Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

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On life at the (bottom of the) top

Monday, November 9th, 2009

After Saturday’s defeat to Arsenal, Wolves find themselves in the bottom three for the first time in a while.  A good time, if not the most optimistic, to consider the very different experience of supporting your team in the Premier League to the Championship.

It’s never easy supporting Wolves (although I’m sure many a Luton Town supporter would argue that we have it easy) but who wants to go into a game knowing it will take a miracle to win it? Quite a few, I think.  How would we choose, offered two scenarios: lose to Arsenal or Liverpool or beat Norwich or Doncaster?  Personally I’d go for the first, even if it happened every week, because every week there’s the hope of something better, rather than the far more realistic fear of something worse.  And every once in a while, that magic something actually happens, and that makes it all worthwhile.

The grounds are bigger, the stakes higher (and the players and the tickets more expensive), but what it ultimately comes down to is will you take a slapping from Arsenal now and again for the chance to win a few, to stay in the top 17 and do the same again next year?  I say yes!

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One of them days: Wolves 1-4 Arsenal

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

Disappointingly, I have been proven right in my audacious prediction of an Arsenal victory.

Wolves started so promisingly and really took the game to Arsenal in the first 20 minutes, but in truth didn’t threaten the Arsenal goal seriously despite looking the better team. However after an unlucky own goal from Zubar, there was only one team in it.

The second was arguably another unfortunate own goal – this time from Craddock. Mick did say before the game that he wouldn’t mind if Craddock happened to get another two goals after the heroics at Stoke last week. With a consolation goal in the 86th minute, it seems that he did, if not in the desired manner.

I have made much in recent weeks of the impact Kightly and Ebanks-Blake will have once they’re back in the team.  We have seen very little evidence of this so far, although perhaps against Arsenal is not the best time to make these judgements.  In truth, no one impressed.  Milijas looked a threat on set plays, but too casual the rest of the time.  Doyle and Edwards perhaps stood out most, if only because they were the last to give up the fight.  Craddock put in another praiseworthy performance, but was always likely to be outclassed by arguably the best in the country at the moment.  Berra was fine except for the enormous lapse of leaving Craddock completely alone at the back for Arsenal’s second.  Wolves can take a few lessons from this game, not least that the tiniest lapse is likely to lead to a goal.

Chelsea at Stanford Bridge next.  Ho hum.

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Fair Point: Stoke 2-2 Wolves

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

It’s beginning to look like the Hoddle days – all these draws.  Of course nothing could be further from the truth, because Hoddle was bumbling around with an over-priced, over-paid team in the Championship, and McCarthy has assembled a lean Premiership outfit, albeit one still nervously close to the drop zone, with far less resources that the majority of teams in the League.

A draw away against Stoke is a decent outcome for the team after going 2-0 down in a poor first half, although frustratingly a result that, like the last two games, could easily have been three points to the Wolves.

It was irritating to see an otherwise fine Christophe Berra with his arms wrapped around the opposition in the penalty area again – he’s going to give away more penalties if he carries on; but fantastic to see Milijas coming on at half time and having the impact that we’ve all been hoping, and even more fantastic to see Jody Craddock getting a couple of goals.  Craddock has been a fantastic professional for Wolves for many years now so I would never be surprised to see him giving his all, but I am both surprised and delighted to see him playing so darn well at this level.  Following on from two games playing full tilt with several stitches in his head, this man is rapidly becoming a Wolves legend.  I keep fearing he’s going to be found out in this league, but he hasn’t been so from now on I remain silent on the matter.

And the final word goes to Mick McCarthy, always great value in interviews, who professed himself not bothered how far offside Craddock’s first goal was: “We’ve had a few go against us this season and I’ve accepted them with good grace; it’s about time someone else had to.” And so say all of us.

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On the price of success

Friday, October 30th, 2009

Many fans are likely to be getting justifiably aerated about tickets for the upcoming match at Stamform Bridge, costing £47 or £44 (assuming you can visit the ticket office in person and pay cash, else add an extra £1.25 to that).  This is too high, although not massively above the £40 Wolves choose the charge fans in some areas of the ground, but I’m more annoyed by a different ticketing announcement this week.

Wolves have unveiled this year’s half-season ticket prices.  We all know prices are high this year, but one ‘opportunity’ that particularly caught the eye was the ‘TPS 4′ scheme.  For the outlay of £60 I can then pay full price for every single game for the second half of the season.  Alternatively I could go online when tickets go on sale and choose my seat and only go to those games I am able to attend.  I’ve made my choice. 

Why do Wolves persist in dressing up these rip offs as opportunities for the fans?

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Mustn’t grumble: Wolves 1-1 Aston Villa

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

A decent result (and another correct prediction by me, I must modestly point out). A somewhat below par Villa side were matched by a solid if unspectacular Wolves.

The game started with a bang, with Villa having a decent chance and Doyle being incorrectly denied a penalty in the first three minutes, but rapidly fizzled out. Wolves were again solid in defence, with Zubar making another good impression following on from last week’s debut. A mention for Craddock, Wolves’ only survivor from the last Premier League squad, who is looking infinitely better this time around.

It would have been good to see a little more creativity going forward, and several more shots. However, Wolves showed great character to get a goal back after going one down with less than 10 minutes left.

And finally, great to see: 1) Ebanks-Blake with his first goal, and 2) Wolves actually be given a penalty.

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Gasp: Sunderland 5-2 Wolves

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

I’m going to stop, after today, harking back to the bad only days of 2003-04, but this five goals conceeded statistic appears, at first glance, to be frighteningly familiar. Pleasingly and frustratingly, however, scratch the surface and this seems to be another of those hard luck stories for Wolves. Much endeavour and desire , a fair smattering of skill, and a little bad luck were the hallmarks of the day.

Wolves may have dominated much of the posession, but conceeded a soft penatly when Castillo felled a man in the box, and the referee didn’t see the contact made with the ball, and then were denied a clear penalty shout of their own when Doyle was barged to the ground by Turner. Going in at half-time 1-0 down, Wolves should still have have confidence in their chance of a comeback, despite a distinct scarcity of goals this season, so to concede again within a few minutes of the restart was a blow. There were few arguments, however, with the second penalty of the match after a rash challenge in the box by an otherwise excellent Christophe Berra. Wolves, however, fought back with two goals in a few minutes. There was a element of luck in both (an own goal and an indirect free kick in the six yard box following a disasterous backpass by Wes Brown) but few would have argued that the scoreline didn’t at least reflect Wolves contribution to the game. To concede three more goals seemed unlikely, but Wolves did it. However good the performance. It’s idiotic to just put this down to luck, even though only one of the goals (when Michael Turner was allowed a free header at goal) was a clear case of bad defending. Wolves need better luck next time, no doubt, but also need to maintain their tight defending for 90 minutes and create a few more quality shots on goal of their own. At this stage there’s no reason to think this can’t happen.

So, a thrilling game, positive signs and, crucially, zero points.

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Wigan Athletic 0-1 Wolves

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

A dominant if edgy performance (do they do it any other way) brings Wolverhampton Wanderers their first ever Premier League away win. Having gone a whole season five years ago without managing particular that feat, it’s extremely gratifying to get the result in their first trip away this season.

Despite a squad of shreds and patches Wolves could, probably should, have had more. Keogh signalled their intent, hitting the crossbar in only the third minute. Within eight he had the ball in the back of the net with a sound header from Milijas’s free kick. Then in the second half he had a clear penalty call turned down, and continued to make all the running. It’s hard to believe this is the same Keogh who, although he never lacked enthusiasm, spent large portions of last season looking like a scarecrow caught in the headlights. Special mention also to Henry for another solid performance, and to Edwards, who has never been a regular starter but came in today and put in a good shift in the run-until-you-drop mould, also delivering a few good attacking passes.

Wigan did finally manage to pull things together into the second half after Jason Scotland came on and did have their own, slightly less definitive, penalty shouts waved away. Still, Wolves organised soundly, and held on for the win.

Milijas again put in a commanding, if slightly less spectacular, performance and the defence are to be congratulated for doing well with what resources they have!

Roll on Saturday. Mick McCarthy will have an interesting headache deciding who to leave out if Doyle is fit by then.

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Wolves 0 – 2 West Ham

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

Feeling quite positive at 0-0

Feeling quite positive at 0-0

Wolves came out the starting gate with a bang but ended on a whimper. When the starting line up was announced I will admit to letting a small tear fall from my eye. Stephen Ward starting? Neither should Jody Craddock, much as I love him, should not be a premier league starter. Against a better team these weaknesses will be even better exploited. But to be fair Wolves played a good game for the most. A second goal did kill the game off and Ebanks Blake going off with an injury after all the substitutions had been made put an end to Wolves attacking threat. Although Keogh was probably the more effective going forward, and I didn’t ever expect to find myself saying that.

Still, plenty of positives as well as worries to take from the game. Mancienne, Milijas and Halford all looked good additions and Henry better than I expected. Wolves played a good attacking game but need to learn to be a great deal more clinical. And most of all, the season’s back on and there’s another game on Tuesday :)

Right, now I’m off to teach my new friend ‘the unamed wolfie’ (more on this later) how to talk proper…

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Derby vs. Wolves (2:3)

Monday, April 13th, 2009

Congratulations to Mr. Keogh, the hero of the hour, popping up with two crucial goals in one game after only three in the rest of the season.  Just reward for an impressive workrate, and we can only hope a sign of greater confidence (and, let’s face it, skill) in front of goal.  An overall poor performance (although how do you play like a ‘Bobbin’, Mick?!) but it;s the result that counts, and I’m loving this one.

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Nottingham Forest vs. Wolves (0:1)

Saturday, March 21st, 2009

A good win, especially considering the further slips from Reading and Brum, infront of over 5000 away supporters (there seems to be something in the air – is it all the winning?).  The match was uninspiring, but I’ll take a win in a dire encounter above a polished but unluckly draw at this stage in the season.  If was never going to match Wolves’ fine 5-1 thrashing of Forest back in August, but there haven’t been many more enjoyable results this season.

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