Leon Clarke’s late winner at Hillsborough in December reignited Wolves’ season.
That crucial win up in Yorkshire simultaneously ended a five game losing streak and kicked off an eight game undefeated run.
It’s been hit and miss since, but we’ve just about clung onto the coat tails of the leading pack.
Wednesday weren’t quite able to last the pace and nine points back on Wolves with just nine games left to play, another year of Championship football beckons.
Hopefully they’ll be polite enough not to drag us down into midtable tomorrow.
Sheffield Wednesday
Only Middlesbrough have conceded less goals than the Owls, but only Millwall and Blackpool have scored less. The problem is pretty obvious.
Still, to average comfortably less than a goal a game and not be anywhere near the bottom three is some achievement and testament to a well organised defensive unit.
Worryingly for Wolves, Stuart Gray’s mean machine are far more effective away from Hillsborough and have already wracked up eight wins on the road.
They pinned a lot of hopes on Stevie May being the man to carry the goal scoring burden, but the Scot has only managed 7 league goals so far in his debut season in English football.
Wolves
Kenny Jackett has been talking this week about the need to find the right combinations in the final third, but I think any combination should include Nouha Dicko.
An early goal is needed as Wolves have a frustrating propensity for running out of gas in the second half.
That should mean a recall for Dicko who, like Afobe, can run in behind and move around what will probably be a stubborn defence.
Teams that have come to Molineux and parked up have generally done pretty well, so hopefully Wednesday will show a bit more ambition.
Predictions
Four points from these two home matches is the minimum requirement. This looks the more winnable on paper and we’ve generally done well against the Owls in recent times.
Hopefully Wolves can rely on their attacking talents to lead the charge and make a mockery of the opposition’s defensive record.
It’s probably a tad ambitious, but I’m going for 2-0.
Up The Wolves.
come on me babbies let’s close in on ipswich and brentford
A very tight match I think
Hopefully, at least…
Lying in bed with laryngitis for the past three days has been a real bummer. I need some cheering up so hope the boys will do just that and make my prediction correct.
Who is this bloke Larry Ngitis??
Championship season again next year..
We simply not as good as the top six..
Jackett still needs to prove himself as he has finished this high will Millwall before..
Next Year will be harder as expectations will be bigger..
Have Renewed on the early bird…
Enjoy the ride !!
There is still a chance, but we must win this one.
First of 2 positive results to set us up nicely for the run in.
I’m banking on us adding to our goal tally of 2,3 and 5 in the last three home games so, despite the Owls defensive record I’m sure we can deliver 3 points to us loyal die hards …
I shall be extremely disappointed if we don’t make the playoffs …
I’m challenging Morgan to open his wallet and get us this player who will make the difference.
I’ve committed myself to next season again … come on Morgan show us something in return !!
Its getting difficult to predict Wolves results these days, but when in doubt go for the win.
Wolves have slightly better form recently and at home so in theory at least should win.
Woops, should read Wolves have slightly better form than Wednesday recently.
Going one better than the main man over the water and I’m not referring to the cut in Bradley! However, cannot see KJ playing our strongest XI because he has some strange aversion to…well…playing our stongest XI! You know, I think of the great managers whose great teams picked themselves! I’m not saying we have a great manager nor a great team but we have a good manager and a very capable team, if only we played our best players 1-11, injuries permitting. So that means basically Thomas’s XI – although I would persevere with RVP, fustrating player that he is and I just loved his celebration down at Sussex! Come on the old gold n blank!
COME ON THE OLD GOLD AND BLACK!!!!
Oh and do not agree with Edwards. Price is a better foil for Super Mac!
we have to go for this one so I fancy an early goal they will then have to come out and we will beat them comfortably
18 points needed from 27 …at the moment…. 15 points if we fluke it with ipswich or Brentford slipping up…9 matches to go..
This is when those squandered points mean absolutely everything…
I wonder what KJ is really thinking now as apposed to his comments to the press…I’m fed up personally saying we need to win this one…
We need to win this one…it preludes a difficult game to Derby and if we could take the next 6 points I give us a chance..
I just can’t see KJ playing Dicko and Afobe together at the start ..does he hedge his options?
I prefer an all out assault, midfield as well, shit or bust, DB up for corners… we perhaps have nothing to loose that is of course unless the others do slip up..
K Mac to have a blinder.. Sako to pull his finger out, Afobe and Dicko to score.. and Conner Hunte to come on and get the third on his debut….
Hope is a great thing…
COYW
A man after me own heart, you da man.
🙂
If in doubt – which I am – go for the old favourite!
Their tight defence is a bit of a worry, but we should shade it.
Afobe and Dicko with May for them.
UTW!
What’s the betting the first words of most wolves fans lips as the whistle blows on the final game of the season will be “if only……” Not even a single loan signing with what will be only 8 games to go after tomorrow….it beggars belief.
What’s the betting the first words of most wolves fans lips as the whistle blows on the final game of the season will be “if only……” Not even a single loan signing with what will be only 8 games to go after tomorrow….it beggars belief.
Oops… Space repetition works apparently 🙂
Win needed. Come on the Wolves
This should be a win for Wolves. I think we’ll settle for a 2-0 win
Golbourne, Dicko have to play drop RVP Sako and Henery also in local rag tonight the headline is ” Dicko get ready to join the offensive ” no shit Kenny.
Kenny play 4 4 2 with all the above playing a draw is as bad as a loss now at this stage of the season we may as well go for it caution will only result in failure be brave be bold this is it now these next two games will decide the season so don’t bottle it.
I don’t mean drop Sako and Henery just RVP …..
Afobe n Dicko to score in a tight game
Tight one, but if our front four get in gear hopefully they’ll have enough about them to get at least one notch on the scoresheet.
An early goal followed by a 90th minute blaster by Sako.
This should not be a tight game. If we are as good as we think we are, we should beat mid table teams. So……are we good enough? COYW
Sloping off work early to watch this one, it’s a 12 hour round trip for the midweek home games and there’s 2 this week. We’ve slipped further behind on KJ’s 2pt average from the last 13 games. Now stands at 8 from 5. Need to win tonight and it will be a real demonstration of the players desire to reach the play-offs, they can’t afford to take it easy thinking about Derby on Friday.
Will win tonight – for me the best pairings are McDonald and Price, Sako and van le P, Afobe and Dicko. Iorfa is injured and Kenny will start with Docherty and Hause.
I’ve picked the team for you Thomas………..
Got to win this one and think we will.
We need a good win to set us up to settle the score with Derby coming up so soon. No ‘what ifs’ after the game please.
COYW
I don’t feel we’ve been firing on all cylinders just recently and hopefully we can only improve. Pressure is a big thing at this stage of the season and if you’re clinging on to a top six position but beginning to drop points that pressure only increases. In a way, in our position, we’ve got less to lose and should be able to play with more freedom than those at whose heels we’re snapping. That’s my theory anyway and this week will prove me right or wrong.
I sense one of our best performances of the season is on the way tonight which will fill us all with a warm glow of love for Kenny and huge confidence for the run-in to come.
COYW
We have just GOT to win this one, anything else and we can forget the playoffs, especially with Derby to come on Friday.
I have to admit that I am not that confident that we will win though.
Is Iorfa injured or not?
If he’s fit I’d go with the same team that you have picked Thomas with the exception of Henry.
I’d add Price to the mid field, we quite often get outnumbered there, and give Sako licence to roam.
Another closing of the loan window looms ever nearer and our squad remains unstrengthened.
Why are none of us surprised?
Here’s a quote from Jez Moxey on the difficulties of signing new players:-
“We’re in a blame culture. Everyone’s looking for a scapegoat, someone to pin the blame on. But we’ve got broad shoulders.
“It must be Morgan’s fault as he’s the owner. It must be Moxey’s fault as he doesn’t want to spend any money.
“But, if the fans knew what we felt and why we have had to make the decisions we do, they’d have a different view.
“We’re where we are as our team hasn’t been good enough.
“But, primarily, there was simply a lack of available players who the management thought would improve the squad.
“People think you can click your fingers and they’ll come because we’re Wolves.
“It’s not as easy to attract players as people think it is. It is more difficult to bring in players when you’re having a bad season.”
Express & Star 12th April ……. 2013.
It’s deja vu all over again.
Other clubs seem to be able to attract better players. Clubs with a far smaller fan base and income than ours.
It hasn’t been a BAD season – far from it.
But it could get so much better.
I’m still thinking Price is a better option than Edwards, but either way Thomas’s team is probably the same as most bloggers would pick. A team with the ability to win a match rather than not lose it. If we see that team tonight I can see a good game and a good result.
They’ll sit deep and stay organised, we’ll pass it around in front of them and struggle to find space round the back.
This has got snooze-fest written all over it.
Doherty nailed on as Iorfa is injured. They seem to blow hot and cold away from home. I’d like to see KJ go for the throat this time – 4-1-4-1 with Edwards and Afobe in the hole and KMac holding. But I don’t expect us to score a shed-load.
Fail to win this one and the fat lady will be singing.
Thomas,
This is without doubt our strongest team, I know everyone’s going on about Price but Edwards will run his socks off and is worth a goal any game, Price arsed one in for the first time. So your team in the absence of Iorfa (ankle injury sustained in training) is our best 11 for sure. RVLP to come on late 2nd half after Henry runs himself into the ground, but Dicko MUST start Kenny.
COYW’s earn your corn.
On 17th March 1766 King George III approved the Repeal of the Stamp Act. What has this got to do with tonight’s match ? Nothing. Nothing at all. But the Owls are one of our favourite teams so I reckon a close odd goal victory.
‘Repeal of the Stamp Act’ – wasn’t that the one that said you could no longer stamp on an opponent… ?
Goals, a clean sheet and 3 “must-have” points
Hope we are more hungry than the Owls.
Going for a win and Dicko goal
On the BBC website it says Iorfa and Dicko are injured and Doherty suspended.
Cannot see the argument that we do better with Edwards rather than Price in midfield.
I think Price has started most games we have got 3 points.
I’m going, optimistically for a win.
However I’m in the, ‘we missed the chance’ group.
This season, with ambitious backing, we could have gone up.
I have serious doubts about KJ as anything other than an average championship manager, well versed in managing teams on a tight budget.
It will be interesting to see if we can start next season with a team that has the potential of the one we have now…
Somehow I doubt it.
Robin,
Well that’s positive news about Doherty, I’m happy with that, even Iorfa with an injury would impress me more than Doherty, thank God for the BBC department of dis-information, still they dd predict we would miss the bad storms of 19 oatcake that flooded half of the South coast.
I’m 100% in your camp mate about us being also rans this year, too many sloppy points thrown away to mediocre teams by less than mediocre Wolves performances.
Thw BBC have a lot to answer for- well, Jeremy Clarkson for one, Oh yeah a certain Jimmy Saville too. Oh well another great British institution that thinks it untouchable.
Wellthat went off on a right old tangent!
🙂
What are you on about Stu?
Who knows the bigger deceiver?
The BBC or Express and Star?
Propaganda is rife…
I never thought I’d have to explain sarcasm to a Doctor!
I believe the BBC less than you do that’s for sure…
Robin,
Propaganda is rife my friend, I was never a Doctor, “I had to work for a living”
I have lived far too long to trust any media source, that’s why I love this Blog so much, it comes from tthe heart and not from a figbox of someone’s emancipation.
I have to be careful what I’m saying here, God knows who’s hacking what, I fell foul of big Brother once in my life and that’s more than enough.
I’m enjoying your blogging, keep up the sterling work,
🙂
Stu, maybe we are the same generation?
Sorry, I must have mis read one of your posts, for I thought you mentioned being a doctor.
I’m a 63 year old who turned Gold & Black in 1961. Never a Doctor, but had 33 of the happiest days of my life as a Paramedic, went round the world with the job. Heaven.
COMB’s
I’m just turned 64, 1960 became a supporter.
Nearest thing I got to being a Doctor well….
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Small-Journal-Heroin-Addiction-Marchesi/dp/0743300521/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426619518&sr=1-1
lets hope we win tonight!
Wow, what a journey, one day we must sit down and exchange war stories.
You fit the quote that I lived my life by.
“Only a life lived for others is a life worth living” (Albert Einstien)
Sounds like we’re both of the same ilk.
Well done that man, respect.
And we both got a spectacular 3-0 win tonight to boot.
🙂
Don’t know how Doherty can be suspended as he’s only had 2 yellows since the Bournemouth (H) farce…
I don’t know why – perhaps it’s because you keep on making the point – but I get the distinct feeling that you don’t rate Kenny Jackett.
That’s fair enough, everybody is entitled to an opinion.
You say that he is “an average championship manager, well versed in managing teams on a tight budget.”
Given that we are a championship team being run on a tight budget, it would seem to suggest that he is the perfect fit for us.
Here are a couple of questions for you, and I would be very interested to hear your answers:-
1) Who would you suggest could come in and do a better job?
2) Would any of the names you might have come up with be prepared to take on the job, given the financial restraints put upon them by Mork and Mindy?
3) Would the aforementioned pair even begin to contemplate approaching an ‘A’ List manager who would cost big bucks and want to run the outfit entirely his way?
As long as the answers to the last two questions are ‘No’ and ‘Definitely not’, no matter what we want, the matter of who is Manager, or Head Coach, is purely academic.
I agree, that KJ, as you say, ‘is a perfect fit for us,’ in terms of M&M’s ideal.
There is no point in suggesting a replacement.
It is the ambition of the owner, I believe, that is holding us back.
Why replace him? – He’s good enough, as far as they are concerned, to run the ‘ship’.
I could speculate on a replacement, but why?
The club is run by the owner not the fans.
I’m just moderating my ‘ambition’ accordingly.
Top ten finish fair result!… Good KJ level..
I would love to be proved wrong by KJ and be eating humble pie, DOOGooder, come the play off finals, when a Sako blaster takes us to the Premier league…
But right now, think we have missed an opportunity….
We’ve done well this year although I’n not sure that we are good enough to go up. We certainly need to win this one.
Must win if we want to gatecrash the top 6. Not sure we are quite good enough this season but live in hope.
Afobe with the winner
If Reading can get to Wembley, we can get to the playoffs.
The fat lady, well, Brompto, has Larry Ngitis in bed, so wont be able to sing
Three easy points tonight and three easier on Friday
We should be able to bag a few tonight, but I am unable to predict a clean sheet whilst Kuszczak is between the sticks.
Another sloppy goal on Saturday that I’m sure Ikeme would have kept out.
One for Sako, one for Dicko and one for Afobe for me.
Come on Me Babbies!!!
It’s one for the money
Two for the show
Three for Afobe
And One Sako
But Dicko will put on his blue scoring shoes
Time to go for it. Must be 2 up front at home.
We’re due a good win. 🙂
Kenny, please play 4-4-2 with Dicko & Afobe starting.
That’s all.
Happy St Guinness Day!
????????????
St Paddys Day Eh,
8 years ago today I was drinking Treble Vodkas all night long in Kiev with an Irish mate, the Drunkest and happiest Iv’e ever been in my life. Make it so again tonight Kenny absent the Vodka.
🙂
Well, Kenny picked the right team and the boys did the business.
I had a couple of pints of the black stuff. Home happy.
Hope you managed to stay off the vodka?
Got to get a win, the Owls are ready for their holidays
Friday’s game will be the test of our progress since the 5-0 thrashing…but failure to win tonight will make it less relevant. Still think that play-off experience would be good for this squad as long as we don’t fluke it to PL and a season of more thrashings. With 6 points by Friday night our season will be intact,….3 or less and its over.
Not optimistic about this at all. They’ll soak up the pressure and nick one from a set piece
3 points essential tonight.
Last minute equaliser for us to give us a point that won’t quite be enough.
Hope I’m wrong – we should have the squad to win, but I fear the pressure will tell.
Happy Paddy’s Day to all.
A win. Hope over expectation.
Huge amount of optimism across this blog on the basis that we CAN and SHOULD (just) win this and have the ability to get (just) into the playoffs. Our form is currently (just) a bit better than Wednesday’s. So, that seems like a recipe for Tuesday night disappointment and my recent optimistic predictions have been useless. So I’m predicting a frustrating defeat (just) in the hope that my prediction record holds up and I gain absolutely no PL points.
A win tonight and Friday would be good
UTW
One day , my prediction will be right.
One day…….
Too many sloppy defensive mistakes lately so this is a game we just have to win to give us a boost before the crunch game against Derby.
Not too confident but predicting a win despite my misgivings.
A bore draw for me
Hopefully more entertaining than the score suggests
Dicko & Afobe to start please!!!!!
It’s time for our two ace strikers to do the business, one of them to get a hat trick !
Two glorious goals, 3 mega points
Close to call.
Stevie May, despite his lack of goals, is the danger man.
I still expect Wolves to win, well they have to.
Onwards & Upwards
🙂
Going for the win we need but got a niggly feeling this could be a draw and signal the tapering of our season. .. #glasshalfempty
an edgy but vital win. I really do hope.
Concerned this could be 2 points dropped again but I’m going to be cautiously optimistic and hope we nick it.