Wolves v Burnley preview

Wolves v Burnley

Molineux

Kick off 5.20pm

Wolves plan to bring a week of surprises to a close with a no shocks return to form in front of the Molineux galleries tomorrow.

The anger, from within and beyond the camp, at the listless performance at Barnsley was replaced by shock as the future of manager Mick McCarthy suddenly appeared fragile.

Now McCarthy's close bond with a group of players he has moulded into a Championship promotion-challenging team could be the ace in the pack for Wolves as they confront a dangerous Burnley challenge.

The Clarets are unbeaten in five games, during which they won at Leicester, Watford and Charlton, and fancy a play-off challenge themselves under new manager Owen Coyle.

With Wolves still mis-firing and missing Michael Kightly, the threat is there but the players expect a highly-charged Molineux atmosphere to help them through.

McCarthy will be in front of the fans for the first time since the South Korean national coach job offer was known and Wolves officials believe he will receive a powerful show of support from supporters.

That could be a vital ingredient, especially after the anger that was witnessed at the tail end of Tuesday's miserable experience at Oakwell.

"I just hope we can get the backing from the fans," says Seyi Olofinjana.

"Obviously they were very disappointed at the end on Tuesday but there are so many games in this league and we can't always play well so we need their support.

"It's been such a part of our success that everyone, players, manager and fans, have all been together."

Olofinjana acknowledged his own sub-standard contribution to Tuesday's performance and knows that his place is now under threat as McCarthy ponders a shake-up for this game.

"Everyone on the first team staff is always in with a chance of playing," he said. "When you talk about changes I'm one of the regular players and I didn't play well on Tuesday so who's to say what will happen.

"It was just one of those days and we have to try and move on."

But it will be tough for Wolves because the arrival of Coyle has injected fresh verve and belief into the visitors' game.

Coyle is annoyed that those three away wins were tempered slightly by home draws against Stoke and Leicester and has urged his side to be more ruthless in front of goal at Molineux.

Coyle said: "It's up to us to show that we can be a potent threat; as well as creating chances, go and take a percentage.

"You don't expect to take every chance you make in football.

"I've had a career of missing enough of them, so I know that but we're looking to take a decent percentage.

"But people already know that my philosophy is to entertain and play good, free-flowing football. I think we are showing that, but we can get better."

And captain Steven Caldwell warns Wolves: "We're playing with a certain spring in our step just now, and long may that continue.

"The lads have done fantastic, and the manner in which we achieved both results at Watford and Charlton is very important."

Burnley's attack promises to be led again by the striker Wol ves wanted to sign in the summer Kyle Lafferty, who continues to attract much interest.

Premier League Fulham are the latest side on the trail and have been told to increase their £3m offer for Lafferty, a valuation which takes him off McCarthy's radar in January even though the Wolves boss will be hunting a tall, target-man to supplement his front line.