Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
No weakened Wolves side for Arsenal
Tuesday 3rd November 2009, 11:39AM GMT.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has vowed not to weaken the team for the Premier League’s Mission Impossibles.
Albion managers Bryan Robson and Tony Mowbray rested top players against the ‘big four’ to keep them fresh for the more winnable games.
But as Wolves prepare to host an Arsenal juggernaut unbeaten in 11 games and with 16 points out of a possible 18, McCarthy is refusing to follow the trend of other managers who forsake points against the top teams by playing weakened sides.
Referring to Albion, McCarthy said: “They got relegated didn’t they, so ultimately it didn’t work. Who am I to suggest to thousands of fans that I’ll be playing five or six players who aren’t my strongest?
“And what about the lads playing? Should I not give them an opportunity to try to win?”
Arsenal take their unbeaten run to AZ Alkmaar in the Champions League tomorrow, but McCarthy insists Wolves can take the game to Arsene Wenger’s side and reckons they are due a victory after drawing with Everton, Villa and Stoke.
The manager said: “I think people know I’m a manager who believes we can get something from any game. Just because we’re playing teams in the top four doesn’t change that – more for the reason that I knew Portsmouth would win a game sooner rather than later.
“I remember Cardiff coming here in my first season and they beat us 2-1 in the 94th minute with the winner coming from a player who’s never kicked a ball for them since.
“Just because teams such as Arsenal expect to qualify for the Champions’ League, who is to say we can’t beat them?
“There are loads of reasons to suggest we can’t, but you put the team out on to win and on our day, if we play as well as we can, I’d give us a chance against anybody.”
Wolves have won just one in five home games, but McCarthy said: “The results haven’t gone against us because we haven’t attacked or been negative, or because we’ve over-attacked or been picked apart.”
Sponsored Links
Business Awards
Read the full story here
Full coverage of awards celebrating the region's best businesses.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
LIVE traffic updates
Road, rail and airport - latest
Our new, live traffic and travel updates service - check before you set out.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
We need to change the starting line up from the Stoke game. Elokobi, Castillo and Iwelumo need to be dropped and replace them with Stearman/Mancienne, Milijas and Ebanks-Blake.
I agree that we must be positive but Arsenal are class. You never know, we have beat Man Utd before!
Report abuse
lets see a couple of more careful players on the left . maybe hill at left back or zubar at lb with manciene at rb .. how about surman on left wing .. anyone know if he is fit ??
Report abuse
Why should we fear the top teams, after all it’s why we’ve worked soo hard to get into the Premiership.
Surely we need to enjoy the match & if we do get anything out of the game, brilliant!
As long as we continue to develop and play with confidence I’ll be happy.
C’Mon Me Babbies!!
Report abuse
You’ve gotta be in it to win it!! We’ve waited a few years to be back in the Big time & play the Big teams, lets enjoy it & you never know, football is a funny old game…
Report abuse
When we get to the champions league then maybe we are in a postion to field a weakened side. I am hoping Wenger fields the weakened side but to be fair they wont because their fringe players are just as good as the 1st teamers, and I think wolves will need to play out of their skins to keep up with arsenal’s perfection football which is a joy to watch.
Report abuse
I hope Mick plays 5 in midfield on Saturday, with Kights and Edwards springing forward to support Doyle.
I’d let them have the ball up to the half way line and then close em down.
But this is a fantastic arsenal side and on their day they’re unplayable.
Report abuse
Did Burnley beat Man United with a weakened team??????????
Report abuse
i was chatting to some of my west mates . when the hammers stopped trying yo out pass one of the best passing teams in the world and got in there faces , winning some in range set pieces , well look what happened . arsenel havent wone there in about seven attempts i think . they re good but not invincible
Report abuse
Lets be frank AND Honest,if we get a point from This game,i will be overjoyed.I think we have a fantastic chance to turn Arsenal over,if we display the kind of performance we showed on Saturday against Stoke.2-0 down at half time,and we were unlucky not to win!!! This team is starting to gel together,and Nenad WAS Fantastic.Same again please,but this time,3 points would be great.
UTW
Report abuse
MM should always play the strongest team, as said by no1, we beat utd in our last premier visit.
Arsenal will be the toughest test of the season but who knows eh! EBanks should stay on the bench although he scored a great pen last week, but he is a lazy player compared to doyle. better to support doyle with someone who wil work!
Report abuse
I agree with MM. We need to put our best team out. Like I have said before every team in this division is beatable, we need to get in Arsenal faces we are the underdogs yet again but if we give as much ferosity as we did in the second half at Stoke and don’t let Arsenal play their kind of football and who knows we could shock the pundits. I know Arsenal are a very good team. The lads are going to be up for this, they are going to want get a win because there confidence would go through the roof and then we can take that confidence to Chelsea. We can do this. Come on Wolves fans don’t let the Arsenal fans be heard. COME ON THE WOLVES FIGHT FIGHT WHEREVER YOU MAY BE.
Report abuse
I well remember when Derby then Man City won the old first div.Derby under Clough/Taylor and Mercer/Allison at City they came to the Mol full of it and got severe drubbings on both occasions bring on the French cockneys I can’t wait.
Report abuse
Well said Mick. He’s been positive all week and that’s good. The weight of statistics suggest we will lose may be 3.1 or something like that. But you never know, if we get in their faces, close them down, get the first goal after 80 minutes – we might get a draw !! If we get anything out of this game it will be a positive. I’m looking forward to it. Lets hope it’s a horrible cold wet and windy day and the Mol is as hostile as possible….then may be…..just may be….. Up the Wolves !!
Report abuse
think we can get 4 points next 3 games, as some people have already said, we should get in thier faces from the off and attack them mercilessly without leaving the back door open,
hennesy
stearman rb
mancienne lb
craddock
berra
castillo
henry
kightky
edwards
doyle
iwelumo
2-1
Report abuse
Castillo has been one of our best players this season, why drop him? We will play Castillo and Henry in the centre.. Kightly right and Milijas left.
Report abuse
Fighting words Mick, you are having a laugh with this ‘reverse physology’ but if you think we have any chance to get something out of this encounter,, then discard . Elokibi, Halford, Edwards, & Castillo, bring back Stearman and mancinne. Your biggest problem is to have someone to run with kevin Doyle, as neither Sylvan or Iwelomo have been able to understand his style of play, and consider that perhaps Doyle is distabling the forward line.
I would start with Doyle and milijas, supported by Kightly, and have Sylvan and big Chris on the bench to be brought on after half time if necessary…I would also give ‘Hoff’ an opportunity to start the game for the first time
Big Chris should not be sacrifised after last week, his first game of the season, and was prevented in playing with Sylvan…You must play these two together.
I think if we do that we will come away with a point at best, or an odd goal loss
Report abuse
Wolves fans and others often get into fierce debate about the latest issue raised by this newspaper. The manager said this, a played said that,next time you read such an article take it with a pinch of salt. Just reflect for a moment on this article headed ” No weakened Wolves side at Arsenal” …NO they are coming to Molineux! Followed by “Arsenal take their unbeaten run to AZ Alkmaar in the Champions league”….No they are coming to London. May I suggest the jounalist carefully checks the number of the bus before boarding when making his way home tonight. Don’t believe everything you read in the paper!
Report abuse
What is waffleing on about again?It should be obvious that we put out our strongest team[so adios Elokobi].What sort of message is he trying to send out to the players? He has already conceded by the sound of it.Mr.Morgan I beg you once again,go and get a aproper manager before it`s too late.
Report abuse
We didn’t get promoted to shy away from these sides.
Lets face it the top 4 (well the usual top 4), are the cream of Europe so why should we not want to put our best 11 against them.
Yes, we may lose but the experience gained will be invaluable.
WaW.
Report abuse
Does anyone think if Elokobi is replaced it would be for stearman over Mancienne, as I’m sure Mancienne is illegible for the Chelsea game anyway
Report abuse
London Wolf, Surman played the full match in Wexford last night and pretty well too, and for the record Wexford subbed there goalie at half time so im afraid whoever wrote the match report Andy Keogh didnt score a sublime goal against Pakie Holden,but it was a good un.
Report abuse
Mick “miracle Maker” McCarthy has looked at the heroes he has assembled for less than 5 million quid and has deemed that they have the power to compete with the Prem’s best. Magic Mick has “watered” his saplings and seen them grow in to might Gold and Black oaks.
previous, recent managers (Jones, Hoddle, Taylor) have Blown Millions of Sir Jack’s fortune but failed to have 1% of the skill and foresight of Marvelous Mick.
He has done the “Bread and Fishes” business with this team. He treats them like Angels and they play Like devils. Their development will be Manifold when they Slay the Arsenal 1-0 at the weekend.
In Mick we trust our future WE ARE WOLVES AND WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS
Report abuse
Miracle Man Mick McCarthy has analysed his young Heroes (Assembled for less than 5Mill) and seen tha he can “Super Boost” them with the confidence tha only Magic Mick can.
A string of previous mangers (Hoddle, Jones & Taylor) Spent 500 Million of Sir Jacks fortune, but none of them could be even worthy to Polish Mick’s boots when it comes to putting a team together.
Mick has watered his “saplings” and seen them grow into mighty Black n Gold Oaks, Sure and steadfast against the most overwhelming odds.
He will Rally his boys who he worships like angels yet gets them to play like devis!!!
Mick knows we will “learn the gunners a lesson in football” and thrash ‘em 3-2 at the golden palace
In mick we trust. WE ARE WOLVES
Report abuse
tont says he will be happy if we dont let more than 3 in and so do I.
Report abuse
15) You obviously did not go to Stoke as Castillo – who I like – Elokobi and Kites were the underperforming players.
Castillo will have to play at Chelsea though as we must go 4-5-1 there!
Report abuse
thanks 21
Report abuse
15
Castillo was dire on Saturday thats why he was hauled off at half time & how can he have been one of our best players when he has only played a couple of games???
Usual nonsense from you!!!!
Report abuse
wispy wolf you must muppet mick agent or are on
funny pills if you think that.best you cane say is
he tell it how is,but for tack its clueless must of
the time and picks his mate not the best players.
Report abuse
Once we have reached the Premiership after a hard-fought fight to get away from that very difficult division,no matter who we are playing we must take into consideration that we have lots of youngsters without any Premiership experience.So our present season in the top flight will be one of great lessons for our youngsters. We hope they get enough time to learn their trade quickly as the main priority for the team is to secure survival. We know it will be a hard season but there are signs which show our team can stay in that division. Let’s hope we can build from there and also we must not do like teams who then fail to stay and be in all sorts of troubles like Hull already in debt. As a team Wolves must be run on a sound basis and not to have a wage-bill that will suffocate them. Hope they make a good performance against Arsenal and that will be a great booster for the remainder of the season for the players.
Report abuse
Whispy Wolf said: Nov 3rd, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Miracle Man Mick McCarthy has analysed his young Heroes (Assembled for less than 5Mill)
Less than £5million?! He’s spent £18million this summer alone! Let alone £15million pre promotion. He’s outspent every previous manager!
Report abuse
spanish ray-what the F’in hell are you on about, don’t you read papers etc, it was SUGGESTED” to Mick that he might consider playing a weakend team like other teams have ie: the albion and save his players for more winable matches, Mick responded accordingly, but of course YOU don’t like Mick so all you can write about is getting rid of him, have you not got anything between your ears, if we get rid of the manager has you say then we start all over again and we can forget about the prem for another few years,stay were you are and leave the supporting of the wolves too the true fans who follow them home and away, your petty rantings are getting boring-go away!
We are Wolves….
Report abuse
Why the debate-READ THE ARTICLE, mind you I suppose it gives idiots like spanishray and others of his ilk the chance to call for Mick’s head-muppets.
Report abuse
Man-mark Fabregas (a job for Castillo or Mancienne)and a point (or 3) is ours for the taking…
Report abuse
number 30.its true he’s outspent previous managers but the difference is that he has built a team, thats why we were champions last year and will survive this season. utw
Report abuse
It would be complete folly to put out anything but our strongest side against the Gooners, we are more postive about our survival prospects than the Boggies.
This has to include Stearman not George and SEB of course if fit. Just wonder if Zubar is more comfortble in the middle as opposed to full back as he missed an important tackle last Sat against Stoke.
Fight, fight wherever you may be.
Report abuse
1979/80 season:
1) Double over Man Utd in the league!
2) Beat Arsenal away!
Ah yes I remember it well!!!
Report abuse
All you MM haters go support another team. I am fed up of reading that he needs to go. His blood runs gold and black. He is passionate about the team. The lads think he is a great manager. All teams in this division are beatable and why can’t Wolves be the ones to beat Arsenal. We have to get in Arsenal faces and don’tlet them play their kind of football.
Report abuse
Ive still got the idea of us turning over Man United so anything can happen. aslong as edwards does not start and SEB is given a chance we could do well.
Report abuse
Spot on Mick! How else are our lads going to learn and grow if they don’t play against the best? Put your best team forward, our best support, and the players’ best effort – leave it on the pitch as they say, and fight for every ball. Best of luck Wolves!
Report abuse
Im liking all these wolves fans, they have nothing bad to say about Arsenal. It will be a good game, would hate to be facing Arsenal. If you attack them, they will pick wolves apart and if you sit back they will get picked apart eventually. But it will be a good game! C’MON YOU GOOONERS
Report abuse
I like the wolves fans they are thinking realistically. But to be honest arsenal are in top form atm so it’s going to be a struggle maybe for both side who knows. If the top form arsenal come out then wolves are pretty much destroyed. If lazy Arsenal turn up Wolves have a great chance of drawing maybe even winning, who knows :D
Report abuse
At the moment with how we are playing I am 100% behind Mick. Even if results do not go our way over the next 2 games we follow this up with winable home games against Blues and the NOTLOB’s.
The season looks more promising than last time.
Report abuse
Wolves had performed with grit and determination in most games and if they continue to give their best and not be cowed by big names in the league then the chances will come and confidence will grow.
The management, coaching and other supporting staff are also part of Wolves and their continuing effort to support and build up the team would indeed provide a platform for the success on the future of the team.
Up the Wolves!!! and 1-0 to Wolves this Saturday.
Report abuse
Hennessey
Zubar Craddock Berra Mancienne
Henry Castillo
Kightly Milijas jarvis
Doyle
Report abuse
If Mick continues to play his favourites, Arsenal could destroy us and any confidence we have with it.
Report abuse
Its looking good so far very good, we are trying to forget the Bhatti brothers and his buckets even though we still have one.
COME ON WOLVES
Report abuse
I’d actually go 4-5-1 against Arsenal and Chelsea. I think if we tried to match them and go for it they’ll pick us off. If we get stuck in though and dominate midfield we might nick a draw or win.
Team for sat:
Hennessey
Zubar
Craddock
Berra
Stearman or Mancienne
Kightly
Edwards
Henry
Castillo
Milijas
Doyle
However, if we go 4-4-2. I’d drop Iwelumo for Ebanks and Edwards for Milijas.I think Milijas needs game time now after looking a class act recently, by the time he’s up to speed against Arsenal and Chelsea, he’ll hopefully be flying vs Blues.
For me anything out of the next two fixtures is a bonus. however, I feel the next set of home games are crucial and may define our season. We HAVE to win against Blues, Bolton and Burnley. Draws would be no good.
Report abuse
Spanish Wolf
You’re a Womble, the likes of yourself and Bob Wolf should take your support,or lack thereof, to some other sad mob. The players and the gaffer are giving 100% and more to achieve survival in the toughest arena in the sport. If you expected to be in a better position than we are then you were sadly deluded. I for one am stoked by the way the lads are battling and I believe we will stay up and Mick will lead us next year, with the benefit of a years conditioning, somewhere towards the middle of the table.
Go you Wolves and away with the Wombles
Report abuse
Spanish Wolf
You’re a Womble, the likes of yourself and Bob Wolf should take your support,or lack thereof, to some other sad mob. The players and the gaffer are giving 100% and more to achieve survival in the toughest arena in the sport. If you expected to be in a better position than we are then you were sadly deluded. I for one am stoked by the way the lads are battling and I believe we will stay up and Mick will lead us next year, with the benefit of a years conditioning, somewhere towards the middle of the table.
Go you Wolves and away with the Wombles
Report abuse
Kites at it again in an interview. On the pitch son!!!
Report abuse
I am really looking forward to this one. Living amongst the Gooners. My wife is a Gooner and her family are all Gooners so my life is “busy” at the mo. Arsenal are a true great of English football as I feel we are too. Pinoneers of European football and champions of the league more than most.
We are a big club and should not feel that we will be squashed by Arsenal. Dead right we should stand up and fight these lot. We can win, why on earth not. If we play like we have been then Arsenal will have to work harder than they have for a long time. If they beat us then they will have earned it. And that is all you can ask..
Come on Super Mick, and Come on the Wolves.
Report abuse
If certain defenders would keep their eye on the ball instead of trying to take the shirt of the opposing players, or trying to wrestle them to the floor,Wolves may start to stop the oposition scoring. If they try these tacticts on the likes of Drogba, he will play havic with the defence.
The move in shrinking the pitch size defeats the object of playing wingers, hence the poor form of Kightly and Jarvis, they rely on quickness and getting around the defence. If Wolves cannot defend a wide pitch, then get back into the Championship.
Also can we action and not words, I am sure we are all ed up of the utterings of players in the E&S with out providing any fire power in the match. They are footballers not orators.
I am not a Craddock fan but I must praise his performances this year, he is playing with his feet and brain and not his mouth, as he has previously done.He has more breath for playing this season.Good on ye mate! Keep it going
Report abuse
look forward to the gooners fans coming back on here nxt week and giving us credit for our draw or win, just like the everton/villa/stoke fans came back after predicting heavy thrashings for wwfc at the hands of thier teams. lol. utw wwfc 2 arsenal 1. iwelumo, doyle
Report abuse
My god…does Bridg”tit” always speak for her “Toni”…… quite sad when a man can’t speak for himself….
Report abuse
I se some fans advocate dropping edwards,but he has to do the job of harrying and closing down opposition players.It isnt a starring role but you still have to have someone like him who has plety of stamina to cover the ground
Report abuse
looking forward to the gunners fans coming on here nxt week and explaining thier teams draw or loss, just like the fans of villa/stoke/everton, who all predicted how thier teams were gonna thrash wwfc.
Report abuse
no3. spot on, my sentiments exactly, what was the point of getting promoted if we are not looking forward to the big games, of course we will be disappointed and have a whinge if we loose, but Wolves v Arsenal at Mol, sounds good to me and win or loose i intend to enjoy it!!
Report abuse
32) dont be silly man – Wolves fans would never let facts get in the way of a good argument!!
anyhoo – i think john de wolf has a great idea playing 5 in midifield. In form Milijas and Castillo can both play alongside King Henry, and we dont have to “carry” Seb or Looms – we simply cant afford to esp againt the Arsenal.
Strongest foot forward.
COME ON YOU WOLVES !!!!!!!!!
Report abuse
50) SPOT ON!!!
Report abuse
i’d be happy with a 2-0 defeat realistically, gotta think about the goal difference really.
C’MON ME BABBIES!!!!!
Report abuse