We might have camped out in our defensive third at Stamford Bridge, but there were still opportunities to score at the other end.
The free-kick Neves ballooned over, the Dendoncker header in the first half, another chance for the Belgian in the second when he failed to control Neto’s through ball and of course the game’s clearest opening for Pedro himself.
It’s what we used to do – concede territory, protect our penalty area and break forward to create better chances than opponents could muster with 65% possession.
We’ve got to keep doing it.
There are no enticing fixtures coming up, but if we show the same resilience, we’ll make it very tough for teams to beat us.
Crystal Palace
We’re on a good run of form against Palace, winning the last three games (all at Molineux admittedly) without conceding a goal.
In those matches, we’ve exerted greater control than usual with our midfielders able to dictate possession, but I suspect we’ll find the going tougher at Selhurst Park.
The only teams Palace have beaten in the last two months are Sheffield Utd and Albion and they come into this game on a run of results nearly as bad as our own.
As with previous years, scoring goals has been a problem (albeit their tally of 24 is still three greater than Wolves have mustered), but they’ve also struggled to keep the back door shut this season. Only Albion have conceded more goals.
With Burnley and Brighton picking up points and Fulham improving, they, like us, will be looking over their shoulders and keen to start chipping away at that 40 point minimum objective.
They’ve also loaned in a striker and Jean-Philippe Mateta will likely make his debut at some point tomorrow.
The home end
Some thoughts lifted from the pre-match thread on a popular Palace forum:
I can only see a loss here. We are right now the worst team in the league imo. I can’t see us winning another game unless changes are made. We are going to be in the frame for the drop this season. Sheffield, WBA and Fulham all playing well right now.
Need to throw something different at them so would like to see the new guy get a run out. However if so will probably be thrown on later on in the game. Overjoyed with a point as I think only WBA we can possibly beat at the moment.
I really don’t want to watch this game, but I know I will, gonna say 2-1 Wolves, unless we go back to 433, in Roy’s case (451) we just can’t play 442 with our midfield, in this day and age, we would need, Giggs Keane Scholes Beckham to make it work.
It pains me to say it, but we need to stop the rot and revert to sitting deep and denying the space we so generously afforded West Ham. Wolves has quick players such as Neto and Traore that would love a run at our creaking defence. They are not prolific scorers and at the moment I would be delighted with a scrappy 1-0.
It always happens every time we are written off by everyone, we go and win. That’s normally how Palace roll.
Wolves
It seems like Ait-Nouri could be out injured and Nuno may persist with Semedo down the left and Hoever on the right.
The other option that I’d explore would be to bring Romain Saiss into the team. I think he’s very unfortunate to find himself out of the picture.
Willian Jose should start without question, probably in place of Traore who was terrible at Chelsea.
Yes, we didn’t get the ball to him enough in the areas of the pitch he’d want it, but Podence and particularly Neto still made a better fist of things with their movement and willingness to come deeper.
Last time out
Wolves saw out a 1-0 win against Palace to progress in the FA Cup just a few weeks back.
That game was similar in a lot of respects to the 2-0 league victory Wolves secured a few months back with Palace slow out of the gate and struggling to break through once they fell behind.
Predictions
Well done to BG, Wolfman Jack and St.Kitts Wolves who all got a maximum by correctly predicting the score in the stalemate at Stamford Bridge.
MILDENHALL WOLF still leads the overall table at the end of Gameweek 20.
As always if you’d like to join in, simply leave your prediction for this game in the comment section below, which is where you’ll find my best guess.
Up The Wolves!
Clearly, Roy Hodgson has some problems and like Nuno has been tinkering around with new systems and player combinations. Hopefully we find some consistency while they’re still figuring things out.
Restrict them to a 0 or a 1 and I think we’ve got a good chance of winning.
There’s a lot of hope on the board tonight. I’m pessimistic. Another draw would be good… but
Yes, on the basis of the excellent defensive display at Stamford Bridge, I reckon we can forge ourselves a victory here Thomas and I’m going for the same scoreline as yourself, 2-1.
I would play hoever and samedo similar to second half at chelsea in my only change to your team
But he never did play Hoever over Semedo at Chelsea….
Ait nouri come off because he could’nt handle the winger so he put Semedo on the left and brough Hoever on the right.
Hoever is not good enough or experienced yet, Especially with Zaha or Ezi running at him.
Ait Nouri wasn’t handling Hudson-Odoi that well but he was actually withdrawn because of injury and is a doubt for tomorrow.
Yeah I just read that online, Presumed it was because he was beat for pace and skill 4 times in 10minutes haha.
I’ve liked all I’ve seen of Hoever so far this season. Him at rwb and semedo at lwb for me.
Sorry if my comment wasnt clear I would play samedo left wing back and hoever right wing back
Watched hoever vs. United and felt he gave a good account of himself as well as second half vs. Chelsea so think he deserves a shot and samedo is improving game by game too so would play him on left as he kept Huron odoi very quiet second half and then pulisic when he came on
Sorry I must of not read the question properly myself.
Yes I wouldn’t be against that idea, but then Id move Saiss into Kilman’s role at the back.
I agree Semedo is coming along now he is getting used to the pace. Still feel like Hoever however is every inexperienced and makes mistakes not needed to so I wouldn’t like to watch him have to do a job for a full 90 against any prem team haha.
Good summary Thomas, options now from the bench and I much prefer Adama in his ‘super sub’ role, If we are to press and take the game to Palace then Moutinho is the man as the game progresses. No easy games in the PL but we should have too much for this confidence ridden Palace side. Keep our discipline when Zaha has possession and a 2 nil win for me.
Very much back to what we know and it worked a treat to be fair. We never really looked like conceding which was how I always felt watching us until this season. However against Palace we will need to be better going forward. Which is why i fully expect Willian to start with Neto and personally Adama either side of him. Playing with a more physical presence up front will help our wide players. Ait-Nouri is out and Nuno hinted at other problems in his press conference so the team news could be interesting.
Palace are poor so we should beat them just slightly concerned that we have had two very easy games against them. Very rare to have three easy games against one team in a season.
Recall Rafa Mir. He scored a hattrick for Huesca against Valladolid tonight. What a player he’s developed into.
.
You know, this is the first game for quite a while that I am actually looking forward to with some real optimism.
I don’t know why a 0-0 away draw with the opposition having 289% of possession should make me feel this way… but it does.
The return of Podence, the much improved form of Willy. Nelson back on song (“Willy Nelson back on song” did you see what I did there?) and the general all round efficiency of our five man defence has put a spark back into this fan’s tinder box.
With Pedro Neto’s ability to rip up defences and Willian Jose’s physicality and goalscoring record, I reckon we could pull off a win here.
Let’s just hope that Adama can remember his studs, and Satnav :- “In 20 yards you will have reached your destination… Crystal Palace’s penalty area… NOW you can fall on your bottom if someone comes near you”.
A win for me.
And Nuno… What a man!
And as it’s an away game both Willy and Nelson will get their wish to be on the road again! 🙂
I’m quite hopeful that ‘
‘Dear Podence will come out to play “
Nuno is a righteous dude…
I would first like to say, Adama was not Awful at Chelsea, we literally just played so deep we had 0 attacking chances thus we didn’t play to our strengths (it was a much needed clean sheet and defensive display).
Adama terrorised and was the difference the last time we played in the cup, So i would not drop him for this.
Podence is back from injury and looked years off the pace (I really dont like him or rate him at all but I can be fair) – So I would play Jose over Podence and keep podence to replace Adama when adama starts walking….
This is not a Must win for me, Its a SHOULD win, but hey we are wolves and who knows how we will turn up, I mean 2 games ago we had 1 shot on target at a national league team….
I think if we can stick to the back 5, and run with adama jose and neto up top at least the wide players will have somthing to aim at and not need to keep coming into the middle… We can outplay palace Out wide or down the middle with our personnel and believe with a clean sheet last week we should be confident going into this one.
IF I had to pick, Id go with
Rui
Boly, Coady, kilman
Semedo – Saiss (wing backs)
Donk, Moutiniho
Adama, Jose and Neto.
Late subs for vitinha for jose (to run at tired legs) and podence for adama
I think Adama’s foot injury may be flaring up again. That would explain why he is not running as much when he doesn’t have to.
Nuno must see what we see and is allowing him to stay on the pitch so an injury would explain that, too.
Yeah that’s a variable I didn’t even consider.
With Nuno, I believe in him and back him till the end, However, I feel like pressure plays Nuno’s decisions and knowing the fans want Adama makes it so much easier for him regardless of the Team/strategy/role.
Not every fan wants Adama, lets be clear on that!
But a lot of fans would rather have him or not. Perhaps you’d prefer a team of Keith Andrews/ Karl Henry like crab passers who have never excited a fan in their whole careers.
Would play the team suggested by Thomas with Saiss LWB. Given the opposition I would imagine we would at least have 50% possession, this would allow Semedo to push further
Forward and create goal chances,it looks like we’ll have a threat in the box with Jose. Plus you have Neto and Podence who can add more than Traore. Could do with the Donk finishing one of the chances that come his way virtually every match.
Podence who can add more than Traore? Really? You have watched Podence this season and reckon he is better/more effective then Traore?
Though Traore was our worst player at Chelsea, gave the ball away cheaply and looked uninterested.Yes he can be world beater on his day but this is only 3or4 times a season.If Saturday would be one of these games definitely gets the shirt but in our present position we can’t carry anyone.I believe over 90 minutes you will get more from Podence than what I have seen this season from Traore. Goals and assist this season Podence record is better than Traore
a very good explanation and reasoning Eca, thanks.
Don’t think we can really say who was the worst at Chelsea, Was a awful game with a straight up defensive plan.
Can I play devils advocate?
Podence has been out – and is so small and weak that players don’t take any notice of him. He can be a difference when he is playing the spare role… But he cannot battle with anyone or win any headers or be the man between midfield and goal.
Problem I notice – Adama is the only target for Rui off goal kicks and winning a ball in the oppositions half is so important, when you don’t do that you bring on pressure and then we have Neves in the middle who takcles himself half the time.
My thought is I think Adama is more important because He can take players out the game, give us rest and on his day show some brilliance.
That’s it on his day only seen it twice this season, Brighton, Crystal Palace(cup). Now here’s an omen.
Its dangerous playing a right footed player at left back/wing back so if Ait is injured or if Nuno wants more defensive assurance then he’s likely to go for Saiss.
Want a win but another draw is more likely at the moment.
Isn’t Jonny right-footed?
Yes but he’s played on the left for a good chunk of his career. It’s a little different throwing someone in on the left side when they are not used to playing there. Particularly in the premier league, I’d say.
This is the beginning of something new. Or actually a return to something old. I believe we’ll see a confidence in the team that has been lacking.
Feel much better now Nuno appears to have reverted to a back three, and the arrival of a real c/ f who can hold the ball up.
Looking to win this one and move forward.
With a back 5 and a new striker hopeful of a 2-1 scoreline and fly up the table .
Message from Nuno….
Who has this week donated £250,000 of his own money to help the “Feed the Pack” campaign to help Wolverhampton families struggling to feed their children.
https://fb.watch/3iUH3onILo
Nuno’s” Feed the Pack” Fund
Thomas / Ben.
How about we bloggers start a go fund me or a Just giving page and try to raise as much as we can say £10 / £20 each, as we’re not paying out for tickets now. I would speak to Steve Daley to see if we could get Wolves ex players involved and get Fosun to match it. We have hundreds of contributors to this blog and I’m sure we could make a mark.
It would never be my intention to embarrass or cause anguish to anyone on suggesting we too get off our arses and do something to support Nuno’s” Feed the Pack” campaign.
I respect everyones views and thoughts on how to tackle the problem. God forbid I know only too well the complexities of all the bullcrap that goes with it. I ran my own Humanitarian Aid charity for 12 years from 1989, donating £12.5 million to Eastern Europe. If I had sat there and did nothing, many people would have starved to death or suffered for the lack of the life saving medical equipment and Ambulances we took to Eastern Europe.
Everything no matter how small helps, if we could get Fosun to match our efforts then twice as good.
I think the best way forward is anyone who wants to support this, give this a thumbs up, that way we cam gauge if we have a non runner. I would hate to start something so worthwhile if it is going to fail.
I start by giving myself a thumbs up.
StuWolf
It seems we can also contribute to this worthy cause by buying a/some virtual ticket(s) for the home game v Liverpool or simply donating to the club’s Just Giving site. Its all on the clubs web-site under ‘Foundation’.
Which ever way suits, as long as we help. It’s our club in our region supporting people who can’t support themselves.
Podence, Neto and Jose in the middle should run riot. Adama for impact for final 30 should kill it off if not already done.
Did not expect a clean sheet at Chelsea, but well done boys, now follow it up with another one.
Back three , Semedo v Zaha. Same midfield that started against Chelsea. Front three: Neto, Jose and Podence. Adama looks physically and mentally tired. Give him a rest and lots of love (maybe a bit of tough).
Hoping for a win.
If we can continue in the same vein as Wednesday, then there is no reason to suspect we cannot build on that and take some points here.
I would go for a cautious 2-0 to Wolves as we are certainly not a finished article by any stretch of the imagination. But, we are improving little by little.
Palace 0
Wolves 2
Saiss has to play because he will be scoring the winner from a set piece with one of his bullet headers.
Is it too late to get good money for Traore?
Needs a rocket from Nuno to get him going again. Maybe he will knuckle down post transfer window.
They say one swallow doesn’t make a summer, or something like that, so 2 clean sheets doesn’t hearld we are 100% out of our slight dip, but given the fact of our previous encounters with Woy, we know what expect. Agree Thomas with team suggestions, with Saiss back and Trarora on as a super sub. Get Zaha all mardy and grumpy again by keeping him nullified, don’t know their new signing, but hope our new boy settles better than theirs.
Out of the coming fixtures, we have to be up for this and fancy our chances.
Plus, 3 o clock kick off on a Saturday too..
Will Jose stand more chance of scoring with Adama playing ?
I think he will so its Adama for me with Podence on the bench for later.
Saiss on the left is a must .
Cant see us being too troubled by palace as long as we stick to the old tried and tested.
Jose off the mark with our little on fire superstar getting a brace.
I too feel more confident of getting a positive result tomorrow. Nuno returning to his tried and tested formula, the arrival of Jose, and a less crowded injury clinic.
Stay solid in the first half hit on the break second half.
First and foremost we need to defend hope Nuno sticks with five at the back. Same team as Chelsea apart from However, Jose.
I predict a debut goal for our Brazilian just like Raul. We can win this if we stay in shape , focused and dicaplined.
Come on me BRAZILIAN baby…!
It was good to see a more energised and cohesive defence v Chelsea. Jose needs crosses, he’s a big burly unit, ping everything in from the wing backs, Neto, Podence, Donk scavenging his lay-offs…I’m hoping that a break from the pressure will do Fabio a good turn and get him mentally and physically into shape for the next call from Nuno. Personally I’d like to see Romain Saiss in the mix, especially against a more ‘agricultural’ side like Palace – a good physical presence alongside Donk to muscle our way through the centre of the park….I can’t see us losing this tbh…
We’ve seen (twice) at Molineux that Palace have a powder-puff attack, so I’m expecting us not to concede after Wednesday’s defensive master-class. But our attack has been mis-firing for some time, mainly because we struggle to transition quickly from defence to attack. Will WJ bring a solution ? I’d like to think so; they say he has similar qualities to Raul, but then again we had the same problem before Raul got injured. Guess its a matter of ‘watch this space’, but I’m expecting a point at minimum.
I’m confident Nuno will find the magic recipe, and the players the required tenacity, to get all 3 points. The pack is hungry again. Hibernation is over. We’re getting stronger again.
Go Wolves!!
I’m bewildered by the turning tide against Traore. He’s held to much higher standards than any other player. It’s no accident he’s the one often singled out by other managers and players during interviews. I don’t know if he’s fully fit or not but he doesn’t look 100% to me.
Podence also looked like he was off the pace on Wednesday. It might be we need them both tomorrow.
Let’s hope new Willy lives up to his billing and Nuno doesn’t spring a back four surprise on us which I don’t think is out of the question.
With a bit of luck and a fair wind I think we can win this one.
I would like to point out before I forget that VAR played little, if any, part in the game against Chelsea, which is fortunate considering who the VAR referee was that day.
Will go with the flow but will take a draw.
Not a must-win game but certainly a must NOT lose game.
We have to try to build an unbeaten streak and get the defensive part of the game ship shape. This will build the confidence which seemed to be lost during that unfortunate blip.
As many were saying, we weren’t playing that bad if you remove the lapses in judgment and foolish penalties. (I know that means we were playing bad but I mean that we weren’t being run out of the park).
Play the same way as last year with Willain instead of Raul and see what happens.
Once we stabilize the defense for a few games, then Nuno can decide whether he wants to try new formations or not.
CP 1-2 Wolves.
I love Danny Boy,
He is fiery, gets stuck in, ay skeered of all the giants around him and has passion.
You can see his determination.
By contrast, Traore give the impression of not giving a shit, as though he is waiting for the inevitable big money move.
Memo to Adama.
If you don’t appear to give a shit, then other clubs won’t either.
Looking forward to Billy Joel marking his full debut with a hat trick.
First of many three point games tomorrow, easy peasy.
It’s clear from Nuno’s comments today that Wolves have many injury issues (not including Ait Nouri who is out tomorrow), and I’ll bet a pound to a dollar that Adama is one of those. Far from being not interested, a different take might be that he has been playing through the pain barrier for much of the season but Nuno has been unable to leave him out because we have been so short of numbers and almost completely devoid of an attacking threat.
People seem to jump to rash conclusions when we have an extremely talented player who is not performing to the full but just maybe Nuno wants to keep his cards close to his chest in order not to help out our opponents.
I think Clive secretly wants Stephen Ward back.
Not gonna happen.
He just signed for Cardiff, to be with his dad and Uncle Clipbored.
Three points would be very welcome to make ground on those immediately above us. Agree with Saiss on left and would leave Tarore and Moutino on the bench.
Expect and wish a game from early in the season, solid defensive first half (0-0) and up the ante in the second. We need to build up our defensive confidence after the last two games and three in a row would be wonderful.
And please, please, please, don’t put me through those mind games by letting Palace score first! I have enough of that torture!
Feeling cautiously optimistic!
Just keep Zaha quiet and we can win this game. Adama has to play – despite Wednesdays horror show – to provide some ammo for Jose. Not mad about Semedo playing left wing back but there is not really another option as Saiss lacks the pace to keep up with Zaha and always seems to be one clumsy tackle away from conceding a penalty.
One that we need to and ought to win
I expect a difficult game, maybe a penalty, maybe a sending off, maybe an odd goal defeat. Shit happens to us. Just when we’re getting to our feet.
Palace away, like all the London away games, has been a regular on my Wolves visits since 1965/66. So sad that just as at Arsenal, WHU and Chelsea so far this season, I won’t be able to be there.
My first visit saw us win 1-0 – was it Knowles or Woodfield who scored? – and I’m going for the same score line tomorrow.
OODCL
Next year Bedders, after the vaccinations, you will be able to get to all the London grounds and the Golden palace.
Hope you are keeping well.
Semedo on the left Hoever on the right 5 at the back
play podence/neto and Jose 1st half adama 2nd half
COYW
Nuno has said in a pre match interview, “he’s not closing the door on any more transfers before Monday night”
Ainsley Maitland-Niles please Nuno.
You must have seen something that neither I or Arteta has seen, Stu, but I’d think that boat has well and truly sailed along with that other favourite of yours, Zinchenko. Not sure what your prediliction for full backs is all about but surely if we are going to hit the market again it will be for a goal scoring midfielder. Can’t see Maitland Miles filling that void and it seems Southampton may be his destination
Alph.
AMN has put in a request to go out on loan or leave the club in an attempt to secure his England chances. We are certainly in need of a really solid full back, playing Ait Nouri or Hoever is a risk we can ill afford at the moment. Plus Ait Nouri now needs a scan on his groin injury from the Chelsea game. That’s not a couple of week job.
I said a few posts back, we were supposedly in for an attacking midfielder, but like most media, it’s speculation, but now and again it does materialise so worth making it a talking point to break the boredom of Covid incarceration. .
The only good thing about Crystal Palace is that Captain Sensible guitarist with original punk band The Damned supports them. Seen The Damned loads of times. One of which was at the old JB’s club in Dudley. The sort of place where you stuck to the floor because of all the beer and cigarette ash swilling about. No windows. A deep fat fryer round the corner where you could get a tray of chips with tomato sauce and the bog stunk of weed. Cans of Red Stripe and every Friday night a punk/indie disco. Any way. The Damned finished playing and went backstage. Ten minutes later Capatain Sensible appears in the bar chatting to the fans. Great bloke. I managed to say ‘alright Captain ‘and he shook my hand! Seen the Damned a few times since and never forgot that. But it will be pain for the Captain tomorrow as Wolves sneak it by 2 -1. And I reckon with 2 Big Willy’s on the pitch one of them will score. The other coming from a long overdue Neves rocket.Eagles 1 WWFC 2.
Cheese one of many jobs I have had was failling up the fag machines in pubs and clubs round the midlands for a firm callled Sinclair Collis dont know if they are still going this is how long ago in was 20 ciggies out the machine were £1.50.
Any way JB’s was on my round and your right the floor was like walking on trecule. Seen a few banda there to great venue compact but you Could get a few in there to think it he’ll about five hundred.
Yes that was it. Sadly no longer going as a venue. They had some top bands down the years before they became famous. Like U2, Blur, Stone Roses, Manic Street Preachers , Supergrass and the like. Friday night was punk night. Saturday night was Rock night. Even the legend Robert Plant came in a few times to see the local bands. Great times.
A very sensible post cheeseburger
Yes. I think it will be back to extreme silliness at the next preview. Happy talking talking happy talk……….
Not sure how many contributors were around for this weeks look back in time. This is a resume of a previous Palace v Wolves encounter. For once it is not a Wolves victory or wonderful fight back but a celebration (of sorts) all the same.
The date was May 13th 1967 and we were guaranteed promotion back to the top flight. A win at Palace would secure the title irrespective of the result at Coventry v Millwall. (Coventry were 1 point behind Wolves at kick off). Two weeks previously Wolves had lost 3-1 at Highfield Road in front of 51,000 spectators – to this day the highest ever attendance in Coventry City history.
Ex palace players David Burnside (Knocker was on the bench) and John Holsgrove wore the gold shirts whilst ex Wolves long throw specialist Bobby Woodruff was in the Palace line up. Woodruff scored one of the Palace goals.
As usual we travelled by coach with the ever reliable Don Everall and the attendance was a very credible 28,000 – swelled by a large Wolves following to one of the most awkward stadiums to actually get to!
Although I was then 14 years old I have only vague memories of the stadium – like today it was “quaint” and I seem to recall the rear of the open terrace we stood on was actually a grassy bank full of ants nests. But I may be mistaken.
Naturally we expected a Wolves victory by a considerable margin and with it the 2nd division trophy. Unfortunately it didn’t quite turn out like that (on how many occasions have we said that about Wolves – the latest being the defeat by albion who are now our principal nemesis as we have only won 3 out of 23 fixtures) as Palace played Wolves “off the park” and ran out 4-1 victors. No matter – Coventry still had to win and as we approached the coach park adjacent to the stadium word spread that Coventry had lost at home to Millwall! Cue dancing around!
This proved to be totally false as (eventually) the coach wireless tuned into Sports Report (this programme that has been staple fare on a Saturday team time since 1948) to confirm Coventry had beaten Millwall 3-1 and were therefore champions. Indeed Coventry amazingly survived for 33 years in the top flight. If it had been 3 points for a win – Wolves would have been champions!
No mobiles or Sky super Saturdays in those far off days – 54 years ago -by the way. The wireless was really the only medium.
Not sure about this but I think Ronnie Allen was actually nominated second division manager of the year – pipping Jimmy Hill (Coventry). Bet the bearded wonder loved that….
Tomorrow – well we have certainly forgotten how to actually win a league fixture and that is for sure – but we surely have to win sometime. Tell you what – let’s go for tomorrow. 1-0.
Bedfordshire Old Gold
BOG
Remember going to Coventry for that match, in my early twenties. Probably Bog the first time in my life to be completely cutted with the result. Thanks for refreshing my memory, nothing changes in football to much, just the names.
Hello Witley
How are you?
Trust you are all well.
With the exception of Leeds at Molineux in May 1972, the “Coventry crush” was surely the next “biggest squeeze”. How on earth 51,000 sardined into the stadium remains a mystery to this day. Floodlights, stand roofs, tea stalls, the half time scoreboard were all used as vantage points. Like the Leeds fiasco I will never understand why is wasn’t all ticket. Christ half of Wolverhampton must have emptied!
I remember posting some photos of the mayhem on the Blog a few years ago. It certainly brought back memories.
All the best – let’s hope for three points tomorrow Witley – because by George we need ‘em.
BOG
I can hear Conor Coady’s last words in the tunnel , ” Same again lads, nice and tight”
Another 0-0 coming up.
I expect our renewed confidence will see us win comfortably, although I don’t necessarily expect a clean sheet, given that we may leave ourselves exposed a bit while in a more attacking mode.
As far as selection goes Nuno will do what Nuno wants and I gave up trying to predict that a long time ago.
As others have said anything but a defeat will do.
Palace 1 – 2 Wolves
We should and will build on the Chelsea performance.
Hello Witley
How are you?
Trust you are all well.
With the exception of Leeds at Molineux in May 1972, the “Coventry crush” was surely the next “biggest squeeze”. How on earth 51,000 sardined into the stadium remains a mystery to this day. Floodlights, stand roofs, tea stalls, the half time scoreboard were all used as vantage points. Like the Leeds fiasco I will never understand why is wasn’t all ticket. Christ half of Wolverhampton must have emptied!
I remember posting some photos of the mayhem on the Blog a few years ago. It certainly brought back memories.
All the best – let’s hope for three points tomorrow Witley – because by George we need ‘em.
BOG
Bit of confidence 0-2 to Wolves
1 I’m in for putting up dosh for Stu’s gofund me idea
2 I’m feeling somewhat protective of the squad right now…don’t like anyone getting slagged off and don’t want to lose anyone unless they’re off on a constructive loan gig ( off you go Young Prince)
3 If the new Willian is going to be a stand in for Raul then he needs to be fed…so Neto and Traore please get the start
4 With Saiss in the team CP ( well Zaha) will be looking for a penalty…just saying
5 Still have faith that second half of season will be a screamer…starting tomorrow …with a Neves free kick in the net….long overdue
Cometh Light…..remember??
The point at Stamford Bridge and Jose coming in has given me a lift. I think we’ll nick it if we keep a clean sheet.
I’d settle for three points by any margin. For me it seems to be a matter of confidence and that doesn’t get rebuilt overnight.
I don’t think the media have given us much credit for our part in the Chelsea result, it mostly seems to have been down to their failure to score rather than our success in stopping them. The lack of confidence showed in our misses,a confident Neto for example would have chipped that ball just under the bar to score a ‘wondergoal’ rather than just over for a ‘brave try’. We were solid at the cost of weakening the supply to the attack. As confidence builds I would expect us to be capable of producing some of our signature defence-splitting passes once more and success breeds success.
I’m going for us to get a result, but more as a step on the journey than as the destination itself.
COYW
Yes Jazz, of course you are right. There are six clubs that dominate the first pages of the
national news sheets and sport radio. These six will even be on the front pages on a Sunday, even though they won’t be playing until later in the day. Personally, I have long ceased to be irritated by this. I am more than contented for Wolves to remain in the background and be amused at the reports when Wolves play these clubs and win or draw. I know the report will focus on the opposition . I am happy to read this excellent site and to watch Mickey Burrows, Andy Thompson, Chris Iwelumo and Karl Ikeme on YouTube before and after the game. There are a variety of signs that point towards an improvement in the second half of the season and so I remain optimistic.
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/FeedOurPack
Over £13’000 so far this morning towards Dr Nuno’s feed the pack initiative .
Another excellent article by Jonny Phillips too in the E&S on why Nuno is doing this.
Thanks StuWolf for raising the profile. Added my bit this morning.
I shall be adding a donation too later on, just waiting for my Grandson who’s 4 to go out the room so I can get at his piggybank. 🙂
Thanks for caring buddy.
Desperately want the win and 3 points to kick off a much better 2nd half of the season,
Worried about Zaha and Eze in and around our box.
Excited to see our wingers feed a big strong CF.
Hopefully normal service will be resumed following the Chelsea game.
A tight game but a win for me.
Let it continue
…
Positive posts
…
When we don’t lose
Waiting for the window to close – will accept incomings but fear outgoing
Just my opinion but watching Podence in the team especially with high balls, skilful on the ground maybe but we just lose possession with him in the team
Can we bring Saiss back as a defensive mid ? Push Neves further forward ?
Hope Jose has a great start
Yes I have been advocating 3 at back for a long time (especially against stronger teams). That is mainly because 2 of the back 4 were wingbacks. So what if we have 4 at the back who stay at the back ! I’m talking about Kilman, Saiss, Coady and Boly.. We could then have Neves and Dendo in midfield with Vitinha (or even Semedo) as an AM. Leaving Neto, Jose and Podence upfront. Certainly looks a decent team on paper.
Now for prediction. The only constantly correct prediction is that I will get it wrong (so far). As usual against CP, controlling Saha is the key point. If we can subdue him, we should see a positive result.
It also has to be seen how long it will take Jose to settle into the team and the PL. I hope it will be very soon as I dropped Harry Kane from my Fantasy League and put in our man Jose.
What the heck, let’s go for a solid 2-0 win
This is the game where our millionaire investments start to pay us back
The general mood seems to have lifted noticeably since Chelski but we’re not out of the woods yet. As Matt Cook pointed out above, Nuno hinted at other injury issues although in typical Nuno fashion remained shtum on who that may be. I fear for Danny Podence, who was kicked from pillar to post at the Bridge.
Either way, my mood has followed the general flow and I’m hopeful of a much needed three points in this. Senor Jose looks the biz and will give us a big lift, as will the excellent defensive performance on Wednesday.
Willian to start, Adama on the bench. Semedo and Hoever wing backs and Donk and Ruben in the middle. That should do it.
The turnaround continues.
WGH!
Back five, clean sheet and our new striker to score a double.
A 3 o’clock kickoff on a Saturday! I’ve got a good feeling about this one…
I hope you’re right. It always goes horribly wrong whenever I have a good feeling.
Back to basics again and Jose to start. I agree with the comments that Traore isn’t at his best, but as we don’t know exactly what injury he’s carrying (or how much pain he’s in) let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.
Injuries are concerning so no idea who’ll play or in what position.
As for the food bank, great idea and hats off to Nuno for his generosity. I’ve put my donation on, it all helps those worse off than us.
COYW
Some completely random unrelated thoughts.
Earliest memories of Palace at the Mol, John Jackson in goal a couple of seasons running absolute brilliant performances.
Tuchel’s comment that he restricted one of the best breakaway sides to minimal chances. He had clearly watched video of the Mol game and Neto/Traits were under scrutiny.
Semedo had a fine game but right at the end poor defensive work presented Sheldon with the final corner which nearly lost it. Will take a while to be totally comfortable on the left. Says will attack our right so Hoever will be tested and need support.
Palace will be more dangerous at home than their recent performances at the Mol and a point is sufficient to keep our momentum going.
Personally I would start with three in midfield, perm any three from Saiss Neves Donck Moutinho. Then Just William and Neto up front to start. Looks quite defensive but we have wing-backs and options to change on the hour.
Traditionally stonewall draw involving two low scoring teams each with new forwards finding their feet. But I think we have the organisation to nick this.
Scoring first would be nice.
Win here and it becomes an excellent week. And win we need to. Be nice to see us dominate the ball and show some attacking intent. So not asking for much!
Attacking midfielder required? Anyone interested in Julian Draxler – unloved unwanted unhappy at PSG?
I think the Chelsea clean sheet was just what was needed.
I’m excited by the signing of Jose and hope he’s getting a start today.
I’m expecting us to continue where we left off on Wed, with a little more attacking prowess. Hope same midfield starts too.
Agree with the three up top being Neto, Podence and Jose . Bring Adama on as impact sub after 60 mins to terrorise their defence .
See that the shite are trying land AMN from Arsenal . Someone have a word will ya….why the fook would he want to go there to better his England career….ffs
Build on the Chelsea performance . Keep compact and hit em with our pacey attack. Should be a Wolves win..
COYW
Just seen the fixture list.
We’ve got about a hundred matches between now and the end of Feb!
Jeez, where did they come from?
Agree with the three up top of Neto , Podence and Jose Bring on Adama as an impact sub after 60 mins to terrorise their defence.
See the sandwell town cloggers are trying to sign AMN !….someone have a word will ya…why would he want to go there to better His England career…ffs
Need to build on the Chelsea performance and try and grab all three points
COYW
So maybe WWFC have got their mojo back, and it must last for this second trip to the capital.
Maybe another no goal draw but I have to expect a win, we need the points and Palace are there for the taking.
I was watching a practice video and don’t remember seeing Adama. Wonder why?
I hope he’s in Liverpool having a medical.
That would be another injury for them.
Without sounding too cocksure…..I think Palace rarely trouble us, provided a lid is kept on Zaha and Ayew stops diving in the box or otherwise falling down ‘pole axed’…..
We’ve also got defenders to snuff out any aerial bombardment from Cahill….
So even if the statistics look like we’re getting ‘battered by passes across their own box’ , with zero attempts for Rui to save … then I just can’t see a problem with this final statistic….
Palace 0 v 2 Wolves
Palace scores a lot of their goals in the first 15 minutes so it is important to keep them off of the sheet early.
Wow
Wow indeed Stu.
Wonder why so many forced and unforced changes?
Don’t feel as confident now as when I woke up at 7.30.
Come on me Babbies, prove me wrong!
Hoping we can retain possession a lot better than we did on Wednesday. Don’t think it will be a goal fest, but can hope.
I think the defence will hold.
Who’s better Zaha or Traore?
It doesn’t matter. This match is all about Neto and Jose.
Get out of the blocks early for a change lads.
COYW
I like the line up. Podence, for me is more of a threat than Adama. Bring him on for the last 30 minutes if we are struggling. Can see us scoring 2 or 3 goals today, hopefully!
Just been listening to rock n roll football on Absolute radio. And the 2 presenters Matt Dawson and another Matt who are both Forest fans said we should all support Wolves today because of Nuno’s donation to help poverty. I thought well said to those two. Different to Football Focus who couldn’t even be bothered to mention it. They also said here are today’s fixtures and didn’t even mention the Wolves game. But did the others. Shame BBC. If that had been Klopp making the donation in Liverpool they would have spent 20 minutes discussing it. Wankers.
Two closely matched teams this season. Could go either way. No Neves could be an issue.
Narrow win
I think we got this one
I think we are trying to bore them to death, then hit a last minute winner!
Is anybody still awake watching this?
I think I was a tad optimistic with my 3-1 prediction.
Have faith, we just need 3 goals in the last 25 minutes!
we dont look like we could score 3 goals in 25 years let alone 25 minutes !!!
5 minutes to play still and we are woeful. We all hoped the Chelsea game might be a turning point!!
OMG Dendonkey is woeful
nuno your obsession with prince charming has just about done me in ….nuno he is fu###ng useless.
i wouldnt play him in my sunday side
Only have one word tonight. Depressing.
Two poor sides but Palace the better ! We have not played well since Everton at home last season and that cannot be put down just to injuries ! We don’t start playing until we go a goal
down. Kilman played well ,Coady should be dropped. Willian shows promise and looks a
proper striker . It’s going to be a long second half to the season !
Does everyone still think Patricio is that much better a shot-stopper than Ruddy?
I told you he was slumping but nobody believed me.
That loss was down to his letting in a relatively easy shot.
All I am saying,
Is give John a chance.
With respect Tim, that is nonsense.
The GOAL was down to an unfortunate bounce initially, followed by poor defending by the Donk and then Willy not doing ‘a Coady’ and putting his body in front of the shot.
Patricio didn’t have any real chance with the speed and power of the shot.
The LOSS was down to not creating enough chances and not scoring from the ones that we DID create.
Considering where Boly was standing, the ball could only have gone to his right. He could have moved sooner. Would have been like stopping a penalty, knowing what side of the net the guy is shooting at.
But yes, it wasn’t quite as easy as I remembered.
Nuno now showing his true value as a manager…reality..
Bugger!!
When I saw the line up I was full of hope, too.
Bugger, bugger, bugger!!!!
There’s no fight in the team,
We are a shadow of the side we were last season, ok we have injuries but we don’t look like a team anymore.Somethings not right . I just hope there’s 3 teams worse that us.or else we are doomed. Never thought we would be looking over our shoulders. If we are a team in transition it’s not gonna work especially with the players we have got. Should never have sold jota and the Doc.now I hear Saiss is on the move.???.
Should’ve never lost that game today Palace are a poor side ,we are worse .
Last term we were looking to push into the top six,we are a shadow of the side we were last year..pissed right off.
Nuno says Saiss is injured. Something during practice. He wouldn’t lie, would he?
So we lose an away game whoopie doo. I will comment on our season at season end. Already the morons roar for Nunos head …. After all he has done …. mindless numpties.
Im not a nuno knocker but what is his obsession with a kid who would be lucky to get a game at walsall let alone the top echelon of british football !
Well pick something out of that to get excited about!
Will be glad when the season ends. Don’t know what the causes are for the poor football.
Still trust Nuno but not the squad. Blinkered..maybe -but we owe him a lot.
UTW
Difficult to criticise Nuno but playing Silva over the last couple of months is partly
to blame for where we are now. That miss placed loyalty has cost us dear. It was
obvious to most fans he was no where near good enough for this level from a very
early stage and predict he will quietly disappear into the football wilderness over the
next few years, meanwhile we are 35m worse off. Today he came on and a dreadful touch
in Palace box. This guy is I admit an obsession with me because he is the worst signing
in the clubs hIstory , when you consider the cost ! Generational talent my ars- !!!
On the issue of Silva playing in recent weeks, I do not find it difficult to criticise the manager and the management. They were caught out when Jiminez was injured with no replacement for that position. Silva was not bought as an 18 year old to be thrust into a Premier League team. He was admired for his potential by other top clubs . Wolves decided to invest in him as a future player. Silva did not agree on the fee., others did. Neither did he expect to be playing at this level yet. It is clear that at this stage he has understandably been unable to cope with playing against mature men. There can be little doubt that he has talent which in time will be nurtured and developed. Most ex professional pundits , including ex Wolves players, I have listened to have been complimentary about Silva and can see that in time ,with the right support, training and coaching , he will be a top player. Time will tell.
As you say time will tell, you never hear ex pros and players heavily criticise a player so
young , it’s not the thing to do ! So don’t read much into that. As for talent I must be
watching a different player !