The hot topic this week is undoubtedly whether Mick McCarthy should keep his job or not, but whichever camp you’re in I’d like to put that to one side for a moment.
You see, regardless of whether or not our manager gets the boot, we’re pretty much stuck with the same group of players until January.
So I ask the question: what would you do?
I’m talking about Saturday’s match against Sunderland and also the four other games leading up to the New Year, which are likely to shape our season.
Here are my thoughts.
Goalkeeper
Up until a few weeks back, Marcus Hahnemann was the almost-undisputed number one, but a shaky run of form culminating in a poor performance in the defeat at Blackpool has had more than a few people championing Wayne Hennessy.
I’d like to see the young Welsh international given another chance at some point, but whilst we’re struggling at the back, I’d stick with Hahnemann. I think we need his experience to come through this horrendous run.
My pick: Hahnemann
Defence
The defence seems to have been the biggest bone of contention to date and despite various players coming in and out over the last few weeks, the end result has remained the same – conceding silly goals.
Kev Foley has played well this season, but must shoulder some of the blame for the early goal at Blackpool. He let Varney gather the ball far too easily and wriggle away to unleash his wonder strike. This might seem cut-throat, but I’d stick Zubar back in there as soon as possible. We’ve missed the Frenchman’s strength, pace and heading ability, not to mention his drive and passion.
The center-back positions for me are easy. Craddock and Berra. Yes, they’re slow. But the simple fact is, we’ve got nobody better. Stearman is superior on the ball but makes the kind of errors in one game you’d never see from Craddock over a whole season. Mouyokolo is unproven but will hopefully emerge as an important player for us as the season progresses. But right now, with everyone fit, I’d revert to the old-guard who defended solidly in the tail end of last season.
Left back is a difficult one. Ward is good on the ball, but cannot defend, particularly against wide players with pace. George is far more solid defensively, but has the tendency to ball-watch at times and struggles with his distribution (although his crossing against Blackpool was much-improved). So which one would I pick? Well, neither actually. I think it’s about time we gave van Damme a run out. I don’t care if he’s heading out on the first available Eurostar in January, we need results right now and this guy has played in the Champions League. I strongly feel he’d tighten us up, particularly from set pieces, as he’s commanding in the air.
This Saturday is likely to see us without three of my four picks, so their replacements are indicated in brackets.
My picks: Zubar (Foley Saturday), Craddock (Stearman Saturday), Berra (Mouyokolo Saturday), van Damme
Midfield
With Karl Henry joining Edwards and Guedioura on the sidelines, we’ve only got three central midfielders left to choose and given that I’d definitely play 4-5-1, I have very little option but to choose Mancienne, Milijas and Jones. Still, that’s not a bad trio of footballers in my opinion.
Out wide, Jarvis is the first name on the teamsheet, but Hunt has been less convincing. Mick has already dabbled with Fletcher on the right-wing and the consensus seems to be that it didn’t work. I’d probably agree with that too, so I’ll stick with Hunt and hope he can lift his game and channel that tenacity into a telling contribution.
My picks: Hunt, Mancienne, Jones, Milijas, Jarvis
Forwards
As I’ve already stated my preference for the 4-5-1, my choice for the lone-forward becomes obvious. Doyle hasn’t matched the giddy-heights of last season yet, but following his late goal at Blackpool he should be feeling a lot better about himself so hopefully we’ll see a much-needed return to top form.
My pick: Doyle
The team
Hahnemann
Zubar (Foley Saturday)
Berra (Stearman Saturday)
Craddock (Mouyokolo Saturday)
van Damme
Hunt
Mancienne
Jones
Milijas
Jarvis
Doyle
The tactics
For some unknown reason, Jarvis has been drifting inside and swapping flanks with Hunt in recent weeks. This makes no sense to me because his best position is, without question, hugging the touchline on the left wing. Yet he only seems to play there when we’re chasing a game, which is perplexing to say the very least. He needs to stay out on the left and we need to just keep picking him out, time and time again.
We saw the impact Milijas can have in an advanced midfield role at Blackpool so we need to get him into forward positions where he can pick out passes and hopefully unleash one or two rockets. The Serb also needs to handle set pieces because his dead-ball delivery is nearly always exquisite, where as Jarvis frequently fails to beat the first man.
So, in essence, that’s what I’d do.
What would you do?
GK: Hahnemann
RB: Foley
CB: Zubar
CB: Mouyokolo
LB: Ward
RM: Hunt
CM: Jones
CM: Mancienne
CM: Milijas
LM: Jarvis
FC: Doyle
Why are you still in love with Ward?
He’s not ben in the team for 2 games, let’s count our blessings and leave him on the bench!!
We’ve conceded 5 goals in the last 2 games with Elokobi at left back.
I totally agree..
Ward is a good defender he gets cut open because he recieves no support when the pressure is on us. thats why he does’nt “close” the man down. because he is affectivly marking 2 players. ward is and should be are first choice left back (remember mccarthy was a defender and wouldnt pick a left back who cant defend).
disagree! ward played okay today but all the other times hes let the wingers get passed him on several accasions and he never closes them down
I’d stop writing blogs that will make absolutely zero difference to anything at Molineux. McCarthy is as stubborn as they come – he’s proved that time and time again – and no amount of fans’ ideas will have any impact on his thinking.
The sooner we make changes in the coaching staff the better. We need an additonal coach to work with the forwards, improve their movement, touch and finishing. We also need to stop trying to walk the ball into the net, break from defence a lot faster and be more assertive going forward.
I don’t write blogs to ‘make a difference at Molineux’.
I write blogs to give fans a platform for discussion in an open forum, where all views are welcome.
Including yours 🙂
You mean Mick wont read my blog and make the changes I demand ready for the visit of Sunderland?
If you are so anti blogs Wolfbane why do you even bother logging onto the site? I do agree with your comments on coaching staff though!
IMO…
GOAL…
Hennessy – no,no,no,no,no thank you. How did “my flappy” ever get a new contract? USA has had a couple of poor games, Hennessy has had a recent wolves career full of them.
DEFENCE…
Here is why MM should be held accountable. No left back, no replacement for a 36 year old centre half, £18 million spent. My best of a bad bunch would be Zubar, Craddock, Berra and Van Damme (yes I would like to see him play a couple of games in the position he was signed for).
MIDFIELD
Jarvis, Mancienne, Milijas, Jones and Hunt. Hunt needs more time to get fit, Edwards might be an option if he doesn’t improve over the next two weeks. If only Adlene was fit he would be on the right for me week in, week out – maybe he would be fit if MM had given him the chance to start games rather than fast tracking Edwards back?
FRONT
Doyle – cr@p so far this season but we have no one better. SEB isn’t a premier league striker, Fletcher could not play up front on his own (and looks lazy anyway). Marcus Bent anyone? No didn’t think so, another poor MM decision.
Got to play 4-5-1 as we can not dedfend for toffee. Here, here on Jarvis – cant believe MM takes our best player and moves him out of his prefered position – it beggers belief (maybe Hunt should be cut some slack as he is out of position too?)
Sometimes I wonder if its worthwhile posting on a blog if i get ther eafter you Stourbridge as I seldom disagree
I too have been annoyed that people are getting on USAs back – Wayne isa great talent but useless at commanding his area… and lets face it with the headless chickens running about in our box we need someone with a fucking string word or two.
The midfield and Frontline pick themselves, it is, as Stourbridge says the defence thats a complete mess. I like the look of Moyokolo and would perhaps play him at Left back if Van Damme is still crying himself to sleep each night, or perhaps instead of Berra if VD can play.
Nice of you to say so Ad Mant!
Glad I am not on my own with my rants!
Unfortunately Craddock is a little way off returning yet, Zubar plays this afternoon for the reserves v Arsenal but I doubt that is enough for him to play on Saturday. Mouyokolo seems to be the only choice to replace Berra, I would like to see Van Damme playing at left back but he lacks games and may be off the pace of prem football. I would like to see Hennessey get the no.1 shirt, USA has looked very nervy of late, however I would expect MM to go with-
Hahnemann
Foley
Stearman
Mouyokolo
Elokobi
Milijas
Hunt
Jarvis
Jones
Fletcher (or Mancienne if he goes 4-1-4-1)
Doyle
Tough game, but then they all are in this division.
Live text of Ars v Wolves reserve match k.o. 1:30
http://tv.arsenal.com/default.aspx?p=channels/C3_S1b
I see Zubar came through an hour. Maybe he could be included on the bench on Saturday?
Don’t want to rush him back, but we could with him in the side sooner rather than later.
More importantly, Zele came on as sub. How long before he gets a go?
😀
I think that for all of our defensive problems, which are considerable (but that have been well covered on this blog), where changes are needed is at the front end of the formation.
Personally, I was disappointed with the 4-5-1 formation Mick fielded at Blackpool. Yes, I know we were away from home and our away record is shocking and yes, I know we were playing Blackpool who are always good for a goal or two. However, I would like to have seen more ambition and for us to employ two of the three strikers that we have.
What would I like to see Mick do?
Start Steven Fletcher. To my mind Fletcher has shown his quality when given the chance – before last weekend his strike rate (minutes/goal) was better than Elmander (who everyone was raving about). Fletcher’s positional play is excellent, his first touch generally very effective, he is calm on the ball in the box and he shoots on target. Fletcher should be given a run of starts.
Play 4-4-2, or 4-4-1-1. I like what Doyle does and should be in the starting line-up, but he plays with his back to goal too often and was going to ground too easily (last two games less so) and this can’t be effective when he is the sole striker.
This leaves SEB in a support role, coming on as an impact player (as he did against Man U). However, I think a SEB-Fletcher starting front pairing is something to consider if Doyle’s form doesn’t improve.
Bottom line is we need points and quickly. If Mick wants that win he is demanding this weekend, he could do worse than starting Fletcher and Doyle.
Any thoughts?
I must admit I’d be tempted to go for it too with a 4-4-2 (or 4-4-1-1) with Fletcher playing alongside Doyle.
Like you say Wanderer, Fletcher is unquestionably a goalscorer and we need him inside the box, not out wide on the right.
My only concern is that we tend to get overrun in midfield when only playing two in there. Bolton was a prime example of this, with Muamba constantly powering through and setting up play.
But you’re right that we need points quickly so perhaps we should deploy two strikers and gamble on the midfield standing strong.
I’d tell you what I’d do I’d take a striker on trial from a french club, I’d make sure he was a tall target man and then I’d make sure he couldn’t hit a barn door at 5 yards. Oh and he’d need to be cheap somewhere around 175k. Wait a minute…………….
WTF is going on at our club? Why are we looking at a striker who has never scored more than 7 goals a season – we already have plenty of strikers who can’t score 7 in a season!!
…..and said striker has only played 40 games since 2006… oh dear…
If (to quote the blog) the “first name on the teamsheet” is a winger whose deliveries “frequently fail to beat the first man”, then any discussion of the what team we should play is reduced to an academic exercise in designing the least toothless paper tiger.
And, depressingly, the blog is absolutely right. 😐 For example, look at those seven defenders Thomas has listed (Ward makes eight). How many of those eight would get into the starting XI of *any* other PL side? Exactly.
Today’s Torygraph recommends imbibing an aspirin a day. Seems like today is a good day to start. Wolves, you’ve driven me to drugs.
What would i do? That is such a difficult question to answer now and it shows what a tangled, muddled mess this team is in. Players playing out of position, new players not given a chance or not performing when they are. And now a sequence of injuries that limits our options.
If i had the power my first choice team(with reasonable replacements in brackets) upto Xmas would be:
USA, Zubar(Foley )Craddock Berra(Mouyokolo) Mancienne, Stearman(Van Damme), Hunt(Mujangi Bia) Milijas Jones Jarvis(Ward), Doyle in a 4-1-4-1 formation. I would never play Stearman as a centre half, never play Ward or anyone else without pace at left back and never start a game 4-4-2, we just get over run. I would definitely play Mujangi Bia at some time. SEB and Fletch would be impact players from the bench.
I would spend hours with the defence on marking, keeping goal side and waching the player NOT the ball.
Attacking wise, where do you start. Probably shooting practice and recognising how and where to play dangerous attacking through balls.(surely they do that already?!)
In January, i’d move a lot out on loan or permanently, players who are adding to the wage bill and little else. I’d replace some from the development squad and also sign an authentic, pacy left back and try to find an answer to central midfield and a replacement for Jody at centre half.
Simple!?
Jarvis certainly needs shooting practice. Most home games he cuts inside at least once and tries his luck with a shot, with the ball ending up in the South Bank. He’d be devastating if he could finish.
Another problem is that all our strikers seem to make the same runs. The last three games we’ve got in around the back, played a ball across the six yard box and three players have missed it because they’ve made identical runs. Nobody has the required number of brain cells to hold their run or get across the front post.
I generally only see the games on the box Thomas, but can anybody shoot apart from Milijas (and Fletcher who can’t get in the team)?
Milijas and Fletcher are certainly our cleanest strikers of a football. Jones isn’t too bad either.
A big problem though is that a lot of players simply can’t get themselves into positions to shoot. Doyle plays with his back to goal most of the time and as such never really gets an opportunity for a clean strike.