[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Infuriatingly, a detailed thread I was ready to put up for this match went up in smoke when my laptop crashed mid-post, so it's a lightweight effort done from memory as the FA Cup brings the third Black Country derby of the decade to our doorstep on Sunday morning, delighting vendors of pork scratchings, mild ale and blood-pressure pharmaceuticals everywhere. It's been precisely seventeen years since the last cup tie between the sides - our legendary 3-0 fourth-round win at Molineux was on the same date in 2007 - and you have to go back to February 1949 for the last time the derby was contested with the teams in different divisions (then, as now, Wolves a league above us), so before a ball's even kicked, it's one for the history books.

So much depends on the team selections, and it would be immensely disappointing to see either manager field a weakened XI for such a huge occasion (though Albion are necessarily without Ajayi and Diangana, both at the African Cup of Nations). On paper Wolves are clear favourites on league position alone, together with their current six-match unbeaten streak; nevertheless, we know Albion are strong on home soil this season, are defending the 28-year unbeaten home record against Wolves and have the unpredictability of derby and cup together on our side.

So it's the underdog role for us, and realistically, if we can keep a lid on Pedro Neto and take a draw that keeps honour intact that'll be an excellent result in the circumstances, whatever happens in the subsequent replay. But if the big-money firepower of Wolves prevails on Sunday, so be it; it's not the end of the season or the world. Turn in a good showing and make a game of it, and we can hold our heads high.

[Stairs]

I yearn for this fixture and then when it happens I am knotted inside and feel sick for days.

I love it but also hate it when we are in the same division and I have to suffer it happening twice a year.

It takes me back to being a child hiding behind the sofa watching Dr Who. I just can’t stand it (but I just can’t wait).

What’s worse is, they are a bloody good team nowadays. I just hope the atmosphere turns them to jelly and we rise to the occasion.

Boing Boing!

[Zinman]

We’re just shy of 10000 days since their last win at the shrine (but I remember that horror show all too well). It would be great to get to that milestone.
I’ll be watching it well after the rest of you have started celebrating (hopefully!) as a 3 45am kick off is too early for me!

[Blue Baggie]

My head says the Dingles should win.
But
This is a local derby and an FA Cup game.
So it's realistically it's a 50/50 game
COYB

[Dingle-Dingle]

Breaking news. Dike is injured again.

Apparently the coach trip back from Aldershot was too much for him.

DD#No1

[Stairs]

0-1 Half Time. We had been in control for so much of it but then got mugged.

Reset and go again!

[Salopbaggie]

Why is Palmer on the bench?

[Stairs]

MORONS

Morons to buy tickets and go in the apposing fans end and then celebrate the goal - it was always going to stir up thinsg.

Morons to fight with the Wolves fans that were stupid enough to be there.

I have no sympathy with anyone that resorts to violence and I hope the Albion fans get banned for life - it is just not wwlcome in football anymore.

[drewks]

It's sickening that we still have even ONE twat of a "supporter" that can act in this way.
The match result is now of no consequence.
Is this going to put off any potential buyers? If it was me I'd be seriously reconsidering it.

A bad, bad day for the club.

[baggietrousers]

Can’t even talk about the game, seeing Bartley having to take his kids out of the stands was gutting, no wonder he didn’t come out for the restart. Some serious questions need answering. It looks really bad for us, although I’ll reserve judgement until something official comes out. Don’t believe wolves fans are totally innocent in this.