I fancy the Wolves chance

By Ivybridge Wolf
April 22 2023

Wolves travel to the east midlands today for a fixture, that should we win, will practically guarantee our premier league safety. Surely 37 points will be enough. After a resurgent couple of weeks and with fine back to back Molineux victories, Wolves will be looking to make it three in a row against a side even deeper in the mire than us and with ex Villa man Dean Smith parachuted in to save the Foxes. It’s a cliché, but it will be tough, though the possibility of getting it done and dusted today is a tantalising prospect. We’ve been here before!

Leicester are fighting for their lives. 25 points and two points off 17^th spot as it stands this morning, they will remember the relative ease in the way they dismantled Wolves at Molineux in October. Winning 4-0 away was not only terrific result, fine goals from Vardy (his only goal this season), Barnes (injured today) and Maddison, coupled with a stunner from Tielemans put pay to a hapless Wolves side in the immediate post Bruno era. The Wolves players and fans, who also remember the Molineux encounter, will want to see that performance put right today and the recent upsurge in form under the guidance of Lopetegui gives us reasons to believe.

A couple of trends and facts. If Leicester win, they would have done the double over us for the first time since 1996, if they lose it’ll be five home defeats in a row, that hasn’t happened for 64 years. In the last nine matches, The Foxes have picked up just 1 point, they haven’t kept a clean sheet since the World cup break. We haven’t scored at the Kingpower in the premier league, we’ve only won one of our last 25 away league games in Leicester and we’ve only kept one clean sheet away from home this season. Yes, it’s all pointing to a Wolves win (??!!) ….. which would be, by chance, our 100^th premier league victory. And by the way, on 22^nd April 1959, we beat Leicester 3-0 at Molineux to clinch the First Division title. Certainly a good omen!

Now to the team. Will Lopetegui pick an unchanged side or will he turn straight back to Neves in the starting line up? Neves is fantastic, we all know that, I’d say he is our player of the season so far, however football is tough and often without sentiment and I think this is one such occasion. I would start him on the bench. Let’s keep the to a winning line-up, reward players who have played well and trust them to do the job today. Unchanged team for me unless late fitness issues influence selection. Nunes, a player who has mostly infuriated me this season, has played well and has taken on a bit of responsibility in the absence of Ruben, the defence has been organised and I have particularly liked the attacking link up play between Cunha and Costa. Cunha isn’t clinical enough for sure but it’s about partnerships and I think he potentially plays a good supporting role. As for Costa, whilst he is not the player he once was, his temperament and waspish nature persist, and his fitness has so clearly improved compared to when he joined us. He has led the line very well of late and it was fantastic he got his due reward with a long awaited goal last week. Long may it continue. The other thing that I’ve been pleased with is overall discipline and behaviour. Maybe it’s because we have been winning, I don’t know, but we’ve seen far less petulance and histrionics from the players and bench in the last few weeks. Credit where credit is due – long may that remain too.

Do the basics right today, as they have been doing, and I can see a win this afternoon, a draw at the very least and closer to safety. I think we might even score at the Kingpower (well a goal that counts – remember the Donks disallowed ‘handball’ goal by VAR a couple of seasons ago), who knows, it could even be 4-3?!

Enjoy he match today, everything crossed for the right result, as ever please add your comments and thoughts pre, post and during the game – the very best of luck to the lads this afternoon.

UTW!

Match Thread: Leicester City v Wolves 22.04.2023 KO 3pm

Discussion started by Wolves , 22/04/2023 12:38

Wolves
22/04/2023 12:38

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:05:18:07:55:18 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 14:07

Subs: Bentley, Collins, Neto, Neves, Podence, Hwang, Moutinho, Traore, Bueno.

Neves on the bench.

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 14:08

The opposition

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Risca TM
22/04/2023 14:15

Interesting read as ever Ivy. I trust we won't get sucked into an away performance like the one against Forest because of the pressure and frantic atmosphere.

C'mon Wolves!

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 14:17

A great headline image and write up full of interesting fact Ivy.
This one has a banana skin feel about it for me in view of the new management team at Leicester and their dire situation after a surprisingly poor season for them. However an unchanged team as you suggested should be a positive for us and let's hope Costa has held on to his scoring boots. I feel sure we will see Ruben return at some point in the afternoon - which is more than Jonny will as he's not made in into the squad. RAN and Raul also remain absent.

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Lupy
22/04/2023 14:29

Let's win this so we can begin to relax.

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 14:59

Kilman has the armband again. I was surprised he got the captaincy in place of Neves, I thought he was a bit quiet …….. Lopetegui must certainly rate him.

We are playing in our cr@ppy away strip again - what’s wrong with the Old Gold? A few shirts to shift in the club shop perhaps

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 15:06

Early days but struggling to keep the ball

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 15:10

6 minutes gone, regined pictures, Dawson blazes over.

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 15:12

Nice interplay between Cunha and Sarabia and a snap shot ends up wide. Unlucky but didn’t trouble the keeper

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 15:16

John Terry sitting with the Leicester back room staff. Forgot he was there.

Superb goal!!!!!!!! Cunha!!!!!!!

Ball given away, Tielemans loses possession, suddenly we have men over, ball at Cunha’s feet with options, his option is to blast it in the back of the net from 20 yards!!

UTW

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 15:18

Lemina was instrumental in the goal, tackling Tielemans who dithered.

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 15:21

Free kick to Leicester after a ridiculous push from Toti - dangerous position on the right, Tielemans merely crosses it into Sa’s hands.

Mad defending from Toti!

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 15:22

Up the other end ….. Wolves corner, Cunha won it well.

Played short and wasted.

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 15:27

Another free kick to Leicester, this time from Semedo but a second Tielemans free kick goes nowhere and the home crowd are getting grumpy.

Cunha has another chance, good ball but his first touch wan’t spot on and well blocked

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 15:28

Afternoon all sorry for being late to the party. Good to see we are ahead, and we are attacking at will. Cunha got a shot away but blocked, now Dawson’s shot deflected for a corner. Foul on Gomes

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 15:29

Wow!! Almost 2-0, deflected wide from a Dawson smash which was great.

Wolves well on top here. We actually seem to have a man over on many situations!

I’ve put the mockers on it now

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 15:34

Wolves break but a very poor pass by Pablo wastes a good opportunity. Some more excellent play by Nunes & Cunha until the latter overhits his forward pass

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 15:36

Vardy gets a penalty going round Jose who actually slips before making any contact.

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 15:38

Ineanacho takes it and scores
City 1 Wolves 1

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 15:45

Vardy penalised after fouls on Dawson then on Gomes. Now Toti gets a yellow card after pulling back Tielemans. Some physically aggressive stuff coming in from City

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 15:50

Potshot taken by Pablo from the edge of the area, but just too high. City attack and a good double save needed by Jose to keep out Iheanachothen Daka. Another reckless foul this time by Daka on Cunha

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 15:54

Half time whistle goes after 4 added minutes. I missed the first 20 minutes and the goal, but have been impressed by the attacking nature of Wolves play. Jose Sa was unlucky to slip and foul Vardy to concede the penalty which was well taken by Iheanacho to level the score. Referee needs to monitor some the City fouls a bit closer in my opinion. City will surely come out all guns blazing in the second half knowing how important this result is to them, and hopefully we will be ready and deal with them!

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:06

Dewsbury-Hall replaces Vardy and Ruben replaces Lemina as we restart

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:13

Some good City attacking essentially by Faes leads to a shot wide by Dewsbury-Hall. Jose needs to be out quickly as a punt forward into our area poses danger.

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:17

Hwang out warming up, probably to replace Serabia who isn’t very visible at the moment. Nunes just offside receiving a superb ball from Ruben. City break, Dak’s shot saved by Sa then D-H shoots wildly over & wide.

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:18

Joao replaces Serabia, & Hwang replaces Costa

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:21

Costa not happy at going off!! Excellent run by Gomes stopped by a Soumare foul & yellow card. Neves lining up the free kick from 30yds and it goes just over the bar

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 16:22

I've missed most from the penalty, Scottish Grand National and then connectivity issues.

60 minutes gone and we have a free kick just outside the box with Lemina being brought down. Neves over, the Wolves fans sing his name, 30 yards out, fizzes just over. Great effort

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:26

Yellow card for Cunha for pulling Faes back needlessly

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 16:28

alhough a foul was given, a close range thump was really well saved by Sa then.

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:29

Corner to City brings out a point blank save by Jose from Soyuncu. Tielemans replaced by Ndidi which should suit us.

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 16:33

we've lost the fluidity we had in the opening 30 minutes. Still very much in this and could go either way.

Moutinho puts in a great delivery (free kick) but well defended.

Certainly Leicester have upped their game, no doubt about it.

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:35

Soft free kick given after Nunes goes down. Joao to take but comes to nothing

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:37

City break down the left, and the cross is easily converted by Castagne.
City 2 Wolves 1

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 16:39

nice move and a testiment the the improved Leicester side.

What can our team to reverse this. We haven't lost under Lopetegui when going ahead. That's looking problematic now.

Ienacho (sp??) just had a great chance for 3-1. Some decent defending to hold him up.

C'mon Wolves!!

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:40

The current result would take City out of the bottom three, Forest losing & Everton drawing

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:41

Nunes puts a good ball into the area (at last) but Toti’s header hits side netting. Podence replaces Nunes

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 16:42

Good Wolves move on the dge of the box, Nunes lifts over the cross to the advancing Toti who heads it into the side netting.

Podence on for Nunes - 10 to go.

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:45

Great interception by Dawson after Ruben caught in possession. Neto on for Toti

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 16:45

Neves loses possession in a vital position, Dawson makes a wonderful interception pass to save the day

Neto now on for Toti

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 16:50

We are getting forward in numbers but Leicester keepig us at bay, sideways passes, then Kilman advances and we get a free kick, 20-22 yards out.

Neves again.

Everything crossed ......... brilliant effort, wonderful Iversen save. B*gger it.

corner .... defended away.

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:50

Max fouled on the edge of their area, so step up again Ruben. He brings out a very good save as it headed for top corner, another Ruben shot blocked from the corner.

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:51

Possible handball being checked by VAR but of course not given as we would have had a penalty!! Five added minutes

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 16:51

Penalty check for handbvall - for Wolves. Didn't see it myself. Was from the corner

Ooooo wait here ....... could be a penalty ...... hang on no penalty, really??

5 minutes added

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:54

Daka gets a chance but fluffs it. Neto has put two balls into the area but both way too high. Corner to Wolves & Ruben takes another long shot but just wide

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 16:54

Bit of Wolves pressure, 2 minutes to go.

Corner .... well defended, Neves gets it from 30 yards but wide and no power.

That could be that.

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 16:56

Another Wolves corner, Sa going up for it.

Kilman head over - surely that's it for today

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:56

Neto attacks & gets a corner which Jose goes up for but Max heads over

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Risca TM
22/04/2023 16:58

These Jekyll and Hyde performances are giving me an ulcer.

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Cheshire wolf
22/04/2023 16:59

All over and the banana skin becomes a reality. City played much better in the second half after the luxury of an unfortunate penalty in the first half. Wolves seldom really looked like scoring in the second half to be fair except for free kick efforts fro Ruben. Oh well perhaps three wins on the spin was too much to hope for!!
Leicester City 2 Wolves 1

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 17:08

FT

Leicester 2-1 Wolves.

Definitely a match where we missed the opportunity to kill the game when so much on top prior to the penalty. Talking of penalties, I really want to see that moment late on when I think we should have been awarded one for a late equaliser. The side show bob type character had his arm outstretched, and it came off his arm from the corner. Yet no penalty?

So we miss the chance to deliver what I beielve would have been a guarentee of premier league football next season, but there's another chance on Tuesday night v Palace.

On the stats, we scored at the Kingpower, we surrendered the lead for the first time under Lopetegui, they did the double on us for the first time for 64 years, they get their first win in I don't know how long and we can't win three on the trot. What a load of cr&p.

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 17:12

Quote:

Risca TM
These Jekyll and Hyde performances are giving me an ulcer.

Too true, and as seen in our first half display when compared to the second 45. Luckily my sporting indigestion remedy came in the form of getting the winner of the Scottish Grand National.

UTW

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Billericay Wolf1
22/04/2023 17:24

Why do we never make it easy on ourselves? (To paraphrase the Walker Brothers)

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Ivybridge Wolf
22/04/2023 17:38

Exactly, the sun ain't gonna shine anymore tonight either ........ it's pouring down here in Ivybridge





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:04:22:17:39:21 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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essington wolf
22/04/2023 18:05

Normal service resumed, backwards and sideways football it's what we have had most of the season.
Leicester were there for the taking at 1-0 and we were not good enough in front of goal as usuall.
Oh well on to palace, we need to be much better than we were today.
The team just seamed to stroll around like we are already safe, we ain't!

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