Brentford

Brentford’s admirable 19 game unbeaten run had led to suggestions that they’d ‘forgotten how to lose’.

By 4.45pm yesterday afternoon, Wolves had dealt them a painful reminder.

And although the lop-sided scoreline might have raised an eyebrow, the result surprised nobody of an old-gold persuasion.

This sort of emphatic, statement-making performance has been bubbling to the surface for well over two months.

The fact that Kenny Jackett’s side were able to deliver it in arguably their greatest challenge to date just makes it all the more impressive.

Only James Henry knows if luck or judgment gave the visitors the lead, as his looping cross shot nestled in the corner of the net with the last kick of the first half.

But from that point on, all the characteristics that have made this Wolves side so successful in recent times strutted confidently to the fore.

They defended ‘stoutly’ (Kenny’s word not mine), broke away at pace and when opportunity presented itself, punished the opposition with ruthless efficiency.

The stability at the back has been there all season of course, ensuring that even when full throttle wasn’t fully engaged, the points were still being steadily accumulated.

But the arrival of Michael Jacobs and the switch to a more open, fluid formation, has added some much needed razzle-dazzle.

Nouha Dicko has been yet another shrewd addition, stretching defences with his powerful runs in behind, which create spaces for the likes of Jacobs, Sako and Henry to exploit.

And boy, are those three filling their boots.

Jacobs will deservedly grab the headlines for a second consecutive weekend, as his two excellent finishes took the game away from the league leaders.

But Bakary Sako was truly imperious, assisting both of those goals with the sort of quality that underlines just how vital it was for Wolves to retain his services.

The third goal in particular, which started with Scott Golbourne juggling the ball on the touchline before an outrageous Sako backheel opened the gates for the full-back to lay a cross into the patch of Jacobs, was a thing of beauty.

Had Barcelona scored it at the Etihad in midweek, it would still be getting dissected by studio hacks this morning.

In that respect, it was disappointing that nobody in the Brentford camp, including manager Mark Warburton, acknowledged the opposition’s performance.

Forgetting how to lose is one thing, forgetting how to be magnanimous in defeat is another.

I remember looking at the table back in September/October time and all but writing Brentford off.

An outside bet for the play-offs I thought, but definitely not going to trouble the automatic places.

I’d wager I’m not the only one with egg on my face though.

Even the most optimistic amongst their own supporters couldn’t have predicted the mind boggling run that’s taken them from middle table also-rans to League One pace setters.

And what a pace they are setting. Not even a tidy five game winning streak from Wolves could usurp them from top spot as their unbeaten run (currently standing at 19) plunders on.

Brentford

When Uwe Rosler left town to take up the vacancy at Wigan, I again thought the wheels would fall off. But with Mark Warburton at the helm, they’ve just kept on rolling.

The Bees have the second best home record in the league (Wolves having taken 2 more points, albeit from 2 more games), notching an intimidating 12 wins at Griffin Park already this season.

There are goals throughout their side with the likes of top scorer Clayton Donaldson (14), Marcello Trotta (11) and Adam Forshaw (7) all getting on the scoresheet regularly.

Donaldson in particular was a real handful for Wolves earlier in the season at Molineux. Anything played diagonally to him in the air caused our defence problems. I expect a similar challenge tomorrow.

Anyone who saw their three long range goals at Crewe last weekend will also know that you can’t stand off them either. These multiple threats are a big part of the reason they’re doing so well.

Wolves

As good as Brentford are, I still believe Wolves have the better players and on their day should be able to enforce their game on the league leaders. I expect the same starting XI as last weekend:

Lots of chances are being created and I think we’re all just waiting for an afternoon when everything clicks and the goals start flying in. We’ll have to be more ruthless tomorrow than we’ve been in recent weeks.

Getting the likes of Sako and Jacobs into the game can be trickier away from Molineux, but if the supply line to them is decent I can’t believe we won’t score at least once.

Another cleansheet from our imperious defence would also be welcome. I think a lot of the reason we’ve conceded so few goals isn’t just good defending, it’s because we look after the ball so much better these days and claim a greater share of the possession. Long may that continue.

The odds

For probably the first time this season, Wolves aren’t favourite for the victory. The bookmakers give it to the hosts, who are 6/4. Wolves are just outside at 2/1 and the draw is 12/5.

Marcello Trotta is the likeliest first scorer at 11/2, with Nouha Dicko not far off at 6/1. If you fancy Michael Jacobs to pick up where he left off last week, he’s 10/1 to open the scoring.

All odds can be found here.

The gaffer

Predictions

Well done to all 67 of you who thought Wolves would overcome Notts County last week. 16 also got the 2-0 scoreline correct to double their weekly point intake.

Could go either way this week. The bookies make Brentford slight favourites, which is probably about right with home advantage and the run they’ve been on. But I quietly fancy our chances.

Sitting on the fence though, with a score draw prediction.

2-2

Up The Wolves!

Some matches have goalless draw scribbled all over them from the outset.

Then there are games like this, entertaining contests, that ebb and flow throughout yet somehow fail to blot the scoresheet.

It’s a shame because a match of this caliber really didn’t deserve the negative connotations that a stalemate suggests.

Leigh Griffiths alone could have pocketed a hat-trick and came closer than anyone with a fierce low drive that smacked the post.

The visitors were soon down the other end though, squandering the clearest opening of the day – Adam Forshaw volleying over at the back post when it looked easier to score.

That short passage of play was typical of the game, with both sides scrapping and probing to gain a decisive upper hand. It was compulsive viewing.

Brentford impressed me, as I suspected they would, tidy on the ball and possessing the requisite attacking menace to keep our imperious defence wary.

But I felt Wolves had the greater individual talent, Kevin Doyle in particular showcasing touches of class that were light years ahead of anything else on show. It was his majestic control and pass that opened the door for Griffiths’ best effort.

Both forwards were fantastic in the first half, but struggled to influence the game in a more fragmented second period.

And if there’s one criticism of this current Wolves team, it’s their collective performance in the latter stages of games.

We’ve seen Swindon, Crawley and Coventry all pouring forward late on and if one team was going to win it in the final knockings yesterday, you felt it would be Brentford.

It’s thanks to Carl Ikeme that they didn’t, with our goalkeeper making the type of smart, instinctive saves we’ve come to expect. In future we might not be so fortunate.

But the hard fought point is a valuable one, particularly with third place Peterborough again coming unstuck.

In-form Tranmere on Tuesday promises to be the same as this one – anything but dull.

Highlights

Reaction

One of the first football matches (if not the very first) I ever went to was Wolves against Brentford.

The year was 1992 and the visitors secured a 2-1 victory at Molineux, which was actually the last time these two teams played.

Resuming a rivalry some 20 years down the road, this fixture assumes a degree of importance with both clubs aiming for promotion.

Brentford are 9 points back in fourth position. A win for them opens up the competition around the automatic places. A positive result for Wolves would lay down a hefty marker. It’s nicely poised.

Brentford

Has there ever been a more gut-wrenching conclusion to a season than the Bees suffered last time out?

Needing a win against Doncaster to secure promotion, they missed a last minute penalty and then saw Donny break away to score the game’s decisive goal.

Then, after regrouping to reach the play-off final, they were ousted by Yeovil at Wembley for yet more disappointment.

I think any football fan can relate to how awful that must have felt. For that reason, I hope they manage to get up this year, just as long as it’s not at our expense.

They arrive at Molineux on the back of a 5 match winning streak, which has reinvigorated a campaign that looked to have stalled.

Having come so close last season, it’s obvious they have some quality. I’m reliably informed they’re a passing side that like to move the ball around. Wolves have struggled against sides of this nature, particularly at home, so it’s a big challenge.

We were linked with big Clayton Donaldson in the summer and I was keen to see him signed. I’m looking forward to getting a closer look at him to see what he’s all about.

Wolves

I know the sort of team I’d like to see tomorrow, which is something like this:

It’s a real blow to lose James Henry, who was once again excellent at Notts County last week. Michael Jacobs seems the most likely bet to replace him and it will be good to see what he’s all about.

If the likes of Doherty, Doyle and Ricketts are good to go, it’s a no-brainer to put them back in from the start. They give us a touch of quality and experience that we desperately lack in their absence.

I’ve never been a massive Dave Edwards fan, but I felt in the second half at Notts County last week, he and McDonald took control of the midfield, which was a major factor in our eventual success.

That’s what I’d do, but Kenny Jackett has shown already he’s not afraid to do what he thinks best, even if that means leaving our top scorer on the bench or completely changing the shape of the side.

If we keep winning, he can do what he likes in my book. However, I don’t think a five man midfield with Cassidy alone up front is a sustainable model for success.

The odds

Home advantage gives Wolves the upper hand in the eyes of the bookies. They’re at 5/4. Brentford are available at 12/5 and the draw is 5/2.

Leigh Griffiths is favourite to bag the opening goal at 4/1, with Clayton Donaldson available at 11/2.

All odds are available from SoccerBase here.

Predictions

No surprise that with Wolves winning last weekend, there was an avalanche of points in the PL.

70 people correctly predicted victory, but only 8 also got the 1-0 scoreline for a maximum 2 point return. It’s a single for everyone else.

Just a quick note on late predictions. A few people didn’t register their forecasts until after kick-off last week, which is fine in isolation but I can’t involve people if it becomes persistent as it’s an unfair advantage for obvious reasons.

I’m concerned we’ll get turned over this weekend. Playing an in-form team, a few niggling injuries and KJ in a spell of tinkering all points to disaster to me.

If we can get 4 points from these two games (tomorrow and Tranmere on Tuesday night), I’ll be more than satisfied with that return. I have a nagging suspicion we’ll fall short though.

Please, please prove me wrong Wolves.

2-1 Brentford.

Up The Wolves.