MATCH POSTPONED
Last weekend’s win over Preston was a great performance and a vital result.
But that one result needs to be the start of an unbeaten, and preferably winning, run.
Brentford and Leyton Orient are moving at unfathomable pace and both have already strengthened their squads this month.
For me though, Wolves still have the best players and the best manager. It’s just a case of putting it all together consistently.
If the game earlier in the season is anything to go by, Crawley will be a stiff test of that consistency.
Crawley
I think Wolves are a better side now than they were back in August when Crawley’s performance at Molineux warranted at least a point.
After that match, I thought they’d be operating in and around the play-offs, so it’s a tad surprising to see them languishing down in 14th place.
Evidently there were concerns over where the season was heading as Richie Barker was booted out last month, replaced by forgotten man John Gregory.
Gregory, who was once heavily linked with the Wolves job, has brought about a slight improvement in fortunes, with Crawley scoring a couple of important wins in recent weeks.
They claimed the scalp of Leyton Orient with a superb 3-2 away win and the 1-0 victory over Notts County allowed them to starting looking up as opposed to down.
Wolves
The arrival of Nouha Dicko combined with the return of a few casualties gives Kenny Jackett the luxury of options. But he’s suggested already that injuries permitting, we’ll see the same XI as last week:
It’s tough to argue with that side and when you consider we also have the likes of Sako, Dicko, Doherty, Ikeme, Ebanks-Landell, Doyle, Sigurdarson, Price, etc on the sidelines, we have exceptional depth.
I predict Sako, Doyle and Siggy will leave this month, which was unthinkable in August but seems a more digestible notion right now.
Personally, I’d like to see Sako stick around and if the two strikers leave, another forward/attacking midfielder brought in to cover the loss.
I like the balance of the squad and think Jackett, Thelwell, etc have done a good job of rebuilding from last season’s wreckage.
The odds
Wolves are favourites for the win at 5/4. Crawley are 5/2 and the draw is 12/5.
Dave Edwards seems like a good bet for first goalscorer, with generous odds of 12/1. He had most of our chances last weekend before eventually finding the net.
The gaffer
Predictions
36 pundits correctly predicted victory over Preston. Well done to Leigh Bucky, vicsmith, johnok, twixfix, slider, steve howl and NY Wolf who also got the scoreline spot on to double up.
I really think KJ is close to getting it absolutely sussed at home on that big Molineux pitch. Away is different ball game with tighter spaces and less room to move the ball around.
Still, I think our confidence from last weekend will carry us through to victory.
3-1
Up The Wolves
Wheyyy. Im going for a convincing 3-0 to the wolves… Griffiths to get back on the goal trial…
My prediction is :- match postponed due to waterlogged pitch!
Hope I’m wrong. Hotel booked.
You should get a LOT more than double points for that prediction !
Crawley 0 wolves 2. I to think we’ll carry on from last week so im looking forward to the long trip down there tomorrow. I think Macdonald’s performance of late has been brilliant and showed why Sheffield were gutted to lose him. Im going to tip him for a goal tomorrow. Kevin macdonald wolves will love you more than you will know whoaaaaa
I only live about 6 miles away, and warn you that we had a lot of rain down here last night, so not sure what state the Crawley pitch is in.
Gutted I can’t be there, but I’m working this weekend.
That said, hopefully we can build on last weekend and I’ll opt for a positive 1-3 win for the Wolves.
Crawley 0-2 Wolves
Do we get points for predicting a waterlogged pitch?
Assuming we don’t, my back up prediction is a tight 2-1 victory.
Also predicting much less moaning in the predictions this week, which would make me almost as happy as 3 lovely points.
For the first time in a long time I agree that the team looks really well balanced for this level! Seemingly Kenny has managed to fill in some glaring gaps that were apparent for so many years under Big Mick et al.
This is a great chance to keep some momentum going after a good win last time. 2-0 Wolves win!
Assuming the match is still on I’ll go Crawley 1 – Wolves 2
Despite our recent wobbly results the actual performances have been improving steadily and I think the Preston match was the best we’ve played all season. With that in mind I can’t see how KJ can change the team from last week unless he wants to start Dicko which would mean dropping Griffiths to the bench if he sticks with same 4231 formation unless he reverts back to a traditional 442.
UTW
I can’t disagree that the team needs to stay the same after such a good all round performance. Sadly it looks like a P-P but if we do play I think it will be very tight and suspect we will end up with a 2-2.
I see us starting with the same team that took Preston apart, and capitalise on that excellent performance. I do however, see Dicko being introduced and him scoring on his debut. KJ wants to play him as a striker and Dicko himself will want to show that the decision to buy him was a good one. That said, I am sure that Griffiths will also want to show the gaffer that he should be included at the start and will be out to prove a point too.
Crawley 0 – Wolves 4
UTW/FOWB
I will settle for a 1-0 win for the Wolves. We must make up for the lost points over Xmas.
Crawley 0 Wolves 2
Though as others have mentioned there has been a huge amount of rain so it may be postponed….
Crawley 1 Wolves 2
a brace for Griffo.
This ones hard to call. Crawley having a mixed season and as ever when Wolves come to town the gate goes up and so does the home teams performance so I’m going for a cautious 1.2 to Wolves. Looking forward to see Dicko at some point may be Jackett will put him and Griffiths up front together, why not you never know they might just click.
None of it matters…Wolves have just confirmed on Twitter the game has been postponed.
Was looking forward to seeing Dicko score …I’m a mile away from Crawley and its slashing down at 3.0pm Friday..we were worth 2 goals I thought…night match coming..how many of the 2000 will be back….?
Having been so completely wrong with my last prediction, it’s tempting to go for big win. I think 0-3 to the Wolves would do nicely.
Wolves to choose the Surrey Station and win by 4 lengths.
We`re going in the right direction and another 3 points for a 2-0 win for us will do very nicely.
COME ON YOU WOLVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
darsetwolf dont know if the news has got down there yet but the games off. Reading the latest press release from Kenny shows again he has got his finger on the pulse. From a distance i thought he was a poor choice but i was wrong there is definetly milage in the little fella. Hope he gets the backing its going to require a high points total for automatic promotion in a division that is mostly poor.
ps love dorset beats Doogs wiltshire for a holiday any time.
Another Wolves legend has joined the team upstairs.
The Cat.
Let’s hope he gets a better send off at the Molineux than Peter Broadbent.
R.I.P. Bert Williams.
Well played mate.
RIP Bert, I never saw you play but none the less you were my hero as I set out to follow in your footsteps. Everything I have ever read or heard about you is so positive, a legend and a truly humble and nice guy as well.
The club needs to think long and hard and listen to old fans wishes, we want this man revered and given the most respectful and meaningful tribute. Serous consideration must also be given to a permanet tribute, he earned it.
Mr Morgan and Mr Moxey please think this one through carefully. You really must get this one right.
Well done Bill playing for Wolves and England and being so loved, you leave a wonderful legacy.
PS: Dont worry about that flukey US goal, Bill we never ever gave it a second thought.
PPS: About my Goalkeeping career, lets just quietly mumble that I did not at anytime get anywhere near threatening any keepers career (aprt from my own). Let alone Bills.
I second that . Fortunate to have seen Mr. Bert Williams in action in the early fifties, a true great and a real gentleman.
Yes just heard the news about Bert Williams. Very sad indeed but what a great career and life! Part of the wonderful Wolves team of the 50s. The team I read about when growing up in the 70s and further cemented my love for Wolves, my blood was already running Old Gold n Black through my veins because of Doog, Richards, Waggy, Bailey, Hibbitt, etc.! But reading about Bert and the other greats from that golden era of football, made me so proud too! Bert was a great keeper, lauded by his peers and those that followed like Banks. Echo the sentiments of my fellow Wolves fans on here who hope and pray that a fitting Molineux send-off is given to a Wolves and England legend. Condolences to his family and friends. Like the other Wolves greats you join in eternal peace, you will always be remembered and missed! RIP Bert.
predict a draw on a difficult pitch:
Crawley 1 Wolves 1
Roger Johnson + West Ham = relegation