When Wolves fans were discussing the prospects for 2010/11 in the summer I think most people said they would be happy with 17th but were kinda hoping and believing it might be quite a bit better than that with a push for halfway. Well now even though Wolves sit just one place below the survival line in 18th I think most would bite your hand off if offered an end position of 17th cause the season so far has not seen the kind of performances hoped for, and now they face an 18 day period of playing the best teams in the country.
Chelsea away this Saturday afternoon, followed by Man Utd away on Tuesday in the Carling Cup, then Man City at home, Man Utd away again then Arsenal at home. Anything other than 5 defeats would be a bonus. Chelsea are top of the league and have been scoring goals for fun. At home in the Premier League this season they have scored 14 and conceded none in their four games so far. The positives for Wolves, and we have to cling on to all we can find, is that Drogba and Lampard are out injured and the Blues played in Moscow on Tuesday. So maybe they won’t be firing on all cylinders, although they probably have enough cylinders to get by.
Wolves remain without Zubar and Guedioura and they are joined by Craddock on the injury list. Karl Henry takes the second of his three game suspension and Mancienne is not allowed to play under league rules that loanees cannot play against their employers. Not the best of days to be light in defence and without a naturally defensive midfield player. And it is that central midfield area that must have been taxing the mind of the Wolves coaches and management the most as they consider what team to send out. It is the part of the team that has been misfiring most anyway but Henry and Mancienne would probably have both started in a game of this nature had they been available.
After Stearman performed well as a sub for Craddock last week he will probably continue in that role alongside Berra who is the likely captain. Foley and Ward are probables for full back although it is not out of the question that one of them could be asked to take on the defensive midfield role. If that happened then Stearman could play right back with Mouyokolo getting a league debut, or Elokobi could come in at left back or even at centre back. Edwards, Jones and Milijas will also be competing for a central midfield role, as surprisingly will David Davis who has been recalled from his loan at Walsall. The 19 year old has impressed for the Saddlers and has been a regular in the team since he went there in September. The other key decision is on whether Stephen Hunt is yet ready to make his debut having played two part games for the reserves.
My guess is the team will be;
Hahnemann
Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi
Fletcher, Edwards, Ward, Jones, Jarvis
Doyle
I would prefer a 4-4- 2 with Fletcher playing up front with Doyle, Hunt playing wide and maybe Milijas in midfield. But I can’t see that positive a team being sent out on Saturday. Maybe next week against Man City at Molineux. The likes of Hunt, Mouyokolo, Ebanks Blake and Milijas will surely get the chance at Old Trafford on Tuesday to make their case.
So it is with plenty of trepidation that Wolves fans will venture down the Kings Road on Saturday, wondering if Wolves will be the victims of another Chelsea thrashing as they plough on towards another title. Should we just hope for an honourable defeat or can we dream of a stalemate or even better? I will make no predictions other than the certainty that at kick off time of 3 o’clock we won’t be expecting anything positive at all.
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