Top of the league and deservedly so.
But to echo Nuno’s sentiments, it’s just the beginning. We’ve had a week to bask in the glory of defeating an average Villa side, but it’s imperative to back that up with another solid result.
If I wanted to put a downer on things – and believe me I don’t – I’d point out that the teams currently sitting in second and third both deservedly beat us.
And while I wouldn’t back against Wolves to out pace the likes of Cardiff and Sheffield United it’s a timely reminder that we haven’t had it all our own way in the first quarter.
Fifth place Preston arrive with a reputation for ruffling feathers so this promises to be another useful test of promotion credentials.
Preston
Alex Neil is doing a splendid job at Deepdale. I thought they were overachieving under Simon Grayson, but the former Norwich coach has taken them up a notch.
They’ve already walloped Cardiff 3-0, drawn away at both Leeds and Middlesbrough and last weekend came within seconds of beating Fulham at Craven Cottage.
In fact, had it not been for the concession of that 96th minute equaliser they’d be coming into this game knowing a win could take them top.
They’ve conceded the fewest goals in the league (8), they press high and they’re full of beans. In short, a nightmare for a team who like to play out from the back.
I’m looking forward to seeing Jordan Hugill after we sniffed around in the summer. He’s got 6 goals already this season making their decision to pull down the ‘not for sale’ shutters appear wiser every week.
Wolves
Why did we need a forward again? Only Hull (23) have racked up more than our 21 goals and there isn’t a player in old gold who doesn’t look like he’s capable of finding the net.
It won’t work every week but I like our three interchanging little wasps up front. All that movement must be a nightmare for heavy legged Championship defenders.
And if it’s not clicking, you’ve got Bonatini locked and loaded to offer a more substantial presence. The Brazilian has two in two starting from the bench.
Miranda isn’t everyone’s cup of of tea, but I like his style. He’s skin tight on forwards and that Italian-style defending is something we haven’t seen enough of in my time. Yes, he gives away free-kicks and can be loose in possession but I think his contribution is under rated.
For the record, I still think our best back three combination if Boly, Coady and Miranda, but it’s difficult to argue with Batth’s consistency of late. He scored the winner in this fixture last season.
Predictions
This one will be all about moving the ball intelligently and not allowing their high press to knock us off our stride. Cardiff and Sheffield United have already done this effectively so Preston know the blueprint.
Villa didn’t do this. They were content to drop deep and let things unfold, but I think that played into our hands. This will be something different.
Hopefully though, quality will win out and as the league leaders, playing at home, with confidence high and backed by a buoyant crowd we should expect to win and I think we will.
3-1.
Up The Wolves!
* I’m still on the scrounge for people to come along to a charity film screening I’m putting on at the start of November. Details here for anyone who is interested. Massive thanks to Clive, David (Bedford Wolf), Mark (theDOOGooder) and my trusty colleagues Ben & Rasmin for your support so far. You all have my love and gratitude.
This week, instead of my usual highly creative work of designing hotel brochures and writing snappy copy to sell the delights of natural stone fireplaces to the cognoscenti, I have been giving the PMDG’er a hand with some outwork for her resin factory.
This involves fixing sticky labels on to small polybags – 3000 labels on 1500 bags to date.
The only thing that has kept me sane is looking forward to the Preston game.
Can we perform as we did last week?
Will Preston burst our bubble?
Should I have ripped my season ticket up after the Villa game because I know it will never get any better then that?
The answers, of course, to these questions are:-
YES
NO
CERTAINLY NOT YOU EEJUT! THIS IS ONLY THE START.
I once spent a week working in an empty factory, taking files out of boxes, reading out the reference number to my mate and putting them into new boxes.
And even that was more exciting than watching Glen Hoddle’s Wolves.
Sticky labels and Nuno – you don’t know how lucky you are old boy.
🙂
You’re right of course.
I’m counting my blessings even as I type this mate.
It must have been in the Civil Service ….
No unbelievably. It was my dad’s engineering company. I complain but we spent half the time mucking about and listening to the radio.
I once spent a week in a cold corner of a warehouse, unpacking cheap gifts from damaged boxes into new boxes. £4 an hour I seem to remember. The things you do trying to be grown up artist.
The mighty Wolves to win three one. North Bank bar usual time, can’t wait !!!
See you there mate. Right of bar, in the usual spot.
Might as well predict too, so:
Wolverhampton Wanderers 3
Preston North End 0
We are top of the league, we are top of the league!!!
I can’t see us losing – ever.
We’ll have too much for the Preston boys.
It’s important that all the pandaemonium coming from the fans doesn’t get to the players heads – and in Nuno we have a manager with his feet firmly on the ground. Having said that Preston are a quality outfit and even without their key man Sean Maguire they are a danger to any team in this league. I’d happily take a point from this one.
Up the Wolves
Back down to earth with a draw…. ):
Looking forward to my 1st visit to Molineux this season. We have a very exciting squad who Nuno appears to be keeping quietly grounded. Of course they are really of the belief that this is their year, as I do, however, no-one appears to be showing any signs of arrogance. Preston, yes, a good side, but we are a great side and we should! romp home with all 3 points. The old line ‘well this is Wolves you know’ seems slowly but surely to be, dare I say it, slowly fading away. Yes, we probably wont win all our remaining matches this season, our tickers may not take all that excitement, but we will win enough to move up into the big big money next season.
Win tomorrow, and I might just cough up the £15 to travel back to Euston in 1st class.
Being a lover of the good life like yourself, I should check the ticket upgrades Graham, I do believe I tried to pay £15 for said upgrade, only to have the Virgin guy refuse to take it stating, it’s only £10 from Wolvo matey. Happy days these are.
Yes, I used to pay a tenner up until the end of 2016 when they upped it an extra fiver from Wolverhampton (unless the conductor was on the take.) Sorry for casting any doubts of credibility amongst any blog conductors.
Pop in to North Bank Bar before game if you can mate. Witley, me and a few others will be stood at the right hand side of the bar. Would be great to meet you, and any other bloggers of course.
Thanks for that. Usually stop of in the MUW after getting off the train for a meal and a pint first then head up to the stadium. Is the NBB open to all? I have a ticket for the Steve Bull upper.
It is usually open to members and above. Even though I am a member I have not been asked to prove it. I am also in the Steve Bull Upper tomorrow in J3. I usually sit in the centre of either J5 or J6 but they were all sold out lol. See you in the North Bank Bar mate.
Cheers for that. I managed to find a seat in J4. Maybe catch up with you tomorrow.
Preston will play a high intensity game preventing Wolves from playing freely.
Close game but Wolves will just score more than Preston.
They don’t let many in but they don’t score too many either so a couple for us will be plenty, I three need 3 points here with two away games to follow so I’m backing Nuno to get the job done
Having watched us live last week I get another chance this week, happy days
Utw
Still buzzing from last Saturday’s performance. 🙂
Now we have to deal with a very good side in Preston. We all know how difficult this league is and Preston are one of the better teams.
With that in mind I am going for a draw, though obviously I would love us to win.
I don’t think they’ll be pushovers and I credit Alex Neil to put out a well-drill, tight side that won’t let us boss things the way we did against Villa.
That said, we played so well last weekend that I’ve got to back us.
The unbelievable feeling of optimism and genuine belief in this team has found me, for the first time in nearly 4 decades, not worrying during a game about ‘holding on’ to a lead or watching defences flapping (anyone see Berra shirt grabbing for Scotland last week).
Last week was pure joy and I honestly think this is the best time in my lifetime to be a Wolves fan.
Tomorrow’s game will be difficult but any team that plays us fairly I think we will beat. I expect Preston to be physical but fair (unlike that knobber’s side from Cardiff). I have always admired Alex Neil and he comes across as one of the honest types so if that is the case I think we will nip this one.
Er du i stand til å få for et spill denne sesongen kompis? Ville være flott å se så mange bloggere som mulig.
Been drinking already?
Hoping to get to one in December and will be bringing my daughter over. Can you take kids into the bars in the UK these days before games? She is 12 and I have promised her a trip over she wants a photo pitch side with her relative Connor Ronan for showing off round school. Most of her classmates don’t know of Wolves but that will change on Tuesday when we beat Man Shitty.
Jeg bodde i Kristiansand i to år i 1978. Visste ikke mye norsk deretter så jeg bare bruke oversetter nå lol.
Better the English way though lol. I am sure she will be okay. Let us know when you have a confirmed date. There is a very nice place not far from the ground that would welcome her and it is not as loud as some local pubs. I will give you details nearer the time if you want. I am sure theDOOGooder will agree that it is quite pleasant. I go there and park and grab a coffee before matches I attend as I am not local and travel down from North Yorkshire. You may even consider staying there as it is extremely well priced for what it offers.
Many thanks Brompton very much appreciated
Excellent bit of Norwegian there Brompto’. Tell me buddy. How did you join the ‘a’ and ‘e’ together?
Like this “vært” lol
We will win. It will be tight. It will be close. But we will win.
Anyone going to the game please watch out (a) the Fanzone section of the matchday programme and (b) the big screens at half-time. Can’t say why right now but please do.
Hoping to be there as usual and in the NBB around 130pm though got a few issues at the moment – work etc – so not 100% as yet.
OODCL
Have spent the last few days reflecting on how often we mention that ‘Ruddy had nothing to do’ and was therefore surprised to find that Preston have not only concedded less than us all season, but have also conceded less shots on target. Indeed, they have the best record in the division – one less than both Cardiff and the Blades… Which all adds up to two frugal defences keeping the score down. Alex Neil did a good job at Norwich before it all came apart at the seams and seems to have got a tight, united bunch of (largely) journeymen to play well together. I’d like to think our front three can undo their defence with pace, à la Burton, but we may have to settle for a point this time.
I feel a slight bump coming from this one, a bump being a draw. I can’t see us being beat at the moment, Nuno simply won’t let it happen imho, but I think Preston’s high pressing game will stop us building much attacking momentum. Of course if we win then I’ll take it all back and claim my account has been hacked by a more pessimistic Wolves fan! Come on me babbies, prove me wrong 😉
I went for the draw last week and that didn’t work, so back to my positive results and a 2-0 win for us. I see the big boys are circling around Vinagre. I hope we can keep him at least for the season. Would be magic to sign him up with Jota.
We will win, but again I am having to bloody miss the game. Taking the grandkids away for half term to Doogooder land. I must be bloody mad.
Don’t worry TE, there’ll be no chance of meeting me, I’ll be in Wolverhampton.
He lives in Melksham.
For $50.00 I’ll give you his address, and you can break in.
Mind you, there aint nothing worth nicking, except his Wolves flag, so it might be a waste of time.
You could always doss down for the night, I suppose.
Waste of time? A Wolves flag is worth it’s weight in gold (and black).
Oh, and don’t forget the odd spliff!!!
Yes, and he could feed the fish in my lovely pond while he’s about it.
We are being spotted, people are starting to sit up and take notice and all rightly so too as we are playing some good solid footy.
Sky have grabbed our Blues away game and stck us on a Monday night, 7-45 away to Blouses FFS.
We have been reading all season,
we won’t beat Boro.
We won’t beat Hull.
We won’t beat Derby.
We won’t beat Forest.
We won’t beat Villa.
Now it’s we won’t beat Preston.
Well, I’m going to disagree with Thomas on this occasion, as I was at Sheff Utd with Brompton and we were doing well up until Coady had his rush of blood, after that, we still held our own for 75 minutes and left with a respectible 2-0 defeat under the circumstances, they didn’t stuff us. So that’s only Cardiff who truly did a number on us and I’m feeling optimistic. I must be, (I delayed my holiday to Crete until after the game, I go to B/Ham airport 1hoir after the game).
So wolves 3- 0 in a tighter game than last week. But another solid performance.
See you at the match mate. I am parking at APV and grabbing a coffee around 1300 hrs and hoping to meet up with Mark and Sue (Hey Mark, are you around about then mate?). I then intend to have a pint in the NBB with Witley (Hey Witley, I know you will be there so see you then).
I’m meeting up with Mr & Mrs Twixfix in the park cafe opposite the PVH, will pop in for a hello at the NBB before Ko.
Have you guys fobbed off APV too?
Whilst I fully agree that the situation was fully avoidable, a bit of bad business does not make the place bad. I personally have no issues with the place or with Sat and will continue to go there. That said, I fully respect others views and will see you all in NBB.
Looking forward to this.
Hiya mate …we haven’t fobbed off the APV …it’s the other way around …!!!!
It takes time to build bridges mate … still struggling to fathom out why the rebuff.. time will be the healer on this one mate.
See you tomorrow mate, probably in the NBB. I don’t particularly like the place, too crowded and you can’t hear yourself think, but if that is where we meet up then so be it.
Life’s too short Mike.
A friend of my ma in law’s bought a house in Spain and was out there with his misses doing it up a couple of weeks back when he began to feel ill.
He was diagnosed with cancer and sepsis.
Just heard that he has passed away.
Time doesn’t build bridges.
It knocks them down.
Good to see you and Sue.
Will plan my journey better next time to allow a longer natter.
We’re hoping to be there at around 1pm, traffic permitting.
See you Steve.
Bonantini will start in place of Cav I reckon.
Could be a very tough game, but can’t see why we can’t win.
I’m with Stuwolf, an early goal and we will walk all over them.
Preston don’t let in many.
So what, they aint played a good team yet, and no, Cardiff are not a good team.
They are gonna drown in our liquid football, pace and skill will utterly bamboozle them, and we will finally give someone the 5-1 pasting we so richly deserve.
No worries this side of the pond.
At the risk of being a boring old fart, after last weeks supreme display, I’m hoping for a win but will take a draw. (This formula has worked well so far !) C.O.Y.W. # NU, NO REGRETS…#
I wrote a blog before the final fixture of last season regarding Preston North End……
Back in the early 1960’s my beloved dad hoisted me onto the wall at the front of the North Bank for my first glimpse of WWFC v Preston North End…………….. “Proud Preston” as they were nicknamed in Victorian times when they became the first team to do the “double”.
The game ended 3-3.
Tomorrow – well Preston have the meanest defence in the division and the worst disciplinary record this season apparently. So expect some clogging a la la Cardiff City.
Cream will always rise so 1-0 to Wolves.
I’m assuming PNE will show up and try to stifle the game..but maybe it’s our turn to get a decent ref so my prediction is based on playing against 10 men for much of the game
It’s. ‘Clive-time’
The motto of Preston is till ‘Proud Preston’ and PNE certainly have a long and noble record, with Tom Finney the player they’re most proud of. He was a plumber by trade and the business is still going I believe. He rivalled Stan Matthews, down the road at Blackpool FC,
However, times move on and Wolves are now climbing back to the heady heights of the fifties, and we should confirm that with a convincing win.
Everything points to this being a tight game but Wolves should be brimful of confidence. Plus if as I am told PNE defend high up that should leave room behind for our fast quick thinking front three room to get on to goal. Last week I went for 2-1 instead of my usual 2-0 so 2-1 is my prediction. Hope you all followed that
Well, having watched Villa given the run around, and having given my Idiot Villa supporting brother loads to which there was only the usual replies “costa del Wulverhamptom”, and “wait till a cold wet n windy tuesday in Feb see how your Portuguese lot do then”.
All I do is smile and think of what a performance and statement we gave last week, and how incredibly loud and supportive the crowd was. Have we played better ? Not that I remember.
Anyway Preston, we haven’t done too well against teams that play the physical pressing game, and the tosser Warnock (yes we all hate the arrogant muppet) showed how kicking us pulling shirts off the ball is the only chance such teams have. Villa got booked for similar tactics, let’s hope the Ref isn’t the lenient kind, but shows yellow and red cards to protect the footballers against the cheats.
We will win, but a close game throughout with the odd goal between the teams.
Lastly Thomas I hope many on here will support your cinema showing, I cant make it, too far away, but have donated for a very worthy cause. Link is here
https://wolvesblog.com/thomas-hosting-charity-screening-running-man
Preston have conceded the fewest goals in the division and lost the fewest games so this won’t be a walk in the park. Having said that if we play to the best of our ability we can beat them. In fact despite my early concerns in the season it looks like that if we play to the best of our ability we could beat any team in this league.
Having said that talent is nothing without hard work and I don’t think Nuno or the players can afford to be complacent. And our Nuno certainly doesn’t look the complacent type!
Hard fought win.
Good team we playing
This will be on a par with the Cardiff fixture in more ways than one. Preston will come prepared to be physical. We can only hope the referee can see through such tactics. I think Nuno will have learnt from Cardiff and will change strategy during the match if need be. Preston are no mugs and their defensive record proves that. I forecast a tighter game than Villa as Preston will not sit back. I keep saying that one day soon we will put even good teams in this division to the sword. Tomorrow we will only put Preston to the penknife. 2-1.
Preston will be up for it but surely Wolves will pass their way to victory.
Would be nice if Vinagre came out and said he is quite happy where he is and wishes to play with us in the Premiership
1-0 first half 2-0 60mins..then their goal a deflection..
Must win need to keep up there..I’m worried that Costa going luke warm with Bonatini
Lurking to replace him 2nd half..
Afobe rearing his head again ..just saying….
COYW
The new song at the Mol is:
Hey hey hey we’re magic, you know
Without Dicko Afobe or Sako
Hey hey hey vwer’re magic, you know
Led by our main man, Nuno
Well I like it lol
The Beatles it ain’t.
Preston were unlucky to draw last weekend as their keeper botched an easy catch in the 96th minute. Looking forward to this one, and it’s on ESPN3 in the States
Send the fucking north end …. send the west end , the south end the east end … send any fucking end you like ! … we’re just too good
The end !
Portuhampton 3
Silly whites. 1
no comment is working well so…
I am going 0-0 on the basis that we are due a draw and Preston are probably one of the best teams equipped to stifle the play. Happy to finish bottom of the predictions league if i keep going for draws and we keep winning
Mike Ashley wants £400mil for Newcastle according to the BBC today. There are now a number of bidders apart from the front-runners, Amanda Staveley’s Qatari investors. My point is that nobody is going to spend this sort of money on Newcastle and not be prepared to spend as much again on new players, regardless of financial spending rules. How they will do it I don’t know but they will. Newcastle have a championship squad, nothing more. I believe Wolves will carry on spending as much as necessary to achieve Fosun’s vision when we get promoted although we have a better squad in fact than Newcastle right now.
0-0 at half time. On comes Bonatini and we win 1-0. Simple as that.
I’ve just gone and done it – booked a holiday to coincide with the play off final- so I must be confident of automatic promotion therefore :
Preston, I’ll admit, are one of the very few teams in this division that I’ve got a soft spot for. Decent history, decent results. Bona fide Championship team.
And here’s the difference – Wolves right now are clearly above Championship level. We know it. It might not be easy tomorrow but I’d want to see another clean sheet and another 2-0 win.
This is going to be tougher than villa but if we can get an early goal could go and score a few as it would force them on to the front foot so going for a 3-1
High pressing team Preston, but unless they play with 12 men, there’s gonna be gaps at the back. Unless Quantum theory works in footie too. Give our front three a little space and they’ll rip you apart. Give Neves a target of a front man wearing gold and he’ll hit it. Bulls eye every time.
Early goal would be nice but not essential.
Coming up for the game so hope to catch up with a few in the NBB pre-match.
COYW
2nd attempt of posting … crashed earlier.
It’s a hard to call game is this.
Different to Villa because they’re shite.
The one thing I picked up on is the stats …Preston have drawn six out of twelve.
Well, having downed my second SauvBlanc ..and donated to Thomas’s fun run..lol…..it’s going to become 6 out of 13.
Wolves to squeeeeze a Lovely, Bonettini inspired 1-0 from the Lilliywhites….
The match kicks off with STORM BRIAN swirling around and thinking he is the bollocks. Sorry Brian but if you were really tough you would be called Herculeas or Satan or even Keith. Any way a buoyant Molineux is in jubilant mood and the current Brazil team are special guests in the Billy Wright singing ‘It’ s just like watching the Wolves’ as the lads spray the ball around. The watching legend Socrates is so impressed he smokes three packs of Marlborough Light. The high pressing PNE are eventually pulled out of position so much that even the fucking goalie is stood on the half way line. Thus allowing the rampaging Storm Ivan to dance around the centre circle ridden defenders and smash home. Even some tactical adjustments by Alex Neil can’t stop WWFC despite his new 11-0-0 formation where the entire fuckin team are stationed on the goal line from the 65th minute. Damage already done it is too late. After the game Nuno said ‘you see, even if some bunch of scrotes turn up at Molineux with a game plan we will still stuff the bastards’. Neil said ‘I have just been on the phone to Steve Bruce and he said at least yo ay as ugly as me so just fucking get in with it’.
Preston play a pressing game and nearly done a job on Fulham last week, Fulham like us play a passing game but the high pressing line Preston played disrupted them, I think they will play the same game with us, we will not get the same space we enjoyed with Villa. That said, will the strong winds disrupt them and any long balls played. I think this will be a tight game and end up being a draw.
We will be difficult to beat.
Nuno’s english has become quite impressive.
His command of the language becoming eloquent, even poetic.
As his team, also express such an Art,
I do not expect it, to be matched by any other Championship club.
We are in a league of our own.
I assume Socrates will be sitting next to Sir Jack, Cheesy,as he died in 2011.
I am not so sure that PNE will be the formidable opponents some people think. They played 5 League games in August, only scored 2 goals and got knocked out of The Cup by Accrington Stanley. In September, yes, they had a good win against Cardiff but their other wins were against Hull and Birmingham and they drew against Sunderland, Millwall and Barnsley ? Hardly top class opposition, any of them. I just think that we will be far too good for them. Confidence is oozing out of our players at the moment. Another good win, another 3 points and the rollercoaster is still on track and heading for Planet Premier League. Onwards and upwards bloggers because this IS the year. Can’t make tomorrow but me and Sue will be at Manchester City on Tuesday (thank you Stu) and looking forward to seeing Brompton and any other bloggers making the journey.
It’ll be an interesting game, this one. I can understand some bloggers trepidation cos we’ve all been there before, false dawns have been the norm for longer than I can remember.
However….This ain’t like any other Wolves team I’ve ever seen before.
My guess is Nuno will have learnt from Cardiff and Blades and will go around and down the wings to overcome their ‘pressing game’ and hopefully the ref will be on the clock where dark arts are concerned.
So I reckon we’ll do em like we did the villa, no changes to the side until we’ve run em ragged, then introduce Bonatini to apply the coup-de-gras.
Oh, and just as an afterthought, isn’t it great we don’t have to spend the last 15 minutes watching reenactments of Roarks Drift through our fingers anymore! It’s saving me a fortune on tramadol!
Ole’
UTW
Tough game, I’d take a draw, but it would be a great three points if we can get them
They look like a good side. Hopefully we can make them look like overachievers.
Sea Pigeon. Blimey dae realise so crates is no more. Probly the fags.
Got a seat in the Director’s Box tomorrow so hoping for a special result too! COYW.
I see the referee is Stephen Martin who officiated over the 3-3 draw with Bristol City. By all accounts his decision making then left a lot to be desired.
Unless the referee has a say in proceedings I can’t picture anything other than Ruben Neves continuing to hold sway in midfield. Up front, Cav, Costa and Jota should have enough dash to overcome PNE’s high pressing game.
Tomorrows game will be a lot tougher than the game against the veteran’s from Aston. As enjoyable as the very convincing win over Villa was I think its important we back it up with another win against a Preston team who have defied all the odds this season to find themselves in the top 6. They don’t give much away and have faired well against the teams in and around the top 6. They sit deep and don’t have much of the ball as in their draw away at Fulham they only had 20% possession of the ball. With this is mind I think I would start Bontaini in place of Costa who is not quite firing on all cylinders yet but that will surely come. Think patients will be key tomorrow and it could be a late goal that gets us the points.
This game will tell us how much they have learned from the Cardiff / Shef Utd games and tactics.
Not expecting an easy game but hoping for 3 points.
COYW
Me too Border.
Leo to score.
COMBs!!
Saiss for me is a key player. We really missed him in the opening 15 minutes against Sheffield and the team looked much steadier once he came on. For years we have waited for that dogged, in your face, ball winning midfielder. He is a superb signing – for those that can remember, he reminds me of Peter Daniel. He had a great work rate and a menacing cross field ball, that helped us beat Liverpool and also won the league cup in 79/80.
The first game I ever took my son to was the home game against Preston last season. I’m taking him again tomorrow so I’ll go for the same score as last year one nil wolves.
Theym due a drubbin an weem gonna give it em. Shakespeare cunt av ritten it any clayrer.
very tough game this and if we win it’ll have been a good 3 points. It’s going to be important to keep our feet on the ground and guard against complacency. Preston are no mugs and Alex Neil has got them organised but I still think we’ll have to much for them. Neves to score
Always a special game between founders of the beautiful league. A close fought game probably and another step towards the ultimate goal. There have to be slip ups along the way, but knowing Wolves they’ll be against Bolton.
I can remember some interesting games against PNE over the years, the most notable being the fifties recovery from 0-3 with 20 minutes left to win 4-3 thanks to a hat-trick from Hooper. There was also an undeserved 1-0 win at Deepdale thanks to Micky Lill’s goal from what looked to be an impossible angle. Another time I got to Preston station at the same time as the Wolves coach and walked onto the station talking with Bill Slater. We were greeted by young autograph hunters and I managed to sign four or five books before they realised I wasn’t one of the team.
As far as tomorrow goes it seems to be very much down to us – we could throw it away if there’s any complacency in the air, but I don’t think they’ll be able to win if we don’t. Surely pushing high up the pitch just leaves room for our counter-attack …. like Jota running from half way inside his own half into the Villa’s penalty area last week. So I’m still sticking with the Samba Squad until they prove me wrong.
Preston will be better opposition than Veeela. Might need Bonatini’s power up front to break through them.
agree IiC, me thinks Bonatini will start and Costa to come off the bench, but also theres a lot to be said for sticking with the same starting line up.
But whatever happens – in Nuno we trust
At the risk of being a “stuck record”, why do we really have to consider the opposition?
I know that Nuno and his merry men will have done the homework, but today’s stats are live on the interweb…
PNE last game 29% possession – really if we take 60% possession and they play “high” then our approach from the back will pass through to last weeks MOTM and Neves will toe bunt if he wants to the wing backs and the front three to wreak havoc for the lillywhites.
Not even Storm Brian can blow us off course!
COMB FOwb
My thoughts exactly Rickrack, playing “high” just leaves them short at the back – and even with a full complement of defenders they’ll have a job to stop our attack who seem to have a “more the merrier” approach to defenders, beating off three or four together sometimes.
If y’all watch the movie “Pele, birth of a legend” you will see the actual term used is Ginga Football.
I was also going to say how great it would be to have a team like that, and then I woke up to realize….. we do!!
Clive, you’re losing your Black Country dialect – y’all – lmro
But what was being used for Ginga Football? (Samba???)
Head says settle for a point, but heart says predict the win!
Oh, and isn’t it nice seeing the Blues get a great result last Friday!!!!
I see a goalless draw honestly but I’ll predict what I want to see. Although to be fair, even though Preston have only let in 8, 5 of those came in their last 3 games.
Goals at a premium in a tough game
It’s important that we keep our feet on the ground and don’t get too carried away.
Having said that, I find it hard not to draw comparisons between NES and Guardiola. If we achieve promotion and keep this group together, I’d love to see what the outcome of his coaching methods looks like in a year or two’s time!
Apparently Preston play a high pressing game. Get it right and we could come unstuck, get it wrong and we could rip them to shreds with quick, dynamic forward moves.
I’m backing us for a hard fought and potentially flattering scoreline of 2-0.
UTW
Will be interesting to see how we go against a style that has previously worried us.
Like the look of Thomas’s front 3 for the first half with Bonatini joining in the second.
I think we will win but are likely to concede a goal from a set piece.
listen people .. preston did well against fulhams passing game but fulham aint a patch off us and our passing game
neves jota cav costa saiss miranda bonatini ..goodbye preston… say no more
As others have said, this is going to be a test. The weather forecast is for heavy rain & 50 mph winds which won’t help flowing football. I’ve got to say though, that I’ve been impressed with our continental continent’s attitude so far. I’m going for another win.
Can only predict a win today. Preston ain’t that good, but we will need to be at or near our best to win.
Letting myself believe that the days of devastating injury blight are behind us. When I start wondering if the team is going to freeze in front of a large expectant crowd, I remind myself that these players have performed in the champions league. When I get a little paranoid that any player who shows any ability will be sold I remind myself that Costa is still here and Nerves has been signed. When I hear that the goal-line technology has mysteriously malfunctioned I think “you’ll need better dirty tricks than that to stop us”. I am here, I think I have lost the black dog, I believe this is our year.
And doctor says if I keep taking the medication I might be able to go home next week. But hey if this is madness who would want to be sane?
Oh and for today. The show rolls on.
wet and windy but a warm feeling at 4.50
At three o clock, lads, unleash hell
Barnsley all over again for me …
Read the Times for the sports pages but am always annoyed by their poor coverage of Wolves. Till today. A whole page with the headline “Chinese owners, one super-agent, and a team set for the top flight”
Bully says we should go all in against City on Tuesday. I say we should go all in against City on Tuesday.
Most of you pussies say we should worry about league points more instead of making a statement on the national stage.
What difference does it make if we win the league by 12 points or 10 points.
For once I agree.
If we don’t set out to win every game we play, why bother turning up?
Anyway, Citeh will be quaking in their boots.
If we win today, BIG statement.
If we lose or draw, BIG backlash.
You agree. Maybe I should reconsider then. 🙂
Quite right Tim.
If Clive starts agreeing with you, you’ve obviously got the wrong end of the stick.
Tim, my wife and I will be at Manchester City on Tuesday night and we were also at Southampton in a previous round. I really do hope we play our first 11 as the greatest day of my Wolves supporting life was at the final of this competition in 1980 against the team I hate more than any other – Forest. Yes, winning the league is important but I haven’t been to Wembley with Wolves since 1988 so come on Nuno, please play the big guns. Not quite sure why you have to call fellow bloggers pussies though ? Since I joined this blog I have had the pleasure of meeting many of them and I can honestly say that they are lovely people.
Maybe it means something different on this side of the ocean. Anyway, we are just having fun here, I love all people, except Trump. And that Bannon guy. Not too crazy about Jared either, now that I think of it.
Let’s keep rolling along
COYW
Full of confidence, Jota hatrick, 3-0 Wolves
The problem with refs like that is they allow so many bad tackles go early on ( Jota was taken around the neck at one point) that its hard to control the game in the end , bringing their player back out to shoyhim the red was pure theatre
If you’re paying your entrance money to watch him that is , anyway we have certainly passed our test regarding this type of team ( Preston bullied Cardiff 3 0) and we got the points , all Preston got was a bunch of cards to add to their tally
Utw
Wow! That was a nail biter. It seems my misgivings about this referee were justified.
Phew!
Three points banked but squeaky bums abounded during the last ten(?) minutes of added time.
Couldn’t listen for the last 10 mins I was sure DB was going to let another through..,
At 3-0 we were cruising too much…
I know that Nuno will know what to do like re intro Boly if he’s fit..,
Steve,
We were right above the goal and Danny was Not at fault, he went in for the challenge and for once was sent bouncing off the guy that score like a pinball. Straight away he said to his team mates exactly that, he simply bounced off the guy in the wrong direction with no chance of recovery.
Coady’s own goal was a pity but hey we held our nerve and to be fair around our three goals being scored we played footy again.
Nuno was fuming Steve. At 3-0 the game was won, but tbh Preston battled on and we allowed them too much space and time on the ball. A few fantastic blocks by our defenders kept them at bay. A well earend 3 points in my opinion. As for DB, like yourself I had my doubts but he has played very well and certainly looked a lot calmer in possesion today and laid of a few good passes out of defense. For the neutrals out there this was a good game to watch, well, in the second half at least.
Some are saying Bonatini may be in trouble for elbowing someone in the head and then falling down acting injured.
Sounds like Nuno has learnt lessons from the Cardiff mugging. We’re number one, we’re top of the pops!
I was at Stamford Bridge today for the 4-2 thriller against Watford, to add to the 3-3 against Roma midweek. As good as Chelsea were against Watford, they don’t like it shoved up them.
This is a tactic lesser teams will increasingly use against more talented sides. Expect more of the same in the championship. At least the usual suspects are clocking up cards today.
Tim, I agree, again!!!
So today we learned 4 lessons I think.
1. There are going to be Neanderthal teams like Preston in this league. Big, strong, powerful, kick, hold and grab onto anything or anyone that moves. That prize tosser Neil Warnock could have coached this lot given the nasty petty fouls they seemed on committing from the first whistle.
2. Referees in this league are appalling. Truly atrocious. Today’s apology for a ref lost control in the opening 20 minutes by his own weakness and inability to stamp his authority on the game. I counted 5 blatant yellow cards he should have dished out to Preston’s bully boys in the first half but he gave none. Clearly the men in white thought “whey-hey this is a bit of alright, we can do what we want”. And they did till the referee went card crazy towards the end. Pathetic.
3. If Jordan Hugill ever was a genuine target of ours I hope and pray that those days are gone. He was hopeless. I know he scored with a header but he is just a big lump, a physical presence with all the finesse of a steamroller and the mobility of an oil tanker. The likes of Warnock, Jackett and Lambert would love him but we are on a far higher plain now.
4. We are going up as Champions. No doubt, no argument. Not just going up but looking at recent live PL games with Southampton, Newcastle, Brighton, West Ham etc we will be top 10. And that’s before we strengthen next Summer. Top 7 anyone?
Finally – the North Bank Bar; too many people being let in makes it uncomfortable and unpleasant and someone needs to tell the club they need to DOUBLE the number of bar staff in there!
P.S. anyone see BOG and his intended in the programme – and on the big screens at half time? Hee-hee-hee. I dun that!
OODCL
Nasty little side Preston, carry on the way their going and they will be having to field the youth team by Christmas.
Another test passed well done lads oh and Danny.. concentrate mate.
Shit lost so another good weekend.
Great to see Bedders and Stroker just another day in the office for the mighty Wolves, pity they buggered up my 3-1 prediction. Three points is all that matters in the end and what about Bonatiniiiiiiiiiiii !!!!!
Sorry I missed you mate. Traffic down from Yorkshire was horrendous. Catch up soon buddy.
Yo sed 6 points vile pne would av said fuckin ace. So fuckin ace ay it.
Well done the lads, we nailed that cheating bunch of northern bastards for sure.
UTW