The annoying thing is we were starting to see Lopetegui’s fingerprints on the team.
Pressing with purpose from the front, breaking at pace and finally – finally – getting some bodies into the box.
I stand to be proven wrong, but everything I’ve seen or read about Gary O’Neil suggests this isn’t simpatico to his more pragmatic way of getting things done.
That leaves the lads in a bit of a pickle just days out from one of the more difficult opening fixtures.
A sunnier way of looking at it might be that this was always going to be a tough assignment so there’s nothing to lose anyway.
Yeah, I think I’ll go with that.
Man Utd
The going has been better at Old Trafford over the summer. Erik ten Hag has been able to offload the players he doesn’t want and bring in others to suit his established system. That’s what you’re supposed to do.
It is easier for the moneybags clubs of course but with investment comes expectation and that will be sky-high after laying secure foundations last season.
On paper, improvement seems inevitable given that they’ve turfed out weak links and added depth in other areas they were lacking.
Such is the way football is going, the goalkeeper could end up being their most important attacking recruit. Andre Onana is useful with his feet and is being hyped up as an essential piece of the puzzle as Utd look to build more effectively from the back.
As much will be expected from striker Rasmus Højlund when he eventually gets up to speed. He’s not ready for Monday but even in a worst-case scenario, should eventually prove a solid upgrade on Wout Weghorst. No offence Wout.
Gut feeling? Some good moments in the season, but I think they’ll finish 4th.
Wolves
Anyone up for some Gazball? I have zero idea what the head coach has in mind so instead I’ll just name the XI I think he should eventually be trying to get on the pitch from the players at his disposal.
I’m all in on Sasa Kalajdzik. I think he is exactly what we need. If he can stay fit (a big if) I have confidence he’ll create chaos, bring others into play and most importantly, score goals.
All of our attacking players will benefit from the presence of a target man. Neto, Nunes, Hwang, Sarabia, Cunha and Fabio will all produce better output with someone dragging defenders away, which is why I feel Sasa is pivotal.
Playing Doherty at left-back will probably raise a few eyebrows but I just think we need another senior pro in that back four and it means we can get his attacking capabilities into the side without losing Nelson’s running power.
The combinations with the midfielders ahead of them also work better. Pedro likes to get it wide, Doc can make good runs inside. Nelson likes to get down the wing and Nunes comes inside to join the play. These are combinations I don’t feel have been right in recent years.
Predictions
Well, we’re gonna lose sorry. I wish I could find a way to predict anything but a regulation defeat but I just don’t see it. For all the good Lopetegui did at Molineux, the away performances during his brief tenure were largely garbage so there’s a good chance for O’Neil to make a solid gain over the season. This will surely be a bridge too far though.
What I hope we’ll get is some resistance, some backbone or, failing that, anything we can cling onto and take into another tough game against Brighton next weekend.
As for the score, I’m saying 3-1 Utd. Sasa to get our goal.
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.
Well, being the eternal optimist, I am expecting a “new manager’s bounce!!”
I am not sure about Doherty at left back. I understand your concern with having experience at the back, but to leave out either of two of our brightest young prospects at left back for an older person is debatable.
Will O’Neil try to impose his style this early, probably not, but understandably, he will likely set up in a defensive posture and see how we fare.
Cannot see anything other than a loss, but what I want to see is backbone, fight, determination and effort, even if we lose.
As mentioned, I am an external optimist, and perhaps it is too early for Man U. to gel and will struggle in their first game! Yes, the external optimist!
Can’t see anything here other than a dismal start to proceedings. The fixture computer hasn’t been kind to us early doors.
I think we’ll score,
I also think they will so against my better judgement predicting a draw
Hopefully He won’t be GON(e in sixty seconds)
I think I will need to change my name as we only have Sa, Nelson,Neto,Silva,Toti, Nunes …er ..probably leave it for now!
It’s funny, my pessimism about Wolves has dwindled somewhat as the week has gone on. Perhaps that’s in hope that the new manager will be able to invoke a siege mentality that will make us difficult to play against, or perhaps it’s just rose-tinted delusion. Either way, we can’t write ourselves off before a ball has been kicked, and we should be glad that the Lopetegui soap opera is over, irrespective of how talented a manager he is.
Nonetheless, I can’t foresee anything other than a routine defeat here. Our record at Old Trafford is pretty abysmal and United will have a spring in their step after a productive transfer window thus far. They might take a while to find their rhythm – particularly with a new keeper in between the sticks – but I think their quality will overpower what I’m hoping will at least be a disciplined and spirited performance from Wolves.
I would take a 1-0 loss all day long! Minimum damage to the GD column. But I’ll bizarrely go for a draw, after we park the bus Bournemouth-style. Pedro Neto to net for us.
We have a better squad than the doomsters think, and in Gary O’Neill, an up and coming young English manager, which is a rare breed these days.
Sorry to see Lope go…with a bit more backing I’m sure he would of pushed us on from last seasons 13th. Still it’s a new dawn…and a tough start in that…I’m going to have to go with a loss for us this time…but hopefully brighter things to come…
I think we will still be hard to beat – or at least scored on.
Especially with the addition of Doherty.
I dunno what he is going to play. What formation he is going to run.
With Boubacar, Lemina, Gomez, Nunez I still think we have a battle in mdifield, and being hard to score on – slightly optmistic.
I’ll be the first on here to predict a Wolves win, shock of the opening ties. Bookie’s give us zero chance, but sometimes they get it wrong.
Come on you mighty Wolves.
Well we’re currently 9/1, a third of the odds we were when I was on and we beat Man City 2-0.
No Traore and Raul now of course but we’ve more than enough damage them if we maximise our opportunities and cut out defensive errors. Big ask, I know, but……
Expecting the worst as at least then I can be pleasantly surprised.
Newerish to the Wolves fan base.. knew it was going to be a long summer of losing players.. wish more were brought in, but we have some talent!! Hoping they keep it close, but think Utd steals this one in final 15.
Welcome to the roller coaster that’s WWFC.
A defensive seige mentality and a counter attack goal. 3 points on the board. Simple!!!!
I like the new manager, glad he’s been appointed. Enjoy the season all.
I’m going with a Wolves win. We have a lot of talent and everyone is fit. The players have clicked together and I trust Sa to keep the clean sheet.
Wouldn’t put money on a win draw or lose.
Tough to predict this one.
Get behind the team, get behind the manager and help the conference to increase.
Can’t be easy for the gaffer coming in with no time to prepare.
Whoever is on the pitch and in the dugout,just get behind them and make some noise
I don’t know if we’re in for a good season, but at least it’s going to be interesting.
I am going for an optimistic draw
I can see this match exceeding 110 minutes so fitness will be key factor as will emptying the bench at the right time. If we keep our concentration and frustrate United then a point is more than possible.
Fabio for a cheeky winner at the death?
Start the season as we intend to go on…
Tough game to start the season, a point would be a bonus. Hope to see Sasa or Fabio start with a goal to build some confidence, even if it ends in defeat .
Ps New Wolfie looks more like a wolf than any of the old Wolfie’s ? ?
Difficult first game. It will probably take the players a little while to align with new managers vision. Can’t see us getting anything out of this one.
Difficult start, new manager who won’t have had time to set us up as he wants to. Difficult to see us getting anything so anything will be a bonus.
Good to be back. Hope we’ve all made it through to another season.
I can’t disagree with the bookies. It won’t be pretty. We’ll let in a few, maybe get one ourselves
I’ve no idea how we will get on with new, unknown management from the sidelines. I could see where we were going with Lopetegui, but have absolutely no idea now.
Will I vote for an obvious loss or go for a mad win? No, I’ll sit on the fence and go for an impossible draw. Anything can happen, including an obvious loss.
It’s 8.05pm on Friday – 5 mins into the new season – and we’re no longer bottom of the league!!!
We have momentum!!!!!
COYW
Tough ask at any time but given current circumstances will go
Wolves 1
Man Utd 4
For the official record.
Difficult to see us getting anything out of this one, just hope it remains respectable and we bag a goal at least.
Thomas agreecwith your line up but I think O’Neil has to give Nunes and Neto the freedom to roam all over. They should not be confined to the wing they have to much talent for that let them go where ever and cause MU havoc.
Even if Julen was still here and he got his additions this would be a hard game. No idea what to expect from us now. I believe the squad is good enough not to be involved in a relegation scrap but we do have a tough start and we need to get behind O’Neill
I’ve kept out of the rather frantic blogging that’s been going on recently, much of which seems to have been driven by too much attention being paid to the plethora of poor quality journalism churned out by the click-bait sites as they constantly regurgitate each other’s misinformation. How many times have they hawked the departures as though they were panic measures. It would have been nice to have Rueben for another season – but didn’t we play well when he was suspended, he was expected to go at the end of the previous season so his sale was by no stretch of the imagination a panic measure. I’ve lost count of how many times Collins came in for criticism, for me transfer was a good bit of business at the price.
And when did we ever see Diego Costa as a long-term solution, it would actually have been more surprising if he’d stayed. Adama had become something of a soap opera with the endless attempts to get a new contract set up. I have some – or perhaps rather a few – memories of when things came off for him, together with a far larger number of times when they didn’t. I was sorry Raul didn’t get a last run out, but, given how he’s been since that injury, I didn’t mourn his transfer.
OK so we didn’t spend big – although I’m glad to see Doc back – but on the other hand it looks as though some of the January signings are at last starting to become effective. We have Sasa and Neto getting back from major injuries, neither were available to us last season. Yes, there are still a few holes, but we have some very good players just waiting to step into the breach.
In other words, and judging by the comments so far, I am a lot less pessimistic than many of our brethren and certainly many of the pundits who seem to have been reading the output from the journalists mentioned above. OK, there’s a chance that we’ll get stuffed – there always is – but I happen to believe that we’ve got a chance. If 8 of whichever 11 GON puts out play to their capabilities then I think we’ll win.
Let’s have a bit of confidence and belief as we earn the name ‘supporters’ by getting behind what is a very skilled set of players rather than damning them before they’ve kicked a ball. Let’s have no more of it.
COYW
Thank you Jazz for putting my own thoughts so succinctly and so well expressed!
I wish I could like this multiple times (except, perhaps, Raul going; if only it hadn’t been to another PL team).
My expectations couldn’t be lower after the summer shambles, so anything from here on in will be a bonus. I will go with my heart and predict draw. If I go with my head, it would be unprintable.
Cheer up ! We are already above Burnley on goal difference. 35 points first. Then 38. Then 40. Can we get there ? I’m going 1-1 because I’m stupid and never predict Me Babbies to lose.
It sounds like I might be alone in saying I approve of the pragmatic noises being made by the club and by the new manager. If we’re going to go back to making the most of what we have (think of Nuno’s genius in putting Coady into a back three) plus buying the likes of Neves and Jota (and now Gomes) and less of the Guedes and Nunes luxury models, I’m on board. The suggestion that we have the attitude that this season is as if it’s our first in the prem is actually a good one. Attitude being the operative word. Stop the doom and gloom and give the new manager the time and the players the support and encouragement the manager has made it clear will be helpful, particularly at Molineux. So, I for one won’t be surprised if we get a decent result on Monday night and I certainly don’t think we’re going to get thrashed. Nor are we going to be in a relegation battle btw. As regards Thomas’s team selection, Doc has played at left back before of course, but I think he is our best right back and should never have been sold. Semedo was never an upgrade. Ait Nouri on the left for me, and I’d start Fabio up front every game. Can’t wait!
.
Realistically it is 2-0,3-0, 3-1 United.
So for the hell of it – I’ll go for a 1-1 draw.
Too good to go down.
had a i dream that we won one nil
……..
Liquid refreshment LWL by any chance !
always mate
I’m going to go with a stoic. 0-0 draw
Something that’s not been mentioned on any of the blogs that I’ve read is uncle Jorges part in this latest catastrophe
Was he on the negotiating team for WWFC or for the deserting camp of JL
Interesting to note Jorge hasn’t found us the replacement for JL
Is this the break up of relationship with Jorge and WWFC or is it just that Jorge doesn’t bother with freebies or anything less than £40 mil
I wander just how much over the years we ( WWFC ) have actually put in his bank account. .?
Any investigative journalists out there might find an interesting story or two
Any way. Sod em all let’s get on with it and raise the roof. Wolves aye we
Let’s see what GON can bring. It might be a master stroke. It might go tits up. I have picked up some negativity towards GON. As he is not a master tactician like JLO. I don’t recall Bournemouth getting tanked by Brighton and Arsenal 6-0 and 5-0. . Or anyone else.
But 9-0 before he arrived.
Greetings Players,
Come on give us a reason to continue living. as we haven’t got a clue.
Has anyone mentioned a Captain? Sa might be up for it.
I’m going for Big Sam by Xmas, Yo ho ho.
1 lv & COYW
First of all, great to be back predicitng (and commenting). Good luck everyone.
I like the look of the proposed formation in this article, however, I am sticking to my ever held opinion, that we should be a bit more flexible and change the formation depending on the implied strength of the opposition. That means that against stronger opposition, I would rather we go back 3 + wing backs and play counter attacks. So bring in Toti with Kilman and Dawson as back 3 and …you can work out the rest.
I don’t think we are as weak (on paper) as many suggest. We can sneak a result here.
But, as I intend doing well in the prediction League, I am going with all the pundits and predict a loss. Sorry.
Let’s start things off right
lol … brilliant
and FOWB
Think it depends on how are Iberian content react to an incoming uk manager hope they don’t start sulking like Guedes, if there professional like their wages suggest we could get something out of this, on the the other hand Haag has now had plenty of time with his team plus new recruits let’s hope they haven’t had time to gel
I never like to predict a Wolves loss but realistically I can’t see us getting anything from this game. IMO the late managerial change makes little difference to this game. It was always going to be a tough start for us. Man U have strengthened their squad from the last time we met and we haven’t.
I”m going one more goal depressive than yourself m’colleague? That leaves me with:
Unfortunately I think whoever was in charge for Mondays game the result would be pretty much the same. We really could have done without such a difficult start. I’ll be pleased if we create some chances, put some nice play together and show some fight. Anything other than defeat and I’m all in for Gazball!
I’m basically in agreement with Jazzwolf, although slightly less optimistic.
A bit too early for GON to have any impact so I’m going for a Man Ure win.
By the way, with the amount of money being spent by the so-called big 6 on Billy Nobodies, does anyone else think that £47 million for Neves was a cheap deal??
GON has only been manager for a few days but Wolves have shot up the league.
Yes. We are currently above the 1982 European Champions. How good is that ?
Were they- they kept that to themselves!
Heart sank earlier- Adama has signed a two year contract at Fulham. I do hope though for his sake he achieves his potential there, such a brilliant talent but something just did not click. It’s guaranteed him and Raul will combine against us to produce some magic.
Yes. 2 Raul assists. Adama 2. Just like Man City!
I didn’t know Luton were 1982 European Champions?
Level on points with MU and Liverpool
It was Cannock but he only had a year left on his contract and, of course, Jeff was desperate for his airfare.
It’s going to be better than last season.
Yanited don’t always start well (but probably will this season) so I hope we can get at them. A good performance please. I can’t predict a loss, but it wouldn’t surprise me (as long as it’s by the odd goal not the hatfulls we shipped last season), so a low-scoring draw.
I’ll try to do better this season
So, the start of another season and anything is possible. Just settle in and hold on tight for another ride on the Wolves rollercoaster. As for Monday’s game, well, anything could happen there too. I’m hoping for a real cracker.
For Clive
https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2023/08/12/johnny-phillips-wolves-need-to-be-one-pack-on-and-off-the-field/
Read this if you are still in the fosun can take us forward camp……
If you read Jeff Shi statement last week he says the FFP constraints are off 2024. It’s another 3 year cycle. Spending will be more flexible.
Come on Cheese, surely you are past the stage of believing anything Jeff Shi says? It’s not the spending that’s the problem anyway, it’s what he does with it. The bloke is a complete incompetent and notably gone missing since the Lopetegui fiasco and hasn’t even met with our new manager yet. What kind of business leadership is that? What kind of “commitment to wolves” is that?
Yeah. I can agree some of the big money paid out was on shall we say ‘indifferent’ signings. Can’t argue with that Sutton. And it was a lot of money wasted as well.
Yes, it appears that Jeff Shi is distancing himself from the hiring of GO’N. It appears he did not join the interview remotely! If not, then he is distancing himself from this hiring. I can only assume that he is keeping his distance so if it fails he can claim it was not him, and Matt Hobbs can be the fall guy! Surely if he has not spoken to the new manager as yet, remotely, then he is distancing himself from the decision of hiring this new manager! I smell a rat!
Seems to me he can’t win.
Choose the manager himself and naysayers say ‘what does he know to be choosing the manager’.
If he leaves it to those who should be clued up on these matters, he’s dumping responsibility in case it goes tits up.
Shows the value of much of the criticism thrown his way.
Sutton
Well done for highlighting this.
A well written summary by Mr Phillips confirming what a minority of us have been saying for years,
The rot set in when Shi succeeded in his power grab from Laurie Dalrymple and Nuno was marginalised. The sheer incompetence displayed by Shi and his various stooges since beggars belief. And if FFP is really to blame for the current situation (shambles) then there is only ONE person who should carry the can – the man at the top, namely Jeff Shi. Meanwhile like Nero did while Rome was burning the people in Shanghai also sit on their hands and watch the The House that Jack Revived from oblivion heading back in the same direction.
I call on all you apologists for Fosun and Shi to be as verbose in the face of Johnny Phillips as you are to the few dissenters on this blog.
Nuno and Lopetegui have both been shafted, though to his credit Nuno maybe displayed more (or perhaps too much) dignity. The appointment of rookie O’Neil and the mechanics of it by the previously unknown Matt Hobbs (Shi apparently AWOL) point to an organisation in complete disarray with little or no direction as to where it’s going, and hasn’t done for quite some time.
Meanwhile Harlequins seem to be flourishing with Laurie Dalrymple at the helm.
Can only fall back on the old “Out of the Darkness Cometh Light” philosophy but at the moment it seems that we are navigating a long dark tunnel.
can’t help thinking things will only get worse before they get better, given the geopolitical limitations on Fosun spending.
Unfortunately Cyan I agree. Let’s hope that GON can get a tune out of the lads tonight, but I am fearing the worst.
FYI.
UPDATED 16/08/2022 AT 03:55 GMT-4
“MAN UTD WANT CUNHA
Manchester United are considering a £45m move for Atletico Madrid striker Matheus Cunha, the Daily Mail reports. The Brazil international only joined Atletico on a five-year deal last year, but United have been told the player is willing to make the move, with the Spanish club needing to sell players this summer.”
Your point?
FYI
“Sasa Kalajdzic linked with Manchester United
BY
JIMMY MOORHOUSE
PUBLISHED JUL 13, 2022
Manchester United are reportedly in contact with Stuggart striker Sasa Kalajdzic as Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his attacking options at Old Trafford. “
FYI
“Liverpool set to open transfer talks over Matheus Nunes after identifying £43m Sporting Lisbon star as ‘priority’ target”
That’s rubbish, John. If you watched them today you will know that it’s a defensive midfielder they need. Kopp knows it and that’s where their money will go.
FYI
“…Sarabia spent three seasons with Sevilla and made 151 appearances, contributing 43 goals and 38 assists in all competitions….”
A class act and a snip at under £5 million.
Our our ascent up the table continues apace.
I’m still hopeful of us getting something out of Monday’s game but, whatever happens, I really can’t see us shedding 4 goals.
Is it too early to tell the Villa fan to “mind the gap”?
Villa were fuckin Shite. Top six ? Bollocks.
9th= this morning. I will be happy with that.
Could be a big surprise on Monday…. But it probably won’t be … let’s see
We have a side full of internationals and a good blend of youth and successful experience. MU are expected to win but they would do well not to underestimate Wolves.
Also , Old Trafford is an excellent place to showcase yourself and this won’t have escaped the attention of players such as Neto, Nunes, Silva, Sa and Ait Nourri
On Thursday the PMDG’er and I took delivery of our 1970s vintage jukebox.
It looks dead nobby and sounds absolutely awesome.
It plays 80 vinyl discs.
Two of the first ones I put in the machine were The Liquidator and Hi Ho Silver Lining.
How can you be pessimistic when these are belting out at several million watts?
Possibly not quite optimistic enough to predict a win.
Let’s go for a draw.
here’s a picture of the box… I hope.
Nope. Picture not uploading.
Never mind, I’ll turn the volume up, you should be able to hear it.
What’s the old adage………” The best form of defence is attack “. I think if we sit back and invite Utd on to us we will lose…….and heavily .
We need a measured approach we need to have a go we have the players to do that whether O’ Neil has the bottle is another thing if he reverts to his tactics last season at Bournmouth we are in for a long evening.
I don’t know anything about O’Neil but I have listen to a few Bournmouth fans and they weren’t exactly overflowing with praise for the style of football he played.
Still ill give him a chance..
He had a job to do and did it, similar to Lopetegui except he needed to spend £77m. O Neil did it without spending.
Bloody hell, Claptrap!
That’s twice!! :0)
Tough start with 3 day pre-season with our manager.
Let’s be honest. Our Summer has not been what we hoped for or expected.
Enough has been written and said about it already. It’s a situation that creates emotions and opinions amongst Wolves supporters, but what can we do?
So I guess how we feel now is down to where we are on “the curve”, and our mindset.
For me, I’m relieved that our only regular starter who has gone is Ruben. And frankly that was inevitable.
People point to us having no one come in other than 2 freebies, Doherty and King. Well, I believe Matt can really make an impact and offers an attacking option should the game require it.
And I also see two other critical additions to our squad in the shape of Fabio Silva and Sasa Kalajdzic. Neither were available to us last season.
With Neto improving to pre-injury levels and the constant motivation provided by negative pundit comments, I think we have enough to survive.
It’s hard to know what GO’s approach will be. His track record consists of 9 months with Bournemouth. If he can get buy-in and some traction with the squad, we might be pleasantly surprised.
I can’t predict a loss. I just can’t do it.
UTW
New manager bounce, successful pre-season – i am feeling positive.
What ever happens on monday night i at least had a superb saturday afternoon in the pub surrounded by the larf and barth brummie brigade with there vile shirts all over the place .
Funnily enough myself and 3 other wolves fans were ecstatic to see them troop out 10 minutes before the end probably going home to have a soak in the barth because they certainly didnt have a larf ….. but we did !
Excellent news SB. They are still on course for the top 4 though ay thay ? ????
Can’t see anything other than a comfortable home win.
Well, someone’s got to be positive so why not me.
Welcome to Molineux Gary! I hope you’ll be happier than J Lo was.
I’m happy that Matt Doherty is back to help out and hope Nunes fulfils his ‘Neves’ role in the team.
Good luck to Sasa and I hope he pokes a few in.
It’s going to be an optimistic 2-1 win for me.
A shock result
With what has happened this week it just means relegation will be confirmed with 5 games to go rather than 3 games to go to the seasons end.
Well done Shi and Co.
Liars.
Boggie alert.
Come out from behind the curtains. At least I have the courage of my convictions.
I was at the Mol for the Stade Rennais game, and neither of the two teams looked likely relegation candidates. Especially us.
The regime has changed since but the players remain the same. GON hasn’t had time to change too much and I’m convinced that a performance like that against Rennes will bring rewards anywhere.
Can we repeat the trick? Hope springs eternal.
This season I’m focusing on the prediction league rather than my normal blind optimism.
Apparently JLO is still in the UK and is maintaining his base. Has he another EPL job in the pipeline ? And aplogies I am doing exactly what I have criticised others for on here…a conspiracy theory !!! Sorry all.
As I posted above, shafted like Nuno by your mate Jeff. Good luck to JL he saved us from disaster last season, you have a short memory.
Yes with the backing of £75 million quid on players in January. You have a short memory.
Excited for the season, let’s all get behind Gary. Up the wolves.
What ever went on behind the scenes all that matters now is getting behind the team and giving them as much support for the new season as possible.
Once a wolf always a wolf and no matter what happens this season we will all remain true to the Golden Palace through good or bad times to come who ever the owners are ,as I have been and others for over 60 years
So manure up next I can smell a well earned draw
Mixed feelings about tomorrow. Was watching the results in Saturday and realised I was thinking good, the results are going our way. The teams likely to be in a relegation battle are losing.Then I thought, I can’t believe that I am thinking this at the start of the season! I am obviously more pessimistic than I realised.
Going to the game and hoping to be surprised by the result. As usual I am living in hope.
Can’t predict a Wolves loss. Will hope for the draw.
I could only smile when I saw that Jimenez was top ranked Fulham player yesterday
Now Traore going there?
Meantime I’m braced for a tough opening few games and much as I rate Thomas and his views I can’t buy the conceit that our giraffe SasaK will be the secret weapon up front
5 at the back and pace in attack .. but we are in the lion’s den
Hope I’m wrong… but it’s a reverse Clive
It has been reported that Sasa was being considered to replace that Polish fellow at Bayern Munich so he can’t be that bad.
Traore’s career stats show that he has underachieved everywhere. Even his dream return to Barca was a failure. Obviously he can be very exciting to watch but I would have wished for less excitement and more goals. He will be 28 in January, and presumably is at his peak now. But when he starts to slow down as he ages his bulky frame will be an albatross unless he compensates with increased skills. In the meantime watch out for footballs floating downstream in the Thames from Craven Cottage anytime soon. In theory he and Jimenez are the dream team, but who knows how that will pan out at Fulham. Jimenez’s form obviously dipped after that fractured skull, but why did Traore’s ?
A conspiracy theory I like is that Jeff isn’t coming back from China. I wish.
Thomas
Not conceit!
Concept
Sorry mate
We’ve got a decent group of players with a good dynamic in terms of team spirit, judging by the preseason clips. I think we’re going to surprise everyone this season.
Interesting take on FFP
https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2023/08/wolves-get-raw-deal-from-ffp.html
“Keep the closed shop closed” anyone
COYW
Maybe FFP is something Fosun actually like because it is a built in excuse for them not to spend money.
Even though they soent £160 million in 2022/23
I put us down for a cheeky draw without any knowledge as to how the events of our season will turn out.
There are a couple of weeks to go before the transfer window closes and we don’t know what will occur there, in or even out.
We looked really good preseason in my view, but that is not necessarily a sign as to how our season will go with us not knowing how the disruption is going to effect us.
We do have some potentially great players and, with the right leadership and a lack of injuries, we should be okay at the least.
The things that niggle my mind at the moment are no money being spent on stadium development, the replacement of an expensive but very effective regime by a cheap and cheerful fairly inexperienced group. GON may be a master stroke, but, what a gamble. FFP worries, I have some sympathy with, but remain unsure about when noting the enormous spending going on elsewhere and it has no effect on stadium development.
It seems a shame, but, that’s football and that’s being a Wolves’ fan.
In a month or two we will know exactly where we are, but, for now, I don’t think anyone can really know how events will turn out, so I’m trying hard not to catastrophise, though I understand the feelings.
Hoping for the best and preseason signs and form to continue ; good luck guys…
Doesn’t “Loan with obligation to buy” allow you to side step FFP?
That’s an excellent point and may help in adding to the back up at least. One more reason to be a tad happier. Just need to keep our squad and avoid key injuries.
Question: Doesn’t “Loan with obligation to buy” allow you to side step FFP?
Well, my company’s accountants would say that transaction is an ‘accrual’ in the accounts for the current year. So, no, it doesn’t side-step FFP. If it’s not an obligation to buy but merely an option to buy, it would be different.
For example, my year-end is 31st March. If I am obligated to buy something I have already taken delivery of before the year-end, I have to include the expense as an accrual at 31st March, meaning that it will be paid for in the following year.
Just kicks the can down the road like we did in January.
Now everyone has forgotten that we have to pay out this summer and still argue we haven’t spent any money.
Hopeful optimism
One thing’s for sure. We can’t use the small squad as an excuse for tonight.
No injuries or suspensions.
Yes, difficult to predict anything other than a loss for this one. There is some talent in our side, but no-one, even J-Lo managed to get them all singing as a team on a regular basis. I suppose we couldn’t blame O’Neill for parking the bus this time out, but if we are going to lose anyway, we may as well give it a go.
Well here we are .. first game.. first prediction… topsy turvy week … cancelled contracts, Matt Hobbs becoming Pertemps Recruitment and Man Utd away ..
Welcome to the Wolves blog…
They say ‘on paper this on paper that’ … that we have good players etc but I can’t help but focus on the complete turmoil we’ve just come through.
I thought Lopetegui was a good bet .. and the Guy famed on the Bloggers Ballbash video thought so too … but it’s not going to be … and Gary O’Neil is now charged with our progression …
Man U away is never easy and all the pundits will be predicting a mullering….
Are we a decent PL team .. yes .. but are we ready .. NO.
I’ve not had chance to make my mind up on GO but have reservations.. mainly inexperience in managing a BIG Club.. which we are .. and my fear is that tonight will be .. ‘ an aim not to lose strategy’ .. which will suit our opponents..
Bad start I’m afraid ..
New manager bounce. Wolves will surprise a lot of people today. Fabio coming out party. Think we manage to get a draw out of this. COYW
The strength of the wolf is the pack and the strength of the pack is the wolf. Don’t think Mr Shi is cognisant with the pack mentality. In the next week we shall learn whether the players can be a pack. Will their heads go down if they go behind? Did they come here to work with JLo and no other? Will they commit beyond the end of the window? Like most of you I thought we were on to something with JLo. Thanks to you bloggers I am less pessimistic for the season to come than I was when I first heard JLo was leaving. Good luck to Gary, he’ll need it! A draw tonight would be amazing but unlikely. Doh!
Just reviewed the official first team squad – 23 in total.
That incudes –
Tom King, the goalkeeping coach.
Toti, Bueno and Hodge who have a handful of senior games between them.
So with NO INJURIES OR SUSPENSIONS WE HAVE 19 SEASONED PROFESSIONALS ON THE BOOKS and several of those have yet to prove themselves at PL level. And we have FFP problems. How?
Thin on the ground or what. Not a lot of wriggle room as the season progresses. Hope there is some serious talent lurking in the junior ranks.
Good luck tonight lads.
COYW
You can’t go toe to toe with these at old Trafford but you’ve just got stay in the game until the last 20
cmon Wanderers.
coyw.
Hope keep on with a Rennes display
Sasa will come on and score
Waited till the line up was announced before commenting.
Silva still not starting, Cunha still forced into a role that clearly doesn’t work. I would have predicted a loss if Lop was still in charge but maybe bring Silva or Sasa on and we can scrape a goal back. I reckon we’re gonna get hammered here!
Tough start
Welcome back everyone. Exciting isn’t it?
This was already a tough fixture but the task gets harder when the manager has only had a few days to work with his new team. The ultimate free hit, eh?
I’ll settle for a strong, committed display from the Old Gold…but not that produces a red card.
Get prepared to be screwed over by VAR and 27 minutes injury time.
How right you are!
A great committed first half. Should be a goal to nil up!!
Looking forward to our love letter from Howard Webb again. Can’t score for toffee but doesn’t help when opposition keeper is allowed to assault your striker with no punishment.
It’s the hope that kills your with wolves.
The draw was the least we deserved. As you say, it’s the same old problem. Still, there is reason to be optimistic going by that performance.
It’s fucking tiresome. The amount of times we are fuckin screwed over. Welcome to Wolves Gary.
When is this corruption going to end its sickening i almost feel like giving up on this game !
its so bloody obviously corruptly bent in favour of the top clubs
Million % agree Spikeyboy .. I tend to only use the word corrupt when it’s so blatant and obvious ..
And it is obvious and it is corrupt..
Dawson clearly heads the ball and both he and Kaladzic are flattened .. it’s definitely not ‘a coming together..’
Why the VAR assistant doesn’t recommend a review is baffling .. and the “isn’t clear and obvious “ crap should be discounted..
Great performance, but same problem of not scoring goals!
And the goalkeeper really made NO attempt to catch or punch the ball, just went to physically bump our attackers, and got it wrong! A clear cut penalty! Michael Owen, Berbatov, and the host all said it was a penalty. Former referee McDermott also said it was a penalty, but not a clear cut error! Huh? Old boys club!
Big six and corruption comes to mind! And we get shafted again!
Greetings Soldiers,
I haven’t seen the replay, but judging from the initial reaction that is a VAR – up of criminal proportions. How are they going to get out of this? Blatant.
Should have scored our 3 goals though.
Good show Gary. Keep it up.
Cunha looking more valuable by the minute.
1 lv & COYW
Even Gary Neville said Wolves were great and Yanited got out of jail but like Rasta says above we had 3 massive chances. Couldn’t score. I hate VAR . How come Brentford keep getting soft penalties? We don’t get fuckin proper ones. Newcastle last season. Forest last season. Brentford at home last season. Probably missed some off tge list as well. It’s a disgrace.
Very encouraged by that performance. Despite our continuing problem of not scoring we did create 23 attempts on goal – probably 5-6 times the amount created per game last season. Based on tonight’s effort I think that we will give a few teams a hammering this season .
Reasons to be cheerful – part 1
Sorry for the bad language. So bloody angry. Thing is we played really well. We will be ok this season. Credit to Gary who has come in to a pretty unique situation. We are Wolves . We thrive on adversity. We are only ever one pre season away from a crisis. Fair play to the fans at OT tonight. Right behind the team. As I expected……