And so to Molineux, where Wolves await. That sound you hear is not howling but the clacking of loose wheels after the Villa and Bayern defeats. A weary team has to ensure that they do not come off in the Black Country on Saturday evening to avoid bringing this season’s journey of hope, ambition and advancement to an early end. This will be a game played in the mind as much as on the pitch.
Molineux memories
Somewhere in the bowels of Castle Ned lies a dogeared copy of a Charles Buchan’s Football Annual with evocative black and white photos of European club football under the lights at Molineux in the 1950s when Stan Cullis’s Wolverhampton Wanderers were a power in the land.
The story goes that Gabriel Hanot, editor of the French sports newspaper L’Equipe and acknowledged by UEFA as a founding father of the European Cup, was inspired by watching Wolves and the Hungarian Army side Honved play a friendly at Molineux in December 1954. Two down after 14 minutes, Wolves overpowered the tiring Honved of Puskas, Kocsis and Czibor in the Molineux mud to win 3-2. Following victory over Spartak Moscow the previous month and England’s 6-3 humiliation by the Hungarian national side at Wembley the previous year, the Daily Mail, ever the chest-thumper for Vainglorious Albion, declared Wolves ‘the Champions of the World’.
Even being champions of Europe was beyond them. Mixing with Johnny Foreigner was still regarded in the isolationist halls of the FA as being too demeaning for Englishmen. Chelsea pulled out of the inaugural European Cup in 1955-56 after being ‘advised’ by the FA to withdraw. However, in 1958, Cullis, who had been one of the England players who had refused to make a Nazi salute in Berlin in 1938, raised two fingers to the FA, and Wolves became the second English club to play in the European Cup.
Wolves received a first-round bye but were knocked out by Schalke 04 4-3 on aggregate in the second round. The following season, Cullis’s team, back-to-back Division One champions in 1957-58 and 1958-59, reached the quarter-finals. There, they lost to Barcelona 9-2 on aggregate — 4-0 in the Nou Camp and 5-2 at Molineux. Fitness, power and direct attacking won Wolves titles in the Football League, but its muscular long-ball game fell short against more skilful European teams.
Regardless, this was the most successful period of Wolves’ history. Cullis guided them to nine top-three finishes in his 16 seasons as manager, winning three league titles and two FA Cups with a team built around the half-back line of Bill Slater, Ron Flowers and England captain Billy Wright, later to manage at Highbury for four years in the 1960s with little distinction.
Wolves’ stadium takes its iconic name from the Molineux Pleasure Grounds, on part of which it was built in 1889. The Pleasure Grounds had once been the grounds of Molineux House, a property the eponymous ironmonger and banker Benjamin Molineux had acquired in 1744 from the estate of John Rotton in settlement of a £700 debt. The Rotton would not have the same exotic ring as Molineux, although there is still a Rotton Park district in Birmingham just 15 miles away that derives its name from the same family.
Wolves changed their instantly recognisable colours from black and old gold to black and gold after Molineux became one of the first grounds in Britain to install floodlights in September 1953. Cullis thought the brighter shirts would show up better under the lights. The colours come from Wolverhampton’s civic motto, Out of darkness cometh light or E tenebris oritur lux for the classicists in the bar.
The opposition
As GHF Predictathon players know well, Gary O’Neill’s team has exceeded expectations this season; Wolves sit in eleventh rather than the predicted bottom three. O’Neill played over 200 Premier League games for Portsmouth, Middlesborough, West Ham and Norwich as an old-school, workhorse midfielder. Yet the second youngest manager in the Premier League after Vincent Kompany — O’Neill turns 41 next month — is developing a reputation as a leading light of a new generation of progressive English coaches.
Last season, he took over at Bournemouth after the Cherries 9-0 thrashing by Liverpool and steered an apparently relegation-doomed side to the safety of 15th. He was thanked with the sack at the end of the season. Wolves picked him up after Julen Lopetegui walked out in a huff just before this season started, with the club having sold four of his best players to make ends meet.
O’Neill has developed a knack for giving top sides grief. Last season, his Bournemouth team was two up at the Emirates in the game Reiss Nelson rescued with his famous last-gasp winner. His Wolves’ scalps have included Manchester City and doubles over Chelsea and the neighbours. His injury-depleted side lost only narrowly 2-1 at the Emirates in December, in the game in which Bukayo Sako scored his 100th Arsenal goal.
O’Neill likes to set up a 3-4-2-1. He has Arteta-like attention to detail, customising match-day tactics to Wolves’ opponents and seeking the marginal gains that add up to significant improvement. Against us, I would expect him to play something akin to a 3-5-2 to create the mid-block against which we struggle. Wolves will look to keep things compact when out of possession, make it difficult for us to play through the middle and, in possession, stretch us wide and get the ball to their assist king, the much-admired winger Pedro Neto to play in their leading scorers South Korean international Hee-chan Hwang (10 goals ) and Brazilian international Matheus Cunha (11), whose loan from Atletico Madrid was made permanent in the summer in return for a 50 million euros fee.
The return last weekend of Hwang and talisman Cunha from injury will encourage Wolves’ belief that they can end a mini-slump that has put their season at risk of petering out. They are winless in five in all competitions, including last Saturday’s draw at Nottingham Forest. Their small squad lacks the depth to cover their lengthy injury list, which now also includes centre-back Craig Dawson and Algerian international left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, who has reportedly attracted the interest of ourselves and the Scousers.
Wolves can be tricky but not impossible to beat at Molineux. They have lost five of 15 home league games. Our recent form there has been up and down, with three wins and two losses in the past five visits, although we had not previously lost there since 1978, a 1-0 defeat in which Kevin Stead made the first of his only two appearances for us.
The Arsenal
Which team Arteta fields is guesswork. He says everyone except Timber is available. Plenty of tired legs and minds were in evidence in the second halves of the Villa and Bayern games. In his pre-match press conference, Arteta again pointed a finger at the playing load on his players, but he has rotated only lightly.
Some of the team look to be carrying knocks, while others have started running on fumes. For Saturday, Arteta must strike a balance between refreshing spirits and recharging legs, plus keep one eye on Tuesday’s game against the mob from the Bus Stop. I would like to see Partey start to give the skipper or Rice a deserved and much-needed break and to provide more vertical passes from midfield, but I doubt the Ghanaian is fit enough or that any of the leaders in the team will want to stand down. This could be a game for ESR’s direct running, though. Thus:
Raya
White Saliba Gabriel Tomiyasu
Ødegaard Rice ESR
Saka Havertz Trossard
It goes without saying that this is a must-win. If we can revert to eliminating the mistakes that have crept into our defending in the past two or three games and start taking our first-half chances, we should be able to achieve the victory we need. City plays Chelsea in an FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, and Liverpool does not visit Craven Cottage in the league until Sunday. We can go back to the top at least overnight. A calm and controlled 3-1 under the lights at Molineux would do it.
Enjoy the game, ‘holics, near and far.
First
Is this le Grove?
Now to reading the preview.
I never get centuries…
A must read…thanks Ned.
And a must win.
Good to see you, RevAL – is it really you or are you Rev AI what with all the techno wizardry around these days.
Anyhow,don’t be a stranger – or, no stranger than you are .
Now for me to read the actual article too !
An enjoyable trip down memory lane as ever, Ned. Grateful thanks to you and those monks !
A bit too far back for my memory – Derek Dougan and John (?) Richards are as far back as I can stretch. They were decent too, from memory.
I think a calm 3-1 win would be bloody marvellous in the circumstances – but I’m not hazarding a guess at the team. I do think Partey and Jesus could be effective together but they just don’t seem to appear for whatever reason.
Ned,
Terrific preview which stirred some memories
I actually remember those early European nights. They used to show the second halves of the games on ITV and although I was in South London a number of my friends became Wolves fans because of their success .
Wolves has massively out- performed expectations given that Lopetegui walked away at the start of the season because of lack of money to spend . O’ Neill is the sort of coach West Ham should seriously think about .
But I believe his team is even more injury-stricken than you suggest . Cunha is injured again, and apparently Hwang can’t yet last 90 minutes. Dawson is a big loss for them too Psychologically it’s a tough game for us and physically too. I like the idea of ESR starting but I don’t expect much fresh blood although if Partey were fit it would be a huge boon to give Rice some rest .
I think it will be a huge struggle but back us to win 1-0
A characteristically informative and entertaining preview, Ned which for me, like for Trev, stimulated some long buried memories. I had the Topical Times Annual of either ’59, ’60 or ’61 (for those with the set still, it was the one with glossy full page colour pictures of Bobby Evans and Gerry Hitchens while a group photo (b&w) of the Hearts team (who won the Scottish League in 1960) suggests it was the 1960 annual. I can’t recall exactly which year but there was a piece extending across several pages headlined, “Wolves – the team of the future” with fulsome praise for the development of Molineux.
As to young Trev’s wispy recall, I’ll see your Dougan (vicious elbows) and Richards (underrated) and raise you Baillie and Wagstaffe.
No predictions of either team or scoreline from me on this one. Please just win, Arsenal.
TTG@6: You are right. O’Neill has confirmed that both Neto and Cunha are unavailable.
Top notch preview, Ned. In my ignorance I had no idea that Wolves even had a motto, let alone that it was Latin and rather good. Light rises or springs from the darkness or, more darkly, from the ghosts or even underworld. I like it. The monks must have been in their cells illuminating vellum manuscripts recently!
Always liked Wolves and along with Trev my memories begin with The Doog and John Richards. I also seem to remember the Hibbitt brothers, Terry and Kenny played for them. Talk about tough as teak. I remember when Kenny was playing at Forest in the 80’s, watching a game at the Arsenal. We had a free kick just outside their box. Forest formed a wall and, as was the fashion, Arsenal players tried to disrupt by standing in/on the wall. Kenny Hibbitt started joking with Richie Powling. As soon as the ball was kicked, Hibbitt nutted the back of Powlings head with a force that could have dented girders. Them’s the days!
3-0 to. The good guys.
COYG.
Cheers Ned. Great preview. Three points needed. Off to Athens tonight, where I shall be arriving at the hotel in time to catch the match while pretending to work.
Three points needed. So what bath said at the end (no memories triggered for me….).
Thanks Ned, good stuff as usual.
I think I’m with CER on 3-0 as we need to get back on the horse in a significant way.
UTA.
Thanks Ned, a preview stuffed with facts I never knew about Wolves,
Who’d have guessed Johnny Rotten was a midlander for example.
One thing I do know is beat Wolves and we’ll be the leader of the
pack again. Any win will do,
For those who might not see it, a link to an interview with an Arsenal legend – Santi Cazorla.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/apr/20/santi-cazorla-i-would-play-for-free-but-youre-not-allowed
UTA.
Thanks Ned ( and the monks ) for a fact filled preview. You refer to those floodlight evening games televised live in the mid 1950s – they had massive support from the viewing public as it was totally innovative at that time – a top English team playing exotic sounding names from Eastern Europe.
My last visit to Molineux was in Jan 1976 for a 3rd round fa cup tie. We were totally outplayed and lost 3-0. The midfield / forward lineup was ok but the defence – oh dear, but it did include 17yr old centre half who had recently made his 1st team debut, D@vid O’Leary. On the scoresheet for Wolves was a future Arsenal player of significance – Alan Sunderland.
Wolves have a long injury list with some notable absentees but Gary O’Neil will have 11 players full of endeavour. Providing out legs haven’t gone from the past 2 exertions, we should have enough for a much needed win – 2-0 to the good guys.
COYRRR
Something is bothering me about this game. We really have to win this one and some of our key players are looking tired. We have some very big games coming up right after today and those players will have to be at their best. With that in mind, and the reported injury list at Wolves, I’ve come up with an alternative lineup that might get roundly booed off, but here goes:
Leave the defence alone for stability but then –
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Partey, Jorginho, ESR; Nelson, Havertz, Jesus.
Should provide a combination of hard work and trickery – directness on both wings – organised by Jorginho, attack provided through Partey and ESR – and essentially a mental and physical break for players who rarely or never get rotated.
Too much of a gamble ? So is playing a tired team ….?
Noosa @13- thank you, thank you, thank you !
What a brilliant article – thanks so unchanged for sharing.
If anyone hasn’t read it – STOP whatever you’re doing right now and read it !
Another lumpy throat here. So many of the players Arsene Wenger signed ( not to say Mikel won’t do the same, either ) turned out to be such great people. It all enhances the way we feel about this club. We owe him, and our traditions, a lot.
Wot Trev said @16 about Santi’s interview, a very enjoyable read and I am happy he’s happy.
NG@13: excellent profile of Santi. Thanks for posting the link.
There is also a piece there about Vitesse Arnhem being deducted 18 points (guaranteeing them relegation) following an investigation into allegations that the club was secretly controlled by Abramovich.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/apr/19/vitesse-arnhem-relegated-from-eredivisie-after-18-point-deduction
A preview soaked in history, delightfully written. Thanks Ned!
The team needs to relax a bit, not give in to nerves, play with a calm confidence in their abilities and preparations, and not worry about mistakes. Easier said than done, of course, especially given what’s at stake. I guess it’s the job of Arteta and his coaching team to get the squad perform at their peak psychological condition. Which is what will help most to overcome the fatigue that must have naturally set in.
Any win will do.
Come on Arsenal!
Great stuff, Ned.
Absent Neto, I’d play Zinchenko at LB and give White a rest and let Tomi run wild at RB. I’d play Partey (of course I would) with Declan to his left. I think Trossard under-performs as a starter, so ESR on the left wing for me with the options of Jesus, Tross and Martinelli should we need to pour the sauce.
Just win. COYG.
CER@9: Wolverhampton switched from Latin to the English translation when it marked its 50th anniversary as a borough and adopted a new coat of arms in 1898. Trying to be modern, I suppose.
Thanks Ned, some of that fascinating stuff was before my time but I do suppose that’s the point of reading history. 😉
Just win, Gunners.
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Ødegaard, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Trossard
COYG!!
No Tomi on the bench I noticed, hope it’s not another knock
Anyway, quite an attacking side I’m happy to see. COYGS!!
@25 Matt, makes me wonder if Thomas’ Arsenal race is run.
Oops – ignore BtM @26 – 36 holes of golf have befuddled brain.
It’s a lovely evening in Wolverhampton. Pint of Guinness and an excellent beef and onion pie have set me up right proper.
OM@25: as per the club, Tomiyasu drops out of the matchday squad after picking up a knock on Wednesday and has been left out as a precaution.
Thanks Ned.
And BTM, I think Thomas’s Arsenal race is run to be honest.
COYG
Just win, fellas!
The early tackle on Saka was a yellow all day long
Toti is finally booked. And Kilman too for a late one on Kai.
Leo and Declan booked for nothing.
We have played ok and dominated the game but too hesitant in front of goal.
Wolves have come closest in fact, Raya pushing one onto the post.
Blimey William, let’s not give it away there.,
Get in Leo!!
Curled one into the top left after good hold up work from Gabi Jesus.
1-0 to The Arsenal about right I think
We need to control midfield . We aren’t doing that at the moment. We may need Btm’s mate Partey on if he is fit and maybe some more legs ( ESR ?) to create more momentum. I suspect all of the three sides involved are very leggy now, certainly £115ty looked very tired at Wembley . We do need to use the squad effectively ( and stop them attacking Kiwior!)
If we are able to win this it will be a great effort because we are knackered
Spot on TTG. We need to get legs on. It would be nice to see ESR driving straight at those cloggers because at least one of the pair on a yellow will earn a second yellow. Oops! Tierney? Maybe not.
TTG, there’s one fool-proof way to prevent Wolves from attacking Kiwior second half. Bring on Zinchenko now.
Come out strongly 2nd half., pushing hard for the 2nd
Is it me or have Wolves got much more kicky 2nd half?
Massive win ! Hard earned but that makes it better in a way
Great 3 points after a tough week, top of the league!
Yesssssd!
Massive, hard-earned but bloody ugly victory. But it’s still three points. In truth it should have been 4-0 to the good guys. Hopefully no more knocks and a supply of energy bounce back pills.
Battling win, but a win. Not that there was any alternative at this stage of the season. The team reverted to eliminating the mistakes that had crept into its defending in the past two or three games. Get the taking of first-half chances back, too, and we will be good.
HUGE WIN!
Noosa @13, Thanks for posting the link to that article on Santi. Superb article, superb player, superb human being.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>