Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

[Bluemike]

Watching it back that was some leap by Jack Taylor to head home the winner, very impressive.

[Bluemike]

Just watched motd and it’s clear the debacle at the end of the game is caused by Delap trying , and succeeding, to wind up Wolves players. Immature , unprofessional and now we have lost him for our next game. McKenna was pushing him away from the scene, I hope he gets a good talking too, because his mouth is costing us and he needs to rein it in.

I didn't see match of the day but the clips I've seen online it was Burns up close and personal to the guy that lost it, they had been at each other all game.

[Blue Wilf]

I thought we played well for the vast majority of the game and apart from a short spell when it could have gone either way over 90 mins we deserved our win. Yes we conceded a poor goal and were under heavy pressure for a 10 or 15 mins spell particularly immediately after they scored, but you have to expect that especially when you’re playing away against a fellow struggling team. I thought McKenna got his substitutions spot on and no surprise that it was the two Jacks who assisted and scored the winning goal. It was a perfect set piece corner/header which had clearly been practiced many times on the training ground this week to exploit Wolves known weakness defending set pieces. Jack Taylor’s header was Wolves 20th goal conceded from a set piece so far this season. It was also Taylor’s first Premier League goal and he’s now scored in each of the Top 5 Leagues if English football. I wonder how many midfielders have that on their CV.
I really enjoyed that today and Saturday evening has been so much more enjoyable, a complete opposite of last weekend.

I have to say I am delighted that the substitutions worked out but to say it was 'no surprise' is not my view - it was a total surprise to me as those two had never looked like doing that in any previous game! Also, as for McKenna getting his subs spot on, again, he was just doing the same subs he always does. It just so happens that on this occasion, it worked whereas in many others, it hasn't. No great 'messiah moment' for me although I cannot deny it was very welcome and enjoyable!

Part of McKenna’s “modus operandi” has always been making impact substitutions, and from what I’ve gleaned from players comments is that our subs when coming on always have a game plan and clear instructions. From how perfect that corner was delivered and hit into the back of the net by Taylor, for me that was no fluke cross that luckily found Taylor in the right spot.
In my opinion those two players had been told, “if/when we get a corner, it’s training ground PLAN B” …. If that wasn’t the case why didn’t Leif take the corner.

As for Jack Clarke, I don’t know what we’ve done to him because he’s not the player he was last season. I watched every televised Sunderland game last year and the guy was brilliant, every bit as good as Omari and destined to go somewhere in the Premier League. For some reason we’ve not seen that, and if we don’t find it for sure another club will because he’ll be away.

Yes - lets hope we do find Clarkes good days again as so far they are eluding us. There is a player in there for sure but we havn't seen it so far

[Shed on tour]

One thing that was frustrating yesterday was on a couple of occasions we had the opportunity for a quick counter attack if Muric had released the ball quicker. I know that at times game management comes into play, Chappers going down with his customary 1st half injury when we were under a bit of pressure as an example, but if we have a chance for a quick break on the counter then we should take it.

[Shed on tour]

Now showing on premier league website that Delap did receive a yellow card.

[hallamblue]

One thing that was frustrating yesterday was on a couple of occasions we had the opportunity for a quick counter attack if Muric had released the ball quicker. I know that at times game management comes into play, Chappers going down with his customary 1st half injury when we were under a bit of pressure as an example, but if we have a chance for a quick break on the counter then we should take it.

It’s down to his decision making again isn’t it….

[Shed on tour]

One thing that was frustrating yesterday was on a couple of occasions we had the opportunity for a quick counter attack if Muric had released the ball quicker. I know that at times game management comes into play, Chappers going down with his customary 1st half injury when we were under a bit of pressure as an example, but if we have a chance for a quick break on the counter then we should take it.

It’s down to his decision making again isn’t it….

Well I hope it is something our goalkeeping coach will pick up on and mention it to him. Our fans were screaming at him to release it and a couple of our players looked exasperated by it, especially Hutchinson.

[Cabanas Blue]

Wolves looking for a new manager I wonder if Cooper will get the job.

[mendipblue]

We may have just lost the Wolves Manager his Job

They can’t afford to sack him Lucy although where all their money is gone is a mystery having sold £200m of talent in the past 18 months.

O'Neil has been sacked. Must of found some spare change.

[marko69]

I only use the 'Messiah' reference as some on this site (you are one if I am honest), can see absolutely no wrong in anything McKenna does. I think he is great but he is also fallible and at this level, more fallible than ever. I want that to improve. It all worked yesterday and I am delighted it did but it could so easily have gone the other way. Thankfully, it didn't.

I want to see the flaws so blatantly that you guys are seeing and sometimes searching for. But i’m not an attending fan.
Quite a few of my opinions can only be born from what is written on here.
A common one being, “teams have worked us out” ……, I see Hutch last season on 3 occasions (twice in the same game) come inside and left peg it into the top corner. He’s done it once this season.
So i figure, the boss is seeing that as “team working that out” ….. And he’s moved central. Which granted is ineffectual but i’m constantly trying to work out where the man blatantly made a c**t of it like Paul Lambert.

I read your posts Wilf and i double guess myself.
“Have the past couple years been a massive fluke? Has he reached his pinnacle and he is fkn useless in the EPL? What am i missing?”
I don’t do that with Rossi posts as he wanted him emptied in League One after the Bristol Rovers game so pinch of salt with those posts.
You certainly seem more enlightened and I give a fk that I struggle to see what needs criticised more convincingly.

Hands up in admitting from me…….. a lot of my admiration of the boss is not football related. Its a guy who presents himself in a very professional manner and can speak proper English and he isn’t full of sh*t. Like Paul Lambert! Or like a host of managers who are interviewed. I admire the man himself. I’ll admit, that must be subconsciously at play when i rush to his defence.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

By some irony both place names are guilty of exporting to the world two of the most reprehensible "music" acts in history

Oh, I don't know about that. In my book, the most reprehensible music acts in history have been given to the world by the US in the form of (c)Rap "artists"

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

But i’m not an attending fan.
Quite a few of my opinions can only be born from what is written on here.

In which case maybe you should think twice before castigating the opinions of certain posters who go to games regularly but whose opinions you do not agree with.

I don’t do that with Rossi posts as he wanted him emptied in League One after the Bristol Rovers game so pinch of salt with those posts.
You certainly seem more enlightened and I give a fk that I struggle to see what needs criticised more convincingly.

pathetic

[marko69]

Show me where i castigate others opinions.
Offering a counter opinion to other opinions is not castigating.
I want to understand the “displeasure” better.

I know you hate the references to the SPL, cannot fault that, it is infinitely poorer than EPL, (even Championship) ….. but after the Jack Ross debacle, I worry about unnecessary pressure on a manager.
I watch every one of the Messiahs pressers and find myself looking for Lambertesque-ness……. But its not there. I’m trying my utmost to get onboard with “He’s not the Messiah” clan!

[mendipblue]

By some irony both place names are guilty of exporting to the world two of the most reprehensible "music" acts in history

Oh, I don't know about that. In my book, the most reprehensible music acts in history have been given to the world by the US in the form of (c)Rap "artists"

Rap rhymes with crap so yes I agree

[JohnnyB]

Show me where i castigate others opinions.
Offering a counter opinion to other opinions is not castigating.
I want to understand the “displeasure” better.

I know you hate the references to the SPL, cannot fault that, it is infinitely poorer than EPL, (even Championship) ….. but after the Jack Ross debacle, I worry about unnecessary pressure on a manager.
I watch every one of the Messiahs pressers and find myself looking for Lambertesque-ness……. But its not there. I’m trying my utmost to get onboard with “He’s not the Messiah” clan!

For what it's worth, I agree with you Marko. Gamechanger, Ashton and Mckenna are obviously the best thing to happen to the club since Burley, at least. McKenna may not be the messiah but the above three have together raised our club from league one obscurity to competing in the PL, and that's a near miraculous feat. Given his record, Mckenna has certainly earned the right to respect for his decisions. Peeps might disagree but well they're not young managers with back to back promotions on their cv

[Bluemike]

Show me where i castigate others opinions.
Offering a counter opinion to other opinions is not castigating.
I want to understand the “displeasure” better.

I know you hate the references to the SPL, cannot fault that, it is infinitely poorer than EPL, (even Championship) ….. but after the Jack Ross debacle, I worry about unnecessary pressure on a manager.
I watch every one of the Messiahs pressers and find myself looking for Lambertesque-ness……. But its not there. I’m trying my utmost to get onboard with “He’s not the Messiah” clan!

I don't think it's a clan Marko, some just see things a little differently and I for one think that's acceptable and healthy. I've definitely had issues with game management and certain times which has most definitely cost us points, I also don't like how Hutchinson has been deployed at times and how Szmodics is in and out of the team, I think you've even agreed with that ? The rigidness of substitutions sometimes baffles me too but while these are irritating to me I certainly don't see them as reasons to get rid, as long as we actually learn from them and adapt accordingly. KM was close to a messiah for Two seasons, if he keeps us up he'll almost certainly be one for sure, there's just a little bit of me that thinks through the learning curve we are going through he's made it a little bit harder for himself.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Show me where i castigate others opinions.

Oh, I don't need to dig anything up, there have been numerous examples since you started posting again......

"Jaysus H, what the Fk are you saying man", etc etc. Arguing the toss - sometimes quite vehemently and rudely (hence the castigation tag). And telling the board that my opinions on KM are worth nothing because a couple of years ago I wanted shot of him - that's castigation of the highest level.

[ashfordblue]

Change of subject ?? as we won't have Delap next week can I suggest that KM plays Harry Clarke to lead the line rather than Szmodics, Clarke is always leaving his RB space vacant by charging upfield and leaving a space for the opposition winger to cause panic in our defence as per Wolves goal yesterday, how many times has Harry done this ??. So as he wants to play up top now is his chance and we could be quietly surprised by how well he could do, he's very robust and quick and strong similar to Liam, also he wouldn't be the first full-back to make a good striker, my mate Malcolm Mcdonald used to play full-back when he was a teenager at Tonbridge FC in the Southern League under manager Harry Haslam and he was bloody quick with his little bow legs couldn't stop a pig in a passage so if KM got any nuse about him give it a whirl he just might pull off a shock for Newcastle's defence. any other thoughts

[Charnwood]

We may have just lost the Wolves Manager his Job

They can’t afford to sack him Lucy although where all their money is gone is a mystery having sold £200m of talent in the past 18 months.

O'Neil has been sacked. Must of found some spare change.

I don’t think they had much choice after his post match interview when he completely distanced himself himself from his team. I guess it just means even less money for any new manager to use in January.

[Blue Wilf]

Show me where i castigate others opinions.
Offering a counter opinion to other opinions is not castigating.
I want to understand the “displeasure” better.

I know you hate the references to the SPL, cannot fault that, it is infinitely poorer than EPL, (even Championship) ….. but after the Jack Ross debacle, I worry about unnecessary pressure on a manager.
I watch every one of the Messiahs pressers and find myself looking for Lambertesque-ness……. But its not there. I’m trying my utmost to get onboard with “He’s not the Messiah” clan!

For what it's worth, I agree with you Marko. Gamechanger, Ashton and Mckenna are obviously the best thing to happen to the club since Burley, at least. McKenna may not be the messiah but the above three have together raised our club from league one obscurity to competing in the PL, and that's a near miraculous feat. Given his record, Mckenna has certainly earned the right to respect for his decisions. Peeps might disagree but well they're not young managers with back to back promotions on their cv

I don't know what I have to do to get my point across on this, Johnny - maybe I should try the medium of dance or song?

I think McKenna is great and the management we have are indeed the best we have had for years - maybe even ever! However, McKenna is fallible and he has been found wanting several times this season - thats all I am saying and have ever said. We all used to criticise managers for 'not having a plan b' - well in my view, McKenna doesn't have one but still most think he can do no wrong! Everyone has to adapt and KM is no different. I want us to be the best we can be and right now, we are doing well but have dropped so many potential points which could see us all but down before the end of January. Some of those have been avoidable.

If we get 5 points from the next 5 games, we will have done extremely well. However, by then we may be adrift from the pack and THAT is why I am critical of what has gone on in recent weeks.

[marko69]

I think your point is fully understood, Wilf, it truly is. (No singing or dancing please! ….. unless of course you do a great “Whats New, Pussycat”……, then let’s hear it!)

Your quote: “Everyone has to adapt and KM is no different.”

100% onboard.

And here’s the but

1. He adapted latter season 22/23 and won promotion from League One. (After many wobbles)

2. He adapted latter season 23/24 and won promotion from the Championship. (After many wobbles)

He’s not even halfway through a job with a window to follow. After two seasons of seeing the job through with criticism attached, ——>> maybe having faith that he’ll adapt again will help enjoying the season a tad more.

[Blue Wilf]

I think your point is fully understood, Wilf, it truly is. (No singing or dancing please! ….. unless of course you do a great “Whats New, Pussycat”……, then let’s hear it!)

Your quote: “Everyone has to adapt and KM is no different.”

100% onboard.

And here’s the but

1. He adapted latter season 22/23 and won promotion from League One. (After many wobbles)

2. He adapted latter season 23/24 and won promotion from the Championship. (After many wobbles)

He’s not even halfway through a job with a window to follow. After two seasons of seeing the job through with criticism attached, ——>> maybe having faith that he’ll adapt again will help enjoying the season a tad more.

Heres hoping but let me answer in 5 games time please...

[Charnwood]

I think your point is fully understood, Wilf, it truly is. (No singing or dancing please! ….. unless of course you do a great “Whats New, Pussycat”……, then let’s hear it!)

Your quote: “Everyone has to adapt and KM is no different.”

100% onboard.

And here’s the but

1. He adapted latter season 22/23 and won promotion from League One. (After many wobbles)

2. He adapted latter season 23/24 and won promotion from the Championship. (After many wobbles)

He’s not even halfway through a job with a window to follow. After two seasons of seeing the job through with criticism attached, ——>> maybe having faith that he’ll adapt again will help enjoying the season a tad more.

Heres hoping but let me answer in 5 games time please...

I don’t think we’ll know how good a job he’s done this season until next May. 17th will be fantastic, 18th will be disappointing, just like playing golf the margins are very fine.

[marko69]

I think your point is fully understood, Wilf, it truly is. (No singing or dancing please! ….. unless of course you do a great “Whats New, Pussycat”……, then let’s hear it!)

Your quote: “Everyone has to adapt and KM is no different.”

100% onboard.

And here’s the but

1. He adapted latter season 22/23 and won promotion from League One. (After many wobbles)

2. He adapted latter season 23/24 and won promotion from the Championship. (After many wobbles)

He’s not even halfway through a job with a window to follow. After two seasons of seeing the job through with criticism attached, ——>> maybe having faith that he’ll adapt again will help enjoying the season a tad more.

Heres hoping but let me answer in 5 games time please...

I don’t think we’ll know how good a job he’s done this season until next May. 17th will be fantastic, 18th will be disappointing, just like playing golf the margins are very fine.

Very true Charnwood. And the difference between 17th & 18th possibly could land @ McKennas door…….. or maybe Kamikaze Muric’s door if he continues to be a liability.

————-

On that subject and on topic. He looked a flapping nightmare in that game yesterday in the brief MOTD highlights. Thank goodness the Wolves shooting was shocking.

[hallamblue]

The impression I'm getting of Muric is that he panics when the opposition break through our defence. Exactly the point where you want a cool head.

Would anyone on here refer or consider Muric as a " young player"? He's 26yrs old.

[Bluemike]

I just don't think he's very good, end of, and never has been.

[Ricco]

The impression I'm getting of Muric is that he panics when the opposition break through our defence. Exactly the point where you want a cool head.

Would anyone on here refer or consider Muric as a " young player"? He's 26yrs old.

I would. 26 is young for a keeper , especially one who is so inexperienced and has been handed a monumental challenge. Not defending him, but I'd bloody panic too.

It took a lot of courage to come for the ball in the last match... he cocked up big time by not judging it right, but it would have been very easy to just 'hide', stay on his line and probably concede conventionally. That can happen to players when they get criticised, so I'll give him that much for sure, he tried to do the right thing and would have been applauded had he judged it right, we all wish he was a better judge, himself included.

[Bluemike]

Ricco, as a keeper an honest question here, do you rate him much? Would you rather we had someone else or can you see promise in him ?

[mugen1]

Change of subject ?? as we won't have Delap next week can I suggest that KM plays Harry Clarke to lead the line rather than Szmodics, Clarke is always leaving his RB space vacant by charging upfield and leaving a space for the opposition winger to cause panic in our defence as per Wolves goal yesterday, how many times has Harry done this ??. So as he wants to play up top now is his chance and we could be quietly surprised by how well he could do, he's very robust and quick and strong similar to Liam, also he wouldn't be the first full-back to make a good striker, my mate Malcolm Mcdonald used to play full-back when he was a teenager at Tonbridge FC in the Southern League under manager Harry Haslam and he was bloody quick with his little bow legs couldn't stop a pig in a passage so if KM got any nuse about him give it a whirl he just might pull off a shock for Newcastle's defence. any other thoughts

Richard Naylor?

[mugen1]

I just don't think he's very good, end of, and never has been.

With you. He receives a the ball from one of ours and just stands there. What the hell is he waiting for? Launch an attack man