Shuffling into my seat about 5 minutes before kick-off on Saturday, I was anxious to see how England had got on in the rugby.
And as deflating as it was to learn they’d surrendered the game in the time it took me to walk from the pub to the ground, another scoreline stole my attention.
Coventry 0 Tranmere 3. And it wasn’t even half-time.
As I shared the news around, everyone had the same reaction: pleased, initially, in the sense that Coventry are a dangerous side that could conceivably crash the top six, but then uneasy at the prospect of entertaining an in-form Tranmere side on Tuesday.
Tranmere
A few weeks ago this would have seemed like a gimme with Rovers plummeting like a stone towards the foot of the table.
But a 5 match unbeaten run, including that impressive demolition of Coventry along with a good win over MK Dons and a draw with Preston, changes the complexion of the challenge.
It’s also worth remembering that Ronnie Moore had his side at the top of League One this time last year, cantering away at the outset, only to be dragged back as the season went on.
Ryan Lowe is the man charged with replacing Jake Cassidy’s goal input for Rovers and he scored a hat-trick at the weekend. He, along with returning star midfielder James Wallace, are two to watch out for.
Wolves
I liked the team Kenny Jackett put out on Saturday and hope to see the same eleven tonight. Will he have one eye on the Peterborough game though? That might lead to some changes.
That probably constitutes our best team, with the exception of James Henry and perhaps Scott Golbourne depending on your preferences.
It’s hard to predict what KJ will do with his team. Probably harder than it’s ever been with any manager we’ve had in fact. He seems to have a clear game plan in mind for every opponent, which is refreshing and frustrating in equal measures.
The likes of Golbourne, Sigurdarson and Cassidy might get a start and I also thought Zeli Ismail showed some real intent in his short cameo at the weekend. Never disappointed to see him in the team.
The odds
You can get 7/1 on any Tranmere win in this match, which seems remarkable value given their recent upturn. Even I’m tempted to put a fiver on that.
Wolves are a far less generous 1/2 and the draw is 3/1. All odds are available to view here.
Predictions
16 people correctly predicted the draw against Brentford. Only one pundit got the 0-0 scoreline correct though.
Hats off to Chris in Dublin for doublin’ his tally (and people say I have no sense of humour). He really had the crystal ball out when forecasting an entertaining 0-0.
I said 4 points would be a good return from these two home matches and I stand by that. Despite Tranmere’s recent revival, I expect us to win this.
3-1
Up The Wolves.
Carl Ikeme will be rock solid and our forwards will nick a couple.
Wolves 2-0 Rovers
UTW
Ronnie Moores teams do get on a roll sometimes but maybe the result on Saturday was a bit too good to follow it up with another. 2-1 to Wolves.
1-0 Wolves Griffiths
2-0 Wolves – Ikeme brace!
…:)
A 2-0 win for the Wolves. Don’t care who scores 🙂
A clean sheet. Our back 4 will be awesome and Ikeme will be magic. 1-0 Wolves
You’re right Thomas, it’s just impossible to guess what KJ will do. Will Cassidy start against the team he was on loan with last year or will KJ stick with Saturday’s line up ? At least we know from Saturday’s performance that KJ can motivate players. It should be a good game. – Wolves to win 2- 0.
Same team as Saturday. I am hoping for a similar performance that we produced against Brentford. Going for goals Wolves 3 Tranmere 1. 2 goials for Doyle and Sako the other.
The team look good it’s only the lack of goals that is slightly worrying. An edgy 1-0 to us.
I worry that this one is not going to be as easy as it looks on paper.
Tranmere have a half-decent away record – its their home form which is letting them down. The key could be the centre-backs. It seems they have injury problems there. Given that 35 year-old Lowe is in form for them up front, maybe we should rest Danny B. and match Lowe’s experience with Stears and Ricketts, Golbourne to return at LB ?
I wouldn’t say that you didn’t have a sense of humour Thomas….
You must have a very good one – keeping this blog going over the last couple of years proves it.
Either that or you’re totally barking mad!
We’ll let the bloggers be the judge of that.
After my visit to the shrine on Saturday, I have made a short(ish) film of the Molineux Museum experience which I thought might be of interest to our ex pat fans who will not have the chance to fork out the required £7 to see it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa34-aVYztU&feature=c4-overview&list=UUQC8rqhjdNqc3Mx7N56kcmg
The quality of the picture is a bit lacking in places but it gives a feel of the place.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I’m hoping to put some footage of the match up soon.
As for tonight – Wolves 3-1 Tranmere
Many thanks for the clip. Brought back many happy memories of my early days. Always positive about the Wolves.
Who was the top scorer when we won promotion FORM the second division?
Oh dear. You’d have hoped someone would checked for typos…
Ha. Whoops.
*Check
To be fair, it was the only mistake I spotted.
I put it in the film to test who had the staying power to watch it all.
You obviously did.
Respect!
Thanks for the footage DOOGooder.
Much appreciated by this current Ex-Pat.
I was back in the UK in the Summer and although I didn’t get to visit the Museum due to restricted opening hours, an old friend who works at the Mol did arrange a quick tour for me and my two boys of the stadium with the historian / guide.
Highlights were walking out through the players tunnel to the pitch, sitting in the home dressing room and signing the visitors book.
Great memories……………….I miss it so much. I am now thinking of imporing a small supply of Banks’s Mild and making my own Balti Pies to enhance my Free Radio 80’s live commentary experience.
Thanks, just downed tools for 20 minutes at work. Really enjoyed it and i will make sure I take my boys there when ever I next get back home. Cheers.
Another draw. 1-1
DG thanks for the footage. I have stubbornly resisted giving my 7 quid over to Moxey as i believe long suffering season ticket holders should get a free visit at a time to suit them. However, having seen a glimpse, it is time for Grandfather, Dad and Son to make the trip together. Son has had stories of great Wolves teams told to him through Dad and Grandfather misty eyes on many occasions. He has mainly seen rubbish on the park so it is now time to swallow my principles and show him something tangible to demonstrate what a great history we have.
On that upbeat note i can feel the waves of optimism coursing through my veins
Wolves 4 – 1 Tranmere
I think we’ll win. Despite the grumblers I think we have played well consistently. 2-0 wolves.
Wolves 1 0 Tranmere. Griffiths with a penalty in the first half will be enough to secure three points
Hmm. Lack of form. Probaply another draw. 1-1
2-1 Wolves win…KJ and his tactical nouse to make the difference…UTW
I thought the weekend’s performance against Brentford was possibly one of the best so far this season and despite their late rally at the end where we had to depend on a couple of top saves from Ikeme we were the better side and unlucky not to win. Having said that I was happy with the point especially as Peterborough and a few of the other teams in the chasing pack slipped up. After that I hope Kenny resists the urge to tinker and stick with the same team despite being a bit unfortunate for Golbourne.
My big grumble at the minute is Sako. I know he is a talented lad but at the minute he’s a bit of a luxury and is not producing anywhere near what he is capable of. In the third tier of English football he should be tearing teams apart every week. Now I’ve said that he’ll probably have a stormer tonight!!
Wolves 2 – Tranmere 1
UTW
I`ve just been to Asda to check my last weeks lottery tickets and won £25. Now I`m on a roll -tonight a comfy 3-0 win, and I`ll give Clive in Houston and Scooped a match report tomorrow night.
Wolves 3 Rovers 2 – uncharacteristic for us to concede +1 but I don’t think they will sit back and might get lucky.
Lovely to see the shit, for their second successive match, snatch a draw from the jaws of victory!!
Bald Scooped is over for a couple of weeks, and he has brought the English winter with him. Pissing down with rain and fuckin’ cold!!
As for tonight, it will once again be a walkover for the Mighty Men from Molineux,
Wufflers 5 The others 1
And a hearty FOwb to you all
Agree with Thomas; hope to see the same team and another strong performance.
Wolves 3 – Tranmere 1
Would like a solid performance & a clean sheet. My old man says he doesn’t care as long as we score more than they do. A fair point!
Wolves 1 – 0 Tranmere
2-1 wolves back to winning ways although it will be tense
I think from what King Kenny said after the Oldham debacle he’s looking for a settled side now, so i’m expecting the same team tonight. The 5-1 win is slightly worrying and they do have a pretty good away record, but I think we will be just too good. 2-0.
Wolves 3 – 1 Tranmere
I will go for a 2-2 draw in this one.
Some of those chances have got to go in sometime – Wolves 4 Tranmere 2
3-2 wolves win an open game with an injury time griffiths goal
Wolves 2 Tranmere 0
Confident in our back 4 to keep a clean sheet.
I’m with you on this one.
Despite the fact that Rovers have been doing well, they have no cover for centerback, and we might see a fullback deployed there, which might work in our advantage.
I say a comfortable 2-0 with Edward and McDonald doing well in midfield again.
Slipping down the table… 2-2 draw.
Mid field sorted. Now to get the attack firing on all cylinders. Wolves 3 Tranmere 1. Accentuate the positive. Eliminate the negative!
We will win this one.
4-0
Wolves 3-0 Transmere
Well I’ve had a great weekend, met a nice young lady who has no previous football allegiance (i’ll turn her into a Wolves fan, don’t worry!) and life is good. So I’m feeling even more optimistic than usual.
3-0 the lads. As mentioned above, Sako is due a stellar performance.
Hope KJ does not tinker and keeps the same team as Saturday.
2-1 to the Wolves
COME ON ME BABIES
A great performance on Saturday , albeit without the win .
Here’s hoping the Griff has sharpened his goal boots !! Therefore , with my happy hat on
Wolves 3 Tranmere 1 .
Goin up tonight so hoping on a 2-1 win
Wolves 3-0 tranmere
I fancy it’ll be another draw. 1-1.
Wolves 2-0 Tranmere
I want to see goals to keep me warm. Wolves 4-2 Tranmere
Bookies seem to discount Tranmere’s recent form, making us 2 to 1 on : anyway I’ll stick with
Wolves 3 Rovers 0
Wolves 1 – Tranmere 1
Wolves 3 -1 Tranmere
Despite their recent run of form, I still think we should have the strength to overcome Tranmere.
Sooner or later we have to really enforce our dominance.
Wolves 4 Tranmere Rovers 0.
Grifiths hat trick and a Sako scorcher.
So do I stick yet again with my proverbial 2 – 1?
No, time for a change, and throw caution to the wind 2 – 0!!!
(And even though I detest the Vile, great result for them last night hehe!!!!!!!)
I am going for a 2-1 win for me babies. UTW
I am going for a 2-1 win for me babies. UTW
Trouble posting try again Wolves 2 Tranmere 1
Wolves 2 – Tranmere 0
Sorry its tight to kickoff. Just woke up in melb.
Win tonight 2-0 Doyle to score first