World class stars set for Molineux bow.

Chelsea’s galaxy of stars arrive to grace the Molineux pitch this Saturday lunch time.

The team that has had £112 million pounds assembling it faces a team of summer recruits that was assembled for a set of conkers and an old button by comparison.

This is the first time that we’ll see genuine Premiership class grace our stadium, with respect to Charlton and Portsmouth previously.

Chelski, are quite simply an awesome force waiting to happen.

We’ve grown used to Man United and Arsenal but they are both more traditional and even modest in their approach to the Premiership compared to the new Chelsea. Mr. Abrhamovic has given Chelsea the financial muscle to mean that there are three teams to be reckoned with in the best domestic league in the world.

They ooze international stars however, the pundits are questioning whether Claudio Ranieiri will be able to find the winning formula before his time runs out.

So far they’ve not done too badly! Three wins and a surprise home draw with Blackburn has returned 10 points from their first four games. Not bad for a team still ‘finding its feet’.

This week they went for a change of personnel which resulted in a professional performance yielding victory in Prague. This inevitable squad rotation has caused rumblings with the players but Chelsea have always employed these tactics they just have even more players to rotate now!

It’s a guessing game as to which 11 will take to the pitch but Ranieiri will definitely expect Chelsea to get all three points at the home of the struggling Premiership new boys. However, they could almost employ England friendly techniques and switch all eleven players at half time.

Definitely worth seeing will be Adrian Mutu if he’s fit enough to play. Having already scored four goals in his three appearances he seems to have settled in very quickly to the English game. If he’s not fit then they can always call on Mr.Hasselbaink – not a bad reserve to have up your sleeve. Other players of note include Veron, Duff – who hasn’t got going yet, Crespo, Joe Cole, Terry – a class centre back, the list is endless…

Not surprisingly the ‘sold out’ signs have gone round Molineux. This is one of ‘the’ prime home fixtures, the reason for buying that season ticket.

As for Wolves well it remains to be seen what we can do to try and stop Chelsea getting all three points.

The 4-5-1 formation seems likely to be employed once again however, the midfield personnel may be changed. Having seen Chelsea at Liverpool on TV the passing in midfield was excellent.

Therefore, we need to get the ball off the opposition and try and hassle and frustrate the visitors.

I think we may see Alex Rae ‘rested’ for this fixture in favour of either Gudjonsson or Kachloul coming in for a full debut. We may also see a return to the side for Henri Camara in place of Shaun Newton.

However, despite his comments about being ‘ready’ for the Premiership there will be no place for Isaac Okoronkwo in the defence. Also Oleg Luzhny I doubt will be risked against the pace of Duff.

Hopefully, Matt Murray will return between the posts for what promises to be a busy afternoon’s work at the office.

I think the best we can hope for is that Chelsea underestimate Wolves. In previous season’s fixtures like this were seen as Chelsea’s Achilles heel. However, with the undoubted quality they have throughout the side it would take a major off day for us to get even a draw.

This is the sort of fixture that you wouldn’t expect to get anything from. However, given that we’ve only got the one point to date it will add further pressure for the forthcoming trip to the Reebok to face our old foes.

If we play with the verve that we showed at Old Trafford and give as good as we get, even if it’s without the result, then this will give us heart for the games where we do have a reasonable chance of points.

I think that if we can get a 4-4-2 shape with Miller and Blake up front supported by Camara and Kennedy putting in the crosses and supporting the front line, then we have a realistic chance of getting some precious wins under our belt.

However, in the meantime, sit back and relax and enjoy watching some of the best players in the Premiership on Saturday – whatever the scoreline!

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