(Image via guardian.co.uk)
Date: 10th February 2015
Kick-off: 19:45
Venue: John Smith’s Stadium
Wolves lost their first game in 2015 on Saturday and will looking to catch up on lost ground in the playoff chase with a win against Huddersfield. A midweek game away from home is not something Kenny Jackett will be relishing as wolves this weekend yet again looked tired and without any real attacking energy.
Things couldn’t have gone off to a worse start on Saturday against Reading with debut keeper Tomasz Kuszczak conceding inside the first 20 seconds of the game. Despite a first half equaliser from new signing Benik Afobe, wolves went onto lose the game and Reading in all honesty, did more than enough to come away with all three points. Jackett controversially decided to switch things around with familiar faces such as Nouha Dicko, Dominic Iofra and Jack Price all missing out on a starting place and fans will be keen to see some of those names brought back into the side. The midfield especially looked lethargic and the usually potent David Edwards went missing and offered very little attacking threat.
Despite Van La Parra setting up the goal on Saturday it may be worth dropping him to bring in James Henry who has shown during his substitute appearances he is not afraid to attack a full back, cut inside and shoot when necessary. It may be worthwhile to also rotate Edwards out of the side but the only issue being who would come in to replace the welsh midfielder? It is at this stage of the season that small squads tend to struggle due to the fixture congestion and this is no doubt happening to this small and young wolves side. Jackett could choose to play two strikers in Yorkshire but wolves in the past shown their inability to play any formation other than their standard 4-5-1 and this is a habit that certainly needs to be broken.
Earlier on in the season Wolves missed the chance to top the league with a 3-1 home defeat and was Wolves first defeat in a league game in 2014.
Huddersfield have hit a run of good form as of late, winning their previous three and overcame striker Nakhi Wells sending off to go on to win away at Millwall on Saturday. A win over us could take Huddersfield into the top half for the very first time this season.
Wolves won’t want to look at past results away the Terriers for motivation, having not counted a win there since 1997 in the old Division One.
Danger Men
Wolves
Benik Afobe repaid Jackett’s faith in starting him by scoring against Reading and putting his tally to two goals from four appearances. His keen aerial ability is something we should take advantage of, especially due to the abundance of talent out wide in the form of Sako, Henry, Van La Parra and Jacobs. The former Arsenal striker will be making a return to ground he spent his very first spell on loan from the Gunners, where he made 28 appearances while the Terriers were in League One.
Huddersfield
Huddersfield will be without main striker Nakhi Wells due to suspension, so will rely on the goals from 22-year-old Harry Bunn who is the second top goal scorer for his side with seven goals this season; the same amount as our joint top goal scorers Dicko and Sako.
Sean Scannell is another constant threat for this Huddersfield side, and his pace, matched with acute finishing, could prove another stern test for stand in keeper Kuszczak.
Match Odds
Huddersfield 7/5
Draw 23/10
Wolves 7/4
First Goal Scorer
James Vaughan 11/2
Harry Bunn 6/1
Nouha Dicko 5/1
Benik Afobe 11/2
Bakary Sako 13/2
Follow the game on BBC WM or on Twitter via @OfficialWolves or @TimNash_Star
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