Highlights of a First Division match at Molineux between Wolves and Ipswich Town on 27th September 1980.

John Barnwell's Wolves entered the 1980-81 campaign with a great degree of optimism following their League Cup success the previous season and a 6th place finish in the First Division. After a solid opening month that left Barnwell''s team in 9th position in the league, Wolves then lost three successive matches throughout September to drop to a lowly 17th ahead of their match against league leaders Ipswich Town.

Against Ipswich, Barnwell included seven players (Paul Bradshaw, Geoff Palmer, Derek Parkin, Peter Daniel, Emlyn Hughes, Andy Gray and Mel Eves) in his starting line-up who'd featured in the League Cup success against Nottingham Forest in March. Colin Brazier, who was selected as substitute for the final against Forest, was chosen by the Wolves manager to occupy an unfamiliar right midfield role against Ipswich, while striker John Richards, who partnered Gray at Wembley, was selected as substitute.

A new addition to the Wolves team for the season was the versatile Uruguayan international Rafael Villazan. He was signed by Barnwell from Recreativo de Huelva and made his Wolves debut against Crystal Palace on 30th August. Against Ipswich, Villazan replaced George Berry at centre-half alongside Hughes.

Ipswich Town had continued their extremely impressive rise under manager Bobby Robson, a period that had seen the Suffolk club win the FA Cup in 1978 and firmly establish themselves as one of the country's leading teams. Prior to their match at Molineux, Ipswich were unbeaten in the First Division and had dropped just one point in seven matches to lead the league ahead of Nottingham Forest.

Ipswich ultimately finished just short in their attempt at the title, with Aston Villa prevailing by a four point margin. However, Robson's team gained considerable consolation from their UEFA Cup Final two-legged victory over Dutch team AZ Alkmaar at the end of the season.

Wolves, in contrast, continued their struggle to avoid relegation throughout the season and. entering the final three matches. were in 20th position but with two games in hand over their relegation rivals. However, a crucial home victory for Wolves over Tottenham Hotspur in the first of their matches in hand, coupled with Norwich City's subsequent defeat against Leicester City in their final match of the season, ensured survival for Wolves with a game to spare. .

Originally broadcast on BBC's Match of the Day and later re-shown on ESPN Classic, the commentary is provided by David Coleman.