Here we go again, back at Molineux again this afternoon when we welcome Norwich City, currently adrift at the bottom of the league by 6 points, seven points from safety. This comes right off the back of Thursday night, the magnificent Europa league night in WV1, when we placed ourselves in such a great position ahead of the second leg versus Espanyol. 4-0 the score, 3 goals of very high quality, and a thoroughly deserved victory and fine team performance. Wolves will take a massive amount of confidence away, there’s no doubt, however this is the moment to cement European form into Premier League wins. Our last five league matches read W1 D3 L1 and whilst the only defeat was a great performance against Liverpool, it is goals we need …. Just like we manage in Europe.
In fact, during those five matches we have scored 5 goals (and five against) but 3 came in the one game (more accurately one half) at St Mary's on 18th January and the run includes two 0-0's, albeit one VAR assisted. Norwich's form in their last 5 reads W1 D1 L 3 F2 A7. Their last win was at home to Bournemouth on the same day we beat Southampton. Norwich's current perilous predicatment is now extremely close to the stage where they need wins, not draws, to close the gap, so perhaps they will look to take the play to us this afternoon ..... that would be helpful!! Despite their current form, it should be noted that they put in a highly creditable performance against Liverpool last weekend, pushing the virtual champions very close indeed. They proved they can play and it was an unfortunate result and they'll be very sore at losing. Will they, can they possess bouncebackability?
Wolves will start as clear favourites this afternoon for this non-televised 2pm kick off and we will have noted that Burnley leap frogged us in the table yesterday afternoon, so a win is a must to keep the season on track and push ourselves closer to Spurs and Sheffiled United and that potential 5th spot?! If Thursday is anyting to go by, we'll do it .... won't we?!! Good luck to Nuno and the lads, the only downside is that I won't be there.
Up The Wolves, enjoy the match and leave your comments and thoughts on this fixture in the thread below.
Wolves v Norwich City: Match Thread 23.2.2020
Posted by: Wolves (IP Logged)
Date: 23/02/2020 09:44
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:03:15:14:05:36 by Ivybridge Wolf.
Thanks Ivy
This is how we line-up this afternoon showing one change with Adama dropping to the bench and Donk starting - after what many thought was an impressive performance by him on Thursday:
Our referee today will be Chris Kavanagh who has had a bit of a troubled week with VAR decisions he has had to make!!
Decent starting 11. Traore on the bench, perhaps Nuno felt Doc had a bit more freedom to attack / support the front line on Thursday night after Adama was subbed?
Certainly that’s a very good bench.
Forgot to mention in my write up the massively positive effect of having Willy back. 3 clean sheets speak for themselves but his composure on the ball and general menace is a pleasure to watch. Not to mention his ability and grace on the ball. He appears to be showing no ills following his injury. A goal for him today? Don’t back against it!!
UTW
Norwich have started much better. Decent chance just then fired in hard but luckily straight into Rui’s hands. Slightly concerning but a long way to go yet
Last 5 minutes have seen a great jinky Jota run and another good Jota chance when he could / should have shot but passed! both came to nothing. Team in general still need to get going
Right we are going now, great Jota wing play just edged out before we could tuck it away for a second.
Shame about the goal, more inability for the fans to truly celebrate a good goal which was being VAR checked for handball. It’s just cr@p
Some sloppy passing by Wolves going on. Commentators saying how well City are playing so we need to take this game very seriously. However we always look dangerous when attacking
The old short corner routine, Jonny crosses, put back in the box and Jota from 3 yards!!
2-0
Another bollox VAR review for offside.
It’s 2-0, crowd chant the now famously regular chant of f**k VAR. Followed by ‘your going down with the Villa’! We did that versus Espanyol too - hilarious. Mind you, no complacency today. We must keep going
I'm still reluctant to celebrate because every bloody decision seems to have to go past VAR - what the hell is the referee for - and why is he getting paid if he's not allowed to make a decision on his own? Wish someone would pay me for letting others do the work! Right - rant over - UTW! I want another goal!!
Pukki hauls Doc back until he goes down, but no yellow card. Aarons give a foul away pulling Jonny down on the left edge of their area. Neves tests Krul but he's up to it. Raul collides with Cantrell to bring him down and gets a yellow card
Great Neves free kick, Tim Krul makes very decent near post save. Corner. Not so good, quick break by Cantwell and Raul hauls him to the ground for a yellow
Aaron's fouls Jota on edge of the box again and gets a deserved yellow card. Free kick to be taken within the D. Jota taking a while to get back up but think he'll be OK. Neves brings a fabulous save out of Krul again.
Half time and Wolves are on top despite not putting in a consistent performance, but two well taken goals by Jota give us the lead. Neves has been unlucky not to score with two free kicks from edge of the area. MN Utd also leading one nil so we need to keep the pressure on!!
Wolves 2 City 0
Wow!!! Exceptional Neves free kick from just outside the box, brilliant touch by Krul onto the bar. That was an excellent save, high class. Unfortunately.
HT 2-0.
Took us ages to get going and sloppy stuff was the incentive for Norwich to open the better - which they did. But we now look in control which thanks to Tim Krul, is not yet over as a match.
Yes you heard correctly ...... we have scored TWICE in the first half. Two for Diogo who took a heavy knock prior to the free kick at the end of the half, hope he comes out for the second. 5 goals for himin 4 days ay bad so far though!
A steady first half and complimented by some Jota magic. Norwich seem very low on confidence so unless they pick up considerably in the second half I can see us getting a few more goals.
Tim Krull is keeping the score down but he cannot do it on his own.
Boly his usual imperious self and Dendonker playing well.
Raul lets a shot go showing how keen he is to score again ,but wide. Break by a Saiss to Jota his shot rebounds off the post to Raul who converts
Wolves 3 City 0
Well on cue!! Should have been Jota’s hat trick, so we’ll set up from Jimenez, bounces off the post into Jimenez’s path. He could not miss!!!! Jimenez hets that goal, 3-0
Feel a bit sorry for Godfrey getting a yellow there. He landed on Jonny’s ankle a treat but it was all about Godfrey’s momentum. Nevertheless it leads to Vinagre coming on, Jonny off.
Final whistle goes and three points takes us up to 8th place. Next wk's fame at Spurs will be interesting and very important regarding foo six places. A goid result and another clean sheet for Wolves today
Wolves 3 Norwich City 0
So we win 3-0. Great to see both Jimenez and Jota on the scoresheet.
Well played Wolves. Very confident and competent, overall. 4 or 5 wouldn’t have been unreflective of the play, though today it was largely down to the heroics of Tim Krul.
Up to 8th on 39, 2 points off Manchester United in 5th who are 3 points behind Chelsea. Anything is possible this season as exemplified by our next match ...... Spurs at the new White Hart Lane. We just need the consistency ..... and goals.
We may well beat the lesser teams but with VAR in play we wont be beating spurs I'm afraid, Riley and co won't allow it - expect wolves goals chalked off and pen/s for spurs
As Angry notes, I fancy a bet for 2-1 to Tottenham, including penalty for them and atleast 1 Var chalk off against Wolves. And the Tottenham winner being a dodgy one.
I'd be happy with a draw. All our remaining games are winnable with a trip to Chelsea on the final day where perhaps a win might see us qualify for the Champions league. We can but dream
A bit of a subdued start both on the pitch and from the supporters. We got going in fits and starts.
Norwich looked pretty dreadful but that wasn't our problem.
Makes a change to have VAR decisions going our way but after the initial couple of seconds celebrating the goal you then notice the referee with his finger stuck to his ear and realize it's gone to VAR. After a couple of minutes waiting for the decision, the moment for celebrating has gone. When it was eventually given I was just thinking "thank @#$%& for that". The authorities have come up with some daft ideas over the years but this pile of cr4p is ruining the sport.
Two good free-kicks from Neves, the second one especially brought a fantastic save by Krul, tipping it on to the crossbar.
Four clean sheets on the bounce and all in all a good win without getting consistently into top gear. Things looking good.
oldngold As Angry notes, I fancy a bet for 2-1 to Tottenham, including penalty for them and atleast 1 Var chalk off against Wolves. And the Tottenham winner being a dodgy one.
I'd be happy with a draw. All our remaining games are winnable with a trip to Chelsea on the final day where perhaps a win might see us qualify for the Champions league. We can but dream
Why would you think all our remaining games are winnable with only the spurs game being affected by the cheating VAR system. Can you really see us going to Stamford bridge with CL qualification on the line and the VAR sign coming up in our favour? Anyway at least we aren't in a relegation battle as you predicted a few months ago
I have to point out that Chelsea had two goals chalked off by VAR last week. I know it was against Man Utd, and I also think they failed to send McGuire despite having VAR, but it does show that VAR is also affecting some of the 'Big Six' Teams.
I thought the cancellation of Chelsea's goal because of a push by Azpilicueta was outrageous as he was pushed from behind by Fred, and put his hands out to prevent himself colliding with the Utd defender!!
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