I don’t know what I’m less excited about.
The coronation or a vibrant looking Aston Villa side swaggering into Molineux hot on the heels of our six nil whooping.
At least we don’t have to go into work on Monday I suppose.
On a more serious note our home form has been good under Julen Lopetegui and I expect a response. Fingers crossed we get it.
Aston Villa
Well done to the Villa. I thought they’d spend the remaining weeks of the season marooned in 10th but they’ve been on an excellent run.
Defeat at Old Trafford last weekend took some of the wind out of their sails and with fixtures against Brighton, Liverpool and Spurs to close out the season, it’ll be tough to maintain that push for Europe.
The other side of that argument is they can take points off the teams around them so a 6th/7th place finish remains possible. I don’t think they’ll quite do enough.
I watched their game against Newcastle a few weeks ago and thought it was one of the most impressive performances I’ve seen from any team. They looked well balanced and carried a serious threat going forward. There’s plenty to feel good about heading into next season.
Ollie Watkins has become a goal machine in 2023 and is establishing himself as one of the best forwards in the Premier League. Nullifying him will be important tomorrow.
We did well for long periods in the game at Villa Park and should have been two up before they came back into it. By the end we were a tad fortunate to hang on for a point.
Wolves
We could just revert to the side that played well and got the wins against Chelsea and Brentford.
I maintain the shape and balance of that side was the best we’ve seen this season so I’m not sure why Lopetegui so willingly dismantled it.
There was a certain logic to playing four midfielders at Brighton to try and block the passing channels but it clearly didn’t work.
I thought Neto did alright running around up front but in terms of operating as one cohesive unit it was a total disaster.
Predictions
Yes, I did check and nobody predicted 6-0 last weekend.
Rich still holds a 4 point lead at the top of the overall table at the end of Gameweek 34.
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.
They’ll be rolling up at Molineux confident they can carry on where Brighton left off.
What we need to do is see past that total debacle and know that with a gameplan, and application, and total commitment and focus, we have what’s necessary to get the points.
I shall remain non-committal about whether Ruben should start. It’s difficult to ignore the fact that two of our best performances have been with him on the sidelines. As unbelievable as that may seem. For sure Cunha needs to be in there.
I’m hopeful of all three points.
It’s a funny old game, eh, Ruben was MOTM !
Not go to work on monday !!
Where i live and drink i wont be able to go out for a fortnight if we get stuffed by that lot
Stop messing j lo you found your best set up so stick with it.
Wolves v Villa.
Our last 6 games :-
D W W L W L F 7 A 9 10pts
Villa :-
W W W D W L F 9 A 3 13pts
Odds – Villa are favourites.
Head to head – played 15, W5, D5, L5 in the Premier League.
Last 4 games we have W2 D2 L0.
Current league position Wolves 14th Villa 8th.
All stands for nothing come 3pm.
Both teams lost their last game, but the manner of the loss couldn’t have been more different. Villa are the form team, and until last Saturday, we were doing very nicely thank you.
Our squad will undoubtedly have a lot of change over the Summer, and it is likely to be the penultimate time some of these players will play at Molineux – Ruben, Moutinho, Adama and Raul to name but 4 possible leavers.
And despite our 37 points, we are still not quite safe. So how many of our players are going to war against our bitter rivals ? How many are going to leave nothing on the pitch ? Are they going to respond positively to last week’s mauling ?
And Villa. They are still playing for European football next season. There’s a lot riding on this game.
I just hope we put in a great performance. The result is important but the performance is everything.
Who will be crowned King ?
UTW
Thanks for the stats Muttleigh. Translating them into a prediction I came up with the following:
As I have thought so many times this season, I wonder which Wolves team will turn up this Saturday? They both could not be more different, one battling and fighting with pride, the other awful and sluggish! Hopefully, JL fired a rocket up their xxxxxxx’s during the week!
I agree with Thomas’s team, except that I would replace Podence with Neto. And speaking of Podence, must be overreact to every tackle made on him as though he has broken foot? It is pathetic! That is not the Wolves way, and I hope he is part of the clear out in the summer.
Tough game against our nearest PL rivals, and we have to be on our game from the start, and take whatever chances that pass our way.
We should expect a bit of a bounce back after last week’s Rocky horror show; however, Villa are a very capable team this season so a point for me would be a pretty decent result. And make us a tad safer too.
Thanks Thomas for getting this blog out and for all the other work you do for us punters.
Difficult to predict. Depends so much on what team we pick – tend to like T’s selection. Would defo play two up front.
Form counts for nothing in a local derby
Think this will be feisty both teams need the points
I’m going to totally wipe last weeks debacle. It was a one off and surely can’t be repeated.
I think the will be goals in this one. To get something from it would be great but not essential.
Villa look more balanced to me but we’re not half bad at home.
It’s tough to predict any match Wolves are involved in but a decent performance will be a start
I was very proud of our old Queen. I’ve got to admit that I was sad when she died. She was a virtuous lady who led with dedication and morality.
This pair have cocked up so badly with their infidelity that it ended with the death of Diana.thats before theyve even started .They don’t deserve it . Princess Anne maybe … wills and Kate maybe ( bet he’s annoyed that it coincides with a villa game !! ) … so fuck it … I’m off down the Molineux to see the Wolves give the villa a right royal thrashing !
I spoke to my Villa-supporting mate last night and he was adamant that we’ll beat them because they’re looking a bit knackered and have a few players out injured. Even with that encouraging verdict, I’m still finding it hard to believe that we’ll take all three points after last week’s horror show.
That being said, I expect Lopetegui will get a reaction from the group as he’s a top manager who will have been stung by the hammering at Brighton. Plus, we do have a good track record against Villa so hopefully we can claim a point and try and build on that over the remaining few games.
The sooner this season is over the better though. I really hope I don’t see some of this group of players ever again – as I said in my post a few weeks back, way too many posers that aren’t up to standard.
UTW x
Need to get a win and the 40pts mark before I fully relax, although the 37 should already be enough.
Looking a fighting effort against Villa with Brighton hopefully an aberration.
Our record against Villa is good, so, brushing aside that temporary lapse of form against Brighton, we shall be back to our winning ways.
Villa looking at 6/7th place finish? Wasn’t so long ago that we scaled those heights. OK, they have been a surprise package this season, along with Brighton and Newcastle, so full credit. But, let’s piss on their parade, and nick a point or three. I’m banking on a bounce-back but it will need to be bloody high! Surely 15 Wolves players (excl Neto) can’t all have an off-day on the same day and come up against a team playing brilliantly?
Shame I can’t predict each way for the Prediction League. If I could I would go 2-2 or even 2-1 us.
Just hope don’t put another performance like last week if we play to are best we have a chance. Villa have improved under Uni and its going to be a hard game but fingers crossed 2-1 to the Wolves.
I read through all of these positive posts and wonder if it is just me, or is it the distance (as my name might betray, I live in Australia) that makes me more concerned? I feel we should get a result from this game. We are wolves ffs and they are playing at our cauldron… but who saw last week coming???
I’d like to see Bentley play in goal instead of Sa. Having someone with more confidence behind the defence will give them confidence, which gives the midfield confidence etc.
Can’t bring myself to tip a win though… draw will be an ok result though.
I would start with your 11, Thom, but can’t see JLo leaving his captain and inspiration out of the side.
Definitely give Bentley games when we are safe and Sa has enough credit in the bank for me to keep his place atm.
It would not surprise me to see Jonny back in if Semedo not fully fit.
I cannot see Big Sam cajoling enough points out of his team to save Leeds but it certainly adds more spice to the end of the season. We can be sure that there will be some strange results in the next month and we are not safe until mathematically proven.
Can’t see a win tomorrow but then I couldn’t against Liverpool and Chelsea either. Draw at best.
I’ve absolutely no idea what the result of this match will be ; how can anyone?
I’ll go for a draw with no confidence whatsoever ; 1-1.
Please, Julen, play the team which played so well in those two wins. Plonk Neves at right back in the hopes of some stability. I’m certain he can do a great job for the team.
He’s given everyone a good chance over the past month or so and must know his best formation by now. Chopping and changing, experimenting is unnecessary at this point. Play a settled starting eleven for these last few games, please.
Ok, so we got rid of our “One Horrendous Game for the Season”. Back to reality now, Wolves !!
Villa have been a steady and sometime, even awsome team this season. So it all depends (once again) on how we play. Seems to me, the first goal really matters to our players. When we go ahaead, we seem to boss the other team. So that is tomorrow;s secret plan. Score first !!
Wolves beat Liverp0ol.
This has defeat written all over it why…….well look at the direction of both teams over the last 18 months Wolves have nose dived and Villa have just kept on climbing it just shows how quickly football can change.
If it was me picking the team I’d drop Sa…and Kilman. As because he is in the middle of a massive crisis of confidence and Kilman the opersite he seems to think he doesn’t have to try now he’s a regular starter thinks he made it.
I would give Bently ago in goal and replace Kilman with……well someone anyone just to give Kilman who is a great defender when he can be bothered a wake up call I think he needs.
I would revert back to the team and formation that beat Palace and Chelsea bar the above.
Villa will be full of confidence now the GAP……has been widened the other way so we need to be up for this one anything less than a point and it really will put us back in the brown stuff if the bottom four win considering who we have left to play we need 3 more points to be sure of Premier League football next season.
Grinding away…
“Veela! Veela!” Will be super confident coming in to this game.
Realistically a point would be a decent return.
But a rammed and rocking Molineux might just goad our lads into another fighting performance like we have seen at times recently.
I’ll always remember the ground standing to applaud when, against Liverpool, we must have strung around fifty passes together in the last minutes with them chasing shadows and looking like they didn’t belong on the same pitch.
More of the same tomorrow please lads.
And no stupid playing out from the back.
All the words have been used about the Brighton debacle – pathetic, gutless, embarrassing. But at home we’ve been an entirely different prospect, and we need to continue in that vein tomorrow.
It’s got all the makings of an exciting, intense derby and the atmosphere should be crackling. Probably the best Villa side that has been down here in years so it will undoubtedly be a test.
Looking forward to seeing Conor back next season.
Hard to say that a derby game is not important but I really think it won’t matter a jot. We have enough points already.
Not sure that our Iberians understand the importance of local bragging rights so not predicting a win but not losing any sleep over an odd goal defeat.
Loppy etc.. I hope you are correct re points.
I wonder, as you do, the extent to which our Iberian contingent understand
the importance of a local derby.
As for Conor, he will of course have to return at the end of the season but I doubt he will want to stay. There will be plenty of suitors, especially Sheffield United ,
the club he left to come to Wolves.
I recently watched an interview with Graham Souness on YouTube in which he said how important it was to have senior pros in the dressing room and squad.
At a stroke, Wolves jettisoned four. I suppose Neves, Moutinio, Johnny and Dawson now have that mantle. And they could all be gone before next season.
Such players are influential every day on the training ground.
That is why Brighton have agreed to sign Milner.
I don’t really have a clue what to expect.
I want to see the fire that beat Liverpool.
I want to see the fire that came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Villa Park.
I hope the team understand fully the importance of bragging rights.
I don’t want to see playing out from the back EVERY SINGLE TIME REGARDLESS OF THE OBVIOUS RISKS.
I don’t want to see our players diving/feigning injury/crowding the ref.
Other than that I have no idea what the score will be but I’m, once again, predicting a Wolves win and will settle for a draw (particularly if there’s a good performance).
I’m being honest … when I think we’ll win we lose … and vice versa ..
I thought we’d lose to Liverpool and Chelsea.. and got a result.. so I’ve got to go for a defeat tomorrow.. of course tgat jeans 3 points and safety … so bring it on…
I’m hoping for a better response to the BLOGGERS BALLBASH .. there are guys who write for the National tabloids on here .. yet can’t find a word or joined up letters to come and take part to meet a few guys putting themselves out from San Francisco, Norway, and closer to home .. deepest Devon..Wiltshire .. Clive and Brompton, bless them, would both have been coming… we’ll celebrate their love of WWFC .. and gave a belting time …
Not to mention our Commander in Chief .. Thomas…
and hopefully Ben (the Orator)
Well worth the outlay …
By nature I’m a miserable git but if it wasn’t for people like me you’d have nothing to gauge your happiness by , but I’m actually looking forward to the villa game,I don’t think we’ll win but it’s in anticipation of the team j-Lo will pick, who’s going to carry the can for last weeks debacle, no semedo so an underperforming Jonny will step in, would have liked Bentley to have got a shot when we were safe but it might be his time,
Originally from London but now nz I would have loved to have gone to the bash, as you can imagine being a wolves supporter in London or nz there are very few like minded people all you get is fashionable supporters,used to go to the mol with a guy called Tony Dangerfield who played with screaming lord such and Robert Plant, sadly gone last 15years, just thought I’d share
Not so PN…
My daughter emigrated 10 yes ago to Christchurch… she goes mad at me to get to a game when she’s back in Blighty… she’ll always be a WWFC Lady … and proud ..
You might be 12000 mikes away but I bet Wolves are always on your radar ..
First thing on the I pad in the morning, always tried to get to a game and a concert when I go back but it’s hard to source tickets in the prem and I’ve got to wait for next funeral to go back for hohoho
Clive said 5-0
So ,Sir Clive.. 5-0 it will be
Also have no idea which team will turn up. Hope Lopetegui and I both recognise his players tomorrow. Would be very worried if he played Jonny as has not been playing well when in the team. Would prefer Lembikisa.
As usual, can only predict a win for wolves.
I’m expecting a reaction from that shit show last weekend as I imagine we all are.
I reckon we’ll get it too! If any team is gonna burst villa’s bubble it’s gonna be us!..at molineux!!
If Lopetegui is the top coach we all think he is then surely there will be a reaction to the dismal Brighton performance. This coupled with our recent decent home form has me confident of getting a result. As for team selection now is not the time to be changing goal keepers and let’s stick to the shape that has helped us get this decent run of results at home
Our journey across the USA has not been without challenges. This match has a simpler issue: whether I can get up in time for a 7 am kick-off, which is what it will be here in Palm Springs.
Fingers crossed – and for the match itself. I’m not convinced we are out of the woods yet.
Arrived in Rome where the locals are still marveling at the Naples celebrations … one dead and twenty badly injured
Such is the lunacy of football
Supporters
Hoping to get to hotel later and in time to set up laptop for our match
Expecting a rocking Molineux and a frenzied Wanderers grabbing g am early goal then … who knows??
I’ve read that 37 points is safe but I’m not buying that however and I’m thinking
Draw today and vs Toffees required
Being superstitious I’m reverting
to my abject predictions that worked vs Chelsea Brentford and Palace
No more darkness lads please
.
.
Here’s hoping for a reaction from last weekend. I really could do without more piss taking so come on lads at least a point please
Lets put last weeks debacle behind us and come out fighting today. Villa have done well this season but a rocking full house at Molineux can make all the difference. I agree Bentley deserves some game time but I’d be very surprised if he starts today.
To summarise, no-one knows what our best team would be, and many think it is without our best player. And it will be a very, very different team in 5 games time.
Villa in form and needing points, we keep saying we are not safe, but probably feel reasonably comfortable.
Our supporters fired up for the derby, our players pretty much unaware of that importance.
Can’t believe all this stuff I’m reading about not playing Neves. He’s our best player by a country mile. Our best set piece taker by a country mile. Our most committed player by a country mile. And we’ll miss him by a country mile when he’s gone.
And what rubbish I also read about Nunes being better when Neves isn’t on the pitch. No way are their respective performances linked to that degree. So Neves makes Nunes go missing for large chunks of a game or makes him pass so badly or to run up blind alleys?
Rant over, for the moment. The pundits seem to have overlooked that this is a local derby, aswell as a Spanish manager Derby, and we have generally held the upper hand of late.
Hated this season and can’t wait for it to be over so the big clear out can begin.
I reckon we are safe now but one more point will definitely see us in the EPL next season.
I put the telly on this morning and they were going on about the coronation of the King. But I couldn’t see Steve Bull or Johnny Richards in the background so thought it must be a hoax. There was a band called King once. They used to witter on about ‘that’s what my heart yearns for now. Love and pride’. The bloke singing looked like a cross between Dracula and Kate Bush. Which was a bit weird . But what WWFC need to show today is some pride. And we will show them the love. So come on ! Get out there and wallop this Vanilla nothingness. They will be all at sea as Prince William would have been in touch and asked if they could be thinking about his dad having a crown put on his head anyway. So all in all a jolly good set up and WWFC will get 3 goals today. Vanilla 2.
Big Sam managing relegation bound Leeds in the PL? What’s going on? What don’t I understand about football, that this can actually happen in 2023?
He’s a season too late anyway, they should have been relegated last year. Which would have given us a valuable extra 6 points this year.
I nearly gave him a name check after the Crystals dug Woy up, but thought, nah, you’ll just look stupid. Big Sam, well blow me down. This should make for interesting copy.
Peter Cushing’s understudy, Unai Emery, may well make it to the end of the season, despite the mauling his well heeled charges are going to endure at the Mol this afters. J-Lo gets the team selection right this week, that’s Sa, Neves and take your pick from the Iberian Allsorts. Dawson hat trick.
Big Sam? Wtf do I know.
1 lv & COYW.
First game, Citeh at the Twatihad. Snigger. Big Sam or no Big Sam you don’t need a crystal ball for that one.
Citeh 9 -0 Welcome back to the PL, see ya later.
Despite a European spot beckoning our lads – some Algarve seaside beach, we have to see a pay-back for last weekend’s catastrophe and I just hope J-Lo can instil that into the lads. No better way than to bring this bunch down to earth. Some of our gang are on their last few sunny afternoons at the Mol, in front of the most dedicated fans in football. We’ll give our all; now come on you Wolves give yours. This match matters.
I f I was going to bet the house then I’d give this to the vile as a win
but I think we are worth a draw if we take or at least create chances,.
We could even edge it but no doubt they are super confident….
Well I did predict 6 goals last time out, the trouble was I thought we would get three of them. Can’t be as bad this time out, but a win will be hard.
Whose heart sinks to hear Wolves are 1-nil up with 10 minutes to go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and we bring on Collins??????
Hiding behind the sofa!!!!
of to the pub whaaaa hooo villa wankers !!!!!!!!!!!
What do you mean?
Credit where credits due , methinks
JLo picks the team
I predict 0-3
Hey presto … !!!!
4 in a row and 4 clean sheets
Bring on manure and toffees
Lights back