Wolves - a huge game

[Holtspur]

I know we are all enjoying the galmour of Europe and it has been a fantastic adventure. Realistically, getting through to the quarters in the CL will be amazing, but if we don't, the boys have done us proud as just talking about us possibly getting there is incredible enough and exciting. But, back to feet-on-the-ground, I think it is more important to qualify for next seasons CL so we can attract top players and keep our best players, inorder to have a better push in the Premiership and again go on another CL crusade. That means today is a must-win or the job becomes all the more difficult with City winning - its them we have to displace and to keep within 3 points with our game in hand in the hope that we turn them over at Eastlands later in the year. Anyone share this approach?

[Gareth Keown]

I'm pretty sure Citeh will continue to drop pts against lesser teams too.... yesterday, they looked ordinary and Wigan were unlucky to be behind at HT.... and they have had about 5 games at home consecutively I think..

Dzeko has already been benched to let Tevez play the lone-striker role, Mancini will be embarrassed as it was his call to get him for 30m odd - without Tevez they are very ordinary..

1 game at a time....

[Holtspur]

Thanks GK - but do you agree that the Wolves game is a must win and probably more so than the Milan game?

[dimexi]

Wolves is definitely a must win game, especially after the diabolical result against Blackpool. I know we had lots of chances, but if we fail to keep within touching distance of City then it will be goodbye CL. Also, a convincing win today will be a boost before the Milan game mid-week. I would say we need to play our best possible side, no need to rest anyone for Wednesday.

[Gareth Keown]

no, as its not a knockout tournament, today's is not a must-win game.... there'll be plenty of twists and turns between now and the finishing-line, as there always are...

we will play Defoe-Pav today, and Vaart-Crouch on Wednesday (as continentals dont like the highball into the box).... Bale will play on Wednesday..

[Holtspur]

Love your level headed attitude GK! Would just be good to have some consitency so I don't have to reach for the blood pressure tablets all the time! I know this may sound controversial, but as Krankers is being pushed aside to make way for Pienaar, what about playing him up front? He is prolific in front of goal and with our strikers out of salts, we could do with his finesse. then again, Pav and Defoe have got to get their act together - now!

[Gareth Keown]

the amazing but well concealed fact is that even this year Defoe-Pav have a good scoring-ratio when played together.... but cos of the hype surrounding Vaart, the combo is very much 2nd-choice.... til now (I hope)..

I expect a win today, as Wolves are at home and cos of wins by Spam and WBA they'll have to attack us for a win.... should leave us with an open game and space to play and attack them...

[dimexi]

You are right as usual. Today is not a must win game...as long as your aim is 5th. Yes there MAY be twists and turns still to come, but we need to win our games in hand, just to draw level on points with City. I know if we do not win today it is still possible, especially as we still have to play City, however, I would much rather we went into that game on the same number of points rather than 3 behind.

[Holtspur]

and...........................another wasted opportunity

[Gareth Keown]

and...........................another wasted opportunity

just out of curiousity, which part of the word 'supporter' do you actually subscribe too ??

nearly every post you make is on the premise that we will lose no matter what, until proven beyond doubt otherwise.... maybe not winning is best for you as you can then be in your 'comfort zone'... 

[Holtspur]

You may be right GK.  I am very passionate thats all. In previous years we never had the squad to challenge and so just enjoyed "the outing" but now that we do, it is just damn annoying when the games we should be winning, we're not. I know its a tough league, but the gap is opening up now (against us) and having tasted CL football its a bitter pill to think that its looking increasingly unlikely to be there next season. I do wish I had the level head you have!

[millers-tach]

Wolves have a great record at home against the top teams so no real surprise for me although we should have been able to see it out with our noses in front.
 
 

[Gareth Keown]

I'm actually more confident against teams like Citeh then Wolves, as the scrappers tend to get to us... its still in our hands as we can take 3pts against Citeh at there place... this isnt just wishful thinking, I expect us to win there more than at places like Wolves..

we have big players to come back for the remaining 2months left... lets try and live up to the word 'supporter' (for those of us that are)...

[Holtspur]

ok boss