First off, the team selection.
Van Damme was given his debut in the back four alongside the first choice trio of Zubar, Craddock and Berra and by all accounts had a good game. I’m going to guess he wasn’t given a particularly thorough examination in his first outing but still nice to hear he came through impressively.
It was a shame to hear Ronald Zubar suffered an ankle injury, so fingers crossed that’s not serious. He was superb in the second half of last season and even with Kevin Foley to come in as a replacement, I’d still consider him a serious loss should he be out of action for a lengthy period of time. Interestingly though, it was Stearman who came on to replace Zubar, so perhaps that’s his best route back towards a first team recall.
Henry, Jones and Jarvis all went about their business in midfield, but intriguingly Mick went with three strikers from the start, selecting Doyle, Keogh and Fletcher. Whether one of those players dropped into the right side of midfield I’m not sure but it certainly shows that Keogh is still very much a part of the manager’s plans. He’s been impressive in training according to Mick, so his inclusion is no-doubt reward for his endeavours.
It was great to see Fletcher get on the score sheet with a fierce strike to make it 2-0, adding to Craddock’s trademark header from a corner. Hopefully our joint-record signing can bag a few more and hit the ground running at the start of the season, something SEB and Doyle never really managed last time out.
Mujangi Bia came off the bench and added the third goal in style, linking up with SEB and finishing confidently to wrap up the victory. Wouldn’t it be a bonus if the winger could get his act together and prove himself to the Molineux faithful? I think very little is expected from him so perhaps that could count in his favour, with less pressure on his shoulders to perform.
In his post-match interview, Mick was pleased with what he’d seen, particularly from his two new signings. However, he was quick to remind everyone that van Damme had a job on his hands to cement the left back position, with Ward back and ‘chomping at the bit’ to play, as well as big George also lurking in the background.
So all in all, plenty to discuss. What do we all think?
Just found the highlights from YouTube. Enjoy.
Strange that we played 3 upfront. I can’t even see us playing 2 upfront next year nevermind 3 so not sure what mick was upto. Shame about Zubes.
Apparently he wanted to come back on in the second half. Wasn’t allowed but hopefully it’s not bad
Not too sure that too much can be read into the result, but (Zubar’s injury apart) we are at least off on the right foot.
As to that formation – well, personally I’d love us to play a 4-3-3, but only at home against the likes of Stoke, B’ham, Wigan, West Ham … Risky? Sure, but I reckon we’d do better than in the corresponding fixtures last season (wouldn’t be difficult …)
PS. If Mick has said that Ward is “chomping at the bit”, is that a tacit admission that he thinks he’s a donkey?
But surely 4-3-3 with Jarvis as 1 of the front 3 not the middle 3? That would be outrageously attacking.
🙂 Nice one Kowloon!
One of the reports after the game described it as more of a 4-3-1-2, with Keogh playing back and front as the situation dictated. I like the flexibility of that and potential to create more scoring chances. Of course, it puts a lot of pressure on Keogh to get back and help in the midfield so we’ll see if he can do it.
I would have guessed that it was 4-4-2, with Keogh on the right wing where he has been before. We don’t have a natural there at the moment.
You what? Keogh? Do what? He’s about as relevant as Eddie Clamp! I thought Mick had finally seen the light about Keogh. Lets hope he’s getting a game to add credibility to our £2.5m valuation. Surely there’s no other possible reason for him getting even a pre-season shirt???
Here, here scooped – why bother playing him if he’s off? Better to blood one of the youth team surely?
Anyone heard anything about our wonderkid recently? Eastern european I think, he was on soccer am skills school last year? Chelsea were supposed to have offered £2million for him
Zeli Ismail?????????
Isn’t he injured?
That’s the fella! How old is he now? Any chance of him being thrown in as a sub this season?
When the seagulls follow the trawler……
The cadillac bears shit in the wooden popemobile.
I’m back.
FOWB
Rich… you are correct about the right hand side. We are really weak on that wing..no Kightly..no Hunt… opposition left backs get a free roam forward until we get someone in there. Mick will probably play Keogh there
Guedioura is still to return from his post World Cup holiday. I reckon he’ll start the season on the right hand side of midfield.
Looking at that paltry following in the youtube background it look slike we had more fans in Perth this time last year, and we had to fly 5 1/2 hours across the country to get there.Some even flew in from Singapore and Thailand…
This time last year Iwelumo was crocked against Perth Glory, I hope and pray the same thing hasn;t happend to Ronnie Zubar. He ended up being one of our best players last season
I don’t really understand why people aren’t expecting much from Mujangi Bia, Thomas.I know he played in that debacle at Palace but the whole team were culpable that night.The game he played at home(in the cup?) he did some decent things and I thought he was pretty impressive in the 45 mins he played at Pompey. He’s quick and very direct with a decent shot and i think he looks more likely to score himself than say Jarvis who is more a crosser of the ball. He also looks like he’s got an eye for a through ball to open up defences which,lets face it ,we were very short of last year.
I think he’s a very young lad who is learning the language and hasn’t got much confidence yet.(Doesn’t seem terribly popular either if the goal celebrations are anything to go by.)I reckon by the end of this season, if he’s given a few games, we could have a real prospect here.Well worth persevering with in my opinion.
Fully agree mate.
He was too quickly judged after that ridiculous cup game against Palace and never really given a proper chance.
My point was that the majority of fans don’t think he’s up to much, hence why I feel there’s low expectations for him.
That’s not how I feel though. Not yet anyway.
Like you, I watched him at Portsmouth and was impressed with his work in that first 45 minutes. What a shame he couldn’t carry on in the second half.
Having seen the goal he scored on Saturday, it just shows what the lad is capable of on his day. Hopefully, like you say, with more confidence and a better run in the side, he could be a real prospect.
He’ll have a big job on his hands to stay in the team once Kightly and Hunt are fit.
Good goal against Bohs though!
I can’t see anyone else playing right mid other than Guedioura when the season starts (at least until Hunt / Kites returns). He was the match winner against Sunderland playing there. He has also been at the World Cup!!
But maybe now Wardy has a knee as good as new, we’ll see te best of him and commend him for some stoic shifts while permanently injured? Just think, if he was Mick’s best bit of business ever and he has never been fit, then imagine what he’ll be worth to Mick now…
That would make me very happy. I don’t see why the fans are on Ward’s back. He clearly gives 100%, gives his heart and soul for the team, it’s not his fault he’s a limited player. I hope he has a blinding season.
Yeah and with Jarvis around he won’t get in the team, unless he picks up an injury
That’s Mujangi. Dodgy internet sent the comment down here
I see Stefan Maierhofer’s agent is in the UK to “discuss termination of the player’s contract.”
A £1.8m joke of a player, possibly our worst ever ‘cr@p forward’ signing given the games played and amount played? Anyone care to throw in an alternative?
At least the Pole without a goal had clinical depression on his side, whereas the Hof is just a lanky streak of useless p*ss!
Bye, bye Hof – I wish you the worst of luck in your pathetic future career in the German second division!
Hoff was cool. A bizarre footnote on the succesful 2009/10 season. He also scored infinitely more goals than Frankowski.
To be fair to him, he didn’t get much of a chance. It’s not like Heskey and England
Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!! Please dont defend this man at a cool £1.8 million!
Not really defending him, and 1.8m is ridiculous, but then you can’t blame him for the price tag either
Surely not the worst… Ray Hankin…Mike Small… Colin Taylor….
Did you ever see me play also did you ever play pro football yourself………..Probably not so if you havent done it yourself dont judge people who have………..Thank you
I remember you Colin. You scored 2 in a 4-1 home win over millwall. A game in which one teddy sheringham scored a free kick?! The next game, away to the baggies, I was mascot! happy days! You were a gent to me and my dad. Tough to get a look in with bully and mutchy id have thought! Dont mind daz. His real name is Campbell chapman.
Campbell Chapman couldn’t lace my boots !!
Soooooooooooooo………………
The stiffs score 4 with no reply at Walsall, then the first team come on, and can’t find the net.
Food for comment?
FOWB
…and Vokes and SEB score 3 between them….. Vokes could be the new David Fairclough