Wolves have won 2 of their 14 games so far and have secured 9 points. Well below target. So can they repeat last season’s 15th place and surival from where they are? At the end of November 2009 Wolves had played 14 had won 2 and had got 10 points, one more draw than this time around. So it’s all very similar really and it was only the fact that it was a first season in the top flight that stopped the mood being as gloomy last season. What did happen last season was that the 15th, 16th and 18th games were won and it all looked a little rosier by xmas. And this season we are in much need of a similar boost. So we had 19 points after 19 games last season and on Boxing Day this season we will be up to 19 played and need to be close to 19 points again. From the current position I would be happy with 16.
The real question is whether we are better or worse a team than a year ago. Well we should be better. The likes of Keogh, Collins, Iwelumo, Shackell and Surman have gone and Fletcher, Hunt, Mouyokolo and Van Damme have arrived. Should make us stronger but the new guys have not added much to Wolves season. Van Damme looks certain to go back to Belgium in January with a loan deal to Anderlecht or Standard Liege on the cards. Mouyokolo has played just one Premier League game for Wolves and didn’t impress greatly, but with the injury problems at the club he might get another chance this week. Hunt has been a recent regular but his form has been really poor after his long lay off and there must be a question mark on whether he can retain his place as he tries to get up to speed.
Fletcher was the biggest signing of the summer and his season got off to the ideal start when he partnered Ebanks Blake in the absence of Doyle. In a 4-4-2 formation Wolves won 2-1 and Fletcher got the decisive second for Wolves. He wasn’t fit for the next game at Everton and then was relegated to the bench for the next two games as Doyle regained the starting place. He was recalled at Spurs but played as a wide player in a 4-5-1 but nevertheless made it two starts and two goals. He was again on the bench for the Carling Cup game against Notts County but he and Doyle were finally partnered together in extra time and ripped County apart with one more for Fletcher and two for Doyle. He was than banished out to the wing for the next three games, and didn’t impress in that position. That saw him relegated to the bench for the last month and generally introduced to play wide, although he did find his 4th goal of the season with the winner against Man City. So when you weigh up what difference he has made to the team you would say very little over 14 games. But when you look at his contribution it is reasonable to say he has never let the team down when played as a striker, and he is the club’s top scorer this season despite hardly any chances to play in the position he was signed for.
The signs are that McCarthy does not intend turning to 4-4-2 to give a Fletcher/Doyle partnership the chance to boost the season or give further chances to Ebanks Blake who has been much better than last season. The indications are that he will stick with 4-5-1 and that will likely mean Doyle as the lone striker.
We will preview the weekend game on Friday but we know that Berra is suspended and Henry and Edwards will be injury absentees. Zubar played centre back for the reseves at Arsenal on Tuesday where Wolves were narrow 2-1 losers. And Craddock has returned to training this week. Whether they will be considered ready to compete for a place on Saturday must be doubtful. Sunderland are also looking like they will be without their centre backs Turner and Bramble as well as striker Gyan, so with only one away win all season maybe they will be vulnerable. But that win was in their latest away game and at Chelsea, so maybe not.
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