This is one of those fixtures you start fretting about weeks in advance.
Had we got the win over Norwich, I would have viewed it as a free hit with the two points per game average already in the bag for February.
But alas, the stoppage time heartbreaker leaves us with 8 points from 4 matches, so anything but a win in this one will see us fall short of that particular benchmark.
I still look at our remaining fixtures, those of the chasers and the head start and struggle to see us throwing it away.
I’ve been wrong before though.
Fulham
As they did last season, Fulham started slow and have gradually picked up the pace. The only difference being this time they could still gatecrash the automatic shake up.
They’re not going to catch us, but the eight point deficit to Cardiff is more achievable if they sustain their current form.
Five wins and two draws from their last seven makes them the league’s top dogs and they’ve scored some notable successes in that run.
Villa were brushed aside in their last game at Craven Cottage and they backed it up with a solid point at Ashton Gate in midweek.
Aleksandar Mitrovic was a notable deadline day addition and the big striker adds to a frontline already boasting the correctly hyped Ryan Sessegnon who is still, unbelievably, just 17 years old.
Wolves
I’ve been repressing the idea Neves would eventually get that tenth booking of the season, but it was always coming.
With the maestro out and Costa possibly injured, I would be sorely tempted to return to frontline that got us moving in the early parts of the campaign.
If Leo is fit and firing, I’d like to see him linking the play and bringing Jota and Cavaleiro into the game.
Saiss and N’Diaye must start in midfield. I like Gibbs-White but I just don’t think he’s ready to anchor the team in such a crucial part of the pitch.
John Ruddy came in for some deserved stick after letting that late goal slip through his grasp, but I think it’s too late in the season to be making a change between the sticks. It could de-stabilise the whole defence and isn’t worth the risk.
Predictions
Getting a result against the division’s in form team after such a kick in the guts against Norwich would be another huge statement.
But being honest, I can see this one getting away from us.
Without Neves I’m concerned that we won’t control the midfield and against such a good attacking side, that could be crucial.
I fear defeat but will back us to get what would be a very tidy point.
1-1.
Up The Wolves!
Good points there Thomas …and I’m reiterating the fact that we’ve got 8 points from that last 4 games …
As for Fulham and the way they play …this is how football matches should be played and I’m sure Saturday will be a great football advert…. from both teams.
Craven cottage is usually a place we do well at (Connorgate excepted) so even with Neves missing I expect a solid performance.
Saiss in for Neves and back to where it all started …Bonatini up front …. still a formidable team guys.
I’m off the radar now till Sunday evening … going to get Clive a bottle of Monteiths IPA from the West Coast of NZ ….
Have a great weekend you travelling Wolves fans …give the boys a big shout from the Twix’s…
Missing you already good buddy. I plan to eat a celebratory Twix after the match in your honour.
Wolves fan living in Auckland here!
Welcome to the blog mate. Enjoy the ride.
Hiya Gibwolf … our daughter lives in Christchurch and we visit quite regularly.
Beautiful country you’ve got …stunning in fact.
For your info Cheeseburger, another blogger, is coming to Auckland towards the end of March to watch the cricket…
Send him a reply to a message … and maybe you can meet up for a beer.
Welcome to the site and keep posting …
… out with Ruddy and in with Norris.
I really hope that we plan the game with Leo up front from the outset. He holds the ball up well, and consistently brings others around him into the game, which is Just what I think is most needed against Fulham. Cav and Jota always seem to play well with Leo alongside. Leo may have lost his gola poaching form as of late, but this will surely be temporary. Saturday could well be his day. As the late, great Bill Shankly used to say ” form is temporary: class is permanent ”
I have a feeling that if we adhere to our proven system of play a good result will ensue, even though Neves is unavailable
This will be my 9th visit to Craven Cottage to see Wolves. I’m going for the same score line as my very first time in August 1967. Fulham 1-2 Wolves.
The London Wolves Thames boat trip – 240 Wolves fans, a DJ, a bar and 3 hours sailing on the river: what could go wrong? – arrives at Putney Bridge at 4pm. Depending on the state I am in (and remember that Matt aka London Wolves Loyal is also on board) I will try and track down DOOGooder and Mrs and Witley and Son somewhere. Eight Bells? Nah I don’t like whisky.
By the way the referee Peter Bankes has reffed two of our games so far this season. Sheff Utd away (Coady sent off) and Bristol City away (Batth sent off) so let’s hope he’s not on a mission to complete his hat trick.
P.S. bet Ruddy has a blinder and Afobe scores.
A boat marauding up the Thames flying the colours of the Wolf and crossed bones. I don’t know what the Cockneys might make of it, but it scares the bejesus outa me…
This is a game that I love going to, Flum away, Iv’e only seen good games there and remember a couple of seasons ago we were struggling a little and we went down there and won 3-0, which was the score I plucked out of the air on that occasion. So I think we can cover Neves, Nuno doesn’t seem worried so why should I be.
Please Wolves play 90 minutes, don’t sit back on a healthy lead, let’s get the 3 points and move on to Nuno’s next game.
Wolves 2-0 Flum for me this time round.
If Wolves play from the start the 12th man sings his heart out, so give us something to sing about. The games left will soon be in single figures, then it gets exciting.
COMBambinos.
Dire last game last minute I keep seeing there goal in the replay and the 2 points sailing away from us..
This is a statement game but not easy..
I have my incessant backing of Afobe in trouble with cries of we told you so pending ..he’s not being given the ball enough he’s not getting into the right position to recieve it and I fear that he only has a couple of games to get that goal..
So..here we go then ..this game stinks of a draw but ok then..an Afobe hat trick ….
If he plays…..
I believe that Afobe should start. See how it pans out and subbed for Bonatini if it doesn’t.
With him being given the start his confidence will rise and he may just do the buisiness. He has the ability.
Based on that I would then predict a hat trick for him where we beat Fulham 2-3.
Wouldn’t that be nice.
But…… I do not see him starting and to be honest I do not see much of a change from last match. I do not like this one at all and do not see us getting anything from this so I am going to piss people off and say we will lose this one, even though I hope we don’t.
I’ve been loving the front 3 the last few weeks, but the Norwich game showed why it leaves us tactically disadvantaged.
When Nuno wants to make a change after starting with those 3, he has to change the tactic and bring on a different type of player. The advantage of starting with 2 from 3 is you still have 1 on the bench to bring on later.
I thought the tactical switch last night was more to blame than Ruddy’s butter fingers for the game slipping away from us.
Just my 2 pence, and don’t get me wrong, I still love Nuno!
Would love to see MGW get the winner from the bench.
UTW
A very nostalgic fixture this for me,as it was the game my late dad chose to introduce me to the beautiful game.He hoped as l sat on his shoulders packed and pressed against the barrier in the Hammersmith end,that l would follow him and support the home side.But back then l couldn’t grasp the concept of supporting a losing team.l wanted to support the winning team whose name alone captured my child’s imagination and with it my often broken heart,as any fan of a generation can understand.(UEFA final spurs)Also l have to say,l feel privileged to have been there to witness the best entertainment in football at this level,during the1980’s.A team made up of Best,Marsh,and Bobby Moore.
As for this game l think we are going to get caught out by the pace of Sessignon,and the missing Neves.but l will still have a tenner on 1-3 the score that day as you can’t beat a bit of nostalgia and the great memories.Happy days.
Regardless of the opposing team, regardless of the venue, we need to get the confidence back in the team, self belief and get back to winning ways. Nuno and the boys will be fired up for this, away win for me.
Looking forward to my day out tommorow, will be a long day, a lot of pubs between Paddington and Putney Bridge. Hopefully ending up in The Eight Bells, who sell very good beer and not just Whisky (Bedders). Have a great day on the river, God bless Her and all who sail in Her.
This game could be a classic if we show no fear, come on you mighty Wolves.
Confidence has taken a bit of a knock and this little blip has to be halted. What better place to do it than at CC. So, 3 points tomorrow and we sail away even further from the chasing pack.
Bit worried about this one to be honest. I have had a bad feeling since the QPR game only confirmed more by the cock up to Norwich. I said after QPR that I thought Rudy needed a rest and I still think that. Doubt if Nuno will change him for Norris though just yet.
As for Neves being suspended Saiss will probably get the nod but would like to see Gibbs-White given a chance from the start.
Bonatini up front with Cav & Jota please and we may have a chance.
Would love a win (but doubt it even though that is what I forecast), will take a draw now. Would not be suprised if we get turned over especially with this ref.
Haven’t gone 3 games without a win all season so will go for a sneaky 1-0
Gibbs white alf and bonitini to start for me , Saiss to come on second half once we are 3 1 up , they grab a late one as we try to see out the game , all things considered though four points from the next two games will do for me so if it’s a draw it’s not the end of the world
On live here too so alarm clock set for 1 30 ,
Utw
King Nuno MUST start with the original formation that served us so well for most of the season.
Sleachy is correct imo that its better to start like that and replace either cav or jota with costa.
Sorry but benik isnt going to cut the mustard. We are too far down the road to change our game to suit his style and i dont think he has enough time to be able to change his.
This is a huge game . Forget the points we are in front for a minute this match is pivotal and will define our run in as its Fulham who are the team of the moment not us.
Get stuffed and our confidence may fall apart . Draw or win and we will be away with the mixer again but we must play well, keep our shape and show the world who we are.
A draw will do for me as i see that as a good solid result and i dont care if its crap for the telly because it brilliant for us.
Both teams to score.
After the disaster of Wednesday night,I think we’ll bounce back to winning ways.
I think if we just go for it and see what happens, Fulham are a good footballing side,and as said the in form side at the mo,so it should be a good contest.UTW.
I think with Neves missing it’s going to be a very tough evening at craven cottage. he’s the heartbeat of our team and I just can’t see us getting anything without him.
They are all difficult games now so what makes this one any different we will be fine.
Love going to this place, a good old traditional football ground in the heart of the community surrounded by terraced houses. First went a few seasons ago in the FA Cup when we drew 0-0 and had a great day even though it was chucking it down with rain. One of those more friendlier stadiums where you are not afraid to show your Wolves colours. On to the game, they are one of the form sides at the minute and I for one was sorry to see KMac go. It will be close and unlike my Norwich prediction I am going to be sensible and go for a draw and anything else will be a bonus.
https://www.tifofootball.com/video/meet-owners-wolverhampton-wanderers/
worth a look although nothing startling.
Bonatini had a good rest now and like the option to bring Costa/Afobe on if required (if either are fit)
Just like ‘He’s called Nevz’, this game will be a trip down nostalgia lane for me (Is there such a place?).
The very first football match I attended was at The Cottage. My grandad was a Londoner and a Fulham fan, and for my birthday present he treated me to a ticket to see Fulham play Blackburn.
The Fulham side was packed with huge names from the past. Johnny Haynes – still the best passer of the ball on mud patches I’ve ever seen – Jimmy Hill, Alan Mullery, Bobby Robson, George Cohen, ‘Tosh’ Chamberlain – who had one of the hardest shots I’ve ever seen – Jimmy Langley, Graham Leggat, Tony Macedo…. What names!
Why then, you wonder, were they so crap?
The match ended 1-1, not a particularly entertaining game I seem to recall, but the memory of entering the ground and seeing the pitch and the crowd in all its colourful glory will stay with me until the day I choose not to renew my season ticket to life.
I fully expect a little tear to fall from my manly eye when I set foot on those terraces again.
I’m hoping that it will be the last tear to fall during my stay there. We need to get at THE VERY LEAST a draw out of this game.
A similar score to my first visit there would be acceptable but, come on lads, give us a win Eh?
We are not a one man team so coping without Neves should never be a problem. I’m still in the trusting Bonatini camp so looking forward to him getting a start. Tough game though and a draw will be good enough for me.
Gutted to be missing this game. Craven Cottage is just down the road from me so I always catch the Wolves matches at least. The switch from 3pm to 5.30pm is to blame due to an evening engagement. And, I was looking forward to my favourite Craven Cottage Pie in hospitality. I have to say the Cottage is a great family-friendly club with decent fans.
I’m uneasy about the match with Neves suspended and our recent stuttering form. Fulham also burst Villa’s bubble recently. I hate to be negative so I’ll plump for a tight win 2-1.
As I said above, I hate to be negative but I have to be about Ruddy. He’s served us so well I know but doubts have crept in. I was at the Chelsea v Barca game on Tuesday. My Chelsea contacts are very impressed with Wolves this season but the one bit of advice they gave was, get yourselves a new goalie. Whether you’re at the top of our division, or top of the PL, you need an outstanding keeper to give confidence to his defenders. I’m beginning to see Ruddy as a good number two. It could be that Norris will come through but if not a new keeper in the summer is a priority.
Bad feelings over this fixture and like Thomas’s opening comments a game that been on my horizon for weeks. Without Neves and us not finishing off what should have been another victory at home I have more misgivings than I have ever had this season.
Think this could be our wobble before next week we start over again to finish this league as winners.
Fulham just wrong game at wrong time. Leo to score. McDonald to be MOM
I’d have Gibbs-White in for Neves, and start with the front 3 we’ve had the last few games, but bring Bonatini on if needed instead of Afobe. Not sure what Afobe is really offering us at the mo, but at least Bonatini has done the business this season and plays well in our front 3, and he should be well rested by now.
Toughest game of the season??? Possibly. But so was Bristol City when we met at Ashton Gate, and we know what happened there.
I feel a little ‘rising to the occasion’ is in the air, and, for perhaps the first time this season, many people, fan and foe alike, are expecting a defeat. It’ll test our metal for sure, but I have felt sometimes over recent games there has been a slight whiff of complacency wafting around our golden heads, so a real test will do no harm.
Bonatini back in for me, with Saisse for Ruben and the deepest levels of concentration for the whole 90 mins.
If we can win this, my calculator will be out for them thar chickens.
Still building my kitchen, no time to waft with my usual delicate language.
Stop worrying everyone, easy three pointer.
Crikey how big is that kitchen ? LOL
Not big at all, he is just a slow worker.
We can beat Fulham, no problem.
Meanwhile I have a couple of spare tickets for tomorrow, if anyone is interested, in the neutral bit next to (and doubtless surrounded by) Wolves fans.
Yes Ruddy should have saved that shot from Oliveria but Oliveria was given the freedom of the Mol, Roman and others just gave him too much space. Also Ruddy made a great save in the 91st min. When a goalie makes a mistake it’s magnified x100 compared to an out-field player. Ruddy is ruddy good.
Neves will be a big miss and I can’t see that we have anyone similar in the squad, but then Neves is a one-off at this level. I expect Fred and Roman to be the pairing. MGB looks a real talent, he can only improve with more game time though I don’t expect Nuno to start him.
Nuno could go 3-5-2, 3-5-1-1? Maybe
I am going for Wolves to be so angry at that last kick goal that they will have too much for Fulham.
Looking forward to seeing us on the box.
A win for me it is then.
Onwards we march
🙂
Norris is just as good. Better on the line – not as good as Ruddy dealing with high crosses. He hasn’t done much wrong in the games he’s played, and it’s now time to give Norris a new chance for the first team. I can’t understand why so many rates Ruddy so much higher than Norris.
Apparently the Michael Jackson statue outside Fulham has been moved to the Football Museum in Manchester.This is a shame. I am not sure what Michael Jackson had to do with Fulham in the first place. Perhaps he once went to a game there and came out after and said ‘wow that was a thriller’.Wolves have our own celebrity Jackson in none other than Tito Jackson who is a self confessed fan of Wolves and Wolverhampton itself. Who wouldn’t be? What is not to like about The ‘man on the oss’ or the stunning architecture of Mander House. I can see the next album produced by Tito Jackson being called ‘I’m in love with Wolverhampton’ or ‘the day we went to Wednesfield’. The Jackson’s loom large over tomorrows fixture which ever way you look at it. undoubtedly there will be goals. Most of them in Fulhams net as the ‘Barcelona’ Wolves resurface after a quiet few games. Diogo will savage the Fulham back line and Ivan The Great will make Kevin MacDonald want to make his hair curly again so he can’t see him dancing around hapless Fulham defenders. A splendid afternoon by the Thames and WWFC 4 Fulham 2. After the match Nuno said ” The opponent is on a great run but we do our work. I told the boys not to be star struck by the Michael Jackson statue, but when we got here it had fucked off anyway so that was a relief. I want to win every game. We thank the fans. On to the next game” The Fulham bloke said “I want to bring the Michael Jackson statue back. If it had been there today we would have won. I have also ordered Kev MacDonald to get his hair cut.”
Cheesieeeee
Have you been on the sauce?
Is the Pope Catholic?
I look forward to his posts, they always make me smile.
This had the feel of Brentford away 2014 about it. The last time we were running away with the league, and a fashionable, likeable, west London club had ideas of knocking us off our perch. We went on to stuff them 3-0.
But not having Neves is a blow, no doubt about it.
Saiss and N’Diaye are playing for their place over the next two games – not just to play alongside Ruben on his return, but for next season too I’d say.
Bonatini over Afobe any day of the week for me. Adds way more to our game. More likely to chip in with an assist if nothing else.
Why don’t we use Jordan Graham at some point tomorrow too? Surely he has something to prove against his old loan club?
I was watching some UCL highlights yesterday and noticed how many top teams play a 4-2-3-1 formation. I thought if Wolves played that formation we would have Afobe/Bonatini up front with Jota, Cav and Costa all on the pitch. Mid 2 is a given and there would be a choice for the back 4. Would love to see that forward line against a mid to lower table team. Tomorrow we go with what we know and hope we can get the first goal. I say a 1-0 win. (No I don’t play Football Manager and of course in Nuno I trust). Just giving him ideas that’s all 🙂 oops I forgot the formal score.
I think Bonatini & Saiss have to start for this one, they should both be raring to get back on the pitch.
Afobe needs game time & to build his confidence up – maybe a couple of reserves games would work for him.
Tough match but hoping we’ll nick it.
COYW
OK here is my formal Prediction.
Went with draws last two games so can’t go again
Hooe I’m wrong but I think we might go down tomorrow I’m not worrying at all though still got enough in the tank.
Tough without Neves. Hoping for a win but will be pretty happy with a draw.
Agreed, Cannock.
Looking forward to a few sherberts in Putney en route!
COMBs!
Is it just me or could Gibbs-White do with a few extra pounds of muscle? Loved his style on Wednesday but he lost the ball too easily and the last time that gave the chance for… let’s not go there.
Meantime don’t think we will
Stop Fulham
Scoring so going for 6 goal thriller
Got a feeling Sessegnon, or whatever his name is will run riot. Not convinced with our overall performances of late. Sweaty bum time.
A return to winning ways.
It has been known for visiting fans to exit the District line at Fulham Broadway station in the mistaken belief that this is the closest underground station for Craven Cottage when in fact it’s the principal station for Stamford Bridge. From there it is a good 30 minutes’ walk or so to Fulham FC.
Even those deciding to use Parsons Green (as a dozen of us from Bedford Wolves did a few years ago when Wolves were stuffed 5-0) face a longish walk, although we deliberately did so to sample the beer in a German themed pub in Fulham high street.
Ah yes Craven Cottage – that most hospitable of football grounds to visit. Enjoy the walk over Bishops Park breathing in the bracing air blowing in from the Thames with the genteel surroundings making it seem more like a visit to nearby Hurlingham for a quintessential English game of croquet or bowls than the hurly burly of association football.
Once inside Craven Cottage (my first trip was on the opening day of 1967/68 season when goals from Mike Bailey and The Doog secured a 2-1 victory for newly promoted Wolves and the infamous Bilko from Sedgley was arrested for brawling and pinching a Fulham scarf) one gets the urge to lie down and contemplate anything but football. It’s that sort of place with the masts of dingys and other craft bobbing up and down and rowers sweating away as they heave and pull against the tidal flow on the Thames lapping up on one side of the stadium. It’s the antitheses of a “normal” football ground.
Opposing players and managers fall over themselves to behave themselves in the utterly tranquil surroundings unless of course you get beaten. In February 1966 Fulham were rock bottom of the old top flight but managed to beat Liverpool at the other end of the spectrum. Late on Ian St John of Liverpool felled Mark Pearson of Fulham with a left hook as good as anything seen at Madison Square Garden. St John (or Singen to pronounce it correctly) marched indignantly to the dressing room, his rotund face red with embarrassment.
Given today’s ludicrous transfer fees I often discuss with like-minded supporters of a similar age what the footballers of yesteryear would be worth, especially inside forwards or schemers or midfielders, call em what you will, where the real game is played. Here I am thinking of the mercurial Peter Broadbent (Wolves) my dad’s all-time favourite or John White “the Ghost” of that magnificent Tottenham team in the early 60’s and who was killed by lightning in 1964 or the wonderful Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele) whom I watched spellbound at Villa Park in 1972 during a Villa v Santos friendly in front of over 55,000 or Wilf Mannion of Middlesbrough who had the ability in Manchester mud or Sunderland slime to compose the beat of the game better than Previn could an orchestra or Paul Gascoigne the pick of the modern era whose career was ruined by Jimmy Five Bellies and too much alcohol or superb Jim Baxter of Rangers and Scotland who taunted England with “keep uppy” at Wembley in 1967 and strolled through the game with impunity when Scotland beat the world champions 3-2 and finally what about Fulham’s very own Johnny Haynes, a club record 658 appearances and the master of the reverse pass that split defences as lethal as steel shears and the first £100 per week footballer in 1962 – hated in the North where he was regarded as the golden boy of the South. After the game you could spot Haynes in the Queen Elm pub in the Fulham High Road with Danny Blanchflower – one insider to another – but probably discussing golf.
The Cottage itself proudly stands at one corner of the stadium no doubt with ghosts of showbiz and entertainment that used to/still frequents the place – including bandleader Chappie D’Appie, Tommy Trinder, Bruce Forsyth, David “Diddy” Hamilton, Annie Ross (jazz singer), Jimmy Hill and more recently Richard Osman (Pointless) and so on.
Of course Al-Fayed had a statue of Michael Jackson erected outside Craven Cottage which was bizarre to say the least and to keep with this theme of strange happenings Fulham opened the first (and only one to date) gin bar within Craven Cottage just over a year ago. At the last count around 12 different varieties were on sale. Well I suppose it makes a change from bitter or lager….!
So Craven Cottage and Fulham, the first team to score in the league cup competition back in 1960/61 season but really not won anything of note. One FA cup final defeat (1975) when Bobby Moore captained “The Cottagers” against………………….West Ham United and a few lower division championships although they did reach the Europa League final in 2010 before losing to Athletico Madrid 2-1 AET.
Chuck in an unforgettable season (1976/77) when Rodney Marsh partnered George Best (and lost 5-1 at Molineux) and that’s about it I think
Head to head – played each other on 89 occasions
Wolves won 42 – Fulham won 25.
Let us pray it becomes 43 victories tomorrow but I am going for a draw 1-1 which would be a bloody good result considering their current form. However I hope I am wrong….!
Have a good day bloggers if you are travelling with the 4,500 away contingent. I shall be avoiding the score (or trying to) with a view to watch it on Sky later in the evening as my beloved and I will be with the granddaughter for a fun filled Saturday. Same for the Calcutta cup match at Murrayfield.
BOG
Bog are you a Ghoust writer in your spare time, a good and informative read, have a good ‘un .
Wow, what a brilliant post. Great to read Mike. Had to chuckle at the memory of Wilf Mannion. Don’t hear the name Wilf much now, but there are a few Milfs around, so I am told.
Are you coming up for the Boro game mate? That will be my first when I get back.
Wolves will win 2-1.
No Afobe until he has more practice time to learn the system.
Bonatini in for sure. One of the Portuguese players can come in if he isn’t playing well.
It makes sense to me to favour a team in form, playing at home and with their best player available against a side having a bit of a wobble and their best player unavailable. Will hope for a win/draw but fear a defeat is inevitable.
Gutted of course by the 93min equaliser, but tomorrow’s another day.
We usually do well against Fulham so I’ll go for a narrow win, but in reality could be any one of 3 results.
Low scoring affair with cav producing a bit of magic
Hate predicting a defeat but think we’ll struggle.
Time for Afobe to come good perhaps?
The free-hit analogy in the preamble is correct.
But this ain’t the time to get all doom and gloomy; we’re 9 points clear for goodness sake, and it cheers me up no end to see most of us on the same page.
What I’d really like as an early Christmas present however, would be a front three of Jota, Bonnatini and Cavaliero back with Costa replacing Cav after we’ve nailed em…you know, like we used to!
In the middle I’d put Gibbs White in with Saiss. If Sesegenon can do it at 17, why can’t World Cup Winner, Morgan? I have no problem giving the kid his chance to shine…so long as he don’t end up like Scatman Cruthers!
The defense is solid so long as we don’t give corners away. No worries there.
So, good, hard-fought win for the lads I reckon.
UTW.
Being exiled in London (and sometimes Spain) I don’t get to see a lot of games in the flesh – although I do get to keep up with live streams from Wolves TV. My record of games in this our best season for years is not good. Watched 5; lost 3 (Cardiff, QPR, Notts Forest); drawn 1 (Brentford away); won 1 (Norwich away).
The bad news for you lot is that I’m going to Fulham tomorrow, so you might want to bank on a home win.
Every side in the dog-eats-dog Championship goes through a bad patch, and Wanderers recent performances suggest a dip from the giddy heights of a 14 game unbeaten run (yes I was at the fifteenth game). However we only seem to be scoring fewer goals and drawing the odd game rather than winning. Not losing when you’re not playing well is the mark of a very good side. It’ll all come right again soon, and for those fretting about loss of form remember Cardiff, who went through 4 straight defeats but have now bounced back in contention. Win, lose or draw tomorrow, we’ll still be well ahead by the end of March, as those behind will start beating each other up.
With me going 2-1 to Fulham.
With a whip round to keep me in The Temptation for the full 90 minutes and not see a single kick of the ball 1-2 to Wanderers.
It’s natural to be a bit apprehensive, having to face an in form team without our best player, and after the recent QPR and Norwich displays.
I agree with most here that the three musketeers, Jota, Bonatini, and Costa should start, and if they display the scintillating skills they’re capable of, we could get on top early and go on to win it. The defence had been sound most of the season and again, if at their best can hopefully keep the Fulham attack at bay.
On the other hand we could well lose this.
Hoping for the best, but a sound performance, even if we should lose, showing flair and fight, and I’d take that, knowing there are plenty of winnable fixtures yet to come.
Quote from Pep Guardiola;
“A lot of teams are making a lot of fouls against us. We make a foul, we get a yellow card, I don’t know how it’s possible sometimes.”
Sound familiar ?
Tough one tomorrow – hoping for a draw against a form team with lots of talent.
Well, we are the Man City of the Championship.
No, no, no. Man City are the Wolves of the Premiership.
In my earlier post, sent at 3.22pm, for ‘inevitable’ please replace with ‘the more likely outcome’. Thank you.
I’m over Norwich, and looking at it now and it wasn’t disaster after all we got the rub of the green against Bristol City so we cannot complain.
I still think taking Cav off and N’Daiye unbalanced us may be only N’Daiye should have come off and Cav stay on anyway no good harping on about it it’s water under the bridge and Nuno has shown this season he learns from his and the teams mistakes and both been exceptional so far.
The one thing Wolves teams of old used to do was win the games against teams they shouldn’t do, I’m hoping this is the case against Fulham not saying we are inferior to Fulham it’s just after the Norwich result there is a bit more pressure on us.
BTW, we shouldn’t be worrying about them. Let them worry about Wolves.
As a quick aside from predictions. Is that Jason Lee presenting The One Show on BBC 1?
On the basis that things don’t always work out as we expect them to – witness the Norwich game -I’m going for a win here, a win in spite of all the things that point the other way. We have a long term good record against Fulham and I’m backing that rather than short-term problems.
One of my favourite matches was the 9-0 home win which I was fortunate enough to be at.
Someone mentioned Tony Macedo – he played in the 9-0 match. I’ve always liked his style after hearing him defend his poor performance which got Fulham knocked out of the FA Cup -in round 6 I think. When asked by the interviewer if he felt ashamed to let the side down and go out of the cup he said “No, it’s only because of me they’ve got this far”. Right on!!
Regardless of what happened on Wednesday this game against Fulham in my opinion was always going to be the toughest of our remaining fixtures. After Fulham’s early season slump they have really picked up and playing the top of football everyone expected them to. As for the team Neves has finally got the suspension so who comes in? As well as Gibbs-White played I still think its a bit early for him so I would go with Saiss. The only other change I would consider is in the front three except not starting Afobe but Bonatini. We have played some of our best football with him in the team.
I don’t regard the mistakes made by nuno as a problem but as a positive as he will learn more when it goes wrong than when it goes right..going tomorrow and going to be supping in the spotted horse in putney high St as a warm up prior to my vocal performance at the cottage.
Full of the ham 2 wolver nuno 3
Morning folks, I have an Aussie pal (Karl) visiting London over the weekend. Would anyone know of a spare ticket for the game? I know its sold out and you can’t buy on the day but I would love to help an old pal to get a day with the Wolves.
Ps a hard fought even game in my book and a decent away point.
Miyashiro.
If you read above;Leslie has two up for grabs.
Thanks a lot Stu!! I’ve passed on the details to my friend.
Tough one for us – will be interesting to see if we lose fluidity without Neves. I think we will struggle a little
Am going to the Star Casino in Sydney with a mate who follows Fulham at 4:30am on Sunday morning to watch the game live. Looking forward to hearing the Wolves fans in full voice.
I am worried about this game but hopefully we bounce back. Always like the type of football that Fullham play.
Would like to see Bonatini start and the midfield step up without Neves playing.
First ever speed bumps to be put down … you guessed it ! Fulham
Well , we shall slow those fuckers down tomorrow
Lillie whites 0
Portuhampton. 1
Happy with a draw, but won5 predict it.
I was down to get maximum points last week. That’s it, I’ll never buy Coleman’s mustard again. Or go to Norfolk for my holidays.
I’ve took a little time contemplating the result for this one. What with “the form book”, 17 yr old Ryan Sessinyon, KMac & even Michael Jackson.
Then I had an epiphany!
We Are Wolves
Nuno hasn’t fek’t off
We have 9 points more than 2nd place (CC – Colin’s Cloggers)
We have 13 points more than 3rd place
We have most goals scored
Minimum goals conceded
Most clean sheets
So what the fek are we worried about?
Nuno WILL NOT change his style/pattern of play because it works & he’s proved it
So Nuno please carry on for the next 13 games as you have for the last 33 cus this is the VERY best I’ve ever seen.
Play 343, 352, 3421, 3511 or any other permutation you believe will win.
Start with the team you think will win the game
12th man please song your hearts out tomoz, as you always do, gutted I’m at a family do & can’t màke it.
And never forget “they will be more worried about us, than we will of them”
COMB FOwb KMac CW
Sorry but I can not see us getting anything from this game in the form we are showing.
Saiss and N,Diay should be able to cover for Neves ok and lets hope he leaves Afobe at home, he does not fit in to our style of play at present and Nuno seems to be under some sort of pressure to sub him on at some stage of the game, to do that he has to take better players off and we can not afford to do that here.
Well said rickrack, the best thing about this season is knowing whoever and wherever we play , we have a great chance of winning.
These guys love the big games, under the lights, in front of the cameras, away from home just adds to the hype, bring it on
Utw
The strength of the wolf is in the pack
Some tough away games ahead and I’d echo my comment from the PNE one: shared points will be good. Still, I’m predicting a win, just like I’ve done for every game since the start of the season.
I’m setting off now, with Sounds of the Sixties and Johnnie Walker on the radio. “Crimson and Clover” at the moment, great!
I just know I’m gonna see a great game, a great advert for Championship football, win lose or draw for us.
We’ll need a Man City type performance today because they’re good and they know they’re good (so that might be their downfall).
If we play like the last few games we could be on the end of a hiding! It’s hard for me to accept that after all I’ve seen this season. But we’re a bit disjoint at the moment.
So what if we lose?
Well we’ll still be champions. (And it’ll scare the shit out of Bruce and Warnock.)
I think Fulham will get the runners up spot anyway.
I worry more about this ref, he could inflict more damage than Fulham.
But as my grandson says “I don’t know why you worry Grandad, God’s a Wolves supporter” so I have to go for a win. 1-0 will do it for me but if it’s 4-3, all the better. I’m hyped up for this one.
MGW to come of age.
COYW 🙂 🙂
Dan
Whoops, the score didn’t go in
Need an ‘Edit’ button
KOTCS,
As my kids wud say “I’m well jel” as I can’t go & really wanted to party in the boat followed by a disco in CC
Your grand kid talks an awful lot of sense.
Hope all bloggers that are going have a fantastic day & all who can’t go have another Bristol City
UTW
If God’s a Wolves supporter he’s had a funny way of showing it over the last few decades.
Dooger
I don’t want to appear a know-all but you just asked the same question that the Israelites asked themselves in Exodus when they were made to wander 40 years in the wilderness feeding off scraps. And a generation had to die out before the followers could see the promised land. Check in the good book. Hey! There’s a parallel there.
As for my grandson, he only knows only three places Wolvo, Womourne and Heaven (that’s just behind St Peter’s) with a lot of traffic congestion in between, he says.
As for the game, I met up with some former work mates from the Met Police IT Department in the mid 80s. They’re all Fulham fans, good lads. One of them has a mid-terrace house worth more than three times my place! They were actually worried about this game, expecting their bubble to burst. They are so grateful for curly Kev. I got an ear-bashing all through the game and with nothing much to shout about. It all seems to have gone wrong around the Swansea game. The goals have dried up, where’s the team work? Where’s the confidence and swagger gone? Man for man Fulham were better. And I had to acknowledge this. But it was a good game for cottagers and for neutrals.
I remember 1982-83, we were top of the Second Div at Christmas eleven points clear and I don’t think we won again ’til Easter finishing runners-up to QPR by ten points. But I know we won’t be going there again.
I’m having a few drinks then starting the long trip back early tomorrow. I’ll do this all again next season when we’re both in the PL. But Fosun are going to have to splash some cash before then.
I was given a fortune cookie that says “Overcome all disasters” or “Triumph in adversity” or some such, I’m told by my mate. I don’t know if the Chinese characters will appear here. ?????. It’s going to be my watchword for a while.
Roll on Reading next Saturday. Then Neves is back and the world will be a happy place again.
We am Wolves aye we.
🙂 Dan
A must win game to inject some needed confidence to both players and fans alike.
Putney tube station is closed pepes as is tube district line..
Train from Waterloo overground to putney overground
Want the win but need to dig in and get a draw at least,
COYW
I have good memories of drinking around Putney Bridge in the 70s and 80s and remember seeing Best, Marsh and Moore. Also, not so nice, of one of my friends catching fire at a barbecue held at Craven Cottage in 1981 (but he recovered in time).
Moving on to today, I’m sure Nuno and the boys will want to respond strongly after that little blip against Norwich (yes, I had good view of that late, late goal from Billy Wright W9). The nice thing is that it’s away from home and that Fulham play open football. Not so good that they are the form side
My preferred midfield pairing is Saiss and N’Diaye in midfield, but I’ll be holding my breath that Romain doesn’t go the way of Neves by getting booked.
Sorry, going with my head this time around – but hoping Wolves prove me wrong once again.
I thought peongcheng was somebody we were looking at for next year but apparently it’s happening in the Winter Olympics , anyroad there will be way more entertainment at cc .
I was planning to set my alarms for 1 30 but just realised Scotland v England in the funny shaped ball can keep me awake so feck the alarm , I’ll put that strong coffee on I bought in Vietnam, the one that the weavel eats , then shits out and then gets sold to people in , Well Fulham for loads of money,, if that don’t work. What will
Utw
I have had a bad feeling on this game all week.
I’m not sure what it is, but something doesn’t feel right at the moment. Really hoping Bonatini starts, and Nuno leaves the formation alone!!
Me and the PMDG’er are presently ensconced in our room at the Captain Cook in Dawes Road. Just opposite the Bedford Arms funnily enough.
Probably won’t have time for a beer before hand but I expect all the bloggers will be conveniently seated together in the away end.
See you all there!
Don’t give the ball away, take our chances, focus when defending set pieces
I’m feeling a bit less optimistic after Wednesday. The second half reminded me of how we were playing before the dose of vitamin D. I hope it’s just a blip but I fear we might lose today. Nevertheless I refuse to predict a loss. Come on me babbies! Oh, and by the way I’ve just heard that Villa beat Wednesday 2-4.
O yee of little faith.
Live on sky on my 21st Birthday what a treat (1.30am here)! Streaming the match in my hotel room with friends hope it’s a good one. COYW
Would be extremely happy with a point tonight. Difficult game but we have met so many challenges this season have to believe we can do it again.
75mins gone going exactly as expected. 2 down & playing rubbish
Ouch – bloody ouch!! Arses been kicked tonight.
Cool head for Saturday!
Utter rubbish !
Passes going anywhere saiss was a joke and bonatini none existent!
Saying that Fulham could have played with their eyes closed they won nearly every loose ball as it just seemed to drop to them but they were a better side by a country mile.
Nuno has got a big big problem in midfield he needs to recall connor Ronan or put a rocket up saiss’es arse.
Sorry need to calm down but that really was crap.
I think you’re right Spikeyboy.
I think he’s got a bigger problem with the whole of the squad at the mo,they are not doing it, I hope it’s only a little blip because there’s a lot of games to go and now’s not the time to get the jitters.
We can’t rely on other teams to do us a favour we need to get back to where we were a few weeks ago.
I do hope though that our friends in Bristol do us a favour and them selves and beat the taffs.?
I can only agree my missus said will you stop swearing, I said no, for the money they earn they need to work harder. Poor performance overall. Onward and up wards. But it shows the difference between the Premiership and the Championship and it’s massive. Of course I want us to go up but I do not want the relegation battle of former years.
Wolves ay we. That’s what we do. Nothing is ever straight forward. Roller coaster coming off the rails, gonna be a rocky Road to the promised land.
Frustrated,, angry better wait till tomorrow………oh and pissed off………back to normal then….!
Back from the pub.
When I read about some managers saying Wolves were the best team they have played it was heartwarming.
Well, as a Wolves fan, I personally believe that Fulham are the best team we have played. They made us look average, and to be honest I have seen us play worse than we did today, but they were just better. Simple as that in my opinion. Not going to comment on Jota missing the sitter that Afobe set up for him (oh i just did) as it was too late even had he scored.
Anyway, that is now behind us. Let’s get our heads together for the next match.
Still …… 10 points ahead of 3rd
Great response Brompton. Totally agree.
PPG Ratio after round 34 of games now saying promotion party shifted to Derby home 10.4.2018.
Just got back from the game and still can’t get my head around what happened this afternoon…great passing game buty looked nervous on and off the ball.
Still believe in nuno
Not depressed
Utw
I’m just back in the door too, I agree, delighted with the passing game in the first half. 2nd half they dropped their heads and got really sloppy.
Game over, lost it, got beat by a better side who wanted it more.
On to next Saturday against Reading who by the way have a game Wednesday weather permitting.
Not too despondent, I can live until next week without the suicide tendencies.
Nice to meet up with Mark & Sue, enjoy your night in London, also Ken and Carmen, ( bet you asked to get frisked on the way out too).
That photo you took of the ‘KEEP OFF THE GRASS’ sign in the goalmouth pre kick off, do you think the lads thought they meant during the game?
The one next to it during the training session was more apt, “Beware of low flying balls” .
Siass nearly took me out with his one shot on goal? I was in row S.
Wife came back in and said “I can see by your face they have lost so will not ask”
In the words of the programme “do not panic mr Mannering”
Fulham deserved the win, but bonnatini never turned up, ndiye gets the hook instead off saiss but he had done a lot of work, costa gets pushed off the ball too easily, ruddy the flapper.
We need to shoot when we get in good positions as we now seem to want to pass, Afobe may start the next game.
Think we are mentally fatigued at the moment but in Nuno we trust and Neves will be back soon.
Neves will be back soon
Well, this was always going to be a tough match. We now move on.
For the next couple of hours I am a Bristol City fan.
I went down the pub half way through the second half. I mean, if the were disinterrsted I don’t see why I should bother.
Stu mentioned it already, they wanted it more and are the form side at the moment. We stunk the place out and appear to have forgotten the object of the game: putting the round thing in the back of the net.
Fully expect to be back against Reading, but Wolves without Neves…?
UTW.
The Neves factor shows itself …
Afobe needs 90 mins at Reading..
Big response to this result needed.
Cardiff too close for comfort..
Jota needs contact lenses..
And to top off a weekend of the vile winning and us losing BLOODY Cardiff go and sneak it .
Our lead down to 6 points which is fine with one game to play but not 12 games to play especially as we seem to have lost the plot at the moment.
Ladies and gentlemen now is NOT the time to have a bad run.
Cody into midfield, saiss dumped, Gibbs white to start, hausse or bath into the back line, jota to start ,Costa sub, afobe to start, ndiye sub, norris to start as ruddy has lost it.
Yesterday there wasn’t a will to win our neat little triangles were jumped on and smashed by players who wanted it more than we did.
Not good enough nuno
Bath into the back line?!!!! We might as well chuck it in this season and say we all like the championship anyway and I’ll then send in the blokes in white coats to take you away..
I can’t think of a more detrimental suicidal joke making choice that would have Vile Derby and Cardiff fans thinking they had won the lottery..
Coady in midfield ….. now you are talking Bollox. This is one away game lost. This is not a problem yet, calm down.
Diogo Jota, now this is a bad tackle you pussy.
https://mobile.twitter.com/sham_con/status/967540030897041408?s=12
Kept watching again and again, I thought I was watching The South Americans in the 66 World cup.
I reckon the last 7 games have seen us accumulate 11 points which in the context of the season is as poor as it gets. All is not lost. If we repeat that sort of return over the last 12 games we will still achieve 91/92 points. It will take a catastrophic loss of form from now on to bugger everything up.