This time last year, welcoming Arsenal to Molineux for a league match was the dream, but with the fixture now looming on the horizon it’s actually been giving me nightmares.
I’m tormented by the thought of Fabregas pulling our midfield out of shape with incisive passes, terrified of Arshavin twisting and turning a hapless George Elokobi and I wake up in a cold sweat thinking of Van Persie bearing down on our goal.
Cesc Fabregas - Best midfielder in the Premiership?
And when you look at their form this season, it doesn’t paint a much better picture. Having thumped Everton 6-1 on the opening day, smashed another half dozen passed Blackburn and blown Spurs away 3-0 in the North London derby, a clean sheet seems unlikely (not that it’s ever expected).
But really though, what’s the point in worrying? It’s a terrible football cliche, but games against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, etc really won’t decide our fate come the end of the season and anything we pick up (other than a good hiding) should be considered a bonus.
That being said, I don’t expect us to lie down and accept defeat come Saturday evening. They’re undoubtedly a wonderful side, packed full of talented footballers and attacking menace. But in a one-off game, any team is beatable and if we can stop them playing (easier said than done) then who knows what might happen.
Wenger has real quality all over the pitch, but the one player we must target is Cesc Fabregas. We all know this guy’s the business and for all the creativity the Gunners have at their disposal, they’re a weaker side when the little Spaniard isn’t pulling the strings. With that in mind, we’ll need a big performance from Karl Henry and whoever lines up alongside him in midfield. I hope Mick picks Castillo, as I think we need him to sit in there to prevent us being too open. That’s a big decision for our manager because I’m positive this match will be won and lost in the middle of the park.
Unfortunately though, I have a strong suspicion that the Ecuadorian will be sacrificed in order to make way for the energy of Edwards and the creativity of Milijas. Here’s my predicted lineup:
Hennessy
Zubar
Craddock
Berra
Elokobi
Kightly
Henry
Edwards
Milijas
Doyle
SEB
So I reckon two changes this week with SEB restored to the starting XI in place of Iwelumo and Milijas rewarded for his second-half salvo last week at the expense of Castillo.
But whatever Wolves team takes to the field, we know they won’t be parking the bus. It’s not their style. We’ll have a go at the Gunners and probably create a couple of chances, which we’ll need to take as I suspect a few will be getting dispatched at the other end.
You surely won’t judge me too harshly for predicting defeat this week. I’m an optimist but I’m also a realist. If Arsenal play anything like they have been in recent weeks, Wolves will struggle to cope with them, however well we play. And as we seem to have a fetish for giving away the first goal, I’m worried about us being picked off if we’re chasing the game at any point.
However, I’ve seen enough in this Wolves side to know that they very rarely go down without a fight. I expect us to raise our game, compete all over the pitch, but ultimately lose out to a few moments of real quality. I’d say 3-1 to Arsenal is a decent shout.
As always when forecasting doom for our beloved team, I hope to have a significant amount of egg on my face come the full-time whistle. We all know that any points picked up here would be a massive boost ahead of the international break and subsequent trip to Stamford Bridge, so fingers crossed for a big performance.
If you’re going to the game, have a great time and roar the lads on. Should be a great match, regardless of the final outcome.
Up The Wolves.
Also, just read this quote from Van Persie:
“Against Wolves, it is a must-win game for us, given that Chelsea and Man United are playing each other. We have one game in hand and are two points off Chelsea so if they lose points we will be in a good position.
One of the top two will lose points this weekend, so if we want to challenge for the title we have to win.”
:S
Ok. We’re going to lose this game. I can’t see us getting anything from this game whatsoever. Arsenal are on fire at the moment. And I fancy them winning either the Champions League or the Premiership this season, the only thing that seems to be stopping them is Chelsea.
But enough of my Arsenal loving, I think Wolves can at least put in a battling performance and possibly score against a depleted Arsenal back line. But the sheer awesome firepower they have all over the pitch is insane and they could really put us in our place. Wolves need to field a more physical side with the presence of Castillo and Henry and perhaps Iwelumo up front again. Try and stop Arsenal playing their football as much as possible.
I personally cannot wait for Saturday just for the pure entertainment Arsenal will give us with their fantastic football and sheer talent.
Prediction 4-1 to the Gooners.
You have put, as many otheres have in their Wolves XI, Milijas at left midfield. I don’t think Mick will put him there. He is less at the heart of the game and perhaps we need someone to battle helping Elokobi (if he plays).
I predict 2-1 to the gunners. Not a close two one where they are hanging on at the end but a decent scoreline
Arsenal are surely due a defeat against a bottom half club, an annual thing they have done since the ‘invincibles’ so you never know!
For the first time this season I predict a defeat. Hurts me to say that but when you look at the attacking talent in Arsenal’s side then there really can be only one result. The question surely has to be though, how many will we concede? I’m thinking anything below 3 will be respectable. My fear is big George playing, if he does than 4, 5, 6 or more is surely on the cards as I imagine he will be targeted as our very weak link. Stearman or Mancienne in for Elokobi and we should keep a respectable score line. Fingers crossed!
And for those who hadn’t heard (Hallam) Iwelumo has re-injured his foot and is out for several weeks.
I’m actually feeling optimistic about this one. Maybe its recently being in contact with somebody who has swine flu, but I can see Wolves sneeking a result here. After tenaciously closing down and harrassing Arsenal all game, Doyle to bag a last minute winner; 2-1 home win.
Wolves to win. You heard it here first!
For me, one of the best moments of our last Premier season was (in my opinion) matching Arsenal for an hour or so at Molineux. Hopefully we’ll do that on Saturday. More would be nice.
It’s my first game since Fulham at home, so I’m looking forward to it. Booking my earlier, the guy at Euston said “is there football on? Lots of seats are taken.”
Oh yes, there is football on.
Jed – Yeah I had heard, I saw it on twitter. Just my poor memory serving me again !
Neil – Surely the best moment has to be beating Man United
I have a dilemma. I fly out to Bali tomorrow lunchtime, and it is here indoors’ birthday. I have made enquiries, and the Stadium Bar in Kuta will be showing the game live at 1.30am local time. I have told my better half that we are going out for a nice quiet meal, and then onto a night club for cocktails and entertainment. Am I gonna be in the doghouse or what???
Dazza, I don’t think your better half has grounds to put you in the doghouse (I’ve my law student [tin?] hat on).
Firstly, I see no incompatability with your plans to view the Wolverhampton v Arsenal game with a quet meal, as any “quiet” meal should finish at around 10.
Secondly, this leaves time for at least 2 cocktails (the minimum required in said promise).
Thirdly, I’m sure you’ll have the support of everyone here that Wolves v Arsenal is entertainment, and as (hopefully) you’ve not made any silly statements as to what the entertainment involves, then it is my opinion that you are entitled to watch the match.
Finally, as the game commences after midnight, it is no longer here indoors’ birthday, and as such “all bets are off”
Yours sincerely (and in no way an authoritative legal opinion)
t’OM.
Thanks T’om… I feel fully vindicated
And Dazza if none of the above works, get the meal over early, slide back to your room for some birthday lovin’ – don’t forget the champagne though, you need that to slide some sleeping pills into, and then once the good lady is fast a nod, slide out to the Stadium bar, drink some beer, watch the game and you’ll still be home before the sleeping pills wear off. This way not only does the missus think you are the greatest fella in the world, you fulfilled your true desire of watching the boys beat (ok probably not) Arsenal! Happy Days!
Midflield 5 tomorrow, Milljas in the middle with the Castillio and Henry, Doyle up top on his own.
Anything under five goals and we should be pleased with ourselves.
Hi mate,
Just saw your article on 606, I’ve seen a couple of performances from your team where you’ve had a couple of decent results. It’s obviously difficult for a promoted side and it must be frustrating when you come up as champions, only for the team who came up through the play offs to have a flying start.
A 2-2 draw at Stoke is a very good result though, they showed last season that the Britannia is a bit of a fortress beating us 2-0 there last season.
I know we look extremely impressive at home but away from home we can be got at although with the spine of our team staying the same, we look a lot more solid (although we’ve conceded a fair few goals).
I fancy us for the win but know you guys will come out fighting and our boys are going to have to show some strength and character, I’m not predicting a walk in the park by any means.
Good luck for the season guys, would like to see you stay up as you have good worth ethic as well as some quality.
Cheers FlyingRVP.
Yeah, Burnley’s start has been pretty unbelievable. The key difference is that nobody likes playing at Turf Moor because it’s such a s*** hole. Teams seem to love playing at Molineux, probably because the pitch holds up well throughout the season.
Stoke was a great result, particularly having been 2-0 down at half-time. The only downside was that we didn’t go on to get the win and now we’re faced with you lot and Chelsea in our next two games.
Although you’re right not to expect a walk in the park, I think it could well turn out that way for you, should you get an early goal or two.
For Wolves to have any chance, they need to do something they hardly ever seem to do and that’s get the first goal.
Looking at Arsenal this season, they look stronger and better equipped. It was a great decision to ship out Adebayor in my opinion, as the team suddenly looks more united. I hope you have the depth in your squad to win the league this season, as I reckon most neutrals will be hoping you do. Obviously, that good will goes on pause for Saturday.
FlyingRVP,
Fair play to you and your kind words here, you are damn right that we will fight you for every minute of the game tomorrow but even the most diehard of Wolves fans (and we have our fair share on this blog) can realistcly do no more than hope rather than expect we get somthing from the next two game.
Keep the faith though fellow diehards, Man U played their strongest 11 at our place when we won 1-0, it can happen.
I fully expect us to lose and i think all the fighting talk in the press is kinda setting us up for a fall. I do like the never say die attitude though, ahhh juxtapositions. I’ll be happy as long as we give a good account of ourselves. If we are out-done by a few moments of pure brilliance then fair play but lets make arsenal really work for it, and as people have said – stranger things have happened in football.
My misses is a gooner so thats a tricky one, i fully expect her to be sympathetic if we lose, but if we win im not sure i can be so generous.
Can’t wait for this one. Pure and simply the best football we will watch this season!
Not expecting or believing a positive result but hope we will compete and take an encouraging performance into games against Blues, Bolton, Spurs and Burnley.
For me Castillo is a must alongside Henry. We need to target Fabregas and Arshavin especially and restrict their space for 95 minutes.
When we have the ball which I dont expect will be that often, we have to retain possession better than we have done this season, that means Millijas to start for me.
Chances will come and for once this season we need to take them. Big ask and maybe too big! Hopefully SEB and Doyle will rise to the occasion.
Heart says 1-1 but head says 0-3
Will be there as always.
OT – My Chelsea ticket arrived this am; £47 to sing the Liquidator is a bit steep! Oysters and chips i a bit different to the pork bp outside the Billy Wright
Haha yeah Matt you will be needing an oyster. Much cheaper to get round London with one
Optimist as i am, i am also a realist. I predict a 2-1 defeat tomorrow but enough of that, i dearly hope we can get something
From the off we need to be up and at em, a few rough tackles, pick up a few yellow cards, get into them whether it upsets wenger or not. Castillo and Henry are a definite must for me
Can’t wait for the game and am not totally resigned to a defeat. What is the great thing about football? The reason we all love it and turn up in our thousands for a game we’re ‘supposed’ to lose?
Because in football you never know what’s going to happen. CMON!
Spare a thought for Daz right now, who should be just finishing dinner.
To put it simply, Men vs Boys!
Yes that’s true Jed, but for the first half hour we were superb. We gave them a good game and Berra should have put us ahead. Unlucky to go in at half time 3-0 down, but a bit lucky for it only to be 4-1 at the end. We scored3 and they scored 2!
They played some fantastic stuff at times, but not as good as usual yet they still gave us a whiopping. Would Doyle (or Edwards?) have been through had the ref not got in the way? I’m not sure
I was correct with my prediction
But I thought Hennessey was poor today, and has been all season. This is why we concede from so many corners and crosses and of late, even his kicks have been poor. We have 3 other brilliant keepers at our disposable and with Murray coming back from injury (again) I think a fresh face is needed in goal.
Louie, the first 30 mins we played well, we were far from fantastic though! If we had been fantastic then we would have been 2-0 up after 30 mins instead of 2 nil down! The first goal was very very poor – Hennessey was woeful and too busy flapping his arms like a startled pigeon! Zubar naively conceeded the foul (which lead to the corner which lead to the goal) why he barged into Eduardo when the ball was going out for a throw only Zubar will know, but it was schoolboy defending! Second goal was all down to Berra thinking he’s playing in midfield and getting caught in the wrong half leaving poor Jody all alone. Goals 3 and 4 were sheer class from the finest footballing team in the league.
All in all the fact that I’m disappointed with the result shows we played well for 25 mins. Arsenal are a different class and I for one hope they win the league this year. They playfootball how it should be played unlike the huff puff and referee assisted play of Man’ure and Chelski. If this 3 points mean Arsenal win the league, then I am glad we helped as long as we stay up of course!
Hennessey was definitely at fault for the 1st, no question. He let it past him at hip height 1 yard from him.
Berra obviously for the 2nd, and Craddock was unlucky as Eduardo’s chip was off target before the deflection.
Hennessey’s positioning was 85% for the 3rd, not perfect, but I doubt it would have mattered.
4th was a good goal from them.
We were good for the first 30, but the way we played, we needed to be lucky for 90 mins, which we weren’t.
Milijas will be a great player if we learn to keep the ball more.
I was really disappointed with how anonymous Kightly has been this season.
How can you say Arshavin’s goal was remotely good. It was once again horrendous keeping from Hennessey who should have either caught that cross or use a stronger punch.
Matt Murray is playing reserves next week. I might go check him out…
Yes, it was, I apologise. 3rd goal was meant to be good goal.
4th goal was error, in punch.
However, I disagree that Hennessey has been poor this season (last night aside)
Hallam Arshavin’s finish for the 4th was world class – Yes a goalkeeping error, but under so much pressure to finish as he did was superb. There is not a player on our whole squad who could have finished like Arshavin did!
But from a goalkeeping point of view- make the punch properly and he doesn’t get the chance to finish.
Wayne will be disappointed with that one.