It’s been 9 years since Wolves last visited the Riverside and there have been remarkably few fixtures between the clubs in the last 20 years.
That’s probably because we went in opposite directions back in 2009. Boro were relegated after a long stint in the top flight as Wolves secured a return to the Premiership after 6 years away.
There was an FA Cup game between the clubs at Molineux that year, which Boro took 2-1 thanks to a late Marvin Emnes goal.
We’ve actually only played at the Riverside twice, a 2-0 defeat in the Premier League in 2003 and a 1-1 draw in the Championship in 1998. 10 points for anyone who can remember the scorer of the Wolves goal that day. I had to look it up.
History lesson over, Boro come into this game just outside the top two. Tony Mowbray has taken a few seasons to get this squad together, but they look capable of sustaining a promotion push.
They’ve got a good blend of youth and experience, with Jonathan Woodgate and Grant Leadbitter lining up alongside the likes of young midfielder Josh McEachran whose on loan from Chelsea.
Like most good Championship sides, they’ve also got some variety up front with Marvin Emnes, Ismail Miller and Lukas Jutkiewicz providing different types of threat.
They’ve won 7 of their 10 home games thus far and lost just 2. In short then, this is a big ask for Wolves.
Wolves
That was an important win against Blues last weekend. We needed to follow-up the performance at Bristol City with a positive result and that’s set us up nicely for the Christmas period.
Confidence should be high and the pressure is on them to get the result they need to keep pace. I don’t see any reason to make changes to the team, so we should see:
I feel confident we’ll score because our front four can all do damage and there should be a sense of belief after recent outings.
The center of midfield have the most important job defensively for me. The center halves are capable of dealing with anything thrown into the box from wide, but when we’re getting hurt, it’s invariably down the middle, on the break.
Opposition view
Thanks to the lads at One Boro Forum, who were kind enough to send me some thoughts. Here’s what one user p_mards had to say:
We’ve had loads of injuries this season but thankfully we’ve got good strength in depth. We have just got the likes of Woodgate, Rhys Williams, Friend and Haroun back from injury who will really strengthen us to hopefully help us push up into the automatic spots. Our biggest strengths are that we have lots of energy down the flanks which cause teams loads of problems and our CM’s McEachran and Leabitter are brilliant at keeping possesion and being clever with their passing.
Your players appear to be still licking their wounds from relegation and your manager doens’t understand yet what the Championship is all about. I seen your game v Birmingham and your ball retention was poor, especially your CM’s Henry and Doumbia who are too defensive minded to keep possession and pick the right passes so hopefully O’Hara isn’t back in time so they have to start in CM as McEachran and Leadbitter should run the show against them.
I’d go for us to win 2-1 as we are good at scoring goals at home but are always vulnerable to conceding a sloppy goal from an individual mistake, usually from Hines, so hopefully Woodgate and Rhys Williams are back fully fit to start ahead of him. Hopefully our players aren’t tired for our League Cup game v Swansea tomorrow as that could make us put in a leggy performance on Saturday.
Predictions
35 of us correctly predicted we’d beat Blues but amazingly nobody went for 1-0. So it’s just a single point for everyone.
Perhaps we should have as much faith in the team defensively as our manager does? Ståle insists we’ll be one of the stingiest four or five teams come the end of the season and he’s certainly a man with a plan.
You can see from the way Wolves position themselves when the opposition have the ball that it’s about restricting them to crosses, which our center halves are nearly always well-placed to gobble up.
I thought this plan worked effectively against Blues as despite some prolonged spells of possession, they rarely troubled Ikeme. This will be a tougher examination though.
I’ll back us to take a point.
1-1.
Up The Wolves.
A draw would be a good result but given our last two results…a nervy 2-1 win. Why not?
I couldn’t tell you the goalscorer in that game, however I do remember Robbie Keane’s sublime chipped volley in the return fixture when we beat them 1-0 at Molineux…I think Paul Merson was playing for them then?
I also remember Alex Rae getting sent off at the Riverside for taking out Danny Mills and Massimo Maccarone at the same time 🙂 My favourite sending off of all time!!
I don’t think we’ve quite got enough for this one.
Middlesborough 2-0 Wolves
Sorry Tettenhall, missed your comment when I posted. As you say the best sending off of all time. Apparently there were ‘afters’ in the tunnel with Paul Butler involved
Yes i remember Merson playing in that game and him getting torrents of abuse taking corners! Also remember that horrific season when they beat us 1-0 and we ended up playing Bolton in the play-offs.
I disagree with the ‘boro opinion above – I think Henry and Doumba will boss it (their midfield is very lightweight) but it won’t be enough for a result. 1-1
See the Opposite view has it right about Henry and Doumbia. Same score as last time at the Riverside. Remember Alex Rae’s red card for ‘taking out’ Danny Mills. Last minute of the game and intended. How we could do with him now.
Cant see a win here, sadly Middlesborough 2 Wolves 0
If we can see how our defence is trying to limit the opposition to crosses, then our opposing managers can see as well, and they will concentrate on our obvious weaknesses, lack of pace, lack of positional sense and lack of pace….from both our full backs, our midfield and forwards!!
Did I also mention our lack of pace?
We are a slow, ponderous team, relying still on McDickwadheads useless signings, and we will struggle until they are gone.
Boro to win in three sets.
On a much more important note, I am looking forward to wearing The Scarf in all its glory tonight when Houston Lobo and I will take on all comers in the Wednesday night quiz at The Richmond Arms.
All you fellow Wolves bloggers from the greater Houston area…be there or be shit fans!!!
Also, The Postcard will make its first public outing.
Houston Wolves Christmas Party TONIGHT!
I reckon we’ll nick it. Doyle’s rediscovery of the fact you can actually run with the ball, Sig’s pace and Sako’s trickery will cause all sorts of trouble when boro go all out to impress the home audience after two defeats and a narrow win against Peterborough (who are awful) in the last three. Let’s hope their players returning from injury are short on match fitness.
1-2
I read an interesting write up on Josh McEachran the other day off the FA’s site about the development of younger players. He was lauded as being a true midfield all-rounder… the type of player who could fit in just right at WV1 at the moment. Where can we nab one from?
Any road up, a draw would be a great result. I’ve never really liked ‘Boro since the season they won the league and we fell short in the playoffs. And it’s never the most pleasurable away ground in terms of performances.
I’m hoping for a Blackburn away-esque performance.
‘Boro 0 – 2 Wolves
Hopefully right with the Boro leggy situation . If they turn up fresh and start on the front foot then l fear a two goal defeat . However hopefully they will feel confident they can see us off regardless of a midweek game . With a rejuvenated Doyle , an ever more confident Siggy , and the wonderfully loose cannon that can be Sako l”ll go for a slightly surprising away win .
Boro 0 Wolves 2 . xxx
2-3 Wolves. Cant say exactly how or why.
2-3.
Mboro 2 – wolves 0
Definitely centre halves are afraid to step out to oncoming attackers , that was a big problem last year too. Looking flat footed. Saying that I will go 2-0 wolves . Optimistic , but sure why not.
An easy away day victory against the walsall of the North East
Boro 0 – 1 Wolves
Boro 1-0 Wolves is my wild guess.
Middlesbrough 2 – 4 Wolves :=)
Not a great fan of SEB.
Might be tempted to scarifice him for an extra defensive midfielder to let Doumbia have a freer role and play Doyle up front. If they are a bit tasty out wide and our full backs struggle we may need the extra cover. Score? Could be anything but going for a pessimistic Boro 2 Wolves 1.
I don’t think we have enough to win this one – roll on January.
Mid 2 – 1 Wolves
i think we re getting back on it . i can see us winning 2 v 1 . less pressure than the brum game and our boys seemed to be enjoying playing again in the second half
Middlesborough 0 Wolves 4( maybe 3).
Ziggy Stardust hatrick, there is a touch of the David Bowie’s about him!
maybe its the alchohol but boro 1 woolvs 3…somethings wrong – ive gone all positive..
Think we will scrape this one…0-1 Wolves…
We will prevail 2-1
Toughest game we’ve had in a while. Not going to be an easy one. I’m going to go for a draw too.
A hard fought 2-2
With our recent poor form and Borough’s recent good form this game has home win written all over it.
So I’m going for a score draw.
1-1
Agree very much with the Boro bloke; their midfield will dominate ours, resulting in a 3-1 win for the home side.
I hope I’m wrong, but the evidence is there.
Boro 2-3 Wolves
Finally been impressed with Doyle again over the last couple of weeks, its been a long time coming, but he’s finally decided its time to show his class (Reading in January perhaps, but in the meantime Wolves should prosper).
We’re likely to let a goal or two in but we’re finally starting to work out where the opposition’s goal is too.
Doyle has been quoted as being quite happy at wolves and keen to continue here. He was one of a few players who actually displayed any sort of loyalty in the summer. I’d be hugely disappointed if he went back on that and left in January. I’d hope it wouldn’t happen.
Doyle is a rare footballer he has shown us loyalty. He has got class on and off the pitch hope we keep him.
1-1 I’d be happy with a point
Early goal from Doumbia then backs to the wall for the rest of the game. 0 – 1.
You’ve got me with the 1998 question mate. I really can’t think?! Don’t tell me though!
Atkins scored from outside the box, then Ricardo got a spawny equalizer later. I think.
You bin cheating Clivus?!
Who moi?
Perish the thought.
I am a hencycle pedia when it comes to Wolves trivia.
Me and your dad know everything there is to know about the Wolves.
Ask me anything at all.
Hey guys – I know I got my prediction for the blues match in at the last minute (4:42 to be precise, just before I legged it down the pub to watch the match) but I did predict a win – give us a point then!
Hi Steve, I hadn’t updated the table after the Blues game.
But I have now so your point is now on the board 🙂
Apologies to everyone else as I discovered I hadn’t updated it after the Bristol City game either, so there was a fair few points to add to it.
Very tight at the top. Still anyone’s game.
Thanks Thomas, still only 2 points though – can’t bring myself to predict a Wolves loss. Might have to this week though as despite their loss to Swansea I hear Middlesborough looked the better side . I’ll chew on it.
I’m going for the sit on the fence 2-2 sako + ziggy.
I’m Going to stick my neck out here,
Middlesbrough 1-2 Wolves
Boro 2 Wolves 1
Reading the comments from last couple of weeks, it’s funny how before people were saying I think siggy is over rated and now everyone is praising him. Just shows fans can never be fully happy as with Johnson, people wanted him to leave, but now they want him to stay. I’m trying to say, stick with Solbakken because later, we will be glad to have him.
UTW!
Back down to earth…we have a lot to do still in terms of personnel and pattern. I agree with the Boro man that we could be outplayed in MF – we’ll need Sako and Ziggy to pull their weight in tackling back which I don’t think will happen Doyle playing deeper could help out but a depressing:
Boro 3 Wolves 1
Never easy going to Middlesboro and getting anything. Play decent stuff under Mowbrays stewardship and sadly I think we will lose 3 – 1 despite our recent improvement. Where’s that wine.
Going to repeat a comment previously made as a reply to rummors that Doyle is going back to Reading in Jan – He is a very rare footballer with class on and off the pitch Wolves will be in a much better place if we can hold on to him.
I agree.
Plus, why would he want to go there when they will either be joining us or swopping places with us next season.
The potential here at Wolves, even with the chuckle brothers in control, is surely more than at reading.
his comments at the time of renewing were that he would rather have a break from the pressure f a premier league relegation scrap. join reading and it’s only a matter of time till he’s involved in another. He wants to play (for a while at least) in a league where he can pick the ball up in his own half, run 60 yards and score in an emphatic 4-1 win.
Fret not, he’s staying put
Boro 2 Wolves 0
Reaction to the game and defeat last night giving us a 1-2 victory.
1-1 draw, a good result for us
Its nearly xmas and the time for giving and receiving….we will probably give them two goals and Henry will receive a yellow as usual…2-1 to Boro I am afraid…Bah Humbug!
UTW
by the way Thomas…how do I get into the prediction league, I do believe I have got every prediction wrong so a big fat zero would be most welcome! cheers!
just post your prediction mate, Thomas collates them all and awards points where appropriate.
it’s easier for him if you leave your prediction at the end of the comment, by the way.
Cheers Sleachy
Boro 2-1 Wolves
UTW
Middlesbrough 1 Wolves 1
We don’t have a good record at Middlesbrough but they played last night which should be to our advantage. First draw away from home this season.
i’d love us to win (obviously) but don’t want to tempt fate so am predicting a draw
2-2
After 2 wins, one against a very poor CH team and the other against a team that we always have difficulty beating, I am quietly confident that we can push on with at least a draw at the Riverside. I think or rather I hope that M will be feeling the after effects of a long fruitless journey to West Wales and maybe not quite focussed for the weekend.
Don’t forget we were 3rd in the table not so long ago and looking as though we would continue to be there. The pressure is on them to maintain standards as Mowbray has been building to this for a couple of seasons, we are still in discovery mode re: CH so even though we are impatient to return to the PL we do know that there are probably a few more lows before we reach the highs again whereas M expect automatic promotion this season. In the light of this I think that M are overdue a home defeat so why not this weekend.
Wolves2 – M 1 and as ever UTW !!!!
So the Boro correspondent says they are very lively down the flanks – well thats us screwed then with out two one paced lightweight fullbacks.
A point would be great, a win a miracle, so bollucks to the form book and we will win 2-0. Now I`d better get another beer.
They’re third, 10 points clear of Wolves. It would be pleasant shortening the distance to 7, plus they lost to Blues couple of weeks ago – and only losers lose to losers, hah.
1-2 Wolves
We’ve definitely improved of late and still see a lot of potential to improve further
That said, Boro are a good side in this league so this will be a tough game. Can’t help noticing the similarities between Wolves and Boro. When they went down under Southgate they got a new manager in with a plan to develop a new style of play. It’s taken a couple of seasons (patience required!) but now they are playing good football and look like genuine promotion contenders.
Let’s say…2-2
Our two victories have came against one poor and one god-awful side and now we’re up against a decent team. Can only foresee a loss I’m afraid. The fact that they had a tough 90 mins in the league cup against swansea on wednesday might help us but i think they’ll have too much for us. They had emnes and miller on their bench for that game, both of whom would get into our side ahead of fatty blake! I’ll say 2-1 boro. Sorry!
New here, but have subscribed and will be visiting regularly! Great site.
Anyway, I think Middlesbrough will be a difficult game to win, particularly away from home. I think we’ll give it a good fight though and I’m more confident about second half play after the past couple of games so I’ll also suggest a 1-1 draw.
Good afternoon Phil.
Always good to welcome some new blood to the Blog.
That was me only a couple of months ago, and now look where I am in the Predictions League!
Good to have you on board Phil. If you’re anything like DOOGooder, you’ll be taking the blog over within weeks. Mind you, he is bloody funny!
Yeah, but he’s 87 years old and has nothing else to do all day but look in old Beano comics to try and find something witty to say!!
I’ll have you know that I am a highly successful and busy self employed graphic designer.
And anyway, they’re old Dandy comics, not the Beano.
Self employed.
Double speak for sitting on yer arse all day watching Crossroads re runs…like me, only its Roseanne and married With Children re runs!!
Dandy, says it all really.
I used to like the Beezer best, and I wish we had Roy of The Rovers up front for us.
All joking aside (Who’s joking, you ask) and changing the subject radically, what’s your take on the latest mass shooting in Connecticut and the whole gun law in the US?
I think it’s the main reason that I would never consider living in the States – it all seems OK, you live in some quiet village out in the styx and then some mentally retarded guy, with an arsenal bigger than Iran comes out of nowhere and blows away half the population of your town.
I suppose it’s gone too far to ever change now. You won’t get some redneck giving up his assault rifle easily.
While you have the Constitutional idiots defending hunting, or animal murder as I put it, and the NRA lobbyists, and millions of people screaming the usual platitudes that it is people who kill, not guns, and guns are a deterrent, and there will always be a very small minority of absolute nutters, then nothing will change.
The really sad thing is the cowards who commit these atrocities always blow themselves away, thereby avoiding any kind of retribution.
Just once, i would like to see one caught, go to trial, be found innocent, and let free on the courthouse steps at a well publicised time, when there is not a single law enforcement officer present…..but loads of parents etc.
Then the perp would be publicly torn to shreds, and get a small dose of the pain he inflicted.
The other arguement is to make bullets so expensive the average gang banger could not afford them, say 5 grand per bullet.
Again, you would get all the second amendment advocates screaming and shouting….but if something like this happened to their families, I’m sure they would be singing a different song.
But, the bottom line, guns are lethal, an ever present in our society, and nothing is going to change just a constant ringing of hands.
To me, it’s like trying to stop a hurricane, it aint gonna happen.
Sad but true.
No, I dont own a gun, I have a 75 pound Great Pyrennes who will rip your lungs out!!
I surrender!
The trouble is that any President seen to be against the gun lobby would be committing political suicide. If anything could be done, now is about the only chance because Obarmy can’t be re-elected anyway.
But, as you say, it aint gonna happen.
I think I’ll stay in England a bit longer, although it’s going downhill at a rate of knots!
Why do they call ‘crass stupidity’, ‘political correctness’?
Let’s be optmistic. 1-1
Draw all day long.
I’ll go for a Desmond.
2 – 2
I still think we’ve got a long way to go and Boro will take advantage of some ropey defense to win 2-1.
2-1 to the wolves. Henry and Siggy.
So Boukari out now for another while. Our fantastic medical team strikes again, coupled with the incompetence only the Tony Daley school of fitness could muster. Get shot of this lot. They are useless. We are always having players injured.
Anyway, Im going for Wolves 2-2 ‘Walsall of the Northeast’
Stale said we’d ‘had a poor November so let’s hope we have a good December’. With that in mind I’ll go for Wolves to win 2-1.
Hopefully the improvement will continue so at least a 2-2 draw
We haven’t won there for over 60 years and I don’t really see that changing.
Two away draws now followed by two home wins will be a great finish to the year for us.
M’bro 1 Wolves 1
UTW
Boro 4 Wolves 2, not sure our boys can live with the better sides just yet.
Tough game for us – hoping we can continue to progress, but…
Borough 2 – Wolves 0
Borough 3-1 Wolves
Don’t like being pessimistic but can’t see a chance of victory
I think this game could go either way so I’ll sit on the fence with a 2-2 draw.
This season we can beat the shitty teams when playing away, but have only won one away against a decent team, blackburn. For that reason i feel we will lose this game. Mids 1 – wolves 0
Hooray for crap decisions!! By all accounts this was heading to a goalless draw…which would have been a decent result – I need to see this penalty decision but by all accounts it was never a penalty!
13th to 18th – that’s how tight things are right now!
Same shit, different opposition.
McCarthy’s misfits strike again.
When is january?
Relegation fight he we come……………………again.
Are you talking about the ref???
That was a shafting. Bent refs and linos you can’t account for.
The table doesn’t lie. Without investment this team is going nowhere.
DROSS OUT-QUALITY IN.
Over to you Dumb and Dumber.
Table? One point and we go from 18th to 13th – hardly concrete evidence is it? Also, still closer point-wise to the play-offs than relegation though I don’t think we’ll finish in the play-offs this season…
Hamlet 13th is not pulling up trees but we are 18th and if not careful standing on a precipice.
Need that well overdue investment. At least 4 players in and 4 out.
I appreciate your loyalty, as all Wolves fans should, but it’s patently obvious this squad
isn’t good enough to even come near to challenging the top 6.