Last terms winner

By Ivybridge Wolf
December 4 2024

With several of the sides at the bottom playing each other during this midweek premier league fixture list, something had to give and the table had to alter. To what end was the debate, and last night our relegation rivals Palace and Leicester showed their respective opponents a clean pair of heels and put us under more pressure. Of course, in our predicament, if we win our matches, then the rest will fall into place and with a win this evening, Wolves will leap frog Everton after we dropped into the danger zone again yesterday.

In terms of history, barring an unlikely meeting in the FA Cup, this will be Wolves’ last ever fixture at Goodison Park. Everton moved to Goodison in 1892 (after a famed switch from Anfield) and Wolves’ very first match there was on 10^th December 1892 which we beat The Toffees 3-2 in front of a crowd of 10,000. This therefore brings to an end of 132 years of history prior to the move to Bramley Dock, which by the way looks fantastic. If you like bit of football ground nostalgia, see the link here https://www.toffeeweb.com/club/goodison/gp-history.asp . I sincerely hope this clash repeats again next season, and in the top flight. This particular fixture will also see the dual landmark of both Jordan Pickford and Craig Dawson playing their 300^th premier league appearances. Congratulations to them both.

Seasons of late have been kind to Wolves at Goodison and the picture above reminds us of our August 2023 late winner v Everton by Saša Kalajdžić. The statistics read well because of the last six games at Everton, we have won 4 and lost 2 (F9 A5) including being victorious on the last three outings. In fact, our overall record since promotion under Nuno is P12 W7 D2 L3. How we need that kind of form to be replicated tonight. In terms of more recent form, then Everton have only won one of their home games this season, perfectly matched by Wolves who have only managed one away win.

What Wolves will we see tonight? Another defeat will see GON in the proverbial heightened spotlight once again and his big choice is what to do in defense. Semedo was booked versus Bournemouth and is suspended for this match. He certainly played his part, as did most of the team to include Sa, in another shambolic defensive effort which was frankly embarrassing. The first 25 minutes were hideous and although we offered a threat up front, the way the Cherries cleaved our back line with such ease was pitiful ….. Bournemouth could have been out of sight by half time. Will GON revert to a back five again? Perhaps not without Semedo, so an expectation to see Dawson back in (despite his dreadful error) with Doherty and Lemina occupy the midfield.

We still offer a very decent threat in attack and, in all the general chaos last Saturday, we did score two really good goals and I was delighted Larsen was on the end of both. We have scored 2 or more goals in the last 5 matches and were we to do that today, it would equal a run of 6 top flight games from 1972!! Cunha was quieter at the weekend so perhaps he’ll be cranked up today again? This player is a bit of quality.

Everton haven’t scored for 4 matches, Calvert-Lewin hasn’t netted in 9, and there have only been 2 goals in the last 3 games at Goodison. We all know Wolves have exceptional quality at bucking trends! Apparently Armando Broja could be in line for a Toffee debut, this after his transfer from Chelsea – who was also muted as a Wolves summer target.

For anyone with Amazon Prime, then good news, this match will be screened ‘live’ (not forgetting the inevitable online delay) with a kick off of 7.30pm.

Good luck to the team, we’ll need a bit as was seen during our 4 match unbeaten run. Tonight is really not the night for defeat, as that would put us 3 points off Palace and with a poorer goal difference, effectively 2 matches away. Additionally any defeat (combined with its manner) will magnify the pressure on Fosun to review GON’s position.

All the best, enjoy the match and please leave your comments about the match in the thread below.

UTW!!

Match Thread: Everton v Wolves 04.12.2024 KO 7.30pm

Discussion started by Wolves , 04/12/2024 17:57

Wolves
04/12/2024 17:57

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:12:16:13:42:37 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 18:13

Early release of the teams:

Everton XI: Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Doucoure, Gueye, Mangala, Ndiaye, McNeil, Calvert-Lewin.

Wolves XI: Sa, Doherty, Dawson, Bueno, Ait-Nouri, Joao Gomes, Andre, Lemina, Guedes, Cunha, Larsen.

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 18:18

Three new entries into what looks like a back 4. Dawson, Santi Bueno and Doherty in with Lemina moving into his favoured midfield. Guedes gets a start too. I was utterly unimpressed with him previously, but this season, he has made more of an effort and more of an impact, credit where credit is due.

Bellegard, Rodrigo Gomes and Toti lose their places, Semedo is not eligible after getting 5 yellows.

COMB

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Lupy
04/12/2024 18:19

Good to see Guedes getting a starting position.
Thanks for the Amazon Prime heads up.

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 18:27

The team including the bench.

Bentley and Johnstone on the bench together???!!

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 19:26

We’re off, Wolves in all black

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 19:28

Great move and RAN run then cross but Larsen really fluffs it

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 19:36

Very positive Wolves start. Decent attacking play, Pickford having to make one good save from Cunha.

One moment of Dawson and Sa indecision.

Now an Everton free kick on the edge of the box, Ashley Young takes, the wall fails big time and we are 1-0 down.

Terrible setting up of the wall by Sa

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Lupy
04/12/2024 19:44

Not looking good so far.

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 19:46

McNeil free kick and Tarkowski heads in from 7 yards ….. with 3 players surrounding him.

2-0

VAR review for a block on Lemina or off side ……. 1-0 again. Phew!!

Calvert Lewin shoots and big Sa save. Phew again

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 19:56

Another good Pickford save, this time from Larsen.

We’re not out of this, can we keep tight at the back?

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 19:57

What a cross from the Doc, Larsen just can’t get on it. That would have been brilliant

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 20:00

Another Everton free kick, we can’t clear it and a fine, fine goal from Mangala

Everton 2-0 Wolves

In answer, we just can’t keep it tight at the back.

Clear bottom 3 placement looming tonight

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An angry wolf
04/12/2024 20:01

Anything below 5 is evidence of progress under super GAZ. Ivy and a few others described his contract extension as "Good news" a few months back, so if we keep it below 6 maybe the contract will be extended again for GON to continue on his good work!

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 20:05

By the way, we’re playing 3 centre halves and 2 wing backs tonight, Lemina one of the CBs.

Doesn’t matter what formation we use, we can’t defend for, er. Toffee

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 20:11

Another free header for Tarkowski from a corner. Awful defending.

We go up the other end and a great Cunha cross just beats LArsen and Gomes

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 20:13

6 added minutes this half

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Lupy
04/12/2024 20:15

We are probably the only team able to make Everton look quite good.
Shapeless, devoid of ideas and I fear the worst if things don't change soon.

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 20:20

Defensive so so poor. Again.

We’ve had moments when we’ve looked dangerous and created good chances but when we have no idea at the back, irrespective of who plays where, then we will constantly have a mountain to climb. And against a side who cor score!

34 goals conceded in 13.5 matches.

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Lupy
04/12/2024 20:22

This team of ours has no identity, very little belief and they are beginning to look like they are on the verge of giving up, the body language is so revealing.
Somebody needs a new contract but it's not GON!!!

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 20:33

Off again.

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 20:34

2 Wolves corners to open the half, first very well defended, as, in the end, was the second

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An angry wolf
04/12/2024 20:35

Aston villa are supporting stonewall tonight, a " charity" which support child mutilation under the guise of depraved trans ideology by chemically castrating young children so it could be worse. On their twitter feed they have some kid waving a rainbow flag with the trans symbol - I'm more disgusted with the premier league every day. Villa park turned into a makeshift mosque last year, this evening we have 1 English player starting in a supposed English premier league team line up with Chinese owners. I'm not even sure what we are supporting these days - when we are relegated, hopefully they can fck off with their passports

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 20:37

utterly useless defending. McNeil corner and in the net. It’s given to Calvert Lewin but I think it’s a Dawson own goal.

Totally sh!te.

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Lupy
04/12/2024 20:41

Three nil, can we hold it there or will the floodgates open?

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 20:42

Could this be a worse display than on saturday? A definite candidate.

‘Opliss

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 20:46

Guedes off, Hwang on.

Big deal, this side is all over the place at the moment

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 20:54

Another Everton goal disallowed for a foul by Calvert Lewin on Sa

Doc hits the post!!

Good noise from the Wolves fans, impressive given everything

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 21:03

We cannot handle set pieces from McNeil. Another OG from Dawson when under pressure from Calvert Lewin.

Embarrassing again.

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An angry wolf
04/12/2024 21:03

The message is quite simple gentlemen, defend for your lives and pray it is under 6. 6 was the target set out by Fosun as the "trigger point". Gaz set to play a 10-1 formation with Sa upfront and Lemina taking over in goal

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 21:05

Calvert Lewin almost makes it 5 ….. it was off side. First time in 4 years Everton have scored 4 at home.

Toti for Bueno, R Gomes for the Doc.

13 minutes to go …… last 13 for O’Neil, very likely.

38,820 there tonight to see it.

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Lupy
04/12/2024 21:06

This squad a very difficult watch.
Surely GON is beyond his borrowed time now.

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Lupy
04/12/2024 21:09

Still time for Garys magical substitutions to work wonders.

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An angry wolf
04/12/2024 21:09

I hate communism, but GON is a walking advert for the negatives of capitalism. One of the worst managers the league has ever seen but earnt millions of pounds in his payoff for being utterly useless

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 21:10

More smart hands from Pickford, this time from Rodrigo Gomes.

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 21:13

I’ve just noticed we are now below Ipswich on goal difference.

5 minutes to go.

A totally disjoint and clueless second half to cap a dreadful defensive first half

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 21:14

Ball squared back to Harrison who ballon’s from 10 yards. Another moment it should have been 5-0

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 21:18

4 minutes of added time to endure.

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/12/2024 21:23

With a minute to go Harrison misses another great chance.

Any match where:
1. Calvert Lewin play well,
2. Ashley Young gets MOTM
3. Everton score 4 and it should be to 6

Then you know it’s very very bad news.

FT

Everton 4-0 Wolves.

With that, I believe that will be the end of Gary O’Neil at Wolves.

I think that tops the rubbish we saw on Saturday. Sad to watch.

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Lupy
04/12/2024 21:24

Headless chickens.

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essington wolf
04/12/2024 21:29

We are a laughing stock yet again and it's sad to see.
No fight tonight just a gutless performance to get O'Neil sacked and for the love of God let's hope he does go, I can't see him surviving that pathetic performance.
God help whoever comes in he will need a miracle sorting this shower out.
Sad times.

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An angry wolf
04/12/2024 22:49

Apparently fans were vociferously objecting to yet another turgid display at the end by various chants. They would get the message across better if they learnt the chants in Portugese and Arabic to convey the feelings of dissatisfaction across to GON's mob instead of English. They probably couldn't understand a word of it



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:12:04:22:51:25 by An angry wolf.

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An angry wolf
05/12/2024 10:47

Fosun probably think they can get more money selling players with relegation and bouncing back than investing in January. GON confirmed recently there is little to spend in January. It doesn't matter if he is sacked, we are going down anyway, too many points have been dropped approaching Xmas. It's too late now, we all know we need around 40 points to stay up and teams just above us will go on runs like they normally do.

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Andy Pandy
05/12/2024 14:06

I got up this morning half expecting to hear that Gary had gone. After six months of total rubbish, the Brentford match was the crowning turd in the waterpipe and with the international break that would have been a good time to change and the Fulham result is looking like a complete one-off. I know you shouldn't wish your club to be relegated but personally I won't miss the Premier League that much. It's as bent as a fiddler's elbow, there's no VAR in the Championship and we may even win a few matches. So, there's always a bright side.

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An angry wolf
05/12/2024 14:49

I'm the same Andy, even if we do stay up, it's the same every year. Avoiding relegation, beating a club like Burnley in the league Cup early rounds before going out with a similar fate in the FA Cup. In a good season, the season is over in February with nothing to play for and in a bad season it's like this. Football is supposed to be entertaining, this isn't enjoyable year after year. Teams rammed full of foreign players and a contest of which club has the richest owner ensues.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:12:05:14:50:43 by An angry wolf.

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