Tottenham v Wolves: The Opposite View

Posted by dompaczko on Jan 14, 2012 in Interviews, Premier League | 0 comments

When I telephoned my Dad after the Spurs game the first words we both presented each other with was “Champions Eh?”, in that mostly joking but 100% serious way. We both know if is never going to happen but that fact that it could happen is quite frankly very thrilling and enough for me continually regale Anna, my football despising partner, with updates on our league position and the connotations of certain results which may or may not go our way.

Some might say it is unfair to burden her with such trivial matters when you consider her resentment for the beautiful game, but to be fair I did try it all on the cats first but they kept walking away.

The fact of the matter is a win today will, for 48 hours at least, put us level on points with Manchester City. Although we all know that often Spurs can implode with such ferocity, Professor Brian Cox has been seen lurking around the Tottenham High Road.

Anyway, on to Wolves. A team I actually feel has lost a little bit of that steel and determination from last season who were surprisingly average when I visited Molineux just as this crazy run was starting. What is going on down in Wolverhampton you ask? Well Jason Guy is always the man with the answers.

WAFR: Welcome back to What A Fantastic Run Jason. How has the season been for Wolves up to now?

Well Dom, where do I start. After 3 games we were sitting pretty aloft at the summit of the league. I even started checking BMIbaby and Monarch for European flights. Then, the bubble burst and we reverted to normality. In all fairness we are not in the bottom 3 and we are holding our own and not getting disgraced. We have proved that we will give any team a ‘match’ in this division but once we go a goal down struggle to come back. If we end the season in 17th place…I’ll be a happy Wanderer!!

WAFR: I didn’t realise quite how close Wolves were to the relegation zone, just one point and a four goal swing away in fact. Surely there are worse teams in the Premier League so you won’t get drawn into relegation battle again?

Well you would hope so!! Luckily there are weak teams around us that I think will be in or around the basement for the remainder of the season. Blackburn, QPR, Bolton, West Brom and Wigan will all be down there so we just need to hope that ‘come what May’ there are three teams with less points than us. I am not seeking mid table obscurity and expect a battle but I don’t think I could face another ‘Survival Sunday’ ….. especially as we face Wigan on the last day!!

WAFR: We have talked about the fans perception of Mick McCarthy quite a few times, do you think he could survive another relegation battle?

Yes, Mick has the backing of the board and Steve Morgan has already issued a ‘vote of confidence’ this week stating that the chopping and changing of Managers is not his style and he believes in longevity. My theory is, if you keep doing the same things you get the same results. I would not always say that throwing money at it is the answer but I would sooner see team strengthening with quality players than the fantastic stadium that we are developing when we could be destined for the Championship. I still maintain that if we are in a battle there is no better man to be at the helm than Mick…. and if we go down, there is no better man to bring us back up.

WAFR: I was at the reverse fixture earlier in the season I was actually surprised at the lack of atmosphere at Molineux, which I put mainly down to the construction work which is taking place.Do you think this has had an impact on your home form which has only brought in 9 points this season

Yes, people have lost their season ticket seats temporarily and ironically the Spurs game was the first time that the North Bank was open with the new temporary seats ….that will very soon be on their way to the Olympic Stadium (now theres a fact). I think that personally the stadium should have been left until we were a comfortable Premier League side ….but Mr Morgan is a property developer after all.

WAFR: So where do the problems lie? Not enough goals or letting in too many?

I think that we need to stop the early goals. Roger Johnson hailed as the answer has flattered to deceive and after all we bought him from a relegated team. We should go for a Richard Dunne type of player. Somebody who has been there and done that and is not too old.

WAFR: The transfer window is now open, do you think you will see any new faces at the club and where do you need reinforcements?

We need a new centre half as mentioned before and we could also do with a left back as cover. We have enough in Midfield but I think we could do with somebody to partner Fletcher up top and give Doyle a run for his money.

WAFR: Who has been your stand out Wolves player of the season so far?

2 for me. Steven Fletcher has an incredible scoring record and is proving to be a Premier League striker. He has an eye for goal and takes his half chances, with the right amount of service week in week out he could comfortably score 25 across the season. Stephen Ward has been a revelation. He looks like a new player and is playing the best football of his career. He had his doubters last season, me included but we have ALL eaten our words.

WAFR: And who has been the biggest disappointment?

Matt Jarvis started slow and seem to lose form after his England call up but he has since found his game and is once again on top form. For me, Roger Johnson has not looked the player we expected and doesn’t look the decision making, commanding central defender that we need.

WAFR: What are your thoughts on Spurs this season?

Well when you hear the pundits saying that they are title contenders you sit up and take notice. I like Spurs and I like Harry Redknapp. He has made some great signings and doesn’t look to have any favourites. He picks his best team available and is obviously a real man-manager, very important when you have such a squad of strong characters. The team play with flair and always look a threat when attacking. I think they are worth a cheeky tenner for the honours, but I might save that for Wolves to beat the drop!

WAFR: And finally, lets have a score prediction

Ok, well I’ll be there and the outcome will also have bearing on the amount of alcohol I consume on my evening out in London. I’m going for Spurs 1 – Wolves 1. If we play 2 up front and not rely on one striker we will create chances and I am sure Fletcher will stick one away. I am not brave enough to wave a tenner at it though. Good luck for the rest of the season!!