Centre Midfield Vs Plymouth?

[PREM.L.L]

What do you think we'll go for??

I know the centre back thing's a bit up in the air but after last season anything'll do really and up front it'll be SEB plus another and pretty much Jarvis and Kightly on the wings but who will he go for in the middle?

That's his one big decision about the line up for me. Davies seems to be doing the right things and most importantly is fit but will he go with him?
I've a feeling he might go with something slightly boring and defensive, but here's hoping.

[jbarnettuk1984]

I'd like to think it would be Mark Davies and Dave Jones but the chances of Mick starting with one of the following are more likely -
Olo (if he's still here)/Henry, Henry/D. Jones, D.Jones/D.Edwards or D.Edwards/Olo.

[Kenny-11]

Henry and Jones is my guess.

Davies on the bench. Edwards the one to miss out for now.

Would like to see Davies start the Accrington game.

[goldeneyed]

It will be Henry and Jones with Davies (if fit) on the bench. Edwards in reserve. Still not at all sure about Jones being the creative genius we need but will await events. Marvin Elliott is the player we really need plus $$$$tu at the back. But the club/McCarthy just don't have the ambition it seems.

[jbarnettuk1984]

It will be Henry and Jones with Davies (if fit) on the bench. Edwards in reserve. Still not at all sure about Jones being the creative genius we need but will await events. Marvin Elliott is the player we really need plus $$$ at the back. But the club/McCarthy just don't have the ambition it seems.
It has nothing to do with ambition. You can't FORCE someone to leave their current club. You can't ALWAYS have your first choice. Its not football manager.

[loopy lupine]

It will be Henry and Jones with Davies (if fit) on the bench. Edwards in reserve. Still not at all sure about Jones being the creative genius we need but will await events. Marvin Elliott is the player we really need plus $$$ at the back. But the club/McCarthy just don't have the ambition it seems.

So Wolves/McCarthy haven't got ambition because they haven't tried to sign someone who has turned down a champions league club?

Get real, if you've got an anti McCarthy agenda at least try to come up with decent arguments for your case.

[Welsh Y'am Y'am]

Like many have intimated, I'd like to see him play Davies with Jones, but I have a feeling it will be Henry with one of Jones or Edwards. Mick loves Henry, nearly as much as he loved Olofinjana. Perhaps having some commanding centre halves behind him (Stearman and Craddock) will give Henry the freedom to get further forward.

Personally, I think that Henry with Davies could work, but Jones has been signed to start in my opinion and I believe it will be him and Henry to begin with; Davies on the bench to cover centre mid and right mid.

[Law's Bus]

I'd like to see Jones and Davies paired for home games, whilst Henry and one of them for away games.

We really need to play a more expansive game at Molineux than we did last season.

[kightly4england]

i don't know why you're all ruling out d.edwards, in my opinion he is the best central midfielder we've got

[Kenny-11]

i don't know why you're all ruling out d.edwards, in my opinion he is the best central midfielder we've got

Not a case of ruling out. We have 2 positions to fill +1 on the bench........we have 4 (not inc Seyi) to fill those

Mick will play Henry and I believe he will put Jones with him. For the space on the bench, to date, Davies has impressed in his 3 games and Edwards has been steady. Given that Davies can also play on the right (as he did in the reserves last season) that will get him ahead of Edwards for the start of the season.

[hambaps]

i don't know why you're all ruling out d.edwards, in my opinion he is the best central midfielder we've got

:eek:

[Del Woppio]

I'd go for the solidity and energy a Henry/Edwards partnership gives you away from home, and the creativity a Davies/Jones partnership gives you at Molineux. That's based on only seeing a handful of Edwards' appearances, and my understanding of Jones' abilities.

[goldeneyed]

So Wolves/McCarthy haven't got ambition because they haven't tried to sign someone who has turned down a champions league club?

Get real, if you've got an anti McCarthy agenda at least try to come up with decent arguments for your case.

I havn't got an anti McCarthy agenda although he does seem to have his limitations. I just believe that we are a couple of players short of becoming serious contenders at the top rather than also rans among around 12 other clubs scrambling for the play offs. The line between success and failure is so thin and as yet I have not seen a signing come in that would really tip the balance in our favour. See ambition thread for further arguments and counter arguments.

[goldeneyed]

It has nothing to do with ambition. You can't FORCE someone to leave their current club. You can't ALWAYS have your first choice. Its not football manager.

Its difficult to sign good players as a Championship club and some of the signings this summer have been good. But I would like more evidence of us TRYING to get the likes of Ledley and Lafferty rather than shopping lower down the market.I'm not advocating spending money for the sake of it and accept that most bids for the best players at our level will probably fail. But good young proven players at this level don't come cheap and perhaps the club should be prepared to lift its sights a little sometimes when an opportunity arises.

[Del Woppio]

But I would like more evidence of us TRYING to get the likes of Ledley and Lafferty rather than shopping lower down the market.

Why? Why should let our supporters, and therefore our peers, know how much we have bid and for whom? Why put ourselves in a commercial disadvantage just to placate an element of support that would only then be unhappy that we had failed to raise the financial bar to get these players in? Publicly discussing transfer targets serves only unsettle the existing playing staff (who we may later need to rely on) and let our competitors know how much we have to spend. It’s a policy that has absolutely no benefit whatsoever.

[Sharples]

Henry is skipper so will play. Probably be Jones to partner him although I wouldn't object to Kightly left, Davies right. But for now lets keep to Jarvis, Kightly, Jones and Henry. Edwards and Davies are good competition and know they will get chances...

[jbarnettuk1984]

Its difficult to sign good players as a Championship club and some of the signings this summer have been good. But I would like more evidence of us TRYING to get the likes of Ledley and Lafferty rather than shopping lower down the market.I'm not advocating spending money for the sake of it and accept that most bids for the best players at our level will probably fail. But good young proven players at this level don't come cheap and perhaps the club should be prepared to lift its sights a little sometimes when an opportunity arises.
Fair Play. I do see where you are coming from. And i have said on various occasions i agree we are a couple of signings short of being top 2 material. That said, i won't criticise the club/manager for having no ambition, when i am fairly happy with who we have brought in. I've never been a fan of Lafferty and am actually pretty pleased we missed out on him. From the outside perspective i have of the goings on behind the scenes re; transfers, i'm glad we're no longer seen as a club that people can 'take for a ride'. I'd say all our transfers this summer so far have been good business. 10 games in and we'll have an idea of whether we need to strengthen more come January. I'm keeping my fingers crossed we get off to a good start - That'll make things a lot easier for everyone!

[Law's Bus]

i don't know why you're all ruling out d.edwards, in my opinion he is the best central midfielder we've got

I'm not - there's only two places available, and it'll be a "horses for courses" approach I would imagine.

If we need someone to add a high-energy contribution, then David Edwards will be one of the first on the teamsheet.

[Beastier]

I'd like to think it would be Mark Davies and Dave Jones but the chances of Mick starting with one of the following are more likely -
Olo (if he's still here)/Henry, Henry/D. Jones, D.Jones/D.Edwards or D.Edwards/Olo.

Re Olo - whilst he's still on the list & the window is still open I can't see him getting a game (he might get injured which could jepardise a potential August sale + I would be surprised if MM keeps him as a key player in a team when his long term future isn't with the club)

[EasternWolf]

It will be Henry and Jones with Davies (if fit) on the bench. Edwards in reserve. Still not at all sure about Jones being the creative genius we need but will await events. Marvin Elliott is the player we really need plus $$$ at the back. But the club/McCarthy just don't have the ambition it seems.

You mean the ambition to agree with you? No, apparently they don't have that.

[Nashie]

Good to see now that everyone is fit, we have options in the middle now.

I would personally see how Davies and Jones perform together. But I expect things to be rotated away from home we may need Davies and Henry.

Edwards will have his part to play, he looked a good player.

[jbarnettuk1984]

Edwards did look alright until he got crocked at the back end of last season. The mummerings from Molineux a coupla weeks ago, were that Mark Davies along with a few others would be shipped out on loan. I wonder if this opinion has now changed from Mick and the others as he seems to have come on nicely in pre-season so far. Lets hope Davies doesn't do what he's done before and get injured this pre-season. With D.Edwards, D.Jones, M.Davies, Henry & at the moment Olo, we have healthy competition in the middle with both defensive & attacking options. At an absolute push if we've been struck with 3/4 injuries, Foley can cover in the middle as he proved last season too.

[Taffywolf]

Think MM will go for Jones and Henry because I think the chnaces are that Olo will be gone. I would build my centre midfield around Mark davies because He is that good. He will make things happen and we will be much more of an attacking force with him in the team.
If olo doesn't go I would like to see Olo and Davies otherwise jones and Davies could make a nice partnership Jones sitting and Davies playing his role of getting forward...
Heres hoping..

[ProudWolf]

Think MM will go for Jones and Henry because I think the chnaces are that Olo will be gone. I would build my centre midfield around Mark davies because He is that good. He will make things happen and we will be much more of an attacking force with him in the team.
If olo doesn't go I would like to see Olo and Davies otherwise jones and Davies could make a nice partnership Jones sitting and Davies playing his role of getting forward...
Heres hoping..

Jones isn't a holding midfield player. He likes to get forward as much as Davies and infact somebody reported from the Hereford game that Davies was the one who 'sat' in midfield when he played with Jones.

[BlackstrobeII]

I would like to see Davies and Jones, but expect it to be Henry and Jones. We seem to be quite well stocked in the middle of the park with these three, as well as Edwards who I reckon will be a big player for us this season!!!

[Kenny-11]

Jones isn't a holding midfield player. He likes to get forward as much as Davies and infact somebody reported from the Hereford game that Davies was the one who 'sat' in midfield when he played with Jones.

Davies likes to receive the ball deep and move forward. He did that against Wrexham. Jones was quite happy moving across the midfield to pick the ball up and then........pass it sideways. I fear for his future already

[Mr Wolf]

Jones can play this holding role your all obsessed with and should start alongside M Davies. They are both v good on the ball so we can retain possesion quite easy therefore we don't need to run a million mph to chase people and kick them.

For the first time though we have options in the middle for once like we do up front now. The energy and forward running of D Edwards, the steadyhead of K Henry, the creativity and running with the ball of M Davies and D Jones' all round passing ability. Pus still Olo and Potter at the moment.

[lmuwolf]

I think it'' be Jones and Henry with Davies on the bench.

We could be coming up against this fellow at Home Park!

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/argyle/Argyle-showing-interested-Kyle/article-229928-detail/article.html

:eek:

[GoldenHorseshoe]

There's still enough of the preseason left for anyone to make a move. I'm hoping that Davies keeps fitness and form over the next week or so and gives Mick a headache to decide.

[Atlas 1951]

I'd go for the solidity and energy a Henry/Edwards partnership gives you away from home, and the creativity a Davies/Jones partnership gives you at Molineux. That's based on only seeing a handful of Edwards' appearances, and my understanding of Jones' abilities.

A complete overhaul of central midfield every week? I'm not sure about that. Continuity is important, too.

I agree with others that we shouldn't need Henry at home now that we have good all round options in midfield. An excellent guy to have on the bench and bring on for a striker to hold onto a lead for twenty minutes. I think Jones will have been made certain promises regarding his initial place in the first eleven, and we will see him every week, with Edwards/Davies supporting him at home and Henry away.

[Sozzled Wolf]

Going on pre-season form I'd opt for Davies & Jones.

Would also happily accept Henry and Davies.

Think MM will go for Jones and Henry though.

[Deutsch Wolf]

Going on pre-season form I'd opt for Davies & Jones.

Would also happily accept Henry and Davies.

Think MM will go for Jones and Henry though.

All infinitely better than what we had last season.

[Atlas 1951]

All infinitely better than what we had last season.

You don't think we'll miss Olofinjana, then, Deutsch?

[Deutsch Wolf]

My vocal cords won't miss the useless twonk, put it that way.

[Del Woppio]

And neither will the unfortunate souls who have to listen to your cockney accented potty mouth when our soon-to-depart hero gets the ball at his feet...

[ashfordwolf]

Perhaps Mick will surprise us all by picking the two in form midfielders on the opening day...

[itsonlyagame]

But the club/McCarthy just don't have the ambition it seems.


Yawn yawn :rolleyes: Old Chestnut! :rolleyes:

[itsonlyagame]

hero

:D:D Never heard that word used in conjunction with Mr Inconsistent before. :D

[Welsh Y'am Y'am]

And yet listen to Mick waxing lyrical about the Fairy's talents - http://www.wolves.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~1348829,00.html

That comes close to the article proclaiming Neil Collins the next Billy Wright following his new 4 year deal.

Makes you wonder what people are watching sometimes.

[GoldenHorseshoe]

What do you expect him to say? He's trying to off load him!

[kightly4england]

i think we will all have to accept that henry will play every game he is fit for, and will most probably have the armband

[BlackstrobeII]

Perhaps Mick will surprise us all by picking the two in form midfielders on the opening day...


I hope he does!!

Does anybody else worry that Micks selection for Plymouth will define how a lot of people feel about him this season? For example if he selects Collins, Henry, and S Ward ahead of Elokobi, Davies and Jarvis some will have the daggers out for him from the opening whistle!! Until of course Ward bags a brace and Collins rises like a salmon to score a last minute winner!!! ;)

[scrufftyguy]

The way things are looking at the moment I reckon it might just be Henry and Davies starting.

[Essex Wolf]

Away from home I'd go for Henry and Edwards. Both have plenty of energy, can score goals and provide supply for the wide players.

Jones and/or Davies on the bench.

If things aren't going as expected or hoped plenty of options.

[Wolves in Limerick]

I expect it will be jones and Henry in the centre for the early games. If Davis isn't sent out on loan then he along with Edwards will probably occupy seats on the substitute bench. This will give both but particularly Davis the opportunity to play his way into Mick's plans.

[johnybig32]

No-one think we will go with 5 in midfield?

Henry sitting accompanied by two others? Maybe Kites and Jones with Keogh and Jarvis supporting...?

[Deutsch Wolf]

No chance, other than maybe Blues/Sheff Utd away.

[Still Proud]

Mick's deperately trying to get some cash in for Seyi

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_3853526,00.html

[Uncle Festa]

Depends on who is playing at centrehalf. If they need help, then Henry will play the holding role. If we have a defence who can handle themselves then we may see the Jones/Davies partnership. I see Edwards as a bit part player who will come on and add some energy when we are chasing a game especially away from home. He doesn't possess enough techncial ability for me to be able to retain the ball when we need to control a game - he falls way behind Jones, Henry, and Davies in terms of ball retention, but is a good option to feed off the likes of Iwellumo. I was told by a few Shrewsbury fans that he predominantly played right midfield so he may also be used as back up to Kights.

[northnorfolkwolf]

We only have 3 quality players - Hennessey, SEB and Kightly; imo Davies has the ability, if he can stay injury free to become no 4. He needs to start and make the big difference for us in midfield this season. Expect he will only make the bench if lucky.

[kal1000]

When Mick first watched Wolves in a pre-season friendly 2 years ago, the players that stood out for him were Olofinjana and Davies. If he rates Davies half as much as he does Olofinjana, he'll be a regular sooner rather than later (hoping anyway!).

[North West Wanderer]

David Jones is the best midfielder at the club if the form of 2 yrs ago is recreated. Jones and Henry would be my guess.

[reanswolf]

I havn't got an anti McCarthy agenda although he does seem to have his limitations. I just believe that we are a couple of players short of becoming serious contenders at the top rather than also rans among around 12 other clubs scrambling for the play offs. The line between success and failure is so thin and as yet I have not seen a signing come in that would really tip the balance in our favour. See ambition thread for further arguments and counter arguments.

It is unfair to criticise the club over a lack of ambition in a way, because it costs money to acquire quality, and several other clubs and their fans probably feel the same.

But, it is also very true. I agree entirely that to get up, the defining difference is to purchase players of this quality (Elliot & $$$$tu). ALbion bought the likes of Curtis Davies and Jonathan Greening so it is possible, and whilst i appreciate that it was funded by the parachute money, it makes the difference between being also rans for the play offs and having a really good chance. Look where they are now and the progress they have made as a club, whilst I am afraid we remain static. I am not criticising th eclub, they are trying, but to me they are $$$$ingin the wind purchasing players of a similar standard, and I expect that we might just make the playoffs again which I will be happy enough about.

That's just my view, i will not be negative at a match, but i am also realistic enough after all these years of knowing how good we really are. I would love to be proved wrong . I doubt i will be.