Match Thread: Newcastle United v Wolves KO 7.30pm 15.01.25
By Ivybridge Wolf
January 15 2025
After the win in Bristol on Saturday Wolves take a trip up to the North East to take on Newcastle United who are 5th in the table, 2 points behind Chelsea with a game in hand. Newcastle are in a similar position as Forest when they met us, that is they are seeking their 6th premier league win on the trot ….. hopefully Wolves will be less obliging tonight! The five they have beaten are Spurs, Manchester United, Villa, Ipswich and Leicester so will feel they’re in a great position to extend this streak with home advantage. Wolves, on the other hand, will be buoyed by a competent win versus championship opposition last Saturday showing a great deal of attacking intent, mainly in the first half. In total that leaves Periera on P4 W2 D1 L1, however it is certain he will be looking to take the Magpies scalp and push us up the table at a time where points remain vital to Wolves’ survival.
The balance of Wolves on Saturday looked better (even though we weren’t as good in the second half), so it is likely the shape of the side won’t be altered too much. As for the personnel, provided Cunha has shook off the knock he got at Spurs, surely he’ll be back and on Saturdays efforts, I expect to see Hwang on the bench at best. Again from his Ashton Gate exertions, I hope Agbadou gets his premier league debut, and with Semedo and Dawson back in contention, will Nelson will get the automatic nod, which would be harsh if RAN, Rodrigo or the Doc get dropped … they all played well last weekend, especially the Doc and Rodrigo, the latter of whom had a terrific day. We know, even at this early stage, Vitor is able to throw in a few surprises in his picks, nonetheless whoever is selected, they will need to be up for Alexander Isak who is on great form and thrilling the St James’ crowd with goals a plenty. Should he net this evening, he’ll become the 4th player to score in eight consecutive premier league match after Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge
Recent history of this fixture has been mixed at best for Wolves, we have not won at St James’ since December 2018 and of the 13 fixtures since promotion in 17/18, there have been 7 draws. Whilst the objective is to win, perhaps a point would be a good result, this being the first of four very tough premier league matches before the 4th round v Blackburn. Earlier in the season, Newcastle beat Wolves 2-1 with two late goals to cancel out an first half finish from Lemina, and should Toon beat us again, it’ll be their first league double over us for 119 years. If only we could keep another clean sheet!
This midweek evening match under the floodlights kicks off at 7.30pm kick and is being screened on TNT (Channel 3) if you have it. I do know a pub that does! There are other crucial matches being played either today or tomorrow, Everton v Villa, Leicester v Palace, Ipswich v Brighton, all with the ability of influencing how the table works out before our next game v Chelsea on Monday.
Enjoy the match, good luck to Pereira and the players, keep it tight and we could get something, particularly with the return of Matteus Cunha.
All the best, UTW!!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:01:29:12:03:06 by Ivybridge Wolf.
Cunha and Semedo on the bench.
Subs: Johnstone, Cunha, Dawson, Doyle, Sarabia, Semedo, Forbes, Bellegarde, Lima
Everything crossed!
Awful defending for the goals yet again and wasteful yet again in attack, how we didn't get at least 1 goal is beyond me.
Var not our friend again with the harsh call for the bueno hand ball goal but it wouldn't of made a difference to the outcome of the game.
Disappointed with the fight from the team tonight, I think we showed the toon way to much respect and lost most of the 50-50 balls.
Not looking good with the fixtures coming up I'm afraid.
Do this squad of players have the hunger and fight to get out this relegation scrap? I'm not sure they do, hope I'm wrong.
New signings needed quick, if not I think we are doomed.
Big weaknesses in central defence, awful marking for the second and third goals, and up the other end big chances missed at crucial times, some good saves from the Toon keeper and that dubious VAR decision, a poor decision in my view. Overall Newcastle were the better side, yet the complete frustration is we had opportunities. I am not sure Larsen is the man to deliver regular goals. Hwang was a passenger again.
Luckily Leicester and Everton lost too but we’ve dropped into the relegation zone once again with our dreadful goal difference now two goals worse off than Ipswich who are at home to Brighton tomorrow.
We have conceded 48 goals in 21 matches. Quite unbelievable. Astonishingly bad.