chasing the ball.
Thanks Fosun for setting us back in the best league in the world and thanks for putting a smile back on my face.Its but a distant memory…us struggling to get into the Premierleague and constantly failing .
Onwards and upwards
Utw
The only thing that will put people off this blog is Clive’s language ,it’s appalling.
Are you not allowed to swear in the states or something and you vent it all on this blog !
Please stop !