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IT IS 1971 and a six-year-old Steve Davis stands on the South Bank terrace, held tightly by his father, Peter, and wrapped from head to toe in gold and black. He is swaying from left to right, as thousands of fans jostle to get the best view of their beloved team.
Steve Davis applauds the Wolves fans after leading out the side at Chelsea last weekend
Steve Davis as a boy, in his beloved Wolves kit
Steve Davis also loved Wolves Speedway which he was obsessed with due to gold and black colours
It is packed. Molineux is the place to be, and First Division side Wolverhampton Wanderers are the team to watch.
Davis remembers: “Molineux is a special place for me. I remember we would always park down West Park and walk up to the ground, passing the gold and black memorabilia and rosettes on the way.
“My dad worked in Tipton with all of his mates who were Wolves fans, so he wanted to convert me as early as he could.
“He would buy us both a ticket on the day and we would get in whichever stand we could.
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“We used to stand behind where the little St. John Ambulance hut was because it was the quietest part for me as a little one – I think he was frightened about it all kicking off. 
“From the first time I stepped foot inside the ground I was hooked. He would prop me up on the barriers and I would just sit there, in a world of my own, open-mouthed, taking it all in, dreaming of being on the pitch one day.
“The team was brilliant – Kenny Hibbitt, Frank Munro, John Richards. I can remember going to Villa Park for the FA Cup Semi Finals against Arsenal in 79…” he tails off.
Fast forward to the present day and Davis – now 57 years old, and my dad – is preparing for another week as interim manager of the club he has supported his entire life, following the sudden sacking of Bruno Lage last week.
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He was thrust into the managerial hot seat alongside Under-23s manager, James Collins, in the run up to Saturday’s trip to Chelsea and went on to lead the team during the 3-0 defeat. 
Although he and Collins were unable to prevent the winless streak stretching to three games or stop them slipping further towards the base of the Premier League table, Davis has managed to put smiles on faces and capture the hearts of football fans around the country.
For Wanderers fans, his caretaker tenure has given them the chance to live out the ultimate dream of managing their team.
“It is indescribable – an unbelievably proud moment for me,” Davis says with a smile, reflecting on the experience at Stamford Bridge.
“I’ve dreamt of that day many times – playing in a game of that magnitude, but never thought I would ever manage the club in the Premier League. I don’t think you ever dream that big”.
Wolves caretaker manager Steve Davis with his son Joe
Steve Davis during his playing days with Barnsley, with sons Harry, right, and Joe
Starting as player-manager with Northwich Victoria in 2003, his unique coaching journey has seen him gradually rise from the seventh tier of English Football with Nantwich Town to managing in the top-flight – a source of motivation for all the young, budding football managers who are currently putting in the hard yards beneath the EFL. 
“I always thought the Premier League was so far away from me, and I’ve grown up thinking that it is just full of superstars,” he said.
“I didn’t ever imagine it would happen and I’m comfortable with that, but the fact that it has, it is difficult to sum up. It’s beyond anything that I thought I’d do. 
“I’ve probably fulfilled more than I’ve ever dreamed of in the space of a week.”
Davis, who has been in charge of the club’s Under-18s for the past four years and has previously managed the likes of Crewe Alexandra and Leyton Orient, explains how he suppressed the raw emotion that is ingrained inside every avid football fan, to take training sessions, hold group meetings, pick a team and carefully craft a game plan for Chelsea.
“It’s difficult to explain, but you got into a zone,” he says.
The people of Wolverhampton are genuine, humble and the people the club employ all share certain values – determination, unity, togetherness. I see those qualities in and around the building every day.Steve Davis
“You’re in control but you’re utilising the staff around you. You go into that managing role.”
The task of rejuvenating the players and bringing a feel-good-factor to the group has been a challenge, he admits, but one that he has embraced.
“I’ve tried to make small changes since stepping in. It’s not an easy situation as interim manager, but you have to make small gains.”
“I’ve never felt better than anyone else, I’ve always been humble and valued every single person within the football club, particularly those that aren’t in the limelight – cleaners, bus drivers, they are equally as important to me as the chairman.
“That’s something that I’ve tried to get across – I think that’s really important.”
Bruno Lage’s sacking left Wolves in their most difficult spot since they returned to the Premier League four years ago.
Steve Davis in charge of Wolves trainingCredit: Getty
Steve Davis plays for Barnsley against Sheffield United in 1996Credit: Allsport
It left the connection between the team, its backroom staff and fan base fragmented, but despite that, Davis believes the support of the fanbase has never changed and remains just as strong today as it did when he passed through the turnstiles.
“They [the fans] were equally behind the club as much as they are now.
“The older brigade will appreciate some of the football they’ve seen over the years – there were some top players back then – but I also think they realise these have been our best moments over the last four years.
“The younger fans probably won’t know any different because it’s all they’ve seen, but I’ve experienced the decline, and I’ve seen the growth as well.
“I’ve managed elsewhere in my career, but I’ve always looked out for the Wolves results.
“The people of Wolverhampton are genuine, humble and the people the club employ all share certain values – determination, unity, togetherness. I see those qualities in and around the building every day.”
And those qualities will be much needed this weekend as they turn their attention to a crucial home league game against fellow-strugglers Nottingham Forest, with the side looking to claw themselves away from the relegation zone and above Southampton who sit one point adrift in 17th.
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The rumours linking former Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui with the head coach vacancy have been getting louder in recent days, but the noise is not distracting Davis and Collins who are once again central to preparing the team for another battle.
And if Davis is trusted by Chairman Jeff Shi to take the reins at Molineux this weekend, those crazy six-year-old’s dreams of stepping onto the pitch wearing the Wolves gold and black will be realised.  More

HOW do you stop Erling Haaland?This is a question that has been pondered by every single manager and defender that has faced that prolific Norwegian striker.
Erling Haaland has been on spectacular form
At times, it seems as though it’s impossible.
Man City have played eight games this season in the Premier League.
Haaland has scored three hat-tricks, the quickest player to ever achieve this feat. 
With his treble against Man Utd on Sunday, the 22-year-old became the first player to bag a hat-trick in the Manchester derby since Francis Lee in 1970, 52 years ago.
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Haaland made easy work of an expensive backline in the 6-3 win over United, towering over Lisandro Martínez, out-muscling Raphael Varane and later Victor Lindelöf and putting three past David de Gea from very different situations.
Haaland has led the line in every game that Man City have played in the 2022/23 campaign, scoring in all but one.
The £52million striker scored another two goals against Copenhagen on Wednesday night to take his tally to an incredible 19 in 11 matches with his new club.
The only team he has failed to score against was Bournemouth, giving rivals hope.
Erling Haaland grabbed his third hat-trick in three consecutive home games v Man UtdCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
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Haaland has been stopped before and he can be stopped again.
Haaland has proved too hard to handle for defenders from Man Utd, Nottm Forest, and Borussia Dortmund.
Here are three ways opponents can stifle Haaland up front.
Cut off the supply from the kitchen
To stop someone from feasting at the table, you must cut off the supply from the kitchen first.
Haaland is truly electrifying inside the 18-yard box, and even outside it at times. 
Haaland can sometimes create magic from nothing, but more often than not, he needs help. 
Guardiola touched on this recently in a post-match interview after the derby.
The former Borussia Dortmund centre-forward has scored 17 goals in all competitions this season, including 16 non-penalty goals, while the player is massively outperforming his expected goals (xG) tally of 10.76
The two-time Champions League winner was asked whether Haaland was on Lionel Messi’s level of talent, given Guardiola coached the latter for four years from 2008-2012. 
Guardiola said: “The difference is, maybe that Erling needs all his mates to do it. It is unbelievable. Messi had the ability himself to do it.”
This quote certainly has a lot of truth in it. It isn’t a dig on Haaland. Messi can be seen as otherworldly. 
However, it does prove that one of the keys to stopping the £52million man’s feast is by cutting off the supply from the kitchen. 
Let’s begin with potentially the greatest creator in world football right now: Kevin De Bruyne.
Kevin de Bruyne is a brilliant foil for Erling HaalandCredit: Rex
One of De Bruyne’s greatest strings in his deadly bow is his crossing ability from the right-hand side.
Given license to roam around by Guardiola, De Bruyne often finds himself out on the right, either in the halfspace or wider on the flank.
This season, seven of the Belgian’s ten assists in all competitions have come from these areas.
It hasn’t taken Haaland long to understand the threat that the creative maestro possesses and so adjusts his movement according to De Bruyne’s actions.
Recently, in a 4-0 drubbing of Julen Lopetegui’s lame Sevilla in the Champions League, the Manchester City duo displayed their lethal telekinesis in the final third.
Phil Foden slipped De Bruyne through on the right side of the box, getting the midfielder in behind the Sevilla fullback where he had space to whip the ball into Haaland.
Haaland stalled and stalled, holding his run so as to stay onside and in line with De Bruyne’s movement.
Once the ex-Chelsea man let fly, hammering it across the face of goal, the Norwegian sensation exploded forward, bursting away from the home side’s centre-backs to ease it home.
Nevertheless, City are not solely reliant on De Bruyne’s creativity and innovation in the final third to create chances.
On the left side, the tactically flexible Joao Cancelo and homegrown star Phil Foden tend to provide service to Haaland too.
The Cityzens aren’t one-dimensional. Chance creation comes from all over the team.
From the fullbacks to the wingers, the central midfielders and even Haaland himself, trying to stop every outlet is like playing a game of Whac-A-Mole; when one threat is suppressed, another pops up.
However, De Bruyne is the most dangerous City creator and stifling his ability to find Haaland in the final third and beyond will definitely help to nullify a large component of City’s gameplan, cutting off the supply from the kitchen for the marvellous frontman.
Getting physical to prevent creativity
Haaland has built a reputation for himself in English football for being heavily inactive during Man City’s spells of possession, only really coming alive inside the penalty area, sort of reminiscent of ex-Man United centre-forward Ruud van Nistelrooy.
In certain games this season, the 22-year-old has had very few touches of the ball but has had no issue putting it into the back of the net when it matters most.
Erling Haaland’s touch map against Man Utd
Since the beginning of the 2011/12 campaign, no centre-forward has had fewer touches per goal than City’s new no9 who is averaging 13.6 touches before scoring. 
Jamie Vardy is in second place with 50 touches per goal, almost four times as many.
Regardless, Haaland is a menace when receiving with his back turned to goal. Not only is he a goalscoring machine, but the Norway international has also played a helping hand in creating several chances for his teammates this season too.
One way that Haaland displays the more creative side to his game is by calling for the ball to feet. Using his imposing frame, the striker backs into defenders before getting it out his feet and slipping a teammate in behind the backline.
Recently, in the 4-0 Premier League victory over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium, Haaland gave Manchester City fans their first glimpse of his ability to create chances instead of just tucking them away.
Upon receiving the ball on the deck, the Bournemouth centre-back stepped out of the defensive line to close him down and attempted to prevent the colossal frontman from turning and facing goalward. Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain. 
The defender gets on the wrong side of Haaland, allowing the forward to hold him off using his body, flick the ball to his right and make room for a slipped pass with his left foot into Bernardo Silva who placed it home.
The Cherries’ centre-back failed in execution but actually had the right idea. You cannot leave Haaland free.
He is far too dangerous. Erik ten Hag tried this tactic on Sunday in the derby which failed miserably for the hosts.
In this situation, Martínez had backed off from Haaland which allowed the striker to run with the ball before playing out wide, creating a really good chance for the hosts.
At the beginning of the match, Martínez was getting tight to Haaland but after what was a complete physical mismatch, the United defender began dropping off when the Norwegian would receive the ball. This was an even worse idea.
Again, this is much easier said than done but defenders must step up and get touch-tight to Haaland, using their own physical imposition to try and nick the ball off him. 
Square the centre-forward up, follow him into deeper areas if necessary; just make sure that he doesn’t turn you as Haaland can either create an excellent opportunity for teammates when bearing down on goal or else fire a shot away himself. Chances are, we know how that will end.
England international Tyrone Mings, despite his critics this season, performed admirably against the prolific target man. 
Mings was able to match Haaland for size and strength, getting extremely tight to the City striker whenever he looked to receive the ball to feet.
Here, Mings has followed Haaland deeper, matching him physically and doesn’t allow the striker to turn away from him. Instead, Haaland is forced to lay the ball off, allowing the Aston Villa defender to get back into his position, having dealt with the initial danger.
Stopping his running power
The principle of getting physical and tight to Haaland is even vital from crossing situations, including set-pieces.
On Sunday, Manchester United’s marking structure from corners had an enormous flaw. 
Whether it be a tactical mishap or an organisational error, Christian Eriksen was tasked with trying to block Haaland’s run. 
Lo and behold, to the disbelief of nobody at home or in the ground, the latter won that battle, bullying the Dane and firing the ball over the line from a powerful header.
Granted, Varane wasn’t on the pitch for the away side who was far and away the strongest player in the starting lineup. However, Eriksen probably was not the best choice to mark Haaland
In any crossing situation, marking defenders must stay very close to Haaland, impeding his ability to make the explosive runs he so often does. 
This will ensure that the 22-year-old cannot get a head-start, using his running power to hoist himself into the air to latch onto a cross with immense might as he did in the derby to bag City’s second of the afternoon.
Of course, there will be times when getting touch-tight to Haaland isn’t plausible. 
When these situations arise, the defender must pray that their body position is optimal in order to cut out the pass or the cross before it reaches the potent No9.
Again, let’s use the Manchester derby at the weekend as a prime example of how not to defend against Erling Haaland, focusing in particular on Varane’s substandard body position for the third goal.
De Bruyne had possession of the ball in one of his favourite areas of the pitch, the right halfspace. 
Looking up and shaping his body to cross the ball, it was obvious who the intended target was.
Varane, having scanned over his shoulder, maintained his position in line with Diogo Dalot and the other defenders instead of dropping deep by a couple of yards. 
The World Cup winner’s rationale was to hope Haaland was offside. However, this turned out to be poor decision-making.
By assessing the danger better and positioning himself a yard or two deeper, Varane would have been able to cut out the cross mid-flight before it reached Haaland.
What does all this mean?
There is bad news for defenders. Regardless of whether each of the three points listed have been adhered to, chances are, Haaland will still put the ball into the back of the net.
Even if the ball supply to the Norwegian is curtailed, even if centre-backs get touch-tight, or have the perfect body position, Haaland needs just one lapse in concentration from the opponent to get himself on the scoresheet.
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To stop the most prolific man in world football right now, the opposition must be flawless with their defensive display in every single scenario. Haaland only has to get lucky once.
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THIS weekend sees the return of the Premier League and the highlight is without doubt the Manchester Derby – with City hosting United on Sunday afternoon.After the first two match days of the season, you would have been forgiven for thinking that this derby match would represent a walkover for the home side.
Erling Haaland has been a revelation already at Man City
Since then, Erik ten Hag has impressed with his ability to make decisive decisions, dropping Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench, and stabilising performances.
Indeed, Man Utd come into this weekend’s match sitting 5th in the Premier League table.

While United have already shown the ability to beat strong teams – they beat league-leaders Arsenal 3-1 – a match against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side is still a daunting task.
While United sit in 5th place, City are 2nd, behind only Arsenal, and they are looking extremely strong as always.
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There was some noise around City coming into the season and the decision to sign the Norwegian international forward Erling Haaland led to some doubts as to how Guardiola would fit Haaland’s very specific style into the City system.
Fast forward to now and those doubters are looking well off the mark as Haaland has adapted to City and the Premier League immediately with 11 goals and 1 assist in 7 games so far.
City are looking confident and strong at this point.
This match represents a real test for Ten Hag and his Manchester United team but what are the key aspects of this match to look out for from a tactical perspective?
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How do you solve a problem like Erling Haaland?
It is a mark of how impressive Haaland has been so far this season that he appears to be immune to Guardiola’s normal policy of heavy rotation, even for key players.
This is in part at least because City simply do not have another player who is able to play the striker role in the way that Haaland does.
Manchester City’s second goal from the Champions League match with Borussia Dortmund. With Cancelo gets the ball on the near side the German side are actually well set defensively. The movement of Haaland, however, is aggressive and decisive as he pulls onto the blind side and then attacks space
Last season we may have seen the likes of Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden used as a false nine and the Argentine international Julian Alvarez also arrived at the club in the summer.
But all of those are more mobile attacking players who do not profile as an out and out striker.
It has been striking watching City play with Haaland that the striker does not seem overly worried about joining in and building the attack.
That is not to say that he is not capable of doing so though, and Haaland has already commented that in his perfect game he would have five touches and score five goals.
You can see that happening at some point this season.
Haaland’s ability to play across the width of the penalty area and his movement and physical capacity to make runs that break the line at pace make him exceptionally difficult to defend against.
This extends to his movement in tight areas and in the penalty area.
There have already been numerous examples this season of Haaland being positioned in the area and making a run to attack space only to drop back out when the cross does not come.
The xG map for Haaland so far this season shows how his goals are largely concentrated within the penalty area
Crucially though he will then reset and make a second run and then a third run until eventually the ball comes in.
He is not a striker who loses concentration easily and this makes him exceptionally difficult to defend against.
How then can United defend against the threat of the Norwegian forward?
We are likely to see Ten Hag continue with a central defensive partnership of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane and Martinez has actually faced Haaland before in last season’s Champions League when Ajax played Borussia Dortmund.
Despite all of the concerns around Martinez’s height prior to the start of the season, he has actually impressed with his combative nature and willingness to defend aggressively in tight areas.
He will have to be at his best to deal with the pace and the movement of Haaland, especially in the area.
But United can also help their central defenders by not allowing City space to attack in the final third and get the ball into the area.
But don’t forget – Ivan Toney killed Martinez in the 4-0 win for Brentford and we all jokingly said “What will Haaland do to him?”
It’s time to find out.
City’s creative threat
While Haaland’s movement and finishing ability will pose a huge threat in this game there is still a need for City to find ways to create chances and find entries into the United area in this game.
City are still a side who are possession dominant, even without a striker who drops in to overload the centre and link play.
As Man City attack on the near side the man in possession is isolated 1v1 against the defender. In the centre the threat of Haaland keeps the central defenders pinned back and City push players high into attacking positions. The movement in these areas from Kevin de Bruyne is extremely dangerous
And with their fullbacks continuing to play in an inverted style they are extremely solid both in possession and then when having to defend against quick transitions from the opposition. 
Crucially, City will look to create opportunities to isolate their wingers 1v1 against the United fullbacks.
Typically, teams would then look to use their fullback to overload with overlapping runs around the outside.
City are more of a threat in these positions to provide underlapping runs from their central midfielders and especially Kevin de Bruyne. 
In these positions, the Belgian international midfielder is exceptionally dangerous and he is arguably playing the best football of his career at the moment.
He makes runs through gaps, which are created because the central defenders are drawn towards the threat of Haaland, and will attack the channels before looking for angles to shoot or cross the ball across the area.
De Bruyne’s shot assist map for this season. He is a threat from anywhere in the final third to find a pass into the area but especially from the right channel where his technique to cross on his right foot is very dangerous
This match might be the right time for Ten Hag to introduce the vastly experienced Brazilian international midfielder Casemiro to the starting lineup as the deepest midfielder for United.
Since signing for United from Real Madrid, the Brazilian midfielder has been introduced slowly but his defensive understanding and ability to cover space and block central passing lanes could be needed to prevent City from finding ways to easily dominate the central areas and their attacking third.
After all, it’s him or McFred really – isn’t it?
United need to be creative and decisive when they have the ball
Playing against the away side against one of the most impressive possession-dominant sides that we have ever seen in the Premier League it is fair to say that United will expect to lose the possession battle in this game.
In the midfield areas for United Christian Eriksen will be one of the most important players. He has the ability to find the ball and then break lines with accurate driven passes that can find teammates in space
The key thing for United in this game, however, will be to ensure that they are able to take advantage of the opportunities that they have when they do actually get possession of the ball.
In order to do so, they will need to be aggressive in their passing to move the ball quickly through the defensive press of City and into dangerous areas.
City are typically strong in defensive transition but if United can find passing lanes to break the initial press they do have the attacking players to cause City problems.
Christian Eriksen will be exceptionally important in this game.
The Danish international is coming into the match off the back of a sensational game in the international break when he led his Denmark side to victory over France and United will hope that he will continue this form this weekend.
Eriksen is likely to play in deeper areas but whenever he gets possession of the ball he will look to be aggressive and vertical in his passing and in order for this to be effective United will need the likes of Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes to find pockets of space that they can receive these passes in.
Bruno Fernandes is one of the smartest midfielders in the Premier League in terms of his positioning and movement. With Eriksen having the quality to get on the ball and quickly find the Portuguese international we will see United look to quickly move the ball into dangerous areas
Bruno Fernandes will be important with his ability to link the attack through the thirds.
He will drop into pockets of space and allow Eriksen to play these vertical passes into space and through the thirds.
The key for United will be in ensuring that they are then able to take advantage of these situations when they do manage to break the City press and attack a disorganised defensive structure.
So what does all this mean?
City come into this game, like most games, as clear favourites and the emphasis will be on them to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
But, if United have a plan to deal with Haaland and all the movement around him then it’s not impossible to believe that Ten Hag’s lot couldn’t cause them a few problems on the break.
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It’s just having a plan to stop Haaland and actually doing it are two entirely different things.
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