Let battle commence

By Ivybridge Wolf
January 28 2024

West Bromwich Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Black Country Derby at the Hawthorns, FA Cup 4th Round, Sunday 28th January 2024. What a prospect of a cup tie that became a reality after a good Wolves 3rd round replay win v Brentford. In fact, with all the anticipation and expectation, a mouthwatering fixture all round!! What a shame about the mad kick off time. The extra spice for me personally was that my family were split, Dads side Wolves through and through, Moms the same but for The Baggies … in fact my Great Uncle was on the books at the Hawthorns …. though that was a long, long time ago!

First to the stats. They aye great. As all Wolves fans will be acutely aware, the last 20 plus years have been painful and pretty barren with only a few Wolves wins to celebrate. Indeed, our last win at the Hawthorns was in September 1996 when Iwan Roberts, the Welsh toothless wonder, hit a famous hat trick. Remember that one? Bully got the other. Enjoy it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgNhlDt7N6U . But that’s over 27 years ago …… time for a change for a return to better times I should think!

This is the first Black Country Derby since May 2021, a 1-1 draw at the Albion in the Premier League – the season they went down. In terms of other recent meetings, there aren’t that many. The two premier league matches in 20/21 (D1 L1) were behind COVID closed doors, then back to 11/12 (L2 including the disastrous 1-5), 10/11 (W1 D1, our last win 3-1 when I had a North Bank ST), before that in the championship in 07/08 (D1 L1) and back again to 06/07 when we played them five times (W1 L4) , two miserable playoff semi-final defeats and the infamous Molineux South Bank Jez Moxey ‘Pie and a Pint’ 0-3 defeat in the FA cup.

Overall stats in this fixture? Say them quietly, Wolves: W53 D44 L65. We have some catching up, let’s start today.

And so, with the 4 year gap, the FA Cup brings us together again, the only Wolves players who are still on the books from the last encounter being Kilman, Ait-Nouri and Semedo. Today might come too soon for Ait-Nouri after Algeria’s ACON exit. Gary O’Neil has indicated a strong approach to this match … as we would all expect. Albion are certainly no push overs and at home, they are a tough act this season (played 14 W9 D3 L2), exactly the form which has advanced them to 5^th in the Championship. A Wolves win on national TV would be wonderful, of course, though if it ended a replay, bear in mind the Baggies have lost 7 of their away matches, winning just 4. A draw won’t be a disaster.

As for the team, I would not be surprised to see the same line up as versus Brighton from last Monday night. Relative squad alternatives are a bit light at the moment though, aren’t they? The central back three pick themselves, Dawson continues to be outstanding and overall provides the fulcrum to our defence. Semedo had a good night at the Amex, two great interventions. Doc was quieter, didn’t really get forward much, but I felt was solid at the back. Might Hugo Bueno be considered? Lemina and Doyle are proving a good combination, Cunha and Neto will surely keep their places and the last place will likely be Sarabia again …. Maybe Bellegarde? The key question is, can we finish the chances that we will create? Naturally we have scored much more freely this season, nevertheless the point at Brighton could and probably should have been 3 with a finishing display more reminiscent of previous seasons!

All that aside, we should feel confident going into this match. We are showing good form and with the pace of Neto and Cuhna we certainly have the potential to inflict fear and harm to the Albion defence. In short, we have the superior side, let’s all hope the superiority plays out on the pitch and not just on paper …. Albion will be up for the fight. And when we get the chances, we need to be clinical. Frankly I don’t care how they go in, just get it in the net!! Who could forget the Rob Hindmarch (RIP) equaliser in 1990? The most beautiful, joyous, exhilarating, scrappy, horrible finish bouncing off his ample backside. I was there. They all count.

So calm the nervous, grab a drink and soak up the spectacle. Enjoy the match to the best of your ability and pray for a Wolves win, I think we can do it. Let’s get it done today. Feel free to leave your match comments in this thread, you might even get to sing to The Liquidator pre match too!

Albion v Wolves in the cup ……. It’s what football is all about! Bostin!!

Up The Wolves!!

Match Thread: Albion v Wolves FA Cup 4th Round KO 11.45am

Discussion started by Wolves , 28/01/2024 10:06

Wolves
28/01/2024 10:06

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:03:02:14:30:56 by Cheshire wolf.

Reply Quote Report

Ivybridge Wolf
28/01/2024 10:17

Found this FA cup footage earlier - thought you'd enjoy it. The commentator is proper Black Country!!

Reply Quote Report

Cheshire wolf
28/01/2024 11:03

Blimey Ivy That's a hell of an introduction!! Well done.

One change for today's game forced by the injury to Pablo Serabia and he is replaced by Jean-Ricard Belleguarde. Line-up:

Reply Quote Report

Lupy
28/01/2024 11:06

CMON!!!!!

Reply Quote Report

chicagowolf
28/01/2024 11:22

No VAR. should help us?

Reply Quote Report

essington wolf
28/01/2024 11:24

Come on you wolves do us proud!

Reply Quote Report

Cheshire wolf
28/01/2024 12:02

A bit surprising to hear Dawson getting the bird from WBA fans every time he touches the ball

Reply Quote Report

Cheshire wolf
28/01/2024 12:05

Good chance for Cunha but he skies it. Docdoes well to earn a corner which comes to nothing

Reply Quote Report

Ivybridge Wolf
28/01/2024 12:06

Subdued start but two early free Albion headers. They’re defending with a rigid 2 banks of 4.

This will be a tough match. 21 gone

Reply Quote Report

Lupy
28/01/2024 12:20

A bit nervy but we are starting to exert some pressure

Reply Quote Report

Cheshire wolf
28/01/2024 12:20

Great play up left wing by Doc, JRB & Cunha ends with a corner, which is cleared.

Reply Quote Report

Lupy
28/01/2024 12:23

Brilliant

Reply Quote Report

Cheshire wolf
28/01/2024 12:24

Pedro Neto at his best and we’re one nil up after a super feed from Doc and he tucked it into the corner.
WBA 0 Wolves 1

Reply Quote Report

Cheshire wolf
28/01/2024 12:34

We are winning at half time thanks to an excellently created and executed goal from Pedro Neto. On top for most of the half andhave dealt with the Wes5 Brom threat when it has arisen. Tommy Doyle is everywhere in midfield and Cunha is as busy as ever. JRB doing well in attack too.
WBA 0 Wolves 1

Reply Quote Report

Lupy
28/01/2024 12:39

Your right Chesh, Doyle seems to be or orchestrating most of our more threatening play.

Reply Quote Report

Ivybridge Wolf
28/01/2024 12:42

What a great goal!!!! 👍🐺 Albion are no mugs and had some good early opportunities. They’ve defended well in the main, we’ve had no space and they kept a disciplined back line. The break was always likely to be fruitful for us and so it proved. A great piece of initial play by Doc and a lovely ball to Neto. Then he did his stuff, brilliant finish 🤩

Need to keep it tight, The Baggies will have to come out and take more risks, more opportunities for us.

C’mon me babbies……. UTW

Reply Quote Report

Ivybridge Wolf
28/01/2024 12:47

Agree about Doyle too

Reply Quote Report

Cheshire wolf
28/01/2024 13:09

Doyle lucky not have been struck by any of the four full water bottles thrown athim prior to taking a corner. Now he puts in a perfect cross into the area which just eludes Cunha.

Reply Quote Report

Cheshire wolf
28/01/2024 13:14

Shotfrom JRB. Is only justvwide before he’s replaced by RAN. WBA break well but their star striker Assante skies his shot.

Reply Quote Report

Cheshire wolf
28/01/2024 13:17

Dawson angered by an arm into the face of Cunha by Bartley which earned him a yellow card, probably lucky no VAR to review it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:01:28:13:20:05 by Cheshire wolf.

Reply Quote Report

Cheshire wolf
28/01/2024 13:27

And Cunha makes it 2-0 with a well taken striker’s goal through the keeper’s legs. May well have been offside with VAR but a well deserved lead for the Wolves. Trouble breaking out in one of the stands, and fans spilling on to the pitch. A question whether there are some Wolves fans in the West Brom end.

Reply Quote Report

Lupy
28/01/2024 13:52

Let's just finish them off now.

Reply Quote Report

Cheshire wolf
28/01/2024 13:58

Looks like we’re ready to restart, which will happen from kick off after the second goal, and leave 13 minutes to be played plus AT. Pedro Neto replaced by Tawanda Chirewa for his third successive appearance.

Reply Quote Report

Cheshire wolf
28/01/2024 14:08

Wolves under the cosh a bit at the moment conceding 3 corners which are dealt with. Another corner to WBA well cleared by Cunha. Into final five minutes before any AT

Reply Quote Report

Cheshire wolf
28/01/2024 14:13

Cunhabrings out a good fingertip save from Griffiths for a corner. Into two added minutes. Cunha named Man (Not Player!!) of the match by Lee Dixon deservedly.

Reply Quote Report

Cheshire wolf
28/01/2024 14:18

Allover and another well deserved win for Gary O’Neil over our local rivals, and a place in the Quarte finals. One person Ithougt had a good game was Thomas Brammall - the referee. He managed a potentially difficult game very fairly and kept the yellow cards to a minimum, the responded well when trouble brokenout in the ground. Another clean sheet for Wolves which will please them. Now bring on Maidstone at the Mol!!!
West Brom 0 Wolves 2

Reply Quote Report

Lupy
28/01/2024 14:19

And onwards we go. Draw coming up soon.

Reply Quote Report

Andy Pandy
28/01/2024 14:58

[quote Cheshire wolf]Allover and another well deserved win for Gary O’Neil over our local rivals, and a place in the Quarte finals. One person Ithougt had a good game was Thomas Brammall - the referee. He managed a potentially difficult game very fairly and kept the yellow cards to a minimum, the responded well when trouble brokenout in the ground. Another clean sheet for Wolves which will please them. Now bring on Maidstone at the Mol!!!
West Brom 0 Wolves 2[/quote

Not the quarter-finals yet Chesh. Agree about the referee, he had a good match. I wonder if VAR puts too much pressure on them sometimes, knowing that every decision is being scrutinised.

Reply Quote Report

Ivybridge Wolf
28/01/2024 15:11

A terrific, maybe workmanlike, win today. There are many ways to win, in the end it doesn’t matter, we’re in the hat and it would be indeed quite superb if Big George got his wish to be at the Golden Palace for the 5th round … a remarkable effort yesterday ! The draw will be during HT of Liverpool v Norwich.

I thought we played pretty well. It was a funny, scrappy match in parts, but I felt we thoroughly deserved the win v an Albion side who had a game plan and stuck to it very well. The quality difference made the difference exemplified by Neto and Cunha and their goals. Quality counts. The Baggies certainly had their chances but fluffed their lines in the end. What a shame!!!!!

So the 27 year whodoo is off our backs and we move on ! Bragging rights will reflect the fact that we are the better side and have the better players …. And now, as per my intro, not just on paper!!

Well done Wolves 👍👍

Sadly national headlines will look elsewhere from the football to the trouble, all sparked by the wonderful Cuhna goal. I’m sure there will be a lot written about it, why and how it happened but my gut instinct was that the 38 minutes of non-play was over the top. It seemed to me the best would have to got on with the match much sooner. I wonder what the FA have in store for the Albion and possibly us? Fines? Something else? The media will have a field day. Obviously the majority of the problems occured in the East stand corner adjacent to our fans but more so in the Brummie Road / Halfords Lane corner.

Anyway, football is king and we won a Black Country Derby for the first time since the days of Adlène Guedioura and Stephen Fletcher and the first at the Hawthorns since 1996. Wonderful stuff!!! Well done lads!!

UTW

Reply Quote Report

essington wolf
28/01/2024 15:32

Well done wolves!
Didn't think we were at our best but we got the job done.
Shame about the crowd trouble.

Reply Quote Report

Cheshire wolf
28/01/2024 15:45

So…. a home draw against Brighton in the next round awaits.

Reply Quote Report

Ivybridge Wolf
28/01/2024 15:56

At least it’s at home and good reasons to believe we can dispatch the Seagulls. Nevertheless, a tough match. For a moment, watching the draw, I really thought Big George’s dream at the Golden Palace would come true. Sadly not to be. Maybe the quarterfinals?!!





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:01:28:15:57:35 by Ivybridge Wolf.

Reply Quote Report

Ivybridge Wolf
28/01/2024 17:02

The FA has launched an investigation into the incidents, and issued a statement describing the disorder at today’s match as "completely unacceptable".

They go on: "Safety and security are of the utmost importance, and the behaviour of those involved is dangerous and inexcusable. We will be investigating these serious incidents and appropriate action will be taken."

What does appropriate action mean I wonder?

Albion have made a similar statement. Nothing from Wolves yet.

Reply Quote Report

Andy Pandy
28/01/2024 17:43

Impossible to know what sparked the trouble at the moment apart from the fact Cunha had just scored a second goal. Noticed that Doyle was pelted with drink bottles every time he took a corner in the second half. As for the match itself, Wolves weren't at their best and probably didn't get out of second gear but then again didn't need to. Sa wasn't seriously tested. Two well taken goals. Doyle and Kilman fantastic. Must say I'm pleased that's over, I can't take losing to that lot. Bogey team in the next round but we can do them at home.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net