Wolves v Stoke: Preview

Battle of the throw ins? Let's hope not

Here we are, the moment we've all been waiting for. Finally the season gets underway.

There has been a lot of optimism amongst fans. We had a good end to the season (losing twice in ten), spent sixteen million pounds before pre-season had even started and in our early friendlies the new boys looked the part.

But then it went a bit wrong. Van Damme, who had been solid in his first couple of games was torn apart by Max Gradel at Leeds. Zubar got injured, as did our talisman Doyle. Neither of them are likely to play tomorrow. Van Damme was unconvincing again in the friendly game last Saturday. I'm not particularly confident about this game.

Stoke have done a great job of keeping themselves in the Premier League. Nobody has given them a chance but both years they have stayed up comfortably. They haven't been in any relegation battles, which is some achievement.

We know what they are about. Both games last season we drew, so I'd like to think it won't be much different tomorrow. Rory Delap, unfortunately, should be fit so we know exactly what he will bring. I don't fear his throw ins, it's just that they ruined the game at Molineux earlier this year.

The signing of Kenwyne Jones from Sunderland has made me feel even more worried. He scored both times against us last season, and is a strong player who will play to their strengths.But perhaps our defence has learnt something from playing against him.

The team? The only position I'm not sure about is right midfield. Ward played on the left with Jarvis on the right but he got injured. Halford played there when he came on and was impressive. What about Guedioura? I thought he had made the position his own after his display against Sunderland but he hasn't been starting there much. Here's what I think the team will be:

Sylvan's golden chance

Hahnemann

Foley
Craddock
Berra
Van Damme

Halford
Henry
Jones
Jarvis

Ebanks-Blake
Fletcher

I'll go for a one all draw, with Sylvan getting our goal. This is a big chance for him, but if it's not working he'll be the one taken off if we make a change of players or system.

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