Here’s a brain teaser for you.
When was the last time Wolves lost to Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough?
You won’t get it (bravo if you did though) so I’ll end your head scratching straightaway – it was the 26th September, 1964.
There’s only been 15 matches in the half-century period between then and now, but an impressive unbeaten record I’m sure you’ll agree.
Just as interesting is that since 1990, Wolves have only lost to Sheffield Wednesday twice in 23 matches (home or away).
I doubt these little numbers make anyone feel more optimistic, but a pleasant interlude nonetheless.
Sheffield Wednesday
In the here and now, this is the mother of midtable clashes – 12th vs 13th.
Both teams started the season splendidly of course. The Owls soon dropped off the pace but come into the fixture a point ahead of their opponents courtesy of back-to-back wins against Wigan and Blackburn.
Scoring goals has been the problem, particularly at home, where they’ve only managed an astonishing 5 from their 10 matches so far. That’s the lowest in the division.
But they’ve let in just 16 goals in total, giving them the second best defensive record in the Championship. They’re hard to beat and having drawn half their matches and lost only 4 times, it’s clear Stuart Gray has made them tough to crack.
Scottish international Stevie May remains the main man they’re pinning their hopes on to start finding the net. He scored shed loads north of the border and big things were expected.
Wolves
I liked what I saw in the first half last week, namely good Championship football. Wolves did the dirty work, but played when the opportunity presented itself. More of the same required this weekend, but hopefully for the duration.
Dominic Iorfa was brilliant, so I see no reason to withdraw him from the team. Ricketts is my preferred option to slot in at left-back. I don’t think Sam was a major factor in any of the heavy defeats he was a part of.
I hope Kenny retains RvLP alongside Danny Graham as that pace will unsettle defenders all afternoon. His pre-match interview (below) suggests Nouha Dicko may return next week. The sooner the better.
Edwards alongside McDonald is a good partnership in a two man central midfield. The former can’t get into the box as much but his boundless energy is vital.
The gaffer
Predictions
I’ve remained optimistic through recent challenging times, but am struggling to feel good about this fixture.
The best case scenario seems like a close game that Wolves win by the odd goal.
But are we capable of keeping a cleansheet, even against a team struggling to score goals?
I can’t contemplate the thought of a sixth straight defeat, so I’m going to continue sitting comfortably on the fence.
1-1
Up The Wolves!
Hopefully we can at least stop the rot. I think this could be a draw between two sides at similar levels right now.
Sooner or later we have to win again!
Due to turn things around.
Not doing the PL this season i prefer to be wise after the event (still an up hill struggle). But this weekend i have got to go with the wounded Wolves to put the owls to flight.
Bad feeling about this one
First prediction of the season and he has to wait for a bad feeling but a great name….evening sheffield.
Clean sheet is what is needed + a couple of goals.
Gotta keep The Van Man up front with Danny G.
I think KJ must keep it the same formation then we have a chance..UTW.
Ricketts?????? Started 4 games, lost them all and conceded 15 times with him in. Putting Ricketts in to shore up our defence would be madness. He led us brilliantly last year but I’m afraid he’s no longer upto championship standard- way too slow.
I must say I am hanging on dearly to the possibility of a play off place and this fixture is part of my plan…call me Mr optimistic ..
With RVLP up front with Graham,Edwards and KMac driving the middle, Sacko having a blinder,DB and Dom Lorfa controlling the back Rickets more fit,Ikeme playing better, then we could easily win here….
Dom Lorfa could even surprise every one and on the break become another attacker ..
I feel confident..
COYW
Well spotted Colin
The winning streak starts now!
Come on me Babbies!!!
Thomas.
Like the line up again, IMO only I would perhaps slot Kortney in now instead of Sam, he could sit on the bench and jump in if it went Pete Tong, Kenny has hinted in his write up he wants to bring more U21s in after seeing how easy Iorfa stepped up to the plate.
Leon who????
Us to win this one me thinks.
COYW
🙂
Just soeveryone knows. I haven’t got a clue how this picture suddenly came on the blog. It wasn’t me Govenor.
??????????
These little numbers have made me feel more optimistic.
I was pleased to see a big improvement last week with movement, pace and commitment.
I’ll be nervy up until 3pm on Sat not knowing who the referee is!!
Thomas .. the team this week picks itself and we’ll need some strong defensive work from Dom, Danny, Stears and Sam.
Danny’s going to his foster home so he’ll be good.
Having drawn most of their home games I’m edging towards a win .. here’s hoping..
Dear Santa,
I have been a good boy this year (mostly) and for my Christmas gift this year i would be oh so happy to receive a Wolves win. Please please please Santa make my wish come true.
PS If you have any spare magic dust please sprinkle some on Dicko to make him better and to make sure he stays fit for the rest of the season.
PPS A few more wins to take us back up the table abd challenging for promotion wouldnt go amiss either.
Thank You Santa.
Come on the Wolves…..Out of Darkness, cometh light.
The last time I watched Wolves at Hillsborough was April 1981, FA Cup semi final v Spurs, and will be forever thankful that we were allocated the open end.
This was a precursor to the Hillsborough disaster of 1989, when nearly 100 Liverpool fans got crushed to death.
The ONLY reason Spurs fans did not suffer a similar fate was that someone decided to open the gates at the Leppings Lane end, allowing them to spill on to the pitch.
I remember it well, at the time thinking they were trying to get at us!!
How naïve!
The 1989 tragedy should have never happened if the proper lessons had been learned.
But I digress.
A similar result will stop the current rot, we drew 2 – 2 with a last gasp equalizer, but I reckon we can sneak a lucky 5 – 1 win.
FOwb
Yes Clive .. I was there too and remember it well .. sadly a very true precurser to a later tragedy..
I also went to the replay at Highbury .. couldn’t get any closer to White Hart Lane could you…Never liked Garth Crooks after that ….
April 11th 1981, ko 3pm. I am holding the programme in my sweat mitts as we speak. So, it was you two that p’d in my Bovril at half time when I went to the loo, I thought it tasted like Texan beer..
What a day, I also went to the replay, So close yet so far, one disappointment after another, story of my life.
I’ll tell you how bad it is, ” I once ran into a brick wall with a stiffy on. I broke my feckin nose”
Ah well back to Hillsboro for me tomorrow for a 3-1 win
Onwards & Upwards……. hope eternal
I was at that game too, 11 years old, stood next to my dad on my trusty beer crate.
I missed the replay, which was at Villa Park if memory serves.
Anyway….on to tomorrow…..
The win has just got to come sooner or later.
Last week provides a glimmer of hope of a recovery, as all I have read indicates that we were having the better of them before the rescinded red.
Come on Me Babbies!!!
In April 1981 I was on operational duty in Northern Ireland, so missed that match sadly.
In 1989 I was absent again, this time with the UN in Cyprus. That is irrelevant really as I would not have been at that game anyway!
As for the match tomorrow. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. My guests are no longer coming so I could have gone to Sheffield but am ticketless.
Regardless, I predict:
I was living in Venice Beach California and there was NO reporting on English football matches.
A tiny paragraph of results in the L.A. Times to be scanned…
They are having probs scoring at home. We are having probs scoring – full stop! this has 0-0 written all over it.
Time to turn the corner.
If I keep picking them to win they have to one of these days, right, right?
I thought Dominic Iorfa’s debut was the best I’ve seen from home grown talent since Joleon Lescott, and he didn’t turn out too bad did he?
We were robbed last week and should have won. The lads will be determined to put it right this time.
Dom is great without a doubt, Connor Hunte is growing into one hell of a McDonald style midfielder. Watch this space.
Kenny goes to the same matches we do, so I live in hope.
I don’t want to be a cyinic, but it’s a shame that Sako & Dicko’s parents were’nt as forward thinking as Dom’s dad.
Check the link out.
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/wolves-stop-iorfa-u-23-screening/?
Right back at ya, Iorfa senior, getting your priorities right.
🙂
I agree mate.
The only slightly sad thing is that he doesn’t want to play for England.
Call me old fashioned – most people do – I love watching the likes of Sako and Dicko but I would still prefer to see a Wolves side crammed with players qualified to play for the home nations.
I must be old fashioned too them.
🙂
Absolutely no doubt about that, Doog sez you still wear flares!!
Your’e dead right there mate, check the innocent look on the faces of the two on the second row directly above the security guard in the orange jacket. These were the only flares at the Walsall game.
🙂
Would be nice to add “rub of the green” to our side of the ledger this week.
Not sure . . . . . . could go either way or be a draw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Regrettably Steppen, I have to agree.
Despite last week’s improvement, we still shot ourselves in the foot.
RVP brings pace, but he doesn’t have Nouah’s finishing skills, so I think we’ll struggle to score (maybe from a set piece).
Hope my negativity is misplaced!
C’mon me babbies!
The rot has to stop some time, should be this week I think. Agree in the main with Thomas about the team, would like to see Price given a chance but to be quite honest not sure who he would replace.
Also is it time to give the **** hause a run at left back to see what he can do.
On another note a big thanks to Ben for his efforts with Greasel Keep up the good work, and best wishes. Hope your problems disappear soon.
Unbeaten since 1964 doesn’t bode well. But I’m hoping last week’s improvement will carry on and we’ll get the win and a couple of goals.
On a related topic – Paul Jones. Chris Waddle. Penalty shoot out 🙂
0-0 doesn’t sound too inspiring but with the run we’re on, and the run they’re on, I’d welcome it with open arms. Could be light at the end of the tunnel though.
The first half last week showed a lot of promise and the RVLP sending off was a definite game changer. I’m hoping this is the start of our revival, so I’m going for a win.
We are all desperate for the team to turn the corner.
For an hour last week we were approaching the corner but were held up by a car crash called Mike Jones.
Tomorrow, the debris will have been cleared away and we can power round that corner and head off up the long home straight to the play offs.
What I’m trying to say is I fancy us to win.
I honestly think we can win this one but given our fragile confidence and their tendency to settle for draws at home I’ll go with the draw.
A confidence boosting clean sheet win is what we’re all hoping for so that’s what I’m predicting. The start of the climb back up this bugger of a league is on it’s way.
Thomas,
Yes you are right, of course. It was on Sat 26 Sep 1964 when we lost 2-0 at their place. Did you know though that prior to that win for us, we had not won at their place since our 2-3 win in the 52/53 season (Sat 13 Dec 53) having lost 5 and drawn 4 between 1953-1964. We have played them 101 times 51 at home and 50 away, having won 41 (30 at home, 11 away), Drawn 31 (14 at home, 17 away) and lost 29 (7 at home, 22 away). Our highest win was at home on Sat 28 Oct 1933 where we trounced them 6-2. Mind you they beat us 6-0 at their place on Mon 11 Apr 1920 ( the first away game that Clive went to I think).
Anyway enough of that as I have work to do!
Work to do?
Work to do?
You’ve just regurgitated part of “The Concise History of Wolverhampton Wanderers,” which you obviously swallowed some time ago.
And you call that work?
Labor of love, more like, methinks.
Don’t try to bullshit a bullshitter, I are the expert!!
FO w b
Clive, I’m sorry to disagree my old mate, but you can’t be a bullshitter – that is solely reserved for the twats who go to the Poorthorns week after week…..
Just seen the U21s team for tonight at Reading, Keita & Hunte are both playing, but…… no Kortney Hause.
Kenny! Are you tinkering again?
🙂
It might be that he is playing him tomorrow. Hmmmmmm, interesting?
Black November is over, gloomy December didn’t start too well but with a different ref we’ll comfortably see the light comething out of darkness.
Was very happy with the performance upto the sending off last weekend. What followed was the result of incopotentent match officials. Hopefully, we won’t be subject to such factors this time around.
This looks like our best shot at a clean sheet for quite some time! Hoping for the best.
This has got a draw written all over it, so I’ve gone 2.1 to Wolves don’t ask me why because I don’t know it just poped into my head.
Any thing but a loss would be welcome surely sooner or later, hopefully sooner we will end the bad run and bad luck.
Confident team coming out fighting & a nice 3 points on the board.
UTW
Black November is over, gloomy December didn’t start too well but with a different ref we’ll comfortably see the light comething out of darkness.
Just seen who the ref is tomorrow … Stuart Attwell.
Well he’s caused a few issues in his career … I’m giving him a chance but worry that …. “shit refs .. we only get shit refs” might be ringing out…
I was 1 last time we lost in Sheffield – no need to drop this run. I
First half was definitely an improvement so the injustice of the RVP dismissal should act as a real incentive – wounded animals and all that!
Back to winning ways for me although heard Graham may not be fit. Anyone got an update?
blind optimism!!!!!!!!
A win and a clean sheet, must be Christmas!
Wolves 2 Wednesday 0
I’ll be there tomorrow keeping the faith its in the blood ,are bad run will end and a good win with graham getting a couple of goals now he’s start to score.COYW
Hopefully we can change things so I am going for a close victory
This one has got a draw written all over it………………..so I’m going for a Wolves win !
I couldn’t see where the goals were going to come from last week but Kenny’s changes showed a lot of promise. Optimism is back so I can lose this weeks fiver at the bookies with a bit more confidence than of late.
There’s a turn in every road……..I hope.
My 11th trip to wednesday. Still undefeated…record to continue. 2-1 win i reckon. Plus the fact on 7th lager which tends to distort things somewhat. F**kin wolves ay we.AY WE !
Playing my wife’s team so 2-1.
more in hope than belief…
I think it’s time we stopped the rot but only with a 1-1 draw.
Think we’ll finally stop the rot but difficult to see us scoring without Dicko
Th Owls may have the second best defence, however I do recall it was only a handful of games ago that we had had the best defence in this division.
We’re good at spoiling the party and wrecking records for teams…
Hause will be on the bench I reckon, with a cameo as a 5th defender if we’re on top with 20 mins to go.
I see both sides getting over their shortage of goals – just us doing it better ….. although this may be what Dr. Johnson in another context called “the triumph of hope over experience”. We’ll see. 🙂
Well at least I got the score right last week.
This week, providing the ref went to Specsavers earlier today, the right team will score the right number of goals!!
I like Thomas’ team, no exceptions for once. Scorers. Van the Man to get his first, Danny G and Sako. It. Is time to be full of cheer folks.
Difficult one, our fortunes have to change but our great run at Hillsborough has to change too at some stage. Not tomorrow though, a nerve wracking win and hopefully back on track for a top 6 finish.
Can’t bring myself to predict another defeat!
Van la Parra can carry on the good work for 90 minutes this week, and Wolves will get back to winning ways.
Toyed with the 2-2 but think we’ll hold up better this time out..
We’ll sneak this one. Danny Graham to score with another header.
We started this bad run with a 2 1 defeat and we’ll end it with a 2 1 defeat (the one last week that is).
Tomorrow the turn around starts.
Don`t share the optimism of many of my fellow bloggers. Spoken to a few Owls fans still purring after a last minute winner at Blackburn last week, and they are out of their own slump and have won two on the trot, hence reasons to be confident.
Having seen four of the last 5 defeats, I`ve decided to have a rest so I`m getting brownie points tomorrow waiting for a plumber to mend some dripping kitchen taps at home. I may be getting more points than wolves tomorrow, hope I`m wrong and I`d be ecstatic to be so, but can`t see it, despite some promising signs last week.
……………………..
After watching Van la Parra and Graham last week there is potential of good partnership, whether this game is too early for that to be realised remains to be seen. We were the better team last week – replicate the same performance we should win.
UTW
Last week I forecast 2-1 to us although I expected it to be the other way round. Ditto this week. I find it hard to expect us to lose. If we go down for a sixth time, it’s not six of one and half a dozen of the other time, it could be P45 time and get your jacket. Jez let the cat out of the bag during the week, see Ben’s report on Fans’ Parliament. The powers that be let it be known they couldn’t defend the Sagbo loan deal, so that put the blame squarely on Kenny. Trouble at mill. Trouble at Mol.
Nervy draw,but a point will turn the corner hopefully.
The last time we went up to Hillsborough it was a dull boring game finishing in a 0-0. Hopefully a better game this time and hopefully a better result. We need a good result going into the xmas period so a win today would be a good start.
Nothing ever lasts forever
Girlfriend bought me tickets for this one as an early Xmas present. Not really sure what to make of that!!
Still I’ll take the positives from last week and say we should at least end up with a point.
Will rarely be so delighted to get a draw. Time to knuckle down and stop this rot
Edwards to get the only goal
Would be very happy with the one point
come on me babbies
Happy with a clean sheet
Better performance last week but not at all confident.
Time for a change of fortunes. Today’s the day!
Come on wolves – lets get a much needed win
I fancy them to win today
Goalless. And I’d take that.
The start of a recuperative Christmas?!
Good call StuWolf, the Hause is in house!
Danny Bhatt looked himself again today, another plus.
🙂
Impressed by Van la Parra up front with Graham last week and I reckon the combination should produce goals. Maybe too optimistic but I predict they’ll get one each so 2-1 to the Wolves. Come on me babbies!
Funny Old Game….
We were better than B.mouth till the sending off… We were better than Boro, yet they beat a Derby team that made us look like idiots with our thrashing… Brum were stuffed 8-0 when a sending off disrupted things, yet they have gone out 6-1 winners today against a good Reading side, yet lost to a lowly Blackpool last week.
With all that’s going on with all the other teams, I start to feel optimistic again and put our run of losses down to a blip!
Hause and Iorfa were our future… Our future is here now!
Disallowed goal for VLP… the next one won’t be… He’ll take confidence from today…
All good signs overall and KJ has found our right balance for this game… Let’s hope for a run of clean sheets and more 1-0’s that were so often complained about.
0-1. Happy with that. 3 points moves us up to 12th, and gives me 3 points in PL too. Well done lads. How did Iorfa and Hause play? I could not get a stream on wiziwig. But read that when Clark replaced Graham he not only got the goal but defeded well too. So. well done lads.
YAHOO! Sinking feeling repulsed. YAHOO!
Great result considering our recent form.
Well done Wolves.
Well that was hard earned. Didn’t have it all our own way, but away from home we were the better team over the 94 minutes. If RVLP had his scoring boots on, we would have run out 4-0 winners.
On the bus on the way back sure is a happier trip this week.
After a shaky nervous 10-20 mins Hause settled down and nailed his flag to the mast. Iorfa……excellent again.
COYW
News from me Molineux mole, Wolves are in talks with Arsenal for an U21s striker whose banging em in. Wolves want to buy, Arsenal originally wanted to loan but appear to be coming round to Kennys wish.
Watch that space!!!!!
Morgan said today there’s dosh for players in January.
🙂
Surely not Giroud …..
How many times have I told you, “Don’t call me Shirley”
That’s Friday nights, and you promised not to Say.
🙂
…..Juan de Fuca ?
Colin.
Sounds Greek to me!
🙂
Juan de Fuca
Maritime pilot
Ioánnis Phokás, better known by the Spanish transcription of his name, Juan de Fuca, was a Greek-born maritime pilot in the service of the King of Spain, Philip II. Wikipedia
He must have joined Arsenal afterhe left the Navy.
Sorry Stu one of my obscure jokes play on words with ‘one for the future’. Sounds like you been on Google for half an hour mate you are a Superfan ! One good thing about when i start cracking jokes Thomas usually gets the report out quick !
Colin.
Thanks buddy, but there is a story there.
As I was getting on the coach to go to Sheff, my mate who is privvy to a bit of info at the Mol (me Mol Mole) told me about this kid but didn’t give a name. At the match I met a mate from Stafford and told him about him, his two Grandsons 12 & 14 year olds reeled off this kids name. So when you posted this it just sounded the same so I thought you had a mole too & so I Googled it, it’s usually my missus that makes me feel a knob, nice one you got me a cracker. Like it.
If you read below, (Jim) seems to have found him.
Onwards & Upwards.
Yes i would say Jim is spot on. Just between you and me i think we are going in the right direction.
Fantastic result come on Kenny now let’s build on this the young cubs played well also, still need a striker espeailly cause the Afica Cup.
I’ll be buying a Sunday paper for the first time in weeks tomorrow carnt wait.
Well done boys lets go on a run now let’s build on this.
Up THE WOLVES………….!
My favorite player Clarke…(!) what a timely goal …
Benik Afobe? 18 goals mkdons