You might have a sunny outlook because we’ve played well and created lots of chances against good teams or feel glum about zero points and goals.
Either way, the next four games will tell us everything we need to know.
Watford, Brentford, Southampton and Newcastle are all going to provide stern opposition, but if we can’t get the job done in at least a couple of these games, we’ve got a big problem.
I’m worried we’ll continue to look good between the boxes and be found lacking in the big moments but agree the performances have all merited points and if we maintain the level, results will come.
Watford
The Hornets bounced back to the Premier League at the first time of asking with an impressive 91 point haul to secure second place in the Championship.
A whopping 59 of those points came at Vicarage Road where they battered pretty much everyone to secure 19 wins and 2 draws from their 23 games. Impressive.
They took that home momentum into this season and sprinted into a 3-0 lead against Villa before holding on for a morale-boosting 3-2 win.
Two defeats on the road to Brighton and Spurs have followed, but back at their fortress, they’ll feel confident about getting another result.
It’s a different Watford team to the one we grappled with a few years back. There’s no Troy Deeney, Deulofeu or Foster these days but plenty of familiar Premier League foes like former Bournemouth striker Josh King and recent midfield recruit Moussa Sissoko.
Winger Ismaïla Sarr still seems to be the main man and is constantly linked with a move to one of the big six. He’ll be one to look out for tomorrow.
The home end
Some views lifted from the pre-match thread on a popular Watford forum:
This game will mark a new age for WFC. An almost entirely new forward line and midfield starters, and a lot of players who are past their prime/surplus to requirements/allegedly disruptive/uncommitted moved on. There isn’t much to go on yet, but the early signs are that most of our new signings really want to be here and are putting in the effort. My current assessment is that we’re a better side than the one that went down, even if some of the individual players in the relegation squad were better on paper. We’ve got some steel in the side now, a boat load of pace, and players that seem to want to actually play for the club instead of feeling they’re doing us a favour. Hopefully we can mark the start of this new era with a good performance against Wolves, who look like they might be there for the taking.
Yes. I’m pretty sure Wolves are in a false position. They gave Man U a hard time last match. They might have lost some of their impetus from 2 years ago, but they have good players. All games are hard to predict, but this one particularly so; It might well be a good game, as both teams begin to sort themselves out with all their changes.
They’re the new Sheff Utd, they’re competitive in games and only losing by a single goal but if you can’t score enough then you’re going to struggle. Plus their defence is awful, Sarr and Dennis should be gagging to play against that backline.
They played well against Salford Reds. No doubt they will see this as a great opportunity to take three points. We just need to show the same level of commitment, energy and skill on display against Villa and defensive solidity against Tottenham.
You can also look at it another way. This could be a great time to play Wolves. I think we agree that they are a better team than their results suggest, but they (and their new manager) will be terrified of losing a fourth game in a row and going even below Arsenal in the table. If we could score first they might well disintegrate in a blue funk.
Wolves
As I write this, I’m still not sure if Raul Jimenez can play or not. If he can’t that’s a blow because I’m looking at this run of games as a proper launchpad for his season.
The only non-enforced change I would consider to the above lineup would be bringing Boly in for Saiss or Kilman – probably Saiss based on performance levels, but I do like the idea of having both Saiss and Boly in the team to attack set pieces.
Hopefully we also get a look at Hwang Hee-chan at some point to see if he can offer something different to that front line.
I’ve been impressed with our wingbacks in recent weeks and their contribution is vital in a back three. Last season, we didn’t get enough out of them, which I felt was a big reason we didn’t score many goals.
Last time out
We lost 2-1 on our last visit to Vicarage Road with Pedro Neto scoring what turned out to be a consolation goal after Doucoure and Deulofeu put them two up. They finished the game with 10 men, but Wolves couldn’t break them down.
Earlier in the season, Wolves won 2-0 at Molineux to get us back on track after another sluggish start. Matt Doherty and a Janmaat own goal gave us the points.
Predictions
Well done to Matthew Cook, King of the cowshed, Mike Jones, Shready and Sea Pigeon who all correctly predicted a 1-0 defeat to Man Utd and pick up the maximum 3 points.
King of the cowshed and Ash K lead the overall PL table at the end of Gameweek 3.
As always, if you’d like to join in, it’s simple – just leave your prediction in the comment section below using the boxes provided. Then repeat for every preview article throughout the season, making sure you always use the same email address to make your prediction. Your email is what ties you to your overall score.
You can read my prediction for the game in the comment section below.
Up The Wolves!
Go on then.
It’s about time we scored a couple of stuffy goals to counterbalance the glaring misses of recent weeks and if we can just strike first for a change, maybe the confidence will carry us over the line?
Admittedly, this Watford team is an unknown quantity at PL level. I saw a bit of their defeat to Brighton and thought they were naive defensively, but then they seemed to tighten up against Spurs, so who knows?
5-7 points needed absolute minimum from this sequence of four games.
I know there have been a lot of toys thrown out of the pram due to a lack of incoming transfer business, but I feel our squad is better than at least 6-7 teams in this league so lower midtable should be the short term aim.
This is where our season starts for me,.
We set the bar in our first 3 games. Not sure where that 1 Watford fan got “there defence is terrible” from. I mean 3 games and only conceded 3 – wouldn’t call that terrible.
It’s funny how they look at us as we are there for the taking, and not to even mention our first 3 games and how we dominated all 3 teams. As soon as 1 goes in, the flood gates will open.
They mentioned that they have speed and there attackers are looking forward to facing us.
Have they forgot we have the fastest player in the prem in our ranks?
I really hope they write us off. I really do. I hope Adama turns up and Justifies his new contract/pay-rise and gives them a quick premier league lession.
We can all dream 😉
.
Time for action
Watford aren’t in the same class as Leicester, Spurs or United but they are going to be difficult on their own patch. If Raul isn’t to play I would like to see Silva start – see how he’s developed over the summer. If we bring subs on to change the game / salvage something I hope it with time still left to have an impact.
Think it will be a tough game. A draw won’t be the end of the world.
Now is the chance to get started we have the pace and skill to trouble most teams just need to add the finishing touch 2-1 to Wolves
local one for me, have been to this away game more than any other ( who remembers Nouha Dicko in the rain on boxing day 2014)
interesting to see what team get put out , expecting a win but will predict a draw
Can finishing be taught or is it all instinct? Probably a combination. Either way, it will define our season. Start to finish our chances, and we will race up the table, but if it is the same old, with huffing and puffing, we will not get many results! Time will tell!
Boly in for Saiss. We should win but it is against a motivated team playing at home with passionate fans, who knows. Minimum 7 points over next four games is a must!
Decision making is instinct. Finishing can be taught.
However, when its your job to make the “right” decision and Finish, its a blurry line.
I feel once one goal is scored, the floodgates will open (for us!!). As has been already said, the next 4 games will tell us all how our season will turn out. I’m hopeful of at least 10 points.
I don’t know why I have waited this long to start posting predictions. The last three matches were far more predictable than this one. I would not be surprised by any result this time out.
I am sure that Lage will get us scoring in time, he is a very different manager to Nuno and I have faith that he will crack this. When he does we will be a scary proposition for anyone.
For now though, sadly, I did well in the prediction league last year by expecting us not to score. So far I haven’t seen enough from us to change that approach yet.
And as I think Watford look a more than a decent outfit, especially at home, then I feel they are likely to score at least one and therefore bag all the points.
Your guess though, is as good as mine.
After predicting three defeats in a row, alas all correct, I’m going for a score draw as I am sure we can beat this lot, but not that sure, so playing safe and a draw for me.
I wonder when WW last lost four top flight games in a row? 2011-12 season I expect. I would be very surprised if it happened now as Watford are not of the same quality as our three prior opponents. I agree with Mildenhall that we should at least get a draw but is an optimistic win from me
I haven’t done well at this score prediction lark so far, as I can’t bring myself to predict anything other than a win. This time it’s going to happen though, the old war wound (paper cut) is tingling. This is the beginning.
I have no confidence at all in predicting score lines; I just don’t know how anyone can be sure enough to get it correct, but some appear to do so. How?
Now I’m hoping that Jimenez and Neves don’t pick up any injuries before Christmas at least and that we get something from the next four games. I’m sticking to the first ten games before judgement philosophy and really like the way we are playing up to the opposition’s goal line, but it’s hard being a fan.
I’m hoping for a 2-0 win but will settle for 2-1. (I hate leads involving one goal; knuckle chewing time so please get a two goal lead…
Every game is hard to my mind and each team is capable of great play; hope it’s our turn to get a break or two like the opposition in the previous three matches.
So, we’re “the new Sheffield United” are we? Bloody cheek by that Watford scribe. Funny thing, the old Watford was generally a tough gig for us. A bogey team, maybe. Bit like Burnley. Having given a good account of ourselves against three top sides we now have to step up and show this lot what we can do, bogey team or no bogey team. I only hope Bruno has shown Traore where the barn door is. I’m going for a nervy tight win. 1-0.
Really difficult to call this one. Hope we can get a point. But Watford will have the bit between their teeth and we have a historic tendency to do appallingly against promoted sides.
– I think our new style of play will change that, and Hwang adds a clinical touch to the Wolves bites needed to kill off their preys.
History has sod all to do with matches.
They got a new team, we got a new manager with new ideas, so basically a new team, and we got better looking and educated fans.
And last night I dreamt about crushing wasps underfoot ( same as hornets, innit?)
So, bogey team talk is bollocks, if Nuno hadn’t bottled it at Wembley they would be saying we were their bogey team!
The goals will flow with monontonous regularity into their net tomorrow, word my marks!
Easy win 5-1
And while we are on the subject of chips, my mate Neil the Albion supporting chip shop owner, has just had his 11 year old grandson sign for…………. Macclesfield, which as I pointed out to him, is a darn sight better place than sandwell!
Much gnashing of teeth ensued.
FOwb
Much gnashing of teeth eh?
Tell yer mate to stop overcooking his chips.
Glad you are still here Clivey boy.
Welling utd is a step up from the stripeys.
A win and a proper score this one
Got a feeling something will click into place and we’ll give Watford their 1st home defeat in quite some time.
We have an exciting team with pace and the back of the net will be accomplished by us on more than one occasion.
Can we get our 1st clean sheet? I think so.
A must win game for me ! or I can see a very slippery slope ahead for Bruno…….Prove me wrong lads and get a win
COYW
So the Watford fan reckons our defence is terrible.
Watford. Played 4. Goals conceded 5.
Wolves. Played 4. Goals conceded 3.
Hmmm!
Taking those stats into consideration should mean that our misfiring attack will come up against a defence that’s ‘worse than terrible’.
So I guess I better predict a win.
A word to the wise to Bruno.
Don’t drop Kilman to let Boly back in the side.
He’s been arguably our best performer over the first few games.
If anyone has to go, let it be Saiss.
The different calibre of opposition as well.
I get all fans are biased to the club they support, but the ones that talk that sort of dribble clearly haven’t got a clue
Totally agree with your analysis Sir
According to wolves official Twitter, Raul is travelling to Watford!!!
Must be playing. There’s no other reason to go to Watford.
Must win. Must not lose. Call it what you like but we really need to kickstart our season, points wise, and despite the blind optimism of the Watford fan, this is an Old Golden chance to do it.
Boly’s back, but should he play. Our defence has performed pretty well and seem to have a great understanding, which I would be loathe to rent asunder.
However, Mr Lage will have his own ideas on that and everything else and the way he’s got us playing, who am I to argue.
We’ve only failed to pick up points from the last three games through a combination of some great goalkeeping and sheer bad luck ( in which I don’t usually believe)
You could argue poor finishing too but I maintain if you create enough chances some will inevitably go in and we’re certainly creating the chances.
All in all we should have enough to win this one so I’m going to predict my first three pointer of the season.
Need a bit of luck to win but can’t afford to lose again. Would love to see us take the lead and build on it but it’s early in the season to predict with confidence. Pace in attack is present in both teams. Sitting on the fence, hiding behind sofa, peeping through fingers at Jeff Stelling time.
I’m out of my pessimistic funk
Raul is playing and I think this match sees him remind us of his talents
OODCL
Let’s hope he got his Mask ready ??
Nuno MOTM so that should bring a halt to Spurs little run. Meanwhile Raul will lift Wolves converting form into goals and wins.
Nine points from next four games starting with 3-1 tomorrow.
Expecting an entertaining game, Watford have huge momentum at home from last season and will fancy the win. I would keep the defence intact, whilst Willy is our best last ditch defender, his distribution can be suspect. We have game changers on the bench and hope that Hwang gets a decent runout, whatever the state of the match. If we can score, I fancy us to win. No easy games and a point would be ok.
We’ve often been disappointed against teams we’d expected to beat, but if we continue to play as we have so far this season I reckon we’ll trounce the Hornets. Traore, Jimenez, and Semedo to score .
Watford super-fan Elton John once sang a jolly nice tune about a rocket man. No doubt summat to do with drugs and floating around in space and all that. Well let me tell you Elton, the only f**king rocket on display tomorrow will be one protruding from Ben Fosters bottom as Raul and a lively Hwang give the Watford defence a mission control style blast off. With the self styled Zulu now departed to Small Heath there will be no comical spouting off about masks and stuff. How ironic. Masks. Covid. Well the Watford manager will be so bewildered he will spend the last 15 minutes with a mask covering the whole of his face as he just wont be able to look anymore. A routine day out for WWFC with a dream debut for Hwang coming off the bench for a hat trick and one from Raul. After the game Bruno said ” It was only a matter of time. Delighted for Hwang. I’ve invented a new song for him. It goes ‘Hwang Hwang Hwang sang shang shang a lang and we all went to Cleethorpes for an ice cream’. Good . No ? ” Watford 0 WWFC 4.
Hate the international break. Feels like we have been robbed of a bit of momentum even though that’s a bit preposterous given our 3 defeats. The distraction of the window can’t have helped either.
Still have to have faith that Bruno has them fired up for this one. Good but appalingly late news about Raul, I trust he’s been working up to it anyway.
Never really like these games against Dunmore United. Seems like they are bit of a bogey as the semi final proved.
Will be fascinating to see Traore again. He’s been brilliant so far. If he can keep that up im sure we will be inspired to many victories, especially against the likes of murphys mob.
“They’re the new Sheffield Utd”
Well that really caught my eye..
In their first season (SU) in the PL they certainly caught the eye…. but what a dumb comment.
We will hommer um big time tomorrow.. cheeky git.
This won’t be an FA CUP semifinal repeat , which I watched at 3am in NZ. but will be a stroll in the Elton John park when our emerging and dynamic team will simply slaughter the newly promoted hornets into submission.
Raul, Adama and Neves to rub Premier league salt into their wounds…
My optimism continues and we are going to win and avenge them for their wrongdoings against us the last time they were in the big time.
Hwang to bang in a debut scorcher!
Hope Max Kilman keeps his spot.
First point of the season but still waiting for the first goal. That’s next week.
I feel much the same as you Sea Pigeon.
I think we might manage to score one but that we’re equally likely to concede as well. Hence my forecast……
Surely if we match our performances in the first three we should pick up points in our next three. The only thing that concerns me is with Jimenez not firing just yet who in the team has a regular record of scoring goals. Maybe Hwang can take up some of the slack. However i really am enjoying Bruno ball.
I expect the same 11 but would not be against Boly in for Saiss.
I’m expecting the cheap journalistic bods to pull up the fact there will be intense rivalry between us, not because of that semi final, but that a certain Turnip Taylor managed both of us at some point. So for some strange reason only the tabloids know, that will make the match even tastier.
Either way, away win
I don’t like the phrase “must win game”.
If we needed a shot in the arm, our very own Mexican Marauder is back, thanks it would seem to negotiations between Wolves and the Mexico.
If we needed any motivation I’d stick those comments from the Watford supporter on the dressing room door. Awful defence ?!
It’s bearable to be on the receiving end of narrow 1-0 losses, especially having played so well against top 6 teams. But to lose against Watford and make it 0 from 4 is a different kettle of fish.
This is a “must not lose and must not draw game”.
UTW
Got to win this one and get the season rolling.
Very happy with performances to date.
Happy with chances created.
Time for lift off now.
Calling a tight draw.
Tight one, how will we perform after the break, who knows hoping for a win
Wolves 2 – 1 Watford
Should I (just for once) follow the pundits who don’t see any goals in this match, or should I follow the more optimistic Wolves supporters hoping that this is the game the Raul and Traore click and fire in some goals ?? Somehow I still think Raul is far from where he was pre-injury and I will not be surprised if Hee Chan becomes our man up front in the very near future.
Would love to see a ‘Clive’ Scoreline, but sadly I don’t think this will happen (yet).
Going for a scoreless draw.
Time for the Wolves, and me, to get our first points of the season.
KA/TNs
Hopefully, pay back time.
I really like the style of play Bruno has brought to this team and the players are clearly working hard for him. However, the harsh truth is that this will only last so long without points on the board. I hope we get a result today as it will instil confidence throughout the team and give us a bit of momentum for the next few games.
I really hope this prediction is wrong.
Time to step it up lads. Practice is over.
Hope I am wrong, but:
Time to start getting the points.
COYW
If we continue with performances like the Spurs and Utd games we will be too good for this lot.
For us to win, we need to do a few things differently to the last 3 games. So I am looking for us to score first and keep a clean sheet.
Another 1-0, but the right way around!
Lets start on a plus point, no Mike Dean or Stewart Attwell thank god.
Surely we have to score this week and should be able to keep them down so I think we will probably get out first point of the season. Only one though but that will be better than none.
Hope you’re right.
I don’t recognise any of their team, so no idea!
I’ll play safe and go for a draw.
COMBs!
Need Adama to play like he has done so far. Really need a win so the players do not become discouraged. Hoping Raul starts to find the net again.
We owe these almost cockney knobs a damn good thrashing !
The new Sheffield utd ! what a complete dickhead !
Someone is going to get smashed and it starts today !
The new wolves non stop attack will bite your heads off !
I’m thinking he might go back 4 today and either podence or hwang behind jiminez
Someone is going to get a pasting soon let’s hope it is Watford today
Could be a pretty open game. I’m expecting goals, but with Watford at home we probably won’t have it all our own way
Let the season begin!
I’ve been really looking forward to this one, it feels like ages since we last played. This is a tougher game than many are predicting but I do think we’ll take something from the game. Having Raul available is great news and I think he’ll be the difference for us. 1 nil wolves!
I’m a bit late so haven’t read any comments (will catch up later).
It doesn’t matter who is playing for them, it will take me a while to stop disliking Whatfor.
Time for the goals to flow. I’m ever hopeful.
Really need to get a point or three on the board.
Watford will be no mugs but it is time for Wolves to start converting that shot ratio into goals. Nice to see Mexico soften their stance regarding Jimenez – another reason why he will be itching to open his account for the term.
A bit late with my prediction. My printer died on Thursday and my Tumble Dryer did the same on Friday so have been trying to resurrect one or both – so far without success. I’m hoping the lads will do something to cheer me up so am going for a decent win, which surely must come soon. Let’s hope today’s the day!
COYW – Give the ball to Raul and he’ll go through the Watford Gap!!!
I feel it’ll be another week without a win.
Dan
A bad start to my season on predicta – league, but things are looking up. My first points of the new term come as the mighty Wolves kick the Hornets in their home nest and Elton runs off sceaming like a little girl. COYW
Manager of the Month hoodoo strikes again!
Nuno’s bubble bursting already!
Jeff,s comments this week were baffling to say the least, anyway bit late this week been on different shifts.
To the game I don’t know if Raul’s available if he is great if not then Fabio or Wang has to start or even both…….surely or luck has to change I’m going for a win the goals will come sooner I hope rather than later starting today.
” Come on me Babies “
Oh Whang Hee Whang Hee
Whang hee Whang Hee Whang Hee Whang Hee
Whang Hee chan.