That defeat against Spurs hit me hard.
I don’t care what anyone says; when you play well and lose it feels so much worse.
And Wolves were brilliant. It was probably the most cohesive team performance of the season.
The manner in which the lads threw it away right at the death was gut-wrenching, with such basic errors cancelling out long periods of dominance.
Still, if they can hit the heights they did last Sunday we’ll continue to win more than we lose.
And we definitely don’t want to lose tomorrow given the considerable challenges we face in the next two.
Norwich
It’s not looking great for Norwich. 12 points on the board as we approach the halfway point leaves them with a lot of work to do.
They’ll be looking at this game and their Boxing Day showdown at Villa Park as a good opportunity to add to their tally and maybe even reach game 19 outside of the relegation places.
I’ve always thought of Carrow Road as a tough ground to go to, but their home form hasn’t been up to much so far.
After a blistering start that saw them spank Newcastle and turn Man City over, they haven’t won on their own patch since, with 1 draw and 5 defeats sinking them into the bottom three.
A solid display at Leicester last week earned them a morale-boosting point and it could have been even better had they taken some of their chances on the break.
I like Daniel Farke but with his squad always beset with injuries, it makes it tough to get results in the Premier League, particularly as a newly promoted side.
Teemu Pukki could sit this one out after picking up a toe injury. He’s scored half their goals this season and would be a big miss if he doesn’t make it.
The home end
Thanks to Richard from City of Yellows, for supplying some thoughts from a Norwich perspective.
I am really impressed with Wolves, their manager Nino Santo and their stylish players continue to perform well and produce excellent results. They have managed to cope well in both the league and Europa League commitments, no mean feat for any non top six side.
Once again, Norwich City were undone by a set-piece against Leicester City. The soft Norwich City underbelly continues to setback results, in what was a well-drilled performance against the Foxes. Not only was the attacking threat of Leicester reduced to a status of ‘controlled’ the Canaries were able to apply pressure themselves and create plenty of opportunities.
A worrying injury rumour is that Ben Godfrey may miss the game on Saturday. If so, City are in big trouble. With Teemu Pukki’s toe injury appearing not to be a fracture, soreness and bruising may still keep him off the pitch.
I’m remaining positive and predict at least a draw for Norwich City this weekend.
Wolves
Although much has rightly been made about how close together the City and Liverpool games are over Christmas, the team has had a week off after Spurs and will have a good recovery period after this one in the lead up to City, so hopefully, everyone remains fresh.
Unless someone’s head rolls for that lapse in concentration against Spurs, it should be the same XI again.
Ruben Neves continues to walk the tightrope of suspension and needs to make it through the next 3 games without a booking to avoid missing a match.
Sponsor
Looking for somewhere to eat, drink and be merry? Check out the Sports Bar at Casino 36 which has multiple HD screens showing all the major channels as well as a great selection of food and drink.
The Poll
Predictions
Well done to Iceni Wolf, vicsmith and Golden Wonder who all correctly predicted the 2-1 defeat to Spurs and collect a maximum in the Prediction League. View the full PL table here.
If you’d like to join in this week simply leave your prediction in the comment section below using the boxes provided.
That’s where you’ll also find my best guess for this one.
Up The Wolves!
Norwich look to me like they will finish in the bottom 3. They will win a few for sure but I just think they are a little weak defensively and that will be their undoing. Jota and Saiss 0-2.
Logic dictates we should win, so that’s what I’m going for here. I’ll be predicting two defeats in the next two for the same reasons.
Norwich are a funny old team and capable of producing any type of performance. They beat City but get smashed to pieces by Villa. Draw at Leicester but get turned over by Southampton. Impossible to know what you’ll get on any given day.
I imagine we’ll have to soak up our share of pressure but if we can do that they strike me as a team that can be opened up quite easily. It’s a major boost if Pukki and/or Godfrey don’t play as they’re important players, but even if they do feature I think we should still have too much for them. Just remain compact, lie in wait and take the opportunities that should come.
If we can play like we did against Spurs 3-0 win is on the cards.
Not if we defend as per THAT corner!
We are not as frail as last season and I expect better against the bottom teams. With their injuries I think they are there for the taking this could be the one where it all comes together.
I’ve looked into my crystal ball and it’s not good what I observed.
This blog is for reasonably objective predictions not the occult.
And theirs me thinking it was about personal opinions…..
:-p
We should manage to get all 3 points on the balance of probabilities – hmm!
We appear to have overcome most of our frailties in bogie teams, live on TV etc, etc so after a very unfortunate lack of concentration in the 90+ minute last week, normal service will be resumed tomorrow.
I too was frustrated on Sunday but nowhere near as much as not having a proper go in the Carabao Cup . If we had we would be in another semi final by now . It is fine going for it in the Europa League which has been great fun but it is a massive ask and huge strain to try and win it . I am sure lots of you will disagree but I would love to win any trophy and go back to Wembley again .
As for Norwich we will hopefully have too much for them .
I do think Nuno missed a trick with that game at Villa Park. Even by including just one or two of the big guns on the bench, we would have had a great chance of getting through.
I also agree it’s a huge ask to try and win the Europea League, but the prize is life-changing for the club so you can’t blame them for prioritising it, especially when you consider we have the ability to beat anyone left in the competition.
My guess is that Fosun see the big prize (Champions League) of winning the Europa League as far more important than the Karoake cup. With us through to the knockouts they will be more generous in the transfer window.
Any team on their day is capable of a win and we need to be on our game to get anything from this game. I expect us to be able to beat the canaries and will go for a 3-1 win. Loved the game last week but am still dispondant over the result.
Great write up Thomas these games are always ? skins but we will rise above. With Adama fit they will be bricking it.
Very disappointing end to what was an unbelievably good performance against spurs.
It’s already been said but play like that against Norwich and we’ll win comfortably.
Can’t see any major changes to the line up and with the lads having a rest I think they’ll come back raring to go in this one. If Pukki is out that’s their goal threat pretty much gone so I think we’ll keep a clean sheet too.
I’m going for a Jiminez brace and one for Jota.
If we play like we did v Spurs then we’ll come away with the three points. But if you overlook Norwich’s dodgy run at hom recently, I’ve always thought of Carrow Road as a difficult place to go to.
The 2-2 at the Mol in our Champ winning season was a sickener. We struggled to get to grips with Norwich’s crisp passing game and pressing all night. They simply outplayed us and Maddison dominated Neves.
That Norwich I would worry about tomorrow and they’re still capable of playing that type of football, but the Prem is another level and we’re a completely different proposition to the side Norwich drew with in Feb 2018.
Hoping we make a fast start, get an early goal and manage the game from there. Judging by the Norwich fan’s comments, I could see us sneaking a set-piece goal or two.
Merry christmas to you Thomas and all bloggers on here. I will be propping the NBB up at the Shity game next week if any body wants to buy me a xmas drink, Have a good un.
Merry Christmas to you Witley.
On paper, this is a game we should win. But, as the old saying goes, football isn’t played on paper, it’s played on grass so analysis on paper ain’t worth the ink it’s written with.
However, after much consideration, I’ve concluded that we could play this game on ice, or underwater, or in a forest and still victory would be ours.
Pressure is on The Canaries to start winning points to try to move up the table, especially at home, so they will have to try to push on and attack us. With our main men now seeming to all be on form together, the Canaries will be ripe for plucking and well plucked they will surely be.
The Wolves are snapping, snarling and hungry as hell. The Canaries will just be a tasty snack along the way.
Annoyingly I’ve been a goal out with my predictions recently, and it’s always the odd goal that we didn’t but should have scored, or the odd goal conceded by a momentary lapse in concentration.
You know the old joke about the blonde staring at the carton of orange juice?
Because the label said CONCENTRATE.
That’s my advice to Nuno and the team at Norwich,
Whilst the Man City and Liverpool games will be a good benchmark as to how far we have progressed, equally tomorrow’s game is also a measure. An aspiring top 4 team beats the relegation candidates routinely and I expect us to do that. We need the points too with a couple of tough games to come. Saiss brace.
I thought his teeth looked ok.
Whilst the Man City and Liverpool games will be a good benchmark as to how far we have progressed, equally tomorrow’s game is also a measure. An aspiring top 4 team beats the relegation candidates routinely and I expect us to do that. We need the points too with a couple of tough games to come. Saiss brace.
Moutinho to boss the game
Back to winning ways (maybe and hopefully as the next two games are tough).
We ought to be winning this one and with With Ben Godfrey out and Pukey not having trained, it looks like a gimme. I still worry about how many chances we are squandering so I ‘m not going to predict a rout, but if Jota can back up his recent flurry of goals with something in this game then there is a chance of a hatful.
Norwich.
One of them names spelt silly.
Why is it not pronounced Gnaw Witch?
And Canaries.
Stupid little yellow things, ( As I write that I think of Deeney) flittering about in cages, only good for going down mines.
Well, tomorrow they will feel caged in for 90 plus minutes, as we use them for plucking practice, with the City and Liverfool turkeys yet to come.
They will do well to score 0
Being as its Christmas, and at Christmas you tell the truth, ( thank you Love Actually ) I think the score will be not my usual accurate prediction, but 5-0
They are going down with the Villa, we are going in the other direction.
Nine points and a place in the fourth round over the next four matches will set things up nicely for my upcoming visit.
Once shared a house with a Norwich bloke. Insufferable especially when it came to pulling girls and more especially when drunk and breaking out with
‘On the ball city, never mind the da-anger….etc’
Hope he’s watching tomorrow
Boogy team Norwich, well until recently.
We turned them over in the Championship I’m hoping we do the same again tomorrow for me it would help me get over the cheating Spurs still can not watch that game back.
They’ll be dancing all over the pitch, presumably?
Going with a 2-1 win for us but in reality I think we could get more. COYW.
Being the local Norwich resident , i am in the right place to give you the inside track on what is going to happen tomorrow.
Basically, we are going to stuff them. This is my technically considered opinion and the fact I only have to drive five miles instead of 172.8 is a source of deep joy to me. The joy will be heightened as the goals rain in and all my Norwich friends have their Christmas’ ruined.
Such simple pleasures!
The Compleat Angler is the pub and I will be there by noon if Mrs Hadley will drive me in.
Happy Xmas to one and all.
With the exception, currently, of Liverpool, any team can beat any other team. Even a Spurs team that were being battered managed a miraculous win in their last game.
So victory tomorrow is not certain but it is likely.
Same starting eleven I hope and a reasonably comfortable win.
Always in awe Andrew of those of you who make such long treks. Enjoy yourself tomorrow.
Probably only you will get this. I’ll be meeting up with a Hartwell from the timber yard soon. Any messages?
Please remember me to him – many happy memories of mis spent youth!
Actually it’s a her but will pass on your best wishes. Certainly an area that encouraged a mis spent youth
On 10th December 1966 promotion chasing Wolves visited Norwich City. Just a week earlier we had lost 1-3 at home to Jimmy Hill’s Coventry and needed to get back on track at the top of the 2nd Division table. As we know Coventry ended up nicking the title from us on the last day of the 1966/67 season and we had to settle for promotion as runners-up. That day at Carrow Road the mighty Wolves won 2-1 with the mercurial Peter Knowles hitting the winner. So pleased was he that he picked the ball out of the back of the net and promptly booted it out of the ground. On the Monday after Knowles received a bill from Norwich City for a new ball! I think it was for £2 and 10 shillings but I could be wrong. Funny the things you remember isn’t it. I cannot believe that was 53 years ago when I had just turned 10 years of age.
On 11th October 1980 I made my first trip to Carrow Road. I was out of work at the time and we were very hard up so was driving a (very) beaten up old dark green Ford Cortina Mk II GT that my late father-in-law had ‘loaned’ me – he was a scrap metal dealer and the car had been salvaged from the scrap heap and looked an absolute state! Mrs BW and I drove and I remember we got lost and seemed to drive through and around the entire Fens region several times over before making it to Norwich. An early Kenny Hibbitt goal was cancelled out by a last minute Duncan Forbes equaliser for a 1-1 draw. The journey home was somewhat eventful as the car got stuck in 2nd gear shortly after we set off for home so we had to drive for 90 miles in 2nd gear!
This Saturday I am unable to go to the game as we depart for our Christmas week away with all the family to Southwold on Saturday morning and although it’s a mere 30 miles from Southwold to Norwich I was advised by Mrs BW some while ago that my attendance at the game was ill advised. I seem to recall the words ‘over my dead body’ and ‘don’t you bloody dare even think about it’ coming in there somewhere too!
Oh well there will still be three Bedford Wolves making the trip by bus and train – BOG (late of this Blog), Paddy (still of this Blog) and young Harry the newest recruit to the jolly boys of Bedford Wolves.
Ruben Neves has done really well not to pick up a fifth yellow card in the past 5 games and just needs to successfully negotiate this game and the Man City game to reach the amnesty.
I am going for a repeat of that 1966 scoreline and that Diogo, Raul, Adama, Ruben or any other Wolves player might get presented with a bill for a new ball!
A very Merry Christmas to all fellow Wolves bloggers.
OODCL
Love the 1966 trip down Memory Lane, Bedford, particularly the Cortina – was it British Racing Green?
Hope you’re right about Ruben getting to the amnesty, but I doubt it.
Wolves to shade it for me too.
COMBs!
Surely he didn’t kick the ball out of the ground twice in the same season, Bedford? I remember him doing it at Portsmouth as we came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
Same result tomorrow.
I think you are right – he did do it at Portsmouth too in that memorable game (it’s on You Tube). I remember the Norwich match report in the paper which started off “Peter Knowles of Wolverhampton and straight out of Carnaby Street….” which I didn’t understand and had to ask my Dad what it meant. I was only 10!
Just love your blogs Bedders, you jog my memory. I have a job to remember last years scores, let alone 1966, the year I got married.
Have a great family Christmas.
I thought i heard a raindrop fall !
In these wet times ,not an easy one, but should pass the test, 3-0
I would like to be the first to wish all Bloggers a Very Merry Christmas.
I’d like to but I see I’ve been beaten to that already.
I’d also like to be the first to predict a 3-1 win.
Damn! beaten again.
OK, let’s make it 4-1 – I’m feeling particularly positive because I went to see The Happy Mondays at The Cheese and Grain in Frome on Wednesday, and, apart from losing the hearing in my left ear, had a bloody great night.
What the hell! I’ve got another ear.
I got to bump fists with Bez, and Rowetta blew me a kiss (or was it the other way round, I’d had a few sherbets).
Anyway, we’re going to ‘Step on’ Norwich and for the next few days I’m going to become a ‘Twenty four hour party’ person.
HappyChristmas everyone!
Merry Christmas Doog and Sue.
Well if Clive is going to fore go his usual prediction because he thinks they won’t score, then I’m pinching his usual prediction.
So it’s an easy choice for me, stealing success on the back of someone else…
Gnar Witch 1
Wonderful Wolves 5
Jota 2
Jimmy 2
Neves 1
Donk OG
Sticking with Clive’s prediction of them not scoring, Donk slicing one into the bag.
FYI
All 4 Wolves games moved in February for Sky, BT and Europa league duties.
Wolves Winter break from 1st Feb to 14th Feb.
As we approach the transfer window, I was shocked to read the current salaries of the Wolves players, with Cody and Doherty only on 15,000 and 10,000 pounds per week respectively. Big money for me and all the Wolves bloggers, but for established premier league regulars in a top six team, that sounds very paltry. Cuthrone is on 60,000+. Hope they are not approached as those salaries would be easy to top!
Wovles should win, and indeed, need to win on Saturday, looking back at the last game, and the next two after Norwich. I think we will have too much for Norwich, but we will give up one goal, because that what we seem to do all too often!
So where did you get your information, St Kitts?
I got them from this link. I can’t vouch for the source, but take the information at face value.
https://wolves.vitalfootball.co.uk/explained-what-are-the-salaries-of-every-wolverhampton-wanderers-player/
To summarize:
Joao Moutinho (£5.2m-a-year/£100k-per-week)
Rui Patricio (£5.2m-a-year/£100k-per-week)
Patrick Cutrone (£3.2m-a-year/£62k-a-week)
Ruben Neves (£2.6m-a-year/£50k-per-week)
Adama Traore (£2.2m-a-year/£43k-per-week)
Raul Jimenez (£2.1m-a-year/£41k-per-week)
Leander Dendoncker (£1.9m-a-year/£37k-per-week)
Jonny Otto (£1.9m-a-year/£37k-per-week)
Ruben Vinagre (£1.5m-a-year/£30k-per-week)
Romain Saiss (£1.1m-a-year/£22k-per-week)
Ryan Bennett (£1m-a-year/£20k-per-week)
Conor Coady (£0.8m-a-year/£15k-per-week)
Matt Doherty (£0.5m-a-year/£10k-per-week)
Morgan Gibbs-White (£80k-a-year/£1.5k-per-week)
Can’t be right. All those players have agents who will not have agreed to such a differential across the squad.
It will be a Sky Sports afternoon , hoping that we score first and go on to seal the game.
In my day, full backs or smaller midfield players guarded a post and the goal line at corners then all the taller players matched up with the opposition attackers.
Just watch and weep about the number of goals that would have been prevented if that system was trendy. Vertonghen’s for starters. Zonal defence won’t last, it doesn’t stop goals being scored.
I don’t understand that. I guess it has something to do with Doherty not being able to even play regularly for the ROI.
It is a little shameful.
What do you have to say for yourself, Jeff?
Next 4 games, we will get at least 7 points. Don’t care where we get them from.
I’m confident we’ll win well, but stick to a modest 2-0 to us.
Looking to do them over.
The Tottenham game was one of the best I’ve seen at the Mol in years, we played brilliantly apart from the last minute lapse. If ever anyone deserved to win it was us.
If we play like that again we will put many teams to the sword – starting tomorrow..
With no Timmy Pukey not sure where their goals will come from. With Diogo, Raul & Traoré on fire it could be our time for dishing out a spanking.
Ohhhh matron
The Naaarich manager is the only bloke in the EPL who looks like the bass player out of the Scorpions. But fear not. The ‘winds of change’ are not on the agenda tomorrow. The only wind Naaarich will be feeling is the Adama slip stream as he bulldozes the hapless canaries. The tractor driving yokels might as well spend Xmas day farting in to each others faces through excessive sprout consumption. That is the only wind in their favour. So a festive victory in store for WWFC. Easily by 3-1. Followed by our usual fucking up of Man City. Well. I am signing off from the blog until 10th January. Off to South Africa on Sunday night for the test matches in Centurion and Cape Town. Look out for ‘Gornal Wolves’ and ‘Tap n Spile Wolves’ flags on telly. Happy Xmas to all on the blog. FWAW.
Cheesie, av a greeeeeat Christmas & mek sure yoo leave the cat some tins of food while yom away.
Thanks Rick Rack. Same to you chap. I am sending the cat to Anfield. A sure sign of a 2-1 win. You heard it here first.
No he looks like Rasputin!
🙂
They play ok football but we’re going to be too good for them
One for each of our front 3
After the nature of last week’s defeat i would imagine the players are chomping at the bit to get back at there. If we perform anything like we did against Spurs we win. Norwich seem to play quite an open and attacking game which will suit us.
Wolves win then it’s the two games against Liverpool and City.
Merry Christmas Wolves Fans
Merry Christmas to all! Santa’s comin’ to town with 3 points.
This should be one of those games where we can feel full of positive expectations. I am of the same ilk. If their talisman (Pukki) is fit, I will grant them a goal, if he’s not there it will be a clean sheet for us. Whatever the case, going for a win this week.
I’m hoping for a form carry over from last week and believe that Norwich have not yet settled down to be a consistent winning team. Therefore going for 3-1 to us. I wouldn’t be upset though to draw this one, beat ManC for the third time this season and draw at Anfield. We’ll see in due course 🙂
A happy Christmas to all bloggers, as well as a delighted end to 2109/20 and an even better 2020/21.
COYW
I can’t help but think back to last season when we got it so wrong against teams like No-Rich but with performances like last week, we should not make the same mistakes again. Still got a few niggling doubts but going for a win and clean sheet if Pukki is missing.
Wolves 2 – 0
Almost forgot to predict. Let’s go Wanderers!
Need to win this one, or a lot of great work will come undone and we could find ourselves without a win in 4 and drifting downwards.
Would love to see Adama switch to the left for a few minutes every now and then – as he blows by defenders along the top of the box, a penalty awaits when they can’t resist taking him out.
Late for this one been on our travels to escape xmas mayhem at home.
Wolves will be way too strong for noooorwich and will pay the price for last weekends cock up.
Merry Christmas Doog and Sue.
Cheers Rob! Same to you and Jill.
We’ll be spending part of Christmas day visiting the ageing parent in hospital. What are your plans?
Hi Mark,Sue,
Jill is on duty Christmas eve and day, spending the day with mum then visting my brother who is not to good at the mo, then with a bit of luck coming up for the Man City game.
Take care.
Rob
Last week was our blip so hoping for a return to winning ways.
Loved the video clip on Twitter of Traore singing happy birthday, bless him – turning into one hell of a player & a really nice guy.
Has to be a win. I’m being told it’ll be a 3-1 win or 99-0 but that’s from the tractor boy who is obviously a little biased!
Hope everyone has a great Christmas.
COYW
We’ll bounce back against the Canaries, away win for me!!!
A game we are expected to win,a game a top side would win,but we end up drawing.
Would love to see Todd Cantwell in a wolves shirt,as he offers a different creative option in midfield,young with potential.Nuno sign him up.
Agree, Cantwell looks quality. Imagine what a bit of coaching from Nuno would do.
2-0 to the good guys. Will be determined to get back onto winning ways and they will have learnt about defending to the end.
Our back line, be it 3 or 5, will be gutted after the Spurs match. So much so that a clean sheet is on the cards. And whilst our defence remains solid, our front men will run riot. Merry Christmas Norwich.
And a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all Bloggers.
I will be in Jockland over the festive season and hope to see some of you again v Man Utd in the New Year.
Play like we played for the first 90 mins last week and it will be no problem.
happy Xmas to all bloggers
Just hoping Adama starts to get some protection from referees. Should be targeting three points on this one . . . . . . but away from home, one wouldn’t be a total disaster.
I think we will bounce back, the performance against Spurs was tremendous, keep playing like that
Thanks Thomas and the guys for all you do for this Blog. And, whilst I’m at it, Merry Christmas to all ye Bloggers.
That defeat last Sunday was so undeserved – and that torrential downpour after the match only served to rub salt in to the wounds. Time to get some redress today and three points ahead of the holidays.
My wife says 2-1 Wolves. Me, 1-1. She’s usually right (aren’t they all!).
Got another feeling in my waters, must get a doctors appointment.
Oh and happy xmas and a prosperous new year to everyone on the blog.
A couple of thoughts on the conflict between reputation and reality. So with his new contract Alderweirdo at Spurs is now earning a week ten times what Coady earns! Meanwhile Arteta is faced with developing the rubble that is Arsenal defence. He will be looking for some big name replacements and will struggle to bring them in even on mega wages. Truth is Ryan Bennett is still a class above any central defender Arsenal have but somehow I don’t think he will be on their shopping list.
Oh well, I think we will put on a good show today in an open entertaining game.
Un..bel…iev…able. Utterly crap first half, in fact the crappiest crap I have seen … ever.
Sort them out Nuno. Now.
PMSL. Brilliant one game and we lose. Pants next game and we win. I love football.
Happiest 3 points ever lol.
I thought Norwich were very unlucky, deserved to win, next game please.