Match Thread: AFC Bournemouth v Wolves 1.3.25 KO 3pm FA Cup
Can there be a repeat?
By Ivybridge Wolf
March 1 2025
This fixture is like déjà vu all over again! In the space of a week Wolves travel to the South Coast for a second time, this time for a 5th Round FA Cup tie and the opportunity of a passage into the last eight. This time last Saturday seems like an age ago when Wolves were preparing for a vital league match which we ended up winning and extending the gap from the bottom three to five points. Cause for a certain degree of happiness for Wolves fans, only on Tuesday for the bump back to reality as we faulted to a very competent Fulham side. Thank goodness Leicester and Ipswich keep losing. At least we can put all that aside for a week and focus hope on success in the cup.
So far in the cup Pereira has shown an appetite to take the cup seriously, citing that winning breeds confidence and an attitude which has been supported with his team selections. It is anticipated we will see the same approach again today for our third away draw in a row. Bournemouth will provide the stiffest task Wolves have faced after wins at Bristol City and Blackburn Rovers, nevertheless with the right mindset and application, we surely have a chance. It’s probably not that wise to look at last week’s score as an indicator of the final result, however it should be noted that Wolves have not lost at Bournemouth since we have both been in the premier league. I may have mentioned that last week!
Focusing on FA Cup history, this is only our third FA Cup tie though Bournemouth have spent many years in the lower leagues, thus making it more difficult to get to the third round. The first was a third round match at Dean Court in January 1948 when 23,782 packed in to witness a 2-1 Wolves victory. We eventually finished 5th in Division One whereas Bournemouth were 2nd in the old Division Three South, promotion was only reserved for the league winners in those days. In 1948 Wolves were subsequently knocked out in a 4th round replay at Everton who beat us 3-2 with 72,569 watching.
The second FA Cup encounter was a January 1957 fourth round tie at Molineux when Bournemouth, still in Division Three South (finally finishing 17th), caused an almighty upset beating us 1-0 in front of 42,011 …. Not sure Stan Cullis would have been that happy with how things ended up there!
Back to today. This fifth round tie will kick off at 3pm and is the only FA Cup match this weekend not be covered by either BBC or ITV, or anybody else for that matter. Why, I am not sure but it’s very disappointing. Still there will be the usual ways to monitor how the 90 minutes progress, plus or minus extra time and penalties if required.
As a summation prior to the game, the FA Cup still represents the only realistic chance of silverware and success for Wolves and I hope that the players find the motivation and strength to put on a show to lessen the blow of the midweek defeat. The cup is often undervalued but a decent run and a place in the quarter finals (for the second year in a row) will help Pereira and the team find their feet, improve confidence and keep a smile on our faces. I was there at Coventry last season and despite the awful outcome, the atmosphere generated at kick off was fantastic, conversely Molineux was collectively gutted and crest fallen at full time. My clear learning on that day was that the passion for progression and cup success still remains with the fans which was so incredibly intense on the day!!
Unfortunately I am unable to contribute during the game today, so would value your thoughts and comments in the thread below.
Enjoy the match, best wishes and UTW!!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:25:13:58:46 by Ivybridge Wolf.
There are fine lines in football, and a couple of key players left out can make all the difference. A football club should always be prioritised over keeping an overpaid footballer happy.
2-0 game over ..same time next year lads. At least we gave our first choice keeper a rest. Worth going out of the cup forGoing to miss some important games now, 3 or 4 game ban incoming.
Cunha stays on pitch Doherty probably doesn't take that missed penalty, but saying that we didn't deserve to go through anyway.
Bournemouth were the only team who looked like they wanted to win the game, wolves looked like they were playing for pens from the start.
Very poor and couldn't string 2 passes together all game.
I lost count of the times we just booted the ball up the pitch and gave Bournemouth the ball back, just awful.
Makes you wonder if some of our team have fitness issues because we certainly ran out of steam pretty quick today.
On cunha he scored a great goal but my God what was he doing for the red card, does he never learn, it could cost us big time now.
Whatever the outcome this season this team desperately needs some pace, everything is all sideway and backwards and so slow and predictable.
Shame we have gone out but Bournemouth would of been robbed if we had won that shoot out.
I followed the match yesterday from the stands of St James Park, Exeter. If you wanted to see a dreadful game then City v Northampton Town eclipses anything I’ve seen at Molineux for many a year! Had a good day though. Looking at your comments, also from a friend who was at the match, and the highlights, it’s clear we were on the back foot for the most part and Bournemouth deserved the win. Another disappointing day. Seems Johnstone had a mixed day but pulled off some terrific saves too. When I saw Doc taking the last penalty I was confident he’d do it but seeing it, what an awful penalty. After that it was obvious how it would end ….. and did.
What was Cunha thinking? Great player, yes, but he’s a liability when the red mist descends …. Out of control yet again and I wonder how many matches he’ll be banned? Three for the norm, but after his outburst v Ipswich it could be more. If three, it’ll be Everton (H), Soton (A) and then West Ham (H) on April 1st! If more, the next two are Ipswich (A) and Spurs (H). I note that during Cunha’s last absence we lost 3-0 to Forest, 3-0 to Toon, beat Bristol City 2-1 and upon hits immediate return we lost 3-1 at Chelsea. It doesn’t bode well.
As for enjoying Wolves, yes I still do …. However, when we travel up there are usually many a wry comment like ‘looking forward to the day, probably be spoilt by the football’ etc etc. On that note, I will be at Molineux versus Everton next week and yes, I am still looking forward to it! I go in hope rather than expectation though.
Anyway, gutted to be out of the cup, another barren season beckons.
UTW
The league isn't a competitive league as to which club is the biggest with its fanbase to achieve success, it's which one has the richest owner which isn't really a sport is it. In tennis the best players win the tournaments, in football it all depends which corrupt regime owns your club. Without the dirty Arab at city for eg, the club would be a yo yo club like it was in the 90s - the natural pecking order changes which should be based on fanbase and history not foreign owners.