The exciting intro bit to reel you inWho’s afraid of the Big Bad Wolf ?
Certainly not our Big Bad Bob.
An explosive jack-in-the-box standing at 6”5 tall, the new Charlton manager celebrated Saturday's victory by head-butting his own centre-half. You get the impression there is very little Belgium Bob is afraid of.
It‘s starting to rub off as well, and many of the loyal Addickted are starting to again look forward to trips to a rejuvenated Valley again rather than dreading them.
Wolves similarly have a feel-good verve about them at present, and have also recorded an impressive start to the season. While in recent years this midweek fixture would have been as appealing as sharing a broken down lift with H from Steps, all of a sudden it is 5th versus 3rd; two teams playing attractive football with confidence, going face-to-face with the possibility of topping the league table.
Bring it on!
The bit where we get someone who knows what they're talking about to have their sayA couple of disastrous managerial appointments, a helter-skelter fall from the marbled halls of the Premier League extending into the servants quarters of League One, Wolves are now desperately trying to fight their way back up the football ladder. Sound familiar? Basically Wolves are us but with funny accents; for Chris Powell read Kenny Jackett, and for a record-breaking League One campaign, read…errr, a record-breaking League One campaign.
Whether Wolves can go where Charlton fell short and follow others such as Norwich and Southampton in using the Championship as a stepping stone back to the Premiership is far too early to say. But 13 points out of 18 is as good a start as they could ever have hoped for, and Wolves Twit
MrRyanLeister gives us the Molineux low-down:
“Wolves have so far found the transition from League One quite manageable, and have got off to a better start than expected, whilst playing very attractive football. Overall, it’s been very good, despite an underserved loss at Rotherham and a draw with Blackpool when the recent high standards slipped a little".
“The team is still the core that settled down from Christmas, and the footballing leap Wolves have made under Jackett’s guidance is quite remarkable. The fans have all bought into Jackett’s ethos”.
"Kevin McDonald will be one to watch. Wolves play 4-2-3-1 and if him and Sako are on form, Wolves usually win. Tuesday’s will be a big test after a poor show at Blackpool. Memories of Ebanks-Blake and Karl Henry winners against Charlton are still fond in the memory, but this is a new kind of Wolves”. The bit where we pretend we know what we're talking aboutCharlton’s good start to the season has so far been aided by selection consistency. The starting eleven has barely changed, and considering the number of changes from last season, the speed at which team familiarisation and the good old ‘gel’ has been established brings huge credit to Peeters, his coaching staff and the way the players have approached their work.
Tuesday will almost certainly bring changes however, and it will be interesting to see how that impacts tactically, particularly against a side that won’t be matching up to our favoured 4-4-2. Gudmundsson limped off on Saturday, and is unlikely to be fit, while it is questionable whether Solly’s nobbled knee will sustain two games in four days.
One way or another,
Lawrie Wilson should see a starting slot, and well deserved too. The popular right-sided player saw himself harshly out the side at the start of the season, but has impressed when featured and now has the opportunity to put a marker down. The obvious change to ensure consistency would see him come into right-midfield, and the emerging talent of Gomez fill in at right back if Solly doesn't make it.
However, if Peeters wishes to disrupt Wolves in midfield, then Moussa may come in for Tucudean and play in the slightly deeper hole to give Wolves sitting midfield two something different to think about. Equally, a back three of Bikey, Ben Haim and Gomez could feature if we switched to 3-5-2 and attempted to pack the midfield. A big test for Peeters this one, there are a number of tactical decisions to be made with this game and it will be interesting to see how Charlton both line-up and evolve as the game progresses.
The bit where Paddy Power won't lose any sleepGreat start? Chance to go top? My Charlton stripes have been painfully earned over the years and they should be telling me this is rife for a face-slapping home defeat, You know it and I know it, it’s just 'The Charlton Way'.
But, you know what? I just don’t know. Something just feels different about the Club at the moment and a win tomorrow would really get people sitting up and taking notice.
MrRyanLeister thinks it will be
2-0 to Wolves, but that’s his heart and head talking and he knows you should never mix the two.
I’ve been around the block a bit longer though, this has got DRAW written all over it like a Tony Hart Appreciation Society.
1-1.
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Thanks to MrRyanLeister for giving up his time, please give him a follow on Twitter to pick up a decent Wolves view of things. How do you all see it going ?
Run extended or back down to earth ?
Comments
few pints beforehand and a 3-1 win, Igor, Moussa and a Wilson screamer
If he is fit ; 2-1 win.
If not.
1-0 defeat.
I would also like to see Moussa as the extra man in midfield for this, but after Tucudean's last game under the Valley lights, you would forgive Bob for sticking with him.
442 as normal but with Wilson and Gomez for Gudmundsson and Solly.
Both changes get an assist that gives Big Bob selection dilemma's for Rotherham on Saturday.
2-2 (Gorgeous George and Igor the Invincible)
Wolves don't concede but they don't score many either. 1-0 either way.
Will be good to see Gomez who quite rightly is getting regular games at his young age and alternating with Solly very well.
With JBG injured I would rather see Laurie at RM where he remains maybe our most under-rated performer and to my mind more than just 'alright' as the song goes. Very good and hard working at the defensive side of his game who adds something to our attacks that opposition teams never seem prepared for. His intelligence and reading of the game should never be overlooked.
1-0 wolves.
I so very hope that I am wrong and this run continues! We can all but hope/dream.
CAFC 2 v Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Bulot for Gudmundsson
Hard fought 1-0 win again with goal from Sub Moussa
Subs:
Pope, Morrison, Fox, Harriott, Bulot, Moussa, Church
I just want to keep the unbeaten run going. Any more than that is a bonus.
I'm going for a 2-1 win anyway.
I love the fact that Happy Valley's Glass is always Half Full,
Where as Dazzler21 wants to know, who's nicked his effing glass.
I want to be the last unbeaten side in the championship, so at least a draw.
Really hope he's fit as along with Igor those two are the most exciting players I've seen play for us in so long, no1 of recent years comes close for me.
I'd be happy to take a point after Saturday's win. Would've bitten your hand off for 4 from these two games.
2-2.
I don't think Wolves will be anywhere near as good as Wigan, Derby and Watford. Organised maybe but not the same threat. Perhaps 4-4-2 or maybe we match them with 4-2-3-1?
Gomez in for Solly if we have to but someone needs to mark Sake out of the game on their left wing.
Not sure I rate their defence and can see Vetokele, Buyens and Bulot having some fun. More bookings as Igor springs the offside time and again? Great if Gudmundsson fit to start but if not we add Wilson, Jackson and Cousins to those other three.
Someone, hopefully CAFC, to win by the odd goal and we can start dreaming!
Anyway I would have taken 4 points from this pair of home fixtures so a 1-1 would be satisfactory, a 2-1 a big bonus!