Hungry for the Wolves

At Molineux for 60-odd minutes Blues were in total control. It wasn't until Nicky Hunt went off, Mehdi Nafti had to go to right-back and Michael Kightly switched wings did the tide turn.

The FA Cup game at St Andrew's was an odd one. There won't be many players who appeared in that game for Blues on duty on Monday. Kemy Agustien and Nigel Quashie started, Robin Shroot debuted, Damien Johnson came on.

Howard Webb did his best too, of course, with the non-award of a penalty for Richard Stearman's car crash tackle on Marcus Bent, and then assisting on the second goal.

That night, though, showed Wolves to be a very dangerous up-tempo team. Their energy and athleticism was better than Blues'; that is something Alex McLeish's men have to match if they are to prevail. They need legs in the team.

Kightly is out, which is a massive plus for Blues. Matt Jarvis is still not 100 per cent fit, while there are doubts over Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo.

It makes me wonder whether McCarthy might just set out his side to be less free-spirited than usual, play it cagey and seek to counter attack when a hole appears.

Usually their game plan revolves around playing the ball into Iwelumo quickly, getting bodies around and feeding off him, using their wide players to good effect.

Blues will seek to smother that, and they have to impose themselves at the other end, like they did in the match against Bristol City who, although an in-form team at the time, were left all at sea and made to look ordinary.

The strikers can set the template for Blues, and that's why Cameron Jerome, for me, has to start. If he chases down the channels, unsettles the defenders, goes behind - and new Wolves new centre-half pairing Jody Craddock and Christophe Berra are not exactly lightning quick - then it could just knock Wolves off their usual stride.

On the flip side, might McCarthy use Marlon Harewood as a wild card for the same kind of reason, to get down the side of Radhi Jaidi and/or add thrust on the flank instead of Kightly?

Then we have Kevin Phillips. Does he start, or do you save him to come off the bench?

Well, in my book, if your best goalscorer is fit and available, you play him - especially at this stage of the season, in such a game.

Bowyer's input will be crucial for Blues as well. When he is niggle-free and driving on, Blues are all the better for it.

The game could well pan out to be one of those tense, close affairs, decided by a piece of brilliance, a mistake or set-piece.

The mental resolve has to be high and with so much more riding on it for Blues, they can't afford to fall into the trap of impatience or trying to be too clever, or forcing it too much.

Let battle commence.