Team News for Wolves

[mawspurs]

Source: Official Site

Roman Pavlyuchenko has returned to training ahead of Wednesday's Barclays Premier League trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The striker has been missing with a groin problem since coming off the bench to score against Leeds in the last round of the FA Cup two and a half weeks ago.

However, Ledley King will be rested for the game at Molineux after playing 90 minutes in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, Aaron Lennon (groin) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (hip) are making steady progress in their comebacks, with the latter running again.

Aaron is back in rehab, and manager Harry Redknapp said: "He could possibly be back the weekend after next but it's difficult to say. It's really up to him to see how he feels and how the fitness coaches and physios see him. We won't rush him back until we're sure he's right."

Longer-term absentees Jonathan Woodgate (groin) and Carlo Cudicini (wrist, pelvis) continue their recuperation.

[Boony]

Get the boy in... Crouch and Defoe need some competition !!

[CliffJones]

Pav and Eider anybody?
Kaboul alongside Wilson?
Walker at right back?
My heart would like to see changes, but apart from SB for LK, my money says HR plays an unchanged side.

[That Guy]

Why would he change the side if we've been playing well?

[Edgarsglasses]

I'd start with Pav & Defoe but we all know its never gonna happen,Hitting Crouch too much with long ball and all very predictable.

[drnbean]

On the BBC today - Chelsea midfielder Ballack labelled Arsenal one-dimensional, saying: "We knew the way Arsenal play. It is always the same style. Football is not possession of the ball and playing a nice pass - football is about winning games".
Could the same be said about spurs:omg:!

[ataggy]

bentley hudd wilson niko

----modric

----------defoe

simples! forget crouch coz we just look long too early and that isnt playing to our strengths. knock it about, pass and probe, get into space...it aint hard!!

[rooster1]

Harry must play a better tactical game against wolves. The first goal will be crucial. They will want to repeat what they did at WHL so it's important we get the first goal then they have to come out and play which will suit our style of play. Wolves looked worn out against Brum.

We've dropped too many points of late and now is the time to get a winning run together. We need to leap frog pool. Pool will start to get tired as the season moves on. citeh may start to challenge harder.
Can't afford complacency, a must win mentality and let's kill this match
off at HT for a change.:grin:

[Blockbuster]

you lot are boring. Crouch is a great player and brings so much to our squad.
its the rest of the squad who need to learn how to score goals.

[spurs_viola]

Positive news about Pavlyuchenko - may yet see him in 2nd half if the score is tight.
Look forward to seeing Gudjonssen link up with Defoe - hope they both start.

Harry's response on SSN today to comments about Spurs are now playing long ball game was that "every time we hit Crouchy we created a chance" was of course one of Harry-isms similar to his claim that Keane was "not going anywhere unless someone has 50 million to offer", a couple of days before he left. At least I really hope so, as we hit Crouchy with long, high balls about 20-25 times in that last match and try as I did, I could not see 20-25 chances from that.

[Boaman]

I don't buy the Crouch makes us a long ball team argument. We consistenly play very good passing, possesion football, we do mix it up with the high ball into Crouch but any team would with that asset up front.

However, I think his best performances have been when he's come on a substitute and I think for the forseable he is probably our best impact sub, bar probably Pav but who know when he will get games.

I would start with Gudjohnsen and Defoe and bring Crouch or Pav on after 60 mins

[mawspurs]

Why would he change the side if we've been playing well?

Because we are playing well but not winning.

The phrase is..

"don't change a WINNING team"

not

"don't change a team that is playing well".

I'm all for stability but when it's not working as it should you need to freshen things up with the odd change.

[Jonesey]

Ha, ha brilliant - that's the funniest post I've seen on here in a while. There's some serious testosterone flying around on these forums at the moment.

However, Crouch most certainly does make us predictable. Harry needs to be prepared to sacrifice him if it's not working. Pav AND Eidur are tall though - but more skillful with their feet when their on form.

Harry will clearly feel that Eidur and Pav aren't match-fit but one of them will surely feature at some point vs Wolves - unless Crouchy has an absolute blinder.

Even then, if he does have a blinder that'll mean we've scored lots of goals and they may still come on.

It'll be harsh on Pav if he's fit enough to play 30 mins but I bet it's Eidur ...

Otherwise, it'll defo be Eidur if he's the fitter of the two at this point.

Defoe is more of a worry in my opinion. To Harry he's undroppable and yet he doesn't score enough goals compared to the amount of chances he gets.

I realise that he's our top scorer but you have to remember how many chances our fantastic midfield have been creating this season - imagine how many more he'd have had if he can convert more of those chances where he collects the ball with his back to goal.

Also, as good as Modric is, I think we miss Kranjcar. He's much better at beating a player and laying off a pass/shooting at goal - something we desperately needed to do more of vs Villa.

Again, Harry needs to be prepared to sacrifice Modric if the goals aren't going in, even if we're playing well.

[ravo]

Crouch holds play up really well with the ball at his feet - it's the other players who are to blame for the long ball. They just need to pretend he's 5ft9 until we get the ball to the byline...

[ravo]

Therefore - same team.

Let's just hope Harry uses some subs this time.

[DC_Boy]

yep - same as villa - it's our strongest team ATM and crouch has been doing well

maybe pav/EG can get some game time - and maybe one can start v bolton

[billnick]

Crouch holds play up really well with the ball at his feet - it's the other players who are to blame for the long ball. They just need to pretend he's 5ft9 until we get the ball to the byline...

Probably the most sensible Crouch post I've ever seen. Redknapp has to take some responsibilty for not getting this out of their system though. At the same time a long pass is a great option to have. The problem is when you forget you have options and one option becomes the norm. I've seen every match this year and I dont' feel we've reached that stage - yet.

[2bearis2do]

Why would he change the side if we've been playing well?

Maybe because we´ve only won 1 league game in 2010? W1 D3 L 1
And we'd be better off if we scored a few more goals and bagged more 3-pointers?
:shrug:

[2bearis2do]

Crouch holds play up really well with the ball at his feet - it's the other players who are to blame for the long ball. They just need to pretend he's 5ft9 until we get the ball to the byline...

Sometimes he does, but most of the time, his first touch leaves a lot to be desired. Watch him closely tonight. In fact I think I may go on Crouch watch and count the number of headers and balls to feet and see what his results are like when it comes to retaining possession.
Then again I might not.