Wolves were rightly accused of inactivity last January, as the club continued their journey towards League One.
I don’t think the same criticism can be tabled this year. The manager seems to know exactly who he does and doesn’t want and is being backed to prune and shape the squad as he sees fit.
Along with the crucial acquisitions of Henry and Jacobs, the strikeforce has also been dramatically overhauled. Dicko and Clarke are in. Doyle, Griffiths and Sigurdarson could all be out by the end of today. Cassidy has already been dismissed for the season.
The major surgery that this squad needed back in May has been successfully performed. Deadweight has been removed, talented, hungry players have been added and I would bet good money the wage bill has been significantly reduced in the process.
I now look forward to home games again as we have have a manager and group of players all pulling in the right direction. We’re a good team to watch these days.
Bradford
When Wolves won at Valley Parade earlier in the season, it was considered a milestone victory against a promotion rival.
Things have turned sour for City since then and they’ve plummeted towards midtable. They’ve also sold their talisman Nahki Wells to Huddersfield, which is a further blow to any aspirations they might have held.
The Bantams are without a win in their last 10 matches, drawing 7 and losing 3. Their last victory was way back at the end of November.
Still, they’re a tough nut to crack as both Preston and Leyton Orient found out in recent stalemates.
Wolves
Even if Doyle, Griffiths, Sigurdarson and Hennessey leave, there remains excellent competition for places. That’s a testament to the work the club have done from the summer to now. I would expect the same team as Tuesday tomorrow:
If KJ wanted to revert to a more orthodox 442, he now has Leon Clarke, the league’s joint top-scorer, at his disposal. I imagine he and Dicko would make a good partnership at this level.
Whatever you think about Clarke’s previous, the club have done exactly what I hoped they’d do in the summer – poached a proven League One player.
With more big names heading for the exit, the squad might not look as strong to outsiders but I like the way we’re quietly going about our business. I think our young team will surprise a few people in the years to come.
The odds
Wolves are strong favourites for the win at 4/7. The draw is 10/3 and Bradford are outsiders at 21/4.
If you’d taken my tip from Tuesday and backed Kevin McDonald for the first goal, you’d be a few quid better off right now. He’s a generous 11/1 to get the opener again tomorrow.
New signing Leon Clarke is 7/2, while Aaron Mclean is Bradford’s most likely route to goal with odds of 17/2. All odds are available here.
The gaffer
Predictions
Well done to the 54 (practically everyone) who thought we’d win on Tuesday. Coops, Chris in Dublin and johnhpayne went all out for the 3-0, so deservedly doubled their tallies. Well done lads.
I think Bradford will cause us problems tomorrow with their physicality, but I just can’t predict anything other than a Wolves victory.
We’re getting on top of teams from the very start at Molineux and smothering them with smart, possession football. That’s very difficult to prevent on such a big pitch.
We might stutter, but I think we’ll prevail victorious.
3-1
Up The Wolves!
* P.s. due to my sister’s wedding tomorrow and Ben also being waylaid by a social engagement, does anyone fancy having a go at a match report? Email me if you can do it: tom@thomasbaughmedia.com.
I look at that team, with Clarke and Doherty still to add, and I doff my cap to Kenny. He came into a sh*tstorm of a club and has turned it around. There will still be those who moan and say we should be clear at the top and we’ve had a few shockers already…but credit where it is due. I’ve got faith in the guy and believe come the end of May we’ll be a Championship club again.
While I’m in such a giddy mood I’m going to back us for another 3-0 win.
I’m jetting off for February, but I’ll aim to keep up to speed with the Wolves news and I’ve already got my ticket for the Crawley match waiting for me on my return, so fingers crossed 2014 is going to be our year. UTW!
where you goin’?
I’m off to South Africa, Clive. But that is no invitation for everyone to go to my gaff and rob it! Not that there’d be much there, other than a ticket to the Crawley game on my table.
Jealous I am!
Have a blast and take lottsa pix.
Will watch out for you in SA towards end of Feb – you’ll be the one in the Wolves shirt??
It’s all coming together for the lads, and I don’t see any reason for that to stop now.
Another 3-0 will see us keep the pressure on the top 2, and I’m confident we’ll finish the right side of that dotted line come May.
Clarke used to drink in the Dog & Gun in Tettenhall on a Thursday night. I served him a fair few drinks (double vodka coke if memory serves; always very generous getting the round in for his mates too). Hopefully his boozy nights are behind him now, and he’ll get his kicks on the Wolverhampton pitch instead of in the Wolverhampton pubs.
For all the naysayers (and I’m sure there’ll be a few!) I say IN JACKETT WE TRUST.
Onwards and upwards, looks like we’ll get a BCD to look forward to next season as well!
UTW
Should be a showcase home game this one with our new additions on display..we need to keep going..win all matches at home,and most away too.,this is out time of the season ,or play offs here we come..3-0 to Wolves..
According to sky sources looks like Hennessy off to Palace & no surprise Griffiths off to Celtic! Doesn’t anyone want to take O’Hara off our hands as well??!!’
We’ll get the win tomorrow so going for :
Wolves 3 – 1 Bradford
UTW
Wolves 4 Bradford 2 dicko with 2 jacobs with 1 and Clarke to score on his debut. Come on you wolves
Very inconsiderate of people getting married on a Saturday. There are six other days in the week for goodness sake!!
Reminds me of the old joke about the packed football stadium, and one empty seat.
The bloke in the adjacent seat asks the bloke on the other side who’s seat is it?
The other bloke replies that it was his ex wife’s seat, but she passed away.
The first bloke asks why the seat wasn’t taken by a friend or a relative, and the second bloke replies that they are all at the funeral.
Anyway, our propensity for ending other team’s barren runs has been broken, I think I used them big words correctly, and we will not end Bradford’s winless streak tomorrow.
Once again, I feel it in my water, and thumping victory to the men in old gold and black, and we will run out winners to the tune of 5 – 1.
On a sadder note, the other night, how sad to see the shit score three goals away from home, and still lose!! Looking more and more likely we will be playing a couple of league games against them next season.
Six banker points already!!
FOwb
We’ll get a 5-1 one day mate, I’m looking forward to your triumphant response to that scoreline already
I MUST stop agreeing with you my colonial friend, it is becoming a habit ………… but ………. 5-1 sounds really really good. Just to confirm:
Wolverhamtpon Wanderers 5 Bradford City 1
UTW/FOWB
Well, you’ve convinced me – 5-1 to the Wolves!
We certainly look stronger and more balanced squad with the signings Jackett has made. Clarke, well what’s happened in the past should be left there he,s said himself he was silly so let’s get behind him the fact he wanted to come back is a good sign he could of stayed at Coventry till the end of the season and got himself a move in the summer to a championship side no dout. My only concern is with the system Jacketts been playing how is he going to fit Diko and Clarke into that, I’ve already said there’s no point in buying a striker to then stick him on the wing especially the leagues top scorer so it will be interesting to see how he sets out the team.
On another note I for one will be sad to see Griffiths go I think theres a lot more to come from him he’s only 23 and to sell him for £1,000,000 never mind anything less is a steal he’s got to be worth at least £2.5 million he was the top scorer in Scotish Premier last season i car’nt believe the fat controller would let him go so cheap at least put some clauses in related the goals scored and international caps Jez come on your slipping mate your turning into a normal human being
Just a word on Cassidy I know most if not all of you don’t rate him and for what ever reason timing, form the the team was set up he didn’t reproduce the goals he did a Tranmere, but I stand by him mark my words he score goals and hopefully against our rivals good look Jake.
From what KJ has said I think Clarke will play the number 10 role, behind Dicko with 2 out of Jacobs, Henry and Sako either side.
This lap top crap the predicted text is shot, SHIT !
I would go for Clarke instead of Evans, playing just behind Dicko. Why buy a striker in a rich vein of goalscoring and leave him on the bench? I see this strike partnership running riot in this league.
4-0 Wolves!
Let’s be very positive and a 4-0 win for the Wolves. It will be interesting to see who plays up forward.
I expect KJ to play 4-4-2 with Clarke and Dicko. Sako seems to have his head right at the moment and when he does he is a major threat to any team at this level. I am expecting a lot from this young team and expect them to be far too strong for Bradford.
It’s a 4-1 win for the Wolves.
🙂
Isn’t it great for everybody to be so positive?
It’s easy to get carried away with it all but I reckon that Clive might be in with an outside chance of picking up maximum points for the first, and probably only time, in his career as football predictor and pundit.
Interestingly I’ve been looking at the available footage of Dicko and Clarke and have noticed that they both seem equally at home using their right or left feet. They’ve scored some cracking goals using both pegs.
You don’t see that too often in the top divisions let alone at our lowly level.
It all bodes well for future success.
The one position I’m a bit worried about, until Ikeme gets fit, is between the sticks.
As a shot stopper, McArey looks pretty sound, but he does tend to flap when the high stuff starts coming in.
Which is why I think we might concede a goal this Saturday.
4-1 to the men in old gold
Before he bites my head off, my reference to Clive’s predictive abilities only applies from the time he started going for 5-1 every match.
I’m sure he must have got at least one right before then.
I am not Ozzie Osbourne.
My predictions are based on that glorious day in November of 19 seventy something when “mighty” Arsenal, fresh off their double winning season, ponced into Wolverhampton, took a first half lead, and then were obliterated with 5 goals, two of which were out of this world, in the driving snow, and which I watched again later that evening on match of the day, on my Dad’s brand spanking new color television, the first program I watch in color in my parents house.
Fuckin’ A!!
One day, we will rise again!
No apologies for the American spellings, this computer don’t speek proper English like wot I done.
You don’t have to apologise for the American keyboard Clive.
I mean, fancy typing ‘WBA’ in, and the word ‘sh*t’ comes out. Only seems to happen to your posts Clive, so I think there isn’t anything amiss at all.
If Clarke is fit after his “injury” then I think he will come straight into the side at the expense of Evans.
Looks like a few departures today with Griffiths, Doyle & Sigurdarson possibly all leaving. With Cassidy already out on loan this only leaves us Dicko, Clarke & McAlinden up top so hopefully this means McAlinden will get a bit more time on the pitch as he looks quite useful what little bit I’ve seen of him. I hope this doesn’t leave us a bit short but with the loan window I guess we can get someone in if needs be.
For the weekend Wolves 2 – Bradford 1
Just read on E&S Hennessey to Crystal Palace gone through for about £3m. Despite spitting his dummy out recently he’s been a good player for us so all the best to him.
UTW
2-1 wolves keep pressure on top two
Wolves 4 Bradford 0
A canter
Doogooder good shout on our goalie – he doesn’t yet command the 6 yard area well enough for me. Put that with the impact this bloody rain is having on the pitch ( it was poor last week so god knows what it will be like tomorrow) and i too can see us conceding.
That said, we have got confidence running through our veins so it is a home banker for me. I also have a sneaky feeling that one or both Brentford and Leyton Orient will drop points tomorrow.
Wolves 4 – 2 Bradford
The title winning push continues unabated… Wolves 4 – 0 Bradford
3 more points, 4-0
Wolves 2 Bradford 1
So it looks as if Moxey is filling up the transfer chest again. Undoubtedly some good bits of business but I dodn’t see it being invested in the team. Anyway good for Kevin to get away.
I am thinking 2-1 while the new boys settle.
I still think Griffiths went too cheaply £1 million for a proven goal scorer in the Scotish Premier I know it’s not our Premier standard but it’s championship level you wouldn’t get the top scorer from the championship for less than £2.5 million I’m surprised the fat controller has let he go so cheap I hope he’s put some add on in the deal.
As for Bradford I’m sticking with predicting we lose because ever since I started we’ve won.
I think 5-0.
Time to start taking some teams apart and preparing for WBA next season.
Am glad Sako is staying and good luck to Hennessey who was one of our best players in the Premier league.
We’re favourites here for a reason. I’ll back us to get the job done. 2-0 win.
Just got a niggle that the general euphoria could make this a potential banana skin but what the heck. 3 -1 to WWFC.
No surprise with the strikers leaving the golden palace, maybe Doyle and Siggy will return refreshed and remembering where the goal is, Although suddenly we are very light in the goalkeeping dept, although I`m sure an emergency loan is on the cards.
Another heavy pitch tomorrow, with unpredictable bounce and running, so I`m going for another win but this time I expect a 4-1 victory with plenty of excitement. Hope Leon bags a hatrick, and the two clubs ahead of us lose this weekend. Great start to Feb if that was the case!!
Wolves 2 – 1 Bradford
Wolves 1-2 Bradford
Talented hungry players with the exception of Leon Clarke, journeyman extraordaire. Dreadful signing. 2 – 2
2-0 to the Wolves
UTW
I’m couldn’t guess 3-0 again could I… Naa let’s go with a lucky 2-1 to the wolves
Wolves 3 Bradford 1
What a job Jackett has done reshaping the squad. I genuinely think this team would easily compete with most championship teams now and have us at least pushing for the playoffs.
3-0 win tomorrow.
UTW
Watching the birds in the back garden the resident Blackbird saw off 5 of his kind this morning. Obviously he had no desire to feature in the Transfer Deadline Day. The omens for Clive’s standard prediction must be good so Wolves 5 Bradford 1 for me as well.
Wait , was that the CAT lurking in the bushes ???.
It has taken Kenny 6 months to get his own team in place, and I think we are getting better and better with more to come between now and May.
Would like to see us play 4-4-2, however midfield strength is going to be key.
Expect another win tomorrow on the way to a Top 2 finish.
Wolves 3 Bradford 0
It has taken Kenny 6 months to get his own team in place, and I think we are getting better and better with more to come between now and May.
Would like to see us play 4-4-2, however midfield strength is going to be key.
Expect another win tomorrow on the way to a Top 2 finish.
Wolves 3 Bradford 0
Wolves 2 – 0 Bradford for me please
Well, no complaints about transfer window activity this Jan and your summary of the revolution, Thomas, feels spot on. I was a few minutes away from 2pts with my 1-0 prediction on Tuesday, and hope I’m much closer with Wolves 4 Bradford 1, even if that will be a bit tricky with the mate I’m taking along from Bradford!
On current form, surely this should be a straight forward Wolves win. The weather doesn’t look too good again though, strong winds and rain, so it might not be pretty to watch. – I’ll go for Wolves to win 2-0.
Finally Wolves had a 3-0 win! But we’re still vulnerable at the back, Oldham might well have scored on Tuesday. We’ll still win by more than one goal, and Dicko will score, it’ll be 3-1.
Wolves 3- Bradford1
It’s got to be a win with a new strike force sound defence 3-0 wolves win
Must admit The Blog makes cheerful reading these days and long may it stay the same.
Is O’Hara really that much of a Jonah that nobody wants him or is it just that he’s overpaid? Anyway it’s a 3 – 1 win for me.
Wolves 3:0 Bradford
A lot of people calling for 4-4-2 with the addition of Clarke.
Although I’m sure there’ll be times it looks like a 4-4-2, I’m pretty sure we’ll see Jackett continue with his favoured 4-2-3-1. Clarke will (from what KJ has been saying) drop in behind Dicko to link up play with our fabulous wingers and dominant midfielders, while also grabbing a shed load of goals just for giggles.
If you look at all the top teams, not just in this country but around Europe and probably at the World Cup too, they are now predominantly playing this way.
I think Jackett is conditioning us to play like these clubs, with a view to getting us back up and competing with them again. This will be infinitely preferable to just parking the bus and hoping to survive with good shifts put in, despite a complete lack of footballing dexterity.
Swansea and Southampton are 2 good examples of clubs who embarked on a way of doing things in League 1 which have led on to them establishing themselves at the top table, even daring to have a nibble at Europe.
Kenny is no mug, and I’d love to see him see this project through till we are back with the really big boys. But I’d settle for other managers coming in and continuing his fine work in shedding the dead wood and bringing in smart footballers who can thrive in the modern game.
Then we can finish rebuilding the ground, fill it every week and finally win the European Cup.
Sorry, got a bit carried away there. Feels good to be a Wolverhampton Wanderer at the moment though, doesn’t it?
Just got back home and seen the transfer deals, and all I can say to Hennessey and Griffiths is fuck you very much.
Griffiths has had his head up his arse from December when he heard that Celtic were interested, thus the reason for Jackett not starting him.
Hennessey apparently threw his toys out of his pram and didn’t want to get his hair mussed up by playing on a dreary night.
What happened to honor thy contract?
The funny things are :
no one outside the east end of Glasgow gives a shit to what Celtic do, they have zero opposition.
Hennessey’s confidence will be shot to hell as he, along with relegation Roger, experience a third successive relegation, and we will no doubt put several past Hennessey next season as we piss over Palace on our way to the Chumpionship title.
Good luck to Doyle, hope he is not scarred for life after putting in too many McDickwadheaded shifts.
Siggy, well, no comment, he didn’t really set the place on fire.
Hope there is more to come in the next couple of hours, or we can all join greasel down the pub and help him spend his upcoming bonus.
FOwb
First and foremost lets welcome back LC,I know he’s been a bad lad in the past,but KJ must trust in him so if he thinks he’s ok then its ok with me,after all LC is wolves born and bred so lets all get behind him for the good of the club,and hoping for more signings before the night is done.
Now for my prediction,2-0 to me babbie’s…UTW
If O’Hara went that would be the last of the motley crew gone…lovely job Kenny, Pieman must be ecstatic!!
Win for us here I think.
Wolves 3 – 0 Bradford
UTW
Wolves 2 – Bradford 0. Nothing fancy, just the required 3 points.
I’m sorry to see KD go, I have a real soft spot for him, seems like a really decent bloke. But KJ has done a fantastic job since he’s been at the helm and already I trust him implicitly. And he can string a sentence together. Marvellous. Hoping for a Clive of Huston 5-1 tomorrow against my local team, but honestly, any win and the three points would be more than welcome. Will go for a consequtive 3-0.
“Houston”, sorry. Embarrassing.
Happy with the January transfer business but think we are light up front with only 3 forwards now, maybe we’ll get a loan signing in when the loan window opens.
Can’t believe Frimpong has moved to Barnsley on a permanent transfer.
I’ll go for Wolves 2-0 Bradford
Wolves 1 Bradford City 0
Don’t panic Wolves Fans…
Its all good business (Cant believe I’m praising the fat guy)
Jackett is building a better team and cleaning out Micks old cupboards of all the rubbish.
Griffiths says his head was turned mid Dec by Celtic.. that explains why Jackett wasn’t playing him then and playing Cassidy (waste of space)
Tranmere and Gillingham away have cost us.. Now we play catch up..
Do we have enough… I believe so..
Wolves 3-1 Bradford
Not a bad days buisness , would have liked to keep/buy/loan one more striker but overall impressed by KJ
Looks like awful conditions tomorrow but expect 3-1 win
5-1 wolves win! I can feel it too!
No complaints from me at all on todays business. Although I do hope it is being invested for use in the Summer. Just wish someone could have taken O Hara as well. I mean after all he is a premiership player. I thin Doyle will slowly recover his form after mad mick ruined him. I mean he was never even the right type of forward to be up front alone. Hennessey had to go and we dont need him anyway. As clive says Siggy had never really done anyhting. Griffiths is a bit sad but he just was determined to be in Scotland. Fair play I think both parties played fairish on that. We showcased him, he got 13 goals and his move home.
This big young kid we got from Wycombe might be interesting.
Please go away OHara. UTWs
Onward and upward.
I’m pleases with our transfers. At the end of the day you need players who ‘want’ to be a part of things and KJ has moulded what seems to be a very cohesive and capable team.
I’m not sure if 3 strikers give us enough cover despite most of those who left being non scorers anyway, are we still able to bring in loan players?
On to Bradford: I hope a buoyant Wolves fo on to win 2-0!
Has to be quick. It’s 2:15 here in NZ and 13 hrs before kick off. Still trying to catch up with in and outs. Wolves 3-1 Bradford.
Is that today or yesterday ??
Crickey Clive my heads spinning with this time difference. It’s Saturday afternoon 5 pm (4:20am uk time). I not sure whether day is night or night is day !!!
Wolves 2 – 1 Bradford for me.
Unsure what to make of the transfer activity.
Sad to see Sig go, had high hopes for the boy.
Our highest goal scorer to go seems odd, but the money was good, he seemed out of favor with Kenny and was homesick to boot, so possibly a good move all round.
Hope Clarke proves worth his salt and Dicko continues firing.
With Doyle gone too we now appear to not have too many options in the front line if the newcomers don’t perform.
In KJ we have to trust. He hasn’t got much wrong so far.
Wolves 4 – Bradfor 0
Barmy Army…….Barmy Army
Gonna go big on this: Wolves 4 Bradford 0
It’s Sat and 5pm here in NZ and still you’ve got 11hrs to wait before kick off. I’m still trying to catch up with the transfer market! I’m going for a 2-0 to Wolves. Scooped enjoy yourself today mate say hello to the TIMEKEEPER, Paul and Mark.
Thomas please annul my 3-1 prediction higher up. Thanks
Happy with the comings and goings in the transfer window. No brainer with Kevin Doyle his wages being paid by QPR and if he does well we will have the option to sell or keep him if we are in the Championship next season. The same with Siggy. It appears with with Griffits his agent informed in mid December that Celtic were interested in signing him, hence the stance taken by KJ. For those fans worried about the srikers we have available we have some fine prospect coming through the ranks and will be utilised over the next few months. I think Wolves 3 Bradford 2. Sako hat-trick.
Wolves 3 Bradford 1 (Dicko, Batth and Clarke)
Wolves 2 Bradford 0 On a roll
Wolves 2-0 Bradford
New feel good factor, dead wood gone, Jamie O’Hara still rotting in the reserves and his ego taking further battering….I am feeling good!
I know that will divide opinion, but the hunger we have at the minute and the balance in the squad… I wouldn’t take back all of Kenny’s work
Wolves 3-0 Bradford. UTW!
Great to see plenty of players from all over the pitch hungry for goals.
Wolves 3-0 Bradford City
Time at last to get rid of my ever present 2-1 prediction. (Although I nearly got it right last week.
I’m feeling good – 3 – 0 to us.
I think a Clive style score could be on the cards, but give the new lads another week to get to know each other, then maybe, just maybe.
Incidentally, even now interesting how some ate saying we should have held out more for LG until the summer. Why, plainly obvious that he didn’t want to be here. We only see the players for 3 hours a week maximum if there are two games – KJ sees them so much more, sees them on the training ground, gets to know what’s happening in their head etc.
A quiet revolution has happened, forget poxey moxey, been very quiet off him lately, and the team is playing well. Maybe a lot of other things have happened behind the scenes – so far, we can’t complain can we?
Interesting how DiCanio slagged Sunderland off recently, everyone at fault apart from him. Shame it didn’t work out with Stalle, but aren’t we so much better now than in the dark days of Clipboard and saunders. Miss Saunders post match drivel though!!
In KJ we trust.
Bradford will keep compact, we’ll still win comfortably
Wolves 2 – 1 Bradford
http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/962404-50-fattest-soccer-players-of-all-time/page/21
Wolves have had 4!
Following the manic dealings yesterday,I feel it only right to doff my cap to Mr Moxey.3 mill for a player who can’t get a game ? Fair play to you JM. Got to be Wolves to win today.
Wolves 2 Bradford 0
Though it’s always dangerous to get carried away with the Wolves, I really think we’re coming into form. Wolves 4-1 Bradford.
Wolves 3-1 Bratfud
Hats off to Kenny, he’s done brilliantly turning this tanker around. We’re outplaying teams too now, rather than sneaking a goal after a resolute performance. We are going back up and with a confident young squad all pulling in the same direction. Happy times, thank you Kenny 🙂
Bradford have won one game since we beat them last, and i think we will win again today 4-0… I think there will be a huge feel good factor at the molineux today with players gone out on loan and players sold, top scorer in the leage coming in and on the back of 3 impressive victories… Come on Wolves!!!
I think Kevin Doyle is taking the piss!
It’s taken him seven minutes to score for QPR.
And only 40minutes to get booked! How long before he’s sent off? ;0)
Need to keep grinding out these results, We’re still going up Wolves 3-0 Bradford.
2-0 Wolves, comfortable victory – Dicko and Evans
Wolves 3 Bantams 2.
Wolves 4-1 Bradford
Clark 2, sako,
Henry
2-0 to the Wolves for me please Thomas! UTW
sorry its late – Wolves 2 Bradford 1
Told you Brentford and Orient would drop points, I friggin’ told you!!
I cant get our score quite right…..yet…..but I can predict pretty well in other areas.
Onwards and upwards, me Babbies, top two place will not be relinquished.
All we need now is for the shit to get stuffed and a perfect weekend.
Shit eating grin firmly in pride of place!!!!