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There are many things that are not positive about the Premier League. Sulky millionaire players, diving, feigning injury, referees favouring the bigger clubs and on first name terms with their players, the rarity of Saturday afternoon matches, and the number of weekends without fixtures. And in March Wolves have only two games as this weekend sees a break for the 6th Round of the FA Cup and then in two weeks time an international break.
I guess we have to hope that Wolves can carry forward recent form into the vital months of April and May after this inactive month. One thing it will do is allow players to recharge the batteries and for those who have been unfit to return to action. So we can take stock and think about who would be in Wolves first 11 if everyone was fit and who is in contention for player of the season.
The Wolves defence was thought to be the weak part of the team not so long ago but it’s been a pretty stable back line in recent months and a pretty successful one. 3 goals conceded against Liverpool and Spurs but otherwise it has been a fairly tight ship. Hennessey has taken the chance to become Wolves undisputed first choice in goal and it looks like Hahnemann’s final months in English football will be spent on the bench. The back four has generally been Zubar, Stearman, Berra and Elokobi. In 2010 it was feeling that Craddock would walk back in as soon as he was fit but in 2011 Berra has been the most consistent player in the team and Stearman has stamped out the silly errors that plagued his game and is looking a good defender now. Big George has secured the left back slot and displaced Stephen Ward. And the only real debate for the best defence is Zubar or Foley at right back. Zubar probably has more to offer with his height, attacking ability and physical presence. But Foley is steadier and more reliable and less prone to errors.
Foley is also a contender for a central midfield role but Henry is starting to find form after struggling to regain his focus after becoming the centre of media attention in the autumn. Milijas has progressed well and remains the most creative of the midfield players and the best from dead ball situations. With his shooting ability he should probably score more and that also applies to David Edwards who makes good runs forward but rarely converts those runs into goals. He has been a surprise player for me this season though. His energy has always been outstanding but his passing and movement has improved and he is looking to have the potential to be a good box to box Premier League player. David Jones is a nearly player to me, good but not that good, and at the moment the same can be said of Michael Mancienne who hasn’t kicked on in the way we hoped so far this season. O’Hara though has been different class. Always wants to be involved in the game, uses the ball well, always looks to be positive and play at a high tempo and gets some goals.
And Wolves suddenly have a glut of top wide players. Jarvis has been outstanding for the majority of the season and he uses the ball so much better than a year ago. Hunt has shown his value as a workhorse wide player who is also creative but his first season has been blighted with injury. When McCarthy made his main January signing a winger from Barnsley there were plenty who were hoping for more. But Hamill has looked a really good signing and I am sure there will be a lot oof improvement to come from him with more top flight games under his belt. And now we have the prospect of Michael Kightly joining the squad too. I am sure there were many Wolves fans questioning whether he would ever regain full fitness but the signs are now good and it would be great to see him make his mark at this level. In case anyone has forgotten, Kightly beats players, gets goals, always wants to go forwards, and had the most assists of any Championship player in his last fit season.
Kevin Doyle was last season’s player of the season and has found this season more difficult because Wolves have not got the players forward to support him as well as last season. And his poor scoring record has been the result of that this season. But his all round game remains excellent and Jarvis, Hamill, Edwards and particularly O’Hara are now providing the support a lone striker needs. A lot of people were writing off Ebanks Blake as a Premier League striker last season but he has done all that has been asked of him this season and is unlucky to have not had more playing time. Thats been more a result of the choice of a 4-5-1 formation than any criticism of him. Fletcher’s season has not worked out as he or Wolves fans were hoping when we paid £6.5m for him last summer. But his goals per game record remains good and his priceless equaliser against Spurs showed he could yet make a breakthrough for Wolves.
So if everyone was available I would give Zubar the edge over Foley, Hamill over Hunt, and although I don’t think Mick would agree with me I would leave Henry out of the midfield in this team;
Hennessey
Zubar, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi,
Hamill, O’Hara, Edwards, Milijas, Jarvis
Doyle
There’s some close calls in there though and in many ways the most encouraging thing is that if any of Foley, Craddock, Henry, Hunt, Fletcher, Kightly or Ebanks Blake were picked instead we would be equally as strong. And a final word for Stephen Ward who isn’t our best player in any position but is a great guy to have in the squad as he rarely lets the team down wherever he plays.
And as for player of the season I think there are three contenders at this stage, Doyle, Jarvis and Berra. Doyle’s lack of goals would lead me to put him third but it’s a close call between the other two. Jarvis as been outstanding for all but a month mid season and would probably win in a supporters vote, but I would go for Berra who is an unspectacular but very reliable defender and I don’t think any striker, even from the biggest clubs, has really got the better of him this season.
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