Our next and upcoming game sees us with a great opportunity to beat those guys in claret and blue.
Unravelling Villa have centre-half worries with drunkards Richard Dunne and James Collins 'injured' and Ciaran Clark banned after picking up ten bookings, leaving Carlos Cuellar as the only available senior centre-half. However Jean Il Makoun will return.
We will have Jamie O'Hara back after he was ineligible against Tottenham and he will be likely to take Stephen Ward's place. Michael Kightly could well feature on the bench after getting some reserve games under his belt.
With the hosts having problems with unity after their two most senior centre-halves stopping up until the early hours during a team-bonding session, you cannot help but think that the opinion of the squad's general consensus of Gerard Houllier could be a low one and if we can frustrate them in the first half hour or so, the home fans will more than likely get on their backs.
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Showing posts with label Match Preview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Match Preview. Show all posts
Friday, 18 March 2011
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Wolves v Tottenham Hotspur
Tomorrow we have a good opportunity to get something against Tottenham.
Being on loan from the visitors means Jamie O'Hara is ineligible but expect Nenad Milijas to step in to his boots whilst Kevin Foley will step in for Ronald Zubar (sore back) at right-back in what would otherwise be the same team that demolished Blackpool last week.
With West Ham and West Brom picking up wins, even a point would prove vital.
Being on loan from the visitors means Jamie O'Hara is ineligible but expect Nenad Milijas to step in to his boots whilst Kevin Foley will step in for Ronald Zubar (sore back) at right-back in what would otherwise be the same team that demolished Blackpool last week.
Having only arrived from a break in Dubai on Thursday, Spurs could well have their Champions League tie with Milan playing on their minds and could well play a fringe team which could potentially include the likes of Niko Krancjar, Jermaine Jenas and Sebastien Bassong. In addition, Gareth Bale, Jermaine Defoe and Rafael Van Der Vaart are absent.
With West Ham and West Brom picking up wins, even a point would prove vital.
Sunday, 12 December 2010
Wolves v Birmingham City
Today sees us take on the least successful of our Premiership local rivals in the shape of Birmingham City and we could do with a change of fortune against them with no league win since 2001.
We will be likely to welcome back David Edwards to the fold after recovering from a thigh injury to bolster the sparse numbers in the midfield, hopefully he will step in for Stephen Ward, who gave it a go in the role last week against Blackburn.
The Bluenoses will have a no major injury problems as they will play with the same backline that served them well as of late as well as last season. We hope that Kevin Phillips doesn't make it anywhere near the bench with his uncanny habit of scoring in local derbies and against us ast St Andrews last season. Or that torch is passed on to giant Serbian striker Nicola Zigic, who scored the winner in the Carling Cup against Aston Villa. Wayne Hennessey needs to be on his toes today getting these high balls.
Form and pretty football is irrelevent today, let's get a win, boys!
'Grobs'
We will be likely to welcome back David Edwards to the fold after recovering from a thigh injury to bolster the sparse numbers in the midfield, hopefully he will step in for Stephen Ward, who gave it a go in the role last week against Blackburn.
The Bluenoses will have a no major injury problems as they will play with the same backline that served them well as of late as well as last season. We hope that Kevin Phillips doesn't make it anywhere near the bench with his uncanny habit of scoring in local derbies and against us ast St Andrews last season. Or that torch is passed on to giant Serbian striker Nicola Zigic, who scored the winner in the Carling Cup against Aston Villa. Wayne Hennessey needs to be on his toes today getting these high balls.
Form and pretty football is irrelevent today, let's get a win, boys!
'Grobs'
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Blackburn Rovers v Wolves
Today we head to Ewood Park, a ground where we haven't had much luck at in the Premiership.
Blackburn could well fancy a few changes to tighten the backline after that drumming at Old Trafford last week with Pascal Chimbonda most likely to be dropped and Morten Gamst Pedersen looks set to recover from a hamstring problem he suffered in the week. As a Sam Allardyce team, Blackburn are very reliant on set pieces and they have a 2:1 (goals-to-goals from dead balls) ratio of goals from that source.
We have more absentees to add to the list with David Jones suffering a foot injury he suffered last week and Jelle van Damme Belgium-bound so this could give forgotten winger Geoffrey Mujangi Bia a seat on the bench, but Christophe Berra will return from suspension. Wayne Hennessey made his first league start of the season and it will be interesting as to how he'll cope on set-pieces. Mick McCarthy's priority is to keep a clean sheet, and this could be achieved if Richard Stearman is dropped.
Let our revival continue after a few false starts, please.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
BLACKBURN: Robinson; Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Givet; Emerton, Jones, Dunn, Pedersen; El Hadji Diouf, Roberts. Subs: Bunn, Chimbonda, Morris, Emerton, Linganzi, Mama Biram Diouf, Hoilett
WOLVES: Hennessey; Zubar, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi; Hunt, Milijas, Mancienne, Foley, Jarvis; Doyle. Subs: Hahnemann, Mouyokolo, Ward, Davis, Mujangi Bia, Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher
ODDS (with William Hill) (view more odds)
WIN: Blackburn 4/5; Draw 13/5; Wolves 10/3
FIRST GOALSCORER: Blackburn - Roberts 11/2, Benjani 6/1, MB Diouf 7/1, Pedersen 15/2, Dunn 15/2, EH Diouf 9/1, Samba 16/1 Wolves - Doyle 15/2, Fletcher 8/1, Ebanks-Blake 8/1, Jarvis 12/1, Hunt 14/1, Milijas 16/1, Foley 20/1
KEY PLAYER: Morten Gamst Pedersen. His deliveries have been key to Blackburn's main source of goals.
WEAKEST LINK: Michel Salgado. One of the best full-backs in the world yesterdecade, now could well find Matt Jarvis too hot to handle with his aging legs.
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Mark Atkins, Paul Bradshaw, Nathan Blake, Dave Wagstaffe, Tim Flowers
Blackburn could well fancy a few changes to tighten the backline after that drumming at Old Trafford last week with Pascal Chimbonda most likely to be dropped and Morten Gamst Pedersen looks set to recover from a hamstring problem he suffered in the week. As a Sam Allardyce team, Blackburn are very reliant on set pieces and they have a 2:1 (goals-to-goals from dead balls) ratio of goals from that source.
We have more absentees to add to the list with David Jones suffering a foot injury he suffered last week and Jelle van Damme Belgium-bound so this could give forgotten winger Geoffrey Mujangi Bia a seat on the bench, but Christophe Berra will return from suspension. Wayne Hennessey made his first league start of the season and it will be interesting as to how he'll cope on set-pieces. Mick McCarthy's priority is to keep a clean sheet, and this could be achieved if Richard Stearman is dropped.
Let our revival continue after a few false starts, please.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
BLACKBURN: Robinson; Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Givet; Emerton, Jones, Dunn, Pedersen; El Hadji Diouf, Roberts. Subs: Bunn, Chimbonda, Morris, Emerton, Linganzi, Mama Biram Diouf, Hoilett
WOLVES: Hennessey; Zubar, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi; Hunt, Milijas, Mancienne, Foley, Jarvis; Doyle. Subs: Hahnemann, Mouyokolo, Ward, Davis, Mujangi Bia, Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher
ODDS (with William Hill) (view more odds)
WIN: Blackburn 4/5; Draw 13/5; Wolves 10/3
FIRST GOALSCORER: Blackburn - Roberts 11/2, Benjani 6/1, MB Diouf 7/1, Pedersen 15/2, Dunn 15/2, EH Diouf 9/1, Samba 16/1 Wolves - Doyle 15/2, Fletcher 8/1, Ebanks-Blake 8/1, Jarvis 12/1, Hunt 14/1, Milijas 16/1, Foley 20/1
KEY PLAYER: Morten Gamst Pedersen. His deliveries have been key to Blackburn's main source of goals.
WEAKEST LINK: Michel Salgado. One of the best full-backs in the world yesterdecade, now could well find Matt Jarvis too hot to handle with his aging legs.
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Mark Atkins, Paul Bradshaw, Nathan Blake, Dave Wagstaffe, Tim Flowers
Saturday, 27 November 2010
Wolves v Sunderland
Today sees us welcome another potentially tricky side in the form of Sunderland.
We come into the game almost down to our bare bones in the central defence after Christophe Berra picked up five bookings, Jody Craddock and Ronald Zubar are still well off match fitness so we'll have to depend on Steven Mouyokolo and Richard Stearman for the second home game running. With Karl Henry out with knee ligament damage, that element applies for the central midfield too with Dave Edwards and Adlene Guedioura unavailable so if a five-man midfield is selected today, there's not much choice but to field Michael Mancienne behind left-footed schemers David Jones and Nenad Milijas. But with us needing three points badly, will we even play five in the middle?
Resident draw specialists Sunderland come to Molineux with Darren Bent fully fit to give Steve Bruce the chance to pair him and Asamoah Gyan, which will enable the chance for Danny Welbeck to supply more chances for the front-line. Titus Bramble is out so they will fancy their chances a lot more. Sunderland have only once won away from home and that was at Chelsea for those of you who have just been rescued from a remote island. This time last season saw the start of their slump after a bright start, the best form of hope we can cling on to.
In the form our visitors are in, we should be content with a point but we must pick up three points by hook or crook, but against a Steve Bruce team, how rare is that when we only got the better of him twice in 15 games?
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
WOLVES (4-5-1): Hahnemann; Foley, Stearman, Mouyokolo, Elokobi; Jarvis, Milijas, Mancienne, Jones, Hunt; Doyle. Subs: Hennessey, van Damme, Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher, Ward, Davis, Bent
SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Gordon; Onouha, Turner, Ferdinand, Richardson; Welbeck, Henderson, Cattermole, Malbranque; Gyan, Bent. Subs: Mignolet, da Silva, Bardsley, Elmohamady, Riveros, Zenden, Angeleri
ODDS (with William Hill) (view more odds)
WIN: Wolves 13/8; Draw 11/5; Sunderland 17/10
FIRST GOALSCORER: Wolves - Steven Fletcher 6/1, Doyle 13/2, Ebanks-Blake 7/1, Milijas 10/1, Jarvis 12/1, Hunt 14/1, Foley 40/1 Sunderland - Bent 9/2, Gyan 9/2, Welbeck 13/2, Henderson 14/1, Zenden 14/1, Richardson 16/1, Turner 33/1
KEY PLAYER: Asamoah Gyan. Fitted into the team really quickly and started firing the goals, more to come with Bent returning I'd imagine, but hopefully not today.
WEAKEST LINK: Lee C(l)attermole. Three red cards this season. Been a while since his last one.
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Neill Collins, Alex Rae, Jody Craddock, Michael Gray, Don Goodman
Saturday, 20 November 2010
Blackpool v Wolves
Tomorrow, we head off to Blackpool in the hope of that we grab a win away from home for the first time this season in what could be a 'do or die' moment in our season.
Christophe Berra got through a full training session this week and should take his spot in place of Steven Mouyokolo. After being picked off with 4-4-2 by Bolton, we must go back to the tried and trusted 4-5-1 formation, Blackpool may not have the most glamourous players in the division but that doesn't mean that they can shock people and play football because they have. The left-back position is becoming increasingly problematic so could it be time to try the talented and determined yet home-ridden-minded Jelle van Damme? Otherwise it's got to be a unchanged side.
It's intresting to mention that the hosts' surprisingly successful season thus far has been down to the results on the road rather than making a fortress out of Bloomfield Road with their only win there coming against West Brom three weeks ago. Blackpool will be without Matthew Gilks, who this season has been difference between wither a result, a defeat or a cricket scoreline so Ghanaian international Richard Kingson will step in and Charlie Adam could well play through the pain in his knee. Good times.
A few cynical fans say that if we don't get anything from this game, we're going down, many others could well follow this theory if that's the case, but a win for us could see us within touching distance of 17th.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
WOLVES (4-5-1): Hahnemann; Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi; Jarvis, Milijas, Henry, Edwards, Hunt; Doyle. Subs: Hennessey, van Damme, Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher, Jones, Mancienne, Mouyokolo
BOLTON (4-4-2): Kingson; Eardley, Evatt, Cathcart, Crainey; Grandin, Adam, Vaughan; Varney, Campbell, Taylor. Subs: Halstead, Rob Edwards, Keinan, Southern, Sylvestre, Phillips, Harewood
ODDS (with William Hill) (see more odds)
WIN: Blackpool 8/5; Draw 11/5; Wolves 7/4
FIRST GOALSCORER: Blackpool - Campbell 11/2, Harewood 6/1, Varney 13/2, Adam 15/2, Eardley 25/1, Evatt 33/1 Wolves - Doyle 13/2, Fletcher 7/1, Ebanks-Blake 7/1, Jarvis 11/1, Milijas 16/1, Stearman 33/1
KEY PLAYER: Luke Varney. Once a journeyman, now one of the Tangerines' star players this season with his work rate. If our left-back position doesn't fly up straight then this man could exploit it time and time again.
WEAKEST LINK: Richard Kingson. Contrary to what has been said about him in Ghana's World Cup adventure, he remains unconvincing.
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Mo Camara, Emlyn Hughes, Rob Edwards, Paul Simpson, John Burridge
Christophe Berra got through a full training session this week and should take his spot in place of Steven Mouyokolo. After being picked off with 4-4-2 by Bolton, we must go back to the tried and trusted 4-5-1 formation, Blackpool may not have the most glamourous players in the division but that doesn't mean that they can shock people and play football because they have. The left-back position is becoming increasingly problematic so could it be time to try the talented and determined yet home-ridden-minded Jelle van Damme? Otherwise it's got to be a unchanged side.
It's intresting to mention that the hosts' surprisingly successful season thus far has been down to the results on the road rather than making a fortress out of Bloomfield Road with their only win there coming against West Brom three weeks ago. Blackpool will be without Matthew Gilks, who this season has been difference between wither a result, a defeat or a cricket scoreline so Ghanaian international Richard Kingson will step in and Charlie Adam could well play through the pain in his knee. Good times.
A few cynical fans say that if we don't get anything from this game, we're going down, many others could well follow this theory if that's the case, but a win for us could see us within touching distance of 17th.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
WOLVES (4-5-1): Hahnemann; Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi; Jarvis, Milijas, Henry, Edwards, Hunt; Doyle. Subs: Hennessey, van Damme, Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher, Jones, Mancienne, Mouyokolo
BOLTON (4-4-2): Kingson; Eardley, Evatt, Cathcart, Crainey; Grandin, Adam, Vaughan; Varney, Campbell, Taylor. Subs: Halstead, Rob Edwards, Keinan, Southern, Sylvestre, Phillips, Harewood
ODDS (with William Hill) (see more odds)
WIN: Blackpool 8/5; Draw 11/5; Wolves 7/4
FIRST GOALSCORER: Blackpool - Campbell 11/2, Harewood 6/1, Varney 13/2, Adam 15/2, Eardley 25/1, Evatt 33/1 Wolves - Doyle 13/2, Fletcher 7/1, Ebanks-Blake 7/1, Jarvis 11/1, Milijas 16/1, Stearman 33/1
KEY PLAYER: Luke Varney. Once a journeyman, now one of the Tangerines' star players this season with his work rate. If our left-back position doesn't fly up straight then this man could exploit it time and time again.
WEAKEST LINK: Richard Kingson. Contrary to what has been said about him in Ghana's World Cup adventure, he remains unconvincing.
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Mo Camara, Emlyn Hughes, Rob Edwards, Paul Simpson, John Burridge
Saturday, 13 November 2010
Wolves v Bolton Wanderers
Well, that's the hard ones out of the way, now bring on the easier games, starting with arguably the most improved side this season in Bolton.
After another valiant effort against a big side, will Mick McCarthy go for two up front or stick to what he knows is successful and keep a five man midfield against a good footballing side? All will depend on whether Kevin Doyle can play with a broken hand and Dave Edwards can shake off a tweak in his thigh. Stephen Ward is struggling to overcome a gash to the leg from a reckless challenge from Cesc Fabregas so George Elokobi will be most likely to step in.
You have got to be impressed with Bolton this season. Owen Coyle's inherited a squad full of good quality players that Gary Megson couldn't get the best out of and has them playing good attacking football. Topscorer Johan Elmander was a handful when he came off the bench last season and is starting to show his quality under Coyle so it's good news that he's fighting a virus. Gretar Steinsson is suspended after already picking up five bookings.
I'll have to predict a narrow win to us. Bolton have the last four away games on the bounce and we need to pick up the points now, and how!
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
WOLVES (4-5-1): Hahnemann; Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi; Jarvis, Milijas, Henry, Edwards, Hunt; Doyle. Subs: Hennessey, van Damme, Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher, Jones, Mancienne, Mouyokolo
BOLTON (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen; Ricketts, Knight, Cahill, Robinson; Lee, Holden, Muamba, Petrov; Kevin Davies, Klasnic. Subs: Bogdan, Taylor, Mark Davies, Moreno, Blake, Cohen, Alonso
ODDS (with William Hill) (see more odds)
WIN: Wolves 7/5; Draw 11/5; Bolton 2/1
FIRST GOALSCORER: Wolves - Steven Fletcher 6/1, Doyle 6/1, Ebanks-Blake 15/2, Hunt 9/1, Jarvis 10/1, Milijas 14/1, Stearman 50/1; Bolton - Davies 13/2, Klasnic 15/2, Petrov 10/1, Taylor 12/1, Lee 14/1, Holden 16/1, Cahill 25/1
KEY PLAYER: Lee Chung-Yong (that right?). The Korean winger was a right handful at the Reebok last season and is looking like one of Bolton's standout players.
WEAKEST LINK: Paul Robinson. The former Sandwell man has a bit of a hardman reputation and is pretty card prone.
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Mark Davies, Mixu Paatelainen, Nathan Blake, Terry Wharton, Hugh Curran
After another valiant effort against a big side, will Mick McCarthy go for two up front or stick to what he knows is successful and keep a five man midfield against a good footballing side? All will depend on whether Kevin Doyle can play with a broken hand and Dave Edwards can shake off a tweak in his thigh. Stephen Ward is struggling to overcome a gash to the leg from a reckless challenge from Cesc Fabregas so George Elokobi will be most likely to step in.
You have got to be impressed with Bolton this season. Owen Coyle's inherited a squad full of good quality players that Gary Megson couldn't get the best out of and has them playing good attacking football. Topscorer Johan Elmander was a handful when he came off the bench last season and is starting to show his quality under Coyle so it's good news that he's fighting a virus. Gretar Steinsson is suspended after already picking up five bookings.
I'll have to predict a narrow win to us. Bolton have the last four away games on the bounce and we need to pick up the points now, and how!
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
WOLVES (4-5-1): Hahnemann; Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi; Jarvis, Milijas, Henry, Edwards, Hunt; Doyle. Subs: Hennessey, van Damme, Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher, Jones, Mancienne, Mouyokolo
BOLTON (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen; Ricketts, Knight, Cahill, Robinson; Lee, Holden, Muamba, Petrov; Kevin Davies, Klasnic. Subs: Bogdan, Taylor, Mark Davies, Moreno, Blake, Cohen, Alonso
ODDS (with William Hill) (see more odds)
WIN: Wolves 7/5; Draw 11/5; Bolton 2/1
FIRST GOALSCORER: Wolves - Steven Fletcher 6/1, Doyle 6/1, Ebanks-Blake 15/2, Hunt 9/1, Jarvis 10/1, Milijas 14/1, Stearman 50/1; Bolton - Davies 13/2, Klasnic 15/2, Petrov 10/1, Taylor 12/1, Lee 14/1, Holden 16/1, Cahill 25/1
KEY PLAYER: Lee Chung-Yong (that right?). The Korean winger was a right handful at the Reebok last season and is looking like one of Bolton's standout players.
WEAKEST LINK: Paul Robinson. The former Sandwell man has a bit of a hardman reputation and is pretty card prone.
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Mark Davies, Mixu Paatelainen, Nathan Blake, Terry Wharton, Hugh Curran
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Wolves v Arsenal
So this it. The last of the big cheeses in succession and even if we do lose, three points from the last three games isn't a bad return and another point would always be welcome in this last one.
Well, after such a good display at Old Trafford, you'd think there'd be no changes. You could be proven wrong tonight after Stephen Ward's bad form was capped off with a right stinker and should welcome a change a left-back. George Elokobi to step in maybe? Should Mick McCarthy opt for 4-4-2, it's no question that Sylvan Ebanks-Blake should be the striker to play alongside Kevin Doyle, but who'd you drop in midfield? Stephen Hunt would make a good case but he's trying to settle and gain more match fitness.
But then again, which will Arsenal turn up? The one that can play the free-flowing attacking football which has earned them acclaims or the lacklustre one with a defence as leaky as the stories about Wenger's affair and a slapstick goalkeeper? Both are entertaining for different reasons but whichever one turns up will decide what we finish the match with.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
WOLVES: Hahnemann; Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi; Jarvis, Milijas, Henry, Edwards, Hunt; Doyle
ARSENAL: Fabianski; Sagna, Squillaci, Djourou, Clichy; Arshavin, Fabregas, Song, Wilshere, Walcott; Chamakh
ODDS (with William Hill)
WIN: Wolves 5/1; Draw 11/4; Arsenal 4/7
FIRST GOALSCORER: Wolves - Steven Fletcher 8/1, Doyle 8/1, Ebanks-Blake 10/1, Jarvis 12/1, Hunt 14/1, Milijas 16/1, Stearman 33/1: Arsenal - Chamakh 4/1, Bendtner 5/1, van Persie 5/1, Fabregas 11/2, Walcott 6/1, Song 16/1.
KEY PLAYER: Cesc Fabregas. Vital. Without him, Arsenal are ordinary.
WEAKEST LINK: Lukasz Fabianski. Sums up Wenger's taste in goalkeepers. Test him with high balls and long-rangers and he'll be likely to fumble.
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Alan Sunderland, Oleg Luzhny, Bobby Gould, Vince Bartram, Jeremie Aliadiere
Well, after such a good display at Old Trafford, you'd think there'd be no changes. You could be proven wrong tonight after Stephen Ward's bad form was capped off with a right stinker and should welcome a change a left-back. George Elokobi to step in maybe? Should Mick McCarthy opt for 4-4-2, it's no question that Sylvan Ebanks-Blake should be the striker to play alongside Kevin Doyle, but who'd you drop in midfield? Stephen Hunt would make a good case but he's trying to settle and gain more match fitness.
Arsenal will seek a backlash after their debacle against Newcastle on Sunday and they'll have to do it without the suspended Laurent Koscielny and possibly Samir Nasri and Arsene Wnger won't be rushing Robin van Persie. Andrei Arshavin will be expected to be called up after not starting in the last game and whilst Aaron Ramsey - the star in last season's fixture - might be out, but tonight could be a cue for Jack Wilshere. Personally, I would like to see what the fuss is about.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
WOLVES: Hahnemann; Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi; Jarvis, Milijas, Henry, Edwards, Hunt; Doyle
ARSENAL: Fabianski; Sagna, Squillaci, Djourou, Clichy; Arshavin, Fabregas, Song, Wilshere, Walcott; Chamakh
ODDS (with William Hill)
WIN: Wolves 5/1; Draw 11/4; Arsenal 4/7
FIRST GOALSCORER: Wolves - Steven Fletcher 8/1, Doyle 8/1, Ebanks-Blake 10/1, Jarvis 12/1, Hunt 14/1, Milijas 16/1, Stearman 33/1: Arsenal - Chamakh 4/1, Bendtner 5/1, van Persie 5/1, Fabregas 11/2, Walcott 6/1, Song 16/1.
KEY PLAYER: Cesc Fabregas. Vital. Without him, Arsenal are ordinary.
WEAKEST LINK: Lukasz Fabianski. Sums up Wenger's taste in goalkeepers. Test him with high balls and long-rangers and he'll be likely to fumble.
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Alan Sunderland, Oleg Luzhny, Bobby Gould, Vince Bartram, Jeremie Aliadiere
Saturday, 6 November 2010
Manchester United v Wolves
Today we return to the scene of perhaps our most controversial moment of last season as we visit Old Trafford and who'd have thought this time last month that we would fancy our chances?
United will be without Wayne Rooney (obviously), Darren Fletcher, Darron Gibson and Nani, who is arguably their player of the season thus far. But despite these players missing, 'Taggart' remains spoilt for choice for options with Ryan Giggs returning and that certain little Mexican that did us in the Carling Cup. What team will be put out is anyone's guess but they will seek a win to keep up with Chelsea.
Same again for us, same absentees, same line-up (no ten changes, sorry to disappoint you national newspapers), same kind of stall and who's to say it will get us our first victory at the theatre of dreams for 30 years?
Like the last two league games and the Carling Cup fixture, we'll put up a fight. Our chances of coming away with something hinges on the chances we take.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
MAN UTD: Van Der Sar; Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Park, Carrick, Giggs, Obertan; Hernandez, Berbatov
WOLVES: Hahnemann; Foley, Stearman, Berra, Ward; Jarvis, Milijas, Henry, Edwards, Hunt; Doyle
ODDS (with William Hill)
WIN: Man Utd 1/4; Draw 4/1; Wolves 14/1
FIRST GOALSCORER: United - Hernandez 11/4, Berbatov 3/1, Macheda 9/2, Giggs 15/2, Park 8/1, Scholes 10/1, Vidic 16/1; Wolves - Steven Fletcher 12/1, Doyle 14/1, Ebanks-Blake 14/1, Jarvis 16/1, Hunt 20/1, Milijas 25/1, Stearman 40/1
United will be without Wayne Rooney (obviously), Darren Fletcher, Darron Gibson and Nani, who is arguably their player of the season thus far. But despite these players missing, 'Taggart' remains spoilt for choice for options with Ryan Giggs returning and that certain little Mexican that did us in the Carling Cup. What team will be put out is anyone's guess but they will seek a win to keep up with Chelsea.
Same again for us, same absentees, same line-up (no ten changes, sorry to disappoint you national newspapers), same kind of stall and who's to say it will get us our first victory at the theatre of dreams for 30 years?
Like the last two league games and the Carling Cup fixture, we'll put up a fight. Our chances of coming away with something hinges on the chances we take.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
MAN UTD: Van Der Sar; Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Park, Carrick, Giggs, Obertan; Hernandez, Berbatov
WOLVES: Hahnemann; Foley, Stearman, Berra, Ward; Jarvis, Milijas, Henry, Edwards, Hunt; Doyle
ODDS (with William Hill)
WIN: Man Utd 1/4; Draw 4/1; Wolves 14/1
FIRST GOALSCORER: United - Hernandez 11/4, Berbatov 3/1, Macheda 9/2, Giggs 15/2, Park 8/1, Scholes 10/1, Vidic 16/1; Wolves - Steven Fletcher 12/1, Doyle 14/1, Ebanks-Blake 14/1, Jarvis 16/1, Hunt 20/1, Milijas 25/1, Stearman 40/1
KEY PLAYER: Javier Hernandez. Done us in the Carling ten days ago and is starting to look the real deal.
WEAKEST LINK: Central midfield. Will be missing Fletcher and will be made to look like paperweights, just like they were back in march.
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Denis Irwin, Paul Ince, Darren Ferguson, Darron Gibson, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
WEAKEST LINK: Central midfield. Will be missing Fletcher and will be made to look like paperweights, just like they were back in march.
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Denis Irwin, Paul Ince, Darren Ferguson, Darron Gibson, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
Saturday, 30 October 2010
Wolves v Manchester City
Today we face the third consecutive tricky test as big spenders Manchester City come to town.
We'll have Karl Henry back from suspension to give us more options in midfield but I suspect Mick McCarthy will pick the same middle three that served us well last season in Henry, David Jones and Michael Mancienne. Jody Craddock remains injured but Steve Mouyokolo's good performance at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup should give Richard Stearman's place a run for it's money and likewise for George Elokobi as he challenges Stephen Ward for the left-back slot.
As for City, Carlos Tevez, he has a dead leg and should be out for two weeks (between the lines, he's been given compassionate leave) so it's a chance for Mario Balotelli to make his first start since his absurdly big money move from Inter Milan. Dederick Boyata is suspended but Kolo Toure should back in after recovering from a hamstring, although it would be great if Joleon Lescott stepped in for the sake of a good ovation from us. It's worth noting that City have a dodgy track record away from home this season, losing to Sunderland and scraping a win at Blackpool.
I can't predict who will win, but it will be closer than it suggests on paper and the fixture last season.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UP
WOLVES: Hahnemann, Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi, Jarvis, Henry, Mancienne, Jones, Hunt, Doyle
MAN CITY: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Kolo Toure, Boateng, Barry, De Jong, Yaya Toure, Milner, Balotelli, Silva
ODDS (with William Hill) (see more odds)
WIN: Wolves 4/1; Draw 9/4; Man City 4/5
FIRST GOALSCORER: Adebayor (Man City) 9/4; Balotelli (Man City) 5/1; Johnson (Man City) 7/1; Milner (Man City) 8/1; Fletcher (Wolves) 8/1; Doyle (Wolves) 9/1; Ebanks-Blake (Wolves) 10/1; Hunt (Wolves) 14/1; Jarvis (Wolves) 16/1; Richards (Man City) 20/1; Foley (Wolves) 50/1
KEY PLAYER: David Silva. The Spanish international is just starting to turn on the style.
WEAKEST PLAYER: Kolo Toure. Just returned from injury. Our chances should come if we test him early doors.
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Mark Kennedy, Joleon Lescott, Steve Daley, Dave Wagstaffe, Keith Curle, Paul Simpson
We'll have Karl Henry back from suspension to give us more options in midfield but I suspect Mick McCarthy will pick the same middle three that served us well last season in Henry, David Jones and Michael Mancienne. Jody Craddock remains injured but Steve Mouyokolo's good performance at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup should give Richard Stearman's place a run for it's money and likewise for George Elokobi as he challenges Stephen Ward for the left-back slot.
As for City, Carlos Tevez, he has a dead leg and should be out for two weeks (between the lines, he's been given compassionate leave) so it's a chance for Mario Balotelli to make his first start since his absurdly big money move from Inter Milan. Dederick Boyata is suspended but Kolo Toure should back in after recovering from a hamstring, although it would be great if Joleon Lescott stepped in for the sake of a good ovation from us. It's worth noting that City have a dodgy track record away from home this season, losing to Sunderland and scraping a win at Blackpool.
I can't predict who will win, but it will be closer than it suggests on paper and the fixture last season.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UP
WOLVES: Hahnemann, Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi, Jarvis, Henry, Mancienne, Jones, Hunt, Doyle
MAN CITY: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Kolo Toure, Boateng, Barry, De Jong, Yaya Toure, Milner, Balotelli, Silva
ODDS (with William Hill) (see more odds)
WIN: Wolves 4/1; Draw 9/4; Man City 4/5
FIRST GOALSCORER: Adebayor (Man City) 9/4; Balotelli (Man City) 5/1; Johnson (Man City) 7/1; Milner (Man City) 8/1; Fletcher (Wolves) 8/1; Doyle (Wolves) 9/1; Ebanks-Blake (Wolves) 10/1; Hunt (Wolves) 14/1; Jarvis (Wolves) 16/1; Richards (Man City) 20/1; Foley (Wolves) 50/1
KEY PLAYER: David Silva. The Spanish international is just starting to turn on the style.
WEAKEST PLAYER: Kolo Toure. Just returned from injury. Our chances should come if we test him early doors.
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Mark Kennedy, Joleon Lescott, Steve Daley, Dave Wagstaffe, Keith Curle, Paul Simpson
Friday, 22 October 2010
Chelsea v Wolves
Tomorrow we face the first big cheese of the season as we travel to Stamford Bridge and there's only gonna be one outcome.
Chelsea have scored 45 goals in the 9 league games (you do the math to find out the ratio) at Stamford Bridge and despite the absense of Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, they still have plenty of goals in them through the medium of Florent Malouda, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and the in-form Nicolas Anelka.
As for us, we're down to our bare bones in midfield, so much so that we had to call back David Davis from a loan spell over the road at Walsall. With Karl Henry and Adlene Guedioura out and Michael Mancienne ineligible, the three midfield men most likely to start are David Jones and Dave Edwards with what I would believe would be Nenad Milijas in the holding role. Jody Craddock will be a great miss but I hope Richard Stearman can kick on from last week's performance.
The outcome is inevitable. It's like an arranged marriage. There's no getting away from it, no matter how much you dislike it, but we'll have a go for the hell of it.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UP
CHELSEA (4-3-3): Cech; Ferriera, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Ramires, Essien; Kalou, Anelka, Malouda
WOLVES (4-5-1): Hahnemann; Foley, Stearman, Berra, Ward; Jarvis, Milijas, Jones, Edwards, Hunt; Doyle
KEY PLAYER: Florent Malouda. Supplier and a scorer of many goals.
WEAKEST LINK: Er...
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Dave Beasant, Carlton Cole, Michael Mancienne, Jim McCalliog, Bill Barraclough
ODDS (with William Hill)
WIN: Chelsea 1/7; Draw 6/1; Wolves 20/1
FIRST GOALSCORER: Anelka (Chelsea) 3/1; Malouda (Chelsea) 7/2; Kalou (Chelsea) 4/1; Essien (Chelsea) 5/1; Ramires (Chelsea) 12/1; Fletcher (Wolves) 16/1; Doyle (Wolves) 16/1; Cole (Chelsea) 20/1; Terry (Chelsea) 20/1; Ebanks-Blake (Wolves) 20/1; Hunt (Wolves) 25/1; Jarvis (Wolves) 25/1; Stearman (Wolves) 40/1; Foley (Wolves) 80/1
Chelsea have scored 45 goals in the 9 league games (you do the math to find out the ratio) at Stamford Bridge and despite the absense of Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, they still have plenty of goals in them through the medium of Florent Malouda, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and the in-form Nicolas Anelka.
As for us, we're down to our bare bones in midfield, so much so that we had to call back David Davis from a loan spell over the road at Walsall. With Karl Henry and Adlene Guedioura out and Michael Mancienne ineligible, the three midfield men most likely to start are David Jones and Dave Edwards with what I would believe would be Nenad Milijas in the holding role. Jody Craddock will be a great miss but I hope Richard Stearman can kick on from last week's performance.
The outcome is inevitable. It's like an arranged marriage. There's no getting away from it, no matter how much you dislike it, but we'll have a go for the hell of it.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UP
CHELSEA (4-3-3): Cech; Ferriera, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Ramires, Essien; Kalou, Anelka, Malouda
WOLVES (4-5-1): Hahnemann; Foley, Stearman, Berra, Ward; Jarvis, Milijas, Jones, Edwards, Hunt; Doyle
KEY PLAYER: Florent Malouda. Supplier and a scorer of many goals.
WEAKEST LINK: Er...
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Dave Beasant, Carlton Cole, Michael Mancienne, Jim McCalliog, Bill Barraclough
ODDS (with William Hill)
WIN: Chelsea 1/7; Draw 6/1; Wolves 20/1
FIRST GOALSCORER: Anelka (Chelsea) 3/1; Malouda (Chelsea) 7/2; Kalou (Chelsea) 4/1; Essien (Chelsea) 5/1; Ramires (Chelsea) 12/1; Fletcher (Wolves) 16/1; Doyle (Wolves) 16/1; Cole (Chelsea) 20/1; Terry (Chelsea) 20/1; Ebanks-Blake (Wolves) 20/1; Hunt (Wolves) 25/1; Jarvis (Wolves) 25/1; Stearman (Wolves) 40/1; Foley (Wolves) 80/1
Friday, 15 October 2010
Wolves v West Ham United
Words cannot describe how a important a game this is. In terms of recent results, West Ham have taken a turn for the better whereas we have taken the opposite turn but all that could change tomorrow. Win, and we should be out of the bottom three come 6pm on Sunday. Lose, and we're in a world of trouble and a draw won't do us favours either.
With Karl Henry's petulance leading him to being banned for three games, a void in the centre midfield needs to be filled and I hope Nenad Milijas will fill it as he has had his say in these relegation clashes on more than occasion, leaving Michael Mancienne to do all the graft. Steven Mouyokolo has completed his first 90 minutes in the reserves in the week and a fresh change at the back is always welcome in a bid to get our first clean sheet this season, maybe at Christophe Berra's expense? And if the first 45 minutes looks bleak, I'd like to see the fit-again Stephen Hunt jump off the bench and try and make a difference. It remains to be seen if Kevin Doyle will be 100%, if not, then I have full confidence in Steven Fletcher and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake doing a job.
West Ham looks as though they're starting to turn things around, must be something to do with that Jewish-thing Avram Grant attended as they've been undefeated since. Thomas Hitzlsperger being out four months is a boost for tomorrow and the games ahead as he has a cannon of a left foot. Not much to shout about for West Ham other than the fact that Carlton Cole has not scored this season andif there's one thing we are quite renowned for doing, it's helping teams and players end their hoodoos. But Frederic Piquionne is someone to watch out for at this point and time.
My head says 2-2, but my heart says must and will win, and it would be nice to stick it to Messrs Gold and Sullivan.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UP
WOLVES (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Foley, Craddock, Berra, Ward; Edwards, Mancienne, Milijas, Jarvis; Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher
WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green; Jacobsen, da Costa, Upson, Gabbidon; Faubert, Parker, Noble Boa Morte; Obinna, Piquionne
KEY PLAYER: Scott Parker. Everything that West Ham does, he's at the heart of it. Was the best player on the field when we stuffed them in March.
WEAKEST LINK: Fresh on the England scrapheap, it's Robert Green and Matthew Upson, not to mention that they're out of form. Their declines could be our advantage.
ODDS (with William Hill) (see more odds)
WIN: Wolves 5/4; Draw 9/4; West Ham 11/5
FIRST GOALSCORER: Fletcher (Wolves) 11/2; Obinna (West Ham) 11/2; Piquionne (West Ham) 6/1; Doyle (Wolves) 13/2; Ebanks-Blake (Wolves) 13/2; Cole (West Ham) 13/2; Barrera (West Ham) 8/1; McCarthy (West Ham) 8/1; Jarvis (Wolves) 10/1; Hunt (Wolves); 10/1; Jones (Wolves) 12/1; Parker (West Ham) 12/1; Noble (West Ham) 14/1; Milijas (Wolves) 20/1; Craddock (Wolves) 25/1; Mancienne (Wolves) 33/1; Faubert (West Ham) 33/1; Upson (West Ham) 33/1
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Shaun Newton, Kevin Keen, David Kelly, Gary Breen, Paul Ince
With Karl Henry's petulance leading him to being banned for three games, a void in the centre midfield needs to be filled and I hope Nenad Milijas will fill it as he has had his say in these relegation clashes on more than occasion, leaving Michael Mancienne to do all the graft. Steven Mouyokolo has completed his first 90 minutes in the reserves in the week and a fresh change at the back is always welcome in a bid to get our first clean sheet this season, maybe at Christophe Berra's expense? And if the first 45 minutes looks bleak, I'd like to see the fit-again Stephen Hunt jump off the bench and try and make a difference. It remains to be seen if Kevin Doyle will be 100%, if not, then I have full confidence in Steven Fletcher and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake doing a job.
West Ham looks as though they're starting to turn things around, must be something to do with that Jewish-thing Avram Grant attended as they've been undefeated since. Thomas Hitzlsperger being out four months is a boost for tomorrow and the games ahead as he has a cannon of a left foot. Not much to shout about for West Ham other than the fact that Carlton Cole has not scored this season andif there's one thing we are quite renowned for doing, it's helping teams and players end their hoodoos. But Frederic Piquionne is someone to watch out for at this point and time.
My head says 2-2, but my heart says must and will win, and it would be nice to stick it to Messrs Gold and Sullivan.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UP
WOLVES (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Foley, Craddock, Berra, Ward; Edwards, Mancienne, Milijas, Jarvis; Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher
WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green; Jacobsen, da Costa, Upson, Gabbidon; Faubert, Parker, Noble Boa Morte; Obinna, Piquionne
KEY PLAYER: Scott Parker. Everything that West Ham does, he's at the heart of it. Was the best player on the field when we stuffed them in March.
WEAKEST LINK: Fresh on the England scrapheap, it's Robert Green and Matthew Upson, not to mention that they're out of form. Their declines could be our advantage.
ODDS (with William Hill) (see more odds)
WIN: Wolves 5/4; Draw 9/4; West Ham 11/5
FIRST GOALSCORER: Fletcher (Wolves) 11/2; Obinna (West Ham) 11/2; Piquionne (West Ham) 6/1; Doyle (Wolves) 13/2; Ebanks-Blake (Wolves) 13/2; Cole (West Ham) 13/2; Barrera (West Ham) 8/1; McCarthy (West Ham) 8/1; Jarvis (Wolves) 10/1; Hunt (Wolves); 10/1; Jones (Wolves) 12/1; Parker (West Ham) 12/1; Noble (West Ham) 14/1; Milijas (Wolves) 20/1; Craddock (Wolves) 25/1; Mancienne (Wolves) 33/1; Faubert (West Ham) 33/1; Upson (West Ham) 33/1
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Shaun Newton, Kevin Keen, David Kelly, Gary Breen, Paul Ince
Friday, 1 October 2010
Wigan Athletic v Wolves
The first Premiership showdown this Saturday sees us return to the scene of out first ever away victory in the Premiership as we travel to Wigan.
We will have to give the same kind of attacking performance just like we finished the game with against Villa. Wigan conceded 79 goals last season so there should be no reason why we should go for the win. If Mick McCarthy's got to make substitutions to chase a win then he's gotta stick Kevin Doyle, Steven Fletcher and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in a front three. One change we could make is Stephen Ward paving the way for George Elokobi, impressed me last week.
Wigan will look to recent impressive away results for inspiration as they look for their first win at the DW Stadium this season. However, to do that, they must rely on a defence that has conceded an average of more than two goals per game last season to stop our front three from adding to their creditable tallies. One omen Wigan fans could pine for is that when Hugo Rodallega scores, they would go on to win in most matches and that could provide more motivation for Jody Craddock and Christophe Berra to stop him.
I predict a 3-1 win to us but I would be happy to take any win just to stop the rot and ease the pressure of winning the next game against West Ham before four big cheeses back-to-back. This is a must-not-lose game to say at the least.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UP
WIGAN (4-5-1): Al-Habsi; Boyce, Gohouri, Stam, Figueroa; Alcaraz, McCarthy, Diame, Thomas, N'Zogbia; Rodallega
WOLVES (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Foley, Craddock, Berra, Elokobi; Edwards, Henry, Jones, Jarvis; Doyle, Fletcher
KEY PLAYER: Charles N'Zogbia. A handful at Molineux last season. Kevin Foley and Dave Edwards will have to double up well to stop him.
WEAKEST LINK: The entire back four. Ali Al-Habsi looks like a good keeper, but he sure ain't no Superman.
ODDS (with William Hill) (see more odds)
WIN: Wigan 5/4; Draw 11/5; Wolves 23/10
FIRST GOALSCORER: Rodallega (Wigan) 13/2; Fletcher (Wolves) 13/2; Doyle (Wolves) 13/2; Boselli (Wigan) 7-1; Di Santo (Wigan) 7-1; Ebanks-Blake (Wolves) 15/2; N'Zogbia (Wigan) 8/1;McCarthy (Wigan) 12/1; 9/1; Jarvis (Wolves) 14/1; Jones (Wolves) 14/1; Craddock (Wolves) 25/1
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Henri Camara, Tony Dinning, Paul Cook, Andy Mutch, John Pender, David Connolly.
We will have to give the same kind of attacking performance just like we finished the game with against Villa. Wigan conceded 79 goals last season so there should be no reason why we should go for the win. If Mick McCarthy's got to make substitutions to chase a win then he's gotta stick Kevin Doyle, Steven Fletcher and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in a front three. One change we could make is Stephen Ward paving the way for George Elokobi, impressed me last week.
I predict a 3-1 win to us but I would be happy to take any win just to stop the rot and ease the pressure of winning the next game against West Ham before four big cheeses back-to-back. This is a must-not-lose game to say at the least.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UP
WIGAN (4-5-1): Al-Habsi; Boyce, Gohouri, Stam, Figueroa; Alcaraz, McCarthy, Diame, Thomas, N'Zogbia; Rodallega
WOLVES (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Foley, Craddock, Berra, Elokobi; Edwards, Henry, Jones, Jarvis; Doyle, Fletcher
KEY PLAYER: Charles N'Zogbia. A handful at Molineux last season. Kevin Foley and Dave Edwards will have to double up well to stop him.
WEAKEST LINK: The entire back four. Ali Al-Habsi looks like a good keeper, but he sure ain't no Superman.
ODDS (with William Hill) (see more odds)
WIN: Wigan 5/4; Draw 11/5; Wolves 23/10
FIRST GOALSCORER: Rodallega (Wigan) 13/2; Fletcher (Wolves) 13/2; Doyle (Wolves) 13/2; Boselli (Wigan) 7-1; Di Santo (Wigan) 7-1; Ebanks-Blake (Wolves) 15/2; N'Zogbia (Wigan) 8/1;McCarthy (Wigan) 12/1; 9/1; Jarvis (Wolves) 14/1; Jones (Wolves) 14/1; Craddock (Wolves) 25/1
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Henri Camara, Tony Dinning, Paul Cook, Andy Mutch, John Pender, David Connolly.
Saturday, 25 September 2010
Match Preview: Wolves vs Aston Villa
With the excpetion of two Molineux meetings ago, it is very rare that Midland derbies end in a whitewash or a battering and this will meeting looks as though it will be no different. Wolves have not beaten Villa for 30 years and this Sunday is a good opportunity to end the hoodoo.
We will need a much better defensive display than last week to withstand any chance of pulling off what would be a good result in Gerard Houllier's first Premiership match in charge of Villa. Christophe Berra looks set to regain his place after a one-match ban for the under-par Richard Stearman, Michael Mancienne should make way for the more creative David Jones and contrary to what a lot of fans have been saying, I think Stephen Ward will keep his place at left-back. Having the home advantage and yet to fail to score a goal in a match this season, we should go back to 4-4-2 with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Kevin Doyle up front whilst Steven Fletcher plays left midfield on place of the struggling Jelle van Damme.
A new manager's first league should be enough to fire up any team. Houllier favourite Emile Heskey will be seeking for a start after his performance turned the game around in Villa's Carling Cup win against Blackburn as Gabriel Agbonlahor stuggles to maintain his fitness and John Carew has been under-performing. Stephen Ireland - yet to impress - also faces a battle and Richard Dunne is out with a knee injury. Villa will also look for better success away from home this season after a drumming by Newcastle and giving the game away at Stoke.
This fixture last season was very much a game of two halves. We dominated the first whereas we started to look ragged second half as it wore on as Villa slowed the play down a bit. Credit to the Villa defence however for they snuffed out every cross that came their way and Richard Dunne and James Collins had Ebanks-Blake and Doyle's number. Same could be said for Berra with John Carew. Expect no different this time around.
Count on this game being a story of two sides cancelling each other out.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UP
WOLVES (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Foley, Craddock, Berra, Ward; Jarvis, Henry (c), Jones, Fletcher; Doyle, Ebanks-Blake
VILLA: (4-4-1-1) Friedel; Luke Young, Cuellar, Collins, Warnock; Albrighton, Petrov, Sidwell, Downing; Ashley Young; Heskey
VILLA'S KEY PLAYER: Ashley Young. The winger is starting to turn into Villa's standout player after moving into a free role between the midfield and lone striker.
ODDS (with William Hill) (see more odds)
WIN: Wolves 9/5; Draw 21/10; Villa 8/5
FIRST GOALSCORER: Fletcher (Wolves) 6/1; Carew (Villa) 6/1; Doyle (Wolves) 13/2; Ebanks-Blake (Wolves) 15/2; Heskey (Villa) 15/2; Ashley Young (Villa) 9/1; Jarvis (Wolves) 12/1; Jones (Wolves) 14/1; Downing (Villa) 14/1; Craddock (Wolves) 25/1
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Andy Gray, Paul Birch, Tony Daley, Michael Oakes, Peter Broadbent, Steve Froggatt, John Burridge, Gordon Cowans.
We will need a much better defensive display than last week to withstand any chance of pulling off what would be a good result in Gerard Houllier's first Premiership match in charge of Villa. Christophe Berra looks set to regain his place after a one-match ban for the under-par Richard Stearman, Michael Mancienne should make way for the more creative David Jones and contrary to what a lot of fans have been saying, I think Stephen Ward will keep his place at left-back. Having the home advantage and yet to fail to score a goal in a match this season, we should go back to 4-4-2 with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Kevin Doyle up front whilst Steven Fletcher plays left midfield on place of the struggling Jelle van Damme.
A new manager's first league should be enough to fire up any team. Houllier favourite Emile Heskey will be seeking for a start after his performance turned the game around in Villa's Carling Cup win against Blackburn as Gabriel Agbonlahor stuggles to maintain his fitness and John Carew has been under-performing. Stephen Ireland - yet to impress - also faces a battle and Richard Dunne is out with a knee injury. Villa will also look for better success away from home this season after a drumming by Newcastle and giving the game away at Stoke.
This fixture last season was very much a game of two halves. We dominated the first whereas we started to look ragged second half as it wore on as Villa slowed the play down a bit. Credit to the Villa defence however for they snuffed out every cross that came their way and Richard Dunne and James Collins had Ebanks-Blake and Doyle's number. Same could be said for Berra with John Carew. Expect no different this time around.
Count on this game being a story of two sides cancelling each other out.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UP
WOLVES (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Foley, Craddock, Berra, Ward; Jarvis, Henry (c), Jones, Fletcher; Doyle, Ebanks-Blake
VILLA: (4-4-1-1) Friedel; Luke Young, Cuellar, Collins, Warnock; Albrighton, Petrov, Sidwell, Downing; Ashley Young; Heskey
VILLA'S KEY PLAYER: Ashley Young. The winger is starting to turn into Villa's standout player after moving into a free role between the midfield and lone striker.
ODDS (with William Hill) (see more odds)
WIN: Wolves 9/5; Draw 21/10; Villa 8/5
FIRST GOALSCORER: Fletcher (Wolves) 6/1; Carew (Villa) 6/1; Doyle (Wolves) 13/2; Ebanks-Blake (Wolves) 15/2; Heskey (Villa) 15/2; Ashley Young (Villa) 9/1; Jarvis (Wolves) 12/1; Jones (Wolves) 14/1; Downing (Villa) 14/1; Craddock (Wolves) 25/1
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Andy Gray, Paul Birch, Tony Daley, Michael Oakes, Peter Broadbent, Steve Froggatt, John Burridge, Gordon Cowans.
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