Wolves 4 Blackpool 0

I must admit I was worried before this game.

Would this be another game where we muck it up against a team near us? Would it be another one of those days where nothing goes in? Would it hell!

We dominated Blackpool from start to finish, positive from the start. It was a sign of things that O'Hara decided to set off from the kick off. Much better than the usual roll back to Hennessey.

And it was that man who was at the centre of everything good for us. Jamie O'Hara is really making an impact. Not only can he create shoot and dribble, he's a willing runner who covers a lot of the pitch.

Super sub SEB made it six for the season

I was disappointed to see Nenad Milijas drop to the bench, but I could see why Mick had done it. Dave Edwards was excellent today, offering us a lot going forward and of course defending from the front. He was unlucky not to get a goal too.

Our captain has endured a tough time recently, but I thought this was him at his best. He got in plenty of challenges, and kept the ball moving. He went about his business quietly but got the job done.

It's important that we keep this momentum going, with one defeat in four and seven points out of twelve. We face Tottenham in a weeks time who will surely have one eye on their Champions league game with AC Milan.

Savour this victory because it's not often we win by four!

Prediction League: Chance to win a signed Wolves football!

As there was only one game, there was of course very few points scored but that didn't stop movement in the table!

Bob China takes the lead at the top by ONE point, while HilpertonianSwindon closed the gap on the top few.

There are a full set of fixtures this week, so I expect plenty of points.

Aston Villa v Blackburn
Everton v Sunderland
Newcastle v Bolton
Wigan v Man Utd
Wolves v Blackpool
West Ham v Liverpool
Man City v Fulham
Stoke v West Brom

Good luck.

Capello's a fan of Henry, and it isn't Thierry.

Isn’t it funny how at the time of getting the most stick he has ever received for poor performances, it come out that the England manager is the fan of his?

Karl Henry obviously hasn’t been at his best since he returned from a lengthy injury, he even said it himself, but people have stopped realising the important job he does.

Lucas - most underated player in the league?

With players like Nenad Milijas and Jamie O’Hara, you NEED someone who will sit, cover and win the ball back. In the modern day it is one of the most important, yet underrated positions. Every team has one, and even in the best teams that players is not given much credit. John Obi Mikel, Michael Carrick and Lucas Leiva (who Robbie Savage reckons he is better than) are all criminally underrated just because they pass sideways or backwards more often than not.

Why is this? Because the fans want to see that killer pass, and when a player like Karl Henry rolls it back to the centre backs that therefore means his passing is apparently crap. Now, he does do a shocking pass every now and then but that’s probably because he is being urged to go forward!

Fabio Capello has now taken notice of two of our players, naming Henry and Matty Jarvis in provisional squads and I wonder if any others will get recognition any time soon.

In Richard Stearman we have someone who learnt the hard way since joining the top flight. He has made stupid mistakes, but since the turn of the year he has been one of our best players. He has formed a solid partnership with Christophe Berra and has the quality on the ball that you need at international level. He has put in some excellent performances in front of Capello, and with a bit more consistency he may have a chance over the next few years.

Now for my more controversial pick. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. I’m not saying he is good enough for that level, we don’t really know yet but Sylvan is one good goal scoring streak away from being noticed. There was talk of it when we were in the Championship, and he is a much better footballer now. He’s still young so if he gets a run in our team at some point and the goals start flowing who knows?

Disagree? I’m sure a lot of you will! Post a comment on which Wolves players you think could receive an England call up in the next year or so.

A point gained?

It was all too predictable.

After a first half performance where we controlled the play, kept the ball and frustrated the Albion crowd we threw it all away in the stoppage time.

You have to wonder why, if it had worked so well to keep the ball, the players defended so deep in the second half despite the manager's instructions to push forward.

While it was gut-wrenching to concede that late goal by Vela (another reason to hate Arsenal) I still think it is a decent point away from home. We had only taken four points on our travels this season before yesterday, and I would definitely have taken a point had it been offered to me at twelve o'clock.

What we have to do is move on and look to the game on Saturday with Blackpool. This is a game we need to win, if anything to prove that we can beat those around us and get ourselves out of this mess. If we stick with the same formation, maybe bring in a player or two, then I think we will win.

My worry is, we bring in another striker and lump the ball forward as we always seem to do with an extra forward. With two wingers, we can tear the Blackpool defence apart.

When we went to Bloomfield Road we were desperately unlucky to come away with nothing. We hammered them for nearly all of the game and it was probably one of the most one sided games I have seen this season. Blackpool scored a wonder goal and a silly corner, but luck is no longer on their side and their form has deteriorated.

There is still a long way to go, we must not hit the panic button.

It's back (at last)

The time has come.

The two derby games against West Brom could prove to be crucial this season, and the game on Sunday could prove to be season defining.

It could turn out to be a good thing that this game was postponed back in December. The Baggies were sitting comfortably in mid table, with a manager that looked destined for greater things. But fast-forward less than two months and everything has changed for them.

Bothroyd got the winner in 2007

Di Matteo sacked, not a clean sheet in twenty four games and three wins out of the last nineteen. Before last Saturday, they turned to the next two games to revive their season and threw away a three nil lead in the first one against West Ham. With Roy Hodgson now in charge, they will look to tighten the defence but at a cost. They won't be seen as entertainers any more. I'm not convinced that he is the right man for them, a couple of early bad results and the pressure will be on them.

For the first time in years, we finally seem to be playing West Brom on a level playing field. I genuinely think we have a better squad, with better players and players more likely to come out on top in a derby. When you look through the Albion team, they lack a leader and miss Mulumbu this week through injury, which will be a huge loss for them. Players like Berra, Zubar, O'Hara, Henry and Milijas have all played in huge derbies at previous clubs or with us in Henry's case.That experience will be huge for us.

The only change  could be Kevin Foley in for Zubar, but only because he is doubtful for the game. If you are looking at tactical changes, Mick might sacrifice quality for running and bring Dave Edwards in for Nenad Milijas or Jamie O'Hara.

Hennessey

Zubar
Stearman
Berra
Elokobi

Hammill
Henry
Milijas
Jarvis

O'Hara

Doyle

I think it will be a cagey affair, it is a huge game for both teams and while I'd like to see us attack their fragile defence I would be happy with a point. A win by two goals would see us leapfrog them in the table, but I'm plumping for a low-scoring draw. 1-1

Prediction League: Chance to win a signed Wolves football!

There wasn't too many points scored last week, but still a couple of changes in the table.

Wolfie takes the lead at the top, while Merlin leapfrogged Wolves1992.

There is only one game this weekend, and I think we all know which one it is.

As the Black Country Derby is the only game, you get triple points for the game.

Good luck.

Slapped: Arsenal 2 Wolves 0

Wolves were taught a real lesson by easily the best team we have faced this season.

I left the Emirates not as disappointed as usual after defeat because really, they were simply too good for us. At their best, they are unplayable and we should be glad we only lost two nil.

Stearman improves with every game

Much of that was thanks to Wayne Hennessey, who gets better every week. Apart from once, he dominated his area well and some of the saves he made were stunning. I wonder if Arsene Wenger will be targeting him in the summer?

We never threatened their goal until the last ten minutes, when the game was practically over. We seem to have a settled defence now, we need to focus on getting goals. Richard Stearman and Christophe Berra have formed a very good understanding at the back, and although our full backs were at times torn apart I thought they were OK. Zubar grew as the game went on, and was one of our biggest threats going forward.

Our best outfield player? Probably Karl Henry. He looked very classy on the ball, keeping it for us and getting it to the creative players like O'Hara and Milijas. He also covered well, and against players like Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fabregas he did alright.

Hennessey - 9

Zubar - 8
Stearman - 7
Berra - 7
Elokobi - 6

Hammill - 7
Milijas - 7
O'Hara - 6
Henry - 8
Jarvis - 6

Doyle - 7

Subs: Ebanks-Blake - 6, Foley - 7, Fletcher - 6

I was in today's verdict in the sport section of the observer. Here's my part:

It was a bit of an anticlimax after last week's win over United. We didn't do too much going forward until the last 10 minutes but the game was over at that stage. It was the right team that started for us and I don't think we played that badly but Arsenal were just really good. They were on another level, especially Wilshere and Fábregas. Hennessey made some fantastic saves and Henry had a good game too. We're bottom of the table now and we've two massive games coming up against Blackpool and West Brom. We need to get four points from those.

You can see that here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/12/arsenal-wolves-premier-league

That horrible set of fixtures is over now, and this is the time to start picking up the vital points against teams around us. It's a tough game, as they always are, away at Albion but after their defensive performance at home to West Ham I'm confident we can pick something up.

Keep the ball

If we are going to go and get something at the Emirates tomorrow, we can't afford to go there and defend all out.

Teams who have gone to Arsenal and not gone there with ten men behind the ball have reaped their rewards. Albion, Newcastle and Tottenham have all come away with three points by having a go at them.

When we went to Chelsea and Manchester United, and beat Manchester City we looked like a top class team because we retained possession so well. Our last two performances have indicated that we are starting to do that again, which is why I am positive about this game. 
After letting slip a four nil lead last week, the Arsenal players will be desperate to impress the home crowd and the longer we can frustrate them and keep it level the more desperate they will become.

If there is one thing I expect, it's a good performance from Karl Henry. Our skipper was sent off, extremely harshly, in this fixture last year and will be looking to prove his critics wrong. He could be key in this game, because he keeps the ball as well as anyone in our team.

A three pronged attack of Jarvis, Hammill and Doyle should cause the Arsenal defence headaches. Out of their defence only Sagna seems consistent and Kevin Doyle will always be a match for their two centre backs, whoever is playing.

I hope and think we will go with the same side, as it's a system that I think can keep us up.

I'm dreaming of a Karl Henry winner, but I expect a close defeat.

If you are going, have a great time and roar on the lads.

Prediction League: Chance to win a signed Wolves football!

There were plenty of points to be won with two sets of fixtures being predicted and there was plenty of movement in the table. Bob China moves to the top of the table, with Wolfie taking second place and Old Beaut moving up to third which meant Wolves1992 dropped to fourth!

There is still plenty of time left to predict. All you have to do is copy the fixture list I give you and put your prediction score and scorers.

Fixtures:

To see full table go to prediction league page

Man United v Man City
Arsenal v Wolves
Birmingham v Stoke
Blackburn v Newcastle
Blackpool v Aston Villa
Liverpool v Wigan
West Brom v West Ham
Sunderand v Tottenham
Bolton v Everton
Fulham v Chelsea

Good luck!

Interview with Robbo

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to have some questions answered by ex-Wolves midfielder Carl Robinson.

Carl played for us between 1995 and 2002, making over 150 appearances. Since leaving us for Portsmouth, he has since played for Sunderland (winning the Championship with Mick McCarthy), Norwich, Toronto FC and he now lines up alongside Thierry Henry after signing for New York Red Bulls last year.


First of all, how is your football going in America?
Football is going very well at the moment and we have just started pre-season training for the upcoming year. As always pre-season is tough but very much needed to get to the levels of fitness needed to play throughout the year.


How did you come about to playing in the States?
I moved to New York last year after asking to leave. Moving to North America was a massive decision for me but one I have never regretted. The way of life there is fantastic and very relaxed.

The MLS is not considered by many as a high-quality league, but you see it (and play it) first hand. Is it improving all the time, or is it simply underrated?
It's a tough league and you have to be able to adapt to the way they play. Lots of players from the UK have come over and failed to adjust. One a one off day, MLS players can compete with Premiership teams but it is the consistency that maybe is the difference.

Do you have any plans to go into coaching or any other area of football?
I am set to complete my UEFA 'A' License while still playing football.I aim to go onto be a manager when I finish playing football.

How do you remember your time at Wolves, are you still in contact with anyone from your Wolves days? And who were you best mates at the time?
I remember my Wolves time fondly, I had some excellent times as well as some hard times.I don't really speak to many there now but I still keep a close eye on their results. I had a great group of friends there including George Ndah, Robbie Keane and Dougie Freedman.

You played under Mick McCarthy at Sunderland (winning the Championship). I've never heard any of his players badmouth hi, after being dropped or sold. Why is this?
Mick is without doubt the best manager I have ever worked with. He has so much respect from players due to his honesty. That's all you want from anyone and Mick is spot on with that.He is a players manager band knows how to get the best out of them! Train the way you play is a key thing for him.

Who is the best player you have have played with? And anyone you have come up against that sticks out?
The best player I have played with is Ryan Giggs, natural ability and so much skill. He's also a top guy. A player who I hated playing against was Bastien Shweinsteiger, different class.

Finally, what is the best prank you have ever seen by a player or even yourself?!
Some of the pranks are too crude to print, but the old ones of stripping the boys on their birthdays and making them run back at training was always a classic. That was in the olden days though!

Carl has his own website at robbo33.com and you can follow him on twitter.

Wolves must strive for consistency

Wolves shocked the majority of English football with their win over Manchester United and their chairman reckons more performances of the same will ensure they avoid Premier League relegation.

The midlands club have struggled so far this season but defied the odds to defeat the United at Molineux on Saturday, with goals from George Elokobi and Kevin Doyle ensuring the Red Devils' unbeaten record came to an end.

Wolves have shown at times this season how dangerous they can be as they have also defeated Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea and anyone looking to bet on Premier League games will have learned that the side are more than capable of causing an upset.

But it has been results against lesser teams where they have been shown up and they have struggled to secure any real consistency, meaning they still sit in the Premier League relegation places. However, the football betting suggests a tight finish to the season, and Wolves have every chance of escaping.

Wolves chairman Steve Morgan has stated that fans should not be "overly surprised" by the United result as anyone who has watched Mick McCarthy's side has seen some "fantastic football" throughout the season.

He claims the side can beat the drop if they can build on the confidence coming from their win.

Morgan stated: "We've got to build on that from now on. It's in our hands. If we show the same spirit that we showed (against United) we'll be absolutely fine."

Wolves defender Christophe Berra has declared it has been a "crazy" season for the club so far and he has issued a rallying cry for his colleagues to be more consistent if they want to avoid Premier League relegation come the end of the campaign.

Wolves must use United win as platform

There are many times in a season you hear somebody talking about the latest ‘turning point’ for a team. For Wolves though, it is essential that the recent win over Manchester United is a sign of things to come.

Let’s get the praise out of the way first – it was a fantastic performance from Wolves and an extraordinary result. Not many football betting pundits would have picked out Mick McCarthy’s men to end the Red Devils’ unbeaten run after all.

Any three points is important, but the fact is that a victory over West Ham last month would have been a lot more valuable. Even Kevin Doyle said after the game that he would rather be picking up points against teams nearer Wolves in the league.

This takes nothing away from Saturday’s win – it was a fantastic day for the club. Wolves have been here before though. Chelsea were defeated last month and three points were obtained against Liverpool just after Christmas.

What was the reaction to these excellent wins? After Liverpool it was a 2-0 defeat to West Ham. After Chelsea, well the Manchester United game on Saturday was the first win since then.

If Wolves are to survive this season, they can’t just rely on raising their game for the big games. It is a good trait to have of course and another shock against Arsenal  this weekend would be more than welcome.

It is the two games that follow that which are more important though. Wolves must take the spirit of the Manchester United win into the games against West Brom and Blackpool and do everything they can to get positive results.

Then, the games against Arsenal and Tottenham either side of these two games become bonus fixtures, any points gained are ones you don’t expect.

One thing the United win has done, as well as lift everyone’s spirits, is give the team a fighting chace of survival. More than that in fact. Many more football bets  will be placed on Wolves being a Premier League team next year after the weekend.

It is time for a purple patch in form though. Not just a big win here and there, but a consistent run of points. Wolves can’t afford to be cast adrift of safety again as there is limited time to bounce back.

We have reached the now or never stage of the season as far as Wolves are concerned.

Show us what you have got.

Wolves v Man Utd Preview

After our third defeat on the run at Bolton, you'd be forgiven for thinking we are going to make it four for the third time this season against league leaders Manchester United.

Still unbeaten, and playing better each game. There was even the hint that Wayne Rooney was finally returning to form in their game against Aston Villa. This Man United is a dangerous one, with several match-winners to change the game.

I hope that we will stick to the 451 we used against Bolton. With more men in the middle of midfield, we passed the ball around much better and with the return of Nenad Milijas to the line up we will have the class to perform even better.

We need an assured performance from Zubar

Another midfielder I expect to come in is Jamie O'Hara. He looked lively when he came on and produced a Milijas-Esq pass for Doyle when he hit the post in the last match. A trio of Him, Henry and Milijas is a more than capable midfield  with two good outlets in Hammill and Jarvis to feed the ball.

The defence? I'd wouldn't be surprised if we stick with the same one we used on Wednesday. If there will be a change, I think it might be Elokobi. Stephen Ward is capable there, but I reckon Mick might move Zubar there. Kevin Foley is fit, and he's too good to leave out so he needs to be restored at right back.

That would mean this team:

Hennessey

Foley
Stearman
Berra
Zubar

Hammill
Henry
O'Hara
Milijas
Jarvis

Doyle

If you are going, get behinds the leads and have a great time.

Perfect Scenario: Zubar scoring the winner.

I'm going for a narrow defeat. 1-2

Ronald Rues

Even a day after Ronald Zubar's horrible mistake, I'm still in shock. Maybe I should expect this, as that seemed to sum up our season.

We put in a good strong performance, starting with 451 which I thought was the correct choice. With Edwards in the attacking midfield, we had enough going forward  wand looked a threat on the flanks. Particularly Adam Hammill, who looks like someone who can produce that bit of magic for us when we need it. Let's hope that is the case.

I thought the core of our defence, the two centre backs and keeper, were excellent. All communicating well and doing well against Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander. Our two full backs, were just plain awful all night. Every single back pass from Zubar was shocking, it even nearly cost us a goal in the first half too and Elokobi just didn't look up to it. Rewind a few weeks to the Chelsea game, they were our best players and that just shows what we desperately need.

Consistency.

Kevin Foley has to come in at right back, but I don't think he will drop Zubar. I wouldn't be surprised if Elokobi is the one dropped and Zubar is shifted to the left. From now on, if we can get the same team week in week out then we can finally get a run of form and push ourselves up the table.

I was disappointed to see Nenad Milijas on the bench, I just hope he was being rested. He's been our best player this season, and hopefully with him and Jamie O'Hara in the side we will be looking at a full strength side.

Kevin Doyle was outstanding, probably our best outfield player. We know about his tireless work rate, and hold up play. He does it every week and it' often goes unnoticed. Yesterday he was at the centre of everything we created. If we can make enough chance for us I;m sure he can get the goals we need.

Hennessey - 8

Zubar - 5
Stearman - 7
Berra - 7
Elokobi - 5

Hammill -7
Jones - 7
Henry - 7
Edwards - 7
Jarvis - 6

Doyle - 8

A West Ham win put us back in bottom place, but we can not afford to panic. We face Manchester United on Saturday, and it would sum us up if we could bounce back and get something out of it.

Bolton v Wolves Preview

Wolves go to Bolton in desperate need of some points, after three defeats in four.

A moment of magic from Elmander killed us at Molineux

Bolton will also be looking at this game as a chance to regain confidence, they haven't won in five after their impressive start in Owen Coyle's first full season. Their recent form probably comes down to a lack of numbers, they have a thin squad and at one point were only able to name four players on the bench.

With 4-4-2 clearly not working at the moment, I expect us to go with five in midfield. It's what kept us up last season, and brought us some very good performances earlier on in this one. Jamie O'Hara will probably have to settle for place on the bench, so I expect David Edwards to come in for Steven Fletcher. In an away game, Edwards is perfect. He will shut down the opposition, and make late bursting runs to get in the box.

O'Hara is only just back from an injury

Bolton have been very much a 4-4-2 team this season. Fabrice Muamba and Stuart Holden have been in great form for them this season, but someone who has caught the eye since finally regaining fitness is ex-Wolf Mark Davies. Every time I have seen him play this season he has been influential in their play, and it really looks like a mistake that we let him go for so little. He is someone I expect to be pushing for an England call up in the near future.

Many Wolves fans will be disappointed that we have strengthened at the back, and with our goals against record you can hardly blame them. However, if we can get our strongest defence together consistently I think we can sort that out. I have a feeling Jody Craddock will come in, he was a huge part of our defensive successes last season and he can do it again. George Elokobi returned from suspension against Stoke, and will probably start at left back.

I can see us lining up like this:

Hennessey

Zubar
Craddock
Berra
Elokobi

Hammill
Edwards
Henry
Milijas
Jarvis

Doyle

That is a team very capable of getting something, even against a strong team at home like Bolton.

I'd take a draw, and I reckon that's what we'll get.