Roll up, roll up, welcome to the Cabinet of Dr Caligari, live from Molineux at 3pm tomorrow.
Doctor Caligari is not actually the chief medical officer at Juve but was in fact the lead character in a 1920s silent movie wherein all mysterious things went on and some believe the phrase “smoke and mirrors” originated from. It’s a black and white classic like Nosferatu and Metropolis but these days very much niche viewing of course. I love it!
Tomorrow’s smoke and mirrors make it utterly impossible to predict who will take the field for either side. Wolves are going great guns under new Portuguese manager Bruno Lage and have gleaned 13 points from their last five Premier League matches. Just like Norwich City they have not made a significant signing for the first team in the January window and have loaned out Adama Traore [a player I have always admired] to Barcelona with an option to buy.
I know Bournemouth are not Barca but nevertheless, there is a certain situational alignment here, isn’t there Todd?
There is no way the Wolvers can gain European qualification but equally the threat of relegation we are haunted with will certainly not be entertained by anybody connected with the Black Country Club from owners to fans alike.
To my mind, this means they might as well go full tilt for the FA Cup and I wouldn’t be surprised if they fielded the strongest side they can tomorrow. They have absolutely nothing to lose by taking that approach and it’s one I fully expect them to adopt.
So who will we send into the fray?
It’s always difficult to tell with modern-day Cup ties. According to Dean Smith, Mattias Normann is back in the frame and it is possible that Billy Gilmour and Zimbo will be available too. All three have trained this week. There has been no news on Tim Krul which I find slightly disturbing in all honesty so Angus Gunn must surely continue in goal. Sir Sulkalot has departed to Dorset.
Oh well, he probably couldn’t have been ar$ed to turn out if he was still here, so there’s no loss there then.
Dean Smith will obviously call the shots and he must dictate who needs game time and who needs a little bit of a rest.
I’d say Pepe Placheta and Christos Tzolis would benefit from some minutes, as would all three of the recent returnees. Maybe Kieran Dowell as well I suppose, but that’s Deano’s call.
When it comes to a deserved rest Grant Hanley has been playing with injections for so long now he’d be first on my list. Maybe Max Aarons too but Max being Max, he will want to play I am sure. So indeed will Grant, probably.
Tomorrow’s team news at 2pm will certainly be interesting, whichever of the two sides you might support.
MFW regular Don Harold lives in the West Midlands. He knows and works with several Wolves fans so will desperately be hoping for a Norwich win in order to gain the upper hand in next week’s office banter.
For me, I think we have other, bigger and far more difficult fish to fry this season but a place in the last 16 would be an enjoyable bonus.
Dr Cagliari is the only person who could predict the line-ups tomorrow. Via my ouija board, I’m going to ask him for the result and the name of the first scorer as well as I haven’t been to the bookies in ages.
Que sera sera.
Here’s a clip featuring probably the most famous Wolves fan the world has ever seen. Enjoy and I hope the title doesn’t refer to NCFC:
UPDATE FROM DEAN SMITH’S PRESS CONFERENCE THIS MORNING:
Both Normann and Gilmour are indeed fit and available tomorrow. Lukas Rupp and Andrew Omobamidele are likely to be available for the visit of Palace on Wednesday.
Less precise on Jacob Sorensen [knee] and Tim Krul [shoulder], Smith says Sorensen’s recovery is going well and he won’t be out for much longer but we shouldn’t expect to see Krul back until March although the latter is doing some light training.
Mr. P;
Wolves with no chance of qualifying for Europe??
They are 4 points behind Man Ure (who are 4th), with a game in hand.
Methinks (or probably hopes!!), that they have continental travel on their minds for next season so may well save a few for their upcoming league games.
Jiminez has been away with Mexico and as you say, Thunderthighs has also departed them. Losing those 2 surely weakens them more than our loss of the alice band?
Yes; we need to focus on next Wednesday’s game, but I have a feeling we might just sneak this.
O T B C
Hi John
Realisically they might have an outside chance of the Europa or that tinpot thing Spurs have half-heartedly been involved with but considering the depth of the squads the top six have at their disposal I stand by what I said originally.
Of course we might just sneak it – it’s what the FA Cup has always been about 🙂
Cheers
Morning Mr P, I can take or leave this bonus, a good performance, no injury setbacks will do me. Of course, winning helps the confidence levels. But the league is the most important matter on the agenda. besides our record against wolves in FA Cup, doesn’t instil much hope.
1971… we lost 5-1. 1980 we forced a draw 1-1 but lost the replay at Carrow 2-3
The Prem that is the bread and butter, where the money comes from, the last two wins have put us in with more than a chance of achieving the goal. Survival was something I had given up on and guess I weren’t alone in that view. I would hate to see an injury to any, now players are coming back nor would I like to see a humiliating thumping.
For me it is not worth putting the returning players at too much risk with Palarse awaiting and we owe them a little something
Afternoon Lad – I’m late on parade today.
The issue of those returning is a fine old line for Deano to tread. They definitely need some minutes but certainly not the full 90+, which wouldn’t do Normann or Gilmour any favours for sure.
Yes we do owe Palace one [big time] and that is where I’m focussing my attention right now, but any Cup win has to be a good one.
Cheers
Marty, I would of course be the best football manager ever, I have decades of hindsight experience to regurgitate and my man management skills ( note I didn‘t say women) are second to none. So against Wolves I would give the returnees some game time but also continue with our winning squad, the more game time together the better. In other words what the hell does Deano do? A bit of both and bugger the cup? A competitive run out ready for a resumption of our fight for survival? Or a serious tilt at the cup? What ever he decides, I as usual, will with hindsight, praise his good decisions and continue to offer my advice regarding the not so good, it‘s all part of being a dedicated fan. We‘ll lose 2-1.
Hi Cutty
And there was me thinking Captain Hindsight resided in the House of Commons. Or Grays Inn, Lincolns Inn or somewhere like that as he attempts to slay the beast.
Back to reality you’re quite right of course.
Most, and I stress most, supporters should feel free to offer our advice to NCFC management at all times [and many of us do on matchdays] so you do not stand alone.
As you say, it’s all part of being a supporter.
Cheers
Hi Martin.
Maybe a Stairway to Heaven with a few returnees in the mix
Will Alice and his flowing blond locks be a miss not for me so Blacklace my soon be asking a question with some rude comedian’s version of the song.
Wolves have come a long way since the Chinese took over but still City remember them as bully boys with criminal intent but there have been a few players turn out for both clubs over the years and Ruddy is still there.
Beverly Sisters and Billy Wright always comes to mind so some strange reason when we play this club but then that could be age.
Normann, Zimbo need a runout Dowell needs like Gilmour need to show they can help city stay up, one will be long gone come end of May and the other might be sold as I can’t see him prospering under Dean Smith he is too lightweight which ever league we are in next season.
Hi Alex
Since we parted company with Mario, Dowell is probably the only player I would fancy to take a pop from the edge of the box but that alone is not enough for a regular start.
I think our traditional dislike for Wolves is slowly evaporating as memories of MuscRat fade and they can play some pretty decent stuff to be fair to them.
As for the Beverly Sisters you have embarrassed me as I can just about remember who they were and I think one of them was married to Billy Wright.
Not a thing for a metalhead to willingly own up to.
Cheers
I think he was married to the one called Babs without Google
Yeah it seems they are going back to their classy 50’s style that won them praise all over Europe
I would gladly take a small lose on this one, but will view the next few games with Gunny Jr in goal with trepidation
Yes, Krul’s absence is a major blow.
I didn’t consider it before but maybe a game for McGovern is a possibility. An injury to Angus and we’re really in to brown stuff.
I think you may be mixing Babs Lord of Pans People, who married Robert Powell, up with the Beverlys Alex.
Morning Martin,
Gotta be ‘Up for the Cup’!
Perhaps being the 4th round of the FA Cup S&S will put out quite a strong side. It would be important not to disrupt the current good vibes in the City squad.
Lawro reckons we’re going to win the match 1-0, I think there will be more goals than that, and I fancy Pukki, Lees-Melou and McLean to be big for us if they start – but I put away my crystal ball as to the final score.
I’d start with the squad that brought us six points recently (thinking of the approaching Palace game here!) but it would be good to give our returnees a run out, get some air in their lungs maybe from the bench? Especially good if Normann is fit to play a part in the game, and I agree with you, Placheta deserves a run-out, and it would be good to see Zimbo!
Also, why not ‘blood’ a youngster?
In fifteen minute’s time, ‘ITV4, ‘The Big Match’, has highlights from NCFC v Leicester. Don’t know what year, but we’ve had some great games with Leicester over the years.
Cheers Martin,
COYYs !!
Evening Kev
I’ve been late on everything today!
In terms of blooding a youngster this might be the time for winger/striker Jonathan Rowe to get some minutes under his belt?
He’s been on the bench a couple of times so maybe this could be an opportunity.
I reckon Normann needs handling with care as he could be absolutely vital for us in the approaching few months. DS is no fool and I’m confident he will do the right thing.
Cheers
I should have said in the original article that I think Pukki could do with a rest as well but I simply cannot see that happening.
You may be correct about Pukki getting a rest Martin, although the squad has just had a good proportion of the 14 days off so hopefully they will all be raring to go!
Yes, Rowe getting a bit of an airing might be interesting – would’ve been just as interesting though, to have been able to bring Dickson-Peters on for a run-out.
I acknowledge what you say regarding Normann and the other returnees. Twenty minutes or so would probably be a good experience for them if we are in a position to do that!
The ‘Big Match Revisited’ I referred to, with dear old Brian Moore, turned out to be 1977, League 1, NCFC 3 – 2 Leicester City, a fine Viv Busby hat-trick for us! I vaguely recall that game, a lot of good guys in the side; Jimmy Neighbour, Phil Boyer, Kevin Keelan, Tony Powell, Martin Peters, Billy Steele to name just a few, a good watch although a bit brief!
Cheers,
OTBC !!
Ha!
Billy Steele is a blast from the past.
If I’m right [I know i am, I’m sure I am] he ran the Ironmongers just off the Market in the late 80s/early 90s and was quite a character.
Sending Tom Dickson-Peters out on loan remains a mystery to me, just like Bali Mumba at Peterborough and, earlier, Sam McCallum to QPR.
I saw article about Teemu Pukki stats this season compared to season 19-20. Outside his scoring stats he has created most scoring chances and made most key passes this season in Norwich squad. His created scoring chances were 0,28 in 19-20 and now 21-22 season its 0,71. Key passes 19-20 were 0,28 and 21-22 its now 0,52. So basically he has created scoring chances about 2,5 times more than he did in 19-20 and made key passes 2 times more than in 19-20 season.
I have started to listen audiobook about him, its based on facts and comments of other football personalities. So far its been going through his junior years to KTP, Sevilla and HJK so Schalke chapters are next ones. There is several interesting names mentioned and basically its good story how crazy it has been that 1 missed scoring chance or scored goal can change so much in players career. He has also played against and together with so much older players all the time also in international games, not only in Finland but also in Spain so Sevillas sporting director had difficult to believe his age.
Very likely Wolves see fa cup as chance to win something and to get to europe. Their chances to get to europe are very very limited, they are top 10 club in premier league and basically 7-10 placed club.
Hi 1×2
I am too lazy to dig into stats and I do not have a mathematical mind anyway but I can understand what you are saying about Teemu Pukki.
Teemu has always shown himself to be very mature both on and off the pitch while at Norwich and he will leave us with a very big gap to fill at the end of this season, when I believe he will find somewhere else in Europe to sign a final contract.
He thoroughly deserves this.
Kiitos
Robert Plant, apart from being a Wolves fan, is a superb person. He’ll turn up unannounced at any kind of local music, including youth orchestras, school choirs and pub bands. He always has time for the performers, one of those people that no one has a bad word to say about.
Most Wolves fans seem to agree that they should have a good go at winning the FA Cup. They would argue that they have a good chance of qualifying for at least the Europa League, but there’s nothing like winning a trophy-none of them seem to have any doubt that they’ll beat us (pride before a fall, hopefully).
I agree with your assessment of the team Deano may put out. I do care about the result as my local pub Monday night club is full of ST holders. If we win I could have a particularly good time with Alan from Belfast, who is not only a Wolves fan but a lifelong Rangers supporter-my Celtic allegiance could mean that after Wednesday’s result I could get away with not buying a pint all night.
Hi Don
3-0 and top of the SPL as a consequence, wasn’t it?
Hopefully that result at Parkhead will keep your pal Alan from Belfast a little subdued for a while although the SPL season has plenty of life in it in yet.
I’ve never met Robert Plant but I have met Jimmy Page and he was polite, very well spoken indeed [cut glass accent] and great fun at a Hampshire village green barbecue for the 10 or so minutes we spent rambling on. He wanted to join in the tug o war across the river ford but bottled it at the last minute when he saw what the rope might do to his fingers.
I wouldn’t mind at all if they did but I don’t think Wolves will qualify for Europe.
Cheers
A good read martin. References to the cabinet of doctor caligari tale me back to the early 80’s, when my best friend was working on the road crew for Bauhaus on their tour. I tagged along a couple of times, including the Ipswich gaumont and helped set up the cabinet from which Peter Murphy was to emerge during the encore, bela lugosis dead.
Along with my bauhaus paraphernalia I wore a city scarf to torment the locals as I flitted around the stage.
I wish you’d used bela as your entree.
I see young Jonathan Rowe is in line for his debut and given that we can use 5 substitutes I hope we will see the return of Normann to the fray, if only to knock off the rust.
I don’t see that winning this game would be detrimental to our hopes. As unlikely as victory seems, I will be rooting firmly for city at three tomorrow.
I might add that I feel it is unfair that having been drawn away yet again, we are denied the opportunity of a replay. A much fairer idea would be to give the away side the draw.
Now let’s get on Wembley waY.
Hi Chris
I remember Bauhaus although I never got to see them. I do like art bands such as the original version of Roxy and the early incarnation of Japan but somehow they slipped through the net.
Bela Lugosi was the best screen Dracula – Universal Studios in 1931 I think. I’ve always liked the trio of Weimar silents I mentioned and Nosferatu is by far my favourite.
We very often seem to be drawn away in recent times but as much as I’m disappointed that I can’t be there it should give our diehards a terrific day out.
Settling the issue on pens is fine by me actually, although I get your point.
Cheers