Wolverhampton Wanderers V Ipswich Town 
Saturday 2nd April 2016 – 15:00
Molineux
Opening Thought - Jamma
Following the débâcle against Rotherham last time out, it was refreshing to watch a team playing with creativity and attacking verve over the Easter weekend. Unfortunately, it was England, and not Ipswich Town, who were responsible for this easy-on-the-eye performance, as the Three Lions came back from 2-0 down to claim a thoroughly impressive win against the world champions. Town, on the other hand, had produced a one-paced display the previous weekend, of the kind with which the national side had become synonymous in recent years. Eyebrows had been raised when Mick McCarthy named the defensively-minded Cole Skuse, Luke Hyam and Jonathan Douglas in midfield against the lowly – albeit in-form – Millers. But, irrespective of any misgivings over the line-up, surely no Town fan could have been prepared for such an uninspiring showing. The lack of invention in the middle, paired with a dearth of creativity all over the pitch, translated into a 90 minutes low on quality and almost completely devoid of entertainment. As disappointed as I had been at the realisation that there would be no league football over the Easter weekend, I was soon re-evaluating things and – it pains me to say it – deciding that I was actually thankful that my bank holiday weekend would not involve a return trip to Portman Road. The nature of the performance will have been comprehensively digested and, with any luck, got out of our system by the time the international break is over. Although the team would have much preferred to get back out onto the pitch to make amends, it may have done them some good to take a step back from things ahead of the final run-in. Whether complacency had crept in, or we can just put it down to a bad day at the office, management and players can have been left in no doubt that we can afford no more slip-ups like that over the remaining eight games of the season
It's coming up for a year since we last travelled to Molineux, but the landscape has changed quite a bit over the intervening 12 months. While both Ipswich and Wolves were seen by most as surprise challengers for the top six last season, the two teams have flattered to deceive in 2015/16. We’re all well aware of how Town have failed to build on our best campaign in a decade. But Saturday’s opponents will have had their own heightened expectations after a successful first season back in the Championship, in which they only missed out on the play-offs on goal difference from ourselves. The Old Gold may have had their reasons for their ‘Second Season Syndrome’ – not least the absence of a strikeforce which scored 43 goals between them last year – but they have endured a frustrating time this term, with Kenny Jackett, like Mick McCarthy, not exempt from criticism. A point was seen as a good result from this fixture last season but we could really do with all three this time around. It’s tempting to suggest that, having slipped up against Rotherham, victory against Wolves is imperative. On paper at least, this is the most winnable of our remaining away matches, with trips to Hillsborough, the Riverside and Pride Park still to come. From the four return fixtures, the Blues claimed just 4 points, compared to the 10 accrued against the sides yet to visit Portman Road. With the games fast running out, Mick will be keen to continue his good record against his former club.
The Opposition Wolverhampton Wanderers
The club was founded in 1877 as St. Luke's and later merged with local cricket and football club The Wanderers to form Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 1879.
Having become professional, the club were nominated to become one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888. They ended the inaugural season in third place, as well as reaching their first FA Cup final, losing to Preston North End. At the conclusion of the campaign, the club relocated to the Molineux.
Wolves lifted the FA Cup for the first time in 1893 and added a second triumph in 1908, two years after having dropped into the Second Division.
After struggling for many years to regain their place in the top division, the club suffered a further relegation in 1923, entering the Third Division (North), which they won at the first attempt.
Eight years later, Wolves regained their top-flight status after winning the Second Division title under Major Frank Buckley. With Buckley at the helm, the team became established as one of the leading club sides in England in the years leading up to the Second World War, as they finished runners-up in the league twice in succession, as well as reaching the last pre-war FA Cup final, in which they suffered a shock defeat to Portsmouth.
When league football resumed, Wolves suffered yet another final day failure in the First Division. Just as in 1938, victory in their last match would have won the title but a 1–2 loss to title rivals Liverpool gave them the championship instead.
In 1949, Stan Cullis's first season in charge, he led Wolves to a first major honour in 41 years as they beat Leicester to lift the FA Cup and, a year later, only goal average prevented Wolves from winning the league title.
The 1950s were by far the most successful period in the club's history. Wolves finally claimed the league championship for the first time in 1953–54. Two further titles were soon won in successive years (1957–58 and 1958–59), as Wolves cemented their position as the premier team in English football.
Although the decade opened with a fourth FA Cup victory and almost the first double of the twentieth century, the 1960s saw Wolves begin to decline. Cullis was sacked in September 1964 in a season that ended with relegation and the club's first spell outside the top division in more than thirty years. This exile would last only two seasons, though, as they were promoted in 1967 as runners-up.
The club's return to the English top flight heralded another period of relative success under Bill McGarry, with a fourth place in 1971 qualifying them for the newly-created UEFA Cup, in which they reached the final, losing to Tottenham on aggregate.
They lifted silverware, though, two years later, when they won the League Cup for the first time by beating Manchester City in the final. Despite relegation again in 1976, Wolves bounced back at the first attempt as Second Division champions and, under manager John Barnwell, the turn of the decade saw them finish in the top six and win the 1980 League Cup.
The multi-million-pound rebuilding of the Molineux Street Stand in 1979 was to be the catalyst for the club's near financial ruin during the following decade, as difficulties in repaying the loans taken out to fund it led to receivership and relegation in 1982. The club was "saved" from liquidation at the last minute when it was purchased by a consortium fronted by former player Derek Dougan. Initially, this takeover, financed by two Saudi brothers, Mahmud and Mohammad Bhatti of the company Allied Properties, brought immediate promotion back to the First Division under manager Graham Hawkins, but the Bhattis' failure to sufficiently invest in the club soon saw things unravel as the team suffered three consecutive relegations under different managers through the football divisions, as well as the almost constant threat of the club being wound up.
In 1986, with the club again in receivership, a deal saw Wolverhampton City Council purchase the club's stadium and surrounding land, while a local developer paid off the club's outstanding debts in return for planning permission to develop the land adjacent to the stadium. The new season saw Wolves' first ever campaign in the Fourth Division. The team reached the final of the inaugural play-offs but were denied promotion by Aldershot. However, the final two seasons of the decade saw the team achieve both the Fourth and Third Division championship, and also win the Football League Trophy at Wembley in 1988.
Lifelong fan Sir Jack Hayward purchased the club in 1990 and immediately funded the extensive redevelopment of the by now dilapidated Molineux into a modern all-seater stadium. With work completed in 1993, Hayward turned his investment into the club’s playing side in an attempt to win promotion to the newly-formed Premier League. Yet, despite this substantial spending, neither Graham Taylor nor Mark McGhee could fulfil this, both leading the team to play-off defeats at the semi-final stage (in 1995 and 1997 respectively).
It was not until 2003 that Wolves were promoted, when they defeated Sheffield United in the play-off final under Dave Jones to end a nineteen-year absence from the top level. Their stay proved short-lived, though, as they were immediately relegated back to the newly-retitled Championship.
After former England manager Glenn Hoddle failed to bring a swift return, the rebuilding of the squad by Mick McCarthy rejuvenated the club with an unexpected play-off finish. The club was bought by Steve Morgan in 2007, and two years later it returned to the Premier League as Championship champions. Wolves successfully battled relegation for two seasons before 2011–12 saw McCarthy's dismissal precipitate the drop under his assistant Terry Connor.
Following relegation, Norwegian Ståle Solbakken became the club's first overseas manager but his reign lasted only six months before a poor run of results saw him replaced by Dean Saunders in January 2013. Saunders failed to bring any upturn, culminating in both relegation to League One and his own dismissal.
Following this, Kenny Jackett was appointed in May 2013 in the retitled position of Head Coach, and led the team back to the Championship in his first season, setting a new club record points total of 103 in winning League One.
Last season, Wolves almost made it to the play-offs, finishing on the same number of points as Town (78 points) but one place behind us in 7th due to goal difference.
One To Watch – George Saville
Wolves have struggled to make the same impact on the Championship this season, with a number of their most successful players from 2014/15 not available for one reason or another. One of those tasked with filling the boots of the free-scoring Bakary Sako, Benik Afobe and currently injured Nouha Dicko has been George Saville.
Another Championship player who came through the Chelsea academy, Saville switched Stamford Bridge for Molineux in August 2014, joining ahead of Wolves’ return to the second tier. Rather like Patrick Bamford, the striker had impressed in West London, with his performances for the U18s and reserves earning him a three-and-a-half-year contract. But, also like Bamford, Saville had seen his path to the First Team blocked, and left the Blues without making a senior appearance. His search for regular football took him to Millwall and then Brentford, and he was a part of the Bees team that won promotion to the Championship in 2013/14. Even on moving to the Midlands, the 22-year-old still found it difficult to hold down a place in the side, and took in further loan spells with Bristol City and, earlier this campaign, Millwall again. But Saville looks to have capitalised on Wolves’ injury problems, with a run in the side which has produced 13 appearances. Predominantly a midfielder, he is capable of playing in a number of positions across the front, and also has an eye for a goal, as proved by his recent matchwinning brace against Derby.
The Gaffer – Kenny Jackett
The son of a professional footballer, Jackett joined his local club Watford at the age of 12, progressing to make his First Team debut, aged 18, on 26 April 1980 as a substitute in a game at Sunderland.
He became a regular member of the Watford side that won promotion to the First Division and finished runners-up in the league in the early 1980s under manager Graham Taylor. In addition, he played in the club's only appearance in an FA Cup final, when they lost to Everton in 1984. These successes also led to Jackett appearing in the subsequent UEFA Cup campaign.
However, having undergone a series of knee operations, he was forced to prematurely end his playing career in 1990, aged 28. In total, he made 428 appearances for the Hornets, scoring 34 goals, placing him sixth in the club's all-time appearance records.
Jackett made his international debut for Wales on 22 September 1982 and won 31 full caps in total.
Upon his playing retirement, Jackett remained at Vicarage Road and, having already undertaken many qualifications, became a member of the club's coaching staff.
In February 1996, he and fellow long-term Watford player Luther Blissett were selected by the returning Graham Taylor to run the First Team, while Taylor served as General Manager. At the conclusion of this campaign, Jackett was appointed as the club's manager, with Taylor then becoming Director of Football.
Watford had just been relegated to the third tier and, although Jackett oversaw a long unbeaten stretch of results, the team were unable to mount a serious promotion challenge, finishing in 13th place – Watford's lowest position in the league structure since the 1970s. During the close season, he was demoted to the position of First Team coach, with Taylor once again becoming manager.
Jackett assisted Taylor in getting Watford promoted in two successive seasons, as well as being part of the coaching staff during their 1999–2000 Premier League season, which ended in relegation.
When Taylor left Watford at the end of the 2000–01 Division One season, Jackett was released on the instruction of incoming manager Gianluca Vialli.
Following his exit from Watford, he joined Ian Holloway at Queens Park Rangers as assistant manager and contributed towards their Division Two promotion campaign.
After three years as an assistant, Jackett left QPR to replace Brian Flynn as manager of Third Division side Swansea City in April 2004. In his first full season in charge, the team were promoted from League Two, finishing in third place, and also lifted the FAW Premier Cup. As a result of these successes, he received a two-year contract extension.
The following season in League One, they finished in sixth place, entering the play-offs. The team reached the final and a potential return to the second tier after a 22-year absence but lost on penalties against Barnsley. Jackett did, however, win silverware for a second consecutive season as the Swans both won the Football League Trophy and defended the FAW Premier Cup. During the close season, he completed his UEFA Pro Licence in coaching.
The following season saw the team struggle for consistency and, despite initially insisting that he was the right candidate to take the club forward, he surprised his chairman by resigning on 15 February 2007.
Following his exit from Swansea, Jackett was soon appointed reserve team manager of Manchester City, on 7 March 2007. Later in the year, on 6 November 2007, he left the Premier League club to take up the vacant manager’s position at Millwall.
After a 17th place finish in the 2007–08 season, Jackett led the team to the play-offs in his first full campaign with the Lions, losing in the play-off final to Scunthorpe.
In the following season, Jackett once again led Millwall to the play-off final, where this time a solitary goal against Swindon Town was enough to return the club to the Championship.
In their first season back in the Championship, Jackett led Millwall to a ninth-place finish. During 2011–12, though, Millwall struggled for most of the season, remaining close to the relegation zone until a strong finish to the season won Jackett the Championship Manager of the Month award for April 2012, and ensured their survival.
Jackett once again led Millwall to Wembley in the 2012–13 season, when the team reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, losing to eventual winners Wigan Athletic. Although the team had occupied a play-off place around Christmas, they suffered a late season slump and only confirmed their Championship status on the final day of the season, finishing in 20th place. Three days after the season concluded, Jackett resigned, the Millwall board accepting his decision "with reluctance".
On 31 May 2013, Jackett was announced as the new head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers, following the sacking of Dean Saunders. The team went on to record a run of victories which earned Jackett a nomination as the August League One Manager of the Month and brought the club their best ever start to a league campaign. Jackett was again nominated for the Manager of the Month award in October.
Under Jackett’s command, Wolves gained promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt as League One champions and set a new divisional points record by reaching 103 points. At the conclusion of the season, he was announced as joint winner of the LMA Awards Manager of the Year for League One, having earlier won the monthly award for March 2014.
Past Match - Video Highlights - Trev
The two sides shared four goals when they met at Portman Road earlier in the season, with Town twice taking the lead:
Trev's Trivia
Players to play for both clubs
Frank Nouble ITFC 2013 WWFC 2012- 2013
Christophe Berra ITFC 2013-present WWFC 2009-2013
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake ITFC 2013-2014 WWFC 2008-2013
Media Watch - K L Blue
Kevin Bru's injury:
http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/kevi ... 33078.aspx
Alex Henshall Joins Premier League outfit:
http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/29361/
Steve Foley on recruitment from the lower leagues:
http://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-town ... _1_4475431
Andre Dozzell:
http://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-town ... _1_4475348
Town's run-in:
http://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-town ... _1_4475206
Stat Time
Head To Head
Wolves Wins...........25 (34.25%)
Ipswich Wins...........28 (38.36%)
Draws...................20 (27.40%)
Wolves Goals...........85 (ave. 1.16 per match)
Ipswich Goals..........96 (ave. 1.32 per match)
Head To Head at Wolverhampton
Wolves Wins............15 (41.67%)
Ipswich Wins............6 (16.67%)
Draws....................15 (41.67%)
Wolves Goals..........44 (ave. 1.22 per match)
Ipswich Goals..........32 (ave. 0.89 per match)
The Predicted Teams
Wolves
The inconsistent Wolves are coming off the back of a decent month, with a 2-1 defeat at the Riverside the only blip in a run of games which has included a win against Derby and draws against Birmingham and Burnley. Kenny Jackett has struggled to name his best team this season, though, as his squad has been decimated by injuries. There may be further changes from the side that came away with a creditable point from Turf Moor.
1 Carl Ikeme
18 Dominic Iorfa
2 Matt Doherty
6 Danny Batth
3 Jeremy Helan
16 Conor Coady
11 Kevin McDonald
25 Nathan Byrne
19 Jack Price
8 George Saville
22 Bjorn Sigurdarson
Ipswich Town
There will be more than the usual level of interest surrounding Mick McCarthy’s team selection when it is announced at 2.00pm on Saturday, particularly in the midfield area. Daryl Murphy and Kevin Bru are doubts after picking up knocks while on international duty.
33 Bartosz Bialkowski
4 Luke Chambers
5 Tommy Smith
6 Christophe Berra
3 Jonas Knudsen
12 Liam Feeney
19 Luke Hyam
8 Cole Skuse
15 Ben Pringle
20 Freddie Sears
11 Brett Pitman
Marko’s Caption Competition
Scores from last two captions as follows.
Cardiff
Quasar 5pts
Nicscreamer 4pts
Frosty 3pts
Blueblood 2pts (Delilah pic)
Rotherham
Ando 5pts
Number 9 4pts
Blueblood 3pts
Frosty 2 puts
LEAGUE TABLE
Ando 74
DerickIpsw 73
Frosty 64
Blueblood 64
Barmy Billy 57
Nicscreamer 55
Number 9 48
James Scharmann 45
Herforder 36
Quasar 33
IpswichtownNO1 26
Shed on Tour 25
Bluemike 19
Watership Down 18
Ashfordblue 17
Floors 16
Hallamblue 12
Tangfastic 11
Charnwood 10
Kerry Blue 9
Longjohn 9
Foxy Lady 8
Loudnproud 6
Ohiotractorboy 3
Karlywoo 1
This week:
Match Referee – Rob Lewis
Final Thought - Frosty
Well once again the Millers proved to be right little party poopers so it’s off to visit the Wolves for us.
Tricky fixture this one – winnable, but I think the draw a more likely outcome against the team that is currently 10 points behind us on the table in 12th place. Recent clashes would appear to back that up, with 4 draws and two wins apiece each over the preceding 8 meetings between the two sides.
Wolves are playing classic mid-table football at the moment with 8 points gained from the 15 available over their past 5 fixtures. However, 7 of those points came from their last three home outings.
The counter argument to the above is that MM and the side has shown a bit of a tendency this season to come up with an unexpected 3 points on a regular basis, which of course totally negates any logic to my analysis, regardless if Murphy is available or not.
Although the Brighton v Burnley fixture is the pick of the round this week, three other fixtures may have more of a bearing as the season enters the home straight. Cardiff at home to Derby is probably the key one but equally important is desperate Charlton to hopefully upset the Brum and finally if the Terriers can see off the Owls that would be equally favourable to us.
If you are off to Wolverhampton on Saturday, have a safe trip and ideally bring the bacon home safely.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1 IPSWICH TOWN 1
I think he should have had Pringle and Bru in for Douglas & Maitland Niles BB, with that possible midfield line up below from B&G It looks too flat, so lets hope he changes to the one we have all been ranting on about, Feeney & Pringle is a must start, with that I will go for a win, but if he sticks with Douglas & Maitland Niles, we will lose,
