I remember the feeling of dread going into this fixture a few years back in a similarly poor position.
But the lads rolled their sleeves up and found a way to come out on top – a result which subsequently changed the course of the entire season.
There’s no reason the same can’t happen again.
While I concur with the idea we’ve taken a step backwards in trying to move forward, this remains a talented group of players.
If Nuno finds the right balance and shape, we’ll give Chelsea a good run for their money.
Chelsea
An Everton side ravaged by injury showed the way forward, seeing off Frank Lampard’s men with a stubborn defensive performance on Saturday evening.
The biggest surprise was perhaps the fact Chelsea didn’t score given that only Liverpool have managed more goals in the league this season.
They do have a few injury problems with wide players Ziyech, Pulisic and Hudson-Odoi all missing. Pulisic may return for this one.
Timo Werner looks an astute signing and I’ve been impressed with his pace and intelligence every time I’ve seen him play.
Against Everton, they deployed the German alongside Olivier Giroud and Kai Havertz, another big money summer addition who hasn’t quite lived up to expectation just yet.
Last season it was Tammy Abraham who caused us pain and there’s every chance he’ll be starting tomorrow, along with Mason Mount who scored in both fixtures against us.
The away end
Some comments lifted from the pre-match thread on the Shed End forum:
The reason why we have looked abject in our last 2 games is because Lampard has been trying to fit round pegs in square holes. We have no Wingers available but Lampard still feels the need to play 433 which makes absolutely no sense. We should switch back to a 343 with Wingbacks until our wingers return.
Same squad with same injuries as yesterday for this match. So let me tip off the moaners and Frank sackers right now. Don’t bother watching because if Wolves show up it could be a long 90 minutes again ! I’m backing Frank all season long and another top 4 finish, and the team is in with a strong chance imo. Couldn’t give a monkeys about spuds or the bin dippers or City winning the title currently there’s a lot of football still to play, our project has its own timeline and you’re a mug if you think otherwise. Got to walk before you run ! In the meantime I know it smarts to lose matches, but only TWO all season so CHIN UP BOTTLERS !
Difficult game for us but just as well for them, I wouldn’t mind a narrow win with a late goal from Zouma here at all.
Wolves
If I was picking the side I’d definitely be going back to the 343 to give us that added bulk.
If we’re playing with a back four I’d consider taking Semedo out for Hoever because he’s not having a good moment.
I do have some sympathy because he’s probably never had to do so much defending and Traore is little to no help ahead of him, but there’s no doubt teams are routinely getting in down our right.
We’ve got to be solid defensively because if it becomes a basketball match we’ll lose out to their superior firepower.
Last time out
Having gained four points from them in our first season back in the Premier League we were comprehensively doubled last season.
A 5-2 rout at Molineux that featured a Tammy Abraham hat-trick was arguably the low point of our whole campaign.
We went to Stamford Bridge on the final day still hoping to make Europe but were again edged out with a degree of comfort. Once we fell behind (albeit to a free-kick that should never have been awarded) we were never really in the game.
Predictions
Well done to Ash k who was the only one person to correctly predict the 1-0 score in the defeat to Villa. MILDENHALL WOLF still leads the way in the overall table at the end of Gameweek 12.
As always if you’d like to join in, simply leave your prediction for this game in the comment section below, which is where you’ll find my best guess.
Up The Wolves!
It’s usually just when hope is fading that Nuno pulls a rabbit out of the hat. We don’t want to be losing to Chelsea, Spurs, Man Utd and Burnley, but it’s not hard to conceive we could, so it would be nice to see that bunny sooner rather than later.
Chelsea’s injury pile-up of wide players could impact their fluency but I think they’ll score at least twice, especially if Nuno sticks with a back four, which makes it a tough old slog for us to get anything.
A stoic, horrible one-nil would be a lovely early Christmas present.
It’s hard to take any positives from the Villa game with how it ended but we showed some good signs going forward but where punished for not taking our chances. For that reason i would stick with the same team but Neves coming in for Moutinho.
Slightly concerned Chelsea are coming into this on the back of a defeat but time and time again Nuno has got a reaction. He deserves our patience and support some of the stuff online has been ridiculous.
DITTO THOMAS.
HOW ARE THEY GOING TO ENFORCE THE SENTENCE OF BANNING ‘GREASY’ FROM DIVING…?
According to the comments above there are some ‘Frank sackers ‘ amongst the Chelsea ranks. Would you credit it? Probably says it all about their fan base.
Bit of good luck required for a change but I’m going for a share of the spoils.
This bloody semedo thing is getting on my nerves . He isnt a bad player he is a good player but not at wing back so put him in midfield and let him run at them .
The donk is an admirable player but his finishing is crap and running around like dave edwards for ninety doesnt mean you have actually done anything of any use so i would drop him and stick semedo in there then put the new lad hoever on the right.
Apart from that your team looks good and i see no reason we cant get something out of this.
I am just so glad I’m not an Arsenal supporter !!!! you think we are struggling with our transition .
I reckon both teams have their problems right now and so I think we’ll see a sharing of the spoils.
Really nervous about this fixture, if Nuno chooses to go with a back 4 they could easily stick 2-3 past us and I don’t really back ya to score at the minute?
Go back to the tried and tested, stay solid make it very difficult for them and I’d happily take a scrappy, dull 0-0.
*us
With no one to come in a really make a difference this says a lot about the depth of the squad.
We only have kids as back up, although Killman has matured out of all recognition and really doesn’t deserve to be benched.
Just don’t know which team Nuno will pick , what formation. He has decided he wanted a small squad and to a large degree he has got away with it till now but injuries and loss of form was always going to catch up with us and poor recruitment as well it has to be said.
And there in lys the problem certain players in fact the majority of players bar Neto Pedonce and may one or two others are just not performing like they are capable of throw in a injury to our only recognised striker and we end up in the situation we are now. Also the constant change in formation.
For the first time in a long time my only thought on the game is how much are we going to lose by that just shows how much things have stalled in fact I would go as far as to say…..we have gone backwards.
To me. now the sooner we get to 40 points I can relaxe In the summer the board FOSUN, Jeff and Nuno mainly the first to have decide were they want to take Wolves ……REALLY not ten years time NOW because the first team should always come first we need sugnifcant investment in the first team because some of the players we have had now for the last three seasons are stalling some on getting on and others just haven’t kicked on.
Going to be a long night.
I can’t be having all this negativity, we have a very talented pool of players and it is only a matter of time before Nuno gets the right mix. What’s the point of supporting if not to look to an exciting game? Narrow win for me.
Paul every time you put NOW in higher case the more you sound like a toddler refused a treat. A toddler who stamps his feet and screams “I want it ! – I want it NOW! Give it me NOW!”
Please put on different record and come up with positive criticism.
If Dendoncker could finish his dinner he could get 15 goals a season with the chances he gets. Due one soon.
Be a tough old game. I like that we are trying to play a back 4 and that is the future imo but without Raul I think we should revert to basics in order to grind some results out.
1-1
It’s Christmas, for dog’s sake, the season of good cheer and joy and glad tidings and all the other stuff meant to make us feel warm and fuzzy inside.
It is not the cold part of the year where we can buy cheap forms of camping gear.
( The season of our discount tent.)
Sorry, that was bad.
Anyway, boys and girls, let’s get in the spirit, or beer, or lager or whatever your choice of drink, and stop bitching and moaning.
I am one of the worst culprits, I admit, but time and a couple of IPAs heal all wounds, and we move on.
Back in the olden days when we played on Saturdays, if we lost I would come home in a foul mood, rip all my heroe’s pix off the wall, stomp around the house, swearing to never set foot in the Mol again, and generally piss off my parents for a day or so.
Come the following Wednesday ish, I was getting all excited about whatever upcoming fixture was on the horizon.
Life moves on, we cannot change the past, and shouldn’t worry about it.
Whoever is out there representing our club on the pitch needs our full support, even from afar as at present, so lets stop being Arsenal type fans and stop all the crying and hand wringing and woe is us, suck up the recent defeats and move on.
Class is permanent, form is temporary and chicks dig scars!
( name the movie)
We ARE Wolves and WILL prevail and basically, bollocks to all the doom and gloom merchants!
As Stu and Stilton and others have recently pointed out, it is only a game.
And Chelsea are there to be beaten, we owe them a stuffing.
Come on me Babbeez!
Don’t know about the film but I think it was Evel Knievel who originally said:-
“Bones heal, pain is temporary, and chicks dig scars.”
Movie was The Replacements, with Keanu Reeves, Gene Hackman, Rhys Ifans and a very nice looking young lady whose name completely eludes me!
We will win and I predict a goal from Leander and one of the youngsters.
Those who are criticizing Dendoncker don’t seem to realize that Raul doesn’t score on all of his shots and has been known to head the ball wide or over the net. The fact that he is getting into scoring position and putting the ball on target should be praised but some people…..
Of the three games we played since Raul was injured (including the game against Arsenal), we won one, we lost away to one of the best teams in the world and we lost but should have won against Villa.
So 2-1 is my non-official prediction.
Italian papers are saying our goal problems may be coming to an end.
Patrick Cutrone
Patrick Cutrone.
He loves the pizza,
He loves the pasta,
The lads funky magic.
Apparently he’s heading back to us in January. Be just like the footballing Dogs to give him back to us and he starts rattling them in. (I don’t even believe that bit myself)
Anyway, on Saturday we did actually play for 93 minutes, so that’s a positive, so lets build on that tomorrow and shove some past Chelski.
I reckon if the groundsmen put baby oil on the posts and bar like tje nedical staff do with Traore’s arms, we may see some go in.
I was just watching the Under 23’s shove 4 past the Shite till the feed went out, (back on now) still 4-2 with 1 minute to go. When they play well Wolves 1st team do well. So I’m going for that score.
Wolves 4 – Podence, Neves 2, Neto.
Chelski 2 – Own goal by Heuver, Giroud.
We will be all right by the end of the season, of that I feel confident
But suspect next few games will see a slide towards Arsenal and that won’t be fun
Like to think one of my 2-2’s will show up. But how will we score 2?
OODCL
So obviously difficult but I sense all is not well at The Bridge. Timo Werner and other expensive summer recruits are doing OK but not settings the Premier on fire. (Please note all those crying out for a ready made goal machine -NOW!).
Top of my wish list is a return of the Neves we all fell in love with. Where are the passes pinged sixty yards, the goals from set pieces and best of all the shots from outside the box. Who will ever forget the volley against Derby.
If he turns up I think we can win.
My confidence is ebbing away, coupled with the fact we never do well against this lot. It’s gonna be a long night
Never do well against this lot? Well, I was there and so too I’m sure were many other fellow bloggers when we stuffed the jumped up fancy Dans 7-1!
15th March 1975. Was it really over 45 years ago?
Not often maybe but don’t say never because it simply ain’t true.
Yes I remember that game. I think we also put seven past Newcastle that season as well and kenny hibbit scored four against his brother, terry? Don’t you wish we had a midfielder like kenny I this current team?
Nah, he’s too old now!!
I was at the 7-1 also, my usual place in the South Bank. I believe that that was Butch Wilkins first game as Chelsea captain but I might be wrong. What a way to start, eh? I went into the Mander Centre HMV and bought Beach Boys’ ‘Endless Summer’ after the game – that’s long since gone, but I still have the match program, too precious!
There was another great Chelsea match when, although we had a dramatically depleted team, Waggy beat ’em on his own. I think that was 1969. I lost that program.
Great days.
Sorry I’d forgotten that, I turned 16 exactly a week later. My optimism is flowing back Wolves 6 Chelsea 0
I might be inclined to rest Semedo to keep him out of the firing line. I don’t want to shatter his confidence against a slick Chelsea. Teams seem to have perceived a weakness down our right flank, as Thomas has pointed out.
At the risk of repetition can I again state that we should not be committing fouls in and around our penalty area! Although this sounds obvious, we keep doing it and suffering the consequences. Opposing teams are looking for the foul. Remember Newcastle at home. Villa at home. Burnley at the end of last season. Etc etc etc. The lesser of two evils is NOT to foul. So what if a player gets through, it’s not an almost certain goal, whereas a penalty is and a penalty might be accompanied by a card as well. I’m all for taking a yellow for dumping Jack Greaseball on his arse as long as it’s not in the same bloody postcode as our penalty area!
Onto Chelsea. I don’t want to see a repeat of that match at Stamford Bridge when we knocked the ball around in our own half for most of the first 45 minutes. Then an unnecessary (but disputed) foul by Coady (what was I saying about not fouling?) led to a goal from the free kick. We all knew that would happen. Quite honestly, Fulham (v Liverpool) Burnley (v Arsenal) and Everton (v Chelsea) showed how it can be done. Not much point in us relying on the occasional counter-attack if we’re going to be stopped in our tracks by arm or shirt pulls far from the opposing penalty area. We just lose a promising counter-attack and get a meaningless free kick from miles out. No, we have to press higher and faster. And forget those bloody short corner kicks and get back to basics to give Donck and Boly a decent chance to score with a header. Young Silva looks a decent height to be a danger at corners.
I never forecast a loss and I’m almost tempted this time but I’ll stick at 1-1.
Chelsea have looked good every time I’ve seen them. Should be up there by the end. Tough game.
Seems that Everton sat back, soaked up pressure and managed to beat them so it should suit our 3/5 at the back. But do we go 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 ? If we go the former we risk getting overrun in central midfield, if we go the latter we risk not being able to get out of our own half for 90 minutes. I’d settle for the latter and a point.
Lots of talk about us signing a striker in January, but my thought is we need two otherwise were in precisely the same place as we were with Raul – one bad injury away from being without an attacking focal point. But its notoriously difficult to do good business in January…
5 at the back and contain them,
would be happy with a draw
Tough game without doubt; however, l see a turnaround for the 6pm game tomorrow.
Back to a regular 3 at the back along with our recent acquisition from Liverpool should do just the job.
We have got to improve our possession stats, watching your team constantly
defend for large periods is tough !
I wish it wasn’t so, but I can’t see us winning this…
Clever money says a draw ar best …
Wolves 2 Chelsea 1
Oh and thanks Clive , same to you and your family too
UTW
Thanks, mate
Totally agree with your team Thomas but even then I’m not sure we’re good enough.
I don’t like being pessimistic but I also try to be realistic.
Yes I remember the 7-1 game when Chelsea were a soft touch London team that didn’t like travelling this far north. Proper Chelsea fans will acknowledge that.
Times change, now it’s Abramovic v Fosun for the foreseeable future. If Molineux was full and rocking I would back us to win but no fans means no advantage. I think a draw is the best we can hope for given our current form and number 9 vacancy. Chelsea could go top with a 3 goal win, hope they leave the back door open going for it.
This better be good!
I’m giving up my last Pilates session before The New Year to watch the game.
If I end up with a bad back and clinically depressed I’ll know who to blame.
It’s all reaching a seasonal low in the DOOGooder household, as my 95 year old mother has been assessed as unfit to live at home and we have to sort out a nursing home for her to spend her remaining time on this bizarre World of ours.
So come on Nuno and the lads!
Give us all something to shout about tomorrow.
A two goal win will help towards a happier Christmas.
5 at the back maybe good for this one, we know the system and can take advantage of breaking at speed with Pedro and Danny boy… Would be inclined to rest Adama, not Nelson for this one. (just my musings)
Got to go into with a positive frame of mind.
Chelski are no mugs, but we still have the core of a great team.
Another few days on the training ground, this is our mini blip we always have one. It’s over, onwards and upwards.
Keep the faith.
From the last London team we faced to this one I feel completly deflated …..yet in defeat we’ve played good football ….I don’t think we are far off though …..I trust that disillusioned supporters wth the Jorge connection are aware of the incidents back in the day at Valencia …if not it’s worth Googling ..surely history cannot repeat itself ?…
To the game head grunts ‘gonna get done again ‘ …. Heart says we’ll win this with a few personnel tweaks
Simon,
Yeah I have read about his dealing at Valenica and that’s what concerns me.
Any transfer involvoving Mendez means FOSUN get a preposition of there money back being shareholders in his company and 90 per cent of our transfers have involvoved Mendez……a blind man could see that, that’s basically FOSUN paying themselves it’s a wonder Premier League have not picked up on this.
Are FOSUN repeating what happened at Valencia who knows but it is starting to look that way IMO.
As I am eating a piece of cake, I will consider this fixture the same.
Don’t want to be a prophet of doom but I can’t see anything other than a defeat here.
If we drop the hapless Semedo and find a way of playing Neves in a role where he can dictate the play we might be in with a glimmer of hope.
OODCL
I don’t know what to predict anymore. Hope Traore has been watching what McGinn did to Semedo in the last game, because that is *EXACTLY* what he needs to be doing to opposition defenders.
Hoping for a good result. But not sure what to expect. 🙂
Championship 1997/98 I seem to remember. Fulham away on a Tuesday night. Day off. Our gang gets the train Wolverhampton to Euston. Arrive about 11.30am on the Tuesday morning. Tube trip for 15 mins. Then embark on a pub crawl all the way down the Kings Road. I remember a pub called the Chelsea Potter not far from Stamford Bridge. You could see the ground. I always remember back then thinking would Wolves EVER get out of the Championship and mix it with the big boys and play at Stamford Bridge. We moved on and eventually got to Craven Cottage. Totally pissed. Not sure how we got in but we did. It’s 0-0 with 5 minutes to go and Neil Emblen slams one in to the top corner right in front of the Wolves fans. He comes right over with arms aloft. My mate gets on the pitch to embrace him. The stewards come over and cart him off to the coppers. We come out the ground after and ask the coppers outside where our mate is. They say only 1 arrest all night. A bloke from Dudley. He is in Fulham Broadway nick. So down the nick we go. Sat in the cop shop for half hour then the side door opens and my mate is ushered through by a copper who says ‘now don’t be a naughty boy again’. They let him off with a stern talking to. And off we go back to sunny Wolverhampton on the last train. Moral of this story. We did get to play Chelsea. We nearly beat them but for a Hazard injury time equaliser at the Bridge. We have a great side. We have great players. We will get it right. We will prevail. Tomorrow WWFC 2 Chelsea 1.
I’m still smarting from Saturday, however remain optimistic.
We have an obvious issue with defending right now*. Which is not helpful against this lot.
*and an even bigger issue scoring
So it’s hard to see this as anything other than:
Helpful if I put a prediction…0-2
3rd time lucky
Allow me to explain the Pat Cutrone situation.
As I preciently stated earlier, Wolves need to find a way to get his value back up or take a big hit on his sale.
They paid 20 million Euros for him and now teams are offering closer to half of that.
So that is why they are putting rumors out there of him coming back. They’re basically telling Serie A that they aren’t selling him at that price.
He won’t come back because he doesn’t trust Nuno and Nuno didn’t appreciate him “stating the bleedin obvious”.
If he comes back, he will be made to train with the under 23s and a loan elsewhere will be made.
Chelsea won’t give us as many scoring chances as Villa, so I am predicting a poor result…
It’s worth remembering that we should have beat villa, we created enough chances to win most games but it wasn’t our day, we aren’t far away.
This is a much tougher game but personally I’d stick with the same team ( to build confidence) and just replace the suspended Moutinho with vithina.
There is something I don’t like about Lampard, not sure what it is maybe because he always looks serious and angry but I’d love to see nuno get one over him here so I’m going for our ‘season changing’ win and a first prem goal for the young prince.
This is the building process stage of our season, can you imagine how good we could be next year with a very young, talented but more experienced team we could have to start next season, I’m excited and just wish most people could have a little patience
Pink Floyd said
Ya can’t have pudding until ya had ya dinner
HOW can ya have any pudding till ya had ya dinner
Come on you wolves
( stolen from Gary pound land)
Why does Grealish like Aston so much?
Because it’s a dive
I could not see us scoring at Arsenal – but we did!?
I could not see us scoring at Anfield – and we didn’t?
I could not see us scoring v Aston Villa – and we didn’t?
I can’t see us scoring v Chelsea but in this sequence of yes-no no-yes – we will ?
I am not quite sure who will shake the onion bag though if I am honest – maybe Rui up for a corner?
As you will note – I have learned how to insert a mojo! Headlines – thick exiled BC twat can now mojo. The sky is the limit.
So Sorry but – I have had a sherbet or ten.
Trying to wipe Saturday lunchtime from my memory completely.
BOG
????!!!
Nurse! The screens!
A frightening fixture considering our present lack of fire power.
I predict 3-0 to Chelsea, but cannot put that down.
The game that gives us hope just as it did two years ago. 2-1 to Wolves!!
I’d be happy to see us play the same team, if Moutino is out then maybe Kilman. Some of those chances we narrowly missed on Saturday could well go in, and I would expect Nuno to sort out the defensive problem with a suitable change of formation.
Something’s got to give and hopefully Chelsea will give us a easy ride tomorrow night.
There’s no getting away from it chelsky are always hard to beat, we always struggle but Nuno can come up with a way for us not to lose and that for me would be a positive then build on that to go and beat Burnley.
Would love us to beat chelsky and get the 3 points.
Now I know 2020 is totally bollixed up, someone has started a rumour that David Luis is coming to Wolves!!
He would be as welcome at The Mol as a dose of the pox.
As usual, I will get up at an ungodly early hour in Australia to watch and support Wolves. I will tiptoe down to the TV room full of hope that we will play well and grab 3 points.
But predicting that we will lose on this forum is the rational part of my brain answering the question that is asked – what is the likely outcome of the game?
That is the the heart and soul of being a Wolves fan. Around the world we have fans getting up at some ungodly hour . To see the boys in gold. The unbreakable bond between team and fans. For all the different opinions on here . The one common denominator. WOLVES AY WE.
Me too Ashley
I never miss one regardless of our chances of winning because I never want to miss t h a t game, you know, that one brilliant game that is the standout for the season.
I don’t even ever use an alarm anymore, my brain is hardwired to wake me up around 10-15 minutes before kickoff, just in time to boil the kettle.
Come on you wolves
I don’t need to set the alarm either, but i wish that I was better hardwired! I tend to wake up throughout the night checking the clock… but somehow always wake just before kickoff
Ash, that will be due to the excitement and anticipation of us beating Chelski and starting a run that takes up into the top 4.
This may be a tough one for the lads come tomorrow night. I want us to play on the front foot but that is way to much to ask against this opponent as well as a short rest. I think this game may come in a surprising manner as Wolves steal a point. 1-1 off a beautiful counter play finished by no other than Adama Traore. Thats right, the man who hasn’t been on the scores sheet since God knows when. I expect a tough match and hope Nuno plants 5 at the Back. If he doesn’t then get ready for some anxiety. 1-1 is the final and Wolves steal a much needed point off a disappointed Chelsea team.
This is a game for a back three.
While Saiss played quite well against Villa, he always seems a rash moment from giving away a penalty. I would bring in Killman, (and Boly) and move Saiss in midfield for Dendonker.
No start for Fabio as much of the first half will be defensive for us.
Have been tipping a 1-1 scoreline for the last couple of weeks with no success. I was also hoping for a back three plus wingbacks (again without success). So I don’t know where to go now.
If Nuno persists with back 4 (including Semedo) then I have to be realistic and expect no points. I think that is what he’ll do and leave Silva upfront.
Have been tipping a 1-1 scoreline for the last couple of weeks with no success. I was also hoping for a back three plus wingbacks (again without success). Nuno seems keen to keep trying this formation
Can’t find anything in our recent form to indicate that we could win this one but then Everton did and that could be bad for us as they will be looking to come back strong.
Wolves 0
Chelsea 2/3/4
Drinking the Kool-Aid.
WGH!
Good grief, it’s match day again!
It’s our turn for a penalty. Adama is owed a few over the last few games. Who’ll take it? That might be harder to predict than the match result. I’d go for Connor.
We never seem to play well in December and watching us on the weekend it doesn’t look like changing.
Can’t see us winning this one.
Will be very happy to be wrong
Not looking forward to this one little bit.
Hoping for a draw suspect a beating
Not here to comment on the match but to let you all know of a conversation I had yesterday with a work mate. He is a 68 year old Londoner, a Spurs fan and loves his football. He has a bit of a soft spot for the Wolves ever since their 1972 UEFA cup victory over us. Anyway, he phoned me up and we were talking about work and then he said we were unlucky at the weekend, nil-nil draw written all over it, but it was a definite penalty, etc etc. I agreed and said we were in a bit of a rut at the minute with our form, losing Jimanez a big blow, etc etc.
And then he said that Fabio Silva looks like he will be one hell of a player, real signs of quality, one to watch. I laughed and said not according to some fans you listen to. He reminded me how Bale had a really difficult start to his Spurs career, almost being sold after two years for £2m to either Birmingham or Notts Forest, and how you need patience with young players.
He finished by saying that we have a great manager (who he would love to see at Spurs), great players , all teams have bad spells, loads of teams would swap places with us and look how far we have come in the last few years. I totally agreed with him.
I know its been a tough start to the season and I think it will get worse before it gets better, and after two 7th place finishes its easy to expect this to be the “new norm”, and yes I do think mistakes have been made with transfer policy, but we are still in the best position we’ve been in for decades and hopefully we will get through this blip.
Keep the faith and enjoy the game tonight!
Two sides that are struggling to find their best shape at the moment. The difference though is that Chelsea are scoring goals. At Villa I thought we looked a tad more on target up front. We may just need a couple to go in off the post or someone’s arse and the flood gates will open. We have a talented squad and Nuno will find a way ultimately, but I’m not sure it will be tonight.
Three at the back has served us very well against the ‘big boys’ since our promotion and, with Raul out, I feel a return to it in certain fixtures is probably prudent.
Many of Nelson’s current problems are exacerbated by Adama’s seeming inability to maintain a level of focus enough to track back when needed. Besides, he was bought as a wing back and is now playing full back, so some patience may well be required.
I can’t understand the criticism of the Donk and his scoring record. He’s a midfielder and, although I’ve not seen the figures, he must have scored more and had more attempts that any of his midfield compatriots. Give him a break. He’s always there or thereabouts. And our forwards are hardly goal machines and it’s their main job.
Sure, Chelski will be a tough game, they always are, but we have some unique talents in our team, especially up front, and if they click tonight we could well surprise a few people.
Would play Kilman instead of Saiss
Would play Ait Nouri instead of Marcal gives us much more going forward and will be needed if James plays
Semedo is not a RB but can perform the link between Boly and Traore
Basher, I wouldn’t make the changes that you are suggesting mate, but like you I still fear the worst.
Hope we are both wrong!
COMBs!
We could nick a draw here. Fabio will be fab, just give him three years. I hope I’ll still be hare to see it and I want to get to see him in the flesh soon. Maybe the post will be kinder to him this match, then his confidence will boom.
COYW
Woke up this morning feeling more cheerful. No, not about Wolves, but that I’ve just been paid the last of my winnings on the US election.
I love playing with the bookies’ money so I’ve had a punt on Wolves to win tonight and both teams to score, at 19/2. Hopefully I’m on a roll. The chance of such a Wolves result is not such a long-shot as 19/2 suggests.
I know I forecast 1-1 at best yesterday so I’m gonna channel my inner Donald Trump and claim victory in the Prediction League whatever happens tonight.
Need to really up our game (which we can do if we try) to get a result. Steady the defence a bit more & just need some attempts to go in the net up front. I’ll go for a draw as if I do that they prove me wrong & take all 3 points.
COYW
5 at the back and hope for the best. I just can’t see where a goal is going to come from at the moment and I would be delighted with a 0-0 draw but I fear the worst.
Agree on the goals front, just maybe a couple from midfield or one from the kid and / or Neto. Hope springs eternal.
Would obviously love a win but realistically think a draw would be “a result” at the moment.
Please, please Nuno don’t knock Fabio’s confidence by going defensive and playing two wingers up front
Would like to see Hoever given a try in a back 4 with Semedo moving up as a box to box midfielder along with Dendonker and Moutinho (or Neves) in the middle and Podence, Fabio and Pedro up front.
No start please for Traore as his mind is clearly elsewhere – he’s just going through the motions.
Bit alarmed to read rumours of a possible return for Cuitrone, but I suppose everyone deserves a second chance. Actually in fairness in his case maybe it would be a first.
From the heart rather than the head.
Wolves 2
Chelsea 1
Very nervous about tonight’s game ! if Chelsea score first our heads will go down and we will struggle. Please Dr Nuno lets play three at the back . They are definitely going to target Nelson and in a back four god help us.
I am praying we find our shooting boots and get a very much needed three points
COYW
Surprised at the level of loyalty for Silva , we cannot carry any player, he holds no threat and is not ready for this level of football !
In a bit of a rush so just a prediction.
Well it’s my birthday today (54), so I’m hopeful for a Wolves win, happy with a draw, but expecting a defeat. Oh, and a bunk up tonight!
Calm down folks! The sky is not falling in. Yes we’re going through a ‘relatively’ sticky patch but that’s no reason to panic.
Wolves to win tonight 🙂
Not confident enough to go for my usual sneaky 1-0 win. I don’t see where the goals will come from while Chelsea are scoring from all over the pitch.
Tonight the boy wonder will get it inside the post…hard fought 1-niller for me…
Two of our better U23s played last night so they probably won’t be on the bench. They scored 3 goals so there is where the scoring might have come from.
Personally, I think Nuno should give some of these top kids a chance and see if they rise to the occasion instead of just playing Fabio all of the time. Some people just rise to the occasion so why not find out if either of these guys will?
First of all my thanks to The Newt for sharing his Spurs fan workmate’s views. I have to agree with what he says about Fabio, for me his movement into the area to get off the shot that hit the post was top class and showed the instinct of a real striker. I’ve been following the team long enough to see a good number of players have a very poor start with unfavourable comparisons being made with the one they were replacing. Malcolm Finlayson had a terrible first game – against Leeds with John Charles – which we lost 2-1. He showed practically nothing positive at all, one wag near me on the South Back labelled him Fumbleson on the strength of that game. He went on to play a huge part in the successes of 1957-60. Jimmy Murray looked nothing like a footballer when he first played for us, and very lightly built as well. I believe Stan Cullis had him take up pole vaulting to gain more confidence and balance in the air. He again went on to play a major part in the team’s success. I can remember Jimmy Greaves congratulating him after he scored five of the six goals by which we beat Chelsea in 1960 I think. In fact I think on balance there have been far more question raising slow starters than instant successes. The point Newt’s mate made about Gareth Bale is well worth keeping in mind. So let’s give FS time, I too think he’ll go on to great things.
Not sure about tonight. Our history against Chelsea is such as to make anything possible. One of their sites gives the biggest scores as this ….
Wolves 8-1 Chelsea – 26/09/1953 Wolves 0-5 Chelsea – 20/09/2003
To these I could add the 6-1 win I mentioned above, the 7-1 win we had in 1975 as well as defeats by 6-0 and 6-2 . The best example is the Youth Cup final of 1957/8. A two legged affair where we lost the first leg 5-1 and won the second 6-1 to win 7-6 overall. The team included names later to be well known like John Kirkham, Des Horne, Ted Farmer and Cliff Durandt.
So anthing could happen and my (birthday) wish is that it will happen for us. I’m looking forward to the match and in faith and optimism am going for a win.
Let’s look forwards and not backwards folks, we have a huge amount of potential on the books and if anyone can make it flourish it’s Nuno.
COYW
Not looking forward to this game at a;;. praying we go to a back 3 with Boly restored, plus Kilman as the extra defender.
Then we may upset the applecart with a scabby 2-1 win, Ever the optimist here in Nottingham. Football in the Easy Midlands is dire with both Forest and Derby absolute shite.
Hope the result helps with the festive spirit, but I doubt it unfortunately.
Interesting line up going for wolves win
Can’t see anything other than an away win
This will be a more enjoyable game to watch when the commentary team climb down from that big old Chelsea arsehole
Same old
Matt,
As usual, spot on buddy, bordering on criminal.
Very true Matt I was wondering if we were actually playing tonight!!!
We definitely were .. lol
CMON U WOLVES
your right the amazon commentary team are so bloody obviously chelsea fans i might switch over to my dodgy box !!!!
Watched on a streaming channel with the volume off and listened to the Wolves commentary from the wolves web site.
Brilliant result and well deserved.
The netto penalty WAS a penalty whatever anybody says.
That result deserves so much respect…
Men became boys tonight
Utw
KEEP THE FAITH. What a win for the lads tonight. We have still got it. And the old faithful 343 back again. How good was Otawasie? And Neto……. delighted .
I don’t really approve of swearing on the blog but…
That was flaming brilliant!!!!!
Sorry about that.
Brilliant, that’s a bit strong.
Disgusted with you, no more.
A loss and a win in extra time get you one more point than two ties.
Don’t have ties, got no collared shirts to wear them with.
Get yer turnimology rite, you Northener, you!!
don’t get your drawers in a twist Clive old chap, living in the USA you know what a tie means in sport.
Excellent result. Podence and Neto superb. Otasowie impressive too. Still not at our best and yet still handily placed in the league. Hopefully this will give them a lot of confidence in what is a difficult run of fixtures.well done wolves!
Nuno got it spot on, Dendonker was pedestrian in the first half, Otasowie was a breath of fresh air.
Once again, Podence booked, but this time for trying to take the ball from Chilwell who was obviously time wasting. What kind of rules are those.
From what Nuno said in his interview I took it that LD was injured. He spoke of sorting out the problems with “Leander and Boly”.
That would explain it.
Thanks.
Isn’t it amazing what this team of ours can do for your mental health? Had a really shitty day due to family health issues and felt really low at 6:00pm. Dreading the game and expecting a bit of a hammering to be honest. This win has given me a huge lift and I have never been happier to get a prediction wrong. A couple of glasses of red wine didn’t do any harm either. OODCL
Noy prying mate, but wishing you and the family better health.
Never good around Christmas having someone poorly.
Cheers Stu,
Kind words. As Springsteen puts it – “we take care of our own”
We do on this blog anyway.
Now that’s more like the Wolves we know & love.
Thank you lads, I love you all.
Anyone want one of these Albion sweets? I find them a bit sickly
ahhh that as a breath of fresh air .
Great win , did not see that coming ! Saiss excellent tonight no daft tackles !
Need to take proper corners and as I have stated on the blog a few times Silva
not up to this level .
I think you’re wrong about Silva mate.
He looked OK to me tonight and he WILL come good.
you will be surprised, in a few weeks he’ll be a star !
Hope I am completely wrong but I doubt it !