Wolves v West Brom

Could this midlands derby be any bigger? Wolves are fighting for Premiership survival and these three points could be the difference between top flight football and a Championship promotion race next year.

Wolves come into this vital encounter off the back of a 1-1 draw away at Birmingham last week which was seen to many as two points dropped. After a heavy defeat against Stoke, Wolves reacted with a much better performance which leaves them a point from safety with three games to go. They play on Sunday again meaning that their relegation rivals will have the chance to increase the gap on Saturday but it could work to their advantage if results go their way on Saturday. But they will again be without Sylvain Ebanks Blake and Kevin Doyle who won’t be fit for the game. Steven Fletcher will again start up front either on his own or alongside Steven Ward after a good performance on Sunday Mick Mcarthy could re-jig the squad again. If they are going to stay up their form will have to improve after just one win in their last six games.

West Brom come into Sunday’s game full of confidence after a fantastic run of three wins in their last six games after another good performance to beat Aston Villa 2-1 after being behind. A chance to increase the relegation threat over neighbours Wolves will finish of their season nicely after securing safety. They will be glad to have secured safety after being hit by an injury crisis and will be missing nine players for the trip to Molineux. Peter Odemwingie will be West Brom’s biggest threat after scoring 15 goals already this season which is the 5^th highest in the Premiership.

My prediction for the game is for a Wolves win after a big improvement against Birmingham. It is guaranteed to be a feisty encounter with Premiership survival on the line how much the game means in the relegation fight may not be clear for three weeks but a loss will set Wolves back massively.

We have to believe

Well the games are running out and Wolves seem to be playing worse as we head into two crucial West Midlands derby's. Coming into tomorrows game after Tuesday nights poor performance at Stoke we need three points with results possibly going against today. Again we will have a make shift side with Zubar,Elokobi,Ebanks Blake and Doyle all missing with Fletcher expected to play u front on his own again even though there are worries about his fitness. Does are defence really look like one ready to fight for its life? After Tuesdays performance I expect Wolves to be much tighter and put everything into the game if they do then they could out battle Birmingham. Who themselves got criticised after they got beat 5-0 last weekend to Liverpool and they seem to be looking to the end of the season already and are definitely there for the taking tomorrow.

A chance wasted late on

Was Saturdays game a point gained or two points dropped?
This will be going through every Wolves fans mind at least until tomorrow.
Wolves started poorly and Fulham had several oportunities untill Fletcher scored a fantastic header after 22 minutes gainst the run of play after a great first half performance.
The southbank was electric and again the survival dream was evident within the fans.
Danny Murphey was getting the majority of the stick after his comments about Wolves earlier in the season with the chant "1-0 to the dirty Wolves"
As a great ding-dong battle developed between him and Karl Henry who drove the midfield excellently.
Matt Jarvis had a great second half which seemed to have the Fulham defence beaten more than once whether he'll play for us next season I don't know.
With the game getting more bad tempered Mark Hughes reacted agrily to a yellow card for Hangerland after a series of mistimed tackle.
His reaction was to kick out at various thing on the toucline with the southbank cheering every-one of them and he was quickly sent into the stands.
But Wolves sat further back as we have so many times this year and we were lucky not to be punished earlier but on the 80th minute after a poorly defended move.
Lots of questions can and will be asked but the back four looked a lot more solid with Craddock at the back.
Ward had a poor game but why was he played instead of Foley?
Fulham were a very good side and maybe deserved more than a point from Molineux this will hopefully be a vital point gained come May 22nd

How it panned out

With Wolves having the weekend off due to Stoke playing in the semi-final of the FA cup Wolves fans could sit back knowing any slip ups from other teams we could then profit from next week.
As it turned out it was a mixed weekend for Wolves but one that has made the relegation battle even more exciting.
West Ham were the main losers from the weekend getting beat 2-1 at home to Aston Villa and keeping them on the same points as us.
Wigans win at Blackpool although not surprising moves them out of the relegation zone and will give them a big boost.
Wolves come into Saturday's game against Fulham knowing that anything else apart from a win will put a massive strain on are relegation fight.
A win on Saturday would really worry a few teams who already consider us as relegated the hope that led us to beat Man United,Chelsea,Man City, Liverpool is needed once again.
In my opinion this Wolves side on it's day can beat anybody we have just lacked belief in recent weeks McCarthy has came out in the week saying we will fight for are lives but I didn't see that on the pitch against Everton. Much improvment is needed it is in them but will it come in time?

Another vital game

Another home game and another must win game for are boys.
Three points against Everton could see us climb out of the bottom three again and ease the pressure with back to back home games.
The defensive performance on Saturday was embarrasing at times with Foley being one of the main culperates although Berra didn't exactly sparkle either.
Even with that we still could have salvaged a point if Fletcher had scored his chance at 3-1 not that we would have deserved it.
The performance was the most disapointing thing after a run of good results against Villa and Tottenham but Wolves battle on and hopefully McCarthy will sort that back four out for Saturday.
Rant over haha.