There were two major positives from the Everton game.
Firstly, we didn’t lose and after going behind for the second time, I didn’t have tremendous confidence that would be the case – even against 10 men.
The second point is there’s significant room for improvement. When you watch the highlights back, most of Everton’s chances came from gold shirts getting caught in possession or making mistakes. Equally, our attacking talent wasn’t anywhere near as incisive in the final third as they can be when spaces are there to be exploited.
Sharpen things up at both ends of the pitch and I’m confident the very same group of players can deliver a much better collective performance.
This is another really good fixture against one of the ‘best of the rest’ teams and I’m hoping, with a few nerves out of the system, for a better showing and a good result.
Leicester
The Foxes were unlucky at Old Trafford. They created just as many clear chances as Utd and conceded a ridiculous penalty. They should really have come away with a point at the very least.
Finishing 9th last season was a good effort and Claude Puel seems like a very safe pair of hands, so no reason they can’t expect the same or better this time.
Losing Riyad Mahrez certainly weakens their team but in James Maddison I feel they’ve bought very well. He’s a similar sort of player who can drift in between tackles and produce in the final third. We know all about him from last season.
They’ve got solid players right down the spine of the side but in attack it feels like they’re banking on potential of good players to get even better rather than established talent with the obvious caveat of Jamie Vardy.
It will be interesting to see if the England man starts at the weekend and if he does that will be a big test of our back three who looked edgy against Everton’s spritely forward line last time out.
Similarly, Wolves will have to defend set pieces well as Maddison has excellent delivery and with Harry Maguire and Wes Morgan attacking the ball, that spells obvious danger to me.
The home end
I lifted this really insightful comment on a pre-match thread from a Leicester Forum which breaks down the possible tactical battle:
Wolves press fairly high and that’s what got Jagielka in trouble at the weekend, Soyuncu’s ability on the ball will be important alongside Maguire’s as they have the ability to evade the press and break the lines. Pereira and Chilwell have to got to be intelligent when they get forward as Wolves are dangerous on the counter if they’re too aggressive we’ll get caught out. N’Didi and Silva need to improve their distribution, between them they lost possession 6 times at Old Trafford and seeing as we should be able to control the centre they definitely need to sharpen and find Maddison earlier. They also need to be disciplined to cover the runs of the fullbacks which they did fairly well as Chilwell was often positioned really high up the pitch and he’s likely to push on even further against Wolves. Maddison should find a lot of space and be able to influence the game and it’s important Vardy’s movement is sharp as they’re quite vulnerable in defence, especially between the channels and we need to playa bit wider than we did against United to stretch their back three as at times we were congested in the middle of the pitch.
Wolves
With Cavaleiro out injured and no definitive news about how close either Traore or Dendoncker are to being integrated into the team, I suspect we’ll see the same XI as the Everton game.
I thought all three subs looked lively last Saturday but struggle to see Vinagre, Bonatini or Gibbs-White getting a start. Saiss could come into the team, but again, I don’t think Neves, Moutinho or Bennett will be dropped.
With Traore and Dendoncker it’s not just about them being fit and able, it’s about making sure they understand the system and their role within the side. Probably more likely they’ll see action from the bench assuming they’re included.
Boly, Doherty and Costa were three players I thought struggled to impose themselves in the Everton game, so hopefully more to come from them this time.
Neves was predictably consistent in his work, although he did get caught in possession a few times. We’re so reliant on him that he will inevitably be targeted for a rapid press.
Jimenez was another who did very well. Good running, decent link up play and most importantly, he got in the box and on the end of a cross when Everton dropped deep. Keep it going young man.
The poll
Predictions
Well done to Mosman Wolf, Paul cooks left peg, Shready, The Brierley Bonkers, Wokingham Welsh Wolf and Wolvo Dave who all correctly predicted a 2-2 draw and set the pace at the top of the Prediction League table after the first week.
Another 15 or so people thought it would be a draw without getting the correct scoreline, but they each put some points on the board.
You can view the full table and see your position here.
If you’d like to join in the fun, simply leave your prediction in the comment section below, filling in the relevant boxes with the score.
Best of luck & UTW!
I think if we put in a really good and compact defensive display we could win this game. But the way we defended against Everton both individually and as a team doesn’t instil confidence.
We’ll probably concede but Leicester aren’t the finished article so I’d back us to score. Therefore a draw feels logical.
I don’t think it’s fair you having a go in the preddo league.
Smacks of Chalkie The Cheat.
Don’t worry. I’ve got as much chance as you of winning.
Not losing against Everton I think was a good solid start. We can only improve. I think it will take a while until we settle down.
The other two promoted teams both lost. The psychology starts now.
I fear a loss here. Not certain we’re totally up to speed here. Havingbsaid that, I’m not worried about the rest of the season, just on that I saw it seems there’s a chunk more to come. However I cannot predict a loss, and who needs a 0-0 in their life? So score draw it is
Although it was pleasing to get a point after going behind, looking back I feel disappointed with the showing, there was very little swagger like we are used to seeing and Boly and Cody looked very nervous. We shouldn’t be giving these teams to much respect in my opinion as they are no better than we are. We have to tighten up at the back if we are to succeed at this level. I’m worried the central midfielders are to similar as well. However having said all that if we can go for it our attackers can cause all kinds of problems. I’m hoping for a better performance this time as I hope it was just first game nerves.
I agree about showing teams too much respect.
McManaman took a lot of flack for his commentary on BT, but having watched the highlights back I thought he made a valid point when stating we sat off Everton too much after they went down to 10 men. The back three remained very deep and nobody really pressed when their defenders were in possession. It was far too passive in a period of the game where we should have been pushing hard for the win.
Interesting about Neves/Moutinho being too similar. Nuno obviously thinks Gibbs-White is the plan B and I was impressed with him on Saturday. He moves the ball quickly and already looks up to the pace of the Premier League. He could end up being the surprise package.
Yeah, I’d agree with that, I’d just like us to try be a bit more positive, getting forward was our strength last season. Let’s try that a bit more. We belong at the top table we should not fear anyone.
I absolutely agree, we need to be more positive.
Another tough one.
I think this will be a better opportunity to play our counterattacking game because of the fact we will be the away side and the impetus will be on Leicester to come at us.
Another draw I think, with which I would be happy.
i think they still need time to bed in with new players. but think we will sneek a late winner.
It’s still too early to see how we are playing to know the benchmark for season
I reckon another draw, I would like a clean sheet though, be a tough one but won’t they all
Shame that cav couldn’t make it against Everton, he would have been unplayable in the last 20 from the bench , hopefully Traore gets a bit of game time at Leicester as we just need a tad more creativity , still I fancy Jota to get on the scoresheet in another draw
Utw
You can never judge form after one game and with my glass always being half full I’ve got a gut feel we’ll at least bring back a point from this. Nuno would have shown the lads replay after replay, re-installing the belief in the system and our style of play. Having correctly predicted last weeks score (and getting a mention in the blog for the first time ever (cheers Thomas!)), I’m feeling the pressure to maintain my winning streak(!) and therefore going for the win predicting that most will go for the draw, foolish as that may seem!
Let’s be having you!! (oops, sorry, wrong team)
COMBabbies!!
My optimism has waned ever so slightly…
As I said previously, our second 11 did well against Man City’s second 11, and they even threw on some of their top guns near the end of that match, It traumatized them so much, the rules were changed for cup games.
Anyway, that seems to say that our players, in general, are up to playing against faster running and thinking teams. Something just didn’t go right.
Was it nervousness or some defensive positioning that was wrong?
Anyway, we scored two goals, even though Dio and Helder seemed a little off their game.
I think Jota has to find another arrow for his quiver because he seemed to be ineffectual on Saturday. Maybe he was receiving the ball in the wrong area of the pitch and didn’t have time to set up his runs at the defense.
Anyway, I look to Nuno to analyze these things and inform the players of what changes to make in their style of play.
It will be interesting to see if Nuno can coax Jonny into becoming a wingback. It might take time for him to get his head around it. I wouldn’t worry too much about his lack of a left foot. After all, from what I was told, it’s not that important to be two footed, right Clive.
Unfortunately, my passport has expired so if they need my help in getting Jonny two-footed, we’ll have to do it through AirFace, or whatever it’s called.
This is where it all REALLY kicks off.
First match, at Molineux, full house, fantastic atmosphere, nervous players possibly showing Everton too much respect, nervous crowd after going behind twice, a bit of a leap into the unknown against a classy Everton team.
I think Leicester will be a different kettle of foxes.
It will be more of a muck’n’nettles sort of a game. More akin to Championship style.
Which will suit us well.
Leicester will come at us and we have the pace to hit them on the break.
Plus, very importantly, no matter what happens on the pitch the away support will keep singing until the fat lady takes over.
Having said all that, I fancy a draw. If our defence stays firm we won’t concede a load and if Jota and Costa get more into the game and Doherty and Otto can feed Jimenez, we could well score a couple.
Coady, Costa, Boly and Joto disappointed against Everton I thought. Maybe it was nerves or maybe they showed too much respect against a good side. No doubt Nuno will address this. No nerves from Neves, what a player! Jimenez and Neves look like striking up a great partnership. I think the Leicester game looks full of goals. I’m going for 2-2.
Agreed Dances re showing the Toffees too much respect. I thought they sat back too much when Everton lost Jagielka and showed what might have been in the last 10 minutes when they were more positive and really went for it.
COMBs!
De Bruyne is out for our game against Man City.
One game at a time Tim. In Nuno we trust.
Oh please! He’s on many peoples fantasy league team.
I think it’s sad that some people fantasize about male footballers.
Now me, if Jennifers Aniston, Lawrence and Lopez were wearing old gold……………..
With a sprinkling of Sarah Brightman and Ashley Judd thrown in ………..
You probably fantasize about Ashley Judd’s sister.
Thanks, pal!
Who told you?
Some of us are meeting up at the Last Plantagenet LE1 6FD near the rail station before the match.
I don’t like the look of this one, but feel we might edge it.
Sarah Brightman? No accounting for some people’s taste. Apologies in advance, Clive.
Tough one, this.
Okay, so I was probably a bit rash expecting us to nail Everton, but I’ll never predict a Wolves defeat,
I have a feeling that Leicester are going to seriously get into us and try and force mistakes on our back three… I mean, I would!
The good thing about this is that we can hit them on the break, and that’s how we’ll win!
UTW
Cav being side lined is a blow we have a strong squad more than a match for the Foxes going for an away win for The Wolves safe trip to all travelling to Leicester.
I hope for some improvement but didn’t love what I saw… first one on the road too, think we might lose this one…
Another tough game against talented opposition could spell a slow start to the season, especially with the champions on the horizon. It’s important we don’t panic though, we were spoiled last season and shouldn’t expect to be able to play our game instantly against better opposition.
I was impressed with Leicester last Friday, they controlled most of the game. Poor defending and profligacy in front of goal let them down though, so I think we’ll get something here.
Another well earned point against a good side for me. With city next would be good to keep the points ticking over.
First time I have ever joined this club but I have been a Wolves supporter since my father took me to see them in 1953. I have also followed this blog for a year or two and really enjoy the banter.
It’s my birthday on Saturday (I won’t tell you how many years but the first number is a 7) but since I am so competitive I still think that anything I enter I need to try and win. Hence, although I desperately hope that I am wrong, I think that being away from home, with a team that is still being shaped and organised, and against a team that recently won the Premier League, at home and with a well honed team, I believe it will be a home win.
I do think though that we will,eventually, be a great team and see us finishing in the top half of the league. I just think that Saturday is too early – but I would love to be proved wrong.
701!!
Am I near?
Welcome to the blog, fellow old fart!
You won’t have a chance of winning the prediction league, I’m afraid, not only is Chalkie the Cheat playing, aka Brompton Wolf or Steven L. Biles or some other pseudonym, but Thomas has started playing as well, and he runs the bloody thing!
Welcome Phil and thanks for the kind words about the blog. I also hope you’re wrong but good luck in the PL.
Last week I was cautiously optimistic, this week I’m just cautious. A settled big Willy would be a great help and hopefully get us the draw.
Tough one again and if we play like we did last week we could well lose. However I think we’ll improve and ironically will prefer to play away and against eleven men. Traore hopefully to come on and Boly to be more comfortable.
I’m still not sure how I feel about the Everton game. Partly aggrieved that my birthday bubble was burst so unceremoniously, partly relieved we didn’t lose, partly proud of the lads, partly confused what happened to the calmness and composure in the 2 crucial thirds of the pitch.
I’m hopeful that Nuno will have ironed out a few creases this week, got in the heads of the likes of Boly and Jota and reminded them how good they are, and drilled the lads on shape and discipline following his comments about clean sheets.
So, I’m going for a resilient counter attacking display, akin to Reading away last year, and hopefully with a Doherty goal for my FPL team.
UTW
I think the calmness and composure were compromised by Everton pressing better than most Championship sides. Gueye in particular didn’t give our midfield a second to breathe. Similarly, I think their two full-backs played very well and that limited the impact of Jota and Costa. But it is a learning curve for these players and I think they’ll adjust and improve.
It has a draw written all over it but l really would like our 1st 3 points on the board before our game next week.
A bit nervy last week l fear so maybe an ideal away game for the lads.
This really could be any result – win/loss/draw. My head says go for the draw, my heart (ever eternal optimist and fool) says go for a win, so a narrow win it will be (perhaps!)
A pumped up Nuno will announce to the dressing room at 2.45 that ‘they are the fox, we are the Wolf so we are top dogs today’. The inspirational speech galvanises the lads who thus produce spell binding football and have the foxes retreating nervously. The foxes mood is not helped when the Leicestershire hunt, having lost their way in a field nearby suddenly enter the stadium, horns blaring. The foxes quite literally shit themselves and chaos ensues in their ranks. By the time the Leicestershire hunt is cleared from the ground the foxes find themselves 3-0 down as Wolves rampage all over them. A late consolation won’t be enough for any comeback. After the game Nuno said ‘you can’ t do anything about a stray fox hunt entering the stadium. That is out of our control. We just kept our shape and composure better than Leicester. We deserve the win. I thank the fans’. Claude Puell said ‘they should ban fox hunting. I am really fed up with the Leicestershire hunt and I am going round there later to tell them to fuck off’. Leicester 1-3 WWFC.
what ever he’s had I want some too !!!
Just don’t think we’ve clicked as a team yet hopefully 3-4 games down the road all will be good and all the moving parts will be working in harmony as they should.
Going for a tight 1-0 for us, a Neves top corner screamer from a foul outside the box, followed by a Cardiff / Middlesbrough backs to the wall full team defensive master class of last ditch tackles and throwing bodies at the ball.
A win is a win after all.
Good players do not become bad overnight.
We saw strenuous second half efforts by Boly to make amends for a shaky first, he was up with the attack on numerous occasions.
Maybe Jota was still feeling that crunch from Jagged Elka.
Whatever, we were not beaten nor outclassed, and it was there for the rest of the Prem to see that we are not here to be cannon fodder.
Leicester are one of my five faves for the drop, along with Burnley, Cardiff, Huddersfield and United.
You can but dream!!
So, we can help them along their not so merry way, by relieving them of three pretty points, by a score of 5-1.
FOwb
We will get better. 1st game always going to bea nervous affair for players and supporters.
Go get em boys.
A bit of an eye opener with Everton, but confidence still high
Get that defence in order, think we might scrape a 1-0 win
With the Foxes and the Wolves, we have two dogged defences and snarling attacks.
I was a little disappointed last weekend but as many have pointed out, first night nerves almost certainly played a big part. We know we can play far better than we did against Everton. We can defend better, we can pass better and we can gel better as a team. I feel this game gives us a first class opportunity to show our true colours. Most outside of the Wolves bubble will be expecting us to lose. The pressure will lift. The football will flow. Like we all know it can.
A cracking game in prospect.
I think we may need a few more matches and the integration of Traore into the starting line up before we can start motoring. Premiership manages will be more astute in setting up defences to counter Jota and Costa, and Boly’s laid back style may need pepping up a bit. Premiership strikers will take advantage of defensive slips much better than last year’s Championship sides.
Can’t predict a loss, so maybe 2-2.
Always thought this was harder than the Everton game. Can’t see us keeping a clean sheet but hate to go against us so a 2-1 victory
Better defending and no Mahrez keeps them off the score sheet. A late header by Boly wins it.
We will improve steadily game by game …the Nuno way.
Always learning always improving.
First away game and without the hype and expectation of last week.
A rock steady performance settled by one goal.
Nuno said we had shown character against Everton. Spot on and we are going to need it every week in the big league.
The foxes in their den are dangerous but the wolves must show no fear and hunt like a pack.
Last year’s Wolves rarely pulled a no-show and I dont expect this team will. Our courage should be enough for at least a point.
Well, Saturday’s result didn’t surprise me. In fact I thought we were very fortunate to escape with a draw, even though the opposition only had 10 men.
I’m still struggling to see what Moutinho is bringing to the midfield. The combination of him with Neves doesn’t contain enough bite and ball winning capability for me and that’s why we never seem to be in control of a game. The play always seems to go by too quickly for us and we can’t stamp our authority on it and control the flow of the game. Instead we have to rely on the redoubtable Neves to get us out of gaol again again and he won’t be able to do it every time I fear.
This time around I’m expecting much more of the same really. Leicester will be very tough and we need to up the tempo significantly as well as our concentration levels.
I reckon we’ll do very well to get another draw. In fact I’m going to predict Leicester 2 Wolves 0. Maybe we’ll be able to sneak one goal through Neves again, but I think we’re likely to find Leicester at their place too tough a nut to crack.
Interesting point about Neves/Moutinho being too similar.
My take would be that Nuno wants players who don’t give the ball away when they’ve got it and can be positionally aware when out of possession. I don’t think he wants his players running all over the pitch and diving into tackles. N’Diaye was that type of destroyer last season and it says a lot we didn’t take up his option. Obviously too erratic and wasteful in possession.
Ideally you’d find a player who can do both – sit deep and keep the shape of the side compact but also impose themselves physically and get around the pitch. But there aren’t many Patrick Vieira type players knocking around. That said, I thought Gueye was outstanding for Everton so you can get them.
Yep, I’m hoping, (and I agree too), that Nuno is looking to play a “retain possession” type of game which is admirable of course. However, you can’t retain possession until you’ve won it and, at the moment at least, I’m not seeing that side to Moutinho’s game at all, not surprisingly. Given that the principal strengths of Neves also lie in the creative and attacking areas then I have the worry that we’re being outfought when it comes to winning the battle in midfield and, for the moment anyway, that is hampering our ability to gain control in a match.
Still, very early days yet of course and, like everyone else, I’m very keen to see how Nuno responds in a more challenging situation, whereas he and we had it much easier last season of course.
Meanwhile, great blog Thomas. A lot of interesting thoughts and opinions on here. Thanks a lot for your work.
Tight affair on tap.
I remember Boly completely misjudging a bouncing ball very early last season, costing us a goal and wondering if he was a donkey – then to become imperious the rest of the season. So on Saturday he had his one bad game out of the way and will be fine the rest of the season.
Starting 11 is good, but we really have no spark on the bench for when it is needed to turn a game around.
We are playing in the big league now and teams like Leicester are no fools. Tough start to the year with points hard to find
Some of our nerves will have disappeared after the Everton game. We will take the lead in the first half and score again late in the game as Leicester push for an equaliser!
Wolves 2 Leicester 0
Happy enough with our first nervous game, but still don’t know exactly how we fared considering the 1o men scenario. Still onwards and upwards and a great 3 points away from home coming up
I didn’t get to see the first game due to a glitch, but normal service resumed on Saturday cause I paid for 5G here in the good ol US of A.
It’s bloody fast too, loving it and can’t wait to get it in the UK.
Anyway, I’m hooking up one way or another on Saturday, but if not, they tell me it’s on NBC, is that right Houston from Clive?
I’m looking for an improvement, but as I didn’t see the first game, that’s a bit double dutch. So onwards and upwards,
Jiminez for President and Neves for Pope, not an easy season but still have high hopes.
Leicester 1
Wolves 2
Come on me Bambinos.
Doesn’t look like it is on NBC. It’s on TSN (The Sports Networks) in Canada. Not sure if some hotels and bars in the states would get that. You can always ask if you have problems finding it on a US network. Good news is, it’s probably on some network somewhere.
It’s on something called NBC Sports Gold, or something like that. Not the same as NBC, the main network.
First game showed just how good the EPL has become. I thought Everton were excellent. And we weren’t half bad either.
Leicester at home will be pretty good too. And they’ll be hungry for their first points too.
This is going to need patience. We’ll get there. Remember, the journey is as enjoyable as the destination. Let’s enjoy the ride.
Go Wolves!
Big in China.
500,000 hits in the first 8 hours.
Straight into No 3 in the chinese most played.
“Wolves Ay We”
By a Chinese band.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEAEWgB0tg8
They played it at the Mol last Saturday Stu.
Thanks buddy,
Sounds quirky, but they love it.
Interesting that there on the video, owner Gao what’s his name was there with Jeff Shi by the pitch to welcome him at the press launch, I think we shall see a few more chinese stars brought in for PR in China.
Leicester 1
Wolves 2
I’d like to see more from Costa as this is his chance with both Cav and Traore out. Should be a good game and yet another cracking atmosphere. A fancy us to get a point although I’d love all 3 with Man City next up at Molineux. Jota to score for us
Last time I thought we might win but predicted a draw , not over confident against Leicester so going for a draw
COYW
I think Leicester will be too good for us, especially away. Will take us a few more games for us to get up to PL speed. Obviously hope I’m way off the mark.
Unless we improve from the last game I am not very optimistic and will be happy with a draw. Leicester will be too strong at home.
My second attempt as my first one disappeared for some reason.
Watching the Everton game again I think we put in a decent performance. We showed spirit and determination to come back from behind twice. No doubt we are a strong unit but one thing that was evident was we were way off the pace at times. We will adjust and the team will have learned a lot from the opening game.
Leicester will come at us, they are fast and direct. Just the team we need to use on counter attacks on.
I can only see a win for us here.
Interesting read in this link
https://www.coachesvoice.com/tactics-wolves-2-everton-2/
Onward’s & Upwards
Such tough one to call but another good test for us. I know we have a chance in pretty much every game we play, particularly outside the top 6. The lack of chances created last week was a slight concern but, with the onus on Leicester to attack, hopefully that will leave space for us. Heart says we’ll get a result, but head says we’ll be edged out.
But what I would say is that this is the sort of game where Costa and Jota could come into their own, we all know how deadly we can be on the break.
However, this is the Premier League and away wins don’t come easy. Look at Brighton (not comparing us directly to Brighton, Hughton a very different manager to Nuno but not a bad yardstick) I think they only won one or two away last season and were heavily reliant on their home form, as we will have to be. So definitely a chance for us but Leicester are no mugs.
Think it will be another draw in an evenly contested game. I personally don’t think there is much to seperate the teams in terms of quality.
I saw that Leicester comment too and disagreed with it completely!
We don’t really ‘press fairly high’. We do press the ball, but in specific areas and don’t tend to do this high up the pitch.
A lot of the time, we let the opposition have the ball in their deeper areas and then as soon as it enters our half, we snap into action, hunting the ball back in packs.
I think we will do this even more on Saturday. I expect Leicester to have most of the ball and us to sit quite deep, looking for chances on the counter.
Cav is a big loss in my opinion as he’s dangerous without the Dave. Helder isn’t the force of old so I think we’ll struggle to break them down. The defence might take a while to sort out, so:
Tricky one. Fear the worst but hoping for the best. Neves saved us last week but also lost Richarlison, at this level this often leads to a goal which of course is what happened.
We need to tighten up and protect the back three better by keeping it simple in midfield, think more quickly and be faster on the break.
All easy to say but we have the players able to do this and a coach who can devise the tactics needed.
Silly old fool, forgot to make a prediction.
We had a bonkers result last week.
This week the consensus is a 1-2 defeat!! ……. What! (I’m going to my 5-year old daughter from voting.)
Lots of draws predicted I predict lots of draws predicted for the rest of the season in the prediction league, I predict!!!!
Any one for sako back here, don’t shoot me down though! Just a squad player.
I thought that topic had been shot down, and buried!
And concreted over
I do not normally do pessimism but I am going 3 – 1 Leicester. I think they will be too strong and we are not yet ready
I see this as a big big game, given our fixtures at the start of the season.
No easy games this season, tho being the away team may suit our style.
A few of our players need to up their game from last week and I expect them to come good this time. Happy with same team but hope to see Traore on bench.
UTW
I was wondering where all the bloggers have come from ..?zillions… very impressive Thomas..
Anyway we are expected to dispatch this lot if we are to get up to the top bit of this precious league and it does show that you can spend £100M like West Ham and still be one of the favourites to go down ..
Daunting.. I think we will play better away and in this case if we can shut up the back which includes patricio then we should win..1 or 2 ish..
We need a (F off) striker..about £50M quids worth..
COYW
I’m pretty sure one of the new bloggers is Tito.
I think we tend to play much better when Saiss and Neves play together in central midfield; they seem to complement each other so well in my opinion. Moutinho is a great player and I can’t see him being left out though. I’ve never believed in forecasting results but will join in for what it’s worth; can’t be too precious!
This like every game, will be difficult, all things being fair, but I’ll go for a Wolves victory again. As some wise old heads have said, maybe the nerves will show less away from home, and knowledge that constant awareness and speed of reaction to our opposition’s movements is of paramount necessity; concentrate and then concentrate some more; is more than palpably obvious to our young side; it’s a big step up from the Championship and there were few easy games there. Leicester are where we want to be, but it is still early days yet and we shall experience some ups and downs over this season, I think…
If you get a magnifying glass out, and look very closely, you can just make out Debenham Wolf, sitting next to Stuwolf, BOG, Twixfix and Cheeseburger!!
Oh, and Doogle is one row back!
The lads were very nervous last week and it showed. Never seen Bolly look so ragged. Costa & Jota looked like scared bunnies at times BUT we still got a point.
I think Nuno might have worked some of his magic on them at Compton this week so expect a better display against Leicester.
Having said that I thought they were a touch unlucky at Man U. last week and will be a real handful especially at home.
Hope for a win but expecting a draw.
This is an hard one to call.
Unfortunately I think we may lose this one, but only just.
NEVES…scored seven.
NEVES…scored seven from outside the penalty area.
NEVES…is seven backwards.
NEVES…running rings round Leicester Saturday.
That’s a bit psychedelic Mildenhall. Have you been on the mind bending drugs whilst listening to Piper at the Gates of Dawn by Pink Floyd? Or has your 6 year old nephew been round with his homework…
Plenty to work on after the draw against Everton but take the point especially with some of our key contributors below par. Onto Leicester how played very well in their defeat against Man u but I feel playing away will suit us better this season. As for team news it would be incredibly hard on Bennett if he was left out for Dendoncker and I would personally go with the same front 3 leaving Adama on the bench. Only changes I would consider would be in the wing back positions, That said I fully expect the same 11 to start the game. Would take a point now if it was offered.
Battled well to get a draw last Saturday against a well established Premier team, think we will need the same qualities this Saturday. We are capable of winning at Leicester but need to defend better, be quicker passing the ball out and cut out the sloppy passes. Nuno had a lot to work on this week but he and the team will be better for it. Hope Adama gets to play, think his presence will really open up spaces for others to flourish in especially on the break. That’s why I am following my heart and going for a wolves win.
Leicester v Wolves
A rather poignant fixture for me bloggers. Back in September 1992 I went to Filbert Street to witness and dreadful bore draw (0-0). This was the first game after my Wolves mad dad had passed away a few days earlier.
My brother-in-law (born and bred Leicester) insisted I went with him instead of moping around. I may as well moped around!
A week earlier we had beaten Peterborough 4-3 in a Molineux thriller. Blimey talk about after the lord mayor show!
Anyway onto Saturday and the King Power – I shall be in the hospitality area folks as my brother –in-law was 65 in July so it’s a bit of a late celebration.
At times v Everton the defence looked a little shaky which maybe is an understatement but credit the lads in coming back twice against a team with experienced Premier League players.
One previous game I would recall occurred on 27th December 1971. Bolstered by coach loads from the West Midlands, a shade fewer than 38,000 literally jammed into Filbert Street and it was a corker. (Those who ever visited Filbert Street must still be wondering how 38,000 managed to get in). Wolves edged a real thriller 2-1 with goals from Derek Dougan and Frank Munro.
I stood on the side (directly opposite the “Pop Side”) with the brother of a wench I was seeing at the time. It was his first away game and he loved it.
So with that memory etched in the mind I am going for the same scoreline – 2-1 to Wolves.
Mind you I shall have to keep my trap shut……
Enjoy the game bloggers.
BOG
As most have said, I think there is a big step up in quality from the Championship. Everton impressed me, better than I expected them to be, but we also didn’t play as well as we can. Thoroughly enjoyed the game. Think we will be more settled this week and hopefully Adama is fit enough to at least come off the bench and cause mayhem.
Whilst Wolves generally bossed the Championship last season, the Everton game clearly showed the extent of the learning curve we are facing. Leicester are another established, organised side who will pose different challenges for the defence in particular. Hopefully, nerves and the Mol’s high levels of expectation will not affect this performance. We need to step up again and Saiss’s strength in midfield would be preferred in this tough away game. Too early for an away win IMO. Heart says a draw but I think Leicester’s seasoned warriors will overcomeovercome.
Without doubt, going to be a close call. I think Leicester have frailties in defence (barring Sir H Maguire) which our forward line will no doubt exploit. As we saw on various occasions last season, Wolves were more compact away from Molineux, and I could envisage the same on Saturday. Purely for Nuno’s game management prowess, I fancy us to pip them
I think there will be the Nunos steely determination effect to learn and improve showing in this game. After a loss or performance that wasn’t hitting his standard we seem to improve. Squeak a win.
This is a tough game and I don’t feel our team is “fully Gelled”yet. Would love to see us getting some points – but I don’t expect so.
Both teams will be looking for improvement this week. Fox,s manager on a yellow for poor results according to rumor, just hope Nuno has called on the Sports Psychologist to remind Wolves just how good they are. Sadly I think their experience at this level will give Fox,s the edge 2-1..hope i am wrong though.
NERVES AND OVER TRYING LEFT BEHIND NAILED ON 1-3
Think they were overawed with the occasion last week, after a week of Nuno at Compton and a better bench available except for Cav so it will be a narrow win from me.
We will struggle in my opinion.
I think that there is too much to put right in this amount of time
We will stand up but we will continue to get knocked about in the transition
Bit early yet
Our team are a very confident and capable unit, lets trust in them
Big Willy seemed to be late getting out of bed last week – if he’s fully awake we should be air-tight at the back but nerves are still frayed!
90th min winner. Limbs!
Interesting fixture throwing up some interesting confrontations. Adrien Silva (who made the Portugal squad) v Ruben Neves (who didn’t). Ben Chilwell, who REALLY likes to get forward v Matt Doherty who does the same. I guess Nuno will have focused on our defensive game this week so I’m not expecting a shed-load of goals. Playing Saiss might make sense defensively, but Moutinho needs game time to better adapt to our system so I don’t envisage any changes.
I’ve waited for the injury update before committing to comment.
The good news is that the ex beast from the East is in the squad to scare the life out of Leicester tomorrow.
Having come thro last weeks stern test and now having listened to Nuno over the last week … our juggernaut will be finding the gears at the King Power stadium.
Less nerves means more Neves and a more solid performance.
I’m predicting a tight game with us snatching a winner late on …just to piss off Gary ‘Cheesy’ Lineker … that will gall him on motd.
Need to look again at midfield as Neves & Moutinho are too similar.
Return for Saiss?
Debut’s for Dendoncker & Traore?
Can’t see it being a repeat of the 4-3 thriller so will go for ……..
according to the Express and Star online Traore is fit to play, but not Dondecker.
I see Traore coming on later, and hoping for a great partnership between him and Jimenez.
Just watched Nuno’s press conference where he reamed the first “journalist”
a new one!
Abso fuckin loot lee brilliant!!
Sticking my neck out and going for a sneaky 1-0.
We need to tighten up at the back and learn from our mistakes,because that’s what done us against the Toffies.
I’m sure Nuno’s drilled it into the to stay focused
.Every match is gonna be tough.
But saying that its no use being tense because it’ll stifle our game.
Last week’s atmosphere was electric and I’m sure it’ll be just as intense.
I would stick to the same side but I’m sure if things arn’t going right we have the guns to change it.
UTW.Nuno we trust.
I learned from my mistake and always tighten up at the back.
Those strap-ons hurt.
Need to shake off the 1st match nerves and be positive, still think we lack a bit of steel in midfield but it’s too early to be too judgemental. Game got draw written all over it .
Hum, could be a challenge
1-1 at half time, Nuno brings on Traore with ten minutes to go, Neves threads a pass through to him, he goes down the wing like a greyhound and puts a cross in for Jimenez to nod in. Away end in raptures like we were at Bristol last season.
2-1 to the Wolves
Lovely Jubbly!
It will be crap, I’m not there. So give me a wave.
As in – Nuno, Nuno, give us a wave.
How about a Mexican wave when Jimenez scores?
Doing my vocal exercises at the moment ready for this afternoon!
Hope you are all having a great time in Florida. See you on sat.
First away win of the season I hope!
Having 4 points after tomorrow’s game would be a great start to the season.
Having one a bit of a bummer…
But I’m optimistic that Coady & Boly regain their composure, as will Jota and Helda.
A win a true statement of intent.
A loss will have us at the back of the pack.
My predictions are invariably wrong…
But your prediction that this prediction is wrong may also be wrong
I remember driving down to Leicester for the FA Cup game in 1960 with the intention of taking in a couple of pints on the way and being very disappointed to find that in Leicester in those days the pubs closed at 2.00 – must have been the only place in the country where that was the case …. went disappointed – and thirsty – to the game but came away much more cheerful because we won. I suppose the point is that disappointment only lasts so long and so I’m looking forward to a better result this week … hopefully the nerves will have settled, the pace will now be known amd we may have the Traore option …. I think Nuno will have sorted few things out and that we have a chance of three points.
Hope all who are travelling have more luck ale-wise than I did. COYW
Twix,
Got your email but for some reason my IPad hasn’t recieved it it went to my wife phone.
Thanks for sorting tickets how do you want to do the swap, ill email you tomorrow from my wife’s phone with my phone number and we can sort it out.
Thanks again.
Oh and as for the game I’d be happy with another point I think they will be up for this one if we can get over our nerves I could see us winning.
Back in the UK visiting family so online time is limited…
Hopefulky the nerves were the reason for the Everton result, but we showed good resilience. And the nerves can be forgiven.
Hopefully we can have a good away day and take 3 points from the Foxes, although they were good against United and deserved something from the game.
Could be a tricky game this, and on that basis I’ll plump for a draw. If we can shackle Vardy though, you never know.
My eldest daughter is married to a bluenose.
My other daughter lived with a bloke who’s house way between Derby and N’ham (but suppported neither), to be followed by someone who supported QPR, but is now seeing someone from Leicester.
Could be worse. Could be seeing someone from Sandwell Town.
Reflections on last week? PL is at least 2 seconds faster..if there’s a slot to pass into you have less than 2 seconds to find it otherwise it will be closed off.. it’s how teams like Everton defend well. I think
Leicester know enough to do that too.
However I think Leicester will be the new Spurs… the team that let us have 6 points in our last first season.. both 1-0 results and the 6 points that kept us up.
They aren’t looking forward to this game and I think
It will be a full on in your face battle
Pumping hopeful crosses into the penalty area like last week is hopefully something Nuno will
Have banned from now on
Bringing on Traore after 60 mins will
Cause the defensive panic we need to inflict
As the song goes…pace in attack
Enough said
I agree with your comment about hopeful crosses. I listened to a radio commentary last week and Stuart Pearce as summariser said several times that Wolves weren’t “getting it into the danger area quickly enough”. I thought then that he hadn’t got much idea of what Wolves are about – only making that final pass when it will give someone a clear chance of doing something with it. This was the method that worked for us without centre forward built like a brick outhouse and, Jimenez not excepted, it remains a great way of playing and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t work for us just as it does for other teams in the PL.
Also, like you I’m hoping AT has a chance to show what he can do.
Nervous of Vardy running down the channels against us. Will be a great test for our defense.
Jota and Vardy to score
Home form is critical in the premier league.
I expect a Leicester home win but hoping for a draw.
The last time I saw Leicester was the 4-3 at the Mol, hope it happens today.
No idea what to predict!
Nuno is just so cool. I think he takes the stress and negative emotion out of it for the players and just concentrates on what we can effect positively. It’s simple but it’s in every word he speaks.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s6LJJyxapV4#
Quite pleased with the point last week, hope we do one better today. Draw seems most logical but I’ll go with my heart.
Encouraging start against Everton last weekend. Welcome to the PL Babbies! Cycle the ball quicker and play fearlessly and we will have a cracking season!
To do ok against the foxes we have to take the game to them. Or else 3 creative forward players will look to stretch our back 3 and feed a certain Vardy. A score draw would be an encouraging result. But a win might be needed to galvanize the troops from the bombardment that awaits us next week by the Citizens!
Fancy us for this one. Even though the Mike Dean factor might arse it all up.
Traore for Costa. Wolves by one.
I hear we’ve been widely tipped to be dark horses this season..!
Pundits do talk a load of horse manure sometimes.
Well at least today won’t be a repeat of the Steve Bull v’s Steve Walsh games.
Whilst I wouldn’t swop the current WWFC set up for “the ode days” I have to say I do miss this as “the ode fixture”
Come on mi babbies. FOwb
The pressure will be on the home side to produce a result, particularly given (if we are to believe the press) some anti Puel murmurings. That should allow Wolves to settle down and play with some assurance, something that was missing at times last week.
Hopefully Traoré will come on off the bench and do some damage but, for me, it’s another game and another point.
With the nervous first week out of the way and with the players knowing what to expect I suspect we might win this one.
We will score two on the counter and unfortunately concede one from a set piece which I think we are still susceptible to.
I’ struggling to see us getting anything out of this but hope to be proved incorrect. I’m another who was not totally convinced by Neves, Moutinho combination after last week but its early days yet.
So do I follow my heart or the old noggin.
Heart it is.
COYW
Hey. Shit happens.