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O’Neill backs Wolves to survive
Thursday 22nd October 2009, 11:32AM BST.
Villa boss Martin O’Neill has backed derby rivals Wolves to win their battle to beat the drop.
Fresh from last weekend’s stunning win over Chelsea, high-flying Villa head to Molineux for Saturday’s lunch-time derby clash as strong favourites to beat Mick McCarthy’s 16th-placed Premier League new boys, who are hovering just a point above the relegation zone.
But O’Neill insists he has already seen enough to suggest Wolves, who were denied victory at Everton last week by a late Toffees equaliser, can retain their top-flight status.
He said: “Have they got enough to stay up? It would be churlish of me to say anything else, but I absolutely feel that. But it’s all very well another manager saying that you are going to be OK.
“I remember Mick saying after they came back from losing on the opening day to win away at Wigan that it proved they can compete in this league – and they have gone on to show that.
“The experience of this league will stand them in great stead, but I am more concerned where we would finish in the league at this moment.”
The Villa chief admits McCarthy’s men, who have lost two of their four league games at Molineux so far this term, are more than capable of making life uncomfortable for his team – particularly with local bragging rights at stake.
O’Neill said: “I would be concerned about the game because not only is it a Premier League fixture, it’s a local derby. It is a big game.
“It was a little while since I’d visited Molineux when I went to see them play Portsmouth and it reminded me how good the atmosphere is there.
“As you would expect from a side that has gone up, they are playing with plenty of enthusiasm and loads of endeavour. They are very lively. They took it to Everton last week so that might tell you something.”
But O’Neill has warned Wolves his team are brimming with confidence after knocking Chelsea off the top.
He added: “They will be up for the game but winning against Chelsea makes it easier for us.”
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we’ve lost twice at home. not once
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Lost just one of the four at home? I thought we lost against West Ham and Pompey???
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O’Neill is an idiot – hope you’re enjoying the Europa league this year!! Oh no that’s right you were knocked out in the first round by the Hoff!!!
Doyle and Ebanks will be too good for donkey Dunne.
Ince in.
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Oh, I am dribbling in anticipation at the prospect of the game!!
Up The Wolves
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Dunne and Collins are exceptional in the air but not the quickest and uncomfortable with people running at them this is why I would start with Keogh giving them the round around but I always back the players wearing the Old Gold. We are Wolves.
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wolves 2 -1 vile…… FIGHT FIGHT WHERE EVER YOU MAYBE,WE ARE THE BOYS FROM THE BLACK COUNTRY.
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The Villa chief admits McCarthy’s men, who have lost two of their four league games at Molineux so far
Comment 1, not sure what you mean?
BOBWOLF, Get it into your thick skull that Ince will not be coming to wolves so instead of your continuing childish witterings on here, I suggest to be be more positive with your comments… But I guess its asking to much isnt it….. Mug!
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bobwolf is an absooute fool ..
ince in ???
STUPID
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So Bob Wolf thinks O’Neil is an idiot, Mmmm strange that!! not so long ago Wolves fans were calling McCarthy and their owner the idots. Most of them didnt want McCarthy nor the managers that preceeded him, but now of course, Wolves are the new vetrans of the premiership, they are gonna show everybody how it should be done and everyone who isnt a Wolf is an idiot, thats the law according to fans like Bob Wolf.
Come on Bob, tell us all about Wolves success’s in europe, I’m sure you are gonna stun me with some astounding facts on Wolves recent glory’s against the cream of Europe.
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Oneil an Idiot?? Probably the most popular manager in the country who im sure you would swap with.
Just about sums you lot up – having a pop at a bloke who is showing you repect.
Oh and im sure you would rather have Berra and Jody we didnt want you three years ago Craddock than Dunne.
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NO 1 AND 2 THE ARTICLE DOES SAY WE HAVE LOST TWO GAMES AT HOME!
UP THE WOLVES
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Dunne and Collins dont need to be too quick – we dont play high up – hardly ever play anyone offside. A pretty deep defence, sidwell and petrov holding, carew up top with young, milner and gabby like lighning down the flanks.
I hope your quick at the back as we break quick and are pretty solid all over.
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WE SHALL NOT WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED
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To be fair to 1 & 2, the article did initially say lost once at home.
E+S have reedited the article before you got round to reading it and inadvertantly made Businesswolf and centraleuropeanwolf look foolish by leaving their comments.
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Milner Vs Elokobi
Young Vs Halford
Agbonlahor vs Craddock
Petrov vs Henry
Carew vs Berra in addition to our solid back 4.
All the best
UTV
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I am sick to death of hearing negatives. I know Villa have good players and it will be a hard game. Come on the lads show the doubters what you can do. I was of the understanding that a game is not won, drawn or lost until the final whistle blows. I went to Everton on Saturday and there was a fan in front of me that said we going to be turned over, Was we? was we heck!. I am 100% behind the lads GOOD LUCK COME ON THE WOLVES YOU CAN DO IT.
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1 & 2 can you not read?
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Ye all falling for bob wolf again.. my opinion he’s set up by E&S to get ye all wound up… Please please ignore he’s stupid comments
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Between the two of us, it will be great to watch a Prem game with so many British players.
I think this will be a good one…..
The real worry for Wolves is getting caught on the break. Gabby (as he likes to hang out wide)vs Elokobi is a worry. Zubar is too slow for Young. I think we need Mancienne back in for this one – down one of the sides.
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For all you Villa fans getting wound up about 3) Bob Wolf – this is not a Wolves fan. But do not come bragging on here about Europe. Yes you have won the European Cup but Forest have won it twice. Furthermore, Wolves were the pioneers are European football in the 50′s and beat the best in the World!
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9. remind me when you last won anything?? oh yes that league cup. well done. fool. and what happened to tony barton after youur only european win?? oh yeah your chairman sacked him. thats why you still wish for people like morley,bremner,cowans,withe,evans,shaw. cant wait for you to win your next league championship probably wait 40 years
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Show the guy some respect, he is actually saying positive comments about our club.
It really is embarrassing to be a Wolves fan sometimes with some of the foolish fans we have, albeit a minority.
However, I would love to win but feel a 2-2 scoreline more likely.
UTW!
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As a Villa fan I think we will be far and away the better side. history shows it and the class we have will come through.
Look at the last time we met…….Hitzelsperger’s tactics were spot on!
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19 – Zubar is as quick as Young no problem if not quicker, I agree about Mancienne on Milner. Gabby hates a challenge and I think rough him up and give him no space and he tends to go missing.
Surprised at how cocky the villa fans are getting after a few good results, already out of europe though and lost to Blackburn and Wigan, your not unbeatable my friends, if you do lose will you back on here Monday? Doubt it.
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Bobwolf…..
you’re the idiot. What did O’Neil say in this article for you to say that. Grow up and forget Ince….he’s not exactly done brilliently as a manager.
1 don’t understand where your comment comes from. The article clearly states Wolves have lost twice at home. Doh
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villa fans who are coming on here and slating wolves fans for calling o neil an idiot are fools themselves. that comment was made by one muppet. personally i would kill for us to have o neil here
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I think O’Neill is right, we are going to stay in the EPL but it will be decided on the last day.
BobWolf is not a Wolves fan and should really be banned from this site. A total idiot and I wouldn’t be surprised he’s a WBA supporter. A real piece of trash that Bob Wolf!
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To be fair Villa men it was only Bob who called O’Neil an idiot & he’s a boggie, It’s going to be a tough one on saturday but the good thing is that it’ll be tough for BOTH teams
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Ok, without trying to insult any true Wolves/Footie fan, can I say this.
Every club has a history, some of it to gloat about, some of it they all wish to forget.
What I cannot understand here is, why are so many Wolves fans, putting so much emphasis on our losses to Wigan and Blackburn, believe if you wish, as Wolves supporters I wouldnt expect anything else, but if you are hoping those 2 results will have any bearing on this game, its history, forget it, we have.
Brummierobwolves reminds us that Forest won the European cup twice, well thanks for the history lesson, but what does it have to do with our record at the side of Wolves…..nothing at all, so why bother to mention it.
Wolves have been a great club and have a proud history, its nice to be able to quote their achievements, and speak highly of their great players of the past, but come Saturday it will mean nothing at all.
The jealousy that is coming from some of the Wolves fans and the childish comments, smell of great fear, I think some have you have given up already.
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The article has been altered from when it first appeared. Originally it said that we had lost only one game at home. This may help 7 to understand 1′s comment.
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Who needs Europa! It was the best thing that ever happened to us.We will be in Europe year after year whilst other Midlands teams will watching us on the box hoping that we get knocked out!
Villa for Wembley this year! Bring it on !
Dunne a donkey! I don’t think so,not many strikers get past him and Collins. Ebanks certainly won’t or Doyle. Not a Hope!
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This league,s more open this year,Burnley beat
Man U, Wigan beat Chelsea, we beat Wigan, Villa
beat Chelsea. We should have beaten Everton.
Cocky Villa fans, you never know.Be afraid, Be very afraid.!!!!! Were the underdogs its up to
you to beat us.
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To all the Villa fans replying in disgust at Bob Wolf. We (wolves fans) are not thick bumbling fools that drag our knuckles on the floor, as a certain Bob Wolf would have you agree.
I look forward to the Derby on saturday, however I do not expect much from the game. However stranger things have happened.
To be honest though, lets face it, Villa and Wolves get on with each other. Its the dirty brummies and Boggies that are despised by all.
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This game is the pick of the fixture list for me! Villa have had it too easy for too long as the Midland’s top team. It is up to us to try and step up to their level, and compete with them for once ( we got embarrased last time..).
I’m sure Villa would welcome a worthy midlands rival, but I fear we have a long way to go.
Still, every dog has his day – we managed to beat top of the league Man Utd last time we were at this level -IT CAN HAPPEN, and I want it to happen TOMORROW!
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AVC73 What you mean you lot. mabe one or two who have had a pop at o’neil please do not make us out to be as mindless muppets like some on here i for respect and would not mind o’niel at the mol but we will stick with super mick.but let me take this chance to welcome all villa fans to the golden palace on sat and hope you injoy your time with us but i hope you will not be to upset when you come away with no points.2-1 to the WOLVES.
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3) Bob Wolf you know nothing about football!
Dunne is an experienced pro and should not be underestimated.
O’Neill is in the top 3 managers in the Premiership He’s done class everywhere he’s been. Although I hate Villa even I can see that.
Seriously get a clue you moron…
Oh and 2:1 Wolves!
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To the Wolves fan who said that gabby does not like a challenge and to rough him up –
Have you seen the size of him now – he knocked terry all all over the place last saturday, lescott the week before and carragher earlier in the season.
i admit that in prev seasons he has been a little lightweight but not this season
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I think we can all safely say by now that bob wolf is not actually a wolves fan and is either a wba fan or an E+S worker or even Paul Ince maybe, trying to generate interest so I would ask villa fans not to take his childish comments regarding o’neill seriously!
Really looking forward to the game tomorrow, think we may need to change our approach a little bit as our reliance on getting crosses in from the wings will favour dunne and collins in defence, maybe use our pace upfront to get in behind them, would love to see SEB open his account for the season!
Nana nana nana nana na na naaaaah….
Up the Wolves, Positive Thinking! :-)
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19) Sheffield methinks you are right… Mancienne though gnat like in presence, can certainly move around the park – we need him, if only to slow down a speedy attack – then Craddock can head butt them into the Southbank.
Probably our toughest test yet.
COME ON YOU WOLVES !
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