The Soccer Blog: Wolves turn their attention to Wigan

Friday, 1 October 2010

Wolves turn their attention to Wigan

By: DJ | September 30th, 2010

61579808 Next up for Wolves is a trip to the DW Stadium for another live on Sky game at 12:45 on Saturday to face a Wigan team that are one of Wolves direct competitors in the bottom half of the Premier League. It’s a big game then for both teams and for Wolves the chance to add to their points tally after a frustrating run of defeats, and in advance of a tougher run of fixtures.

After winning on the opening day of the season for the first time for a few years Wolves have had a good draw at Everton and a home draw with Newcastle before a run of three straight defeats against teams that you would expect to see in the top half of the Premier League come the end of the season. The fact that Wolves were on for a point in all three of these games until the last 3 or 4 minutes is a positive sign in many respects but has been the source of much frustration as the healthy early season league position has evaporated to leave them now in 17th position. As the objective for the season is to finish 17th or above then it has to be positive to feel disappointed to be 17th after a run of games against top half teams.

I predicted before the season started that Wolves would score more goals, and concede more, this season. The signing of Fletcher committed Wolves to a 4-4-2 line up to some degree and the scotsman, despite not getting a clear run of games due to injury has already netted 3 times this season and looks set to well outstrip anything anyone achieved in Old Gold last season in terms of goalscoring. But the danger was always that Wolves would be more open than when they were playing 4-5-1 in the second half of last season and that has proven to be what has happened. Much preferable to see a team involved in games with goals than be game spoilers – as long as enough points are accumulated.

Conceding goals will always bring a focus on the defence but it is probably more the case that by moving away from 4-5-1 that they are more exposed to the Premier League attackers that has caused more goals against. The Craddock/Berra partnership still looks the best option for central defence, and the injury absence of Zubar has allowed Foley to come in and prove he is good enough for this level. Stephen Ward has been the regular left back so far and has generally done quite well. But whether he was affected by his mistake in conceding a costly penalty at Spurs, or by an injury that caused his early departure against Villa, it was the case that he was the weakest link in the defensive line on Sunday. Elokobi came on for the 2nd half and tightened the ship and will probably have earned a starting place at Wigan.

The set up of the midfield is the biggest debating point amongst the Wolves fans that like to pick McCarthy’s team for him. Karl Henry is an automatic choice as is Matt Jarvis who is now continually being linked to a call up to the England squad. Great news for Matt and the club with the downside that his developing talent will be brought to the attention of the scouts of the big clubs. But the other midfield positions are open to debate as is whether Wolves are better suited to a 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 set up. The absence through injury of Hunt, Van Damme and now Guedioura does limit the options and it will be a big boost if Hunt, as has been indicated, will be ready to get into the first team squad by the middle of October.

For the second half at Fulham, and for the game at Spurs, Wolves adopted a 4-3-3 line up that saw Fletcher play wide with Jarvis on the other side, with Doyle alone in the centre. Then Henry, Mancienne and Jones formed a narrow midfield line. A similar set up was adopted in the second half against Villa with Edwards in for Mancienne. I remain to be convinced about this set up despite it getting us a lead at Spurs and an improved second half against Villa. To me it does not get the best out of Fletcher, it hasn’t succeeded in protecting the defence, and by playing a narrow midfield it can expose the full backs to one on one or even two on one situations when the opposing full backs overlap.

I would prefer us to stick with the 4-4-2 to enable the Fletcher/Doyle partnership to develop. They can be the best striking partnership Wolves have had for many years and their ability to hold the ball up does take pressure off the defence. With Van Damme set to return to the fold on Saturday that might persuade the manager to stick to the 4-4-2. The choice then rests between Mancienne, Jones and Edwards to partner Henry in central midfield.

Van Damme has admitted to the Belgian press that he is unhappy in England and has struggled socially to adjust to life in the UK. His wife is still in Belgium and awaiting the birth of their second child and he has struggled to hold down a first team place, largely because of a niggling injury. It is still very early days for him and a recall to the team on Saturday will help his frame of mind. He was originally bought to the club with an eye on filling the left back slot but he struggled in that position in the last two pre season friendlies against Leeds and Bilbao and was given the chance instead on the left of midfield. When Hunt returns that position will cease to be available and then we might see him given a chance to make the left back position his own. Foreign players often need time to settle, both on and off the pitch, and like Zubar last season he may well become a key team member by the second half of the season.

Be interested to hear the views of other Wolves fans on their ideas on team selection for the weekend via the comments facility on this page, before we update the site on Friday with a preview of Saturday’s game.

Category: Team News

Tags: Team News
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Comments | Add your comment Greg | September 30th, 2010 at 2:54 pm

First I have to say I love this blog, been reading it for the past couple years. As for a team, I would love to see Van Damme and Mancienne in the midfield. They would give us the defensive capabilities that we need against a team that does carry some mid field threats. And with Elokobi on the left, him and Van Damme can be fairly interchangeable if one gets caught forward in attack. I know this leaves Jarvis on the right, but I feel he can be a truly great two footed player, and as mentioned, when Hunt comes in, Jarvis will most likely be playing on the right anyways. So he really will need the experience. Now here’s too Jones shaping back up, we need more of his free kicks.

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Friday, 1 October 2010

Wolves turn their attention to Wigan

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