So in theory it now gets easier for Wolves as the 5 game run against the top 4 teams is behind us. But Bolton come to Molineux on Saturday lying in 6th place in the Premier League and doing fine under the stewardship of Owen Coyle so it might be easier but a long way from easy.
Only a late goal by Everton stopped Bolton getting a good away win in the week, and they took advantage of a Champions League drained Spurs team last weekend to notch up an impressive 4-2 win. Before that, however, they had only won one match in 9 so although the Trotters are a hard team to beat they are not a team that are consistently flying. Kevin Davies’s England call up has done his confidence no harm but his strike partner Elmander is doubtful for the game having picked up a virus and full back Steinsson is suspended.
And Wolves might also have enforced changes to their starting line up. Edwards strained a thigh early on against Arsenal while Ward suffered a shin injury from the late foul by Fabregas. Most worryingly Kevin Doyle broke a bone in his hand. The absence of Ward would probably be filled by Elokobi, while Edwards was replaced by Hunt on Wednesday who would possibly start even if Edwards were fit. But if Doyle didn’t make it then that could result in a big rethink of tactics as Ebanks Blake and Fletcher would be less adept at filling the lone striker role.
My guess is that if Doyle plays then McCarthy will stick with the 4-5-1 formation even though Wolves have not scored many and have yet to keep a clean sheet. The manager would probably welcome a 1-0 win as much as any result to boost the defensive confidence. A change in formation to 4-4-2 is always a gamble as players adapt to a new style but the home fans do want to see Wolves getting more goals to compliment the good all round performances. Bolton normally operate 4-4-2 themselves so Wolves would not be outnumbered in midfield if they matched that shape, although the absence of Elmander might lead to a rethink on their side.
While there are 13 places separating the two teams in the League, the gap is only 7 points and it would be a massive boost for Wolves to be able to bring that gap down to 4 on Saturday. McCarthy has been commenting that he is fed up of saying his team have played well and lost, and the supporters will be echoing that opinion if it stretches into these next 7 games. So any kind of win would be the desired outcome on Saturday as we have now reached the time where points are far more important than performance. What McCarthy must decide is if grinding out results is the likeliest way to improve the points tally, or given the quality of front men now at the club, it may be playing to their strengths to play a more open game and go for it.
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