One of the first football matches (if not the very first) I ever went to was Wolves against Brentford.
The year was 1992 and the visitors secured a 2-1 victory at Molineux, which was actually the last time these two teams played.
Resuming a rivalry some 20 years down the road, this fixture assumes a degree of importance with both clubs aiming for promotion.
Brentford are 9 points back in fourth position. A win for them opens up the competition around the automatic places. A positive result for Wolves would lay down a hefty marker. It’s nicely poised.
Brentford
Has there ever been a more gut-wrenching conclusion to a season than the Bees suffered last time out?
Needing a win against Doncaster to secure promotion, they missed a last minute penalty and then saw Donny break away to score the game’s decisive goal.
Then, after regrouping to reach the play-off final, they were ousted by Yeovil at Wembley for yet more disappointment.
I think any football fan can relate to how awful that must have felt. For that reason, I hope they manage to get up this year, just as long as it’s not at our expense.
They arrive at Molineux on the back of a 5 match winning streak, which has reinvigorated a campaign that looked to have stalled.
Having come so close last season, it’s obvious they have some quality. I’m reliably informed they’re a passing side that like to move the ball around. Wolves have struggled against sides of this nature, particularly at home, so it’s a big challenge.
We were linked with big Clayton Donaldson in the summer and I was keen to see him signed. I’m looking forward to getting a closer look at him to see what he’s all about.
Wolves
I know the sort of team I’d like to see tomorrow, which is something like this:
It’s a real blow to lose James Henry, who was once again excellent at Notts County last week. Michael Jacobs seems the most likely bet to replace him and it will be good to see what he’s all about.
If the likes of Doherty, Doyle and Ricketts are good to go, it’s a no-brainer to put them back in from the start. They give us a touch of quality and experience that we desperately lack in their absence.
I’ve never been a massive Dave Edwards fan, but I felt in the second half at Notts County last week, he and McDonald took control of the midfield, which was a major factor in our eventual success.
That’s what I’d do, but Kenny Jackett has shown already he’s not afraid to do what he thinks best, even if that means leaving our top scorer on the bench or completely changing the shape of the side.
If we keep winning, he can do what he likes in my book. However, I don’t think a five man midfield with Cassidy alone up front is a sustainable model for success.
The odds
Home advantage gives Wolves the upper hand in the eyes of the bookies. They’re at 5/4. Brentford are available at 12/5 and the draw is 5/2.
Leigh Griffiths is favourite to bag the opening goal at 4/1, with Clayton Donaldson available at 11/2.
All odds are available from SoccerBase here.
Predictions
No surprise that with Wolves winning last weekend, there was an avalanche of points in the PL.
70 people correctly predicted victory, but only 8 also got the 1-0 scoreline for a maximum 2 point return. It’s a single for everyone else.
Just a quick note on late predictions. A few people didn’t register their forecasts until after kick-off last week, which is fine in isolation but I can’t involve people if it becomes persistent as it’s an unfair advantage for obvious reasons.
I’m concerned we’ll get turned over this weekend. Playing an in-form team, a few niggling injuries and KJ in a spell of tinkering all points to disaster to me.
If we can get 4 points from these two games (tomorrow and Tranmere on Tuesday night), I’ll be more than satisfied with that return. I have a nagging suspicion we’ll fall short though.
Please, please prove me wrong Wolves.
2-1 Brentford.
Up The Wolves.
I’m with you mate, if they want to try and pass it round us I can’t see us keeping ’em out all afternoon.
0-1, hope I’m wrong.
Its up to the manager and players to lift themselves after the midweek hiccup, so despite the winning run of the opposition, we should have too much quality so for me a 2-1 win will do nicely.
is sako fit? I think this will be a difficult game, probably a score draw. Brentford are a good side.
1-1 draw I feel though I wouldn’t at all be surprised at a 1-0 loss! Still, a draw wouldn’t be a disaster here but a win? THat would be exceptional!
If we score first, we’ll lock up the door. So a 1-0 win for the Wolves is my prediction.
This one is not easy to call after the results of Brentfords last 5 matches. I’m hoping that KJ will have put a major rocket up the teams backsides after the mid week performance and they’ll come out fighting. I suspect a draw but I’ll stay positive and go for the home win.
Wolves 2 – 1 Brentford
I will go for a Brentford win (shocker!) not because either my head or (of course) my heart gives me the feeling, but because I desperately need cheap and nasty Prediction League points.
Wolves 0-1 Brentford
A comfortable home win, Wolves 3 – 0 Brentford, all over in the first 30 minutes.
If we are to progress and win this league then these are the games that will do it for us. I am worried about our midfield and will be even more so if Edwards keeps his place, but In Spud I trust. It’s a 2 – 0 win for me.
yeah I think we’d take 4 point from the next two if offered them now, however I think our return will be only 3 points. Can see us scoring, but we will be well beaten
Wolves 1 – 3 Brentford.
Okay this is going to be a tough game but if we want to get promoted then we have to make sure we beat our closest rivals when we play them at home and at least get a point away.
Despite playing pretty average so far this season we are top of the league with nearly 2 and a half points per game which is not to be sniffed at. Between now and the new year we play Brentford (H), Peterborough (A), Rotherham (A) and Orient (H) so lets put down a proper marker that we intend to win the league and hand out a few sound thrashings to these teams!!
Wolves 2 – Brentford 1
UTW
I’m feeling positive, even though I can see this being one of the toughest tests yet. I just hope there is a positive reaction following Tuesday night. 1-0 to the Wolves.
I think we’ll be seriously found out this weekend. Ikeme will need to be at his best once again.
I don’t like the idea of Edwards and McDonald together in midfield – I feel they’re both more attacking and I would go with Price and McDonald.
Wolves 0-2 Brentford
Form team arriving tomorrow and let’s face it most of us have yet to see a truly dominant performance (Gillingham aside). Am I the only one still getting an uneasy feeling that our top spot position is a little fortuitous? Maybe that is just me being typically pessimistic when it comes to Wolves – after 30 years of ups and downs supporting our beloved club perhaps i have become too critical.
Midweek performance was dire so the best I can see is a draw. There are goals in both teams so:-
Wolves 2 – 2 Brentford
Most of you have seen far more of Wolves than me this season, and I find the doom and gloom predictions a little worrying.
I’m staying positive and feel we can grind out a result in possibly one of our toughest challenges yet.
Come on me Babbies…………………Wolves 2 Brentford 1
This is the reason for the doom and gloom:
Wolves 2-0 Sheff Utd
Possession: 52%:48%
Shots: 11:12
Shots on target: 6:3
Wolves 3-2 Swindon
Possession: 51%:49%
Shots: 11:23
Shots on target: 6:9
Wolves 2-1 Crawley Town
Possession: 50%:50%
Shots: 11:14
Shots on target: 5:3
There are other games with similar stats and it just shows that whilst we are winning, we are not winning comfortably therefore people are still a bit nervous.
Thanks Tettenhall. I wasn’t questioning the doom and gloom, I simply said it was worrying.
I understand exactly why it is there, which is worrying. That was my point.
I know we have won games in that statistically perhaps we were the weaker side. I know we have ground out results against opposition that has out played us.
I know we are perhaps fortunate, lucky even, to be where we are in the league. I understand we face possibly our toughest challenge yet tomorrow against an inform team. I understand the turn in predictions completely.
However, I am remaining positive, and prediction league or not, I rarely predict a loss.
Here’s to another lucky win, with Ikeme producing more amazing shots on target/goals statistics and wolves sneaking a couple of sneaky finishes with barely any other efforts on goal.
Pleas the DOOGooder is in town, so we have to win.
Come on me Babbies!
We faced a similar challenge a month or so ago vs Coventry who were on the rise and we conceded very late. I reckon a point would be a good result.
Wolves 1-1 Brentford
Positivity is serving me well in the prediction league, and we’re top – so I will put my hat into the ‘win’ side of the ring with a 2-1 Wolves victory!
After Tuesday’s dismal performance KJ should have given the Wolves players a right rocket so I think it’s reasonable to expect a reaction on Saturday. There could be a few goals in this one with Brentford on good form and Wolves with something to prove so I’ll go for a 3 -2 Wolves win. – I hope I’m right.
I’m hoping Wolves will rise to occasion and take this opportunity to show why we’re favourites to win this league.
Wolves 3 Brentford 0
We have a wonderful knack of stopping other team’s runs, but they are usually losing runs and we get stuffed.
Not this time.
We will end their unbeaten streak, comfortably, and consolidate our top position by stuffing Tranmere in mid week.
I am getting a little pissed off with the continual negativity on here.
We are top for a reason, we are better than the rest right now.
No, we aint playing Premier League quality footie, but neither is anyone else in this division.
Despite all the statistics, the record books show where we are, and damn the percentilists out there! (made up a new word)
Half way through November, top of the league, and only lost once.
Anyone out there who would NOT have taken that at the end of last season?
I am not nor never will be a clappy happer, but as the old cliché goes, you can only beat what is put in front of you.
So make sure your plonkers are out of sight this weekend, just like we will be, almost.
Wolves 5 The others 1
Fuck Off w…b…
Mmmmmmm – depends which team KJ puts out. Too much tinkering of late. I feel Griffith is a must start. We’ve got to beat the top teams if we want to go up. Brentford???? Should they have us quaking in our boots????
Hoping for right team and Wolves 2 Brentford 1
Thomas, have you taken leave of your senses, Edwards in a 442? Davis or Price for me….and i’m with Clive, unwarranted negativity, we’re top and they’re Brentford…2 or 3-1 to us.
2-1 to Wolves!!!
Too many moving parts right now to know how to call this one:
* Is Sako *really* fit?
* What formation will KJ pick?
* How fresh is the side following a mid-week game?
* Can the young players handle the pressure of being top?
We’ll see. But I’m hoping the kick up the backside mid-week would have steeled KJ’s and the team’s resolve to bring this one home.
Wolves 2 – 1 Brentford
Go Wolves!!!
This will be a test, but one I think we will pass…just! A Wolves win…1-0
UTW
Every other Team in this League would swap their style of football and their results for our performances and our points total..
The aim of the game is to get the most number of points in a season…currently we have more than the rest.
Wolves 2-1 Brentford
This is going to be a tough one.
1-1
A draw would be good
For all Wolves supporters who face the visit of Brentford with trepidation fearing that we will meet more than we can match fear not! Discard the anxiety, the apprehension, the trepidation, the ….I have swallowed the Thesaurus !!! Accentuate the positive. Wolves 3. Brentford 1
im hoping we bounce back 2-0 to wolves.
Sorry, I’m going to be negative (in the hope that I’m wrong as usual) Jackett will tinker again and as we’re not performing well as the moment I can only see one score.
Wolves 0-2 Brentford.
It’s a bit scary that trepidation is the over-riding emotion but based on current form perhaps rightly so.
I know we keep winning and in the League we are beating teams who have been put in front of us; BUT why do I feel one of these days a team who can put their chances away are going to trounce us.
Big, big test tomorrow, especially with the Peterborough and Orient games looming, going to go with my heart instead of my gut feeling 1-0 to the WOLVES
COME ON ME BABIES
I think we’ll win, 2-1…they are on a run but hopefully Jackett’s rocket after Tuesday night has effect
Happy with a point, but sticking with my never changing proverbial 2-1 win to us!!
Why do I think we’ll win this one,Brentford are a good side but so are we that’s why we’re top of the league,and that’s without us playing well
Its about time we started to play the sort of football we all know is possible,
That all depends on the team KJ puts out,midfield is the key to us winning tomorrow,we need GOOD service to the strikers from midfield and wingers with attacking play from both then let the strikers do their jobs.
Disappointed whats happened to O’Hara though don’t think he’s been given a good enough chance,something stinks to me,that said i’m going for a 3-1UTW.
I’ve always been a percentilist. That’s why with Brentford winning 6 on the trot and 10-0 up in the last two it has to be at least 2-0 to the Wolves.
First goal will be very important and hopefully we get it early . Wolves 2-1 Then 3 points on tuesday ,avoid losing at Peterboro and we are all set for a happy xmas , If only life as a wolves fan was so simple.
Wolves 2 Brentford 2
FA Cup RIP.
Wolves 3-2 Brentford
Wolves 2 – Brentford 0 for me
Time for the striker(s) to come good – Wolves 3 Brentford 2
I reckon it will be an entertaining game, which is good because it will be freezing. Losing 4-1 at home to Arsenal springs to mind when I think of being frozen at Molineux. Of course, the fact we didn’t touch the ball didn’t help. What I’m trying to sat is I hope we get the right result. 3-3.
Will go for a draw then a big win on Tuesday
Wolves 2 – Brentford 2
I smell danger.
Wolves1 Brentford 3
Should be good to get some key players back into the team. 3-1 win for me.
personally would like to see ohara and big mac in the middle 2-0 to wolves
Wolves 1 – Brentford 2. Hope I’m wrong
A good barometer test. I predict a win though. Wolves 2-1 Brentford
Brentford are worth a goal so 2-1 would be the odds for me… Love Mick the wolfs comment ‘if only a wolves fans life was simple’…too true ..we are due a slip up and a bit of usual suffering…
The one thing none of us is sure of is how good this Jacobs is going to be. In the absence of Henry i assume he will play and he cetainly talks a good game but will he walk the walk? Apparently a very attacking player and i don’t think King Kenny has made a bad signing yet. If selected, it sounds like it will be a very open game and maybe a high scoring win.
But i’m going to sit on the fence, 2-2.
Hoping we kick back from “cup mode” into “league mode”. Wolves 1 – Brentford 0
Wolves 1 Brentford 1
Tough game and I will settle for the point. I expect the team to be able to sweep Tranmere aside in mid-week and 4 points in the next two games is certainly satisfactory for me.
UTW
we’ll pinch a 1-0 win hopefully
Too many people take your own prediction to mould theirs Tom!
In form? – pah! Technically speaking, we’re the most in form team in the league, and they’re coming to the Mol…
2-1 Wolves.
I’m gonna look real stupid when we lose…
BIG BIG TEST this weekend and week fit that matter. Brentford are on a great run and come to Molineux with a good following today.
Agree with Thomas’s team selection, but still have reservations about Edwards. Can only think of Price as a replacement and his resilience is now questionable. Whatever, please leave Davis out, Kenny.
Think a lot depends on who gets first goal – Come on Griffo.
I’ll go for a hard fought draw 2-2
We’re top for a reason and maybe it’s the quality of the squad and tactical nous that enables us to drag the irons out of the fire so regularly. Equally it feels horribly like this might be the one where a passing team on a winning streak is the one to really exploit that Molineux cup final effect, especially with the nerves around the ground after Tuesday’s desperation. I’m hoping these balance out in a draw. Wolves 2 Brentford 2.
Cup disappointments won’t matter if we stay top of the league. Two huge matches coming up in Brentford and Peterborough. Not necessarily ‘must wins’ and more of a case of not losing. I’ll take us to win 2-1 against Brentford.
Wolves 1-1 Brentford
I’m concerned as well, but I think we’ll grab a point.
2-2 with a late Jacobs equalizer after Brentford tear us a new one!
Wolves 2 Brentford 2
Keep on being positive(or naive)we are WOLVES,bring `em on.
3-0 to us,no problem.
COME ON YOU WOLVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just listened to a programme on Radio 4 called “Football’s Loyal Fans”. It focussed on a group of Wolves supporters on their way to Carlisle to see the match at Brunton Park earlier this season. Bully was interviewed along with some of our diehard supporters. Worth a listen on iplayer if you’ve got the opportunity.
UTW.
I’ll go for a 0-0 draw, but an entertaining, frustrating one rather than a dour stalemate.
I have a feeling that, win, lose or draw, we’ll look back at this match saying we are / would’ve been happy with a point.
Just leaving for the match, I’m quite nervous. This is probably our toughest fixture so far. I’m taking my 19yr old daughter who’s never seen us lose as insurance!
I expect Brentford to score but I’m hoping we’ll win so 2-1 to the Wolves.
Come on me babbies!!
1-0 wolves win. Griffiths 2nd half
Wolves 1 – 1 Brentford for me please
Don’t worry about Brentford we will come out 3-1 winners. Believe me it’s true.
Griffiths with 2 and Jacobs to get the other one
After much deliberation going 2-2
And look at that score coming in at half time from Coventry
Wolves 3 – 1 Brentford
Now 8 points clear of third place and i dont think anybody above me in the PL (Prediction League) said a draw so its all fine by me.
Great prediction Colin,but some numbers would enhance your call.
Said 2-2 dorsetwolf not a great prediction but worth a point i hope. Much more important was my first observation which leaves us looking good for automatic promotion (although still early days).
Sorry Colin missed the earlier one,far better prediction than mine.
Automatic still looks good.
C O Y W!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!