Wolves winger Michael Kightly is ready to face Ben Thatcher after declaring the prospect of facing the Ipswich hardman doesn’t faze him.
Two years to the day since Thatcher’s forearm smash left then Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes concussed, the left-back prepares to make his home debut against the club who rejected the chance to sign him this summer.
Thatcher, who had a trial game for Wolves at Bolton earlier this month, was only booked for the horror challenge but was later banned by his club Manchester City.
The winger is set to come face to face with the former Welsh international but has come across rough treatment before and is relishing the tussle.
Kightly said: “That tackle is something in the past and I’m not fazed by that at all.”
Kightly has thrived against the rough stuff before, after being given an early ‘welcome’ by Albion’s Paul Robinson in a Black Country derby. He is relishing a tough game at Portman Road.
He said: “I’m not bothered by his reputation. I’ll roll up my sleeves and have a go myself if I’m kicked up in the air.
“I’d much rather have that than a game where I know it’s going to be too easy. That won’t be the case tomorrow. Some players hide if they get whacked, but that’s not me – it spurs me on even more.
“If anything it makes me more determined to do better. So bring it on – I’m not fussed with that.
“It’s not nice to be kicked, but it’s nice if players are targeting you to stop you.”
“It will be a good test if he’s playing. He’s been around and he’s a good pro. It’s nice to be tested against someone of that experience.
“Hopefully I can do well. We may even have been at Tottenham at the same time but I was only a schoolboy then so I’m not sure.”
17 Comments
Make sure you give him a torrid time tomorrow. The bloke is capable of horror tackles, but players need to show courage in going back in and not hiding from having the ball. Lets cross our fingers Kites & Jarvo are both in-form!
My the lord be with you Kites. I just hope the ref is a strong ref otherwise Kites wont last the match, either injured or worst still sent off!
Big talk but will he perform?
Needs to put more of a shift in than he did against Wednesday.
YOU,LL be fine kites you,ll run him ragged show him who,s the best winger in the championship WOLVES FOREVER
just coming out with this means he is thinking about it and is scared. How can you play football like that??? it should not make a slight difference who the opposition is!
Get your retaliation in first son! Get a few tips from Kevin Muscat- that should hold you in good stead. Tomorrow ipswich 1 wolves 2 (seb and kightly 89).
Thatcher will have to catch him first
Kittes is class end of.
Ben Thatcher aint hard. I’d break him in half in a 50/50 challenge. Muscat would nail him!
kites run at that thug and show him how a proper player plays
Send Big george into him. That should stop any dodgy tackles.
As much of a thug that Muscat was, we could do with someone like that to look after our lads a bit. We are a bit powder puff in places.
Honestly, even though I’m an Albion fan, I hope you lot do well this season and tomorrow will be a good indication as to how well you’ll do.
Ipswich aren’t a bad team at all, and apart from Thatcher they’ve got some good footballers.
Your lot have got to attack, that’s actually your strength (particularly with your injuries at the back), despite keeping so many clean sheets last season.
Kites - I hope you skin him, cos the boy’s a thug!!
Also, just want to wish Jody Craddock a speedy recovery, I met him a few months ago, and he’s a really nice guy.
Kightly has thrived against the rough stuff , never had a sniff against us after Robbo’s warm welcome
11. I whole heartedly agree.
Thatcher can’t play football so has only built his so called reputation on being a dodgy tackler.
If we pass the ball as well as we did 2nd half against the owls thatcher will be too busy running round in circles
Ipswich one of the best home teams last season will be a good test.
Wolves all the way