The Hatters? Madness
By Ivybridge Wolf September 23 2023
Wolves travel down to Luton today to play a top flight match at Kenilworth Road for the first time in almost exactly 40 years …. the last played on 17th September 1983, the score was 4-0 to Luton with 10,975 attending. We lost at home too that season, 2-1, there again we lost to nearly everyone that season! Interesting, it is our first clash with Luton since our disastrous 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Kenilworth Road in January 2013 when the Hatters were then non-league and the match that saw the end of Solbakken. I may have mentioned …. I was there … appalling.
A defeat of any nature in this game, this season, will also be seen as a major disaster for Wolves, given the miserable start by Luton who can’t pick a point it seems. Wolves have shown in fits and starts that they are capable of some decent football, Neto now looking lively, though the trick of sticking it in the back of the net continues to elude us which has cost us 6 points at least …. much needed wins v Manchester United and Liverpool reduced to sorry defeats. If only we could convert chances, there again, how long have we been saying that now? 3 seasons? Of course, this match is not a mathematical must win, but can be viewed as an early season 6 pointer and so a win is very much needed in terms of our progression and especially given the opposition. Wolves are, on paper at least, are the better side, so given the recent history …… 0-0 anyone?!! Well, it happened in the pre-season friendly!
Luton have lost all four of their opening premier league games, F2 A10. They have done little to convince anyone other than their own die hards that they can escape trouble, nevertheless in Rob Edwards I think they have a bright young manager, even though that’s said with my Old Gold tinted specs on! In general, I wish him and Luton well, clearly their strategic aim is to get their new ground built and anything else is a bonus. Premier league related finances won’t harm. On the pitch, I read that Ross Barkley, potentially one of their more gifted players, will be out with a hamstring strain. Elijah Adebayo, influential in achieving promotion has yet to score for the Hatters, additionally it’ll be fascinating to see how Ryan Giles has progressed following his Wolves departure.
And to Wolves. How has Gary O’Neil reflected on that awful second half performance versus Liverpool. What will the side be? There have been some understandable calls to start with 5 at the back, maybe against some opposition, surely not for Luton. I wouldn’t be surprised to see an unchanged side that started last week, though my preference is to get The Doc on for Semedo and take the pick of Ait-Nouri (? Fit for today), Toti and Bueno at left back. Mentioning the Doc, I didn’t quite understand his introduction in a forward position last week. Anyone for Bentley in goal? I wouldn’t be too disappointed, doubt it will happen though. It is sad that our defence, the very element which saved us from relegation last season, appear to have gone slightly AWOL at crucial moments this term. The players and O’Neil and staff need to sort that out and a clean sheet v Luton is as good a start as I can think. The statistic that we have conceded 10 of our 11 league goals in the second half is of real concern and perhaps suggests poor concentration or even fitness issues?
In midfield, I think the middle trio of Gomes, Lemina and Bellegarde did enough to get the nod again, especially the latter who was great in the first half, only to tire badly in the second half …. very badly actually …. Injury? He did hold his groin a couple of times.
That leaves the forward three. What a conundrum!! Neto must play, he’s on form. I’d love to see Kalajdzic play up front and given his overall effort Cunha could be interesting in linking things up …. a clinical finisher though, Cunha is 100% not. That would leave Hwang out, our ‘top scorer’ and whilst that may be harsh, other players might be more creative. Whatever …… Silva has demonstrated very little to warrant a first 11 selection, as a sub has hardly contributed either. Key decisions for Gary O’Neil, though to be honest, he can only mix and match the players our esteemed higher management have recruited.
In my view, there is something considerable at stake today, it’s an important fixture – should we lose, not only will we equal our tragic start in the 2003/04 season (i.e. 5 defeats in the first 6 games), but there is also a real chance it could push us into the bottom 3 and all that comes with that. We win and we’ll push up the league and likely with some daylight from the drop zone …. which we really need as the next 4 fixtures are tough, Manchester City (A), Villa (H), Bournemouth (A) and Newcastle (H).
Enjoy the match, let’s dispatch the Hatters, and hope we see the Wolves of the first half v Liverpool … not the second half!
As always, feel free to contribute to the match thread, pre, during or after the match …. you know what to do!
UTW!!
Match Thread: Luton Town v Wolves 23.9.23 KO 3pm
Posted by: Wolves (IP Logged)
Date: 23/09/2023 12:17
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:10:07:20:35:14 by Cheshire wolf.
Fingers crossed for s good game and a good result Ivy. Sadly I’m flying home from Crete so will miss the whole thing, but will hope for some exciting highlights tonight on MotD.
I too would have been happy to see Bentley get s chance in goal but perhaps not surprised to see GO’N sticking with his starting Xl to try and I instil some confidence and cohesion.
0-0 HT. Wolves gradually got on top until the Bellegarda incident . He and one of their players were all tangled up and Bellegarde kind of kicked to get free .VAR reviewed but not sure,
Tough second half but Luton despite a few attacks are not much
Well, when 11v11 generally we were second best. Our best spell was after our goal, the goal was terrific. And then the penalty which was a total travesty of a decision. Abject.
The defence performed well today, they needed to and I suppose v Luton, that tells a rather sorry story for Wolves.
Yeah its hard to know what to make of that. I thought we would win today. However down to 10 men and a dodgy penalty, we have to be grateful we didnt lose.
Man City up next , are teams allowed 2 goalkeepers?
Watched the game in a bar in Salou, not good we were poor with 11 players so the sending off didn't make much difference.
Never a penalty though, we have been screwed over once again.
Think oneil is out of his depth, this is going to get messy looking at the upcoming fixtures, hope I'm wrong.
We just don't look capable of scoring the goals to win games.
Watching MOTD, Lineker, Keown and Murphy unanimous about the penalty decision being crass and stupid, in fact Danny Murphy said it was the worst decision so far this season. Not surprisingly, I agree.. It was as frustrating as the general Wolves performance.
I meant to comment earlier, however Special mention for Semedo today - he had an absolute stinker.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:23:23:59:25 by Ivybridge Wolf.
Listened to the live commentary and watched MOD highlights which confirmed how poor we were. Officials didn't help but questions need to be asked throughout the club as to how we have arrived at this dire juncture.
Lupy Listened to the live commentary and watched MOD highlights which confirmed how poor we were. Officials didn't help but questions need to be asked throughout the club as to how we have arrived at this dire juncture.
I think the answer lies in the fact that our Chinese owners have lost interest in the project. They have realised that we will never be a champions league side and so we are of no benefit to them. Foreign owners only invest in English clubs for one reason, to make as much money out of it as possible, its not because of any love for the club! That includes Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Newcaslte etc. . When Wolves do get relegated in the next few years, they will cut their losses and sell.
We have reached our ceiling as a club, we can fluke the odd Europa league spot but this is it. Staying in the prem and a run in one of the domestic cups...even that isn't a priority with reserves appearing. Incredibly boring and tedious.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment.
We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals.
We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards.
If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing
abuse@sportnetwork.net
