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Wolverhampton manager Mick McCarthy’s sleight-of-hand with his line up was the main talking point of his club’s previous game with Manchester United.
McCarthy fielded a controversial squad against United at Old Trafford that saw 10 changes from their previous match. In short, McCarthy had fielded a reserve squad against the mighty Red Devils.
McCarthy’s reserves were casually thumped 3-0. Had the man lost his managerial marbles?
Perhaps not all…although there was madness in his method!
Later, under post-match interrogations by the press and the FA, McCarthy revealed his motive: Rest the first team boys. (They were unlikely to beat United anyway.) And with rest, maybe they could actually win a game later on.
A week later McCarthy’s well-rested boys beat rivals Burnley!
Madness…? Perhaps! But what a fine madness McCarthy manifested.
All that drama aside, Wolves now find themselves perched upon the precarious precipice of the relegation zone, with goal difference being the only Premier League survival lifeline they currently clutch.
Wolves lost 1-0 away at Bolton last week but McCarthy was straightforward in his appraisal of his squad’s performance.
"We have made mistakes and it has cost us the game. The goal we conceded wasn't bad luck, it was bad defending" McCarthy said in a post match interview.
Wolves opponents this weekend are once again Premier League titans Manchester United, and given the form displayed lately by young Mr. Wayne Rooney & Co., the last thing McCarthy can afford is bad defending.
History repeats,…or will it?
Coming off a tough loss, going into a tough game, followed by a match against fellow strugglers Burnley, McCarthy might be tempted to repeat his tactical trickery. But it’s not likely this time around. Notwithstanding the fact that the league and the supporters cast a dim view of the earlier deceit, every point at this juncture of the season is worth its weight in gold.
Simply put, McCarthy can’t afford to trifle.
Manchester United, on the other hand, are flying high. Fresh off a victory over Aston Villa in the Carling Cup Final, they approach the weekend just a point behind Chelsea in the race for the league lead.
Ferguson enraged
But defensive vulnerability is once again evident. Although Nemanja Vidic is back in the line up, Rio
Ferdinand has back problems. But that’s alright since he still has a suspension hanging over him.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson, however, must be at least a little concerned with central defender Jonny Evans, whose shaky display against Milan in the Champions League two weeks ago nearly caused Ferguson’s head to burst open, such was his apparent rage.
Wayne Rooney, on the other hand, has shown no vulnerability whatsoever this season. The England international came off the bench to replace Michael Owen and score the winner against Villa.
Rooney is said to have been working on his heading skills lately. It shows. He seems to be scoring everything with his noggin the last few matches.
Injuries beset United still, however. Ferdinand has the aforementioned sore back. Giggs is out with a broken arm. O’Shea is out for the season. Anderson, Rafael and Owen are all on the disabled list.
Still, with Rooney in the middle receiving Valencia’s crosses from the right United have as potent a punch as they have had all season.
Sheep in Wolves clothing
Added incentive for the Red Devils must be that they are facing a struggling Wolves side. Indeed, Mick McCarthy’s team are little more than a sheep in wolves clothing and a motivated Manchester United should have little trouble leading them to slaughter.
