2005/2006 Wolves Season Preview
Last Season
Wolves are coming off a strange 2004/05 season. While they won 2 games after the January break they still struggled and did not earn promotion. Glasgow Rangers, competing for the first time in the English leagues finished first with Bolton securing the second promotion slot. The other Scottish team, Celtic finished 3rd by 1 point, their loss to Wolves coming back to haunt them. Yet the team came alive in the Div.2 Cups. 2 wins 6 draws and 6 losses earned Wovles a solid 6th place finish, at least avoiding hypothetical relegation to Div.3. But in Cup games Wolves played with ferocity. They tore apart Norwich 4-1 in the semifinal aggregrate.Wolves then won the Cup Final 1-0 over Leeds United, with CB Balde scoring the winning goal on a 1-touch pass from Colin Cameron. Being able to claim some silverware was important for new Manager MrSix who is looking to build confidence in his team and prepare them for 2005/06 season where they will settle for nothing less than promotion.
Formation
Since arriving at Molineux, MrSix has installed a 4-5-1 that often plays more like 4-3-3 on the attack. While MrSix has still kept this basic formation, it is technically now a 4-4-2. Seol Ki-Hyeon remains in the lead striker role (for the moment) and Scottish striker Kenny Miller will play in the hole (for the moment). MrSix has been seen tinkering with personel. MrSix feels this basic formation takes advantage of the team's strengths and conceals its weaknesses the best. While the poor quality of last year's SBs hurt the offense and the defense, with the addition of Ian Harte, the SBs are likely to be a lot more active in the offense. MrSix is confident the switch from an OM playing in the hole (usually Rohan Ricketts) to a CF will benefit all players. Ricketts seemed more comfortable last season when he was playing on the wings, and moving Seol Ki-Hyeon to the No.10 role will free up Ricketts to play in his more natural position.
Squad
Goalkeeper
Rab Douglas - Scotland's national keeper returns to guard the net this season for Wolves. Douglas was in top form in the Cup final against Leeds and in the first semi-final against Norwich getting 2 clean sheets. More solid than brilliant Douglas has raised GK to a team strength in the eyes of management. Douglas is a popular figure with the many Scottish fans of Wovles.
Defenders
Bobo Balde -French Centreback Bobo Balde earned the love and gratitude of Wolves fans by scoring the winning goal in the cup final. Balde has been a steady anchor to horrific defense the whole season often times the only defender capable of holding the line. With better players around him, Balde, who will turn 30 in OCtober, appears confident and energetic.
Seyi "George" Olofinjana-Nigerian international Olofinjana returns to Wolverhampton for the 2005/06 after an odd absense due to "personal reasons' during the 04/05 season. While many fans were confused that Olofinjana (acquired in the summer of 04) never played for Wolves last season, MrSix has said "the situation has been sorted out" and Olofinjana will be in uniform for Wolves 2005/06. However, Olofinjana will not be in his natural position of midfield. Due to the arrival of Onischenko, who played superb in Defensive Midfield, and the fact that Wolves still lack a second quality center back, for 2005/06 Olofinjana will be palying at Centreback. "I am confident George will be able to make the switch. We desperately need another center back. George's skills make him well suited to play alongside Balde"," Six declared.
Ronnie Wallwork -the versatile English defender is a product of the FA National School of Excellence at Lilleshall and has played for Manchester United and West Brom. Six considers a steady defender capable of playing several positions. His installment at RB may not be permanent as Mr. Six is still said to be scouting RBs
Ian Harte -MrSix has been infatuated with the Irishman's devastating free kicks since he was manager of AS Cannes. While ridiculed at Leeds United for a lack of pace and for inconsistant play, MrSix is confident that all Harte needs to excel is the right manager and the right system. MrSix dismissed some of the Leed's criticism as "rot from untrained amateur eyes". Harte has good stamina but it is with his free kicks and passing that MrSix believes Harte will be burning Woves opponents.
Midfielders
Denis Onischenko -The Ukrainian midfielder has proved priceless for the Wolves midfield. After arriving Onischenko and Colin Cameron instantly clicked. Both are talented 20-year old midfields who pass well. The quality of their teamwork has even surprised MrSix who says Onischenko has surpassed all his hopes in adapting to England and playing with Cameron in midfield.
Colin Cameron -Scottish midfielder Cameron has been a steady performer for Wolves since acquiring him in 2001/02. But it was last season when Onischenko arrived that Cameron's play reached a new level. Cameron was unanimous team Footballer of the Year. Displaying a maturity beyond his 20 years on the pitch Cameron looks poised, along with his new friend Onischenko, to become a Molineux legend. The other thing that MrSix is wary of, is that the tabloids have already reported Cameron and Onischenko having gone clubbing together. Because the incident was in the summer and no rows broke out, Six chalked it up to a team bonding experience.
Rohan Ricketts -the English midfielder's loan from Tottenham was made permanent. Ricketts' play began inconcistant but he settled in after the transfer window when he could drift to the wings more. Ricketts scored 4 goals and 1 assist. The move outside to RMF is expected to help Ricketts keep up his top form.
Alan Thompson -the forgotten English midfielder. It is not that his play was poor all season, he did score 4 goals, but Thompson was the invisible man for Wolves last season. As long as he doesn't make any big mistakes, he'll likely play another full season in the shadows.
Strikers
Seol Ki-Hyeon -The Korean international seemed in a coma for the first half of the season but managed to revive himself at times to score 4 scores. 3 goals and 1 assist came in 2 games however. His play was more creative and his pace more lively by the end of season. MrSix is hoping Ki-Hyeon can continue that top form, otherwise he will be looking for a Striker.
Kenny Miller -the young Scottish CF is something of an enigma. Set out on loan by MrSix's predecessor, Mr.Six only recently discovered he even had Miller on the squad. Miller has decent pace, reaction and power so it will interesting to see if he can have an impact.
Prediction
The defending Div.2 Cup Champions have an improved squad, seem motivated and energetic and have a manager putting in the time.
Wolves-
2nd earning promotion.
