Match Thread: Wolves v Newcastle United 2pm KO 18.01.26
By Ivybridge Wolf
January 18 2026
Four matches unbeaten! Who’d have thought even at Christmas. The likelihood of this leading to the greatest escape ever remains slim to absolutely zero, though at least Wolves are becoming more competitive and that is something to hang onto. Many fans pre match recent expectations have shifted slightly and automatic despondent defeats appear less probable!
The Newcastle United side that visits Molineux this afternoon will provide a very stern test and challenge to Wolves’ current run and a win for the Toon will elevate them up to a lofty 5th position. Of course we are still 15 points from safety.
Still the Old Gold ‘upturn’ has coincided with a very encouraging period of form from our teenage man of the moment, Mateus Mane. Mane is picked again in the first XI, however as with all talented youngsters, he need to be looked after and supported in the right way. Good luck to him, including this fixture today.
Today’s team is out:
Wolves XI: Sa, Tchatchoua, Mosquera, S Bueno, Krejci, H Bueno, Andre, J Gomes, Mane, Hwang, Arokodare
Subs: Johnstone, Lima, Doherty, Agbadou, Wolfe, Lopez, R Gomes, Arias, Strand Larsen
The above shows just one alteration with Andre replacing Arias who drops to the bench. Arokodare keeps his place, which is correct in my opinion and Strand Larsen remains on the bench. The latter is still subject to much transfer gossip, Leeds being the latest club to make enquiries. We’ll all know what’s going on in a couple of weeks! Agbadou gets to keep the bench warm after his African Nations Cup return.
For so many years, this fixture used to provide many draws, though of late Newcastle have firmly got the upper hand, fingers crossed that the mini Wolves run continues, and most importantly with a competitive and more cohesive style.
The match kicks off at 2pm and live on Sky. Enjoy the game, Come on me babbies! What are your thoughts and observations? Leave them in the usual way.
Up The Wolves!!
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2026:02:12:09:19:42 by Ivybridge Wolf.
Some decent performances from several players, a bit of Sa juggling to keep our interest up and a clean sheet.
Next up is Manchester City away, Bournemouth home and Chelsea again at home. Might we dare to dream out points total will closer to or even exceed the elusive 11 points by then?
UTW!
It does feel a bit like we’re going through the motions and that apart from our top-of-the-table tussle with the Fishermen, the end can’t come too quickly. Dunno ‘bout you but I’m quite looking forward to life in the Chump (easier to get tickets, and in any case we’re likely to be there or lower, for a VERY long time). Found a feed The other day to watch the Baggies lose under new mgt. 😎
Anyway Man City is worth tuning in for; so cr4p at the minute they got whacked by ManU so we should flatten them.
Quote:An angry wolf
I won't miss the prem, it's stale with the objective just to stay in it every year with the season finishing months early most years because we can't get relegated or can't get into Europe. We aren't an ambitious or big enough club to compete in it, so the championship is more suited to seeing a more competitive league. Finishing top half is seen as a great season, who wants that every year as recreation at a weekend.
Wish I could ague. It did seem that when Fosun coughed up for this has-been lower leagues club they genuinely meant it to be a top club, competing at the highest level in Europe.
Maybe BS, more likely naivety . When Thomas Cook , another of their global ‘brands’ went bust (at about the same time that the thugs who call themselves the government in the Chinese Communist Party clamped down on ‘glamour’ projects) we got into this self sustaining nonsense, where they see how many bricks you can take out of the wall before it falls down.
It fell down.