If we can only win one of the next three, this would be the one to choose.
It would be nice to sign-off the year by beating Utd or start 2023 with victory at Villa Park, but neither of those sides will be in contention for the drop. Everton could be.
Prior to Lopetegui’s arrival I wouldn’t have given Wolves much hope in any of these games but I do expect us to improve under his leadership and with a few more players available, we’ve got a chance.
At the same time, he doesn’t have a magic wand to fix the individual and collective shortcomings of the group. It’s going to take time and new personnel to really shake things up.
Everton
There was a brief period when it seemed like Frank Lampard was onto something this season.
A good performance in the Merseyside Derby and a couple of wins against West Ham and Southampton got them going. But things have gone off course in recent months.
Two thrashings in the space of a few days by Bournemouth (one in the League Cup) saw nasty exchanges between fans and players as they sunk to within a point of the relegation places.
Prior to that they’d been solid enough defensively and just struggling to do enough damage at the other end.
Without question they’ve profited by adding our club captain to their ranks and it’s almost impossible to deny that had we not let him go, we’d be above them in the table.
I’m assuming he can’t play tomorrow and that should work in our favour. Dominic Calvert Lewin is also doubtful and any loss to their firepower is welcome.
Wolves
There are plenty of decisions for Julen to make and they will have an impact on how this plays out.
The above is what I’d probably start with if everyone was fit but there’s a question mark over Boubacar. That’s a shame because he was excellent against Arsenal.
Nunes and Traore didn’t start in midweek but it’s a big call to leave them out. I’d expect to see Raul and Hwang from the bench and it’s good that we can now stack these attacking players in games to change things up. That could make all the difference.
Matheus Cunha is imminent too and he hasn’t been brought in to make up the numbers. It wouldn’t surprise me if one of those attacking players left in January but I’d be happy to keep all of them. It’s all hands on deck.
We need some aggression and leadership in defence so a centre half and a right back would be top of my shopping list.
Predictions
Well done to Wokeywolf, Matthew Cook, pauluswolf, Rich, Sandwich Wolf, StrangeLuck, wishfart and Twixfix for all getting the scoreline correct in the defeat to Arsenal.
PeteRobbo remains clear at the top of the overall table at the end of Gameweek 15.
As always, if you’d like to join in with the Prediction League this season, it’s simple – just leave your prediction in the comment section below using the boxes provided. Then repeat for every preview article throughout the season, making sure you always use the same email address to make your prediction. Your email is what ties you to your overall score.
You can read my prediction for the game in the comment section below.
Up The Wolves!
I do expect a response and I don’t think Everton are very good. However, I do think they possess attributes that our team is sorely lacking, namely aggression and physical power. The crowd will also make it tough and I question this team’s ability not to sink in the difficult moments. All things considered, I’ll go for the draw.
Why are we spending £43 million on another young unknown and as yet not proven striker.
10 goals in 30 games he scored in Germany he ha’ the exactly set La Leauga alight either when we NEED and could get for that money a PROVEN finisher……….bloody madness it will really be the biggest miracle if we get out of the mess.
Jeff your pissing Fosun’s money way and our chances of survival. With the money we spent on Catrone, Hwang the lad who is injuried from Silva and now this guy we could have brought Messi.
It continues to confound me how badly this club is run and the total incompetence of our chairman.
Only a Wolves supporter could be unhappy with a new manager and recruitment team buying a 23 year old Brazilian International forward. Of course every signing is a gamble but we have to trust our new management team.
Nothing has change yeah new manager and a good one but still Jeff calls the shots.
This lad is 23 has 6 caps for Brazil he didn’t make the World Cup squad and Liverppool, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and not to mention all the big clubs in Europe haven’t gone near this lad why…..because he’s still learning his trade £43 million for a player who’s best return has been 10…… Yes 10 goals in 30 games absolute disgrace buying him for that much without first checking him out for the season.
I suppose the fact Leeds, West Ham and Everton were looking at him Jeff has got us a bargain.
It’s Fabio Silva all over again he be thrust in at the deep end and sent out on loan when they release he cannot cope.
Jeff will never learn.
You might be able to blame Jeff for the debacle of last summer’s signings but, if what I’ve read is to be believed, Julian only agreed to sign the dotted line if he had the final say on transfers. So you need to blame the new manager before his first ever league game. Sensible!
Yeah……I’m sure the new manager has his say…..just like Nuno and Bruno but we all know who calls the shots.
This is a classic Jeff signing young unproven with potential but I’m shocked at £43 million where did that price tag come from……the lads average at best 10 goals in 30 games makes him worth £43 million……shocking absolutely shocking price.
I’m pretty confident that the deal Lopetegui got is totally different to his predecessors. That’s why it took so long to get him.Cunha might turn out to be a flop (if that’s the case then we’ll be relegated so won’t be signing him) but give the bloke a chance. If you’ve seen him play (seemingly not ) you’d know that he’s totally different to Silva apart from the position he plays.
We will be signing him …because that’s the clause in the deal come what may……..he’s a Wolves player……don’t believe me check Express and Star…and BBC
Lets hope the world cup break and a new manager will allow us to draw a line under the first half of the season and allow our front line in particular to find some form. Hwang in particular had a decent tournament.
Certainly we need to give JL time, we should know a lot more by the end of Jan.
For now though I can only go on the players and the performances pre the break. As Everton are at home I predict them a narrow victory.
You need to read more than a headline.
Thats the way I read it too.
Still £40k a lot for a guy who hasn’t much of a scoring record.
Maybe you should look at goals per 90 minutes. He was a sub much of the games he played in.
And why was he sub do you think…….would it be because he’s not considered a first team player yet……..and we are pinning our Premier League status on him.
Bloody madness ..!
Who said we are pinning our premier league status on him? We don’t have any idea yet of other signings that may come our way. Also you have to look at exactly who has been keeping him out of Atletico’s team. Do you think Alvarez is crap because he can hardly get a start for Man City?
.
If you think he’s unknown then you clearly follow tiddlywinks and not football. I do agree, however, that his goalscoring record isn’t brilliant but neither was Raul’s before he arrived on these shores (6 in 33 league appearances for Benfica the season before he arrived).
Goodison must be one of the least atmospheric grounds in the country and let’s hope that our boys can quieten the toffee fans even further if that’s physically possible.
I’m going for a clean sheet in the hope that miracles do sometimes happen!
Your right about Raul …….but he didn’t cost £43 million plus we hadn’t agreed to buy before we tryed also Raul has only managed double figures in goals for only his first season. Also we were not in a relegation fight so we could afford to take a chance…….do you think this guy is going to get us out of jail……I don’t.
My point is we need someone like Ivan Toney the money we have spent we could of afforded him and he is PROVEN in the Premier League but Jeff won’t buy British he prefers to waste millions of pounds on peotenial than ready made.
Someone like Ivan Toney just isn’t available though, that’s virtually cloud cuckoo land. We are bottom of the league in case you hadn’t noticed and that unfortunately means we won’t be attracting the calibre of player that the top 6 can. No top European forward getting consistent game time is going to come our way and you have to look at just who has been keeping Cunha out of Atletico’s team (Griezzman, Felix and Morata; all regular internationals who would command a fee much more than we are committed to if we stay up).
As for Raul, he scored 13 league goals with 7 assists in his first season, 17 goals and 6 assists in his second and had notched 4 in 10 games, so on target for circa 15, in his third before his horrendous injury. He cost £30m ish as far as I’m aware and, given player inflation over the past few years, the Cunha deal is similar although he’s 5 years younger than Raul was at 23. Also, remember, Raul wasn’t a regular for Benfica when we signed him and that didn’t go too badly. Cunha is a physical player, so maybe not too unlike Toney, and Lopetegui clearly thinks he’ll be suited to the English game. As we’ve just moved heaven and earth to secure the services of Lopetegui,I think that we have to trust his judgement. Time will tell how good it is, of course.
He was available last season and could be got if your will to pay every player has there price.
£108 million we’ve spent in the last 2 years on strikers Silva Hwang the lad that’s injured and now the new boy at £43 million…..the price tag alone is shocking considering his goals per game.
He go the same way as Silva chucked in at the deep end then loaned out when it goes tits up.
I don’t follow the points you are trying to make and I certainly don’t understand your first paragraph. Maybe you could name some players you think could do the necessary that we actually would have a chance of signing (ie would want to come to us instead of a team in a much healthier position).
No-one named Pigeon. That’s probably because he hasn’t any realistic idea of who we could sign.
Sign Somebody. He’s a great player apparently.
I know we can’t take too much from the Gillingham game but the one for me is the midfield 3 has for to change. All three that played want to ball in deep positions no line breakers so for me if all available it’s got to be Neves, Nunes and Boubacar. We still look short up too but hopefully this new signing will help fix this. As it’s probably too early to judge the new era I will base my prediction on what I saw before the break
I think we could win this game Everton have been on a bad run of late and getting beat 4-0 by Bournmouth says it all. Personally I would drop Podence for whang sick of his flicks and losing the ball far to easily 2-1 to the Wolves.
Undefeated so far under Julen and I expect this to continue.
First of all – A Merry Christmas to one and all on this blog.
Seems like it has been months since we played. Hopefully we will see some improvements with players returning from injury and the benefits of a solid training week in Spain. I would be happy with a draw and ecstatic with a win.
With rose tinted glasses firmly affixed, I’d expect everyone to be playing to keep themselves in the starting line up.
It can’t be too much to expect a decent result; can it?
Now’s the time for patience whilst the squad adapt to the changes being made.
Luckily, this game is an away fixture with our superb away supporters behind the team. If the players attitude is correct they will receive great support.
I’m going for a 3-1 win but knowing anything can happen in reality.
A draw would be a very good result for this team at this time. However, if we go back to a system which has served us well in the past, we can win this one.
I would play Toti in a back 3, Semedo is so far off the pace so Adama to replace him at wingback.
Guedes in for Podence to give pace and support to Costa who I thought looked a real handful on Tuesday and only needs the right balls to add to his excellent runs. Very good bench but the home crowd will be influential if we go behind so let’s make sure we keep a clean sheet.
A very peaceful Xmas to all bloggers and a very special heavenly Xmas for CfH… (there’s no doubt .. he’s about…)
Seeing the boys on Tuesday I immediately sensed an improvement in fitness… there’s obviously a lot of other areas to improve upon before I’m raising any bunting mind you .
I have profound doubts about Semedo and also worry about Moutinho’s legs over 90 mins… I’d start with Nunes as Thomas has suggested… and hopefully Boubacar is fit in that midfield slot.
We’ve now got a decent bench at last so any under performers can get the hook.
We last played Everton on Boxing Day 1970 and ended up 2-0 winners against what was a useful team including Ball, Labone , Kendall and Colin Harvey …
It was a day (from memory) when snow hit the area and the lines were swept etc …. Tough pros in those days … more of the same needed at Goodson Park .
I’m going for a 1-0
Merry Christmas to all!
This is a six pointer, but not necessarily a “must win”, not yet.
One of the challenges of predicting this game is that it is like the start of the season, and previous form may not necessarily hold true. That fact, along with a new Manager with (hopefully) “a new Manager’s bounce,” should help us.
We look short of creativity so hopefully we can instill some good old “grunt and perspiration” and that definitely EXCLUDES Guedes. For now it is all about results and just plain guts and fight to get the job done. The rescue cavalry are on the way with maybe 6 new signings, so we have to hold out until then!
And Jeff, we need to buy for now, not the future! That is brutally clear to everyone. Hope he has got the message!
I’ve just seen Henrietta the psychic slug out the back and gave her my xmas present. A new microwave. Henrietta enjoys cooking and is having boiled sprouts for dinner. I know other slugs enjoy sprouts and occasionally a chocolate biscuit. So with that in mind I asked H what will happen at Everton. H said a 2-1 victory is on the cards for WWFC which will be jolly fabulous. Apparently only Leicester and Sunderland have stayed up after being bottom at Xmas. Last season Newcastle were on 10 from 15 like we are and stayed up. In fact I had a look at their results from last season and at one stage they had 10 from 18. There then followed 5 wins out of 7 and they suddenly transformed to 25 from 25. So all is not lost. Any way . Got to dash . Shaun the sheep is just on the telly. Everton 1 WWFC 2.
I must hold on to some optimism…
Hwang over Podence please.
My Christmas present to you all……
I see that the bookies (BetVictor) don’t fancy us. We’re 21/10 against for the win and 11/2 against with BTTS. I’ve had a bit of that, thank you very much.
Personally I can’t stand or even understand the bitching about the Cunha signing. So, we’ve been lucky enough to land one of the finest coaches available to us, and his number one target is Cunha. What does that tell you? It tells you that JL has a plan, and a plan within that plan for Cunha. For god’s sake stop bitching. JL is just getting started. Time to judge is when he has all his signings in place.
My take on tomorrow is that we’re a better team than Everton and we have a better coach. Class will out. While a defeat would not derail us I believe we will win.
New manager settling in nicely, new year right around the corner. And I think Wolves will turn that corner giving us something unexpected. Goals.
Draw on the cards I think. But I’d take that given the results before the World Cup.
Let’s end the year well
Fabio Silva…£38 Million Hwang…£12 Million the lad from Austria who is injured £15 Million and the new Lad £43 Million and not one of them when signed had a decent goals per game ratio.
That’s £108 Million on strikers in the lat 2 years and that not including Catrone and we have the worse goals for record in the Premier League.
Trust in Jeff……yeah to waste money and get us relegated.
I would imagine most of us on here have a reasonable grasp of the English language so there is really is no point in posting the same thing over and over again ad nauseam
They can’t score if the ball is passed backwards from the midfielders.
Maybe there is a pattern there for us all to see. Ie: it ain’t the strikers fault.
Get the 1st goal Wolves and the Goidison whingers will be in full voice. Lampard will not see 2023 as Everton manager.
COYW…
Lets hope the world cup break and a new manager will allow us to draw a line under the first half of the season and allow our front line in particular to find some form. Hwang in particular had a decent tournament.
Certainly we need to give JL time, we should know a lot more by the end of Jan.
For now though I can only go on the players and the performances pre the break. As Everton are at home I predict them a narrow victory.
New manager and striker but I need to see it on the pitch.
A hard one to call. Julen has the same squad as Steve Davis plus a now fit Raul, so the big question is whether he has been able to turn them into a team capable of winning matches and keeping us up. He clearly thinks we need reinforcements in January. I am hopeful we can get something from this game. Or maybe I’ve had a few too many Jack Daniels!
Jack Daniel’s eh? Off the beer then?
This is a tricky call. 2 teams, neither of which are going well and both of whom struggle to score. We have a new man in charge hoping to establish himself in our hot seat. Everton have Frank who continues to ricochet between success and disappointment .
Put all that together and I’m going for the unimaginative score draw I’m afraid. In fact I’ll be very happy with that if proved right!
Merry Chrimbo to one and all. I’m sure we’ll all be friends again if Wolves win this one! So, my opinion – I’d tend to agree with the point that the lack of goals isn’t necessarily entirely the strikers fault. The problem lies in lack of creativity, particularly from midfield but also from defenders (Semedo for example). A midfield three out of Neves, Nunes and Traore or Hodge, but definitely no Moutinho who has become the worst offender for sideways and backwards passes. No Podence (too many attempted clever flicks leading to loss of possession – that’s not creative it’s a luxury we can’t afford) nor Guedes (clearly doesn’t care at all, and can’t be arsed). Ait Nori in there somehow and Adama likewise. Actually, I thought Raul looked completely up for it when coming on and could be considered a starter (taken off after 60 minutes when we’re leading 3-0). Lopetegui looks as if he actually cares, has class and quality and we hope will give some of these players the clear focus and instruction they need. Hwang being a good example. Everton away is a big test, and will give us a clear indication of whether or not we have any hope of staying in this division. Not winning won’t be disastrous but losing will be. Put it this way – if we’re not going to go down then who is? We must not lose this game.
You know what I’d like to see in the new year?
Apart from World peace and Wolves ending up safe from relegation of course.
Bloggers blogging under a single name, or handle, whatever you want to call it.
It is REALLY irritating to read virtually the same comment, obviously posted by the same hand, under different stupid names. You would think someone would have better things to do. Especially over Christmas.
If you are determined to make a point, make it, once preferably, and tell us who you are so we know who we are arguing, or agreeing, with.
Rant over, enough “Bah! Humbug!”
Sue! Crack a bottle open and make mine a big one!
Oooh! Matron.
I totally agree DOOG ….
Cock-eyed names… no identity…
Should be barred… and before anyone mentions it .. I’m Mike… aka Lord Twix .. a blog name I’ve had since inception…
Not quite since inception, but I get your drift.
Couldn’t agree more Doog.
and thats the reason i have resigned for good
Please don’t leave the Blog SB- too many top bloggers have felt impelled to go, infuriated by the actions of a few, and we can’t afford to lose anymore.
Most of us swipe through the offending posts when we see the latest monica, and don’t get wound up by the monotonous diatribe.
I echo Woodend’s comments Spikeyboy…
You’re far too knowledgeable to let the minority moaners turn you away …
Come on Spikey Boy. Don’t get down hearted by it all. It’s just a blog with opinions. Blimey. The times I have been pulled up on here. And i’m a daft twit. Despite it all i think bloggers do tolerate folks. Including me. We all disagree and fall out but that makes this a healthy blog. Wolves ay we ! OODCL.
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall inherit………
A happy, healthy and successful New Year to all.
Please stay. I hate arguing with myself.
Not enough to score, but the new manager won’t let them concede.
And make sure everyone on here has a very Happy Christmas.
Hope everyone is enjoying their Christmas.
Our season starts now.
I have just seen Andre Marriner is on VAR tomorrow. Why the fuck is this Villa twat put in charge of our games. He was the useless idiot who couldn’t find any evidence to overturn THAT penalty against Moutinho at Man City. We might as well not bother.
Not been on this site for long and a message for those who want to leave, don’t let the bastards grind you down there’s smegheads everywhere if you look for them.
Anyway my 10 NZ cents worth is if we can actually get out of the starting blocks and put Everton on the back foot there fore making the crowd remember how crap they were befor the break and get them on their back, new striker just get behind him unless he turns into another lemon like Guedes who I’d send to the a-league with all the other retired wolves players it’s all he’s fit for obviously got no spine for it
Everton is normally a draw but I’m going for a win
Yep it’s up or out
So start on fire and shut the crowd up
Two goals in 15 mins
HNg in like grim death
Concede late penalty and happy bus ride home
Simples
Don’t care who a ore but prefer a brace for Raul… he deserves it
Happy Christmas to one and all (including all misfit posters)
It feels like a must win with the fixtures we’ve got coming up. If we start getting cut adrift it’s curtains. A big result could really transform our season. It feels that big.
Merry Christmas everyone. Hoping to the new manager bounce. We are looking firebrand and they seem happier playing under Lopetegui.
Firebrand!!! Predictive text -aargh. Fitter!
Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy 2023 to all. Let’s start off the New Year with a bang!
Surely Traore can get to the by-line and put one on Costa or Jimi’s head for a goal?
The cup game did not inspire me with fast attacking play.
No idea on this one tbh
My first Prem away day of the season, today.
Today is the start of the new era of points and peace among all bloggers.
Full support for J Lo and the boys
Hwang over Podence and a replacement for Semedo in Jan
Hope Jimenez can now make a difference
Tough gig but hopefully our season starts here
It’s time to start getting points on the board and, despite our own form, this is a great opportunity to do so. Cunha sounds an exciting addition, hopefully a few more of his ilk are en route as I don’t have much confidence in the current crop to get us out of trouble.
50 years exactly to the day on boxing day i was taken for my first Wolves game v Everton and boy what an experience! Long haired louts on the gate with bovver boots, silk scarves tied round their wrist checking for Everton fans. Freezing cold and snow on the ground…ended in a 2-2 draw hut boy ,that was a day I will never forget.
Roll on 50 years and its almost ground hog day. This time though at goodish Park.
I believe that the new boss will turn this lumbering tanker around but it will take time ?
Well I think we are going to win today !
Up the Wolves
Quick comment on the Gillingham game.
Some have said they weren’t exactly filled with confidence by our difficulty in putting the game to bed much earlier. However, we faced a wall of blue shirts camped around their box which is never easy to pick a way through. Once we’d secured the lead and the Gills were forced out, we created several chances.
Few Premier league games will follow a similar pattern.
Today is the day our season really kicks off !!
Think the turn around will take longer than a few weeks…
A new start but until Lopetegui gets his own players in ti will be much the same.
Defensively weak (who let 3 established defenders go?) and no goal threat.
Well Everton start shaky so what do we do gift a goal and they now look composed and top 10, let’s hope we got some big gonads for this one
Well showed they had gonads but roe their luck niiiiice
Fuckin massive win. At this level. It’s a couple of decisions here. A couple of decisions there. Went our wsy today. Wasn’t pretty but it’s a start. Fuck em. Wolves ay we. And Henrietta the psychic slug came up trumps with the 2-1 win. OODCL.
Agree Cheese a massive win. Doesn’t matter about performances. 8 more wins is all that counts. Last minute wins do wonders for team morale.
Wrap her in cotton wool and keep her safe! Massive 3 points against a desperate Everton team blatantly aided by every 50/50 decision going their way. 6 yellows? No way but the whole of Wolverhampton is lifted tonight.