Wolves go to Vicarage Road tomorrow looking to arrest a run of three straight away defeats with Watford hoping to continue a purple patch.
The eyebrow-raising 6-1 that Gianfranco Zola’s side enjoyed last weekend may have been slightly distorted by the fact Leeds finished the game with just 9 men on the field, but it was still a fine victory.
It followed a solid 4-point return from their previous two home games; a nil-nil against Millwall and a victory over Leicester. As a consequence, they come into this match a point ahead of Wolves in the table.
I know absolutely nothing of their squad. New owners and the arrival of Zola have resulted in a raft of foreign signings (mainly from Italy), which makes them an unknown quantity.
Wolves
As encouraging as the second-half display against Brighton was it took our winless run to 6 matches. That’s simply not good enough in the Championship.
Injuries haven’t helped. Losing both Peszko and Boukari was a massive blow to our already paper-thin squad. Getting the latter back in full training this week was therefore a major boost.
We paid £3 million for Boukari in the summer, so I still have high hopes he can deliver for us with a run of games in the team. Sadly, this weekend has probably come a little soon for the winger. With Henry also ruled out, Ståle is once again working with the bare-bones. This will probably be the team:
I think Sigurdarson is due a start, particularly after Ebanks-Blake’s poor first half against Brighton continued his recent run of under-par performances.
Doumbia for Henry is a no-brainer and can’t really envisage any other changes.
Opposition view
Here are a couple of grabs from WFC Forums:
“Another tough match and they come thick and fast. Wolves are under performing for sure but still have some dangerous players. We need to try and improve the home form in terms of creating chances. I think it will be tight and will go with a 1-1 draw.”
“I can see us winning this one. So far this season the only teams who really seem to cause us problems at home are teams like Millwall who play direct, physical football and shut up shop for 90 minutes. We tend to do better against teams who actually try and give us a game.”
“I’m always slightly surprised when people predict a loss or say “we’ll settle for a point”. Why? Derby aside, who have we played this year that have been a lot better than us? Nobody. We are a decent side with some very talented players and we are easily good enough to beat anybody and are improving every week. We should not be settling for a point against anybody especially at home. I’ve been going long enough (33 years) to know the pitfuls of watching Watford but I honestly believe that with the current squad that we should no longer settle for second best and we should be confident of winning any game.
Watford 0-2 Wolves!”
Predictions
10 people correctly said we’d draw against Brighton but none went for the 3-3. Not really surprising I suppose. It’s a point for all 10.
I was quietly confident about our away form prior to recent results. I thought Solbakken’s system could frustrate the opposition when the onus is on them to attack. But we’ve given away too many goals to make it work effectively.
Watford are on a decent run, but I don’t think they’re any great shakes. If we play well, we can get a result.
I’ll say a draw – 1-1.
Up The Wolves.
* Please when leaving score predictions for the Prediction League can you write the score numerically at the bottom of your comment, so I can pick them up easily? It’s not a pleasant task sifting through paragraphs of copy to find a prediction buried in the middle.
Another tough game for us..
Watford 0-1 Wolves ( siggy ’33 )
Blimey how precise do you wanna get? 😉
Good preview Tom. I’d be happy to see the same line up but would like to see Stale experiment with the formation a bit more. Particularly away, 451 with Sako behind Doyle and Siguardsson out wide (prediction 1-1). He seems good on the ball and makes intelligent runs, and could be really effective given a bit more space afforded on the flanks.
Also, can’t help thinking some of those comments from the Watford fans are equally applicable to the Wolves!
Bad news Clive Ward has said he is really happy and settled and is prepared to stay for ever or as long as need.
Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee Stephen you cab awaits.
2-1 to Wolves
I have finally sussed how Ward Berra Foley all get picked week after week.
They are the Irish/Scottish mafia, and are crocking the others in training, leaving themselves the only “fit” players for those “defensive” positions.
How else could these slow, lumbering useless turds get in the team?
With that same tired defence, we will lose…again.
prediction: Watford Two Wolves Nil.
Sorry Thomas…Watford 2 Wolves 0
PS where’s my scarf?
Is this a wind up?
Haven’t received it yet to post it on. Thanks for reminding me. I’ll chase up and come back to you.
What scarf are you talking about?
You’ll be saying next that you won it in a competition.
Then you’ll probably come up with some cock and bull story like you live in the US and you don’t like left backs with the initials SW.
Old age is a funny thing.
It’s sad when it gets you like that.
I love left backs, used to be one for the Sporting Star on a Sunday morning in fact, but we aint got a left back, with any initials!!
To be a left back, firstly you have to be a footballer, which SW is not.
Also, I do not live in the US, I live in Texas. Big difference!
Check the news, there was petition earlier this week to the White House (white, with Obama in it? ) for Texas to secede from the Union, the only state allowed to do so.
We could secede and become the 10th largest economy in the world, so watch out, could be England v Texas in the world cup final someday….and I’ll play left back!
Well!
Secede from the Union Eh?
You live and learn.
I ‘ve just read that your Governor Rick Perry hasn’t endorsed it.
If he did would that be it? Seems an easy way out.
I wonder if I can get Wiltshire to leave the UK.
Remember The Alamo!
Apparently you only have to get about 50,000 signatures to send a petition, and some one without a life has obviously done that.
As a large percentage of the inhabitants are Mexican, illegal and cannot read English, and the unemployed wont want to work, its doubtful if we’ll ever secede, but we can hope!
PS I’m not racist, and have nothing against Mexicans, I think everyone should own a couple!!
Just remember – A Mexican is not just for Christmas!
Clive, Have you found any oil yet,if so come back ,buy the Wolves and we will let you play left back. And if Texas goes alone who is going to save you lot from the Mexicans this time ,now that Davy Crockett and John Wayne are both playing left back in the sky .
It would appear that Phil Collins, he of Phil Collins fame, is an Alamo junkie, so we could enroll him.
The only oil I’ve found is that wot leaked out of my truck onto the driveway!
I would gladly buy the Wolves for a tenner like Morgan did, only I’ve got no English money with me.
There is a nett decrease of Mexican/Hispanic illegal immigration at the moment due to our wonderful leader’s economic policies, and we are stuck with 4 more years of this shit!!
The only reason Romney lost was that his wife didnt want to move into a smaller house!
Onwards and upwards, I’ve been on the early Boddingtons, am feeling no pain, so bollocks to it, we’re gonna win tomorrow.
Watch the Formula One US Grand Prix on Sunday, you might just see me waving drunkenly from a grandstand!
FOwb
Clive .. You’ll love to know that MOJITO MOXEY has read yr dilema and is on his way !!
Hey Clive, guess what? Ward LOVES it here – he ain’t going anywhere! 😀 You wouldn’t be the same without Ward to talk about every week 😉
You know he knows no one else would touch him with a bargepole, so course he’s gonna say he’s in love with ‘Hampton.
Tosser.
Here’s a puzzle for you, young Hamsterlet,
Give me a grammatically correct sentence with the word “and” used 5 times in a row.
I could use ‘and’ in a grammatically correct sentence but Moxey and Morgan stole the pies and I need food and drink so I talk coherently on Thomas and Ben’s blog.
…oh damn, you said 5 in a row! I blame Moxley!!
Their goals against Leeds looked pretty classy and I think it will be hard to stop them scoring. A Watford mate says they are in a bit of a false position and poor decisions have cost them wins against Cardiff and Middlesboro. We’ve all got our hard luck stories but I am definitely not confident, a draw would be a good result.
Watford 2 wolves 0
Would be tempted to go 4 – 5 -1with Doyle up front on his own to start and Sako in a free role. We could always change it if we go a goal or two down and bring on The Sig.
Last weeks comeback may have given us a “boost” but it was still 2 points out of the 3 we didn’t get.
Would like to be more positive but best we can hope for is a draw. More likely to go down so going for Watford 3 Wolves 1.
Emergancy tranfer window closes next week. No one in and SS happy with squad – hhmmmmmppphh!
Has to be 451 with doyle up top on his own which is clearly where he plays his best games for us. I don’t think Siggy is a wide man so, to keep players in their best positions, I’d keep him on the bench with Sako and Pennant wide. (Despite the fact that the latter has been utter shit so far!) This leaves Davis, Edwards and Doumbia in the middle with the latter 2 pushing on. I’ll go for an ambitious/miraculous clean sheet and a 2-0 Wolves win!
Watford 2-1 Wolves.
They’ve got too many Italians for us.
Actually we only have one Italian.
Go for a probably overly-optimistic 3-1 to the Wolves – this winless run has to end and I suspect it’ll be sooner rather than later!
Hope i am wrong of course but i think watford may take control of the game from midfield 2-1 to them.Disappointed we havent taken Frimpong but still behind Stale’s long term strategy.
Watford 2 Wolves 1
I am not really expecting to get anything from this game – Watford look a good side with bags of confidence.
However, Siggy has said that he is aware that he hasn’t been strong enough to make any impression in the championship so far but is now starting to enjoy the physical cut and thrust.
I’ve seen that youtube video of him and he has obviously got ability.
On the basis that I think he will come good sooner rather than later, if he starts, I’ll go for a draw and him to score.
2-2
Watford 1 Wolves 2 ***
Another tough game me thinks, could be a good game to watch though as we are both trying to play football at the minute rather than lumping it, I would like to think we will come away with something so I will go for the draw.
Watford 1 – 1 Wolves (Doyle)
UTW!
I expect Davies to start instead of Pennant with what has been said this week by Stalle. However, I can’t see us getting anything out of this one with Watford on fire.
So it’s a 3-1 drubbing.
Amazing to see how everyone’s bar has been lowered by refering to Watford as being too good for us. You would think we’re playing Chelsea, not a mid table championship side. Our progress abounds. I won’t write my prediction, but my expectation for Solbakken’s side, which is a result.
watford 0 – wolves 1
Are u capable of a result, Mr Solbakken?
I could do with a pick me up. I really hope he does mix the line up a bit. Couldn’t believe it when the only change was Edwards in for Doumbia.
I’m going to go out on a limb and predict a 2-1 win for the wolves.
Siggy and Sako to score.
2-2. Draw.Love to believe all the turning point stuff., but we still conceded 3 last week, have always gone with my heart , gonna go with my head this time. Hope to be proved wrong
Watford 0
Wolves 1
Time to get the cleansheet machine working again.
Can’t see Miracle 2 this week.
Watford 2 Wolves 1
I have Wolves to take this one 1 – 2
Time for some optimism peoples
Wanky Watford 0 – 3 Wolves
this used to be the kind of game we used to win, just to keep the faithful on side. I was there a few years back when we won 4-1, Jarvis ripping them to shreds. This time Sako and Doumbia, with Siggy too due to come good.
Watford 0 Wolves 3
If 4-5-1 then…
Watford 0 – 2 Wolves
Plays Davis; thats like playing with 10 men. Plays Forde; thats like playing with ten men.
Plays Edwards then defence lets in at least 3.
And even though 10 men managed a draw last week , this time
Watford 5 – 1 Wolves. and where will the happy clappers be then ?
Watford 2-1 Wolves they’re bang on from we’re not
the only plausible way of guessing the scoreline at this game is by throw of a dice, so….
Watford 2 Wolves 5
Well thrown, do it again-best of three.
Watford 0-2 Wolves
I’m going to buck my optimistic prediction trend and say we will lose (should guarantee a win).
Watford 3 Wolves 1 (Sako, of course)
I have resorted to using a combination of uromancy, rumpology and sternomancy to predict Wolves 2 Watford 1
It could well prove difficult to stop Watford from scoring and as we do leak a few now and again, I think provided WW play 4-5-1 and W lose concentration from time to time, we may just sneak a draw. Alternatively W may not quite know how to follow up a 6-1 away win at home and they might just be at sixes and sevens plus the wind may be blowing in from the north and it’s tipping it down which means WW to nick it with a dodgy goal in the 95th minute.
Basically I haven’t got a clue with this one, especially as our master tactitian from midfield has earned himself another slice of R and R ( I hope he’s going to be dragged around the town to do a bit of Christmas shopping. That’ll teach him !! ) Oh what the hell, WW 2- W 1.
As ever UTW !!!!!
Just can’t see us winning at the moment,so it’s a 2-2 draw for me
Wonder if Watford have reinforced their away dugout in preparation for Solbakken’s frustration! I don’t think the players have bought into his ideas as yet, & results show that. A draw is the most likely,1-1.
We’re mid table fodder at the moment, and any result is possible. He should go 4-5-1 in away games as the quality is not there to get a result in an attacking formation. Depressing I know but its where we are at the present.
Watford 1 Wolves 4 (Sako, Doyle, Johnson and Pennent)
Nice preview Thomas.
Forever the optimist I am when it comes to the Old Gold, the Solbakken revolution recommences this saturday.
Been to Vicarage back in the day and despite a god awful walk in a fenced in pathway through allotments at the back of the ground to the away end, seem to remember coming away happy.
Sigurdarson to start.
Wolves 2, Watford 1. A Siggy brace.
Oh and Clive, I have your scarf! Thomas must have sent it to the rightfull winner by mistake.
I’m thinking its about time we won a game so i’m going for a 2-1 to me babbies.UTW.
We need to go 4 5 1 with Edwards on the right and Davies in as a straight swap for Henry, otherwise we’ll be overrun. I’ll be there tomorrow but am not optimistic. Against my better judgement 1 -1
Interesting fact for you all
There have been six red cards in the last eight league matches involving Watford (four for Watford, two for their opponents).
Watford 2-2 Wolves
It’s all doom and gloom for me I’m afraid!
Watford 2-0 Wolves
I’m going 6-0 Wolves with Frimpong and Cassidy bagging the goals!!!!
Time to stop imbibing!
Watford 3 wolves 1
Still reeling from the latest manger heaping praise on Ward. We must all really be numpties.
Murphys Mob 0 – Solbakken Army 2
We’re re structuring.
Watford 2 Wolves 1
Hoping the second half on Saturday will be a turning point.
SS not sure what to do up front right now, so I’m goin for 1-1 draw.
UTW
Watford played good against Leeds but with 9 men. Wolves had a good comeback though aswell with 10 men. Might be foolish but going for:
Watford:1-Wolves:3
UTW!
Hope we go 4-5-1.
However we line up, I think goals will be scarce…
Watford 1 – Wolves 0
Watfud 3 Wolves 1
Stale to have worked-out some new excuses for the post-match presser.
Watford 1 Wolves 2.
Watford 2 – 1 Wolves for me
Think we will scrape another point, or is that give another two away! It will be interesting to see if we start to address our fitness issues! Watford 2 – 2 Wolves.
Our defense is still too shaky and we never seem to win without Henry therefore:
2-2 draw.
For some mad reason I fancy us to nick it. Watford 1-2 Wolves.
Against all reason and logic,I’m going for a Wolves win.
Watford 1 Wolves 2
Can’t see us winning this one.
I’ll go for 1-1
Stranger things have happened…
Watford 0
Wolves 1
WOLVES: Ikeme, Stearman, Johnson, Berra, Ward, Pennant, Doumbia, Edwards, Sako, Sigurdarson, Doyle
Ebanks-Blake and Foley on Bench
Watford 2 wolves 0
Wolves 1 Watford 1
Hope i’m not too late..
Watford 0 – 2 Wolves
we will let you have that one!
Bugger – knew I shoulda gone for the loss… Same old dross!
Depressing. How many screw-ups does it take in a row to get this team to this level of pathetic. With a surplus of cash, big stadium and strong fan base, why can we never get it right? To see west brom beat the baggies and go fourth in the premier league while we sink to 16th in the championship is just disgraceful. Such a spectacular fuck up (excuse my french). M+M – what are you both playing at? I feel sorry for Stale.
the answer is because of m and m . and oh how i wish it wasnt cos unless they move on nothing will change ..cant see them leaving any time soon
If i read one more blogger on here talking about “transition”, “have patience” or “stale’s football philosophy”, i think my head will explode. I think I must be living in some parallel universe as it is as clear as day that SS is simply useless!! Yes, the squad is average but has cost more to assemble (inc. £8m of SS’ signings in Sako, Doumbia and Sigurdarsson) than most teams at this level and yet not only is he not capable of making us competitive at this level, his football is turgid to watch and if left in his position, he will have us in a relegation scrap by Xmas. For god’s sake the bloke is prepared to consider offering Berra a contract and thinks our defence is half decent (at least he must do as he has done nothing to change the personnel) ! Morgan and Moxey are prime w*****s as are plenty of Football Chief Execs and Chairmen but that doesn’t excuse crap management. PLEASE GET RID OF THIS NORWEGIAN NO-HOPER BEFORE WE START NEXT SEASON LOOKING AT A DERBY WITH THE SADDLERS WHILST SANDWELL TOWN FIGURE OUT THEIR FLIGHT PLANS TO BARCELONA 🙁
I agree 100 %. Utter Utter Despair in this house.
Wished I hadn’t bothered getting my late prediction in now..
I was feeling positive after last week…
Now I feel totally depressed again.
Pathetic…..
No win in 7 in the Championship.
Relegation Form
Get it Sorted someone.. Quickly
Well, that’s me pissed off…anyone else?
Yes me too mate. I think I’ve been a little bit too soft over the past 9-10 months. I’m afraid Sutton Wolf may have hit the nail right on the head with M + M and the Baggies taunt is like a poke in the eye. As ever UTW !!!!
I think that by now Stale should have come some way to sorting out the problems of last season. However, he seems as blind as MM in recognising our defensive inadequacies. This should have been his priority because we continue to make silly, costly mistakes.
We are sliding towards the wrong end of the table and need to take the bull by the horns to pull away from this complete and embarrassing mess.
Ward staying for life. Berra in contract talks.
Are we that stupid. Get rid and the other tubes.
Morgan back your Manager. Moxey do one.
Morgan and Moxey forced pay cuts on the team. People have to feel good bout heir employers. Would you .
just got back from the match….what can i say? poor refereeing , average performance , average tactics , great pre match entertainment in the wetherspoons pub by the wolves fans who as always behaved but sang muchly!! great fans behind their team inside the ground !! these were the two things that made today bearable…..long season ahead and cant see it getting much better wtid
When will some of the ” war chest ” actually be spent ??
I wonder if secretly Ståle is being tested to see if he can progress the club on a budget first of all and then if he can’t then maybe just maybe some funds will be made available to him. On the other hand maybe HE knows exactly who and what type of player HE wants and HE is holding out until HE gets HIS way. Maybe HE’s been told that there will be funds available in Jan and how much, so he is just biding his time, making the most of it.
Oh, this is too complicated, what happened to the old days when managers managed, bought and sold players and most of us were happy with the outcome ?
How can we slide disastrously out of the PL and continue to do so in the CH even after putting a new management team in place AND spending £8-9m AND recouping over £25m plus parachute cash AND developing the ground capacity AND receiving regular positive comments about our academy ?
There appears to be a different agenda here within the club and it looks rather ominous for our immediate future or maybe I’m just worrying unduly or just being paranoid ?
I wonder what is actually behind this indecision, procrastination and lack of planning for the team rather than the infrastructure of the club ?
The play-offs are within our grasp but so too is the relegation zone. I wonder what other teams, supporters think of our shambolic collapse over the past year ?
As ever UTW !!!