SEB - in the right place

If there is such a thing as ‘Second Season Syndrome’ Wolves are so far showing no signs of contracting the condition.

In fact, on the evidence of yesterday’s stirring second-half fightback, it seems entirely plausible that Mick McCarthy’s young side could very easily eclipse the achievements of last year.

To an outsider, yesterday’s scrappy one-all at Goodison Park will inevitably be attributed to an under-par Everton performance and consigned to the scrapheap of immediately forgettable Premier League stalemates.

Fortunately though, we’re not ‘outsiders’ and we didn’t just watch the ten seconds of footage crow-barred onto the end of Match of the Day, followed by Hansen and Lawrenson talking about the important issue of ‘Arteta for England’. Thanks for that, glad I stayed up til midnight.

No, this wasn’t just a score draw to tick off the coupon. Not to us. It was yet another clear example of just how good this Wolves side actually is.

We were battered in the first half. Everton enjoyed almost complete dominance of the football and spent the lion share of the 45 minutes camped out on the edge of our box. But the fact they only had one slightly controversial goal to show for their authority outlined the determination and character we have in abundance. Whenever danger loomed, there was always the boot of Berra, the head of Craddock or the hand of Hahnemann to rescue the situation.

But a goal down, Wolves needed more than defensive guile to leave Merseyside with anything other than a respectable defeat and having failed to string more than two passes together in the first hour of this contest, things looked decidedly grim on that front.

Enter Adlene Guedioura.

The tenacious Algerian changed the game, not just because of his individual contribution, but because his arrival signaled an important change in shape. Elokobi lumbered off, Ward slotted in at left-back and Matt Jarvis began prowling down his favoured left flank.

Suddenly we looked a threat and it wasn’t long before Guedioura mowed down two blue shirts, shifted the ball out to Doyle and made a lovely run into the box that freed a grateful SEB to fire home a deserved equaliser.

And just how pleasing was it to see our number 9 in there, exactly where we needed him, to gobble up the scraps and complete the comeback? OK, it was a tap-in, but everyone has to start somewhere and if this is the beginning of a long-overdue resurgence, I think we’ll all be delighted for the formerly prolific hitman.

A mention too for Kevin Doyle, for a lovely ball across the face of the penalty area which allowed his strike-partner to cash-in. It wasn’t his best game in a Wolves shirt, but nevertheless it was great to see him back out there.

It seems likely that Steven Fletcher will be fit and ready for the visit of Newcastle next week, so Mick better get his thinking cap on quick-smart and come up with a plan to make the most of his joint record signings and a forward who might just be getting into his Premiership stride.

Other conundrums lie ahead too. Think about the side we put out yesterday, how well they played and then consider the fact that £20 million worth of summer signings didn’t figure, as well as a clutch of other talents who could certainly aid our cause. No Fletcher, no van Damme, Mouyokolo, Hunt, Kightly, Edwards.

Two good results prove nothing of course, but don’t pretend you haven’t enjoyed a cheeky wry smile and an extra skip in your step at how things are shaping up at Molineux.

You can’t fool me.

* Just another shameless plug for my mate’s site as he’s promoting Birthday gifts for her on his excellent gift shop.

Kevin Doyle scored at Goodison Park last season

Following last weekend’s opening day victory over Stoke, Wolves will head to Goodison Park high on confidence and feeling they have every chance of picking up another positive result.

By contrast, the Toffees lost their first game to Blackburn thanks to a massive clanger from Tim Howard. They’ll be keen to turn things around quickly and put in a solid performance in front of their own fans.

Wolves came within a whisker of winning this fixture last season, so David Moyes won’t be underestimating the boys in old gold. That being said, there’s a lot of quality in the Everton side so they’ll rightly feel they’re favourites to edge this one.

Tim Cahill is one player we’ll need to guard against, particularly from set pieces, and he knows his side are in for a scrap if they’re to emerge with anything come Saturday. “All Mick McCarthy’s teams are well drilled and fight very hard and they have a bit of flair as well. We have to make sure we are firing on all cylinders and ensure that as a squad we are ready for a good Wolves outfit.”

It will be interesting to see how Mick sets his stall out and whether or not key players such as Kevin Doyle and Steven Fletcher are fit enough to feature from the start.

Assuming everyone is fit, I believe Wolves will field the same side as last weekend, with Fletcher and SEB once again leading the line, but with the possibility that one of those players can be shifted out wide to adopt more of a 4-5-1 shape.

So that’s a team of:

Hahnemann

Foley
Craddock
Berra
Ward

van Damme
Henry
Jones
Jarvis

Fletcher
SEB

I also hope to see Kevin Doyle feature at some point. He of course scored in this fixture last season and was a thorn in their side in both matches. When he returns to full fitness, he’s an automatic first choice in my book.

Prediction League

For those of you who haven’t noticed yet, I’ve added the prediction league table to a brand new page, which you can access via the menu at the top of the page or by clicking here.

It’s not too late to join in, so if you’d like to make a prediction, simply do so by leaving a comment below.

Not that I’m showing off or anything, but I correctly predicted a 2-1 victory for Wolves last weekend. Well done also to Ben, Sam 2.0, New kid on the blog, Jub, Ezz and Rich for getting it spot on.

This week, I fancy a score draw so I’ll go for the same result as last season – 1-1.

If you’re going to the game, have a great time and roar the lads on.

Up The Wolves.

Well, another match unbeaten, another useful point gained and a tiny step closer to Premiership safety. Not too shabby.

Although we didn’t win the game, the roar that greeted the full time whistle demonstrated perfectly, just how important this result was to our survival cause. We’ve now gone unbeaten this season against Everton, Spurs and Villa, which is a superb achievement, given the quality of those sides.

Wolves had to defend well to earn the point

I thought it might be our day, particularly when the news filtered through that Mikel Arteta wasn’t playing. Everton have some outstanding players, but the Spanish midfielder is just that little bit classier and has the ability to unlock a defence in the blink of an eye. In fact, had he played, I’m almost certain the final scoreline would have been different.

Still, Wolves were made to work hard for this point and front to back, everyone put in a shift, to use a McCarthyism.

The back four were very good.

Jody Craddock won practically everything. Berra was shaky to begin with, but grew in confidence as the game progressed. Big George Elokobi gave his all and even delivered a couple of teasing balls into the Everton box on the rare occasion he ventured forward. I think he’s successfully wrestled that left-back slot away from Stephen Ward, at least in the short term.

Zubar was probably the best of the lot though, using his power and pace to defend flawlessly and bomb forward when the opportunity presented himself. Our two brightest moments in the game came when the Frenchman exchanged clever passes and surged into the Everton box, only to come up agonisingly short with his final ball. His improvement has been a big factor in our recent upturn in form.

In midfield, Henry and Mancienne were neat and tidy, constantly grappling for the ball and winning enough mini-battles to ensure Everton couldn’t break us down. Jones wasn’t as effective as he has been in recent matches, but still got into some good positions. His second half booking for taking a quick free kick was ridiculous, particularly when identical situations involving players in blue shirts went unpunished.

Doyle was good, but not quite up to the usual high standards he sets. He looked a little jaded to me, so it’s just as well he’s got a full week until we next play. The rest will probably do him good.

All in all though, pretty good stuff from the boys in old gold. We’ve definitely built up some momentum, so you could look at it as a shame that we have to visit the Emirates next Saturday, where defeat is a very strong possibility. However, as we are in such good shape and as Arsenal have the small matter of a Champions League tie against Barcelona in the back of their minds, what better chance will we have to cause a massive upset and in doing so, enjoy our greatest day yet?

You never know.

What the Papers Say

Mick McCarthy is ever the realist. He has seen his Wolves team – for so long struggling in intensive care – emerge with a run of eight points from four matches. But he knows they are still a long way from Premier League safety.

31 points, 7 above the dropzone and 15th in the table.

Absolutely brilliant Wolves.

That electrifying performance at Upton Park was undoubtedly the pinnacle of the season to date, as we picked West Ham apart and ruthlessly dispatched another of our relegation rivals.

Kevin Doyle gave Wolves the lead at Goodison Park

My old man even cracked a smile, pumped his fist jubilantly and proclaimed a word I never thought I would hear him say in connection with Wolverhampton Wanderers – Europe.

That was of course in jest, but it demonstrates perfectly the energising effect the last three games have had on the old goal faithful.

And so our heroes return to a buoyant Molineux, with a united crowd hoping to witness another courageous performance from our rapidly improving side. Confidence should be sky high in the home dressing room, but across the hall, the opposition are in pretty good shape too.

Having seen off Man City last night to continue their excellent from and cement their place just below the clutch of teams challenging for the Champions League, Everton are rampant at present.

The return from injury of key players such as Phil Jagielka and the classy Mikel Arteta has taken them to a new level and they now look capable of handing out a beating to anyone. It is not a good time to be playing them.

However, seven defeats on the road for the Toffees should encourage Wolves and a decent home win is certainly long overdue.

There’s a few selection dilemmas for Mick McCarthy with Guedioura and Mancienne both pressing for a place in our three man midfield and Big George looking determined to hang onto his slot at left-back ahead of Stephen Ward.

After such a strong showing at West Ham, I would imagine the same eleven will take to the field on Saturday, so that’s:

Hahnemann

Zubar
Craddock
Berra
Elokobi

Foley
Henry
Mancienne
Jones
Jarvis

Doyle

I wonder if Dave Edwards will make the bench? I’d love to see the Welsh international back in action, even if it’s only a small cameo. I suppose with the team doing so well, the temptation will be to hold him back.

I was pleased to see Halford on the bench on Tuesday. I know he’s not exactly a fans favourite but if you’re chasing a game or looking to see out a few minutes, it can’t do any harm to have a bloke who can throw the ball half the length of the pitch knocking about.

You might call me an optimistic fool for getting sucked in by our good form, but I’m going for a Wolves win – 2-1.

If we do get it, I believe we’ll be on the verge of crossing the line, which would be a fantastic achievement with six games still remaining after Saturday.

If you’re going to the match, give the lads the reception they deserve, get behind them and have a great time.

Up The Wolves

As a little bonus, Richard Knowles, lifelong Toffee, has taken the time to give us his thoughts ahead of the big game at the weekend. He spoke to us earlier in the season before the match at Goodison Park, so we’re delighted to welcome him back. Here’s what he had to say:

This weekend’s fixture between our clubs should be a classic, well judging by our respective midweek results. Typically it will probably end in similar fashion to your home game with our lovely neighbours – a 0-0 bore draw with possibly one shot on target.

Fair play to Wolves for the results in the last ten days, 7 points out of 9 from three tricky away games is something the players, fans and club should be rightly proud of.

I said in a rambling before the game at Goodison that I hoped and thought you would stay up this season; I see no reason to change my mind now.

The club needed to find a different way of playing to the previous season in the Championship. A solid, defensive set-up with the option of good counter attacking play. In Kevin Doyle you have a great head to the front line.

As for the game I hope to see Wolves being a little more attack-minded, especially given the recent results, although I expect our great win at City might make you think a point is a good result.

For Everton I expect a win, but know the game will be tough and, with the greatest of respect, think a point or less will be a bad haul for us.

The keeper Hahnemann is on good form and Doyle is leading the line well, but just like Everton, Wolves have found the team spirit that can get performances and points from teams who individually may have better players.

Would I want any Wolves players in Everton’s squad? Doyle is probably the only one, although the team spirit is something many teams would like; see West Ham!

I’m going to go for a 1-1 draw on Saturday, but if Pienaar, Arteta, Osman and Cahill put on a show, I think it’ll be three points for us.

Good luck for the last few games, after 5pm on Saturday of course, I reckon I’ll be back to Molineux to cheer on Everton in the Premiership next season.