Date: Saturday 2nd March
Venue: Molineux
Kick-off: 15.00
Live @ http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/404249
One match ban enabled
After a disappointing performance on Tuesday evening, and a loss at the hands of bottom placed Huddersfield, Wolves return to Molineux on Saturday to host Cardiff City.
Tuesday’s game ended Wolves’ 8 game unbeaten run but perpetuated the run of poor performances, often coupled with poor results, against teams at the bottom end of the league.
Cardiff are struggling in a relegation battle, just one point above the drop zone but with the second worst goal difference in the league. Like Huddersfield, a club ill equipped to compete in the Premier League, Cardiff provide another ‘banana skin’ challenge for Nuno Espirito Santo, having already beaten Wolves once this season.
Cardiff’s previous 2 games have resulted in a 3-0 home loss to Everton and a 5-1 thrashing also at home, by Watford. Bluebirds manager Neil Warnock has vowed to make changes to the team to face Wolves. Inevitably, these changes will include Callum Paterson who enjoys a nice game of Keepy Uppy using Diogo Jota for a ball.
Nuno will almost certainly, once again, name an unchanged starting 11, a very different line-up to the one that started against Cardiff in November. Then Nuno gave starts to Romain Saiss, Adama Traore, Ruben Vinagre and Helda Costa all of whom will feature on the subs bench.
Ryan Bennett is just 1 yellow card away from a 2 match ban. However, according to the new rules this season, that ban would only apply to Premier League games and would not preclude him from the FA Cup game against Manchester United.
This game will be shown live on beIN Sports HD12
Gem’s prediction: 2-1
Wolves v Cardiff Match Preview [LIVE]
posted on 1/3/19
Just read a Conor Coady interview, all the usual stuff but the line that jumped out at me was:
Two years ago Wolves were 20th in the Championship, with Coady playing at right-back.
Just stop what you're doing for a moment and think about that!
posted on 1/3/19
Even more astounding, Saville was on the wing ahead of Cavaleiro and Edwards was in the middle ahead of Saiss.
Halcyon days
posted on 2/3/19
Rumoured to be perhaps five changes tomorrow.
Seems a little rash and i assume we will play 3-4-3 if it is that many changes. Suggestions Costa will start which perplexes me given how hopeless he has been most of the season. Talk of Jimenez and Jota not starting which would be madness.
All for changes but surely we have to go all in against Cardiff and if he wants to rest a few pre FA cup then field a changed side against a tough Chelsea instead.
posted on 2/3/19
Ruddy will start between the posts and maybe Traore and Costa in a 3-4-3.
posted on 2/3/19
Nuno needs to do something, as the performance on Tuesday was that bad he has no choice.
Maybe the winter weather has started to get to our lads? I don't know, but there was no intensity to our play against Huddersfield and, what's more worrying, a lack of desire.
We have nothing to lose by giving fresher legs a run out at this stage of the season, and it might just refocus the first eleven who were perhaps getting a bit too comfortable.
posted on 2/3/19
where's H?
posted on 2/3/19
I wouldn't argue with up to 5 changes, but he needs not to leave it until too late with the subs if needed. Against Huddersfield the writing was on the wall very early and, in hindsight, earlier changes might have helped.
By all means start with a "second" 11 but by HT he should know if it's working even if we're not ahead. If we're not performing as we should then 2 changes at halftime and be prepared to put the 3rd on by the hour.
I would prefer to start Jota and Jimi, but if not definitely don't leave their introduction too late, unless we're 3 up of course.
posted on 2/3/19
One Hundred
posted on 2/3/19
Gonna miss this one as I shall be flying to Phoenix AZ, or at least hopefully so long as the poor weather here last night hasn't put a spanner in the works and delayed things.
posted on 2/3/19
We should have enough to beat Cardiff regardless but it will be a physical contest