Podence, Neto, Guedes, Traore, Jimenez, Hwang and Kalajdzic – not bad options for a team routinely described as the Premier League’s most boring.
Bruno Lage must find the goal-scoring formula in the coming weeks or it’s going to be his neck on the block.
Had we scraped a win in either of the last two, the pressure wouldn’t feel so intense but the fact is that unlike last year we’re not getting the performances or the results.
We dominated the ball against Bournemouth and probably should have taken one of the few chances that were created, but it was only in the final 10 minutes that Wolves showed the urgency or intensity that was needed from the start.
It’s got to be better tomorrow or this dangerous Southampton team will punish us.
Southampton
The Saints are marching in hot after a brilliant midweek victory over Chelsea. I watched some of the game and they were good value for the win and should have added to the two goals they did score.
Like Wolves they’ve completely reshaped their squad over the summer with 10 additions and 7 first-teamers heading out. Interestingly, four of their recruits are from Manchester City’s under 23s squad with a clear strategy of investing in the very best potential.
Two formers Wolves targets were signed-up yesterday too with Ainsley Maitland-Niles joining on loan from Arsenal and defender Duje Caleta-Car coming from Marseille.
That’s decent backing for Ralph Hasenhüttl and having retained the key personnel that helped them hit the heights at times last season, they’ll rightly feel they can do better this time.
Victories over Leicester and Chelsea have given them a solid footing. They drew with Leeds and lost to Spurs and Man Utd in their other games, but overall you’d have to say 7 points from that start is impressive.
Wolves
The one thing I have liked about Wolves so far is the partnership in defence – I think both Kilman and Collins can feel good about their performances. We need them to stay fit with no experienced cover to call upon now Boly has left the building.
I would have started Dendoncker tomorrow too and I do think his departure to Villa is a bit of a head-scratcher given that he could fulfil several roles in a squad that remains light.
If Sasa Kalajdzic is eligible, he should go straight into the team. Raul hasn’t looked great so far. I would also drop Guedes in favour of Podence or Traore. I find him and Neto too similar and that combination has looked a bit predictable.
I’m not sure if Semedo is fit after hobbling off against Bournemouth but either way, I’d bring Ait-Nouri into the team.
Predictions
Well done to wishfart for being the only one wise enough to correctly predict a stalemate on Wednesday. He collects a maximum.
PeteRobbo takes the lead at the top of the overall table at the end of Gameweek 5.
As always, if you’d like to join in with the Prediction League this season, 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!
Hoping to see Kalajdzic and hoping to see some goals.
Southampton won’t park the bus like Bournemouth did and an open game will hopefully help get our attackers into better positions.
But they’ll carry a threat too and as good as Collins and Kilman have been, there are spaces down the sides and in behind our midfield, so it’s imperative we start swinging ourselves as I don’t think we’ll get as many cleansheets this season.
Score draw probably not enough for us or Bruno, who is on the edge given the fixtures on the horizon. There’s pressure on this one.
Southampton have an excellent defence(Salisu and Bella-Kotcha are tough, strong centre halves),a top midfielder in Ward-Prowse and Adams can harry defenders all day. That’s enough about them, it’s up to us try and dominate but I can envisage another frustrating afternoon.
Whereas l said that Wednesdays match had 0-0 written all over it and predicted 3-1, this one has goals written in the stars so 3-1 it is.
It seems almost oxymoronic to say that we generally play better, against better teams. But the Bournemouth, Norwich, Burnley, Huddersfield type teams constantly seem to be stumbling blocks. Why we just can’t put them to the sword is a conundrum that has eluded Nuno and Bruno. Southampton is an upgrade on their south coast neighbours Bournemouth, and by my oxymoronic logic we have a better chance of winning. I predict a nervy win to settle our nerves and kickstart our season. 2-1.
I hope that your oxymoronic logic is right mate!
COMBs!
Do not care about the signings, I am still embarrassed from Wednesday – We cannot score, or beat teams there for the taking. I actually give up.
Love this Team – Wish we weren’t made to feel this way – with ALL other teams prospering, Feels like we are left in the dark…. With the personal, I can only think of one place to lay the blame.
But lets see – I fear its dark times ahead.
Good to see not everyone has their head buried in the sand.
Wolves fan in Liverpool:
“with ALL other teams prospering” ?
What do you mean by this?
Exactly my feelings too Wolves Fan. I’m also at a loss to understand the logic of moving Leander on, without ensuring an experienced CB was already in place. I’m really hoping this team starts to click, unfortunately I have my doubts. Everything crossed for a home win, but previous performances and results point to another disappointment.
.
I think those of us with open minds, which obviously excludes those who have made up their minds years ago, yes I am talking about you PJB amongst others, think we had a very good window. Good players brought in and those we thought we might lose, but very much wanted to keep, are still with us.
Those who moved on are owed our thanks and I wish them good luck. Coady arguably was enabled to get playing time which hopefully will assist him in getting to the world cup. Boly is no longer the player I fell in love with and anyway, for whatever reason, wanted away. Dendonker has been a good servant but never rose above journeyman status IMO. Maybe Gerrard can improve him – I hope so.
All in all I think we have the beginning of a good squad and now the players and the manager have to prove it. Tomorrow against Southampton would be a good place to start.
You misread my mind Pennroad.
My main complaints do not relate to the quality of signings but the following associated issues.
1. The inordinate amount of time leading up to the signings whereby we have now gone for 5 games dropping soft points left right and centre.
2. The number of departures vis a vis signings which leaves us with an already small squad now even shorter in experienced depth. Lage seems to have embarked on a Nuno era cleansing at all costs.
Let’s hope we’re lucky with injuries.
PJB — I think we had a decent window thanks to the unexpected excellent support from Mr Goa. But the biggest disappointment for me is that we still have the same inadequate coach.
No matter how many quality players are signed, if the coach is negative nothing much can change. Bruno appears unconcerned that we consistently fail to win, seeming to be content that we look okay, and happy to promise that sometime never it`ll all come good !!
But Bruno must surely be on borrowed time, so for now he may well be advised to go for broke and play the new striker along with Raul up front — we`ve shown for the last year that playing with one striker against any well organized defense just doesn`t work. What`s he got to lose?
I wouldn`t be at all surprised if S`ton give us a right old shellacking. Maybe that would be no bad thing in that at least Mr. Shi would have give serious consideration as to Bruno`s suitability to take us forward
Mike
I agree we have had a decent window but with reservations – it took too long to get players in and we have ditched too much experience.
I don’t think Bruno can be judged fairly until his team has had time to gel, but woe betide us and him if we have an early run of injuries with the pitifully small squad that we now have.And as I’ve said elsewhere with the slow way we (mis)managed the window we’re already starting with extra work to do and a very hard run going up to the notorious 10 match marker. As a result I agree he may, probably unfairly, be on borrowed time.
The other odd thing is that we started out with too many defenders when Collins arrived and now we have barely any cover for the back 4 but an excess of wingers and midfielders. Anyone mentioned balance to Shi, Sellars and Lage. We should have kept at least Coady or Boly and probably Silva as well because what I’m seeing of Jiminez, sadly, is that he’s never going to get back up to speed.
The football gods need to look kindly on us for a few weeks or we could get into very deep water.
Thanks for proving me right PJB
I don’t think anyone has been proved right or wrong yet, your self proclaimed congratulations are premature, Let’s see where we are at the November break before there is too much crowing.
And don’t get personal, we all live the same dreams and are entitled to our views as to they can be best achieved.
Seems to me PJB it’s you who’s getting personal. But I don’t mind because if you have strong opinions you are entitled to express them. And express them. And in your case express them. And express them. Nothing personal PJB but you bore me.
Likewise.
Pot calling kettle black – look in the mirror
I am very happy with the window. Some excellent players have been brought in to improve not only the squad, but the starting XI. Not signing an experienced centre half stops it from being 10/10.
Toti proved in his 3 or 4 appearances last season he was more than capable of doing a job so we do have good depth it’s just a same Mosquera can’t go out and play regular football to develop.
On to tomorrow, I’d like to see Sasa start. Raul was very poor on Wednesday and needs taking out the firing line. I’d like to see Bruno go out and take the game to the saints, 4231 with podence behind Sasa. We need a big reaction after Wednesday and we need to get right behind the team.
I agree the central defence has been pretty good but I always fear their is a mistake ready to come from Collins and an even bigger mistake not to get cover in Boly’s absence. I always liked Boly and the fact that he clearly didn’t want to play for us any more puts a huge question mark over Lage. He needs this team to come good very quickly.
This side will click eventually, let’s hope it tomorrow.
Usual time and place Matt, BFG for you? Safe journey.
Yes mate … looking forward to a couple of pints of the good stuff on the big table with my like minded Wolves supporting friends.
FOWB
Rip lovely Clive
Hey Witley. Pigs might fly but they`re unlikely birds!
Will the big guy play will the big guy score ??
Knowing lage he will play him on the wing and podence centre forward with traore in goal and neves on the bench
Sorry but my confidence in the manager is totally shot to pieces so he had better start getting a tune out of one of the best squads I’ve seen for many a year at the molineux or he could well end up shot to pieces (not literally )( but then again )
I’m still on a post match sabbatical until 10 games are out .
It’s a nice simple name so why not call him by it; hopefully we’ll all be able to spell it perfectly when he’s reached a ton of goals. Fingers crossed
Well with the forthcoming fixture list I’m afraid this becomes a must win and 3pts, otherwise we will find ourselves in relegation mire for a considerable period.
I agree with Thomas’s line up completely, the new boy must start as Raul is completely out of sorts. Guedes has not inspired me thus far, but I will give him time to gel.
We needed a new centre back as cover so cannot afford injury to Collins or Kilman, but I am pleased with the transfer window in the main.
12 more wins and we are safe. Tomorrow is one of them. Next 4 after are Liverpool Citeh West Ham and Chelsea. It could get worse before it gets better. But with our new Alps sized striker up front i’m confident of a few goals. Gonna get 2 tomorra. Saints get 1.
C.O.Y.W. No light at the end of the tunnel yet…
Great to see the additions. But having attended the game last week, all eyes on body language and attitude for me. There’s a lot of players who simply didn’t look like they were in a good frame of mind. Whether it’s simply frustration at their own form, or something else, (and you have to look at the manager in this instance), who knows. But that’s what needs addressing for me, no matter who is on the pitch.
You only have to listen to Lage for 5 minutes to know he is going to bore the pants off you so I imagine the players just tune out.Not surprised they look moody
Mostly despondent but still with a little left in the glass remaining nearly a quarter full ?….this is a must win or at least a shared points performance that restores faith and confidence in both the support and the team.
Scratching my head as to why only 1 back up striker has been signed as Jiminez ain’t been at the races since being back on the dance floor.
It will be interesting to see if all 6ft plus Bundesliga strikers are effective in the Premier as Shrek the Viking …I really do hope he is
But maybe Jiminez is pissed off having to play every game, week after week all alone up front with no one supporting him. A thankless task.
Think back, he was at his best and most effective when playing alongside Jota. Additionally Jota was successful mainly because of the openings created by Raul. So play the new man mountain alongside Raoul. With a decent strike partner Raoul could still come good big time
I think Raul still has it but has poor service . I agree , play both ! Adama to start for me also .
Mike
We’re not supposed to mention Jota, even though, or maybe because, it was criminal stupidity for us (or was it Mendes) to sell him when and how we did. Subsequent form backs this up.
Okay PJB. But all I`m saying is that we`d be stupid to write Raoul off before we give him the opportunity to play alongside and build a relationship with a strike partner.
Think back to Doyle who was made to play a similar isolationist role by MM. A really good player was ultimately destroyed. And this is precisely what Bruno is doing to Raoul. I genuinely think that if we play two up front, Raoul still has a great deal to offer — not least in his ability to create openings for his partner.
In my opinion if the new guy is asked to play a similar lone role up front, he`ll fare no better than Raoul. But with Bruno, who`s tactics seem bizarre, this is very likely to happen
I almost agree Mike.
I’m not writing Raul off because he’s still a very decent footballer. I just don’t think he’s the same player he was before “the incident”. And for obvious reasons, he wouldn’t be human if he was the same buccaneering no 9 he was pre David Luiz. Almost needs to be played in a hold up role. Would love to see him prove me wrong.
Still think there’s some gas in the tank. He got on the end of stuff against Bournemouth and was about the only one who did. We’ve a few options up front but don’t always use them. Personnel may change with the substitutions but the system doesn’t.
I’m a little bit concerned about our lack of a physical presence in midfield. maybe Boubacar will supply that? I don’t know much about him and probably spelt his name wrong to boot.
Only scored 6 goals for Stuttgart last season. That’s on par with Jimenez (post traumatic head injury) I really don’t think he is the answer to our problems. I hope to be proved wrong
On the whole mostly happy with the transfer window, plus we can still apparently sign this Belgium defender anytime as he’s a free agent – I honestly don’t know anything about him though!
Squad still too small for my liking but hey I’m not the manager. Bruno now has his signings, his players, his methods so now has to deliver, starting with points tomorrow. With the fixtures coming up we need something from tomorrows game. With the players we have the results should have been better than they are.
COYW
The situation with Dendoncker is that he realized that he would not be playing as much with Nunes arriving and so he wanted to go somewhere where he can play regularly during this World Cup year.
Bruno wasn’t going to stand in his way.
I never mentioned Dendoncker so not sure if this reply was meant for someone’s else’s post? Jason Denayer was the Belgium I was referring to.
Wolves haven’t done well against teams at the bottom of the table recently and they don’t win in August in the league.
It is up to Bruno to determine a style of play that gives the team chances to score but it is up to the players to score.
Some people will just not cut Bruno the slack they always cut Nuno.
I should make a list of these people to see what they think in January.
Start with me
Not sure whether you are correct but it is fact, is it not, that Nuno made an average Championship side into stylish league winners, followed by an F A cup semi final (first in circa 20 years), followed by Europa league quarter finals and a couple of 7th place finishes not to mention victories against all the top teams including that famous away victory at Man City. He also turned an average Championship midfielder into an England centre half .He got slack because he earned it!
Nuno had a very good Championship side. Neves had played in the Champions League before joining. He may have taken over an average team but by the end of the window, they had the best team in the league.
People on this blog were predicting Wolves would be in a relegation battle last season and Bruno had them finish 10th, even with the bad ending.
So how do all of you people who were predicting that we would be in a relegation battle last season square that opinion with the opinion that Bruno is useless and we still finished 10th?
Something isn’t adding up in that equation.
Nuno made us a very good Championship side. Who exactly are, “all of you people “? Figment of your imagination?
So you are saying there weren’t multiple people saying we would be in a relegation battle last season?
Given the quality of our new squad surely it can only be a matter of time before it all clicks into place.
Hopefully that click will be this week but let’s remember they’ve barely had enough time to remember each other’s names.
So the transfer window slams shut and out squad until Christmas is, more or less, complete.
Any criticism of Fosun’s loss of commitment has been well and truly put to bed and, unless another, different stick is dreamed up to beat them with, they are for the time being, in the clear.
So, we fans will be desperately searching for another back with a target on. It seems at the moment like a two horse race. Out in front with a clear lead is Bruno Lage. Never really a favourite with the punters, the run of dodgy results has put him several lengths ahead of his rivals and unless the clubs fortunes take a rapid turn for the better, he’ll be in the winners enclosure before his feet hit the floor.
Also in front of the pack is Raul Jimenez. No sentiment in the great blame game and many are seeing in him the perfect scapegoat. Generally recognised as an all round good egg, poor Raul can’t seem to do anything right at the moment and the knives are definitely out.
There will, of course, be new challengers for the title as the season progresses with Hwang and Ait Nouri figuring well in the betting. But at the moment it’s Bruno who holds the advantage and I expect to see reams of outraged condemnation on these pages over the coming weeks.
I’ll be around this weekend if anyone fancies a swifty or ten.
get yourself to the lych gate (before the game downstairs.. be great to see you
Save me a seat Matt.
Can’t guarantee it but it will be excellent to see you
I’ve got other pre-match arrangements already Matt, but would love to catch up with you sometime. Post-match???
someone else is driving mate … we only have pre match mate .
Next time maybe.
Great summation wolfstroker. Save for one important matter.
In my business career I oversaw many contracts with Chinese companies. They all had one thing in common. Namely: ZERO patience with underperformance. If the business was threatened, then, boom bang they were ruthless, acting very promptly and with a vengeance.
I think you can say with certainty that if Bruno does not get results very quickly he`ll be gone. If he`s still here come January, it will be because we`ll be winning with some regularity– and all of us will be smiling again.
Personally, I think by that time there`ll be another coach in the driving seat.
I agree Mike. I was simply commenting on the fans perspective on things. Fosun have spent big in the window and have a right to expect results. Not because they are Chinese. Just because they are human.
It’s a funny old world, in’it.
Big bucks invested, world class internationals wearing the old gold, waiting lists for season tickets and yet the general feeling and atmosphere is still one of apprehension in some quarters and understandly so, tbh. Hopefully our new man Kalajdzic can start the upward projection of our spirits as a pack and the team.
Saints not going to be a push over, but the window is closed, the squad is assembled and Bruno has his team. So, starting tomorrow let’s see the mood change, the league table look better and enjoy the ride.
KTF.
Very rational thinking Marnhull….
Who exactly are these world class internationals, Marnhull ?Good come excellent, maybe but world class? That’s currently the preserve of De Bruyne, Salah, Haaland and their ilk.
Well the Mexicans will tell you that Raul is world class
I should say that the massive amount of caps and honours won by Moutinio puts him somewhat around that category.
If Ruben Neves played for Man City .. people like you would call him World Class
With all due respect, that’s rubbish Matthew. For all his exceptional qualities, Ruben isn’t even a regular in the Portuguese team so that hardly makes him World Class. “People like” me realise that to be truly World Class a player would be in a Best of the World squad in a hypothetical world cup. Much as I admire our best players none would get in it and, surely , no rational person would say that they would. It has nothing to do with playing for Man City but unfortunately they do have some World Class players and that’s probably why they are going to win the league by a street.
Well said, Mr Sight.
I have just been reading an article quoting Large explaining why Dendo left and, more importantly, how new players need to get acclimitised to the English game. Both Nunes and Guedes have commented about how they need to be running at top speed longer than they did in their league. Also Sasa has been with the team for a couple of days. Please don’t expect miracles at this stage.
Based on that I am going to predict another draw for us.
Strange old week what with the incomings and outgoings. Didn’t understand the Donk exit either Thomas.
After the last two draws this is another must win game but Soton are no push over. It’s great that we have strengthened the squad and in an ideal world the newbies would have time to bed in. But the premier league doesn’t allow that luxury. I’d like us to start with Sasa and Podence tomorrow.
Ever the optimist again m’colleague.
Me? I’ll believe a change of fortunes when I see one. Meanwhile, more of the same for me. Hopefully our new striker will prove me wrong……
So now we have lost the Big effin Belgian we can welcome the Big effin Austrian.
Hope that doesn’t reduce us to hoofing high balls across the penalty area all day long….but it does leave me with hope that Traore ( like him or hate him we have him until January at least) will get a start.
Back to my bubble…..( where I’m 0 for 5 in predictions)
In the prediction stakes Marin … I’m on par mate … what do I know about football and WWFC… agreed .. neither of us have a clue with forecasting Wolves games….
It’s 0/5 for me too.,,,
I can give you some tips if you want lol.
Whilst not predicting on here this season, I am keeping my own list and have 7 points so far ….. smiley face emoji.
What are you? Picking the result after the final whistle?
No mate, just so damn good lol. Great to see you earlier.
Can’t get any worse tbh
The first thing I have to say is that the ‘Man flu’ which I’ve been suffering with for the last 4 weeks has suddenly turned into ‘Real flu’ so myself and the PMDG’er will not be wending our way to the West Midlands from our hovel in Wiltshire this week.
Which is a shame for many reasons.
First, we’ll miss an evening with West Parkian and his lovely missus and second because we’ll also miss the debut, hopefully, of our new striker and, soon to be, goalscoring legend.
As we won’t be there to see it, I’m expecting an entertaining win tomorrow with the six feet seven of football heaven, Kalajdzic, doing his best Haarland impersonation.
A final thought:- I bet PJB’s a wow at parties! Talk about glass half full, I don’t think he’s even got one.
Only joking mate. You keep contributing.
It’s what Clive would have wanted.
Sorry to hear your not partying chez Dougie and Barb tomorrow mate ..
PJB is definitely Job’s comforter but he does make some good points. My fear is 3 games in 6 days for a team suffering from low confidence may find the Saints too good for them. No such thing as a must win game this side of Xmas. Significant how much better we played at Bmouth when Guedes and Nunes came off? Can’t predict a loss but don’t expect a win either.
Thank you Ww.
I don’t see myself as negative, prefer realistic and let’s be honest we haven’t had much to cheer about over the last couple of years. Far too many posters on this forum see what they want to see rather than the reality. I prefer to tell it as I believe it really is.
No one was more optimistic than I during the heady early days of Nuno, but sadly for a variety of reasons I believe the club has lost it’s way more recently and doing so has cost us a once in a lifetime opportunity to break the mould which has, at least for the moment, passed us by.
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC has the potential to be much better than bottom half also rans or worse relegation candidates with the right backing and management. 2 to 3 years ago Fosun basically lost their ambition and scaled the whole operation down re investment in players and infrastructure and it’s not all down to Jeff Shi who is basically just the man on the spot carrying out HQ’s instructions. I used to offer Jez Moxey the same defence.
Wolves aye we, but don’t let’s be blind to the truth.
And let’s keep some perspective
You don’t see yourself as negative?
I reckon your blood type is, B negative
Utw
It’s been a good week and a bad week for me ..
Good news first … Fosun have spent upwards of £100 million on strengthening the team… thanks you Guo…
The Bad news was obviously Clive’s passing ..
But the modern day shit is that some lowlife sent me an email ‘from Clive’ today (who passed away a week ago) … trying their f@@king hardest to scam me ….
I hope they fester in the stench coming from the poorthorns…
As the great man would say …FOWB…
Tomorrow sees a new dawn… a BRUNO dawn in fact where winning tomorrow is the only way out for our under pressure head coach .. the players are now his .. the tactics are his.. the coaching is his … the team selection is his .. the prospective substitutions are his …
Fu@k it up and he’s gone ..
Tough game tomorrow but not even close to the Liverpool and Man City games up next…. So a result against the Saints is vital.. for him anyway..
I’d give Sasa (Peter Crouch mK II) a start.. after all we can’t score anyway.. what’s to lose…
Really hoping for a win ..,
All points spot on Lord T.
And we do desperately need the win. I fear for Bruno because he has yet to be given a fair crack of the whip and may not be given the time.
Southampton are such a funny side. Every year you think it might be their time to go down but they’ve started well and look like a dangerous proposition. They weren’t great here last season so hoping they’ll get travel sickness once again. Can’t be overestimated how important this game is going into Liverpool and City, and for Bruno’s future here. I still think we’re too strong to be in a relegation battle but obviously we need to start sticking the ball in the back of the net and quickly.
It’s being quoted in the reputable press that Bruno is on record that he didn’t want The Donk to leave. It would seem that like Nuno before him he is being asked to do the job with one hand tied behind his back. If transfer policy is being dictated and little or no say is given to the coach/manager how the hell can they do their job. And what exactly does Scott Sellars bring to the table; virtually all incomers are Gestitute clients.
He didn’t want Donck to leave but Donck wanted to leave for more regular playing time and he didn’t want an unhappy player on the squad – is “squad” a term I can use without being criticized?
Where did I criticise you – I was quoting The Independent. Good to know you’re so well acquainted with the man himself and his thoughts though/.
I was talking about being criticized for using American terms on here. Not sure if “squad” is acceptable to the word police.
Apologies John – probably over sensitive due to criticism from all all angles for recognising that we have faults.
Nought out of five predictions for me also. Whatever I guess I have no confidence in at all. I will go for our first win and just hope Bruno can use his substitutions more effectively. I thought Raul played much better when Traore and Podence eventually came on ten minutes too late.
Still think we are a proven goal scorer short and am worried about injuries at the back and up front leaving us with problems.
I am very pleased with the signings barring the lack as stated. Most teams around us seem to have made impressive signings this window so it seems to me to be a question of whose team gels soonest and most effectively. Leicester and Bournemouth appear to have been left short; who else? 2-1 to Wolves hopefully and I’m still giving it to the tenth match before I start to be really judgemental regarding Bruno.
Can’t be bothered to respond to any of the posts on here – too much negativity!!
A win tomorrow and all will be well with the world.
I’d like to see neves and nunes as a two. Bring little Dan in as 10 and start traore on the right guedes on the left. It might be to soon to start sasa but hopefully we’ll get to see him at some point tomorrow. Guedes and podence with the goals!
Keep the faith folks…
Not life and death.
It will all come good ?
I was a little saddened to see Boly and Dendoncker go but a squad refresh is no bad thing.
I think there should be enough quality in the team, including deadline day signing Boubacar Traore, for Wolves to prosper. We might however need a few games for them to gel.
I hope to see Raul and Sasa working in tandem. Really looking forward to seeing the big guy tomorrow.
Yep.I’ll be there Dougie. ??
Ha! It will be good to see you, Steve……not to mention Sasa.
Are you popping in prematch or heading to town? The Royal Oak is beckoning tonight.
Ohhh,I reckon we can share an ale or two Dougie. Wherever you suggest.
Amazingly, still only three points off mid table… Please score some goals tomorrow, lads…
I think this is an amazing squad of talented players. However we are lacking soul and passion and that is directly down to Bruno and his coaches. I was a massive fan of Nuno and his charismatic connection with Wolves fans and the city itself.
Of course I want Bruno to be successful but I don’t believe he can inspire the players to give everything they have got and more for the shirt.
There is a massive difference between a coach and manager, he inherited a fabulous set up from Nuno, leaders everywhere and a system that worked. But it has slowly and surely disintegrated.
I don’t get all this, happy clappers crap, I’ve supported the Wolves for over 40 years and we are all entitled to our views, after all isn’t that what this excellent Blog site is for!
I can see the platform that Nuno created slipping away, I hope Bruno gets a win on Saturday but I know in my heart he is not the man to take this team forward, we will never be successful with him in charge.
I just hope they have somebody lined up that the players will be motivated by with charisma, drive and passion to replace him because, they will need to soon…Very soon…UTW
Predicting own goal by Southampton to break our badluck followed by a ten match winning run that puts us in serious contention for CL. You know it’s true… dream big
Players transferred in —– A
Timing of transfers ——– D+
Size of squad ————— D+
Overall mark—————–B-
The way Southampton play they will take it to us, which means this will be an exciting game!
We will win!
Think this is a must win.
It’s got to start to click eventually, but I’m not sure it’ll be tomorrow.
I’d love to be optimistic but I’ve seen nothing so far this season to suggest the players are responding to Bruno’s methods. This could be his final bow as gaffer, though I of course hope I’m wrong!
Transfer window was reasonably well done, so attention now turns to results on the field. The next five are going to be difficult – this is the only one of those five that is imminently winnable. I think we’ll struggle but the goal drought has to end sometime…why not tomorrow?
Greetings over there.
It’s getting gloomy on here. I’ve never supported the view that if you’re in trouble, buy the biggest striker you can find, stick him in the box and fire tall crosses at him. But then if it works for Pep…. It worked for that stick insect Crouchy and teams fell over themselves to do just that. Including England, and now Austria. If all else fails we could strap Podense to his head for extra reach.
We did it before with Andy Gray. A million for a cup. Mind we were on porridge for the next 35 years.
See ya Donk (not the Filla ffs) & Big Willy, what larks, and the Nuno era takes another nail. Well this is Brunoland now, and it goes without saying we could do with stuffing an uppish looking Sinners outfit. And it’s worth reminding the South Coast that 9-0 is becoming a signature scoreline for their teams. We should all dress up as Jamie Vardy.
Despite all the upheavals lately, supporting a team on the top deck, and getting to watch some of the best players in the world ply their trade, is still alot more enjoyable than getting the shit kicked out of you in Barnsley. Unless you’re Paul Pogba.
1 lv & COYW.
Pressure is on now. Not just for the signings but also the key servants he’s let go.
A wolves team without boly, coady or saiss? Strange times indeed.
All these pundits are predicting that we will score goals. I see no evidence of that happening unless Kalajdzic brings in something new (like knowing where the back of the net is). If we cannot score against a managerless Championship side we won’t score against a decent Prem team. We have scored one proper goal in 5 games so far… can’t count Podence’s misfit shot as a decent shot on goal… Another loss and Bruno gone by the end of the weekend is my prediction. No way they’ll wait until we lose at Liverpool (although there is some weird statistic that losing to Liverpool is most commonly the reason that managers get the sack!). And I am not someone calling for Bruno’s head. I’m just making a prediction.
Just saw that no team outside of the top 4 has conceded as few goals as Wolves. So defence isn’t our problem. Just need some goals and need them fast!
must win game means….
Is it too early to say this is a must win????? After Southampton the fixtures on paper get a lot harder but strangely this might help us as these teams will allow our undoubtedly talented forward players a bit more space. As for Southampton after a poor start they have gone pretty well and been quite busy on transfer day. We now have a striker so surely be has to start and a fully firing number 9 could unlock this squads potentially I would also like to see Podence in the 10
Point re the signing of players early on in the closed season is almost impossible players and agents go on holiday and they will not want to commit early because “who knows what might come along” that’s why when we clamour for early signings but they are a rarity.
Suspect that is why the transfer window shuts week’s into the season and not 1 day before the Prem kicks off.
For me Dendonker needed to go and now we have fresh blood with hopefully a box to box player in Boubaker, could never really take to the Donks running style, we shall see how he is performing in 6 months time as he has a World Cup place to play for.
Bruno has indicated how tough it has been for the new boys and that they need time and they deserve that because we have signed quality players.
Hope not tempting fate that Ward Prowse has not been very good on free kicks – so far.
Think Jimenez will score today and perhaps Neto’s distraction with Arsenal means he will be fully at it.
Think we need the extra cover at the back if they feel Toti and Mosquera are not ready yet.
Anyway getting pissed off about being similar to Wolves in the prem with my position in the blog prediction league so perhaps that will change today
It’s easy for me to remember the day Bruno’s appointment as Wolves Head Coach was announced. It was within a few minutes of the birth of my daughter, Gabriella. 14 months later and she’s an absolute joy.
In his first season managing in the Premier league, Bruno had the task of taking over a squad that had under achieved the previous season. He wasn’t backed during that Summer transfer window nor in the Winter.
This Summer has been a different story. Some money was available; Wolves bided their time, waiting to see which of their players would move on.
Neves is a prime example. Supporters, the Club, even the player himself were sure he’d played his last game for us. But by mid August it became clear that he could well be staying another season. Fabulous news !
Wolves bided their time, waiting for the right players to be available, moving on the players that had reached their sell by date , those who wanted away (Marcal and Saiss), or for whom offers that couldn’t be refused came in (MGW).
It’s not been a perfect window. There’s no such thing. But it’s been a very, very good one. Younger, high quality upgrades. Potentially we could have done with another defender, but that may still happen (loans and free agents can still come in), and if we were being greedy, another striker. But overall, excellent.
Now is the time for us to get fully behind the team and coach. Bruno can no longer claim that he doesn’t have the players to mould the team into his vision.
However, regardless of our impatience and current poor run of form, it takes time. For example, Collins has settled quickly into his position alongside Kilman. Max had long been held back by NES. Bruno has given Kilman the opportunity to play regularly and develop into an excellent young defender. It just took time, patience and belief.
Nathan knows the Premier League well so has been able to adapt quickly. He was also our first new signing so has had longer to gel.
Guedes and Nunes are not used to the pace of the Premier league. Nunes has said he has to run faster for longer and is adapting accordingly. I’ve absolutely no doubt he and his compatriot will be amazing for us,but it takes a little time.
Kalajdzic has had one training session with 8 teammates. He won’t even know everyone’s name at the moment so let’s not expect too much on his 3rd or 4th day with us. It will take a little time for him to slot in, get to know his teammates, the way we play, get used to his new surroundings.
Boubacar Traore hasn’t even trained with us yet. Once his visa is sorted, he’s expected to join the team next week.
And that’s my point. Fans looking at the table, the end of last season and beginning of this one, and drawing the conclusion that the coach must be sacked are premature in their demands.
It isn’t even a case of asking who else is available. It is simply this. Bruno did well last season. We were in with a sniff of Europe in April with a team he had inherited. It wasn’t to be. The squad needed refreshing and ran out of steam over the last 2 months.
He has now been backed. Calling for his head would be short sighted and foolish at this stage. He, and the expensively assembled group of players need time to settle and adapt.
You’re in a Formula 1 race. You’re towards the back of the field, having started the race quite well. It’s obvious you need refueling and some new tyres. The old ones have lost their grip. Pit stop is done and the driver heads out of the pit lane to rejoin the race, only to be told to come back in. His race is over. It just wouldn’t make sense.
Positive expectations. Bruno now has the team. Let’s give him a chance to show what he can do over the next few weeks, at least until the World Cup.
UTW
eeny, meeny,miny,moe
Wolves 0 – 1 Saints
.
No idea how this will play out.
Still to be convinced that Bruno has any idea of what he wants or how to achieve it.
Could be gaps to exploit
Todays referee is … John Brooks …
Who also was in charge versus Fulham ….
Our 3rd Home game .. Brooks’ 2nd with us (2/3)… just don’t follow this…
I didn’t think much of him the first time .. let’s see how it pans out ..
I’ve been predicting a Wolves win every game so far (I think?), which is why I’m still on null points in the Prediction League.
So, what am I going to do? Predict another win of course.
Wolves often do well against top sides and Saints ARE a top side, well… at the moment, so bish bash bosh… home win!
Never thought I’d be happy with a point, bu getting to think these are must not lose games
Interesting to see how Ruben (and Maximilian, if he has the leadership potential Bruno seems to think he has) play their part in making this strong group of players into a strong TEAM/PACK.
I remain hopeful.
So is this the game that starts the season? It could be so I’ll predict a Wolves win.
As to the departures, Boly has not been as solid since Covid, imo. Don’t understand the Dendoncker decision unless it was the player pushing for the move in which case he has to go last he upset the team dynamic (see my first comment).
It is a lot to expect of Kalajdzic to have immediate impact, but gee it would be nice if he hits the ground running and finds the net.
Since mid-March the 87 players linked to Wanderers not by the club itself but by journalists.
What a palaver what a merry-go-round, all to start again in a couple of months building up to January.
They had Wolves fans full of false excitement creating a fantasy land around Molineux. Unworthy abuse, for Fosun and our very good recruitment team, from fired up frustrated fanatics,believing all the twaddle..
Romano, Spiers, Keen and Co all regurgitating the pap they helped create..
To see each link simply Google typing Wolves before the players name.
Pedrhinho Lozano Saint-Maximin Caleta-Car
Origi Toney Gon Guedes Gomez
Batshuayi Pedro Kondogbia Palhina
Martim Neto Kent Nico Gonzalez Marquinhos
Isco Alcarez Badiashile Nunes
Rode Broja Bassey Guimaraes Almeida Gul. Guedes Abde Doucour’e Henry Slonina Ekitike Oliveira Vasilj Melo Inacio Al Musarati Carmo Arana Alcantar Seferovich Minamino Roca Joe Rodon Collins Icardi Fernandez Gabigol Wijnaldum Renan Alves Barbosa Roberts Osorio Noni Madueke. Vuskovic Yedder Ramos Onuachu B Traore Zinchenko Clauss Posch Benteke Sosa Shomurodov Diaz Ajorque Hwang Ui-Jo Cornet Pinamonti Dieng Belotti Lo-Tutala Ampadu Adams Dembele Klajdzic Nelsson Webster Kudus Danayer Dawson Soyuncu Brownhill Djiku Redmond
Couldn’t you sleep, Garry?
think there will be an improvement on Wednesday but not in the result
Love this blog and the myriad of different views on our great team’s prospects. I confess to being in the sceptical camp when it come to Bruno, but am always cheered by the posts from Mutt1eigh and others with their carefully thought-out arguments as to why Bruno and the lads will come good. However, what I really need to see against Southampton is full-throated passion, intensity and attacking intent in our football – even if (god forbid) our shooting is still wayward. Show this and I’ll believe we can eventually climb away from this sticky start. So, in the spirit of new beginnings and a sense of positivity post the window, I’m going to predict a goal-filled win. UTW.
Let us judge Lage from this moment on. He has his signings, gotten rid of most of Nuno’s Squad. Now is the time to get them playing.
Let’s hope we start putting the ball in the net from hereon. But prediction wise I have to go with current form.
3 beautiful points to propel us up to Anfield.
The Giraffe lasted 45 mins.
1 lv & COYW.
Brilliant support from the fans re Bruno and Hwang. Excellent stuff. And i take back my hysterics from Bournemouth Wednesday. I actually believe Bruno needs a bit of time. Last 3 games 5 points from 3 games. And if it wor for that freak goal by st maxim. Would av bin 3 clean sheets. Building blocks.
Feet back on the ground Cheesey…
Hard earned victory… a win is a win …
That’s undefeated in one game and a clean sheet …
Perfect stats..