Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Haye not the only one facing Goliath
Friday 6th November 2009, 9:15AM GMT.
Wolves blogger Nathan Lloyd believes David Haye is not the only one who will have to topple a giant to take home the win when heavyweights Arsenal come to Molineux.
Tomorrow night English boxer David Haye will be facing the 23 stone, 7 foot-plus Russian giant Nikolai Valuev for the WBA Heavyweight championship. Billed as David versus Goliath, it’s going to be an amazing feat if Haye manages to topple ‘the Beast from the East.
Wolves go into their own gladiatorial battle earlier that evening facing a similar challenge of biblical proportions against arguably the best footballing side in the Premier League when they take on Arsenal.
Back in 2003, I travelled down to Highbury with my two brothers to see Wolves face Arsenal in the League Cup. We never expected to win, but we got a glimmer of hope when the teams were announced.
As is often the case in the League Cup, their manager Arsene Wenger decided to field a bunch of relatively unknown foreign youngsters. We thought that they would surely struggle against the experience and strength of the likes of Alex Rae, Paul Ince and Jody Craddock.
We even had the mighty Silas on the bench should we need someone to come on and turn the game in our favour!
In the end, we lost 5-1 that night with the likes of Gael Clichy, Sylvain Wiltord, Parick Vieira, David Bentley and especially Jeremie Aliadiere giving Wolves a master class of keeping possession with incisive passing and attacking football.
We left the ground at 4-0, so I missed Rae grabbing our consolation and sadly also missed a kid called Cesc Fabregas becoming Arsenal’s youngest ever goal scorer at a mere 16 years old.
Cesc would probably walk into any team in the world, with the exception of the Spain national side where Vicente del Bosque insists on always playing what he perceives as the right player in the right position. With 19 wins out of 20, I suppose his judgment must be respected.
Along with Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, I would put Fabregas up there as the best midfielder currently playing in the top-flight but I’m looking forward to seeing him have a stinker on Saturday!
Anyway, despite my boss Graham being an ardent Arsenal fan, I’m not going to lament and drool over his team sycophantically for the entire blog.
But Saturday is surely a big reason why I and so many other Wolves fans endured all those dark seasons of Championship dross under the likes of Glenn Hoddle and Mark McGhee.
Back in the 1990′s we would travel midweek to hovels like Grimsby, gallantly supporting the side through thick and thin whilst simultaneously praying for the return of the glory days.
Now the glory days are surely returning and we should be relishing the visit of one England ’s elite clubs coming back to Molineux.
So, who will our manager Mick McCarthy pick to do battle on Saturday? Has his patience finally run out with left-back George Elokobi after yet another mistake strewn performance against Stoke?
Nani tore him to pieces on the wing for Manchester United in the League Cup earlier in the season and I would hate to see the pace of Andrei Arshavin destroy what little there is surely left of his fragile confidence.
My choice would be for Richard Stearman to take his place on Saturday as he did so effectively coming on after an hour against Stoke.
I wouldn’t change the rest of the back four, certainly not Jody Craddock. I got a bit of stick this week from a few friends when I suggested in my Fans Analysis column after the Stoke game that Jody could be a future candidate for the Wolves Hall of Fame.
Well, pah! Jody came back into the back four last season and helped steer the good ship Wolves over the line and his presence is certainly having a positive effect on performances and results this time around. All hail the new king!
In midfield, the Arsenal game could be perfectly set up for Nenad Milijas to finally start and influence a game for Wolves. The Serbian helped turn the game against Stoke and should be given a chance to carry on where he left off against the Gunners.
Up front I don’t think there will be any tough decisions for Mick, with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake being recalled alongside the excellent Kevin Doyle. You have to feel for Chris Iwelumo after all that time on the sidelines and then to be now hit with such a lousy injury.
The manager has already said that Chris wouldn’t have started against Arsenal but he could have had an impact from the bench.
Instead we will probably see big striker Stefan Maierhofer take his place on the bench and at the moment his cameos suggest that he may be a bit Kevin Kyle-esque. Harsh? My instincts and certainly my eyes tell me that he could turn out to be a bit of a dud.
Wolves have probably been guilty of giving some teams too much respect this season and have suffered the consequences.
We can’t afford to do that against a team who have picked up 16 points from their last 18 in the Premier League and like we did against Villa, the team need to get into the faces of Arsenal to try and stifle their natural passing game.
Although we have picked up three credible draws in our last three matches that some fans gave us Bob Hope in, I don’t think we can give Arsenal a goal or two start and then expect to peg them back like West Ham recently did.
Any points gained for the newly promoted teams against the elite sides of the top-flight are seen as a bit of a Brucie-bonus, such is the gulf between the top and bottom of the league.
But like Haye’s task against Valuev in Germany on Saturday, sometimes the underdog can overcome and just like that wonderful day in 2004 when Wolves beat Manchester United, it could happen again.
I would implore anybody who is in a quandary as to whether to sit at home in the warmth and watch the game on TV or to come to Molineux and brace the November chill, to come and support the team in the flesh. It should be a fascinating game and Wolves will need plenty of vocal support to overcome the Gunners.
I’m looking forward to seeing us go up against one of the footballing giants and regardless of the result, I’m sure the team will do us proud.
Enjoy your weekend.
Up the Wolves!
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
Wolves 2-0 Arsenal
Craddock to score both.
Report abuse
Agreed, Nathan, George needs resting from this one with either Stearman or Mancienne coming in. Bit harsh on Grimsby though!
Report abuse
Good article Nathan. Can’t remember Nani playing for the blue half of Manchester, or us playing them in the cup but agree that Big George needs a bit of a rest.
Little mistakes will be severely punished by the Gunners so Stears as a replacement is my bet.
I’ll be there in the flesh freezing me jubblies off but bring it on.
UTW
Report abuse
Good blog as always, really looking forward to the game, I prefer these sort as the pressure is off us with the expectation that we can’t get nothing. I was more nervous when we played Portsmouth but I think’s that Part and Parcel of being a Wolves fan. Frustration though eventually is rewarded with these sort of games. Back in 2004, we matched them in 1st half but they showed different class in the 2nd half and I said back then that they were the best team I saw that season at Molineux even though chelsea thumped us 5-0.
We can do this, Arsenal’s off days last season were away to Stoke and home to Hull in terms of newly promoted teams so Away to Wolves and Home to Wolves could be their downfall this time :-).
UP THE WOLVES
Report abuse
What is local bloke (2) on about?
As an Arsenal fan coming down to the Mol for the first time, don’t think for a second that we think we are coming for a routine win.
Wolves have surprised us this season and I think you have been unlucky not too pick up more points.
Saying that, I don’t think you will be able to cope with the pace and power of Diaby, Arshavin, Fabregas, Van Persie, Walcott, Eduardo… need I go on?
Should be a good un, and hopefully you boys will sell out the Mol?
Report abuse
Good blog Nathan. Very true about the size of our task being similar to Haye in the evening. I will be at the molinuex and watching the fight, will be a good night if wolves and Haye win, sadly i can’t see either to be honest.
It’s scary to think players such as Fabregas, Asharvin, Van Persie, Diaby, Vermaelen against our players.
However I am an eternal optimist so wolves 2-1 arsenal and Haye to knock Valuev out in the 8th.
(i have made Van Persie captain in my fantasy football just in case to ease the pain)
Report abuse
I’m not risking the cold on Saturday, the pub is the best place to watch the Wolves games these days and save £40.
Can’t see us getting a thing against Arsenal on Saturday, I’m going for 3-0.
And if Elokobi and Henry start we could ship in double figures.
Report abuse
It’s a win-win situation for Wolves in as much we are expected to get a tanking and if we do then no criticism will be given. Anything else and the praise will be heaped upon us. Burnley beat Manure earlier this year so make Haye lads!!
Report abuse
flabregas stops running after 47 minutes.
Report abuse
Our next two games are the toughest we could possibly have. Karl Henry needs to impose himself like he did against the Villa. Big George – as much as I like him – cannot play. Milijas and Sylvan should start.
Fingers crossed, you never know but it is likely that we will be in the bottom three Monday morning. If this is the case, we must not panic because in the last three games we have shown that we can hold our own in this division.
UP THE WOLVES!
Report abuse
2.
What you on about, we played united away in league cup and lost, wellbeck scored. Nathan says nani played for united anyway.
5.
Should be a sell out mate, and hopefully a good atmosphere, it is usually better against the bigger teams, than against smaller teams.
2-2 seb and berra.
Report abuse
I think with Stearmanor Mancienne at left back and Milijas in place of Edwards, we’ll see what I think is our strongest line up.
However, I do think maybe a 4-5-1 might be prudent on this occasion as I think we will see a master class in how to play football. But like you said this is why we’ve waited so long to get back to the top flight.
I’m just going to enjoy the game regardless of the result. The same goes for Chelsea away. But if Blues, Bolton and Burnley at home don’t wield 9 points, I feel will be rooted in the relegation zone and will struggle to get out without further investment in Jan.
Report abuse
With Clichy missing, this could be Kightly’s big game.
Arsenal have a CB in Vermaelen who has scored more goals than Doyle, such is the scale of the task facing us on Saturday.
But, as Nathan quite rightly points out, this is why we fought so hard to play in this league.
UTW!
Report abuse
7) The pub is the best place for you, as we do not need any negativeness at the moment. With the exception of the Blackburn game, Wolves have performed really well this season. We were not great against Pompey but still should have had a point and were brilliant second half at Stoke.
Let’s get at Arsenal like we did Villa and Fulham, put our chances away and see what happens!
Report abuse
If we can grab a point on Saturday it will a brilliant result!
Report abuse
Apparently, we kept a big kitty behind for the Jan window and I am thoroughly looking forward to tomorrows game. I think if we can get 7 points from our next 4 home games were be somewhere handy. Avery big Burnley bubble will burst soon, Pompey have a transfer ban and 2 of their loans go back in Jan, Hull are woeful, Wigan will be dragged into it.
5. Arsenal are the best side in this league no doubt, but your physical side and lack of height are the two weaknesses you have and if we can expolit them like westham did it could be a good game, I wish you well for the rest of the season (except for the return game). PS Were not like the albion we sell out even if were on the tele!
Report abuse
The Arsenal foreigners don’t like the cold.
Wolves to win 3:1
Sounds mad but strangers things have happened.
Report abuse
Send that Elokobi back to Colchester he hasnt got a clue how to play footballer.
Report abuse
Nathan has come up trumps again with this analysis of the situation. Far better than Bully’s effort yesterday.
Mick McCarthy will now be meditating in the “Zen Karma Garden Room” installed at the Molineux by Glen Hoddle. He will be visited by David Icke who will invoke the spirit of Cloughie. Cloughie will talk to Mick Through David and advise him how to get a bunch of inexperienced youngsters to Learn the Gooners a lesson in Football.
After 3 hours Mick will emerge from the room, his eyes burning like fire. He will point and golden bolts will flash from his fingers, slamming into the chests of the chosen ones
ZAP! Henessy
ZAP! Cradock
ZAP! Stearman
ZAP! Zubar
ZAP! Foley
ZAP! Henry
ZAP! Millias
ZAP! Castillo
ZAP! Kitely
ZAP! E-Banks
ZAP! Doyley Rag
The Players Will be Glowing with a Halo of Pure Gold, with the Words of cloughie, relayed Pyschically through David Icke, Via Mick McCarthy and Behold The Wolves will be victorious and the Gooners will be banished to a humiliating defeat.
WE ARE WOLVES … PRAY FOR THE MIRACLE OF THE MOLINEUX >>> AND WE WILL PREVAIL.
Report abuse
You know you’re really in the prem when you meet teams like the Arsenal. Me and the wife are looking forward to going up there on Saturday evening.
Report abuse
19. Are you any good at healing bad backs mate?
Report abuse
Several years ago, on a snow driven afternnon, Wolves toppled th emighty Arsenal 5 -1. Even after Arsenal had scored first, Kenny Hibbit, Dereck Dougan, and others resoundedly trounched Arsenal. The players should look back into the archives and relive the memories of this game. It would sure give them some confidence. If scoring is the food of winning, play on Wolves.
Report abuse
number 1 do you seriously think we will beat them 2 0 id like to think we have a slight chance but thers no way we will stop them scoring !
Report abuse
#19 Whispy wolf
I do not think that I have read a post that has given me more laughs than yours, brilliant mate!
Nathan, got your head round the problems facing us with the visit of a currently super side. But ‘nilis desperatum bastardum carberundem’. You translate youself!
I think if we can frustrate ‘em for 60 minutes the fitness of our current players may be enough to squeeze a result.
Anyone else notice the date on the transfer roumours.
Up The Wolves
Report abuse
14 are you some kind of a nutcase, you Said
Wolves have performed really well this season.
Yes just look at our position, once again a WW fan who accepts failure as Success. Go and support Vile or the other team in Blue
Report abuse
Whispy Wolf, number 19… brilliant mate, I think you should have your own blog!
Report abuse
We have lost before we have kicked a ball or so most of the comments have been made. Unless Arsenal play out of their skins we have a good chance. Don’t right us off!
Report abuse
7 – you’re an idiot, the pub is never the best place to watch football. You’re put off by a little bit of cold weather?
Grow some spuds, man up and go and support the boys.
Karl Henry’s had a decent season this year (I’m waiting for the idiots who don’t go to the games to disagree with that because their ‘mate’ told them otherwise).
And as for you 25 – you’re a tool of the highest order. Why don’t YOU go and support Chelsea if you expect to be top of the league you clown?
Report abuse
WordsleyWolf (28)…
I wonder if you’ll be quite so adament that paying through the nose to sit in the cold and watch Wolves getting battered is such a good idea after the game?
And don’t slate 25 (BW). Good performances haven’t translated into points. We are 1 point better off now than at the same time we were in the PREM, and with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manure to come before the end of the year, relegation is a certainty.
I’ll consider spending money on a ticket once the 3 M’s pick up their P45s and this club show some real ambition.
Report abuse
25)Mate come back to me when you have been everywhere with the Wolves.
What were you expecting from the Wolves? For us to be in a top 6 position?
Report abuse
(25) are you on another planet?
We are newly promoted and we will have our own little battle with the bottom 6. I think we will grab our 4th draw in a row on Saturday or could it be another of those magical Molineux evenings?
Report abuse
SilasLuzhny, you don’t half talk a load of old tosh son. Have you ever heard of the word ‘support’? Stay in the pub and watch the game you silly old goat. We’ll be at the Mol actually supporting the club and not just moaning like a load of old idiots.
Report abuse
No19 wispy wolf fantastic post, i wonder if mick would let you do the team talk before the arsenal game. No22 matty i was at that game to, great memories those were the days.
Report abuse
Thanks for all your comments on the blog.
Loved Whispy’s post at 19. You need to make sure you post something psychedelic every week!
I’m sure that SilasLuzhny isn’t for real. No one can be that downbeat and yet have the honesty to say that they don’t even go to the games!
Really excited for tomorrow’s game, lets just hope we don’t drop into the bottom 3 before kick off, which is looking likely.
Report abuse
bw/silasluzny, what the hell do you stockport county fans know about anything??. how is winning the league as champions faliure?, and i suppose you know all about p45′s , with unemployment in the stockport area running at 95%. utw wwfc 2 arsenal 1
Report abuse