The Black Country Derby

By Ivybridge Wolf
May 3 2021

It’s a May Day fixture feeling a bit more like a D-Day for Wolves, this versus an opposition who are doomed for relegation – they’ll be no Steve McQueen style reprieve this year. On any other day, surely we’d be big favourites to dispatch the opposition but unfortunately there are a number of factors at play and I sincerely hope they don’t conspire to defeat us.

1. Current Wolves form

We were dire versus Burnley. A totally abject and unacceptable display. Sadly however, we know that our form looking back beyond that date is, at best, bang average. Our recent performances versus the bottom two, Fulham and Sheffield United, were pretty bad making both opposition sides look like decent premier league sides. Lady luck was on our side and the 6 points in both matches has secured our premier league status …... but make no mistake we were poor. That said, who wouldn’t accept a Wolves victory versus WBA in the same grim style … I definitely would!

Since December, the league fixture facts tell the story:

P23 W6 D6 L 11 = 24 points

……… or in other words, relegation form and this despite 3 wins and 2 draws in February. It’s been so lacklustre and often one-dimensional stuff and a worry folks.

And after Burnley, the pack has got to be shaken up? Time for some of the more junior players (not entirely certain who and where) but please get the reliable Kilman in for Saiss. I wouldn’t pick Podence either. What about Otasowie and Hoever too?

2. 21^st Century Head to Heads with Albion

Those of a nervous disposition, look away now. All competitions read from 2000 onwards its:

P16 W3 D3 L10

Arrrrg. Why oh why have The Baggies become a bogey side for us?

3. Form at the Hawthorns

More bad news here I’m afraid, we haven’t won there since the wonderful toothless grin of hat-trick man Ewan Roberts in the 4-2 win on 15^th September 1996. Oh yes, and Bully got one too!

4. Last time we met Albion 16^th January 2021.

Okay, this is getting too depressing now, we all remember it, it was only a few months ago. ‘Nuff said.

That is the case for the prosecution.

And yet we all know that on our day, we have the players who have the capability, if not the consistency. I’ll be praying and keeping all appendages crossed that the spark that we have known so well over the last 3-4 years can coming flooding back during this important match, our Black Country Derby.

Underpinning my hopes for today is the good Dr Nuno. For me and I know so many others, he’s still the man to revive our fortunes and deserves every respect and the time to get things moving again. It might be becoming a cliché, but he does indeed possess enough ‘credit in the bank’. The injuries to key players at differing times of the season, COVID-19 and his family living away and inexplicable inability for some players to adjust their playing style have all contributed. All this plus a mystifying transfer policy … and I suspect that’s a club issue.

What’s really needed for Nuno and his players is getting that smile back on their faces (and ours too!), seeing enjoyment in their football, reverse the furrowed brows. What could be a better solution than getting one over the Albion and at The Hawthorns?

My socially distanced ‘watch it on TV in the garden’ has been defeated by the Devon weather today, still, everything crossed, good luck to the lads, I know we’ll all be up for it.

Never mind D-Day, let’s hope this is a May Day to remember!!

Up The Wolves

Match thread: West Bromwich Albion v Wolves 3rd May 2021 KO

Discussion started by Wolves , 03/05/2021 12:14

Wolves
03/05/2021 12:14

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:05:11:15:52:55 by Cheshire wolf.

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 12:23

Remember, remember the 15th September (1996)??

As always, leave you comments and thoughts in the thread below

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Lupy
03/05/2021 16:30

Counting down to kickoff and counting on a good showing from Wolves, nothing less will suffice after the debacle of last week.
Some worrying press reports suggesting that we have more injury concerns, so hopefully nothing too drastic or we could be on the rack.
Beginning to wish that this season was over and we could rest and seek a better way forward putting this dire year behind us.
Cmon lads, deep breath, chests out, one more time.

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 17:02

Great write-up Ivybridge Wolf.

I doubt there will be many Wolves fans looking forward to this game, especially after last week's debacle. West Brom may well be heading for the drop but it's odds on that Big Sam will have them well pumped up for this game, and as with all other struggling teams they will want to be able to hold their heads up by gleaning as many points as possible.

Wolves can surely not have the same bad luck they experienced at Molineux this season, conceding two penalties in one game which gave West Brom the edge. If Willy Boly and Romain Saiss start this game surely they can't play as badly as last week, and surely Daniel Podence must get back to his early season form soon???

I think Nuno has given the press their headlines about injuries at his press conference because he doesn't like to give much away ahead of the game, but we can only hope that the season hasn't deteriorated even further from that aspect. However we have a squad and as suggested by Ivy perhaps this is the time of the season to start giving some of the young pretenders a chance to prove themselves.

At least we know we are safe in the League for another season, and Nuno and his squad will hope to have a full pre-season in order to prepare for the next. I noted on MotD2 last week when our defeat was being discussed, they referred to just how long our players have been playing since play resumed last season, taking into account we were still in Europe, and only had a short break before starting this season, often playing twice each week. Perhaps things are catching up with our boys?!

Hoping for a good game in what are likely to be pretty poor conditions, and hoping we can get just a bit of revenge tonight.

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 17:38

Well I know I called for Otasowie .... but at Centre Back? (if the BBC are correct). And if so, what can Max Kilman actually do to get picked?



Subs: Ruddy, Hoever, Daniel Podence, Willian Jose, Gibbs-White, Cundle, Kilman, Corbeanu, Marques.

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 17:41

Looks like Boly is back on the injury list. He is replaced by Owen Otasowie, although it may be Donk who actually plays in a back 3. Silva starts upfront instead of Jose, and Vitinha replaces Podence.
Line-up:
Rui Patricio, Saiss, Coady, Otasowie, Semedo, Dendocker, Neves, Ait-Nouri, Vitinha, Traore, Silva

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Lupy
03/05/2021 17:42

Saiss at right back again??

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Billericay Wolf
03/05/2021 17:43

Imagine what the tension would have been like if we had had the fear of relegation on our shoulders as well !

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Lupy
03/05/2021 17:50

A lot of youngsters on the bench.

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 17:58

Quote:

Lupinehowler
Saiss at right back again??

I think Saiss might play alongside CC with Semedo amend Ait Nouri either side in a 4 man defence to start with

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 17:59

Shy reckon it’s 4 at the back.

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 18:00

Or Sky even!

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 18:02

Free kick just to right of WB area earned by Own O put over the bar disappointingly by Vitinha.

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 18:02

Bloody awful free kick from Vitinha. Early days

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 18:06

Neves strides forward unusually and takes a shot but wide. Gods break by Semedo but played backwards & wasted



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:05:03:18:07:37 by Cheshire wolf.

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 18:12

Decent Vitinha corner there ….. Saiss might have done a little better but at least on target

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 18:13

Traore - with his new grey hair - gets a corner, met by Saiss but easily collected by Johnston. Furlong shoots wide for West Brom

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 18:18

Excellent run by RAN into the area but his shot is blocked. On the front foot, but so far Otasowie’s passing is poor

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 18:20

Like the lad, but 20 minutes gone and I’ve counted 5 passing or possession errors from Otasowie.

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 18:30

Free kick to WB 25 yds out, good defending by Traore to nullify Ajayi.
Great shot by NS but kept out

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 18:31

Semedo - that should be a goal after a dreadful Albion defensive error. Good save from Johnson and nothing from the corner.

At least we are pressing.

Long Chorley style effort from Vitinha

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 18:32

Another good save to deny Vitinha from distance, but we neves to score whilst we are pressing

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 18:35

Albion forced into a tactical change due to Wolves dominating possession with a few good chances.

Neves now strewn on the floor. Good grief. Think he’s got one on the upper shin?

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 18:36

Neves down hurt for a lengthy period, but seems OK

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 18:44

Saiss blocks on the line as West Brom put the pressure on. RAN & feeds Traore but he shoots instead of feeding one of his mates who were in the area

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 18:47

Fabio makes it 1 - 0 after good attacking by Semedo. Fortunate but it counts
West Brom 0 Wolves 1

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 18:50

What a bloody fluke 😂

Well, they all count. 1-0 to Wolves.

I was just about to lament the possession and chances / opening but all for nothing (again) then a probably deserved lead as Barkley smashes the ball against Silva’s standing ankle which loops into the net.

HT 0-1

C’MON

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 18:51

Half time and for a real change Wolves have taken a first half lead. Wolves have pressed throughout the half and had some good efforts saved, but West Brom have also gone close. I have been impressed by performances from Ait-Nouri, Vitinha and Silva who have all taken the fight to the opposition. Adama has had a couple of good runs but been greedy rather than pass the final ball.
The goal was more a rebound from Fabio’s foot as Bartley tried to clear, and it looped over Johnston in the goal.
We need to keep the forward play going on the second half now
West Brom 0 Wolves 1

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 19:04

4th official Mike Dean replaces referee Paul Tierney who has injured his thigh. Wolves immediately attack through CC,Silva, Adama & Neves whose shot is wide

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 19:06

We’me attacking the Smerrick End now …… Wolves fans will suck this ball in the net for another 👍

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Lupy
03/05/2021 19:06

RAN is very impressive, Fabio putting in a good shift but Otasowie needs to improve his passing but he is putting himself about quite effectively.
WBA allowing us to look good let’s hope it stays that way.

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 19:09

OO brought down on the wing. Vitinha’s free kick cleared. Ridiculous call of a foul by Silva on Townsend when he would have been away. Good block by CC to stop WB



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:05:03:19:10:46 by Cheshire wolf.

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 19:13

Good stop by Rui from Townsend. And another fantastic Rui save to deny Gallagher

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 19:14

Well, if the first 10 minutes of this half are anything to go by, with Albion in the ascendancy, we are in for a tough 35 minutes viewing. Great Rui save.

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 19:20

1-1

F-it

Great cross, and zero marking in the box. Easy headed finish by Diagne

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 19:20

Excellent shot from Fabio from outside the area needs saving for a corner. He is showing all over the pitch this half
Diagnosed converts a great cross fromTownsendwith a good header.
West Brom 1 Wolves 1

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 19:24

Fortuitous free kick to Wolves on the edge of WB area cleared easily.

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 19:28

Mainland-Niles brings down Adama & gets the first yellow card. Excellent free kick by RAN. But nobody there. Owen Otasowie replaced by Daniel Podence

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 19:29

Podence coming on for Otasowie.

Podence need to up it a great deal on what we’ve seen from him latterly.

19 minutes to go

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 19:34

Adama over to the right wing for first time tonight with DP on the left. Another good run from RAN but it goes out.

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 19:36

Don’t know where you are all watching but our weather is similar to that at the Hawthorns.

Absolute cats and dogs

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 19:41

Absolutely lashing down with rain now!! Wolves attacking & Vitinha tries to set up Silva. Vitinha replaced after a solid performance by MGW. Ait Nouri hurt but playing on whilst Kilman is prepared. Free kick conceded just outside our area.
Kilman on for RAN who has played very well. Free kick wasted

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Billericay Wolf
03/05/2021 19:41

DP replaces OO , RAN pressing, CC blocks WB (OCG) attack. Mother of God !

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 19:42

Conditions are making it very difficult for both teams. Five minutes plus AT to play

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 19:48

Free kick won by MGW but comes to nothing. And another free kick is cleared as we enter 3 added minutes

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 19:50

Podence hasn’t improved!! Stupid pass inside gives away possession & a free kick. Into final minute

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Cheshire wolf
03/05/2021 19:56

Free kick to Wolves just outside the area for Semedo to take cleared for a final corner.
All over and it finishes level after a quite entertaining game in dreadful conditions. A much much better performance from our players after last week, with the youngsters stepping up. Shame to drop 2 points but it was a well taken goal to equalise. Have to hope Ait-Nouri will be OK for next Sunday.
West Brom 1 Wolves 1

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Billericay Wolf
03/05/2021 20:04

Can't wait for this season to finish. We are going to need a lot of money spent in the summer and hopefully wisely. The players need a good long rest and also of course all the fans safely back at Molineux.

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Ivybridge Wolf
03/05/2021 20:16

More frustration, mainly due to the defence, i.e. Saiss, going AWOL for their goal. Diagne had the freedom of The Hawthorns to score the equaliser. Sorry, if RAN is not injured, Kilman needs to be in next Sunday ….. Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the wee donkey, what will it take for Kilman to be picked 😂

Was the result fair? Possibly, Albion came back into it more strongly in the second half and made life much more difficult for us, especially in the 10 minutes lead up to their goal.

On the positives, Vitinha, thought he had a good match and Silva led the line reasonably well. Neves a better match, better from the Donk, Traore did okay without setting the world alight, Semedo was improved, even MGW had a decent cameo.

Just a real shame we couldn’t hang on for all 3 points which the first half performance suggested might be the outcome. It’s the first time this season we have failed to win after going ahead on the 10th occasion, typical against the Albion and so disappointing.

Overall, we didn’t lose and so much better than the Burnley debarcle, for that I am grateful ….. small mercies. Certainly, it was the most animated and engaged I’ve been with Wolves for a good while.

15th September 1996 remains as a date then ……. It’ll be another 2 years at least before that poor run can be expunged …… unless we get them in the cup!

UTW





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:05:03:20:18:02 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Andy Fincher
03/05/2021 20:25

Big improvement on last week.
A good first half for Wolves and although there was some good fortune how the goal went in it was a deserved lead and it came after good play from Otasawie, Vitinha and Semedo. The finish may have been fortunate but Fabio had a go and it paid off. If you don't buy a ticket, you don't win the raffle. As for their equalizer, you could see it coming.
Not sure what to make of Otasawie. He looks strong and played a good part in the goal but also looks very sloppy with his passing.
Coady played well as did Ait-Nouri and particularly impressed with Vitinha.

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Lupy
03/05/2021 21:00

Good outings for all the youngsters particularly Vitinha. Otasowie is a powerful player with a deal of skill just needs to make better choices, still a player for the future. Much improved performance although WBA didn’t offer much resistance we showed the better intent especially going forwards.
Difficult to judge it over the full 90 minutes as it became a bit of a lottery due to the atrocious weather conditions. Another point in the bag and the Baggies almost certainly down now.

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essington wolf
03/05/2021 21:51

Better performance tonight but I desperately wanted a win tonight and think we should of got it in my opinion we just don't take enough of our chances it's been the same all season but we all know the injuries have had a major impact, hopefully we do some decent business in the transfer market. Thought the kids did well tonight they can be proud of their performances. Like I said I would of loved a win tonight it's been to long but a least with Albion not winning it's put another nail in their coffin.😁

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