Another goal please Adama

By Wolves
April 25 2023

Wolves face the scourge of the 'New Manager Syndrome' tonight for the second time in 4 days. After new boss Dean Smith oversaw the first win in eleven games for Leicester on Saturday, recently re-appointed temporary Manager Roy Hodgson comes calling with his Crystal Palace team to Molineux seeking to continue his unbeaten record since returning to the club.

Despite being six points ahead of the current three relegation threatened teams, Wolves coach Julen Lopetegui knows very well that another win tonight is necessary in the search for safety, especially as the next three games will be against top 8 teams. Three points would only lift Wolves up the League above West Ham - who play tomorrow evening - due to our poor goal difference, but would certainly present a hurdle to the chasing pack.

Fans were disappointed to see Mario Lemina withdrawn at half time at Leicester as the midfield aggression went off with him, and were more concerned to hear that it was due to a possible hamstring injury, The substitution gave Ruben Neves a return to the team following his two match suspension, but, other than two free kick which went close he failed to have a positive impact on our striking pay. Indeed some fans have been calling for a return to the side for Boubakar Traore if Lemina is unable to play, although it appears he may be OK. Lopetegui has not declared any other injury issues so selection will presumably depend on overall fitness and team formation. It may be reasonable to anticipate a further starting place for Daniel Podence in place of the largely ineffective Pablo Serabia, whilst the question also remains as to how long it will be before Pedro Neto gets more than ten minutes playing time in a game?

Wolves may well benefit from the absence of the unfit Wilfred Zaha who scored against us earlier in the season, but they still have exciting and dangerous players in the likes of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze - who also scored at Selhurst Park. They also have several strikers to choose from and a defence which has only conceded two goals since Hodgson's return, however they were unable to score against lowly Everton at home on Saturday, even after the visitors went down to ten men.

Tonight's game is the early match, kicking off at 7:30 pm and like all of the other midweek games will be screened by BT Sport. Our referee will be Robert Jones who had a long afternoon as 4th Official at Wembley on Sunday, with Peter Bankes on VAR Duty.

This board will endeavour to provide regular updates on the progress of the match, and board members and visitors are encouraged to post their own observations and opinions and to join in the conversation.

Match Thread: Wolves vs Crystal Palace

Discussion started by Wolves , 25/04/2023 14:29

Wolves
25/04/2023 14:29

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:05:18:07:56:25 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Ivybridge Wolf
25/04/2023 18:32

Team:

Wolves XI: Sa, Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Bueno, Nunes, Neves, Lemina, Hwang, Cunha, Costa.

Subs: Bentley, Collins, Neto, Podence, Sarabia, Toti, Moutinho, Joao Gomes, Traore.[b][/b]

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 18:44

Three changes from Saturday's starting Xl, with Bueno, Neves and Hwang replacing Toti, Gomes and Serabia. Still no sign of Jimenez or Ait- Nouri. Line-up:

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Ivybridge Wolf
25/04/2023 19:00

Always good to see Bueno in the side. Hwang, mmm, still not my cup of tea. Happy to see that whatever happened to Lemina, he is back this evening.

It has to be significant that he RAN and Raul don’t feature. I’d rather see Jimenez on the bench than Hwang …. Conceding the latter is not on the bench!!

We are at home. Whilst that just merely states the bloody obvious, I hope it means we are on the front foot tonight and we edge towards that 37 point target that I believe will be enough.

I’ll be watching at the pub tonight. Everything crossed for a Wolves win ….. as well as them lot down the road ….. by which I mean Plymouth Argyle!!

UTW!

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 19:29

Four changes for Palace for tonight, predominantly in midfield. They play a 4-3-3 line-up whereas Wolves are 4-4-2

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 19:33

Good effort by Costa from a cross by Bueno, deflected but goalie puts it out, but the Ruben corner is then converted by defender Anderson.
Wolves 1 Palace 0

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 19:36

Johnson fortunate to cut out Nelson’s cross as Cunha waits for it.

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 19:37

Good block by Dawson to Rob Ayew for a corner which is cleared.

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Lupy
25/04/2023 19:42

Let's hope we don't sit back now.

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 19:43

Milivojevic brings down Cunha as he breaks and gets the first yellow card of the game. He was sent off here a couple of seasons ago

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 19:48

Good break by Palace until Lakonga slips over when free in the box.

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 19:52

As he always does Jordan Ayew goes down after a challenge by Dawson. Free kick goes in and ref gives a corner instead of an obvious goal kick, but well cleared.

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 19:58

Good spell by Wolves in and around the Palace area. Hwang should have done better with a shot. Good play by Nelson to earn a corner which eventually goes for a Palace throw in.

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 20:01

Dazzling run by Eze but his shot goes straight at Jose. This time Dawson gets the free kick rather than Ayew!

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 20:04

Risky play by Dawson but gets the ref’s whistle against Hughes. Long shot by Lemina from edge of the area but too high, after good work by Costa & Hwang.

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 20:06

Good work by Hwang then Ruben brought down by Lakonga as he gets the pass, and a yellow card for the Palace man

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 20:09

Great save by Jose to keep out a Lakonga shot



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:04:25:20:11:03 by Cheshire wolf.

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 20:14

Good spell of pressure from Palace ends when the ball is overhit for a goal kick. Olise is having too much of an impact at the moment down our left side. Andersen down injured but may be OK. into final minute of the first half

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 20:15

3 added minutes

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 20:18

Excellent pass by Ruben to find Hwang for a corner which is met by Max but too high. Hwang down hurt now after doing the splits in a slip! He’ll be OK.

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 20:22

Half time and it’s the same score as it was at half time at Selhurst Park earlier in the season. We need another goal to avoid a repeat of that night’s result!! A somewhat fortunate goal being converted by Andersen facing his own goal as Neves’s corner hit him and went in off the bar. Lots of good attacking threat from Wolves but few shots on target. Palace are also posing a serious threat at times and we have had to defend well. Second half will be interesting.
Wolves 1 Palace 0

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 20:35

Ward replaces Andersen at the start of the second half, no changes for Wolves. Free kick to Palace floats right over the area & cleared.

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 20:38

Wolves struggling to maintain any possession whilst Palace are on the front foot & get a corner, which goes out to Eze & his shot is wide.

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 20:42

Ayew down hurt after a challenge with Lemina - again!!! Great play by Bueno & Nunes to get opintonthe box & earn a corner which is cleared.

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 20:48

Hwang crocked by Eze & needs attention but is OK. Nunes isn’t as effective on the left side whilst Hwang isn’t particularly effective on the right side. Ayew down hurt again!

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 20:53

Free kick for Ruben to put in whipped in & put out by award for another corner, put on to Dawson’s head by Hugo but can’t get it on target.
Edouarde replaces Lakonga & Schlupp replaces Milivojevic for Palace

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 20:55

Palace are playing very well at the moment & posing a threat. Joao Gomes replaces Cunha for Wolves

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 20:58

Schlupp upends Lemina from behind and rightly gets a yellow card

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 21:04

Mistake by Nelson gives Palace a flowing attack ended when Dawson concedes a corner. Eze takes a shot from outside the area which Jose puts over. Another shot by Eze earns another corner. Ayew robs Hugo & gets another corner, & Diego Costa gets a yellow card for kicking the ball into the stand. Now Jose gets a yellow card for protesting a decision

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 21:05

Still no sign of Pedro Neto getting a run out but Adama & Toti being prepared

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 21:06

Adama on for Hwang & Toti on for Hugo

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 21:08

Am I on my own on here??

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Cheshire wolf
25/04/2023 21:28

Sam Johnstone lucky not to be sent off for his challenge on Neto conceding a penalty - Lopetegui’s first - which Man of the Match Ruben Neves despatched superbly into the corner. Wolves had backs to wall for most of the second half in the face of a good Palace attack, but defended well and the win should make our future as a Premier League team secure, before three difficult upcoming matches.
Wolves 2 Crystal Palace 0

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Billericay Wolf1
25/04/2023 21:34

2-0 3 Points. Is that enough? Thanks for the commentary Cheshire. Great stuff.

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Lupy
25/04/2023 21:37

Thanks Chesh, couldn't help lm afraid, no stream.

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Risca TM
25/04/2023 21:42

Ulcer update:

It almost burst watching that. I only saw the last 10 mins of the first half and then the whole second half.

Palace were very much the better side. We just weren't in the game regarding winning the ball, keeping the ball, and then doing something with it. Totally outplayed, but there we are.

Probably the most important 3 points of the campaign, and finally a real buffer between the bottom 3 because teams in the relegation zone will take points off each other in the run in.

And most importantly - you are not on your own Chesh!

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wolverina
25/04/2023 22:02

Thanks for the write-up, Cheshire - just got home and delighted with the three points.

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Ivybridge Wolf
25/04/2023 22:58

Good work Chesh.

I thought it was a bit of a dour performance from Wolves, overall that is. Second half we achieved a creativity rating approaching zero and Palace we the better side!!

Still, frankly I don’t care about that tonight - leave those thoughts for another day as tonight was all about the result. I’ve felt for several weeks now that 37 points will be enough for premier league survival. Nothing has really changed that view and this evening we achieved that milestone with a sometimes dodgy but absolutely critical 3 points. Essentially we’ve played better and lost - but right now, I do not care one jot. We’ve won and I am convince we are now safe.

Neves got MOTM tonight on the box - that’s about right too.

I’m off to Brighton on Saturday. That will be a stiff test and on their form of late the bookies will make them strong favourites (they should have beaten Man Utd on sunday), nevertheless I hope we play with a bit of freedom, get the shackles off and perhaps create an upset. I bloody well hope so, it takes even longer for me to get up there than to Molineux.

UTW folks!!

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essington wolf
26/04/2023 06:50

Massive 3 points that should see us safe now.
Hard fought win, didn't think we played great but the team worked really hard against a decent palace team.
We didn't really create that much especially 2nd half where we sat back a little to much on the lead and created pressure but at The end of the day we got the job done and got the points.
I thought Dawson had a great game at the back, he's got to be the signing of the season for me, he was solid as a rock.
How the palace keeper stayed on the pitch after that leg breaker on neto is beyond me, what game are the Ref and var watching? , but it's not really that much of a surprise we are used to not getting any favours off the officials this season.
Anyway a huge 3 points we can all breath a little easier now, and now on to our Bogey side Brighton, let's just go there and play with no fear now and play our football and see what's happens.

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Lupy
26/04/2023 07:48

Such a difference in this team since Lage left. JL has instilled some belief and a more determined approach and the goals are coming, something we struggled with. From bottom of the table to midtable is a demonstration of where JL can take us next season. The close season will be quite exciting and l anticipate multiple comings and goings.

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Ivybridge Wolf
27/04/2023 08:32

Have to agree and mention the gritty defence which kept Palace out, Dawson was indeed excellent and Sa made a couple of really class saves.

Additionally, I am perplexed by the Forest win last night ….. I’m wobbling on my assertion that 37 points will be enough! My head still says it’s okay, everything else is twitching ….. would love to see us win this weekend.

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Risca TM
27/04/2023 10:32

Aye, still getting the collywobbles this morning.

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