Wolves midfielders Seyi Olofinjana and David Edwards have cranked up the selection stakes on boss Mick McCarthy after claiming they could both play in the same team.
Edwards hit the comeback trail last week when he came through 67 minutes of the 2-2 reserves draw against Albion following a spell out with a groin injury. During his four-match absence, Wolves have won three and drawn one to cement their place as the one of the form teams in the Championship’s top 12, second only to Hull City.
A big contributing factor has been the return to form of Olofinjana, who has played some of his best football since his arrival at the club almost four years ago.
McCarthy is in the enviable position of having a couple of alternatives at the moment, with a switch to 4-5-1 one option which could accommodate both players.With Olofinjana currently playing the attacking central midfield role, the Molineux gaffer has in-form Karl Henry pulling the strings as the anchor man, while Darren Potter is still patiently waiting in the wings.
But of the men jostling for position in the attacking midfield role, both Edwards and Olofinjana feel the team could flourish for their joint involvement.
“Definitely,” said Edwards. “It’s something I used to get asked a lot when I was at Shrewsbury because there was a lad called Jamie Tolley and we were both very attacking midfielders.
“The manager said he wasn’t sure whether we could both play in the same team, but he did it.One of us sat and the other pushed on and it worked out quite well. It would be nice.”
Although happy to be “bombing on”, Olofinjana would also be prepared to play in a deeper role after his experience with the Nigeria international team.
He said: “It depends on the manager, what shape he wants to play and the particular game, but why not?
“I can play the ’sitting’ role because I play the holding role for the national team. I can do both jobs, so I’m comfortable with that.”
And he appreciates competition has to remain fierce if Wolves are to continue their play-off push to keep players on their toes.
“Wolverhampton Wanderers have always produced players so the competition is always there but that helps you improve as a player,” he added.
“You can’t rest on your laurels because you know every game is important and you want to make as few mistakes as possible.
“It’s a good thing to have Dave pushing me. I’ve seen him play and he’s a good player and that can only help us.”
Edwards admits he may have to be patient in his bid to reclaim his place with Henry in such good form too.
Henry is the stand-in captain and showed his commitment by scoring the 94th minute winner against Charlton in the last game.
“Karl’s doing ever so well at the moment so I might have to wait for my chance,” said Edwards.”Karl got forward twice at Charlton to good effect, even first half when he hit the post after breaking into the box well.
“So he made up for that by scoring the winner which was great for him as he hadn’t scored for a while.”
26 Comments
i would play edwards in a 4 5 1
No way should we revert to a 4-5-1 at the moment the way SEB and Kough are playing.
OH HERE WE GO!
He’s Considering playing a 4-5-1 formation
EXCITING!!
Yeah!
I want them both in the starting XI against Bristol.
Forget Edwards. Play my boy
OH HERE WE GO!
He’s Considering playing a 4-5-1 formation
EXCITING!!
Yeah because the 4-5-1 never got us results at Colchester, Palace and Burnley did it.
Think about things before you type. Idiot
Edwards will be good to have on the bench. Bring Edwards on towards the end of matches to inject some pace and creativity when the opposition tire.
Imagine if we had Kightly and Edwards on the bench ready to step in against the boggies. Terrifying for them.
Why change a winning side?
MATTyG:
You will notice there are no quotes, and nothing to suggest Mick has said he will revert to 4-5-1. I agree with ya, I cant stand the formation, particularly as SEB-Keogh are doing well. If I had to go come down on one side, I would play George, based on current form!
4-5-1 would be the final straw
2 up front
Drop Henry and go with George/Edwards
Playing 4-5-1 at Bristol would be a very foolish thing to do. Best way to play them is to go at them, it’s exactly what the saints did at the weekend.
What happened to Micks comments about now it the time to throw caution to the wind ??? oh I forgot he talks out of his backside
This is just paper talk.
Typical E&S reporting, they like to stir things up, when there is nothing to stir up - who would change the side that beat Charlton.
Absolutely no one ..
R (9)……Drop the match winning great performance of last game of Henry for a player just back from injury, surely changing a winning team would be mad!!!!
I wonder sometimes if people on here pick names out of a hat to drop and chop n change just to have a dig!!
totally agree with 6+7, the formation has worked for the last 4-5 away games, why slag it off! and having them on the bench would scare a few prem sides let alone the sandwell town bottlers
It’s great to have options isn’t it? For me, i wouldn’t be changing anything. But if it’s not working then we have Edwards ready to come on. This has to be a good thing. Just as a footnote, why is everyone suggesting Micks going to play 4-5-1, wheres the quote?
As the saying goes ‘If it ay bost doh fix it!’
MM’s tactical decisions have dumfounded most observers this season, so if he’s going to be consistent, then he’ll play 4-5-1 and you lot can lump it!
Am I missing something here?
4-5-1, as has already been pointed out, gave us wins at Colchester, Palace, Burnley and Charlton. I’ll be at Bristol City on Saturday and I certainly hope we stick with the same system.
Oh, and Olly should keep his place. Edwards would be a useful acquisition to have from the bench.
just great to see all our players coming back and ready to play. don’t panic lads micks got a settled side that’s getting results, he won’t change anything now unless he has to.
SUPER, SUPER MICK, SUPER MICK MCARTHY.. THE SOUTHBANK..BARMY ARMY…
LOL at 5- Freddy Eastwood Snr, Are you sure we arent playing you at the moment instead of your son? Cos to be honest, it looks like he could do with hip replacement. How about it, fancy a top up to ur pension and signing on as ur sons replacement.
Freddy Eastwood Snr - I would recommend to your lad getting some football under his belt on loan. It worked wonders for my boy. He did so well on loan that upon his return he was shipped straight out again !
4-5-1 ok away
home it has to be 4-4-2
actually why change a side which currently is the best in the league
Its a headache alright. 3 games ago I would have said to drop Henry as his passing was very poor and didn’t look to be in any type of form. 4-5-1 is an option but the SEB and Keogh partnership would have to be sacrificed but, as the saying goes, you don’t change a winning side. But what if changing it makes it better? Oh dear… i’m going to get an asprin!!
Behind you all the way Super Mick!!!
W O L V E S I N T H E P R E M ! !
Well my son was told he wasn’t wanted anymore and sent to stoke of all places.
Then Thick Mick got desperate and called him back and then said he was the best defender in the league.
It’s a funny old game
For sure they can play on the same team. I checked, we have 11 slots to fill? try goalie?
Pertonian, have the buzz as well? must be the weather…unsure if its grammatically correct to use Wolves and Premiership in the same sentence? Certainly isn’t logical this season.
12. Bang on… something out of nothing. Yawn.