In recent times, we’ve nearly always exited the League Cup in one of two humiliating ways.
Either losing in the first round to a minnow or advancing against the minnow and getting tonked by the likes of Chelsea, Man City or Man Utd in the next round.
Last year made for a refreshing change as we advanced through two rounds before being tonked by Middlesbrough.
Hopefully that can be viewed as a sign of progress, because a trip to Wembley is my biggest Wolves-want, as it has been for my near 32 years on earth.
Crawley Town
Just a few years ago, Crawley came to Molineux and completely outplayed us as our League One equals. Fortunately, Wolves found a way to win 2-1.
Later that same season they did beat us at the Broadfield Stadium and were even in contention for a play-off place if memory serves correctly.
Since then, things have fallen apart. Relegation specialist Dean Saunders was their manager as they dropped from League One in 2015 and last year was another disaster.
A run of eight consecutive defeats to finish the season gave them a 20th place finish in League Two with little to feel optimistic about.
They did overcome Wycombe at the weekend with a narrow 1-0 victory, but on paper this seems like a tough ask. Here’s Reds manager (and former Wolves fan) Dermot Drummy with his thoughts ahead of the game:
Wolves
Walter Zenga’s pre-match interview suggested the squad would be used for this one, so I’m expecting everyone who didn’t start at the weekend to play tonight.
That’s probably Lonergan, Deslandes, Costa, Coady, Teixeira, Price and Mason as a minimum. Will be interesting to see if Nathan Byrne comes in from the cold too.
You might argue a good number of those players should have been in the team at Rotherham anyway, so we shouldn’t lose a lot.
Bodvarsson picked up a kick at the New York Stadium, but hopefully he’s already recovered and will be fit and firing against Reading.
Walter Zenga
Predictions
No PL action in the cup competitions, so it’s all just for fun.
I think we’ll just about make it through but there’s definitely a danger our hotchpotch team won’t gel, Crawley will up their game and suddenly it’s a struggle.
Hopefully not though. Would be nice to keep the momentum after Saturday’s comeback.
2-0 I reckon.
Up The Wolves!
I expect strong side to be played (as above), as players will want to impress the new manager. It’s early in the season so tiredness is not an excuse and new signings need to get their fitness levels up. I’ll go 3-1 wolves.
3-1 for me too John!
COMBs!
I will go for a hearty 3-0 win for us. Does anyonne know if the live match blog is happening with Paul, Otto and Carly this season. Certainly didn’t happen last Saturday?
Wow the start of the season is like Wolves managers, no changes for months then two in quick succession.
Defence is weak so expect to concede and the attack is poor without the new players who are still not match fit but should be good enough for a lower league team —- so 2-1 to Wolves.
I’d be happy if he played that side, it’s strong enough to win and I think we will with everyone chasing a place on Saturday. I agree Thomas 2 – 0 wolves
Living in Horsham, I’m gutted this isn’t being played just up the road at Crawley. Last time we played at the Broadfield (or Checkatrade) Stadium it was a great atmosphere, even if we did end up losing, with Wolves fans taking over half the ground and cheering on Big George as he warmed up on the touchline. I can’t help but picture Molineux will be like a ghost town for this, with one man and his dog turning up. Hopefully the buzz of the takeover and the new faces in the squad will help. Hopefully we’ll turn it on a bit and get a morale boosting 3-0 win.
I hope that our defenders will be focused and not make any glaring errors due to under performing or underestimating the opposition. We should get through ok but this is Wolves.
I will guess at Wolves 2 Crawley 0
WZee
at wolves aye we
exciting times
just wait and see
car crash ahead
or victory
just want to say
cheers jeff shi
sounded better in my head!! I saw wolves at crawley in league one and we were awful
Sako getting upset cos they had the cheek to tackle him . Different era now and we must be too strong whatever team we field. Wolves 2-0
sounded better in my head and probably should have stayed there!
We’ve been tripped up by lower league teams too often to be confident but we really should put Crawley away.
I’m predicting a shed load of goals.
Wolves 5 – 0 Crawley
A comfortable win I hope.
I tell you what though, Kenny Jackett’s sounding different isn’t he?
He’s developed a bit of a Steve McClaren accent and lisp.
And I don’t think the No1 haircut suits him. Has Amanda the ex hairdresser had a go at him do you think?
I must get stronger tablets.
3-1 to the lads.
Tell you what Doog, I reckon Amanda isn’t a closet Baggie at all.
I reckon Moxey franchised the players hairdressing out, and Amanda was the hairdresser chosen. If you wanted to be in any team photo, you’d have to have been coiffured by a chosen and designated stylist.
Hair by Amanda. Reckon that would look good above a shop window on Newhampton Road.
I agree Thomas, keeping momentum as we go back into Championship action is important.
Interesting balance to strike for our Walter between not flogging our key players too much before Saturday, getting some players some much needed fitness and keeping some squad players interested. He also has to maintain some momentum from the second half on Saturday, win the game and attempt to put on a bit of a show in his first home game. What is going on with Talisca? Too much speculation for there to be nothing in it. Sounds like he’s not too keen but having his arm twisted by Mendes. I’ll go for a professional 2-0 Wolves tonight.
3-0 to Wolves
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/536414/Liverpool-miss-out-Talisca-flies-England-seal-Wolves-deal
… then he takes on his shirt and shoes and scores a HATTRICK! :=)))))
I think we ll win this easy 3 v 0
Pity Walters first home game can’t be the reading game tho
Our League Cup form hasn’t been great in recent times and Crawley may well raise their game for this. That said, the positive buzz currently around the place should mean a confident Wolves team irrespective of the names on the shirts.
3-1 to Wolves for me.
Hoping that Ennis is available after his “slight injury” I would dearly love to see him play alongside Texeira, Costa and Bodvarrsson. That is a prospect that really excites.
Can’t see our defence holding out, so going dpfor a straightforward 4-1 to us.
The league match at Crawley played in 2″ of water down the right side, which they watered at half time to stop Henry inthe second half. They skinned us.
Wolves 4-1 Crawley.
I am going with Clive on this one….
Wolves 5 Crawley 1
I’ll go with you both 5 – 1
Not mine but I’ll share it anyway……..
Talisca’s the Brazilian ‘s wife is having a baby any day now they say it will hurt.
My wife’s just having a Brazilian
Don’t know if it hurts but I’llasca
Tickled me anyway
Not sure who will play tonight but really, they should all be enough to beat Crawley who seem to have gone a long way backwards since giving us such tough games a couple of years ago.
I, like Thomas, would love a good cup run, just not this year ’cause we need to concentrate on the league. 🙂
Looks like Talisca is due here any day. Taking his time though. I think he must have caught a rowing boat from Portugal and dropped one of his oars.
Comfortable win for us, I reckon. 3-1
Was watching WZ’s pre match interview this morning, and the boss walks by and said that for a foreigner his English and grammar are not bad.
I agreed, and added that it is a lot better than the drivel a certain supposedly female blogger puts on here!
I honestly cannot get too excited by the name Crawley Town.
My over riding ambition is for us to get in the Prem, and stay there.
Then I will be able to watch us on tv every week!!
I have, like a lot of the other old farts on here, experienced the crush of Wolves at Wembley a couple of times, several hundred years ago admittedly, so for me the new antiseptic Wembley is not as big an attraction as sitting in my recliner, having a full English, early on a Saturday morning, watching us thrash the likes of Chelsea, Manure and Citeh in comfort!!
Still, there is never anything wrong with a Wolves win, so 5 – 1 to me babbeez!!
FOwb
These cup games are usually banana skins for us. I reckon our lads though will be too bloody scared of Zenga to lose.
2-0 to Wolves.
If the new boys start, easy, easy, easy. Maybe some shaky moments at the back but don’t think Crawley will put the ball in the net.
4-0
If Ennis plays stu I will go 6-2, if not I say 3-2 to the wanderers. COYW!
Please let this Talisca thing happen – he looks the real deal and £20m… Wow! this really would put us in the big boys camp (not big camp boys, that’s something completely different!)
Thomas, if your team above starts, I’d say this is a stronger XI overall than the ones that started against Rotherham (Thomas for Head Coach!) So I’d expect a comprehensive, confidence and morale boosting win.
3-0 to the Zengaboys.
UTW!
Talisca’s wife just had the baby, so there should be no more delays from his side of things, get your butt over to Molineux.
Surely we should win this, no matter what 11 Zenga starts with.
Minimum requirement is 3-0
Got to go for a clean sheet just to stop someone I know from having a dig if we concede.
I have a feeling about this one, a very good feeling that is and I expect us to really go to Crawley on Town (see what I did there).
Anyway:
Wolverhampton Wanderers – 7
Crawley Town – 0
Open your tent flap Chalkie, your brain is not getting enough air.
What brain? Chalkie doesn’t have a brain.
Iorfa failed in his bid to get the red card overturned, thankfully it’s just a one match ban, so we should manage without him tonight.
Anyone just clock the Wolves Union flag at the swimming in Rio, just behind the finish end
Are the Doogogger amd Clive of Compton Hospice, Siamese twins separated by mirth.
I know its their gang page and platform to perform, at the release of every Wolves Blog but they don,t go to matches so need a vehicle to keep up to date.
As mentioned ages ago Walter has got a good English command, not uttering ‘importante in this moment’ like most Italian managers.
God forbid if he ever gets that Compton twang from Clive though. Yu Waaaaa ?
Talking of haircuts, the Doogogger,s role model William Shakespeare, if alive today would have said of the twins, ‘toupee or not toupee, that is the big big question’
Now interestingly will Walt stick by my heart throb Lee Evans, as he has obviously been impressed seeing him in training, to play him for 90 minutes unsubbed at Rotherham. Nobody just no Wolves fan expected that.
Lets not get carried away as Rotherham were and are relegation candidates.
Crawley to win on penalties
They do say that if you give an infinite number of monkeys an infinite number of typewriters and an infinite amount of paper, they will eventually produce the complete works of Shakespeare.
Looks like they have started, above.
You just don’t get irony at all do you Amanda?
I see that you are being unfaithful already to your previous heartthrob now he’s left for Norwich.
Fickle or Waaaaaaa!
Just the shampoo today thanks.
I’ll leave it with you and I can pick it up in a couple of days, I’ve got a spare.
Nothing about Wolves again DooGogger.
Just the hurt response at it being your page, along with your twin bro, the gansta from the hospice.
Are you sure just the shampoo and not soap ?
It must be puzzling to understand, how far up your head does washing your face stop and shampooing, if any begins.
Of course you have spare days, being irrelevant is one big holiday ay ?
Round 2 Draw hopefully Wolves will get through.
The Round Two draw takes place Wednesday evening. following the LIVE Round One tie between Luton Town and Aston Villa.
Tomorrow’s EFL Cup Round Two draw takes place on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports News HQ at approximately 10pm.
Never mind trying to bloody quote Shakespeare, you have a go at two of the most loyal and best bloggers on here, and you cor even spell one if the names correctly!!
You’m right Clive, a performing chimp could do better
LEE EVANS YU WAAAAA?
YU WHATTTTTT THE F*&K YU ON ABOUT?
You have posted two at best, comments on this blog that did not contain insults or caty remarks to fellow bloggers??????????????
Must you swear ?
Just mind your own business and keep your comments to Wolves football ?
Then their will be no need to reply to your insults with my responsive insults or ‘katie’ remarks.
Yu Waaaaaaa. COYW.
As they take their marks the Wolves flag is there for 3 billion people to see, well done Fosun best PR in the Universe, now buy a fuckin defender.
3 billion audience for the New Wolves…..
FFS Thomas, we are paying contributions to read drivel from this abusive moron penning under the name of Amanda, cut it off at the neck, it’s just boring and offendive towards real Wolves fans trying to enjoy this site.
I’m convinced it’s Babette Moxey.
Pmsl at the totally uneducated drivel from that bloke who calls himself Amanda.
1-1 at half time. Not fussed at all. Saving it all up for Saturday.
47 mins attempt blocked. 53 mins attempt blocked. 54 mins attempt missed. ……. come on boys you can’t win if you don’t score.
60 mins attempt blocked. 61 mins attempt missed. 64 mins attempt missed. Can you not hear me guys?
Goal Coady bottom left corner assisted by Bodvarsson. Just another 3 needed. Five for Clive, Five for Clive ……….
WZ seems to be able to turn matches around, poor first half again, better in second half.
I repeat…….We need to buy a defence….
When will Williamson be available, 5 games zero goals conceded last year!
Two defenders needed please Mr Shi
A win is a win.
That will do for now
Was this game part of the Prediction League? No fair! No-one told me.
Totally unrelated I know but Monday night had occasion to take Mrs BW to Bedford hospital out of hours and had to go via the A&E department. We arrived at 7.45pm and finally saw a doctor at 3.30am. I kid you not. Got home at 4.30am and had to be up at 7am so didn’t go to bed so have currently been awake for 39 hours straight and…………..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Hope the missus is okay mate. As for your lack of sleep – deal with it soldier!
Hope Mrs BW is ok
How is she Bedford?
Give her a hug from me and the PMDG’er.
And have one yourself while you’re about it.
Shite away next round. Keith the psychic Ant told me. If Sandwell need a loan let us know. Sure our Chinese bloke can do yours a favour if required.
Of the 30 games tonight, 17 teams conceded but still won therefore 13 teams won without conceding.
Of the teams that won , 5 conceded more than 1 goal and 8 teams won by more than 1 goal.
Based on the above facts, it confirms that conceding is not a pre-requisite to losing,.
In the league if after say 5 games I would rather lose 3 and win 2 as opposed to drawing all five without conceding. 6 points is obviously better than 5. And talking about the number 5 ……….
Looking at the defenders tonight I saw a No 2, 6, 16 and 30, and could not see a No 5 anywhere, so I suppose that is the reason some people are getting anxious lol.
Looking forward to Saturday where the game matters. Hope to see sone of you there.
Best wishes to Mrs B Bedford. Hope it turns out ok for you.
24 shots tonight with only 4 on target. When we sort ourselves out and become more prolific …. watch out!
Didn’t go to the match tonight listened on the radio and it sounded dire in parts,but as said a win is a win.
Defense all over the place again.Worrying.
Dave,
Hope all is good with the lovely lady, you can stop whinging as you can sleep during the home matches, but only till half time.
There appears to be a gathering taking place in the North Bank bar I hour before the Reading game, about 16 of us meeting up at the last count, New team, new season new friends. Anyone going to the game please come along and meet up with us guys and girls, the more the merrier.
I will be there mate. Will still park in Park View though.
First off, how is the boss, Bedders?
Much more important than anything to do with football.
Hope all is well, and that it is only a case of waking up one morning and finally realizing who is married to.
Second off, I didn’t realize your car battery in your tent could last so long, for all those comments you just posted, Brompto.
Must be made in China.
Third off, or fuck off, AC