Had we failed to beat Reading, I think we’d all be looking at this fixture a little differently.
But with the relative comfort of seven points between Wolves and the bottom three, you’d be forgiven for breathing easier.
Losing tomorrow against a team in free fall may reignite the panic though, so best to avoid that scenario if possible lads.
With two games inside 48 hours, you’d expect to see a few changes in personnel for both sides, which could prove the difference.
Charlton
The Addicks are sinking like a stone and it took a last kick of the game equaliser at Ashton Gate to prevent a Boxing Day defeat at fellow strugglers Bristol City.
They haven’t won any of their last six and have lost three of those matches to cement a place inside the relegation zone.
Bristol City, Rotherham and MK Dons all seem capable of picking up results, making their current plight all the more worrying.
Their home form (won three, drawn four, lost four) isn’t disastrous so perhaps if they are to repair the damage, the Valley can be their saving grace?
Wolves
It was disappointing to see Jack Price ruled out against Reading. Hopefully he’ll make it back in time for this one, as I think Dave Edwards needs a rest.
I still think a more compact midfield would suit us defensively and without wanting to dwell on the point, I also think trying Iorfa centrally at the expense of Ebanks-Landell is well worth a go.
I’m expecting a couple of changes, so it will be interesting to see how Kenny uses his available resources in pursuit of a winning formula.
Predictions
I haven’t predicted victory in a while but I’m feeling foolishly confident.
Yes, Charlton are long overdue a win, but tails should be up after our own morale boosting result and I think there’s less pressure away from Molineux.
I’ll go for a narrow but highly satisfying 2-1.
Up The Wolves!
We play better away and create on the break..Jordan Graham could have a field day and Ben 10 could have a hat trick..In theory..
But Charltons players will have been told that our defence can be the softest in the league so it will be about if and how much we concede and when.
I fear for us (and my blood pressure) re our defence ..we are Kamakaze and even Ikeme is capable of giving me a stroke..
I’m with Stu tomorrow with swear words flying that even Clive would be proud of ..
We should win this ffs..
COYW
#3 points begging
See you in The Antigallican. We will get there around 12.30pm, arrive after 2pm and we might all be too Edna’d to speak coherently!
Iv’e gone for 4-0, after changing my mind and getting a win on the prediction table 1-0.
Meeting up with Bedford Wolf, Steve Showcase and London Loyal for a wee dram, it sounds like we will be drinking some strange concoctions as the name of the boozer suggests an anti venom (Antigallican)
Hoping to see Golbourne back and seeing some kind of Chinese revolution in place to take us back to the glory days of Gold & Black.
Be Careful what you wish for!
Well, I don’t wish for anymore like yesterday.
COYW’s
🙂
Certainly the result against Reading instils me with a little confidence even if the performance doesn’t. Charlton really are no great shakes and I’m hoping for another three points to help lift the gloom around Molineux.
Perhaps Price and Coady sitting in front of the back four with Macdonald flanked by Byrne and Graham further forward would give us more cover down the middle of the defence.
January needs reinforcements though, and hopefully they will be forthcoming.
I like history.
In 1966/67 I saw us win at The Valley 3-1 coming back from a goal down with a Peter Knowles inspired performance. Knocker scored a better to seal the win after Bob Hatton and Dave Woodfield had got the first two.
Fast forward 42 years to the 2008/09 season when from a goal down we won 3-1 with a SEB penalty and two from sub Sam Vokes.
We will gloss over our 1-2 defeat there in the fateful 2012/13 season especially as myself, Bedfordshire Old Gold and about 20 assorted Bedford Wolves were all too pie-eyed to remember it much anyway!
I could n`t get to this game as I was attending a family dinner last night, mingling with my very happy Man City fan brother in law, a very unhappy Arsenal supporting nephew, and a very relieved moi, and to celebrate I downed a couple of bottles of Merlot, with the final score confirmed by bbc teletext before the first glass.
Seems on reading the reports we were battered but hung on just about, and who cares about that anyway, the record books to quote my mate Clive from Houston, will say a 1-0 win.
As for proceedings at the Valley tomorrow, another win would be very acceptable, so with no particular reason I expect another clean sheet ( must be my hangover working ) with my black and gold heroes to score three. Well why not? A Happy New Year to all my fellow bloggers.
Agreed Thomas!
On the basis we just have to score two sooner or later – I am also going for a 2-1 victory tomorrow.
Just heard that Roy Swinbourne has dies aged 86.
Herewith a (true) tale from yesteryear…..
My dad bless him was a Wolves “nut” and the principal reason for my irrational and illogical devotion to all things Molineux.
Among his favourites were Johnny Hancocks, Jimmy Mullen and Roy Swinbourne….
He told me this story from the 1953/54 season.
Picture the scene if you will…
West Brom v Wolves 3rd April 1954. Rationing still in place and only one TV channel BBC – maybe only one TV set in Wolverhampton at that time!
Wolves were chasing down their very first league title and were sitting on top of the league just 2 points ahead of ………….Albion.
With just 6 games to go the two met for a titanic decider at the Hawthorns in front of a shade under 50,000. It was a classic “4 pointer”.
Albion were chasing their second title (having first won the league in 1920 which surely grated on my old man) and also the FA Cup /League “double”.
My beloved dad sat in the only seating area at the Hawthorns 60 years ago – Halfords Lane.
According to his tale (with tears welling up) Swinbourne turned in a Hancocks corner – I think it was about the 65th minute) – to give Wolves a priceless lead which they held until the final whistle go move 4 points ahead of the “Baggies”. At least I seem to remember this is how he described how the goal was scored but I could be wrong but hey….who cares.
In the Second World War, Dad fought against Rommel’s Afrika Corps in North Africa with the 8th Army but he reckoned the most nervous he had ever been was that unforgettable game at West Brom. The power and emotions of football eh!
So thank you Roy for scoring the goal which provided my old man with a drunken night out in the Bulls Head, Sedgley and which ultimately lead to Stan Cullis bringing home the bacon to an ecstatic Molineux.
I think it is rather doubtful we will ever witness a period at Wolves to begin to compare with the Golden Fifties in which Swinbourne played such an important part particularly in the early to mid 50’s before injury forced him to retire in 1957 after scoring 107 goals in 211 appearances.
Many thanks Roy – my dad will now be able to buy you that drink he owes you from April 3rd 1954………………………
BOG.
Sad to hear that another Wolves legend has passed away … You’ll be warmly welcomed by other Old Gold stars .
Haven’t seen football for a few weeks now but by the sound of it the Boxing Day performance was Backs to the Wall…..as C f H says though … The records show Wolves won … who’ve gives a monkeys about any battering.
Not sure how we will fare at the Valley but it won’t be easy ….. I’ll take a 1-1 hammering !!
Surprised yo get yesterday’s prediction right, optimism can win through occasionally. Charlton should be an easier prospect, which probably means we’ll lose, so I’m doubling down on another victory and another clean sheet. Can’t see Doherty or Edwards starting, they were knackered yesterday.
Will be in the pub by the station before the match, no idea how I’ll recognise anyone though.
Finsbury,
Just look for 4 people talking absolute bollox, that’ll be us.
Hope to bump into you tomorrow. 🙂
Finsbury – I will be the devilishly handsome and debonair one sitting with three much younger guys (before anyone casts aspersions they are 2 of my sons and my son-in-law), Stuwolf will be the one with very short arms and very deep pockets and both London Wolves Loyal and Steve Showcase will be wearing badges with their initials on though just watch out in case there is an EDL meeting on the go as you could spend hours trying to identify Steve.
P.S. if anyone is planning on getting there by overground watch out as I understand they are largely cancelled on Monday – read this on Charlton’s official site – so underground to North Greenwich on the Jubilee Line then a short cab ride (2.2 miles) to the pub is favourite.
Or my mobile 07709491138
If this wasnt a pre arranged fixture i would guess we had been called in to kick start there season. Sorry John happy new year all the samw.
Clean sheet and 3 points to finish the year on a happier note than of late.
Comfortable win here as long as the ball goes nowhere near the EEL.
Ha ha ha – I well remember that trip Bedford Wolf. Grape and grain!!
What a great day out – until 3pm kick off.
We were pissed as farts. All of us.
That match really confirmed our relegation although mathematically we could still survive – but didn’t!
However I really enjoyed the day out on the coach from Bedford. Who won the quiz?
Have a great day tomorrow!
A ‘Rotherham-like’ win. And Batth to finally find a gold shirt with one of his passes….
Wolf man.. that was an ace comment lol can you imagine apposing team tactics..’just play them the ball wait a bit and then wait for the return ..’simples ..
It is almost like that with both of them!!
KJ / Gallen ‘Coaches of the year’..
Ledbury to The Valley is a 370 mile round trip so hoping to better entertained than at the Mol on Boxing day. Kenny is obviously not an emotional manager but yesterday’s waxwork performance indicates that things are amiss off the pitch as well, even his assistant doesn’t get out of the dugout to make suggestions – why?
And finally, why are the attendance figures at home being so grossly exaggerated?
we will be in the Antigallican Pub by the station tomorrow if you fancy resting your weary butt after all that driving, we’re not all drinkers just like minded Wolves fans of a certain age.
You would be very welcome.
Stu Wolf
Steve showcase
London Loyal
Bedford Wolf
Finsbury park Wolf
A good turn out for a good belly laugh before the game and console each other after.
A new beginning and a new hope
Pressure off away from home? Another win 2-1
With games coming fast,we must try and keep a winning run going , to at least keep us out of the dreaded mire.
I again like the look of your team Thomas I only hope KJ see’s it the same way.
As ever UTW
I must stop drinking!!!
This season my predictions have been useless so hoping to continue that tomorrow.
I like the look of Thomas’s team and think that formation may help us in the short term.
Condolences to Roy Swinburne’s family and all who knew him.
Those were the days
2015 going out with a whimper
Luck runs out tomorrow I am afraid. Can’t see us getting anything from the Valley.
Ain’t no stopping us now boys UTW
( thanks for the heads up stu by the way , it was nice of you to go out of your way to let me know )
See you in the pub
Happy to scrape a point at the mention – anything but a defeat!
We are crap, shit and useless, but Charlton are crapper, shittier and uselesser, so we are guaranteed a win.
Cannot write anymore, I am celebrating the mother and sister in law leaving tomorrow after a week from hell!!
Brief obituary of Roy Swinbourne and link to reprint of article on Honved match in Guardian pages – http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/27/roy-swinbourne-wolves-honved-hero-dies-86
I remember reading a feature – probably in The Charles Buchan Football Monthly – about three promising centre forwards – Roy Swinbourne, Tommy Taylor and Derek Dooley – only to reflect just a couple of years later what an ill-fated piece of journalism it was, with TT killed in the MU Munich crash and RS and DD forced out of the game through injury – DD losing a leg of course.
The most significant statistic for me was that Reading had 24 shots of which only 3 were on target. I’m assuming that at least part of that must have been down to the defence and so have settled for a clean sheet this time.
I was sure Reading would win at Molinuex, so was chuffed Wolves got the points even if it was ugly.
I think the way things are with the team right now KJ was right to park the bus second half.
The more space between Wolves and the bottom three the better.
My Boxing Day prediction of us shading a 7 goal thriller was just off the mark. We were shite.
Miracles occasionally happen …and we witnessed one.
So Charlton look like a relative push over….I predict that we will bring them down to our level
Hope Mr China money shows up soon and we can start afresh…this is dire and a nightmare we can’t wake up from.
As long as EEL doesn’t play in the middle I think we will win.
Sooner or later we need to go an a run of wins to climb the table.
Looking forward to some positive transfer news in the next window.
I’m not sure DB is any better at the moment.
Let’s hope we can start putting a run together and that the win over Reading will give the team more confidence and more determination to grind out a win at charlton
Goodness only knows
Will Dick Turpin ride again today?
Hope so because if he does we win
I’m feeling nervously confident about this fixture too. Pride before a fall? (Or should that be fool?)
Scrappy game but we’ll get a win.
I hope everyone had the Christmas that they deserved.
I’m not sure we did but, what the hell, three points are three points.
And, as the inimitable Humph used to say, what do points mean?
Let’s have some more then.
How do you get to the Valley by tube?
Baker Street…. Googe Street…. Embankment…. Charlton…
…MORNINGTON CRESCENT!
Back to earth with a bump for me, and we scrape a point. It was great to get a win on Saturday, but it was so lucky I can’t see our battery life is on more than 50%.
Stole the points playing badly. We may play better today, but get a worse result
One thing is for sure we have to do better than the last game, we really didn’t deserve anything but all points are welcome.hopefully a couple of new experienced players will be here soon
I think we may well have used up a large slice of luck on Saturday…..
hope i’m wrong in my prediction….
I shall be there today but in the Charlton end, I fancy us today we have to really go for it from the off, fancy Ben 10 to grab a couple c’mon my boys!
Thank you to Twixfix for the tickets to the Reading game, (hope you are enjoying your time in NZ) and thank you to Terry and the guys we were sat with for brightening the evening.
It felt like a very hollow 1-0 win, the first half was not too bad, but there were definitely chances for both sides.
The second half, however, was hideous. The 4-5-1 looked more like 9-0-1 and the blind boot clearances were a joke. Afobe is not the man to have up front for those, and with limited pace (or obvious desire to get up and support him, the ball was guaranteed to come back out our penalty area.
While a poor performance but taking the points is nice, it was definitely more by luck than judgement.
Things have to change, and whether is it KJ mixing up the team with “untried” players from the development squad or bringing in new faces, we potentially need players in every position.
We signed Grant Holt, and like Sagbo and Graham the other season, is there really any point having them here if they are never going to make a meaningful appearance?
Less pressure away from home, I am going to be positive and opt for a 2-1 victory, but I also have a fear of another Sheffield Wednesday away day, and a 4-1 loss… even to a struggling Charlton.
#UTW
Cheers for the kind comments MadBandit. Glad you enjoyed yourself. Keep in touch too.
Can’t see a clean sheet, but hopefully a win.
I’m not overly confident about this, particularly coming so close after Reading. Hopefully we’ll do enough to get a point.
I live in hope 2-1
Oh what to predict. It’s true we play better away but on the other hand we seem to play worse against lowly teams. So fence sitting time again – a draw! Any more wrong predictions and I might have to resort rolling the dice again.
I survived Christmas with my daughter, son-in-law and 3 grandsons and a great time I had. I am now back in the sanctuary of my own home.
Another 3 points to get us all excited and looking forward to the game v Brighton on New years day.
🙂
With a bit of luck,we’re playing this lot at the right time.I’m just hoping it’s not going to be shades of the Bolton game.
Come on me babbies ……..
Bit of a late entry but I’m going for a narrow win. Being London-based I would normally go to the game but right now I’m at Heathrow on my way to South Africe for the Cape Town test match. The Charlton result will be out before I board.. I’ll try and catch the Brighton match on TV somewhere but the girlfriend might object. She’s never been to a cricket match so I’m trying to keep her onside.
Can’t complain. A second clean sheet is great too. I will let Stu, Steve and LWL let me know how we played.
Don’t get too excited. Put simply we were the less dire of two poor teams. My Charlton friends after the game moaned that they never tested Ikeme once. The highlight of the first half was the ref being poleaxed and needing treatment (much to the mirth of both sets of fans).
In the second half KJ had obviously laid into them and told them Charlton were there for the taking and they put in the attacking effort. The first goal was down to Afobe. Firstly he used muscular strength to win the ball – then used speed to get to the byline – and a cool head and skill to make his pull back to an Old Gold shirt.
Graham (yet again) was Wolves man of the match (by a long way). Quite how we have gone 180 minutes without conceding a goal only shows that the age of miracles is not past. Brighton will be an altogether different proposition – I might spend Friday afternoon hiding behind the sofa.
Like you, Brompton, I’m delighted with the three points, but having watched the game can’t be naive enough to celebrate the dawning of a new era. Onwards and sideways.
Thanks for the update mate.
Play offs here we come!!!!!!!!
Yes, I’m havin a laff
You can never say never Clive .. Strong rumours that the Chinese billionaire is a done deal .. Even a rumour that he was meeting fans in the north bank bar and the goal post pub , with money behind the bar etc . Although I was in the north bank bar on Boxing Day and if it happened . I missed it ,
( which is very possible )
Chinese whispers buddy.
Hi Brompton … Happy new year mate
Well to start …Awful pub , great company
Much improved wolves , I know charlton are in trouble but it gave wolves a chance to be more composed at the back .
Good points … We won , clean sheet , confidence returning to all areas .
Going forward we were more hopeful than dangerous to be honest the emergence of Conor Cody at last , now I am a jack price fan but if he really is injured then it looks like we could have a plan b in midfield . I’ve only really seen him sitting in front of the back four but today he was breaking forward at a blistering pace , which I never knew he had . By far his best game in the old gold . That’s what I took away from today’s game
Cheers brompton
Thanks mate, much appreciated update.
How does this work. We play shite in 2 games and get 6 points ! I give up trying to work this out. Promotion anyone?
Brompton..
I shall elaborate in the report but we were a bit edgy.. Ikeme played better taking balls in the air Jordan Graham was brilliant and K Mac had a good game…
Full on support ..nice to see the Blog mafia at the pub ..the result and Graham the highlight of the day..
But ..Charlton dire ..same result at Brighton would say a lot but with EBL and DB still not firing together then it’s going to be a different story ..
The buzz is the new Buyer and if it’s happening..
Thanks Steve. Hope to catch up before season end.
Had a text at half time (thanks Bedford Wolves) which stated the first 45 was rubbish with neither side having an effort on target. So I did not hope for much more than a point.
Trying to keep an eye on Jeff Stelling whilst engaged elsewhere was a little frustrating but glory be I was actually gazing at the screen when he said “and a goal at The Valley”. Immediately it came up Charlton 0 Wolves 1 and playback of the goal! Brilliant. Even better that I had put a bet on Jordan Graham to score – although this was part of a 3 1 victory but no matter!
Simultaneously a text dropped in from Bedford Wolf and another mate at the game from Wolverhampton so I was made up.
As it was a late second half kick off some results were starting to arrive when another visit to The Valley confirmed the second goal and three very welcome points.
Chuffed to bits last night and the red wine tasted so much better with the roast beef and Yorkshires.
Be interesting to read match reports from those at the Valley.
Have a great New Year everyone – a point on Friday would be good.
Great day out and a great result. We were not that good but Charlton were a lot worse and look like a relegated side. Before the game two and a half hours in The Antigallican oiled proceedings and it was good to meet up with StuWolf, Steve Showcase and London Wolves Loyal. Dire pub but great atmosphere, packed out and the sounds of The Liquidator (FOWB), Hi Ho Wolverhampton, Stevie Bull’s A Tatter and Those Were The Days ringing out was a joy to behold and gave my Gooner son and Spurs supporting son-in-law a real insight into what it’s like following Wolves away.
As for the game it was not great but we were the better team. Henry and Edwards again disappointed but there were some solid performances and the occasional spark of individualistic skill from Afobe and Graham. Apologies to the man standing in front of me who I jumped all over when the first goal went in!
At the end Afobe’s solo applauding of the fans and a wave looked for all the world like he was saying goodbye.
On the way home we did our usual ‘who was man of the match’ game. Gooner son Steve said Ebanks-Landell by a mile, Spurs son-in-law Ben said Coady, my Dubai based Wolves son Daryl said Jordan Graham and I plumped for Danny Batth.
So there you have it. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, oh what fun it is to see, Wanderers win away!
See you at Upton Park guys.
Rewind a few weeks to a dark & very wet night at Bristol City,to the worst Wolves performance I have personally seen in all my time as a Wolves faithful and that explains the first half here at the valley. Both teams looked like they had turned up in an attempt at avoiding the ball we were bad there’s no doubt, but The Addicks were living up to their name, they looked as if they were coming down off some Coke fuelled Xmas bash and couldn’t give a toss. 5 minutes nito the fisrt half the Addicts goalie was time wasting FFS, HE WAS playing for different kinda score to the one we were after. Afobe missed an absolute gift an amazing chip over the defence, he took it on to his head dropped it down and fumbled it straight into the flailing arms of the smackhead in goal.
Charlton were really poor, Wolves a little less so, that set the scene and the tone for the first half, a player got injured and this 7 foot blonde Swedish masseur with an Aunt Bessie bun on his head came on and livened the game up. The best point was he took out the ref who was as bad as the two teams.
Onto the second half, WTF did you say to them Kenny because right from the ko it was better much better. Not the Wolves of the last two seasons but better than the last two weeks. Afobe has to take the credit for Jordan’s goal his stregnth fight and delivery ended in a scrappy goal. Danny Batth has to be credited for the second, he put that much effort into the charge that the defender had no choice but to try for it, OG sorry Danny.
I even got Steve Showcase singing his head off in the spirited second half, a joy to behold “happy Valley”.
Still deliberating on the Brighton trip 8-45am set off on New Years day for a Scot is a daunting prospect, I’d be worse than the Charlton Addicts. Will I won’t I? Hmmmm
Thanks to the wolves bloggers at the pub, propaaar Shit hole but Wolves fans took it over and a good time was had by one and all.
Not a game to get carried away by, but better than last couple.
So Onwards and Onwards.
🙂
You know you will be at Brighton, young Stu.
The award for perfect attendance cant be won by wimping out on a little road trip just because of a slight hangover.
Shit, here in Texas, we go further than that for breakfast!!
FOwb
Your’e leaving the door wide open there buddy,
Texan’s, Obesity, big Breakfasts, walk a hundred miles to eat more.
Loads of Fat American’s jokes in there matey.
QPR is even worse, because of feckin Sky the ko is 12-30 so coach leaves at 07-30 bugga, an ugly twot like me needs shed loads of beauty sleep.
🙁
Must ask you mate!
What does “twat” mean in Yanky land?
The new Jason Statham flim Spy refers to it and the American spies take the “P” out of him for him calling them one, is that true?, is it a dodgy one to be calling our good buddies.?
🙂
Good morning all, William Ding Lei here (or am I a Reuben brother?). Anyway no matter as I have just bought the club with a 100% shareholding and would like to get your views on my initial decisions which are as follows;
Jez Moxey sacked immediately and replaced by someone who understands finance AND football and who also has vision and ambition.
Kenny Jackett to remain as manager at least till the end of the season .
Loan deals for Martinez, Ojo and Le Fondre to be terminated forthwith.
The following players to be sold or, if they can’t be sold yet, loaned out in January:
Henry, Edwards, Saville, Rowe, Wallace, McAlinden, Sigurdasson
The manager to be given £25m plus any money generated by the above sales to buy a centre back, an attacking central midfielder (the no.10 role) and two strikers. All signings must be Premier League standard.
Afobe will NOT be sold.
Next season our kit will revert to proper old gold and we will wear the Wolverhampton city crest on our shirts.
This season the aim will be to finish as high as we can, hopefully the play-offs and promotion and if not promoted then next season the aim is to win the Championship.