Whatever your opinion on recent performances, one win in six isn’t good enough.
The fact that Brentford have won their last seven matches in a row and 11 of their last 12, simply compounds matters.
The Bees won’t go on winning forever so Wolves have to start digging out the victories sooner rather than later.
If they win tonight, which they should, top spot will be temporarily regained for a week, with Brentford not playing until next Saturday.
Gillingham
The 4-0 thumping that was dished out the Gills back in August gave everyone inside Molineux the confidence that Wolves could enjoy a successful season.
It’s funny to think that three of our best players that afternoon – Davis, Evans and Ismail can barely get a look in these days.
Martin Allen has since been given the boot and former England (caretaker) manager Peter Taylor is now the man in charge at Priestfield.
They’ve steadied the ship since and now sit 17th, alongside a clutch of teams just outside the relegation zone.
And although they only have one win in their last six, they’ve taken points off Peterborough and Walsall. It also took a late turnaround to deny them victory over Leyton Orient.
Home form reads won four, drawn four, lost five, scored 17, conceded 18. Draw your own conclusions from that.
Wolves
Kenny rotated the team out of necessity against Tranmere with James Henry and Jack Price ruled out. He’ll have to factor in the loss of Carl Ikeme, Ethan Ebanks-Landell and the suspended Richard Stearman tonight.
I’m assuming Wayne Hennessey will return in goal. There’s been speculation linking him with a move away but he’ll surely play tonight. He’s an international keeper. We need that experience.
Back four is anyone’s guess. Elokobi seems the most likely bet to come into the side but if he plays left-back I’m not sure where everyone else slots in.
I’m personally of the opinion that two strikers is the way to go. We need to win and I’m not sure we can do that if we’ve only got goalless Jake Cassidy in the box. He’s surely due a rest?
The odds
Wolves are as usual favourites for the win at 8/11. The Gills are 17/4 and the draw is 29/10.
Bakary Sako is long overdue a goal from open play and the Frenchman is 13/2 for the opener tonight. The home side’s most likely scorer is Danny Kedwell at 13/2.
All odds available from here.
Predictions
Only two people thought Wolves would draw at Prenton Park. Timberwolf takes a point and Predictor gets a maximum for yet another correct scoreline. Well done to both.
Difficult time of the season at the moment with results not going our way and the injuries piling up. Need to come through January with a few wins and some new personnel.
I would still back us to get the job done tonight ahead of a horrible looking fixture against Preston next weekend.
2-1 to the old gold.
Up The Wolves
Gills 0 wolves 1. Need to win tonight good luck lads
Happy New Year guys.
Gills 0 Wolves 2
It’s a must win . We must wrestle some sort of psychological advantage back from Brentford and Orient .
I doubt Elokobi will start , but if he does I expect it will be at full back with Ricketts alongside Batth . Otherwise
your team Thomas looks pretty strong to me – despite all the injuries piling up .
Gills 1 Wolves 2 .
If Elokobi doesn’t start, then who? I was wracking my brains to think of any other defenders we have on the books. Foley is the only other name that comes to mind, but he’s been nowhere near the squad for ages.
Beyond that it’s kids.
I was just going to ask about Foley. What ever happened to him?! I’d have thought he could come in at right back, allowing Ricketts to play centre back. It won’t happen but it did cross my mind about Foley. We must be losing a fair amount of money with players like him on the books.
If Edwards starts again I will cry
I think Edwards deserves a tad more faith. I have a blog up my sleeve on the very subject.
He’s never been my favourite player and yes his football is not as pleasing on the eye as Price, Jacobs, McDonald, etc, but here are some things to consider:
1. He scored a goal against Tranmere. A simplistic view granted, but nobody else managed that. Our strikers aren’t scoring, so we need goals from midfield. He only has 2 goals so far this season, but that’s more than any other central midfielder.
2. Edwards played and scored against Tranmere at home, which was probably our most complete performance of the season. That says to me he’s not the sole reason we haven’t performed in other matches.
3. He solidified the midfield against Notts County and Brentford. We haven’t been as open through the middle since he’s been in the team.
Those are observations based on this season.
I would also point out that historically he’s played and scored in some of the best Wolves performances in the last 20 years e.g. 2-1 win over Man City at home second season in Prem.
One of the best 45 minutes of football I’ve ever seen from Wolves was against Aston Villa at home two seasons back. Edwards scored in that game in a three man midfield alongside Henry and Frimpong. We had Kightly and Jarvis wide and it was the most energetic, fast-paced, exciting attack we saw in the Prem years.
The problem with Edwards is that when Wolves aren’t playing well, he looks like a cart horse because he runs around like a headless chicken and isn’t the type of player to get us playing great football.
I do think he’s a useful asset though because he can fill in a few positions, always covers the ground and has a goal in him. And although I don’t think he’s the type of player to inspire a great performance, I don’t think he’s the reason we struggle.
Just my two penneth.
Gillingham 1 Wolves 3
To me it would make more sense to slot Foley in at right back and move Ricketts back alongside Danny Batth. That said, you’re right Thomas, Foley has been nowhere near the squad and KJ clearly doesn’t see him in his plans, so I guess we’ll see.
It will be interesting to see if his hand is forced tonight as, as much as I love Big George, Elokobi gets my nerves jangling just thinking about him lining up in our back four. I wonder if Reckford will come into the squad, or even the starting XI? I’ve never seen him play before, so couldn’t really give much of an opinion on whether he should or shouldn’t. It would be interesting to hear other people’s thoughts on that.
Whichever way KJ goes though, it should in theory be enough, but clearly our problem is up front. Hopefully Griffiths will get a sniff, as he’ll struggle without some decent service.
I’m going to go for a 0-1 away win for the Wolves.
Gillingham 1-3 Wolves
Surely?
Wolves 1 gill 0
Looking at the forecast and comments on their pitch, one prediction might be postponement!! I too think Foley would be worth a go, but that seems unlikely. And Louie may well be crying because I can’t see us starting without Edwards. And with all the talk of Wolves’ comparative quality, isn’t this the time it should show, with Hennessey being our backup GK? Hope that doesn’t come back to bite me in the bum!
Can’t help wondering what O’Hara playing behind Griff and along the ground would do for us, not that I’m much in favour of an O’H return. And given the conditions, I suspect high balls to Cassidy will be more likely, especially if big George is there to lump it out of defence! Which will no doubt result in further exclamations of ‘balls to Cassidy!’ And I predict this talk of Elokobi will have Clive from H in a lather.
Bit fed up of failed 2-1 predictions, but it has to happen some time! So an ugly Gills 1 Wolves 2 for me.
The O’H thought was only in the absence of Henry, I hasten to add!!
Wolves 2-1 gills. Think Akinfenwa might nab one on us
Surely there is someone from our esteemed grade 1 academy that is better than big george!
Gills 2-1 wolves
🙁
Foley for me at Right Back, but as he’s clearly out of favour with KJ it’s anyones guess what the defence will look like tonight. The weather could well have an impact on the game so I don’t expect a classic. Wolves to win 2-0.
The bringing fwd of this fixture, for the benefit of the TV, is downright cruel. Even professional need recovery time. . we’ve travelled back from Tranmere and now it’s on Virgin trains down to the Medway ..what a frickin journey. Sorry folks but this is a stop too far for us and I’m seeing a 2-1 to the Gills.
Got a bad feeling about this one
Gillingham 2-0 Wolves
A difficult time for Wolves, with injuries starting to impact on team selection.
Would be good to get news of a couple of new signings quickly.
– looks like a few could be leaving.
Should win this, but not confident.
Gills 0 Wolves 2
W e follow the Wolves through thick and thin
E ven when we believe we may not win.
A loyal following is what the team does get, with fans
R egailing when the ball is in the net
E ven after a loss, or even a draw
W e leave the ground still wanting more.
O ver time we grow more atuned to the fact, that
L osing a game is a terrible act
V oluptuous applause when we do win a game and
E veryone then wants more of the same
S illy of me sitting here at home, thinking my thoughts – Am I not alone?
UTW/FOWB
Been wrong (like most) these last few games and I must say I am not brimming with confidence. We should win but that’s what I said last game so I am going for a 1-1 draw.
This should be a comfortable win but we all know that supporting Wolves should carry a government health warning!
As we’re not scoring many I’ll go for a narrow win & hope they prove me wrong. Assuming the match goes ahead that is.
Gillingham 0 – 1 Wolves
Gillingham 0 – 1 Wolves for me please
I think he’ll go for a back three of Ricketts, Batth and Golbourne with Evans returning to midfield with Edwards and McDonald. Jacobs on one wing with the Enigma on the other with Cassidy and Griffiths up front.
I’m going to keep the faith and choose a 2-0 win to Wolves.
Things I’d like to see:
1. Cassidy on the bench
2. Elokobi and Akinfenwa having a wrestling showdown at half time
3. Hennessey having a great game and reclaiming the GK’s jersey
Hopefully Wolves 2 Gillingham 0
COME ON ME BABBIES
I think;
Hennessey, ricketts, batth, elokobi, golbourne
Jacobs, McDonald, Edwards, sako
Griffiths, Cassidy
Should win but not confident, could go either way, but think Gillingham might sneak it 2-1 🙁
I’m feeling lucky after my New Year’s Eve big lottery win!
I’m on a roll.
So, although we have an ever lengthening injury list and a suspension, I predict with the utmost confidence a comfortable victory for our brave chaps.
I’m going for 3-1 to the Wolves.
I know that you are all dying to ask how much I won.
It’s not quite life changing…
…but £2.80 isn’t to be sniffed at.
You could buy us a forward with that, and still have some change.
I was there when Gills beat us and got Dave Jones the sack, remember feeling nervous when I saw what a horrible little ground it was Of course we should have expected to beat them this time, but with these injuries its not so easy. I would have thought that loveable Big George was much too risky, Foley was always so reliable, and yes, Reckord or some other Academy graduate would be preferable. And please let Griffiths start, or give Sigurdarson another chance – or how about Eusebio, younger readers may not realise what a magic name that is.
Whatever, I’ll stick with Wolves 3 Gills 0
‘I was there when Gills beat us and got Dave Jones the sack…’
Me too. Wouldn’t have been so bad had it not been against 10 men for 80 minutes (and an unknown Matt Jarvis scoring the winner). Also, the friend I went with (Gills fan) died shortly afterwards at only 44 yrs old… :- ((
Foley and Elokobi were both diabolical v Notts Co in the Paint Cup so I could see Davis or Evans being asked to slot in at RB tonight.
So, Wolfman, 1-0, it was deja vue all over again, altho we did play better this time, albeit without any end product. Looks like Priestfield is an unlucky stadium for Wolves.
Still, up our game to beat Preston, then 5 easy games to follow………………
DOOGooder hope your luck rubs off on me.
Like most on tenterhooks about the transfer window and if Pieman can find the key to the safe.
Gills 1 Wolves 2
I said this against Tranmere, but a big win is overdue! 4-0!
Wolves to scrape a 0-1 win. Cassidy to come off the bench and break his duck.
Any talk of Foley and Elokobi should be squished immediately.
We might as well recall Ward and Johnson and play O Hara if we wanna go down that road.
Our squad is good enough to smash the likes of Tranmere and Gillingham, and not be afraid of any other team as well, they just need the right motivations and impetuses ( is that a word?)
We need more competition for the forward places, so get the checkbook out morgan, and do what we all know needs doing…..just as you have in the last 3 years, Ha.
If the game goes ahead tonight, we will win 5 – 1.
If it don’t, we will not lose!!
Wow Clive. Was ‘optimism’ in your new years resolution? 🙂
Wolves to win this 2-0
I take your point, Clive.
But what back 4 would you play tonight then? Our squad looks awfully thin at centre back with Stears and EEL both out. Surely our academy hasn’t managed to nurture a third? As far as I know both Golbourne and Jamie Reckord are left backs, and Doc is still a ways off recovery. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Checkbook? Not commenting on the US Spelling mate, but am questioning if Morgan knows where the Pie Face Feker has hidden it!!
Need a win to go top, televised game, injuries… not confident at all.
Gills 0 – Wolves 2
Time for quality to show. Gills 0 Wolves 4
Anyone other than Elokobi for me; Foley anytime.
But it looks like big George is first in line with KJ, so i’m praying for a postponement.
It will probably go ahead, with him in the team, so that means nil point……..2-1 to them.
Bit nervous about this one, but still can’t predict a loss.
Wolves 2 Gills1
I like Thomas’s team going forward although its a 4-4-1-1 for me (but has Kenny taken his medicine yet ?).
2-1 to WWFC
I’ve been pretty consistent at getting my predictions wrong lately so I will go with a 1-1 draw and hope I’m wrong again.
Failing in finance
Failing in diet.
Failing in Sex.
Almost failing in the Prediction League.
BUT can’t fail with this one……..Wolves 3 Gillingham 1.
Got to be positive, otherwise might as well roll over and die.
Wolves 2 Gills 1
I have abandoned detailed analysis and made a guess but hope KJ makes more reasoned selections
We could see Foley in at RB and Ricketts to CB , or he may blood Jamie Tank (I think that is unlikely) who looks a decent prospect. We really need to put in a decent performance and bang in a few goals. Going to go Gillingham 0-2 – Griffiths & Jacobs
🙂
2-0 to the Wolves please Thomas! UTW
Gills 2 Wolves 3, if big George is playing centre back.
I love Clive’s optimism that he keeps on with his 5-1 prediction every week.
So I’m going to keep faith with my 2-1 win to us!!
One interesting stat from the Tranmere game (not that we need reminding about the problems)
Tranmere: Shots 5 Shots on goal 1 Score 1
Wolves: Shots 12 Shots on goal 6 Score 1
Depressing or what?
2-1 wolves win, more hope than confidence.
Harsh to make us play again so soon i see the last 20 being tough
3-1 Win for Wolves
Need s win tonight and hopefully we’ll get it.
Gillingham 1-2 Wolves
I’ll be happy with a scrappy 1-0 as long as we win,own goal or one off the refs arse will do,gotta win this one,
not to happy with big George in the side he’s a liability imo,
No Hennessey in goal strange he must be going too.
no news about a striker then,whats new.
UTW.
Gillingham 0:3 Wolves. Hennessey said he does not want to play!!!!!!
“Wayne Hennessy don’t want to play”
JACKET says on sky sports!
WTF
Hope it`s not too late 2-0 to us.
Any win will do.
COME ON YOU WOLVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2-0 win to the mighty Wolves.
Hennessy you’re a disgrace.
Bring on Griffiths ffs
If it’s as clear cut as Jackett says it is, then, Hennessey not wanting to play, says everything about modern day football, an absolute disgrace. If we didn’t have to worry about the wages, then put him on gardening leave until his contract runs out, then see if signs for Palace.
Totally p*ss*d off.
That was not good!
Cannot believe what I’ve just witnessed…. f*ck! Have we no idea with the final ball? I can’t work it out…. looks like KJ can’t either. Another massive missed opportunity. The weekend wasn’t supposed to start like this. Steppenwolfe said it all: ‘Totally p*ssed off!’
what a shambles, jacket u need to get a grip of this team , sako was disgusting,
doyle a disgrace, the rest not much better
Just watched that bag of shite tonight and instantly remembered why I don’t bother going to matches any more. Team full of awful footballers ,no quality what so ever. Terrible
Well I might as well roll over then !!!
Final killer ball missing, where was Doyle he did not show up, Sako’s second half an absolute shocker.
We probably need a fresh face or two or some inspirational management and training before the next game.
Gutted about our performance and disappointed in Hennessey , he has just lowered himself into the same kind of lowlife catrgory as Johnson and Ohara ; Wolves deserve better from him.
UTW
Awful, where was the quality? MacDonald aside they were clueless. Loads of possession but nothing up front and we just drifted out of the game and as soon as we gave away that corner it was obvious that they would score.
The only plus point is that Morgan knows we need to buy/loan some quality in January
Right . First things first . Hennessy is in breach of contract by refusing to play so we don’t have to pay him. Let him rot.
Secondly, this run of poor form has been coming for some time. I am afraid there are too many players who are either not bothered or are just plain shite. The next 3 weeks define the season.
Hi Linden
I posted my comment about Hennessey before seeing that you had beaten me to it. I also agree with your other comments.
After last season I didn’t think “our” club could sink any lower – how wrong was I. WHAT IS GOING ON?
There is obvious disharmony between certain players and management. illogical team selection, strange tactical play, embarrassing comments by the manager and players.
Morale must be low amongst the players. What goes on in training – why are we so poor at creating chances and then converting what few we do create.
On a more serious note, what is the long term future for our club? The Scouse Brickie should come clean about his intentions of continuing ownership of our club and his financial input. Can’t get rid of the thought that we could become the next “Accrington Stanley”
As Hennessey refused to play for the club against Gillingham tonight, are we still contractually obliged to pay him?
Brizzie glad to see we are on the same page re Hennessy . I am not a lawyer but something tells me that if i refuse to turn up for work i may not have a job for very long .
On the wider issue of our club , the longer term future is not very bright i am afraid. We have a muppet for an owner who couldn’t run a raffle let alone a football club. I have just invested £21 in tickets to the museum to show my lad what a great club this once was – i am taking grandad along to provide independent evidence just in case he doesn’t believe us given the shit he currently watches on a Saturday afternoon.
which is worse , England cricket team or wolves team , only one way to find out FIGHT
It was embarrassing to watch
It was painful to watch
It was just shite to watch
As for Hennessy – When YOU needed us most Wolves were always there for you, when WE needed you most you let us down – just fuck right off !
🙁
total crap this wolves team , I have supported the all my life , but this is the worst team ever , get rid of the idiot owner/ and moxey -and this so called manager, what as he ever done
before this famous club ends up playing conference football ,no disrespect to conference
where are the bullys as such , because this lot are total wankers