Well they don’t come any tougher than this – Arsenal at home.
23 games played so far this season and no defeats. They are just seven more games away from setting the all time record. Just as well we’re about to end that amazing run ;-)
Surely if we can beat Man United and hold Liverpool then this should go the same way? Erm, no. Arsenal are a totally different proposition.
Pace, skill, control, ability, ruthlessness, composure, aggression – they have the lot and more.
Man United are not the same team this year. Arsenal are a better side and are, in my opinion, certainties to win the Premiership.
To see the likes of Vieira, Pires, Henry, and Bergkamp at the Molineux is why the ticket priority schemers were anxiously awaiting their postman’s delivery. Plum fixture number 1.
As to whether they all play remains to be seen but Wenger won’t dare risk losing to us and will have to get the balance right to get all three points. Reyes won’t be playing and Ljunberg is injured but Arsenal have quality replacements in abundance.
As for ourselves. Well the loss of lynchpin Incey through suspension is a big blow. Depending on Newton’s fitness we might see Cameron move into the centre or possibly the disappointing Gudjonsson might be a direct, like for like, replacement.
We may alternatively revert to a 4-5-1 system in the hope of stopping Arsenal playing but I doubt anything short of 10-0-0 and a concrete wall will stop the Gunners from scoring tomorrow.
Therefore, we have to take any chances we create. Carl Cort and, for the second time, Paul Jones will be making their home debuts so they’ll want to show the home faithful what they’re all about.
However, Arsenal don’t just give goals away. A meagre total of just seven goals have been conceded in their twelve trips on the road so far. This compares with 22 banged in the other end.
It looks like our impressive home undefeated sequence is going to come to an end but other teams around us don’t look likely, on paper to pick up points either.
That means the game at Leeds next Tuesday becomes, for me, the game that will determine whether we are going to remain in the Premiership or fade away.
If Senegal fail to beat hosts Tunisia on Saturday, then Henri Camara should be available to play in Yorkshire. We could do with his pace to unlock the defence and get us three vital points.
However, let’s enjoy seeing the Gooners grace the Molineux first and see the stars.
Let’s put in another battling performance and make the Premiership pundits sit up and take notice.
Let’s show them what Black Country grit is all about!
Come on the Wolves!
E-mail me with any comments/feedback to: dave@wolves-mad.co.uk