Right then (*cracks knuckles*). Off we go.
After the longest summer in living history, we’re back for a new season with a new Wolves.
Or is it the same Wolves?
With changes aplenty in the dugout but comparatively little with the playing staff, I don’t know what to expect.
But like many of you, I’m nervous.
I don’t think Jeff and co have addressed what I perceive to be this group’s biggest problem – a lack of goals.
I’m surprised how many supporters were adamant we needed a defender or a holding midfielder after Wolves averaged less than a goal a game last season.
Factor in Neto’s injury and Podence’s continued absence and I don’t think Raul’s return alone is enough to turn the tide.
But there’s still time for additions and the second half against Celta Vigo suggested Bruno might just be able to extract more enthusiasm from the group than his processor was able to in the dying embers of his historic reign.
We’ve got defenders that can head and kick, midfielders that can pass, a winger who can run through five tackles and a bloke who knows where the goal is – maybe it will all work out?
Leicester
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Leicester are great. Smart transfers, solid behind-the-scenes, good manager, blah, blah, blah.
There’s no point banging on about all that as it’s generally accepted they’re brilliant.
They’ve been busy again over the summer, adding striker Patson Daka for £23m, midfielder Boubakary Soumare for £17m as well as the very astute addition of Ryan Bertrand on a free from Southampton.
There are strong rumours Denmark defender Jannik Vestergaard will be treading the same path as Bertrand, with the Foxes in need of a centre half after Wesley Fofana suffered that horiffic injury last week.
Squad depth is undoubtedly what’s cost them the top four in the last two seasons, so they should be well served by these additions.
Looking at the traditional elite, I think they’ve got a job on their hands to be flying as high this time, but they always seem to find a way.
I watched some of their Community Shield win over Man City and thought they looked incredibly sharp. This is a big ask for Bruno on his Premier League debut.
The home end
Some views lifted from the pre-match thread on the Foxes Talk forum.
I’d be surprised if its not the same starting line up as Wembley. Amartey currently has the shirt so will continue. Going to be tight, always is with Wolves, even without Nuno.
Jimenez worries me a little for this one, particularly without Evans. He’s a completely different opposition to the plethora of number 10s that Man City offered. It’ll be interesting to see if he goes hell for leather given the nature of the injury he sustained. I’m also intrigued to see how Trincao gets on, given the rumours of last summer, though I naturally hope that he has a stinker. Not really sure what to expect from the game as I know nothing of Wolves new manager/set up etc but would hope we have enough to get off to a decent start.
If we defend well and are patient, I just can’t see how we don’t win this. I think we will definitely score, it’s just if we can keep them out too.
Reading the Wolves forum (Molinuex Mix) there is not that much optimism for the season , the biggest ask appears to be more entertainment after the dirge they supplied last season. All the brash talk of hitting the top 4/6 their owners talked about a couple of years ago has seemingly gone, though like every club who knows how much the pandemic has changed club aspirations/finances. Sure they’ll be alright but looking at another mid table finish I think.
They could be dark horses this year, they clearly had a decent squad there and suffered from a bit of a wobble in confidence and the loss of their main goal scorer. It’s not like we’d expect to do that well if Vardy was out for a season. Hell, we “only” lost Barnes and it probably cost us top four. Benfica fans are largely full of praise for Lage and, specifically, the brand of football he had them playing. The general view in Portugal is that he’s still a coach with a lot of promise who needs a shot at being backed by decent enough resources. He could genuinely be exactly what Wolves need to bring a tidy group of players out of their shell. They’ll be dangerous and I definitely wouldn’t write them off before the weekend. It’s a tough start and a draw would neither surprise or disappointment me all that much.
Wolves
It seems like Bruno is leaning towards a back 3 and I’d expect to see a similar XI that started against Celta Vigo, with Nelson Semedo potentially returning at right wingback and Dendoncker coming into the midfield.
It’s a blow that neither Boly or Mosquera are fit because I think they’d bring the aggression and physicality we’re lacking at the back.
The above represents a competitive XI with enough to cause Leicester plenty of problems if they play to their maximum.
More concerning is the paucity of options on the bench. I’m not sure Fabio or Moutinho offer much of an alternative to what’s already on the pitch. Gibbs-White has looked sharp enough in pre-season but still has plenty to prove at this level.
Ait-Nouri is a good attacking option to replace the more defensively capable Marcal and I think I spotted Podence back in training. He probably won’t make it back in time, but hopefully he’ll provide an option in the weeks to come.
If we had Neto, Jonny and Boly in the squad, I’d feel pretty robust about our prospects, but we could certainly do with another one or two additions minimum to fill the gaps.
Last time out
We lost 1-0 at the King Power last season, with Jamie Vardy scoring from the spot after a ridiculous handball decision against Max Kilman. They missed a second penalty and Ruben Neves forced a good save from Kasper Schmeichel but it was a pretty dire performance overall from Wolves.
The 0-0 at Molineux later in the season was a handy point for us as we extinguished lingering fears of relegation. Fabio missed a great chance to win it for us before Vardy headed just wide with the last kick of the game.
Predictions
The Prediction League is back for the 2021/22 season so come one, come all and see if you can forecast the outcome of all 38 games better than your fellow Wolves Bloggers.
To enter is simple – just leave your prediction in the comment section below using the boxes provided. Then repeat for every preview article throughout the season, making sure you always use the same email address to make your prediction. Your email is what ties you to your overall score.
If you’ve been thinking about joining in but not done it before, please do take part.
Either way though, here’s to a great season.
Up The Wolves!
The transfer window is not yet closed, but I am not filled with confidence for this season. On our day we will trouble a few teams but we must play for 90 minutes not 45. Still when (if) every one gets fit and not many more injuries we should be comfortably in mid table, time will tell.
The very difficult start to our campaign is worring, and hope we can get a point here, as I don,t believe we will get much for the next two games.
But, New manager, New tactics, New motivation, maybe they will surprise everyone! Let us all hope so! Win, lose, or draw, up the Wolves!
We’re not awful, but I think Leicester will have too much for us. We’ve gone there before as a well-oiled machine and struggled, so it seems like a big ask for a team still finding its feet under a new coach.
It’s a horrible start for Bruno so I hope we can take at least one result from this opening sequence of games and show enough in the performances to give everyone belief that we’ll be competitive.
The one chink in their armour could be at the back, so maybe if we can get Traore driving at the heart of them and Raul in the positions to finish things off, there’s damage to be done. I think that’s what the majority of supporters want to see – Wolves inflicting damage and not just trying to absorb and counter.
“Wolves inflicting damage and not just trying to absorb and counter.”
Agreed, but this will take time Thomas. Nuno couldn’t do it with a better team than we have today. Bruno will have his work cut out.
I agree it will take time Dances.
Nuno isn’t an attack-minded coach and that was never part of his ‘idea’ at Wolves, whereas Bruno seems more adventurous so you’d hope he has the armoury in his coaching and sets the team up with more attacking intent.
I want to start with a positive prediction but I cant. Too much in the Leicester tank.
Apart from the defence, I like the look of our team, and if they play to their maximum potential, will be a match for most teams this season.But, we know how slow we can start, Saiss, always has one dodgy tackle in him, and the whole defence lacks pace. Couple with the aforementioned frailties, we have absolutely no one on the bench that can turn a game on its head if we need to. Leicester, for me, will have too much for us sadly.
– I agree. Saiss best position is defensive midfielder. I’d only play him as a central defender together with Coady if it was an emergency. Ake is, according to rumors, coming from City as a loan soldier. Kilman – Coady – Ake is a decent defensive central line.
I think we could struggle but with Jimenez back and get Traore firing we could give them a game. All depends on the defence and with saiss in its a worry personally i would sell the guy but 2-1 to the Wolves
– Jimenez is back, yes. What’s the probability he’s back 100% when it usually takes players several months? Well, time will tell.
Defence will concede goals with this line up I am afraid .
Just seeking for some entertainment from our boys but expecting to lose to be honest .
Hopefully Boly or Mosquera back for the Spurs game which I am more hopeful about with the home support .
A win AND WHY NOT?
Can’t see us getting anything. Leicester are flying. A decent performance is needed on Saturday even if we lose, which I think we will. We’re a work in progress but I think we will strengthen by the end of the transfer window. It will take a few weeks for Bruno to work his magic. In the meantime we have three tough PL fixtures.
Wolves to win 1 nil
Nice one Matt… I’ll drink to that prediction…?
Nice one Matt… I’ll drink to that prediction…?
Nice to see back Matt. Must meet up for a beer when come up.
A couple of seasons ago I thought we were on par with Leicester but they seemed to have improved and we have stood still. I think with our defence they will prove too much for us at this stage in our transformation. A draw would be an excellent result but I can’t see past a loss unfortunately.
We may actually have regressed significantly rather than stood still Colin. I’m going for one worse than you.
Think it could be a shaky start to the season (recruitment just hasn’t addressed all the gaps) and Leicester look sharp. Hope for the best, but realistically this could be a tough opener.
Like everyone not sure what to expect from our team this season under Bruno and lack of goals last season was plain to see without Raùl but now he’s back and Silva having a season in the first team lineup will only have helped his cause.
More worried about our backline and with boly and mosquera out we look very fragile.
I like kilman in that back three with Coady but who would be on the right maybe Hoever with semedo in the RWB and either marcal or Ait- Nouri LWB both have impressed during Pre season please NOT! Saiss a red card waiting to happen and was found out many times against celta viga.
Dendoncker along side Neves is our best midfield with MGW and Trancao and traore on the wings to provide Raùl and Silva
Not sure what to expect under Bruno but if we play like we did second half against Celta viga we could be ok but if we play like we did first half we could be in for a hiding.COYW??? 2-2
Needless to say, this is going to be a tough start for Bruno. The general lack of optimism heading into this season is understandable but, as you say Thom, we haven’t got a bad squad as is. Games with Leicester are usually pretty cagey so I’m going to go with an entertaining score draw.
I’m optimistic.
When fixtures was released initially, I had already written off the first 3 games. I mean, Leicester, Tottenham and United… However, When I see our squad on paper, I don’t know what we should expect. Yes the defence needs something extra, but I am looking forward to Coady controlling the back line beside Mosquera. Obviously when he is fit. But Kilman always impresses. Semedo and Marcal running in behind could open some big spaces, I see us hopefully impressing in this game, not sure if any pre-season game we got out of second gear. I can just see how deadly this team COULD be.
Fofana was a big part of there defence last season and he is out all season, and I am sure Raul will be chomping at the bit to make a statement, and Adama now finally has a target to aim for in the box. If we don’t sit in our own box all game, I think we could be suprised at the outcome.
Great to read a positive one. I will follow your lead.
Think it’s going to get worse before it gets better. Opening day comfortable defeat, before some recruitment stabilises us at the end of the month.
Hope I’m wrong, but I think it’s more likely to be a relegation scrap than us chasing down Europe this year.
After the last 18 months or so, it does feel a bit like “out of darkness ….etc etc” and we have a new season and new manager to welcome in. That joy is tempered, for me anyway, by a little nervousness at the tough first few matches – and Wolves’ pressing need for reinforcements.
I don’t want to start with a negative prediction, so I’m going (with everything tightly crossed) for a draw.
Ps: it was so good to see Raul back at Molineux on Saturday.
Going with my heart not my head.
You’re right, the missing physicality of Willie Boly and/or Yerson Mosquera will be the difference. It’s a tough enough start as it is.
Hopefully I’m wrong and Ruben Neves will enjoy his new found freedom, Adama will turn up to terrorise Leicester and we can surprise them with a couple of goals. They seem to have got the rub of the green with VAR decisions and criminal penalty decisions…maybe it’s our turn.
They have had VAR decisions galore against us ( Dendonker at Leicester ,Boly goal disallowed at Molineux and ludicrous penalty decision last season ) which have made me particularly dislike them .
A draw with a dodgy VAR decision for our goal will suit me !
Given the personnel available it seems Bruno has no choice but to go with a back 3/5. And given the pace of Vardy and Iheanacho I don’t expect them to play a high line, so it looks like it might be a similar performance to those which Nuno’s teams were delivering. (Which may not be a bad thing as we were always competitive against Leicester). Hoping we can squeeze a draw out of this, but not expecting any fireworks from our side.
If we go for 3 at the back I think we will have a good chance.
First season back in prem we played 3-5-2 for a while.
I don’t feel confident playing a back four, too many gaps.
As threadbare in various positions as last year. What have we got on the bench if further injuries?
Please stay fit Raul.
Still need an addition in each of the 3 key area: defence, midfield and attack.
Need the injured players back ASAP especially Boly/Mosquero + Neto.
End of August could well see us bottom 3 – fingers crossed we can get points somewhere.
Sorry I can’t be more positive.
Hello old friends, will try and keep up this season
And you are who?
If an old friend, great, if new then welcome.
Hi @Brompton Wolf. I was active on the blog many, many years ago (as t’OM), I think my last post was about 2009. Thomas might remember me – we shared a strong mutual affection for Nenad Milijas. I still remember Clive from Houston making a lot of sense.
So far I have been quietly impressed with Lage during the few interviews he has given, and in patches the football has looked good when it has all clicked together. Unfortunately, I just can’t see that he has been backed in the transfer market and allowed to bring in the players that he needs to play his way. An initial 442 has soon reverted back to 343, and apart from a few minor changes we pretty much have the same squad as last year.
On the plus side, Neves and Traore are still here and Jimenez is looking back to his old self.
I can’t see us getting a single point from the first three games, but hopefully after that as the players get used to the new system and (…fingers crossed…) with some new arrivals things should start to get better.
Bracing myself for a terrible start to the season and eventually finishing in a similar position to last year.
OODCL
… finishing in a similar position to last year?
No progression? I am expecting a push for Champions league, as that is what was said!
I think this is the first of three tough games for a Wolves side that are not fully converted to Bruno’s way of playing. The loss of Boly and Mosquera is a massive blow and with the defenders we have available Bruno will be forced to play a back 3 instead of his preferred flat 4. Hate to predict a loss for Wolves but can only see this one going one way.
Foxes 2 Wolves 0
Dreading it.
I would certainly take a draw away any day, If we can Ake in that would be a great signing and would bolster the much weakened defence.
Still think we are 3-4 players short, hopefully that will be addressed shortly.
Whatever happens we are where we are and there’s nothing we can do but hope Fosun are listening.
Leicester as we know are a good club with a squad that improves every season and have and have an excellent manager.
Wolves on the other hand have a squad in transition and an inexperienced manager who in his only previous position had an up and then a big down. Preseason friendlies are an unreliable form guide.
So if you are a neutral you would fancy a comfortable Leicester win and so do I but I have a gut feeling it just might go our way. Mind, my gut often lets me down.
My thoughts entirely PRW and it’s nice to see so many respectful comments from the Leicester end too. I’m going for the win, some are writing off our season before it’s even started!
Stay positive
2-0 Wolves.
Not sure what to expect , only seen us on TV pre-season so can’t quite work out what the plan is
would take 3 points form 1st 3 matches and hopefully get the defence fit again
Tough start and could go either way play like we did second half and will be a positive result
I believe this will be a closer game than most people think. I am going to go for a positive start. But win or lose, I just want to see a high energy wolves team playing in both halves.
Many of us, me included, want to see the adoption of a back four and more expansive style. No good playing a back four though with players bought for a 3/5 at the back system and have neither the pace or technique required. Especially against a pacy, attacking team like the Foxes. Such a pity Willy and Yerson are out as they seem to be the ones really cut out for a four.
So back three for me but being ready to spring the counter when we can and being brave when we’ve got the ball around their box. I saw much second half against Vigo to give me a feeling of misplaced confidence so I shall go with a pulsating win in this one.
Head not heart for this one…2-1 to the opposition.
Hello fellow PL winner. I am watching your predictions closely lol. Hope you had a good break.
I can see you two have been comparing notes on how to win the thing.
LET BATTLE COMMENCE BROMPTON WOLF…
I have won it before so I am now on a hat tric.k lol.
AS AM I…
At least get his name correct.
It’s Chalkie the Cheat
Not 5-1 Clive?
I just don’t see any evidence to the contrary …
Let in two and we have to score three to win. Keep a clean sheet and we only need one to win and, as Cloughy famously stated, it only takes a second to score a goal. Much as we definitely need a top striker to take the load off Raul, that’s why many have been harping on about securing a solid centre half, particularly if a regularly playing with a back four is the ultimate aim.
As things stand, we seem much more likely to concede than score and, with the midfield not being blessed with either a goalscorer or someone who can regularly supply the front men, I can see the tough start panning out as some of us fear unless the right kind of acquisitions are made.
Difficult opening match means a difficult to take defeat, I’m afraid. Let’s hope I’m totally wide of the mark (along with Vardy et al).
Can only see them winning by the odd goal with that defence and our attack. However we are due some vast amount of luck against the Foxes, so, here’s hoping.
I suspect we have a striker coming in as Cutrone is being allowed to leave, which is a necessity to my mind. We’re an injury away from last year’s struggle for goals in my view.
The spine needs some improvement so I hope Bruno is backed properly. That central midfield needs a box to box good creator.
Neves and Jimenez cannot do it all alone. Hope we can get what’s needed.
Leicester to win 2-1 sadly. Might get a draw if we can manage two decent halves…
Lest we forget, our opponents will be as flummoxed as we are as to our starting line up, and how we will play.
They may not gel either, for their first few matches, and their uncanny run of var luck cannot continue.
We have some dark horses in our mix, and I feel this season we are going to see Ruben Neves at his imperious best, back to scoring from anywhere on the pitch for fun.
As for the other “tough” opponents coming up after Leicester, who cares?
They have got to play us sometime, so they might as well lose those points early doors in the season as later.
I am quietly confident of a good, positive result on Saturday, I got me new Wolves boots and home shirt.
What more could a guy want?
Three points to me babbeez.
Have no idea what to expect from us this season, as yet. Was rather surprised at the deference and concern, with a very small c, from the Foxes thread.
Heart says draw, head says lose.
Still gutted not to have enough points to get a ticket to, to be honest.
New season, new boss, similarish squad, let’s get behind the boys and prove the pundits wrong.
Didn’t manage to get a ticket myself either Marnhull. Looks like the Combemere will have to wait.
Next time. You’re South West based?
Thought I already predicted but I don’t see it. Trying again.
In my opinion, Leicester are the team that Wolves should be looking to emulate in everything we do.
They have a manager who is proven at this level.
They have a wealthy owner who is a proper supporter. He talks the talk and walks the walk with his backing of the manager.
They don’t have a huge stadium but fill it regularly.
They have a brilliant natural goal scorer.
They buy sensibly, often good players from the lower leagues in England, and are prepared to sell when it makes sound financial sense and they have suitable replacements.
They regularly punch way above their weight.
We can match them in a couple of those categories, but we all know where we are lagging behind.
I can’t pass judgement on our new regime because, to be frank, I haven’t watched much of pre season.
I really hope that getting back to Molineux will rekindle my enthusiasm for the game.
But for now, my feeling is that Leicester will be way too strong for us at the weekend.
Totally agree with you Doogooder…….spot on.
If Bruno is to have any chance of success Jeff has to back him and that means getting the cheque book out.
I do think Jeff thinks well when the injured players come back we will be fine it doesn’t work like that our hosts Saturday are a good example of how to recruit they don’t spend mega bucks but they do push the boat out for the right player and every season for they last five there squad has got stronger and stronger despite selling some of there best players a F.A Cup and Charitey Sheild are proof of that.
If Bruno doesn’t get the recruits he wants and needs I can not see for the life of me how he can be held responsible if it goes tits up…….I for one will not blame him I’ll lay that at Jeff door.
This is the first time in five years I’ve been nervous and apprehensive regarding the season ahead I think as someone Blogged it has taken us so long and been so hard to get here let’s not get complacent and throw all that hard work away.
They are on a massive high at the minute after last season and last weeks win cannot see us getting anything out of this game we are ……well a work in progress at the minute.
I am usually a very positive person and absolutely love being a Wolves fan. But I am genuinely fearful of the season ahead. Without a few more quality bodies through the door I can only see a relegation struggle ahead. I can see Bruno trotting out the same “the answers lay within the squad” and “ I am very happy with the players I have” just like Nuno did. Clearly we are in a poor position financially and if we have to sell our best players in order to buy in “prospects” the trap door will be wide open. The project appears dead and I doubt Bruno will make it beyond Christmas. Doom and gloom I know but this is always the pattern with clubs in our situation. This game I can see nothing other that a 3-0 victory for Leicester. I hope I am proved wrong.
Quite upset that Boly and netto are out IMO this fixture is on a wIng and a prayer ..
I’m hoping that traore and Jimenez fix Leicester against the odds they reckon I’m sure that they will put in 3 ..
Coady to the rescue on the line but I’m delighted that Traore is still with us he can make the difference here..
Hard to be optimistic the momentum from Nuno’s first 3 years has stalled the club seems to be in a mess lacking direction, financial planning meaning we have to sell one or both of our best 2 players to recruit significantly. No proven football director. Also a Manager who is also unproven who is working with a squad that were pathetic in terms of scoring last season. Hope I am wrong but its going to be a struggle.
Well if there is any justice in the football world we are owed a favour…
A joke handball decision against Kilman , a ridiculous VAR decision on Neto’s heel, Dendoncker’s goal, so at some point we’ll get something back, this week would be good as we have a porous defence without our regular pillars Boly & Jonny and Bruno hasn’t cured our sleepy starting habit, nor has Jeff sourced the centre back we were shouting for 12 months ago.
Compare to our rivals, Fofana breaks leg last week, Leicester find £15m to get Vestergaard in. That’s the way to support the manager.
Bruno Already out of his Depth I’m afraid
I don’t really do pre-seasons so I’m making this judgement more on Leicester’s form rather than seeing our own for myself.
They’re ahead of us in pre-season terms having already had a competitive game. We’re going to find it difficult given yet a another disrupted summer especially with so many international call ups at a time when we have a new coach wanting to stamp his mark on a group used to playing such a rigid formation for so long.
They’ve got their business done already whereas we’ve barely started which is unsurprising since Bruno hasn’t had much of a chance to evaluate the squad.
I genuinely have no idea how this season will go. It’s always going to be a white knuckle ride when you bring someone in to rip up the manual and start again.
Mainly because they’re more settled I can only see a Leicester win. I just hope we’re able to make up any lost ground later in the season.
Hats off to Fosun. Under their ownership we have gone from perennial non entities to an historic 4th consecutive season in the top flight. Last seen almost 50 years ago. Bruno stated last week he is eyeing up 3 or 4 new signings. There are 3 weeks to go in the transfer market. The twitterati are in full doom and gloom. Fosun are an investment company. To get full value they will not stand still. I am certain of that. I say wait until the end of the transfer window and we will see if Bruno has got the signings he says he wants. If not I will happily eat my words. Leicester have their own defensive problems Saturday. I can see this being a scoring draw by 2 goals each. Hopefully our 2 goals coming from ridiculous VAR calls.We still have some exciting players. So get behind the lads. Wolves ay we.
Just combed through the various pundit predictions out there and general expectations are that we will be 10-13th or thereabouts…..but more than one has us relegated.
That will happen if we continue to concede midfield/allow sloppy goals/miss our freekicks/waste corners and throw ins and get bullied by defences…averaging a goal a game. Oh and sleepwalk through the first 45 minutes.
Thats a big agenda that Mr Lage needs to tackle and I don’t see the team being any better than the one that started last season. Can coaching make a difference? Will Traore play like a man possessed? Will Jimenez be as good or better?
Lots needs to go right even if we do secure some solid late signings this month.
Oddsmakers are offering 14-1 on us making Top 6
5-2 Top half and 9-2 relegation
There are, I think, real reasons to be nervous at present
I know I’ll cheer up …. eventually…but for now my glass is half empty
Hope I’m misguided
Think it could be a slow start to the season.
I would like to be paid to be a pundit.
Just get last years top 4-5 , change one position and that’s that.
Leave all the middle teams pretty much exactly where they finished last year and that’s that.
Then predict the promoted teams to go back down ( if you want to come over all maverick, then pick brentford as a dark horse to go top half)
Job done , how much do I earn.
I’m still annoyed at our penalty’s from the euros tbh so hopefully some decent performances from the lads will be very welcome.
As always, I’ll wait until the window closes, players return to fitness and we have 10 games under our belt before I judge the ability of our new guys.
A Desmond to start us off and 14-16 points from the first 10 .
Never and traore to score.
Come on you wolves
I like the last paragraph in The Home End above. It wonders how losing Vardy for most of the season would have affected LCFC and underlines just what an awful season 20/21 was for us. Apart from Raul we had a lot of injuries and quite a number of regular passengers. We still have some excellent players in the squad and, hopefully, in BL, a manager who believes that the idea of the game is to score more goals than the other side. I can’t see him concentrating on defence in the hope that one goal will be enough. This has never been an acceptable way to play the game and, in the context of VAR with its random and crazy decisions, is positively suicidal.
Several have said that they don’t know how the season will pan out – come on folks, nobody does. Our ability to score four five six or seven goals has been mainly absent since the Cullis era – nine nil against Fulham was the highest I saw then
– so let’s hope that BL restores the habit. Two or three seasons running in the 50s we scored 100 or more in a season (42 games). In today’s game with better drilled defences and cheating players ‘taking one for the team’ we should probably be looking to average two per game. BL may just be the man to get us into that habit.
So come on folks, it’s a new season full of endless possibilities. I give us a chance at Leicester and, with the crowd back, an even better chance in the next two games as well. As my old school motto said “Clarior e tenebris” which, coincidentally is Latin for “Out of darkness cometh light” .
COYW
9-0 against Fulham I remember it well, I was in the Cowshed
A mate had come to the game with Dad and me. I can remember him commenting at one point that he’d never seen a side score six. He certainly picked the right time to come with us.
Another friend’s family had two season tickets at Stoke and I went with him in 1957 and saw them beat Lincoln 8-0 with winger Tim Coleman scoring 7 of them. Those were the days.
I can’t wait to be back at the match tomorrow. My first one since spurs away in March 2020. I think we’ll score with Traore and Jimenez linking up again. They’ll be our main route to goal this season I’m pretty certain of that. My worry is at the other end. He hasn’t got the players to play a high line so he’s not going to be able to implement his style until new faces arrive. I’m confident of this happening but probably not until the end of the window. Score draw for me which would be a good point away from home to start us off.
Exactly right Mr Jones. As we settle into the season, I feel we will have ongoing improvement.
The pre-season games have not inspired me with confidence. Cannot understand why we can’t bring in a couple of new players earlier than when the season actually starts. Are we hoping for a drop in price ?? At least they would have time to gel with the rest of the team.
Not having seen Leicester this season, I can only go by last season’s form. I cannot see anything but a loss unfortunately. There again with MY form in the prediction league, that should bode well for the team.
Just hope we can do enough up front to keep them on their toes. Teamsheet not that much different to the end of last season but at least Bruno should have more of a spark in him. At present we are nothing like the team we will be with the injured players back so predicting a difficult start.
Wolves 1 – -3 Foxes
Pretty much summed up about 30 times above. Leicester good, Wolves a little underdone and undermanned, but with a sneaky chance.
I predict a bright start. All the pre-season hyperbole will be swept away. We’ll play both halves with the same tempo as the Celta Vigo second half. Bruno will prove to be the astute trainer that Benfica fans allude to. Players will be champing at the bit to get going and will hit the ground running…..
Leicester are a strong outfit, great manager, good new signings. It’ll be tough but we have enough to catch them cold….
Its been a while since posting on any site and, like all of us, looking forward to the new season eagerly
This game will not define the season in my opinion but may deepen the worries of many of the faithful over the current lack of investment if we are beaten by more than 1 goal
I was optimistically expecting a flurry of “never heard of “South American talent following the arrival of the Colombian lad ( which I suppose potentially still may happen) however I am extremely confident that what we have is enough to get at least a draw against Leicester and maybe sneak something more from the game
On the basis that Leicester are due to come back down to Earth with a bump after winning the Charity Shield I’m going for a 3-1 win – in fact a repeat of the 1949 cup final!
New predictor arriving from Dublin !!
Breath of fresh air with Bruno but I dont believe there will be any new signings of ready made first teamers so Jeff Shi gets a raspberry.
Overall very pessimistic for the season
Great to welcome a fellow Irishman to the blog Gerry. I’m maybe less pessimistic than you, but what do I know?
I’m a bit cautiously pessimistic about this one. Leicester will be buzzing after their Shield win against City.
We, on the other hand, may be nervous after our up and down ‘friendlies’…
Greetings fan club members,
Looks like a new season, Jimi is back, we still have Traore. Foxes still hungover from the Vardy party post Charity Shield and counting their chickens. Obvs not a picnic, but lets start as we mean to go on.
So here we go again…..new manager new tactics but look of new faces to help the cause. Gonna be a tough opening game against a very good Leicester side . At best I predict a draw but to be honest I don’t think we have a chance. Prove me wrong lads !
COYW
Sad to say, but with my eyes on a top three place in the prediction league, I’m going for a comprehensive defeat.
Good luck this season Wolves, from Cape Town.
Bruno press conference TODAY (13/8/2021) : ” I’m talking with the board and Jeff. They know the profiles of the players we want and positions we want.The fans can trust him. We know what we need to do”.
Can’t deny I’m excited to be going to live games again, after all this time.
Started to get very bored watching game after game on tv.
So, it’s Leicester away again. Bookies make us rank outsiders for this game, but you never know.
Squad looks threadbare so no change there!
Just hope we get a fair rub of the green and VAR. it will make a nice change.
I honestly don’t know what to think will happen this season. Suspect we will be in for an overdose of mid table mediocraty at the best.
So far I feel totally underwhelmed by Bruno, I have no idea what he really stands for in a footballing sense. Yes I have heard all the PR about attacking football, show us please.
I have been dissapointed by preseason and lack of new players, and god knows we need some.
As for tomorrow I can only wait in trepidation on the result. A draw would be a major achievement in my humble opinion but I doubt if we will get one.
I’m quietly confident of a result tomorrow despite feeling we’re still a work in progress team.
It’s 11 v 11 (or 12 if you factor the VAR official in…. Michael Oliver) but I truly believe we’ve got some dangerous and experienced players who, when on their game, are game changers.
We’ve also got a solid back line, well when it matters, who can block out Leicester‘a danger men, and make it equally tough for them to score.
They’ve been dealt a blow with Fofana’s injury so I’m not going into this season thinking we’ll lose.
Just found this comment about the club badge on the Guardian season preview of Wolves ……. “What adorns the shirt now is simply the best badge in the world: a single wolf’s head whose powerful colour contrast and precise geometry convey a hard, beautiful authority.”
I have to say I agree with them.
COYW
A tricky start but we have to get going sometime. A point will be a pretty good start for us so although l’m hesitant that’s what will be my 1st prediction of this new season.
What to expect from this season? A new manager coming in and shaking things up after a long period with a settled way of playing could spell disaster. I think most can agree we were woeful last season, scoring less than a goal a game and falling behind in most games. But we will have two things this season that we didn’t last, Raul and the fans, which could make a big difference at Molineux where the atmosphere can be electric.
Not many pundits/writers have us among the relegation mix but they obviously didn’t see much of us last season. I don’t think there’s any suggestion this team is too good to go down at all. If Raul is firing and back to his best, his quality may keep us away from danger but it’s a lot to put solely on his shoulders. Traore must perform as we know he can and hopefully we will see less of Neves operating on the edge of his own penalty area. But have we really evolved from the team that was promoted? It’s largely the same names in key roles – in fact, we’re weaker having lost Jota, Doherty and Jonny to injury. Who knows whether Trincao will be a success. It all sounds quite negative – but perhaps Bruno and an attacking brand of football can work, though there will be concerns about leaving the defence exposed as we saw last season. It could be a long season.
Despite all this, I’ll back us to get a result on opening day to give everyone some much-needed optimism.
I’m always hopeful at the start of a new season (ok, Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea should have taught me something).
I was unable to watch any pre-season but I’m not sure how much of a true indicator they are.
Leicester matches are always tough. Maybe it’s our turn to benefit from the “small” things that turn matches, like VAR, now re-launched, again.
I’m predicting a ? win, hoping for a draw at least, and praying it’s not a stuffing.
.
Have to say I am a tad nervous for the start of this season, this the most optimistic I can be.
Let’s hope for a good season
Need Boly and Mosquera fit asap
I’ve written this game off. We’ll need a bit of time to gel.
Dan
As with others on this site, I have just watched Brentford beat Arsenal.
What a great opening performance from Brentford . Apart from a 20 minute spell in the second half, Arsenal, in spite of a few absences, were unimpressive.
Ivan Toney , according to Jamie Carragher , dominated Ben White , and was Man of the Match. On this game alone, it shows that there are no immediate guarantees of success when spending £50 million on one player. It was a great evening to be a Brentford supporter. On that performance, good luck to them.
Maybe we’ll not try too much of the attacking at this stage, and go back to defence against Leicester. We haven’t got enough of an attacking option but hopefully we can prevent them from scoring. A no score draw.
Double whammy today!
Went down The Chipper to take the piss out of my Albion fan owner mate, only to find his son is an avid Arsenal fan!
Oh Joy!!
And another reason to be cheerful. We went up one place in the table after Arsenal lost last night.
This lot always seem to get a dodgy VAR decision against us. Hopefully a relaxing of the rules will level the playing field, and we’ll give them the spanking they deserve.
East Midlands isn’t even proper Midlands. They have countryside between the towns – amateurs.
Note to self: After filling in very few predictions for the last 2 or 3 years, must do better.
I’m going for an away win, but will be overjoyed with a boring 0-0 draw. I could possibly stretch to a 1-0 defeat, but please, don’t concede a rugby score full.
Nervous! Very, very nervous!!
But, a scintilla of hope!
Head says Leicester win. Heart says Wolves win. Would rip your arm off for a draw currently (with the absence of Boly, Jonny, Podence, Neto and Yerson).
Agreed Nathan.
So hope that we are wrong, but fear the worst until the defence is sorted and strengthened.
COMBs prove us wrong.
Did anyone notice the upper age bracket of the Brentford supporters last night? I don’t think any of them were working yesterday. It’s the same age bracket at Fulham, but not at Chelsea. Reminds me of my last trip to Craven Cottage for a Wolves game, it took fully 15 minutes for all the home fans to appear after half time. Anyway, well done Brentford.
Johnny Haynes was playing when I last visited Craven Cottage!
In a Leicester corporate box today, I hope I have plenty of reasons to sit on my hands!!!
Not expecting a miracle today though…
Cautious start and a point to get us going. I am very optimistic for the season ahead and hope we all give the new team a chance to prove themselves. Time will tell, UP THE WOLVES, 0-0
bruno”s jigsaw is still missing half its pieces so i simply cant see us doing anything just yet.
But its a long season , some will get off to a flier and fall away others will grow into it and finish strong.
I think we will be the latter .
Not going to be a good couple of weeks i think but i have faith it will be sorted around the ten games mark .
Time to be strong keep the criticism to a minimum and see how it all unfolds.
The Mighty Wolves off to a flyer.
One small thing I noticed with the players’ numbers for the season was that the number 4 shirt was not taken. It probably means nothing, but, maybe, someone’s about to fill it? Also the number 2 shirt is Hoever .Perhaps I’m clutching at straws regarding the 4 shirt. Good tosee the news that Bruno is going to try to sort out the `Mir` situation with face to face talks.
Yes, pre-season nerves are getting to me as a repeat occurrence of last season’s performances and a few injuries would be worrying imo. I don’t expect Mir to stay but we need a few and I’m expecting a few loans which has been a good way of doing business in the past.
Our lads can perform at the required level to do well, as shown in the second half last week but we have to obtain some consistency missing last term. The real bonus seems to be that Neves appears to have recovered from his bout of Covid and was not over used in the Euros…
No idea what to expect as yet, hoping we do get the extra new signings & that we keep Neves & Traore. I’ve got a suspicion that Neves may just get his spark back under a new manager.
Not really expecting a win today but would take a draw happily. I still won’t predict a loss for us.
COYW
Will be very pleased with a point.
Would love to think that we could get something from this game but I just can’t see it.
Trying to sneak in under the wire. Hope everyone is well.
Let’s Go Wolves!
Who’s Dallas Bob2?
Hi guys I know its early .but wheres this attacking football ?? .
No shot on target ?
And Liverpool must be laughing ,how bad is that hoever or whatever his name is .
Get ready for a long season boys
One word
TRAORE