The last time I expected victory at St. Andrew’s it bit me on the behind.
Benik Afobe even put us ahead, but Blues won it thanks to a scrappy set piece equaliser and a Scott Golbourne brain fart.
We missed out on the play-offs on goal difference and things unravelled from that point for a team that had been on a rapid upward curve.
A few years on and those expectations are heightened with an even better Wolves team rolling into town.
We’ve won on our last two visits, but navigating this local derby under the floodlights, away from Molineux would be a further statement of intent from our table-topping group.
Blues
I always said Gary Rowett was overachieving with the group of players he had, so it didn’t surprise me that Zola and Redknapp both failed.
They splashed a bit of wonga late on in the transfer window in true ‘arry fashion. But with the remnants of several managers efforts they’re a team in transition, which is reflected in their league position.
Steve Cotterill just needs to keep them up this season and form something cohesive out of the random parts he’s inherited. Easier said than done.
Hopes must rest on ‘the other Jota’. It was a major coup for Blues to get him from Brentford, but injury has curtailed his progress thus far.
Che Adams scored in this fixture last season and he’s a useful player, as is reported former Wolves target Sam Gallagher.
However, they have easily the feeblest attack in the division with just 10 goals so far. To put that in context, Wolves have scored 40.
All four of their victories have come at St. Andrew’s and all by narrow margins. They’ve only mustered 6 goals in their 9 home matches to date.
Wolves
It’s a blow to lose Ruben Neves, but I’m intrigued to see how the team cope without him and how Nuno addresses his absence.
When Romain Saiss was suspended against Norwich, Alfred N’Diaye just slotted in and played very well. That’s the most obvious solution.
But Jack Price is the most like-for-like player, so one could argue he would be the better choice. The fact it’s a derby though and likely to be more physical probably nudges it back towards Big Alf.
Assuming no injuries, further surgery on a team that’s won five consecutive matches seems unlikely.
Prediction
As good as Wolves are playing, they haven’t been bullet proof away from home. QPR, Reading and Sheffield United all got about them and dominated for periods.
Steve Cotterill will be trying to emulate what those teams achieved and I expect them to make it difficult.
But all logic points to a Wolves win so that’s exactly what I’m predicting. 3-1.
Up The Wolves!
* Apologies for anyone trying to access the mobile version of the site this week. I had to disable it due to technical problems with an upgrade. I’m working on various fixes to improve the look of the site and speed things up so please stick with me. It’s for the greater good.
Ten things I like about Small Heath:
1.
2.
3
4.
5.
6.
7
8.
9.
10.
It really is that good. Anyone going along take care what you are doing. As for the game – well the stats don’t lie. They average less than a goal a game.We average just over two. So logic says a 2-1 win. I think they will be pumped up after a decent result at Sheff Utd. It could be a difficult evening but I think quality will shine through and we will edge it. We shall be in Brum for about 2pm to partake in Monday afternoon refreshments and will be drinking around Briar Rose,Sun on the Hill, Trocadero,Windsor Shakespeare and anywhere else we can find. Before the pleasant walk up through Digbeth. Watch out Jasper Carrott – the Wolf pack is coming for ya !2-1 Wolves.
Always get a tingle when these notifications of a “Preview” come through and do my utmost to get on them ASAP. I can’t see how this current crop will be stopped so going for our 6th win on the bounce……..
Our defence is mega, their attack weak, should be a clean sheet?
I think it will be a routine win for us.
I agree with you Thomas – that game lost us the points to reach the playoffs. My abiding memory of the equaliser was big Mac who was guarding the near post let the ball over his head, only had to head clear, and the rest they say is history.
Given the Blues are fourth from bottom and remarkably have only scored 10 goals this season, you have to predict an away win. Having said that a local derby can always be a great leveller and their last game was a very useful draw at Sheffield United.
If we maintain our standards of performance then I fancy another away win, and will be happy with a difficult 2-1 victory and hope for a competent referee.
Not going to Small Heath (I’m not that daft!), but am heading down to Worcester to watch it with a dear old mate who happens to be a bluenose.
Have avoided giving it the big chat before hand, because I fear a banana skin here.
Going to attempt a backwards logic insurance policy by predicting a loss here and hoping that my ineptitude as a football pundit will guarantee 3 more lovely points for the wanderers.
Here, have a meme celebrating the greatest moment in the history of the blouse.
I took an off day from work to stream this one live at 4am because my country doesn’t broadcast champ football. Won’t be on wolvestv either because it’s live on sky. I hope it’s a good match and a wolves win! FWAW
Great to think of all those wolf’s around the world tuning in. Where you at SGwolf?
SG stands for Singapore slider!
I was thinking along the lines of Saigon like Vietnam wolf on the other site. Still that’s plenty exotic enough. Keep the gold flag flying high in the lion city.
Local derbies are unpredictable, but the seasons to date of the two teams is clear cut, Birmingham are a real mess, can’t score and can’t defend either to be honest, they’re inconsistent and fighting relegation. Wolves are simply the best team in the league, and score goals for fun and defend well.
So we have to win this and I can’t see them scoring, but Jota and Bonatini will.
3pts another game down move on.
Agree with COD about taking care if you are going as this really isn’t one of the nicest places to go – especially for Wolves fans. There are already a few bits on the internet about what is in store for the “dingles”. Think it will be quite tight and they will be pumped up for it but our quality and class should shine through.
On a different note I have this morning finished reading Dave Jone’s autobiography. An excellent book but the chapter on Wolves has to be read to be believed. Wolves players not wanting to get to the play-offs as they had booked holidays and Paul Butler grassing them up ! Good job we didn’t know some of the things at the time. Plus quite a few other interesting stories about Dave’s time at Molineux. I have finished with the book now so if anyone wants it message me and I will send it to you.
Amazingly, I (as Lon Chaney Jr) am top of the league, say I am top of the league! And with a game in hand!!
Ffs blow the whistle ref!!!
THE GREATER GOOD
Blues are crap and we are quality – end of.
Can’t see anything derailing our progress at the moment we are that good. UTW
A spicy local derby, on Sky tv and away from home. Whatever could go wrong? Absolutely nothing on recent form. Got to go for 3 points.
My fabulous predictive skills are finally shining through, I am unbeaten in one, am on a roll, blah , blah, blah!!!
I said at the start of the season we should go out every match with the intention of winning, why else bother?
We are now at the fabulous place where we EXPECT to win every match, and not even the most rose coloured glasses wearer would have foreseen that!
All our usual nightmares have been firmly stuffed back under the bed, winless Novembers, banana skin teams, Notlob, etc.
This will be a bigger carve up than last week’s Thanksgiving turkey, and a better stuffing.
An obvious 5-1 to we.
FOwb
Thank you the card and i was touched by those heartfelt festive words my friend , they meant a lot to me
May i just return the sentiment at this special time of year and from the bottom of my heart clive
” Fuck off west brom ” to you and all
I think the absence of Ruben Neves could be a big factor in this game as out of all our star performers this season he is, for me, the stand-out one, the one who dictates everything, the one who every move goes through and I just don’t know how we will perform without him for the first time in the league.
Added to that the local derby factor then I think it might be closer than a lot of people might think especially as they have improved a bit under Steve what’s-his-face. Mind you Bolton had improved and were on a 7 match unbeaten run before coming a cropper 5-1 at our hands.
Narrow win for me – though nothing would surprise me this season so another Darren Roberts’s inspired type 4-0 score-line isn’t impossible.
OODCL
The names Bond …. James Bond ….
Just for you Bedders .. cheers mate…
You tart.
I hope you get the bouncer job.
What a cheek …. I’ll have you know a 75 yr old biddy threw herself at me tonight…
Luckily I was ammered….
Sue just said that you look very handsome Mike.
Looking good boy, looking good.
Let us know how your audience with Nuno went.
Captive mate ..captive ..
Cheers you two …
The bow tie and the (hidden) cummerbund look fabulous. Watch out for that gold paint Eileen!
Fab mate …many thanks …felt like a tart ..
but looked the biz ….
I showed Julie but all she said was “yes but what was Eileen wearing?”
I have a feelign theyw ill raise their game… 1-1
Even without the silky skills of Neves, I believe we we should easily outplay them. Would love to see Costa for a bit longer on the pitch this time. On another site I suggested the idea of moving Coady to CM because of his passing skills and the fact that our back ups at CB are better than our midfield backups. Most disagreed (quite vehemently actually) but I still think it is a valid thought. Going for a nice 3-0 win.
Coady should stay where his true position lies. IMO.
I actually vehementally disagree.
Yeah, keep your ideas to yourself!
On the point of how we will fare without the wonderful Neves, I recall Price’s superb game v Man City. Playing in this well-drilled team brings out the best in him and, from the team’s overall point of view, his inclusion fits our pattern far more than would N’Diaye’s. Let the latter rampage from the bench, but let’s start with Jack.
Price, N’Diaye and Ronan all have their qualities. Question is which one is the best fit for the tactics we employ ? One idea might be to play as we did at the Etihad, knowing they won’t be able to break us down and hit them on the break. No doubt they will be physical as they haven’t got much else in their locker.
They will foolishly take us on in an attempt to rouse their dreary eyed supporters.
It will , as we know, be their undoing.
Hectic frenzy at first followed by gradual then total control.
lambs to the slaughter.
Onwards and upwards, will give them a goal as it is a derby and they will be up for it. Think Steve cotterill’s comment that what Wolves have done is easy will come back to haunt him.
I was negative pre-Bolton and look what happened, so let’s try this strategy again.
I did a mid-week trip to Blouse back in 2009 and it wasn’t pleasant – but we still won the league at their expense so stuff ’em! Hope our travelling fans enjoy Monday night. I wonder if any home fans will turn up, or will they come dressed as plastic blue seats?
COYW
All the “can anyone catch Wolves?” press is making me nervous. Hopefully Wolves can ignore it and Nuno can keep them focused. Keep winning.
Go Wolves!
We can look at the table and see banker away win. We can look at recent results and see the same. The stats are all on our side. Leo has scored more than their entire team(can that really be true?).
But this is a derby, Monday night, on the tele’, etc etc. Things have a habit of going wrong. However, they won’t go wrong this time. We are indeed the Mighty Wolves and they’ll huff and puff for a while, trying to get the ball off us, maybe try to kick us in the air, but finally have to concede that we are just too good for ’em.
Price in for Neves, for me. Alf is great to have on the bench but Jack comes in and we maintain our shape unchanged.
Should be a cracking night in the Exchange pub. Sore head next morning methinks.
The odds are we will win and they will not score so I am going for a 0-2 or 0-3 score.
I would put Price in for Neves. Big Alf is more of a Saiss substitute to my way of thinking.
N’Daiye is a good bet coming on with 25 minutes or so to go when the opposition are tiring and are ready to be tossed lightly aside by the man who makes even Big Willy look normal size.
I still have a slight feeling of unease that we will revert to type and play like a load of fairies in a match we really should win.
Although, after witnessing the last two performances, I should have every faith in another three points safely pocketed.
No! This is the new Wolves.
We don’t do it the way we used to.
We do it properly.
We do it with style.
And we WIN!
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2
Birmingham City 1
Everyone is giving Wolves glowing accounts in the media, seems we only have to wait until we are declared champions!
As we all know, football is not that straight forward.
I am confident we can beat the Blues though.
🙂
Even when we haven’t been at our best, we’ve still had players who are capable of popping up with a goal or something a bit special to see us through. Therefore I’d back us to do the same, even if things are a bit scrappy in a Monday night derby.
Wolves will be show boating, the noses will be very blue. Come on you mighty Wolves.
My memory on football is nothing compared to such folk as BOG, Thomas, Clive or others on this blog, I love the game but memory has never been a great help in recalling past masters or matches.
The one image that will stick in my mind until the dementia truly takes over is the game at Blues last season when we walloped them 3-1, as the 2nd goal went in the fans started heading for the exits, when the 3rd went in, it was truly like our “fire drill chant” the ground emptied faster than a burning building indeed.
It was truly embarrassing, us Wolves fans singing our heads off at the final whistle to around 1000 blues fans at most.
So, with the talent levels we have and the way we are sticking it to teams this season I’m going for the same score as last year, but with my expectations set far higher around a Clive-1.
COMBambinos
I’m still firmly in the Bonatini camp and trust him to get his regular goal from this game. I’ll be at home watching this on the box with a bet on Leo to score in the first 30 minutes plus Cav with a couple as he just seems to be on fire at the moment. So the end result is …………….
Leo will probably get more on his own Monday than Small heath have got all season. Peaky Blinders. More like Peak District on a wet Tuesday in February.
Can’t see anything other than a comfortable wolves win 3-0. Seem to be saying this every week
Can’t believe I’m second in the Prediction League. I’ve never been second for anything, let alone first. Mind you, it’s joint second with about a million others by virtue of alphabetical order. If I’d been named WolvesDancesWith, I’d be way, way down the league. But, we’re all just one point from the top spot. Still, enough about me, lets talk about, err, what I’m supposed to talk about, Birmingham,
I won’t over-analyse things and fret about Neves’ absence as such things happen and we have to deal with them. We owe Birmingham a kicking, big time. They cost us the playoffs once. They also sent us on the road to relegation under Dean Shambles when some thug called Paul Robinson all but ended SEB’s career as a potent strike-force.
I’d love to go for the big five-Clive-one, but I’ll stick to my usual two-nil. No sweat, clean sheet, first gear, stay safe.
The best team in the Championship versus one with only 10 goals. Forget the old stuff about banana skins, local derbies and Sky TV.
Neves will not be missed and Nuno will deploy his men so that they give a masterclass.
Wolves beat Small Heath 7-2 in 1896, but although we may well win by 5, this Blues team are unlikely to score twice , so I’ll stick with my 3-0.
First half 1-0 Bonatini..take your pick for the 2nd half we surely should put our name to this result..Wolrd class Neves will be missed ..Price in for me just hope he doesn’t get sent off as if he plays he’ll get stuck in big time..
This should be a flag waver of a match ..most blue noses will be Accepting we should overrun them..
Just watching Leeds v vile on telly. NOTHING TO BE SCARED OF. Functional championship fodder. Get it our wide. Get a cross in. Load of shit. Shit fan at work taking piss today. Wolves champions league two years time ah ah ah. Said to him you got another dinosaur as manager and you know what happened to the fuckin dinosaurs…..
I just can’t see any team in the league beating us in terms of quality. Unless the Blues injure the whole team, I can’t see them getting anything out of this game.
Am interested to see how we go without Neves.
Judging by our form of our backups in the Carabao Cup there should be no worries.
They won’t score – just not sure how many we will get.
Leeds, Bolton and Bluenose bastards in three successive games! A more detestable trio it’s hard to imagine frankly.
4-1 v Leeds
5-1 v Bolton
So bloggers it’s simply has to be…
6-1 v Bluenose bastards.
Incidentally I don’t use that term lightly – anybody who has ventured to Small Heath/Bordersley Green will know what I am on about.
If the earth was an arse then these two ghettos would be right up the crack.
BOG
Love to go for a Clive, but can’t see lightning striking twice.
Another 3 goals and another 3 points will do if just to keep Warnock’s cloggers in their correct place.
I have a mate thats a blue-nose but by 5.00pm tomoz I think I’ll be his ex-mate
Shit ground shit fans
Don’t really care if they stay up or go down – it’s irrelevant when we’re in the Prem
FOB, FOwb, FOAV and FOColin
bolox – 10.00pm on Monday – derrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
All my in-laws are Bluenoses, will make Xmas so much better if I can give them the gift of a Wolves away win
All guns blazing just for fun Costa in for Neves and beat them 5 – 4. Jota Cav. Costa. Bonatini. Scaary.
Interesting and well written article by Johnny Phillips in the E&S on the subject of fans leaving before the end of a game. Those who berate people who go before the final whistle should read it. Bizarrely the two Wolves games he mentions – a 1-5 defeat at Arsenal in the League Cup in 2003 and the 0-5 hammering at Fulham in 2012 – I was at and stated to the bitter end both times.
On he subject of staying to the end,
I listen to the shite spoken about the Northbank emptying before the final whistle. My only comment is, “I’m in the upper tier of the Northbank and I can see exactly the same happening in the Southbank”.
Pot kettle, kettle pot………
It’s pure Bullshit.
Purely on the law of averages all winning runs must come to an end and the competitiveness of a local derby makes that even more likely so a draw, (even tho’ BCFC are s**t).
anything can happen in a derby game but difficult questions have been asked about this wolves side time and again, yet they keep finding ways of answering them. I don’t think it will be any different on Monday night. However blues line up against us we’ll find a way to win. Neves was never going to play all 46 games so it’ll be interesting how we play without him, he has such quality over a period of time we would definitely miss him but for one game I’m sure we’ll be fine with big Alf or price. Caviliero with both goals
Cardiff won again last night and are only a point behind us. I wish I could learn how to relax and have the same amount of confidence that some of you guys on the blog have! The football we’re playing is the best I think I’ve ever seen but I’m still waiting for that banana skin to come along.
The formbook says it has to be a victory so I’ll go for a scrappy narrow win. Although as its a local derby anything could happen and nothing would surprise me in this one.
As good as we are, Cardiff are snapping at our heels all the way. It will be hard to shake them off. Villa and Sheff U will be doing the same to each other just below the top two. Sheff U are overachieving and it’s arguable that Cardiff are too. We have to keep our focus and with any luck we will pull away from the pack in the weeks to come with possibly Cardiff shadowing us. I backed us at 16-1 for the title in June, so I’m not surprised where we are now. I am surprised by Cardiff though. My prediction is 2-0 to us on Monday.
Dances, unless you’ve done it elsewhere, you need to fill in the score boxes for your 2 nil prediction.
Cheers.
COMBs!
Thanks Wokingham. I posted it earlier.
Cheers.
Warnock’s Welsh wonders (I’m being polite) keep snapping but we keep right on to the end of the road. Yes we could steel your song bluenoses. Even without our Ruben we can rub your bluenoses in it.
Wait for it …
Normal away service is resumed.
I feel everything (derby game, banana skin, teams form etc) has been already covered in the comments. Straight to my prediction then – Bonatini and Cavaleiro with the goals.
Still nervous about Derby games, but this current team seems to be bucking the trend on all Wolves normal stumbling blocks.
After 30 years of watching Wolves it’s like being reborn!
Can’t get enough of it!
Gut feel tells me Price in for suspended Neves with Costa again doing a second half cameo!
OODCL FOwb UTW
For those of a certain age there’s an interesting horse running at Wolverhampton tonight in the 8.15pm race – and wearing Wolves colours – Deeley’s Double. Currently it’s 7-2 favourite.
Good old Norman, who could forget him. If memory served it was he who broke Dave Whelan’s leg in the 1960 cup final thus altering the history of sports wear retailing and Wigan Athletic
From the latest Southbank Resistance.
I think this is the best blog on the planet, I’m supporting Wolverhamptons homeless this year, please join with me for just £7, to give a present that is going to be wanted for a change.
As a group of bloggers, lets share the feckin happiness we are experiencing with this New Wolves, by helping a total stranger. If you do it, you will feel so good about yourself over Christmas. Win – Win.
WOLVERHAMPTON CHURCH SHELTER.
A Meaningful Christmas Present – I Am Not a Number – please share!
We open up next Wednesday and this is the opportunity to buy something this Christmas that is in the real spirit of Christmas. It will make the person who receives it stop and think (and then feel great), and it will ‘buy’ a bed space in the Church Shelter for someone who really needs it. Our ‘I Am Not a Number’ Christmas Campaign is back!
It costs £7 to buy a bed for one night for one homeless person and you can buy as many nights as you like and turn it into a present for someone you want to delight this Christmas. We will send you a certificate to say you have bought these nights for someone in the Shelter on their behalf. All you have to do is donate the amount you want to give (in multiples of £7) and make it clear to us when you donate the two names you want us to put on the certificate … your name (who it is FROM) and their name (the TO). We will then send you the completed certificate and you can then print the certificate off to put in a card, or email direct to them. You just need to donate via the blue ‘DONATE’ button at the top of the page or by going to http://www.give.net/WVCS. Get buying and make two people’s Christmases this year … oh, and please don’t forget to give us the info we need!
Bless you!!
Nothing would persuade me to again visit the rubbish ground, St Andrews, with their rubbish supporters in the rubbish area, Small Heath, in the rubbish city of Birmingham. Pleased I’ll be able to enjoy a Wolves win from the safety of my sofa – good luck to all you loyal guys making the trip. Respect.
They won’t score, we will.
Here’s a novel idea (unless somebody’s already raised it) how about playing Jack and Alf in the middle? I mean, they didn’t do too badly in the cup and might be on a similar wavelength to Ruby and Rom.
Just a thought is all.
As for Monday, I know it’s a derby and there’re all manner of superstitious imaginings being mooted on here and among various Wolves fans…but this lot are not and do not produce the nerve-jangling junk that we’ve been served up since….for as long as I can remember. So don’t panic! Wolves will win.
I’m getting a bit cheeses off predicting the correct aggregate, so I suppose I will award them a goal. Jota both ends possibly.
UTW
I’ve read the E&S article about leaving games early.
Interesting and well written it might be but I still stand by my opinion (and it IS ONLY MY opinion).
Plus, it is aimed mostly at people who leave early when their team are not performing. not entertaining, or just getting plain hammered.
I can understand wanting to make a statement to your team if they are not giving it their all. Leave if you want, that’s your choice.
But leaving early when your side has just stuffed the opposition 5-1 and are about to applaud the fans for their great support throughout the game?
Again, your choice – but I don’t… and won’t.
DOOGie I think we have to accept that all people are different. After a game i would love it if I could stroll with my wife back to our hotel before looking forward to a nice hot drink, hot meal and several cold alcoholic drinks as then I’d be happy to stay till the end. Most home games I have to walk back to my car and drive 100 miles and two plus hours back home to my wife getting in around 730pm having left home at 11am. Each to their own as you rightly say and each person has to do what they have to do whether by choice or not. For most of my football watching life I have never left before the final whistle ever but right now I have to put my wife/family first – even above my beloved Wolves. I guess in many ways I actually do well to even come to the games at the moment.
I understand completely mate.
I think it was the great John Wayne who said :-
“A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do”.
I believe he was a Wolves supporter too.
Did anyone notice that we beat Man United’s Under 18s 3-2 this afternoon? Austin Samuels scored two!
I can’t see anything other than a win here. I also personally can’t stand Cotterill so that’s another reason to want a win. My other half thinks we’ll win 4-0 so we’ll see!
COYW
Just looked at the prediction table & apparently I’ve only predicted 15 times! Guessing it’s not been uploading my predictions for some reason as I’ve done it for every league match!
Oh well guess I’m well out the race this season then!
At this rate you’ll be relegated! Take it up with the fourth official…
Do I get parachute payments then?
Let the roll keep rolling.
I (as a Lon Chaney Jr character)am top of the league, say I am top of the league….repeat.
And with a game in hand!!!
Blow the whistle ref, ffs!!!
Due to a friends serious family illness, I have a ticket for Birmingham available on first come basis. It’s an adult ticket with coach travel from the Molineux leaving at 1715 (need to be there 1615)
If anyone wants it, call me on 07710-449440, (quickly)
Above ticket now sold…..
It’s a bit of a pisser that we have to wait till Monday more so because I could of gone to this game if it was played today but no Sky as Paddy McGuinness would say ” the power is now in your hands ” and can pick and choose any game they want to televise and FUCK the impact it has on supporters of both clubs I might add.
Small health Town FC is in total disarray on and off the pitch even worse than we were a few years ago and that saying something, but and there’s always a but it doesn’t mean we can stroll over there and just walk away with the points.
Losing Neves I think is a big loss with all due respect to Price try as he might he is no we’re near a like for like replacement in fact the only player I can see coming in and being anywhere near Neves is Costa and that who I’d stick in.
I cannot see us losing but this is a Derby so I’m going for a narrow win to Wolves.
For me it has to be a straight forward win.
Some well needed respite since the last game, just hope they aree well motivated to continue the run of form.
Brummie speak: if approached by a Brummie and he sez ‘kipper tie’ this actually means ‘cup of tea? Any rationale person knows’ cup of tea’ is actually ‘cuppa tay’? Ay it.
Sandwell shadow dwellers suffered a 7.6 magnitude Earthquake today, it’s estimated that it has caused £250.000 of improvements.
Finally starting to believe that we won’t wake up from this dream..
Might be close for 45 mins but then Costa comes on
They also might be down to 10 men by then//
Its a Leeds all over again
A historic humiliating defeat for Birmingham
Iorfa scored against Nottingham
Although in some ways playing on Monday is a pain, it does give us the chance to enjoy the view …. what a position to be in, going into a game knowing that even if we lose we’ll still be clear of third place by seven points – to say nothing about having double the goal difference. And this less than half way in the season.
I understand the reservations some of us have, but find it difficult – no, impossible, to predict anything other than a win. Much experience has left me understanding that the expected often does not happen – and it can fail in both directions …. expecting a fairly routine home win v Sheffield Wednesday – in the mid 50s I think – I watched them beat us 2-1. BUT, expecting a similar routine win against Fulham, I watched us put 9 past Tony Macedo with no reply [I think the above mentioned Norman Deeley got 4 of them].
So, although I’m predicting 3-1 to us in expectation of a routine win I’m wondering what the footballing gods have up their sleeves for us on Monday ….. we might come unstuck … but on the other hand we just might need the crib board. That’s the great thing about football, it can sometimes be surprising. COYW – give us a nice surprise.
Surely no problem with this one.
Price in for Neves just get on with it.
Just bought my first Advent calander from West Brom yesterday.
I’ve got a feeling that this will be a bruising affair…. probably similar to the gauntlet of half enders the Wolves fans will have to steer through on the way to and from the Sh*th*le they call St Andrews.
Without Neves , although I’m sure Price or Alfred can cope, I think this will be a tight game as our midfield strength is without doubt …weakened.
That said … we’ve got class in other areas of the pitch, defence, midfield and attack and those brave souls Going will be treated to a win.
Hopefully they would put us 10 points clear of third place…. life’s good…. Bonatini and Boly to score and Jasper to goo ome sulking ….
A prediction always helps.. doh..
Agreed Twix.
Glad I’m not going – I hate going there particularly midweek in the dark. Will never forget about 15 years ago those low lives chucking half housebricks down on us WWFC fans including women and kids from the back of the stand as we tried to get through the exit at the end of the game with the stewards and police standing around letting it happen.
Leo and Cav to score.
COMBs!
Similar experience Wokingham Welsh Wolf …. it just crossed my mind whether or not they collected the half enders afterwards and re-used them on the next batch of supporters…
Probably, Twix – Small Heath doing it’s bit for recycling!
Message to Cheeseburger Sex Pistols Experience at The Robin Febuary 16th next year tickets £13 excellent trib, sound like the real thing…….no better…..!
Cheers AD67. Will probably go along. Seen them a few times. Good laugh. The Johnny Rotten bloke comes up with some great banter. Remarking on the average age and physical appearance of the crowd he enthused “it’s good to see fat people enjoying themselves”. Good laugh.
They could scarcely sound worse. (said like a true progressive rock fan 🙂 )
A Wolves fan, a Villa fan and an Albion fan were all in Saudi Arabia, sharing a smuggled crate of booze. All of a sudden Saudi police rushed in and arrested them. The mere possession of alcohol is a severe offence in Saudi Arabia, so for the terrible crime of actually being caught consuming the booze, they were sentenced to death! However, after many months and with the help of very good lawyers, they were able to successfully appeal their sentence down to life imprisonment.
By a stroke of luck, it was a Saudi national holiday the day their trial finished, and the extremely benevolent Sheikh decided they could be released after receiving just 20 lashes each of the whip. As they were preparing for their punishment, the Sheikh suddenly said: “It’s my first wife’s birthday today, and she has asked me to allow each of you one wish before your whipping.”
The Albion fan was first in line (he had drunk the least), so he thought about this for a while and then said: Please tie a pillow to my back.” This was done, but the pillow only lasted 10 lashes before the whip went through. The Albion fan had to be carried away bleeding and crying with pain when the punishment was done.
The Villa fan was next up (he almost finished a half-can), and after watching the scene, said: “Please fix two pillows on my back.” But even two pillows could only take 15 lashes before the whip went through again.
The Wolves fan was the last one up (he had finished off the crate), but before he could say anything, the Sheikh turned to him and said: “You are from a most beautiful part of the world; your city has some of the best and most loyal football fans in the world. For this, you may have two wishes!”
“Cheers mate, your Most Royal and Merciful highness”, The Wolves fan replies. “In recognition of your kindness, my first wish is that you give me not 20, but 100 lashes.”
“Not only are you an honorable, handsome and powerful man, you are also very brave. “The Sheik says with an admiring look on his face. “If 100 lashes is what you desire, then so be it. And your second wish? What is it to be?” the Sheik asks.
“Please tie the Albion fan to my back.”
OK, I have a serious question.
Please rank these derbies in order of significance/emotion.
I know we don’t play each of them every year but, if we did, which one would you like to attend most.
Birmingham City
WBA
Aston Villa
WBA
Vile
Small Heath
These things are always very personal Tim, but for me:
WBA
Small Heath
Vile.
For me the only genuine derby is versus WBA. However the fixture I most like to win is against the contemptible Small Heath.
What are people in the know hearing about if Jota will sign permanently? I read somewher else that it is unlikely and when I heard him on an interview, he seemed very non-committal.
Any news from our insider friends?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/12/03/wolves-managernuno-espirito-santo-focused-birmingham-game-fans
I know that we’ve probably all seen the clips before but if anyone wants to bask in the glory if our season so far for nine minutes or so, they have to watch this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWEOHglxvdQ
Absolutely brilliant!
Better than brilliant Doog, roll on tommorow.
It’s a sad day in Wolvo for this blogger, I finally have to come out of the closet and disassociate myself from all things CFH. Tomorrow morning I cross the threashold of Stripey towers for a meeting. We are meeting up with the WBA Disabled association to discuss life in the PL and how we can get to the high standard set by WBA in looking after their Disabled fans.
For once in my life I feel ashamed that they of all teams lead the way ahead of most teams in all the leagues, they look after their disabled fans better than most.
I shall be going to the Blues game tomorrow, maybe it’s just me, but in 56 years Iv’e never had any more problems from them than any other club. Just a bunch of under privileged Peaky Blinders, not very bright either.
And theres them that would say its because they have so many mentally disabled fans, namely all of them, that they Have to look after them proper like.
Not me.
I would never be so disrespectful.
With Leonid Slutsky getting the sack at Hull City, it’s a grim reminder of our mismanagement under Morgan-Moxey. Hull have been a car crash of a club. Maybe they will join Sunderland in League One and regroup from there. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can pull yourself up. We know all about that. Our resurrection has been almost miraculous.
Dances. Hull etc will never be in the same league as us. They have had their day in EPL and now been found out and going back where they belong. 500 London wolves gives us a flavour of how dear we are held historically. Billy Wright is looking down now with magnificent approval. We are Wolves we don’t give an inch to no one.
Less than 20 hours to go, so I’d best get my forecast in.
Wolves were on fire before this mini break and I am hoping they will pick up where they left off against Bolton. Nuno has had enough time to mull over who should replace Neves. My gut feeling is Price as he seems to me to be the best like-for-like fit (though I do like the positivity that N’Diaye brings).
I don’t expect anything but a win… but we didn’t expect QPR, or Coady being sent off. An interesting challenge without Neves.
This might be one of those days where an awful refereeing decision or plain bad luck hurts us
Can only see those blouses being ripped wide open
Blue nose 1
Portuhampton 3
When the cricketers let you down ( again) it’s nice to know that you can rely on the new wolves for a bit of sporting pleasure
Blues only purpose for this season now is to stay up and fuck wolves and villa up , costa with the winner in a scruffy game made scruffy by a scruffy blues team
Utw
Several years ago I witnessed appalling scenes at Small Heath when Wolves fans (including women and children) had stones and coins thrown at them. We also had hot drinks thrown at us from the stand above us. I swore that day that this scum club will never get another penny of my money so I will happily watch the match on Sky tonight.
Neves being suspended might have an impact and I suspect that it will be a tighter game than a lot of people imagine.
I know we should win going on form but I have a feeling they will come at us early doors pile on pressure
If I’m honest I reckon a score draw tonight I’d take it move on
Price for neves Costa to get more minutes
Up the wolves
Congratulations to Thomas, this blog’s fame is growing……………
The atmosphere is one of uncharacteristic optimism as Thomas Baugh, co-founder of Wolves Blog, explains. “The mood is amazing given how many times Wolves come close only to fail to deliver,” he tells Sky Sports. “But this is the best Wolves team I have ever seen.”
On an article on the Sky Sports website today.
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11699/11147718/wolves-are-flying-high-in-the-championship-under-nuno
Go check it out brought a huge smile to my face to see us all mentioned.
Tougher than we may be expecting, I can see the lay off affecting the flow. Still going for a win though
Football statistics.
Shots on goal ; 33-7 to the home team
Shots on target ; 13-4 to the home team
Corner kicks ; 12-1 to the home team
Possession ; 75%-25% to the home team
Result? Home team 1 Away team 3
Statistics eh?
P.S. game in question was Arsenal v Man Utd last Saturday
It is, as Jimmy Greaves used to wisely say, a funny old game.
I detest both of those teams but have to say…….what a game that was.
It’s got to be another win nothing else will do.
COYW
COYW. LET’S KEEP THE RUN GOING.
Wolves 2 Birmingham 1 more Rover than Rolls without Neves in midfield
BC welcome to the 21st Century AD! Stone age weapons against cruise missiles. Shock and Fwcking awe at the Small Heath quagmire!!
I know you’re gonna believe me 100 points 100 goals. COYW FOBC. It’s gotta be ………..
3-0 to me babbies I reckon.
Can’t see the blouses stopping the juggernaut, even without The maestro Neves.
Just the 2 -0 for me.
Betting on Bonatini to score in the 1st 30 minutes is like taking candy from a bookiel
Well done Wighty! Your bet came in!
Why was that Birmingham tosser not sent off for that assault on Jota? According to BBC it was only because it was so early in the game otherwise it would have been a red. Why? Why does it matter whether it’s the 1st minute or the 99th? A disgusting potential leg breaking tackle is red card WHENEVER it happens!
Yes…Jota taking far to much punishment, needs a stronger ref.FFS
Yyyyeeeessss!!!!
Clean sheet
Three more points
Four points clear at top, and more importantly 10 clear of third place.
Six wins on the bounce.
NOW where are all the naysayers, eh?
NOW find something to bitch about.
If them stats dont give you orgasmic type feelings in yer nether regions, then there is only one hope left for y’all….. sandwell hamlet.
Houston we have a problem. There’s a bloke called Cloud Nine on here pretending he is you and going on about orgasmic feelings in yer nether regions. The choice suggested is orgasmic feelings, or Sandwell. Decisions, decisions. Yawn. I’m off for any early night with the girlfriend. Hope it’s a score draw! Nite nite.
18 out of 18. It’s just not real. Never ever thought it would happen.
Dirty blooming blueses.
When you don’t turn up for the second half but still win ugly then that is all that matters.
That said, I will bet that Nuno has a few choice words.
Still. 3 points. 4 above 2nd spot and 10 above 3rd. Got to be happy with that.
Great win over the small heath wankers. Sad to report the usual after match nonsense at Blouse as police battled their idiots back on the walk back through digbeth. Even down by New Street Station there were baying mobs of lunatics. Never left the 70’s behind. Fuckin idiots.
Cheesy, no worries, season 18/19 will see us 2 divisions apart… but Lawrie may wish to order a few spare seats for 15th April when Neanderthal man pays a visit to the Glorious Mol
I reckon Jota must be leading the stats on bruises below the knee – come on referees FFS
And all the naysayers/well-jell arses said “wait for a cold damp december night” – well Cillian Murphy (aka Thomas Shelby / Peaky Wankers) – you’re boys took a lesson in “how to win ugly” and soz you’m in the relegation places – bell-ended blouses 🙂
Nice comment on The Football Lab ….
“Pre-match depictions of Wolves as a ‘balletic’ side that might not handle the cold, hard graft of a December derby have proved at best inaccurate and at worst disrespectful to one of the most complete teams ever to grace the second tier.”
All round good analysis … see ……
http://www.thefootballab.co.uk/2017/birmingham-city-0-1-wolverhampton-wanderers-seven-things-right-result/
Thought we were playing the peaky blinders at times, N’Diaye needs to take a lesson from the wonderful Jota do not put your head in, use it instead as Jota did – use your chest and await the reaction. Well deserved hard fought win COYW