Good news. You don’t have to listen to me prattle on in the preview this week.
I’ve been chatting to Dan Fitch from TottenhamBlog and he’s been good enough to answer a few questions ahead of tomorrow night’s match. I’ve done the same for his blog and if you’re interested in reading what I had to say, click here to read my answers.
Dan, welcome to Wolves Blog. Thanks for taking the time to have a chat with us ahead of tomorrow’s game. I just have to start by asking how gutted were you after losing at home to us back in December? That defeat must have come as a shock?
I must admit that I thought that we’d win easily and by a fair margin of goals. It was a shock, as although we had previously lost at home to Stoke, we’d created loads of chances that day, whilst we just couldn’t break through your defence at all.
Kevin Doyle scored the only goal at White Hart Lane
We’ve now come to realise that if a team decides to sit deep and soak up our pressure, we just don’t have any answer to it. We’ve subsequently had goalless draws with Hull and Villa at home, which just isn’t good enough if we expect to break into the top four.
Prior to losing to Wolves, you’d smashed nine passed Wigan. Do those two results sum up why you’re ‘nearly there’ when it comes to challenging the ‘Big 4′ rather than fully-fledged members of the elite?
If we happen to score early, forcing the away team to search for an equaliser, then we’ll generally profit from the space afforded to us and win comfortably. Wigan played very openly and defended atrociously, which is not a good combination.
We just haven’t worked out how to open up sides that play more defensively. Defoe is a striker that needs to be fed chances. He and Crouch work well as a combination, but sometimes when things aren’t going well, you need to be able to change tact. We haven’t been able to do this, as Keane was playing badly and Pavlyuchenko has barely been given a chance.
Ultimately you don’t see United or Chelsea struggling like this. They find a way to score somehow.
Do you like Harry Redknapp and is he the man to take you to the next level? I’ve heard a few Spurs supporters say some not very nice things about him, which surprises me given that he seems to have done an excellent job.
I find it surprising also, considering the position we were in when he took over and where we are now. I like him and after the Ramos debacle, thought it was vital that we appointed an experienced Premier League manager and just stuck with him for a while. You can’t keep chopping and changing.
Redknapp is perhaps not the greatest tactician in the league and some of his substitutions lead a lot to be desired, but we’re in safe hands with him. I can’t see us ever suffering a major slump in form with Redknapp in charge and expect us to steadily improve each season.
Answer this question yes or no: Will Spurs finish fourth?
No. I said at the start of the season that I thought that we’d finish sixth and I don’t think that I’ll be far wrong. Last season we were 21 points off fourth place, so if we can finish sixth and only be 5-10 points from fourth, then I guess we can call that progress.
It’s frustrating because this season is such a clear cut opportunity, but we’ve dropped far too many vital points at home (hello Spurs 0 Wolves 1). I’ve always feared that Liverpool would put a run together at some point and now they have. They’ll drop more points, but then so will we.
As an outsider looking in, what are your impressions of Wolves this season?
When a team gets promoted from the Championship, I always look at their strikers when evaluating if they can stay up or not. I thought that you’d struggle to score goals and sadly it’s proved that way. A lot of faith was put in Ebanks-Blake, but there’s a lot of strikers who score for fun in the Championship, who can’t do it in the Premier League. Look at Jason Scotland at Wigan.
Answer this question yes or no: Will Wolves stay up?
Seeing as you’re forcing me to be decisive, then I’ll say ‘yes’, you will stay up. Mainly because I’ve always liked Wolves and think that you bring more to the Premier League than the likes of Hull, Bolton and Wigan.
Elaborating on your answer to the above question, which three clubs do you think will be relegated?
I think it will be very tight actually. I expect Portsmouth and Burnley to go down and think the other place will be between you, Hull and West Ham. As a Spurs fan, I’m obviously rooting for the Hammers to be relegated.
What are your thoughts on tomorrow’s game?
I’d expect Wolves to sit pretty deep and try to nick a goal, having done just that at our place. I suppose the fact that you’re at home will force you to be a bit more attacking, so hopefully there will the space for us to fashion a win.
Finally, what’s your prediction for the score?
A reverse of the score at White Hart Lane. 1-0 to Spurs.
He’s just being polite. We are doomed.That will be almost be confirmed before Easter.
Think I realised it at the Hull game they were at least as good as us and are more athletic – they will loose plenty but win more than us. Hull 4 points from Man C and Chelsea – Wolves ? points from Spurs and Chelsdea. Answers on a postcard! Somewhere between 0 and 1 is my estimate.
Burnley’s home form will keep them up with a couple of results away. Including a win against us no doubt at Turf Moor
One more player of Doyle’s ability an it could have been different
Bloody hell, how’s that for negativity….we need about 16 pts, there are at least 4 winnable games between now and the end of the season….keep calm and carry on!
I am prepared for a spanking (not in a good way!), Defoe and Crouch will have a field day against our happless backline. Hope left the building when walking back from St Andrews!
What amazes me is that the “board of inaction” can’t even be arsed to deliver the dreaded vote of confidence
1-0 Wolves – Adlene to score from 35 yards in the 3rd minute
You’re going to have to be a bit more precise then this (ha,ha,ha!)
My God, you lot are miserable.
I’d like to thank Dan anyway for contributing to the blog. Nice to get an outsider’s perspective on the match.
I do think there’s a good chance we’ll struggle in this one (you’ll notice I predicted defeat on Dan’s blog), but they’re not bulletproof Spurs, particularly away from home. 5 draws and 3 defeats from 12 games gives me hope at least.
And what a time it would be to get a first ever Premiership double.
Come on you Wolvessssssss!!!
Results this evening cheered me up Burnley and Bolton losing and Portsmouth drawing a game that they just had to win against Sunderland who on form are probably the worst team at the moment especially away from home , also Wigan not winning at home. The more the merrier down the bottom!
I know this place isn’t a happy clappers forum but neither is it supposed to be all doom and gloom.
Before each game there’s part of me that always thinks we can win if we play to our very best. Rarely we do but I’ve decided I’m going to try and just enjoy the rest of the season. We can’t change players or tactics ourselves so I’m just gunna see where the journey takes us
*don’t worry even I’m wondering what I’m smoking as well*
The comparison of SEB with Scotland is pretty harsh. SEB scored shit loads more than Scotland and did it over 2 seasons in the Championship. I still think SEB can do it. It might be blind faith but i refuse to accept that my favourite Wolves player in years and years isn’t good enough for the Premiership. I think our biggest problem is that we are playing a lot like we did in MM’s 2nd season. The defence is woeful and MM compensates for this with a really negative midfield. Remember Gray/Potter/Gibson on the wings anyone? This means our strikers are getting bugger all supply and chances. Doyle is doing excellently with what he’s getting. If he gets 10 league goals for us I think Rooney would need 30 for the two totals to match up on a handicap basis. I might be over-thinking this but i genuinely think our defence and defensive tactics is at the root of our goalscoring problem. Hopefully MM grows some and does what he did in his 3rd season. Trying to fluke the odd 1-0 isn’t going to keep us up. We need to be positive even aginst the better teams, especially at home. The best way for us to do that is 4-4-2 and two genuine wide men. I’d go for Jarvis and that that Algerian lad, not Bia, he looks like one of the worst players to wear old gold in quite a few years.
I agree Kwolf, SEB is a much better player than Scotland and let’s not forget, he’s a good few years younger than the Wigan forward too. There’s still time for him to improve and really show what he can do.
I still think it will be 4-5-1 tonight. Like you, I hate seeing Foley out on the right, but I’m not sure that Guedioura would do any better. He looks like a powerful center midfielder to me. I’d like to see him given a chance tonight at the expense of Mancienne (as Henry won’t be dropped). That could give us more of an edge going forward, whilst allowing us to get men behind the ball when Spurs have it.
We’re long, long overdue a good performance at home and I just hope the players give the fans something to feed off tonight, so we can make the place as hostile as possible.
SEB is better than Scotland – but neither will cut it in the Premier league.
At least Scotland will get next season to try again – I doubt SEB will have that luxury!
Indeed, but both he and Mick are great to have in the championship.
should we get relegated we might do well to offer them a 1 year contract to help us get back up. Then its time for Morgan to stand up at be counted – his silence is deafening.
Fully agree with your assessment of our problems kwolf. If Mick had more confidence in our defence then he wouldn’t need to protect it with two defensive central midfielders and a defensive right winger.
The failings go back to the summer. All Wolves fans agreed defence was our biggest weakness, yet Zubar was the only player to come in. Whether this was anyones fault or just a lack of viable options, who knows? (Although I think Ben might single Moxey out for this one!)
Mick will go for 451 again. With about 8 defenders
Looks like Adlene will start, MM obviously likes him. With Henry and Jones in midfield. I think Mancienne might be moved to the back.
I feel really sorry for Foley. Our best player last year, forced to play out of position. Why not play Halford there, or Jarvis with Surman on left side.
I’d rather Foley than Zubar at right back.
Thomas, Henry won’t be dropped because he has been one of our best players this season. (I’ve said this so many times!)
We played extremely well against Brum and if the lads can muster up that kind of quality and enthusiasm tonight we will be in with a chance
Henry, Craddock, Berra and Jarvis (especially Jarvis) have been magnificent this year – and they bloody well had to be when you consider our complete failure to bring in premiership experience.
Adlene looked very dangerous and i would like to see him start, and Im sure we can rely on Doyle and Hahnemann for more towering games at either end.
We didnt bring in near enough prem talent to stay up, but the guys mentioned above have all stepped up to the plate and we are still in with a chance
COME ON YOU WOLVES
Like to see Adlene make a start – especially if we stick with 4-5-1 as he at least looks like he wants to get forward to support Doyle.
Maybe he can be our new Steve Corica (better than georgi kinkladze ha,ha,ha!)
Portsmouth court case just adjourned for seven days – for gods sake just do what needs to be done to ensure they lose points!
Roll on 7.45pm – and three points by 10pm!
As much as i was thinking we should go back to 4-4-2, there’s no one good enough who can play along side Doyle unless we persist with SEB.
So i would like us to go 4-4-1-1 with Guedioura just behind Doyle. The rest is ok with me apart from Foley on the right. Could we not give Surman a go? I fully expect to see the same negative side though.
It’s spot on about Potter, Gibson on the right comparison. We need a proper right winger on the flank or at least a midfielder! We can’t just rely on Kightly cuz he’s injury prone
Agree with comments about Foley. He deserves his full back spot. He is not though good enough to play anywhere else. At some point the penny will drop…we don’t have the quality in the squad tp play people out of position.
As for the general depression that has descended over the Molineux after 50 years this is just part of the landscape I and other fans have to put up with. Since the 80′s we have lacked leaders and leadership at the very top. All we have got are people who were happy with success at the lower levels. Much smaller clubs with bigger characters leading them have done much better.
Steve Morgan is the latest in the line to talk a good job. Will he deliver? The indications are at the moment that as well as not having enough ambition/clout for Liverpool he also does not have enough for Wolves. He is now unable to change our destiny having failed to sign Prem quality players and having backed Mick to do the job. The omens are not good based on our failure to capture a goal scorer of quality, even if they are 36 years old (ouch..it still hurts). Will Stephen Hunt keep Hull up? The bigger question is will he put Wolves down? Let’s hope not.
Don’t be suprised (and any Wolves fan won’t be) if we get a result this evening. We can all then refresh our belief and go forward with intent. A loss with Chelsea to come next will surely be at the very least the sign our death warrant being drawn up.
Oh well there’s always the Bathams before/after the match!
What. A. Team!
Can not believe it, they worked really hard and it was a great goal. Doyle and Jarvis superb again. Adlene is obviously going to be a fans favourite. Agressive and a really good footballer.
bet Dazza still finds something to moan about
Sack Moxey, sack McCarthey, we are shit, I won’t renew my season ticket until they are out. Seriously some of you cunts make me sick sometimes. I’ve had to bite my tongue the last couple of days. Jed, Louie, Rich, Nicko, keep the faith. You know what i don’t give a fuck if you don’t renew your season tickets. 50 years supporting the club – fuck off we don’t need you. Your opion means shit to me.
3 cheers Ed! Lets hope the “Woe is me” brigade take a long deep breath and then choke on some humble pie!
Woohoo. The blind belief worked. We played like I know we can and look what happened. Fucked the yids twice. Shame west ham won but at least they beat brum.
All in all great day.
I have to admit I was worried when Elokobi and Mancienne came on. But it worked so I won’t complain
How class was that? Wasn’t a fan af 451 at first but it’s been working better every match and we’re looking like a proper team now. Really battled well today, people will say spurs were poor but we didn’t let them play.
Doyle was class again but unfair to pick out any 1 player, they were all quality.
Well said Ed, maybe a bit harsh but fully agee. Looks like Mick’s job’s safe for a couple of weeks. Bring on Chelsea.
Surely it’s not possible to be misserable after that result.
Or that performance!!!!!!
But sure someone will still have something to complain about!! But you know what i don’t give a fuck
A great performance by the lads. That was a bloody nervy second half!
Credit Mick too for playing Guediora rather than Mancienne, showed balls and boy did he have a good game. Maybe i viewed his every touch as a masterstroke but i think he looks really good. Not afraid to miss either.
And credit to Hahnemann, he really takes the pressure off with his catching and wonderful time wasting
Great team performance.
When the chips have been really down this season we have done the business Fulham, Bolton, Burnley (after Utd team selection scandal), Spurs.
This group seem to have more character than previous teams. Perhaps a reflection of the manager?
Can we play you every week! Can we play you every week! (Spurs)
Martin – reflection of the manager – and how he is held in regard by the players. They all seem to genuinely love playing for him.
t’OM
Thanks for your fedback. I mean that MM’s strong character and determination is reflected in the side. The sum is stronger than the individual parts. I agree he is getting the best out of the players because they like playing for him.
Tonight confirmed everyone should get behind MM and the team for the rest of the season and lets see where we are after that. Hopefully not back in the “fizzy-pop”!
Dear Foxtel… please do not show any more Wolves games live this season.. thanks
Dear Foxtel… please do not show any more Wolves games at all this season, even on delay.. thanks.
Well, Louie was right….Dazza did still find something to moan about. I’m beginning to wonder…Is he a Baggie?
Jones’ goal coming from at least 15-20 passes?!
Guedioura’s incessant Cruyff Turns.
Jarvis smoking £11m man Kaboul.
Doyle beating Bassong to every 50:50 for over an hour.
Hahnemann visibly telling the Ball-Boys to slow down.
Zubar’s heart-shape gestures to the South Bank.
What a night!
I don’t want an optimist/pessimist war on here that ruins other sites – bad mistakes have been made this year but perhaps even the most negative of fans will realise we aren’t ‘definitely down’ and it is infact all to play for?!
Adam – awesome night. I wasn’t so much wetting the pants, but spilling them!
So proud of all the players, and hope that they keep proving me wrong – I certainly didn’t see that performance coming. I could have cried with happiness.
Guedioura’s performance was possibly the best home debut I have seen, and Dave Jones looked like the player we’ve been missing all season. As for Doyle…Wow.
What about Mark Clattenburg’s performance? Can someone tell me he wasn’t cheating? EVERY decision going against us, blatant pen not given. Doyle abused all evening and the ref telling him to be stronger?!! Doyle booked for speaking to the ref, Defoe not booked for verbally assaulting the lino.
Elokobi booked for having the gall to stand on his feet as Bentley threw himself into him. Then Kaboul not booked for stamping on Dave Jones infront of the ref’s eyes. I
could go on. It was scandalous.
Re: the pant wetter/happy clapper argument. It was my aim to light the blue touch paper and watch the sparks fly when I posted earlier in the week. I got my wish as it all cracked off!
Look, all we all want is success for the club. The last thing I want (and Thomas I am sure) is some sort of consentional rationality we we all happy clap or wet our pants in equal measure- what would be the point in that?
I’ll keep fearing the worst to myself, keep cheering the boys on to everyone else, and hope I’m not a c**t for doing so!
Agreed Adam. Also it would be nice if Edward could string a sentence together without effing or blinding. Calm down Edward and just enjoy the debate. That’s what the blog is here for. Let’s respect each other’s opinion and not fall out. As said no-one was suprised (see my last but one para) that we pulled it out of the bag last night. Jarvis, Jones, Hahnemann and Doyle particularly superb. We got away with Ward’s selection but with Chelsea, Man Utd and Everton to come at home I think this position is up for grabs. I won’t say more than that in case it inflames Edward again – anger management classes might be worth thinking about Edward. Onward and upward!