The worst thing about being midtable is your outlook changes with each and every result.
Win and you’re suddenly dreaming about a run of positive form to get you back in the play-off picture.
Lose and you’re left wondering how many points are needed for safety.
But something about this team makes me think we needn’t stress about either. I think we’re about where we should be.
Whatever is on the horzion though, a long overdue victory against Mick McCarthy would certainly go down nicely.
Ipswich
Love or loathe him, there’s no denying good old MM can build a Championship team. They’re no doubt disappointed to be down in 10th after last season, but that’s probably about par.
With the possible exception of Birmingham, the Tractor Boys simply don’t have anywhere near the spending power of the teams above them.
Recent form is solid with two wins preceded by two draws so they’re building up a nice head of steam heading into December.
Daryl Murphy finally started scoring again at Rotherham, but he’s an injury doubt of this one. He scored twice in this fixture last season so his absence would be no bad thing.
They’re more vulnerable defensively this season having already conceded 23 goals, which is two more than their opponents tomorrow.
Wolves
The performance was solid against Burnley so it’s difficult to envisage wholesale changes to the team. But Kenny has proved me wrong many times before.
With Martinez struggling, Carl Ikeme may get his recall. I can’t foresee any other changes at the back, but it’s good to have reinforcements to call upon all the same.
Further forward it wouldn’t surprise me to see Price hooked in favour of Coady if Kenny wants more bite against a battling Ipswich side and I don’t think Ojo did enough last time to justify his place.
There are all sorts of options for the manager to explore and no excuse for a repeat of the non-performance we saw at Ashton Gate.
The gaffer
Predictions
All three times we’ve played McCarthy’s Ipswich they’ve strangled the game and muscled us out. Are we any better equipped to cope this time?
The best case scenario is probably a smash and grab, but I suspect our inconsistency will likely rear it’s ugly head once more.
My head says defeat, but I’ll be positive and opt for a score draw – 1-1
Up the Wolves!
I live in hope.
This prediction is based on what the performance I saw against Burnley.
I like your team Thomas and would stick with Price and also I agree with Byrne getting some more time on the pitch from the start.
I wouldn’t be surprised though to see Holt (The Beast mark II) get a start to give the Ipshit boys some muscle to occupy the defenders.
Holt’s Norwich connection will get the Massey Ferguson lovers going, if both of them turn up.
International breaks are always disasters for us, so its about time we ended that horrible streak with a resounding victory over StevenwardsDad.
McDickwadhead is and always has been a dinosaur, and a 5 – 1 thumping will put him firmly where he belongs, extinct.
Positive vibes this weekend after all the terrorist shit flying about the world.
FOwb
Will be there with two fellow Bedford Wolves though they are both a couple of raspberries with Mike recovering from a knee replacement op and the other, Rhys Lightning, waiting to go in for the same op.
Hope we play 4231 although whilst I am more than happy with the 4 and the 2 (whisper it quietly but I still prefer Coady to Price – I can feel StuWolf beating a path to my door already!) I am less convinced about the 3 or the 1. For the wide elements of the 3 I am not convinced by Henry, VLP, Byrne or Wallace and whilst I like Ojo he seems to be an impact player off the bench. Maybe its time to try Fraham? As for the central one of the 3 I would prefer a creative, tricky, attacking player who can play in Afobe or drive through the defence himself. In other words a real number 10. Edwards is none of those things – OMG I bet StuWolf is incandescent now! – despite his running and battling and goalscoring feats. I think Afobe would benefit from ‘my’ type of number 10 and would be happier getting the service his running deserves.
Also glad Ikeme is back in goal. Hurray!
P.S. My score is based on the reversal of the scoreline the first time I ever went to Portman Road in November 1971, a 1-2 reverse after the Doog had headed home a pinpoint Waggy cross to put us ahead only for Rod Belfitt to score twice in the second half. If only we had a Doog or a Waggy tomorrow!
Have to be positive after the Burnley game.
Hope we can go on a good run and be up there come Christmas.
I’m a beliver !
Would love a draw or a win but…
Was at the classic cup matches of the 70’s when we went to Bobby Robsons Ipswich 2 years running and brought them back to Molineux to win the replays. We actually played them in the FA cup 3 years running.
In recent years we havent done so well there and they seem to have come through a blip whereas our blip looks like it could be a bodge.
ive quite enjoyed not thinking about WWFC the past fortnight … as i write this i cant think of a time when ive been more ambivalent to the clubs fortunes or the lying bastarding suits who run the show … anyways, i really enjoy this blog (it is by far my favourite) and I enjoy participating so I will repeat the sentiment of fellow comrade Thomas and say I think it will be a loss, but dont feel a 0-0 draw is a bad bet either.
PS – I for one am glad to see Ikeme back goal. he may have had a dip in form, but I blame Kenny for this, and if we want to look towards building for the future then we really have to be giving game time to OUR players rather than insanely giving such a precious commodity away to other team’s fringe players.
PPS – Afobe for hide-and-seek champion November 2015
This score is based on falling asleep today and waking up suddenly with Wolves 3 Ipshite 1 swirling around my head. I think the team above is my optimum team and I feel they’re is no reason to doubt we can beat this team tomorrow. Steve Showcase and I will be there tomorrow along with Steve’s lad,so we shall be seeking out the Bedford cripples in search of a well deserved coffee.
I feel that Jordan Graham will feature tomorrow at some point, I am at the U21’s tonight and he is not included in the squad, during the enforced break Kenny had been singing his praises so I expect hom to get a show soon.
Coady in place of Price I don’t mind, in the absence of anyone better I feel Edwards earns his spot to back up Afobe. It may be that Kenny has Jordan Graham in mind for the Edwards role, as he plays in and around that position for the U21’s so maybe it’s only the lack of Gonads that has stopped Kenny trialing him in that role. But whoever plays, I feel this team has the skill and potential to beat Ipshite tomorrow. If Henry, Byrne and Afobe play like they did against Burnley the Workds our Ostrich.
As Wolves fans we have to wait and see who turns up at 3 pm. Now they’ve got their titanium knees perhaps the Bedford guys will get a run out. Who knows I might even get a coffee.
Always the Optimist.
We’re coming to get you Mick.
🙂
We are going by car apparently as my ‘colleagues’ can’t take the strain of the train on their knees despite that old saying about ‘let the train take the strain’ and heading for the Cardinal Park car park for about 1230pm then into Frankie & Benny’s (something to do with Sinatra and Crossroads or so I hear) for a bite to eat and a few beers/wine/brandies/anything. Welcome to join us – just don’t mention Dave Edwards!
Don’t really know what to expect score-wise, but have to be positive.
For me Jack Price is a MUST – he holds the midfield together, wins the tackles, gives 110% and what’s more brings out the best in McDonald.
Ojo surely is back in Liverpool and I for one won’t miss him – as yet to slight, too slender too easily nudged off the ball. Byrne was the far better prospect when he came on against Burnley, though I would really like to see Graham given a run out.
Afobe to get back in the goals and Grant Holt to come on and score the winner!!!
I’m with you Thomas, I think a 1-1 will be the outcome…
With the Newcastle loanee making our defence ultra mean, we can win this one, particularly if their top scorer is injured. It has been a really good fortnight not worrying or being on tenderhooks about my football club, so anything less than a good win would be very disappointing. After all we`ve rarely been disappointed before have we?
I’d go with your team Thomas, but with Henry and Byrne switched, and Ojo to come on after 45′. Expecting another solid defensive performance and hoping we can nick one against their somewhat slow defence.
Expecting the team to be pretty much as you predict Thomas. Definitely prefer Jack Price to Coady as stats show Wolves do better when he plays. Coady always seems to give his best but looks sometimes to be a sending-off waiting to happen. For me Byrne must start as his pace and trickery could work against a McCarthy defense “putting in a shift”. Expecting a clean sheet as only one goal conceded since Williamson pulled our back four into shape.
Time for a proper result. Get those 3 points then we can start thinking about the next 12.
Gonna go for a score draw. Would be a good result away from home against a tough Mick McCarthy side.
Ojo needs to come on from the bench if we need him – works better as an impact sub IMO
After the last fortnights cackle and bullsh*t from KJ and various players in the E&S you would think we were odds on to do the bizzer. I don’t see it happening. A series of dead rubbers between now and the seasons end.
Sooner or later we will beat Mick’s Ipswich and I figure we will wake up out act tomorrow. We are a better team. If we’re not kidding ourselves about the playoffs we have to start nicking wins off the likes of Ipswich. Stop lurking around everyone and put a McCarthyish shift in.
We never seem to get going after international breaks. Another win for Super Mick!
I can’t see us picking up any points in this game.
Hate to join the negativity camp, Devon but I agree.
I think the bad weather will play into Mick’s physical no nonsense approach.
Hope I’m wrong.
COYW!
Well 2 thing fill me with dread about predicting the outcome of this fixture.
1. The curse of the international break.
2. The ex: Wolves connections ie: Mc ” I’m from Yorkshire me ” Carthy and his side kick clipboard and Bera.
I’ve come to hate this fixture home or away and our current predicament only gives McCarthy the fuel to say we should of stuck with him, he is still deluded and arrogant and pig headed to believe we would be better of with him still in charge.
To be fair he did get us promoted but that’s were it should of ended with a big thank you and a executive box named in his honour because and yes I know what some of you will say ” well he kept us in the Premier League for 3 seasons ” yes he did the last two though the writing was on the wall and yes I will concede Morgan didn’t back him with funds that I believe was because he seen him waste money ie: the lad he paid £2 million for from Hull and never kicked a ball in the first team.
But then again as we now know Morgan was never going to back anyone with real money, Morgan got the ugly fat bird, Wolves instead of the beautiful stunning bird he wanted, Liverpool we all new once he had got what he wanted he would drop us like a house brick and bugger of and try a wow his old love from a far.
PLEASE Kenny play Price and DON’T fuck about with formations and tactics, dot give McCarthy the ammunition to stroke his ever increasing ego.
Coming off the international break & in the interests of staying married I’m going for a draw here.
we don’t do well as history tells us after international breaks,but ive got a sneaky feeling we’el get one over those two f##king dead heads.UTW
Not a fixture for anyone with a gloomy outlook
Was going for a 0-0 but……. Holt to bag the winner.
Not overly confident about this one
You can put me firmly in the Price camp, the best partner for McDonald by far. Looking for a strong performance by Ikeme to prove Jackett has been a right spud this season.
Time to win ugly,for all the midfielders on the books we don’t possess any that score goals,which makes us predictable.
It’s been a long week, it’s Friday and I’m strangely optimistic…….so let’s go for a win. And please, KJ, Price to start.
Just got back from a most enjoyable day at the RUH in Bath.
Don’t ask!
Edwards, Byrne and Ikeme to start with a run out for Graham and I fancy a narrow win.
And of course, “the Price is right”.
Did The BBB manage to make it ?…. Glad you’re out mate …. hope it goes well …..
Cheers Mike.
No BBB I’m afraid. I had to wait until we got home so the PMDG’er could don the Ann Summers PVC nurses’ outfit and give me a rub down with a damp loofah.
Still under the influence of the anaesthetic.
Here’s my prediction.
Ooh, is the anaesthetic on draught or in a bottle?
Either way, I’ll have a pint, or a 500ml bottle please.
And could you export some to Clive while you’re at it mate?
I think Clive has already found his own supply over there.
Intravenous Boddies!
I looked on the Ipswich star for team news on Darryl Murphy; nothing to report on him but apparently Dicko is one to watch for us! Thats sealed it for me 1-0 to the wanderers (Dicko 49′)
And…….
Martinez is between the posts according to them Oiks.
Ipswich after an international break, it can only end in tears!
Agree that mid table is about our level at the moment but hope to be proved wrong
This were the days
Late on parade….
McCarthy V Jacket mmm..no contest
MM can out fox KJ and will close the back up if necessary..I think their strategy will be to score and then defend the lead ….but..
With Williamson and DB negating their attack then it leaves us to nick one in each half and then in the last minute – with them also given a token goal in off the ref..
That would be nice..Stafford mafia in full flow in the North stand and we climb the lead from here..perhaps..
If we can stop them scoring then we are capable to win this..
Iorfa Afobe Byrne Kmac and our goalie major influences..
Stu I’ll see you there…
COYW
Climb the league ..even..
If our newly strengthened defence can keep up the good work I believe we are in with a chance.
Mick will turn us over – with our strike force not firing hard to see how we are going to score.
My head says 0-0, my heart 2-0…
Williamson has added steel at the back.
Scoring might be the problem.
Nevertheless, whatever the result,
In the boardroom,
The Song Remains the Same…..
hope I’m wrong but we’re a mid-table team and this is what happens to one of those teams …when you go to places where you hate to lose..you lose
maybe we can get an FA Cup run going for a change..something to look forward to ?
I think it’s a score draw
I understand the pessimisum, i feel it myself, none the less, Wolves win.
Hopefully KJ picks Price to start the game and we have a hope.
Can’t really see a win and won’t predict a loss so it’s 0-0 for me.
International break = defeat.
Mick McM = defeat
Away match = good effort
A thrilling defeat maybe but a loss all the same as the first 2 will prevail
A scrappy, ugly win… but not for us.
This could go any way, so I am opting for a middle of the road result.
I”ll take a point now. Every little bit helps in our battle against relegation ????
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/11/20/blog-wolves-are-redressing-the-balance/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Very very true
This is Naill Ennis from Wolves they’re all raving about, he’s playing for England U21’s and dinking a beauty in.
http://sport.bt.com/beautiful-game/sweet-16-england-teen-wows-crowd-with-golazo-91364017733964?
There must be a pill they give them before the mature to the first team to stop them trying this sort of stuff.
Ive missed a lot of the prediction blog over the last couple of months and wolves have really been inconsistent. Which is a shame but if we can get a good run of results going we could make the playoffs then who knows.
I haven’t given up on this season but it’s def been disappointed.
Inconsistent, shame, disappointed makes me look pretty glum but as ever being a Wolves fan we never give up.
So let’s start our winning run against MM and his minions and climb up the table.
Here’s hoping …..
Go wolves ! .
Latest news from the Molineux, Bright Enohakbare has ben turning in late for training and was issued a botoxing. He decided to piss off back home and is now sulking in Nigeria, pram, teddy and chucked out springs to mind.
Huge talk as well confirming what we were saying about interest from tne Reubensteins, they are looking at Wolves and West Ham. They want to go big style at some club and get Premiership and European footy. Pipe dreams for Wolves fans, maybe there is a Santa.
Can’t see Gold and Sullivan relinquishing their hold on West Ham, but who knows, who ever dreamt that Morgan was remotely interested in football. (Not feckin us anyway).
Wolves am we
I reckon the break might have come at the right time, giving us chance to regroup and start again. Hopefully we’ll get a win to kick us on.
International break and inconsistent form, MM and TC, bit of a bogey team and an uncertain near future, it can only be a Wolves win can’t it?
I don’t think we’ve got the stomach for a fight and today we’ve got a fight.
However we play in this topsy-turvy season, it’s never quite what we expect. Brum and Brizzle being the prime examples but so many others come to mind.
So, post-international break, MM and TC etc etc notwithstanding, I reckon our lads will have us smiling by 5o’clock with a hard fought victory.
I’d definitely go with Thomas’s team to start and would love to see Graham given a run out second half. Byrne has to play and Edwards too, ’cause if he ain’t on the pitch he can’t score our goal.
COYW
With a mean defence and Holt fired up an ugly win
I’ll be happy with a draw hope we don’t play like the last break cos of the internationals COYW
Call me an optimist.
I have a dream!!
Hope I’m wrong but just don’t see us getting much today
Relax, put your feet up:)
Eight years gone
Then as it was, then again it will be
An’ though the course may change sometimes
Rivers always reach the sea
Unless Afobe finds his shooting boots:
Always a tough place to go, hopefully I’m proven wrong. COYW!
15000 tractors and assorted cattle around the ground won’t put our lads off as we battle to a point. LA SOLIDARITE’.
Holt Holt Holt!
Can never tell at the moment so why not go for a win?
About time we beat MM, as much as I’m grateful for what he did!
Don’t fancy us today
A point away is good enough for me, but I heard our defence is still shit. Hopefully with Afobe scoring that may raise hus confidence. How did we play Stu?
Oh Woe is me.
Woe
Woe
Woe
Woeful defending
Woe woe woe it’s Danny Graham, he was a dynamo and tore Ipshites two defenders to bits, so the feckers kicked shit out of him, nice one Mick.
Woeful Danny Bahht, he has a taxi ordered me thinks, he was beyond bad, no talent, no idea, no skill finesse, no leafership and it’s showing. Not a championship player….
Woeful Scott Golbourne, he just did not attend today, between him and Bahht we gifted a shite Ipsite team, Do not believe what MM is claiming, he said, “they played well and deserved to win” Botox, they were rubbish, Wolves made them look good.
Thank God for Danny Fraham, he got his chance and took it well.
A point away from home on a really windy, snowy, wet day, we will take that all day long.
Nice to see the Bedford and Stafford Mafioso. AKA, Beford Wolf and mates and Steve Showcase and hus son Nick.
Oh yes and Clive the text maniac from Hastings.
🙂
Anyone want to buy an ipad???
I check the spellink every toime before pusting and luk at the fonkin rezults.
Either that or I carnt spill.
Doogooder.
Have you heard of Glen Hughes and Steve Barnet.
Glen Hughes, AKA Deep Purple (Cannock lad)
Steve Barnet major Record producer (Wolverhampton lad)
These two are putting together something with regards to buying Wolves as well.
Iv’e lived around and grew up in Cannock and didn’t know of Glen Hughes.
Interesting.
Yes, know them both. Not personally of course.
Very interesting!
My mate said it was genuine, the Staff at the Molineux have had a warning to keep everything quiet so as not to scare potential away, but the rumour is,they want it done around December time. Now that would be a nice pressie.
As an ex Parapathetic I know a bit about the BBB, I don’t wish to pry but I very much hope all is good in the Doog camp.
🙂
Things have been better Stu, but hopefully could be worse.
I have an unwelcome visitor (no, it’s not Clive) and have had an exploratory to see just how to zap the bastard.
Lost your Tel No when I handed in the money for the ride, If you want a chat.
07710-449440
🙂
Cheers Stu.
If I need a shoulder I’ll give you a bell.
Just back from Tractor land. Good game and me voice has gone – not sure if that’s down to the perishing, biting cold wind that whistled through our bones throughout or the amount of shouting we did. Fully deserved point just wish for once we could score first instead of always having to chase games. For once KJ got his substitutes right as ALF’s introduction changed the game in our favour and Ojo’s introduction added pace. Negatives – Batth looked clueless to such an extent by comparison Berra was almost Beckanbaueresque! Also Henry was dire, I know he scored but that apart did nothing and his crossing is appalling which, given that he is a winger, is a bit of a problem. Positives – Williamson was excellent, Graham looked good and ALF looked lively.
Nice to see StuWolf before the game though am worried about his state of mind as he seems to be calling Jordan Fraham (sic) Danny Graham now! Come on Stu give the lad a break!
I’m a lumberjack and I’m ok,. Cold and voiceless but OK. Onwards and upwards!
Oh dear, never spotted that one.
Nice one Bedford that’s you right twice in one day.
Edwards was very poor today, so I take my hat off to you.
If he plays like that every game I will call him Danny or whatever he wants.
Think we may be calling him Golden Graham before too long.
Crumbs, that takes the biscuit!
It’s the way ya tell em, “it’s a cracker”
Just hope we can win promotion so that – wait for it, wait for it -we can Hob Knob with the big boys.
I think we’d need to raid the Italian league for some quality players, need at least six of those Garibaldi’s to see us up.
Fair play any one went down there today. Done it myself back in the day. Tuesday nites the lot. Respect.
There’s a new call going out for 10k@MK.
The trouble is, it’s at Molineux.
We’re trying to see if we can get a 10,000 crowd at the MK Dons game.
Take a look at our games until New Years Day, we should in reality take the next 18 points before meeting Brighton at their place.
Any takers.?
Surprised we were short (for us )of away fans..
This was a game of two teams defences gifting chances through slip ups and attackers missing howlers..
Windy difficult conditions not helped either by us booting it up in the air …
Golbourne dreadful wandering out of position..DB having the worst game I’ve seen continuously compromising Williamson..Henry dreadful and Ikeme making major mistakes..
Jordan Graham our man of the match..
Lucky to scrape 1 point and yet also we could of easily won..
KJ still on the block big time IMO..
Tbc..
I think the Premier League ticket prices Ipswich were charging had something to do with there only being 996 of us. I paid £34.50 and could have paid £39.50 for a better one. How come we have to pay a £1.50 ‘ booking fee’ eh Mr Moxey? Abdul who runs my local shop only charges 50p if you use a card to pay in order to cover the cost of the machine.
I don’t pay the £1.50 admin fee when I “print the ticket” at home.
This was brought up at the Fans Parliament, it has nothing to do with the Wolves it is down to the away club, Rotherham who are in an area that is very poor and massively run down, (according to a National survey, only second to Bedford) they are charging £23 and £13 for you seniors. Clubs charge us punters what they want.
Hence the wave of opinion and the proposal to try for an across the board ticket price.
Join the revolution brother, join the revolution.
You may be a lumberjack but I was in “the peoples front of Judea”. Now that was a film Brian.
You won’t be coming to Sheffield Wednesday with us then, £33 adult £23 only if your over 65.
Oh the joy of being a footy fan.
Actually am contemplating going to Sheffield Wednesday. Direct train from Bedford to Sheffield. Shame its at 2pm on a Sunday rather 3pm on Saturday. Having trouble with fellow Bedford Wolves who are whimping out due to feeble excuses such as family commitments, Christmas shopping, knee operations and the like. Might go with my son-in-law who supports Spurs but whom I try and educate at least once a season by taking him to see real football although this backfired last season as went to Brentford away, lost 0-4 and had bleeding Danny Graham up front – remember him? Not to be confused with Jordan Fraham. Or even Golden Graham. Mind you his son (my grandson) is secretly being groomed in the old gold and black ways on the quiet so up yours Spurs!
If I decide to go and don’t wanna be Nobby No Mates maybe we could meet up?
Sorted,
Let me know and I’ll get the tickets, Jen de Wolf won’t be going so you can have her granny pass.
Trouble with an across the board ticket price is, Rotherham fans could end up paying more than now.
Any tickets you want, give me a call, I will pay cash for them and post them to you in one envelope, you can pay face price plus the cost of a first class stamp and save a bit on each ticket.
Been away from the blog for a while due to sheer lethargy brought on mainly by the international break. Catching up through the blog, as always the best source of intelligence (of the secret service type rather than IQ count!!). I saw the best football of my life at Ipswich during the Robson era, but for me then it was an easy trip from home (in those days) in Bury St Edmunds, rather than the grim journey across E Anglia from the Midlands. Sounds like yesterday wasn’t very edifying for those who did that journey and battled through the weather – hopefully it was international breakitis for a few, but with enough showing up to get a point and form a basis for the run of 18pts predicted by Stu. Sorry to hear that one of the bloggers I look out for first, the Doog, is less than 100% – hope all works out well and the Summers Nursey Gear helps with the treatment. And Glenn Hughes and co – do they have real money behind them, or is it a bit of a romantic thought for us old rockers of a certain age??
Was it me or did Peakwolf miss out the Ann.
Doogs favourite would shirley be Ann Summers nursery gear.
Sorry Mrs Doog, Red Card I know… Off
I took the Ann bit as read! And ‘nursey’ beats ‘nursery’ for me any time! Even allowing for all that spellcheck/auto-correct botox!
I am coming down on Friday night and will take in the MK Dons game on Saturday. Fancy meeting up prior to the match Stu?
Yes mate of course I do, do you want to come round the hoose on Friday night for a snifter, I have an appointment with the Surgeon on Saturday morning reference a date for an abdominal op. All the same I will be free before tne game anyway so I will leave it up to you. The North bank bar is a good venue pre-match.
Thanks PW.
Glenn Hughes would do for me.
On condition that he did a free concert at the Mol with Planty, Noddy… and Rachael Heyhoe Flint on drums.
Went to a cracking Nils Lofgren concert at Buxton Opera House on Friday – lovely venue, and snowing heavily on exit for the journey home. If it’s going to snow, it’ll do it in Buxton!
I was walking down the road the other day when a spotty youth threw a piece of cheddar at me. I said “that’s not very mature”…
55 points from 29 games. 19 wins ? Play offs. Cor see it but who knows ? The new owners might be here !
Spot on ..I thought the same 55-58pts KJ has changed his monotone from ‘the play offs’ to ‘we want to move up the table’…it’s a tale of first part of the league without a defence for me…
#oblivious