Blackpool might be lodged in midtable but their form since Michael Appleton took charge has been consistent.
With 5 draws and 2 wins in an undefeated start under the new gaffer, what’s clear is that he’s made the Tangerines a much tougher side to beat.
And as we all know, the ability to grind out a result in this league is more than a little useful.
That’s of course in stark contrast to the Blackpool we encountered back in the Premier League; the swashbuckling, ‘we’ll score one more than you’ outfit that became every neutral’s favourite team under Ian Holloway.
An immediate return to the top flight was on the cards in May, but they were muscled out by West Ham in the play-off final. That must be tough to come back from.
I was surprised Holloway walked to take over at Palace, as it didn’t seem like an obvious step forward, but things can go stale (no pun intended) when a manager has been around for a while and that did seem to be the case at Bloomfield Road.
Whether they can continue their upwards trajectory probably depends on whether they can hold onto Thomas Ince in January, who is reportedly closing on a move back to Liverpool. He’ll leave a big hole if that transfer does happen.
Wolves
In contrast to Blackpool’s recent stubbornness, Wolves certainly aren’t difficult to beat, particularly on their travels.
Defeat in the dying embers at Boro last weekend made it 7 losses away from home already. Only Burnley and the bottom 4 can equal that tally. Nobody in the league has lost more.
Still, due to injuries and the manager persisting with his preferred tactics, the team will likely continue to contain familiar personnel:
Forgotten man Georg Margreitter is now fit again though and it will be interesting to see if the Austrian makes the bench tomorrow night.
With O’Hara and Peszko both on track to return in January, a decent return from the next three games could suddenly change the complexion of what’s been another largely disappointing season to date.
Prediction League
18 pundits correctly thought we’d come unstuck at Boro.
Of those, 5 got the scoreline to go with it so well done to Tettenhall Wolf, Dave H, gowolves, Timberwolf and ash k who all double up. The other 13 take single.
I suppose you can look at this fixture in one of two ways:
1. They’re due a defeat and we were perhaps a little unlucky last time out.
or
2. They’ve found consistency and we normally lose away from home.
I’m leaning towards the latter, but will sit on the fence and say 2-2.
Up The Wolves.
Siggy won’t be involved as he has tight muscle strain…and I’m not optimistic about this one sadly. 2-1 loss
It worries me how often he gets injuries like this. I like him. I think he has the potential to be an absolute class act, but he’s injured so often.
I understand Margrietter has also got another knock.
+1 – don’t want another Stefan on our hands! Sure he will get a game…eventually…
Yes Thomas, I am in total concurrence with your insightful pre-match comments.
Hang on, I think I’ve just swallowed a dictionary.
Difficult one to predict but I need a result to cement my equal top of the prediction league status.
How many get promoted by the way and do we have play offs?
I am going for a win tomorrow.
Just got a funny feeling (don’t tell Mrs DOOgooder).
2-1 to the lads.
0-3 wolves doyle first scorer I think we deserve a rout
Friday night games have never been very rewarding for us and away to an inform Blackpool at best I think a draw would not be a bad result I said the same about the Bristol City game and we won. When I say I draw would not be a bad result considering Blackpool’s form what we really need is a win but I carnt see Stale putting out a attacking team I think he will play safe ( McCarthy tryed that and look what happened ) I said this when we were in Premier League what’s the point in trying to defend and win 1.0 we don’t have a good enough defence for that as we all know to well to me the best form of defence is attack. I’d drop Doyle go with Sigi and play Nobble along side him ( i know what some of you are thinking but he’s big and strong good in the air, Doyle gets knocked of the ball to easy some times controvenal I know but Doyle has always been a luxury for me I thought after the Bristol game he would go on a run but again plenty of effort but little to show in return ie goals ) and Sako just behind them Henery in middle to win the ball break things up Doumbia on the left and someone on the right flank but not Pennant
Bpool 1 – 1 Wolves
1-0 to the Wolves, come on me babies
For no reason other than “Meh, why not?! Could happen!”
Blackpool 0-2 Wolves
3.1 to Blackpool I hope I’m wrong dout it.
From now on I will just copy and paste my comments.
While we’ve still McCarthorse’s donkeys, we will lose.
Simple.
They were not good enough 4 years ago, and are not good enough now.
And Foley’s head is still out of proportion to his body.
Blackpool 3 WW 1
I’m not too confident, but I don’t want to piddle on any festive cheer, so I’ll go for a solid 2-2.
Very pleased I have been surpassed on the prediction league summit, as
most of my predictions have been losses.
Would like to be positive about Fridays game, but if we had a young George Showell I would
be more hopeful.
Dross still prevails and for that reason see a loss.
SS saying Seb is not for sale then says if a club is desperate…..Enter MM I think.
Blackpool 2 Wolves 0-Sorry folks.
Blackpool 3-0 Wolves
George Showell RIP. One of my dad’s heroes…
3-0 Blackpool…..2 penalties and another clearly offside. Ward sent off.
We can ill afford to lose the Sig but surely Pennant owes us a good game. I’m going for a thoroughly optimistic but totally unjustified Blackpool 1 Wolves 1
SEB not for sale!!!! I was gong to buy him myself just to keep him out of the team. Perfect revenge would then be loaning him on to Ipswich. As I keep saying – Roll on January.
Blackpool 1 – 0 Wolves
Got the score correct for the Boro game, but the wrong way round as I ambitiously thought we could win 2-0.
As for Friday, well its almost certain that Pennant will play, and about time he showed something too. I`d love to watch a superb display with a score which gets Wolves three points. Can`t see it though, we are so lightweight up front, and as my mate Clive copies and pastes every week, most of the side are full of MM`s failures that we can`t sell, or don`t want to apparently as with SEB.
Teams need to evolve and move on, trying new players – well if the lad on loan at Tranmere comes back in Jan, he looks far more athletic and mobile that Sylvan who just isn`t doing it, comfort zones spring to mind. So my prediction, a sad 3-0 defeat, and I`ll be the happiest fan going if I`m proved wrong.
I don’t have the best feeling in the world about this game, especially with Siggi out as well! Afraid its another loss for me! Blackpool 2 – 1 Wolves!
its gonna be tough but definitely doable. Keep Tom Ince quiet and we’ll be alright.
Big Dippers 0 Wolves 1( Johnson 91′)
Am going for Blackpool 1 Wolves 3.
Sako, Johnson and Doyle to score.
Please don’t play Pennant…
santas dead and its raining so tangos 4 wolverhasbeens 1….roll on boxxing day!
I’m not feeling massively optimistic about this one, an away game at Blackpool and with Siggy sadly not making an appearance. Hopefully we’ll finally see something of Pennant but I’m not keeping my hopes up. However it is nearly Christmas so surely a little miracle might be in order. I’m optimistically predicting a 1-2 win to Wolves.
It’s a no brainer this one … Blackpool 2 Wolves 3. with a 2-0 ww lead being pegged back to 2-2 and an injury time winner from Sako. Simples ..
Blackpool 2-1 wolves they have pace and skill two things our back line can’t cope with.
I’m going for 1-1, Doyle to get a late equaliser.
I can’t find any reason to be optimistic other than an overdue change of luck. Therefore, an undeserved 2-1 win to Wolves.
pity about sigurdarson if true he’s out injured. Time to give Nouble arun out? I still believe SEB may go.
Anyway they are due to lose, and we are due awin; more difficult without Siggy, but hey ! we’ve got Sako, and Doumbia is improving. I’ll go for Wolves to win
Wolves 3 Blackpool 0
I’ll go for another loss away as that’s how it always seems to be! 1-0 to Blackpool. Hope the new year promises more fight & skill but…
The team desperately needs new impetus but Stale cannot change it at the moment cos of injuries. I still can’t work out why he does’nt pick 3 centre halves, just try something different cos what is currently happening is just not working.
18th is pretty poor for a team of Wolves’s calibre in this league, but maybe good times are around the corner we are due a change of luck for a start.
Not happy to hear Siggy will miss out but I’m going for a win due to the fact that when it comes to the Wolves I do suffer with a bit of a lack of ability to make a judgment based on the situation or facts. It would set up the weekend nicely, as Kick off is 5:45am here in Oz. Blackpool 1 Wolves 2 (Ebanks-Blake both goals)
Blackpools playing well,so i’m going for a 2-1 wait for it ,to the wolves.thats it done.
UTW.
2-1 to us, why???????????????
No idea, why not?
Interesting news.
Seb not for sale ? Why not.. ?
Berra new contract Why ?
Siggy injured in Training Again… How ?
More questions than ever coming out of Molineux at the moment. So..
Blackpool 2-1 Wolves.
Totally agree with you Nige. Things must change.
Quality in Dross out.
All our loanees back and getting a run after january , hopefully 5 man midfield with Ohara and frimpong in there. Wingers back fit . There is hope nige… But we’ll huff and puff Friday night. 1-1 wolves:)
Seb – because he is a very good Championship stricker and as his contract is nearly up we would not get the right return for him.
Berra – decent centre back for this division, see above.
Siggy – shit happens.
A cold, wet, windy might in Blackpool. Not for the faint hearted. Lose 0-1.
I still believe in Santa Claus and the tangerine dream will come off the rails on the telly on Fri.
I’m going for a WW win but only just. I also think we are due some luck, good luck for once as we’ve had more than our fair share of bad luck. I hope KH keeps his hands and arms and shoulders out of reach of the ball and just for once let’s go into Christmas with a smile on our face. Roll on the Tractor Boys, let’s show MM, TC et al what they’re missing……we wish.
As ever UTW !!!! Tangerines 1 WW 2.
To be quite fair, ALL of the above predictions are irrelevant, as according to some Mayan calendar, the world ends tomorrow.
However, I dont know at what time exactly, it could be midnight in Hawaii, or 12.01am in Oz, so all of you travelling to Blackpool I hope the game goes ahead before the world ends.
On the other hand, if we are losing 0 – 3 at half time, maybe some of you will be looking towards the heavens………….
Clive it felt my world ended when we lost 1-5 to The Shits, it still hurts. Diabolical.
A cold wet night on TV in blackpool hoping for a point but expecting a loss wolves 1 blackpool 2
Next weeks two home games will be games we cannot lose.
My offcial prediction above is 3-0 to Blackpool but i think the manager and the players are beginning to bond and secretly feel a surprise is possible. Hope i havent just stuck my foot in my mouth and shot it.
Personally , I think Seb will go in early Jan . I really fancy a good bid for Wood – currently at Millwall on loan . A big lad ,strong and brave , good in the air and an eye for goal . An unwanted baggie , remind you of anyone ?
Tomorrow ? , assuming the world hasn’t ended by the final whistle , then
Blackpool 1 Wanderers 2 happy xmas to you all xx
Watched this lot completely outplay sheffield wednesday earlier in the year. Tom Ince is key. Fantastically talented player. Unfortunately I do this this means a loss for us again.
2-0 to blackpool.
The last Wolves game I attended was this very fixture in the championshit during our promotion season. we blew a 2 goal lead to a very average Blackpool team on a bloody cold evening, doubt anything will be too different this time around.
Blackpool 1 – 1 Wolves
Like a previous post I mentiooned, our players are dropping like flies. Daley – on your recumbent bike son. Bpool 2-0 Wolves
Hard to see a great performance, but should be able to battle away for a draw: 0-0
Thinking a 2-2 draw as well. Wish Siggy could make a go for this one
We’re on telly, so we’ll lose
Tangerine orange 2, Old Gold orange 0
No fucking chance.
2-0 for the Pool.
Feeling Moxed-off about it all again. Another defeat 2-1.
I don’t know why but I think after what happened last week when we were robbed of a hard fought point the team may just be beginning to bond and start digging in…therefore I will award there improved fight with a positive prediction.
Oh, and happy Xmas you lot!!
Blackpool 1 – 2 Wolves
UTW
The former player’s son, obviously
0-1
Blackpool 1-1 Wolves
Blackpool 1 Wolves 1
They’ve drawn so many lately, coupled with our recent tendency to keep things tight, I’ll go for a scrappy 1-1.
Also, just read the transfer gossip page on the e*****s and s**r website and it says that we’re insisting that Jake Cassidy goes to a Championship club on loan in the new year instead of back to Tranmere. Am I missing something here? Aren’t we a Championship club?! And one that’s struggling to score goals at that! Get the fucker back and give him a go at least!
Blackpool 1 wolves 2.
Merry Christmas one and all.
With reference to Clive’s prediction – a new one of my own.
Mayans 0 – 1 World (God in the second minute of extra time).
Are we a championship club looking for fire power? Can they not see the nose at the end of their collective fat faces???? Jesus , never cease to amaze , who’s making these calls??? Cassidy has to be tried! Not looking good for jan with these statements!
A no frills no thrills no spills
Wolves 1 Blackpool nil(s)
Don’t think we will get anything from this game
Blackpool 2 Wolves 1
Alli want for Christmas is 3points tonite ( and boxing day, and Saturday)
Heart ruling head – Blackpool 1 Wolves 2
UTW
Love this from the E&S:
“Solbakken has already said he needs to move players on if he is to bring in the targets he wants next month”
Poof, 40 million quid gone missing just like that…
40 Million i’ll tell you where its gone.Redrow compton PLC.
The only thing morgans interested in is building houses not building a football team.
UTW
I haven’t even started drinking yet!
Blackpool 1-3 Wolves
Very few games pass when Blackpool don’t score and we’re not exactly making the net bulge so I’ll go for 1-1
Well Im out in Prague having a lovely holiday…. rather than finding a sports bar here and then “accidentally” stumbling upon it without my gf knowing I’m taking my chances at the Absinthe bar and hopefully hallucinate a wolves 4-2 win!
I’m feeling strangely optimistic! 2-1 to the Wolves. Come on the Wolves!!
Right….stop messing about….
Blackpool 2 – 3 Wolves
Happy Xmas to all!!
UTW
Tell you what, say what you want about Wolves but we produce some bloody decent goalies!!
Best result of the season for me..
We didn’t play well but won 1-2,
won this one very dirty . About time !! The penalty – which was correct – we see week in week out , but rarely given .So , there’s one bit of luck back .!!
Must add that Davies did very well …reminder of his spell towards the end of last season .
Christmas feeling a bit more festive now ! utw .
Other than Ikeme, davies really impressed me
Not sure how we won that but who cares we are owed some luck. Lets make it count next week. A nice early present. Happy xmas
Me neither but its 3 points on the total. Time we won ugly. Merry Christmas all.
MERRRRYYYY CCCCHHHRISTTTTTMMMAAAASEEEEVVVEEEEERRRRRYYYYYBODDDY,
At the moment will take that all day and all night but ball retention has got to improve. Still seeing a big hole in centre midfield. Ikeme immense Davis was very good when he came on and Pennent had his best game.
Get in! I would have been happy with 2 points from our last 2 away games, so to get 3 is bob on. I dont care how we play away from home, ( they had 24 shots with 15 on target, against our 5 shots and 2 on target) if we get points. Well done stale
Great result and Ikeme was superb – delighted for him having had to wait so long for a chance of a decent run in the team. He would definitely be my first choice above Hennessey. Overall performance was mediocre at best, as with more clinical finishing Blackpool would have been out of sight by early second half. However, a win is what was required – the performance will soon be forgotten but the result will stand for ever! The 3 points together with the news that Mick wants to hoover up some of our squad makes for a happy Xmas!