The Hatters? Madness

By Ivybridge Wolf
September 23 2023

Wolves travel down to Luton today to play a top flight match at Kenilworth Road for the first time in almost exactly 40 years …. the last played on 17th September 1983, the score was 4-0 to Luton with 10,975 attending.  We lost at home too that season, 2-1, there again we lost to nearly everyone that season! Interesting, it is our first clash with Luton since our disastrous 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Kenilworth Road in January 2013 when the Hatters were then non-league and the match that saw the end of Solbakken. I may have mentioned …. I was there … appalling.

A defeat of any nature in this game, this season, will also be seen as a major disaster for Wolves, given the miserable start by Luton who can’t pick a point it seems. Wolves have shown in fits and starts that they are capable of some decent football, Neto now looking lively, though the trick of sticking it in the back of the net continues to elude us which has cost us 6 points at least …. much needed wins v Manchester United and Liverpool reduced to sorry defeats. If only we could convert chances, there again, how long have we been saying that now? 3 seasons? Of course, this match is not a mathematical must win, but can be viewed as an early season 6 pointer and so a win is very much needed in terms of our progression and especially given the opposition. Wolves are, on paper at least, are the better side, so given the recent history …… 0-0 anyone?!! Well, it happened in the pre-season friendly!

Luton have lost all four of their opening premier league games, F2 A10. They have done little to convince anyone other than their own die hards that they can escape trouble, nevertheless in Rob Edwards I think they have a bright young manager, even though that’s said with my Old Gold tinted specs on! In general, I wish him and Luton well, clearly their strategic aim is to get their new ground built and anything else is a bonus. Premier league related finances won’t harm. On the pitch, I read that Ross Barkley, potentially one of their more gifted players, will be out with a hamstring strain. Elijah Adebayo, influential in achieving promotion has yet to score for the Hatters, additionally it’ll be fascinating to see how Ryan Giles has progressed following his Wolves departure.

And to Wolves. How has Gary O’Neil reflected on that awful second half performance versus Liverpool. What will the side be? There have been some understandable calls to start with 5 at the back, maybe against some opposition, surely not for Luton. I wouldn’t be surprised to see an unchanged side that started last week, though my preference is to get The Doc on for Semedo and take the pick of Ait-Nouri (? Fit for today), Toti and Bueno at left back. Mentioning the Doc, I didn’t quite understand his introduction in a forward position last week. Anyone for Bentley in goal? I wouldn’t be too disappointed, doubt it will happen though. It is sad that our defence, the very element which saved us from relegation last season, appear to have gone slightly AWOL at crucial moments this term. The players and O’Neil and staff need to sort that out and a clean sheet v Luton is as good a start as I can think. The statistic that we have conceded 10 of our 11 league goals in the second half is of real concern and perhaps suggests poor concentration or even fitness issues?

In midfield, I think the middle trio of Gomes, Lemina and Bellegarde did enough to get the nod again, especially the latter who was great in the first half, only to tire badly in the second half …. very badly actually …. Injury? He did hold his groin a couple of times.

That leaves the forward three. What a conundrum!! Neto must play, he’s on form. I’d love to see Kalajdzic play up front and given his overall effort Cunha could be interesting in linking things up …. a clinical finisher though, Cunha is 100% not. That would leave Hwang out, our ‘top scorer’ and whilst that may be harsh, other players might be more creative. Whatever …… Silva has demonstrated very little to warrant a first 11 selection, as a sub has hardly contributed either. Key decisions for Gary O’Neil, though to be honest, he can only mix and match the players our esteemed higher management have recruited.

In my view, there is something considerable at stake today, it’s an important fixture – should we lose, not only will we equal our tragic start in the 2003/04 season (i.e. 5 defeats in the first 6 games), but there is also a real chance it could push us into the bottom 3 and all that comes with that. We win and we’ll push up the league and likely with some daylight from the drop zone …. which we really need as the next 4 fixtures are tough, Manchester City (A), Villa (H), Bournemouth (A) and Newcastle (H).

Enjoy the match, let’s dispatch the Hatters, and hope we see the Wolves of the first half v Liverpool … not the second half!

As always, feel free to contribute to the match thread, pre, during or after the match …. you know what to do!

UTW!!

Match Thread: Luton Town v Wolves 23.9.23 KO 3pm

Discussion started by Wolves , 23/09/2023 12:17

Wolves
23/09/2023 12:17

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:10:07:20:35:14 by Cheshire wolf.

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irishwolf
23/09/2023 14:05

This is a huge game today , maybe not a must win but not far off it either.

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Ivybridge Wolf
23/09/2023 14:07

As suspected, an unchanged side, Ait Nouri having recovered.

Wolves XI: Sa; Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Ait Nouri; Gomes, Lemina; Hwang, Bellegarde, Neto; Cunha.

Subs: Bentley, Doherty, Traore, Silva, Bueno, Kalajdzic, Doyle, Sarabia, Toti.

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Cheshire wolf
23/09/2023 14:38

Fingers crossed for s good game and a good result Ivy. Sadly I’m flying home from Crete so will miss the whole thing, but will hope for some exciting highlights tonight on MotD.
I too would have been happy to see Bentley get s chance in goal but perhaps not surprised to see GO’N sticking with his starting Xl to try and I instil some confidence and cohesion.

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chicagowolf
23/09/2023 14:59

Watching this in Turkey. Think I like it better without it being in English

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chicagowolf
23/09/2023 15:03

Balding RAN gives away foul on edge box

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chicagowolf
23/09/2023 15:06

First shot to Luton, over the bar. Scrappy stuff

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An angry wolf
23/09/2023 15:11

There's no reason providing we defend for our lives we can't emerge with a point



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:23:15:13:18 by An angry wolf.

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Ivybridge Wolf
23/09/2023 15:11

I’m watching with a Luton fan. 8 minutes gone, apparently, so fa it’s the best they’ve played!! 😂

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chicagowolf
23/09/2023 15:11

Blunder by Semedo. Carlton Morris bounces one off the bar!

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Ivybridge Wolf
23/09/2023 15:12

Luton smash the post from 20 yards after a real poor piece of defending from Semedo

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chicagowolf
23/09/2023 15:14

Jose Sa down, being treated. Back on his feet

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Ivybridge Wolf
23/09/2023 15:22

20 gone and second best. Not great. The good news is that Luton haven’t yet had the quality to score.

Poor from Wolves so far

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Ivybridge Wolf
23/09/2023 15:32

Wolves starting to get their foot on the ball the last 5 minutes. Still no shot on goal. Have Luton missed their chance?

30 gone.

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chicagowolf
23/09/2023 15:40

Bellegarde Red. 50/50

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Billericay Wolf1
23/09/2023 15:42

well done Bellegarde. Let's make it even harder to win.

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Ivybridge Wolf
23/09/2023 15:47

For Bellegarde, read bell end. Fell into the trap.

We are up against it now. Up hill struggle.

Gomes now gets a yellow.

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An angry wolf
23/09/2023 15:53

Never a red card, awful decision but we wouldn't have won with 11 so prob makes little difference

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chicagowolf
23/09/2023 15:55

0-0 HT. Wolves gradually got on top until the Bellegarda incident . He and one of their players were all tangled up and Bellegarde kind of kicked to get free .VAR reviewed but not sure,
Tough second half but Luton despite a few attacks are not much

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An angry wolf
23/09/2023 15:56

Wolves on top? Luton should be 2 or 3 up Chicago.. no idea what game you are watching.

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An angry wolf
23/09/2023 16:00

[streamin.me] The last clip shows it best, isn't a red

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irishwolf
23/09/2023 16:08

Never a red card , is the BBC website correct in saying that Wolves have had zero attempts on goal ??

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An angry wolf
23/09/2023 16:09

Luton should be comfortably ahead, only a matter of time

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chicagowolf
23/09/2023 16:10

1-0 Wolves. Great great Neto goal!!!

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An angry wolf
23/09/2023 16:11

First dangerous wolves attack, we score

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Ivybridge Wolf
23/09/2023 16:11

Yes, no attempts yet. Semedo sets another Luton chance up. Sa saves.

I think it was a red card ….. in modern day football, they’re the type given …. Alas.

Neto wondergoal!!!!!! Gerrrrrrin!!

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irishwolf
23/09/2023 16:16

Nice one, for those interested in golf, Europe leading in all 4 matches in the afternoon , yanks dont look happy!

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Ivybridge Wolf
23/09/2023 16:22

Luton keeper not long ago made a very good double save off Lemina then Kilman after a great Neto free kick.

Luton go close but over the bar

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chicagowolf
23/09/2023 16:25

Penalty Luton. 1-1

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Ivybridge Wolf
23/09/2023 16:26

Penalty to Luton. Never a penalty, it bounced off his foot!! 100% no penalty but what does VAR do?

It’s been given

That is dreadful.

1-1

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irishwolf
23/09/2023 16:27

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean on Soccer Saturday:

"I have no idea why that's not been overturned by VAR."

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Billericay Wolf1
23/09/2023 16:29

Disgusting decision.

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Ivybridge Wolf
23/09/2023 16:30

Don’t worry Irish we’ll get another apology greeting card from Howard Webb on Monday ….that’ll make up for it!

Disgusting decision

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chicagowolf
23/09/2023 16:51

6 minutes extra time

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chicagowolf
23/09/2023 17:04

1-1 FT. Hanging on at the end. Against Luton. Ugh

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Ivybridge Wolf
23/09/2023 17:06

1-1FT

Well, when 11v11 generally we were second best. Our best spell was after our goal, the goal was terrific. And then the penalty which was a total travesty of a decision. Abject.

The defence performed well today, they needed to and I suppose v Luton, that tells a rather sorry story for Wolves.

It’s a point, thoroughly disappointing afternoon

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An angry wolf
23/09/2023 17:16

Utter rubbish from start to finish

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irishwolf
23/09/2023 17:18

Yeah its hard to know what to make of that. I thought we would win today. However down to 10 men and a dodgy penalty, we have to be grateful we didnt lose.

Man City up next , are teams allowed 2 goalkeepers?

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An angry wolf
23/09/2023 17:23

I predicted a draw before kick off, 2 sh1te teams heading to the championship

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essington wolf
23/09/2023 17:36

Watched the game in a bar in Salou, not good we were poor with 11 players so the sending off didn't make much difference.
Never a penalty though, we have been screwed over once again.
Think oneil is out of his depth, this is going to get messy looking at the upcoming fixtures, hope I'm wrong.
We just don't look capable of scoring the goals to win games.

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Ivybridge Wolf
23/09/2023 23:38

Watching MOTD, Lineker, Keown and Murphy unanimous about the penalty decision being crass and stupid, in fact Danny Murphy said it was the worst decision so far this season. Not surprisingly, I agree.. It was as frustrating as the general Wolves performance.

I meant to comment earlier, however Special mention for Semedo today - he had an absolute stinker.





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:23:23:59:25 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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chicagowolf
24/09/2023 07:20

Quote:

An angry wolf
I predicted a draw before kick off, 2 sh1te teams heading to the championship

Good choice. It’s looking increasingly bleak. You ask about thick fans and some of us must be pleading guilty after expecting a win

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Lupy
24/09/2023 09:09

Listened to the live commentary and watched MOD highlights which confirmed how poor we were. Officials didn't help but questions need to be asked throughout the club as to how we have arrived at this dire juncture.

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irishwolf
24/09/2023 18:02

Quote:

Lupy
Listened to the live commentary and watched MOD highlights which confirmed how poor we were. Officials didn't help but questions need to be asked throughout the club as to how we have arrived at this dire juncture.

I think the answer lies in the fact that our Chinese owners have lost interest in the project. They have realised that we will never be a champions league side and so we are of no benefit to them. Foreign owners only invest in English clubs for one reason, to make as much money out of it as possible, its not because of any love for the club! That includes Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Newcaslte etc. . When Wolves do get relegated in the next few years, they will cut their losses and sell.

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An angry wolf
24/09/2023 20:40

We have reached our ceiling as a club, we can fluke the odd Europa league spot but this is it. Staying in the prem and a run in one of the domestic cups...even that isn't a priority with reserves appearing. Incredibly boring and tedious.

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