The last time QPR visited Molineux, a 1-0 victory courtesy of a Sylvan Ebanks-Blake goal was enough to see Wolves promoted to the Premier League.
Since that historic occasion, both sides have enjoyed a relatively successful couple of years and can certainly feel pleased with their progress.
But whilst Wolves have employed a steady approach to establishing themselves in the top flight, Neil Warnock’s side have immediately gone full steam ahead.
High profile arrivals late in the day such as Joey Barton, Shaun Wright-Philips and Arsenal’s Armand Traore have shown genuine ambition and given the London club an excellent chance of maintaining their position amongst the elite.
The question is, can this clutch of proven Premier League players turn QPR into a successful Premier League team?
Early evidence – such as Monday’s impressive performance against Newcastle, albeit in a nil nil draw – suggests yes.
They were bright and inventive in that match, only falling short of a home win due to some lacklustre finishing from Jay Bothroyd.
They’ve got match winners throughout their team now, which makes them a dangerous proposition.
The Team
Well, that’s QPR. What about Wolves?
After losing to Spurs last weekend, the last thing we needed were injuries to key players. Sadly, that’s exactly what we’ve got.
As I write this, it seems likely that Steven Fletcher won’t be fit enough to play, which is a major blow and exposes the one area of the pitch where I feel we’re desperately short of cover.
So if Fletch is ruled out, what does Mick do?
This is the team I reckon we’ll see:
So that’s Jarvis in for Fletcher, with Kightly reverting to a more central role, just in behind Doyle. Mick has mentioned this specific tactic, which is why I reckon he’ll go for it.
But there are alternatives.
Ward could be pushed up front and Elokobi brought back in at left-back. This is my least favourite option, mainly because I’ve been pleased with the performances of the back four and don’t want to see that consistency compromised.
Milijas could also be given a game, reverting to the more traditional 4-5-1 we’ve become accustom to over the last two years. That’s not a bad shout.
Prediction League
13 people correctly predicted defeat against Spurs, with 5 of those pundits getting the score spot on too.
Well done to Ash K, Kowloon Wolf, Stourbridge Wolf, amber wolf and Clemens for taking the maximum 3 points on offer. The rest get a single point.
I’m going for a draw in this one as I find myself torn.
On one hand, we’ve generally played well in all of the games to date so QPR at home should represent an excellent chance to get another win on the board.
But if Fletch isn’t fit and Mick is forced into moving things around, I can foresee the worst happening, particularly as Neil Warnock’s men are arriving with their tales up.
So I’m somewhere in the middle.
2-2.
If you’re going to Molineux tomorrow enjoy the match and get right behind the lads. I’m particularly interested to hear what the North Bankers make of the new stand. Definitely leave some feedback in the match report.
Up The Wolves.
Have a feeling we may see Foley in midfield alongside Henry and O’Hara in a more advanced role behind Doyle. Particularly as QPR will be playing 4-5-1.
Think we’ll win this one, will be close, but I’ll go for 1-0
I’m going for a 1-1. QPR aren’t going to be mugs, but we’ve played plenty of good stuff this season.
On work right now,so won’t elaborate much on this, but my predicton is Wolves to win 2-0.
QPR at home is a must win,no other option accepted.
Forgot to mention this is also on my birthday…probably that’s the reason for my optimism,ha-ha
With no height in the forward line, we may as well play 5 in midfield and try and open them up on the deck. This is a crucial game in our mini division, and we are good enough to win 3 – 1. The only grey area is SWP running at Ward who hasn`t the pace or mobility to cope without standing too far off the winger.
More numbers in midfield will help, just need the movement back from the first two games, and with no midweek internationals we must have more from Hunt and kightly. Looking forward to the game and the three points.
Mr Davies – Every week you have said Ward is going to struggle… May I please point out he did a fantastic job against Nzogbia, Bale, and Duff! Now, if you’d said Elokobi will struggle against SWP you would be closer to the mark!
Stop pickin’ on me mate or I’ll have to send his sons in to sort you out!!!!
Haha, we’re both better than ward!
The lack of a depth and quality of our team is showing itself already with just a single injury. The lack of ambition in the transfer window will become even more evident if we see one or two more and it will cost us dearly this season, I believe. I can’t see us finishing above 15th.
QPR looked excellent against Newcastle but evidently lacked quality in the goal scoring department. They have made some excellent signings in the other departments and will be no walk over at all.
The game is a must win since it is at home against some of our relegation rivals and it will be a good indicator on how the season will turn out. Are we again this season unable to beat the teams around us when we should?
Unfortunately, I can’t see us winning. 1-1 is my prediction. O’Hara to score.
Four games gone and our strength in depth already being tested.
No replacement for an unfit forward ( I don’t count Vokes or Ward as forwards……………….don’t count ’em much of anything, really )
Foley and Kightly are backward steps, unless Stearman and Milijas are unfit.
Where is Adelene?
We need his bite in the middle.
Hope for the best in this one, but fear the worst.
3 – 0 to me babbies!!
Oh, I forgot to mention, you will be excited to know, and really pleased for me, Fox Soccer Channel is showing the match live, so 9 in the morning over here, preceded by a leisurely breakfast, and I’ll let y’all know the score before you leave for the match!!!
FOMM
It’s on at 8am on Rogers Sportsnet here in the frozen North so I’ll let you know the half times Clive 😉
Spot on with the strength of depth issue fella!
2 – 0 Wolves fo’ sho’
Which part of the frozen North are you in??
Edmonton, Alberta fella
Do you have Fox Soccer Plus? I was under the impression Villa-Newcastle was on regular FSC.
Yes, I think, it costs a bleedin’ fortune whatever I got, according to ‘er indoors anyroad!!!
Definitely Wolves v QPR at 9 of the a.m.
I’m torn between a 1-0 loss or a 2-0 home win? This is the sort of fixture that we would have dropped points in last season.
I’m hoping that we have turned that corner. So my early season optimism continues for now…..
Wolves 2-0 QPR.
2-0 wolves with o’hara finally to score and johnson to grab a late header.
I’m more torn between what formation i would like to see us try. On one hand Ward has shown promise offensively in the latest games (didnt see vs spurs so dunno about that one) and could well puncture QPR’s not so amazing defense. On the other hand that would ruin our back four, so if Mick were to go with the central Kightly option which i believe they ran during pre-season with success I would be very pleased.
Prediction; 1-1 SWP and Ward.
Wolves 1-2 QPR (although obviously I hope not).
PS whatever happened to Lawro in the preddo league?
They are shit at the back, so are we.
3-2 Wolves win.
Damn I was right last week. How did that happen. OK this time I feel more optimistic. Kightly up front with Fletcher was my preferred plan for season, worry we will have 2 that run loads but cant score. However I can see us sneeking one at a corner perhaps Johnson to do the business Wolves to win 1-0
3-1 to me babbies.what ever formation we adopt.up the wolves…
stuff it… 4-0 wolves!
As I said in the guesthouse I think it will be tough. Given that Fletcher is out who’s the goal threat?
For that reason I’m going to go for a 1 – 1 draw, but I hope we win as really we aught to beat newly promoted teams if we are to cement our position in the Prem.
QPR’s decent performance on Monday was a false dawn, tight game but we’ll win 2-0 and they’ll have a man sent off. O’Hara is overdue a wondergoal
Fear the worst against Warnock…2-2 is my “optimistic” prediction
3-0 wolves. I just think we’re better than them. I hope Milijas plays, him and O’hara would tear them apart.
First game at the molineux this season for me. Hence, 3-1. I really want to give them a hiding. Would also like to see Milijas in there, free to roam.
Wolves 2:1 QPR – Jarvis and Doyle. I go home happy.
2-0 Wolves, would love to see us Play 4-1-4-1 with Henry, Milijas and O’Hara in a centre midfield triangle.
1-2 worried about SWP!
Remember what Nathan Dyer did to Stephen Ward? That might be reason alone to play Ward up front, it’s taken as a given he will be starting somewhere
read Putney Wolf’s response to similar tripe earlier
Wolves 1 – The Rangers 0
They can’t score for toffee…..Did I type that out loud?
Now, lets see…
I can see a 2-0 win for us with Doyle and Kightly/Ward scoring.
An optimistic 3-1 win for me! 🙂
Fear not guys, I’m staying well away from Molineux this week so there’s no danger at all of us losing. We could spend a million squillion pounds on all the best players on the planet, but as soon as I head anywhere near WV1 it’s like the Fat Lady sang Hi Ho Wolverhampton.
So, with that in mind I’m going to go with a confident 2-0 stroll, QPR to realise that you can’t buy a team, and the Premier League is an unforgiving classroom. A brace of belters from Milijas who replaces Fletch and stakes a claim to more appearances.
Last season: 0-1. This season: 2-0. Jarvo, Johnson.
Wolves 2-QPR 1
Doyle steps up and gets one goal and hits a streaking O’Hara for another
1-1, O’Hara.
Think we should be good enough to win this, but just have a sneaky feeling it will be one of those days.
flew all the way from the caribbean for this game so guaranteed 0-0!!
2-0 to the mighty wolves with doyle nd kightly on the scoresheet
3-1 to the home side. Jarvo at the double along with O’Hara.
/both on my fantasy team
Come on you Wolves!
im confident of a 2-0 win and i would personally go with a 4-5-1 with Milijas going central midfield with henry protecting the back 4 simple passes to o hara and milijas who can cause some damage. Hunt and Jarvis also terrorising the defence. I think Kightly is in need of match time and i rather he played at the likes of Man city and to get it where i think we will get nothing anyway
2-0 to the Wolves, 3rd season in the prem we need to taking full points off of newly promoted teams especially at home!
Wolves 1 – QPR 0
Don’t care who scores for us and would love a clean sheet
If QPR’s new signings start to gell, this could be a tough game. I’m still hoping for a 1-0 win. Goal in the 1st half by Jarvis.
1-1 Jarvis, SWP
I reckon 2-0 to Wolves. Doyle & Jarvis.
I still find it incredible that we didn’t get in any cover up front. Ridiculous should be the word. Nevertheless, I think the goals will come: Wolves 2-0 QPR
2-1 Wolves. Lets get another 3 points!
Wolves 3 :QPR 1
We will control the game. Can see them scoring though! Just need to score more!
The lack of depth in our team is really frightening. If Sam Vokes is so bad we can’t let him play even when all our other strikers are injured, WHY is he in the squad in the first place? If the preferred option is for a left-back to become a forward there is no reason for him to be in this team, send him to Milwall or something.
I assume though that what will happen is Mick will start with the “Elokobi in Ward up”-maneuver, and then switch out george for either Kightly or Vokes at around 60 if it doesn’t work.
Was very impressed with them on monday night so i think they’ll give us a game. going for us to edge it 1-0
If the power goes off again in Wolverhampton during the game, will it be a case of “bad play stopped light”?
Been waiting years to have a chance to use that one!!!!
2-0 down at half time what an absolute disgrace, we look like we are the team that has just been premoted and are playing away from home……
Except we don’t look like we’ve just been promoted at all. We look like a bottom-of-the-table Championship side. We’re making QPR look like Barcelona.
Guedioura for Kightly, and Vokes for Elokobi. Good – two dreadful players taken off. Let’s hope for a massive improvement.
I had a feeling we’d lose today and so it proved. An absolutely pathetic display from a team with no adventure, craft or guile. We were outclassed by a side that has just come up from the Championship! The result makes a mockery of Mick’s comments about being happy with his squad during the transfer window. Another relegation battle beckons.
Jesus. Where do we start with this one? Disrupting what had been a pretty well organised defence because we’d lost a striker to injury is a huge cause for concern. Sorry big George, I love you, but you just don’t cut it. I’ve never seen SWP look so bloody good – he was made to look like Pele today. Really would have loved to see Milijas today, just so we’d at least get a shot on target. I really cannot believe what I have seen. I can’t work out MM’s tactics at all, nothing makes sense. I hope the players haven’t started believing their own hype.
Vokes could do with putting on a stone or two then we might have ourselves a neat player. Kightly really needs a loan in the championship for 6 months. I’m really not looking forward to Anfield.
3-0 at home to QPR. I just can’t believe it.
What a load of crap! Just listened to Chris Kamara’s comments about our display. Sounds like we went missing and didn’t compete at all. Especially in the 1st half. Apparently Henry didn’t make a single challenge and didn’t want to get involved with Barton. Shitting his pants maybe???
And why oh why did Mick change the back four and move Ward upfront? Wards done well there so far this season and we’ve looked pretty solid. Should have gone 4-5-1.
At least we’re the game of the day on ‘Football First’ later. Not that I’m going to waste my time watching it!
Sh*t result, we can’t afford too many of these.
Why oh why did we start with Kightly?
Why no Milijas?
Oh dear MM once again proves he’s a plonker!
Garbage performance by all except the keeper.
Kightly – why, why, why? Million miles away from fitness/sharpness required
Hunt on the bench – was he injured?
Ward up front – not as long as i have a hole in my @rse (he looked a million miles better than Big G when he went to left back).
Adlene – on the right – not the centre? And no where near fit enough.
QPR deserved it as we were rubbish. Poor team selection and poor performances from all. Just hope it was a bad day at the office or it will be another long season for all of us.
And just to top it all, i put my 2-0 defeat prediction on the Guest House blog by mistake. Please can i have my point anyway Thomas?
Have to change my opinion from last week to ‘No effort and completely outclassed throughout.’ Lots of empty seats as well. How many more next year if we go down?
would have been 5 if not not for keeper and the woodwork
why water the pitch at half time time for our defenders to slip all over the place
booed at half time 1000’s leaving after the third goal I would be sacked if i performed as bad as that pronto.
I pity whoever has to write the next article about this game…
Happy clappers unite.
Find something positive to say about this then.
Inept, no heart, no challlenge, no bottle, no nothing.
Now will you admit I’ve been right for the passt 12 months, McDickwad has no clue about team selection, tactics or who can actually play.
They should donate their pay to charity after this disgusting excuse for a performance.
Disgraceful, should all be reported to the trade description people for calling themselves footballers.
Absolute crap.
Ashamed to be a Wolves fan today, McMuppet shoulds do the honorable thing and resign, totally his fault.
And where do we go from here?
Same players as last year, plus Johnson, who has already been dragged down to the level of the rest of the non performers.
Can’t see where another shot is coming from let alone another goal.
Let’s see what the reserves do against Millwall on Tuesday, and then play them all at Anfield, they will not do any worse than that shower of shit did today.
If i had a season ticket it would be unceremoniously set fire to tonight.
a big FOMM
Okay, you want positive, I’ll give you positive!
………..
…I missed about ten minutes of the match. That’s positive.
I bet you wern’t lucky enuff to miss the first ten minutes!!!
First ten minutes of the second half – apparently when we looked at our best.
Compared to the rest of that game, I mean.
Putney wolf, Johnok and sleachy
Not so cocky now, is ya! Your boys got schooled on your own pitch.
To quote one of you from earlier, the Prem sure is an unforgiving classroom. Hope you enjoyed your footballing lesson today.
To the rest of you reasonable minded Wolves fans, good luck for the rest of the season. There’s enough quality in your side to stay up.
Would love you to point out exactly where the quality is, and then please kindly inform our pig headed manager, coz there hasn’t been any on show for the last 3 matches.
Liked the way you moved the ball around, but let’s be honest, you would have had more trouble against 11 dustbins today.
Jarvis, O’Hara, Fletcher (not playing today) R Johnson, S Ward all quality players sir.
I think a lot of people fell into the trap of thinking this was the QPR side of the first 3 weeks of the season. The truth is that the team that capitulated in the 2nd half to Bolton bears scant resemblance to this QPR team since Fernandes took over.
Wigan beat a depleted QPR lineup that Warnock wouldn’t even have named last season in the championship. We played good football against Newcastle and got little reward. I had the feeling that was going to change today.
I think we attacked you right from the off and Faurlin’s 2nd goal knocked all the stuffing out of you. You’ll bounce back though.
We’re still in the top 10….. God we were shit. Well done qpr, you’re going to have a good season!
Fair play mate. Good luck for the rest of the season.
And thank you for not rubbing our noses in it, we really did stink up the Mol today.
FOMM
I had a feeling today we would lose the moment I heard MM say he might put Ward up front.
MM is pig headed and puts his own pig headedness before the good of the club.
Why did he not revert to 4-5-1 and play Milijas ?
Why does he played Kightly, who looks lost and out of depth?
It was a dreadful display.
SWP v Elokobi? – Are we trying to lose?
What does Louie think?
I agree with Clive.
Well that was a big pile of pooh todays game was very poor, my main concerns were as follows why disrupt a decent defence when there is no need and why keep playing kightly when he clearly is nt ready. To my knowledge in 3 games apart form henrys run at spurs and the hunt header at villa we havent created a single decent effort on goal, we suddenly look a poor side. its to early to panic but we need a big improvement
Flipping heck. Even clive’s understated how bad that was!
Why change a solid looking back 4 something I never thought I’d say because you’ve got a injured striker ? Shows how thin our squad is how many other teams would have to do that why drop hunt for kightly ? Why not go back to the tried and trusted 451 leaving a team playing well unchanged apart from replacing a injured striker with a extra midfielder the one position we are spoilt for choice with quality as well in my opinion . Still it won’t be the first or last time mick baffles me I’m sure . But my biggest disappointment today was the booing of bothroyd sorry about the spelling that lad give me my happiest Sunday afternoon since only fools and horses started hour long episodes a well over due win against them lot and it’s not as if he hurt us much today all the damage was self inflicted he didn’t do a lot else for us I know neither did ewan Roberts but what they did was enough surely doesn’t deserve being booed
“Ward could be pushed up front and Elokobi brought back in at left-back. This is my least favourite option, mainly because I’ve been pleased with the performances of the back four and don’t want to see that consistency compromised”.
How prophetic Thomas! And how utterly predictable that Mick would go for that option!
Compare and contrast QPRs investment in their squad and our new White Elephant, sorry – stadium! Completely bonkers!
Anybody watched the Youtube clip of Warnock in the dressing room after they clinched promotion at Warford?
The one player he picked out was Clint Dempsey who he then promptly got rid of.
Too loyal too long Mick!
Clint Hill, not Clint Dempsey.
Hill is still in the 25 man squad.
I know you’re down about today’s game but I think you’ll be fine, though. Despite today’s result against Arsenal Blackburn are still poo and West Brom defense still poor. You have enough to stay up.
Be nice to play Arsenal next week instead of Liverpool, we might actually get a shot at goal!!
Does anyone know Steve Morgan’s twitter/email/facebook/myspace/phone number?
He needs to read this blog and I’m sure many others to see exactly what we are saying about that twat of a manager we have.
Anyone with an ounce of football knowledge ( and that rules McDickhead out right away ) can see the glaringly obvious faults and shortcomings in our team, squad, selection and tactics.
Ifd Morgan can’t and does nothing about it, he needs to bog off as well.
Be nice to have a 500 million seater North Bank………………..empty, next year in the lower leagues whatever they are called.
It’s after 8 over here and I’m still steaming pissed at that garbage on display today.
Another bad day at the office, he says on the sanitized site, just like last week and against Villa.
At least come up with a new cliche, you prick.
FOMM.
We’ll probably agree with you in about a week after we’ve all got this s$%^ game out of our memory 🙂
However, fear not, intrepid sufferers, I have the answer!
Let’s put Hennessey up front as target man!
He was the only player that the rest of the team could find with a pass, so, garbed in his flourescent green strip, he should be easy to spot, and then we might have a chance!!!
Let’s face it, he certainly could do no worse!!!!
I remember Fred Davis playing up front one reserve match many moons ago, due to a bunch of injuries, and he was a keeper.
At least Hennessey knows where the goal is, he’s picked the ball out often enough!
FOMM
Yeah, (sadly) I agree he wouldn’t do worse, but for the rest of the vegetables that would be to assume that they’re as good passing up the pitch to a marked man (fluorescent or not!) as they are at hoofing it backwards to an unmarked keeper. Not so.
I mean, for Chrissakes, yesterday we even had 10-15 clueless seconds of “pick-a-man-out” problems at every throw-in we took.
Trying to forget about the whole nightmare, but I can’t …