Is this even going ahead?
Man Utd had their game against Brentford postponed late yesterday evening and there must be a reasonable chance this one will follow suit by tomorrow after Brighton’s Covid outbreak.
I’m not sure about the criteria for such a decision, but I hope for the sake of those planning to make the long trip south there’s clarity well ahead of time.
On a purely football-related basis, it might be handy for Wolves to get a game in against a depleted Brighton side before another tough challenge against Chelsea on Sunday.
Not that this fixture has been particularly kind to us in the past.
Brighton
The Seagulls had the opposite start to the season that we experienced, winning four of their first five league matches. Unfortunately for them, they haven’t tasted victory since.
There have been plenty of draws and nearly moments, but it’s been a slow descent down the table in recent months for Graham Potter’s men.
Much like Wolves, they don’t score or concede many and the teams come into this game with an identical goal difference. Funny, when you consider the two games produced nine goals last season.
Neal Maupay is top-scorer with a highly respectable six league goals to date, but it’s getting others on the scoresheet that has been the problem.
Leandro Trossard has a couple and it will have been a blow to see him carried off against Southampton in their last Premier League outing. However, it seems like the Belgian has made a swift recovery and will feature tomorrow.
Lewis Dunk, Adam Webster and Danny Welbeck have all been ruled out and of course there is the mystery over which other members of the playing staff could be absent due to Covid.
Those that do take to the field should be fresh after their game against Spurs was cancelled at the weekend due to you know what.
The home end
Some comments from Brighton head coach Graham Potter about Wolves from his press conference:
They [Wolves] have improved from what was already good under Nuno [Espirito Santo]. Bruno [Lage] has come in and added his own bits, without changing too much.
They are an experienced team, with two holding midfield payers who can control the game really well there is a good shape and structure about them.
They got off to a bad start in terms of results but performances were really good so they’ve turned that around.
Recently they played Liverpool and Manchester City and suffered narrow defeats, but it just goes to show how organised they are defensively. They defend as a team really well so they don’t concede many chances.
Wolves
Wolves have a 100% vaccination status among players and coaching staff, so there can be no doubt that they’re holding up their end of the bargain. Fatigue could be an issue for some though after that draining performance at The Etihad.
I still can’t believe how stupid Raul was getting himself sent off. The referee could have shown more leniency but even so, it was such a naive act of petulance. I’ve noticed a fair bit of gamesmanship from him this season, which is fair enough, but be smarter about it in future.
Without the Mexican leading the line, Bruno has a decision to make. I’d personally deploy Hwang through the middle and bring Podence into the side. That’s two sets of fresh legs that didn’t start at Man City.
Fabio might be sniffing an opportunity, but it would be a bit of a surprise if the head coach suddenly threw him into the action having hardly used our record signing at all this season, despite the team’s terrible goalscoring record.
Adama caused them all kinds of problems last season in both fixtures, so hopefully, this is his moment to shine again.
Last time out
We really had them on the ropes in this fixture last season. It was 3-1 at half-time, we were running the midfield and Neto and Traore were getting in at will. Then the teams came out for the second half and it was one-way traffic in the opposite direction. Despite Owen Otasowie missing a golden chance to win it with the last kick of the game, it could easily have been a defeat.
The Brighton hoodoo was finally broken at Molineux with Wolves coming from behind to win 2-1 after Lewis Dunk gave them the lead and then got himself sent off for hauling down Fabio as he raced towards goal. Adama Traore got us level with a great goal and Morgan Gibbs-White finished smartly to win it in injury time.
Predictions
Well done to Sea Pigeon, Marin Wolf and Robc306 who all correctly predicted we’d lose 1-0 to City on Saturday.
Brompton Wolf leads the way at the top of the overall table at the end of Gameweek 16.
As always, if you’d like to join in, it’s simple – just leave your prediction in the comment section below using the boxes provided. Then repeat for every preview article throughout the season, making sure you always use the same email address to make your prediction. Your email is what ties you to your overall score.
You can read my prediction for the game in the comment section below.
Up The Wolves!
Polite request – when commenting in the preview article after the game has finished, can you not place score predictions in the boxes, please? It confuses the system. Many thanks.
A low scoring draw seems like the most logical outcome, but I do worry about where our 1 is coming from without Raul in the side.
We’re hardly prolific with him, but he has scored three match-winning goals this season and we still look to him in those clutch moments to be the difference-maker.
The other forward players are well overdue to produce the goods so hopefully, this will be the moment.
I quite understand and feel every sympathy for Raul’s frustration at being unfairly booked, with tempers already high all over the pitch, he didn’t stop the free kick, but just put his foot out to intercept it, I thought. Probably wrong, but when the blood’s up….. In his absence I’d throw Fabio on, what better opposition to blood him on, with Adama scything through to feed him, and Podence weaving his magic too.
Plenty of options in defence, give some a rest if necessary.
I can’t wait !
What irked me about the sending off was the ref FatMoss who, having given the dodgy yellow, then allowed the Kick to be taken without blowing his whistle and walked off with his back to proceedings instead of calming the situation to ensure the kick could be taken properly. This allowed the Citeh player to Kick the ball at Jimi who, with cat like reflexes, raised his leg to intercept. A farce of Twatihad proportions.
Anyway I’ve had enough of Seagulls shitting on my chips when I go to the seaside, Somone has got to score, I don’t care who it is. 1 lv & COYW
Always an exciting finale in this clash. Don’t see it being any different this time around. Like the idea of Podence supporting Hwang with Adama causing his own havoc. Certainly looks to have some goals in this one to help us have a bit of a turn around.
Let’s take all 3 points away from the south coast lads.
We’ve heard the phrase “masterclass of defending” in the last few weeks which is a great habit to adopt. Our midfield group are acknowledged to be great at keeping possession and controlling the tempo of the game but Wolves nil is the problem.
Can’t see us winning
COMBs prove me wrong
Depends teams but I’ll go for win
I’m still miffed at the way we lost on Saturday and the City manager’s post match comments.
Ask any Man City player after coming off the pitch yesterday and they will tell you that was a tough, tough game. Make no mistake. Wolves played. And played well. It’s just not the type of play that makes life easy for one of the most expensively assembled teams in the world.
In order to win they had the benefit of one of the softest red cards you will see this season and a clear example of a penalty being awarded when it absolutely should not have been. After a review. With VAR.
Yes City we’re a constant attacking threat but they struggled against a fabulous rear guard action. Wolves played, and played. Just not to Pep’s tune.
I don’t dislike Pep. But have the good grace to recognise a full of heart battling performance from a club that can only dream of the resources you have at your disposal.
If the game tomorrow does go ahead, we really need the points to maintain hope of European football next season. It’s more out of hope and optimism than realism but I’m going for a low scoring win. We boast an impressive defensive line up, anchored hugely underrated keeper and with a bit of luck, one of our players can nick a goal.
UTW
I agree entirely, more than a mere uptick could express !
And we certainly need some points to maintain hope, Europe or not.
I find the whole Euro thing underwhelming esp when we havn’t won any domestic comps, even more so now they’ve watered it down with the Conference League, it’s basically a European version of the Sherpa Van Trophy. It’s a money spinning football for footballs sake. If we were flying domestically and had the basics sorted then a pop at Europe would make sense but from this position even if we somehow managed to nab a spot surely we would be spreading ourselves too thinly and then we would suffer in all comps., I would even prefer the Carabao Cup as a launch pad to better things rather than the overhyped Euro dream.
Their legs will be much fresher than ours and that, I’m afraid, will be the crucial aspect of the game.
Is a Sea-Pigeon just a Seagull with poor personal hygiene, a stumpy leg and a fish allergy?
Good guess Rasta but if you are into your racing you’d know that I’m a dual champion hurdler and the greatest dual purpose racehorse of all time.
As long as Bruno does not start the useless Trincao I am happy.
I do hope they play .If not Raul is suspended for the Chelsea game.
I can see them going for it after the last two games so am optimistic for a win down there at last .
Can our overworked defense keep the Seagulls at bay? Let’s hope so and if we can fluke a goal from somewhere we might just win this one, but then again we may not.
Wolves 0
Brighton 0
Can’t fault Thomas’ team sheet, though not sure there will be many left on the bench worth considering as alternatives . Though goals continue to be hard to come by, that forward line ought to be scaring the life out of the Brighton defense. With the Seagulls potentially depleted in we-don’t-know-which areas of the pitch, this is an opportunity to really get at an opposition that are otherwise hard to beat.
Another must win game to get points on the board again.
Raul rush of blood to the head doesn’t help matters for this one, if it goes ahead with their Covid issues.
I hope Daniel Podence gets a start for a front three with Adama and Hwang.
I have said it on here before, but the quality of English referees has been getting worse and worse now for years on end. They used to be the best in the world.
Absolute appalling decision for Moutinho hand ball with VAR clearly not fit for purpose.
A really depleted Brighton team due to injuries and Covid leaves no excuses for WWFC. The Raul suspension might actually give him a few days to rest and get back to his very best because he has looked jaded in the last couple of games. A winner against Chelsea will be a fitting comeback.
Neves , Hwang , Max with the goals.
Yes, agree with the team. They may be some tired legs out there so would probably try to make a couple of early substitutions to help save some legs for Sunday– depending on the state of the game at the time. Really looking forward to see how aggressive we will be in terms of attacking play, hopefully more so than normal and we get some entertainment and goals from this game. One goal in last six games is tough as a supporter!
The dust has now settled from the Man C. game. The more I think about it, while I know Raul has a lot of goodwill in bank, I hope Bruno drags him through the coals, and makes him apologize to the rest of the team. No forgiveness for that brain- fart, school boy error that he had against City. Live and learn!
But we still love Raul! Hopefully he will be even more determined against Chelsea.
Narrow win for us!I
UTW
UTW
Can’t see us scoring without Raul but they do have a raft of players unavailable so we will never have a better chance
IT IS UTTER BULLSHIT THE LEAGUE IS CANCELLING GAMES DUE TO COVID – WHEN EVERY TEAM HAS A BENCH OF SUBS THAT DON’T ALWAYS GET TIME, AND A RESERVES TEAM.
Just because a team is missing important players they should not be allowed to “Postpone” the match until the squad is fit.
I am really falling out of love with Football. With the state of the refs – var and Stupid decisions.
Relax WFiL. You could be an F1 fan!
I remember Mick Macathy played a second 11, all registered squad players against Man U in the PL, as we had a much more winnable game a few days later, and the powers-that-be fined us 30,000 pounds!
It created quite a debate on how can anyone determine what the selection of a first team should look like! Especially as it was accepted that the big six considered the game as a squad game, even then!
yes I remember this – I did mention it on a post down later in the blog – It was against united because we knew we that we wasn’t going to take anything from the game. Then the week later United made 11 changes without any sanctions, Joke.
Nothing goes in our favour most of the time, so if this game does go ahead I’m pretty sure the Ref and VAR will make double sure we don’t get the rub of the green so to speak.
We desperately need a win and if it does get the go ahead I’m going for a win of any sort.
1-1 DRAW.
Please score a goal. Pretty please. Anyone…
Well I’m going for my usual 2-1 although I can see it being another 0-0 as has already been said both teams are having trouble scoring.
Got to be confident after 2 performances against the big boys.
Raul out allows others to shine.
Going with my heart with this one.
I’m hoping that we can kick start the festive period with a win. I think our midfield will play a major part in the fixture (If it goes ahead). A Neves super strike would be just nice.
Yep a draw for me. The scoring record for both sides is baaaad! So obviously. a 0-0 from me too.
I think we’ve got a win in us without Raul , we’ve got some better forwards available than we had when he was injured
Brighton will not score thats a cert.
Wolves will be on fire with the forwards having a point to prove and the two previous debacles will spur the players on .
Good solid performance and a resounding win.
In my opinion VAR was an excellent idea. The problem is the stupid twats who operate the system and the nonsensical rules they seem to adhere to or invent at every turn.
Thought Pep had a bloody cheek with his comments last time out. Our squad is wafer thin – I know January is always a difficult month for identifying quality additions, but hope Fosun have been proactive in looking at the market and are ready to support Bruno within the financial constraints faced.
Can’t see many goals in this one – going for an optimistic narrow win.
I don’t really see much in the way of goals but Wolves will always surprise us.
.
If a game is postponed coz of a few players/staff having tested positive for covid, where does it end?
A couple of injuries, and it’s ” Oh Mr. Prem League, we can’t play”
Or, “my preggie wife might go into labour in the next few days, I can’t play, please postpone.”
Or, “I hurt my toenail/finger/hairstyle when I dived last week.”
It will degenerate into the farcical realm of fake on pitch “injuries”, with clubs outright lying about fit players, when they are going through drop of form.
Utter bollocks.
It’s why we have squads.
Back in the olden times a team could be fined for not putting out their strongest team, but now, anything goes.
Classic example: Devalued Cup games.
I’m not advocating those rules be reinstated, it is not some independent party’s job to tell a club what is their strongest side, but come on, a sense of reality is needed.
Worst case scenario, if there are not enough fit players, then let the ladies play!
A mixture of males and females on the pitch would be interesting, to say the least.
Perhaps it would cut out the constant bad language at the refs and opposition, and men diving would be a thing of the past, as no one would believe one of our ladies could body tackle or trip anyone.
Unless it’s Grealish or Sterling or anyone from either Manchester club, or Salah, or Kane…………. actually the list goes on and on!
Bit like me!
Anyway, Pep Gladiola has gone down a shit load of notches in my book, with the bollocks he spouted after his bunch of powder puffs struggled to overcome 10 men at the weekend.
Anyway, whenever we play Brighton, we gotta win.
No goals this century.
No wins for even longer.
Come on lads, where’s the pride in the shirt and club gone?
I hate to bring up the R word, but that basement is looming fast, we gotta stay out of it.
I remember when Mick McCarthy made 10 changes to play United in the cup – on his stint in the prem and was fined 30k – A week later in Uniteds next cup game made 11 changes and that was fine….
Now if a few players have a cold – game is postponed. Its a utter fucking joke. You only need to field 11 players of 28 – if 15 had covid that’s a you problem you should not get to delay the game until your “best” players are available.
Utter joke this league,
You can field 7, with caveats.
Unless the FA have changed the rules.
I think.
Good point, Fanny! I think different rules apply to special teams.
Looks on paper like a no score bore. But no. A proper xmas cracker on the cards with WWFC shading it 17-16. And just to cheer everyone up even more the Ref and VAR have been confirmed for Manure away 9n Jan 3rd. MIKE DEAN REF/ANDRE VILLA-MARRINER VAR. Happy new year.
IF it goes ahead I can’t see how either team will score.
Can’t make my mind up if we’re better playing now or later when hopefully our squad has been strengthened.
Our play has deserved more points recently, so I’m going for a Wolves win here. We will need to be more adventurous going forward.
Just hope the game goes ahead, as it’s an early start – leaving before midday for the night game!
I think there’s going to be a backlash after Saturdays events… They’ll want to use that productively. Podence to start I hope and that will produce goals…
We play well and we lose. We play well and we lose. If Bruno puts out Thomas’s Team we can do a smash and grab here, bugger how well we play.
COYW
Dan
Struggling to see anything other than a nil nil. Hopefully we’ll nick it
Well my son is proper pi**ed off . Got back from Uni on Friday night tested positive with COVID Saturday morning . No Chelsea game for him.
We are all negative and staying safe. W’eve locked the little shite in his bedroom to self isolate . Problem is his now calling me and my wife at all times of the day . We have got so used to it by now we just answer the house phone with ‘Room Service’
Podence and Hwan to start up top closely supported by Adama and Trincao . Wont be easy but expect a win COYW
Four games before the end of December and a chance that one or two may be postponed due to Covid infection levels. Let’s hope not and i fancy 6 points from the 4 games- any combination possible but hoping for some return from the Brighton game. Whilst Raul is rightly being admired for having overcome his horrendous injury to again compete at an elite level I have to say I was disappointed in his petulance against City. It wasn’t professional and hope it’s a wake up call to change an increasing tendency to act hard done by. Whilst Raul has been subject to rough treatment from opposing CHs , he will get no sympathy from refs with a bad attitude to on field authority. Podence will make a difference tomorrow and the young prince should feature. Narrrow win.
I expect it will be tight. Rauls suspension is going to leave us as toothless as last season. Hopefully hwang can find the form of earlier in the season. But I can see another bore draw.
You suggested score makes the most sense to me Chesterwolf. Why? Well because, looking at ourselves first, we really and I mean really, struggle to score goals! On the other hand, our defence is really good. We concede very few, even against the best sides.
Added to that Brighton have the same goal difference as ourselves – minus 2! Putting those 2 facts together, I reckon a goalless draw forecast makes the most sense.
.
And thats what happens when you are stupid enough to take on man city on peps terms
How right was Bruno to play our game not theirs.
Pity vile won
Be nice to sneak a win given the run of fixtures we’re on, reckon we could nick it
My girlfriend has offered this forecast. And why not – it’s a random walk this season.
Back to winning ways.
Jeremy Clarkson now putting the villa fan from var in with the Australian who manipulated the formula one race,
“ they need to be sacked”
Anyway, time to move on .
Brighton get reduced to 10 men first half, then get a goal dubiously ruled out before scoring an own goal to put us in front ( cos we can’t score)
Then we get a border line penalty that s missed first time by neves but has to be re- taken because the goalies lace dropped behind the line.
The young prince steps up and seals the win panenka style.
Come on you wolves
And somehow, we end up winning 3-2 instead of 2-0 ??
opportunity for whoever comes in for Raul to shine
different dynamics and all that , although he will be missed for his positioning at corners and coming deep to get the ball
anyway , am driving down in about 2 hours and spending a festive day by the seaside
COYW
Brunos no fool as we’ve by now, realised. 4-0 would be muchly welcomed but I’m guessing 1-0 gives 3 points as well ?
As long as we don’t lose ill be happy.
For all the people who were decrying our ‘defensive’ performances against Liverpool and Man City…
Manchester City 7 – 0 Leeds United
Leeds United play the high pressing, attacking game that you said Bruno should employ against the top teams.
That’s what happens.
This season being as it is getting a forecast right is very difficult: which I have proved by getting it wrong every week. Not expecting any difference this week but here goes.
As we know Brighton are missing many players, most crucially I believe Dunk who should have iconic status amongst Seagulls fans: a rock in defence and handy at set pieces.
Given Potter’s philosophy players like Podence should have room to weave some magic and Wolves play like they in the last ten minutes against Man City. So a win(I hope).
It will be interesting to see if Fabio Silva gets his chance …. that’s Bruno’s decision I’m pleased to leave to.
It’s got all the makings of a nil nil…. but surely there’s got to be a deflected goal in there somewhere…
So little between the teams , goal difference, points etc that this will be decided the Covid factor…. and with the Seagulls being affected much more than us I’ll go for a WIN…..
Can I please ask if I can have some more … WHICH BLOGGER .. questions from those who’ve not yet contributed. Many thanks.
We started the season with three x 0-1 results.
I fear we will repeat the dose
Raul out so I can’t see us scoring and a brilliant defence so I can’t see us conceding.
Obvious result : 0 – 0.
Nah – early Christmas pressie with Podence and Hwang on the score sheet.
Not sure where the goals will come from either side in which I think will be a tightly defensive game to hold on to clean sheets.
Brighton?
At Brighton?
Won 4 Drew 7 Lost 8
Need to up our game at their gaff. Could just nick it too.
I don’t really forsee a goalfest. Our defence is too good and our attack too poor for that.
But I can forsee the three points heading north and at this point, that’s the main thing.
Suspect it will be a boring 0-0 but hoping for sme Covid induced luck at Brighton’s expense.
Just got a sniff that the African cup of Nations could be cancelled due to covid
Bruno would be relieved
Brighton have always been a bit of a difficult team for us to get anything from, but I feel it’s about time we beat them at their place so I’m going for a 2-1 win to the boys.
Jimenez will, in my opinion benefit from the lay off prior to a really hard game this weekend. I can understand his frustration with the lack of supply so far this season, but he would know himself it was not too clever to react to an idiotic decision like that from such an inept official. COYW…
Remembering the collapse from 3-1 up last year, I hope our defensive masterplan has the right people marking the tall chaps at restarts, even if it means Podence on someone’s shoulders or rugby line out style “lifted” to clear it.
Yes have also read that the African Cup is in doubt and that there are still Premier League clubs with less than 50% of players vaccinated. I would suggest that if those teams ask for cancellation they should forfeit points then we might see if players change their mind. Well done Wolves for setting an example.
Disappointment, frustration, disappointment and frustration …..that’s my own prediction league record and the last 4 results ….lets hope Bruno’s Santa letter is on it s way and come January there’s upgrades on the team sheet….
Bambi the £35 mill back up to Raul looks to be down the pecking order and looks to be possibly away from the nest soon…a front 3 of Podence ,Traore and Hwang may ruffle a few feathers considering their depleted flock and can wing it …..so here’s hoping for a feather in my cap 3 points against the Seagulls and a correct score prediction
No idea who’ll score but going for a narrow win.
So that tosser Pep didn’t like the way we played against Citeh? I bet he liked how Leeds played against Citeh! Transparent twat! I’d like to see him managing a League Two side with no money. He is a plastic one-trick pony who needs massive funds to be any good. Give me Klopp any day. Our display against Citeh was a defensive masterclass. We deserved a point at least.
I think we have Brighton’s measure after last season turnaround. They became our ex-bogey team last season. Anything Nuno can do, Bruno can do better. 2-1 Wolves.
Hope it goes ahead
I’d be keen to see how the Young Prince goes for 60 minutes .. make him run their kegs off then enter Hwang
Podence and Traore to provide the ammunition
El Stupido gets a rest before Chelski and that’s not a bad thing actually
Glad we upset Pep after watching gung ho Leeds getting Gunga Dinned
Let’s go for it lads .. it’s a weakened Brighton
Tight game. Just one goal in it, although I would love a “Clive”. One day. Soon.
Still a little time before the game starts I think.
Let’s Go Wolves!
KA/TNs
No idea really, even without poor refereeing and VAR interference it seems like one of those games where anything could happen and no result would be a real surprise. In hope I’m going for a win without having anything solid to base it on. Still, COYW.
Can’t think of anything to say about Brighton. I went fishing off the coast over 30 years ago.
Need Podence to be on top form
6 points . Brilliant result
Feel sorry for the fans who travelled to that game. Can’t complain about the three points. Job done and they were worse than us, so fair result for a change. More injuries though. I don’t think I will complain if United cry off because of Covid.
who ever it was that said Trincao ain’t good enough is spot on ….. great 3 points …and a better 2nd half …
What tonight shows is we are a tough premier league side. 24 points from 17 games reflects that. Hard to beat. Organised. Nothing wrong with that. If anyone thinks it is not good enough they need have a think about reality. FWAW.
I agree that we are hard to beat. But I think we have some work to do before we can compete with those regularly in Champions League positions. And, that is where I want us to be.
That said, I am not expecting to see that occur overnight and remain patient. I do expect us to finish 7th or above though, as that is what Nuno achieved in his first Premier League season. And, we did sack him for an upgrade did we not?