This week, we welcome Mike from The Anfield Opinion to the Wolves Blog Guest House ahead of our match against Liverpool on Saturday.
Thomas: Mike, after what seemed like a solid start to the season, you’ve suffered two disappointing losses. Do you still remain confident of a successful season?
Mike: Both defeats were certainly disappointing given our strong start to the season, but Liverpool put in very different performances in the defeats. Against Stoke the Reds created lots of chances and controlled possession, with only a quick breakaway and a mistake by Carragher affording Stoke the penalty which got them the win.
Against Spurs however Liverpool were incredibly poor, with the central partnership of Henderson, Adam and Lucas leaving Martin Skrtel exposed against the prolific Gareth Bale. Whilst Kenny tried to re-organise after the first goal, the Adam sending off was the beginning of the end for the Reds.
However I’m still incredibly optimistic about the season, it’s a squad which is still finding its feet after a considerable influx of players in the summer, and once the system is tweaked I’m sure Liverpool can mount a challenge for a Champions League place.
Thomas: Yes, you’ve seen a lot of new faces arrive over the summer. Which has impressed you most thus far?
Mike: I think Downing has to be considered the most impressive. When he was signed for £20 million in the summer a number of heads were turned, with many saying the fee was too high, but in Downing Liverpool have a player who can play either on the left, in the middle or out on the right with relative comfort, with the width and creativity he adds being much needed in a squad that has lacked both in recent years.
Thomas: Yep, I’d agree with that. Downing is a player I rate very highly. What constitutes success for Liverpool this season?
Mike: Every Liverpool supporter will tell you that the club exist to win trophies and the only thing that constitutes a successful season is winning the league. But being realistic, a Champions League place would constitute a great campaign for the club, and if there’s a domestic cup win in there that would certainly be a bonus.
Thomas: Would you still say Steven Gerrard is your most important player or has Luis Suarez taken over that particular mantle?
Mike: Being the club captain and a season veteran, it would be easy to consider Gerrard to be Liverpool’s most important player. His role has changed this season though, and although he is still important, Liverpool no longer have such a dependence on him now the likes of Downing, Henderson and Adam have arrived and Lucas has shown considerable improvement.
Suarez is certainly a fan favourite, and given his age and immediate connection with the fans he certainly has the potential to be a future Liverpool captain, though that’s some way in the future.
Thomas: What did you make of the two matches between Wolves and Liverpool last season?
Mike: Wolves’ win at Anfield was the final straw for many fans, including myself, when it came to Roy Hodgson. It was an incredibly poor performance from Liverpool, as was so often the case under the aforementioned manager, though it has to be said Wolves put in a fantastic performance on the day.
The away tie was much better for Liverpool, recording a comfortable three goal win. It was reassuring to see Liverpool actually playing well away from home for the first time in a while. Though I have to say looking back the win feels a bit bittersweet, with the two scorers on the day, Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles, now with Chelsea.
Thomas: What’s your opinion on Mick McCarthy?
Mike: Some consider his brand of football somewhat defensive, but he’s done a fantastic job with Wolves, bringing them up from the Championship and, most importantly, keeping them in the Premier League, something which is no easy task given the number of clubs who are relegated straight after they come up.
Thomas: Which of our players do you rate and why?
Mike: Kevin Doyle is a great front man who I certainly wouldn’t mind having at Anfield to keep competition for places high alongside Suarez, Carroll and Bellamy. Matt Jarvis is also a fantastic player who often doesn’t get the credit he deserves from the mainstream media.
Thomas: Where do you think Wolves will finish this season?
Mike: I’d predict they’ll finish safely around the middle of the table. Whilst I don’t think they have enough to challenge for European places I think they certainly have more quality in the squad than many other teams who will likely be battling it out around the bottom of the table.
Thomas: Ah, you’re too kind. What question should I have asked you and what would your answer be to that question?
Mike: Who’s likely to be the Premier League top scorer come the end of the season? To which I would have answered, despite the prolific form of Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero, Luis Suarez.
Thomas: Can’t see it myself. Barring injuries, I can see Rooney getting 35+ in the league alone. A bold prediction though so I tip my hat to you. Finally, what’s your prediction for Saturday? Wolves secured a 1-0 win at Anfield last season. Any chance of a repeat?
Mike: I think Liverpool are a much better side this season under Kenny Dalglish than they were under Roy Hodgson last time Wolves visited Anfield, but it also has to be said that Wolves have improved, too. Still, for me it’s going to be a Liverpool win. 3-1 is my prediction.
Thomas: Understandable. Thanks for chatting with us Mike and good luck for the season (after Saturday).
Clive from Houston: Thomas this is boring why don’t you get an angry scouser and goad him about being on the dole?
Louie: I think Wolves will win 6-0 and Ward will score all of them. McCarthy to turn water into wine using nowt but hard graft
Random scouser: we’re gonna thrash you and youre gonna get relegated, we hate brummies
johnok: I HATE MCCARTHY, BUT I HATE SCOUSERS MORE, BUT MAINLY I HATE STEPHEN WARD
That, my Sleachy friend, has made my arvo.
As much as they make me want to pull my hair out at times, I love the characters we have on this blog. God bless each and every one of them…even Clive!
i knew you’d say that
I think there’s sitcom in this somewhere.
What would it be called? Something along the lines of McCarthy’s Numpties? 😛
No no no Sleachy, mine is always 1-0 Wolves Ward winner in the 98th minute! 😉
OK,Sleachy.Nice one, you got that spot on m8 it made me loff.
Nice to know somebody reads my posts.
How could I possibly be so predictable??!!
The real question of the day is: How much longer will the shit have their current manager?
Bottom of the Prem, dumped out of the Carling Cup after being in front, methinks Mr. Hodgson’s days are numbered.
But, then, the other question is….who gives a shit??
With regard to Liverdole, my memories of Anfield are having to pay some snotty nosed little scouse spawn 50p to “watch” my car, during the match, otherwise it would have been wrecked when I returned.
Liverdole fans think they are god’s gift to football, their team should always be treated differently,( see Dalglish’s questioning of refs recently)
and have actually caused two of the biggest ever disasters in footballing history, Heysel and Hillsboro.
So, once again, Thomas, you had the tea and crumpets out, ( Good job they were not the real thing else they would have been stolen) and once again, I don’t give a rat’s arse about the opinion of another club’s fans.
Be interesting to see who you interview when we play the shit, though, you will struggle to find anyone who can string one word together, and who speaks in more than a series of grunts!!
FOMM
You’re a fucking disgrace. You should learn a bit about Hillsborough before you comment on it.
Learn about it?
I watched it happen, so fuck you too.
Clive…for someone who isnt bothered about the comments of another clubs fans…you keep coming back, reading and commenting enough!
STFUCfH
New depths Clive. Well done.
Hahahaha. Like.
Thomas…..
No drink…..? So uncouth.
I asked the question but it was tragically overlooked in the reply. Surprising for a scouser (joke Mike if you’re reading this).
I’m glad someone else enjoyed that part of the feature 🙂
The chap got this right – the win at Anfield was the final straw for Hodgson, and the 1-0 win was down to an abject performance from the home side. The real Liverpool turned up at Molineux a little while later and with mad Mick playing a 2 man midfield that day we were thrashed 3-0. Now when did that happen again – oh my word only last week !!! Does n`t our manager learn anything from his past mistakes, I bet he even thought we`d win the game at Molineux 1-0 with the same side and using the same tactics, failing to grasp the Dalgleish revolution had begun.
Do me a favour mate. That was one of the greatest results in our recent history. Sure it wasn’t vintage Liverpool, but they haven’t been vintage since the 80s. I thought we put in a good enough performance. How many teams won there last year? Not many.
Your ability and willingness to turn a positive result into something negative is remarkable
The main thing about the reverse at Molineux that really pissed me off was everyone spunking over that Meireles goal. OK it was a nice finish and all that, but it was a free kick into our half and we had 3 players behind the ball. john hartson could score from that situation. goal of the season contender my arse.
I’m going for a draw ,1-1 do for me.
Also can i add I HATE MC IDIOT,WARDY AND SCOUSER’S.
Good idea to post this in the match preview when it comes up! 😛
Don’t blame me Hamlet,these are not my words i’m only reiterating what
sleachy wrote on my behalf i wrote it to take the p..s.
I don’t hate i only dislike what they do,All three…
Has anyone spotted that we beat lower division opponents 5-0 in the league cup last season followed by a game with Liverpool.
The outcome?
A good slap from Liverpool 3-0.
Can history repeat itself?
No Torres, no Miereles…instead Carroll, Downing, Henderson…
I say bring it on.
Very amusing read all the way from Sleachy’s first comment.
McFadden anyone?
He can’t be any worse than Vokes at the moment, that’s all I know.
A massive yes to McFadden – if he’s fit he would be a good option up front. He’s a seasoned Premiership player, he scores goals. What more can you want? No doubt they won’t offer to pay him too much (I don’t think they pay ANYONE) too much at the Wolves, so I hope we take a gamble!
Worth a try – if he’s no good then we just let him go!
No idea what he’s like as a player though
He’s pretty useful. Good acquisition if he’s fit.
Overall I dont think its a great Liverpool team…by far…and I dont see them getting near the 4th Champions league spot, or domestic silverware…but they are stronger than us….so it comes down to tactics…and For the record I think Mr Dalglish has our Mr McCarthy in his pocket. Tactically I dont think Mick is up to this one.
Hoping for a 5 man midfield…with Ward back in the defence…
A player like McFadden would be really useful in a game like this one…hopefully we wont try and be cheap…and we will sign him up!
Mc Fadden really worth a punt,i hope he gets fit for the newcastle game so we can see what he can do.at 28 he could be a find, best of luck