Wolverhampton Wanderers versus Everton Match Preview – by Paddy Howlin

Everton will make their final away trip of the 2011/12 season on Sunday, when they travel to the Black Country to face relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers (kick off 14:00 BST). The Toffees will hope to add to the Premier League’s ‘wooden spoon’ champions’ woes by claiming three points that will see us beat last season’s points tally and keep a tight grip on seventh place with a game to go.

The Toffee’s will need to guard against complacency on Sunday, as despite Wolves woeful form this season, Everton have become unstuck before against Wolves when they have played for pride before relegation. Our last defeat at Molineux came in May 2004, when bottom placed Wolves triumphed 1-2 in a game that marked Leon Osman’s Everton debut and first goal for the club. Despite the result, it was not enough to save Wolves from relegation; despite having a further two games to play.

Wolves will be keen to secure a repeat result in their last match in front of their home faithful, who despite the poor performances on the pitch and haphazard judgement in the boardroom with the handling of the managerial recruitment following Mick McCarthy’s sacking, have stayed loyal to their side (Scouse Mafia protests aside).

Despite a good start to the season, in which Wolves briefly topped the early League table after victories in their first games against Blackburn and Fulham, things started to unravel with comprehensive home defeats against Tottenham and newly promoted Queens Park Rangers in September.

Despite a spirited performance at Goodison in Everton’s narrow 2-1 win thanks to a Jagielka strike and late Leighton Baines penalty, results failed to improve, and prior to the New Year, Wolves had won just four matches since the start of the season.

2012 failed to bring any joy to Wolves as they continued to flatter to deceive, and had to wait until the 4th February to record a first win in ten games by defeating Queen Park Rangers away 2-1. This was to prove to be a landmark date and result, as Wanderers have failed to record a win since.

After losing the Black Country Derby versus West Bromwich Albion at home in embarrassing fashion 1-5, and after indifferent results all season, Mick McCarthy was sacked. In hindsight this may have proven to have been a rash decision, as Wolves struggled to find a replacement.

Alan Curbishley was offered the role, but turned it down as it was on the basis of him only being offered a short term contract, with a longer deal only available if the ex-Charlton and West Ham boss could prevent Wolves being relegated.

Rumours circulated that Steve Bruce and Walter Smith were also offered the opportunity to replace McCarthy, but they too elected to reject Steve Morgan’s advances.

In a shock move, Wolves somehow managed to find an even more uninspiring manager than the previous incumbent, and promoted Mick McCarthy’s Assistant Terry Connor as Manager until the end of the season.

To state that the appointment has been a disaster, would not be overstating the situation. Lacking managerial experience or any of the key skills or characteristics you would expect from a Manager trying to save a team from relegation, Wolves have sank without trace. Losing 8 of his 11 matches, the Midlands side now face Championship football next season.

There are very few positives to take from Wolves on the playing side this season; however Steve Fletcher’s performances have perhaps stood out amongst the rest of his peers with the Scottish International scoring 11 goals in 25 starts this season. On the back of this, and a good overall record over the past three years in the top-flight, he is likely to remain in the Premier League next season and will depart Molineux in the summer.

Welsh International goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has also been impressive this season, however a knee injury that has finished his season early, could see him remain at Wolves until the January 2013 transfer window at least, as he’s not expected to be fit again for at least 6 months.

Everton will be keen to sign off their 2011/12 away campaign with a win, particularly after letting a 1-0 lead slip at Stoke on Tuesday night.

In a game that the Toffees should have added a 2nd or 3rd goal following a gift from Peter Crouch that put us 1-0 up; David Moyes will have been disappointed with only taking a point from the game. However, the result did secure a 6th consecutive top 10 finish in the league, a feat that looked highly unlikely as late as mid-January prior to the acquisitions of Gibson, Jelavic and Piennar.

The Toffees will travel to the Midlands without Captain Phil Neville (hamstring) and Victor Anichebe (groin), with both players joining Jack Rodwell on the injury list and likely to miss the remaining part of the season. Leighton Baines is also likely to miss out, though indications are that he is planning a return for the last game of the season against Newcastle.

Wolves also have their own injury worries, with Jamie O’Hara, and Jody Craddock joining Wayne Hennessey in being ruled out for the rest of season. On loan Sébastien Bassong and winger Matthew Jarvis who missed the 4-4 draw with Swansea last week could return for Sunday’s game.

With very little to play for, other than pride, the game on Sunday is likely to be a typical end of season affair. Wolves will want to try and go out and win their last home match in the Premier League to give their long suffering support something to cheer about after a terrible season. Everton however should have far too much for a Wolves side that is in danger of recording its lowest points total ever in the top flight. Though after Wolves spirited comeback against Swansea last week, this game could prove to be a banana skin for Everton.

Anything less than 3 points for David Moyes team on Sunday would be a massive disappointment, particularly given the impressive displays against Man United, Fulham and for the majority of the game at Stoke.

My prediction? Despite this having the potential to be a typical game that Everton tend to slip up in, I think we will hopefully keep a clean sheet and Jelavic will add to his goals tally as Wolves limp surrender to Championship football next season reaches its final conclusion.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Everton 2