Luckily, however, the team should be slightly quicker to pick themselves up from this particular fiasco than me, for whom it’s just one demonstration too many that we aren’t looking likely to learn from our mistakes soon enough this season.

Matt Jarvis told Absolute Radio (full interview to be aired this afternoon):

Obviously we were disappointed after the game, to concede so late on, but it’s been good in the camp this week. We’ve had a good few days training, and then had a nice day off to relax, and come back in today full of good spirits and ready for the game.

Matty also talks about the persisting rumours that he’s been close to an England call up, revealing he hasn’t spoken to Capello but:

it’s everyone’s dream, to play for their country, and that’s exactly what I want to do, but I just want to keep playing well for Wolves and see what happens.

Jarvis reveals that they hope to get three points from every game this season, which sounds a good idea to me, and that the new Rhianna has been on heavy rotation in the dressing room, which sounds like a terrible idea to me.

So, on with the show.  Wolves need three points from this game.  We seem to have delighted in being inconsistent this season so I think that, after last week’s mess up and, having perhaps finally convinced a lot of people that we DON’T have what it takes to beat teams like Blackpool, I think we’ll pull a win out the bag here.

The only likely change I think we’ll see is Foley for Hammill, giving the team a slightly more attacking mindset that last week.  Blackpool will attack well, and I’d expect to see us meeting their attack with more of our own, and hopefully avoid a repeat of last week’s stupidity of sitting and waiting for them to score in the second half.

Hennessey has been much maligned after a couple of errors last week, including a culpable role in W*** B***’s goal, but I’ve been much impressed with him since his return to the team.  I think he’s likely to be need a bit today, Blackpool being a sound attacking team, but that he’s up to the challenge.  So:

Hennessey

Zubar – Stearman – Berra – Elokobi

Hammil – Milijas – O’Hara – Henry – Jarvis

Doyle

Predictions anyone?

Interview credit: Absolute Radio’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Football show travels to Molineux for Wolves v Blackpool today. You can tune in on Absolute Radio extra – on DAB Digital Radio, 1215AM and online in the UK from 1.30pm as programming kicks off with Russ Williams for pre-match build up, followed by full live commentary from Jim Proudfoot, while Ian Wright takes care of post match analysis featuring player and manager interviews, fan phone ins and a healthy supply of banter. Tune in for the full Matt Jarvis interview from 1.30pm. For more go to www.absoluteradio.co.uk/football

Hoping the Liverbirds end up festive turkeys

The 2003/4 season saw us achieve against Liverpool a 1-1 draw that could have been 2-1 had Stefan Iversen (remember him? – seriously, we are a better team now) not skyed a shot from six yards out. In the return leg we were seconds from a hard-fought 0-0, when Hyypia bagged a 90th minute winner. Last year saw a creditable 0-0 home draw and an arguably unfortunate 2-0 away defeat after Stephen Ward was harshly sent off – not before the ref had first incorrectly shown the yellow to Berra (remember that? – the refs aren’t any better these days).

Liverpool are delightfully unpredictable as ever – they come into the match on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Newcastle and a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa (surely strong candidates to be dragged into the mire of a relegation fight this season).  They are 13th in the table and will be desperate to get some consistent results.  They’re likely to have a strong line up with Gerrard and Agger set to return to their team after long lay offs.  They don’t have a fantastic recent record against us, but that will mean nothing tomorrow – all that matters is the performance and the result on the day.

Ominously, as if it wasn’t enough concern that we only have one point on the road this season, the injury situation isn’t getting much better either, although it is some comfort that Jarvis should be further on the road to recovery, and possibly able to start. Apparently Fletcher was still recovering from a bug at the weekend, but should be available to start against Liverpool. So, on the plus side, no one new got injured at the weekend; on the minus side, there are still an impressive roster of first teamers out of action, with Doyle, Henry, Craddock, Mancienne and Mouyokolo still providing company in the treatment rooms to even more long term casualties Kightly and Guedioura.

Although I’d like to see someone more reliable play in place of Stearman, we don’t have that luxury, so let’s hope he avoids one of his frequent lapses of attention. And I mustn’t be unfair – all the defenders need to pick up their game – after a return to the team in a blaze of glory, Zubar has been shakey, and without someone solid like Craddock beside him Berra consistently gets left behind and resorts to shirt-tugging and other petty fouling that will continue to land him in hot water with referees.

I’d imagine the team will look rather like it did last week – hopefully with a return for Jarvis to the starting line up, all sent out with stern instruction not to play as badly as they did on Sunday. As they can’t get too much worse, that should get some positive reaction.

Hennessey

Zubar – Stearman – Berra – Elokobi

Hunt – Foley – Milijas – Jarvis

Ward

Ebanks-Blake

I’d like to see Flecher up front in place of Ward, given his impressive goals to appearances ratio, but will admit his impact has always been greatest off the bench – a very frustrating fact.

Despite all the doom and gloom following Sunday’s game, call me a hopeless optimist, but I could see us getting 1-1 from this one at worst. So far this season, we’ve generally performed best under the worst circumstances – our wins against Sunderland and Birmingham came at the high points of the injury crises, and our best performances have been against more fancied opponents, with notable endeavour against Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United and, of course, a fine win against Man City.

A draw will do nothing for our league position and, depending on other results at the bottom later, could quite easily see us set futher adrift, but it is essential to at least see a good performance to set us up for any kind of fightback in the coming weeks.

Up the Wolves!

While it may not be a goal-fest, there’s every reason to expect an open, honestly-fought game. The Wolves defence have been an liability at times, but shored things up for a first clean sheet last week. We have also have regularly been frustrating in front of goal but Wigan are the unfortunate possessors of the worst shots to goals ratio in the League.

Having missed the W*** B*** derby due to snow, Wolves come into this game with the confidence of an excellent performance and a vital first clean sheet in their win over Birmingham. Wigan come into the match following on from a decent away no score draw against Everton, but with only one win in ten, and sinking down the table. Wolves would overtake them with a win. It won’t be easy but one thing (I hope) we can be sure of is that the players will give their all to try and get the result.

Doyle looks unlikely to shake off his thigh complaint in time for the game, which means a possible rerun of Ebanks-Blake upfront with Ward just behind, which causes me no concern after excellent performances from both against Birmingham.

Hunt is finally beginning to look the player we hoped he would be and is an obvious pick on the wing. Assuming Jarvis is back fit he must be on the team sheet, and I’d have Milijas and Edwards in the middle.

Again the most worrisome area looks to be the back. Hennessey can reasonably expect to retain his place in goal, but both Berra and Mouyokolo are reportedly doubtful for the game. If this is indeed the case we may see Foley back at right back instead of midfield where he has worked so successfully in recent games, leaving Stearman, Zubar and Elokobi to fight it out for the last three places – Elokobi made a very successful switch to central midfield a few weeks ago, and maybe Zubar could do the same? Your guess is as good as mine, however – Mick may go for Ebanks-Blake at the back for all I know, and he may prove to be a revelation also for all I know.

Whatever happens, let’s all stick behind the team for 90 minutes – I’m hoping for a great Boxing Day clash. 3-1 to the mighty Wolves!

Watch Out, Wenger's About

Hopefully Mr Wenger will be reassured ahead of his visit to Molineux that the naughty Wolves players have been very well behaved in recent weeks.  In fact, with Arsenal sitting at the bottom of the disciplinary league, and with Koscielny picking up as many red cards to date as the delightful Mr Cattermole (official Premier League statistics), perhaps we should be the ones worrying that the barbarians are coming to take our children.  Of course I’m joking (mainly) before anyone complains, but good old Arsene does bring it on himself.

Arsenal are coming into the game at their lowest ebb for some time and the fans certainly aren’t happy about Sunday’s home defeat to Newcastle.  Conversely, despite a demoralising late defeat to Manchester United at the weekend, Wolves should go into the game confident in their ability, and seeing this as a genuine opportunity to pick up a point or three.  That’s not to say anything can be taken for granted, but it is to say the players should go into the game seeing it as a genuine opportunity.

That belief is exactly what will be required to get a result from this game.  There are only so many times you can blame luck for results.  It was desperately disappointing for the team to lose at Old Trafford having acquitted themselves so well for 90 minutes, but it’s not just a matter of misfortune to have conceeded six goals after the 85th minute this season (more if City hadn’t squandered their late chances).  This happened enough last season (memorably, sadly, at the Emirates last time round) to convince me it’s more than bad luck.  We seem to get scared, defend deep raise the tension levels. A likely resultant lapse of concentration tends to get punished in those circumstances.  This must be avoided on Wednesday at all costs.  McCarthy is quoted as saying that confidence is dented by the manner of the defeat, but let’s hope he can prevent it affecting the players on the field on Wednesday:

For all the good we did in playing so well at Old Trafford, to lose does damage in how we feel.  It just knocks the stuffing out of us at the end and saps the belief we have.

I imagine the Wolves team will remain unchanged, although we can always hope for a rethink at left back.  Stephen Ward is a top professional and does an excellent job on occasions, but his backing off is a weakness exploited by team after team.  I’ll assume as I don’t see him play every day that there is a reason not to play Van Damme in the position he was bought for, because he’s looked an asset to the team when he’s been on the pitch, but Elokobi at least, for all his faults, surely deserves a chance.  However, I expect we’ll see:

Hahnemann

Foley – Stearman – Berra – Ward

Jarvis – Edwards – Milijas – Henry – Hunt

Doyle

Arsenal may be a little despondent after Sunday’s result (on top of a Champions Leage defeat in the Ukraine), but will be coming to Molineux wanting to prove their critics wrong.  On the other hand, we’re in fine form, if only we could stop assuming every game must inevitably end in defending for our lives.  Therefore with the above line up, I’m going to predict a 2-2 final score, but hope for better.

United are a far better team than City, and we’ll be away from home, but after a bit of a revival in the last couple of weeks, isn’t it great to be able to go into a game like this with a bit of hope. It may be the rose-tinted hope of a fool, and certainly doesn’t come close to expectation, but it’s real enough, and not entirely unfounded, and it’s what we’re in this League for right now.

Wolves have looked like a very good team in patches all season, despite results, but last week we looked like a good team for 90 minutes. Milijas brought a new, and much missed, dimension to the midfield, and Jarvis continues a golden streak of form, with the lovely Kevin Foley not far behind him in my eyes. Doyle looked more himself, and must get a goal soon. As to the lineup, why mess with a winning formula:

Hahnemann

Foley – Stearman – Berra – Ward (although I’d be very happy with Elokobi)

Jarvis – Edwards – Milijas – Henry – Hunt

Doyle

We can take encouragement from the fact that United are set to be without several key players, including Rooney, Nani and Giggs, and with the following also reported by the BBC as doubtful: Anderson, Jonny Evans, Gibson & Macheda (all flu), Fletcher (ankle). I’m sure no one at the club is stupid enough to take too much encouragement from that list, however. Let’s not forget that a team much less illustrious than those remaining available for United tomorrow triumphed in the cup not two weeks ago, and the only team to take any points away from Old Trafford this season are a certain poor relation of ours.

But the cup is the cup, and this is now. The players aren’t usually too phased by being the away team, and are guaranteed fantastic support from the travelling Wolves contingent. So I predict, more in hope than expectation: 1-0 Wolves, with a lot of hard work and a bit of luck…Here’s hoping!

In fact, this week I have introduced a new, guaranteed, foolproof way of predicting scores. Usually I look at recent form, and injuries or suspensions, see what mood I’m in, and make an educated guess. I will continue to do so, and as I’m in a good mood, my head says ’1-0′, but am also going to run alongside this system my patented Wolfie Divining^TM method.

It’s all very simple and highly scientific: We have two circles, one representing goals to Wolves, one goals against. The Wolfies are then thrown into the air and any Wolfie nose in either circle indicates a goal in that direction.

The Wolfies have Spoken

As you can see, the Wolfies predict 1-0 to Wolves also. What do you think?

Last week’s performance against very-rich-and-successful Chelsea is enough to convince me that we can get something at home off even-richer-but-not-nearly-as-reliable City.  The overall quality against Man U reserves was not as good, with Jones well below par,. and Hunt looking decidedly rusty in his passing, but did bring the bonus of showing the team’s character in twice coming back into the game after conceeding – a vital confidence boost ahead of what’s bound to be a tough game.

Getting anything from the game relies on producing the same level of performance as we saw at Chelsea for 90+ minutes, and not falling back into a hoof and hope mode of play.  I do wonder if the team will perversely find it harder to play at home than they did away last week – Molineux has been far from a fortress in recent years, and the team sometimes looks to prefer playing elsewhere.  I’d like to see an unchanged team from last week, with the exception of Elokobi for Ward, as Tuesday again reiterated his superiority in that position, and Mancienne for Edwards (or Jones – on a good day I’d want him in the team, on a bad I’d much rather have old Dave), and Hunt to start, but with Van Damme as an option as a substitute.  That gives us:

Hahnemann

Foley – Stearman – Berra – Elokobi

Jarvis – Mancienne – Milijas – Jones – Hunt

Doyle

Of course, Henry is back from suspension, and McCarthy may well prefer him to Mancienne in the middle.  Equally, on Saturday, Mouyokolo looked a decent option at the back, and looked a sound option at the back, but Stearman and Berra have done enough to deserve to keep their places.  It’s good to begin to have a few options in choosing a team!  For anyone who can’t make the game, there’s live commentary on Absolute Radio.

Tough call, but I’ll put my happy hat on and say 2-1 to Wolves.  Obviously that won’t be easy, but credit to the team for making me believe it even possible after the rubbish we saw in the second half against West Ham.

Lets look at the absentees: With Henry suspended, Mancienne ineligible to play against his parent club and Guedioura injured, Wolves suddenly look bereft of decent central midfield options (and, let’s face it, still a bit shaky on the wing with Hunt unlikely to be up to speed yet).

Interestingly, McCarthy has apparently – according to the Express and Star - signalled he’s ready to hand Milijas a start (see, all he needs to do is wait for the rest of the squad to fall apart around him). McCarthy also came up with my quote of the week in praise of his player.

Nenad’s a very talented player who can keep the ball and pass it to a shirt the same colour as his.

Milijas - can pass, might play

While the E&S reports this with no sense of irony, I’m sure there was a bit of a twinkle in Mick’s eye – I hope our definition of ‘very talented’ hasn’t sunk that low yet. That Milijas may be good enough to play, even if only in the absence of the rest of the central midfield, comes as a bit of a surprise. I hope he takes the opportunity to impress but, Chelsea not being the easiest of opponents, I also hope he doesn’t get completely written off if he sometimes fails in his assigned role.

Fletcher will probably keep his place on the right wing, despite looking completely unsuitable whenever played there. I’d like to see Van Damme brought into the midfield as he’s shown the strength we’re going to need in this game, with Jones or Edwards dropping to the bench.

Defensively it looks like we’ll be missing Craddock for a bit longer. Much as we’d benefit from his experience, his absence is unlikely to be felt as greatly: Stearman came in last week and did a good job in partnership with Berra.

Despite a lacklustre showing against West Ham, Doyle is the best option solo up front.

So, we can’t field our regular team against the Champions (lost one in last 15 at Stamford Bridge) away from home. Oh, and Drogba will be back for them. Does this mean we’re bound to lose? Of course not, a number of teams have gone to Stamford Bridge and very nearly given them a scare. McCarthy will have kicked his team into shape after last week’s terrible second half capitulation and they’ll play out of their skins for the whole game. Milijas will seize the opportunity to show he really is the player we all want him to be and we’ll defend hard to grab a 2-1 victory. (Milias & Doyle)

And then I woke up…3-0 Chelsea.

However, despite sitting 9th in the table, for all the robustness of their approach, Wolves have shown a worrying fragility in the last couple of games.  We’re not keeping the ball, and the ease with which Fulham passed through the midfield at times last weeks was shocking.  In a game like this, I’d prefer to see five in the midfield (unfortunately, and probably unfairly, for Ebanks-Blake, that would mean Doyle on his own up front).  Realistically I don’t expect to see any changes from last week though other than Stearman, who has been touted by McCarthy as the likely replacement for suspended Berra.  With a few players (Mancienne, in particular) upping their performance, we’re capable of winning this, but I don’t think it’s going to be our day.

Whatever the result, I won’t be there. The club got scared by seats left at Everton and slashed the allocation for this game leading to it selling out in a couple of hours.  I’m regularly amazed at the hapless Wolves ticket office’s inability to understand, well, ticketing for Wolves fans.  However, mistakes are made and I digress.

I’m in Oxford today having been to a gig by the ever-brilliant, ever-ebullient Josh Ritter, so will be listening on the radio in the car on the way home.  The game’s on Absolute Radio extra – on Digital, 1215AM and online from 1.30pm.  Having cancelled my Wolves World subscription this year, I look forward to checking out this commentary, and hope the topic of conversation is something other than whether Wolves beat up their opponents (they don’t and I want to hear about something else – hopefully how great our team is, but we shall see on that one).

Prediction: 3-1 Spurs and lots and lots of unnecessary moaning.  I seem to have come over all doom and gloom for a moment, so here’s hoping for better.

Come on Wolves.

Wolves have had an impressive preseason – they knew their targets, strengthened early, and got on with preparing for McCarthy’s and their first second season in the Premier League.

First up are Stoke.  Having established themselves over the last couple of seasons as a solid, if uninspiring to the neutral, presence in the Premier League, Stoke will be aiming to achieve that difficult push into the top half of the table in the next couple of seasons.  Up until the recent signing of Kenwyne Jones from Sunderland, however, they looked to be struggling to attract anyone likely to help them achieve this ambition, but this now looks probable to be the first of a few new arrivals to the Britannia before the transfer window closes.  Any more signings will be too late for this game, however, which is all to the good.

With Doyle still suffering with some form of bleeding calf complaint and unlikely to feature from the start, new boy Fletcher could be partnered up-front by Ebanks-Blake.  Blake showed in pre-season that he can still score good goals against Championship (or lower) level opposition.  He will need to show early in this season that he can do the same in the Premier League.

A key battle will be in the midfield, where Wolves’ best formation is far from clear. I expect to see Jarvis, Henry and Jones in the midfield.  Edwards looks McCarthy’s most likely choice after that, but as he is unlikely to be fit, we might see Halford if his recent rehabilitation in Mick’s eyes is to be believed.  Come back soon, Kightly!

It can be hoped that Jelle Van Damme will settle into the team more and improve on an unspectacular preseason.  Zubar will be missed, but I look forward to seeing Foley back at the back.  If good old Craddock’s legs can keep going, it should be business as usual in the centre for him and Berra.

Prediction: Kenwyne Jones proved his threat last season but Stoke haven’t progressed more than Wolves since last season.  Two draws last term – so it’s safe, if unexciting, to predict the more of the same: 1-1 with the expectation that Wolves will only continue to get better through the season as key injuries come back into the fold!

P.S. I covered the strange antics of Stoke’s weirdy mascots Pottermus and Pottermiss last season, so won’t bore anyone with all that again.

With a Europa League semi-final away fixture against Hamburg on Thursday, Fulham look odds on to rest a few keys players (and the bottom 5 are no doubt odds on to protest about the resting of players – oh, Premier League, what have you let yourself in for?) With any relegation threat a distant memory their minds will understandably be on the fixture after this, which should play into Wolves hands.

Fulham were distinctly unimpressive in the reverse fixture this season. Their home form, with 10 wins this season so far, suggests they’re a better team than we saw that day, but despite this it’s not unreasonable to expect Wolves can take another away win, especially as the goals have been flowing if not freely on the road, then more freely than at Molineux.

With Henry still suspended for the next two games, the team is likely to remain unchanged from last week. It would be nice to see Milijas or Guedioura given a chance from the bench to stake a claim for next season. It’s good to see Edwards back, however, and I’m backing Wolves to bounce back from last week’s Stoke-induced lethargy and show us what a steady line up, a little confidence and a few very good players can do.

The problem with expectations is that you can easily be let down, especially by a football team. Luckily Mick McCarthy and his team have more sense than to expect anything, so I expect them to go into the game with the necessary fight to take a win.

Kevin Doyle is due a goal; I’m going for 1-0 Wolves (and a big party). Fingers crossed.