Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Highlight of the season?
By Ivybridge Wolf
November 2 2024
What a turn up for the books last week in Brighton, a mighty Wolves comeback, but will it mark a turn around? We can only hope! Thing is though, it showed a tenacity and team spirit in the side that has been called into question. Of course, in the context of the season, we needed all three points to make an impact on the league table, though at least the comeback marked a clear example of true supporting excitement and joy, it was a thrilling finish. At full time it really felt like all three points.
Today’s fixture v Palace at Molineux marks the start of a series of matches which will be critical if Wolves are to effectively climb the table. November will bring Palace (H), Southampton (H), Fulham (A) and Bournemouth (H). 12 precious points on offer. Even if we manage our first win of the season today, we cannot leapfrog Palace but the thought of a defeat and being 7 points behind them is unthinkable. Just as unthinkable as being in November without a win, but that’s the position Wolves find themselves in, as with Southampton and Ipswich. For Wolves, we haven’t managed such a dismal start now since the ill-fated 1983/84 relegation season and yet we have a much better side than back then, on aper at least. Today has added spice and a key weekend with the bottom six all playing each other, Leicester at Ipswich and Everton at Southampton.
Palace managed to get a win last week, their first of the season v Spurs. Apparently, it was a very good performance, and they then followed it up with a scrappy midweek league cup win at Villa. Palace have current form, however they will be hugely disappointed that Wharton is out for a month and that the skilful Eze is out for 2 weeks with a hamstring injury. A Wolves opportunity perhaps? Let’s not count any chickens though we must not forget that Palace are the league’s equal lowest scorers.
The facts are we seem to struggle v Palace, only two wins in the last 8 league encounters, with 6 defeats. We lost both last season, and GON has lost all of his previous 4 games v them, bad omens? Despite saying (like a broken record) we haven’t won since 27th April, surely the efforts at The Amex will enthuse the lads into a combative 90 minutes, personally I do have optimism.
In terms of the team, Lemina is likely to be available after a knock which caused him to be substituted at half time last weekend. Additionally Johnstone is fit and so we await the verdict on the keeper’s position. Overall I thought Sa did okay last week but his dreadful kick which led to the Welbeck goal may not be ignored. What about the system? Wolves defended capably v both Brighton and Man City with a 3/5 at the back, nevertheless the change to a flat back four in the second half v the Seagulls turned a drab first half into a much superior effort in the second 45. Other than these issues, I can’t see the starting lineup changing much.
The match is a 5.30pm kick off and will be covered by Sky. I will not be able to provide a match commentary, but I expect to be watching and hope that readers will be able to offer their comments and thoughts in the thread below.
All the best to the team today, I will be on tenterhooks for the right result and a win for Wolves. I suspect I'm not the only one. Expect nerves!
Enjoy the match, UTW!!
Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: Wolves (IP Logged)
Date: 02/11/2024 09:55
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:12:01:10:03:02 by Ivybridge Wolf.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:12:01:10:03:02 by Ivybridge Wolf.
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: Lupy (IP Logged)
Date: 02/11/2024 13:48
Today has to be the time we register a win, falling further adrift will start to affect the squad and any belief they may still have in the manager may well start to dissipate. Three points is the bottom line, anything less and changes should be made.
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: An angry wolf (IP Logged)
Date: 02/11/2024 14:10
The definition of insanity - doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different outcome each time. 2 padded vans are already required ☝👨⚕️🥼🚑
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: Billericay Wolf1 (IP Logged)
Date: 02/11/2024 17:02
A game of luck. Let's hope the luck runs our way for a change
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: Risca TM (IP Logged)
Date: 02/11/2024 17:05
Torn with this one. Of course I want us to win, but I don‘t want an O‘Neil false dawn and a subsequent love-fest over the ivory-toothed beginner.
Btw Angry, your posts about the state of football, tv coverage bollix, and the issues plaguing Wolves have been pretty much on the nose.
Btw Angry, your posts about the state of football, tv coverage bollix, and the issues plaguing Wolves have been pretty much on the nose.
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: Risca TM (IP Logged)
Date: 02/11/2024 17:07
And cheers Ivy, for the intro.
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: Lupy (IP Logged)
Date: 02/11/2024 18:21
Listening to the commentary and we don't sound convincing.
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: An angry wolf (IP Logged)
Date: 02/11/2024 19:21
Quote:A team not winning a league match for over half a year isn't luck. Statistically the odds on it happening are around half a million to 1 combining the odds- that isn't luck. To think we had posters celebrating O Neil had a new contract earlier this year.Billericay Wolf1
A game of luck. Let's hope the luck runs our way for a change
Don't worry though, we will hear the southampton game is another MUST WIN
We are lucky to get a point, what rubbishRe: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: Lupy (IP Logged)
Date: 02/11/2024 19:25
Please please please will someone make a decision soon.
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: essington wolf (IP Logged)
Date: 02/11/2024 19:40
Taxi for O'Neil, wolves were garbage for most of that game yet again.
Enough is enough but I fear he will get the saints game.
That defence is all over the place especially from corners.
We need change with new ideas or we are heading for the trap door for sure, O'Neil has had enough time to turn things around and it's not happening.
Enter the next nobody or cheap option to save our season, God help us!
Enough is enough but I fear he will get the saints game.
That defence is all over the place especially from corners.
We need change with new ideas or we are heading for the trap door for sure, O'Neil has had enough time to turn things around and it's not happening.
Enter the next nobody or cheap option to save our season, God help us!
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: An angry wolf (IP Logged)
Date: 02/11/2024 20:10
The announcement will be made Monday morning - O Neil's toast.
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: Ivybridge Wolf (IP Logged)
Date: 03/11/2024 16:54
As discussed, who else would come in to ‘do a job’. I believe the rot started before Nuno was given the push (not sacked officially of course) . So much for the grandiose plans which have long since evaporated.
Once again, a match we could have won but another where we could have been slaughtered given the chances Palace had, and I am far from convinced Sa had the ball under control for what would have been the Eagles winner. A bit of luck there.
Such an open match, like a knife through our defences buttery wall at times, just when we needed to offer a bit of resilience. Without Dawson singular efforts, I can only surmise what could have happened this season.
I was pleased to see us come back and take the lead but a point is not what we need and hope alone will not get us over the line. Southampton is critical, a bit like yesterday.
I’m still scratching my head how this squad, as I mentioned in the intro who are collectively far superior to 83/84, are in this mess. A collection of players who are inexplicably less than the sum of its parts. Maybe GON needs to be gone, a shame the way it’s working as I felt he was going to be the right man, but something has to change. Ultimately what will Fosun do? And not just on the decision of who is manager.
UTW
Once again, a match we could have won but another where we could have been slaughtered given the chances Palace had, and I am far from convinced Sa had the ball under control for what would have been the Eagles winner. A bit of luck there.
Such an open match, like a knife through our defences buttery wall at times, just when we needed to offer a bit of resilience. Without Dawson singular efforts, I can only surmise what could have happened this season.
I was pleased to see us come back and take the lead but a point is not what we need and hope alone will not get us over the line. Southampton is critical, a bit like yesterday.
I’m still scratching my head how this squad, as I mentioned in the intro who are collectively far superior to 83/84, are in this mess. A collection of players who are inexplicably less than the sum of its parts. Maybe GON needs to be gone, a shame the way it’s working as I felt he was going to be the right man, but something has to change. Ultimately what will Fosun do? And not just on the decision of who is manager.
UTW
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: An angry wolf (IP Logged)
Date: 03/11/2024 18:03
I don't really understand your post Ivy as you say "Who else would come in to do a job" but then say the squad is massively underachieving. Surely virtually anyone is preferable to super gaz if this is the case and I'm unclear why you seem to be on the fence regarding his dismissal. His record is worse than Saunders when you consider the value of the squad and underachievement even though it is in the premier league compared to the championship under Saunders.
I can't believe anyone after not winning a football match for over half a year is in anything other than the O Neil out camp. We're a complete laughing stock - a parody of a team and on track to beat Derby as the worst team in premier league history. Just how bad does it have to get?
I can't believe anyone after not winning a football match for over half a year is in anything other than the O Neil out camp. We're a complete laughing stock - a parody of a team and on track to beat Derby as the worst team in premier league history. Just how bad does it have to get?
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: Ivybridge Wolf (IP Logged)
Date: 03/11/2024 19:41
My comment, to put in context, refers to the overall direction of the club. Nuno was terrific but wasn’t backed and let go andsince then that we have become a side looking desperately for direction. In effect, yes lets get a new manager if that’s what required but what is it that Fosun want and how do they want to achieve it? It will take more than man as manager to do that.
I’ve said that the side is less than the sum of the parts and for me that is an indictment of the current footballing situation. Oh yeah, I also want to see a win next weekend when i go, irrespective of who the manager might be.
I’ve said that the side is less than the sum of the parts and for me that is an indictment of the current footballing situation. Oh yeah, I also want to see a win next weekend when i go, irrespective of who the manager might be.
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: An angry wolf (IP Logged)
Date: 03/11/2024 19:56
Nuno spent 350 million in the 4 years at wolves and 1 of those years was in the championship. He was most certainly backed, he also wasted obscene amounts of money on rubbish like silva and cutrone.
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: An angry wolf (IP Logged)
Date: 03/11/2024 20:09
In the 3 years of premier league football Nuno oversaw, he spent an average of 100 MILLION pounds per season. Its obscene and why I continually talk about the state of the modern game. Just how much would constitute " backing a manager"? 200 million per season? 1 billion? Maybe a small country's GDP and turn the prem into a colonial oppressor of days gone by and divert all resources to buying a few Fabio Silvas. I hope the damn league goes bust along with the shitbird players earning 2 million a month kicking a bag of wind about. It's quickly becoming a parody of itself.
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: Ivybridge Wolf (IP Logged)
Date: 06/11/2024 18:35
Not disputing the early Nuno days of success and exciting signings, some of the happiest Wolves supporting days of my life, but that before the drawbridge was pulled up by Chairman Shi - and since in subsequent seasons - as a fan it is so diffucult to navigate between the absolute truth of the Fosun / FFP / general financial situation and what might not have been done. I still ask myself, what is the Fosun strategy - invest in the future or merely to sell up? The last few years have been confusing to really understand their objective but the way it's going they'll be preciding over a period which will see us exactly where they started from! That can't be their strategy can it? And yes, as with all periods, some dodgy signings even with Nuno (how much did he sanction? We'll never know), Fabio Silva topped the lot of fantasy Wolves, though from my reading that was down to Uncle Jeff. Perhaps Fabio's profile looked good on eSports?
By the way, I too wish the bubble would burst in football, no sign of it yet - maybe until the favoured few get their wish for a European Super league.
With all this, I currently can't get excited about sacking GON or not. A manager change at Wolves wil be like deja vu all over again unless Fosun pull their finger out. The loss of Neto and Kilman have undermined the side this season - no question about that - and under the watchful gaze of Shi et all. However there is no doubt these lads aren't perfroming under GON. If he goes I'll be disappointed, principally because he's failed, but this situation cannot go on. The question is, irrespective of the Southampton result, have Fosun already pulled the trigger? Do they already have their man? Should we lose, Molineux will be toxic. It was getting that way last Saturday.
By the way, I too wish the bubble would burst in football, no sign of it yet - maybe until the favoured few get their wish for a European Super league.
With all this, I currently can't get excited about sacking GON or not. A manager change at Wolves wil be like deja vu all over again unless Fosun pull their finger out. The loss of Neto and Kilman have undermined the side this season - no question about that - and under the watchful gaze of Shi et all. However there is no doubt these lads aren't perfroming under GON. If he goes I'll be disappointed, principally because he's failed, but this situation cannot go on. The question is, irrespective of the Southampton result, have Fosun already pulled the trigger? Do they already have their man? Should we lose, Molineux will be toxic. It was getting that way last Saturday.
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: An angry wolf (IP Logged)
Date: 07/11/2024 16:31
Interesting post Ivy but in the grand tradition of the molineux way........
You say that " Fosun has pulled up the drawbridge since Nuno" but since he was sacked or "left" they have spent over 350 million quid on players. Is that your definition of pulling up the drawbridge? It isn't mine... it wasn't that long ago on here we were all salivating over Morgan spending 4 million on Bodger Johnson or 7 million on Doyle whatever it was - all sub 10 million pound signings. Inflation and football prices have increased over the years, but the reality is Fosun have spent more money than all our previous owners put together including Sir Jack.
The reality is Wolves is an average size premier league club in a poor area of the country with little appeal to players other than our premier league status. The idea that Fosun have pulled up the drawbridge when we are averaging over 100 million spend per season on players for a club of our size is ridiculous- we also had covid to contend with. Who on earth is going to come in and spend more than that unless there is an arab sheikh lurking inside the Mander centre. Fosun have certainly reneged on their goal to become another Man city ( which they implied in one interview) but no owner is going to come in and spend more than Fosun have. Many fans don't live in the real world I'm afraid particularly on places like the Mol MIx where the usual fools are screaming Fosun out. In order for us to reach the Champions league or even the Europa league on a REGULAR basis, Fosun would probably have to inject over 1 billion - what sane business would do that knowing the club simply isn't big enough to sustain it. We don't have a champions league structure and have simply reached the ceiling of what we can achieve. In a good season we make the battle for the Europa league reaching it once every blue moon but more times than not play dead rubber games with nothing to play for from March onwards having secured safety. A bad season is a relegation battle ( this one).
Regarding GON, I don't understand how anyone can think a guy who has presided over 1 win in 21 or whatever the hell it is now in charge of a team with Brazilian internationals in it is anything other than a clueless sh1thouse. The squad may not be great, but it isn't that bad.. your view has been clouded over seeing a few wins last season Ivy against decent teams. I remember under Dave Jones in 2003/04 where we finished bottom yet still beat city and United that season - anyone can beat anyone on a given day, it means nothing. The long term results are more indicative of the quality of a manager and GON is worse than Saunders IMO.
You say that " Fosun has pulled up the drawbridge since Nuno" but since he was sacked or "left" they have spent over 350 million quid on players. Is that your definition of pulling up the drawbridge? It isn't mine... it wasn't that long ago on here we were all salivating over Morgan spending 4 million on Bodger Johnson or 7 million on Doyle whatever it was - all sub 10 million pound signings. Inflation and football prices have increased over the years, but the reality is Fosun have spent more money than all our previous owners put together including Sir Jack.
The reality is Wolves is an average size premier league club in a poor area of the country with little appeal to players other than our premier league status. The idea that Fosun have pulled up the drawbridge when we are averaging over 100 million spend per season on players for a club of our size is ridiculous- we also had covid to contend with. Who on earth is going to come in and spend more than that unless there is an arab sheikh lurking inside the Mander centre. Fosun have certainly reneged on their goal to become another Man city ( which they implied in one interview) but no owner is going to come in and spend more than Fosun have. Many fans don't live in the real world I'm afraid particularly on places like the Mol MIx where the usual fools are screaming Fosun out. In order for us to reach the Champions league or even the Europa league on a REGULAR basis, Fosun would probably have to inject over 1 billion - what sane business would do that knowing the club simply isn't big enough to sustain it. We don't have a champions league structure and have simply reached the ceiling of what we can achieve. In a good season we make the battle for the Europa league reaching it once every blue moon but more times than not play dead rubber games with nothing to play for from March onwards having secured safety. A bad season is a relegation battle ( this one).
Regarding GON, I don't understand how anyone can think a guy who has presided over 1 win in 21 or whatever the hell it is now in charge of a team with Brazilian internationals in it is anything other than a clueless sh1thouse. The squad may not be great, but it isn't that bad.. your view has been clouded over seeing a few wins last season Ivy against decent teams. I remember under Dave Jones in 2003/04 where we finished bottom yet still beat city and United that season - anyone can beat anyone on a given day, it means nothing. The long term results are more indicative of the quality of a manager and GON is worse than Saunders IMO.
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: Ivybridge Wolf (IP Logged)
Date: 08/11/2024 20:19
Blimey Angry - it's just as well you couldn't give a toss about football anymore!! 
Sorry you didn't like my 'pulling up the drawbridge' phrase but there you go, for me it's as much about being the custodian of Wolves as anything else and I firmly take into account the (now undertood as) grandiose nature of Fosun's plans in the earlier 'good old days'. Of course they've pumped in cash and plenty, they've realed back now and got a bit back of late too with sales - not just purchases - but don't ask me to quote the figures, I don't have an inside track.
I had the dubious honour of sitting in the Stevie Bull stand last season on two or three occassions. In the last one, I watched our capitulation v Coventry in the cup. Awful stuff and to make matters worse I was cooped up in an old, outdated, cramped stand with dire toilets, dreadful access and exits. I reflected on the Fosun position and past promises on that stand and ground in general, even the more recent 'we'll just do up the lower tier' promises have gone silent. I can certainly say that it'll take more than a new drawbridge, portcullis, parapet or any other recognised means of medievil architecture analogy to put it right!!
Fingers crossed for the match tomorrow - jungle drums close to me in these part mention Graham Potter is being prepared for office. We'll see.
Sorry you didn't like my 'pulling up the drawbridge' phrase but there you go, for me it's as much about being the custodian of Wolves as anything else and I firmly take into account the (now undertood as) grandiose nature of Fosun's plans in the earlier 'good old days'. Of course they've pumped in cash and plenty, they've realed back now and got a bit back of late too with sales - not just purchases - but don't ask me to quote the figures, I don't have an inside track.
I had the dubious honour of sitting in the Stevie Bull stand last season on two or three occassions. In the last one, I watched our capitulation v Coventry in the cup. Awful stuff and to make matters worse I was cooped up in an old, outdated, cramped stand with dire toilets, dreadful access and exits. I reflected on the Fosun position and past promises on that stand and ground in general, even the more recent 'we'll just do up the lower tier' promises have gone silent. I can certainly say that it'll take more than a new drawbridge, portcullis, parapet or any other recognised means of medievil architecture analogy to put it right!!
Fingers crossed for the match tomorrow - jungle drums close to me in these part mention Graham Potter is being prepared for office. We'll see.
Re: Match Thread: Wolves v Crystal Palace 2/11/24 KO 5.30pm
Posted by: An angry wolf (IP Logged)
Date: 09/11/2024 11:24
Agree with the stadium point, that is definite valid criticism of Fosun. Enjoy the match, there is also rumour on the grapevine Rob Edwards is being lined up I forgot we had yet another international break which explains why GON is still there - presumably the change will be made in that period.
I forgot we had yet another international break which explains why GON is still there - presumably the change will be made in that period.Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.