Wolves Fanview: 'The minimum requirement is survival & Manchester United's Ashley Young needs to grow up a bit'

"A mid-table finish and a cup run would be lovely and I think we're capable of both those things" - A Wanderers fan offers his views ahead of the new Premier League season

WOLVES
FAN: Thomas Baugh
WEBSITE: Wolves Blog

The target: Survival

The minimum is again survival. As long as that's achieved, we'll all be happy enough. However, I'd like to think we have enough in the squad to do a little better this season and maybe finish closer to mid-table than the bottom three. I'd say I'm cautiously optimistic of a successful campaign.

My thoughts on the gaffer...

Stubborn and infuriating at times but unquestionably the best manager we've had for over 30 years. He picked up the reins of a Championship side that had been torn apart and after rebuilding the squad and taking us up as champions, he's delivered three consecutive seasons of Premier League football. He's not universally loved but he's respected by the majority of fans.

Our key man this season

Tough question to answer as I wouldn't say we've got one standout player, but I'll plump for Steven Fletcher. Kevin Doyle is the more consistent performer but Fletcher is capable of brilliance and providing he gets a good run in the side, I can see him easily notching 15+ goals in the Premier League. This really should be his year.

 


Youngster to watch

Another toughie because not many are getting a chance at present. A young midfielder called David Davis, who was out on loan last season at Shrewsbury and Walsall, earning rave reviews from both sets of supporters, could be one to watch. Quick, agile and has a real eye for a pass. Very much, a modern day midfielder.


A player who must deliver

Has to be Roger Johnson. We were achingly poor defensively last season, so having splashed the cash on Big Rog, we need a strong, consistent season from him. We've got some exciting attacking players, so if we can tighten up at the back we could be an intimidating outfit.
Our Achilles' heel

Left-back. A lot of the goals we concede stem from our left hand side and I think we're short of a good all-round full-back. George Elokobi is physically strong and excellent in the air, Stephen Ward is a decent at getting forward, but neither really have the positional awareness to perform consistently enough.

Fixture I am looking forward to the most...

Has to be one of the games against the old enemy - West Brom. I'd love to see us get a win at The Hawthorns as that's something that's well overdue. Getting one over them on their own ground would be an absolute delight.

Our toughest opponents will be...

Probably Arsenal. We've beaten all of the other top sides over the last couple of years, but Arsenal have continued to torment us. We probably should have got a result against them at Molineux last season but they annihilated us at the Emirates. How that game finished 2-0 I'll never know. Should have been 10.

Player we love to hate

On a personal level, I'd go for Ashley Young. He's a wonderful player and deserves to be playing for a top club like Manchester United. However, his conduct on the pitch is highly questionable at times and he seems to enjoy winding up opposition fans. I think he needs to grow up a bit.

My first choice XI

HENNESSEY

ZUBAR JOHNSON
BERRA
ELOKOBI

HUNT HENRY
O'HARA
JARVIS

DOYLE
FLETCHER



My verdict

It's the best squad we've had for a very long time, so hopefully it will be the highest finish we've had in a very long time. A mid-table finish and a cup run would be lovely and I think we're capable of both those things.



 
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