Those were the days!

By Ivybridge Wolf
February 9 2025

Blackburn Rovers v Wolves kick this 4th round FA Cup tie off at 12.30pm this afternoon and will be screened live on the BBC iPlayer, so an opportunity for everyone to watch. Remarkably this is the first time the two sides have met in the FA Cup since the 1960 FA Cup Final when Wolves were victorious 3-0 and I expect there will be a few references to it be the match commentators and presenters. In another moment of history against Blackburn, albeit slightly less triumphant, who could forget that Stephen Hunt 87th minute top left curler to keep us up at Molineux in 2011? Wolves arrive at Ewood Park this afternoon off the back of a significantly improved performance by beating Villa last weekend which is bound to boost confidence, however Blackburn lost their last fixture 2-1 away to QPR.

Form, it is often said, is out of the window for the cup, and although currently occupying the last play-off place in the championship Blackburn have lost 5 of their last seven matches and winning just two, losing to QPR, Bristol City, Coventry, Oxford and Burnley. On that basis it might be argued that Wolves have a more straightforward job, nevertheless I doubt there’ll be any complacency in the Wolves dressing room as Rovers will be full of adrenaline and in front of their own fans to hopefully deliver their own 5^th round spot. It is also recognised that Wolves performances remain ‘a touch’ up and down, however should they produce an effort similar to the one at Ashton Gate in the 3^rd round, then (as long as they take their chances) that will be the kind of energy required for the win.

Pereira has mentioned that both new signings, Munetsi and Djiga, are unlikely to feature in this match citing they will need a bit more time to adapt, however I expect Vitor will go for a strong staring line up today, as he did versus Bristol City. From comments, he appears to value the opportunity to advance in the FA Cup and to raise confidence, something which is refreshing to hear. Obviously it is great that Cunha has signed a new contract which cements his commitment to the cause (for now at least!) and he’ll certainly be a handful for the Rovers defenders. Agbadou has also made a terrific early impact in the side with composure on the ball whilst still prepared to throw himself in the way of trouble and do the dirty work required at the back.

In all competitions, Wolves have a good record at Ewood Park, winning four of last five matches, though they were mainly in the championship and we haven’t played there since October 2016! Should we progress, then that would be the first time we’ve got to the 5^th round in consecutive seasons since 93-94 / 94-95, an age ago and a sign of our relative disappointment in the Cup. Rovers have won all of their last six 4^th round ties …. With any luck that particular trend will stop today!

And so we have another potential banana skin versus a team looking for promotion from the championship, with the TV presenters baying for an upset, yet to really happen this weekend (Millwall at Leeds maybe?) though Blues pushed Newcastle hard yesterday evening. With a more competent and rounded performance witnessed last week Wolves should prevail ….. but who knows, it’s the FA Cup?!

Enjoy the match, the teams will be out soon, please leave all of your thoughts and comments in the thread to go …. I must admit I’m excited about this one.

All the best, UTW.

Match Thread: Blackburn Rovers v Wolves FA Cup 4th round

Discussion started by Wolves , 09/02/2025 11:20

Wolves
09/02/2025 11:20

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:04:10:27:43 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 11:39

Team are now out:

Wolves: Johnstone, Semedo, Bueno, Agbadou, Toti, R.Gomes, J.Gomes, Bellegarde, Hwang, Cunha, Guedes.

Subs: Bentley, Doherty, Djiga, Ait-Nouri, Munetsi, Andre, Doyle, Sarabia, Forbs.

A few changes in there but a side more than capable of the win. I must admit I was really impressed with Rodgrigo at Bristol City, so I hope he can offer the same intent today. No reason why not to. Interesting that Pereira has included Djiga and Munetsi on the bench!!

Danny Batth plays for Rovers today, great to see him playing, a decent player for Wolves in our championship days.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 12:06

Just spotted coverage starts at 12.20pm

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 12:09

Another picture of that famous day …. A number of my family went, including me Dad, apparently tickets were awarded via a lottery draw!

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Lupy
09/02/2025 12:12

One step at a time towards a trophy.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 12:28

We’re playing in all Old Gold again. Brought us luck at Ashton Gate.

A quick huddle from the lads and we’re off.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 12:34

Cuhna free kick easily saved. We might have a bit of joy if Rovers continue to play it out from the back and we apply pressure. They don’t look that confident (a bit like we don’t over the season!!)

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 12:38

Blackburn have the first big chance but a wild effort is thumped well over.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 12:43

Danny Batth blocks very well from Hwang

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 12:48

Blackburn score but decision is offside. I think we may have got away with that one with no VAR. This happened after Bueno was left for dead and ‘he took one for the team’ resulting in a free kick and a yellow for Santi

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 12:57

Wolves have yet to show any concerted control and possession yet. Luckily their lad dived in the box instead of trying to stay up and score. He got a yellow but he had Bueno on toast.

Replays strongly suggest Blackburn’s earlier goal should have stood.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 13:04

What a wonderful few minutes, dreadful defending and goalkeeping gave Joao Gomes an opportunity, 1-0 and some great interplay to set up Cunha in the right back position to welly it home with skill and placement.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 13:06

A wonderful Blackburn ball across the face cannot be put away. Phew

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 13:14

A terrific bit of skill from Agbadou when being challenged by two Rovers attackers.He left them for dead until one of them retaliates with a foul. So cool on the ball

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 13:17

Hwang limps off just prior to HT, looks like a hamstring but will he return?

HT whistle Blackburn 0-2 Wolves. Any match can turn in a minutes or two and so it’s proved.

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Lupy
09/02/2025 13:26

A little bit pedestrian but two goals up nonetheless so not complaining.
J Gomes is playing a blinder, just never stops, what a player.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 13:33

Hwang off, Sarabia on.

Bueno off, Doc on. Bueno on a yellow and not looking very comfortable so a good change.

Wolves kicking towards our fans and we’re off

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 13:39

Wolves the better side in the opening 6-7minutes, more intent than Blackburn

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 13:41

Blackburn open up Wolves, but lack of composure from Dubery and then Cantwell and the ball goes high over the bar

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 13:45

Quote:

Lupy
A little bit pedestrian but two goals up nonetheless so not complaining.
J Gomes is playing a blinder, just never stops, what a player.

Agreed. Thanks for joining Lupy, it can get a little lonely 😞

More Blackburn pressur, decent punch from Johnstone from a very good Cantwell cross but again lack of composure results in another lost opportunity for Rovers.

Surprisingly Cantwell is replaced.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 13:52

Andre on for Guedes and a debut for Monestsi replacing Bellegard, so much for Pereira saying it was a little early!!





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:09:13:53:42 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 13:58

Lovely ball from Monetsi to Sarabia on the right, very good cross but Cuhna gets a bit underneath it and over.

I don’t want to shout this just yet but Blackburn have done very little this half to be honest. 19 minutes to go.

By the way Andy Wienman is on for Blackburn

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 14:00

Another great cross, this time from R Gomes, Monetsi doesn’t quite connect and wide

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 14:03

Cunha shoots and well saved, this just after another Cuhna opportunity.

The corner comes in from Cuhna, poor punch from the keeper and Monetsi absolutely hammers it from 15 yards …. Just wide!!!!!

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 14:10

Monetsi has had three chances now, but gives possession away and a silly foul leads to Blackburn free kick, hit like a rocket and well collected by Johnson, who saves just after again, then up the other end, great Cuhna cross gives Sarabia a clear chance but he puts it over!!Not sure how we haven’t scored this half.

RAN on for Semedo

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An angry wolf
09/02/2025 14:12

Good win against the Blackburn reserves ( 8 changes since their last game). Hard to get too enthusiastic knowing we will get knocked out as soon as we play a decent team. Leeds made 10 changes yesterday in their game - FA Cup is dead imo. The only thing that would revive it is a champions league spot for the winner where teams put their first choice 11 out.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 14:13

Brilliant cross field ball from Agbadou, comes to nothing but that’s his second of the match

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 14:25

Just over 15,000 at Ewood Park, a lacklustre effort from the home side this half.

FT - we’re in the hat, we’ll be number 7 in the hat with the draw to take place tomorrow evening after 7pm.

Any win is a good win, that second half was easy from Wolves, we were easily the better side and deserved it, another chink of confidence to add to the bag.

We should have scored at least two in that second half and finishing remains an issues, having said that in the space of 90 first half seconds we killed the game off.

Good energy from the side, another good match for Cunha and Agbadou, ably supported by the two Gomes, Toti and a fair few others.

Decent win in second gear, Liverpool next Saturday ‘might just’ present more of a challenge.

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Andy Pandy
09/02/2025 14:58

A bit sluggish at times and a little fortunate with the first goal, terrible goalkeeping, but got the job done which is the main thing. Agbadou looking a good signing and I love the all gold strip.

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essington wolf
09/02/2025 14:58

Comfortably into the next round, should of scored more but I won't be greedy.
Think we got lucky with the goal Blackburn got ruled out, but we have had our fair share of bad decisions so we will take it.
Agbadou looks class at the back, the new guy monetsi could have had 2 or 3 goals when he came on and looks like he's got something about him.
On the downside santi Bueno was poor and was no surprise when he was hooked at ht and also on a booking.
Let's hope for a decent draw.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:09:15:12:40 by essington wolf.

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Lupy
09/02/2025 15:01

Well we are in the hat for the next round so we can continue to dream.
And if teams continue to put out second choice elevens then who knows?

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An angry wolf
09/02/2025 15:07

Going back to the league, has there ever been such a clear cut race for relegation with so many games left. It is literally a 4 team league at the bottom and only the winner will stay up. Normally half the division is battling the drop at this stage

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Lupy
09/02/2025 16:15

There is still time for other clubs to join in the scrap at the bottom?

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 17:18

A few wins and any side can escape, as per Everton, including us.

Separately, I am absolutely delighted with the Argyle win versus the not so mighty Liverpool this afternoon. Plymouth is 10 miles from where I live and it is a terrific result for the side and the area, loads of Argyle fans all around here. It was a performance to be proud of and a credit to this competition. I’m going to say now, I want Argyle in the next round, home or away! Or Exeter for that matter when / if they beat Forest 😂

UTW

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An angry wolf
09/02/2025 17:20

No one above Wolves is going down. I see the dippers reserve team has been knocked out by Plymouth - if Liverpool had taken the cup seriously their first team probably would have won 10-0. Back in the day every club would put close to their strongest team out for the FA cup - now many teams seem glad to be out. WD to Plymouth, but what a shambles again from a big club not paying respect to the cup and seemingly not bothered about going out

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An angry wolf
09/02/2025 17:23

Quote:

Ivybridge Wolf
A few wins and any side can escape, as per Everton, including us.
Separately, I am absolutely delighted with the Argyle win versus the not so mighty Liverpool this afternoon. Plymouth is 10 miles from where I live and it is a terrific result for the side and the area, loads of Argyle fans all around here. It was a performance to be proud of and a credit to this competition. I’m going to say now, I want Argyle in the next round, home or away! Or Exeter for that matter when / if they beat Forest 😂

UTW

Southampton would need champions league form to stay in the league, they're on 9 points. They aren't getting out of it, neither are 2 of the remaining 3 clubs in the bottom 4.

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Ivybridge Wolf
09/02/2025 17:51

Agree Soton are gone, unlike us, Leicester and Ipswich …. Thank goodness. At the start of 2025, Everton were in the mix for 3 down from a bottom 5, but their terrific 3 match winning run has given them real comfort. I’m not sure us, Ipswich or Leicester are capable of getting a three win sequence but there again my Everton mate who has a season ticket couldn’t see them doing it either. He has been absolutely scathing about what he’s seen at Goodison this season. Funny old game ay it.

As for Argyle this season, I wouldn’t have given them any chance v the Liverpool tea ladies XI so that victory is a real turn up and a dogged effort. I suppose they did beat the Albion last week. I remember their brilliant cup run in 1984, it was a great time for them, as it was for Exeter in 1981! Additionally, karma for Slot who failed to take this competition seriously, zero respect. He’ll come out with the usual rubbish, too many matches etc etc. Yawn!!

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An angry wolf
09/02/2025 18:10

I never understand why teams "rest" players considering how few trophies a team can win each season. The FA cup is on paper the second most prestigious trophy an English team can win each year, yet nearly every club in the top 2 divisions massively rotates its squad around meaning early exists for many clubs. If liverpool put out a team that resembles the one they field in the league , they win the match comfortably... tennis players play 5 set matches in consecutive days yet footballers can't manage 2 or 3 matches per week

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Andy Pandy
09/02/2025 19:48

Quote:

An angry wolf
I never understand why teams "rest" players considering how few trophies a team can win each season. The FA cup is on paper the second most prestigious trophy an English team can win each year, yet nearly every club in the top 2 divisions massively rotates its squad around meaning early exists for many clubs. If liverpool put out a team that resembles the one they field in the league , they win the match comfortably... tennis players play 5 set matches in consecutive days yet footballers can't manage 2 or 3 matches per week

Agree with this. I've always thought the same. I know the theory of why clubs rest players in Cup matches but never gone along with it, like a few years ago when we went into an FA cup semi-final with our reserve goalkeeper. The defeat wasn't his fault but it's a semi-final of the FA Cup for crying out loud and presumably had we won we would have played the final with our reserve 'keeper.

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