Nuno Espirito Santo faces the challenge of motivating his team for their third match in eight days following the restart of the season, although as this is the 51st games of Wolves season they may already be used to it!!
In the only Premier League game taking place today Wolves make the short trip to Midlands rivals Aston Villa for an important game for both teams. The FA Cup Quarter Final has limited the availability of teams to play PL games this weekend, so Wolves have the chance to move above Man United, whilst Villa seek to climb out of the bottom three in the League. Wolves fans will be hoping that the Adama and Raul partnership will continue to be as productive as in the last two games, especially against former Wolves centre back Kortney Hause!!
The game is the early kick-off match at 12:30pm and will be screened on BT Sport 1. Those of us without that channel will have to seek out other options.
Our referee will be Craig Pawson, who also controlled the Spurs v Man Utd game on Monday
This board will endeavour to provide regular updates on the progress of the game for the benefit of those unable to watch it, and board members are encouraged to post their own observations
So Nuno returns to the starting line-up against West Ham for today's game with Donk returning to the starting Xl and Adama and Neto starting on the bench ready for a starring role in the second half. The subs bench is unchanged:
Afternoon Ivy. I trust you are using the same source as we today, which at least means we’ll have an English speaking commentary rather than Wednesday’s Portuguese, but also sounds like we’ll have the background sound.
Should be a good match with Both teams having a lot to play for
Free kick to Villa headed wide by Hause. Raul offside after a super ball from Boly. Targett down again & likely to be replaced by Taylor. Strangely their keeper had to go off early in the reverse game!
Another free kick to Villa hit too hard by Grealish. Good run by him into area then makes good progress for a corner, again headed wide by Hause. Swift break by Jota but outnumbered
I don’t know what’s up with this site this week. Every time I go to post it’s on hold for a while before it accepts and posts or I have to press it twice. Same happened v Bournemouth.
Free kick for us in a very good position. Taken by Mout, great near post header from Jiminez but straight at the keeper!
Once again Wolves are very solid in defence. I have to note how well Saiss has been playing since his extended role in the team. He is very reliable - even if he does average a card each game!!
Afternoon BW. Matt Doherty gets a fortunate rebound to maintain possession into the area then smashes the ball into side netting. Stop for drinks now. Fairly even game so far with probably equal possession and more attempts by Villa but lacking accuracy
Bit of a wobble in defence by CC but Boly is there to clear up. Grealish downed by Jonny but overhits free kick again. Another superb forward ball from CC finds Donk but cleared for a corner. Ends with a Boly foul on Davies
Nolan’s totally cocks up his throw and Jota inexplicably smashes it over the bar rather than place it In the corner. Don’t think Diogo can have realised the options he had. Villa stopped by Jonny at the other end. Looks like we’re going to rely on Adama after the break again!! Four added minutes due to Targett’s injury
Half time and it is goalless. Generally an evenly matched game, although Wolves have had periods of excellent precise passing and possession in the Villa half, but no final balls or threat. Villa have huffed and puffed but only brought one save out of Rui. Jota should definitely have given us the lead after a dreadful throw by Nyland but he had a sudden rush of blood to the head. Villa are playing for free kicks persistently but otherwise don’t offer a lot. Look out for our substitutes making an early appearance in second half!!
Grew into the match nicely, yet again the better side and yet again nothing to show for it at half time. Actually, if you want a bet, bet 0-0 in any match, you won’t go far wrong, its the story of Project Restart.
Here we go again then, instead of being 1-0 up, we are going to have to rely on some finishing (hopefully) in the second half. I’m not feeling too dismayed, we have every chance, just frustrated with Diogo messing it up. I’d be so happy if he scored.
Solid and workman like first half from Wolves. Need a bit more creativity up front as the Villa defence don’t look confident when we are running at them and I can see them being red carded before the match is over.
Jota ********.
Seemed like we pressed more as the half progressed so more of the same in the second half please with the eventual introduction of Adama to add some extra panic to the defenders.
Let’s just hope Villa don’t steal a goal and make things more difficult than they should be.
Adama ready to join the fray., replacing Jota. He links up with Raul, Jonny & Donk and Donk puts it into bottom corner with a smart strong left footed shot.
Villa 0 Wolves 1
Adama earns a corner which Donk puts just wide off his knee. Just seeing the goal again which was started by wonder play by Jonny, and an equally superb pass into the box from Raul. Just need Raul to convert from an Adama cross now to maintain our post lockdown standards!!
Some erratic passing creeping into our game, but good tackling also. Adama caught offside after a good pass from Raul. I think Neto & Podence may join soon Ivy. Good pass by Adama to epset up a snap shot hpby Donk blocked by Mings
Great win ....... again not on top form but playing to a plan and playing it very well.
Nuno has it sorted lovely, this is a really nice little run, shame nobody is there to see it.
Really organised at the back and we keep getting the win. The margins have been tight in all three matches but we were definitely the better side in all 3.
Pressure back on Manchester United and Chelsea ...... quite something to be saying that.
Good performance all round and the Donk quite rightly mom, covered so much ground over 90 minutes.
Three more points and bags of confidence going into the next match.
Is that something like 7 clean sheets in the last 8?
Some of the passing a bit slack today I thought but if that's all there is to complain about (not that I'm complaining) things are looking good.
Dendonker and Jonny were great and not just for the goal.
Really well organized especially in defence.
If we get much higher I'll be getting a nose bleed.
Fantastic. Keep it up lads.
Billericay Wolf Well done Wolves and thanks for your commentary Cheshire. 9 points out of 9 !!
My pleasure BW hope it helped. After a trouble free first half the stream started playing up later on, especially during AT. If you haven't seen the goal make sure you do - it was a perfect example of teamwork at it's best with good play from all involved
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