Home advantage is key

By Ivybridge
January 9 2022

Wolves return to action this afternoon with a 2pm kick off in the FA Cup 3rd round at Molineux versus Sheffield United. Blades were relegated last season with a whimper, and we managed to do the double on them, 0-2 and 1-0. This season they sit mid table in the championship, though with games in hand, they could well be in with a chance of a play-off push. This is the cup however, and despite Wolves being favourites to advance into the Fourth Round draw, we will be hoping for no slip ups as seen yesterday ….. I’m thinking Newcastle! Don’t forget, this match is subject to extra time and penalties if required ….. let’s hope it doesn’t need to go that far!

Much of the football gossip this week has been on potential Wolves departures, Neves to Manchester United, Traore to Spurs (and Doc coming back) etc, however hopefully that ‘noise’ will not prevent Bruno Lage from selecting a strong side for this competition. Being a traditionalist (and observing the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City over the last 48 hours), I’d go one step further, I’d like to see the strongest possible line up. For many years now, the FA Cup has been easily our most likely source of silverware and glory and the wonderful, though oh-so-close cup run of 2019 demonstrated what this competition can do for fans and club alike.

Who to play then? As of yesterday, it was reported Wolves do not have any additional COVID related absentees and the immediate big selection issue for this match and for the next month or so is ‘who replaces Saiss’ whilst he's on international duty? Does Bruno go for Dendoncker or perhaps make use of the recalled Dion Sanderson? On the latter, reports are positive about his regular contribution at Blues (16 appearances this season), so I see his potential inclusion as a positive selection option …… i.e. give him a go! Additionally, as with Nuno, will Bruno give John Ruddy a run out? Overall, we haven’t played much football of late, so the core of the Manchester United starting line up surely (hopefully) will be given another go, perhaps consider bringing Ait-Nouri back in and Traore on from the off? We had a magnificent win versus Manchester United on Monday, and today’s fixture represents an excellent opportunity to get back-to-back wins and retain the winning momentum and confidence that comes with it. Winning is, indeed, a great habit to have!

What does the record book show? Surprisingly, we have not played Sheffield United in the cup since a 1966 4^th round Molineux tie that Wolves won 3-0, Knowles (2) and McIlmoyle the scorers. We haven’t lost to the Blades in the cup since 1947. Records are there to be broken however, as seen at Old Trafford, however at least Morgan Gibbs-White will be cup tied for the Blades - he has impressed at Bramall Lane whilst on loan this term.

Enjoy the match, however you are able to follow the action, please feel free to contribute to this match thread …….. and everything crossed for a good and fruitful 2022 FA cup run!!

UTW!

Wolves v Sheff United FA Cup 3rd Round 9.1.22: Match Thread

Discussion started by Wolves , 09/01/2022 11:14

Wolves
09/01/2022 11:14

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:01:27:16:11:13 by Cheshire wolf.

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Cheshire wolf
09/01/2022 12:49

An interesting afternoon to look forward to indeed Ivy.

Apparently Morgan Gibbs-White has also sustained a leg injury which necessitates him to wear a special boot, and has led to him returning to Wolverhampton because of his restricted ability to drive.

I think John Ruddy will definitely start today's game, and Kilman will switch into Saiss's spot with Sanderson starting the other side of Coady. I think he may give Ryan Giles a run-out in the left wing back position - at the end of the day he is latterly used to playing against Championship opposition!

It's midfield and up front which pose the questions really - will he rely on Joao and Ruben Neves for midfield command or introduce Donk or Jordao, and will he give Fabio a start in attack and give Raul a rest? One thing I don't see is Traore getting a starting role.

Apparently our referee today is Dean Whitestone who I have never heard of, but he does have PL experience to guide him on VAR Duty in Robert Jones.

Let's hope there is a decent stream available for this game.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 13:26

This is our starting XI:

Wolves XI: Ruddy, Kilman, Coady, Marcal, Semedo, Dendoncker, Neves, Ait-Nouri, Traore, Silva, Podence.

Yet to see the full bench, however Traore starts, Ait-Nouri in, Donk in, Fabio in. Will this mean Marcal will be centre back with Max and Conor? Of course, for the keen eyed, this will men Traore is cup-tied should he indeed leave Wolves

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Lupy
09/01/2022 13:37

Seems to be a nicely balanced selection and I’m pleased to see RAN returning. Fabio leading the line which will do his confidence the world of good as long as he doesn’t have a mare of a game, hopefully he will be well supported by DP and Traore. Should be fairly straightforward but then it’s the FA Cup ————

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Cheshire wolf
09/01/2022 13:42

Traore starts - oh well shows how much I know!!!

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 13:57

The subs:

Moulden, Sanderson, Giles, Lembikisa, Jordao, Moutinho, Cundle, Trincao, Jimenez.

I know they went down, but it’s a decent Blades line up who haven’t played for 3 weeks. Billy Sharp up front- always to be respected

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 14:01

Ref is Paul Tierny too - a late substitute??

They’re off. Billy Sharp goes close after 30 seconds!! Wide of Ruddy and the post

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 14:03

Free header to McGoldrick from 10-11 yards narrowly wide.

Wolves yet to wake up

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 14:06

Decent cross from Traore, Fabio well marshalled by the Blades defence. Our first moment of meaningful attack

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Andy Fincher
09/01/2022 14:09

Stream is awful. Hardly seen a bl00dy thing yet.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 14:15

Really poor defending leaving McGoldrick free …… John Ruddy saves us from going 1 behind with a much needed clearance from RAN.

Up the other end, poor defending from their LB, Fabio capitalises extremely well, lays it on a plate for Podence

1-0 to Wolves!!! Get in

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 14:16

Quote:

Andy Fincher
Stream is awful. Hardly seen a bl00dy thing yet.

Stream working put fuzzy - enough to see the goal though 🐺👍

No commentary either, refreshing

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 14:24

Great through ball from Fabio to put Traore in ….. who spoons it high wide and not very handsome. Not a natural finisher is our Adama. Poor effort

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 14:28

Wow!! So close from Fabio. Great mazy run, carried the ball 20 yards, cuts it to DP, first time clip over the top and the advancing Fabio who tries to lob the keeper - agonisingly over for a corner - after which RAN goes close.

The Fabio effect would have been a brilliant goal if it had gone in. Whilst he should have scored, full credit for the approach play and a fabulous 1-2 with DP

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 14:29

Goal flash elsewhere. The might Shrews have taken the lead at Anfield

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 14:31

More encouraging pressing from Fabio earns us a corner - the keeper flaps but out for a throw

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 14:36

Another very poor Traore shot, this time with his left, so weak it turned out to be a pass to RAN who recycled the ball, crossed it back and we got another corner!!

Blades haven’t really has a foray in the last 20 minutes or so. We are on top at present, need a second!!

35 gone.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 14:37

Having some streaming issues now. It’s gone and Liverpool have equalised.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 14:39

Adama appeared to be cut down but no free kick (extremely close to the box), after which Neves hits a 25 yarder over the bar …. But not a bad effort

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 14:42

Blades corner, Billy Sharp hits it in the net, disallowed for what I believe to be a high kick from Sharp. A tad fortunate for Wolves there

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 14:51

Half Time and 1-0 to Wolves.

We are the better team and I have enjoyed some of the forward play, though we should have scored 2 or 3 that half, Adama guilty and Fabio ought to have got on the score sheet. Fabio has done well though. Very nice goal!!

Defensively, we are not as solid as usual, missing Saiss? Maybe but the concentration levels certainly not as high as they could be with some excellent chances falling to Blades, especially early on. Ruddy did well. Sharp’s disallowed goal too.

Need a bit more from the home side, however we are 1-0 up. Happy with that. Need a second.

Enjoyable match overall.

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Andy Fincher
09/01/2022 14:59

Could be Spuds. 0-1 down to Morecambe at ht.

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Lupy
09/01/2022 15:02

All a bit disjointed at the moment, need to up our concentration levels particularly in defence.
Some pretty play but need to be more incisive in the last third. Fabio playing very well RAN seems to be a bit off the pace.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 15:02

Sadly, Liverpool took a 2-1 lead just before HT however Morecambe are beating Spurs 1-0

Teams coming out.

C’mon Wolves! More goal please!

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 15:03

Moutinho for Marcal at HT

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Cheshire wolf
09/01/2022 15:07

Afternoon All Joao Moutinho replaces Marcal at the beginning of 2nd half

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 15:14

11 minutes gone this half so far …… not much to say thus far except we have a corner generated by Traore …… cross comes over, defended and away.

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Cheshire wolf
09/01/2022 15:14

Good opportunity created by Semedo but Fabio & the rest are all on their heels when the ball is put across the area.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 15:16

Nice little run / dribble from RAN, earned the right to shoot but well over with his right boot!!

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Cheshire wolf
09/01/2022 15:17

Some good individual play from Max thenRAN ends up with the latter blasting over the bar

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Cheshire wolf
09/01/2022 15:19

Some wonderful battling by Adama down right wing until he’s crudely brought down by Basham who gets a yellow card

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 15:19

Basham gets a yellow for chopping Traore down on the half way line.

Some huffing and puffing from Wolves at the moment, when going forward

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 15:23

Burke on for McGoldrick for Blades

Some really sloppy stuff from both sides at present

66 gone

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Cheshire wolf
09/01/2022 15:25

Raul and Trink replace Adama and Fabio

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 15:26

Raul and Trincao on for Traore and Fabio (who gets a nice reception).

Both substituted plays have faded this half.

A Blades effort thunders 5 yards over the bar

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Cheshire wolf
09/01/2022 15:30

After a fine run down the left wing RAN puts an unmissable ball across for Nelson Semedo to make it 2
Wolves 2 United 0

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Cheshire wolf
09/01/2022 15:32

Good save by JR to keep out a shot from Billy Sharpe. It was an excellent ball from DP to feed RAN which led to our goal by the way!!

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 15:33

2-0!!

A subdued half springs to life, DP came deep, and with a lovely pass to RAN on the wing who’s storms up putting a telling pass to Semedo who scores very, very nicely!! Lovely stuff!!

Up the other end, Billy Sharp volleys fiercely which Ruddy responds to with a great save!! I’s still 2-0

UTW!!

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Cheshire wolf
09/01/2022 15:38

What a mix up at the United back as the goalie comes out and fails to rob Raul. Ball crossed to Daniel P who dispatches it into an empty net
Wolves 3 Utd 0

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 15:39

Ndiaye and Norwood replace Sharp and ….. ?!!!

Sharp - great player in my book and has led the line well for Blades.

Cock up from the Blades keeper, loses the ball to Raul, squares it to Podence …… back of the net 3-0!!

We have score THREE goals in a match!!

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Cheshire wolf
09/01/2022 15:42

Excellent marauding run forward by Raul ends with a corner. Bruno Jordan and Luke Cundle are going to get a run out

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 15:42

Raul strike, tipped over, corner, Neves hits straight into the noggin of the advancing Blades midfielders.Ouch!!

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Cheshire wolf
09/01/2022 15:43

Huge round of applause for DP as he leaves the pitch and for Ruben N likewise

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 15:43

Likely MOTM Podence and Neves come off for Cundle and Jordan. 5 minutes to go





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:01:09:15:45:03 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Cheshire wolf
09/01/2022 15:48

3 added minutes to play. Guess who forgot to do his Prediction League forecast!,

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Cheshire wolf
09/01/2022 15:52

Trink gets the final shot of the day away but it is very wide from his right foot. Whistle goes and Wolves have achieved a resounding 3rd round win over their old foes Sheffield United by 3 goal to nil. The draw for the 4th round will be done shortly so let see who we get.
Wolves 3 United 0

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 15:52

3-0 FT

Good result, so pleased that we managed 3 goals and most importantly we are in the next round. Superior side overall though with a number of wobbles along the way! Decent match, particularly the first half

UTW

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Andy Fincher
09/01/2022 15:58

Managed to see about 20 seconds of that so can't say anything really except the obvious that it was a good win. Chuffed about that at least.

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chicagowolf
09/01/2022 16:08

Quote:

Ivybridge Wolf

Quote:

Andy Fincher
Stream is awful. Hardly seen a bl00dy thing yet.

Stream working put fuzzy - enough to see the goal though 🐺👍

No commentary either, refreshing

Agreed. No commentary was a big improvement over the nonsense we have to listen to usually. Only problem was that I only know a couple of the blade’s players; but small price

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 16:17

The draw will be made soon on ITV, we are number 25

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Lupy
09/01/2022 16:30

Strange game, I thought we were well below par but still managed to score three, funny game football. All of our youngsters did well and RAN improved beyond measure in the second half and what a fabulous cross for Semedo to score. Traore flattered to deceive once again and Trincao offered more when he came on. Fabio looked very pleased with his performance and the ovation from the crowd had him beaming. Pleased for Jordao to get on the pitch after all his setbacks.
Bring on the next round.

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Cheshire wolf
09/01/2022 17:00

Home to Norwich City in 4th round. Nice one!!

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/01/2022 17:28

When the last six in the hat are Nottingham Forest/Arsenal, Leicester City, Manchester City, Fulham, Wolves and Norwich City you have to be happy with our home draw v Norwich draw!!

Highly winnable, though again, no complacency.

Agree with LH, it was a funny match to be honest, the most hesitant we’ve seen our defence in a long while and never really got going with sustained attack, yet we were the better team and we scored 3 goals!! All our goals were well taken and our first and second really well worked. The score line perhaps flattered us, Billy Sharp and McGoldrick will both be very disappointed not to be on the score sheet today.

For me, the first 45 represented the best half I’ve seen Fabio play for Wolves, shame he couldn’t finish off the great run and 1-2.

UTW!

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