If Carlsberg did football matches, then they’d be hard pushed to beat what Carling hosted at Molineux last night.
A stunning free kick, a goal of the season contender, a Roy of the Rovers story and most important of all…
…A couple of performances that simply can’t be ignored when selecting the team for Saturday.
While it will take a bit longer yet to completely erase the memory of Saturday’s no-show, this performance went further than most could have imagined in easing the pain.
It wasn’t so much the scoreline either, but more the sight of Dave Edwards, Adlene Guedioura and Adam Hammill, who simply have to feature at Anfield at some stage.
In a perverse way, the only negative was in the overall positive itself.
Namely, that we looked fluid, creative and largely elusive for Millwall as we drifted ‘in behind lines’ and interchanged frequently, making you wonder what could have been if we’d have showed similar aptitude three days earlier.
The static, rigid, clueless defeat against QPR was a world away from what we saw last night, albeit against a limited team, featuring the lumbering Darren Ward in a statuesque testimony to a bygone era.
Adding some of our bigger hitters to a similar 4-5-1 set-up will surely hold us in better stead for the Premiership tests that await, particularly if Fletcher is out and the new-found midfield options available to us.
For most reporters inside Molineux, the match report will be the easiest they will have to write all season.
The game was over after six minutes.
What will be more difficult to decipher is whether Mick will want to play any of last night’s star turns on Saturday.
So without further ado, here is a Wolves Blog perspective, starting with the question: “Should he be involved on Saturday?”
De Vries: No. But like Hahnemann before him, I wouldn’t be the slightest bit worried if he did. Looked very assured and commanding.
Doherty: No. But looks a whole lot more assured than the last time I saw him v Doncaster (away) in the cup. Didn’t put a foot wrong and just been rewarded with a contract extension. One to watch.
Elokobi: No. Good on George though. An imposing performance and always showing for the ball which after Saturday’s shocker, deserves credit. Rewarded with a goal and a quite brilliant block to deny a near certain goal at the 2-0 stage.
Berra: YES! As per most of the season, Berra looked commanding, if largely untested. Vocal too, which was nice to hear.
Stearman: YES! He’s an uncompromising, pacy defender and looked assured at centre half. Will revert to right back and he won’t let anyone down.
Hunt: No: But off the bench for me. Waspish and committed from the very first whistle, but I wouldn’t start him.
Hammill: YES! Here’s why I wouldn’t start Hunt. What has Adam got to do to get a start? Brilliant free kick and even better than that, a direct performance full of attacking intent. Plus, the added spice of a game against his home town team means he should start – if we are playing this system.
Guedioura: YES! Yes, yes and thrice yes. Not just for his wonder-goal or equally impressive run and cross for Elokobi’s goal, but for his ability to make more correct decisions than anyone else, his presence and eye for a pass. Either in a 4-5-1 in the middle or if Fletcher is fit, in a 4-4-2 as a narrow ‘wide man.’ He has to play!
Milijas: No. He looked neat and tidy, sitting a bit deeper and marshalling the midfield, but didn’t catch the eye enough to suggest he should get a game at the scene of his finest hour in a Wolves shirt.
Edwards: No. But off the bench, definitely. If Mick does play him off Doyle on Saturday you won’t hear me complaining. He was brilliant last night. So energetic, lively and difficult to mark. To start him at Anfield after so long out just feels a little bit ‘in at the deep end’ in my opinion.
Vokes: No. Looks cumbersome and one-dimensional. Possibly an option off the bench but doesn’t appear to be the answer we are looking for.
And a final mention for James Spray: Please keep him in and around the squad Mick. Please don’t loan him out to some fair to middling League 2 side before he vanishes off the face of WV1. He looked quicker and generally more lively than Vokes and if either of the two were to be farmed out, I’d prefer it to be Sam.
Hi Tom,
Long time reader, first posting.
I agree with most of what you said, but I’d still be inclined to start Hunt. Certainly Hammill had a sterling game, but I think Hunt would remain the better choice just because of his greater match play experience this season. He’s reliable, and as we saw at the QPR game, his inclusion on the pitch raises the crowd a huge amount. The cheer he got coming on was the highlight of a game that didn’t have any…
Hiya mate. Thanks for the post.
…although Ben wrote this one! 🙂
I’d also start Hunt at Anfield. We need his tenacity and goal threat in the side. Not a direct threat in the same way Hammill is, but brings other qualities that make up for it.
Woops. Not a good start here eh 😛 Apologies Ben.
If we want to wi at Anfield I think Hunt would be best choice, especially when we consider how strong Liverpools midfield is, and his experience and in-your-face attitude will put the pressure oin to help shut them down. I hope.
Of course, if we follow Micks previous comment and play with no expectations, letting Hammill play for a half may not be a bad idea, particularly if we are playing poorly.
Agree with all of that apart from the bit about playing Guedioura out wide.
We’re a team that plays down the wings, and we can’t change our shape to accommodate one player, no matter how well he’s playing. Plus, you can’t play Hammill, Gued AND Jarvis on the wings!
Hi Johnny. Thanks for the post.
I wouldn’t advocate playing Hammill in a 4-4-2, but a 4-5-1 I wouldn’t hesitate on Saturday. I’d play Guedioura in either, as I think we need to be a bit tighter in a 4-4-2 system. Remember when we played down the wings against this lot last time? 0-3 embarrasment!
When we play it, we are effectively 4-2-4 which exposes Henry and O’Hara to a lot of the criticism they’ve been getting.
Incidentally, I would start Fletcher if fit. Their defence is (relatively) crap. If we do go 2 up front, I play Guedioura in midfield, tucking in.
Just what we needed after Saturday.
I think it does prove we have strength in depth, at least in one area of the pitch – center midfield.
Mick’s surely going to play a 5 man midfield at Anfield, so to have a choice of Milijas, Guedioura and Edwards to slot in alongside Henry and O’Hara is very pleasant indeed.
Personally, I’d like to see Guedioura given a sustained spell in center midfield rather than being crow-barred in on the right wing.
Hammill does deserve a chance, but I don’t think he’ll get it Saturday. Most likely Hunt and Jarvis to start I reckon.
If you want to see the goals, albeit on some crap video that someone filmed off Sky Sports News, see:
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/09/21/wolverhampton-wanderers-5-0-millwall-carling-cup-match-highlights-video/
…and finally, love your line about Darren Ward. I remember thinking he was a brilliant signing at the time, but quickly realised he was achingly slow and clumsy.
Good write up Ben but I thought your assessment of Milijas was perhaps a tad harsh.
He put himself about more than he usually does, covering ground to close down players and chase the ball, while in possession he was his usual self; highly competent, never needlessly conceding possession, and pinging out a couple of glorious balls over their full backs’ heads.
In short, I thought he showed exactly what we missed in the middle on Saturday!
Can’t disagree with you about Hammill and Guedioura, both excellent, although I’m unsure how I’d fit them all into Saturday’s XI…maybe Jarvis is one who shouldn’t start. He displayed his frustrating tendency to drift off his wing on Saturday and didn’t do a great deal when he came on last night
Maybe Jarvis shouldn’t start? Heresy!! You can’t say that on this blog! You simply have to put him on the park: to see his 4 out of every 10 underhit crosses, his 5 out of every 10 overhit crosses, his scurrying runs up dead ends, and his lack of tracking back. Oh yes, he must surely play all the time, just so that his occasional (1 out of 10) decent cross can be marvelled at and we can all continue to overrate him!
Oops, almost forgot, must pay my dues here: Jarvis for England! Rah, rah, rah, etc.
The XI for Liverpool:
Hennessey;
Foley/Stearman/Berra/Ward
Hammill/Guedioura/O’Hara/Milijas/Hunt
Doyle
Looks a tasty XI, though I disagree on Jarvis, but you know Henry will never ever be dropped. Fletcher doesn’t deserve to be dropped either.
+1.
I dared to criticise Jarvis during the game last Saturday, when he was outpaced by the QPR right back, only to be scoffed at by the guy in front of me.
Hammill has much better ability – give the lad a chance Mick.
Anyone remember how crap we were at home against Liverpool last season; not one decent cross until…
…up pops sub Adam Hammill on the right wing, his first game for Wolves – first cross, perfect weight, high, dipping – impressive in a word.
Guedioura has to play for me. He can make something happen too, and in a game such as Anfield where we won’t get many chances, he is always likely to fire one in just like last night. Good to see his head hasn’t dropped, maybe like Milijas’ did. Hammill and Edwards good too, think they will be benched on Saturday but great options to have.
Oh and a word for James Spray. A very impressive cameo, looks faster, more energetic and generally better than Vokes. He should be third choice right now. Bet it won’t happen though, probably be shipped off on loan
Great little mini-documentary about Guedioura here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhRhPvvOtd4
…and also a rather amusing cameo from Big George.
I’ll never get those 6 minutes back
I left 6 minutes before the end on Saturday, so I’m running even. 🙂
Of course he won’t play Hammill, Adelene, Milijas or Edwards.
Who could he leave out?
Not Stevie, he’s bound to score the winner again.
Not Karlie.
Not Doyler.
Not Mattie.
No, we’ll have the same team, minus George, although I would not be surprised if he starts, as last Saturday, get roasted before half time, then he’ll throw his hands in the air, bring on Hunt and then tell us numpties he’s had another bad day at the office.
All the “injuries” from last night will by now have magically disappeared, and everyone will be fit, except perhaps Adelene and Hammill, who might just have picked up some niggling knocks last night which would rule them out for Saturday, thus vindicating his team selection.
FOMM
Maybe, but I certainly wouldn’t be unhappy to see Doyle, Jarvis and Hunt start. Arguably our best players, certainly first team surities, I don’t see starting them over anyone else as a mistake.
Henry certainly should be dropped though, hopefully for any of the aforementioned players.
Ward has been the best player this season. Premier League. Irish international.
Nuf said.
Just what the team and supporters needed after Saturday, although it was against very ordinary opposition. We learnt perhaps that Vokes just has n`t got the pace or mobilty for the premiership, and I concur the stand out players were the right back, plus of course Hammill, Guideria and Edwards.
I wonder if MM learnt anything from last night, because we looked much better with numbers in midfield, and surely we must go for a 5 man midfield on Saturday. It will be interesting to see how many from last night actually get selected, I`d pick all those for instance ahead of Ward as they are streets ahead better footballers, and bring pace, mobility and movement into play. We shall see.
Nice to see our plan B’s getting a good game under their belts, we can but look forward to the next game, especially if some of them get the go ahead.
After the titans of world football that are QPR, I think Liverpool will be an easy 3 points for us!
Breath of fresh air is what i saw last night,players playing for their shirts.
only hope McIdiot takes a chance on some of them,because what we witnessed last saturday against QPR he could make 11 changes.