By Ivybridge Wolf
May 17 2026

Today Molineux welcomes Fulham in this final Wolves home match of 2025/26. It is going to be interesting for many reasons, crowd size, crowd reaction, atmosphere, performance, the (hopeful) return of Raul for the opposition, however this may be the last Wolves home match for Matt Doherty, ‘The Doc’. That is certainly worth mentioning. I do not know if there are any discussions to keep The Doc next season, bizarrely he is the only Wolves player out of contract in the summer, nevertheless if he leaves, then he can leave with honours and his Wolves’ head held high. Matt Doherty has been central to all the good and great things that have happened to our club over the last 15 years, could his experience and desire be worth acquiring in the Championship next season? I think he would be very useful.  

The Doc, now 34, was signed by Mick McCarthy in July 2010 from Bohemians for £75K, an absolute steal, and his debut was January 2011 in the FA Cup. His Premier League debut came in September 2011 and went on to play a critical in the Wolves revival from League One and then a crucial and pivotal member of the Nuno revolution. He left for Spurs at the end on 2019/20 and returned to Molineux for 2023/24. His first Wolves spell saw Doc play in 302 matches for Wolves with 28 goals (260 and 20 in the league respectively) and this second spell 87 appearances and 5 goals (71 and 3 in the premier league. That’s an impressive 389 games and 33 goals for Wolves, something to celebrate for a player who I believe can be called a proper ‘Wolves man’. His grit and determination, and ability to regularly appear in attacking positions have been a pleasure to witness.

Whatever happens in the closed season, Matt Doherty, thanks for all you have given to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Onto today, can we achieve a win, or will it be more of the same? The relegation form of late has been utterly painful to watch, as if the 25 day March / April break evaporated what little energy and fight the players possessed. Since that time Wolves have lost all but one fixture, the draw versus Sunderland who were down to ten men for most of the game. Fulham, however, are on a two-game losing run, so hardly great form themselves, though Wolves have failed to win any of the last five final home games of the season. Should The Cottagers win, it would be their first ever league double over Wolves – potential for another Old Gold record, indeed any defeat in the final two games would be an all-time loss record!

Sa, Krejci and Hugo Bueno are all available for today, in the knowledge that Krejci will definitely not be at Molineux next season. Edwards has spoken about the big changes during the summer and on numerous occasions now, indicating Wolves have plans afoot for quick negotiations and new faces, a clear indication that at least he believes Nathan Shi will keep him on as manager. Whether Edwards stays or goes, this will be a source of debate amongst fans, the recent midweek fans forum gave him a platform to discuss the future, including the impending transfer window, thus the conclusion is that he stays for now.

This afternoon’s match kicks off at 3pm and is being covered by Sky Sports cameras on the F1 and UltraHD channels. One can only hope the coverage will be a positive one which sees a return to effort and a performance not seen for nearly two months. I’ll be watching hoping for the best and, yet again, fearing the worst. It would be nice to think that at the full time whistle we have a mathematical chance of overtaking Burnley last week!

Enjoy the match …. or not …. who knows?! Comments and thoughts are welcome, as usual, in the thread below!

UTW!

Some 'Doc' memories, strating with his debut

Match Thread: Wolves v Fulham 3pm KO 17.05.2026

Discussion started by Wolves , 17/05/2026 14:03

Wolves
17/05/2026 14:03

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:06:01:19:42:51 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 14:19

Today's team:

Even more glad I focused on The Doc today, for whatever reason Edwards hasn't selected him, even on the bench! There are four changes after the Brighton debarcle.

Jose Sa, Ladislav Krejci, David Moller Wolfe and Rodrigo Gomes come in with Dan Bentley, Toti Gomes, Pedro Lima and Hugo Bueno on the subs bench.



Subs: Bentley, H Bueno, Arokodare, Lima, Toti, Bellegarde, Tchatchoua, A Gomes, Edozie.

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 14:59

Surprised Hwang gets the nod over Tolu, long as it is short I suppose.

Hi Ho Silver lining belays out for one last time this season

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 15:02

With the sun shining, the pitch looks great, the match kicks off, Wolves lucky towards the North Bank as usual.

Fans singing Si Senor with Raul looking on from the Fulham bench

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 15:09

Early corner for Wolves but sadly comes to nothing, this after at the other end Sa and co. caused chaos for themselves with the usual crummy short goal kick we’ve become used too.

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 15:13

Brilliant save from Sa after a stinger from Iweobi who was completely free at the far post.

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 15:17

Doc is out today due to injury.
Great shot from Mane, 20 yards out, decent but comfortable save for Leno, a bit of excitement

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 15:22

A good series of Wolves interplay, ends with Rodrigo shooting wide.

Raul has a warm up, Si Senor belts out again, followed by ‘sign him up”!

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 15:26

Fantastic goal from Mane, more excellent work on the right by Rodrigo, good cross, Hwang sets it up, Mane strikes from 20 yards. Terrific finish, Leno no chance

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 15:29

Fulham miss an open goal, corner beyond Sa but Fulham player heads it down on the ground and it bounces over the bar! Incredible

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 15:31

Sanderberger who missed the header

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 15:37

Wolves are living very dangerously at the back, multiple balls into the box, either not quick coming off or just missing their man, Fulham are looking good value for an equaliser without actually causing Sa majority consistent problems

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 15:48

Castagne gets a good kick in the knee from Mane in the box, could this be a VAR decision, yep, the ref walks towards the screen. I think it’s a penalty.

It’s given and with only 1 minute of added time to go.

Can Sa save us before half time?

Robinson to take, scores. 1-1.

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 15:52

HT 1-1

Boos, albeit half hearted as the players walk off, presumably for the penalty decision.

Fulham thoroughly deserve to go in level, but so disappointing after we actually get a lead.

Fulham have been well on top since our goal, the crowd has been subdued throughout and plenty of empty seats dotted around.

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 16:13

Mosquera misses a sitter. He has to score. Lovely corner, Mosquera central and free, 6 yards out misses the target.

Now a Wolves free kick, 25 yards out, the wall is set, Hwang sails the ball over the bar with aplomb! Why did bl**dy Hwang take that, rubbish effort

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 16:22

62 minutes gone.

Attacking intent from both sides, Fulham look more likely.

Wonder if Jiminez will get on? A

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 16:27

Jiminez is coming on!

Both sets of fans give Raul a terrific welcome back on the Molineux pitch and Si Senor resounds around Molineux. Absolutely brilliant, brought a lump to my throat.

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 16:28

Back to reality, Armstrong is free, dinks it over Leno but hits the post. Agony, what a chance, again missed for Wolves





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:17:16:29:38 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 16:30

More reality, Raul shoots massively wide with his first chance!

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 16:33

Tolu and hair on for Armstrong. 17 left

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 16:38

Wilson on for Fulham, thought he’d be starting.

Bellegarde on for Hwang

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 16:40

Tolu shoots!!! All the power of a gambolling lamb. It trickles to Leno

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 16:42

Great cross, just evades Tolu and Rodrigo. Add it to our list of chances

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 16:44

Hugo B and Lima (after his south coast shocker last weekend) are on for Rodrigo and Wolfe

5 to go

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 16:49

Lima just had a great chance but instead of shooting, he tamely hits the ball across the penalty area to a Fulham defender. Sigh.

A free kick put in the box, Tolu couldn’t control it. Sigh x2.

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 16:51

4 minutes added time, Andre fouls 22 yards out, Fulham free kick, Raul and Wilson over it, Raul thanks you in the wall.

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 16:54

Great chance forWolves with a breakaway, Tolu dithers and plays a through ball which merely goes to the keeper. Absolutely cr@p. He’s had a mare of a cameo.

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Ivybridge Wolf
17/05/2026 17:01

FT 1-1

Boos. Didn’t last for long. Not a bad match for the neutral, maybe, but we didn’t have a clue in front of goal despite creating a lot of opportunities and good chances. A better side would have scored 3 today. The exception was a fine finish from Mane.

The players walk round the pitch, not the traditional lap of honour / appreciation as before.

That’s my final Molineux match thread folks, let’s see whether we can overtake Burnley next week, depending on their score v Arsenal tomorrow night. A tall order.

All the best, UTW

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Andy Pandy
17/05/2026 17:12

Dare I say we played a little better today. Should have scored more, we had enough chances. Mane had his best match for weeks although it was a stonewall penalty he conceded. Rodrigo played well and Santiago, Andre and Wolfe pretty solid. Good reception for Raul which was nice.

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essington wolf
17/05/2026 17:20

Well I suppose its nice not to finish the season with another defeat at molinuex.
Poor quality performance for most of the game from wolves again.
Really powder puff in front of goal, this has to improve if we are to do anything next season.
Great goal by mane but then gives the bloody penalty away!
Lovely reception for Raul and saiss.
Love to see Raul in a wolves shirt again even if its only for one season, it would be a good step by fosun to get fans back onside.
Make it happen fosun!

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chicagowolf
17/05/2026 23:51

Great being there and seeing that deserved appreciation for Raul.
Needless to say no f….ing signal to post while I was there. Enjoyed the dullsville match though.
And enjoying our Wolverhampton boy Aaron Rai winning the PGA. ( Hope he doesn’t dare claim to be a Villa or Baggies fan)

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Ivybridge Wolf
18/05/2026 09:06

Chicago - re Aaron Rai, quite a few sources saying he’s from Wombourn(e), don’t know how true it is, as some say he went to Perton Primary School. And yes, the signal in Molineux is awful! I think Fosun should consider a WiFi solution.

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chicagowolf
18/05/2026 09:27

Ivy, his Wikipedia page says Wombourne. But Ounsdale? Nietski, Wolverhampton Grammar. I suspect we will find out soon enough after that performance 👍

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An angry wolf
18/05/2026 16:36

Aaron Rai - good old British name

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