Brentford

An errant doggie-bag drifted across the steps the steps of WV6 on 65 minutes, landing upon its resting place.

It wrapped itself around the base of a Row Q seat, beneath the trainers of an impotent old soul, who honestly thought he’d seen the back of days like these.

“We’re making them look like Real Madrid!,” he shrieked.

Moments later, the linesman on the far side indulged our pathetic attempts to hit the net by keeping the flag down until we had found it, with Brentford backing off in benevolence, thus allowing us our little moment. Max Kilman missed.

It was ever thus.

Bruno-ball, as far as I can make out, is a team full of players with good intentions who are literally incapable of scoring goals in open play or otherwise, with just one tap in goal all to show from our players in 450 minutes of trying. In other words, a steaming pile of turd that the doggie bag was inexorably floating towards, until it was rudely interrupted.

Another interpretation is a team in dire need of three or four new signings to banish any threat of relegation.

Funny that, as Bruno Lage said (on August 6): “I think we need three or four guys (more players) in different positions. I don’t say now the positions. Top players to help us to be competitive, because, see the good example is what happened with Raul last year.

“I think we have a good squad, we can improve it, we have one month to work on that and two weeks to work on the pitch to be competitive. That’s the plan.”

In short, back me or we’ll be making Brentford look like Galacticos in front of our own fans, who we haven’t scored in front of all season. The wait goes on and most worrying of all when compared to Spurs and Man Utd, this performance was genuinely dire.

To criticise the head coach after this horror-show would therefore be missing the point completely; Nuno said the squad was too small before he was sacked and Bruno has said the same since he came in. It’s smaller now than at any point in four years.

The mad-panic to sign Kieffer Moore at 10pm on deadline day is probably the most damning commentary of this squad, which has no track record of scoring goals aside from Raul, who is a pale imitation of his former self since his miraculous return. That’s not a criticism, but just a statement of fact as he shuffles around the field at least two yards off the pace in both body and mind. It’s tragic to see and he needs help. It should be a sight to make Jeff Shi hang his head in shame. Quite how we’re pinning our hopes on a striker who was close to death a year ago is a question that only he can answer. That a £35 million ‘generational talent’ cannot be trusted in his place raises further questions that Jeff must hope we’re stupid enough not to ask.

(Roll the Insta footage from Compton on Thursday morning, as we score goals galore in uncontested Dudley/Cradley scenarios that we’re somehow supposed to get excited about. The social media team doth protest too much).

The sight of Raul hurling his headband into touch with 10mins left told us all we needed to know about the way he’s feeling right now.

If he’s not scoring – which he barely threatens these days – then who is going to lighten the load in his absence? Traore has proved beyond reasonable doubt that he’s utterly useless in front of goal, while Trincao looks more like a feather in the breeze, traversing here and there with underlying beauty until he floats away when dispossessed. Joao and Neves might chip in with a goal or two a piece over 38 games, while nobody will ever score from a set-play while Moutinho is over the dead balls, as he’s literally incapable of crossing them past the front post. His deliveries, for far too long, are genuinely shameful.

With Ivan Toney and Mbeumo the very antithesis of anything we have in our squad, then we can expect little more than the hiding we got today, which could have been more, but for profligacy in front of goal. The subsequent timewasting was the worst I have ever seen in 35yrs of attending home games, but only a by-product of what we brought upon ourselves.

Watching those two Bees against our leaden-footed back three was a sight for sore eyes, and one that was etched into our retinas when entering the final throes of the transfer window. We all knew that spectacles like this were inevitable. Fosun wouldn’t know 2004 or 2012 because they weren’t there, but new signings were imperative in order to avoid a dice with danger at the lower reaches of the Premier League.

There’s only so many performances Bruno can get from this lot and he’s used up four already. That 3pts is all we have to show is a worry at best.

At worst, a 0-2 defeat at home to the likes of Brentford is all we can realistically expect for the foreseeable, thanks to a thumb-twiddling transfer window of doggie-bag proportions.

Watford proved to be a game of welcome firsts.

First league goal of the season. First league goal of the season scored by a Wolves player. First win. First cleansheet. First PL win for Bruno. First appearance for Hwang. First goal for Hwang. The list goes on.

Up until that helping hand to give us the lead at Vicarage Road though, we were treading more familiar territory.

Lots of possession, lots of neat play and lots of glaring opportunities wasted.

What we’re still to establish is whether our continued inability to take those chances was a freak occurrence perhaps related to confidence or something we’re going to have to put up with all season.

Either way, the stats and the naked eye both suggest we’re playing well so plenty of reasons to feel good heading into tomorrow’s early kick-off.

Brentford

I feel a certain kinship with the Bees, thinking back to that season in League One that saw both clubs promoted after a decent tussle. We had some good battles in the Championship too.

Like others, I’m intrigued by how the club is run and their approach to recruitment and I admire the way they’ve developed in the last decade.

You can’t say they weren’t knocking on the door of the Premier League, so it’s no fluke they’re here and the early signs are they have no intention of making it a short term stay.

Thomas Frank is the latest in a long line of Brentford managers to have done an excellent job and I heard him talking about the need for them to attack and go for the wins.

They’ve got one already after humbling Arsenal on the opening weekend and followed that up with good performances at Villa and Palce to add a couple more points to the early season tally.

It took a last gasp goal to see them fall to their first defeat against Brighton last time out and the stats suggest they were unfortunate to lose.

In Ivan Toney (a player Wolves were heavily linked with in his Northampton days) they’ve got a proven goalscorer and a big personality – two things that are essential for PL survival.

The pacey Bryan Mbeumo is another clear threat, particularly with our pace-less back three pushing further up the pitch and leaving spaces behind.

Wolves

There are plenty of options for Bruno but I can’t see him changing the team.

Trincao was excellent in the first half at Watford and despite seeing Podence and Hwang both come on to make an impact, I think he’ll retain his place.

It wasn’t one of Adama’s more explosive performances but he still did plenty of good things, particularly when he switched to the right in the second half. Raul similarly got through a decent amount of work and even though the goals aren’t coming, his all-round play was good. I see both of them as nailed on starters.

How nice it is to have a starting XI playing well and both offensive and defensive options on the bench. Injuries could catch us out as the season goes on, but as of now, we’re in a decent place.

Last time out

We won 3-0 at Molineux on our way to promotion back in Jan 2018 with a trademark Ruben Neves free-kick swiftly followed by a great Barry Douglas finish before a late Diogo Jota goal sealed the victory.

It was 0-0 at Griffin Park earlier in the season, which proved to be a meek sign-off at a ground we’ve seen goals galore (for and against) in previous years. They’ve since moved to a nifty new pad called the Brentford Community Stadium.

Predictions

Well done to Steve, AveburyWolf, Graham from Horsham, The Dodgster, theDOOGooder, WOLFSTROKER, Aquilador, Shaunysilvaballs, pauluswolf, robc306 and Cannock Wolf for all collecting a maximum with an accurate score prediction for the win at Watford.

Ash K has the outright lead in the overall PL table at the end of Gameweek 4.

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!

As the turkey leftovers are scraped into the slop bucket and the tired tinsel sags on the tree, trust Wolves to stay in the festive spirit as we all trudge back to work.

We don’t have to wish it’s Christmas every day, but just rock up at Molineux to see these golden greats in action and study the league table every day thereafter. (Then scroll through twitter to read that a Valencia striker could be putting pen to paper.)

There have been some mightily impressive wins in this relentless charge through the Championship, but this 3-0 scalp over a top Brentford side might just be the best of the lot. Ok, so it didn’t involve an orgasmic last gasp goal, but the Bees looked every inch a team with 33pts from their last 17 games, while we had every right to feel a little jaded after our Ashton Gate glory.

At half time, a point wouldn’t have been a bad return at all as the away side threatened to pass us into submission, even if we did create all the chances in a curious game to call. Ten points ahead of Derby and 12 clear of third wouldn’t sound so bad under the circumstances, would it?

Evidently it did to Nuno, who got the players in at half time and sent them back out to play in the style we’ve become accustomed. Brentford’s high press was suddenly nullified through a more carefree approach and Cavaleiro was again the game changer when he came on for Costa.

Before Brentford boss Dean Smith could blink, they were 2-0 down after two moments of unadulterated beauty. In any other season they’d have been goal of the month – if not season – contenders. But as we’re spoilt rotten with such jaw dropping quality, they tussle each other for best goal of the game award.

The away side, preparing for the wand of Douglas, were fooled when Neves stepped up for a free kick instead, whipping the ball into the roof of the South Bank net. If the left one doesn’t get you, the right one will.

Within what felt seconds it was game over. Cavaleiro, dancing round defenders, cutting this way and that before pulling a tantalising ball across the box for the onrushing Douglas. In a throwback to Mark Kennedy’s strike in that Newcastle FA Cup game of yesteryear, time stood still as the Scot strode towards the ball…and arced it high into the top corner in a moment of dizzying bliss.

It was two ruthless passages of play to underline why we’re now 12pts ahead of Derby and 14 clear of third. A clinical, cold kill on an unsuspecting opponent who were at their most vulnerable when they were feeling comfortable.

From there on, we kept the ball particularly well, used our width and won the ball back with aplomb when the Bees were beginning to swarm, as typified by Romain Saiss once more. Ruddy, a spectator behind the unflustered Boly, Coady and Bennett.

To add gloss to the scoreline, Diogo Jota bagged a late third whilst lying flat on his back and enjoyed a standing ovation when replaced.

The full time whistle felt like another belated Christmas present, as did the sight of the league table on every television screen in the concourse on the way home, where those Christmas decorations can stay where they are.

This season has been dreamy.

And every time it looks like we might get that sobering slap around the chops, someone produces a moment to elevate us to new realms of ecstasy.

Even if the opposition can nullify the more obvious danger posed by Jota and Cavaleiro, you’ve still got a dead ball specialist, two holding midfielders who can shoot from distance and a giant who can win headers in both boxes to overcome.

Factor in an unparalleled team spirit and a relentless desire to win and you start to understand the scope of the challenge.

In short, you’ve got to play very well to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Brentford

Dean Smith’s side present a unique challenge. It probably sounds condescending to call them diet-Wolves but there are definite similarities.

Like their opponents they’ve cast the net further than the British Isles to compile the majority of their playing staff and have also developed a clear way of playing.

Despite being bottom when they played out a goalless draw with Wolves earlier in the season, it was obvious to everyone that was a false position.

With only 2 defeats in their last 18 matches, they’re now up to 10th and victory tomorrow will put them just 3 points below the top six.

I fancy them to get close to the play-offs come May and am looking forward to seeing how they approach this game.

Wolves

Danny Batth’s suspension was upheld, but that makes little difference to Nuno. I would have expected Bennett to play either way.

Cavaleiro should be restored to the side after he turned the game against Bristol City. It’s then just a straight choice between Costa and Bonatini for the other slot.

Save for one promising break, Costa again looked off the pace and uninterested at Ashton Gate. Bonatini has also looked leggy of late.

That one will likely come down to what qualities Nuno feels are required to overcome this Brentford side.

Betting

No surprise to see that Wolves are red hot favourites to win this one at 8/11 with PaddyPower. Brentford are 7/2. For tips on how to get the best returns check Bet and Skill who offer daily tips on all the games taking place and where you can get the most generous odds.

Predictions

There’s no reason to believe Wolves won’t win this game.

I think Brentford are a dangerous side, but then again, so were Bristol City and so were Ipswich and so were many other opponents this impressive team have already brushed aside.

Assuming no hangover from Bristol City or moments of madness, we’ll probably win.

3-1.

Happy New Year & UTW!

A stalemate against the league’s bottom side isn’t traditionally a cause for optimism.

But I agree with Nuno’s assessment that Brentford are in a false position, so in time this result will likely be viewed as a decent one.

Zooming out a bit, 10 points from 5 games is a solid return with that magical 2 point per game average usually good enough for automatic promotion.

When we reconvene after the international break, back to back home matches should provide a good opportunity to return to winning ways.

What we learned from Saturday is something we probably knew already – we need more cutting edge.

Chances were created and squandered at Griffin Park with Bonatini among the culprits. That elusive striker can’t arrive soon enough.

I still think the Brazilian has a lot to offer, but equally I don’t think asking him to lead the line for 46 matches will get it done. With Nouha Dikco seemingly set for an exit, reinforcements are needed more than ever.

Other than the lack of goals this was a decent enough performance and although the woodwork and John Ruddy were both tested, it’s another cleansheet. That’s 3 shutouts in 5 matches, which again is cause for optimism.

The coach kept faith with the team that had done the business prior to Cardiff, with only Ruben Vinagre breaking through.

And the flying wing-back was at the center of everything as Wolves tried to breakthrough. He also stood up to some serious examination in his own defensive third.

I like the player and with Barry Douglas unlikely to give up his spot without a fight, we’re well stocked for the position.

The focus now becomes beefing up the areas of the pitch where we’re not so well equipped before the transfer window closes.

With Dave Edwards departing hot on the heels of Joe Mason and Dicko also on the verge, at least one midfielder and preferably two strikers must be on the shopping list.

The club have done an excellent job thus far in reducing numbers, while adding the right quality and a few more key additions in the next week will complete the picture.

Busy days ahead.

Victory at Griffin Park was the catalyst for survival last season. This time, our aspirations are greater.

It was good to bounce back in the cup, but even more important for rectifying last weekend’s defeat is putting some more points on the board.

That should be an achievable goal given that our next two fixtures are against the two teams currently sitting in 24th and 23rd position.

Yes, it’s early days but both Brentford and Millwall have gone four games without getting a victory and it can’t all be down to bad luck.

Brentford

Dean Smith believes his side have been playing well enough to win games and from the bits and pieces I’ve seen of them, he’s probably not wrong.

They play attractive football and have good technicians, but like Wolves they have to earn the right to play their intricate passing game.

Keeping things tight at the back has been a problem and the nine goals they’ve conceded already is the reason they’re at the bottom of the pile.

If they go a considerable way through the season letting in over two goals a game, it’s going to be a long old campaign for the Bees.

But I suspect they’ll come good. They obliterated QPR 4-1 in the cup on Tuesday so that will give them some confidence going into this one.

Wolves

Nuno has some real headaches over team selection for this one after so many did themselves proud at St. Mary’s the other night. I don’t envy his position.

Would I play Vinagre over Douglas? Price over Saiss? Cavaleiro over Bright? Deslandes over Miranda? Honestly, I have no idea.

What I would say is that I don’t want to go back to making three, four, five changes to the team for every single league game so my approach would be evolution over revolution.

You might bring in Cav and maybe one other, but I’d keep the nucleus of the side that has generally performed very well in all the league matches to date.

Predictions

Theoretically, this should be a decent game for Wolves. If both teams want to get the ball down and play and it becomes about who can retain their shape and then find the right passes, you’d back us to win out.

I’m nervous because I think Brentford are due a good result and we’ve put a stonking great target on our chest with our summer transfer business and all the ‘best team in the league‘ plaudits.

But I have confidence in our coach and the group of players, so I’ll back us to get back to winning ways.

2-1.

Up The Wolves!

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