If recent history has taught us anything, it’s that Albion have developed a rather unpleasant knack of coming out on top.
Take last season.
Four points from six against our near-neighbours would suggest the Black Country belonged to Wolves, but dig deeper and you might well come to an altogether different conclusion.
For starters, the point at the Hawthorns, whether we like it or not, felt like a defeat.
That late Carlos Vela goal also provided the shot in the arm the Baggies needed to embark on an impressive run of form, which saw them comfortably sidestep the relegation drama.
Of course we deservedly overcame Roy’s boys later in the season; a result that proved decisive in preserving our own Premier League status.
But somehow even that crucial victory felt like winning a battle rather than a war.
The same could be said for this game.
Sure, a win on their patch would go a long way towards exorcising the demons of the last decade, but it’s only one battle.
Sitting above them after 38 matches would win us a war.
As luck would have it, we actually go into this match 2 points and 3 places above over dear rivals, but a home win would obviously overturn that in an instant.
Omen? I hope not.
Both teams are struggling, but perhaps in different ways.
Albion have yet to really fire, while Wolves have misfired after a shotgun start. This game will either be a major a tonic for someone or another great anti-climax. I’m predicting the latter but more on that later.
The Team
After all the Karl Henry kerfuffle of two weeks ago, Mick’s team selection will be interesting for this one. Personally, I’d be looking for him to go 451, drop Doyle to the bench and bring in another midfielder, preferably Guedioura or Milijas.
I don’t think he’ll do that though, I think he’ll stick with the same starting eleven that lost to Newcastle.
You’d expect Hammill and Guedioura to both be pushing hard for starts, whilst the bench will likely be bolstered by the fit-again duo of Ronald Zubar and SEB.
Prediction League
8 people correctly predicted defeat against Newcastle and half got the score too, so 3 points and a pat on the back go to ben, Exeter Wolf, Putney Wolf and Michigan Wolf.
I think this one will be a draw.
Both sides need the win but neither will want to contemplate losing. I can see that having an effect on the play.
I’ll go for 2-2.
If you’re going to this one, have a great time, stay out of trouble and get right behind the lads.
Up The Wolves.
I really fancy us for this one so I’ll put my neck out and predict 1-3 Wolves
We will NEVER win anything with Mick McCarthy…reason basic really…he doesnt know what a top player looks like. Karl Henry would NOT get in ANY other Prem Team-fact.
Elokobi and Stearman and infact Berra are also NOT good enough. Time he went-or the club will !
I am 45 and have seen us in the 4th div playing against Northapton! Ive see it all….he is not good enough and MUST go!!!!!
WBA 2-0 Wolves, and by Christ I hope I’m wrong.
I think a win it will end 1-1.
are we gonna win 1-1 or are they?
Both will win… Duh!
3-1 Wolves – we need a turn around.
After the Newcastle game I was spitting feathers at yet another Heroic Failure. No matter how hard we pushed in the second half, we should NEVER go in 2 down at half time.
I’ve calmed down a bit since then (had long enough to think about it…!) and in the context of our performances against Liverpool (second half) and Spurs (first 70 mins) we’re actually due a win. Apparently the lads have been working hard on keeping their defensive shape in training (hopefully they’ve not only just thought of this…) and I’m confident that if we can get to half time with a clean sheet that we can win this one – especially if we can get a goal and shut the boggies up nice and early!
I’m going to say 1-2 to the Wolves, and I’m NOT going to talk about the team selection – otherwise I’d still be typing at tea time!
Not so confident.
By the way, I notice the E & S site isn’t letting anyone place comments against their articles…in cahoots with the 3 M’s I reckon!
We may get a point because Mick will probably play a team of defenders
Another defeat i’m afraid. Johnson plays total crap and then blames the fans for not cheering enough. 2-0.
I’m a 2-0 to WBA too, I’m afraid.
Not because of the team but our rather brainless manager who, as you say Thomas, will stick to a losing formula.
Hodgson is no fool compared to MM and hence we will be outwitted.
For me it is tragic that the manager’s pompous arrogance, has become more important than Wolverhampton Wanderers.
May I gladly eat humble pie on Saturday night after a victory but after the last four performances, I’d be a fool to think we can win.
“Hodgson is no fool compared to MM and hence we will be outwitted.”
McCarthy Vs Hodgson last 5 meetings:
Wolves 3 Albion 1
Albion 1 Wolves 1
Liverpool 0 Wolves 1
Fulham 0 Wolves 0
Wolves 2 Fulham 1
3 wins, 2 draws, 0 defeats.
Of course we might well lose and Roy might well get one over on Mick, but I don’t think it’s as simple as Hodgson = genius, Mick = idiot, hence we lose.
Besides, he’s forced into a change now with Fletcher out 🙂
Let’s see tomorrow evening!
I hope statistics bear you out, on the other hand one could deduce that Hodgson is due a victory!
Sunday evening you mean.
Yes, Hodgson probably is due a win, which is worrying.
Then again, we’re due a win at the Hawthorns.
Then again, we took 4 points off them last season so maybe they’re due a win?
Then again…probably best not to think about it all.
Sunday evening of course Thomas, though I had it in my mind for this Saturday!
Another night to wonder on the possibilities.
Tinkle up the scale of what might be?
Even dreamt we trounced them 3-0, Milijas and Hammill scoring…
Right first time!
2-0 to them and all the statistics mean nothing.
Get out MM, do the honourable thing, fall on your sword.
I’ll be that fool. 1-3 wolves victory! All by Guedioura
1 – 0 loss.
We don’t score goals, we’re poor in defence…what more is there to say?
I hope I’m wrong though!
1 all. obviously.
Oh. Fletcher is injured apparently. 1-1 draw I think seen as he’s not playing.
Not good, we need a third proper striker to cover for SEB – assuming I class Doyle as one.
Where’s that news come from? Haven’t seen it anywhere yet.
Ah, just seen it:
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2011/10/14/wolves-dealt-steven-fletcher-blow/
Rats!
Could be a blessing in disguise though as 451 is the way to go for me Sunday.
Yes, I’d of course have preferred Fletcher to be that lone striker, but the system change could be a good thing.
In any other team I’d agree. But we know from experience that Doyle doesn’t cut it as a lone striker. If SEB was fit I would be happy, but he’s not, and Vokes is simply not good enough either.
We DO need to play a 4-5-1 now, and really Jarvis and Hunt must play, almost as makeshift strikers. I can see Henry starting and one of either Guedioura or Hammill, with O’Hara being on as a makeshift striker.
I’d like to see Milijas get a start though, as we know he can put them away on occasion. I just fail to see the scoring potential in a side without Fletcher.
Fletcher injured! Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! I agree.
Depends on the team selection, which will probably see McGoo and his most stubborn and bring the best out of the stripey lot – 1-0 Tesco and one step closer to a new manager…..
Where do you see that Fletcher is doubtful? I don’t think he is.
I think we will win it. Gut feeling and nothing else.
Tesco 1 Wolves 2
UTW
Express and Star article as of 14:46
See it now. That is indeed a major blow.
I’ll stick to my prediction though.
UTW.
Can see this fizzing out as a 0-0. I really cannot see either team leaving themselves open to attack.
Am i the only one thinking if we win any match at the moment its despite Mick, not because of him?
Definitely not – I just cannot believe he has played the SAME team game after game despite losing every time.
So we had a couple of good results at the start of the season. Great, I loved those games! But since then we’ve been pretty poor tbh – surely, given that we’ve been losing anyway it couldn’t hurt to at least give one of the other lads a half or two. Especially Milijas who has arguably the most quality in the team which is what we’re lacking. No wonder he wants out and I don’t blame him.
Certainly not! I agree with you 100%.
So does that mean that if we survive again this season, it’ll be despite Mick as well?
Yes it does – 3 seasons in and no better
Tell you what, if we’re still wallowing around the relegation area after five games then I’ll take you up on that… It’s still early and it’s still tight scores below Aston Villa so I’m not doomsaying
Fletcher being out is a major blow to my initial optimism. but I’ll stay positive and go for a 2-1 wolves win. Doyle to prove a few a people wrong and get a very scruffy brace!
2-1 WBA, I’ve been wrong basically every time.
Wolves win! 3-2. Why not?!
I feel one team is going to win heavily… and it could go either way… I guess it’s best to go for a draw then. 2-2.
I’ve sat on the fence too long…2-1 to the Wolves. I reckon we can stick it right up The Baggies…as an actress said to a bishop (or as Big Mick can say to Roy come the final whistle on Sunday).
Just got the text to say Fletcher was out, so thats us not scoring then. After 4 defeats which confirm MM`s team is simply not good enough to play 442, and without our best goalscorer, it must be a 451, and a 0-0 draw. At least a point would stop the rot, and numbers in midfield should protect our back four.
Unless McIdiot moves Ward up front, which is just a joke frankly, and we do play 442, then I`m afraid it will be five defeats on the trot. Followed by good shift, played well second half, usual bollucks. Thank goodness i`m working so I don`t have to sit by my laptop.
2-1 Wolves… though I think it might be a draw, I’m just thinking ‘to hell with it’ right now!
Worried that it could even be a loss with Fletcher out – he’s our best striker so far!
Well, now that WBA are in the relegation zone, they’ll be even more determined to beat us…
I’m sticking with my prediction but it will be much more likely to be a draw or *gulp* loss
Wolves to win 2-0.
We’re due a win and a clean sheet. Not that that means anything really. I’m just hoping for the best.
Hopefully we’ll go 4-5-1 with either Millijas or Guedioura starting. Would also like to see Hammill given a good 20 odd minutes if either Jarvis or Hunt tire in the 2nd half. I’d like to see us go for it at least, rather than just sit back and try to defend out a bore draw. (not that I’d be unhappy with a draw – as long as they don’t equalise at the end like last season!)
2-1 to Wolves. Sylvan to come off the bench to score the winner!
0:0 bore draw (a point will do given our recent form!)
Baggies 2-4 Wolves. Ward to go one step better than last time and score that wondergoal!
Bad news fletch is out,that gives advantage baggies.i hope i’m wrong but
a lot of the blame still rests with McIdiot if we lose because when we sold
the Hoff he never thought about back up striker.but he may prove me wrong
and we beat the shite on sunday i’ll be happy for a while..going for a 1-1
though,hope for the best.
3-3
My full thoughts here:
http://wp.me/p1GD0W-3t
Am I the only one who sees Mick picking Edwards to fill in for Fletch (unfortunately)?
Nope, this is the likely choice by Mick even though Guedioura is class.
If Guedioura starts on Sunday it is a surprise!
Alb*on 1 Wolves 2
Godspeed.
West Brom 1 – Wolves 1 (Doyle)
With Fletcher injured I can see us sitting back early on (see Hunt’s e&s comments) and trying to hit them on the break. We shouldn’t forget that this is only Albion and we should take the game to them four defeats on the bounce or not.
I have to predict a win. WBA 0-2 Wolves
1-1 draw – but would not be surprised by ANY result (good or bad).
We have to win.
It is only the shit.
It could not be a better fixture given our current predicament.
We win, up the table, then beat the welsh sheep shaggers and off we go.
We lose, and were well and truly fucked.
If Mc Dickwadheadidiot plays the same starting 11 from 2 weeks ago, he needs stuffing with the rough end of a pineapple.
He HAS to pick a different team, giving Hammill, Adelene ( I cant spell his surname) Zoobs and Milijas a start and getting rid of Berra, Henry and one other in the middle, and putting Stearman in the center alongside Johnson.
If not, then he should be hauled before the trades description people for false impersonation of a football manager.
My prediction is:
Desperately want to win, at any cost, but fear the worst coz McShitforbrains is a stubborn prick, therefore I fear a loss of epic and far reaching propoertions.
FOMM
My gut feeling is to agree with you Clive
I’m hoping for a 2-1 win.
Will be interesting to see what formation Mick goes with.
OUr track record at The Hawthorns suggests we’ll be lucky to get a point out of this one. But to use an old cliche, records are there to be broken. Let’s just hope McCarthy goes with a 4-5-1 instead of the more gung-ho 4-4-2 that has served us so well in the past four games.
If we lose then the pressure on Mick increases ever more. A win and the Molineux masses will be content for a week at least. I’ll go for a much-improved performance akin to what we saw at the start of the season. 2-1 Wolves.
Can’t see Wolves scoring more than a goal in Fletcher’s absence. But then again it could mean 1-0 win,so I’m hoping for that.
0 – 1 win for wolves. Hope he gives Hamill a run out, he deserves it. With Fletcher injured it will probably be 4 -5 -1 but who will he put at right back, hopefully Zubar for me. I would like to see Milijas get on the pitch as well but will Mick allow a flair player on the pitch – i doubt it.
So utterly demoralised. How any manager can rely on 3 strikers all of whom have had a fair bit of injury time in the last 3 seasons is beyond me.
As I feared and predicted Fletcher (who is becoming injury prone) is out again and this changes everything for the game. In reality Doyle is unlikely to score anymore than 1 goal at best so this means we need an agressive midfield but will we get it??
So it is very hard to predict the score as I would plump for a narrow win with Guedi, Milijas and Hammil in but without these a thumping loss is more likely. Knowing Mc Stubborn they will get some sub time only so I am going for a regretable narrow loss of 2-1
Just been on the sanitized site, and that twat has reached a new low of idiocy.
His comment is
“It’s Karl and 10 others who will play on Sunday”
The man has lost any fuckin’ remaining marbles he ever had.
What a complete and utter prick.
I give up any hope of getting anything from the match on Sunday, and if Morgan doesn’t come to his senses soon, we will be relegated by Christmas.
FOMM
Ah good. Glad to see Mick recognises when a player is shit, so he can make him the first name on the team sheet…
I don’t think McCarthy’s position on this was helpful.
Wasn’t he looking to sell Henry through the summer? Couldn’t sign a replacement, so Karl remains.
Four defeats on the bounce isn’t acceptable, especially when three are at home and in three of the games they were over by half-time.
Hypocritical?
I guarantee we will not be relegated by christmas…
The shit 1 : Wolves 1
Close game. Another heartbreaking last minute equaliser for them
I really thought we’d get the win…until I heard Fletcher’s out. Without him I can’t see us scoring, and I don’t think our defence is good enough to keep a cleansheet. Logic follows we will lose, but, as a Wolves fan, I simply cannot make that prediction…
1-1 (fingers crossed!)
I have just read this:
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2011/10/15/karl-henry-is-my-first-pick-insists-mick-mccarthy/
Mick’s attitude to the fans hardly inspires confidence.
Let’s hope Henry plays better than he has done tomorrow for we know he will be the fulcrum of the team…
After the Newcastle game, now’s a good a chance as any for him to prove himself… though if we lose (or draw), you know he’ll get the blame! (besides MM of course)
Actually, so far Henry and MM have deserved the blame.
If they upped their game as say Ward had, no one would be on their backs anymore.
No player should be undroppable. They’ll get too comfortable. A manager should say you have to earn the shirt in every single game. Mick doesn’t half arse kiss.
That’s the reason why we got De Vries, isn’t it? So that Hennessey had a challenger for the goalkeeper’s shirt?
That being said, I don’t think that Henry’s getting ‘too comfortable’ – he does put full effort into most of his matches, which is why Mick likes him so much, I guess
Needs to put full effort into his passing, so they don’t leave his team-mates short and ending up with the ball in the back of Hennessey’s net!
You can put in all the effort like.But if the plkayer is’nt good enough or is’nt
playing that well then he deserves to be dropped and give the sirt to some
other player thats what we have reserves for.not bench warmers. McIdiot
is a stubborn bastard who doesn’t give a shit about the fans..I REALLY hope
we win tomorrow but can’t see it if we play the same team that started
the newcastle match minus fletch.FOMMATA.
3-1 Wolves.
Loving it!
Wolves 2 Albion – Zero!
Where do you even start with this game. Form goes out the window (not that either of us have any). Who wants it more? Hopefully us! guna go a****n 0-2 WOLVES!! Hope 2 god im right!
We’re starting with Milijas and Hammill, according to BBC website. Or am I just hallucinating?!
Yup. And first attack for the shit and they score. One word about this team selection though: Better.
Yeah, we got ripped apart. we really need Foley to look after the RB channel. Stears is struggling here.
I just don’t ever think we’ll score. Or if we do, it will be more luck than judgment. Shane Long looks way more potent than Doyler, Jarvis couldn’t cross the road, and sad to say, so far Milijas looks rusty (and slow).
Im going 2-1 win for us.
Anyone got a stream?
FOWB.
Shock horror Milijas and Hammill play.
We win 2-0
Yeah nice try mate, if you’re not very good at English you should have pretended to be someone else. Fuck off to Birmingham
We just can’t get the ball in the net…
Henry shit, Berra shit, Johnson shit, stearman shit, jarvis shit, Doyle shit, mcarthy shit.
+1
Ward our MOM, by a country mile. Says it all.
Let’s not forget Milijas who did fuck all. Johnson, waste of time and money.
The irony of that Milijas comment when so many people were crying for him to be brought into the team…
But with Johnson – he should have scored with that header!
Oh, and the 11 corners that Wolves got but made nothing out of?
Milijas looked rusty and way off the pace. I felt sorry for him; the cauldron of a local derby was not the best way to play your first first-team football in ages.
Johnson is looking worse with every outing. We need a back four of Foley, Stearman, Craddock (i am not kidding) and Ward ASAP. We need Adlene to replace Henry and Hunt to replace the criminally overrated Jarvis. Oh, and we need Fletcher back fit and firing, too.
Cmon mate, I’m not saying you, but many fans wanted Milijas in for this game. I don’t think he can have any excuses, especially after going crying to the press. Hammill as well poor with his crossing, the greatest aspect of his game.
Yeah, I’m guilty. I wanted him in the side. However, I just thought he looked a total passenger today, and maybe he was not match fit. Having said that, I realise he’s not the most mobile of players at the best of times. Sadly, that could well be the last we see of him, I fear.
And, yes, Hammill was also a poor crosser today. We played two out-and-out wingers, and got nothing in return.
Not good enough. Toothless in attack and pedestrian in defence. Long is like Doyle 2 years ago but better. O’Hara is not living up to the hype. Ward is actually our best defender. We can keep the ball and pass it round their half but we never create clear cut chances. Very disheartened.
Will you please stop knocking our manager. Mick has worked a miracle at our club. He has produced a team where Ward, playing out of position at left back, is now our best player. Sheer genius!
This is a message for Roger Johnson. Your performance was disgraceful, disgusting, it stinks it stinks.
Johnson doesn’t become a bad player over night he looks like he’s had all his ability coached out of him time for a change on the side lines mm and clip board to go come on Clive where r u your getting more support by the minuet
Oh he’s definitely not turned to crap overnight. It’s taken us upwards of 4 weeks or so to get him to be this fucking useless …
This wasn’t so much a comment on his performance today, although it was pretty dire, as an angry reaction to his slagging off of Wolves fans after the Newcastle game when he used the self same words. Been at the club five minutes, made captain and then publicly attacks his own supporters.
Typical of McCarthy’s regime where the players and manager think themselves more important than the supporters.
Ward was great again today and has been so far this season, but that doesn’t mean anything if Mick fails to motivate the other 10 players before the game.
Something is seriously wrong at our club and I can’t understand why there doesn’t seem to be any pressure on Mick to turn this around. If this happened at any other club there’d be so much hype built up against the manager he’d have lost the rest of what’s left of his hair.
Hey mates! Don’t worry I am also a Wolves supporter due to Wolverhampton being my mums hometown and also I always see Wolves when I go to Wolvyhampton. The Arsenal comes from my dad.
Anyway I am sorry to all you Wolves fans. So much support as from what I can see yet the result on the pitch is poor. What is wrong. You guys got Doyle, Fletcher (who is a beast on FIFA 12), Roger Johnson, Blake. These guys are good so what is happening.
Is it the owner or manager? I think manager. Mick is good enough for lower league clubs but not for the Premier League. You know Martin O’Neal is available.
Why would Martin O’Neal join us where we won’t pay enough to attract the best talent on the pitch?
Look at Matt Mills for example, he even went to Leicester over us…why? They paid and we didn’t/couldn’t.
I love the wolves. Love them enough to be covered in Wolves tattoos, but I feel really down about proceedings this season.
Why would Martin O’Neal join a basket case?
I always hope we win, but every game now and pretty much most of last season felt like a surprise if we’d got a result – how many Prem quality players have we got in since promotion?
I feel like the first 2 games were a false dawn.
Look at teams like Stoke. They aren’t ‘bigger’ than us, but they’ve invested and are now a bastard to play for any team and are looking at Europe rather than 17th (and they aren’t a Man City, sugar-daddy club).
I hope I’m wrong, I hope we turn it around, but I think something is really rotten in the way the club is run, managed and the calibre of players that we have.
Let’s get back to basics Mick and grind out some results at least!
Oh well, Roger Johnson and co should be good in the Championship…
He has to go. Abysmal and embarrassing second half performance.
I see a couple of mormons have tried to take my handle in vein, but there speling sux, so hear is the reel me!!!
DEAD MEN WALKING.
When Ward is the best Wolves player on the pitch, then what depths have we sunk to?
Not a shot worthy of the name.
Not a sniff at a goal, except Doyle in the first half when it was easier to score.
Five hundred corners, and not a chance.
It is not when are we going to win again, nor when are we going to score again, but when are we going to look like we want to even try to shoot?
One goal in the last 6 games.
One point in the last 6 games.
If ANY of you on this blog try to put any kind of positive spin on that utterly pathetic, don’t give a shit performance today, then you seriously need your heads ewxamined.
We were a reasonable third division standard at best….and that was only until we kicked off, and then we regressed.
Once again, kick off, straight back to Hennesey. Why, does that muppet think it’s the only time he will get to handle the ball all match?
He’s guaranteed to pick it up at least twice a game from the back of the net.
Not one player worthy of the name today.
Not one of them looked bothered.
Not one of them worthy to wear the famous strip.
Berra, Premier League wrestler of the month award.
Words now fail me, I’m so pig sick. Not that we lost to the shit, but the inevitability that we would lose.
Fuck Off McCarthy, and take all of those vegetables with you, you are a fucking disgrace to the name Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Hennessy played well, Clive. Not many better keepers at Wolves in my time. As for the rest of it, well least said the better.
You are correct, he didn’t play badly. In fact he didn’t have an awful lot to do, but was let down by the 10 useless sacks of shit in front of him……..again.
Let’s put that other bloke in goal and play Hennessey up front….can’t do any worse than what we’ve got!!!
Same old same old wolves v baggies still can’t win in 15 years what a load
of shite we have,defence still crap,forwards still missing the net the whole team needs to have a good luck at them selves and morgan needs to get rid
of the manager if you can call him that.all the coaching staff needs to be sacked with McIdiot,and the fat bastard moxey.its got to happen now and not wait until fuckin christmas when it will be to late..Martin O’Neale or Mark
Hughes could be the answer.it needs freshing up quick or i fear relagation.its our third season in the prem,McIdiots had his chance he CAN’T TAKE US FURTHER.FOMM.and the rest of shit we have.
A lot of fans on here wanted Milijas in and the game seemed to pass him by. Then some fans say Mick was wrong ti throw him in in the derby, so he can’t win on that one. This is a guy who’s played in Belgrade derbies by the way so I wouldn’t worry too much about the poor soul. Delivery was awful from everyone. Countless chances wasted. Roger Johnson needs to sort it out sharpish. The only contribution he’s made so far is slagging off the fans and making promises in the build up to games. Need to keep your mouth shut and sort it out on the pitch mate. Berra also useless but I’ve come to expect that of him.