You might not think a Spanish side that play in purple have much in common with Wolves, but Real Valladolid’s recent history seems somewhat familiar.
They won the Spanish equivalent of the Championship in 06/07, eventually storming away from the rest of the league with a popular brand of attacking football. But they toiled in that second tier for some years before finally achieving their goal of playing amongst the big boys. Hmm…sounds a bit like Wolves that.
Since then they’ve done a decent job of establishing themselves in Division 1 of La Liga, finishing 16th last season. Another interesting factoid is that one of their former managers is a certain Rafael Benitez, who started his managerial journey there, making his name at the club.
But enough of that, whose going tomorrow? I’m still largely undecided.
I don’t live in Wolverhampton so it’s an hours drive back for me, making the decision somewhat more difficult. I really hate pre-season but I am itching to see some of the new players do their stuff. Molineux on a sunny Saturday afternoon is certainly an enticing prospect, so the weather might well dictate whether I make the trek. Terrible I know, but that’s how much I hate non-competitive matches.
It will be very interesting to see what team Mick puts out for the game. I think if Zubar and Stearman don’t get a game, you can pretty much bet your house on the fact it will be Craddock and Berra who start against West Ham. Then, further up the field there’s the formation to consider. I still reckon he’ll go 4-4-2 and play Keogh, but that’s just my gut instinct. Hopefully SEB will have recovered from his toe injury to lead the line. I’d like to see him plant a few in the onion-bag ahead of the Hammers game, as he hasn’t scored since that first pre-season win in Oz.
The signings I thought would materialise this week haven’t happened, but there are a few tremors to suggest there could be movement by next week. If we get Harper, Mancienne and maybe a striker of some description, I think we’ll all be a lot happier.
to quote the late great wacko jacko, ‘i’ll be there’. fancy hooking up tom? give me a bell at some point. scooped will be with me, and i’m sure i can rustle up ed milson and emerald. theres an invitation mate!
I can’t make it tomorrow mate, am washing my hair!! Will be at the West Ham and Wigan games though
Went to pick up my season ticket yesterday and got a ticket for the game too. Don’t normally like pre-season friendlies but it’s always good to go to the one at Molineux the week before the season starts, full of hope for the new season and so I can say “pitch looks good” to my Dad.
Be nice to see a new signing who will impress, then either do nothing/get injured for the rest of the season.
I really ought to go to Molineux today and get a ticket. Save me a few quid.
I’ve been to one pre-season so far at mk dons and I have to say those new signings really seem to want to impress for wolves as well as the central midfielders; possibly due to the new competition brought in by Milijas.
It should be interesting to see how the new players react to playing at Molineux in front of the home crowd.
Looking forward to seeing Nenad Milijasa-dooda-diddly-dum. Bound time we had a proper attacking midfielder with a left foot.
I have to say I agree with Tom – friendlies are hateful especially when you know there is competitive football going on elsewhere. The best thing about the Championship was that it started a week earlier than the Prem.
Also I’m not sure what kind of team Real Valladolid are going to put out especially as they are playing Stoke tonight. I think I’ll just watch the cricket (from behind the sofa).
All out for 102 Sam – Not looking good with that either mate!!! Got any paint you can watch dry instead?!!!!
Goddammit.
Maybe I’ll just go to work or perhaps cage-fighting. Or maybe I’ll stop pretending I’m going to be doing anything other than sitting in my pad drinking beer! Actually I’m not that cool I’ll probably be drinking squash. And by pad I really mean tiny flat where my sofa is two yards from my cooker and everytime the Greek man upstairs has a shower it leaks into my bathroom. I really hope he doesn’t do in his shower what I do in mine. I’m going to stop now.