Wolves Face Crunch Time As Games Run Out

Nottingham Forest 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

(Lansbury 31, 67, McGugan 90, Doherty 65)

Bakary Sako fires in the free-kick that hits the crossbar

Wolves ended a disappointing afternoon at The City Ground with 10 men as in-form Nottingham Forest blew them away. Saunders started by making only one change from the team that started at Millwall, with Sigurdarson coming in for Jake Cassidy. Wolves started brightly though, with Sigurdarson and Ebanks-Blake looking lively for the visitors. Dave Edwards had the first clear-cut chance, but he mis-hit his volley from the edge of the box and it flew wide of the post. And 5 minutes later, Forest went ahead as Wolves gave Guedioura time to pass the ball across to Lansbury who then had plenty of space to put his shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards. Minutes later, Wolves came agonisingly close to levelling matters. They won a free-kick on the edge of the box and Sako lined up to hit it. The Frenchman saw the ball smash against the underside of the bar and bounce just in front of the line, before Sigurdarson poorly skied the rebound.

Doherty celebrates equalising for Wolves

The second-half started much like the first, with Wolves pressing forward looking for a goal. They had to wait a while for it though, but Matt Doherty's brilliant header back across goal was worth the wait. Karl Darlow even got a touch to it, but he simply couldn't keep it out. It was the young defender's first goal for the club and it looked like it would spur Dean Saunders' side on to push for another. But with Wolves barely touching the ball after the restart, Forest regained the lead just 90 seconds later as they waltzed through the Wolves defence and again gave Lansbury the freedom of Nottingham on the edge of the box. He made no mistake and gave Ikeme no chance.

Stephen Ward is sent off late-on at the City Ground

Having already made rather defensive changes (replacing Henry and O'Hara with Doumbia and Davis respectively), Saunders then brought on Kevin Doyle in place of the impressive Sigurdarson. As Wolves began to sit deeper in a 4-5-1 formation, Forest pressed forward and had several chances to seal the points - McGugan particularly proving a handful. But with 10 minutes remaining, Wolves won a corner and threw men forward. The corner was poor and Danny Collins cleared it and as the ball moved quickly upfield, it became a foot-race between Stephen Ward and former-Wolves man Greg Halford. Halford knocked the ball past the Irishman who then body checked him and was shown a straight red card. At first glance it looked slightly harsh as it appeared Ward merely lost his footing, but the decision stood and, with Wolves having only 10 men, Forest soon stretched their lead - McGugan this time finishing matters off from long range.

Poor defending again from Wolves allowed Lansbury to score twice

The difference in scoreline was really just a matter of a gulf in class. Forest are flying under Billy Davies and look a sure bet for the Play-Offs, so this was always going to be a monster task. The important thing is not to let it knock their confidence after the first win under Saunders at Millwall. The manager actually did well with his team selection, not drastically changing a winning team. And it showed as Wolves started the game well. The partnership of Sigurdarson and Ebanks-Blake again showed great promise and it would be wise of Saunders to keep them two together for the remainder of the season. As always though, it is simply basic defensive errors that are costing Wolves and, with time running out, they have got to be eradicated if we are to stand any hope of Championship survival.

My Wolves MOTM: Matt Doherty. Yet again, he looked assured at right-back, and took his goal well too. The youngster is getting better by the game.

Wolves In A Word: Outclassed

And so Wolves come to the mother of 6 pointers. With Wolves sitting joint-bottom of the Championship alongside Bristol City, it is The Robins who visit Molineux with both sides needing a vital win in the battle against relegation.

Wolves enjoyed a fantastic day out at Ashton Gate in December

Dean Saunders would love a repeat of the last time these two sides met, the day at Ashton Gate being a highlight in his predecessor's reign. With Wolves struggling for form, they started December with a trip to Bristol knowing they needed a win. And Stale Solbakken's side blitzed City away with 4 goals in the first half including a double for goal-shy Kevin Doyle - the 2nd of which was an incredible 70-yard run up the pitch, similar to George Ndah's at Preston back in 2003. Although they took their foot off the gas in the second-half, they still had chances to increase their lead. But in the end Wolves had to be satisfied with a 4-1 win - City's late consolation coming in the form of a late Neil Danns screamer. Their last visit to Molineux was also a good day for the Wanderers, with a freak Michael Kightly free-kick and a Sylvan Ebanks-Blake overhead kick proving decisive in a 2-0 win for Wolves back in their title-winning season. Indeed, The Robins have a very poor record at Molineux - having only won twice in 27 League visits, the last of those victories being back in 1931. Bristol City haven't actually beaten Wolves in their last 9 League meetings, since beating them 2-1 at home in December 1993. All in all, Wolves have scored 100 goals past The Robins in all competitions, with 50 of them coming at Molineux. The records all point to this being a fantastic chance for Wolves to end their recent Molineux hoodoo.

Bristol City have conceded more goals than any League club in England

Despite sitting bottom of The Championship, Bristol City's form over recent matches has actually improved. They are unbeaten in 4 games (winning 2 and drawing 2), and haven't conceded a goal in their last 3 games. But all their good work under Wolverhampton-born (and thus Wolves fan) boss Sean O'Driscoll - who was favourite to replace Stale Solbakken before taking the Bristol job - has come at Ashton Gate. On the road, City are a very different side. They are actually the worst away side in the division, and they haven't won away under O'Driscoll. Indeed they only have 3 away wins all season, with their last away success being a 3-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday back at the start of December. They're not frequent away scorers either, with only 16 away goals this season - a tally better than only Ipswich in this division. In general, defensive strength is not something associated with Bristol City. They have conceded 65 League goals this season - more than any other League club in England. However, their recent 5-3 home win over Barnsley will give them belief that they can go up against the sides around them and win these must-win games. They could be missing firepower, with Jon Stead a potential absentee, although 9-goal striker Sam Bladock is expected to be fit to make his 150th career League appearance. At the back, City will be boosted by keeping 3 clean sheets and returning defender Louis Carey will be a big asset to their side if he is given the nod at Molineux.

Moments like SEB's miss against Cardiff have frustrated Dean Saunders

This game is very much must-win for Wolves. Sitting 2 points from safety and having teams around them start to pick up results, the margin for error for Dean Saunders' side is getting smaller and smaller by the game. The Wolves manager has already spoken to the press this week about how he feels small margins are going against his side - including Jamie O'Hara's shot at Barnsley that looked to have crossed the line, and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's miss from 6 yards against Cardiff. It is time for Wolves to start making their own luck, and Saunders will see this as a fantastic chance to get a first home win. He will be eager to see his side not fall behind, as Wolves are still one of only two sides in the division who are yet to win having gone behind. In terms of team selection, Wolves are unlikely to be changed from the defeat to Nottingham Forest - with only Jack Robinson coming in for the suspended Stephen Ward.

With the international break coming up, this is a fantastic chance for Wolves to start their push for Championship safety and leave the table looking a lot better for the next 2 weeks. There can be no excuses, no slip-ups in this game. With Bristol City's away woes, this could finally be the day Dean Saunders gets his first Molineux win.

Prediction: Wolves 2-1 Bristol City