It would be a shame if we spluttered out in these final three home games, but it’s possible.
Bournemouth and Palace have been on an upward swing and Luton will be dying for the cause on Saturday, so while our attack remains hodgepodge at best, the prospect of a victory in any of these fixtures feels like a Herculean task.
At a minimum, we need the same endeavour we saw against Arsenal. It’s probably not so easy to get the players going for non-title-chasing opposition, but that’s what Gary has to do.
And while it’s understandable we’re not scoring many goals, it would be nice to keep a cleansheet. We’ve only managed five all season. Only four of the relegation-threatened sides have a worse record.
Bournemouth
It felt like a relegation six-pointer when we won the grudge match at the Vitality Stadium in October, so well done to both teams for commendable progress.
Andoni Iraola has proven himself a capable manager in the Premier League and Gary O’Neil has enhanced his own reputation, so everyone is happy right?
That should take some of the sting out of tomorrow’s return leg, but no doubt the Cherries will want to settle the score and get ahead of us in the table, so there’s a little bit of spice.
Dominic Solanke got his 18th Premier League goal of the season in the defeat to Villa last weekend and is still in the running for the Golden Boot. He might well get a move in the summer.
An away record of 5 wins, 3 draws and 8 defeats will mirror our own if this one ends up level. I see many similarities between the sides, with a good level of technical ability and a desire to get forward but also clear vulnerability at the back.
With the managerial link and the whole Alex Scott saga last summer, it’s clear we’re fishing in a similar pond, so it will be interesting to compare how the clubs operate in the summer and where they find themselves when this fixture comes around again.
Wolves
I waited for the press conference this time and Gary seemed more positive about the injuries.
If we get something like the above XI on the pitch with the prospect of introducing Cuhna, Semedo and even Bellegarde from the bench, there’s hope we can do something.
That being said, I’m dubious about Hwang leading the line. My perception is that he thrives on the chaos created by others rather than being the focal point of the attack himself. Still, he does have the knack of being in the right place and 10 Premier League goals already is a solid achievement in a stop-start season.
Ait-Nouri back in the starting XI is big. As we saw in the first half against West Ham and back-to-back games against Villa and Burnley before that, he’s got the talent to drag us forward.
Predictions
Well done to Rich, Pauluswolf, Winchcombe Wolf, Marin Wolf and Aquilador for correctly guessing we’d lose 0-2 to Arsenal.
I feel like all I do lately is predict draws, so I’ll go for a narrow defeat tomorrow – 1-2. Only because I think their performance is likely to be tighter with a more consistent group, as well as one of the form attackers in the league at their disposal.
They’re definitely flakey though and concede a lot of goals, so if we can keep it tight at the back ourselves for a change, a positive outcome is easily achievable.
As always, if you’d like to join in with the Prediction League this season, it’s simple – just leave your prediction in the comment section below using the boxes provided. Then repeat for every preview article throughout the season, making sure you always use the same email address to make your prediction. Your email is what ties you to your overall score.
Up The Wolves!
Got to believe we can get points in the last 3 home fixtures and get to the 50pts mark.
Fingers crossed we will get the rub of the green tomorrow.
All things considered, the performance against Arsenal showed both tactical awareness and a reassuring grittiness. With the return of certain key players possible, a repeat performance showing the same qualities should result in our points total rising by three.
Hope so anyways.
Really can’t see another win this season so I’ll go for a draw
These injuries continue to suck.
Thomas I agree I would not play Whang as a 9 put Sarabia in the middle and whang onthe wing. Keep Salanke quiet and get an early goal three points to Wolves.
I’ll give it the old one two,but which way? The only way that matters .
I think we ll win this one
Given our performance on Saturday and the return of some of our players, hoping we return to winning ways.
Boring outing this one…
Expect us to battle on, even though I suspect we may not get too many faces back fully fighting fit. UTW
I’m still not comfortable that we are going to ride this season out well, due to our fluctuating team and injuries.
I’m going to hope that we can hold Bournemouth to a draw and stop them overtaking us.
I don’t want Sa playing from the back and our defence faffing around passing back to him. It makes me nervous.
COYW
Hoping for the best. Cautiously optimistic!
A good performance is usually followed by a poor (knackered one) whoever returns I doubt we will be firing on all cylinders although they’ve got a few players out too, but as my predictions will attest I know nuffin
Seasiders have really stepped up
a notch and gave manure a real going over and troubled Villa
Meantime , well , we’re at home and reinforcements are coming
Could lose could draw but I’m thinking a clean sheet despite Solanke on form
COYW
An encouraging performance last time out, return of some missing players, lifts my hopes for a win. Going for a 2-1 win.
Positive performance against Arsenal with both hands tied behind our back. Pleasing to hear some of our injured players are returning. Bournemouth quietly are having a good season when we beat them earlier in the season it looked like it was a matter of time before the new coach got the chop but he has turned it around really well.
Be nice to nudge a little nearer to the 50 point mark and l see no reason for not being that optimistic.
That would prove to have been a really good season for us. It’s already a good one; l just want that little bit more.
A home win.
Expect us to perform tonight
Overdue a win – and a clean sheet – and a VAR ruling in our favour…
All 3 may be too much to ask for!
Where the goals will come from is still the issue. I don’t see Hwang as the focal point of the attack. He’s not a target.
Slightly concerned about this one. Most people look at a home fixture with Bournemouth and say ‘win’ but they’ve become a solid outfit and Solanke is always a danger.
It feels unfair that we’ve been left with this patched together side. The XI out there on Saturday, for all the effort, felt like a Championship side giving a giant a bit of a scare in the cup. That won’t happen every time as Premier League quality will ultimately tell and as Thomas rightly points out, it’s easier for everyone – players, fans, – to lift themselves for the big games. Perhaps not so much for Bournemouth on what will be a quieter Wednesday night.
We can only hope some of our stars are back available to make this one a contest.
Keeping Solanke quiet is key but easier said than done at the moment. I’m going to sit on the fence for this one.
I can’t see us scoring more than one with our depleted sideagainst a very well in form Bournemouth. Maybe 2-1 to Bournemouth, sadly.
Our lads deserve better, but football reflects life; it can be cruel.
Hoping so much that I am mistaken. It’s a long drive back home…
Normally I’d be wary of the in-form, and possibly over-achieving Bournemouth side, but this match is very personal for Gary, so I think we will nick the points. 2-1. Their sacking of Gary seemed bizarre at the time but it has worked out for them.
Our performance against Arsenal looks very credible now, given both our injuries and Arsenal’s thrashing of Chelsea last night.
After sacking GON, they were the 5th biggest spenders in the division, I believe. Iraola isn’t working with what GON had when he saved their worthless skins.
Gary would probably give his eye teeth to be the 5th biggest spender in the division.
Hoping to keep our noses in front of the Cherries. A win would be lovely but so hard to predict with the resources available or not.
With key players coming back I feel like we will get a good result tonight and the team will be really up for the last five games. So I’m going for a rather nervy 1-0 win.
Not wishing to sound negative, but given the state of our injury list and our remaining fixtures, you could put forward a reasonable argument for not picking up another point this season.
Bournemouth and Palace hitting really good form, Luton fighting for their Premier League survival and Manchester City and Liverpool… well I don’t need to say any more.
We are safe, not quite on the beach, but packing our buckets and spades.
But Gary O’Neil is not one to rest on our laurels, or beach towels.
Let’s start with a win tonight.
Hope you’re right Mark.
UTW!
I thought just the same but this team are triers and Gary would not accept anything less than 100% effort?
Poch reported that Chelsea gave up against Arsenal last night, says it all really.
Hope the fringe players get more playing time, this is a golden opportunity for them to display their talents. Heart over head says one nil Wolves.
I want 4 points from Bournemouth and Luton. Which means one of the two will be a draw. So tonight will be a draw. Luton a scrappy odd goal win. It’s got to be true. Because Tracey the Basking Shark knows an Octopus who knows a Camel who knows a Peacock mantis shrimp called Steve who just so happens to know Ermintrude the psychic Vampire Squid who said so. So there. WWFC 1 Cherries 1.
The original plan was
Up super early doors ( or stay awake)
Watch wolves stuff the. ‘Half dead’s n newly weds’ ( well , that’s what b, mouth was called when I lived there)
Then off to the dawn service at the beautiful kings park overlooking perth city @5-30
But, a few drinks later and a nice bottle of Shiraz already opened, just in case I don’t make it to either!
Thanks for the 3 points lads
And
Thanks to our brothers in arms
The anzacs
Lest we forget
Utw
To be honest, I haven’t got a clue what to expect from this game. I was going to predict a draw but somehow that just feels too negative. I’m banking on Gary being a man with a plan and perhaps returning players getting enough minutes to make a difference.
A bit wary of the effect of the cold night air on my dodgy chest but I’ll be there. After all there are only three Molineux matches left this season.
I’m proud of what Wolves have achieved this season. Given the state of our troops I think GON should make extensive use of those on the bench.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends.
Great to learn that you’re going tonight Dougie .. well done mate ..
I’m of the opinion that there just isn’t too much between the teams .. similar points total, similar goal difference, we’ll still be understaffed tonight and they’ve got 8ft 6 Solanke ..
A draw it is 1-1
Finally,, and a big please … can we have some more interest in the bloggers ball .. it’s a great night out .. follows a home game and there’ll be some great company…
Thank you …
Yes, come on lads and lasses. The Bloggers’ Ball needs new blood.
We’ve all given our opinions on the blog. Let’s give some face to face. And eat and drink rather too much.
Give it a go. You might even find you like it!
Well it seems that we’re going to get some of our walking wounded back to help us, but it remains to be seen how many.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth have continued to do well and will constitute a genuine challenge.
Put those considerations together and I’m left with the thought that a draw might well be the outcome. Our best attacking threats won’t start the match and may not even participate, but it looks like we might be able to field a more solid lineup which will certainly help. So I’m opting for the lowest of score draws and here’s hoping for better as usual.
Nearly forgot
No idea!(I’ve given them a goal bc Solanke is in my FPL team and I need the points.)
i fu####ng give up with this game ive had enough devoted too much throughout my life to see this totaly corrupt useless soul destroying VAR destroy the game i loved .
No more it just isnt worth watching as they find every excuse to disallow goals unless its for the priveledged few or to suit some other criteria which is greasing their palms.
i seriously just cannot be bothered so its goodbye to the game i used to love which has been destroyed by these know it all know fuck all idiots .
what i will watch instead i have no idea but it wont be football
Women’s rugby is ace! I’m not sure how long it will last with money coming into the game but, for now, it’s a joy to watch.
VAR………………… OMG. Yeah we were very bad tonight but ruling that goal out for an alleged foul just nonsense. Absolute nonsense. It’s always always us on the end of this shite. I think at Man City we should just walk off the pitch on kick off because you know we will be royally screwed over up there. FUCK VAR.
We were crap tonight but VAR is totally shite and has killed the game, and Im with spikey on this , and cheesey is right why bother to play and just walk off the pitch next time it happens, might just wake up some of the corrupt officials who had ruined what football is all about SCORING GOALS not who cut there toenails the shortish last night or what happened 5 mins ago
Second half was better ,but why bother paying hard earn cash when the result are determined by twats in a office