Winning was all that mattered on Saturday.
It would have been nice if the performance had inspired a bit more confidence, but perhaps the confidence of the team will be boosted by the victory.
No other team in the bottom half of the table managed to get 3 points, so it was a dream weekend in that respect.
Midtable anonymity awaits if they can conjure up another result, but that won’t be easy under the floodlights at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace
The Eagles come into the game just a point ahead of Wolves albeit having played a game less. They’ve scored 6 more goals though and generally looked a more solid outfit.
When you consider they’ve already tackled Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, it’s actually been a very presentable start.
Wins against Leeds and Villa have kept them huddled in the mid-table scrum and now they’ll be looking to climb with a more palatable sequence of games ahead.
Wilfred Zaha remains their talisman and his 4 goals match our entire team’s tally in one of the more humiliating statistics that will be trotted out tomorrow night.
Eze, Edouard and Ayew are other familiar threats and we’ll need a good defensive performance to keep them all out.
Wolves
Will Steve Davis change a winning side? There are compelling reasons to suggest he might.
Toti had a few erratic moments but I didn’t think he let us down in either of the two games he’s featured. That being said, I would restore Collins to the team even though one could argue Toti’s superior athleticism might come in handy against Zaha.
We do need to neutralise their winger and therefore I would bring Nelson into the team to match his pace in one-on-one situations and get Boubacar into the midfield to help cut off the supply line.
Can Diego Costa play two games in quick succession yet? He’s still lacking a bit of zip, which will hopefully come if he can build up more minutes. Neither Guedes nor Hwang feel like compelling alternatives.
Prediction
Well done to Ryan, Cannock Wolf, DancesWithWolves, Aquilador, Lord Twix, Nuno don’t…, Desert Wolf, Liz, Woodend wolf and vicsmith for all collecting a maximum with a spot-on prediction against Forest.
Rich has the outright lead again at the top of the overall table at the end of Gameweek 10.
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!
A point would be alright here and I’ll back us to get it.
It’s unfair to call them a one man team but from past experience we know that restricting Zaha’s influence is essential. How well we do that will determine how likely it is we keep a cleansheet, which is always important for us.
The result was indeed the most important thing against Forest, but for sure the performance will have to go up a level to get anything out of this. They have threats all over the pitch and our rearguard will have to be on their metal for the whole 90 minutes.
More importantly of course, we need to take our chances when, if, they come along.
A repeat of the vastly increased levels of desire and commitment against Forest is essential. I’m sure we’ll see it.
I’m not greatly confident with this one, but our lads are, hopefully, fired up from Saturday’s three points.
Zaha is always a threat…
I’ll be happy with a point from Selhurst too.
I want to see more players firing from outside the box. If they can land 20 yard passes, then they should be able to find that net.
I was watching ITV’s goals on Sunday from the lower leagues and there were some beauties!
COYW
We need to build on the little bit of momentum that hopefully Saturday will have given the team. A point would be good, three would be excellent. They will definitely be a much sterner test than forest presented.
A very optimistic prediction……..
Smash Zaha early on and get him into his usual whinging mode. Then smash him again and give him something to whinge about.
.
Collins back in immediately to stabilise the back 4, possibly Boubacare to give Moutinho a rest, but the rest are automatic picks. Adama try to cross to the middle of the box and not the corner flag.
This one is winnable – just!
A mid week away game against Palace (probably raining, certainly cold, compared to Portugal at this time of year) is a good test of how this season is and will go for us. Avoid defeat and this will be a very good result to build on against Leicester at home. Adama and Costa up front (no Podence), Nelson and Collins back in defence (would also consider giving Hugo Bueno a start in place of Ait Nouri) and then pack out the midfield by giving Hodge and Boubacar Traore a start next to Neves and Nunes (no Moutinho). Whatever happens the last 15 minutes is likely to be very scary unless we’re already losing, so bring Moutinho and maybe Toti on to help ‘shut up shop’. We want to see some heart and fight from our team to start salvaging the season.
Good post – the player rotation you suggest will best serve us against energetic opposition.. Saturday’s win will have taken a lot out of us emotionally. It’s a big ask to generate the same level of commitment tomorrow but the weather forecast is a balmy evening! Nunes and Moutinho will need a rest and Costa’s game time will need to be managed. Chem a better sub than Hwang atm. A draw would be a great result to take a little pressure off the Leicester game. No ‘must win’ games at this stage but scrappy draws help.
Another rubbish 1-0 will do for me, although I would take a draw right now
A great win against Forest on Saturday —- against one of the worst defences in the league. Still don’t understand why they don’t play Boly!
The Palace game will be tough one which can go either way! Perhaps we are overdue for a break and one of the few scoring chances can go in, and go in early which would settle a lot of nerves! Close game, this.
We never had much luck against Palace but I predict a scrappy 1-0 win, probably from a Traore cross. It’s gratifying that he is quietly becoming an essential cog in the machine again. I doubt that we’ll risk the old boy Costa so soon after Saturday, but he clearly galvanises the fans when he does play. He’s probably a nailed on starter at home games through. Collins will have learned much from his suspension and having him back tomorrow would be like having Coady back. The news about Sa playing with a broken wrist does explain a lot of our woes recently.
Sadly don’t see us scoring even the minimum one goal required to nick a win.
Agree with your team selection Thomas. On paper that’s a top
7 starting lineup but….
There were green shoots of a recovery on Saturday all be it against a very poor “Notts” Forest.
There are unfortunately also too many out of form to give us any sort of edge. Hopefully one of Adama’s mazy runs will be miss hit towards the goal which would make a nice change. Frustrating or not he does seem to be our only hope at the moment.
I think Palace are better than their league position suggests so I’m not overly hopeful.
You never know a goal and a victory might just give the guys the mental boost they need but it is difficult, after a narrow victory over a poor Forest side, to have too much confidence that we have found our scoring boots.
Palace, on the other hand, have goals in them and not just from Saha. I’m worried that they could run riot if we let our heads drop.
We didn’t play great against Forest, but a win does wonders for the confidence. On paper we should lose this, but just thinking we might sneak a narrow victory. UTW
The result was all that mattered against NF now with a bit more confidence and being optimistic will go on a run and win the next 3 or 4 games.
A scrappy win against a very poor Forest doesn’t raise my optimism for this one. Another defeat is on the cards I fear.
when podence plays, its like playing with 9 1/2 men.
Guedes in for Podence, B Traore for Moutiniho and we might stand a chance against a very energy full palace.
Are you serious about Podence?
Did you watch the whole game on Saturday?
He was one of our best players and his energy level is twice that of Guedes.
Just don’t play him as a central striker like Bruno did.
It beggars belief some comments Mark. I get so frustrated at times hence my lack of posts recently.
Not sure we will achieve much tomorrow mate tbh. I would love a point but can’t see it. I will be in Wolvo on Sunday but just prior to and leaving straight after the game so may miss you both. Stay safe.
Cheers mate.
If we don’t see you, safe journeys.
yeah, I watched. Podence is constantly giving up possession with flicks – he can’t battle for a ball because he gets brushed aside, it is only my opinion but I always feel we look weaker with him starting. He holds no aerial threat and little to no outcome on anything he does.
again just my opinion
In agreement with those already posted ….a difficult game and unless we can miraculously discover the solution to the unsolved formula of scoring, which seems to this lot, be a combination of understanding string theory ,solving time travel and as seemingly tricky as a politician making economically sound planning decisions…..
I hate predicting a loss …so come on lads
I reckon they will give Costa a start- he may be given 50 mins or so but his presence alone is enough to keep defenders thinking ( in a similar way to Adama). I too would like to see Chem Campbell given more minutes and one of the refreshing things about the guys in charge right now is that they’re likely to give the youngsters a go, with all the natural enthusiasm that brings.
I’m fearing the worst here not confident at all
I would play semedo and RAN as full backs
I don’t think Costa has the legs for a full game adama ,Hwang and podence attacking with a change at 60 minutes
I thought both Chem Campbell and Hodge have looked good when they have come on
Hard to see where goals can come from, especially if Costa gets a needed rest.
Needed rest? He’s only just started.
take a leaf out of bournemouth s books when they battled not to lose . a point would be a great result. while i’m on the subject … Solanke would be a great addition in January. Good striker him .
Close game with Collins back and ruben sitting in front .. back to a good defence . So there’s a chance
Solanke is not so lanky as Sasa Kalajdic !
Could be a great addition for us but Bournemouth will need him to avoid the probably downturn in their fortunes soon.
Would love to see a win, would be happy with a draw but I expect a defeat.
I’m of the same mind as you Cannock.
Not convinced last Saturday against a poor Forest team.
COMBs!
A point would be nice, 3 would be great.
Stay on the fence for this one.
0-0 or 2-2
Unfortunately, Zaha will have Johnny on toast and his diving antics will ensure he has jam on it.
Or Jonny.
We’re a gloomy lot aren’t we? But this isn’t Hodgsons Palace and they will be licking their lips
I agree with those advocating for fresh legs and high energy so Costa and Moutinho on the bench
Just keep it tight lads and keep Traore on as long as possible
Who
Knows?
coyw
If we could nick a point that would be good 3 would be brill, I’d leave Costa on the bench until the last 30 minutes if we are still level or a head then throw him on to hassle and upset there tiring defenders and maybe he can get his first goal.
I assume Costa is practicing fully with the team so play him until he tires.
He’s 34, not 44.
If we go down by more than one goal, maybe consider taking him out – not that I am expecting that.
I remember a winters evening game at Palace. It was atrocious weather, freezing cold windy and torrential rain all game 3-0 down at half time and i was ready to go home.
Convinced to stay but we lost 3-0.
Some of the younger London wolves boys were shirtless through the entire game which compounded how wet and cold I felt.
Anyway tomorrow will be very different
I hate playing this lot they seem to always have our number and im sorry but at this moment in time i just cant see us getting anywhere against this really big athletic side .
This is just one to get past and move on HOPE IM WRONG.
I always thought Crystal Palace is a shit name for a football team. It always reminded me of the 70’s kids TV duo ‘Crystal Tips and Alastair’ which was typical of the 70’s in that Crystal Tips lived on a fucking rainbow. Had ‘George Berry’ afro hair and looked like she hsd been up all night snorting cocaine. Absolutely fine if you like that sort of thing. But i reckon the only rainbow over Selhurst Park will be gold and black. We have to score an away goal soon. And i reckon 2 tomoz. Diego Costa will go un noticed as he bites a chunk out of a Palace defender who is so racked with pain he is unable to concentrate properly and Diego steals in with a debut goal. The second comes via a Ruben 25 yard blockbuster as WWFC clinch a 2-1 victory. Aftrr the game Patrick Veira said ” Where was VAR when Costa chewed my defenders arm off? It’s disgracefull. I mean I had a punch up with Roy Keane but I never bit his arm off”. Steve Davis said ” i didn’t see it “. PALACE 1 WWFC 2.
I can’t help but feel that you might be looking at this game from the wrong perspective, although I do agree that crystal tips does bear an uncanny resemblance to Fabio and even wears the gold and black… I must remind you of how densely populated South East London is. Its not life in a rainbow mate , so my point being that this game surely suggests…A more Mary , Mungo and Midge approach… inner city mate … Big dog Mungo Costa … Little Midgey Podence … Bish bash bosh … back of the net … press the old lift button … Wolves Win . Jump back on Uncle Gus , up the frog and toad . Up the apple and pairs and into me uncle Ned
Meant to be humorous but there are some miserable bastards on here.
It was – maybe you should have mentioned your neighbour’s cat chasing Palace’s mascot, Pete the Eagle, out of Selhurst Park?
Like it !
As it goes … they used to be called the Glaziers up until the seventees but they were so shit they needed to re invent themselves . At the time Benfica ( the Eagles ) were good so Palace just copied them .
Bit like that scene on Stepbrothers …. you can call me Nighthawk
I know … far too serious these days .. I have a job with it it all
I mainly like to talk absolute bollocks
I do too. Not mentioned it on here but just been through 2 months of shite with my mom who suffered a massive stroke and eventually passed on couple of weeks ago. Must admit reading the blog helped me through. I know i come across as a confrontational git. But i love you all. Including PJB ( just a bit of banter PJB mate)!
This will be a tight game and Zeberdee will need to be at his best in goal. Reckon we’ll be ok as long as we start Mungo through the middle and Midge and Mary either side.
UTW
Zippy down the right with a cross that is Bungled over the crossbar.
Lol ….like it
I Reckon Yogi will be pleased … I think he may see his old pal ‘ Boo boo ‘ car getting a start tonight
I was a massive fan of the Soup Dragon..
Maybe with a new manager I could see a bump in form, but where will the goals come from?
Palace away is a tough trip at the best of times but 8:15 on a Tuesday is bloody crazy!!!!! At least we go there on the back of a win, still not totally convincing but a win is a win and we are now in touch with the pack above us. We normally struggle with Palace’s running power and I would bring in Boubacar Traore for Moutinho and I would have thought Costa might struggle to start two games so close together. Collins come straight back in.
Hope we can get something from this game. 1-1.
Team spirit reappearing and confidence boosted by the win. Hopefully…
Wouldn’t bet on us scoring and based on recent defensive lapses wouldn’t bet on a clean sheet either. Zaha sickener to win it.
Thought we showed promise on the weekend. If we can just score f**king goals then it would make our lives much better! FFS…
Would love a win. A draw would be good too. Sadly, looking at the teams they have played so far, I don’t expect any of those results. Like others here, I too would like to see Campbell on for 15 mins at least.
Turning point or a false dawn?
Crystal Palace. It is an unusual name. But it sounds better than Sydenham Hill, which is where the team of today can trace its origins to.
I’m not overly optimistic about tonight’s game. Sydenham, sorry Crystal Tips are a physical side and we have struggled against them in recent times.
Despite the much needed shot in the arm win on Saturday, our performance was meh. We will have Neves who is just so very important to us as, not just because of his fantastic quality, attitude and work rate, but because the leadership group is so thin.
Collins will be back to partner Kilman – let’s hope they are rock solid and we don’t end up gifting a penalty or red card as we try to match Hill’s, sorry, Palace’s physicality.
Adama, even when misfiring, gives the opposition much to think about at the other end of the pitch, and Podence’s energy and passion means he more than deserves another start.
A dilemma regarding Costa. Risk another start 70 odd hours after his last game, as he continues his long and steep climb to match sharpness. I’d say yes. Give us a goal and a platform to build on, rather than concede and chase a game without an effective goal threat away from home. Otherwise the best we can hope for is a narrow loss.
Semedo and Ait Nourhi gives us more attack minded forward play on the wings and speed in defence when needed.
Nunes, B Traore and Ruben in midfield, Moutinho needs a break as his age begins to become a factor in recovery between quick turnaround games.
With heroic Sa in between the sticks we might just pull off what would be a huge win and a priceless 6 points in 3 days, but I think a low scoring draw might be the best we can hope for.
Hats off to Steve Davies and James Collins – keep up the good work.
Safe travels everyone.
Let’s see if the lads from the Golden Palace can shatter Crystal Palace.
UTW
My 2-1 away prediction must surely come soon, to nights the the night, I hope.
I still remember the horror show at Molineaux last seasons when Palace played us off the park. They’re tight and well organised and with a strange addition to their team of a position called a striker. Not optimistic
Ever the optimist
Based on our performances against Palace last season, it’s difficult not to forecast a defeat. I’d definitely bring Traore into the midfield to give us a bit more energy, as Moutinho and Neves were completely overran when we played them last term. Restoring Semedo is also a good shout, not least because of how rotten Jonny has been so far this season.
I didn’t see anything in the performance against Forest to suggest that we won’t be in a relegation battle this season, but two positive results this week might change my tune. I’d take a point here as, like you Thom, I think Palace are in a bit of a false position and are a very tidy side.
Credit to Steve Davis and James Collins for the job they have done as caretakers but I really hope we can get a new man in before Sunday. It’s good that Fosun are exploring multiple candidates but the players will be wanting to know who the new gaffer is before long. Michael Beale and Peter Bosz seem like the latest frontrunners to emerge out of left-field, so who knows who we’ll actually end up appointing.
Peter Bosz? Another candidate who has just been sacked. What are we, a Job Centre for failed Continental coaches? We are at a dangerous crossroads and successful PL experience is absolutely essential at Wolves right now. Nuno is still the leading candidate in my book. The Championship title, two 7th placed PL finishes and European quarter finals can’t be ignored. We simply can’t gamble on a rookie like Michael Beale, no matter how talented he may seem. If a better man than Nuno comes along I will back him though but I still want PL experience.
Ultimately, every manager bar Ancelotti was a failure last season. After several years, Nuno’s Wolves became easier for opponents to master because of the failure to adopt different tactics and we became boring and predictable as a result. Would things be better a second time round? That’s a risk as is appointing someone without Premier League experience. No wonder it’s taking some time and, at least, it possibly shows that the hierarchy know that getting the best possible candidate is crucial.
I don’t know enough about any of the names bar Nuno) in the beauty parade for the job but I wouldn’t be put off by a candidate having been sacked once or twice.
Look around world football and find someone who hasn’t ?
How about Sarina Wiegman for a Left-field Punt?
Rotten…johnny …very good
I’d probably take a point from this one, to build a little momentum, then aim for the win on Sunday. Tough game this, never really know what to make of Palace from one week to the next, some games they look a really good side but then they can go missing in games. One thing’s for sure, they pose a threat on the break and have some dangerous players so we’re going to have to be at it to get anything. There was a horror show here last season in one of the low points of Lage’s rein. We don’t want the same again.
I’d take a point if you offered me that now. But I think the Forest game, although it wasn’t a particularly good performance, will have done wonders for their confidence. I’m going for another tight win.
I’ll take a point tonight. Palace are struggling like us and this is always a tricky place for us to go.
Yes, I’d jump at an offer of a point too, but our goals for column still shows just 4 and Palace do score much more frequently.
I hope Diego continues to improve. If he does then that might be the catalyst for an improvement in the goals scored tally. However, I won’t believe it until I see it and so I’m going for a 2-0 defeat I’m afraid.
Another result on a short week is what is required…and I think the boys will do what it takes.
Still time to get this in I hope. If not please disregard, otherwise…
FOwb
Blimey there’s some blasts from the past coming up here! Crystal Tips, Mary Mungo & Midge? Sadly I can remember them!
So with that it’s a Wolves win with Parsley the Lion getting the goal!
Crystal Palace have to be regarded as our bogey team…
I hated their guts when we lost to them in the play offs many years ago… and we’ve never rarely laid a glove on them at Selhurst Park…
It the same criteria I’m afraid ..
We can’t score (from open play) and can’t keep clean sheets either.. so I’m afraid to admit that Zaha, Ayew and Eze will just get under our skin once too often.
Second most clean sheets in the Premier league this season, with three of those games being played without Collins.
Great stats mate.. but it’s points that the league table is based on …
I’d love a clean sheet tonight …
I’d be more than happy if we landed Wiegman as head coach. And whoever it will be I think that somebody is going to have a massive challenge.
I went to Selhurst Park mid to late 70’s, when Terry Venables (is he still alive, if so, hope he’s not spotted in Asda, he’ll be in the frame) was Manager, and John Burridge in goal. Think they won, I had a mate who lived down that way.
The most memorable thing was pinching the loo rolls out of the bogs, and launching them from the top of the stands.
Anyway, happy with a point, ecstatic with an away win
I worry about Sa and his wrist. Who said Wolves lack heart?
Nelson semedo needs to be dropped. He’s at fault for both palace goals with lack lustre tracking of runners. Him and Guedes currently are liabilities costing us possession and goals. Both expensive poor players.
I disagree. I thought Semedo played well in the first half and kept Saha quiet. Yes he did find himself in a wrong position for their first but overall I rate him.
Bruno impressed me especially.
Bruno was good. Definitely took his chance. Whilst it’s true Semedo did well in first half, he was asleep for first goal and was half heartedly jogging back with Zaha for second. Too often he looks like he lacks the character and fight to compete at this level. So often it’s his lack of application at the back that costs us. Arguably as part of a back 5 he had the cover to get away with it. But in a back four he’s woefully exposed.
Agreed.
What’s Steve Davis doing Nunes subbed and the two Trioras that totally disrupted the team.
What the…….
Nunes was shit
That result is down to Steve Davis, we were level with Palace and he goes and makes 3 subs which weren’t needed totally disrupting the team and we end up losing.
Fuckin Sunday League manager wouldn’t make that mistake….. Pissed away a point.
Jeff for fuck sake get someone in and soon.
He at least explained his reasons and they’re pretty hard to dispute.
Can see us in the same situation as Everton were last season. Too good to go down but having to fight like hell to stay up! Agree with what everyone seems to say about Guedes, that’s £27.5 mil I bet fosun wish they still had in the bank!!