Super scout, the Kentucky Gunner, has turned over the preview to a friend who has been a Wolves fan since the early 80’s. Though he lives and works in Louisville and has his entire life, he is tattooed with Wolves emblems and travels to Wolverhampton every year to catch a few matches. “I don’t know how it started but he is the purest fan I’ve ever met,” says Ken. That’s good enough for me…
Well here we go again another Cup match involving Arsenal who seems to be our bogey team in these situations. And considering Chelsea is almost certain to win the league we’re expecting Arsenal to field some more familiar faces than last time. Anything is better than getting thrashed by some 17 year old from the Democratic Republic of Congo like last season. Still, Wolves have sold their allocated 5,000 tickets days ago.
Wolves season has been just short of a complete disaster. Tipped as favorites to win the league by most bookies, problems on and off the pitch have made relegation look like a distinct possibility at times.
If you ask most supporters the Premiership campaign was disaster mainly due to a weak defense and it is a problem that was never corrected during the summer. In fact Paul Butler left on a free to Leeds while the expected signing of Michael Duberry fell through and we ended up with Joachim Bjorkland who made a poor start and has never been seen again.
The bright spot has been the return of Jolean Lescott who missed last season due to injury amid loads of rumors and controversy.
Another controversy during the summer was the saga of Henri Camara and his “African Footballer Of The Year” campaign. We’ll stop there because the rat is not worth your server space.
Some recent bright spots have been Korean International Ki-Hyeon Seoul who has been in spectacular form and scored the last minute winner against Millwall at the weekend. Some people wondered why he was brought in under Jones especially when defenders was far more of a concern, but under Glen Hoddle he has taken on a new role and has been the main creative force in the side as of late.
Seyi (pronounced Shay) Olofinjana was another player brought into the squad during the summer with a lot of promise and was about to sign for Monaco who pulled out of the deal at the eleventh hour. So far he has failed to live up to the fans expectations and it seems he has not adapted to the speed of the English game after arriving from Norwegian club Brann for about ?1.7m.
Wolves will most likely field the same squad that played Millwall except Mark Clyde at right back. Vio Ganea, who scored an equalizer against Arsenal last February has been injured since the start of the season.
Wolves have added 18 year old attacking midfielder Chris Cornes to the team traveling to London Saturday. Expect something like this:
Wolves: Oakes, Lowe or Edwards, Naylor, Ince, Lescott, Craddock, Seol, Olofinjana, Miller, Cort, Kennedy.
9 Responses to “Wolves vs. Arsenal Preview”
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January 28th, 2005 at 7:14 pm
Well done. We know alot more about the team we are facing tomorrow… but as always, regardless of who we face… AC Milan or Torquay… it all comes down whether we come to play or not. If so, Wolves have no chance in hell of coming away with a win. If not, we could make the game interesting. As we all know, the longer the game stays close, the more the underdog feels like it has a chance to steal something.
We ROLL. 4-0.
I HOPE we bring on the kids at the half after leading 3-0!!!
We need a fresh squad to down United.
January 29th, 2005 at 7:35 am
Yes, Wolves have been poor for a while - remember the kids beat them 5-1 in the Carling last year - however, they look now to be on a bit of a roll, so I wouldn’t rule them out just yet.
Anyone know if the the game is on the radio? It’s definitely not on BBC 5 Live, but maybe one of the others are doing it?
January 29th, 2005 at 9:58 am
Thanks for the different perspective. But where’s the prediction? Perhaps no prediction is prediction enough.
As Stag points out, if we come to play we take all three. Looking like AFC gold last week, and certainly brimming with confidence, I see a win. I’d like to see a blow out, but with ManU on Tuesday, I don’t think we’re going to play to more than 2-0 if we can and then defend, resting some big guns as well if and when we feel assured.
With no shock openers from Wolves while we’re waking up or at the half, I see it 2-1, maybe 3-1. I fear some shaky set-piece complacency creeping in if we’re not challenged for a full 90. But a win for sure.
SIDE NOTE: Wenger publicly refuses to hand Chelsea the title, saying that a loss could have them reeling as Toon, ManU and we have in the past. He also refuses to alter our attacking style, saying our goals from open play speak for themselves.
This is more from him in a positive light since last week. Single-minded determination? Mind games? OR a rush of belief inspired by our togetherness and spirit in training? I’ll choose #3.
January 29th, 2005 at 1:34 pm
From the few bits I heard of the game I deduced:
1. Jens was dreadful.
2. Van P lacks Dennis’s rapier-like precision and speed -hence the wasted scoring opportunities. But Freddie up front with Henry worked strangely well. Something to consider for the future?
3. Eboue was fearsomely good. Which I can believe from the little I’ve seen of him. I’d like to see him on the right with Shaun Wright-P, and it’s not impossible . . . There’s a rumour of the Ian-Wright’s-cleaning-lady-told-my-neighbour-variety that’s he coming next season. Wouldn’t that be good?
January 29th, 2005 at 3:33 pm
Ummm… not SWP on the right would not be good, in my opinion… because that would mean Freddie would be??? in Milan? SWP is no where near the player Freddie Ljungberg is…
January 29th, 2005 at 3:51 pm
Why not? He can play upfront or at right back if necessary. And Freddie, to judge from today’s excellent performance, is terrific playing as striker just off Henry in the Bergkamp position. It would give us options which we sorely need in case of injuries and suspensions. The only thing against it, I think, is that he’s not a typical Wenger-style player - too small, not powerful enough. But he’s marvellously pacy and brave. And he scores, which is not our strong point at the moment.
January 29th, 2005 at 4:20 pm
Dunno why we don’t see more of Freddie in that role, isn’t that where he plays for Sweden?
SWP would be welcome. You always have room for quality players. In the Chelsea era, paradigms have changed.
January 29th, 2005 at 6:00 pm
get it out of your head that we have MONEY to burn like chelsea or united.
WE DON’T!!!!!!!
We are building a massive new stadium!!!
If we are going to spend money… it should be on a keeper.
January 30th, 2005 at 7:17 am
of couse, but the young Stuttgart keeper will be available on a free. I’d prefer to spend the money on a centre back but, knowing Wenger, he’ll go for a midfielder or striker