It’s disappointing that we won’t find out if Morgan Gibbs-White could have fulfilled his potential at Wolves, but I’m satisfied the club have done good business this week.
We wanted a transfer window like 18/19 and it’s shaping up that way with a few weeks left to do business.
That summer we strengthened the spine of the team with key additions that have carried us since. In Collins, Guedes and most excitingly Nunes, we can hope for the same again.
The missing piece is a striker and if Wolves can recruit well without losing any key personnel, I think everyone would be delighted with that outcome.
In the background, there’s a difficult game to prepare for against a strong-looking Tottenham side.
Spurs
Despite their own recruitment drive, Antonio Conte has so far stuck with the same XI that carried them into the top four last season.
But in Perisic, Bissouma and Richarlison they’ve added quality, experience and depth to their squad, which will come in handy over the 38-game stretch.
Kulusevski and Bentancur were both good finds last season, giving the side a nice balance so I can understand Conte’s reluctance to make sweeping changes.
They were perhaps fortunate to escape from Stamford Bridge with a point last Sunday but the character shown in twice fighting back to get a result made it feel like a win.
That good feeling will be carried into this fixture, making it all the more difficult for Wolves on a ground where they’ve won twice in their three visits.
Wolves
Quite a few interesting selection dilemmas for Bruno Lage to ponder this week, which must feel like a luxury given the paucity of options so far.
Can Matheus Nunes go straight into the side? You would have thought so. Is Nelson Semedo ready to challenge for a start? If Moutinho is fit, should he play?
What about the front three? Persist with Hwang leading the line or bring Guedes into the team? Could Traore even be considered? Probably not but it’s possible.
When Raul returns and if we sign another striker, there will be all sorts of configurations with the midfield and attack, which hasn’t been the case for some time.
It’s not all good news for Lage though as expectations will now skyrocket. Results have been terrible since February and he can no longer lean on the fact he hasn’t been backed to build his own team. He needs to find the right formula as soon as possible.
Predictions
For the second consecutive week, nobody correctly predicted the scoreline. A handful of people had the draw though so some points were collected.
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!
Raul is available this week. Tough test, but we have a good couple games to pick up points after this!
True Nat, but we had a couple of “easy” games before this and wasted them. This is going to be tough.
Struggling to catch my breath after what has probably been Wolves biggest ever transfer window week or even fortnight.
The Captain gone, one of the best midfielders in the world captured for a snip and MGW sold for, with all respect due, an incredible sum. What odds could you have gotten for that two short weeks ago. Wow.
Tomorrow will be interesting. Reports suggesting Raul is available to start are filtering through.
Bruno has a habit of not starting brand new players. That said, the temptation may prove too much. Such is his form ( last weekend’s wonder strike ), he’s match fit and must feel at home already with the Portuguese contingent and his relationship with the coach.
With our next home Premier League game next weekend, perhaps Bruno will wait into then to start him. By then we may have a new striker.
If Raul is fit and starts, he will not play 90 minutes. Another question is whether Moutinho will start tomorrow. He’s missed our first 2 games with a minor foot injury and oh boy, we have missed him.
So very difficult to know what our first 11 will look like. We could flood midfield and try to hit Spurs on the break ? Who knows.
I’m confident of a good performance. Players lifting themselves another few percent age points, with a very big signing now on board. We could just sneak a win.
What we do know is the bench is going to be much stronger then 2 weeks ago.
So, a strong performance tomorrow and a couple more top signings please, one ABSOLUTELY MUST bea striker.
UTW
2-1 to Wolves
Spurs at home are a difficult side to beat. Nuno ES had a canny knack to set out his team to beat the top 6, but Bruno’s approach is very much different. Neto and Podence will be key so let’s hope for a little bit of luck and Ait-Nouri who I felt in previous 2 games was a liability, playing with his brain engaged.
UTW
There’s much to be said for a settled starting XI. Conte found a good combination down the home stretch last season and they’re properly drilled in their patterns of play with bags of quality in the final third.
Wolves now have the tools at their disposal to put out a very strong side on paper, but it may take a bit of time for the team to settle and find a rhythm.
We certainly want to be putting some points on the board before that Man City, Liverpool, West Ham and Chelsea sequence starting mid-September, but that may have to come from other more presentable fixtures than this one.
Excited to see what Nunes and Guedes can do for us but there’s still that lingering doubt about who is putting the ball in the net.
It has been an exciting week or two on the transfer front. Still some work to do up front, but looking more positive for the season going forward.
Might all be a bit too late for this fixture against a strong looking and settles Spurs side.
Wolves are in a bit of a transition, and hopefully there will be at least one or two more signings. The new ones may take a little time to gel.
This is a World cup year and everyone will be rearing to play. That is a good thing! It will be interesting to see how much game time Moutinho will get over the next few months.
Spurs at home will not be easy but we have won there before, so maybe we are there bogey team.
The spirit in the camp must be pretty good now with the new acquisitions. Last week was probably a hang over from losing such an integral member, our incredible skipper.
Let’s kick on and show everyone what a force we can be.
No reason not to sneak our 1st win of the campaign.
I too am disappointed to see MGW go but I don’t think anybody can quibble about the fee – it’s an extremely generous price for a player who’s proven very little and only has two years to go on his existing deal. And when you consider it’s essentially paid for Nunes, it’s a no-brainer. All the best to him.
Tom, I completely agree with your sentiments about Bruno. He’s been given a lot of good grace by the fans (rightfully so) during a pretty torrid run of results. Now is the time for him to realise his attacking vision and get us back to winning ways.
Sadly, I can’t see it starting here. Spurs have looked really good under Conte and seem to have lost their knack of dropping points against sides of our ilk. I hope I’m wrong, but I see a narrow defeat here.
Very much looking forward to seeing Nunes in action and also Guedes (no more Hwang please).
I’m going for the draw that will give us 2 points from our first 3 matches. Last season we had zero points from 3 matches to start, but we still looked good for top 7 at least by January 2022. Realistically it will take a few matches for Nunes and Guedes to bed in. Rumour has it that Jimenez might be available. If w can throw on him and Traore as late super subs with the score at 1-1 we might even do a smash and grab job.
I think we can snatch a draw with a revitalised line-up.
I think MGW, being an academy lad and having been at WWFC for a long time, needs to fly the nest and find his own niche.
Al the best Morgan Gibbs-White!
What a brilliant couple of weeks for Wolves fans Guedes then Nunes who would of thought that would happen. Now they have to start picking up points if Himinezis fit play for 45 min then move Guedes to CF and bring Podence on This is going to be tough but a 2-1 win for the Wolves.
Summed up nicely by Thomas. Feeling more optimistic following our belated transfer business but I think this one will be too much of an ask. I’m not convinced Nunes will go straight in either.
We’ve got a good record at Spurs since returning to the Prem and I’d love to see us extend that, but two things have changed. They look a much more formidable outfit under Conte while we have gone backwards, not withstanding the new signings. But it’s gonna take time for them and the team to settle. I would love to be proved wrong.
Just a note on MGW. It’s pretty much impossible to argue with the business we’ve done. He wasn’t willing to sign a contract and we’ve cashed in handsomely, presumably waiting for Nunes deal to be completed before giving it the green light. That doesn’t change the fact there is sadness at not seeing him fulfil his undoubted potential here, where he should have. For various reasons; Nuno, perhaps lack of effort/desire at times, falling out of love with the club, it didn’t work. But I wish him all the best, I’m sure he’ll go on to have a solid career.
We could end up being their bogey team
Disappointed we didn’t keep MGW for the guaranteed 25m but I think there is more to it so understand why he’s gone to his old boss.
Hopefully that will allow that final core signing of a decent CF.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few more first team go out the door though in Adama and maybe even Donk. Hopefully the new signings settle in quickly and improve us overall, they certainly look capable.
Tough game but I think we can get something as I think the mood will have lifted all round and these are the kind of teams we do well against (with 3/5 at the back anyway). We are certainly due some luck in front of goal. Can’t wait for Preston now, the Mol will be buzzing.
The sale of MGW represents a deal well done, although the actual up front payment is £25m with add ons that COULD take it up to £42.5m if all stars align. (Source, Daily Telegraph whose sports writers tell it like it is, not with stupidly inflated numbers like some rags or click bait online sites).
I still think more could have been got out of the lad, but if there is more, Steve Cooper is the man to do it. He rated him in the same bracket as Foden and Sancho when England won the Under 17s World Cup back in 2017. Good luck Morgan.
Back to the matter in hand.
We could well face one of the ugliest, hardest, pig headedest (?) aggressive and just plain nasty strikers tomorrow, and I’m not talking about ‘Pretty Boy’ ‘Arry Kane.
I’m still not happy about Conor Coady going to Everton for nothing, but would have been slightly more enthusiastic if some sort of a swop deal had been arranged for Richarlison.
Just the sort of, in your face, no nonsense striker to finish off the Wolves facelift.
He probably wouldn’t come here… but then again, would Nunes?
Apparently yes!
I hope that the new centre partnership of Kilman and Collins can deal with whatever Spurs can throw, or in some cases dive, at them.
And our new faces can cause some mayhem in their not so brilliant defence.
A win would be fantastic, but I’ll be pretty happy with a draw.
Sa saves the point.
The new signings give me cause for optimism but we are still without a recognised striker which is a major concern. I also always worry when Richarlison is playing as he always seems to get a goal against us.
A battling draw is the best we can hope for.
Great that we have finally signed some quality players. Shame that MGW has left but he will get more game time at Forest.
Guedes and Nunes are sure to get some game time tomorrow, so I’m confident we will get something out of this game. It will be tough as Spurs have a better squad than last year.
Nunes should bolster our scoring opportunities but in fairness opportunities have not been our problem recently.
Raul will be welcomed back but I doubt if he’ll start and in truth he’s hardly been prolific since his return.
I predict a tough afternoon with glimpses of reasons for optimism.
Oops forgot the prediction
With 5 subs, Nunes can start, and if it doesn’t seem to be working, subbed out. And Raul can get an easy 20 minutes at the end of the game if that is what his fitness level indicates.
If we were knocking at the door of a Champions League position until we petered out in the second half of the season last campaign, I don’t see why we can’t expect to be in the mix this season, with our strengthened squad.
Agreed but with our new additions and formation I think we might need some adjustment time.
Spurs played well against Chelsea they showed spirit to come back the way they did and will have a good season but they aren’t there yet as they left a lot of gaps to exploit where Chelsea should have done better and finished them off.
Wolves have played well against spurs over several seasons now and i believe tomorrow will be another great game .
We are not too far off them in where the team is at and with a fair wind and some good luck could pull it off again tomorrow as we have done in the past.
I see a draw though as neither team are at full steam at this moment in time.
Too early for new signings to properly Gel, think Spurs will shade this one.
After this week I feel confident and this is a lucky ground for us so going for a wolves win
Whilst much happier now Nunes + Guedes are with us, without a recognised striker we are still going to struggle and will be nowhere near the top teams.
I hope Raul comes back quickly and rediscovers his top form we are surely going to need him + s well as back up striker to come in now!
Whilst much happier now Nunes + Guedes are with us, without a recognised striker we are still going to struggle and will be nowhere near the top teams.
I hope Raul comes back quickly and rediscovers his top form we are surely going to need him + s well as back up striker to come in now!
COYW…
.
I thought spurs didn’t look that good against Chelsea
I thought we looked quite solid at the back against a good Fulham side
Why not a wolves win ?
Missed you last week, hope all good with you. to answer your question, no problem turning the Sperms over.
New faces will need time to integrate, not feeling good about this one.
With new and better players joining our team, hopefully our current crop of underachievers will see the signs and up their games, especially as MGW has been, in my opinion, quite rightly shown the door unceremoniously.
If you don’t want to play for Wolves, why are you here??
Are you watching, Adama, sometimes the grass ain’t so green over there, either.
I am not overly bothered if we don’t sign a “recognized” striker, whatever that is, since our new players, plus the buzz and increase in performance of existing team members, will no doubt inevitably lead to far more scoring chances, for our lot to gobble up.
To all you miserable, Fosun hating panickers out there, I say this.
It would be easy for me to sit here and gloat, about waiting until the end of the transfer window before bashing Fosun.
But I won’t.
I will sit here and wait until the end of the transfer window………………….and then gloat big time, as long as Neves is still with us.
Spurs are #3 on my list of all time hated teams, so we have to reinforce our bogey team status on them and give them fair warning that their “top Six” position is up for grabs.
And than you Fosun.
thank
Hopefully, the two newest players will be forward-thinking instead of sideways thinking.
Not this week.
The signing of Nunes has given us all a lift. Once Raul is fully fit and a new striker (hopefully) comes in I’ll be a lot more confident about the rest of the season. As for tomorrow I think we’ll get a point. We really do need to start scoring goals!
Whilst I am very excited about the incoming players so far, I think it is a bit too early to expect them to get to the level of cohesion we the fans are expecting. Spurs are on of the top teams and can be beaten on a good day. However, I am not expecting miracles until I see a striker up front (be it Raul on any new incomer). So I will predict a loss.
UTW ?
Early days but I’m optimistic.
I think we’ll get a point against a rather nasty Spurned.
Don’t know why just have a feel we may Nick this one. This is one of the fixtures Traore will have pinned to his calendar as a shop window. I expect him to tear it up from the bench and sneak us the win.
I’m with Chesterwolf on that front. All this talk of new nasty Spurs,,,,we will found out if the like it up em when we let Traore go beserk for 60 minutes, At least one red card will result.
Meantime I add MGW to my list of players I am sad to see go even if it is to a better place for them.
Others? How about Guedioura Milijas Costa Cav and of course Doc Jota and Cap’n Coady
So I’m expecting a battle in the trenches tomorrow and a hard won point …then we can plan to dismantle the Geordies and others that lie ahead
OODCL
It will be interesting to see if our new hero’s undoubted skills outweigh a possible lack of time with his colleagues in Bruno’s mind. I feel he will appear on the hour to give us a first glimpse of ‘one of the best midfielders in the world’ in the famous Old Gold.
With both he, and Senor Guedes, our movement going forward will be transformed. Players who can carry the ball in the middle of the park and possess the shooting ability we have been sadly lacking since Ruben lost his best boots.
Off to the pub to watch with fellow Ivybridge Wolves, and I’ve a feeling I’ll be walking out smiling.
As for MGW……he wouldn’t sign a new contract. That’s it for me.
Blimey, how I would love us to beat Spurs, and wipe the smug look off my future son in laws face. Sadly Spurs will be far too strong for us, even with the new additions, so with a heavy heart…..
Had a look at our results at Spurs away since 1972 in the league. Surprisingly good record really. Won 6 Drawn 3 Lost 6. Therefore on this basis tomorrow will be a draw. 2-2. Must admit I am dismayed that the Ralph Coates comb over hair do appears to be dying out. There used to be a bloke who sat about 6 or 7 rows down from me in the North Bank. He had a splendid comb over. The parting began about 3 cm above his left ear and the hair pulled right across the head and suitably plastered down with brycream. I don’t suppose any of the players on the pitch tomorrow will have the ‘Ralph Coates’ . They all seem to have lots of hair. That chap we had in the mid 90’s Fernando Gomez could have grown the ‘Ralph Coates’ but settled for a bit on the sides and thin on top. Any way. It will be an exiting encounter tomorrow and a draw. After the game Bruno said ‘ My Mrs said to be the other day ‘darling you would look great with a Ralph Coates hair cut’ I was shocked she knew so much about English 1970’s midfield player. Perhaps she has been reading a book’. Spurs 2 WWFC 2.
Saw Ralph Coates make his debut for Spurs against us, Two all after being two up! Gilzean scored their equaliser. My brother wore a fantastic Levi corduroy jacket that day – the things you remember!
Still need you to tell me what you drink Cheeseburger, I definitely need a gallon ???
Sad to see MGW go to another club… but as Wolfstroker alludes to above … he wouldn’t sign his contract… and so his transfer is made with my best wishes..
The overall in/out equation certainly puts WWFC in massive credit;and maybe a few extra million) but Nunes, without doubt , will give us better quality in the box to box midfield dept.
Let’s not overlook Guedes who cameoed last week.. I thought he definitely made a difference… and with a much stronger bench to call upon .. it’s looking promising.
I’m not sure Semedo or Jimenez will be starting tomorrow but for sure… we’ll have a very International line up tomorrow.
That said… Spurs seemed to have toughened up their soft underbelly.. and hopefully we can at least get something from the game..,
I’m going to give Podence a slating while I’m in the mood , which will also ensure that he scores the winner at spurs
A few early games for Wolves , he looked fantastic ,almost unplayable!!
second half of last season and so far this ( I know … Leeds goal ) but I see a few good early touches and then he gives the ball away an awful lot . Even on a yellow , Bruno , keeps him on . He s been better than this and I don’t think he always deserves 90 minutes .
Just that really
Pick on somebody yer own size.
Bully!
Still not sure where our goals are going to come from. Spurs don’t have that problem. Your midfield looks a bit tasty Thomas.
Pleased with the new signings. Disappointed with Gibbs White but he had to go as he was not committed enough to sign a new contract and the money was good for Wolves. We may be a bit disjointed tomorrow and can’t wait until we have a settled first 11 with a good bench. Still predicting a win. As always I live in hope.
All this talk of strikers is making me think of Ronny in his sandals up at Old Tragic. Kicking his can around with a face like a wet donkey.
As we have basically got his national team here in WV1 it’s not much of a jog for the super fella to get down the Mol for a taste of home.
It’s still warm enough for our new players to think tha UK a balmy climate suitable for intricate ticky tacky football. Plus no Dilly Dally to do a proper Wendy in the box and win his Spuds a wholly undeserved Pen.
Was looking forward to the Bruno / Conte face off. But thee Stallion is in the stable for a couple of games, so he’s fkt that up. He’ll have to watch from a padded cell on cctv, as long as he hasn’t been hooded.
Anyway I can’t change my predictions on the basis that Spuds may be slightly better. I mean how stupid would I look if we won 3-1?
No Romero tomorrow…. So even any Ralph Coates hairstyles will be safe!! …. The striker challenge is still to be solved however and unless the new midfield solution provides the answer to the profligate frontline we will struggle again …… the’Mexican Sensation ‘ is not the player he was and even if he plays for any minutes during the game my expectations are not lofty for him to be effective.However all the same like so many of us I’m so optimistic and excited again going into this game after this week’s transfers OODCL!!
COYW
The Mexican sensation has had a full season under his belt to recover from the injury. He looked pretty good during the pre-season and I expect him to get more goals this season than last – per 90 minutes.
I’ll stick with the same forecast for last week (that didn’t happen)
For me, the full back positions are a worry without the extra central defender to cover for them and I think that their ability to cope with Son and Tottingham’s wing backs will be the principal battle to overcome. Win that and we may come home with all three points but I’m going for a draw.
In a little over a week we are a striker away from having a very good squad with lots of options. The signing of Nunes is incredible and gives the midfield what it has been crying out for. The Tottenham game will be the first proper test of the back 4 and the way the full backs have been exposed so far does concern me.
I’ve had this theory from time to time that the Wolves struggle with teams that they’re “supposed” to beat and play tough against the supposed cream of the crop, so keeping with that let’s go with…
We certainly did the business this week, perhaps need a little time to gel together, as for MGW his head has been turned for some time now so no loss.
Wolves 0 – 2 Spurs
Firstly, all the very best to MGW. It might have worked out but, if he was stalling on a new contract, maybe it was time to move on.
I’m excited with our new additions: Collins and Guedes both looked decent last week; I will be pleased if Nunes lives up to half the hype. That said, I feel the Spurs match has come quicker than I would have liked in terms of the team gelling.
Still, a draw would be most welcome.
So happy that i’m dropping money for Peacock lol. I would love to see us with some attacking verve, and use Neto, Traore, Guedes with Hwang up top.
That being said, Spurs are for real, and I think we’ll finally have some reckoning to deal with on the defensive side. Without as much time for cohesion, I imagine some leakage will happen, unfortunately.
Bruno does not want a settled starting 11. He has said that many times. He wants different options for different opposition teams and competition within the team.
We remain shot- shy and Spurs seem to be very good so whatever result can it be apart from a win.
Excited
We have to start scoring, so many missed chances against Fulham, hopefully Raul back for another spurs away goal
.
Hard to win if we cant score goals. I am confident that Guedes and Nunes will be very, very good for us in the long run.
Happy with the week but still worried about today. The new guys will need time to settle and spurs are no mugs this season.
Would love a win, settle for a draw but sadly suspect another defeat.
Season starts here …
If I predict a draw then the lads prove me wrong & win! So a draw it is! Just need a CF & it’s looking like we’ll have a good team this season.
COYW
I did the same reverse psychology, predicted a draw. But I also found surprisingly tempting odds and put a few quid on a Wolves win, and a win with BTTS. 15/2 the win and 14/1 with BTTS. Quite honestly those odds flatter Spurs, so worth a punt on the off chance. The 14/1 with BTTS has now narrowed to 12/1 so maybe the bookies are taking the Nunes transfer on board.
A severe test of the new defensive set up and I hope Moutinho plays- he reads the game so well and takes pressure off Ait. No need to fear this Spurs side but we must start to take our chances.
I’m fairly sure Wolves will start with the same side as last week unless Neto is on his way. I hope not as we know how good he can be when up to match speed. Out of the new boys, Guedes might start but gradually introducing new players to judge their effect and maintain a balanced side could be a sensible approach. Then again he could just chuck in Guedes and Nunes, to get them up to Premier League speed as soon as possible. Whatever, I will be glued to my screen in anticipation. Jimenez and Moutino in the squad is a great bonus ; we have not been used to such a strong bench for some seasons. If we can purchase a top class striker, I will be extremely excited.
The result is impossible to predict but I will be positive and go for a two, one win knowing our defense has yet to be tested.
I was sad to see MGW leave, wish him the best and fully expect him to do well.
Conte is not banned from the touchline, as some have understandably thought, unlike Tuchel.
Hwang has not convinced me as yet, but I thought he has worked well and even set up a few chances of late.
Spurs have always appeared terrified of Traore so he may get a chance to run at them late on.
I agree that the performance of our full backs could be key to the outcome. With Semedo not up to speed this means Ait Nouri needs to be at his best as he was when facing Salah in the Liddypool game at Molineux. He can do it, but, as someone wrote, he must concentrate and be on his game when defending. COYW… ?
Exciting times ahead, particularly if we add a striker before the window closes. That said, it will take time for players to gel and for those coming back from injuries to get up to speed. Hope for the best today, but realistically this is going to be a bit of a challenge against an organised and confident Spurs side. UTW.
Exciting week
Spurs were very lucky to get the result last week against Chelsea
So hopefully we can spring a suprise
Need a win, but this isn’t the week. Think a draw is a safe bet though.
Happy with a point, but sticking out for a win
Me too Telford
COMBs!
I’m away at the moment so listening to the radio on AirPods by the pool
Is it just me or have the media forgotten Wolves are actually playing in this game?
We still need a striker. 11 games without a PL win. As much as I like Bruno, he can’t keep not winning games no matter what anyone says about the backing he hasn’t had until recently.
As well as we played today.We deserved a point. But we move on . The 2 posts and a cross bar. The ball goes in between. It’s that simple.