Toure available for Wolves

Captain Kolo Toure will play at Wolves on Monday night.

The central defender will lead the side out at Molineux before heading off to Angola for the African Cup of Nations.

The news is a boost for the Blues who are currently thin on the ground for central defenders as both Joleon Lescott and Nedum Onouha recover from injury.

Ivory Coast stalwart Toure will though fly out for the tournament before the FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

“Kolo will be in the team at Wolves,” confirmed boss Roberto Mancini who is still wrestling with a miserably long injury list. “But it will be too early for many of the other injured players to return.”

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City 2 Stoke 0

With the decision to sack Hughes, it was a clear signal that with patience and the more longer term planning being shelved, and that results and returns have become ever more important.

With that in mind, it was important then for Roberto Mancini to open his tenure with a victory, and whilst Stoke at home was an expected three points (even prior to the managerial change), there was plenty about the win to be satisfied about.

Although Mancini only had a few days to work with the side (with a flurry of injuries to contend with) and prepare them for the game (and also for a very congested ten day period), there was enough in the performance to suggest he was able to make some adjustments to the side both in personnel and approach to the game. Particularly notable was a far better performance in terms of maintaining possession and not solely relying on the pace in attack.

He also was not afraid to make quick tactical changes during the game when required and after recent games where we have struggled to hold one or two goal leads, it was pleasing to see a 2-0 half-time lead maintained and, in truth, comfortably so. Perhaps this will be an aspect of having a coach - although one known for attacking - who is steeped in the Italian game.

Although you cannot read anything too meaningful into one game, getting that first victory under his belt cannot be underestimated and there was enough on the evidence of the ninety minutes to be positive about.

The Stoke game kicked off an important ten day period where, realistically, four victories are required. Job done in the the opening game, and with the momentum from yesterday, another victory will be expected tomorrow at Wolves.

Toure's attacking threat

With the attacking potency we have in our side this season (particularly with the summer additions), one of the threats we have is plenty of pace and the ability to attack quickly - something which should help improve upon our away form from 2008/09.

In addition to his defensive capabilities, the introduction of Kolo Toure into the side helps in this respect. Nedum Onouha is a strong defender, but his distribution and ability to join in an attack is far from the finished article. And as forRichard Dunne's abilities in this respect, well, Dunne has his qualities but this department is not one of them.

The Guardian Chalkboard below is a direct comparison between Toure and Dunne's distribution in yesterday's game. Not to be meant as a slight on Dunne, but to highlight that Toure's passing was more long range, bringing the forwards into the game far quicker. This was particularly the case with Adebayor, a holdover from their time at Arsenal.

Also notable was the way in which he brought Wright-Phillips and Richards into play in the attacking third, allowing for the quick counter-attacking threat which will see us always be able to create opportunities and adds another dimension to our play compared with last season.


by Guardian Chalkboards

Wolves review

A home win, as expected, and continues our impressive home record from 2008/09. An average performance though, one in which we could have come unstuck in on another occasion, but equally, one in which we would have won at a canter if we had gone in at the break 2-0 up - which on the balance of play we should have done.

It was a far more impressive first-half than second-half. Wolves, I thought, allowed us plenty of possession and space, and with the attacking options at our disposal, we are going to create chances.

The goal was an indication of that. Good inter-play between Adebayor and Tevez led to Adebayor converting a sharp chance midway through the first-half. This was evidence of the rewards of a £50 million investment in your front two brings, and a stark comparison to what was on offer during 2008/09.

Going behind didn't alter Wolves' approach, and they remained content to allow us time and space, and offered very little going forward. Still, they sprang to life just before the break and only what looked a very smart save from Shay Given prevented them getting on level terms.

The problem with only holding a one-goal lead though is that you leave the door open and allow the potential for your opponents to get back in the game. Wolves switched things around at the break, bringing on Kevin Doyle and had far more purpose and belief, sensing they had a chance to get something from the game.

Surprisingly, we struggled to cope with Wolves going forward for the most part after the break. Whereas the opening forty-five minutes saw us very much in control, Wolves were setting the tempo after the break.

This led to some uncomfortable moments at the back when under pressure, yet hitting the bar aside, Wolves created opportunities rather than clear chances and rather than having to hang on for the points, it was a case of toughing things out to come away with the win.

Second-half thoughts

Wolves; Were far brighter and more purposeful in the second-half in contrast to the opening 45 minutes. Will count themselves unlucky to not come away with a point, but they had good opportunities rather than great chances to get something from the game., A couple of impressive players in Jarvis and Henry but over the course of the season may rue a lack of quality in attack.

City; Paid the price for not adding a second goal. Whilst only holding a goal lead you leave the door open for the opposition, and at times we put ourselves under pressure. Less penetration and pressure up front but both Adebayor and Bellamy could (and should) have put us 2-0 up. They didn't and on another day we may have paid the price, and to be fair we ground our rather than hung on for the win.

Full review to follow.

First-half thoughts

Wolves; we're happy to allow us plenty of space and possession. After going behind were happy to continue in this vein. Rarely mustered any sort of threat going forward until the final give minutes when what looked to be a great save from Shay Given prevented them equalising.

City; comfortable in possession, some neat build up play and look threatening with our attacking options. A well taken goal by Adebayor and the result of some good inter-play with him and Tevez. This is the end product when you spend £50 million on two strikers. Had further opportunities and look likely to add to our score.

What's in store; Wolves will be happy to keep the scoreline at 1-0 to then push on over the final stages of the game. They cannot afford as much space and time on the ball though as we will be certain to add a second, if not more. I'm still sticking with my 2-0 prediction.

p.s. The stories suggesting the Lescott signing is imminent are gathering pace.

Tevez starts

Teams are in:

Man City: Given, Richards, Dunne, Toure, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Barry, Tevez, Adebayor, Robinho. Subs: Taylor, Onuoha, Zabaleta, Petrov, De Jong, Bellamy, Weiss.

Wolverhampton: Hennessey, Stearman, Craddock, Mancienne, Stephen Ward, Henry, Halford, Edwards, Jarvis, Milijas, Keogh. Subs: Hahnemann, Elokobi, Surman, David Jones, Berra, Vokes, Doyle.

Wolves matchday thread

Coment away...

Wolves preview

The opening home game of the season, and one in which three points should be the return.

Wolves, back in the top flight following promotion, and Mick McCarthy will be hoping he goes better than his previous time in the Premier League when he was with Sunderland. McCarthy is the epitomy of the 'no-nonsense' character, and a dour Yorkshireman if you ever came across one.

What to make of Wolves then? They do look to be in better shape squad wise to stay up than their previous brief stays and will be heartened at the lack of quality at the lower end of the league which will make their (and the other promoted clubs) task easier. They added some players with Premier League experience over the summer but are struggling with one or two injuries to key players though which will hamper their hopes of building on the mdiweek win at Wigan.

It is difficult to gage the side Hughes will likely field given the options available to him in terms of personnel and formation, but Carlos Tevez must be pushing for a start following his midweek start in Barcelona, which would have given the squad a further boost following the opening day win at Blackburn. If there is a change, it will likely be Craig Bellamy to make way.

Our home form was superb last season, amongst the best in the league, and will once again be key for us this campaign. We are favourites, and deservedly so and I see the home form of last year carrying over and fancy a solid 2-0 victory.