Convincing? Not so much. But pleasantly reassuring all the same.
Reassuring in the sense that after such an impressive victory against Newcastle last Saturday it was a relief to see the same eleven a) make it onto the pitch and b) follow up with another win against a good Championship outfit.
I thought Zenga might find it impossible not to tinker, but the Italian stuck to the script and was rewarded with a far more cohesive showing than we saw against Burton or Barnsley.
That said, Brentford weren’t really pulling up any trees themselves until they went 2-0 down and started turning the screw in search of a way back.
Wolves had grown into the game as a bitty first half progressed and it was great to see them shift up a gear after the break and take charge of proceedings.
Joao Teixeira looked the most likely route to goal throughout, so it was no surprise to see him latching onto Helder Costa’s pass before confidently turning inside and stabbing home.
His second was one of those free kicks that’s both a cross and a shot if bodies run across the ball. Some people call them lucky but if you put the ball in the right area with pace, you deserve that reward.
He might have had a penalty in the first half too, but despite being sat right in front of it, I still can’t decide whether he dived or was pushed. Either way, the twisting run that preceded it was mesmerising.
On days like this where he chips in with a few goals, it’s hard to believe there’s a more effective playmaker than the young Portuguese man knocking around in the second tier.
Physically, there’s still a major question mark of course and the same can probably be said of Costa and certainly of Cavaleiro. But all three suggested they might be finding their feet with telling contributions when it mattered today.
One person you can’t accuse of shirking a scrap is Jon Dadi Bodvarsson. He is our talisman and the linchpin around which the whole team functions. Without him, forget about it.
I break out in a cold sweat every time he hits the deck thinking our season is about to vanish in a puff of smoke. But up he pops, ready to batter his way through another challenge.
Brentford tried everything imaginable to stop him today but the big Icelander eventually won the day, busting through late on and teeing up Cavaleiro to hammer in the final nail.
Had we not scored that goal it wasn’t difficult to envisage more late heartbreak in front of the North Bank as the Bees buzzed around our penalty area and repeatedly occupied uncomfortable positions.
But Wolves did enough, just enough, to get it done.
And with this team developing and hopefully growing stronger with each passing week, that’s all we can ask.
Had a fantastic day great result, met Bedford Wolf and London Wolf in the North Bank Bar really nice to put faces to Bloggers. You can find me on a stool at the north bank bar most home games, see you their.
Nice to meet you too young man!
What a good advert for championship football and a classic example of keeping your head up in the face of the Brentford onslaught when chasing the game at 1 v 2.
The history books tho’ will show Wolves 3 – 1 Brentford.
Unfortunately the game was marred by the most inept referee ever witnessed on Molineux turf.
The missed push on Iorfa ….the missed penalty on Texeira … the missed assault and potential leg breaking tackle on Bodvarsson.
Utterly shameful that officials are allowed to continue to referee at this level.
Still a great result..a good win against a useful Brentford outfit and another 3 points on the board towards auto promo….
Bring on the Latics…
To coin a well used phrase at he moment I think we are definitely still a ‘work in progress’, but it was a good result today against a Brentford side that had been on a run. Texeira was the Man of he Match for me today – Brentford really didn’t seem to know what to do about him hence he two goals. Bodvarsson was excellent again I just hope he manages to get a few goals for himself as well as setting hem up for other people.
So work still to do for sure, but all the positive signs are there and I think with a few more games under our belt we could be a force to be reckoned with which is a feeling I haven’t had for a very long time.
Delighted by the result – agree with the Twixfix comments about the ineptitude of the ref.
So Walt maybe finding his 1st team regulars which we have all been awaiting.
But, my main point tonight is a real heads up for the imports – Jon Dadi, Tex, Costa, Saiss all showed class beyond what was available for Kenny last season.
Okay so I was a goal out. Fabulous result lads. Ya gid em sum ommer!
I agree about Bodvarsson, looks like a really solid player. I’m looking forward to Dicko returning – two big, strong bloke up front will hopefully give some real impetus to the team…
The team is shaping up nicely. It depends on how Zenga plans to execute his rotation plan though. Will he play different “teams”? If so one may speak of several teams or team relation to gel and not one. The victory against the Bees was a great one for sure, and we got, once again, a glimpse of some of the newcomers immense potential. I also like that he plays Iorfa in the middle together with Iorfa.
Repetition of ‘Iorfa’.
September 24, 2016 at 8:58 PM
“Iorfa in the middle together with Iorfa.”
September 25, 2016 at 9:09 AM
“Repetition of ‘Iorfa’.”
Hesitation!
It’s time for a Batth
Great recovery Karlir-Johanarnt
Deviation I would think.
Just got in from the game. So happy. Great result and performance I thought. Aside from the two full backs who I thought got pulled out of position too often everyone played well. Ikeme had little to do and probably should have done better with their top but dealt well with a succession of crosses. Batth and Iorfa looked strong and solid in the heart of the defence. The midfield three of Oniangue, Saiss and Edwards – yes even Edwards! – were excellent as our high pressing game constantly put Brentford under pressure. Saiss in particular was excellent I thought and could well be the player we have been missing. The front three also were very good. Costa was probably the least effective while Teixeira was in inspired form and Bodvarsson was again brilliant with his constant running, chasing and link up play.
First half we should have had a definite penalty after Teixeira danced and dazzled his way around three defenders before being brought down – virtually right of me and a definite penalty.
All three goals were good and Coady’s pass for Cavaleiro to score was sublime.
Scores:
Ikeme 6
Doherty 6
Batth 7
Iorfa 7
Borthwick-Jackson 6
Oniangue 7
Saiss 8
Edwards 7
Costa 7
Bodvarsson 8
Teixeira 8
For me MoTM was Bodvarsson just ahead of Saiss and Teixeira.
Great subs, great bench too and add to that Dicko, John, Silvio, Graham etc and wow what a side we have!
Good to meet up with London Wolves Loyal again and to meet Witley Wanderer too in the North Bank bar.
Going up, going up, going up!
Sorry got over excited – meant Bodvarssons’s pass for Cavaleiro ‘a goal.
I thought we had a good game, we held our shape, took the game to a team for a change, much more exciting to watch than last years fayre. But I do have to defend the team with a negative. Poor old CBJ was turned inside out all afternoon as he was on Tuesday against Newcastle in the cup, both goals came down his side on Tuesday, but he is also a work in progress.
Luckily the goal came from an inside move and not down his side, but most of the pressure we endured today was from the right side, they saw an obvious weakness and exploited it to their advantage. My biggest problem with it is, Danny Batth was his inside player and should have stamped it out and covered it better. A solution for the future is Silvio, the boy is class but more importantly he is experienced.
But as Twixfix say’s, ” history will show 3-1 to us”
We are by no means firing on all cylinders yet, but we currently sit 5 points off the top, with the bottom of the league team to play Tuesday so I’m a happy bunny.
COYW’s
yes, onward and up to Wigan next – the old Wolves would have struggled there, but I’m confident we’ll put them away no probs.
We are still improving, much more to come.
Stupendous performance from Bodvarsson closely followed by Texeira. I do worry about Borthwick-Jackson though as he can get caught napping and is often ponderous in possession. He gets exploited by attackers as he is clearly so one footed that he tries to tackle or intercept with his left even when the right is the one to use. He’s only young though and has plenty of time to learn but maybe it’s time to give Silvio a run. I just hope that Manchester disunited didn’t insist on a must play so many games stipulation in Borthwick-Jackson’s loan terms.
I know you are a Coady admirer Bedford but I’m not sure that the iceman is his double. It was Bodvarsson who angled the ball across to Caveleiro for the third goal.
Apology posted – I was tired and over excited when I wrote it.
Well , I seem to be the only one who thought that wolves played some great stuff in the first half , I thought Edwards , saiss and prince were brilliant as a middle 3 , rock solid !
Agree with you bedders about Batth and iorfa, fantastic together at center backs . With a solid spine like that it gives our flare players( tiexeira Costa ) to give us the edge to win these games .
Let’s give credit to Brentford , they are a very good side , the old wolves would have lost that game from two nil up . So well done all !
Great game , big players coming back … Dicko , graham , happy days !, the big crowds will be back soon ….Moaning probably
Nice one today bedders and nice to meet you Whitley wanderer !
Massive win. Brentford only in it last 20 min.
It’s a well known fact on the blog, or it should be by now, that I am a big Dangerous Dave fan.
I’m so pleased for him that he’s being given the chance to meld with the new imports.
OK, if he runs out of legs before the end, we have good subs to bring on but he’s an important cog in the golden wheel.
Successive club and International managers have seen something in the lad, so he’s obviously got what it takes.
A great result and a sound performance by the team today with some notable standouts who have already been mentioned.
I am a trifle worried about the way CBJ can get turned and his concentration is a bit suspect but he’s just a slip of a boy so can only improve with the influence of a decent coach.
Is Jon Dadi THE daddy? I think he probably is.
Norwich next week, I’ll be there.
Can’t wait.
Sophie – sorry it still comes out as Sophie when I type Doogie – let us know where you’ll be pre-match and maybe me and BOG can meet up with you for a quick snifter? As I’ll be driving I’ll be on the diet Pepsi. Again!
You can call me Sophie if you like, although I see myself more of an ‘Angelina’ really.
Me and the PMDG’er will be camping out on the Twixfixes’ new patio for the night so will probably come to the match in the Twixfixmobile.
I’ll have a word and see what his plans are, but the idea seems a sound one to me.
Be careful what you wish for Sophie…
Sounds good to meet up ….parking up nearby is usually the problem… Maybe the APV ?
We’ll go with the flow….
Is there parking near APV? We normally park in Birch Street car park and walk down. Think we will probably arrive around 330pm.
We could probably park on the APV car park …have a couple of sherbets or other and then go onto the game….
I’m pretty sure they won’t complain if we having a drink etc….
Let me know Dave ….I will ring you in the week ….. 3:30 seems a decent time too….
Sounds like a fantastic win against an in-form side, one of our bogey teams in fact, who anticipated beating us. You can usually tell they are confidant, as the fans come on this site bragging!
I’m a bit puzzled by your take on things Thomas. Will our season really vanish in a puff of smoke if Jon Dadi gets injured? You may be suffering from the post-traumatic stress of the memory of Dicko’s injury two years ago. Then, after a great return to the Championship, we had a disastrous run that November without Dicko. In my view it’s all different this time round. We have strength in depth, and we have Dicko himself on the way back.
Well done the lads!
Another excellent performance.
The dour, disillusion of spring, with M & M and KJ, has been transformed into an autumnal glory, thanks to Fosun, Mendez, Jeff Shi and Walter Zenga.
Its almost alchemical and certainly that Saiss is a wizard, who waves a magic, midfield, wand.
If we beat Wigan and Norwich I wonder how close to the top we will be?
Are you sure you’re a Wolves blogger? You use words like ‘alchemical’.
What’s wrong with that Bedford?
I mean you do understand English?
Well, I’m not sure that Walter is turning lead into gold so much as buying bullion by the sackfull. But Robin, you could do with turning – or at least tuning-in – to Bedford’s sense of humour. Then again, since you’re moaning, I guess you must be a Wolves fan. 😉 I’m old enough to remember, “Wagstaff; give im the ball!” followed by, “Oh Bloodyell Waggy, I could have done better than that!” Yep moaning; it’s the Wolves way.
Sum ov us just ay used ter big werds Robin.
But your comments are always pertinent and, for a balanced view, we’ve become almost reliant on them (see what I did there).
Robin – indubitably for I myself am quintessentially English. I am wholeheartedly behind the current transmutation of our beloved Club as it seeks out the illusive panacea.
Who’s had a thesaurus for breakfast, then?
Thought that was some kind of McCarthy…………………a dinosaw.
No worries Bedford, you caught me manifested as LGPorter describes.
Nothing wrong with a little esotericism though, specially with our Feng Shui owners….
They say in Gwynedd that Betrand Russell secretly followed Wolves but its legend, bit like alchemy.
All points to my bet on us for automatic promotion coming to fruition courtesy of planetary alignment…
One can but dream.
Great result! Well done the Wolves
🙂
(see I do have bloggers block!!)
Couldn’t make it to the game today so thanks for the review and opinions. What I’ve seen of teixeira so far this season I’ve really liked, to the point it’s difficult to leave him out. Jon dadi has clearly settled well and sounds like he’s enjoying his football. As I said in the preview if we’re going to achieve anything this season we need to be beating teams like brentford at home and fair play to wolves we’ve done just that. Next up, a trip to Wigan and another opportunity to get 3 more points on the board! Well done for today
That weren’t half bad. Portuguese wonder Terry Shearer, as the Wolves announcer calls him, was sublime at times.
The first half dribble that was a 50:50 penalty, his goal completing a wonderful Costa run you just had to sit back & enjoy. Wow!
Brentford a tough bloody nut to crack & we did it. Agree that there’s a way to go yet but the signs are definitely positive.
Whoever got Jon Dadi here deserves a knighthood. His skill level in winning the free kick Terry Shearer scored from was awesome. His bullet determination & bravery getting the pass on for Cavaleiro’s goal true grit.
Wolves have a true hero leading the line. Flair aplenty in reserve. It’s looking good.
Agree also about the referee, but would also mention the linesman. Costa got beyond the Brentford defender with a quick & clever turn the defender was blocking him off with his elbow right in front of the guy with the flag, nothing given.
Several times the ref gave the advantage to the negative tactic of stopping, rather than the skill of creating. Jon Dadi kicked all afternoon.
Bubble still up there, no burst on the horizon I hope. Tough games all but next Saturday v Norwich & Moxey a potential season marker.
Any stuffed bees on the blog today ?
Funny that
Bees buzzed off home with their sting between their legs bless ’em.
Great result !
Dadi and Dicko the double D’s to look forward to, even got the score right so well pleased COYW
Ok …. What does alchemical mean
I thought he was killed by the American s
I think it’s something you snort up your nose.
Unless you are Stevey nicks and you can afford someone to blow ir up your bum
Isn’t he one of The Chemical Brothers?
Saiss was in the chemical brothers ?
Al Chemical. See what I did there?
Come on its basic science – remember the litmus paper test from school? You dip the litmus paper in the solution and if it turns red it’s acidic and if it turns blue it’s alchemical. I was rubbish at science by the way -physics, chemistry and biology were always a mystery to me. Life is sweet when you are out of control (2 Chemical Brothers references for you there).
Well done boys
3 more points at Wigan please
Wenga boys roll.on!!!!!!
Although I agree about the ref, he was,to be fair, poor for both sides. They could have had two penalties particularly when Doherty did a passable impression of Ikeme when it was 2-1.
Think that’s the first time I have got correct score prediction. That sends me and the Wolves soaring up the league. Our international investments are starting to find their feet and with a look at who we have to come back, it’s looking good. Have to say another solid performance by Batth happily he’s turning in performances like we know he can.
No more Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes, Costa moving like a tiger on Vaseline, Teixeira swaying and dancing under the serious floodlights, Batth, Doherty, Iorfa, Borthwick- Jackson look at those cavemen go, Prince, Edwards,Saiss Oh you pretty things, Ikeme knows which way to go and Bodvarsson…. he’s a Starman, feeling Hunky Dory Thanks Walter
Who is The Laughing Gnome?
There’s a Stear man, waiting on the bench, he’d like to come play for us but I think he’d blow our minds.
Danny Velinski your post is a clear, allegorical, definition of the word alchemy.
Thank you very much.
Definitely, Decidedly, Definitively, Decisively, Deciduously as Leonard Sachs would say
Well I said in the prediction thread I’d drop Teixeira so that shows how much I know about football!
Thought that was a good solid team display with a few stand out performances – Batth, Bodvarsson and of course Teixeira in particular. It was actually a good game as Brentford played well and it was equally matched for large parts with them on top for a good spell in the second half but we worked hard when not in possession and showed some good quality when pushing forwards. Agree that the referee was poor but he did let us off as well – clear penalty for Doherty’s handball.
I suspect this might be WZ’s Saturday team and I think there might be 3/4/5 changes on Tuesday to keep this team fresh for a tough game against Norwich next weekend.
Nine games gone and we’re nicely placed in the table and have you noticed that six of our games so far have been against teams in the top ten so that’s a really respectable start.
The opposition clearly saw a weakness in our left back, as they consistently hit long angled passes in his direction, maybe his inexperience and youthfulness will be targeted by other teams. Reminds me of teams targeting a certain Mr Ward all those seasons ago.
Really enjoyed the first half, an excellent game of football against very well drilled opposition, although at every free kick they would argue the toss with the ref, and stand in front of the ball to prevent a quick restart, and for that alone they deserved to lose.
The short break in the north east and the bonding from that certainly seem to be paying off. Some of the footy in the second half was exceptional, despite the officials, and in the end we fully deserved the three points. Really enjoyed the drive home up the A38 after the game yesterday, only spoilt by the baggies late equaliser, still you can`t have everything! I`m even pretty sure I predicted the score correctly, – things are looking up.
View from Box 17 – Billy Quiet.
A nice change yesterday – a kind invitation into the hospitality area with tasty refreshments, good company and right in line for all Wolves’s goal. Does it get any better?
(Thanks to Glenn and Brian).
The match reports have all been written and read so nowt to add really – I made Teixeira man of the match, partly because I just love at tricky close quarter skills and partly because he took his first goal with sublime ease and partly because he was a thorn in their side until substituted to a standing ovation. Closely followed by Bodvarsson but everyone contributed to what was a fine victory against a useful and in-form Brentford outfit who made us sweat buckets for 10 or 15 minutes after their goal.
Dave Edwards must have trod on every single blade of grass as he chased and harried and worked his socks off. Impressed with Saiss and what a moment for our record signing to come on and finish the game off after a lightning break – Coady to Bod – Bod to Cavaleiro and BANG get in you beauty. Cue dancing on the balcony in box 17.
Now the gripe – where the hell do the EFL authorities get these officials from?
The referee was the worst at The Mol since Clive Walker sent off Derek Dougan v Everton in October 1969. He only called the linesman a c**t. This caused pandemonium in the North Bank as those who were there will bear witness. If he had called him a useless f*****g c**t I could have understood it…
Now the linesman in front of us. If that wasn’t a straight red when Bodvarsson was a victim of a leg breaking OTT tackle then my dicks an over ripe banana. Right in front of the clueless jerk running the line in front of us. He should have immediately told the referee who maybe did not see it clearly. Just a couple of decisions both goons either did not make or got totally wrong.
I note an another blog Doherty clearly handled – too far away for us to make a judgment (sorry to sound remarkably like Arsene Wenger) – but if that was the case it just adds fuel to the fire.
Now I don’t doubt officiating at football matches is a thankless task and most of us will surely understand the odd error as they are human after all but for Gods sake – get the big decisions right because that’s what you are paid to do.
Anyway onwards and upwards with Walter pulling the strings – don’t you just love his boundless enthusiasm!!
Three points on Tuesday at Wigan will surely set us up for next Saturday tea time…
Have a great week Bloggers whatever you are doing and keep smiling because we are going places. Slightly changing the title of that Esther Phillips soul classic “what a difference a new season makes”. Compared to the dross and wearisome football last time out this term is a revelation!!
BOG
Well said BOG.
Referees do have a thankless task and fans can have a slanted view on on field occurrences but when things are so obvious it makes you wonder which game they’re refereeing.
I remember the Doog sending off as well. I don’t know who was more surprised, him or every Wolves supporter in the ground.
When you think what every other player on the pitch had called the ref it seemed just a tad over zealous.
I think it was more the way the Doog ran up to the linesman as if he was going to tear his bollocks off that did it.
Great days Eh?
Great days indeed Doog.
I was a mere 16 in the middle of the North Bank. In those days the thoughts of getting crushed never really entered our heads!!
We just swayed and sang and swayed and sang – just magical memories.
It took about 30 seconds for the heaving North Bank (41.000 inside the ground) to realise our beloved centre forward was heading for an early bath. Then WHAM the coins and surges started.
Tremendous game as we lost 3 -2 to a wonderful Everton team.
Must compare notes and memories some day because I am a total, very sad Wolves anorak as Bedford Wolf will no doubt agree as I bend his ear on our home and away travels to support our beloved Wolves.
BOG.
I was at that game too and recall how stunned everyone was when we realised that the Doog was being sent off. If I remember rightly, Doog was already serving a suspended sentence and this sending off led him to be banned for 6 (or was it 8?) weeks. Ridiculous.
I hated Clive Walker thereafter.
It was an 8 weeks ban. Ludicrous punishment out of all proportion to the alleged crime(s). Remember it vividly and how he missed the FA Cup 3rd round tie – one of the most important games of the season back then – away to Burnley where we lost 0-3. Think Steve Kindon got two of their goals. I was heartbroken. I watched the sending off at home to Everton on Match of The Day.
Sorry forgot the photo – an iconic photograph of Molineux 60 years ago – a 1956/57 league fixture v Everton maybe?
56,000 or so inside the stadium.
The good times – they are a coming back guys
BOG
I think the game belonged to ice man what a big strong sod he is..besides being kicked to bits he took a bang to the head and still passed the ball to Cavalierio to seal the match..
In fact the way he is playing the whole season could belong to him..
What a lynch pin..
If Dicko comes back to form then God help defense’s..
The commentary did imply a nervy game.. Texeira,if teams allow him to play is one class act ..K Mac eat your heart out.. on the pitch and when your off it..lol
We still run the back with a bit of a wing and a prayer I thought Ikeme should of got to their goal …I agree with Stu that as flamboyant as CBJ is he can get skinned and puts the pressure on DB..
But the Mendes club does uphold his reputation and his intro players are starting to bed in and do the Biz..
Overall, a really good result against a terrible ref and decisions, the Zenga show is gaining pace and I feel we surely must take 3 points at Wigan..
The Newcastle result was exceptional but the Norwich game will be the conclusive one.. what a fixture coming up that is.
Put all this together with the Jeff Shi interview and I’m continuing to believe it’s all going to happen..
I’ll say it yet again if we had a really class man nxt to DB then we would be the real deal..Iorfa is still learning as is a lot of the players ..I don’t think we are quite good enough yet but the nicest thing to me is that Zenga is doing the obvious ..he is starting to play his strongest team,doesn’t make stupid decisions has developed a great team atmosphere and relates directly to the fans who he needs…
He knows what he and his players have to do ..you never know the media might even take us seriously too ..Wolves have been out of the limelight for too long for them to take notice yet but I trust that things are about to change..
But points make prizes ..we have to keep going for that top six..
And stay there..
COYW
Bugger the top six make that the top two! In fact bugger the top two as well, make that Champions. Again.
Yo Bedford
As you are one of the say it how it is here..do you really think we are good enough to do the top two?
I’m terrified of conceding as everyone knows.(.if )we are good enough what the hell do we do in the Prem ? Replace and rebuild yet again..?
and how much do we spend..?
It’s not an easy Q to answer..
Steve – I am very confident that we will be promoted, automatically, this season.
Now that we beginning to see the quality of the new signings – Saiss, Oniangue, Costa, Bodvarsson, Teixeira and Cavaleiro especially but also promising signs from Silvio, Borthwick-Jackson and John – married with some of the existing players like Ikeme, Batth, Iorfa, Coady and Edwards – I feel convinced. Add to that the imminent return of Dicko and before long Jordan Graham and we have a very, very good squad. Crucially at this level we now have players with pace and quality. Look at the way Teixeira took his first goal or the way Cavaleiro tucked away the third. No disrespect to anyone but James Henry or Adam Le Fondre would probably have missed. We also have players with the skill to take on and dribble past defenders which we haven’t had for a while.
I don’t think the squad is complete yet though. Defensively we are ok but not top drawer. We have good defenders like Batth, Iorfa, Doherty, Hause etc but am not sure they are all necessarily going to feature post-Christmas. I can see us signing a top quality centre back in January. Maybe more.
The other reason for my confidence is Fosun and in particular that statement by Jeff Shi last week when he spoke of taking the Club to the tip of English football. Not just promoted you notice but to the top. Compare that to Moxey’s assertion only about 7 months ago when he basically said we should be grateful to have a team at all and being a middle of the road second tier wasnt too bad and that was what we were.
We are starting to look good and come Christmas I expect us to be top 6 and then strengthen in January and win the title.
Beyond that? Like Mr Shi said – to the top. So promotion won’t be about surviving and being happy to finish 17th like some clubs – Sandwell for example – but it will be just be the beginning. Promotion will likely bring about as big an influx of new players as we have seen this season. Many who get us there might not be there behind that. They will be replaced by even better players.
As the great Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill once said – (promotion) wont be the end, not even the beginning of the end but it will perhaps be the end of the beginning.
OODCL
Thanks for Romain Saiss. Romain Saiss he’s Romain Saiss he’s Romain. Thanks for Romain Saiss. Romain Saiss he’s Romain Saiss he’s Romain. Saiss I remember all my life. Saiss when you can’t see wrong from right.He’s Romain Saiss he’s Romain Saiss he’s Romain… To the tune of The Kinks. Ok. Well a win at Wigan will mean 9 from 9 and set us up nicely for the cabbage crunchers on Saturday and the return of the pie man. The strength of the Wolf is in the pack and the canaries will be devoured in the lair.
Super Walter Zenga,don’t know who’s put this team together,is it him or someone else,but its looking better than last term.forget about Hackett its what’s happening now that counts.don’t know why some wolves fans keep making comparisons between Hackett and Zenga.Hacketts the past and Zenga’s the now.
First of all a great game of football two good sides slugging it out.
I for one thought the ref spoilt the game he was a bit to bitty and really gave us nothing.
On a whole we played very well,minus a couple of small mistakes from jacko otherwise a well deserved 3 points.
At the moment the side looks balanced with the portugal player’s getting to grips with the rigours of championship football.
When Dicko’s fit I think we’el be a force to be reckoned with.hoping for another 3 points come Tuesday night.UTW.
Little by little, bit by bit, our squad seems to be getting their act together and with the quality within, results like this will follow as sure as night follows day.
For what it’s worth, I didn’t think Tex’s penalty incident was a valid pen, but many of the other calls the ref made were utter dross. Bodvarsson is too honest for the good of his health and it’s time players like him were given the ref’s protection rather than the divers and fakers.
Onward to Wigan and hopefully three more lovely, juicy points.
What can I say, everything from my last blog came to pass….and with a goal against in credit!
Fabulous!
All we need now is to put our collective boots on the necks of struggling Wigan before the same team takes out the carrot crunchers from East Anglia (I wonder how Jez is enjoying that diet!? lol)
No bogey teams when we play well, when we’re solid. Well done to the lads, I am certain that more shall follow.
UTW
Another nice Sunday, basking in the glow of yesterday’s excellent win.
Listening on Wolves Player, I was on tenterhooks when they had that spell in the second half but all smiles when Cavaleiro scored. Good to see him and Texeira scoring early doors as it should settle them both down. I did wince at those tackles on Jon Dadi but, fair play to him, each time he just got up and carried on. He was awesome in creating the last goal (and giving me my first prediction this season).
Can’t wait to see the lineup on Tuesday, but Wigan won’t be a rollover.
Far be it for me to piss on anyone’s chips, but there aint no guarantee that Dicko and Graham are going to be as fast, as good or even considered once they are fit for use.
Many, many times players have come back from long term injuries, only to be shadows of their former selves.
I hope to dog this aint the case, but we have to be prepared for the worst.
Talking of “world class potential defenders” did you see Cahill against Arsenal?
Utter crap. Hope they aint considering him!!
I walked around the house with my iphone glued to my hand, bum squeaking after they scored, but big sigh of relief at the end.
The Live Score app doesnt give commentary, so difficult to imagine how the games go.
For those bees fans who came on here bragging, I hope it was a long, depressing, road work filled, very late journey back to your hives.
I was also at that Doog sending off game.
Always despised that ref afterwards despite having the same first name.
Perhaps I should change my name to a girlie one like others on here, Sophie and Chalkie…………..Amanda sounds good.
Whatcha think, folks??
Prize for the most original.
FOwb
What about Gwendoline, Clive?
I too have some qualms as to how good Dicko and Graham will be when they do come. And then there’s Zyro further down the line.
Sorry, typo, “come back”.
I’ve always seen you as a Nancy.
Some good predictions last week, although the prize must go to our webmaster who not only predicted a win, but also predicted the correct team formation !!! I can’t see him doing the same for the Tuesday game though. I can see a number of players rested for the Saturday game against Norwich. Still we have very capable subs who should bring all the points home (hopefully). Ola John, Cav up front, Price and Coady with Saiss in the middle and bring in Silvio for CBJ at the back. So as many as five changes methinks.
WZ is a better man than I ,(not hard) and KJ.
With all due respect Kenny. No way texeira would have started after Tuesday in kenny’s team(or mine).
Walter keeps the faith.
Dear Mandy from Houston .. And other bloggers
Out here on the West Coast it’s ‘gender fluidity’ that’s all the rage nowadays so Clive is definitely leading edge
I’d just offer a more rose – tinted view which is if Dicko Graham and eventually Zyro return
..With the same pace and talents from before their ugly injuries then we truly begin to have a squad that can get up
And stay up
Now we need several wins on the bounce and the likes of Norwich and the Geordies will be getting nervous
But it starts at Wigan…?
Dean smith
Sour grapes
Fuck.off u twat
U got done by the better team!!
How Mr Smith can yammer on about Terry Shearer being theatrical I don’t know.
Most of the tackles, that GODvarrson (see what I did there) shrugged off and ignored, wouldn’t have looked out of place in Act III Scene I of Julius Caesar.
And the referee was totally unbiased. He was rubbish for both sides.
We took our chances, you didn’t.
Get over it!
A battling performance against a very physical Brentford but we stood up well especially Jon Dadi who took some heavy challenges.
It struck me though that there is a lot of expectation about Nouha’s return to fitness. It is good they are not rushing him back. My question is how will he fit into the side? Bodvarrson has been excellent and is not just good in the air but is skilful for a big lad. Dicko plays as an out and out centre forward chasing down lost causes. In the current formation you have got a 4-3-3 with Saiss ( who looks awesome) protecting the back 4. Both Dicko and Jon Dadi are number 9’s and would not be effective out wide which is probably also why Mason has struggled when playing there.
You would have to change the formation and play Bodvarrson behind Dicko which would be a 4-4-1-1. Not sure this will work with Roman playing deeper. We still need protection for our centre halves although Iorfa is showing promise and he looks better there than he did at right back.
Finally it is great watching skilful wingers with genuine pace and even better proving they know where the net is. RVLP finally blotted his copy at Huddersfield. Living in the area all the Town fans think he is great, little do they know! Our current crop are a big improvement.
A very good mate at school called Clive would sign his name with a very elaborate C. One prize giving the headmaster announced the winner to the whole school as OLIVE.
Oooh slut you sir!
Suit you sir. Should be.
I think “Slut you sir” is much more appropriate.
…That is, if it’s the Clive I think it is.
Yes, I have been referred to as Olive before, as well as Clyde, Clove,Cleeve and Cline.
I quite like Olive
Makes me feel kind of Popeyeish!
Look at them forearms!
I think Amanda Cape is DG
I think Bodvarsson is Dog.
Damn!
Unmasked at last.
You realise that I am going to have to kill you now Mr Bond.
Soooo happy with beating Brentford, they are a good team and that is a great result.
I was very impressed with Dadi especially that forearm smash he ignored to set up the third which
Caveleiro finished very calmly. It’s all looking very exciting well done Wolves and WZ .
The future’s bright the futures Onwards & Upwards. Next year in the Premiership this will be on the table again……
Why not the fourth side two tier?
Tightwad Jock!!!
Seeing your post Stu, brings me to a question. Is it only me who is surprised that our attendances are still hovering around the 20,000 mark? I would have thought that with all the hope and expectation in the air, the influx of excellent players and the recent wupping of Newcastle, our Brentford gate would have been several thousand higher than it was. Must be a little disappointing for Fosun, Walt and the team.
Spot on Wolfstroker. At the moment it is rather pointless the new owners thinking about a “new ” Molineux with a 40,000 plus capacity when we struggle to get 20,000.
The general consensus among the missing thousands was, as I understand, seemed to be “get rid of Moxey. Get rid of Morgan. Get rid of Jackett. Instill a fresh direction, new initiatives with new owners, management and players to bring some excitement. And then we will return”. (You could not really blame anyone from keeping their hard earned cash when those two M’s were creaming it in. Frankly no way was I going to renew my season ticket if we started the season with same as same as).
Well those prayers have been answered and then some but the attendances are no better than last season.
Maybe its the match day cost – maybe because Wolverhampton and the surrounding area has higher than the national average unemployment or a combination of a number of factors – I just don’t know but if so then this is a fair enough reason. Maybe Wolves fans who deserted the club in droves when we fell from grace 2011/12 season are still playing a “wait and see game”.
Yet paradoxically during the Premier seasons when by definition tickets were far more expensive the home areas at Molineux were virtually sold out for every home fixture. In addition we had two attendances around 30,000 in the third tier towards the end of the season. So come March/April next year when we are hurtling full pelt towards the Greed League maybe we will once again witness 30,000 or so.
Yet it has to be said other clubs in the Championship in similar post industrial areas and similar sized populations and with areas of deprivation such as Sheffield Wednesday (550,000population spilt with United), Newcastle United (OK population wise Newcastle and Gateshead conurbation is around 400,000) and Derby plus clubs in towns with relatively smaller populations and catchment areas with nowhere near our heritage such as Norwich and Brighton all have higher average attendances than Wolves. Ditto Huddersfield who at least match our 20,000 in a town with a population 146,000 – add on the whole of Kirklees and it is still only 216,000. This is way short of Wolverhampton with about 250,000 (city) and over 300,000 (catchment).
It is a conundrum but as you point out our new owners may be wondering where the missing thousands are. What other incentives can the club offer to attract better support?
Is the answer to reduce admission prices? – if so what do season ticket holders think of that? (Personally I could not give a monkeys if it means not having to gaze upon 10,000 empty seats every match). If the city and owner want the football club to be “big” again then we do need a groundswell of support to match the objective. Hopefully this support will be in evidence as momentum builds during the season.
Never mind once we reach the Holy Grail hopefully the fans will be back in droves and when we entertain Barcelona and Real and Bayern in the Champions League tickets will be like proverbial gold dust!
Plus- and most importantly – it has to be said our away support is second to none.
One final point – since I moved to Bedford over 5 years ago it never ceases to amaze me how many Wolves supporters travel long distances to watch the team. This was brought home when I decided to travel by train to Milton Keynes for the first home game after moving home – Everton in March 2011. (Lost 3-0). After alighting from the Bedford to Oxford bus at Milton Keynes station I wandered down to platform six to catch the Virgin train to Wolverhampton. Blow me there were at least 20 or so Wolves fans on the platform. I spent the journey with a Wolves fan from Milton Keynes who was a wine distributor. Follows them all over the place.
More fans got on at Coventry! Amazing.
Now travelling by car on the M1/M6 we see vehicles proudly displaying a Wolves sticker in the back window. Makes you feel proud to follow the old gold and black!
BOG
No, I’m a little underwhelmed also by the attendances. I usually go to about 4 games a season but not so easy to do many more travelling up from south Wales.
I’m with you on that Wolfstroker, I read Tim Spier’s report too. Jen de Wolf and I were very disappointed with the Brentford games crowd.
I truly expected us to be up in the mid 25000’s by now, we have had every game away from home sold out so far but home form is really sad, definitely the 12th man factor helps the team, and the Wolves team and Walter say that the atmosphere at home is not so good.
I just don’t know the reason or the answer, Wolverhampton is going through quite an upheaval and we are definitely a poor area so maybe it’s just beyond the reach of some folk.
Good point though mate and a problem that needs tackling.
I quite agree Wolfstroker and twas something that occupied BOG and I on the happy journey home on Saturday.
I don’t know how far in advance the Club knows the likely attendance but what about doing a West Ham and give away free tickets to local schools and community groups? No direct income of course but it would fill up the ground, increase the atmosphere and noise and possibly bring new supporters to the Club – a free ticket for a few games might just get them hooked. They would also spend money in the club shop and food and beverage outlets. They would possibly also bring accompanying adults. 5,000 free tickets maybe?
In case some don’t know West Ham, as part of the deal to take over the Olympic Stadium, have to give away 17,000 free tickets to local schools and groups for the first three seasons. That’s why their gates have suddenly jumped up from a solid 30,000 to 35,000 year on year to over 50,000 every home game so far this season. It’s not that they have suddenly become a ‘big club’ with massive support its because the extra thousands are all freebies.
Yessssssssssssssss! Still totally pumped about the result. Cheers for the write up Thomas. Roll on tomorrow night for another 3 points. Whoop Whoop!
Extended highlights here courtesy of Bees Player.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9499w4gO3Q
you could say Bodvarsson made the second goal too. His run, tenacity and skills at 2m 28s on the above video link led to the free kick Tex scored, and is a testament and evidence of the kind of performance he puts in consistently.
Immense player for us!
With all the money Fosun has at their disposal, I reckon they could easily reduce the entrance fees, and also cough up for airfares, hotel and rental car costs, and free admission for all of us who live abroad.
I for one would be happy to accept such largesse.
Drop in the proverbial for them, and how we would swell the gate!!!
But I aint gonna hold my breath!
Can anybody tell me how often do they up date The Prediction League ???
Not often enough !
Given that the baker’s dozen of reinforcements only arrived as the season began I’ve always said that it will take until mid-October or early November for a side to emerge. So travelling up from London on Saturday with a colleague from Brentford I came more with hope than expectation. Before the game I’d have settled for 1 – 1 given Brentford’s best-in-class defensive record. So what progress did I see?
Wolves are currently a side that relies on flashes of individual skill rather than a team that knows its role. Bodvarrson leads the line with real skill, and for a big fellow has both pace and deftness of foot (a bit like the Doog?). Oniangue looks very promising and I liked the way he harried players but didn’t dive in until he knew he had a 60 – 40 chance of winning the ball. He’ll improve when he gets fully match fit – the poor soul could hardly walk when he was taken off. Saiss was workmanlike and effective, and Dangerous Dave ran round like a shepherd’s collie dog with a Duracell battery pack strapped to his back.
The first half flashes of skill came from Teixeira and Costa. Whilst Teixeira’s ‘pas de deux’ for the penalty/non-penalty had the crowd on its feet, one other piece of skill brought back memories. Late in the first half out on the left wing he feinted to go inside onto his right foot, dropped his shoulder, pivoted his hips and went down the line evoking images of the great Peter Broadbent. Unfortunately the Brentford defender wasn’t impressed and took him out across the hips. Four times in the first half Costa got into very strong positions just outside the Brentford penalty area using a combination of pace and his dribbling skills. On each occasion he either failed to find an Old Gold shirt or was tackled. He will improve, and redeemed himself with the pass for the first goal.
So what went so awfully wrong when they went 2- 0 up and should have been coasting? Lack of leadership both on the field, and from the bench, I suspect. It would have been easy to stifle Brentford in the middle of the park for 20 minutes so that by the final 10 minutes they would be losing their shape and doing silly things in desperation.
Instead we sat back deep and let Brentford come at us. They showed that a footballing team is the greater than the sum of its parts, and although possessing less talented players, played as a cohesive unit with confidence in each others ability. At the same time the Wolves back four had decided to set up their own competition to see who could do the best Franz Beckenbauer impersonation when they were the last man. Even Danny Batth got into the act. It was hearts in mouth time and I could feel a collective neurosis come over the crowd. Was it going to go to 2- 2 like the Burton game, or even worse a la Barnsley? At that stage the team should have had the telephone number of a cardiac arrest recovery company on their shirts rather than The Money Shop. Fortunately the brave Icelander’s breakaway put the game to bed and everyone heaved a sigh of relief.
The makings of a good side are definitely there but they need to be coached to play like a team rather than a bunch of talented individuals. I think we’ll see the rollercoaster go down unexpectedly a couple of times before this team starts to play like a team, and shouldn’t be too surprised if it happens (it’s a very strange league). But once this side starts to play the type of football it looks capable of and gets on a winning run, then the missing thousands that Wolfstroker bemoans, will be returning in their droves.
BOG and Bedford. You are a credit to the club. You know. Last night in a pub in Sedgley (couple of miles from Wolvo) a bloke in there in a Man City Shirt. Me and me wolves mates in there mate a point of giving him some friendly banter! I also got Jeff Beck on karaoke just to make him notice who are the real fans round here! I salute you blokes for making the effort every week.
Stu
“if, if’s and ands were kettles and cans…” “Don’t count your chickens” etc. Dangerous daydreaming like this usually ends up with us all crying in the gutter, Dream on….
Cheers Cheesburger – mind you if I had to keep making the journey alone…
Last Saturday 12 travelled from Bedford for the Brentford fixture.
‘Er indoors thinks we are all bleeding nuts..
Sometimes it’s hard to argue!
All the best
BOG
A little thought to get you going.
If results were to go our way tomorrow night and we bang a few goals into the onion sack, then we could be sitting 3rd by 10 pm tomorrow night.
Then if Newcastle get held at home by top of the tree Norwich, on Saturday we could be set up to go top of the league on points.
Still a work in progress, still Walter will be tinkering to find his best 14, but it’s beginning to get a little tasty.
COMB’s
Attendance solutions?
a) 3 matches for the price of two.
b) Discount for groups of x or more.
c) OAPs for a quid.
d) a cheaper standing section.
e) free entry to the museum.
f) ticket stubs get discount at club shop.
g) a lucky bag – a badge, egg cup, etc for kids of all ages.
Or a winning team challenging for promotion playing attacking football.I admit we are a tight arse bunch at the best of times (with good reason too). But if they get it right its like a fucking hurricane in there. No better place to be!
What makes the Stadium look empty is the decision to give 200 away supporters the lower Steve Bull Stand leaving 3,000 empty seats. There are no entries on the day, so the club knows how many away supporters are coming, and therefore can be put in the right hand quarter of the Stan Cullis leaving reduced price family tickets for the Wolves Fans for the Steve Bull lower.
Totally agree.
I’ve said before, that on TV, the most viewed part of the stadium is the SB Lower and gives a pretty poor impression if it’s only got half a dozen away fans in it.
Football is just a rip-off.. end of.
Why not – some worthwhile suggestions.
Maybe fire them over to the club
Living 200miles from Molineux, it’s the travel costs, not the ticket price, which reduces my attendance record.
I was thinking it could be an interesting experiment for Ben and Thomas to have a section on the blog dedicated to car-share on matchdays. Bloggers who live at the far ends of the country could get together and split fuel costs on transport to games. Would make life easier if organised properly.
I would like to see prices reduced, it cost me £18 for me and my dad v Cambridge which is manageable. We had a drink each a pie each, so their making money back in that way. It’s then a £-100 pound day with a few pints after as apposed to a £150 day.
I see that Big Sam has opened his mouth and jumped in with both feet and studs showing.
Isn’t that a red card?
Early bath for Big Sam? Maybe we dodged a bullet there. If Sam hadn’t taken the England job he might have been a contender for Kenny’s.
Just a thought guys and girls.
When interviewed a week last Friday, Walter was questioned about Ola John and Silvio’s fitness, he stated, “we’re aware of their problems, Ola John unfit and Silvio foot injury, so we won’t rush them” they both then played the following Tuesday at Newcastle.
So just saying.
He put out a statement about Dicko, “he’s not ready yet and needs more U23 games”
Well, the under 23’s played last night and Dicko wasn’t even on the bench????????
Come on you Dicko…..
Hope he’s playing tonight. 🙂
So do I Stu wolf
I would like him in the squad for tonight give the old guard a boost and us the supporters!