23rd January 2004

After a heroic week in which Manchester United Visited Molineux, the players get to take their mind off the league with the visit of West Ham United, who travel to Molineux on Sunday in the FA Cup.

Who would have thought that, after a week which saw Manchester United and Liverpool visit Molineux, that Wolves would be sitting with four points after the greatest week of the Premiership Season so far.

 The heroic win against Manchester United and the superb result against Liverpool 4 days later has given the Wolves Barmy Army fresh hope, ahead of an FA Cup Fourth Tie against West Ham United.

 Wolves home form has been superb this season. Infact, Wolves have lost just two games at Molineux since losing to Bradford before the Christmas of 2002. The last home defeat came against Chelsea on the 20th September which, ironically, was the date West Ham United last lost away from Home.

 Keeping the home form is something Jones will be looking to keep, and Alex Rae agrees, but the Scot knows that West Ham will be no push-overs "I saw West Ham play some brilliant stuff against Sheffield United last week and they have a lot of good players so it will be another tough game," Said Rae.

 "It's been a fantastic week for the club but we want to build on that now. It's important we get a good cup run going. If you look back to when we last went on a six-game unbeaten run, it started with a win over Darlington [in the Carling Cup]. That was the springboard."

 The deal in which will see Carl Cort join Wolves from Newcastle United will not be completed in time for Sunday`s FA Cup game, but Mark Clyde is expected to replace Denis Irwin whilst Silas could replace the injured Shaun Newton and Colin Cameron may start ahead of Alex Rae or Paul Ince; But Jones is expected to play a strong side, unlike in the last round against Kidderminster Harriers.

 West Ham have done well to sell their allocation of 4,500 tickets, which are housed in the Steve Bull lower and the flank of the Jack Harris Stand, and a crowd of over 25,000 is expected.

 A Full report will appear after the game.

THE FA CUP FOURTH ROUND: WOLVES Vs WEST HAM

 

Source: The Times