Blues-Wolves - Quashie's preview

WOLVES: -

Wayne Hennessey

I had to ask him how tall he was when I signed, he's so big! But he's an excellent keeper with a bright future in front of him, you can see why the top clubs have looked at him. A good shot-stopper with excellent temperament, he kicks like a mule.

Kevin Foley

A brilliant footballer, he will have no problems playing in the top flight and he makes the game look easy. I haven't seen him have a bad game and no one has really caused him problems. He trains how he plays – he's Mr Reliable and reads the game excellently. Quality.

Jody Craddock

He's barely played this season until the last seven games, but his attitude and application are an example to everyone in the dressing room. A great pro who looks after himself, it's great to see him back in the team because of the way he has worked. Deserves his place.

Christophe Berra

Has had to settle in quickly which he's done and he has a bright future. It will be interesting to see how he does at the top level, because he can play there. If he stops calling me "Knock off Nigel" every day he might get a few more words of praise!

Matt Hill

Another who has shown a great example and worked so hard to get into the team, it shows how well he's doing that he's kept out Stephen Ward, who's been first class all season. A great pro and a good lad in the dressing room, he's another 'Steady Eddie' who's taken his chance.

Andy Keogh

Technically great, Keogh has fantastic ability and on his day, he's unplayable. You see how good he is in training and there's a lot more of him to come. He'll be a better player in the Premier League because he'll get more time – and I think the goals will come too.

Karl Henry

The Lee Carsley of Wolves – a player whose work can go unnoticed, but one who tries to set the tone of a game with a tackle or by getting about the pitch. A great lad who wants to get better and he will. To have captained Wolves all season shows his contribution.

Dave Jones

An excellent footballer, he's a great passer and I've been very impressed with him. When I was late for a game, I interrupted the gaffer's team talk to apologise and say that 'Jonah' should be in the side, because he'd done so well. Always wants the ball and could be one to watch in the Premier League.

Stephen Ward

First class. I didn't realise how good he was until after my first training session I had to ask "who is this lad?" He has everything to be a top player and is without a fault – he can cross, shoot and tackle and I wouldn't be surprised to see him contend for Player of the Year.

Chris Iwelumo

An unsung hero who takes the kicks and the elbows to help the team. He was very frustrated before he scored again and I told him 'big man, you're doing everything else for the team'. Great in the dressing room, he's makes sure things are going right for others even if they're not for him.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake

Deadly – I'd put him in the same bracket as Kevin Phillips – give him a chance and he'll take it. He can set the Premier League alight. Two-footed and strong, if he carries on finishing like he is, he could be one of the best centre forwards in the top flight.

And these could be waiting in the wings . . .

Marlon Harewood

I remember him as a kid at Forest and later at West Ham and thinking how much he'd improved. Like Jerome, he has it all and can be anything he wants to be. He's gutted at not being able to show what he can do at Villa and needs a run of games.

Matt Jarvis

An excellent footballer with ridiculous pace – I've never seen anything like it. He works hard too and can deliver a first class ball from either flank. He's a great lad and it would be a privilege to see how he handles the top flight – he deserves it. Unselfish too.

Sam Vokes

Because he's such an instinctive finisher, I never realised how young he was. He's a strong boy learning the game who has come on and changed matches and everything that's been asked of him, he's done. He's developed very fast and everything is there for him to push on.

Kyel Reid

He's done everything right, working hard in the reserves at West Ham but got frustrated with his lack of opportunities. Has a lot of ability waiting to come out and being at Wolves is good for him because there were a few players at West Ham ahead of him who were bought for his position.

Richard Stearman

An excellent footballer and another with a bright future. Has proved his class all season and has shown maturity. Will feel he's unlucky to be out of the team but has proved his quality.

BIRMINGHAM: -

Maik Taylor

Still a regular for Northern Ireland and vastly experienced, Maik is a 'Steady Eddie' keeper who you can rely on. He commands his box and helps his back four with his talking. A good shot-stopper too. One of several Blues players with plenty of top flight experience.

Stephen Carr

I was surprised when he retired a few months ago, because I thought he still had so much to offer and that was confirmed to me when he turned up at West Ham on trial. A quality right-back with a wealth of experience, he's very fit and gets up and down well.

Radhi Jaidi

A big, strong, powerful guy who wins everything in the air and doesn't mess about with centre forwards. I took a few kicks off him in training! He loves the aerial ball and will look forward to the challenge of Chris Iwelumo. Breathes down your neck and is all over strikers like a rash.

Liam Ridgewell

I was surprised by how laid-back 'Ridge' is – he's so relaxed he's almost horizontal! But he's very vocal, a good footballer and is very competitive. He's another 'Steady Eddie' who gets seven or eight out of 10 every week. People might say he's not quick, but he always beat me in the running!

Franck Queudrue

The funniest man I've met! A great lad and a very good player, I realise he had his differences with the chairman but I was surprised when he was out of the team. Versatile - he played centre-back when I was there and was man of the match. Needs to work on his free kicks!

James McFadden

I've played with him for Blues and Scotland and you don't realise how much ability he's got. He can play wide right, wide left, up front, off the front man and can turn a game in an instant. He can really cause problems and can drift, making it hard to be picked up. He's got everything.

Lee Carsley

When you've won a game, he's the one who realise you couldn't have done it without. I used to sit next to him in the dressing room and he's a top lad - you can on rely him and he'll make that last-ditch tackle. You know when you've been in a game against him.

Lee Bowyer

A top player who but for injuries could have won more England caps. He'll play the ball 'around the corner' and he'll get you a goal. I've played against him and if you don't go in on him at full pelt, you'll probably come off worse. Very dynamic, he can run from deep and cause problems.

Hameur Bouazza

I trained with him and have played against him – when he was at Watford he was always the one mentioned in team talks as the threat. He can be a real handful on his day whether playing out wide or off a front man and can score spectacular goals.

Cameron Jerome

I used to tell him he doesn't know how good he is because if he's on his game, he's untouchable. He has pace and power and he can do it at the top level – if he wants to. A confidence player, I hope he leaves his ability in the closet tonight!

Kevin Phillips

I played with him at Southampton, Albion and Blues and he's one of the best finishers I've ever seen. Only needs a sniff of a chance to score, he can hold it up and has a great leap. A privilege to play with him and with the way he looks after himself, I could see him carry on.

And these could be waiting in the wings . . .

Marcus Bent

A good pal of him, I always used to tell him he has everything in his toolbox to cause any Premier League or Championship defence problems. Powerful and strong and a good finisher, you can see why clubs want him because he gets goals and works hard, holding it up and working the channels.

Garry O'Connor

A good footballer who doesn't get the rewards for what he does off the ball. I played with for Scotland and Blues and his work ethic for the team is fantastic and he's a good finisher. He's had bad luck with injuries but he's a funny lad in the dressing room.

Scott Sinclair

A Chelsea lad and you can see why they snapped him up – he's a young lad who has a lot about him. I've trained with him and played against him and once he develops and fills out, he'll be an excellent player. He can come off the bench and cause problems.

David Murphy

A very good player with an excellent work ethic, David can play left-back or left midfield and is a strong runner with a good shot on him. I was very impressed with him. He can switch either side, never lets you down and can put a foot in.

Sebastian Larsson

I wasn't too sure of his ability when I first saw him but then I realised what an excellent footballer he is - someone who gets up and down and can cross and shoot. Links well with the forwards, delivers a wicked dead ball and can be a top player at the top level.