CITY v
WOLVES
DIGITAL MATCHDAY
PROGRAMME
WOLVES AT THE DOOR
Twenty wins in succession. It may or may not be done again in our lifetime, but it’s a privilege to be enjoying it in the here and now.
The 2-1 victory over West Ham was just as difficult as predicted and this game against Wolves will be equally tough.
It seems a long time ago since we opened the current campaign with a 3-1 win at Molineux – so much has happened in-between, and our matches against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have proved very tricky over the past three years – and this game is likely to be equally hard.
We go into the game with a 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League with only 12 games to go, and while there are still hurdles to clear in the three months that remain, it is shaping up to be a very special season.
On to this edition, and we hope you are enjoying our digital matchday programmes.
A recent supporter survey gave the digital programme a 91% approval rating, so thanks to everyone who took part and gave us positive feedback – it’s much appreciated.
As per usual, we have Pep’s manager notes and Buzzer’s matchday column.
We also take a detailed look at Wolves, including their season so far, our past history and who their main threat is. Clue - he's rather fast.
Plus we have Marc Riley’s Mixed Grill which features former midfielder Gary Owen and Kevin Cummins’ recollections of a famous Morrissey gig in Wolverhampton - and a chance to vote for your Etihad Player of the Month.
So, plenty to go at ahead of the game and with the sun shining and blue skies, it’s a wonderful time to be a City fan.
The manager's pre-game thoughts...
Hello and a warm Etihad Stadium welcome to Nuno Espirito Santo and his Wolverhampton Wanderers staff.
The Premier League table will say that Wolves and Nuno are not having as good as season this year as they have for the last two when they finished 7th twice and qualified to play in the UEFA Europa League, but they still should never be underestimated.
Of all the teams that we have played in my time in England they have made life as difficult for us as anybody.
The fact that we have won 20 games in succession will not help us succeed tonight. I expect a game as equally demanding as the one against West Ham United on Saturday lunchtime when they made life very hard for us - especially in the first half.
Wolves will be a very similar test. They will be well organised and hard to break down and dangerous on the counter-attack. We will need to be patient and attentive in everything we do.
We made seven changes on Saturday and there will be some tonight, too. You cannot play every three or four days and travel to Europe without it taking its toll and needing the whole squad.
What I love, amongst many things about these players at City, is that they have an incredible team spirit. On and off the pitch they have great relationships, and everyone contributes. Of course, they all want to play every week – I was the same when I was a player – but they cannot. They understand that sometimes it is better to rest and wait for the next match. We are still fighting in the Premier League, the two domestic cups and the UEFA Champions League so there are many nice things to look forward to. Everyone will continue to play their part.
To play 20 games and win them all is a great achievement. It does not mean we have won the title of course, but in wintertime in England, every three days a game, COVID-19 situation, injuries... winning, winning, winning shows how strong this squad is both physically and mentally.
On Saturday we won without being brilliant. Since then, we have reflected on how we can do better and for this next game and tonight we try to solve that. Then we will rest from one another for a day or so and prepare for the next game which is the derby against United. This is how it must be. Never looking too far ahead, always with just one game (the next one) in mind.
Enjoy the match everyone and stay safe.
"We are like a machine... a Ferrari."
The game against West Ham was every bit as tough as we expected – they aren’t in the top four for nothing and David Moyes has got them playing good football and working hard.
They made it really hard for us and we had to grind out a victory, which I thought was deserved in the end. They’ll get European football without a doubt in my opinion.
Wolves are a different proposition.
They have a good mixture players – mostly Portuguese and English – and have a very good manager.
They are an attacking side and I don’t think they will come to the Etihad just to defend – they are capable of beating anyone on their day and as I always say, every game in the Premier League is difficult and brings its own challenges.
We continue to break records with our run of 20 successive wins setting new heights – we are like a machine, only if that is the case, it could only be a Ferrari.
We have a side that is as good as any in world football and the way Pep Guardiola controls everything proves he is a genius of a manager.
I’d compare him to the best there has ever been and this group of players don’t know the meaning of defeat.
Whatever team Pep puts out, they give 100% and play beautiful football – and if a side arrives that have tactics that are making things difficult, within 15 minutes Pep and his coaching staff have worked out a way to counter it by changing our system – he’s always one step ahead.
He reads the game like a book and I’ve witnessed him on a flight home studying the next opponents, so he’s thinking about the next game almost immediately after the final whistle blows at the match before!
I think that he is enjoying life at Manchester City more than anywhere else he’s been because of the competitiveness of the game in this country. he is a born competitor and loves the challenge the Premier League brings him.
Finally, I’d just like to pass the condolences of everyone at the Club to the family and friends of Glenn Roeder who was a fine player, a very good manager, and a highly respected coach.
It was very sad to hear of his passing at the weekend and Glenn will be fondly remembered by all who knew him – he was a very nice person and will be sadly missed.
wolves:
THE SEASON SO FAR
Wolves season began a week before City’s did with an impressive 2-0 win away to Sheffield United suggesting another bright campaign lay ahead.
In fact, with goals from Raul Jimenez and Romain Saiss in the first six minutes of that game, it could hardly have started better at Bramall Lane.
But three defeats on the bounce would dampen that early enthusiasm, with the first of them a 1-0 home loss to rivals Stoke City in the Carabao Cup.
Then City produced a polished first-half performance at Molineux on the way to a 3-1 victory, though the hosts dominated large periods of the second-half.
A 4-0 thrashing at West Ham United ended September on a definite low – October, however, would be much better.
Neto's 56th-minute strike was enough to beat Fulham 1-0 at Molineux, and a Jimenez proved how vital he is to the team with the winner away to Leeds United – another 1-0 victory as Wolves rallied from their early losses.
Jimenez looked to have bagged the winner again in the next match with Newcastle United, but the visitors snatched a last-minute leveller to travel back to the north-east with a 1-1 draw.
Wolves finished the month with another three points – this time a 2-0 home win against Crystal Palace to move join-top of the Premier League with Everton and Liverpool.
November would prove less fruitful, with a 1-0 defeat away to Leicester followed by a 1-1 draw with in-form Southampton.
The last game of the month was away to Arsenal, and it proved a costly trip for Wolves who lost Jimenez with a fractured skull just 15 minutes into the game – an injury that has kept the talented Mexican out ever since.
Wolves went on to win the game 2-1, but the loss of their talisman would be a huge one in the months that lay ahead.
Indeed, December was a poor month all-round for Wolves, particularly as they had no distractions other than Premier League fixtures.
Just four points from a possible 18 were taken, with a 2-1 win over Chelsea and a 1-1 draw with Spurs the only bright spots as Wolves lost to Liverpool (0-4), Aston Villa (0-1), Burnley (1-2) and Manchester United (0-1) to drop down to twelfth in the table.
They started the New Year looking likely to take three points after going in at the break away to Brighton with a 3-1 lead, but the Seagulls rallied to draw 3-3 and two points felt like they had been dropped.
Progress in the FA Cup was secured via a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, but back-to back home losses to Everton and West Brom again underlined the difficult spell Wolves were enduring – evident in the narrow 1-0 FA Cup win away to non-League Chorley.
A creditable 0-0 draw away to Chelsea and a 1-0 loss away to Crystal Palace ended a mixed January.
Wolves completed a Premier League double over Arsenal – 2-1 again – at the start of February, before being held 0-0 by Leicester City at Molineux.
Hopes of FA Cup success were ended by Southampton who left Molineux with a 2-0 win – but the teams met again at St Mary’s a few days later and the manager’s decision to play a weakened side in the cup tie paid off, with a 2-1 win on the south coast in the Premier League.
And beating Leeds United 1-0 at home and drawing 1-1 at Newcastle brings us bang up to date, with Wolves improving as the season moves into its final third and hopes of challenging for a top six finish steadily grow.
CITY V wolves: our history
The latest match-up between City and Wolves will be the 124th in all competitions and there is a perfect symmetry of 49 wins each and 25 draws.*
The first league meeting was in 1899 and ended up a 1-1 draw at Hyde Road with the first decade largely dominated by City, who lost just one of the first 12 clashes, winning nine by an overall aggregate of 36-10.
From there on, it was very much an even contest with nine wins each and one draw up to the start of World War Two.
From 1947 to 1962, however, Wolves would become something of a bogey team for City – so much so, that the Blues would win just three of the next 31 meetings, losing 18 and drawing 10!
And Wolves – who would go 16 meetings without losing against City during that time – handed out a number of thrashings during that time.
City lost 7-3, 7-2, 5-1, 6-4 and in 1962, were pummelled 8-2 - and that was with Bert Trautmann in net!
Thankfully, the Blues rallied somewhat after that, winning six and drawing two of the next nine clashes between 1962 and 1969.
The 1970s were edged by Wolves, with seven wins, seven draws and just five City wins, but Wolves will point to perhaps the best result of that decade when they beat the Blues 2-1 in the 1974 League Cup final.
There were no draws among the nine meetings in the 1980s, with City winning six and Wolves three, but the 1990s reminded us that the Black Country side still had something of the occasional jinx about them as they won five and drew one of the six meetings that decade.
It has always been a tough fixture to call, in fact, and though the meetings became fewer thereafter, there’s never been a feeling that the result is a given, either way.
City won four and drew one of the seven meetings in the first decade of the new millennium and the past decade has seen a resurgence in unexpected results when the Blues face Wolves.
City have enjoyed the better of the past 11 years, it’s true, but if a reminded was needed in 2019/20. Wolves won 2-0 at the Etihad and came from behind to win 3-2 a few months later and complete a Premier League double.
It remains a fascinating fixture on our schedule, and one that remains full of goals, drama, and surprises.
* includes 2019 Premier League trophy
KEVIN CUMMINS: i predict a riot
"Come on Kevin, you must have some photos of celebrity Wolves fans", asked my editor with a note of panic in his voice...
Well… I know Robert Plant is a fan because, via a circuitous route - and mutual friend - I was once invited to sit with him in the director’s box at Molineux. Unfortunately it was pre-selfie days, but I’m sure I have a signed ticket somewhere.
I have photographed Clint Mansell - once of Pop Will Eat Itself and now a successful soundtrack composer - ‘Moon’, ‘Rebecca’, ‘Black Swan’, and many more.
We had some good times together - especially on tours in Europe. Pop Will Eat Itself once got bottled off after 30 seconds in Amsterdam by Public Enemy fans, which made my job (and theirs) quite difficult.
They also once had a fight in my studio with Lemmy out of Motorhead who's behaviour was questionable to say the least. This too made my job (and theirs) quite difficult.
But good on them for standing up to him.
Unfortunately, due to Covid, all my photo files are locked up at my licensing agents, so I can only work with what I have at home.
So I’ve decided to feature a gig that put Wolverhampton on the Morrissey map. It was at Wolverhampton Civic on 22 December 1988, that Moz played his first ever solo gig.
Admission was gained by wearing a Smiths or Moz T-shirt, and the event was filmed for what became the Hulmerist video.
The gig was a riot. I photographed it from the stage - where the whole audience seemed intent on joining me at random points in the evening. 'Stop me if you think you’ve heard this one before' opened the show.
There were more security on stage than band members, all gently helping the fans back into the auditorium after they’d hugged or just touched Morrissey.
Five new songs were debuted, before he finished with another Smiths song, ‘Death at One’s Elbow’ - then after another near riot, he came back on and ended the show with ‘Sweet and Tender Hooligan’.
The band were loving it. Andy Rourke was next to me and handed me his bass - telling me I could keep it. I had no idea what to do with it but I thought I should look after it for him. It made things a bit difficult for a while, though. Well, have you ever tried photographing fans after a gig with assorted camera gear on one shoulder and a guitar slung over the other?
Many Morrissey fans around the world have regularly asked me if I could show them a couple of famous Morrissey locations in Manchester. They often ask where Wolverhampton Civic is. When I point out the location of the city on a map, they look puzzled. Then I realised: many of them think it’s just the name of a hall in Manchester - probably named after an 18th century merchant family: The Wolverhamptons of Palatine Road.
Sorry, Wulfrunians, but hey! What Difference Does it Make...?
ADAMA TRAORE
Premier League Stats
Age: 25
Position: Winger/Forward
Squad number: 37
Games: 128
Goals: 5
Assists: 12
Hit woodwork: 4
Headed goals: 0
Right-foot goals: 5
Left-foot goals: 0
Penalties scored: 0
Free-kicks scored: 0
Shots: 95
On target: 26
Shooting accuracy: 27%
Yellow cards: 7
Red cards: 0
Clubs: Barcelona B, Barcelona, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Wolves
International caps (Spain): 5
International goals: 0
Club career appearances (all comps): 269
Club career goals (all comps): 23
City/wolves:
10 Connections:
Finding 10 players that have played for both Wolves and City wasn’t that easy, but we have found the required number, even if one or two are tenuous to say the least...
Let’s start with Joleon Lescott, the central defender who made his name with Wolves before moving to Everton and then City.
Between 2000 and 2006, Lescott racked up 235 appearances for the Black and Gold, scoring a decent 13 goals.
After spending three years at Goodison Park, he moved to City in 2009, staying five years and winning four major trophies.
One of the most famous moves from Wolves to City was that of Steve Daley in 1979, with Malcolm Allison spending a record £1.4m to bring the midfielder to Maine Road.
But Daley struggled to live up to expectation, with the price tag weighing heavily on his shoulders and he played fewer than 50 league games before being sold for a fraction of the fee he’d cost.
Everton keeper Mike Stowell was loaned to City during the 1987/88 season and played 15 games before returning to Merseyside.
Stowell also was loaned to Wolves the following season and impressed enough to win a permanent move in 1990, going on to play 441 games for the club over an 11-year period.
Another Evertonian loanee – Michael Branch followed a similar path to Stowell, being loaned to City in 1998 (where he made just four appearances) before spending a short spell with Wolves which later led to a permanent move to Molineux.
Branch would stay for three years in the Black Country, making 62 league appearances before moving on.
City skipper Keith Curle stayed at Maine Road from 1991 to 1996 and made 204 appearances, before moving to Wolves where he stayed a further four years.
And popular winger Mark Kennedy also played for both clubs.
He arrived at City in 1999 and played 77 times before joining Wolves where he would remain for five years, appearing 187 times.
Another fan favourite – Paul Simpson – would represent each club.
The former youth team graduate was a first team member for five years at Maine Road, making 155 appearances and after spells with Derby County and Oxford United, he ended up at Wolves where he stayed from 1997 to 2000.
Robert Taylor had enjoyed prolific spells with Brentford and Gillingham before a big money move to City in 1999, but things didn’t work out well for 'Super Bob' who played just 12 games for the Blues before joining Wolves in 2000.
He would play the same number of games for Wolves before being loaned out and eventually moving on in 2002.
Danish defender Mikkel Bischoff joined City in 2002, but injuries restricted his progress and played just twice for City before loaned out to Wolves where he made 11 appearances during the 2004-05 campaign.
After making just 95 career appearances, he move into media and is today a Danish TV pundit.
Finally, Dave Wagstaffe started out life as a City player, making 166 appearances between 1960 and 1964 before moving to Molineux where he would become a club legend.
‘Waggy’ would stay 12 years in the Black Country, making 404 appearances before later playing for Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool.
Here’s to bright blue skies…
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Our mascot for today...
Name: Hansline Edeh
Age: 7
From: Manchester
Fave player: Sergio Aguero
Hansline's story: I am Hansline and I am seven years old. I became City fan when I was in my mummy's tummy and she took me to Man City match against CSKA Moscow. My love for football grew as I was getting older. I play footy with my big brother George and watch matches with my family.
On my sixth birthday I went to watch City v Porto live and loved it!!! I hope I can do that again.
A few weeks later I was invited to train at Manchester City Academy. Unfortunately, due to pandemic I haven't been able to train since and really miss it. I also passed football trials at Everton Academy, but my heart is with City.
I love going to school but football is everything, I take my ball wherever we go.
My dream would be to meet Mr Aguero one day, he is my favourite player but I love everyone.
MARC'S NEW Q&A SERIES FOR BLUES FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE - NEXT UP, FORMER CITY STAR, GARY OWEN...
I normally start these missives from South Manchester with an introduction to the guest in question but on this occasion - if you need me to tell you who Gary Owen is - you are either not a Man City supporter…or you’re not long since out of short trousers...
The latter of which is of course allowed.
For the latter then…Gary made 124 appearances for the Blues between 1975 and 1979 when he was sold by Malcolm Allison in a move that shocked many supporters of the time and angered many more. A firm favourite with the Blue Army he was sold to West Brom where he spent the following seven years and later, a short spell at Sheffield Wednesday.
He also has a tally of 23 caps for England Under-21s.
Gary interviewed me once and he treated me with dignity and respect…I CAN ONLY ASSUME HE THOUGHT I WAS SOMEBODY ELSE!
Enough of me wittering on…over to- the legend - Gary Owen!
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF GOING TO A FOOTBALL MATCH?
Everton v Southampton - 8-2, I think Joe (Royle) scored six that day, quite surreal that I went on to be his team-mate at City a few years later.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL GAME YOU PLAYED - AND WHAT SCORE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF OUT OF 10?
First team debut , 20 March 1976 – City 3-2 Wolves - 7/10
WHAT IS THE MOST PECULIAR OR MEMORABLE THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU AT A MATCH?
Memorable: my City debut at 17 years and eight months. Peculiar: after signing for WBA, playing City for the first time and hearing both sets of fans signing my name.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME AND TAKE YOURSELF OUT OF A TEAM FOR ONE MATCH -WHAT MATCH WOULD THAT BE - AND WHY?
27 January 1979 FA Cup 4th Round Shrewsbury T own 2 - 0 City Typical giant-killing game, a match you never want to be associated with.
WHICH TEAM ARE YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE OPPONENTS - AND WHY?
Probably Liverpool with United a close second!
WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVOURITE MAN CITY TERRACE SONG OR CHANT - AND WHY?
There are many songs I like that make me laugh, but “BLUE MOON” is a song that every City fan joins in.
DID YOU HAVE ANY PRE-MATCH RITUALS OR SUPERSTITIONS?
My shorts were always the last piece of kit to go on and never put on before the bell went to go out.
WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE CITY GOAL YOU HAVE WITNESSED?
I have been blessed to see many spectacular goals while playing and now watching, but for occasion, opponent and complete team effort; Ilkay Gundogan v Man Utd at the Etihad after a 53 pass move involving the whole team.
WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE CITY GOAL YOU HAVE SCORED?
Memorable, has to be my first ever first team goal City 4 -2 v West Ham, 2nd Oct 1976 at the Platt Lane End, Maine Road, chipping Mervyn Day.
IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY MAN CITY PLAYER - PRESENT OR PAST - TO YOURS FOR TEA AND BISCUITS - WHO WOULD IT BE - AND WHY?
Firstly tea and biscuits may not be on the menu, however a different type of refreshment definitely would be available! My Invitation would have to be Spanish and David Silva would be my cup of tea or Rioja
HAVE YOU EVER SHED A TEAR - OF JOY - OR PAIN - AT A CITY MATCH?
The PAIN was being 2-1 down to QPR in added time and A TEAR OF JOY at 93.20 when Sergio won us the Premier League, then having the luxury of watching United and their fans thinking they had won it, before they realised they hadn’t.
HAVE IT EVER COME TO FISTICUFFS BETWEEN YOU AND AN OPPOSING PLAYER
Yes, but too many to mention!
WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT MAINE ROAD?
Memories growing up from a boy to a man, arriving as a schoolboy to train with the club in my school holidays, first day as an apprentice professional, first day changing in the first team dressing room, walking down the tunnel on my debut to be greeted by the roar of the Kippax, the fans, winning matches, scoring goals, the wonderful staff, I could go on!
WHO DO YOU THINK WOULD WIN IN AN ARM WRESTLING MATCH… PHIL FODEN - OR STEPHEN IRELAND?
No idea and don’t care.
IF YOU COULD PICK ONE CITY PLAYER (PAST OR PRESENT) TO BE ON YOUR PUB QUIZ TEAM - WHO WOULD IT BE - AND WHY?
I only know of one player with a degree in my City days, so, Paul Power step forward.
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