With some favourable fixtures on the horizon, Mick McCarthy will be in confident mood this festive season thanks to the form of Steven Fletcher. The Scotsman has been hampered with calf and groin injuries this season but a haul of 3 goals in his last two games is indicative of his importance to the Wolves cause.
Fletcher has only started eight games for the Molineux outfit this term but has found the net 6 times, including a consolation in last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford. Big Mick admits Fletcher was subbed off as a precautionary measure at Man United, with home clashes against Stoke and Norwich up next:
We need Fletcher fit and we weren’t going to get four goals to win the game so I thought it was wise to take him off. Fletcher’s been terrific – and prolific – when he’s been fit. That’s why I took him off because I need him to be prolific in the next two games as well.
Though a trip to Arsenal will be anything but straightforward, a visit to Bolton will hold no fear, with the Wolves boss looking at three of those four matches as definitely winnable. Certainly, the home fixtures will have been earmarked as crucial and given Wolves’ recent record of 7 points from a possible 9 in their previous three Molineux matches, there’s reason for optimism.
A recent move back to 4-4-2 may have Jamie O’Hara’s owners on edge but Fletcher’s suitors will look upon the fixtures favourably, regardless of formation- he’s also scored against Liverpool and Newcastle, two of the tightest back-lines in the Premier League thus far.
Priced at 5.9 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and owned by just 1.4%, he could prove a handy differential over the next few gameweeks and a viable alternative to the likes of Yakubu, Daniel Sturridge or Demba Ba in the low to mid-price range. If Wolves are to steer clear of the relegation zone, his contribution will be key over the Christmas period.
