The Challenge

By Wolves
December 15 2021

It's almost a top of the table challenge for Wolves this evening as they travel to take on the team lying two places and one point below them in the Premier League. 

It seems there isn't a better time to face Brighton than now as they are struggling to field a full strength team, with notable absences particularly from their defence due to injury, suspension and Covid infection. There has been talk of them trying to get the game postponed due to Covid infections, but the Premier League are not agreeing.

Wolves will be without central striker Raul Jimenez following his silly sending off at Man City, but otherwise appear to have a full squad to select from. It will be interesting to see who Bruno Lage will opt for to replace Jimenez, and in particular whether he will utilise Fabio Silva for his first start of the season. Silva has only featured for 11 minutes of PL games so far this season and is clearly therefore struggling to fulfil his £35m potential. 

Goals are likely to be in short supply in this game with both teams scoring only 4 goals between them in nine fixtures since November 5th. Wolves in particular have failed to score in their last four outings. However with the defensive issues Brighton have we can only hope that Wolves adopt a seriously offensive approach to the game, and convert some of the chances they create.

Another point of interest will be the debut of Referee Tony Harrington, taking charge of his first PL game, and fans will hope this will not result in the frequently seen glut of yellow cards in these circumstances. He will have the support of the more experienced Craig Pawson on VAR duty.

Tonight's game will be screened on BT Sport 4 this evening and will kick off at 7:30pm.

This board will hope to provide regular updates on the progress of the game, whilst board members are encouraged to post their own views to promote discussion and share views.

Match Thread: Brighton & HA vs Wolves

Discussion started by Wolves , 15/12/2021 15:24

Wolves
15/12/2021 15:24

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:12:26:11:09:23 by Cheshire wolf.

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Lupy
15/12/2021 16:48

Fortunate to have this match when Brighton are compromised so we should be aiming for three points tonight. If Fabio is to get any game time this season then this may be the match for him to be on the pitch from the start. My choice would be DP and Hwang to partner.

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 18:47

So... Fabio doesn't get a start, and neither does Adama!! Line-up:

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Andy Fincher
15/12/2021 19:09

Not sure Bruno has a lot of faith in Fabio if he hasn't started him in this.

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 19:12

Apparently Rayan Ait-Nouri has gone down the tunnel early from the warm up, so may be injured which would be a shame.

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 19:16

Silva is young, but it is striking that in this, of all matches and opportunities, Bruno elects to bench him. I’ve never been convinced, but he is young and I think it is fair the price tag was ‘elevated’.

Good to see Podence, Hwang will have to work incredibly hard to get his chances, do not understand why Traore is on the bench.

The defence picks itself.

Come Wanderers - this will be a real boost if we win it.

UTW

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 19:19

BT confirm RANs injury, Marcal introduced. Very bad news

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 19:29

Evening Ivy
I agree it is disappointing news, especially when Marcal will have to try & cope with Lamptey down his wing

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 19:30

All to play for tonight and it has to be a good chance of 3 points

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 19:31

Off we go!!

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 19:38

Neves caught by Connolly’s hand in the face but OK.
Now HCH tackles back and ends up down holding his hamstring & looking in pain.
Play goes on & BHA get a shot away into Jose’s arms. Now they get the first corner but a poor ball. HCH is back on.

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 19:42

Hwang’s evening is over with a hamstring issue, after chasing a ball. Adama likely to be his replacement. Shame for Hwang.

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 19:42

Hwang has had it, his hamstring. More good news. Not. Hasn’t recovered from the early injury.

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 19:43

Traore to come on shortly, why wasn’t he ready?

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 19:45

Some neat threatening play from BHA ends with a high shot. Adama joins the fray

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 19:51

Trink loses the ball and a good pass find March in a position where should have scored but fired wide. Our play is scrappy from midfield forward

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 19:53

400 minutes of no Wolves goal has just passed, according to the BT statistician

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 19:56

Match stat - Final 3rd passes: BHA 36 Wolves 6!!!

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 19:59

Neves lets one-off fro 5 yds outside the area comfortably collected though. Very good recovery by Maxafter losing the ball. Joao concedes a free kick which is wasted. Adama shows Marcal how to deal with Lamptey!!

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 20:00

Hallelujah, a shot, a 30 yarder from Neves. Comfortable for the keeper.

We look solid in defence but in midfield and up front, when we do retain possession it is somewhat slow and ponderous. Not many off the ball runs and not making any openings

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 20:02

Marcal concedes a corner with his genitals. Ouch.

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 20:12

DP quickly on to a back pass but he can’t control it or get brought down by the keeper!! Good play by Wolves in final 3rd but Marcal’s cross is too close to the keeper.
Semedo goes down looking for a penalty but no chance. Good defending by Marcal for a throw in.
Some promising attacking play from us but we run out of ideas.

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 20:16

DP brought down on the edge of their area. Trink & DP over it. DP puts it into the wall for a corner.
Saiss converts against BHA again after a super pass by Neves
BHA 0 Wolves 1

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 20:17

Good play from DP, gets tripped 19 yards out. Here’s a chance. Wolves free kick, up comes DP ….. feeble effort! Gets a corner, short one, gets another corner ….. terrible corner ….. but bounces out, Neves chips, it’s Saiss in front of goal

1-0!!!!!!!!!

The ball from Neves, utter class - the best pass of the night by a mile. 1st goal for over 7 hours

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 20:19

It was a right footed volley by Saiss too. Our first goal for 7.5 hrs of play, and our first away goal since Leeds. Great save by Sa and a very fortunate miss by Mwepu from 5 yds out. Half time whistle and at last we lead a game.
BHA 0 Wolves 1

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 20:19

I tell you what, the finish from Saiss was excellent. Sweet volley.

Up the other end, goal mouth scramble, Sa saves, 3 yards out open goal ……. Brighton miss!!!!! Wow. Miss of the season candidate

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 20:27

Another match where we are looking for last billing on MOTD and then right at the end a flurry of action, a very good goal by Wolves followed by a wonderful miss by Brighton.

We are fortunate to be ahead at this stage, not least because of that miss, however I’ll take it.

So solid (in general) at the back once again but the balance is not right from midfield upwards … but we’re winning and we have to enter the second half with a degree of confidence.

Just showing the miss again …. Laughable! 😂

UTW!!





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:12:15:20:27:59 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Lupy
15/12/2021 20:32

Very happy to be a goal up but prior to that we were very uninspiring, few ideas once we pass the half way line. Brighton actually looking the better team but that’s not saying much as the whole match has only been Championship quality. Hopefully we can grow into the game as it progresses.
DP looking lively and Trink seems to be getting the feel of the game but I think he will be pulled at some point to give Fabio an outing.

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 20:34

No changes for the second half. Looking to see Trincao get a bit more involved this half.

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 20:41

Best Wolves attacking move of the match, Traore plays Trincao in but saved …. Corner …. Delayed because the refs comms system need repairing , taking bloody ages ….. it’s still not flaming working ….. good grief …. Wolves fans cheering DP and Trinc who are playing keeps uppy by the corner flag

Genuinely, this is ridiculous. 4 minutes now..





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:12:15:20:42:13 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 20:42

And Trink gets his chance after a delicate pass by Adama,but he hits the keeper for a corner. Earlier Marcal put a cross over which beat the keeper and came back off the bar!!
Referee holding up play with technical issues. Fans becoming impatient with it after 4 minutes.

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 20:43

Corner well over 5 minutes late - short,, into the box, superb strike fro9m Saiss, left foot volley …. Post!!!!!

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 20:46

There are signs of greater fluidity for us, midfield and attack, another break ends with DP blasting and forcing a save.

C’mon Wanderers

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 20:48

Some good attacking play from Wolves now, DP gets a shot away in the box but blocked by keeper. The front three are beginning to,inknup well together. Great break by Adama pass toDP who hits it straight at the keeper!! Adama would have been vilified if he’d held on to it mind!

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 20:52

Connolly replaced by Mac Allister for BHA. Ref still has commas issues.
Great ball in from BHA free kick but Mwepu can only lift it high up for Jose to collect.
Ref still has comma issues!! Embarrassing for him on his first PL game

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 20:52

The ref goes off for his comms failing for a 3rd time now. Likely to be 6-7 minutes added for this stupidity alone, can’t really blame the ref

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 20:59

Bissouma gets the first yellow card of the game for a boot into Marcal’ s stomach. Hurt his shoulder landing but OK to continue.

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 21:02

We continue to defend well but Brighton are pressing a little more now

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 21:05

More good defending by Wolves during a period of pressure from BHA.
Semedo gets forward and puts a superb ball across the area but nobody there!!
Marcal is down hurt again after running into Veltman.
Lallana preparing to come on.

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 21:10

Marcal fouls Lamptey on the right edge of our box & free kick goes for a corner. Wolves break & get a corner- two Wolves players fall over in the area but nowt given.

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 21:12

Mwepu & Bissouma replaced by Richards & Lallana

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 21:12

Double change for Brighton.

7 minutes to go plus a pile of time due to the comms and subs

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 21:16

Scrapping in our area again but cleared by Neves. Lots of empty seats tonight.

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 21:19

11 Minutes added on 😳

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 21:20

Donk to replace Trink
11 minutes added time. Dan Burn gets a yellow card for fouling & hurting Adama.

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 21:26

Into last 5 minutes and we could still do with a second goal to help our average

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 21:29

Really poor tackle from Donk. Potentially dangerous free kick to Brighton…. But came to nothing.

100 minutes up and Silva on

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 21:29

Donk concedes a free kick ten yards outside our area but comes to nothing. Here comes Fabio!! On for Adama for the last 3 minutes

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 21:30

Stupid tackle from Semedo now. And another from Mountinho

Nail biting

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 21:31

Cleared and breathe

103 minutes gone

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Billericay Wolf
15/12/2021 21:32

Come on Ref. We need the points.

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 21:33

Careless free kicks being given away in dangerous areas. Their keeper is up for the free kicks. DP breaks but well tackled.
Romain Saiss called Man of the Match as the final whistle goes.
Not a classic by any means, but the result is the most important factor against a makeshift team.
Brighton 0 Wolves 1

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Cheshire wolf
15/12/2021 21:39

Back into 8th place!!

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Lupy
15/12/2021 21:43

Phew.
Three points gained and on the balance of play over ninety minutes we just about deserved it.
No standout performances but if there was a league for team hard work and team effort we would surely be top. Well done lads, not a classic but another small step forward,
.

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Ivybridge Wolf
15/12/2021 21:53

A match which was totally forgettable for the first 44 minutes then sprung to life for 3 minutes. Great goal too. Then the miss ….. you have to see it if not already.

Much better in the second half which leads me to conclude we were the better side. Some very good counter attacking which really should have led to a second goal. It didn’t and there in lies the problem we all know about.

A decent team performance however and whilst previously critical, I thought the likes of Semedo and Trincao showed much more promise this evening - particularly in the second half …. A second half of more than 58 minutes!!

The one thing that sticks out again tonight is the defence. Bar that one glaring effort which was created by a rebound off Sa, the whole back 5, especially the central 3 were rock solid again. I was nervous in the last 15 but I shouldn’t have been.

Well done lads, not a classic by any means, but a well earned and deserved 3 points.

UTW

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Andy Fincher
15/12/2021 21:54

Wow! We've scored a goal. Fantastic pass from Neves and Saiss's finish was good by any standard but even more so coming from a defender. About the only good thing in the first half from either side.
Technology's great isn't it? Another reason why VAR should be binned.
Second half was better, which wouldn't have been difficult, and we created a decent couple of scoring chances which we haven't been doing in recent matches.
Marcal did quite well, especially considering he was a late replacement, but he did go down a lot and despite that I hope Ait-Nouri's injury isn't serious.
M-o-m for me a toss up between Coady and Saiss.

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essington wolf
15/12/2021 22:28

Good win a deserved 3 points but we should of put the game to bed, so many chances to finish Brighton off but we couldn't put one away. Thought we might pay for that but we managed to hold out. Any win against Brighton is a good one as they have been one of our bogey sides for years. Now nice easy one against Chelsea next Sunday, hope the injury to chan isn't as bad as it looked, come on wolves!

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