Date: 22nd Septmember 2015
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Venue: Riverside Stadium
Competition: Capital One Cup (Third Round)
Wolves are in unfamiliar territory this week having reached the third round of the Capital One Cup for just the sixth time in the previous fifteen years. Tuesday’s opponents, high flying Middlesbrough, will make for tough opposition for a Wolves side who haven’t registered a win or even a goal from open play since the return from the international break.
Defensive and creative incapability’s have hampered us in both the games against Bolton and Brighton, however there has been one positive to take away from the week.
Emiliano Martínez had a superb game on Saturday which included a fantastic double save from a penalty from Brighton’s Tomer Hemed. If Martinez can stay in this sort of form and in the side, it will give us a platform to build our new and young defence following the departure of ever present centre back Richard Stearman. However Martinez is a doubt for Tuesday’s game due to fitness concerns, so stalwart Carl Ikeme may come back into the side for yet another change between the sticks.
Alongside Martinez, Dave Edwards, Kortuney Hause and Scott Golbourne are also injury doubts for the game, while Connor Coady will be unavailable after getting sent off in the second half against Brighton. New signing Nathan Byrne will also miss out due to being cup-tied for playing the competition with his previous club Swindon.
The game will give a chance for players who have been on the fringes of the starting eleven to come in and impress in a game where there are fewer expectations.
Kevin McDonald, Jack Price, Jed Wallace, Tommy Rowe and Rajiv van La Parra could all feature in the game and a positive performance would surely give them a chance of breaking into Saturday’s starting line-up against Preston.
Danger Men
Middlesbrough
Ex-wolves player George Friend never found his feet at Molineux but has been ever present for Middlesbrough since signing in July 2015. Being mostly sent out on loan by Mick McCarthy during his time at Wolves, Friend has matured into a solid championship left back and played in Middlesbrough’s play off final loss to Norwich at Wembley in May.
Wolves
Jack Price could prove to be the missing formula in our current midfield. Despite having some quality midfielders in Connor Coady, James Henry and David Edwards, there has been a severe lack of creativity and bite in the midfield area leaving Afobe and Le Fondre with little service. Price’s calm and collected playing style could add some much needed balance to the side, giving others a chance to push forward when needed.
Match odds
Middlesbrough 7/10
Draw 13/5
Wolves 4/1
First goalscorer
Kike 9/2
Christian Stuani 5/1
Dave Nuguent 5/1
Benik Afobe 6/1
Adam Le Fondre 8/1
Bright Enobakhare 9/1
Image (Express and Star): http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/09/18/homegrown-striker-may-be-answer/
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