Wolves face stiff test at Loftus Road

Last updated : 17 October 2003 By Dave Burgess

Well, we've got our first Premiership win now we face a stiff test at the adopted home of Fulham.

Loftus Road is a venue associated with it's owners, QPR, and isn't really a Premiership ground, but it's tight confines will make it an interesting battle.

Fulham were tipped for a relegation dogfight themselves at the start of the season and many were unsure about the appointment of Chris Coleman as manager.

However, the money spent by Jean Tigana had brought in quality players but his managerial style didn't seem to be able to gel them into a competitive team.

This season, perhaps with more respect for their former playing colleague, Fulham seem to have found what they were previously lacking.

Having only suffered the one defeat, at Everton, Fulham are currently in 5th place averaging 2 points per game. They will definitely see tomorrow's fixture as an opportunity to collect three more points as well.

Add to this that they've scored in every league game and it adds up to a real test of how far Wolves have progressed, once again.

Wolves may revert to the 4-5-1 formation as the pitch at Loftus Road isn't very wide so they may look to stifle Fulham's creativity.

With Paul Ince definitely out, I expect Alex Rae to replace him in the tiggerish role that he normally occupies so well for us. Joey Gudjonsson will come in to replace as the extra man as Wolves will seek to counter-attack their hosts.

With Matt Murray having declared himself fit, it will be interesting to see which keeper Jones opts for. I think it would be quite harsh to drop Oakes as he has done well in the games he has started.

The defence will pick itself so the only other possible change could be the return of Mark Kennedy for Henri Camara on the wide left and Newton coming on the right for Nathan Blake.

Once again we will have to be on our best form to prevent Boa Morte adding to his five goal tally so far or Saha to his four goals this season.

My forecast is for a close defeat as I think that Fulham have a bit too much guile for us with lightening pace up front.

However, a 2-1 defeat wouldn't be the end of the world as next weekend we see Leicester travel to the Molineux in a relegation six-pointer.

Here's hoping that we can pull something from the bag though !

Come on the Wolves!

E-mail me with any comments/feedback to: dave@wolves-mad.co.uk