It’s two Sunday kick-offs in a row for Wolves as they head north to the Stadium of Light, looking to continue where they left off after victory over Fulham.
Despite Wednesday’s League Cup result, I think we can be fairly optimistic about our chances against Sunderland and genuinely believe we have an opportunity to pick up at least a point.
Darren Bent has been in great form for Sunderland
They’ve recruited heavily in the summer, most impressively bringing Darren Bent to Wearside who has hit the ground running and looks full of goals. I think Wolves will have a job on their hands to keep him contained for 90 minutes.
We’ve already come up against Michael Dawson this season, the former Hull defender denying us three points against his old club with a goal-line block from Kevin Doyle’s shot. He’s an impressive centre-half and a fantastic addition to Sunderland’s squad.
A player that looks to have come good this season is Andy Reid. He’s shed a lot of weight over the summer and suddenly looks to have the fitness to go with his undoubted ability on the ball. I think he could be a real danger on Sunday, so we’ll need to ensure we stop him playing.
For Wolves, I expect the same team from the Fulham match to start, barring injuries or people turning up late for team meetings. So that should mean a line-up of:
Hennessy
Halford
Mancienne
Berra
Elokobi
Edwards
Henry
Castillo
Jarvis
Keogh
Doyle
Equally important though, is the options we should have on our bench, which could be crucial. I’m pretty confident I can predict our seven subs:
Hahnemann
Foley
Craddock
Milijas
Kightly
Ebanks-Blake
The Hoff
It’s quite simple for Wolves. If they can replicate the performance against Fulham, they’ve got a great chance of getting a point at the very least. We need the defence to hold firm and Hennessy to command his box as he did last week. I’m not expecting us to play glittering football, but we should be solid with that XI and cause one or two problems going forward. The Halford throw could again prove crucial.
My prediction is a draw for this one, most likely 1-1. I’ll go for Doyle to make it two goals in two league appearances for the opener. What’s everyone else think?
If you’re making the long journey on Sunday, I applaud you. Have a great time and get behind the lads.
Up The Wolves
Hey, agree with your result prediction Tom, but can see a few more goals in this one as I think both ourselves and Sunderland are better going forward than defending. I’ll go for 2-2, with Doyle amongst the goals.
Regarding starting XI, I can’t see SEB starting (unfortunately) as he looked well off the pace against Man U. However, I wouldn’t be suprised to see Kightly handed a start. This could mean a 451 similar to the Wigan game, although with Keogh making way this time around.
However, I should point out that I haven’t predicted one correct outcome yet, let alone a result! You’re on for the hattrick aren’t you Tom?
2-1 Wolves just because they will be fired up with MM being Sunderlands old boss and the ever repeated story of no wins for Sunderland in the PL when he was manager there. It would be great to see us get one over on the northern stripey lot.
0-0. Wolves can’t score.
@Tim – so the 2 goals against Fulham weren’t goals then? And there I was thinking we’d beaten Fulham, somebody better contact thePremier League andtell them to scrub out 3 of our points!
I have to admit to going full circlle now.I’m now less worried about the defence, and more worried about the attack. We have to lerave Milijas on the bench, play Castillo , play Henrt as a defensive holding midfielder.Hoff and Blake on the bench please, Doyle and Keogh must start, they look the most likely to score when in tandem. All that said, I am not confident at all, and I reckon we will get done 2-0
Sunderland seem to have improved all over the park this season and so I cannot see us getting anything this afternoon. I would like to see Keogh dropped just to see SEB/The Hoff play with Doyle for a significant amount of time. However, ever player who played on Saturday deserves to keep that starting place so no complaints from me if we keep the same XI. However the 4-5-1 sounds a good idea similar to at Wigan…
Ill today so no pub and still no sky. iraq goals it is
Jed September 25th, 2009 at 11:35 PM
@Tim – so the 2 goals against Fulham weren’t goals then? And there I was thinking we’d beaten Fulham, somebody better contact thePremier League andtell them to scrub out 3 of our points!
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Can’t score many goals. Sorry, I thought people in Britain would be able to understand the common NA expression.
Tim – my point was not a dig at you personally but at the ever increasing negativity that seems to be appearing in Wolves supporters. It’s the one thing that frustrates me about Wolves supporters. Too many people “don’t fancy it today” – why? Sunderland are no great team, if we show the fight and determination that we did last week then there is no reason why we can’t come away with something. Lets get behind our team and leave all this negativity behind – we’re playing in the Premier League, lets enjoy it and have the belief that on our day we can beat anyone!
Oh and Tim, I don’t live in Britain
Ok guys calm it.
I think we can all agree Lee Mason is a knob.