The result nearly always influences how you view a performance.
Had it been Wolves that made the breakthrough against Burnley in a game of few chances some of the not-so-good aspects of their play would have been swept under the carpet.
And the same applies when it goes the other way. There were some good passages of play in the game but ultimately their inability to score, the concession of a goal and then the failure to react made it feel terrible.
Bruno is right when he says we’ve seen that performance too often this season, but I suspect with the players he’s got there’s every chance we’ll see it again.
Hopefully not tomorrow though in what should be one of the more winnable games left to play against a team not too dissimilar in their deficiencies.
Brighton
Credit to the Seagulls who were on a dire run and staring down consecutive games against Arsenal, Spurs and Man City. They took six points and have given themselves a chance of salvaging a top-half finish.
They’re 8 points behind us with just 4 left to play, so you would hope they won’t catch us but victory at Molineux may just see the door creaking open, particularly when you consider our remaining fixtures.
It’s been a familiar tale really for them this season, dominating the ball on plenty of occasions but not taking chances. They’ve scored two fewer than Wolves, which is pretty much all you need to know.
Failure to convert a rare two-goal lead into another win against Southampton last weekend must have felt particularly painful.
Their away record is strong with 6 wins, 7 draws and just the 4 defeats so far. A draw would see them achieve their best-ever Premier League points tally in what must be considered a solid season of progress despite their recent struggles.
There are no major injury problems or suspensions so Graham Potter has a full deck to choose from tomorrow.
Wolves
News that Kilman, Neves and Podence all remain out is a crushing blow to our prospects. One could argue that’s our best defender, midfielder and attacker all sidelined. Have we won any games without all three? I’m not sure we have.
One of the great disappointments of last weekend was how far off the pace Pedro Neto looked when he came off the bench. He really needs a pre-season to get back up to speed.
I think Fabio has done alright in the last two games. Yes, no goals and two defeats but I don’t think he’s the root cause of those problems. I might bring Trincao in for Hwang to see what that combination looks like, but it’s a complete coin toss.
The positive is we’re playing another team that move the ball well but aren’t clinical so that probably suits us, particularly with the limited personnel we have available.
Last time out
Up until last season Brighton were our number 1 bogey team, but we’ve won the last two including a narrow 1-0 at The Amex in December courtesy of a smart Romain Saiss volley from a sumptuous Neves pass. We started badly but on the balance of chances created over the 90 were just about good value for the three points.
We came from behind at Molineux to win 2-1 last season with Morgan Gibbs-White netting the winner after Adama Traore’s equaliser. Brighton took the lead but were down to 10 in the second half after Lewis Dunk hauled Fabio down and that poor decision ultimately swung the game back in our favour.
Predictions
Well done to Chesterwolf and MILDENHALL WOLF who both correctly predicted the 1-0 defeat at Turf Moor. It’s a maximum for both of them.
Brompton Wolf remains clear at the top of the overall table at the end of Gameweek 33.
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!
Polite request – when commenting in the preview article after the game has finished, can you not place score predictions in the boxes, please? It confuses the system. Many thanks.
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I’m trying not to let pessimism consume me after the last two games, but it’s hard going.
What I would say is that I didn’t give us any chance of beating Villa in our last home game and they proved me wrong.
I don’t see Brighton being as generous defensively as Villa were that day but their own inability to score could help us out, particularly if our defence can keep things tight.
I’ll go for a low scoring draw.
p.s. anyone wondering what the ‘good passages of play’ were against Burnley, I was referring to the build-up to Jonny’s shot that forced a save from Pope in the first half and Hwang driving forward to setup Semedo for another decent effort on goal in the second. Slim pickings but they were there.
As is the modern way we have been playing without a number 9 since Raul got injured.
It’s therefore should not be a surprise to our manager who I think is the best manager since Paul Lambert that we don’t score in half our matches played.
He was brought in to make the team score more goals from attacking play.
He has clearly failed!
Until we buy a decent number 9 and get a better squad to cope with injuries we will be a almost team winning nothing!
When Raul was fit before his injury he was playing like 2 players in the team so it’s no wonder the team has suffered since.
This has not helped with his replacement clearly not able to score, hold the ball up, or create opportunities for others.
I agree the manager talks a good game and has not been able to do what he said he would do at interview but I think ‘failed’ is too harsh. ‘Failed’ would be in or around the bottom three which is where I think he will take us in his second season if better quality is not brought in the summer.
I think the problem with Wolves is there are several players there that have been with Wolves for 4 or 5 seasons and its been a problem with first half performances. This goes back to Nuno and we have never scored many goals its always been the defence that’s kept us in matches. 9times we have been beaten 1 nill look where we would be if we had drawn 5 or 6 of them games but always the optimist 2-1 to the Wolves.
With Bruno admitting to the lack of performance at Turf Moor, we can expect therefore that he will put it right for a game which. in many ways, will be similar.
It’s looks to be low scoring though.
Great analysis once again Thomas – thank you.
I’m not feeling overly optimistic for this game,. I think Thomas’s comment regarding our current best defender, midfielder and most dynamic attacker all being sidelined is spot on.
I wonder what the mood is like in the camp currently. Am I right in saying the traditional walk to say thank you to the travelling fans last Sunday was half hearted at best ? I wasn’t there and hope that wasn’t the case.
In any event, it’s hard to see where any goals are coming from. Apparently Raul is now wearing a much thinner and lighter head band so he heading of the ball has improved in training. As I wrote that the image of a bunch of straws and a grasping hand sprang to mind.
It does feel, not for the first time, that a mix of misfortune with injuries and a lack of quality in depth have caught up with us at towards the end of the season.
A combination of ambition, smarts, finance and a bit of luck is needed this Summer if we are going to be able to look back in September and say that was a much better transfer window. And then look forward with some confidence and excitement to next season.
It isn’t all doom and gloom. We are 8th. But it feels a bit like we are fizzling out as opposed to firing up.
UTW
On the beach. Brighton hopefully will be to. I’m expecting another missed opportunity performance.
Chester, Brighton are on the beach every week.
That’ll be the River Dee beach then.
Tight
Dismal inability to score + injuries to ketmy players.
I would give Chiquinho a start he has shown speed and can cross the ball
Steadily getting annoyed wit2h Trincao – he clearly isn’t1 the answer.
Got to win this one if we have any chance of finishing 8th
Wolves have players on the books who score goals, Gibbs-White, Cundle, Harkin – I’d like to see these players given a chance- although none of them are Portuguese so maybe unlikely. For this one agree give Chiquinho putting in lots of crosses for Raul in his new headgear. Try Cundle as an attacking midfielder in a midfield 3. We’re safe in 8th but would like to see some determination to get 7th or 6th. High energy, determination and ambition to get the crowd going. But please, please not another lacklustre lost opportunity! We live in hope
Amazing what a couple of bad losses does to a fan base. I’d hate to see the predictions to come against the Big 3. Hopefully, we wwill see Jimenez at CF, where he might do some damage. I too agree with trying out Chiquinho and mayba even Cundle. If he really needs to give Silva a go (again), plonk him in with 5 mins to go.
We were much harder to beat with max kilman in the side …
Wolves to win
I do believe that the self respect of the Wolves players would have been stung by the performance in last game. I also believe they will be chomping at the bit to put it right and not thinking of the beach. The team has come too far to give up now. All losses hurt but the Burnley loss would have hurt more, with an missed opportunity to be a cat among pigeons in the European qualification race. We may be down but we are not yet out!
Notwithstanding, while Boly\Saiss are adequate replacements for Killman, the loss of Neves and Podence is huge.
Semendo’s play always puzzles me! He bursts down the wing and then always stops and passed the ball backwards or sideways. Perhaps he should continue running and try to win a corner. He seems to put the brakes on the attack at times. (He will probably score a hattrick now!)
Tough game but believe we will win it in the end.
Really can’t see where a goal is coming from but optimistically going for a narrow home win.
This has got 1-0, 0-0 or 0-1 written all over it. So with that in mind I will go WWFC 78 Brighton 73. The shackles come off for Fabio and he vents all of his frustration by scoring 77 of our 78 goals. Including an amazing quadruple hat rick in side 5 minutes just after half time. The other one being an own goal by Lewis Dunk. Cruising along at 67 – 0 in the 60th minute we suddenly become a bit anxious as Brighton suddenly score 62 goals in an amazing 20 minute spell. But the frentic action continues right up until the 96th minute when the ref blows for full time and we run out comfortable winners by 5 goals. Predictably we are still last on MOTD although they do manage 10 minutes to show the goals. After the game Bruno said “Well sometimes it’s not pretty and you just have to gring out results” graham Potter said “I would have been happy with nil-nil”. WWFC 78 SEAGULLS 73.
What do you reckon at half time? 0-0 ?
I’m not sure you’re taking this seriously Cheesy.
I’m on the beach.
I’m getting pissed off now.
Four seasons in the Prem and not a 5-1 in sight.
Don’t the players read this blog?
Not a 5-1 since we stuffed Burton.
Well, apart from playing the top three, this is problee our only chance to finally get my prediction correct, so come on lads, let’s have a five for Clive tomorra!
Officially “a cloive ” is now known as a 5-1
So I’m also going for a cloive
Need some cheering up
Mmmm. I was listening to some Budgie only yesterday. Great stuff.
Me too.
My favourite is ‘Who’s a pretty boy then?’
Closely followed by ‘What do you want’.
Oh no. That was Adam Faith.
But he WAS Budgie wasn’t he?
I’m getting confused.
I’m really old Doog, I remember Budgie and Adam Faith .
I too remember. Think my Sister had a crush on him.
Adam Faith, real name Terence Nelhams Wright
No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no ….
You lot are not taking Budgie seriously.
Wolfstroker tell them ?
Budgie, the Welsh rockers whose vocalist Burke Shelley recently passed away…that Budgie!
Such a bunch of numpties.
I hadn’t heard about Burke Shelley passing away. Another hero from my youth moved on.
So underrated.
Best song?? ‘Parents’ I would say, but what a back catalogue they have.
You’re a wrongun doogy woogy.
Have a listen to ‘nude disintegrating parachutist woman’
Adam Faith
Tut tut
Thanks strokes
The biggest rock band that never was.seen them loads over the years including the old marquee club.
The very few times my prediction has been right this season, my comment was that I really cannot see where the goals are coming from. And that is the case again against B&H Albion. Think the remaining games will be pretty awful for us and Newcastle will take our place on the table… Bloody hope I am wrong!
Me too Aussie. Once again we have injuries to key players and we simply have nobody up front who looks like scoring a goal.
Brighton can be very handy now and then and therefore I see them scraping home by the only goal of the game I’m afraid.
Three of Newcastle’s last four games are against Liverpool Man City and Arsenal and even if we lose all our games I can’t see them getting the 7 points needed (we have a much superior goal difference).
Oh dear. Feel like I should predict a defeat after the recent dirge served up but… Brighton are only OK at best and even without the famous three highlighted at the top of the thread we should be able to out firepower them (accepting that the word firepower and our attack aren’t instantly associated in the same sentence). We can absolutely still get ahead of West Ham and that should be the target.
If rumours are true and Adama is returning then I for one would welcome him back. Onwards.
Big Question we must ask ourselves, Is Our season over and just hope for the best tomorrow, I would like to more optimistic but after last weeks no show again I don’t expect much.
I hope Bruno has prepared them well.?
I’m going for a low scoring draw, hoping that my poor ability to forecast results aids a good result for us. I personally think that the midfield creativity and ability to get forward is a real problem area at present alongside our inability to convert the few chances we do create. Neves is sorely missed. I thought we looked okay in our interplay at times last week but to no avail in the final third as we are now used to seeing. Some of these promising players need to come to the fore next season and we will need to make a few good purchases. Here’s hoping for a 1-1 draw with some attractive play to make my long trip worthwhile.
Two all for me
UTW!
It’s obviously going to be difficult without Neves Podence and Kilman but let’s hope we can grind out a result.
Toss a coin and it would probably land on its side!!
Absolutely no idea how this is going to play out as there is no pattern to our play and results. Given our run in, which, s–ds law, we will probably go and do something special so as to remember this season by, we can build our points up by anything between 0 and 15.
Against the seagulls it always tends to be an exciting one, especially in the final 10 minutes, so 2-1 for me.
C’mon Wolves, snap out of it. Europe was there for the taking, but we blinked. Amazingly, we’re still in with a chance. Looking at our fixtures though, the words snowball and hell come to mind. We’ve blown the chance to do Europe the easy way by failing to win the obvious matches. Let’s just go for it now and see what happens.
I can’t bring myself to forecast a loss or even a draw against a team we should be beating. On recent form we will struggle even against Brighton but now is the time to step up to the plate and play for self-respect. Are we challengers for Europe or are we a mid-table Prem team? In spite of a cruel run of injuries there is no reason we can’t win tomorrow. I’m going for 2-0
Great rallying post, Dances, my thoughts exactly. A couple of limp defeats and now we hear too much negative talk focussing on missing players. Wolves likely team line-up comprises either experienced players with full International caps or with recognition at the highest level. Therefore surely we are entitled to expect a good standard of performance and a home win. Keep the faith!
it’ll be dull , it always is against them (other than one of my best awaydays ever last December snatching victory and having a great post match pre Xmas drink up in The Fiddlers Elbow and a morning on the coast to clear the head)
This is really a hard one to predict. With key players still out, will we have enough to take anything from a team who play better away from home?
I have no answer so this is going down to a coin toss …… when I find a coin!
In the meantime I ask if we are we gathering for a bloggers get together post Norwich match on the 15th May?
If so, does anyone know if anything has been planned or are we not bothering this season?
I am travelling down that day and have arranged to stay overnight so can meet up wherever suggested.
I was kinda hoping it would be the evening before the match Brompto’, as it’s a Sunday game.
Yeah. That makes sense. Will see if I can get down on the Saturday.
After watching the game back on Sunday we were the better team – except for the bleeding obvious, they scored and we didn’t.
If the same team play again tomorrow including Hwang, by law of averages and despite finding myself dropping down the prediction league faster than Everton, I find it difficult to see us not getting on the scoresheet.
Won’t be much in it though.
WOLVES 0-1 BHA
We were rubbish at Newcastle and Burnley, completely lacking in creativity without neves and podence so can’t see what will change here I’m afraid. A taster of things to come next season unless fosun invest properly for the first time in several windows , in addition to any funds they generate from the neves sale.
I can’t have Brighton beating us, and surely there is enough football talent left in the squad even without the missing ‘big three’ to score some goals. I do think we need to play wingers though, so, yes, put Chiquinho on – and give a run out to a couple of those newbies like Toti.
Who cares about European footy , it’s all klopp and god- ole
Take away all the fluff and it’s just a bunch of clubs in Europe who finish between one and four but have managed to get themselves into a tournament of champions.
What a joke!
All the teams who ‘fail’ to make it into the ‘champions ( but not champions of anything) league, get to play all the other teams that failed in their respective leagues.
If they called this the loser’s or mediocre league, it wouldn’t be such a good sell I guess!
Personally, I couldn’t care less about it, I’d rather be in the fanzone, chatting to the good people of Wolvo and Brighton and eating a samosa talking about bully or Richard’s etel
Come on you wolves
As I was reading Marney, I thought you were just being a miserable sod. But actually…….you’re quite right.
Thanks wolfstroker,
Negotiating my way through operations on a badly broken arm and wrist atm so you were right also, I am a miserable sod atm .
Utw
Goals. That’s what it’s all about and that’s what we’re sadly lacking at the moment. The injuries to Ruben and Danny have obviously had a huge bearing on this but looking at our team, there are plenty of others who should be able to create that missing spark. Perhaps Chiquinho can fill Adama’s massive boots and start to terrorise defenders like the great man does. Talking of Adama, can we not cut short his loan because of lack of game time. I’m sure I’ve seen it done.
Anyway, game after game we hardly look like scoring and which of our forwards would you put a quid on to slot one in this.
The upcoming transfer window is vital if Bruno is to put his stamp on our squad. As ever at this time of year, the rumour mill is churning out a host of quality players we will be bringing in. Some of them I actually believe.
I’m coming up for this one, so if anyone’s around for a pre/post match tipple, look me up in my normal motel. Very much up for a Bloggers Bash on the Norwich weekend too, as has become tradition. The evening before the match I would suggest, as it’s a Sunday game.
We’ll the good news Wolfstroker is ..
We’ve just reserved a hotel so that we can continue our bloggers ball experience on the Saturday evening .. but the bad news is … you’ll be buying me a drink…
Lol
No worries M’lud. Tap water OK?
Will see if I can get a room on the 14th mate. Will chat tomorrow.
Time to turn it around
It’s been a bad week topped off by arriving at The Park View Hotel to find that we’d forgotten to book a room.
However, after a bit of negotiating we are settled in and looking forward to a meal and an early night.
Agree with many comments above.
I’d give Kundle and Chiquinho a start and give them an attacking role.
Let’s be honest with ourselves. Given our remaining fixtures we ain’t getting in to Europe by playing like we have been the last few matches.
We aren’t in danger of relegation, so just treat the final games as ‘All out attack. Win or bust!’
What have we got to lose?
Well, the final games I suppose, but at least it will be entertaining.
See you in the Combemere pre match Steve. Will text you when I get into Wolverhampton. As for 15th, I am staying over that night but not the Saturday so will catch up with you then.
Found a coin and going for a close win.
And you guys too.
As you realise that post was in the wrong place.
I got it too buddy.
This game has got dull written all over it so i’m goin for 3-2 thriller cos we all need something to smile about.
Burnley wanted it more and our failure to respond to going a goal down was just all a bit disappointing. Injuries in our small squad taking its toll. Would like to see Chiquinho inject a bit of pace and forward momentum against Brighton. Am going for a somewhat improbable win tomorrow given recent form, but feels like a Summer rest, reset and a bit more investment in the vision that Bruno has for his team can’t come soon enough.
Neither side can score many. Just hope we nick it 1 – 0 but can’t really see where the goal will come from.
Nah going to give bruno the benefit of the immense doubt and believe he will throw caution to the wind and go for it .
New formation new players who deserve a chance and gung ho go for it and if we lose who cares ….. i dont … i just want a crazy go for it game win or lose … we deserve it after the shite we’ve endured.
Dreaming????? probably ……just want some entertainment…dont you???
The bookies have invariably got the odds correct …. and so I’m going along with them..,
They can’t score .. we can’t score .. what are the chances of seeing a goal.., NIL
Our team picks itself .. I’d like to see Chuiquino given some game time if only to enthuse the sell out crowd.. but I just can’t put a name down to being on the scoresheet.;
.
Just hoping we can score. We’re playing a side that don’t score many themselves so hoping we’ll have the edge.
Another injury blow with the news about Kilman today. I think we are missing Neves and Podence more at the moment.
I think we’ve blown our chance of European qualification now, so the pressure should be off. I think this will be a scrappy affair, so I’m just hoping we can find a goal from somewhere – Johnny my tip?
Maybe it’ll be goals from where we don’t expect them, so a brace from Fabio will do us…
Hopefully the players will take risks and pass forwards instead of backwards. We might then manage to score.
Chiquinho to start for me Raul as centre forward
I’ve lost the plot and have no idea where the goals will come from.
Neves is always missed when he doesn’t play.
When investing they usually say “past performance is not a guarantee of future performance”. But I think it is reliable here.
How they never made it big is beyond me strokey..
Seen them a few times over the years.
Yeah. They toured endlessly. Never missed them when they played my area. As good live as on record.
Hoping for an own goal
Wolves 1 – 0 Brighton
No Kilman, No Neves, No Podence.
Not much chance in my opinion. Think we will be lucky to get a draw.
Going for a narrow win.
I just want this season to be over.
Can’t go today (Covid) but the good news is I haven’t seen a “live” win.
Can’t predict anything other than a Wolves win – albeit narrow.
Tooth abcess to take into consideration, but hope the lads feel better than I do and give us a lift before the tricky last few games.
1 lv & COYW
Neves is playin’!
Yipee!!
NEVES playing and starting! I’ve stuck a few quid on after this news.
Oooops!
We’ve got neves
Ruben neves
Utw
Just seen team
Sheet
Hwang and the boy Prince up
Front
Don’t see it working
Glad I’m in Canada. Seem to have given up. It’s the hope that kills you.
A complete shambles (again).
Well that was fucking shit.
Awful, just awful
How can ANYBODY dislike this comment.,
Well somebody did .. obviously didn’t go …
That was shocking .. and that’s being polite.,,
Worth remembering “with five at the back. Pace in attack. We’re Wolverhampton we’re on our way back” Looked a bit haphazard and lackadaisical today. Looked to me like there was no effort. The bottom line is you expect as a Wolves fan to see the players at least give a fuck for the shirt. They were just trotting about like they couldn’t give a shit. Unacceptable. Fight fight wherever you may be . We are the boys from the Black Country. Same in division 4 as it is now. Wolves ay we.
I think you have hit the nail on the head there- the fans are ‘ the boys from the Black Country’ but how many of the players are? Only ONE of the starting eleven has English as his first language.
Agreed mate
I see that up until midnight, tonight, the club shop are selling off replica home shirts for £12.
After todays’ performance I’d be too ashamed to be seen wearing one.
What’s gone wrong?