Match Thread: Wolves v West Ham United KO 3pm 03.01.2026
By Ivybridge Wolf January 3 2026
Here we go again. Today, a 3pm Molineux kick off on a chilly January afternoon when Wolves welcome the ‘Ommers or Iron, depending on what the Eastenders prefer. It’s a clash between the marooned versus the significant listing, both sides looking for 3 points for differing reasons, West Ham United to close a growing gap developing (Forest are losing 3-1 to Villa as I write) and Wolves looking to develop on a decent point at Manchester United. Oh, and Wolves also look to halt the ever growing records of doom, another quoted about this week is that Wanderers are only the second side in top-flight history to fail to win any of their opening 19 matches, the first since Bolton Wanderers over 100 years ago who needed 23 to get their win.
It should be said that the visit of the Hammers means a return to Wolverhampton of Dr Nuno, and despite him being the opposition and his side in big trouble, he is sure to enjoy a very good reception. He will always be welcome at Wolves. There will be a few Ivybridge Wolves there today (Kent Division) to appreciate Nuno’s return, but hoping for an Old Gold win.
Rob Edwards has no new injuries and Santi B is fit to return and starts in place of The Doc. I’m pleased to see he’s stuck with Tolu up front, he did enough at Old Trafford to retain his place. Equally, great to see Mane keeps a starting berth, he looked a bright spark and not for the first time.
On potential transfers, it’s interesting for Edwards to ‘admit’ that "There's conversations I'm involved in and there will be conversations I'm not involved in, but when I need to know something I can get involved." It’s understood this is the way, but some fans might find this more than disappointing. Who knows what will happen, apparently interest has cooled for Strand Larsen, perhaps unsurprisingly.
Wolves managed a win versus West Ham as part of our ‘super six’ prior to the tragic fall! Indeed, West Ham have lost five of their last seven Molineux league fixtures. Oh for another defeat! After all, Nuno’s side have only kept one clean sheet this season, one more than Wolves, though the maestro is unbeaten in all four of his Premier League games us (W2 D2), winning both back at Molineux.
Today’s team is:
Wolves XI: Sa, H Bueno, S Bueno, J Gomes, Arias, Hwang, Arokodare, Mosquera, Mane, Krejci, Tchatchoua.
15 gone, 1-0 to Wolves, yes you read right!
A lovely goal after 4 minutes though some poor defending, Mane got the ball, played Hwang in well on the left who advanced to the byline, squared in and Arias in a great position couldn’t miss!
Great stuff, however West Ham had a shout for a penalty not very long before the goal.
Credit to Wolves this far
Terrific half for Wolves, and although West Ham have been very poor, credit to all the players who’ve been positive from the first whistle.
The penalty probably was a bit soft, though Mane was in a good position when he went down. Hwang, having a decent half again, finished it off nicely
The Mane goal was great, a beautiful finish, though there wasn’t a defender near him when he received the ball.
All good at Molineux for the moment, but in a sad twist, I’m in a season long competition where the team you’ve been drawn pays £5 for every goal they concede. I’ve got West Ham 😂
Wolves have conceded the initiative to West Ham so far this half, which is disappointing. We’ve been far more inclined to retreat at this early stage of the half
57 minutes gone, Molineux in fine voice
Looks like Mosquera has been having long throw practice with some success. No real chances from them but promising.
Molineux a little flatter now, though Wolves have pushed the play further away from our goal, in general, which is better.
Mane had a good effort saved 5-6 minutes ago.
87 gone now, West Ham swinging in several crosses now but all have been defended by Wolves.
3 minutes plus injury time from not only 3 points but a clean sheet
Well done Wolves, the monkey is off our back, and deserved versus a side we might well play next season …… or after today will we??? 😂😂😂
Congratulations to the players, respite for the fans who were great at Molineux this afternoon. At last the cumulative terrible records are over. Pleased for Edwards.
All the lads played well, in my opinion Mane was our man of the match and his first goal too!
Sets us up nicely for the match midweek v Everton.
Fair play to Hwang, he played well today, and Arias had one of his better days as he did against Manchester in the week. Maybe this is the position we should play him in. Pleased for Mane scoring although West Ham couldn't have given him much more room when he received the ball but he cut inside and finished well. For all their possession in the 2nd half they never looked like scoring. The last time we won I was eating my Easter eggs, this time I'm taking down the Christmas tree.
Great to get a win at last for the long suffering loyal fans.
The kid mane is going to be a star, let's hope we can keep him for a while.
Motd will be an happy watch for the first time this season.
Real Madrid lost to Celta Vigo at home the other day, you could put a league 2 team in the prem and it would pick points up just due to randomness. A few mol mixers like "saftlad" thinks we are going to repeat a 6 match unbeaten run to escape relegation. We have been consistently sh1te, Edwards walking around Molineux like we have won the world cup at the end is pathetic. We will go back to losing ways again soon enough - get them all out including Fosun. This result changes nothing as the crying will resume again probably post Everton. The season needs to be taken as a whole, not just isolated results and we are a complete embarrassment.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:03:17:36:55 by An angry wolf.
Let’s see what happens at Everton, Wolves will be buoyed on by the Old Gold army to include me and my better half!
Anyway this day has arrived, many wondered if it would ever happen and now it’s here I’m taking all the joy I can out of it. I’ve ordered me curry, I have several bottles of Holdens Black
country special and can’t wait for MOTD!
Enjoy celebrating the pitiful attempt to reach Derby's record lowest ever points tally this season Ivy, each to their own. It's quite obvious these pathetic players are literally playing for moves to other clubs so have upped the effort so in celebrating wins at this stage, we are effectively celebrating these wastrels moving on to ply their trade at other clubs. 99% of them should have their contracts cancelled yet people are breaking the champagne out at some useless guy from the Congo or Nigeria finally putting the effort in earning 60 k a week- just bizarre. It's like losing the first leg of a 2 legged cup tie 8-0 and then celebrating the 2nd leg result of 1-0.
The only enjoyable thing about it is seeing West Ham hopefully join us in the championship and Nuno looks even more clueless than Edwards.
Infact a better analogy is coming back to see your house has been blown away by a hurricane but throwing a tea party in the garden shed to celebrate the fact it survived
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:03:19:13:48 by An angry wolf.
Well I still think Kenny Jacket got stitched up and he may be the only one available to rescue us next Christmas when we are 23rd in chump (behind Lincoln on goal difference).
UTW
The only players I would exempt from criticism would be ones like the young African lad Mane who hasn't had a chance yet - looks a decent prospect. The rest can slither off back to the sewer where they came from
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