So close and yet so far

By Ivybridge Wolf
November 8 2024

Reasons to be cheerful. Since 31st March 2007 we have played 14 league matches against Southampton, Premier League and Championship, and we 9, drawn 4 and lost just 1. I chose that date in 2007 purely because it was the famous Southampton 6-0 win at Molineux which was so bizarre it doesn’t count – we could have won it, one of those memorable matches.  A bit like in January 2020, after a dire first half and losing 2-0 at HT, Neto, Jimenez and the rest performed one of the most amazing Jekyll and Hyde comebacks to win 3-2 …… and on the day my grandson was born!

All in the past, so what about tomorrow (I’m writing this on Friday night)? Is it a must win …. in early November? Whilst still more than in our hands, it is more than likely the answer from most Wolves fans would be a resounding ‘yes’. Last chance saloon for Gary O’Neil? I won’t win any prizes for suggested another ‘yes’, indeed if Fosun could well have already lined up another man. Graham Potter has been mentioned to me. The Molineux crowd will also have their part to play, there were real signs of exasperation when Wolves went behind to Palace last weekend – which, to be fair, switched to support followed by resignation of yet another lack of victory. Should Southampton score first or it be a very nervy / poorer performance I am sure the voices of angst and frustration will be heard loud and clear from the stands.

I am not too sure what to say about the team ahead of tomorrow that hasn’t been said before, never mind the match-by-match consideration for the defensive debate – a back 4 or a 3/5. 27 goals in ten matches is a truly awful record and the top priority for any manager at the Wolves helm. Versus Palace last week, Wolves were at sixes and sevens at the back, we were just thankful for the profligacy of the Eagles. I am at a loss; ultimately do we have proper full backs to play in a back four? Likely not, and yet against Brighton that’s how we played our best football. In terms of goals, yes, they are coming more freely, for example we have 14 which is the same as Nuno’s Forest, however that’s where the similarity ends – they have conceded just 7. 22 matches without a clean sheet is incredible! As an aside 3 of our back line, RAN, Toti and Semedo are one booking away from being banned (Gomes is another).

In terms of Wolves personnel, Hwang has resumed training and may be back, and Johnstone is available. Oh, and it’s Santi Bueno’s birthday!!

Southampton managed to get their own winless hoodoo off their shoulders last week v Everton and just as importantly they did not concede. It’s just Wolves and Ipswich left now. Southampton will have confidence after that win, however it’s worth bearing in mind it’ll be a nervy encounter for both sides tomorrow, not just Wolves …. they’ve lost their last 8 away from home and have scored the least in the league (one less than Palace).

I’m going with a car full from Ivybridge. It’s a long old day though I’ll know that through the trepidation of the journey, as always, we’ll leave in a positive frame of mind. It’s just the football that’ll we’ll be worried about. Nevertheless I wish the lads all the very best on the pitch, and just like all Wolves fans, willing them on for their first win of the season whilst keeping more than half eye on scores elsewhere.

Enjoy the match tomorrow – please leave your thoughts and comments in the thread below. C’mon me babbies, come on you Wolves!!!

All the best, UTW!!

Match Thread: Wolves v Southampton 08.11.2024 KO 3pm

Discussion started by Wolves , 08/11/2024 19:56

Wolves
08/11/2024 19:56

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:12:01:10:03:32 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Risca TM
08/11/2024 21:23

Great intro Ivy. I hope it's the grand day out you deserve.

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Lupy
09/11/2024 11:04

Feels like a day of reckoning.

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Billericay Wolf1
09/11/2024 15:29

1-0 Sarabia 2 mins.

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Billericay Wolf1
09/11/2024 16:15

2-0 Cunha!!!!

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Lupy
09/11/2024 17:30

A very welcome two points but we allowed Southampton the greater percentage of possession and once again lived very dangerously something we can't afford to do against most other teams including Bournemouth and Fulham.
Possibly a false dawn?

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An angry wolf
09/11/2024 18:43

Still likely to get relegated, Southampton and Ipswich may be worse but can't see another team likely to finish below us. Staying up shouldn't really be the barometer of success anyway.

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Ivybridge Wolf
10/11/2024 10:29

A win is a win!! A precious 3 points to lift us off the bottom. The last home match i went to was Luton, and after witnessing the Brighton draw, perhaps I should go more often?!

Not a classic at all in terms of quality but what a terrific start with the Sarabia goal. Then Southampton pushed and pushed with some decent possession but ultimately no ability to trouble our goal. Except their goal chalked off by VAR. seeing the highlights, I think that was the correct decision. I’d say the first half was a nervy watch and I was just glad to get to half time ahead.

Second half, Saints fizzled out, but it never felt comfortable even after the thunderbolt from Cunha. What a superb goal!! I think we got a bit lucky there, maybe two fouls in the lead up? Dawson in particular. Wolves definitely the better side in the second period and maybe coulda / shoulda added at least another goal.

Overall I’m delighted with the win, Cunha, Gomes and Dawson were excellent, although as a team we have to love the ball a bit more - we are too hasty when in possession with many players guilty of surrendering possession far too easily. Nevertheless Wolves deserved all 3 points and for a change, got them!

It was an interesting reaction by the crowd towards O’Neil at the end too. A sense of relief for sure, though a genuinely warm reception for a man under extreme pressure. Good to see.

One win under the belt, Fulham and Bournemouth up next after the break …. It’s a start though there’s clearly a very long way to go.

UTW!

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An angry wolf
10/11/2024 17:40

You seem to be a good luck charm at molineux Ivy. There have been 2 good bits of good news today with the first win since the T rex was roaming around and Trump winning the election. Let's hope we get a 3rd part of the good news saga with GON SACKED next week

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