Date: 7/3/15
Venue: Molineux
Kick Off: 3:00pm
Wolves’ push for a playoff place was stalled on Tuesday night following the loss away at Bournemouth with many stating the manner of the defeat proved that Wolves don’t have enough for a playoff push.
Wolves looked second best throughout against Bournemouth and it was a harsh way to end a run of three confident wins of the bounce. Kenny Jackett will be keen to amend the result with Saturday’s visit of third place Watford.
Jackett’s selection was heavily criticised before the game and the result, along with the performance, only added more fuel to the fire for the critics.
Dropping Jack Price raised many questions and Jackett’s continued theory of rotating full backs continues to dumbfound many.
However Wolves still sit only four points outside of the playoff spaces and the gap between opponents Watford would be shortened to only six points if we were to win on Saturday. While it would be a disappointment to miss out of the playoffs, it still must not be forgotten that we have only just got promotion from League One and following the turbulence of previous years, Kenny has performed an outstanding job at this football club.
Watford themselves have been around the playoff spaces for the entirety of the season and now find themselves only one point from top spot. Knowing they could reach that on Saturday will only further push them on for victory at Molineux.
They will also want to avenge the result on Boxing Day when Wolves came down to Vicarage Road and gained all three points after Nouha Dicko sealed the win.
Our best two full backs Scott Golbourne and Dominic Iofra should return to the side on Saturday and with the strong midfield Watford possess, Jackett may want to find a way to bring Jack Price back into the fold, as he arguably the best anchor man at the club.
Results can go anyway in the Championship and Wolves need to get back to win and capitalize on potential slip ups from the sides above them.
Danger Men
Wolves
Benik Afobe’s goal against Bournemouth took his goal record for Wolves to a goal every other game since his signing from Arsenal in the January transfer window. The young striker latched onto to a fantastic defensive splitting through ball from Kevin McDonald to score his fifth goal in ten matches.
Bakary Sako recently won the PFA Fan’s Player of the Month for February following his four goals from six matches after his return from the African Cup of Nations. If Sako can return to his form prior to the Bournemouth match then Wolves’ play off push can surely continue.
Watford
Watford’s main area of strength has always been their potent attacking prowess. As shown in recent high scoring results against Leeds and Bolton they have a sincere ‘we’ll try and out score you’ mentality. They have favoured heavily from the link with Italian side Udinese and hit men Fernando Forestieri and Matěj Vydra will no doubt be troublesome throughout on Saturday.
Former Wolves midfielder Adlène Guedioura recently returned for a second loan spell with the Hornets and made his first start since his return in Tuesday’s win over Fulham.
Match Odds
Wolves 7/5
Draw 12/5
Watford 9/5
First goalscorer
Nouha Dicko 5/1
Benik Afobe 5/1
Bakary Sako 6/1
Troy Deeney 5/1
Matej Vydra 13/2
Leave a Comment