The Seasiders were long odds on to be relegated back to the Championship at the end of the season but have done better than virtually everyone expected, and have done so playing an open attractive game backed up by some real hard work in the image of their manager Ian Holloway. They have secured 4 Premier League wins having won the first league match they played in August, September, October and November. Perhaps the biggest surprise result of their season so far was that they featured in a goalless draw at West Ham last week cause a 0-0 is the last thing associated with Blackpol this season. Before that they had scored a healthy 19 goals but have conceded more than any team in the top flight with 26, two a game.
The key to this weekend’s game is whether Wolves can find the firepower to add to Blackpool’s goals against record. McCarthy has hinted this week that Wolves might return to the 4-5-1 formation that served them well in the second half of last season and has been used for most of this season. His main concern will be that Wolves have not kept a clean sheet all season and after the last two games he will be particularly keen to have none against in the first minute. So it would be understandable if he opted for the 5 man midfield to look to reduce the goals conceded but it is a formation that has not lead to Wolves scoring many and that needs to improve. A 4-5-1 line up would probably place Doyle, Jarvis, Hunt and Milijas as the most attacking players and they have scored a total of 3 league goals between them this season.
It was looking like Wolves would be going into the game with a real injury headache at the centre of their defence. But Berra and Mouyokolo have both now recovered and they will be competing with Stearman at the heart of the back line. Foley will continue at right back and it will be the usual toss up between Ward and Elokobi at left back and I would go for Ward because he adds more to the team in terms of building attacks from the back. The reinforcements are on the way with Zubar and maybe Craddock set for a reserve game at Arsenal on Tuesday.
If Doyle is to be the lone striker then we have to find 5 for midfield that can dominate possession in the way they did impressively against some of the top teams and give support to Doyle. Despite him struggling for form we will persevere with Hunt to play on the opposite wing to Jarvis who can play either side dependant on where he is getting the most joy. Henry and Milijas will play in the centre of midfield. The other central position in the injury absence of Edwards will be either Mancienne or Jones depending on how cautious McCarthy wants to be. There is the chance that he could play Fletcher behind Doyle to give more firepower but the Scotsman adds nothing as a midfield player and for me needs to play either as a central striker or not at all.
Against an open Blackpool team I would have liked to see Fletcher and Doyle as a striking duo but hopefully the more cautious approach will lead to Wolves dominating possession and finding enough goals. Against the men in tangerine it will be a rare outing for the all black away strip on Saturday but in the land of the illuminations hopefully Wolves will be bright enough to find 3 points that they are in need of so much.
Category: Team News
Tags: Team News« Wolves need to rise to the challenge | Home |
Leave a ReplyIf you have not commented here before, please take a moment to peruse our
Commenting Guidelines. -->
Name (required)
Mail (will not be published) (required)
Website
Follow Us
England vs France liveblog! Previewing England Vs France, and Where We Stand England Squad Announced for the Friendly more news... 
Search The Offside
Related LinksWolves Tickets
Categories HistoryPollsReportsRumoursTeam NewsVideo
Send Your Tips! Found a great story, photo or video that's perfect for The Offside?
Email wolves[at]theoffside[dot]com
LATEST COMMENTSWolves earn more credit but no points
Darren: Your club played very well. Deserved atleast a point from that game.Alittle disappointed you menti ... [read more] Wolves just hate the late show
Greg: Once again a great but frustrating match. One big positive I'd like to point out though. No yellows, ... [read more] Wolves entitled to have their dreams
Chelsea: Well you played Great throughout the game until you Conceded Late Again!!! Is there a moral victory ... [read more] Out of darkness cometh light for Wolves
DJ: But light cometh - we can see the end of the tunnel and that tunnel would have been a long one if we ... [read more] Out of darkness cometh light for Wolves
Chelsea: Well not totally out of darkness since you are still in the relegation zone with 9 points and tied w ... [read more] Brilliant Wolves bounce back with a bang
DJ: beno - it's certainly good to see Milijas back and he has the ability to stay there now, certainly a ... [read more] Brilliant Wolves bounce back with a bang
beno: It can only be down to fitness but hard to understand why Milijas hasn't figured more in the first 1 ... [read more] Next stage in the Wolves group of death
Chelsea: You guys finally get your first victory in your group of death journey. Congratulations for the vict ... [read more] Defeat but not all Blues for Wolves
Andrew: Yes -- there is a lot to be said for having someone out there who is known to be able to shoot from ... [read more] Defeat but not all Blues for Wolves
DJ: Greg/Andrew - yes it looks like we will have to write off the Van Damme transfer and maybe he will r ... [read more]
Archives Select Archive Month November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 May 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008
About The Offside | Advertise on The Offside | Privacy Policy
Top Content: Football Match Tickets | Football Kits for Sale | English Premier League | Italian Serie A | Spanish La Liga | German Bundesliga | French Ligue 1 | Major League Soccer | Europa League Groups | Champions League Groups | Travel to Europe for the Champions League | UEFA Champions League Tickets | FIFA World Rankings
Related information: Betting on Football | Travel to a Football Match | The DA - Football Humor | International Flights | Cheap Hotels Worldwide | Football Bullet
© BootsnAll Travel Network - All rights reserved
EuropeEngland: PremiershipEngland: ChampionshipEngland: League One England: League Two FranceGermanyGreeceHollandItalyPolandPortugalRussiaScotlandSpainTurkeyAfricaEgyptTunisiaAustraliaSouth AmericaArgentinaBrazilColombia North AmericaMexicoMLSNPSLUSLWomen's SoccerCup CompetitionsChampions LeagueEuropa LeagueCopa LibertadoresCopa SudamericanaPlayersDidier DrogbaLionel MessiMesut OzilArjen RobbenCristiano RonaldoLigue 1 ProspectsSoccer Betting | World Cup 2010
Plan Your Soccer Travels | Soccer TicketsClose X
Home 
World 
Europe English Premier League 
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 
StoreTravelScores 
England: PremiershipEngland: ChampionshipEngland: League OneEngland: League TwoEngland: ConferenceFranceGermanyGreeceHollandItaly PolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaScotlandSpainTurkeyUkraineChampions League | Europa LeagueClose X
No comments:
Post a Comment