I know it was a much-changed Palace team but it was pleasing to see us control the majority of the game on Friday.
Having that reliable midfield trio in place was reassuring and brought out the best in Ruben Neves.
It was a much more Nuno-like team performance overall with the cohesion and positional discipline we’ve come to expect.
A repeat would be splendid in the next two home games to emerge with a points tally that gets us looking up instead of down.
Everton
It’s been a good season for Carlo Ancelotti’s team and a win tomorrow would put them just a point behind Liverpool.
The summer recruitment drive has sorted out what was previously a terrible midfield and combined with the goals of Dominic Calvert-Lewin they suddenly look a much different outfit.
I’d be surprised if they made the top four, but top six is very much on the table if they continue as they have been.
What’s impressed me most is the results they achieved over Christmas despite injuries to key personnel, suggesting they have a way of playing that isn’t reliant on individuals.
They boast one of the best away records in the league with five wins from eight matches.
Midfielder Allan appears to be the only notable absentee after Lucas Digne made an earlier than expected return in the FA Cup.
The away end
Some thoughts lifted from the pre-match thread on the Grand Old Team forum:
Bogey team for us this lot with pace all over the pitch that can stretch us. We haven’t taken a proper tonking since Southampton and I feel it’s a possibility here. If Richarlison starts then we need him on his A game. No room for passengers. Only one of Gomes or Sigurdson too, otherwise we are starting with 9 players. Hope to god both of our blood injury Columbians are fit to start as this game comes rather quick after two head injuries.
Digne is quality in possession, but against Wolves I worry about him against Traore, especially after a spell out. They have two very fast players out wide in Traore and Neto. We need to nullify that if we’ve got any chance of the win.
Very nervous about this one. We need a win, but I can’t see it he way we’ve been playing. Anyway, DCL and Richie will be back, rested, and James, Doucoure and Digne and Coleman are available, so a much improved team available. Fingers crossed.
I am worried by this one, they have some good pace wide and up front tyically playing a 3-5-2…. When defending they will be 5 at the back, and you know what we are like breaking teams down who defend in numbers! In wide areas they have good pace which we always fail to deal with, plus 2 strikers they will play up against our 2 centre backs leaving us 2 on 2 when our full backs go forward.
Wolves
I’d be surprised if the team was anything other than the XI we saw against Palace, other than perhaps Cutrone getting a start up front.
Fabio squandered one glorious opportunity to get his first goal from open play and looked tired so unless there’s a compelling reason not to make that change, it feels inevitable.
I think there are mistakes in Ait-Nouri too and long for the reassuring presence of Jonny in that left-back position. He’d be the ideal foil for Neto.
Semedo was excellent against Palace I should say, albeit not really tested defensively as he has been at times.
Last time out
We don’t win many games comfortably but we well and truly trounced Everton at the end of last season. They had injury problems and Ancelotti had them in an unfamiliar system but we really did dominate in a 3-0 win that could have been more.
Earlier in the season, they overcame us 3-2 at Goodison Park after we clawed our way back into the contest twice, only for Richarlison’s header to prove the difference.
Predictions
Unsurprisingly, nobody thought we’d conjure up a 3-3 draw with Brighton.
But Matt Cook takes the lead at the top of the overall Prediction League table at the end of Gameweek 17, having amassed his 20 points with one fewer prediciton than Liz.
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!
A win would be huge and provide a much-needed boost going into the Albion game. Lose and we’ll be feeling the heat.
Our home form has been decent enough all season, even if we haven’t always got the results, so no reason to think we won’t take them all the way.
We’ve got enough to win this one and I’m backing us to do it – just.
Wolves didnt stand a chance at home to everton l think wolvrs played rubbish again
Excellent summation Thomas and agree with yr team selection although there could be a case for playing 5 at the back . Calvin Lewis and Richarlison will be a handful for any PL defence and Ait is still learning his defensive duties. Can Hoever play on the left, he seems much more secure defensively but probably not the game to experiment. Very respectful comments from the Everton faithful and this is probably going to be quite an open game. Can’t see us scoring two, so a draw for me, which given our recent form will be acceptable. I don’t expect Everton will give Ruben so much time on the ball but Donks return is reassuring, no pressure to get Boly back but Marcal is a miss in a back 4.
Start a very big week for us but the game against that lot can wait. Everton have got a few injuries and are not as free flowing as they where at the start of the season but they will prove a sterner test than the last time we played them.
As for us I was pleased with the Palace performance, Adama was really good and there are signs of a partnership forming with Semedo. Neves also looks back to his best and it’s great to have Donck back . So I would only make one change, he will come good but I think Fabio could do with taking out the firing line. I would give Cutrone a go.
Tough game, with Everton a different prospect to what we faced in July. I’d take 4 points this week (not if we win this one, mind), so reckon this could be a draw.
We need a win if we play like we played a gainst CP good for a 2-1 win.
In order to play like we did against Palace Everton will have to play like Palace did. It’s been a feature of the games when we’ve played well that the opposition has been relatively poor. Strange that.
Of course I expect us to win at home to Everton, now that fans have realised that Semedo and others previously slated are quite good after all.
Another tight game in prospect I think.
1-1
Text me your e mail address bedders
From a good start Everton’s form has, like most, lacked consistency. Richarlison’s presence seems to give better results, so, if he plays, Wolves need to give him close attention. He has the knack of finding space with or without the ball.
Like you Thomas I would like to see Cutrone start, if only to give the young Prince some respite.
No reason to think Wolves can’t win and of course I hope they will.
I’m sticking with a narrow win – tighter at the back and goals still hard to come by.
am going for a draw to avoid jinxing the result (which will be a wolves 2-1 win)
Hoping for a win (which is doable) but, like some others, I am beginning to believe my win predictions have been a jinx, ’cause I don’t recall getting one right. (Who me superstitious ??).
A 1-1 draw would not be the end of the world. And yes, anyone other than Silva upfront. Even Cutrone !
The first of two wins this week for me
Neves and Neto
Come on you wolves
.
ITS NOT WHAT YOU DO ITS THE WAY THAT YOU DO IT,
THATS WHAT GETS RESULTS !
need some height at the back for this one or CL will have a field day.
Traore hat trick.
I worry about Rodrigues if he plays – can turn a game in an instant with a bit of magic but doesn’t defend much.
Having the Donk back is a big plus.
Oddly enough I would start Silva if we go 451. He’s getting into the right positions and I’m sure a goal will come soon and give him the confidence he needs. If it hasn’t worked after an hour then bring on Cutrone. Alternatively Kilman in a back 3 and go 352 with any Traore and Netters starting up front – difficult to leave either out. That puts an onus on the Donk to get into the box.
Can see the Donk scoring along with Silva if he starts.
Squeaky bum 2-1.
Didn’t fill in score!!
I’m slightly happier now that the Donk is back, he really makes the difference in how he gets all over the pitch. I would like to see Boly in too, but what will be will be. We need to start with Hoever at RB with Semedo in front of him, it’s well known I’m a huge Semedo fan, but a RB he his is not, he needs more time to adjust to the PL way of things.
I think since we are getting players like Neto and Ait Nouri then Semedo and Traore gelling more, we are making steady progress, with the points gained, the confidence and flair will return.
Cutrone up front please Nuno, if he can’t cut it still, we are no worse of than with Silva, give the lad some space maybe a loan spell somewhere meaty to toughen him up.
Wolves 2
Toffees 0
Nervous for this one, I have so many bets on with the lads at work, as they are Everton fans (including my brother).
One thing to note is Dominic Calvert Lewin is out for the game (even though there fans above believe him to be back).
They haven’t won a game in the League without Richarlison, So If Adama/semedo can make him work down the left (our right) we should be fine, after a few things don’t go his way he loses his head.
There midfield is better then last season I agree, But the way Everton are going to fall down is the fact they have no system.
Its a give it to X to make Y happen type of team.
One of the first games I ever went to: Wolves v Everton 1971. Joe Royal equalised after Danny Hegan had put us in front. My dad took me and my mate to the game. My mate was supporting Everton at the time as they had won the League the season before – he later became a fervent fan of the unmentionables. I think this could be a bit sticky. I’ll settle for a point…
Really looking forward to this one
Time to reverse fortunes and start our movement upward.
WGH!
Hope for a win, take a draw, predict a defeat…
That’s the spirit!
Don’t blame you Mildenhall. We’re still struggling to score I think and we’re playing a good team in Everton.
So I too I’m afraid am opting for a narrow defeat.
Everton in the League will be harder than Palace in the Cup. We should give them a tough game if we do play anything like we did at the weekend, but they have players who are scoring on a regular basis whereas, even against a disinterested Palace, we only managed to bag one.
Hopefully Nuno will give Silva ‘a rest’ and whoever comes in instead will start to earn their money. But for now I have to predict that the Toffees will take their chances better than us.
The most important thing about this game is the signs Nuno sends out about what he is going to do about the striker situation. Is he going to start Patrick or Fabio? If he starts Fabio, when does he bring on Patrick? If Patrick starts, now long does he last before being replaced.
I hope Nuno realizes that with Raul, he had someone who had experience playing in Portugal and so that probably made it easy for him to transition into the style Nuno wanted him to adapt at Wolves. With Patrick, he played in Italy and everyone knew he is not the most technically gifted player …. yet.
I was looking at the stats on the Premier League website and both have similar shooting accuracy percentages, whatever that means, so if we can get the ball to Patrick, at least he can hit the net with the same frequency as Raul. Hopefully, a lot of those go in.
Wolves 2
Everton 1
You are starting to scare me Tim, you are beginning to make sense.
Stop it, or I’ll have to pick on someone else!
Hopefully we play to our strengths and it ends
We need a confidence boost of 3 points in the bag. Don’t give a damn if it is by way of og’s or not.
I have a feeling that 3 or 4 of our players are over the next few games are going to provide the much needed goals until we have someone up front banging them in for fun, whether we have that person here already, or get a loan in.
Our season is in the balance at the moment and hopefully we can string a few decent results together to warm the cockles of our hearts.
We really need 3 points in the bag to boost our confidence; don’t whether we get them through og’s or through our own merits.
Next few games l see 3 or 4 players stepping up and getting the much needed goals until we get someone up front banging them in for fun, whether that person is already on our books or we get a ‘loan in’.
Our season is in the balance and it would be great to have a run of decent results to warm the cockles of our hearts
Surprised by the observations of the EFC fans, let’s hope we don’t disappoint them!.
Would deffo give Patrick a run out, he does put himself about and with Adama learning to run more direct that too will cause problems, like others having the Donk back is a plus.
Will be a more open game than the ‘big’ one coming up on Saturday, so let’s go for 3 points.
Short and sweet this week, getting all excited for Matt’s Zoomy thing this coming Saturday.
Easy three points tomorrow.
We seem to lack any consistency at the moment so we’re as likely to win 3-0 as we are to lose 3-0
As has been mentioned the Donk being back is a big plus and it’s anybody’s guess how Cutrone will perform. Ait Nouri can be a liability which is a worry. On the other side there are as has been mentioned concerns over Semedo as a full back although I think he’s beginning to get to grips.
We can still scare the bejesus out of anyone up front but will need someone to lace up their best shooting boots.
After all that analysis I haven’t got a clue so….
So that means you are going for 4 4 2 Stu. So who are you leaving out. Playing both Semedo and Hoever seems unlikely in my mind.
Moutinho on the bench swap him with Neves second part.
Rotate, Preserve, secure.
Tough game, although DCL has been ruled out.
Hope to see Cutrone start and Silva out of the firing line for now. Also would love to see Boly back to take care of Richarlison who always seems to score against us. A draw tomorrow and a win against the shite would be a decent week.
No DCL …that’s good
MGW and Cutrone back…that’s good
Give Young Prince the day off,,,that would be good for him
Neves free kick to go in for a change and Traore to terrorize…that would be good for us
,,,and another clean sheet please
So deja vu all over again
Chorley!!! In the cup… Matt shame we can’t go (again)
Oh my god … we were at all of them .
Did we go in Rob s yellow car ? We thought we looked like a firm but we must have looked more like the inbetweeners .
19 86 . And then onto props wine bar !!
We went Robs metro. 3rd game we were all undecided, you and Rob picked me up from Charles Clark.
Yep Props bar, now there is a blast from the past.
Send me your e mail to
Mattjbaugh@sky.com
Had to be Chorley v Wolves
Another 80,000 crowd for the FA cup.
It a new year and we can move onwards and upwards from a much improved performance against Palace
I don’t like Richarlison.
He can be a real party pooper for Wolves.
Not really much else to say apart from… Chorley!?
Let it go!
No, I can’t.
But we’ll beat Everton if we can get the same aggression and fluidity we were starting to show against Palace.
But…
Chorley?!
Chorley! We’ve got bloody Chorley! Revenge is definitely a dish best served cold. Come on you Wolves!
Oh yes … all these years … waiting for revenge … this is a gift from the gods ..
THE CUP IS OURS…..AGAIN !!!!!
Chorley – I did predict it !!!
Might do the lotto on Wednesday ???
The same 250,000 Wolves faithful who were there last time will be there again, even with the ground closed!!
Seem to remember we had a newly signed spectator or two watching our ignominious exit last time.
Not that I want another defeat, but wouldn’t it be nice to have a silent, recently signed spectator who could go on to emulate Stephen G. Bull, Esq.?
FOwb.
Oh, sorry, you already are!
Thanks, Sam.
Diego Costa’s agent has stated, “Diego would be willing to do a 6 Month loan spell to get back to the PL”
Over to you Jeff.
What about the no dickheads rule?
Plus he’s not very good any more.
Fabio Silva, hmmmm now let me see.
:-). Love it Clive.
Hi Clive,
Hate to be pedantic BUT, I think Bully and Thomo were at the replay at Molineux which finished 1-1. I was one of the app 5,000 who turned up for that one but I don’t think that Bully was at Burnden Park for the inglorious 2nd replay ( and nor was I – I think I was washing my hair that night !!)
Bully and Thommo were there but as spectators as they’d only just signed.
:.)
Just to give the blog a chuckle.
What’s a pub?
Excellent, nevertheless, Stu.
Excellent. Raised a big smile on a dreary day.
The thing is Carlo Ancelotti’s left eyebrow is 6 inches higher than his right eyebrow. Nothing wrong with that. Well apart from Tuesday night when he is barking instructions from the technical area. The intensity of his shouting causes his left eyebrow to extend towards the pitch just as Patrick Cutrone is entering the penalty area and thus tripping him up. VAR gives a penalty. An incensed Ancelloti proceeds to fling a mozzarella pizza with tomatoes and basil at Cutrone in an Italian gesture of anger. There then follows 10 minutes of mayhem as Patrick and Carlo hurl pizza and pasta at each other. Patrick eventually flinging a large pizza which sticks on top of Ancelotti’s left eyebrow. A stray seagull normally circling the ground for bits of burger and stuff swoops and removes the pizza from Ancellotis eye and its beak causes agony as Ancelotti’s eyeball is wounded. The distressing scenes lead to the Everton bench administering emergency first aid. All of this causes the Everton players to lose heart and WWFC romp to a 3-1 victory. After the game Ancelotti said ” I would just like to warn anyone who has a left eyebrow 6 inches higher than their right eyebrow to look out for deviant seagulls swooping down and pecking your eyeball” Nuno said ” it is not often you see Mozzarella pizza being hurled around the pitch. God knows what will happen against Sandwell Town. Probably deep fried mars bars.” WWFC 3 Toffees 1.
Home advantage. The 12th man. Loved it when that mattered. Still too strong though so:
Lots of 1-1 draws predicted here. I’m not that confident. Not to worry I’ve been wrong all season …
Everton will sneak a win in time added on…
Patrick must start, he has a physical presence and a devilment about him. In short he gives Everton something to think about with and without the ball and “off the ball”. Be honest, Fabio hasn’t got that about him and you wouldn’t expect him to.
I’m encouraged by our threat down the right with Traore and Semedo getting their act together but not convinced yet that Ait-Nourri can concentrate for 90 minutes, there again, at his age , you wouldn’t expect that either. These youngsters are getting game time ahead of schedule, that’s a consequence of losing Raul and Jonny .
Prediction wise, one correct out of sixteen goes so hopefully I’m wrong again, superstition gene.
TWO THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN: 1. Revenge on Sandwell Town for that awful day in 2012. Eight years of agony waiting to be repaid. 2. Chorley. 1986. Many fans pointing to our lowest EVER point in our history. Revenge needs to be ruthless in both games. What a fantastic opportunity for Nuno to reinforce the legend. Coady will know.
Actually. Sandwell almost 9 years.
Cheeky 2-1 win for us I hope!
Yes we can win the Everton game, the chances will be created all we need to do is put the ball in the net. Everton higher in the league but other than their two main strikers I wouldn’t swap any of their players for ours( even Pickford always prone to a mistake).As I have said before with Raul out need two strikers, hope Cutrone in is second spell back at the club performs and his one of the strikers needed.
,
So you wouldn’t swap Calvart Lewin for Silva? I think that I must be watching a different game.
Suggest you read my comments again.
Suggest you read my comments again
Ooooops,apologies.
I was worried that DCL would score as we are not defending crosses very well, so it is a big bonus that he is missing. With both clubs being talented, but scratchy and inconsistent it really will come down to who takes their limited opportunities.
I got a good feeling about this! First game I will not be able to see on tv, which means we will play brilliantly and will win comfortably!
We usually do well against them at home so, on the basis of horses for courses, Wolves to devour the Toffees.
Just hope Richarlason and Rodrigues decide not to turn up
Tom Davis apparently had a good game last time
Everton are boring and the Ancelloti hype is well ott
Inconsistency is our major fault this year, can’t see us getting the better of the Toffees, 1 – 1 draw for me
We’ll probably go a goal down again. It’s in the script.
Question is can we get one or even two back, then?
I just know Pickford will play out of his skin.
Would love to see Traore score and Catrine to start.
Hopefully Dendoncker is available again.
Wish I could claim to be one of the quarter of a million Wolves supporters who went to all the Chorley games but I can’t. However I do have a distant connection; both my parents attended Chorley Grammar School in the late twenties and thirties. They started courting, to use the Lancashire expression, after meeting at an old pupils dance. They moved to Wolverhampton at about the time of my birth otherwise I might have grown up a Chorley supporter. On this basis I think it behoves me to buy a virtual ticket for the tie. If all the 250,000 who attended the last meeting do the same my Northern cousins will be grateful!
Our league form has been patchy at best, so for me, this is a must not lose game. Without Podence and Jimenez I think a draw is the best we are capable of at the moment.
Not an easy game to call. We are to inconsistent at the moment to be confident of a win. Everton can blow hot and cold so no idea what will happen.
One thing in our favour is no Calvert Lewin tonight , hopefully both Richarleson and Pickford can have their usual crap games at the Mol and we can sneak a win.
Would love to see Cutrone start and score.
My niece used to live in Chorley; she is checking which of her friends has a place overlooking the ground so that we form a new bubble!
Everton: this is the match where I hope we can build on recent strong performance and get some consistency. There have been some positive signs as players get used to working with each other but some improvement needed in pressure situations ( Semedo and Dendoncker getting in each other’s way to tackle Eze, for example). It’s so frustrating when we seem to be just a second or a millimetre off completing a beautiful move.
Wolves win – and start to put together a run of wins and great performances
Cutrone must start ahead of Fabio.
The Donk is essential in midfield now, as well as his height in both boxes.
Altt and Semedo are both accidents waiting to happen please, first choicers return asap.
I would still prefer a back 3 with the Boly or Max Kilman who has really impressed.
D.C.L. injured apparently which will make our task that much easier – going for a 2-0 win, with Cutrone on the score sheet.
I was thinking of setting up a test Zoom meeting for this afternoon/evening’s game but there is a 40 minute time limit on the free account that I have. Maybe I should set up a series of them for us to use.
Is anyone interested in trying this out?
Will be in the pub, they’re still open over here.
Ha Ha
But send your e mail address to London Wolves Loyal, he is setting up a Zoom for Saturday’s game against the shit.
Remember, it’s not whether or not it is legal, it is whether or not it is safe.
It’s safe to stay in your house all day and night…………until that stray plane lands on it!
Life is for living, not cowering under a table, scared of everything.
I recall that you wanted the season cancelled only last week.
Fine, I hope there’s plenty of capacity in the Dallas hospitals’ ICU units.
I wonder if your insurance is voided if you do something stupid and become sick as a result.
I genuinely was at the first replay at Molineux. But I didn’t go to original tie or second replay up in the north west. Either way. Its redemption time!
Wolves v Everton October 1969.
The capacity of the old Molineux North Bank terrace was given as 9,500. To this end I have no idea how terrace capacities are calculated – one person per 2 square feet maybe or perhaps based on average weight or it could have been pure guesswork. In the case of the North Bank terrace surely 9,500 fans consisting of 20 tone beer swilling lard-arses would take up double the space of 9,500 10 stone marathon runners. However, I digress, because on October 4th 1969 the hollering, sweaty mass on the North Bank was certainly not a place for the faint hearted.
This was the day when referee Keith Walker (the Marriner or Dean of his day) was given a police escort from the pitch and outside the stadium afterwards after sending off the darling of the North Bank – the irrepressible Derek Dougan. Apparently “The Doog” yelled “you clunt” (minus the L) at a linesman whereupon the linesman called over Walker and off Dougan went – right in front of the North Bank. Not a good idea. Cue lunacy as police reinforcements were called to stop supporters from the North Bank clambering onto the pitch as coins and other missiles rained down including a meat pie. (One of my tight-arsed mates waited until the crowd had eventually dispersed and went round picking up the loose change). On my usual terrace spot roughly half way down behind the goal we ducked as some of the missiles never got near the pitch – including the infernal meat pie!
Everton were a fine side with some class acts and champions elect, whilst Wolves were 6th which set the scene for a cracker of a game. It had everything you could wish for in 90 minutes, including 2 penalties and umpteen goalmouth tussles, apart from the result which ended 3-2 to Everton in front of over 40,000 spectators. Hugh Curran scored both goals for Wolves as they battled with 10 men against formidable opposition and without the recently retired hugely talented Peter Knowles. Gordon West (not for the first time v Wolves) made a string of excellent saves to keep Wolves at bay.
Wolves suffered complete meltdown after Christmas winning just 2 of 16 league fixtures and eventually finished 13th whilst The Toffees won the title by a huge margin of 9 points from Leeds – amazing that considering in those far off footballing days it was 2 points for a win. Everton had their own “Holy Trinity” in Kendall, Ball and Harvey who were the catalyst for their title win.
I attach a match report.
Tonight – looks like a draw to me 1-1
Bedfordshire Old Gold
I remember that one. The linesman originally wanted nothing to come from the Doog’s swearing but the ref called him over, twice I think, before the sending off. We, in the South Bank, all thought that the sending off was for the Doog putting his arm around the linesman, who appeared to be sharing a joke with him. The Doog disagreed it was an Everton throw. But the Doog was the ‘bad boy of the moment’ at that time and the FA banned him for eight weeks, for a swear word! Nobody got hurt, nobody was threatened, They just wanted to make an example of the Doog. I’m not sure it did any good or changed anybody’s behaviour. We missed him for the two months that followed. I’ll go with the same result this time.
I threw the meat pie. It was a good chuck, full length of the pitch. I was hungry for the rest of the game.
Come on BOG … I for one want to hear about your “love” of the Boggies….. your school escapades with the Boggies kids and your love of the Boggies strip….lol
I remember that one too.
But being in The Enclosure, the civilised part of the ground, my loose change stayed firmly in my pocket and my pie clenched in my hand.
Although the misses didn’t ‘arf get it when we got back to our flat in Compton Road!
Let’s get a win tonight and bring back some excitement into our football.
A good Cup draw and a Black Country derby to come, a win tonight will set us up nicely for both games.
The scope for team changes is very limited. I’m just happy that Dendoncker is back as we have missed him so much in midfield. I agree with Thomas that the only change maybe Cutrone starting. I’m so hoping he can take his second chance and get in amongst the goals this time.
Finally, if we do go ahead, please Nuno – don’t sit back to try and hold on. Let’s use Neto and Traore’s pace to get further ahead and kill the game off.
With DCL out and doubts about Tosun’s ability to last 90 minutes (according to the press) it leaves Everton’s attack a little light, so I guess we’ll go with a back 4 as per Thomas’ team, (though it might be worth restoring Kilman to the centre and playing Saiss at LB). I assume Sandwell will play two banks of 5 on Saturday, meaning we may only get a draw out of them (Dog forbid !) so its important to pick up 3 points tonight.
Richarlison is also a doubt.
Tough game. Although many Everton fans are thinking the same so maybe they’re right and we’ll walk it.
Perhaps it would be good for Fabio to get the first half and Cutrone to come on if all is not going to plan. Otherwise, a repeat of the showing against Palace will do nicely, though they were pretty sad it must be said and Everton will surely be a much sterner test.
I’m hoping for a good performance tonight and a 2-1 win. Everton are a fine team on their day, so we will need to be really at it from beginning to end. It would be nice to see Cutrone proving his worth as he knows he will not have to step down for Jimenez for the rest of the season…
Never an easy game to predict….. as most aren’t of course. The toffees have some solid defenders and skilful midfielders…. so against our lightweight front man will find it easier to cope through the middle.
Perhaps the key lies with Neto or Traore.?
Tight game and resulting in an entertaining draw….
Let’s hope Martin Atkinson can avoid having to make any VAR decisions.
Bring on Saturday and then Chorley.
Not at all sure about this one. I’m hoping we’ve turned a corner re scoring but feel that we have some way to go to achieve security In defence. Logical result of those thoughts is that both sides will score. I think we may just pip them at the post and so going for 3-2.
COYW
We must play like we want it today. With grit and determination. Show pride in our work and put away our chances. I back a win for the lads today. 3-0 behind goals from Neto, Dendoncker and a Nuno substitute in the second half. This could be the turning point in our season. Come on lads, lets take this one.
Very important fixtures coming up where we need to pick up points. Firstly Everton we soo many injuries…but could it be a case of beware of the wounded animal ? Play like we did against Palace and we should do well . High intensity , looking for the counter attack .I’m not sure who should start up top . I think if Patrick had the chances that Fabio had the last time out we would of been 3-0 up before half time . In Nuno we trust
See the shit are desperately trying to sign another player before they play us . Time for revenge me thinks !
COYW
I drove past Goodison Park once. I’ve driven past the Poorthorns as well. And Vile Park.
Hopefully we are on a slight upward trajectory and they are the opposite and a bit tired after extra-time in the Cup. Both sides missing key players.
Cutrone to start for me over Silva, he’s got that bit more experience plus has a point to prove.
Everton never an easy match but the lads to take the 3 points.
COYW
Almost forgot to predict this one. Let’s go Wanderers!
Oh dear this looks fun.
Where’s Traore?
Well I predicted a draw. Just seen the team sheet, so now expecting a loss.
I guess Adama is injured. Would have liked to see Morgan G-W as a 10 not on the wing. Not at all confident about this one. COYW!
🙂
My word Nuno, you’re testing your theories to destruction…I suspect a tonking but you just can’t legislate for any starting eleven not pulling a win off…
Semedo ball watching. Basic really
Mark your man!
So pray tell who shall we blame for the second one.
4 of them ball watching.
We know he’s a favourite of yours Stu, but that was infant school defending. If you see the time of my post you’ll see that it was before our equaliser. The second goal was poor defending by a few3, I agree, but was an excellent header also.
WTF.
Toothless , playing in front of opposition not behind.How it took 70mins for Catronne to
come on is beyond me ! He eventually replaced a player who is now a liability and cannot
even pass a ball ! If we loose the next game Nuno will come under some pressure but
nothing he cannot handle. Time to give Patricio a rest ,as he will not come for balls which should be his!
Not in a relegation battle…..Cutrone on with 12 minutes to go when we are behind
Pathetic am I……. negative am I I say it as I see it
When there’s something positive to say I’ll say it
Sleep walking into relegation no new faces just return of the out casts .
Pathetic.
So you didn’t rate the equalizing goal?
You didn’t think Never had a decent game?
You didn’t think Gibbs-White had a decent first-half return?I
You didn’t think Me to fan himself into the ground and had defenders turning inside out?
You didn’t think we matched the 4th placed team all over the pitch for 85 minutes?
There are positives if you want to look for them.
*Never
**Neto
A blind man can see we sit to deep and allow teams on to us.
Your right about those positives but the negatives out way them at the minute …. ..or results.
For all the positives we have won one league game in eight ….relegation form.
Well, we huffed and puffed, without any focus upfront. Ok first half, but a no show in the second. Silva needs some time in the u23’s. I thought he was very lightweight. Lose to WBA, and we are in trouble. The sooner Podence/Jimenez/Traore are back, the better.
Nuno obviously doesn’t want Patrick there and was probably forced to take him back by Jeff.
It was like the team was playing “keep away” from him and he’s the striker.
He should ask to go back out on loan.
Someone tell me and Clive, how leading with an elbow in the penalty area is not worth a VAR look for a team out of “the top 6 teams”. If that had been United, nailed on penalty.
Agree,
Hoever was smashed with an elbow – not even in the contest for the ball… had he stayed down , rolled around (or lay motionless for 20 seconds) it may have been looked at.
Catronne did more in the his first few minutes than the other striker did all game.He is
stronger, made a arching run across there back four, if he can do 90 mins, play him Nuno !
Wolves need a striker with Raul Jimenez out injured there is talk of Divock Origi for a possible January deal. What do you guys think? – https://www.football-transfers.co.uk/wolves-target-origi-for-jimenez-replacement
So disappointing but almost predictable when the team sheet was published. So many absentees that would make a difference. Please tell me what the scouting reports said about Fabio that convinced Fosun to sign off £35m. Villa picked up Louie Barry (the next Vardy) for £800k. Something not right here
.” The answers are in the squad” well what does that mean? We are losing matches, confidence is slipping and the bench doesn’t change games for the better. We can’t score goals , we are out muscled all over the pitch and now looking over our shoulder at the teams below us , fearing for our future.
ManU are ordinary, the league isn’t outstanding, this is so frustrating come on Fosun, help Nuno out .
Out the door?
Traore a big miss particularly after his form in last 2 games but we have pretty fundamental problems clearly not helped by injuries. Defensively we lack physicality and intensity. After improvement over his last 2 to 3 games, Semedo was again culpable throughout the first half for being out of position and not stopping crosses. Offensively, Silva desperately needs to be taken out of the firing line. I have repeatedly said we should only judge him in a couple of years and he is offering so little that cutrone or corbeanu cannot be worse options right now. Unfortunately we have blown the best part of 65m on two players who right now are offering very little by way of value to the team. It might change over time but for that sort of money in our position you need quicker results. Let’s just get the 18 points we need to secure safety and hope for a cup run as the team is regressing not progressing at the moment
I’d struggle to put it better myself, Sutton. You’ve hit the nail squarely on it’s head.
Is it still too early in the season for Nuno to look at the table?
Nuno’s going to turn around after 8 appearances by Cutrone and say he didn’t score and that is why he isn’t playing, failing to mention that it was for a total of 90 minutes.
We looked pretty decent for the most part but to state the bleedin obvious
WE NEED A STRIKER – FAST!
No point getting a striker if you don’t pass to him.
Negatives another defeat where we we finished just short. If you can’t score, you better be good at defending and wolves can’t seem to do either consistently.
Positives Neves looks sharp and hungry for goals again just in time for the derby.
It might just be me but why does it always feel like we go into the Black Country derby on the back foot, either through injuries or poor form. On paper at the beginning of the season we should walk this game with our fire power. Instead we’re going into it with only one fit recognised regular forward player in Neto and a makeshift defence. The way it’s going I wouldn’t be surprised if a covid outbreak means we have to play the under 15s.
A couple of observations:
Coady is less influential in a back 4 – both in organising the defense and also being in the best position to “quarterback” the team and spray passes to both sides.
When we defend a corner with 10 players plus Patricio, if we do manage to clear the ball, it will always come back in – case in point Everton’s second goal. It really just asks the opposition to keep attacking until they score.