Who will ever forget the last Premiership meeting between these two sides at Molineux?
Wes Brown’s slip. Kenny Miller’s goal.
Michael Oakes’s heroics.
Ronaldo’s crap haircut.
What a day.
How unfortunate that many aren’t using this match as an excuse to relive that glorious occasion, preferring instead to focus on the infamous night at Old Trafford back in December.
Wolves have already lost twice to United this season
Much like Michael Jackon’s death, you’ll always remember exactly where you were when you heard the news that Mick McCarthy had made ten changes to the Wolves side.
I doubt any of us will forget that match in a hurry and even if you wanted to, the media persist with ramming it down our throats.
Like me, you were probably a little vexed at the time but had no idea about the furor this would cause and the subsequent monotonous debate that would rage on, even to this very day. I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of hearing about it and could throttle the Premier League for dragging it up again with that ridiculous non-fine.
This time around, I’ll settle for the strongest eleven Wolves can muster, giving their all to try and get a result, much like the class of 2003.
But realistically, what are our chances of a repeat performance?
Well, we’ve performed admirably at home recently, taking four deserved points off Spurs and Liverpool, as well as giving Chelsea a run for their money. We’ll need to play just as well, if not better to get anything from the Champions. That means keeping our shape defensively for the entire game and giving their best players no time on the ball.
Easier said than done.
It goes without saying we’ll need another superhuman display from Kevin Doyle, which is perhaps the only thing you’d bet your house on getting. I think there’s a vulnerability in the United defence that could be exposed, particularly with Ferdinand still out and Vidic struggling for form. Or maybe I’m just clutching at straws?
I think Mick will be tempted to make one or two changes to the side for this one, but I hope he thinks better of it and sticks with:
Hahnemann
Zubar
Berra
Craddock
Ward
Foley
Henry
Jones
Guedioura
Jarvis
Doyle
I have a strong suspicion that he might look to bring Mancienne back into the side. If this does happen, I hope it’s as a replacement for Berra in the center of defence, rather than a swap for someone like Jones or Guedioura in the midfield. I think both of those players bring something to the side, so I’d be disappointed to see either left out.
Looking at the possible United team, I’d expect Sir Alex to rest at least one or two ahead of their Champions League showdown against Milan next Wednesday (Rule E20 anyone?). There’s also a few murmurs that Rooney and Valencia, arguably United’s two best players recently, are both carrying niggles and might not be risked.
Whatever side we face, it’s going to be an uphill struggle, but surely our chances of getting a result are significantly increased if one of the world’s best footballers isn’t in the opposition’s side.
Either way, I’m predicting defeat.
2-0 United.
It would be lovely to head to Burnley next weekend, on the back of a great result against the Champions, but unfortunately I think we’re going to come up short in attack once more. I hope I’m wrong.
If you’re going to the match, have a great time, try to enjoy the occasion and get right behind the lads.
Up The Wolves.
* Ben took part in a Podcast for Man Utd fansite RedCafe.net, chatting with them about this weekend’s match, the fine from the Premier League and the general goings-on at Wolves. If you want to hear what our beloved blogger had to say, you can listen to the Podcast by clicking here. It’s nearly an hour long, so if you want to fast forward to Ben’s part, it’s not long after the 40 minute mark.
* While Ben was taking part in the Podcast, I too was chatting with the opposition on the Republik of Mancunia Blog. Scott, the editor of the blog, had some interesting questions, so it’s definitely worth checking out. Read the full interview by clicking here.
* Oh, one more thing (and this is nothing more than a shameless plug for a mate’s site), but just in case you’re on the lookout for Mothers Day presents, DotComGiftShop.com really do have some great ideas. Trust me when I tell you women love the stuff they sell on this site!
You’ve summed up the match very well Thomas. United, no matter how many players they rest, will still have enough firepower to defeat us, for remember we can only score the odd goal so conceding a goal or 2 means we are doomed to lose.
If only McCarthy would play a system and players who are more attack minded then goals would come along but playing a defensive 4-5-1 makes scoring difficult.
Mick may well say it gives us more options but facts prove that even if the system does do that, we are not good enough to take advantage of it!
Still, whilst expecting a defeat, we can only do our best and should we play well but still get beaten, no one will seriously complain, after all United are going for a 4th consequtive PL championship and surely Wolves will not dent their hopes?
Stop being so negative!!
A raging flu bug will hit the United team bus an hour before kick off, they wont have time to get replacments sent from OT, and will spend all match sneezing all over the pitch…………..and we will score at will, and run out 9 – 0 winners.
I can dream too.
FOWB
Maybe they will fly down from Manchester airport and ….
(This message has been removed as it was deemed inappropriate!!!)
Thomas / Ben – thank god for this site – I long ago wrote off 606 / E&S as havens for the mentals, now the Teamtalk goons seem to have identified Doyle and Jarvis as the problem!
Keep it up.
Adam – I hope you are joking about comments on Jarvis and Doyle! They are the only two players any other Prem team might want to buy from us if we go down. Some people are unbelievable!
Molineux, The North Bank, Tuesday 25th November 1981. An air of resignation settles over the Wolves faithful as the teams traipse off for half time after Alan Hansen’s 45th minute header has levelled the scores at 1-1.
Here we go again, groan the Molineux crowd.
Star studded Liverpool, the Man United of their time, are top of the table. We, struggling under Barnwell to emulate the previous seasons achievements, are fighting relegation. Two teenage full backs (Humphrey and Hollifield) flank a still youthful Brazier and the old war horse Hughes in defence. Bell (super sub Norman) deputises for the injured Gray in attack. What hope do we have?
An unforgettable, magnificent 45 minutes later this 14 year old schoolboy had seen (I think I’ve got the order right) Bell make it 2-1 after a fantastic run and cross by Eves, Richards head in his second of the night and, incredibly, unbelievably, professional scouser Emlyn grab the fourth after a last minute goalmouth scramble.
Wolves 4 Liverpool 1.
Come on Wolves fans! Be a bit more positive. Anything is possible!!
The devide in the league wasn’t so huge back then though and we weren’t as bad/weak as we are now then
Can’t see anything else other than a defeat, but I hope Thomas is right about Rooney being a doubt. Even if he starts on the bench it will be a massive boost to our chances of getting a point from the game.
Great to pull off a shock though, these are the games that dreams are made of!
I suppose the Mick M and the Wolves will be waving the white flag and bending over backwartds to help the Mancs to 3 points this weekend!!
Banter. Shit banter.
hey bob china … i was at that game . did nt we even have a goal dissallowed ? i remember a united fan in the stand crying .. famous red army my arse . come on wolves . its 11 against 11
I also remember Van Horse Face missing a bucket full of chances that he would usually score in his sleep!
A standard scoreless (by us) home defeat… 3-0 I reckon . Even if w eplay our best 11, whatever that is (the Manager doesn’t seem to know), we will still lose to a half paced , sweatless Manure side. Every team that has beaten us at home this year as just put the rquisite amount of effort in to do so. West Ham had to try hard, Arsenal didn’t, Wigan did, Man City didn’t , Pompey did, Blues did, but Manure won’t have to. I’m afraid this is the weekend we drop back into the final three, and we just don;t hav ethe quality to do anything about it. 12 months later, we still have no decent left back, central defender, or attacking midfielder.It’s criminal
Milijas is a good attacking midfielder. I seriously rate him, and think he should be playing in Jones’ position.
This would give us a midfield 3 of Henry (hold), Adlene (box to box) and Miljas (attack).
I can see Jones or Adlene getting dropped for Mancienne.
Mancienne for disappointment of the season anyone?
SEB has to be disappointment of the season, with Mancienne and Kites fighting it out for second and third!
Tin hat on for all the comments I will now get from the Kites lovers out there – he’s been injured blah, blah, blah! Who cares, but for the one penalty he won (against Villa?) he has contributed nothing! Matt Murray syndrome, ragardless of skill – players are only worth keeping if they are going to be fit to play.
If you think I’m harsh about Kites the bloke a few seats in front of me shouted at him ‘Are you Proudlock in disguise?’ – now that is harsh!
I think Jones deserves to keep his place atm, Milijas, can offer a bit of inspiration, but he can be equally frustrating and look disinterested.
Agree – he looked pedestrian in most of the live games I went to. Undoubted quatity on the ball – but cant believe this is a player off to the world cup in the summer.
Hope he drops Berra, Moves Zubar into the middle, drops Foley to right back and plays Predator (Mancienne) as a man marker for Rooney.
Square pegs, square holes!
It would work on Championship Manager! Ha,ha,ha!
Anyone out there remember the reserve game against Man Utd all those years ago that was Bully’s comeback from injury? I remember around 9000 fans turned up to watch the game?
Bully scored (obviously) and the Man Utd reserve team included a teenage Beckham, the Nevilles etc. The lead singer from hot chocolate played up front too! Think we lost 2:1 in the end.
that match was brilliant. there was officially 9,000 but i remember they had to just open the big gates between North Bank / Billy Wright upon kick-off cos queues were so big. They filled North Bank so must have been more like 14,000.
i think it was 3-2 to Utd and Bully scored 2 but i may be wrong.
united’s team was good that day, pretty sure that butt, scholes and our very own darren ferguson were also involved.
ben thornley (of united) was by far the most talented/skiful player on the pitch that night though.. he ended up doing nothing with his career (cruciate later that season) whilst the rest of the team got about 350 england caps.. funny old game.
It was brilliant you’re right. I remember everyone spilling onto the pitch-side as the Billy quiet was full so people walked over to the North bank. Still the closest I have come to making it on the Molineux pitch as I was in the upper tier when we won promotion last season.
I remember walking out of there saying ‘that midfielder was good’ – my mates still remember it (and take the p*ss) as it was David Beckham! The only recognisable player was Dion Dublin, the rest were kids.
It’s the one and only time I have ever spotted a player! That’s one more than “Taff” (as MM would put it!) managed in the transfer window!
Taff has found many, and in the transfer window wasn’t it him who found Adlene?
Without sounding like Cantona and his seagulls… One swallow does not make a summer!
Adlene looked great against Spurs, but still has a long way to go to be considered a good signing (eg he played a major role in the goal we lost at Bolton).
Look at Milijas for example – great goal, couple of great passes but dropped for being pedestrian in most of the games.
Taff spotted some decent championship players but I would say our only signings that have proved themself so far this season are the two ex Reading players.
Lets hope Adlene reads this then beats three players and cracks one into the top corner from 25 yards tonight!!!! Or Halford, the Hof, Castilo, Zubar – any of them will do!
Come on me baabbiieess!
Stourbridge wolf I think your drop Berra, move Zubar and Foley, bring in Mancienne idea is spot on.
I wouldnt mind seeing someone come in for Stephen ‘back off, back off, back off, shit I’m in my own area and can’t make a challenge cos I’ll give away a penalty’ Ward at left back too.
Prediction: 1-0 Wolves. What I’d give for it to be a late winner from Keogh as well.
Thanks for the vote of confidence Super Kev – you are first on my team sheet!
Know what you mean about Ward – glad I am not the only person shouting ‘dont let him get in the box’ as wave after wave of opponent attacks target our weak left side. It’s a good job Jarvis has a great engine or it would be even worse.
The thought of big George doesnt exactly fill me with confidence either though – Ward might be the lesser of two evils? Although I enjoyed watching the big man rough up Nani in the cup game.
lets put The Hoff at center back, Ward up front as a target man, with Murray and Kites in goal together.
We’ll then play nine across the middle, and Man U will be so busy laffin’ we’ll sneak a win.
For once, I am going to be positive, and say we will DEFINITELY lose, even with Rooney doubtful and that lazy prick Berbatov carrying a knee problem.
Why do they say he’s carrying a knee problem? What else is he gonna do with it, leave it in the hospital on match days?
These journalistic types need to get English lessons, like wot I taked.
Good Morning Ben!!!
Good news from the Express and Star…
Hotshot England striker Wayne Rooney has emerged as an injury doubt for Wolves’ clash with Manchester United.
The 29-goal forward is being assessed on the minor knee injury that made him a doubt for England’s 3-1 win over Egypt, despite playing the full 90 minutes in midweek.
F**k England and f**k my dream team I hope its a cruciate ha,ha,ha! This has to be good news for tomorrows game.
Up the Wolves!
United are a 1 man team, 2 when they’ve got Giggs. To know they might have neither is great news!!
Owen out for the rest of the season too – hoooraaahhh!
It just keeps getting better!
In the bookies up my way (united heartland) they have Obertan at about 7-1 first gs. This clearly means he’s playing and I hope he’s on an opposite wing to Ward as he’ll butcher the Irishman. I think they’ll play Berbs with Obertan and Valencia out wide and 3 in the middle. Probably including Gibson! The back 4 will be suspect though and that’s where our hope lies.
Looks like Shrek is injured (rested) any more good news & we’ll soon be favourites !!! We need to score first & hope that Utd have Milan on their minds…. Hopefully our (first team) lads will feel they have a point to prove after December… We need to get really stuck in & have a real go.. We’ve nothing to lose… Are you listening Mick !!!
Get behind the lads tomorrow….
See you there…
Manchester United travel to Wolves looking to leapfrog Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table. The bad news to Fergusen is Rooney may in doubts, suffered from a knee injury. The in-form England forward contributed almost half of the goals of the team in this season. If Rooney is fit to play at the last, surely a comfy win by 2 goals to Manchester United.
Surely, becasue teh BIG FOUR NEVER LOOOOOOOSE!
we were robbed by a bunch of manc bastastards. absolutely gutted. we were the better team today we just cant put the chances away.
must admit ward was awful today, i’ve been defending him all season but he was really bad. we looked better with keogh on the right and foley at left back. i reckon mick might start with that next week.
ward was the only player who had a bad game though, if we play like that against burnley we’ll destroy them. it won’t happen though, we only play well against the best teams who we’ll never beat. really frustating
Elokobi!!!!!!!!