Kevin Foley admits Wolves need to toughen up after they saw their mini-revival ended by Watford this weekend.
The momentum built up by the three-game winning run evaporated within seconds of the start at Vicarage Road as Wolves succumbed to Leigh Bromby’s long throw-in.
And Foley says Wolves must learn cope with the rough stuff – or run the risk of falling further behind their play-off rivals.
“You can’t always play football every week, sometimes you have to win the fight first,” Foley admitted.
“I think Watford played us at their own game and knocked it long and outmuscled us in some areas of the pitch, which is very disappointing.
“That’s the team they are, it’s what they’re renowned for, and we just didn’t deal with it enough.
“We didn’t go there and think we would roll them over, though – we knew it would be even tougher than last week. We definitely didn’t take them lightly.”
Wolves will face another physical test when promotion-chasing Stoke visit Molineux on Saturday.
Manager Mick McCarthy will face a selection dilemma in midfield after Seyi Olofinjana’s Nigeria crashed out of the African Nations Cup.
The Nigerian was powerless to help the Super Eagles from suffering late heartbreak against hosts Ghana last night and is set to return to Molineux this week.
Olofinjana was an automatic first choice when he left, but now finds his path to the first team blocked by new signing Dave Edwards, who has impressed since joining from Luton.
With Darron Gibson and Darren Potter also in the reckoning, McCarthy faces a difficult decision.
Northampton want to keep Mark Little at Northampton for another month after an impressive start. He has helped them keep three clean sheets in his first five matches.
16 Comments
I’d stick with Edwards, he offers us more going forward.
Stoke is going to be a huge test for us after this result.
Lets hope the Mad one picks a team that can help us get the points
I’d stick with D Edwards, too, but I’d also give Little (I wouldn’t let him stay on loan), Jones and (if fit) Craddock a place in the back 4.
Sorry Kev, we only had one six footer out there until Henderson came on - the lanky John O’Toole. If you’re outmuscled by our team of midgets, think yourself fortunate that Big Dan was in Ghana with Nigeria. Either that or get real and have a look at your own failings.
A very bright start to the season for Mr Foley I think he has a lot to offer. However with our “disaster waiting to happen back 4″ his form has suffered badly. He had a poor game on Sat as did several others. I hate the way we roll somebody out each week to have their say! The manager and Captain only from now on please otherwise it just sparks endless criticism. 20 or 30 people posting along the lines “if you got your finger out on the pitch instead of posting your views” we would all be better off dosen’t get us anywhere.
Yes Foley and you were one of the worst on the pitch !
No 3. Wee Jimmy Krankie is tall compared to our Kev
Wolves have always been like this excuses all the time lets face it you are not a good team you are not a big club we beat you bacause you are crap and your Manager is crap, your ground is O.K for a middle league championship team fill the corners in we beat you there to. Watford and Albion to go up
Stoke to win play offs Wolves 10th /11th you at least deserve that
It’s all very well talking the talk but how about walking the walk
Foley. R.Edwards. Craddock. Dan Jones < Back 4.
Give Oli a week or two to get used to being back at Molineux before just shoving him in the squad on Saturday.
Everyone better watch out when Kightly’s back.
We’ll start playing real football again !
If he thinks Watford played hardball, wait till he gets a load of Stoke!I think theWatford fans posting have got it about right!
Gary Breen,if fit, should be in the team this weekend,with Elokobi & Dan Jones either side of him & Kevin Foley.
Karl Henry played like his cousin, Lenny & how he retains the armband is beyond me.We need a skipper who can inspire.Big George perhaps?
Upfront I’d go for SEB alongside Freddy who deserves another run out.
OK, so he’s injured, but correct me if I’m wrong, it’s called football, not handball?
Jarvis is playing out of his skin, ditto Hennessey.
Basically Wolves DO have the nucleus of a team capable of getting promoted, it just needs fine tuning!
And as for the fickle Boo Boys, stay at home next weekend,with Ricardo Fuller on fire for Stoke, it might not be pretty!
Olofinjana in for Henry I think. Perhaps the new left back in for Gray, he didn’t seem to be with it on Sat. I would start with the same front two, failing that Kyle with Eastwood - if he is fit.
If we thought the team selections in 2007 were barmy just wait for these next few games.
Jones is back from loan and we all want to see him in the team but what does Mick do? Signs Elokobi. Jones will be lucky to get near the 16 now. Notice he wasn’t even on the bench against Watford.
Olofinjana is back and one of Mick’s favs but where’s he gonna play. D.Edwards looks a real good signing so surely he’s worth his place but then Karl Henry is captain and unlikely to be dropped while thats the case. Maybe stick George on the bench if he can’t repleace Henry. And what’s the point of extending Gibson’s loan spell when he’s nowhere near the first team. And then there’s Potter…
With Kyle brought in for the purpose of super-sub, his place on the bench is pretty much confirmed for every game from now til May. And with Bothroyd being a favourite he’ll be on the bench to. We wont see Eastwood again this season.
I’ll back whatever team is out there but what’s the point in having what must be the largest squad in the league now if all Mick does is play is favourites
theres only one mark little!
id play Mark Little on the right - or jones on the left and Jarvis on the right.
Hennessy
Foley Edwards <(Craddock If Fit) Gray
Jarvis Olofinjana Henry Edwards Jones
Keogh Sylvain Ebanks-Blake
A Hard Working Team In My Eyes