World Cup 2010 - Group E Preview

This is one of the two groups that doesn't have a former world cup winner. Holland are of course the nearly men in world cup history, losing two world cup finals in succession. In their group they face Cameroon, Denmark and Japan. Cameroon have some quality players, Denmark have some England based players and Japan impressed despite losing to England two one.

Holland

Key men: Arjen Robben, who is a a doubt for the finals, is a massive player for them. When he was fit for Bayern he was stunning. Robin Van Persie, another injury hit player, will lead their attack with van der Vaart and Sneijder behind him.

Story of qualifying: They cruised through their group, which had Scotland in it. They won all eight games and most impressively, only conceded two goals throughout.

How will they do?: They will probably put in a couple of very good performances, to build up the expectations when they probably fail in the knockout rounds. 1st

Cameroon

Key men: Eto'o will lead the line for them, for them to do well he needs to be in form. Alex Song was one of Arsenal's star players, and his cousin (not, not Uncle!) Rigobert will be playing.

Story of qualifying: They lost their first game against Togo, but turned it around to go undefeated for the rest of the campaign and finish four points clear of Gabon to win their group.

How will they do?: It will be close between them and Denmark. They have the players, and a very good team spirit. 2nd

Denmark

Key men: If he makes it, Thomas Sorensen will be an important man in their team. They have Agger from Liverpool in their defence and they boast a decent forward line in Jon Dahl Tomasson and Nicklas Bendtner.

Story of qualifying: They did well to qualify in a tough group. They were drawn against Portugal and Sweden, but came out on top. They qualified with a game to spare, and lost their only game in the last one to Hungary. One amazing game I will point out, as the match they won 3-2 in Portugal. They equalised with six minutes to go, only to blow it two minutes later. They pulled back in the last minute, and two minutes into extra time Jensen got the winner.

How will they do?: As I said, I think it is out of them and Cameroon. They have a solid defence, and will hold some good teams out if they get through. I don't think they will. 3rd

Japan

Key men: ex Celtic man Shunsuke Nakamura will carry Japanese hopes on his shoulders. He is the experienced player in their team, watch out for his free kicks. Keisuke Honda impressed against England, and is another key players.

Story of qualifying: They were the second team to qualify. Only Australia , the team who finished top in the group qualified before. They lost their only game against them, and finished in second comfortably.

How will they do?: I thought they were excellent against England, they made them look very poor. They moved it about well, but I don't think they will be able to do that consistently. 4th



 

Wolves equal transfer record.

We've signed our number one target now, Steve Fletcher has signed a four year deal with Wolves.

I think he is a good player, a clever player who should work well with Doyle up front. Is that what it means though? Four four two? I keep having his bad feeling that he is Doyle's replacement, and that we will carry on playing five in midfield, or as Mick likes to call it 'three up front'. If it means they play together, it shows some intent. Two six and half million players, hard working players who can take us right up the league table.

I haven't seen that much of him, but what I have has been good. He scored and set up goals in a struggling Burnley team, which is impressive.

What do you think? Think we paid too much, or that he won't fit in? Comment!

World Cup 2010 - Group D Preview

Now we come to Group D, one of the groups of death. I say 'one of' because there is a tougher one, but this is still a tough one!

We have Germany, Australia, Ghana and Serbia. Germany often do well in the World Cup, so will be the clear favourites to win it, but Serbia have stars from many top teams and Ghana and Australia have talented players too. A match to watch will be Germany v Ghana were there is a possibility that brothers Kevin Prince and Jerome Boateng will go head to head.

Germany


Key men:  With Ballack out, they will have to rely on players like Bastian Schweinsteiger. He will be vital for them. New skipper Phillip Lahm is one of the best full backs around, but many are questioning manager Low's decision to name him captain. If Miraslov Klose scores four in this tournament, he will be the new world cup highest scorer.

Story of qualifying: They won their group, four points ahead of Russia. They didn't lose a game, but a worrying point might be that they failed to beat Finland at all.

How will they do?: It's a tough group but come on, it's the Germans. 1st

Australia 

Key men: Harry Kewell is a major player for them, but their most important must be Tim Cahill. The Everton man has had a good season and will hope to carry on his form into the tournament. I didn't know he played for Australia until a few years ago. Not because I didn't know he was Australian but because on Championship Manager 01-02 he is retired from international football.

Story of qualification: They topped their group without losing, drawing twice. They had no problems at all.

How will they do?: They will look to improve on a second round exit in 2006 (against the eventual winners, Italy) but I can't see it. 3rd

Ghana

Key men: Like Germany, Ghana are missing their most influential player. It's worse for Ghana though, because they rarely have one of the best players in the world. Without Essien, skipper Stephen Appiah and Sulley Muntari will be two key midfielders who will be desperate to shine in Essien's absence. They have a good solid defender in John Mensah, who scored an own goal when he played Wolves for sunderland but he is struggling with injury. And, as I previously mentioned, Kevin Prince Boateng is in the Ghana squad.

Story of qualification: They topped their group, in a pretty easy one. They finished three points clear of Benin, and four clear of Freddie Kanoute's Mali.

How will they do?: Without Essien, it doesn't look good. They won't give up easily, but I don't think they will be able to replicate their 2006 performance. 4th

Serbia

Key men: Their captain is recent Champions League winner Dejan Stankovic at Inter. He will pull the strings in midfield alongside Wolves star Nenad Milijas. Watch out for his set piece ability, his free kicks cause  havoc. They have two great defenders in Ivanovic and Vidic, they will be the centre back pairing. Six foot eight striker Nikola Zigic is sure to be a menace up front.

Story of qualifying: They finished above controversial qualifiers France. By a point. They beat them once and drew with them to secure qualification.

How will they do?: I think this team can go far. They have some great players and a good team spirit. 2nd

I think I could have predicted all of the wrong. It's that tight. What do you think?

Farewell Big Chris, welcome Jelle!

Yesterday we saw one player head out of the Molineux, while one came in the other way.

Big Chris Iwelumo is off to relegated Burnley, in a deal reckoned to be around £500k. Iwelumo played a huge part in our promotion, scoring fifteen goals in the first half of the season. He was a hit with the fans, as he formed one of the most feared strike partnerships in the country with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. He started the season injured, and found himself down in the pecking order. He went out on loan, got a couple of goals for Bristol City and came on as a sub in the last few games.

It's a good move for him, at Burnley he will play more football,and he will be playing at a level that suits him. Good luck, hope to see him in the Premier League with Burnley.

We also made our third signing for next season. Following Adlene Guedioura and Geoffrey Mujangi Bia is Jelle Van Damme. His name is a dream come true for news websites (I haven't made a stupid joke about it), and he plays at the back and sometimes in midfield. His preferred position is left back, which is why we have signed him. We are in need of a decent left back, now I think we need a midfielder and maybe a striker (could be Fletcher).

Looks like a good signing, we shall see.

World Cup 2010 - Group C Preview

Here's my preview of Group C which contains England, USA, Algeria and Slovenia. We all know who the favourites are but again in this group the second place is up for grabs.

England


Key men:  I think there is this bloke, erm... Wayne something. The English nation's hope rest on Wayne Rooney, no pressure then. Of course, they have some other not as good but good players. Gerrard and Lampard will also be important, and whoever plays on the wings.

Story of qualifying: They won this group pretty easy. They won nine out of ten games, including the destruction of Croatia home and away.

How will they do?: Top is the minimum expectation, and they have no reason not to expect it as they will be too strong for the rest. 1st

 USA


Key men: Their star man is probably the United States' finest ever. Landon Donovan, very much like Wayne Rooney, will be the key to their success. Clint Dempsey is another very good player, will Jozy Altidore is an exciting player.


Story of qualifying: They topped their group, finishing a point above Mexico. They never looked in trouble during the qualification.


How will they do?: They have the second strongest squad in the group, but it won't be easy. 2nd

 Algeria


Key men: Their star man, Meghni, is ruled out with injury but players like Belhadj and Bougherra are very important to them. Of course, they have Wolves man Adlene Guedioura who is looking ever more likely to be in their starting line up.

Story of qualifying: With one game left, they faced the only team who could put them out. As they had already beaten Egypt 2-0, the Egyptians had to beat them by three goals to qualify automatically. Beat them by two, and it would go to a play off as they would be in identical positions. Algeria went to Egypt, were met by fans who attacked them and they lost two nil. In the play off they beat them one nil, Antar Yahia's first half strike enough to send them through.

How will they do?: They have some good players, but not enough good players. Can make it through but would be a small surprise. 3rd

 Slovenia



Key men: German based forward  Milivoje Novakovic has been one of their star players in qualifying. The Cologne striker scored five in qualifying, including two in the play offs vs Russia. Bojan Jokic is an influential midfielder and don't forget their captain, ex Baggie Robert Koren is a vital part of their team.


Story of qualifying: They had to qualify through the play off route. They secured a place in the world cup with a memorable two legged tie with Russia. They went through on away goals.

How will they do?: They will struggle, and while they have some skillful players they should end the group stages on zero points. 4th. 

Disagree? Maybe you think England will flop, or Slovenia will rule. Comment and give your opinion!