This is a massive game – for Everton.
How much resistance Wolves can offer is anyone’s guess.
We’ve seen some papery performances from this team but, to their credit, they’ve been excellent at home and won the last four without conceding a goal.
Signing off with a fifth successive home victory would be splendid and further underline the good work Julen Lopetegui has done since Christmas.
There are already noises about FFP issues and worrying lines from the manager seeking assurances. Whatever happens with the playing staff we must retain him at all costs.
Everton
One win from the final two should be enough for Sean Dyche’s side and the fixtures look kind. Wolves away and Bournemouth at home is favourable to the challenges facing the sides around them.
But it’s still perilous. Lose tomorrow and Leeds would only need a draw at West Ham to seize the initiative going into the last day. Leicester have a job on their hands at Newcastle but a shock result there could also spell trouble, particularly with the Foxes having a superior goal difference.
Forest aren’t out of it completely, mainly due to having the worst goal difference of all the clubs down there and Arsenal to come. 34 might be enough for them but it’s right on the edge.
My best guess is Leeds and Leicester to drop but I’m looking forward to seeing how it unfolds over the next two weekends and getting a front row seat tomorrow.
The Toffees smashed Brighton 5-1 in their last away game and looked a really good unit. Sean Dyche says he’s happy with the consistency of their performances and I would agree they look a lot more competitive.
Wolves
I think Julen saw a different game to me at Old Trafford. In his post match comments he suggested Man Utd didn’t have that many chances, but I thought they missed several sitters even before they went ahead and should have won by a bigger margin.
But it was our meagre attacking play that frustrated me most. Nobody took any risks or played with purpose in the final third and consequently we didn’t create a single chance.
I’ve gone with the same XI but only because they’ve done so well at Molineux and I’m hoping we can repeat that success tomorrow.
It might not be a bad game for João Gomes with the combative qualities he brings to the midfield. Toti has to play because we need the three big defenders to combat the obvious and very real threat they pose from set pieces.
Will Daniel Bentley retain his place or will Sa come back? The former certainly couldn’t have done any more at Old Trafford. I was impressed.
Predictions
Well done to Rich, Prawny, Sea Pigeon and Pete Dunbar who all correctly predicted the score against Man Utd.
Rich now has an unassailable 7 point lead at the top of the overall table at the end of Gameweek 36 and is the Prediction League champion for 2022/23. Well done mate.
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.
The good news is we don’t need a result. I was dreading this game if we still needed something to secure our survival.
I just look at the physicality of this Everton side and worry they’ll over power us in much the same way Burnley did in that horrible lockdown game a few years back.
Their desperation for the result will give them the edge I feel but games don’t always play out the way you see them in your head so hopefully I’ll get a pleasant surprise.
I don’t have anything against Everton but there is something satisfying about turning the screw on a team that need something out of a game when your team doesn’t. I hope we’re smart in how we approach the challenge and can cause them some pain.
I’m also concerned by some of the soundbites emanating from Julen’s recent press conferences – he doesn’t sound happy does he? Let’s hope we give him what he wants/needs in the summer because contemplating next campaign without him at the helm is a painful thought process.
Everton probably just need a point here, as they’ll be confident of beating Bournemouth on the last day. It’s my girlfriend’s third time at Molineux and she’s yet to see us score so hopefully it’s a score draw at least!
On a separate note, enjoy the Bloggers event after the game lads – it’s been a pleasure contributing to the site for another season. See you again next year.
UTW x
We’re at home so despite Everton’s need for points think we’ll nick it.
Hope you’re right Steppenwolfe.
Like a lot of fans I’m worried about JLo walking if there are insufficient funds available next season, as he’s performed a miracle in keeping us up and I want to see what he can do with his own squad.
UTW!
Wolves apparently have FFP concerns that Lopetegui was unaware of when he joined.
Brace yourself for a summer of certain folk moaning about Jeff Shi.
As the season is effectively over I will now be “off blog” until next season to avoid this.
Happy summer one and all.
Don’t hibernate mate… your views are important and valued, especially in the sea of scepticism and doom that’s bound to follow…
Enjoy the Summer..
The most surprising and troubling part of the Jlo FFP story is that he says he knew nothing about it .If that is true you wonder how much he really focused since it has surely been obvious after the spend last summer and in January that Wolves would be struggling with this issue and would broadly have to sell to buy ! Like most fans I am delighted with him but this lack of understanding of the club he was joining is very strange to me .
I’m not a financial wizard or if I’m honest don’t really understand the algorithm that stands for FFP.
What I will say though is that there are more than a few players that have been hoiked on us from the Mendes stable , not even wanting to be in England let alone Molineux … Guedes being the prime example.
What I will say is that there are many ways to do “ sums” to get the correct answer and I’ve no doubt a bit of mathematical manipulation is on the horizon ..
I’m not overly concerned.
My major concern is that JLo is also part of the Mendes circus and any sign of a fallout over FFP constraints and Jorge will be active doing what he does best- churning his assets to earn commissions.
As usual, we cannot influence the outcome of this particular issue but we can give a right royal sendoff to the players leaving. Exceptional talents who have given us many exciting times over the the last 4/5 years.
I, too, fear that Everton’s greater need for points will prevail and if they get an early goal, will shut up shop and the game will be a frustration.
Withstand their early onslaught and play through them- one nil to the Wolves.
Tomorrow’s game, in this instance does not take centre stage… the BLOGGERS BALLBASH does… and THANKS to all those coming along to support it.
The combined mileage of those attending must run to well over 14000 miles .. which is an absolutely brilliant effort .. and I’m sure Clive and Brompton will be with us in spirit.
As for Everton … their new modern day coach has got them playing route 1 and % football… but sadly 100% of no goals conceded in the past 4 home games is still ZERO.
That said .. I hope Leeds and Leicester get relegated and Everton start next year on minus 12 points.
We desperately need to end on a win for JLo’s sake.
Yep see you chaps tomorrow
Wonderful London .. I might push myself to getting you a drink .. lol…
The problem with his comment is it could be anything… and he just understands it as a FFP issue as its what the media talk about.
It could be we NEED to sell to buy, but that was always the plan no? There is a bunch of players about to leave…
He also was part of the £350million spend and got the players he wants? We only need a couple more – Championship prices should not be an issue.
I think this is a deflection of responsibility if things go tits up next season or we don’t manage to persuade the players he wants. He can then just blame FFP.
I do not see how we have FFP issues, after Forest, Chelsea and co spent what they did.
Like others I’m bewildered by the JLo comments re FFP
Surely an early question to have asked Fisun during the interview process??
Sounds like we need to sell and sell
soon and maybe Neves has to go in order to give us funds for new bodies… and a fair few others too?
Heading up the M40 later today and in the Park View this weekend
Will be great to reconnect with fellow bloggers tomorrow and hopefully see another clean home result … I’ll
Be wishing the toffees farewell , even tho I suspect they will scrape up .. again … thanks to Bournemouth … hopefully not us.
Meantime my perverse forecast should see us right… it’s worked for the last 4 home games
We’em Wolves ay we …
OODCL
Going for the last home win of the season to send the fans home with a smile on there faces.
In some ways this is a “must win” game! Not because if we lose we are in any sort of trouble, but losing the last 3 games of the season (predicting a loss against Arsenal) will make our season end on a whimper. Damp squid!
FFP problems are a big concern, and if it is true that JL had no idea, it does not bode well for the relationship with Shi. We will have to manage it as best we can.
The initial flawed model of Shi that we buy young, develop them and sell them off for a big profit could never work. And making money on the side by part owning Mendes’s stable! The closest any team came to that model with any success, was Southampton, and look where they are now! We were not that far behind! At least the penny has now dropped but at the cost of being in FFP trouble.
With our good defense in recent home games, and our lack of scoring goals, this should be a low scoring game. However, Everton will be desperate for a win so the longer the game goes on the more open the game will get. And goals will come!
Haven’t really done to well against bottom sides in the last few years even with europe beckoning , don’t think we’ll offer too much to be honest still at th algarve methinks
Congratulations to Rich for winning the prediction league
Everton have Mina at the back who is a hothead when riled and hopefully Diego will do that
But they are out for survival points
Last home game of the season and the last opportunity to see a number of players before they move on during the closed season. We saw Neves waving his goodbyes last time around only for us to be pleasantly relieved to have him on board for this season. I fear that ain’t gonna happen this time around. He’s been a great servant for us.
Everton probably need something from this and hopefully that should help us. 5th straight home win it is then!!
If we can concentrate on the football and not the occasion I think we have enough to take the points.
I’m not convinced Neto has the form or physicality to start. Bit otherwise it’s as you were for me.
I’d be tempted to start Gomes in a 4-4-2 or Adama in a 4-3-3
We need to take the game to them otherwise we’ll be overrun
The fact I won the prediction league in a season we’ve been mostly terrible – not sure what that says about me, that I’m a defeatist, doom-monger and a pessimist?? Who knows. I always try to be as realistic as possible and go with head over heart.
Thankfully, things have picked up over recent weeks, at least at home. We’ve still been god awful away and that will have to be addressed.
I have the same fears about this one as Thomas. Everton need the points and we’ve been bullied far too many times in the past by Sean Dyche sides. I can’t escape the feeling we may now be fully on the beach after that Old Trafford no show.
Everton may well win this and get the points they need to survive but I’ll sit on the fence and go for the draw.
A must win for Everton so the onus is on them, with us with nothing to play for except esteem.
I hope they wear the shirt with pride and give the fans a fitting last match performance.
Everton, even un Dyche, and readily beatable.
I’ve decided to miss the game so I can spend more time choosing a dress and putting on my make up for the Ballbash later on.
After all, what could be better than seeing old chums, some of whom have travelled a bloody long way to celebrate the comradeship of we bloggers.
And what could be sadder than missing two of the longest serving contributors and loveliest of guys, who will not be with us this year.
I ask every blogger, wherever they are in the World, to raise a glass to Clive (from Houston) and Steve (Brompton) tomorrow evening.
On second thoughts, sod the dress and the make up.
I’ll be at The Golden Palace to say goodbye to some of our heroes from the past few years.
And hopefully to see us stuff Everton.
The best one you’ve ever written mate .. and you’ve written some good ones .. xx
I was worried that the boys would already be in flip flops at Old Trafford. Maybe it is a bit harsh to say they were, but Man U needed the points more than we did last time out and it showed.
Likewise, Everton. Hopefully home advantage will give us more pop, but the Toffees will be scrapping for their lives for this one.
.
Congratulations to Rich for being the Man City of the Prediction League. I’m tempted to follow his 1-1 for Everton but I hope we send them down for nicking Coady. 2-0 for me.
Lopetegui’s comments about transfer funds are unexpected. Is it news to him? You know when you go for a job interview and they ask if you have any questions? That would have been the first bloody one I asked! if it is news to him, I could even see him walk. He commented that saving Wolves from relegation was his finest achievement. Sounds like a notch ticked off on his CV before moving on. He could then say his stay at Wolves was a great success (before getting out while the going was good!). But part of me thinks it might be a ploy by Jeff to lower asking prices for the overpriced players we might be bidding on this summer. Time will tell.
Glad no points are needed
RIP Andy Rourke of The Smiths. A band of a generation. Reminds me of those drunken Friday nights at JB’s in Dudley. A place with no windows. Beer and cigarette ends all over the floor. A true rock n roll venue where The Smiths were always part of the disco! As for the Wolves. Back later !
Cheesey .. you’re expected to put in appearance tomorrow mate .. xx
If anyone is about in a pub around Wolvo mate i’ll gladly have a pint.
Balancing Wolves excellent play at home with Everton’s desperate need for points, I’m going with a draw.
I’m trying hard to decide what the result will be as Everton will be giving everything and we are already safe. I suspect we may lose this one as our lads have no real incentive to put themselves in harms way as season’s end approaches.
2-1 to Everton…
Everton might need the points much more than us but, as their local rivals so eloquently put it, they really are blue and white **ite.
Toothless in attack and rubbish in defence, they are certainly there for the taking. Main concern is set pieces so be careful with those edge of box tackles lads.
Tough one to predict.
Whilst we’ve got decent results at home we don’t do well against “physical” (aka bullies) teams.
Add in that Toffees need the points and we don’t (not to stay in the PL but the extra money from finishing further up the table would be welcome) and it’s anyone’s guess.
I’m going with hope and back to my favourite score.
There will be plenty of time to worry about next season over the summer break. Tomorrow should be about our players signing off at home, some for the last time, in a positive manner.
Everton might want it more but Wolves need to play with passion and desire in front of their own fans. Give us something to drink to at the Bloggers Ballbash.
It seems I was the only one who couldn’t get into the Wolves Blog today.
I kept getting ‘server not found’ error, both on iPad and phone.
Anyway, I’m really glad be here now with you guys.??
I was as shocked as the next man with the Toffees demolition of Brighton. It’s a good thing we don’t need the points, but I do hope we have J Lo with us next season if nobody else!
Home win for me despite the aggregate of the Everton ours and Brighton being 11-1 in favour of Everton…
Last season we finished 10th on 51 points, scoring 38 goals. We were sandwiched between Brighton in 11th and Newcastle in 9th.
We can’t match those points or position, or goals (unless we score 8 in the last 2 games) and the two aforementioned teams have certainly kicked on.
However, it would be an oversimplification to say that we have gone backwards.
I suspect the general feeling around the club is a lot more optimistic than it was last season. The obvious difference is the change of Coach. With all due respect to Bruno Lage, JL is in a different league.
Also the direction of travel. Down last April and May. Very much on the up this Spring.
The last 5 games last season yielded just 2 points. Draws against Chelsea and relegated Norwich. Any hope we had of qualifying for Europe had long since vanished and there were murmurs of discontent from players carrying on the breeze.
There will be plenty of opportunity to see what Fosun’s intentions are and what happens in the transfer market this Summer, once we’ve played our last game against Arsenal. Nelson Srmedo’s contract extension has been activated, but that aside, everything else is yet to be determined.
FFP never went away but it seems certain that Mendes years of self serving influence are over and JL and his team will call the shots in conjunction with Matt Hobbs and the Chairman. Hobbs and Lopetegui get on very well apparently.
Undoubtedly we will have to sell to buy, but it remains to be seen how much Fosun will contribute to help offset FFP restrictions. Gone are the days of £30-£40m acquisitions. Silly money doesn’t guarantee success as we well know.
Looking at some of our best value buys – Lemina, Dawson, Toti and Bueno to name a few, we don’t need to splash the cash. We need to trust in the scouts and management team, the academy, which will become more important to us in the future and JL knowing what we need.
So purchasing players for up to £15/20m is going to be our limit. Young, hungry, strong, great mentality and determination. And some skill.
Speaking of value buys, it’s likely that a number of our established squad will be playing their last game for us at the Golden Palace. Moutinho has to be one of the Best Buy’s of the last decade. Absolute class, though unfortunately he is now coming to the end of his playing career. He will be 37 this September and he has played at the highest level of European football for nearly 2 decades. Hats off to him. And to Raul, Ruben ( if he goes ) and Jonny ( who was tremendous in his first 3 seasons ).
They all deserve a warm send off in what feels like the end of the transition of what remained of NES’s squad to what will become JL’s.
Raul deserves a special mention. His bravery and determination to return after 9 months recovering from that awful injury should never be forgotten. While he hasn’t been able to play at quite the standard he had set himself, he was the best forward we have had in the last 20 plus years and it’s remarkable that he came back to play football at all.
This game is very hard to predict. End of season anything could happen. On one hand we are at home with a number of players saying cheerio, no pressure and an opportunity to go out on a high, playing in the May sunshine. On the other hand Everton are playing for their survival. They have not been relegated for over 70 years ! For them, a loss tomorrow brings the unthinkable one giant step closer.
Whatever the result, goodbye to another season at Molineux, enjoy the Bloggers Ball and have a fabulous Summer !
UTW
Great post Mutt1eigh…
I agree Aquilador. Excellent & balanced article as always.
The Toffees. Toffee always reminds me of the sort of individuals who train whippets. Nothing wrong with having a whippet but they just go hand in hand with eating toffee. There is a rather small chap who takes his rather large whippet for a walk past my front window every morning. I often reflect on whether the whippet is actually taking the chap for a walk. The other thing with toffee is Old Aged Pensioners. They all eat toffee. Even if they haven’t got any teeth they still sort of suck it. My old auntie was a great chewer of toffee. And what is it with OAP’S and those tartan shopping trolleys ? I went past one once in Asda Brierley Hill and the trolley actually had a small terrier sticking out of it. A vicious bastard as well. I thought it was gonna bite my fucking hand off. And if there is a massive queue and a new till opens they all turn in to Usain Bolt to get served first. Even the terrier was gasping for breath as his 94 year old owner did the 100 metres in 7 seconds. So yeah. Toffees. Will get stuffed 2-1. And the night club bouncer Dyche will be annoyed by literally everything. Including an OAP who had got lost on the way out of Asda over the road. Luckily the terrier bit him. So a satisfactory end and 43 points. Looking at J Lo he says he hopes can solve the FFP issues. So there must have been a discussion around the issue of investment which involved the possibility of solving it. We shall see. WWFC 2 TOFFEES 1.
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End of season game here, with one team needing points urgently for survival in the PL and ourselves comparatively sitting on easy street.
Because it’s a game in an unusual set of circumstances I’m going for something of a goal fest. It’s unlikely, but hopefully we’ll pull out an extraordinary result as we approach season’s end……..
The FFP issue raises its ugly head again……why have Fosun over the last 3 seasons really gone to town……..I don’t think so yes the forked out in January on only becase of there lack of investment over the previous 3 seasons put us in the mire .
I always find it amazing how we are all of a sudden under the cosh after spurge Fosun certainly were not worried about FFP rules in January but know we are safe all of a sudden we have to sell more or less before we can buy.
I read an interesting article regarding Inter and AC Milan and how they are think seriously about building there own separate stadiums so they can generate more match day income aparantly they got this idea having seen the Spurs generate £120 million a season from match day revenue and other events at there stadium which A 60,000 plus gate every game plus associated revenue that generates.
This made me think we’ll Fosun are always saying we need to generate more revenue well why not expand Molineux it not like it doesn’t need it and with 10 to 15,000 waiting for a season ticket plus a good percentage of walk up fans it seems like a no brainier 32,000 every game is not bad but if you want to to generate income 45,000 plus would be better and within in reach its just wether Fosun are willing to invest in the stadium and after seven years of ownership and little if nothing done so far it is well over due.
To the game again like last week it. Would be disrespectful to the League and to the other teams especially those in the relegation battle if we didn’t play our strongest team how would we feel if we need a team to win and they played a weakened team.
Gently must play. Cannot believe Semedo has been given a 2 year extension shocking decision.
J Lo likes him. J Lo has just overseen a top nine finish over the post xmas period. He might know one or two things about his squad.
I’d didn’t know the season started at Christmas I thought it was August when did the bring that in Cheese…….if my auntie had a pair of bollocks she’d be my uncle and all that crap.
The season is 38 games not 20 or what ever is was when Lop. Took over.
As for Semedo’s value its no where near the £30 Millon we paid Uncle George…….sorry Barca…..I’m sure uncle George did alright out of it…..Semedo has never lived up to his price tag like so many of our signings he’s just another one in a long list and if I had all day I’d list them.
‘Cannot believe Semedo has been given a 2 year extension shocking decision.’
Putting his performances aside (as they are a matter of opinion) and given that Semedo is a club asset with a market value of anything between 10 and 25 million quid it would have been even more shocking to see him walk away this summer for free.
Or we could just let him go for free?
£10 to £25 Million……what rupees it certainly isn’t pounds or even euros…..dream on.
It was a no brainer CHW given the alternative options.
It would be brilliant to get a result to see off those departing players who have served the club well. But I suspect a hungry Everton team who are actually playing quality football will get a win…
Hoping we can carry on winning at home but will be tough against an Everton side that has a lot at stake.
Sorry I can’t make the bloggers bash but close friend is having a 60th birthday party on Saturday night. Hope you all have a great time.
The Toffees will be desperate for the points and their physicality plus the return of Calvert-Lewin (if he is fit) would seem to give them the edge. But, this is the last home game of the season and potentially a last Molineux bow for Ruben, Raul, Adama and João, etc. For that reason, I’m hoping for a thrilling send-off. UTW
Got a feeling I need to organise a return to blighty next year to attend what seems to be the most fashionable do of the year the bloggers ball and put faces to blogs
Have a most jolly time dear fellows
Good one P N… you’ll be welcomed like you’ve been in an All Blacks scrum …
It will be good to touch bases … it’s a darn long way though ..
Difficult to predict with Everton’s need being much greater than ours but hopefully the lads will want to carry on the good home form and finish the season off at Molineux right. Brighton result aside Everton are as goal shy as is so I think we will win this one. Score early then get them on the counter
Good blog people. Im one of the few here I fear who has enjoyed the season. I expected us to do much much better but the Shakespearian drama of the autumn/ winter had me gripped with a mix of disbelief, hope and crushed expectation. Felt the squad was good and couldn’t comprehend what went wrong. Ever the optimist I expect is to be back on top ten/ challenging for the lower levels of European football in 23/24. I’m coming to the Everton match today, expecting a good competitive game and the opportunity to say farewell to some old warriors. Hurrah!
Everton desperate for points, while I suspect we will have a sentimental selection (starting or coming on as subs) of Moutinho, Jimi, Traore.
Will be lovely to farewell them, but it may cost us the points.
Everton have more to play for but I think they will see Bournemouth at home as the more winnable game. If it’s 0-0 at half time they’ll park the bus and grind out a draw and we all know it’s impossible for us to break a team down like that.
Sentiment at home and them battling for survival will cancel each other out today I think!
My first thoughts were fairly similar to many bloggers here – we are safe and therefore we will be lacking effort, as opposed to Everton, who desperately need any points they can get.
However !!! … I then thought of the rocket JLo will stick up our team’s backside if he sees a lack of effort from some players. So my prediction is … a first half disappoinment, going behind, only for a couple of magical substitutions by JLo to win the game in the 92nd minute.
Now if all this is correct, I think I would deserve a bonus 10 points and put me in with a chance to finish in the top 10 in the prediction league.
I genuinely don’t think the home crowd atmosphere on what is already building to be a special day will allow player’s thoughts to stray far from Molineux Vic
Dead draw
Well done Rich for predicting we’d be pretty bad this season. Though not a Baggie.
Muttleigh’s 3-0 home win prediction v. Liverpool, a personal highlight.
Thanks Thomas & crew for guiding us through the ups and downs, and contributors for making this blog quality entertainment.
Apologies Twix for not making the Bloggers Ballbash. Work commitments. Have a great time.
With the weather warming up, its getting sticky for the Troubled Toffees. Fair play to your man Dyche (still pronounced Dick), you’re in with a gasp of staying up. Nevermind the nasty FFP letter from the EPL.
The neutral Liverpool, Leicester and Leeds support will be hoping for a home win. Plus the Home Support giving it the max at what feels like the end of one era and the dawn of a new, time for a few in the firing line to step up and book a place on the J-Lo groovy train for success next year. FFP cuffs not withstanding.
Good luck Scalifax and the Shaymen in the FA Trophy.
1 lv & COYW.
I’m backing us to finish the season on a high. Despite Everton needing the points, they will probably be safe even if they lose today.
Congratulations to ex-Wolves man, Rob Edwards of Luton Town. Just a match away from the Premier League. Luton ain’t pretty to watch but they’re hard to beat. Incredible that they’ve come from non-league to the brink of the PL. If they get promoted they will have to ground-share for a while as Kenilworth Road is nowhere near up to standard.
The standard of referees is diabolical. And Dyche moaning about ‘gamesmanship’ what a joke. Every time someone went near they fell to the ground in agony. And then Everton equalise in time added on after the 9 minutes extra. The twat wanted them to equalise. It was clear.