The thing that disappointed me most about the Cardiff defeat was that we played into their hands.
We sat too deep, rarely put a foot on the ball and forced far too many long, aimless passes forward. In doing all that it made for a slippery, end to end contest that they were much better equipped to contest.
To my mind, the defence should have played 15 yards further up the pitch and the emphasis should have been on retaining possession and strangling the game.
We’ve got to pass the ball better than we have done in the last two matches, even if teams are pressing. That’s the difference between an average team and a good team.
Chelsea
The Blues have only lost once in 14 Premier League games so far. It’s hard to see how Maurizio Sarri could have done much better given how long Chelsea farted around getting rid of Conte in the summer, which limited his pre-season.
They have the league’s outstanding player in Eden Hazard and their squad remains strong even if it’s yet to be truly moulded in their manager’s image.
Alonso, Azpilicueta and Kante are three players that would surely get into any team in the league? Summer signings Jorginho and Kovacic give them a more forward thinking midfield and the team looks more dynamic than the Conte days.
I feel like they’re a player short at both ends of the pitch to be truly competitive with Liverpool and Man City, but would be surprised if they weren’t in the top four come season’s end.
With the champions to come on Saturday at Stamford Bridge they may rotate some of the better players out tomorrow, which hopefully enhances our prospects.
The away end
Some random comments from the match thread on a leading Chelsea forum.
Adama Traore going up against Alonso and David Luiz is their biggest threat. Both will likely start and need to play a lot better than they have been doing for most of the season so far.
Wolves will enjoy this game lot more than playing against Cardiff and Huddsfield. Fortunately they aren’t in good form and not having a prolific striker, think it’s the right time to play them. Got win this game, I’m not confident about our chances against City on the weekend.
Looking at the results above it certainly is a tricky one. They’re due a win and it looks like they’re suited to playing the better sides, especially as you can add a draw with City to those results against Spurs and Arsenal. Possibly not the time to be resting players. You could even argue a case where we’d be better off resting players against City.
Wolves
Who plays in midfield? Dendoncker, Saiss and Gibbs-White are the contenders. Restoring Bennett to the back three and playing Saiss alongside Moutinho is probably the most likely scenario but all have a chance.
Costa must surely get the hook after back-to-back shockers? I would persist with Traore and bring Jota into the team. If not him, then definitely Cav.
I think any calls for Rui Patricio to be dropped are drastically premature. He’s been top class despite a few wobbles of late.
Whoever plays, we’ve got to keep the ball better than we have done of late or there’s zero chance of getting a result.
The poll
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Predictions
I was correct to be pessimistic about the Cardiff game and well done to anyone else who also predicted doom in Wales. vicsmith still leads the way in the Prediction League table.
To join in, simply leave your prediction in the comment section below, which is where you’ll see my best guess.
Up The Wolves!
The smart money is on an away win given our recent troubles and their strength in depth.
Hopefully some changes to their team and an improved showing from our boys can disrupt their rhythm.
A point would do nicely and inject some confidence ahead of an important couple of games against Newcastle and Bournemouth.
A point will be excellent. I feel we are due a bit of luck as we have had none against Spurs Brighton Cardiff Arsenal. I think the tide will turn and I reckon a draw will be very satisfactory. Thus it will be 2-2. Eden Hazard may be able to tell us all about Dendoncker. So 2-2 tomoz then a 2-1 win at the best fans in the world on Sunday afternoon. 4 points . 20 from 16. No problems. Lawro has us to lose. So no fears at all.
Hate to predict against Wolves but can’t see anything other than a Chelsea win. So I hope we play well and give them a game 1-2
That prick in the Watford goal can piss off an all . Sandwell *******! feel better now.
Chelski will certainly provide tough opposition….. however we have a good record against the footballing teams so I’m hopeful that our run of defeats will soon be over.
It’s going to be interesting as to who replaces Neves but I’m expecting Bennett to return in defence and Saiss move in to midfield.
Traore will start again and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jota getting the nod over Costa.
Time to scrap for everything boys…
Wow, now what? Stumped! If this was Championship Manager I’d go 4-1-2-1-2 long ball as this caused a massive glitch on my Amiga 500 creating 30-odd chances a match and burying at least 2 of them (come on, we’re talking David Kelly days)……predictions-wise I’m all over the shop on this. Given that we’ve no real clue against the sides battling relegation I’m going positive against the teams that want to attack us, would love to nick this one……
#COMB
I was at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea v Fulham. I wasn’t that impressed with Chelsea. At 80 minutes it looked likely to end 1-1.
I was pessimistic for us against Cardiff with the reason that, strangely, we play better against the top six teams than the lower teams. If Chelsea adopt Cardiff’s tactics and play high intensity, high energy, I can’t see us getting anything. They won’t. That is not their style, and their style will suit us better than Cardiff’s.
I will be surprised if we don’t get something from this match. My hunch is 1-1.
Tough game for sure, but we seem to revel in the tough ones so I’ll not be writing off our chances just yet.
They must be desperate to put an end to this awful run of results and what better time and place than a Wednesday evening at a packed Molineux. Especially when I’m coming up to witness the rebirth.
Bennett back in, Saisse in the middle with Moutinho. Up front, Raul Jimenez for sure, then draw lots for the other two spots as none of the contenders have a cast iron claim from their performances thus far. I think Cav (maybe)should get a starting berth as he tends to have more of a goal threat. Traore, for me, should remain a super sub as he seems to achieve little as a starter and carrying all that muscle tires him out long before the end.
Either way, whatever the line up, the weather, I feel, will be more important, ’cause I’m sitting in the uncovered stand next to the South Bank and don’t want to get all wet.
Hi Stroker,
Hope all is well you will be fine in the Graham Hughes after a while you forget the rain, only after the game it hits you that you are wet and cold.
Safe trip up the M5 mate.
All bad runs come to an end, and so it will be with ours tomorrow.
Chelsea will be all London swagger and posing, thinking to win with a stroll in the park.
We are going to knock them off their cockhorses, and play them off the park.
Our boys cannot perform crap three games on the trot, so an easy three points.
5-1
Nice to see Colin back to doing what he does best……………lose…………..tonight.
Who knows what wolves side will show up on the night .
We know what Chelsea team will turn up and we had better get our act together or it’s a stuffing for us .
Best we can hope for is a draw I think.
Wolves to score an early goal and then hold on desperately till the end.
The subsequent results for Huddersfield and Cardiff show how poor we’ve been of late and the slump is unlikely to be halted against the wide boys with Neves suspended. Head is therefore ruling the heart, so
Unfortunately I have to agree with you Sea Pigeon.
I was at Cardiff – no lack of effort but trying to play hoof ball smacked of desperation – come on lads you’re better than this. Prove me wrong and go out and express your selves and get your mojo back.
COMBs!
I know we play well against the better teams, but I am not confident on this one. Would be nice to see the team playing well and getting a positive result but I have to be realistic and not expect us to do well against Hazzard and Co.
Can’t see us winning this one so I’ll gonna go 1.0 to Wolves, stranger things have happened.
We’re due a win.
It’s now December & the biennial Bad month of November is long gone.
Bennett in.
MGW in.
Cav, Raul & Costa to start and hold Traore until 60 mins.
But in truth, Nuno could bring in 11 new players & that would still be good enough for me.
Truth is Chelski will be a better prospect for us.
I’m with you Rick Rack
Slight variations on a theme won’t be enough.. but big gambles are unnecessary .. so sound moves are required
So MGW. Cav And Traore for last 20 mins
Don’t know how we get Jota and Costa back in their prime…but that’s Nunos job
I’m just hoping/praying for return to our Man Citeh mojo
Plus Same result
So far this seems have been a season where when history has favoured the opponents it has ended up being reflected i n the results – e.g. Huddersfield, Leicester etc. Down the years I’ve seen us let six in against Chelsea ….. but also put six past them (Jimmy Greaves and all) with Jimmy Murray getting five of them.
So according to history, when we play Chelsea anything can happen. With a draw seeming very optimistic at the moment, forecasting a win seems foolish …. but why not … if we get things right we can give anyone a game ….. I’m hoping we do get our act together and am going for 2-1 to us. COYW
Our bad run of form ends tomorrow. Go Wolves!
“It’s a funny old game” as they used to say, and it still is. Come on you mighty Wolves, give us a Christmas to remember. Seasons greetings to one and all.
It’s up to us really isn’t it? Let in a soft early goal and they’ll walk it. Keep it tight the first 20 mins or even score first and we’re looking at a similar performance to Arse away and level of fan enjoyment to go with it.
Off to see New Wolves beat Chelsea 1-0 tomorrow.
Then up at silly o’clock to drive 423 miles to Aberdeen to say goodbye to my sister.
Then drive back, 423 miles to meet up with Lowves on Sunday and drive 250 miles to see New Wolves beat Newcastle 2-0.
Then back on Tuesday and out for our first Christmas dinner of this year.
A couple of days respite, then back up the Palace to see the New Wolves beat Boringmouth 4-0
Seems to work for me, rushing around gathering points.
All bad things end, for every Negative there’s a positive.
I’m positive we can turn it around.
Wolves 1
Chelsea 0
Come on me Bambinos
Mary Hopkin 1968…..
Safe travels mate and see you both soon….
We’re going in for tickets for Spurs today, I’m going to see if they will put two up for you two in an envelope so we’re by each other, but it will mean coming through to pick them up Saturday..
If they don’t can you come through on Saturday with Lowves and swap all our seats to the same area.
We wanna be togevver.
Stu, you driving to Scotland & back & then separately up to St James’s?
Only you & Jen?
Thinking about drivin misen, let me know as if I drive I’ll have 2 seats available save you drivin again all day Sunday. ATB UTW
Thanks Phil, Lowves is driving us to Newcastle, the four of us are staying there for two nights. I would have diven down the East coast but my son is coming with us to the funeral and needs to get back. Thank you for the kind offer.
The form turnaround will come, but not just yet. Low confidence, no Neves – an early goal against could be real trouble.
PS – anyone see Cardiff’s goal last night with Gunnarsson blocking Fabianski backwards into the net to allow Murphy to score?
If the ref’s allow it, they’ll keep doing it. Stands to reason. In fact, they’d be silly not to.
Sadly I think our poor run will continue for a few more games. We need a snotter in midfield, and a decent striker, roll on January.
Snotter,Adrian? New one on me.
I think our bad/unlucky run still has some steam in it. I cannot see us scoring more than one, the question is how many will they score? More than one I would think likely. Lets hope the defence carries on as well as they have so far and limits them to two.
It’s nothing to do with luck
Our football has been poor.
I do however see a change in fortunes tonight with a one all draw
Back to getting a clean sheet and a point, then 3 at Geordie land to set us up for a merry Xmas
I’d like to see mgw get a start then maybe Saiss later on to close up shop at the back
Anyone remember when wolves and Chelsea were going neck and neck for the title of division 2 in the seventies? I were a young lad and always remember the radio commentator announcing a wolves goal at Molineux, “ you could have heard the roar anywhere in Wolverhampton when that went in the net”
Let’s have a bit of that tonight and I’m happy to get my prediction wrong
Utw v
Having been watching Wolves for 65 years I have some wonderful memories and look forward to every game in the hope of adding to the memory bank.
Unfortunately the past few weeks have been very disappointing- not just the poor results but the quality of our play. Not a lot of good memories!
I expect it to turn and a good performance tonight could be the start.
I have decided upon a different strategy for the prediction league. When Wolves play poorly, lose the game and I don’t get any points – it becomes a triple whammy. So this time I will predict a loss. If we draw or win and we play well then I am happy. On the other hand if neither of those events occur then at least I have the consolation of picking up some points in the prediction league (something I don’t think I have done for a month).
To date, we have done pretty well against the top boys and l don’t see that changing tonight, albeit we have had a recent slump.
The lads will be pumped up wanting to pit their wits against a recognised top team so l think we will get something out of it tonight, not sure whether to go for 1 point or all 3.
What the hell- all 3.
My mind goes back to 74-75 season when we thumped them 7-1 Willie Carr making his Wolves debut, we will be up for this as long s we do not concede in the first 20 mins we will be ok.
Come on Wolves.
A point would be excellent but I don’t see us getting it. I’m hoping for a typical Wolves performance to defy logic but feel I’m grasping at straws. Chelsea have a plan B. They can play to feet with Hazard etc or knock it in to Giroud. They have the options we don’t seem to possess. They have a midfield who can keep the ball. I’m not sure where our goals will come from and Neves being suspended makes it less likely to be from set pieces. Sorry for being so negative about this one. Think we have to risk Traore and just hope his pace can create something.
Well what can I say . Its a free hit as they say. We are expected to lose and if we play they way we have been playing god help us ! We have to keep it tight, not concede an early goal and try and hit them on the break .
Will be in the Great Western early doors to conjure up some pre match spirit !
COYW
Prefer the Bathams to spirits Dodgster.
Head says we lose heart says we win. Not got a clue so going with my heart.
Tried to get my wife a ticket for the Liverpool game, as she is coming to Wolverhampton with me but no luck. If any kind soul out there has a spare they’re prepared to pass on my gratitude will know no bounds. We’ve a hotel room booked and are travelling up early by train.
Saiss in for neves, Bennett into the back three, jota, Jimenez and Cav to start as the front 3 for me. Backing jota to finally break his goal drought.
I’m hoping/expecting a much improved performance after the last 2 showings.
I think we’ll lose this one as Chelsea have so much more quality but we’ll go down fighting. Nothing to fear against the cockneys and a good performance tonight sets us up for what is now a huge game against Newcastle on Sunday.
Just set off from a wet Merthyr Tydfil to the sunnier climes of Wolverhampton (one can hope). After Cardiff I’m looking for a pick me up: a pint of Banks’s and 3 points will be great – but I’ll happily take it the other way around .
Hard being optimistic, feel like Wolves could nick a tie as we’re much better counter-attacking, but need to finally put some points on the leaderboard so will go with the L. Really hope we see some positives on the offensive end even if we lose.
Well ever the optimist think we will have a shock result tonight.
Came across this sign yesterday and just had to get it for our Albion and Villa fans.
Can see it being an end to end game with plenty of goals. This has run has got to end so why not tonight.
Good luck lads
Can’t see us getting much from this given Chelsea have been decent so far this season.
Jimmy to score midway through the first half, and the Alamo for the rest of the game, but we hold on so….
Just hoping we play well enough to give us some confidence to beat Newcastle.
I would happily take a draw right now.
If you were to read between the lines of some of the news coming from Molineux, interviews with players etc., you might just possibly detect the very slightest hint of a message of unrest somewhere in the ranks.
Personally I don’t read between the lines because you could end up being knocked down by the 6.15 from Euston.
I hope it’s not the case because we have been a solid pack of Wolves up until now.
Enough about things going wrong OFF the pitch.
Let’s get back to what has gone wrong ON the pitch.
We’re not playing the sort of football that we’ve come to expect over the past few months. And in the last couple of games we’ve started playing the sort of football that us poor long suffering fans have watched for years ‘Pre Nuno’.
I’m not sure if Chelsea is exactly the right sort of team we need to face in order to jump start our fluid creative passing game…or exactly the WRONG sort.
They will allow us more room than we’ve been given by the likes of Cardiff and Huddersfield.
But if they turn up firing on all cylinders they could well give us a spanking.
Time for a prediction then.
I’ve got nothing to base it on but I have a feeling that we will get a point tonight.
These are the games we have been looking forward to. We are in a poor run and everything points to an away win.
With that in mind I think we will get a point out of this.
🙂
Can’t realistically see us getting anything from this, especially without Neves. But since when was football predictable? Will be happy just to see us start to play some good football again and build from there. Come on me babbies!
I can’t see past a defeat for us. Wish for a win, take a draw but expect a loss.
Wolves are like a seriously wounded animal and the question is: Will they just lay down and die or will they react savagely and dangerously? We will soon find out!
Followed Wolves for over 50 years and my brother has been a Chelsea fan, also for 50 years. No answering the phone if we lose!!
Just hope for a good performance to give us something to hold on to for the next game!
Sorry to hear about your brother St Kitts. Hope he makes a full recovery.
Only way I see us winning is with a 1-0 game. Not a lot of goals in our team but the potential to close down the opposition.
I’ll pick Raul to score as he falls to the ground, feinting the goalie.
According to that xG analytics, we should get a point.
Haven’t got a lot to say at moment
Good luck tonight boys but I just hope we play well going for a narrow loss
Slapping time I am afraid.
Hope I am wrong as I am here now lol.
See some of you in the Combemere at 1800 hrs.
My heart says a win, but after recent performances me head says we will lose, so I’m going for a draw .
Nothing to fear but fear itself. Going for a narrow win, would love to see Ryan Giles involved. He was my MOTM in the preseason game at Stoke. Confident, paced and an eye for goal. His defending was top notch too.
Looking forward to this. Nervous, but positive. I’d love a sneaky win.
Like all fans the last 2 games have been something of a wake up call
A return to the system played against Spurs in the 2nd half,Man City and Arsenal through out and large parts of the opening distant game against Everton I think will reap rewards …. ever the optimist COYW
Time to come good.
Time to come good.
(If I can post this) *Yes i could
Let’s get back to basics,all I hope we play well and give it a go.
Chelsea have strength in depth and can beat any side on their day, but let’s all hope they have a Shiite one tonight.
UTW FOWB.
naturally nervous about this one, but hoping we’ll put on one of our super shows against a top team, maybe get a draw, but at least not be thrashed.
But sticking to a very hopeful 2-0.
I really can’t see us winning this, but we can’t do any worse so if I was Nuno I would make some changes, but I’m not him so who knows who’ll play.
I’m going for a draw – theory being last time I thought we would lose we drew 1-1. I’ll take the same again.
No confidence, no goals, no plan B? In Nuno I trust, in the team I trust, in the fans, I trust, in Fosun I believe. We have to stop the run somewhere, why not now. Absolutely nothing to lose.
Let’s give it a good one. The massive division 2 Brummie derby awaits Friday nite
Lets hope the bad run changes tonight, with a team that we know has the ability – fingers crossed again – come on guys, pull finger and do it for the fans
Me babbies
Believe ay it. Wolves ay we.
Other than blind faith, complacency from Chelsea players or some good luck, there is nothing to justify a positive outcome from tonight’s match.
I would love to be totally wrong with my prediction but…..
bet you’re glad you were so wrong, oh ye of little faith !
The ‘justification’ was the hope that they would raise their game against a top club, as they do so often.
Hopefully same against Liverpool, eh ?
Trouble was, Chelsea couldnt raise their game against a top club!!
Yep – beneath this egg on my face is a dirty big smile.
Just about made it in time to make a prediction sorry for me on current form it’s only a draw.
Absolutely bloody brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Every man deserves a medal.
Soooooooooooooooooooperb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Except John Moss and his two henchmen
A few decisions went our way too Clive so I wouldn’t be too hard on the officials.
Great Result had thought the same about perhaps a little discontent in the pack, but thinking that it came after the wonderful bonus system Fosun have in place doubt that. Another thought is that we always play badly after the team are involved in off field activities i.e. 1/2 term open training and then the children’s parties, not saying we should stop these just that Nuno needs to be on at them 24/7 to keep there feet on the ground
CLASS is permanent!!!!!!!!!
Bogie month November is over.
Only 4 points out of Europe (plus goal difference).
Nuno has no plan b. No striker.neves moutinho too similar doc no good. Patricio is shit. Never mind. wolves 2 Chelsea 1 ….
Cheesie,
What really really really tends to piss me off is that “our Nuno” has no plan B, C or D
Proper fekin Wolves Ay We
In NUNO we trust ! I will leave it at that
What a brilliant performance. MGW was outstanding. Mountiho man of the match !
Rui Patricio he’s one of our own
Matt Doherty he’s one of our own
Ryan Bennett he’s one of our own
Connor Coady he’s one of our own
Willy Boly he’s one of our own
Ruben Vinagare he’s one of our own
Romain Saiss he’s one of our own
Jao Moutinho he’s own of our own
Diogo Jota he’s one of our own
Raul Jimenez he’s one of our own
Ivan Cavaleiro he’s one of our own
Helda Costa he’s one of our own
Leander Dendoncker he’s one of our own
& Morgan Gibbs-White he’s one of our own
To a man! To a fekin man
Nuno, total respect to the best manager ever to grace the hollowed turf at WV1
Loud & proud in S4
Come on mi fekin babbies 🙂
Fantastic..! someone big was going to trip up and today was owed..
We are a bogey side to this lot sometimes I remember 10-1 once..
Anyway MOTD too and Morgan Gibbs-White featuring as England prospect..bloody marvellous
We’re back Stevie boy.
We’re back.
No-vember out of the way, part of our Christmas present delivered, now on to Newcastle for part two of four.
Andthat was Without Neves…..
Excellent performance and a very important 3 points. Delighted that Nuno was able to get more energy and physicality into the team with different personnel and a tweaked formation. I don’t think it changes anything in terms of what we need in for January but the result lifts the players and us fans and eases the pressure that was building. Let’s hope we keep same starting xi for Newcastle .
That was one of the gutsiest performances I have seen from a Wolves team in many a year. Chelsea were quite outstanding and to get back into the match after their goal was awesome to watch. Nuno got it right all over the pitch and Bennett has again made himself unstoppable. My MOTM- everyone involved in playing/coaching the team. Brilliant entertainment
Raul Jimenez has been directly involved in 53% of Wolves’ goals in the Premier League this season (eight of 15).
In Nuno we Trust
Brilliant In Nuno We Trust f—–k the plan B.