Two out of two ain’t bad.
Yeah, both victories owed a thick old dollop of credit to lady luck, but winning is winning.
What we also saw against Blackburn and against Newport are the shoots of promise if Wolves can put it all together.
There have been good spells of possession and some smart finishing from our strikers albeit with some questionable defending in between.
Tighten up at the back, use the ball a bit more effectively in the final third and we could really be rocking.
Sunday promises to be a good early indicator of where we sit in the grand scheme of the Championship hurly-burly.
Hull City
This time last year most people were waxing lyrical about the business Hull had done in the transfer window to help them push on in the Premier League.
It just goes to show that names on a piece of paper are just that and a major recruitment drive doesn’t necessarily equal success.
Steve Bruce has had to be active again over the summer to replace those jumping ship after relegation. Robbie Brady and James Chester are amongst those who departed for big money.
Arsenal striker Chuka Akpom has come in on loan, £3.5 million has been splashed out on Brentford full back Moses Odubajo and their hot on the trail of Bees forward Andre Gray for reported silly money.
They’ve also got some Premier League names down the spine of the team like Tom Huddlestone, Michael Dawson and Nikica Jelavic.
Again, you’d have to say they look mightily strong on paper.
Wolves
Some of the midweek changes were surprising (e.g. Matt Doherty playing in midfield), some were more obvious. Sheyi Ojo made the strongest case for a start but I think he’ll find himself back on the bench.
The two positions I see as being interchangeable are the wide players. There’s no doubt Kenny wants to be cuter and more compact in his approach this season.
We’re going to see a midfielder tucked inside a lot of the time, which will likely be Dave Edwards or Jed Wallace when fit.
I think we’ll always have at least one out and out winger on the pitch, only introducing another if we’re behind in matches.
That means we’ll have to be more patient in our build up play, but it should allow us to be more compact defensively. I see the logic, but still need to be convinced it can be consistently effective.
The gaffer
Predictions
I showed too little faith against Blackburn and perhaps a bit too much against Newport, so it makes sense to sit somewhere in the middle this time.
Hull will be right at the top of the league all season so I expect a tough game, but I’m sure this is a fixture they themselves will have identified as being tough.
I don’t think we’ll keep them out, but I fancy our strikers against anyone, so will give us a third straight narrow victory.
2-1
Up The Wolves!
Same as midweek – one for Afobe and one for Dicko.
Looking forward to seeing how the McDonald/Coady partnership functions in a big fixture.
Again think we will win this 2-1 with Dicko & Afobe scoring the goals. Got a feeling 2-1 could be a familiar score this season.
As always. …..squeaky bum. 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2 I think it’s gonna be one of those games.
Like you Thomas I think this will be a tough one against a team managed by one of the nicest guys I have ever met and spoken with. An absolute gent is Steve Bruce.
Having said that I still think we can beat them. We should have too much firepower for any defence in this division.
Most people have something nice to say about Bruce.
I deeply regret writing a post urging Wolves not to hire him after McCarthy was sacked (although in my defence, I never dreamed they’d give TC the gig) but he had the last laugh taking Hull up to the Prem a year later.
As a player, I remember him coming down for Blues and being immense, even though he was closer to 40 than 30.
I’ll keep with the status quo 2-1 to the WOLVES!
I fancy goals for both sides in this game. 2-2.
Sorry, forgot to put the scores in each section.
I think it’s going to be a very tough game. Go for a draw, hope for better.
I fancy goals for both sides in this game.
Hey Thomas .., another Baugh in the world . Tried to post a picture of Donnie at 2 days old wrapped in the the old gold and black but still get 404 error .. Any ideas ?
I’m far to worried about our defense to expect a victory against quality opposition, but I think it should be a good game and a very good marker for how our team stacks up. Unfortunately I can’t make the game this week and I can’t even look forward to watching the highlights on TV now that channel 5 have taken them over and presented us with a super trendy pile of garbage.
That highlight show was awful, just show us the games and cut the audience nonsense
like most I cant see us keeping clean sheet but I always fancy us to score
Gonna be a tight one, would be happy with the point against tough opposition who will surely be up there come May
UTW
You’ve got to fancy them a little bit with a decent squad. Especially with our slow starts and occasional wobbles at the back. I’m still backing us to score though. Everyone is quite rightly excited by Afobe, but I don’t think people have been giving Dicko enough credit at the moment. Works hard, scores goals and signed a new contract. You can’t ask too much more of him.
Close game, between 2 of the promotion favorites, later in the season when things have settled down and we’re into the routine I think we will beat them, but right now we still havent adjusted properly to the new diamond. Give it time and we’ll see the bnefits
A good point for both sides.
Agreed Amber.
Like most others on this blog, the defence really concerns me – we can’t seem to defend simple crosses either from open play or set pieces. Our strikers are on fire if they get the supply.
Draw for me against a team that should be there or thereabouts in May.
COYW!
1-1 because I can’t wrestle between head and heart. This is going to be a nailbiter.
This will be tight I am sure, but as I am coming down to Molineux I am sure they will keep me smiling for my return journey.
Hard fought match with a single goal to decide. I hope it’s our way.
Feel like there’s a lot more to come from this team. And with DnA we will always score goals.
TV early kick off tends to take off some of the shine and with the diamond still in the rough 1-1.
with Afobe, Dicko and Dangerous Dave in the line up, anything less than 2 in the onion bag should be considered a failure.
When we came down from the Prem we were fancied to bounce straight back up. I’m not saying Hull will ‘do a Wolves’ and plummet (I think our next opponents are much stronger candidates for that!), but I am echoing Thomas in saying names on paper mean jack diddly.
KJ to inspire another victory, heal the lame and turn water into wine. Or even better turn the half time lager into a lovely IPA.
First match of the season for me, can’t wait!
OOOOHHH! This is going to be a tough one.
I look at their team sheet and there’s so much Premier League experience it makes my hair turn grey with worry – shut up Clive!
I think we might get turned over.
Having said that, they weren’t good enough for the Premier League and they’ve lost some of their better players.
Add to that the fact that we were very nearly good enough to go up and have definitely strengthened our team……
Maybe a draw is on the cards… But it’s going to be a tough one.
Mind you, we’ve got the best two strikers in the league, potentially the best mid field combination and a defence which should be able to cope with most things that are thrown at it.
It’s a win then, isn’t it.
…But it’s going to be close.
I am still in Sofia and have a funeral on Sunday (sadly) so will watch the match on the video on Monday evening when I get home.
On the positive side, I will now be at the QPR match.
Tight game but I fancy 2-0 to us, Afobe & Dicko.
COMB’s
🙂
Give your mate our best Stu.
No parent should have to go through that, but I’ve been there too and it’s shit.
The PMDG’er and I are united in our sympathy.
As aParamedic we were taught to read between the lines. One day we will have a beer and share your anguish.
🙂
Tight game but we will prevail, eventually.
Tough game this and like you said Thomas I can’t see us keeping them out so I’ll sit on the fence with a 1 – 1 draw.
Oh yea of little faith, In Kenny we trust.
Narrow win for Wolves
I too worry about a defence without Danny and with Scott goldbourne in the side .. I much prefer a wolves team with the four centre backs .. But what the fuck do I know ! ?
There’s a reason they got relegated…. it’s coz they are crap!!
Huddlestone showed promise, completely unfulfilled, when on loan at The Mol, Jellyfish is an Everton reject, fancy having that on your CV, and Dawson is slower than Stephen Ward.
Nah, easy three points this weekend.
On another note, can someone answer this question:
I watch MOD and saw Chelsea players who were standing in a defensive wall, scrub out the shaving foam line in front of them, to gain a foot or two advantage. Is this an offense, and if so, is it bookable?
Also on another other note, nice to see the Prem table, although it don’t mean a lot, if it was turned upside down the shit would be top!!
FOwb
This will be a tough one but I’ll back the lads for some goals & a home win.
UTW
Goals leaking out both ends…
Late on parade..
This is the start of reality.. Hull.. QPR at home..Cardiff away..it really makes me shudder re our defence.. I have absolutely no problem with midfield and attack …
This one stinks to me of a draw but Mr positive me says 3-2 ..but concede we will.. IMO..
We have 5 + players who can score..fantastic situation ..and I can truely say last season I would always drive miles to see Wolves (and Sako) play …now it’s Afobe ..he must surely be a favourite to score again….
Danny Batths fitness doesn’t seem to be spoken about (or Wallace actually)
But I shall feel better when we can strengthen the defence..(and send EBL on holiday)
If we take 6 points out of the nxt 9 I shall be happy…
Nervous game for me this and more weight loss lol..
COYW
I bet you 50p we get 9 points from the next 3 games
You are on Sleachy but I’ll give you 2-1 … I must say I’m impressed with your confidence…we are probably going to have to put 2 or 3 in to win unless we clean sheet..
It’s all on Ikeme IMO ..
Growing into each game and hopefully we can ease out the errors. Still excited about our attacking options either way and think we will outscore a lot of teams this season.
Am with the wobbly defence brigade, but optimistic.
Thought the game was midday Saturday, so gutted when I checked the other day to find a Sunday ko. I`ll have to watch sky and hope we do the business.
There is enough talent in our squad to win this division, KJ has made us harder to beat with this new formation, and we`ll have to be on top of our game and work our socks off to beat this lot. Win we can, a great chance to put down a marker for the season, shouldn`t be a problem getting the lads motivated I feel. In KJ and his tactics I trust, so our strikers to have a field day.
This is gonna be a real test of our defence I expect a really tight hard game having said that I expect win dicko in the second half.
Oh ye of little faith…this is where we’ll start to rev the engines for this campaign.
Hope I’m wrong but I think we’ll get turned over in this one.
Good preview again Thomas.
Yes I think Hull will in the mix come the end of the season, IF they can get their away form on track. I think it is good to get them this early in the campaign before they get their new faces bedded in.
I see lots of people thinking Wolves with get 3+ and it’s entirely possible, we should have had 3 again Blackburn, but we have looked a little frail at the back. Hopefully we can toughen up this weekend, while still keeping that edge going forwards.
#UTW
Two teams that will be nervous of each other and likely cancel each other out for long periods of the game. I think we have the craft up top to sneak something out of nothing in the last few minutes.
Tough test this one !
A bit early in the season to be sure but in three months time these two teams are likely to be front runners so I think a draw is
likely,especially with our defensive lapses.
This is ok as long as we beat QPR in the week. 7 from 9 will be a good start.
Cannot see us keeping a clean sheet but think we will come away with the 3 points.
Hey Thomas .. Another Baugh in the world . His name is Donnie Baugh
I tried to post a picture of him wrapped in the old gold and black at two days old but still getting 404 ,error code .. Any ideas mate .
Congratulations mate ! Another Wolves fan in the world for sure (and the youngest).
Congratulations matey and after me calling you a Southern Softie. Get him to the Golden Palace as soon as he can see properly. Never too young.
Well done both, & welcome Donnie.
StuWolf
🙂
Got a score draw written all over it !
Most are predicting goals! I’m not, but I hope we get at least one more than them.
I’m not sure I agree Hull will be up there at the top all season,we’ll see.Much as I’d like to forecast a win,something tells me a low-scoring draw is on the cards.
This is a good time to be playing one of the teams that will be in the mix come the end of the season. Hull will still be adjusting to life in the championship so as we did last season I think we can give the relegated teams a good game early doors. If Lady Luck continues to be on our side we could sneak it but head tells me a point would be a decent result. Still on holiday in Devon so will be watching from a local hostelry.
I am going very much with my heart here with a repeat of the 1966/67 4-0 thrashing when the Doog got a hat-trick only this time it’ll be Ben 10 with the goals. Ojo to start in place of Henry please.
I remember it well, like it was yesterday……………..coz I found the highlights on line!!!!
Last season we dropped points against the top teams,so this is the start to address that stat,and ask the question,are we a team that’s capable of getting 12 points more (represents the amount l watched them lose and should not have)than last season.l think we will be like Watford were,able to win,against the run of play,with the attitude they score 1 we score 2 .
Sorry to be in the minority,but think I`m being realistic.Hope I`m wrong.
COME ON YOU WOLVES .!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Fancy us against relegated opposition as last year. Jelavic may be a Premiership player. But is he a Championship player?
UTW
As I’ve said previously,if we play with the diamond and play it to narrow I think we will find it tough going against an ex premiership side,even though its Hull.
Brucie will have them well organized and he will have had us watched no doubt.
I think we should play to our strengths and that do what we did last term,wingers and strikers.
Defensively we are a bit one dimensional at present, don’t know why that is ,with only one player absent.
Hoping as ever for a win but I feel a bit negative after our first couple of games..UTW.
Don’t fancy us at all for this one 🙁
I’m feeling pretty confident for this one.
Our defence has looked a bit wobbly, but keep hold of the ball and our attacking players will cause them problems.
Think it will be tight but we’ll put some daylight between us late on.
Afobe…he scores when he wants!!!
Hull reminds me of Rod Hull and his annoying fuckin emu. Shame the TV ariel buggered it all up . They say good things come in threes. So 2-1 WWFC. Anyway. Hull is a bit of a ship ay it ?
Score bore as two well matched teams cancel each other out.
Tigers tamed but not overwhelmed.
Cue ‘ Who are ya, who are ya??!?!’
The mighty Wolves will come together for the Sky cameras this weekend and put on a Championship masterclass. The defence will keep a clean sheet and give us all a much improved display of cohesion and error avoidance. We’ll prove ourselves hot promotion favourites.
After all, We Are Wolves!
2-0 to us. Dicko x 2 goals.
UTW!!
Forgot to mention, as a Bedfordshire Wolf, I don’t get to the Mol too often but Sky Sports have blessed me with two live Wolves games in a week so I’ve subscribed to Sky Sports especially. I simply cannot face the prospect of paying Sky to then watch Wolves lose against Hull and Cardiff so you’ll see me predicting very positive (perhaps verging on dreamlike) results for these two games.
Strangly, I’d be happy with a draw but think we’ll win this one. Like most i’m concerned about the defence and we much start the game better.
Those were the days
No doubt sky will focus on Akpom vs Afobe Arsenal connection, they will probably both score but I’m hoping our team can weigh in with some more telling contributions.
I don’t see why so many of you are worried. There is no reason why we can’t win this one. I’m with Sleachey, Mark Davies and Clive. If we are serious about promotion, as I am sure KJ is, we should adopt the positive attitude which breeds this winning mentality. Hull won last week, but lost in the cup, so on current form, we should be better. Regarding the defence, Hause will improve and Stears will assert his authority.
Stop panicking, it’s only game 2 of 46. Played 2, won 2 whilst not playing that well throughout the games is pretty good, isn’t it?
Wolves to win, i think.
Cheers Colin !
Hope to lift a pint with you soon .
If the north bank bar is open on Sunday I shall try and grab a. Quickly
As everyone has said before, it’s gonna be a toughie. Fingers crossed I’m wrong.
Our defence might be a bit wobbly but I don’t think hull currently have more firepower than Blackburn. Our forward line by contrast is surely one of the stronger ones at this level so I’m going to back us to win this even if my prediction might suggest it will be easier than in reality I think it will be.
From memory last season we beat each relegated Premier League Team 1-0 in the first round so here’s hoping for another one.
I was erring on the side of pessimism last week but delighted with the outcome. Not going to get carried away yet but starting to feel justified thinking this season will be good.slowly slowly catchy monkey.. going for a draw
Curse the predictive text… Sheepscar! !!?
Another win -a firm start is so important.
Totally agree with Clive
IN KENNY WE TRUST
I think we’ll just squeeze through.
Missed the first week of the season but very happy to see we’ve started on our winning ways.
A tough test against Hull I feel but we have the class to match them.
Will be very happy to see Wolves win but a draw more likely I think.
COYW.
I was a bit too cautious last year at the start of the season with predictions especially as we were newly promoted and the early games were against relegated premier league teams. Much the same scenario again but this time we’ve had a year in the championship to acclimatise.
It will be a tough game but I’m going for a big 1-0 win for the lads.
Close one. One goal in it most likely. Could be a wake up or a magnificent victory. Hoping for the latter but being a bit “half empty” predicting a Hull win.
The case for the defence is still to be proven, but Stearman will be a welcome returnee. Still some cobwebs to blow away I think, so I’m going for a draw (but hoping for more).
Last week I said I was going to forego the stress of the PL. Well that was probably a bit daft and it’s lasted a week! Every time we play relegated teams I feel they are going to be stronger than they often turn out to be, forgetting the actual impact of relegation. So, true to form, I feel that Hull are going to be tough opposition and perhaps the toughest of the relegated. I also reckon we’re not yet that settled in our line-up and defensively a bit frail. And it’s on Sky. BUT…….I have faith in what we’re building and remember good performances against the relegated teams early last season, and I was also quite sure that Steve B was not the man for us. So it’s the default position for me……
Happy with a draw, but being positive!!
Happy with a draw, but being positive!!
I’m going for a tight affair, with wolves edging it as they’re at home, 2-1. Wouldn’t surprise me to see a 2-2 draw though.
I don’t think that it will be a easy game but with our home fans will sing us to a win COYW
Hard to make a prediction, but I’ve never thought Hull to be MUCH better than Wolves, so must go for a win.
Have a feeling Coady will hit a screamer. Up the Wolves
Fancy us tomorrow to keep a clean sheet. Afobe and Dicko either side of half time.
I can see this being a really tight game so 1-1 but i think maybe the blistering pace of Dicko against an ageing Dawson could see us grab a win.
COYW
As much as I fancy our chances this season I think we face a tough game tomorrow. Hull look a strong side.
An easy win- hull aren’t so good.
The fact is that Hull are a Championship team who, like us, were once in the Premiership. We should have the edge at home 90% of the time and I don’t think Sunday will be part of the 10% in spite of the TV effect.
hopefully the team will be motivated by prospect of going top of league…?
Early days I know but our performances so far have been unconvincing. The defence in particular looks suspect. Hopefully we can sort ourselves out very quickly but the game against Hull might be too soon.
Games against the relegated teams should always be a decent test, Hull’s squad still looks pretty strong. If we get three points here we really are up and running and a draw is still not bad.
With our front two we will always have a chance, Keep them fit and it could be a good season ahead.
A chance for Kenny and the team to make their statement of intent for the season.
“Fans turn on dismal Albion”
Sorry for the foul language, but you gotta love this headline from their match today, ay ya?
The word “fans” was used, so they were both there, which in itself is amazing.
Ha Ha Ha
FOwb
Programme on SS5 tomorrow just before the live match coverage about Wolves on the 70’s for anyone who is interested. This was before my time, but Nevertheless, I’ve got it on record. #biggamebuildup
Seems like the popular scoreline. Why not! I’d be very happy with that.
Go Wolves!
Lets continue the trend of success against newly relegated teams. Lovely 9pm screening for us in Australia.
A narrow win on what’s going to be this season’s first Wolves game to be televised here. However I shouldn’t forget to use the “mute” button, because Bulgarian pundits’ drivel during Championship games is simply mind-boggling.
Feeling positive. That’s all.
It’ll all be about Afobe, Akpom, and Sako’s departure in the TV build-up, so it’s gotta be a Dicko hattrick!
Back after a week in not so sunny Weymouth but still had a good time with my grandsons.
A great result at Blackbum and a winner from Dave “the hand of god” Edwards 🙂
Hull will be difficult but we have nothing to fear from any team in this division.
Wonder if Ikeme will keep his place or we give the new lad a run out? Apart from that I expect the same team as at Blackbum.
I’m going for a 3-1 win
I’ll be watching on Sky so give me a wave 🙂
Onwards & Upwards
2-0 win puts us top on GD. Come on Wolves!!
hope it will go the other way, will see on TV in a little while.
I think we will edge it narrowly. But some Afobe magic will make the scoreline surprising
Martinez in for Ikeme – I got that bit right anyway ! 😉
Curse of the sky camera’s. Solid but boring draw
happy to take a draw…
We want to win the home games. I’m from Hull, so a bunch of my friends at this game/supporting the opposition. Would be nice to beat them!
Don’t think we will get a lot today hope I’m wrong, but if we start slow like we have been doing we will get punished.
Ikeme dropped strange decision
Just got back – traffic not too bad. I enjoyed the match, just a shame we did not take the many chances we had. Wonder how it would have panned out had that goal attempt gone in after 20 seconds. Good to see and have dinner with the Twixes and the Doogs. Thanks for your company. Also good to see Martin and his lad from Darlo, hope your journey back up here was ok too.
Here is my take on today’s game. Firstly I HATE Sunday 12 noon kick offs! Having to be on the road by 8.45am on a Sunday morning is ridiculous. Still that’s the money mad TV driven world we live in I guess.
As for the game I was impressed by some things and concerned by others. Overall a draw against a team like Hull is OK and acceptable. We remain unbeaten after 9 games including the pre-season friendlies which is good. I was also impressed by my season ticket seat – North Bank lower tier, row T, seat 74 on the aisle. Couldn’t be more central behind the goal if I tried.
My concerns really are twofold. This narrow system we are playing doesn’t work for me. Secondly KJ’s reluctance to use substitutions really baffles me. The system means no width which also places an expectation on the full backs to try and provide it. This means they are frequently left exposed with no winger to help them AND it means they are frequently caught upfield which leaves our defence exposed and vulnerable down the flanks. Better teams than Hull will expose this flaw. Then when we were visibly flagging towards the end – we’d played a high intensity pressing game which inevitably takes its toll – it was crying out for fresh legs but we saw just one change until stoppage time. Surely fresh legs from Ojo, ALF and VLP would have swung the game back our way when Dicko, Henry and the tireless Edwards were clearly toiling. On VLP has he done something wrong I wonder?
On a positive note I was very impressed by Coady who looks the real deal. Afobe, in flashes, showed pure class (though was so deep most of the time he was behind Edwards!). I just wonder if a system with two wingers – VLP and Ojo – with Coady and McDonald central and Afobe just behind Dicko wouldn’t be better. Their combined pace and power would terrify defences.
Finally Chuba Akpom for Hull, the striker I said for ages we should bring in on loan, was outstanding.
P.S. I am told by a club insider that Martinez is now our number 1 with Ikeme as back up as this was part of the loan deal struck with the Arse – I find this a bit odd to be honest but does explain today’s selection.
OODCL
I watched on T.V.
There was one thing Wolves were crying out for….
Bakary Sako…
My Jen de Wolf took her Grandson to the game in my absence, she told me tonight that Scott Golbourne was excellent and Conor Coady was Man of the match. I then read that there was a Wolves fans twitter that heaped praise on Coady but the statistics clearly showed Golbourne had more of the play bearing out Jen De Wolf’s claim.
I shall watch this game tomorrow as it is recorded, all say it epwas a good game which we dominated for a long time.
Positive vibes on this match. IMO golbourne has come back this season lithe, fitter and faster. He was my Div 1 hero until he got injured in black November, long may he reign.
🙂
The very said report,
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/08/16/wolves-fans-react-on-twitter-to-conor-coadys-performance-v-hull/?
StuWolf – Coady for me was MoTM by some distance. Golbourne did very well but the role he is expected to play in the ‘system’ KJ is favouring means that he is both a left back and a left winger. Parkin and Wagstaffe rolled into one if you like! Not surprisingly that is a hard job to do effectively at both ends of the pitch for 90 minutes and he was often left exposed with runners coming at him having only just got back from a sortie upfield. This system doesn’t work for me at all – I also think Henry and Edwards whilst both being honest, hard-working, 100% players are not of the right quality for this side and frequently not on the same wave length as Afobe, Dicko, Coady etc.
I am waiting for the report before giving fuller verdict but on Golbourne he did work himself into many excellent attacking positions but then maybe his final ball could have been butter. The new formation does demand both full backs get forward.