On the surface, a 20-1 bet on a 16th placed Premier League team in a two horse race should represent fantastic value for money.
However, anyone who has seen the two teams play of late will tell Victor Chandler and co that they are probably being a bit generous with their odds, not least when City’s reserves have just spanked us 5-2.
And if Mick obdurately sticks with his preferred 4-4-2 system that guarantees a two goal deficit at half time, the bookies may as well stick a nought on our end.
Even a mindless idiot can see that.
The Team
Our battle hardened manager will surely go 4-5-1 for a game that nobody has us down to get anything from, and a game where many pundits believe the pressure is off completely.
Whether the expected system change has more to do with the class of opposition rather than lessons learnt is up for conjecture, however.
The big question is, who will play in midfield for this one, as it is unlikely Mick will drop the leaden footed Berra or Johnson, despite leaking goals like a sieve during this painful winless run.
If he opts for David Edwards, many fans will be annoyed, bearing in mind Guedioura and Milijas have offered far, far more on Carling Cup showings alone.
That doesn’t make them numpties mind. They probably just remember Anfield like me.
If he does pick one of Guedioura or Milijas to go alongside O’Hara and Henry, most supporters will be supportive, no matter the result. It’s what many have been demanding all season. I go for Guedioura, as he has the better engine and we’ll be doing a hell of a lot of chasing.
As for the wingers, you’ve got to presume that Jarvis will play, being as he is the only player in the entire squad with any pace to trouble any team, despite his poor delivery of late.
I hope Hunt plays on the other flank, even if I am one of Hammill’s biggest advocates. My reasoning for this? That we are going to have to work damn hard on Saturday and a feral-type performance from the Irishman will have the potential to break up the Poznan.
Doyle will plough a lone furrow in a formation where he has always played his best football for Wolves.
The only other change might just be Zubar for Stearman, if the Frenchman is fit. If he is, I’d play him.
The team I expect Mick to play:
Prediction League
A handful of people predicted a draw against Swansea last time out but only Baltimore Wolves got the scoreline spot on.
Congratulations on a well-earned 3 points.
In all my years of supporting Wolves, this past week has been the most divisive, upsetting and downright painful that I can ever remember.
Feeling marginalised is one thing. Feeling like a lost child stuck between warring parents is quite another.
With that in mind I will utter the words I hope to never utter again.
Forget the result and let us all hope for a performance to take genuine heart from.
The daft thing is that we’ll probably get one, and Mick will then stick with the team that most mindless idiots have been crying out for for weeks.
The even dafter thing is that we might just pull out a freakish result. It has been known.
Come on you Wolves!
Thanks for taking over preview duties mate.
Can’t see anything other than defeat this weekend, but as you say, some encouragement from the performance would be nice.
I think he might play Edwards on the right tucked in with Milijas, O’Hara and Henry the central three and Jarvis down the left.
4-1 City.
Given up trying to guess what team he’ll play. What i feel pretty sure of is a much improved performance, as is usual against the big teams ,and an ultimately fruitless one as well. Picking the right team and playing well is what you want against the lesser teams when you can get some points, and not just when the pressure’s off when little is expected.
Mancini won’t play his best team, just one good enough to win comfortably. Let’s say 4-0.
Definitely like to see an appearance from Guedioura, hopefully a start. Can’t see much in the way of a result however. Not with the mighty David Silva running circles around the best defenders in the league.
Just can’t see us doing anything but loosing. Might get a goal however. I’ll go with 3-1 city.
Might yet prove me wrong but if theres one thing i’ve learnt from being a wolves for the past 16 years… it’s always be a pessimist. You’re probably right.
Apparently haven’t learnt to spell “losing” in my 21 years either…
I foresee a heavy defeat but hopefully a spirited performance with the fans backing the players like they did on Wednesday. 5-1 City.
Milijas has scored in the last 3 games against City so he’s got to play! Edwards is our only genuine box to box midfielder and his energy would be very welcome in the team. I don’t think Jarvis should play, yes he has the pace but he rarely uses it to great effect and his distribution has been shocking. Hammill is more comfortable on the ball and more creative. Although I don’t think it really matters too much what team we put out!
Man City 2-0 Wolves
Oops, I forgot my own prediction! I am going for a narrow 2-1 defeat in a performance full of positives!
Agree we need to go 4-5-1, I’m worried Mick will start Vokes with Doyle but think he’ll play Milijas, which I would be happy with.
Guedioura I feel lacks the discipline for a game like this, sure he’ll do a lot of running but Edwards does that and he’s more likely to hold his position.
the best we can probably hope for is a decent performance, let’s just pray we don’t get battered!
I am going against the grain. I really think City will start believing the hype. Our players have nothing to lose and I am sticking my neck out here and going for a 0-0 draw.
It would show everyone we are back and I think we will be…
Good morning all from sunny Florida.
Putney, your Dad cheats at Mexican Train!
I’ve been a Wolves fan forever, and I have never wanted us to lose, so I’m boldly going where none of you have gone, and I predict a win.
Yeah, totally stupid, but bollocks to the bookies, what do they know, eh??
City 1 Wolves 2.
Ward and Berra to score.
No, I am not drunk……………yet!!
FOMM
Mate, should I take it personally that after I finally get to join you up at Molineux for a game, you follow it up with this sentence: “In all my years of supporting Wolves, this past week has been the most divisive, upsetting and downright painful that I can ever remember.”
Ha ha! I’ll blame Mick and Moxey for that.
Can’t see us getting anything from this. I think we may well get battered too. 4-1 to City I’m afraid.
I can see goals, and lots of em
Man City 3-3 Wolves
I went to Molineux in 1955-6 season to see us play Cardiff. We had beaten them 9-1 in the away fixture so everyone had their crib-boards with them to keep track of the expected winning score. Result – Wolves 0 Cardiff 2.
Funny old game as someone said – take heart folks – I’m with Clive from Houston.
3-1 to City. If we don’t concede early and compete for the first half hour I’ll take heart. God it’s depressing typing that
Farmer pig finally comes up with a plan b…Wolves to win 1-0. A Roger Johnson header at that!
I’d just be happy if Johnson, Jarvis, Hunt and Berra really put on a good perfomance. Can’t see us getting much at all except hopefully a huge boost in moral if we play well. 4-1 to Manc.
Citeh 1 – Wolves 1
Which will theoretically mean that we are the best team in the world.
Hard predicting this one. Ill go with my brain this time, 7-1 city!
Given City’s strength compared to our own, I’ll remain optimistic… and predict a 3-0 defeat!
I actually think he’ll play them both, Guerdioura tucking in on the right, milijas trying to thread balls thru. There may be a shoot on sight tactic, which doesnt please me but seems to please most other fans on here.
I think the form book goes out the window sometimes
1-1!
Mick McCarthy proves to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s equal, and we lose to City 6-1.
6 – 0 to City
If they can beat Utd heavily and their second string beat our mixed 1st and 2nd team 5 – 2 then I can only see and absolute annihilation. Let’s concentrate on Wigan I suppose.
Head says Citeh 7 – Wolves 0
Heart Citeh 2- Wolves 3
Vokes scores twice……
I’ve gone for Man City 0-1 Wolves in my Sky Super Six, but I have had a few drinks, talk about letting my heart rule my head….
Everyone stay in our own half of the pitch for 90 mins and play for a 0-0 draw. A point would be a victory in this one.
If Mick stays 4-4-2 it’s 8-0
we’re gonna lose 4-2
May as well go for it ,i would go for Vokes.hammill,hunt milijas guedioura.
O’Hara.ward, craddock johnson,stearman, hennessey. i know that looks random but why not what we got to lose anyway.Its attack minded so go for
it…I’m up there so i only hope its not more than 6.
I can’t see us getting anything from this game.
Man City 3-0 Wolves
Manchester City Football Club 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club 2
3-1 to Citeh. We’re just not capable of competing on their level, at least not at the Etihad. The reverse fixture might be a different story…
I’ve been wrong most times so far so I’m going for a 3-1 Citeh win in the hope that it forces wolves to pick up points just to spite me in the prediction league!
Simples, over cocky citeh get spanked 1-0 by the mighty WOLVES regardless of McCarthys attempts at being sh*t.
Can almost feel Ben’s depression. What can I say? I’d love to predict anything other than defeat but it will surely be a case of damage limitation. 3-0 City.
4-1 city, won’t be pretty.
1-6 is my prediction we can do it
Don’t worry we’ll be well ahead of lowly WBA by the end of the season. Time you boinged back to the championship…
Wolves 1
ManCity 4
ManC 4 Wolves 2
Same result as midweek.
City 5-2 Wolves
For some crazy reason I’ve got a feeling we’re going to get something from this, I’m putting some money on us winning anyway. I’m going up to cheer the lads on, hopefully there won’t be too much booing going on. us fickle idiot fans need to get behind them more than ever tomorrow.
I reckon Mick should stick with Hamill and Hunt for this one. A few players need a kick up the arse but Jarvis is the only one we can replace with someone as good, if not better at the moment.
I don’t wish harm on anyone but if Henry could inflict a small amount of damage to Silva that leaves him paralysed until 5 o’clock I’d be delighted.
I’m looking forward to a spirited Wolves performance. Let’s remember it’s a game of two halves and anything can happen.
I’d love to see us nick it, but in reality it will be another heroic failure:
City 3 Wolves 2 (Milijas and Doyle)
UTW!
This has 3-1 written all over it. Looking forward to the game!
I suspect City will be too busy giggling for the first 30 minutes, then knock 3 in, followed by foot off the gas and think about midweek.
City 3 – Wolves 0
3-1 Citeh. Let’s just get this bloody game out the way and concentrate on Wigan next week.
“Leave the mourning to the morning when pain can be killed…memories of hope, and of glorious defeat, are just a little bit harder to beat”
City 3-4 Wolves
Man city 3:0 wolves (at least)
Man C 5 Wolves 1
O’Hara to score.
It is not in games like these we should take the points. It is in games against sides like QPR and Swansea.
I am not worried by this match – I just want to see the players play their hearts out for the club, a thing I did not see against Swansea.
UTW!
Er…any ideas why Milijas isn’t even on the bench today?
Yes, McCarthy’s ego is more important than the team or Wolves…
He is more concerned with his ego than the club.
Unless, of course, Milijas has been injured in training or said the ‘wrong’ thing to our messiah Mick….
Hope he makes me eat my words this afternoon…
FOMM
Wolves twitter says Milijas isn’t injured… It’s a very strange decision indeed for McCarthy – wonder what explanation he’ll give after the match
i think this is the easiest result to pick so far this season i see nothing but a loss im gonna go for 3-0 to city and hope its a decent performance
Get Geudioura off! FFS the guy just keeps giving the ball away!! Why does noone else see this?? King Karl masterclass so far. Keep going lads.
UTW!
Thats it Adlene have a pop! Why not, put the keeper under pressure……..
Well that’s a bloody miracle and a win it’s own right. Not 2-0 down at half time! We’re playing quite well so far, RJ looking like the worst is behind him at last.
COME ON THE WOLVES!
Yep, I’ll take this! It’s because we’re playing in black on Hallowe’en I reckon!
*World-class* saves from Hennessey …
if it had been cech or de gea theyd be saying world class. hennessey is.
……….my bad!
F**k. Jinxed him.
Damn… After his first half, it sucks that Hennessey was the cause of Man City’s first goal…
Wayne Hennesey. Still a different class this season regardless of that mistake. We’re so lucky to have such a quality player at the heart of our defence. Chin up son, you’re the best we’ve had and will have for a very long time.
O’hara to snatch one in the dying minutes to make it 1-1
er…then again…
Well, for the 7th league match in a row, we were two down.
All you statisticians out there, when was the last time that happened?
Don’t care how “well” we played or how “improved” we looked, we still fuckin’ lost, and isn’t the aim of the game to try to win every match?
McCArthy, fuck off.
McCarthy quote; “But I want to be taking credit for us getting a point or a victory, not for our performances.”
Clive quote; “Don’t care how “well” we played or how “improved” we looked, we still fuckin’ lost, and isn’t the aim of the game to try to win every match?”
…Oh good god…Mick McCarthy made the same point as Clive from Houston! They agree on something! May God have mercy on our souls, the Apocalypse is upon us!!!
Disappointing,not with the performance but the stupid mistakes we keep
making and its costing us dear,what i saw today was a lot better than in
previous weeks but we lack the quality and inventiveness to make a difference.
without fletcher we are going to struggle,i only hope he’s back next week
because without him we’er going nowhere.Still think the clubs been shortsighted in the transfer market and now we’er suffering for it because
there’s no one left to bring on of any quality,its gonna be a battle to the end.
I thought we held ourselves well, created chances and played our part in the game. I was happy with the team selection and droppong Jarvis might just give him a kick up the ass to improve his delivery. Hennessey can be forgiven 1 mistake due to his brilliant performances but i do feel it changed the game. We played well and looked a lot more solid. The late goal finished us off but we were creating chances at 2-1 down. The Man City fans were getting very restless due to wolves resilience. I just pray to God we can beat Wigan at home, if not we will really be in trouble.
Leigh Griffiths. Get him back for gods sake. He can find the net and we’re short on strikers. I don’t care if he’s ‘not proven’ who is? All hands to the pump Mick. If a shift was ever needed to be put in, now’s the time.