Wolves v Cambridge United
Molineux
Kick off 2pm
Cambridge United are talking up their chances of piling on the problems for Wolves by causing an FA Cup shock at Molineux tomorrow.
And the promotion-challenging Conference club believe they have historical precedent pointing to a difficult afternoon for Mick McCarthy and his team at Molineux.
It was on the very same day and in the same round 17 years ago that a Championship-level Wolves team were beaten by a then Fourth Division Cambridge 1-0 at the crumbling old Molineux.
Not even Steve Bull in his pomp could rescue Wolves that day despite the then manager Graham Turner beginning his programme notes: “There will be some shocks. We just have to make sure there isn’t one at Molineux. . .”
For a similar outcome tomorrow Cambridge have a much bigger gulf in status to overcome but they have tuned in to the recent discord around Molineux and found an echo of the day John Beck’s old team won with a Chris Leadbitter goal.
Cambridge veteran defender John Taylor was one of the men who kept Bull in check that day and he has been eagerly recalling the occasion in the belief that a similarly famous day could be ahead of the team now managed by Jimmy Quinn.
“It was a very cold, rainy, windy day and the pitch was muddy,” he says. “I don’t think it was the best game in the world, but it was a typical Cup tie.
“It was a big test for us, but it was a wonderful day and I can remember it was a great victory because Wolves were on a good run at the time.
“Wolves would probably win tomorrow’s game nine times out of 10, but you can bet your bottom dollar there’s going to be an upset somewhere on Saturday.
“Jimmy (Quinn) will get them up for it and give them the belief they can beat Wolves.”
And, Phil Chapple, another survivor from their 1991 victory – a year which saw Cambridge make the first of two successive quarter-final appearances – agrees the omens are there.
He says: “Molineux is always a great place to go now it’s fully developed – it really is a good stadium. When we went we had to change in those old Portakabins.
“But there’s an anxiousness about the Wolves crowd and they haven’t been on the best of runs.
“I watched them play Leicester and they struggled, so if United can keep them quiet they’ve got an outside chance, even though they’re three divisions below them.
“Wolves are expected to win, but that puts added pressure on them and if it’s still 0-0 at half time their fans will become restless, and that will transmit to the players.”
Of minor consolation to Wolves that day was the fact that United’s win at Molineux was not the biggest upset – with the Isthmian League’s Woking, inspired by hat-trick hero Tim Buzaglo, knocking out Albion 4-2 at The Hawthorns.
But with McCarthy facing some serious grumbling for the first time in his Molineux reign, the Wolves boss dare not give his critics any more room to manoeuvre.
Wolves extra class should tell providing the players handle the psychology of the occasion but with some of their more experienced figures such as Jody Craddock, Gary Breen and Matt Murray still missing, that will not be as easy as it seems.
More than 4,000 Cambridge fans are expected to make the trip and give their side a noisy backing in a game which holds much less appeal for Wolves devotees.
And while the Conference club’s hopes of cashing in big time with a 25,000 crowd are likely to be achieved, the incentive is no less fierce – especially for their midfielder Courtney Pitt.
Pitt said: “It’s a good draw for me personally because Wolverhampton is my girlfriend’s home town, so that will be quite interesting.
“I also made my debut at Molineux for Portsmouth, so I’m looking forward to it and I think we’ll give them a good game.
“We’ll try our best to keep it tight, but we’ll just have to enjoy the occasion because we know that they’re going to be a good side and hopefully we’ll have a chance.”
Assistant manager Alan Lewer felt there was no reason why United could not cause a big upset. He said: “It’s a great draw and I think we’ll have a big following of our fans.
“The good thing is there will be no pressure on us and you’ve always got a chance. It would be fantastic if we don’t win to at least bring them back here.”
And Cambridge director Phil Law warns his hosts: “I think this is one of the most talented sets of players we’ve had at the club for a number of years.
“It will be 11 against 11 and I think we’ve got a shout of winning the game.”
31 Comments
We should win this game 4 or 5 nil, and we can press onfrom there. However the pessimist in me knows a loss here would be Mcarthy’s last game as wolves boss
were never gonna win the cup mick, may as well throw the game and put us out early on, why not put elliot on from the start, that should do it!
i think we will get beat tomorrow it has upset written all over it. instead of chasing strikers we should be looking for a creative midfielder who can link up with the strikers
the funny thing is Chase Town have been using our training facilities today according to the wolves website. Does this mean Wolves havnt been training???
Seems normal considering we have Bothroyd taking corners and strikers playing out of position. This cant be training ground stuff……….. what do we practice.
sorry to say I think that we are a lost cause
No.3 Andy.
Yes, and yes. The possible upset only the players chosen can have any bearing.
The creative midfielder- as I keep on saying at almost any cost try to get Halmosi from Plymouth.This chap is as good as they come and is just what Wolves need as a link player. He’s fast he tackles he passes the ball well he can hold the ball and as a bonus gets the odd goal. Break the bank Mr. Morgan!
Up the Wolves
You will see how worried MM is by the team he selects for this game…
Normally for this match a manager would take the chance to play a few kids, give a few fringe players a game etc…
If MM picks a fairly regular starting 11 then i think you can deduce he is a man under pressure.
Of course he may pick a team of kids and reserves and get beaten - but thats the risk aint it.
Is MM a worried man ? You may find out tomorrow….
There’s a mate in my local who follows Cambridge everywhere, he and 10 of his mates are making the trip to Molineux as well as 4,000 other Cambridge fans, they’re going to be well up for it.
I know it’s not a glamorous tie for us but we’ve gotta create an intimidating atmosphere for the away team, despite our current form we have the players to be able to win this comfortably but I feel a lot of this rests on the crowd.
If you’re planning to moan, groan and boo your way through it just don’t go. We need a win, any win!
C’mon Wolves!
If he pix the reserves they will have a much better chance than clowns he has been fielding just lately so if he is any brains then he will do this to a large extent. Personally I don’t think he’ll change much, so I guess I am under the opinion he doesn’t have much of a brain. This judging on recent team management of course
7. HB
I agree that a match like this a manager would give the kids and fringe players a chance but given the current malaise at Molineux it wouldn’t suprise me if Mick puts out a side that is as near as damn it to a starting line up in the Championship.
If we win it could do wonders for confidence, if we lose who knows what untold damage it could do to what must already be a depressed dressing room.
Any kind of start at any speed will do.
We may have a scare tomorrow but we will come through it unscathed and I predict 3.1. Kightly may even return for a run out tomorrow and that is a major boost for the team. Would be nice to get a few goals to restore a little confidence in front of goal even though we are only playing a Blue Square premier team. A victory whoever is put in front of us is a victory and would set us up nicely for palace next week. Keep the faith in Super Mick! Up the Wolves!
Anyone seen Lawro’s FA Cup predictions on bbc? He only has one team to score more than 2 goals, he has us down for a 2-0 win and you would guess that by all his other predictions that he will be predominantly wrong. It may be 2-0, but to Cambridge with their 4,000 following they will make some noise and be a 12th man. Put your bets on Cambridge, it will help pay for next season’s season tickets
how can we expect to win 4 or 5 nil, we can’t score goals any other game.
i hope we do but cannot see it and it could be the end of mick if we lose
i also agree we need decent quality in midfield where’s the tough tackling ball winner and also without kightly who else gives us the runs, crosses etc. who makes thetelling long/short passes.
and bothroyd taking corners needs to be stopped.
and maybe get our forwards to try and play in the other teams half preferably in around 18yrd box.
happy it may be better if we do play our younger fringe/reserve players they may have that little bit extra we need and want to show what they can do… they can’t be any worse than 1st team.
come on wolves!!!!!!!!!!!! don’t want to end up even more depressed this season
Pessimism is our downfall. So this constant analysing of MM’s words arent helping.
I also beleive that this game has upset all over it,, may as well try to recoup some of my ticket money and have a bet on Cambridge to win,,, Ah well being a Wolves fan………….
richwolf (4) You ask what do we practice? Don,t you know the simple answer is
HOW TO LOOK LIKE CLOWNS ON THE HALLOWED MOLINEUX TURF!!!
come on you wolves,i know we’ve not been playing to well of late,let this be the game that kicks on our season,all you going to the game get behind the team,will be listening and hoping from Poland.happy new year to all fellow wolves supporters,
wulf,4or5 nil?? wot`s that corners? mad mick will be happy with a 1-0 at the moment.
It could be judgment day I’m afraid.
C’mon Mick I have faith In you as do many other Wolves fans.
I this is MM last chance to get a win for the team or he’s surely out.
Wrong Happy~ We played strong team against Bradford.
ALERT MUPPET MICK ; sky sports football web page, david connelly (irish and sunderland striker) hasnt started for sunderland for 3 months is available for transfer ipswich have made an approach. Hurry up mick irish and sunderland it would be a belated christmas present to yourself.
Happie_Baggie
I follow the comments from over the pond, congrats for having a unbiased perspective on my wolves reading, got to agree we need a change to generate some desire in quality players we already possess
rich5wolves…….chasetown and the wolves trained at our training academy.
Happy baggie…..seems you were wrong about mick getting the sack after the four games and points tally we spoke about.
Im not one to gloat and say told you so…but i will reming you of our little friendly bet…
I look forward to your public post on here admitting you were wrong.
Happy new year
Forget about the cup (again) this year Mick,let’s concentrate on the league and try to score four more goals before the end of the season
happy baggie
1990 woking 4-2 to them
?????
Breen is out, thank god.
Lose, then MM is a goner.
i hope most of you are staying away from molineux, the crowd dont need puppets like you lot moaning, nor do the team.
In mick i still do trust
Adie 25… DRAT !! I was hoping to get to the end of todays match before you reminded me of our bet as if thing go wrong today I may have been proven right - however a bet is a bet…
I, Happy_baggie, scourge of the wolves web site have been proven to know nothing about football.
I predicted MM would be sacked if you gained less than 8 points over xmas - and he is still there. Therfore Adie Baker is the font of all footy knowledge and I know nowt !!
(can’t help feeling I was only out by 90 mins) !!
Well done adie !
How could i forget !
Respect to ya Happie.
I never said you knew nowt about footy or wolves for that matter…just that you were very wrong in your “mick getting the sack prediction”
ps looks like you was more than 90 minutes out too with your feelings.