Wolves head to Anfield tomorrow night looking to make amends for that abject Boxing Day defeat against Wigan.
Mick McCarthy will know that having sunk to the bottom of the Premier League table, patience will be in short supply should performances and results not improve quickly.
Unfortunately for him, Liverpool’s home form has been pretty formidable this season, even if their mid-table position suggests otherwise. They’ve registered 5 wins and 2 draws from their 8 games to date, with Blackpool being the only side to leave Merseyside with a maximum.
By contrast, Wolves have been abysmal away from Molineux, losing 7 and drawing just once. However, that single point was registered in Liverpool against Everton, so if you’re clutching at straws and looking for omens, perhaps that’s one to hold onto.
Mick’s team selection will no doubt be under scrutiny and I’m expecting a couple of changes that surrendered so meekly to Wigan. Here’s my predicted lineup:
Hennessy
Zubar
Berra
Stearman
Elokobi
Edwards
Foley
Milijas
Jarvis
Fletcher
SEB
Fletcher is overdue a start so perhaps this will be his opportunity following another goal from the bench on Boxing Day. Jarvis will surely return and I expect Hunt to make way for him, with Edwards preferred on the opposite flank.
Alternatively, Mick might prefer to go 4-5-1 and if that’s the case, I’d expect Jones to play instead of Fletcher. Ward could conceivably play at left-back but I think big George would be unfortunate to lose his place.
Prediction League
Well done to Rob for correctly predicting a 2-1 Wigan win. For a change, most people went for a Wolves victory and they duly kicked us all in the knackers.
Got to be realistic and go for a defeat in this one.
I’m feeling pretty low after that awful showing against Wigan and can’t see us getting a result at Anfield right now.
I’ll plump for 3-1 to Liverpool.
Perhaps if they’re under par and we can somehow cut out the errors at the back, we could scrape a result, but the latter in particular seems highly unlikely.
If you’re going to the game, have a great time and roar the lads on.
Up The Wolves.
This will be Mick the idiots starting team –
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
And we will get beat 4-0
Perhaps Keogh in goal though.
I’m actually surprised Keogh’s not been recalled so he can play instead of Fletcher!
McCarthy’s a genius. Just pick Ward, win the toss and as he won’t be able to kick off on his own we get a very creditable 0-0 draw. And there was me starting to think he was a numpty!
Looks like your team selection paid off Jed!
t isn’t very realistic that we go out in a 4-4-2 formation. My tip is that Foley goes back to play his usual right back position, pushing Zubar out of the starting eleven. Hunt starts with Milijas, Edwards (or Ward) in the central midfield (I think this formation would be very dynamic and complementary, giving Miljas a deeper role as a playmaker). Fletcher might start in an right wing position, but I hope Bia get his chance from start.
I would love to say I think we can get something from this game, but I’m predicting a 2-0 defeat.
Wahat no Ward?? lol
Everyone had a go at me weeks ago when i said we should get rid of MaCcarthy..
Get rid now and give the new manager a chance before it’s too late..
Big Sam for me!!
I take credit for starting the McCowardly out campaign, although I wish we didn’t need it.
Here’s a useless timewasting chore for someone without much of a life……….Look up the recordings of McCarthy spouting his losing excuses from when he took Sunderland down, and compare them to the ones he’s brought out every time we lose, and I bet they are word for word!!!!!!!
Smallest book in the world:
Mick McCarthy’s match comments after a victory.
Ward to start, on his own.
Liverpool to declare at half time.
Us to collapse like the Aussies.
FOMM
I agree, get Big Sam in now.
And his lovely free-flowing football…
what so you want to play free flowing like McCarthys wolves against wigan with the Berra or Hennessey hoof? Do we care how we play if we can win some football matches? Painful when fans suddenly start questioning very successful managers like Allardyce but will support such limited managers like mick mccarthy.
McCarthy has the worst stats of any Premiership manager in history. Big Sam may not play the most attractive football but he knows how to keep a team in this division and I want Wolves to stay in this division. McCarthy does not have the ability to get us out of this situation. What other manager would consider playing Ward ahead of Fletcher? What other manager would kick Big George in the nuts like McCarthy did by subbing him to keep Ward on the field? For that alone he should be fired, and for that alone I have lost all respect for him! I’ve always had the greatest of respect for McCarthy’s honesty but I’ve lost all that now and even if he goes on a 20 game winning streak I will still never forgive him for that decision.
It’s time to hold you head up high Mick and walk away forever.
I love the self righteousness of some fans who find the notion of big Sam abhorant because he plays such awful football. Wake up! We play the most attritional, awful, shit football as it is. Yeah, fuck okocha, djorkaef and anelka, they were burdens on the bolton season tickets weren’t they? The same manager whose blackburn side ran us ragged at ewood twice, winning 6-1 on aggregate. Fuck off Sam, with your clear eye for shit signings and your obsession with building teams on big over zealous defences. And fuck off with your 60% goal rate from set plays. I’d prefer a 10% rate and the ball to doyles feet. Some fans really do astound me.
And he’s a boyhood Wolves fan!
Ben i reckon you’ve just summed up how pissed off most Wolves fans are with this shambles of a season. And Moxey wants to make our manager ‘impregnable’ like Wenger and Ferguson. You couldn’t make it up.
Clockwork mice and all that stuff…
4 nil Liverpool. I had visions of celebrations on Boxing Day, alas I lamented it.
We’re fucked and this is where we’ll start/continue to play poorly and lose.
Nevertheless, I didnt expect anything from Anfield at the start of the season so a proper arse thumping is on the cards for me.
I predict Liverpool 2-0 Wolves. Liverpool will be disjointed in front of a restless kop, but will “just have enough.” We will play our patent brand of round pegs and square holes, but to little avail.
And I just can’t wait to haul myself up at 3am to watch it.
Liverpool 5 Wolves 0 McCarthy reckons we put a great shift in after another pathetic defeat
I think Jones will come into the team in a midfield five for this one. Hunt given a ret, and Ward at left back. Also, Fletcher up front on his own to gie SEB a rest.
We have nothing to lose, and I think we will go and attack them. When we keep the ball, we look a much better sider and get better results which is why I was shocked to hear we just lumped the ball forward against Wigan.
2-1 Liverpool, and we’ll be praised for playing well but a stupid error at the back will cost us.
4-0 Liverpool I’m afraid 🙁
3-1 win. Ward 2, and jarvis. Ward to score one as left back and the other as a fwd, becoming the first player in Wolves history to do so. Thus replacing Derek Parkin in the Hall of Fame forthwith. John Richards’ position also under review, mick revealed afterwards.
The goal Ward scores as left back will more likely be an own goal.
1-1 Draw. They pinch an equaliser in the last 5 minutes of normal time.
Did anyone else see Leon Clarke come on for QPR last night? I didn’t realise he was there. Every chance there will be more Leon Clarke’s in the Premier League next season than Wolves players.
I heard it on the radio – couldnt believe it.
They said his last action for Sheffield Wednesday was scoring a goal and then kicking an advertising board and breaking his foot! They were relegated and he was signed by QPR.
Leon Clarke in the Prem next season – ssssshhhhuuussshhhing the south bank? Dont think so we’ll be in the leccy league by then!
Will be astounded if Ward isn’t picked. I expect us to put in a much better but ultimately futile performance leaving us well adrift at the bottom. Moxey can then repeat his previous observations made to the Mercury that he is ‘staggered’ at the thought of replacing the manager who should be made ‘impregnable’.Results are ‘secondary to the broader picture’ and ‘sometimes it takes YEARS to develop players’. We are in the bottom three ‘largely because of a crippling injury crisis’ and we are in a ‘false position’ anyway. We have a ‘strong squad playing exceptionally well’. Get me out of here i’m a Wolves supporter!
Oh, predicted score 3-0.
Liverpool 2-0 Wolves
Liverpool 2-0 Wolves – Torres double against our rubbish defence.
McCarthy out! The Ward to left back decision against Wigan was just another two fingers up to the fans.
Notice all the people that were full of optimism after the Blues game have disappeared? Not many ‘stick with Mick’ posts on here now – as more time slips away and we sit at the foot of the table.
Get Big Sam in while he can make some signings and give us a chance of staying up (he can even bring the Hof back!)
I see they keep dragging out Ward and Foley to do the player interviews on the wolves website. Two of MM love children, both hopelessly out of position and out of their depth in the premier league.
Has MM any real idea what a player has to have to survive/succeed at this level. On the face of it we can expect nothing else but another defeat, I hope I`m wrong but one point from our away games this season sums up the current ineptitude and lack of quality in MM`s side.
Liverpool are no great shakes, but unless MM plays 5 in midfield which protects our defence, and gives Mijas someone to pass to, it could be a really bad final score. I`d say 4-0 to the home side. I don`t know what time the match finishes, but I`m turning over at 10pm to watch the cricket highlights. never thought i`d ever do that before a wolves game finishes.
1-0 Wolves. Keep the faith
I’m fearing the worst tonight I’m afraid! I hope Fletcher starts upfront with SEB and gets a couple of goals. I also hope that Elokobi starts at left back and Ward is finally dropped.
Liverpool 4-2 Wolves
So Edwards has been dropped for Jarvis but Ward remains in his ‘era defining’ role up front while Fletcher warms his backside. I am sick of this, truly sick of it.
Ward!!!
Great finish!
5.16am and I am wide awake now!
Excellent result, although you have to say Liverpool were just awful. Now, my usual 6.00am alarm has just sounded: how on earth am I going to stay awake at work??
5:55am. I’m wide awake. 3 points. Bring on West Ham.
1) Ward scored, didn’t have a great game, truly awful defending.
2) How much fun was that.
3) How easy was that? I can see why Hodgson is under pressure.
4) How good Hennessey’s save in the first half when Merieles was one on one – may have saved our season.
5) I’d rather have Ward than Babel.
6) George is turning himself into a Premier League full back.
I’m off to bed. Well done all, Big Mick, Wayne Hennessey,
… Hennessey, and the rest. That keeps us in touching distance come Jan 31.
YEEEAAA!!!!
Big win, BIG. Should help our cause to bring in a player or two in January. Add getting Henry and Doyle back in the somewhat near future and things aren’t looking too bleak. Still a lot of work to do but this win alone could of saved the season.
Great game for Wolves! Liverpool was so owned! I would say our defense looked rock solid and our midfielders passed the ball around with great accuracy. Praise to Ward for an ice cold finish! March on you Wolves!!