I see Wolves overcame Wexford Youths 2-1 last night, in the friendly that was arranged as part of the deal to bring Kevin Doyle to the club. It’s refreshing that something like that was so important to our record signing and shows he’s incredibly loyal. That certainly bodes well should the worst happen this season.
The entire first team squad went over there, but it was mostly players that didn’t figure on Saturday, who found their way into the starting lineup. Despite the win, I was happy just to see that everyone came through unscathed, leaving us with no fresh injury problems ahead of the Arsenal match.
Keogh and The Hoff got the goals, so that certainly won’t do them any harm at all. I still don’t expect either to start against the Gunners and it’s likely that one of them won’t even make the bench. Will be interesting to see what Mick does there.
Surman played the full match, which reminded me that he actually existed. Are we ever going to see this bloke given a chance? He was one of our better players in pre-season but completely disappeared off the radar when the Premiership kicked off. I’d like to see what he has to offer, but I suppose you can only name seven subs.
Both Stearman and Mancienne also played the full game, whereas Elokobi only entered the fray with twenty minutes left. Does that tell us that George was being rested because he’s going to keep his place for Saturday? It’s a guessing game, but that’s what it suggests to me.
Milijas and Castillo both started and played for about an hour. I think they’re tussling for one starting place, given the fact that Henry only made a cameo outing and Edwards and Kightly were rested completely. Again, that’s a very interesting selection dilemma for Mick, which I hope he gets right.
Looking at the team last night, it reminded me that we’ve got some decent strength in depth. We might not have a squad superstars, but there’s plenty of players that can come in and do a job if injuries or suspensions stack up, which they inevitably will.
That’s the direction we have gone, like it or not. We have a squad which has a lot of players who aren’t superstars. I personally like this (this is with the realist tin hat on), as if we go down, we’ll have a quality squad of players who will come down and if we come back up we’ll be in a strong position, and if we (everything is crossed) stay up, we have a solid platform for next season.
The Hoff would be amazing in a fizzy pop league side.
Do you not think that Elokobi was rested cuz he’s played nearly every game whereas Stearman and Mancienne both needed a game, maybe to get them fit for saturday. I do reckon Mick will stick with Elokobi for Arsenal though
As for Surman, he had been injured hadn’t he, but i think he’s been back a while now. I guess there’s only a certain amount of midfielders who can get in the squad though
Does nobody think that Milijas and Castillo can/should both play?
How can they only beat a youth side 1-2?
I’d like to see Milijas on the left, replacing Edwards. I can’t see MM dropping Henry.
Of course, I don’t know how they played as Foxtel didn’t show the game on Saturday. (They preferred %^&$ Burnley v %^&* Hull., horrendous).
I can also see Milijas running out of Gas and us bringing Edwards/Halford on to replace him early in 2nd half.
“You can only name 7 subs”. Back in my day etc etc 🙂
Up until recently I have believed that our first XI this season has actually been weaker than our all conquering XI of September 08 vintage.
Yes, the squad has been stronger this year, but it is only now that I’m feeling that our first team would now beat the one we put out last season.
It has taken us a while to get here, but I think Mick is starting to settle on a damn strong side.
What I wouldn’t give for Enrique at Newcastle though. He’d solve the left back problem and I’d love it if we got him.
If Big George plays on Saturday we will get done by a lot, possibly even double figures. Against a fast skillful Arsenal team George doesn’t stand a chance. He gives the ball away far too often, constantly lumps it up field to no one in particular and has the turning circle of a double decker bus! Can’t fault his commitment and a great addition to the squad, but surely everyone can see he is out of his depth in this league.
Arsenal fans are up in arms about the claims we can beat them. It’s brilliant.
Jed. Steady on mate. When I said that I thought Keogh was out of his depth in the Premier League, my comments were ‘disgraceful!’ Different rules I suppose 😉
I’ve long had my doubts about George, but do think there may be mitigating circumstances. Namely:
He’s had an unbelievably bad injury, barely had a pre season and is thrown in at the deep end. Tough on him.
And also, being plucked from a parks pitch a few years ago, he lacks the basic football schooling that an academy gives every other Prem player.
I thought he was very encouraging v Villa, but his positional sense makes Jamie Smith look like Maldini.
I think give Surman a go at left back as this is our most problematic area. I am sure I remember him playing there at some point.
Elokobi best not play on Saturday as he has been a poor defender and down that right flank Arsenal could really, really do some damage with Rosicky, Eduardo or whoever Arsne chooses from his fantastic array of attacking talent.
Ben – I suppose the difference between the George and Keogh debate is that if Keogh makes a mistake then there are 10 players behind him to recover, with George there is only the keeper – therefore it seems crazy to put a weak player in defence. If Keogh misses 70 chances in a game but we don’t concede then we get at least a point, if George makes a mistake, chances are we go a goal behind and then we are struggling to get a point. I can live with playing out of sorts forwards (and we have plenty at the moment other than Doyle) but I can’t live with a poor defender. Your point about his lacking basic football schooling only strengthens my point of view!
Iwelumo out injured for several weeks!
http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~1867524,00.html
Disaster!