OK, hands up who remembers the last FA Cup clash between these two sides at Molineux? Normally I wouldn’t blame you for forgetting a 4-1 defeat, but that game will live long in the memory for some quite unbelievable goals. Here’s a video to jog your memory:
I didn’t go to that replay, but I remember vividly watching at home on the TV and shaking my head in disbelief at that last goal from Armstrong. What a finish. However, I did go to the first game at Selhurst Park (what a dump), where Gordon Cowans assaulted one of their players before curling in a neat finish to earn us the draw. I suppose justice was done in the end.
To be honest, I won’t be heading to Molineux on Saturday expecting a similar cup classic, but will definitely settle for a decent performance, a win and maybe even a few goals if the footballing Gods are smiling down on us.
I’m sure Neil Warnock has other ideas though and will have his side up for the game and hellbent on causing a mini-upset. It will be interesting to see whether the ‘next big thing’ Victor Moses turns out for the visitors, as many of their fans seem to think they don’t want to get him cup-tied. Makes sense I suppose given that his exit seems inevitable and they want to get top dollar for the striker. If he does play though, I’ll look forward to seeing what he’s about.
For Wolves, I expect a lot of changes from the side that were blown away by Wigan. With Liverpool to come on Tuesday, I can’t imagine Mick risking any of our better players for this one so it could well be a complete second string. That’s not necessarily bad news though, as all of those players should be well up for the game and a chance to force their way back into the first team.
Here’s the kind of lineup I’d expect to see:
Hennessy
Zubar
Berra
Elokobi
Hill
Surman
Jones
Castillo
Foley
Iwelumo
SEB
I include SEB in that eleven, simply because it seems like a good opportunity to try and get him a goal. That must be something Mick is contemplating, but I’ve given up trying to second-guess our manager. For all I know, he might field our best side.
To be honest, the one result I really wouldn’t like to see is a draw. I think win or lose, get this fixture out of the way and move on, whether that be to the next round or focusing completely on survival. I’d love to see us win it and continue the cup run, especially with the likes of Man Utd and Liverpool already out, but staying in the Premiership must remain the number one priority.
Ben put the question to me earlier in the week:
‘What would you prefer, an FA Cup win or Premiership survival?’.
I opted for the latter. You might well think differently.
Either way, I do believe we’ll overcome Palace in this particular encounter. Had the game been at Selhurst Park, I wouldn’t have been quite so confident, but seeing as it’s at home, I’ll go for a 2-0 win.
If you’re going to the match, have a great time and get behind the lads.
Up The Wolves.
‘What would you prefer, an FA Cup win or Premiership survival?’.
I too, would prefer the latter. I think every Wolves fan would. However, that should not be justification for us not fielding our best team and going out to win. A good cup run will undoubtedly give us some much needed confidence, which could prove to be the difference between relegation and survival.
It made the difference when we beat Newcastle in our first promotion year (2003)
The greatest display of finishing I have seen, and will probably ever see.
As for whether I would rather us win the cup or stay up this year, I would go for the former every single time. Ultimately, surely football is about winning things, not just for players, but also for fans? I don’t think the memory of surviving by the skin of our teeth this year would compare with an FA cup win at Wembley. What would you rather tell your grand children about? For what it is worth I’m sure Jez would agree with you, financially is is obviously no contest.
Will, you’re right mate, beating Newcastle did turn out to be the catalyst for an excellent second half of the season, so there could be some merit in carrying on the run and getting some confidence up.
Larry, I definitely see where you’re coming from and you’re 100% correct in that winning trophies is always the end goal. I’d be absolutely thrilled if we got to the cup final, let alone lifted the trophy. The way you put it makes me want to change my mind. On reflection, I’ll take both please :p
For the first time in a while, I will actually be pissed off if we get knocked out.
It is a paradox of pessimism and optimism that leads me to this.
Pessimism: That we are, in all likelihood, going to suffer a miserable second half of the season and I want cheering up.
Optimism: That with Liverpool and Man Utd out, and other teams not being too bothered, there’s every chance of a good run.
Why not go all the way? Cardiff did it, Southampton too in 2004 (i think).
The Hall of Famers prided themselves on success, and a semi-final / final would possibly etch a name or two into a future hall. When Billy Harrison masterminded one of the biggest shocks in cup history in beating Newcastle in 1908, it would be a shame not to take it seriously today.
I love looking out for our number 41 ball with mingled excitement and trepidation.
I love not wanting a banana skin, a Champ team, nor a big gun, thus realising I don’t want us to draw anyone!!!!
It would be a welcome distraction and I say go for it.
Wow what a game that was. Any idea who scored the 3rd one for Palace? Couldn’t quite make out the name on his shirt. I remember the Armstrong goals and you couldn’t mistake Dowie although his finish wasn’t exactly typical stuff from him. Little factoid- I’m pretty sure Chris Armstrong was the first footballer to be done for recreational drug use.
Kwolf – Darren Pitcher scored the third for Palace. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darren_Pitcher
That was probably the highlight of his whole career.
Played at Charlton before moving to Palace and then had his career ended with a horror tackle.
Bad times.
Looking at the team you’ve gone with Thomas, it’s one I can see MM putting out. If it is then I think we can forget all about lifting the cup because we won’t be getting through to the next round. Lower division teams nearly always up their game against Prem teams. Palace are no mugs and are playing well at the moment, we are not.
Elokobi is a full back, Foley is a full back, Hill is a full back, Zubar is a full back – why play 4 full backs?? Play people in their right positions and chances are there will be fewer mistakes. Put Foley on the right in his favoured position, and Ward on the left. Then play 2 center halves, in midfield we could try playing 4 midfielders for a change and then up front we need to play Doyle and then one other – I’d be happy for SEB to play in this game as he is against a Championship defence which will give him more space.
Lets play to win and put a team out capable of winning the game without too much trouble not dragging in the dregs such as Hill and Elokobi as it will only end in tears!
Jed, in the pre-match press conference, McCarthy says he’s putting out a strong side as he wants the win, so I’m thinking I might have been wide of the mark with my predicted lineup.
To be honest, I’ll be pretty relieved too if that’s the case, as I didn’t really fancy sitting through a miserable, nothing reserve game.
Thank God for that – this is the first Wolves game not to be televised over here so it will be back to the delights of Wolves World or whatever the f**k its called these days! And I agree the thought of watching a miserable game full of sh*te players would probably make me stay in the pub and watch soccer saturday instead (if I was back in blighty that is)
I think survival is the key, but it’s been 50 years since we won the FA Cup, and a win would lift the doom and gloom and perhaps give us something else to concentrate on and look forward to. To win the FA Cup would be something we’d remember forever (plus a place in Europe)
I for one hope we win, though i can see an inept performance and a defeat coming, with a half empty molineux becoming more so. Hope i’m wrong of course and we progress.
You’re right Thomas, we don’t want a draw, that would mean moving the West Ham game.
An interesting article about exactly the points on this thread –
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/stokecity/Stoke-City-Potters-fan-calls-summit-future-FA-Cup/article-1739340-detail/article.html
Worst case scenario is that it will be a draw, and a replay will be necessary, a fixture pile up, and an unneccessary distraction from the more important PL survival.So, that being said…I’ll go for 1-1
Not really related to the topic my i just got an email with this.
http://img2.pict.com/b1/fc/ab/2593366/0/untitled1.jpg
Amazing to think over nearly the last 20 years we’ve nearly spent as much (net) as the Arsenal.
More interesting is that 2 clubs managed by ‘Arry made a profit but still are both nearly going bust! (I know ‘Arry was there yonks ago)
Watch out Spurs!!!!
Personally, I’d take the FA Cup win.
I feel trophies define a football club – its why Arsenal and United have those boards round their stadiums listing their wins, why Real Madrid show videos beneath their 9 European Cups on a constant loop in their trophy room, and why every club lists its Honours in their matchday programme.
For 50 years now Wolves’ honours have read: 3 League Titles, 4 FA Cups.
The dream of that changing in my lifetime is more powerful than the difference betweenn 17th and 18th.
Not bothered about the FA cup at all.
Rest everyone except SEB – lets hope he gets back on the score sheet and gets some confidence back!
Roll on Liverpool Tuesday night!
Exactly Stourbridge….. I know were all nostalgia fiends @ Wolves, but come on lads, get a grip, the FA Cup isn’t worth shit… look at the attendances at the cup matches, noone is bothered….. OK it would be nice to win it & a big day out in London but give me 17th any day… And if MM plays a full team 2moro, then he should get his head examined…… Lookin 4ward to goin on Tuesday… get stuck into the Scousers & get a result…..
Too true Leinster – I watched the highlights on TV last night and no one seemed to be playing their first team (except Spurs perhaps). The whole thing is an inconvenient distraction to most clubs, and where’s the magic in watching the reserves? (if we want to watch them we can pay £38 to go to Man Utd ha,ha,ha!).
ITV’s football coverage is totally crap too – which makes staying up until 12.30am to watch 30 seconds of Wolves drawing against a practically bankrupt midtable CCC team even less bearable.
On a serious point though no one ever questions team selection in the FA (f**king Awful) Cup – Wolves play a team of fringe players at old trafford and we get ripped to shreads for days on Skysports. Where’s the magic in that?
A draw was the worst result possible though – so well done boys, add another game to the calendar! SEB still didn’t manage to break his duck, Hennessey looked to make the decision of sticking with Hahnemann as easy as possible. Great goal by Zubar though, maybe he will now get an extended run in the team?