Nottingham Forest v Wolves, 4th February 1978

Highlights of the First Division match between Nottingham Forest and Wolves on 4th February 1978.

Following an impressive home win over title-chasing Everton in their previous match (   • Wolves v Everton, 21st January 1978  ), Wolves faced an equally demanding task with their visit to the City Ground against Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest.

Wolves had struggled for any consistency all season and with Sammy Chung's team languishing in a lowly 15th position in the league, just 5 points clear of Queens Park Rangers in 20th, relegation was a distinct possibility for Wolves ahead of their match against Forest.

Chung generally relied upon the same core of experienced players that had played a prominent role in winning the Second Division title the previous season. Cultured centre-half Frank Munro had been transferred to Celtic following a loan move earlier in the campaign, but his long-time defensive colleagues John McAlle, Derek Parkin and Geoff Palmer remained at Molineux. They were complimented by midfielders Kenny Hibbitt, Steve Daley and Willie Carr and centre-forward John Richards - top scorer for Wolves in the 1977-78 season with 13 league and cup goals.

Wolves also fielded youthful inexperience in their team through the likes of Maurice Daly, Bob Hazell, Mel Eves and Martin Patching - although the versatile Patching had featured in a significant number of matches the preceding season. In goal for Wolves was Paul Bradshaw, who had been signed by Chung earlier in the season from Blackburn Rovers. Over several subsequent years at Molineux, Bradshaw proved to be an extremely accomplished goalkeeper for Wolves and was an integral part of John Barnwell's team that defeated Nottingham Forest in the 1980 League Cup Final.

There were two changes to the Wolves team from the one that had beaten Everton two weeks previously; George Berry replaced Bob Hazell at centre-half and striker John Richards came into Chung's side ahead of Martin Patching.

Clough fielded a very strong Forest team for the match against Wolves and it helped ensure a relatively comfortable victory over their Midland neighbours and, ultimately, the First Division title at the conclusion to the season. For Wolves, defeat at Forest then brought an unwelcome run of just one win in the following twelve matches before a timely trio of wins in the final three matches of the season secured their survival.

Originally broadcast by ATV Star Soccer with commentary provided by the peerless Hugh Johns.