Two For The Price Of One

Derby County 0-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves drew a blank at Pride Park, meaning that Dean Saunders hasn't won in 6 games in charge now. However, the brighter note for them was that they became only the 2nd team to stop Derby scoring at Pride Park this season. This was, in part, thanks to the new partnership of Batth and Gorkss at centre-back. The two read the game very well and were strong in the tackle, in the air and looked confident in their distribution - taking the right options at the right time.

Sigurdarson and Doyle struggled to influence the game

Going forward, Wolves showed more promise than their opponents. Jamie O'Hara tested Legzdins early on with a half-volley, but that was a rare shot on target in a game where both sides failed to find their shooting boots. Doyle and Sigurdarson - Wolves' chosen partnership for this game - got themselves into good areas but the final ball was often lacking. Bakary Sako was again looking a threat for Wolves down the left, while Jamie O'Hara picked up some good positions in midfield. But, as we have already seen this season, when Doyle and Sigurdarson play together we lack firepower and all too often both strikers were out wide - meaning that any balls into the box were cleaned up comfortably by the Derby defence. It does bemuse me that Saunders admits we "lack firepower up front" and then starts our 11-goal top scorer on the bench, whilst putting Kevin Doyle in the team when he clearly cannot hit a barn door from 5 yards.

New signing Gorkss handled Connor Sammon rather well

But defensively Wolves did look solid. The much talked about Will Hughes was kept incredibly quiet thanks to stellar closing down from Henry and, in particular, Jamie O'Hara. And Jamie Ward was largely feeding off scraps, often having to come deep to collect the ball and thus not being an effective enough presence up top. Derby's biggest threat came through the Irishman Connor Sammon who, like his name suggests, was a real threat in the air and actually surprisingly quite fast. But Derby only really began to look dangerous when the former Northampton winger Michael Jacobs came on for Hughes. He immediately went to the right and gave Derby so much more width. Whilst Derby's attacks had previously been shut off through the middle, they were now able to stretch the Wolves backline and both Jacobs and Hoganson giving the Wolves full-backs a torrid time. But still they weren't severely troubling Carl Ikeme, with only Sammon going closest with a header that whistled wide of the post. Then, in the 95th minute Jamie Ward stepped up with a free-kick right on the edge of the box. He drilled it low but Ikeme stood firm and Wolves held out for a point.

Scotland has been a revelation for David Flitcroft's side

And so comes tomorrow's incredibly huge 6-pointer away to Barnsley. There can't have been many Wolves (or indeed Barnsley) fans who saw this as being a game that could potentially decide who stays up and who goes down. But that's what it's become and, on current form, you'd have to favour The Tykes. Barnsley are the Championship's 2nd most in-form side - currently unbeaten in 5 League games. That record gets even better when you include the Cup. Barnsley are unbeaten in 8 competitive games under David Flitcroft - a run that has seen them pick up 13 points and get through to the FA Cup Quarter-Finals. The form of former Wolves target Jason Scotland is largely behind it, and he will prove a handful for the two centre-backs of Wolves.

Wolves' last visit to Oakwell was in much happier circumstances

Our last visit to Oakwell will evoke happier memories for those in Old Gold. Having already secured promotion, Wolves only needed a point in Mick McCarthy's home town to secure the Championship title. They went 1-0 down early on but Kyel Reid slotted home an equaliser with 6 minutes remaining in front of the travelling support to spark a pitch invasion and scenes of delirium. However, if you actually look at our recent record at Oakwell, it's not very encouraging. 3 of our last 4 visits there have ended in 1-0 defeats and Dean Saunders can ill afford a similar result tomorrow night. He will face a selection dilemna though, with Roger Johnson back from suspension and Danny Batth and Kaspars Gorkss looking impressive together. He does, however, have another option at left-back now, with Liverpool youngster Jack Robinson joining on loan until the end of the season. The 19 year-old is highly rated by many in the game and is tipped as the future England left-back. He is expected to come straight into the team at Barnsley tomorrow in place of Stephen Ward.

This is going to be a really tough game. Wolves will fear the thought of dropping into the bottom 3, while Barnsley will see this as a real chance to push for survival. So nerves are sure to be rife at Oakwell for fans, players and management. Can't see either side being too bold, particularly early on. Got a feeling this one will be a draw.

Prediction: Barnsley 1-1 Wolves