Things have gone swimmingly against Southampton in recent times.
They did put us out of the FA Cup a few years ago but we’ve won six of the nine Premier League matches since promotion, losing only once.
We’re also on a four-game winning streak against the Saints, finding a way to edge them out in games that have all gone right down to the wire.
From their perspective, it’s imperative they break that sequence tomorrow or it’s looking like the beginning of the end. For Wolves, it’s just ‘more of the same please’.
Southampton
Nathan Jones was appointed around the same time as Julen Lopetegui but they haven’t seen results improve since he took over from Ralph Hasenhüttl.
Six defeats in seven Premier League games isn’t the bounce they’d hoped for and the former Luton manager is already under pressure.
It did seem like things were picking up a few weeks back when they got a vital win at Goodison Park while progressing in both cup competitions, but that momentum has since evaporated.
There is hope in the shape of expensive January signings with giant centre forward Paul Onuachu (heavily linked to Wolves in the summer) arriving with 17 goals in 22 games from Genk.
Wingers Orsic and Sulemana and midfielder Alcaraz are others to watch out for in what will probably be a new look Southampton tomorrow, following last weekend’s 3-0 beating at Brentford.
Wolves
Hwang gets a lot of criticism but I think he’s proven repeatedly that when the team is on the front foot, he can break the opposition’s defensive line. He did very well against Liverpool before the all-too-familiar hamstring injury forced him off.
Surely Podence is going to come into the side with Hwang now ruled out? It already felt like a luxury leaving out a guy who’s bagged 33% of our Premier League goals this season.
With Dawson, Lemina, Sarabia and Cunha all integral to last weekend’s victory, this already feels like Lopetegui’s Wolves. It will be a big surprise if he doesn’t stick with the same players tomorrow.
Diego Costa and Toti Gomes were the two senior players left out entirely against Liverpool and with Joao Gomes on-board and Pedro Neto closing in on a comeback, competition for places in the 20-man squad is fierce.
Predictions
Only the perpetually positive Mutt1eigh was bold enough to predict a 3-0 victory against the scousers. Well done that man.
Rich remains clear at the top of the overall table at the end of Gameweek 21 but his lead is now down to 3 points.
As always, if you’d like to join in with the Prediction League this season, it’s 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.
You can read my prediction for the game in the comment section below.
Up The Wolves!
Keep it going Wolves.
I expect Jones to ring the changes and play more of his new signings from the start. That will either give them an immediate lift or upset the balance of the side further.
In contrast, we can hopefully be more settled and take the confidence from last weekend into this game to get into a rhythm.
Four points from the next two games would be enough and avoiding defeat here wouldn’t be the worst thing. But I’m staying positive and backing us to take all three points.
I’m going for 2-0. The remainder of Feb is full of realistically winnable matches and we could be +9 points better off come start of March (if Fulham off the pace). And Liverpool gifting another 3 point on 1st March and PL survival almost guaranteed. Not felt this realistically optimistic for years.
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I hope I’m not being ridiculously optimistic but I’m getting a good vibe from our new look team and squad.
Same for me mate
I am really excited for this one – for the first time in a long time, It is a pleasure to watch wolves again. We had lost our way for a while there, the appointment of Large as a stepping stone, We have found our talisman.
I do not see how this team doesn’t cook – players are already taking more shots and not trying to walk it in, We have people with LEGS that can run round the midfield from box to box and let neves concentrate on doing his job (That is not a shot at moutinho, just the truth, he is 36) – Lemina looks like he is ready to fight, and its still a bit hit and miss with Nunes. With Gomez and Dawson additions, we should be a really hard team to beat for anyone.
We need to give it a few weeks to settle properly, but we should be taking 3 points this weekend. Once this team starts going we will be a nightmare, I really just hope it works out for Cunha and he starts bagging 15+ goals a season – and I think he will.
We really need to stick the knife in and get a clinical win. Otherwise last weeks result will be just one for the memory bank.
We now have the potential for a good consistent run with a seemingly more settled team.
Let’s show this Premiership that we are back and itching to get in their faces and prove how good we really are.
Expecting a lively start to the game, it’s do or die now for the Saints and I hope we can take control early and play the way JLo’s tactics dictate?
Will we press high as against Liverpool or keep patient possession and try and work openings.
As Thomas states, a draw is not a disaster and whilst we are justified in feeling bullish after the Liverpool mauling, Jones will send out his troops to do battle.
Hoping to keep a clean sheet and get a goal or two second half. Not expecting a pushover or a rout.
Bigger match for Saints that us but one we will be looking to win.
A point won’t be the end of the world but hoping we can nick all three.
Show no mercy. Need to get our GD sorted out, may be critical at end of season.
AfTer last weeks performance very optimistic about this game Southampton are a shambles at the moment and are there for the taking. Usually I go 2-1 but this week all guns blazing and a 4-0 thrashing is on the cards.
Expecting a pretty competitive game, but we will have enough to get it over the line. UTW
Last week’s game certainly makes me optimistic of a good result. The last few games against S.H. have been tight but fruitful. I’ll try and be different from the rest of our bloggers and go for a 1-0 win. 3 points is 3 points. I’d settle for that.
We have the players, we have the team, we have the manager, we have the momentum, we have this, yes, we have this! Those were my initial thoughts after the Liverpool game!
But then I thought, “CAREFUL, WOLVES, CAREFUL!!! If our performance is the same as against Liverpool, we will win comfortably, but if the performance is like the one as against Manchester City, we could be in big trouble. Wolves’ performance in the past have been notoriously inconsistant, after all, we are the Wolves! Then I thought, Na, we got this, WE GOT THIS!!
Agree with team selection put forward by Thomas, and hope JL sets up the team for a fast start!
Yes, we got this!
not sure its a fair assessment the man city game to be completely honest.
first off – its man city.
Second – it was the transition game of which new players introduced for first time etc.
Well, we shot ourselves in the foot when sacking Nuno. Then we shot ourselves in the other foot with Bruno’s bizarre dismantling of our defence while he was falling out with practically everyone and the tea lady at Wolves. Happily Fosun woke up from that nightmare. We’re not going to hammer teams every week like we just hammered Liverpool, but a couple of goals and a clean sheet may be on the cards.
They tried to get Dawson on during the summer window so blame Jeff.
WTF?
At the risk of repetition, the next 2 games, beginning with Southampton away on Saturday, are potentially our biggest games of the season so far.
Why ?
Well, it’s obvious to anyone who takes even a passing interest in our fortunes that we are on the up. Julen Lopetegui has made a massive difference to our club since joining less than 3 months ago.
Perhaps most reassuringly, the changes and improvements have come at what appears to be the right pace. Foundations have been established. The medical team, scouting, fitness, training methods, the entire support team, mentality and culture.
Then the January transfer window could prove to be one of our best in recent times. What genius moves to secure Dawson, Lemina and Sarabia for less than £20m. We won the battle for Gomes, secured the Bristol City captain and his leadership qualities for £52,000 and a young capped Brazilian forward to boot. Genius.
And then after incrementally improving performances and results, we put Liverpool to the sword, scored 3 goals, involving both new and more established players, and kept a clean sheet.
If we are to cement an undeniable improvement in our performances and results and prove to even the most sceptical of observers, that this is not a fluke upturn, then positive results against two other teams battling relegation are vital. 6 pointer games without doubt.
We have played Southampton 73 times since the turn of last century. Won 27, lost 28, drawn 18. A win will bring historical parity. It would also give us 5 wins out of 5 in our recent games against them.
However, history has nothing to do with this much changed squad for tomorrow. The bookies have us as favourites to win. Again, that means nothing. But I think we all agree that if we pick up from where we left off last Saturday, play without fear, with intensity, passion, confidence and creativity, Southampton won’t be able to handle us.
One match at a time, but make no mistake, winning the next 2 will go a long long way to saving our season. And the momentum and confidence will make us formidable.
The future is bright
UTW
Fab 3 points in the prediction league, Mutts, Gold Star. 1 lv
JL’s record of 10 points from 6 games is exactly what we needed to lay a platform of giving ourselves a chance to avoid relegation. Unfortunately, the pressure doesn’t easy any despite that. 2 wins from the next two might give us a bit of breathing space and at the same time make it all that much harder for two of the teams also fighting with us. This looks like , at least certainly for the last relegation place, one of the tightest multiple team battles to avoid the drop I can ever remember in the PL. A long, long way from us being out of the mire but there is now definitely more cause for optimism than there was a few weeks ago.
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It’s difficult not to get carried away by the rout of Liverpool last time out, but we know a lot more about the side now than we did a week ago. The side looks fresh, firing and up the fight. Okay the first of the three goals was a bit of a flukey OG, but we could easily have scored four or five just in the first half. (Lot of fs there ffs)
And to add to the sense of extreme optimism, Saints look to be crumbling. Jones has not delivered and looks to be unpopular both in the dressing room and on the terraces. There is already talk of calling for his head. The most dangerous of opponents is one that is fighting for its life, but do the Saints have enough cohesion?
The result of this game may well be influenced by what happens early on. If we can get on top quickly and bag a goal, they could well fall apart.
F**k it, let’s getting carried away.
F**K it, should have checking my grammar.
You’d expect Wolves to win this and I think we will . The only thing is that amongst their own supporters they say that Southampton have a reputation for putting in a performance when they are at their lowest and they seem to be in a bad place at the moment . There but for the grace oL lopetegui go us … No gloating but I genuinely can’t wait to see the Mighty Wolves play again .. We re looking so good again
Performances of late have given my world a warm, golden glow. Historically, games against Southampton have had the same effect.
So, with my gold-tinted specs firmly atop my nose, I fully expect my Sunday to resemble the finest, 24carat variety.
A thriller
I’m tipping a no-score-draw and hope I am wrong. Can’t see us losing. Just whether or not we take our chances…
Last week was beautiful!!! Now for two huge games. It appears Southampton are in turmoil which normally means one thing with Wolves we give them a pick me up. We now have plenty of options so it will be interesting to see what team is selected. As weary as I am about playing a wounded animal I can’t ser us getting beat
I think it’s the nature of being a football fan that you question how long a winning streak can continue and how long the opposition can keep losing. That’s the only thing making me question tomorrow because on form, we should win.
St Mary’s is a good ground for us but it’s unlikely to be that straightforward. Saints are fighting for their lives too and should come out fighting in what is also a huge game for them. We need to get at them from the start, like we did last week, not allow them to settle and get the crowd on their backs. They aren’t a side who win a lot of home games and St Mary’s can become a toxic environment – we need to make that happen. Let’s get the job done.
Massive upturn in confidence post the whipping of the Scouse. So what we need now is momentum, carrying us forward on a golden wave of euphoria.
The surfing’s been good on the South Coast of late, and there’s plenty of weeping and wailing in the Sinner’s camp to take advantage of.
I missed a 3-1 win against them last season, and a much needed 3 points in ye olde Prediction League.
Can we do it again? Of course we can. Even the long anticipated ‘5 for Clive’ is a possibility.
1 lv & COYW
With Nathan Jones appearing to be the Premier League’s equivalent of a real-life David Brent, it’s hard to envisage anything other than a Wolves win tomorrow. Though admittedly that does feel like a dangerous sentence to write! I agree that it’s a pity to lose Hwang when he was beginning to find form but Adama and Podence are both decent alternatives. I think it’ll be an ugly game but I’m confident we can bag the points.
Two 6 pointers now coming up. Looking for 2 good wins to out us clear of the mire.
Soton fans seem to be deserting their team so I expect there will be a not insignificant number of “neutral” fans in the home areas of the ground thereby diluting any home team atmosphere.
Hope I’m not getting ahead of myself but I’m predicting a win – and a clean sheet.
Feels good to predict a win. So no doubt we’ll stuff it up!
Tricky one this… would love to see us smash em 4-0 just to hear Nathan Jones’s post match interview twaddle before his inevitable sacking.
It’s a ‘must not lose’ match for them however so it’s gonna be tight!
First goal will be important if we can get that we should be on to a win because they are a team in turmoil
Ward Prowse seems to score free kicks against us, but expect us to get a result
The pressure seems to be getting to Nathan Jones who is certainly going bonkers with his bizarre mutterings lately. I can inagine the conversation he had with his Mrs over the dinner table this evening. MRS JONES “Have you had a good day at the training ground darling ?”. NATHAN ” Oh yes. A classical red telephone box is much better than a box of frogs”. MRS JONES ” Are you ok dear ? ” NATHAN ” Look out. Because a Swedish salmon might get stuck in your generator” MRS JONES ” I’m getting worried Nathan I think you need to see a doctor” NATHAN ” Oh no. There aren’t any doctors in Grimsby council house. Besides. If you go and see a doctor you will turn in to a shopping trolley. Last time I went I was attacked by a large balloon.” MRS JONES ” Nathan. This is getting silly” NATHAN ” Bing bong bong bing bong bong bing. I’m a grand piano”. At which point the men in white coats turned up and took poor Nathan away. So with Saints in disarray even prior to kick off there is only one winner tomorrow. Saints 0 WWFC 3. After the game J-Lo said ” An important 3 points but we only celebrate for 2 hours. We haven’t achieved anything” Nathan Jones said ” I am a dalek. I am a dalek”.
No mention of the conversation with the blow up doll cheesester?
That’s between me and the blow up doll.
Coming together nicely. Another 3 nil.
How do you follow that Cheesey..?
It’s a tough time down here in Christchurch (NZ that is) because it’s a 4am ko… do I or don’t I get up? .. you bet I will.
I’ve decided that anyone who predicted 3-0 last week .. Muttleigh is psychic and worthy of copying..
Saints tomorrow shouldn’t be underestimated, after all, beating Man City in the Carabao cup was a creditable performance. However we’re on our own roll and given JLo’s tight rein over players, attitudes and remaining focused we should have enough to win. We’re now well stocked with players giving the boss plenty of options.
It time for Cunha to get in the score sheet and Ruben certainly knows where the goalposts are at St. Mary’s.
Hey Twixo. I’ve remembered another pub from when I was in Christchurch at the test match Hagley Park Oval. Used to come out the ground. Cross a busy main road. Head down past the hospital and a great pub. The Pegasus Arms. Quite near the river. Did a very wonderful burger in there. Enjoy yourself down there chap. I’m sure you will. Wolves game kicks off at 4am Sunday morning your time. I’m sure you will make it!
We’ll deff be up for that mate .. and the BOG … cool pints of Guinness… alongside Irish stew…
It probably won’t be the cakewalk we are all hoping for but a Wolves win would be very nice, just to move away from the danger zone.
I’m still smarting from the buffeting the Saints defenders gave Kalajdzic on his debut at Molineux in September. I’m not sure how much of that was illegal but it has set him and Wolves back this season. The bottom line is I have no sympathy whatsoever for Southampton.
A fit again Lemina to score against his old club – and Cunha getting off the mark.
Have to get a win here, and I think we will…
Need to win and keep the momentum and confidence going.
Wolves have to get at Soton from the start as we did last week. We are on the up and Soton are on a severe decline. So it’s got to be a win for me.
More of the same please. We must pick up the three points here to frank the win against Liverpool.
Another three points to be had.
3 goals in consecutive games?!?
Lads .. it’s step on their throat time
Just looking for a prediction no one else has made
In some ways, a bigger test for JLo than last week – can he get the performance out of the boys in this important relegation match?
Would be lovely for Cunha and Sarabia to get off the mark, but OG is in good form too.
Must be alert to Ward-Prowse frees and deliveries.
Surely it’s time.
Not allowing myself to get overexpectant but I believe that confidence is up there in the wolves camp.
Can’t wait to see this machine fine tuned and enjoying playing together.
We’ve got a big opportunity to get some points on the board in the next few games. I’ll be over the moon with a win here. Sarabia to score
Southampton are struggling up front having failed to score in three of their their last four league games. Combine this with an under pressure manager, our good recent record there and the confidence we’ve gained over last few weeks and they must be there for the taking provided we don’t give needless free kicks away in Ward-Prowse territory.
Hopefully Lemina fit as his positioning and effort were outstanding last Saturday
he may rotate the squad to suit but wouldn’t think there will be too many changes
Agree with Cheesey.
A classical red telephone box is a LOT better than a box of frogs.
That’s why I’ve got one in the garden.
Wolves to win by two goals.
Being football, we know there will be further ups and downs to our season. Any game can go either way and today’s is no different to last week. We can lose this match, but, I expect us to continue in the new vein of form and will go for a moderate 2-1 victory.
Great news about Neto but I expect him to be wrapped in cotton wool for a while with a gradual reintroduction over the following weeks. It will also be good to see Joao Gomes integrated.
I’m envious of my brother in law who has a seasonal away ticket but, with a larger family I can’t quite wangle one without dire consequences. So good luck to the team and our always excellent away following.
This forecasting lark is just too easy.
This could be a nail biter, the mighty Wolves to go on an unbeaten run.
No Podence in squad at all? Any news on why?
Got a feeling we’re going to be Var fodder
And to make matters worse decided to get up and watch it always a bad omen
On the bright side we’re waiting on tropical storm Gabriel to hit yaye
1-0down went back to bed and awake for a 2-1 win I now have a new winning formula.
New there’d be a dodgy decision
Even my negative attitude is on the wane viva j-Lo
Forget var you canno0t play against 12 men.
What the **** is the official doing.
Ffs jogging “aggressively” to the ref is now a second book able offence?
Forget Man City somebody needs to look into the standards of top level refereeing and VAR. It’s ridiculous. What’s VAR for other than to help overturn ridiculous decisions like that?
Listening to the match commentary, Lemina’s second yellow was for running aggressively at the referee. Our commentators say he was jogging towards the referee with arms outstretched, with three other players ahead of him.
Incompetent officials or what?
Yes. What an away day.