By Ivybridge Wolf
February 27 2022
After the last gasp defeat suffered at the hands of Arsenal on Thursday night, Wolves have a chance for partial redemption in the second of two consecutive matches in London, both being billed as crucial in determining top 6 placements. Can Wolves bounce back and manage 3 points in the East End today?
In a similar style to the Arsenal match, Wolves sit on 40 points, just 2 points behind West Ham (and with a game in hand) with the perfect opportunity to leapfrog the opposition. The fact we failed at the Emirates was frustrating. The first goal, the subsequent chances (e.g the Raul miss), the mystifying referring decisions (Ben White falling like a sack of spuds despite no contact) all added up, nonetheless, it was a match where the longer it went on, the longer it looked like a worrying outcome for our boys. Despite giving everything, ultimately ball retention and passing were not at a premium, this as Arsenal rose in confidence and pressure. We must do better and today we have another chance to get back on the rails and positively, we beat the Hammers at Molineux in November, a beautiful 20-yard finish from Raul in a match where Wolves were on top. More of the same please! It’ll be difficult and they have dangerous players, including Jarrod Bowen who has taken the limelight away from Antonio this season. Having said that, West Ham have only won one of their last 5 matches, that was v Watford on 8th February, and Wolves have a very good away record this season. A tough match to call!
This is the 50th top-flight meeting between the two sides, we lead by 20 wins to West Ham's 18, with 11 draws. Since we were last promoted, we’ve played them 7 times, winning 5 and losing 2, the latter when they did the double on us last season. Hopefully that statistic will turn into W8, but will depend how we approach matters, the Arsenal match proved that endeavour alone will not see things out. Wolves need to be more composed on the ball and more confident with it and apply greater pressure with bodies getting up front in advanced and supporting positions. Silencing the majority in ‘The London Stadium’ will greatly benefit Wolves!
As for the line-up, it is difficult to see Semedo playing after limping off the pitch on Thursday, so will Jonny be given a staring berth? With that one change made, what about other places, is Neto ready for 90 minutes? Will Hwang get another opportunity. Is the form of Raul playing on the mind of Bruno? Although Raul’s form has dipped, he’d get the nod from me ….. he has scored 4 times in his 6 previous matches v West Ham. Podence did enough last time out and the others pick themselves ….. or do they? Bruno is always capable of a surprise!
Enjoy the match, please add your comments and thoughts in this match thread, everything crossed for a more fruitful return to London this afternoon.

