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Cardiff City V Wolves – Full Preview
By JOEL REED
Cardiff City manager Dave Jones will tomorrow for the first time come face to face with former employees Wolverhampton Wanderers at Ninian Park.
Molineux bosses sensationally sacked Jones in November last year after a poor start to the 2004/2005 season, which had serious repercussions on the Championship outfit’s chance of making a quick-fire return to the Premiership.
Jones was given the old heave-ho four months in to the season following a humiliating 1-0 to a 10-man Gillingham side, which left the club in the depths of the Championship basement in 19th position, and he was succeeded by current boss Glenn Hoddle a month later to a mixed reception.
Jones, who joined Wolves in January 2001, became the first manager in 19 years to lead the club in to English football’s top-flight – the Premiership – after a stunning 3-0 Play-Off Final victory over Sheffield United at The Millennium Stadium, at the end of the 2002/2003 season.
The former Southampton boss will always be remembered for that achievement over two years ago by the Molineux faithful, but tomorrow their will be no love lost when he leads his new club Cardiff City, who he joined last May, out in front of the Ninian Park masses.
Wolves, now well and truly under the Hoddle regime, will be looking to bounce back from the 2-0 defeat they suffered against Leeds United last weekend – despite completely dominating the proceedings with 21 shots on goal, with 15 on target, Wolves’ 21 unbeaten league streak was dramatically ended by goals by Rob Hulse and Eddie Lewis.
Wolves will be sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Michael Oakes, who missed Tuesday night’s 5-1 Carling Cup victory over Chester City at Molineux with a shoulder injury. Oakes, 31, has since resumed light training and will be given until the last minute to see if he can play tomorrow.
Wolves academy keeper Carl Ikeme, who was handed his senior debut on Tuesday, could feature once again in Oakes’ possible absence and Molineux new boy Stefan Postma, who a week ago landed a five-month loan move from Aston Villa, could make his debut.
Defender Jody Craddock and midfield skipper Paul Ince are both ruled out with their respective calf and thigh injuries and left-back Lee Naylor could also not feature due to a stomach muscle injury.
New signing Darren Anderton, who joined on a free from Birmingham City last Monday, is understood to be making his league debut after impressing Hoddle in mid-week by scoring a free-kick and providing three other goals.
Rohan Ricketts and Carl Cort will both return to the squad after being rested on Tuesday and Jackie McNamara is almost certain to return to the starting line-up.
Bluebirds left-back Chris Barker should return to the squad after overcoming a hamstring strain and Neil Cox will return at centre-back.
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