Molineux will be going radio ga ga on Sunday as the fans will have their eyes on the pitch but ears on events elsewhere, writes blogger Nathan Lloyd.
I remember traveling with 7,000 other Wolves fans to Hillsborough six years ago when we needed Palace to do us a favour and beat the Baggies so that we could defeat the Owls and grab an automatic promotion slot. Despite Mickey (Colin Cameron) putting us a goal up within the minute, we only managed a 2-2 draw that day and it turned out to be immaterial as Albion won and grabbed 2nd spot in the league.
That day I relied on other people to feed me information about what was happening at the Hawthorns, which was a big mistake. About 17 minutes in to the game and the Leppings Lane end which housed all the gold and black was rocking. Some idiot had said that Palace had just scored and that Albion were losing. In fact it was Albion who had taken the lead and the cheers quickly turned to groans.
So, with that in mind, I won’t be taking any chances on Sunday and I’ll make sure I keep myself informed on events happening elsewhere.
We didn’t really turn up for the first half at the Ricoh on Saturday, but despite this, we could have left with all 3 points but for a smart save from Schmeichel at the end. The traveling support was magnificent though and it made you proud to be a Wanderer.
As predicted, it all boils down to the final Sunday of the season. With Stoke, Albion or Hull taking the 2 automatic slots, only Bristol City are currently confirmed as definitely in the play-offs. The other 2 spots will be contested by 5 teams; Wolves, Watford, Palace, Ipswich and the Blades.
You’ve probably looked yourselves at the upcoming games and the form of the teams involved. Just to prove my anorak credentials, here is a quick summary of the runners and riders recent form.
March gave us a great return, with 4 wins, 2 draws and just the single loss away at Preston. April has given us much trickier opposition and it has showed with us winning just 1 of the 5 games, drawing 3 and losing the Black Country derby.
Sunday’s opposition, Plymouth, have been in poor form in their last 11 games and have dropped completely out of play-off contention. They have won just 3, although they did pick up an impressive victory on the road at Bristol City, they have also lost 5 and drawn 3. Paul Sturrock may warn his players that although there is nothing to play for on Sunday, that they are fighting for a place in the Plymouth team next season, but I can’t imagine they’ll put up much of a fight.
A draw is the most likely result from Blackpool versus Watford at the weekend. Blackpool will need a point from the game to guarantee safety if Southampton got anything from the Albion game last night. But both Blackpool and Watford have won just once in their 11 outings and both have drawn far too many games. Blackpool have drawn 10 at home, the most (along with Bristol Rovers) of any team in all 4 of the English leagues. Despite this, they have only lost 4 times at home which is as few as Stoke at the top of the table.
Watford have won just once in 5 games and in February and March they incredibly managed to draw 7 games in a row.
I wouldn’t look for Burnley to get anything away at Palace. Burnley have won just 3 times in their last 11 games, whereas Palace’s loss to Hull at the weekend was their first defeat since Wolves beat them in late February and they are otherwise in terrific form.
I’ll ignore the form of the Tractor Boys and the Blades. If we win on Sunday, it’s only Palace and Watford’s results that will have any bearing on where we finish.
It’s a pity that Wolves find themselves with their destiny in other team’s hands, but we are where we are and pointing the blame at players, management, chief exec or even the chairman can wait until the season concludes.
In other news; its congratulations to Hennessey for a deserved spot in the PFA Championship team of the Year. I’m sure he’ll be grabbing the player of the season award on Sunday to cap off a remarkable season for the young Welshman.
More congratulations go to the old Wolves boss Graham Turner who clinched promotion to League 1 with Hereford on Saturday at Brentford. 2 promotions in 3 seasons is a superb achievement for a club of restricted financial clout and just rewards for such a hard working manager.
And a quick story that brought a smile to mine, and I’m guessing quite a few Wolves fans faces, was the news that Henri Camara looks like being shown the exit door at Wigan. He is currently on a season long loan at mid-table West Ham, where he has notched up just 3 starts and 7 substitute appearances and preciously no goals. When Bruce was asked if Camara had a future at Wigan, he said “I doubt it”. What a shame, eh?
I’m off to Manchester tonight to see the wonderful Horne and Corden of Gavin and Stacey fame. Because of this, I’ve had to write the blog a little early, which means I don’t know if Albion are now a Premiership side or not. If they have managed a result against the Saints tonight then it’s congratulations to them and I’m hoping Jarrod will be sober enough to deliver his own blog!
It’ll be a nervous countdown to our final game of the season. I still think we can do it. I would expect that Watford are the team most likely to fluff their lines and give us that final play-off spot. Wouldn’t it be marvelous to face Bristol City in the play-offs and show McIndoe just who is the bigger club?
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64 Comments
Good blog Nathan. It is hell being a Wolves fan and I honestly do not think our play over the season merits promotion or even a play off place. If it happens, great. But either way I hope to see Big Sam and a strong coaching staff in place come the new season.
hi nathan..sorry but i’ll just be watching the game mate, couldn’t care less what’s happening elsewhere. you mentioned the hillsbrough game and the anti climax there, which is why i won’t be asking anyone if they know any other scores. did that saturday and knowing watford and palace were losing made our result even more frustrating.
with the baggies securing promotion last night, are we all ready for the blue and white tidal wave about to hit us. local tv, radio, and newspapers will be full of it for the next few days. my point?..that’s how to end your season..not trying to do the football equivelent of a rubix cube to find which scenario will see wolves make the top 6..if this..if that.. if my nan had nuts she’d have been my grandad..know what i’m saying.
THIS SEASON HAS BEEN DIRE FOR WOLVES FANS..AND I CAN’T SEE NEXT SEASON BEING ANY BETTER WITH MCARTHY STILL IN CHARGE..HE REALLY DOES NEED MOVING ON..BRING ON THE GUV’NOR!!!!!!!
Realistically if we finish 5th we should get Bristol and get to Wembley. If we finish 6th I think Hull will turn us over.
If we make 7th or below, Mick should walk but he probably won’t. He’s too full of himself, I’m sure he’ll blame everyone else but him.
If we can sneak in to the playoffs at the expense of Watford - I see us winning the whole thing !! Come on Wolves !! Dont fear Hull Bristol City or Palace on cup tie like games !!
Good factual blog Nathan, Im afraid its out of our hands and yes course I want us to go up! But my head believes we nshould stay where we are! Imagine us in the prem under Mick? Unfortunatley last nights result puts us even further behind the baggies than ever!
Lets stay where we are sack Mick on Monday! Even if we get promoted sack him!, Get Paul Ince by the end of the week, Lets build a new wave of optimism, let get an upcoming manager who accepts nothing less than the best,lets get a manager that should we be promoted can attract the players who can make us great again, lets bring in Paul Ince to keep players like kites, hennesey, seb and jarvis. Come on Mr Morgan. Despite my thoughts on Mick good luck to the lads on sunday!
Come on WOLVES we can STILL do it
Ignore the ‘SOFA DOUBTERS’ they mean nothing to WOLVES.
Considering the overall quality of play from Wolves this season, Im amazed that come the last game we are still in with a realistic chance of reaching the play-offs.
Imagine where we would be if we had actually performed!?!
One thing I have noticed with the pro/anti McCarthy debate is this:
Anti McCarthy people attack the manager and club because they want it to succeed and want to see good football.
Pro McCarthy supporters tend to personalize everything and attack individuals ie:
Big Les Moxley:
“Ignore the ‘SOFA DOUBTERS’ they mean nothing to WOLVES.”
Well if ever you want to prove to someone that you have your head stuck in the sand and swallow all the club propaganda hook line and sinker, then comments like that say it all!
If you think that people who think McCarthy is hopeless don’t go to games then you truly are stupid!
Why don’t you have a go at explaining why he should stay, and try it without the other slice of club propaganda “because their young”
Have a look where Leon Clark and Adam Proudlock are. Being young doesn’t make you mean your any good!
By the way I have hardly missed a game since 1973 does that class me as a ‘SOFA DOUBTER’?
BIG LES.. AS YOUR CHAIRMAN OF THE SOFA DOUBTERS..SHOULD WE IGNORE YOUR POST..OR LISTEN TO A COMMENT FROM A FELLOW WOLVES FAN.
ME I’D CHOOSE TO IGNORE YOU AS YOUR OBVIOUSLY A COMPLETE DIV.
did u watch us wonderers!!! we are premier leauge we are premier lauge
how does it feel th best u can hope 4 is th play offs we played great n got th rreward
so regoise n say WE ARE PREMIER LAEUGE!!!!!
ABDONWOLF..WELL SAID MY FRIEND.
8 -World class
7000??? I think it was a lot more than that.
8000 official plus me and 500 others in the home end and a few hundered outside.
Still, I would do it all again.
8. Your point?
This season has been poor, very poor in a very poor league. We have the squad and the team to be celebrating like the boggies are today but we are not and the blame for that lies with Mick.
We will support the team on Sunday and hopefully in the play offs, But come the end of the season Mick must go for the sake of our club.
LETS ALL GET BEHIND THE TEAM DURING THE GAME THEN LET STEVE MORGAN KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WE THINK OF MUPPET MICK AFTER THE GAME !!!
MCARTHY OUT AFTER THE GAME PEOPLE !
Really worried I might sound to much like abdonwolf but…
The key to Sunday is us winning and I can’t see it. Due to work commitments I couldn’t get to the Cardiff game but went to both Ipswich and Coventry, and it’s the same concern for me - No Cutting Edge! So I see Sunday running like this…
1.02pm - Plymouth score
1.25pm - Wolves equalise
1.27pm - Rumour of Watford being 1-0 down.
1.28pm - Watford actually ahead, but Palace are losing
2.04pm - Blackpool equalise. The Southbank erupts and push the side on.
2.50pm - Wolves fail to convert th 10 chances they created in the last 5 minutes and miss out on the playoffs!
God I feel miserable
well. great that Southampton got a draw last night as it means that Blackpool aren’t safe and will have to play for something against Watford. If that’s a draw then we have to beat Plymouth by 3 clear goals. McCarthy must go on the offensive from the beginning and he must have Eastwood on the bench to come on 30 mins before the end if we are only winning by one goal. It’s still all to play for and very exciting. Congratulations to the Albion on last night’s result. Great the Gere Zoltán has the Premier stage for his wonderful skills and attitude. Come on you Wolves!
nice one justin.
but i seriously believe the club have no intentions of replacing mick. all the signs from the boardroom are postive and fully supportive of mick and the team. i think you will find mick will get next season, if we still don’t get up then maybe they might reconcider.
like it or lump it ( i’m definately lumping it ) be prepared for one more season with mick at least.
I still think Wolves can make the play offs, Watford going to Blackpool looks like a key result. Their form is awful and Blackpool have a good home record, but if this season and this league has taught us anything, it is that anything can happen. I will be at QPR on Sunday but i will keep an ear out to see how you are doing, i wish you well, but i can see the play offs being won by Hull, but hey who knows!!
All the best.
Vintage 77 wolves
I can see you getting to the ground a little early my friend, kick off is at 2pm.
Id love us to sneak in, but my brain tells me that this is Wolves and for all the passion and hope, they will fall, as always, at the last hurdle.
Dont get to excited guys.
and by the way, Blackpool have only lost 4 times at home this season, only WBA, Bristol City, Hull and Ipswich have lost less and the teams they lost to were WBA,Stoke,Cardiff and Norwich and have only lost at home once this year and that was to WBA. It looks good for us but only if we beat Plymouth by 3 straight goals and that’s why it’s essential to have Eastwood on the bench Mr Mccarthy.
8 above BYTHEWAY BYTHEWAY so your a new comer then???? its all in your head no8!!!please dont wind yourself up 8 please.
Thanks tescos for the friendly favour last night.
WOLVES FOREVER.
16. Vintage ‘77, Wolves
It’s really frightening facing reality isn’t it!
13. Windsor Wolf (or is it ‘Your Majesty?)
Have you an opinion you may like to share?
Yes Nathan I too was at Hillsborough that day - sitting in the Sheffield stand unfortunately and nearly got thrown out when we scored early on & just leapt out my seat.
As i said in an earlier post, we need to win, so lets have Freddy on the bench and not S.Ward - i’d settle for 5 minutes of brilliance than 30 minutes of mediocrity - and no i’m mot a Freddy fan, as i think his attitude is not right at present.
Big Les Moxley says
“8 above BYTHEWAY BYTHEWAY so your a new comer then???? its all in your head no8!!!please dont wind yourself up 8 please.”
Translation please anybody?
22.Mark Andrews
I did say in my statto piece that Blackpool had only lost 4 times… leave the anorak job to me!
I agree with you about Freddy. We all know that he is off in summer, but he should be on the bench on Sunday ahead of Kyle and Elliott who pose about as much threat as Julian Clary with a feather duster.
mark andrews
Albion are the only team to beat blackpool this year at the seaside, and we should have lost, Blackpool were by far the better team and should have been three up at half time, keep the faith.
22, we need to win by 3 but i bet he still has elliott and ward in ahead of freddy!
Just how many goals has Eastwood scored or assisted? If you think he’s the key to getting in the play offs you’re deluded. The team has no coherency or consistency and that’s why this season is a failure. I still believe this is a work in progress with or without MM. I’m not pro or against MM i’m just for wolves and that’s all that matters. Eastwood will never play under MM again accept it. We have SEN now so forget Fred and let’s get behind SEB so he gets the golden boot.
Shoulda said SEB not SEN.
Still talk of Freddy, I will be glad to see the back of him
help me out here. palace win –watford draw.
wolves win 2-0
Decent result against Coventry our bogey team, i really thought SEB was going to score in the last minute, great save by Schmiecal (that’s been said a few times before).
Hennessay will have impressed the watching Martin O’neill, he kept us in it the 2nd half. Saying that we did enough to win, had some very good chances which we just didn’t capitalise on. Andy Keogh tries really hard but just isn’t good enough in my eyes.
Anyway - hate to be the cynical one but i just can’t see us making it now. The results were perfect for us on Saturday with the exception of our own, i can’t see CP and Watford fluffing up 2 weekends in a row, especially when so much is riding on it. We will beat Plymouth but all will be for nothing in the end! Hope i’m wrong mind!
MM will stay, players will leave and we will be mid table mediocrity next year.
Someone cheer me up, please!
Nathanwolves
I gave up predicting anything in this league a while ago, kept making myself look a bigger fool than normal. I spoke to a Watford fan last week and he told me that they are awful at mo, and Boothroyd is under huge pressure, Blackpool away is never easy. Beat Plymouth and see what happens, the only thing i would say is that out of the teams in the possible play off shake down, Hull look the best team, but who knows.
Keep your chin up, and keep the faith, it is going to be a nervy day Sunday.
WE ARE GOING UP
WE ARE GOING UP
The question is are you going to join us?
Wish you all the best
BOINGING ALL THE WAY TO THE PREM IN STYLE THE MOWBRAY WAY
still no sign of one..
terrywe’recommingstraightbackdownagainbaggie
hey bomber..take it you had a good time then last night. hope we get an invite to next seasons relegation party..i’ll bring the beer.
I would start Freddy on Sunday and drop Gibson to the bench.
Lets gew for it me babbies.
NathanWolves
Miserable sod. We have a chance to make the play-offs and you are all doom and gloom. Agreed, its been a lousy season, but who knows might happen come 2pm Sunday.
I take you won’t be going because you have already decided out fate?
39. Banghrai_wolf
Here’s a positive thought for you.
We get to the play-offs and Morgan decides to sack McCarthy on Monday bring in a world class manager on Tuesday and we win promotion!
You can always dream!
Banghrai - i think it’s fair to say i am not your biggest fan, and you don’t seem to be mine!
Of course I will be going Sunday you numpty!
If you read my comments i did say I hope i’m wrong with what I have said.
You seem to pick up on the comments you want to hear/read rather then taking my blogs as a whole!
You have pigeon holed me Banghrai to be some kind of nasty person (given your comments last week as well).
To be honest i couldn’t careless what you think as I know you are a two bit fan and have just gone out and bought the latest bang & olufsen digital radio to make sure you have the clearest, crispest sound quality to listen to the wolves commentary! So keep posting your negativity about me, i’ll brush it off my shoulders as your comments lack class as you do (with the exception of your new stereo system)!
I see southbank has reverted back now - although I think the blue and white tidal wave you mention has been crashing down on you for a while now.
Anyway, just wanted to wish you good luck - I would like to see our game in the prem, but in truth i don’t think it will be next season - Hull and Stoke are nailed on for joining us this time.
p.s - if you ever see LCW, Michael, walker etc ect.. ect.. again (unlikely) then tell them we said hello (and goodbye).
south bank barmy army
Mate if you knew me, you would know that my attitude is beer is beer and you are welcome.
Last night was great, this morning was a bit of a blur, you know you have had a night out on the beer when you wake up and the shrapnel in your pocket adds up to more than 17quid, really, i kid you not. It was my excuse for coming home so late, honesssst loovee it was t change in me pocket weighhing me down!!
NathanWolves… your not far off, I have just bought a B&W Zepplin, buts it a bit big to take into Molineux.
No, I’ll dig out some kind of cheapy giveaway radio for Sunday, and yes I will be at the match.
I don’t wish you any ill-feelings, I just think you should think of the season as a glass half-full rather than half-empty.
Enjoy the game.
Sad to say this is Suzie’s final post for 4 months.
Yes, I have to go to work! My Dick Turpin mask is packed for some serious thievery and I’m off on my annual jolly-up around USA on the WPT.
But I will take some time out to watch Cardinals & Red Sox baseball as well as ( oh, happy day ), seeing Patricia Barber performing live in the Chicago jazz clubs.
Back sometime in September to have fun with my jumpers, but not football….I’ve said previously I will not pay MM’s wages any more.
So , on the vexed subject of WWFC, I leave you with these thoughts and observatiions :
To the 50 fans who were given notice…enjoy the final match. You are not wanted…you are only fans and the directors cannot make any money out of you.
Mik-Mak and uncle Jez will still be here next season.
Three of these ( Kites, SEB, Wayne, Freddie, Matty J. ) will be gone in the summer. One of the other two will go in January.
A maximum of 75% of transfer fees raised will be spent on 6 wanabiz, neverhavbinz and neverwillbiz.
Next season, just enough results will be put together at crucial times to keep the fans hoping this could be the year. Keep on keeping the faith. The directors are banking on it…..as well as the dosh.
To all the baggies fans posting on here (genuine or otherwise)…..a single upright digit to you all. Frankly, you ain’t worth the effort needed raising two.
And finally; in the immortal words of Arnie the terminator :
I’ll be back
All the best Sue.
I said last week, ill vent my feelings come full time Sunday, think everyone until then should give there 100% support for the “team” and for “wolves” and vent personal feelings afterwards towards certain individuals for whatever mistakes you feel they have made. Until then, we are all Wolves and all want that win, so lets get behind them and hope for the best!
My own view, i think we’ll win but think palace and Watford will win too, to little to late for me!
Dont get all this Freddie stuff myself, he is a good player but no superman, and we would of needed 11 supermen to of saved our season, agreed we will never know how good Freddie would of been for us, but then, would he alone of changed our whole season, me thinks not!
Anyway, heres to positive thinking and see you all sunday at the game
oh and good blog nathan, i have disagreed with you on many occasion this season but you have tried to make sense of a complicated season and have done well. All the best and heres wishing for a “Happy Sunday”
First off well done to the Baggies. Looking back over the season, the football you’ve played has deserved promotion unlike the crap we’ve played.
To all the WWFC faithful DO NOT WORRY! I have had a premonition. This Wednesday I’m going to win the lottery rollover, Thursday I’m going to the bookies and I’m going to slap the lot down on the biggfest longshot I can find which in turn will come good, then comes the good bit! I am going to buy the club from the silent scouser and then approach a manager I think you will all be happy with who just yesterday stated he wants to return to english football….the one and only mr Mourinho. The fans kicked out of their seats so prawn sandwich eating types can sit there will have them returned, the fans in the Southbank wont be turfed out and offered a pie and a pint in return and whilst the use of homegrown talent will be encouraged it will not be used as an excuse for pi$$ poor performances! A new p.a system will be installed and the band will be banned for life (for personal gratification there will be cheerleaders at halftime as well).
Now back to the real world but wouldn’t it be wonderful
Cheers Dublin.
Colley Gate - can I be part of the panel that choose the cheer leaders please, I promise I will put in place better looking dancers then those swamp donkey’s we currently see at the molineux.
Ok Nathan, agree about the swamp donkeys. I occassionally see a lovely lass in SL4 row D but can’t work out seat number (don’t know whether that makes me a stalker) If you’re reading this you’re welcome to join the cheerleaders…. infact, new idea….lads, nominate your missus as a fit wolves fan cheerleader
I think the season is over and Mick will be walking before the Antiques Roadshow is broadcast on Sunday night!
wolves are nice they play nice they dnt look nice but they run about a lot and dnt evr do much nice stuff
in the begining there was god 250 plus goals later we have seb so get behind the lad sadly eastwood will be gone before the clown in charge. Sorry full stop all breath, it’s my first reply so hello all im waffling ok from the top. Right mm really has to go half way through jan changed my opinion of him big time. No tacktickle nowce. Is it me or is elikobe worse player ever at the expence of little. My girl friend works with dan jones nan and he looking for move out of wolves as mm a muppet and has stopped giving the kids a chance good luck sunday i’ll be there be kind with reply’s it’s my first rant and lot on my chest. All breath
54# mea said: Apr 29th, 2008 at 6:21 pm wolves are nice they play nice they dnt look nice but they run about a lot and dnt evr do much nice stuff.
NICE POST..VERY NICELY PUT.
54.mea
Are you Terry Connor in disguise?
I agree with lots of the negative things said about McCarthy and about the disappointing season but this week is about one thing only - giving the team the full support to beat Plymouth on Sunday and then keeping the fingers crossed for Burnley and Blackpool.
What sunday you referring to Emma, as the antiques roadshow isnt due back till the autumn……..and southbank has got his heart set on him going before then me thinks……..
I like Nathan LLoyds blogs, he writes them and stands back.
Well not really, spends have the comments section backing up what he has said. Can’t this muppet get his blog right first time and then indeed stand back?
How much PR does ths dude require? Can we all do a lengthy blog?
quality counts, easy to criticise others, you can always just add your own blog on the page and see how many people enter your debates……but then again, when was the last time you made a sensible, logical point regarding football….ermmm…….let me think…..never!
61. quality counts?
PR? Feel free to write a 1,000 words on your feelings on the Wolves.
Not sure about the Muppet tag, doesn’t really flow with Nathan… how about Nugget?
No Chance, come on Plymouth!
Boing Boing