In modern times we all suspect that money and pride are two separate entities when it comes to the world of football with the former taking undoubted precedent over the latter.

Middle Eastern and American billionaire investors have revolutionized the game and changed the footballing landscape beyond reversal. It is difficult to even conjure the thought that there was once a time when transfer fees were nominal, players playing outside of their native country was a rarity and a team’s success was truly dictated by how good their manager was, not by the size of the check book he is presented.

Although it was refreshing and their fans will not mind one iota, there will forever be a dark cloud that shadows the success of Manchester City in the English Premier League after they have literally thrown billions of pounds at the cause in order to achieve anything. Although it is perhaps a little hypocritical of their neighbours Manchester United to suggest that they have ‘bought the title,’ after all it is nothing that they have not been doing themselves for the past 15 years, using their financial clout to bully the lesser teams out of their star players with an elitist mentality thus maintaining the void between the league’s elite and everyone else.

Chelsea were the first to spend the ‘big bucks’ and gradually many others followed suit: Manchester City, Malaga and Paris St Germain have each fallen under the vested interest of sheikh businessmen who have made their fortunes doing lord only knows what in their homelands whilst Manchester United and Arsenal are but a couple of English teams to fall into the hands of American-based tycoons.

This extravagant expenditure would no doubt trickle down to the players of the game of whom a very large percentage are motivated by money alone and have little loyalty to those who have previously overseen their rise to stardom and whom they may have been very little without, monsieur’s Van Persie and Nasri to name but two.

Of course no matter what reasons a player gives in his first interview at a new club, there aren’t many of the public that believe they are not just reading from the book of footballing clichés and pulling the wool over our eyes. It is amazing how many players make ‘a dream come true’ by also tripling their salary and how they will talk of ambition and the need to win trophies whilst we all know that behind all that comes an extra 10k or so after tax that would not have failed to sweeten the deal.

Greed is now a major player in a sport where money has bordered into the realms of the ridiculous. After all we know live in a world where the far from mind blowing talent that is Zlatan Ibrahimovic has commanded the highest overall transfer fees on the planet – something that speaks volumes for the absurdity of it all.

However, beyond all this the one man that has motivated me to write this article was none other than the king of the ungrateful, one Emmanuel Adebayor. The Togolese striker was an unknown entity before being plucked from obscurity by Arsene Wenger whom he owes essentially the bulk of his career to. Of course he had no thought of this as he raced the full length of the field to rub one of his early goals for Manchester City in the faces of those whom he had previously stated he loved to work for. I honestly don’t know what to make of his latest stunt.

For those of you out of the loop, this is a man who has essentially in no uncertain terms stated that he would rather sit and rot in the Manchester City reserves than take a pay cut and be Tottenham’s first choice striker. Blatantly putting the status of his wage packet over playing the game that gives him his living. Now part of me is thinking AT LAST, we have a footballer who has the gall albeit bare faced to admit that he is driven by money. On the other hand it is sickening to think that a professional who was once adored and whom so many less fortunate have spent their hard earned money to go and see would rank pound notes above his love and passion for the game and to wear a shirt that tens of thousands in North London alone would die to wear.

It is a slur on the game and a sign of the times. The most satisfying conclusion would be for Adebayor to be released by Manchester City and for no other club to touch him due to is insolence and thus have to go without his weekly bumper prize that comes regardless of appearances let alone performance. It is a commodity that most of the westernised society toil and graft their entire lives to earn but a pittance compared to what this man is handed to him for doing next to nothing. Of course that would never happen, there will always be somebody willing to bail out those players who have shown an utter disrespect for the profession and Adebayor would waltz into somewhere else, call it home, tell the fans they are the best he has ever played for as the vicious cycle continues.

With the writing on the wall, the fat lady singing, the curtain falling and just about every other damning cliché being bandied about the Black Country club, Wolverhampton Wanderers has been officially relegated from the Premier League.

Faced with a mission near enough impossible to prevent the inevitable, Wolves hosted a Manchester City side knowing that only a win could prolong their Premier League status for at least one more week. As if the contest was not pivotal enough, a 4-4 draw between Manchester United and Everton earlier in the day meant a victory for City would reduce the gap at the top of the EPL to just three points.

The game itself was as predicted. Manchester City enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and flowed front to back and left to right and did everything but score in the opening exchanges with the busy Sergio Aguero firing wide of both posts on numerous occasions. Euro 2012 prospect Joe Hart was called into action to parry a stinging drive from David Davis out for a corner whilst Wolves’ stand-in keeper Dorus De Vries enjoyed an impressive Premier League debut deputising for the formerly ever present Wayne Hennessey to keep Tevez, Aguero, Nasri and Silva at bay.

Wolves was characteristically dogged, determined and refused to back down to the evidently superior opposition. Sergio Aguero finally latched on to a bending through ball that City had tried and failed with three times previously and calmly slid home the opener in the first half. After Joe Hart was required at full stretch to palm away a Stephen Fletcher header in the second half, Samir Nasri added a second after Carlos Tevez carved open the Wolves back four with a perfect through ball. With an option to increase what could be a very important goal difference advantage, as testament to Wolves’ advances Roberto Mancini went conservative, replacing two attacking midfielders with holders De Jong and Toure and introduced Adam Johnson to bolster the midfield in place of Carlos Tevez still searching for the sharpness lost on his recent golfing excursions.

As the heavens opened to wash away the fledgling traces of Wolves’ Premier League existence, those who have suffered most of all this season, the fans, rose in solidarity promising to “keep the gold flag flying high” before breaking out into a humorous rendition of “Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, we’re going to Barn-se-ley, que sera sera” for which they received a respectful ovation from their visitors. 

The Past

So the worst fears were realised this evening as another record breaking home loss confirmed what most of the footballing community has known for some time, that Wolverhampton Wanderers were relegated from the Premier League. Just as supporters were sold the dream of the ‘3 year plan’ that Mick McCarthy oversaw to lift them out of the Championship, it has taken the same period of time to throw it all away and return to the second tier of English football.

Almost three years today since a Kyel Reid strike at Oakwell confirmed the Championship crown for Wolverhampton as their sizeable travelling contingent partied in Barnsley with the communal message of “we shall not be moved” was retorted, so the same loyal following must come to terms with an upcoming 46 game calendar without a Rooney, Van Persie or Frank Lampard in sight.

Dotted in between the misery, over the past three seasons Wolves’ fans have been treated to some unforgettable moments. The first season they rode on the adrenaline of being ‘the new boys’ as new signings Kevin Doyle, Nenad Milijas and Ronald Zubar became instant hits in getting over the first hurdle and achieving the never before seen survival in the top flight. After arriving for £7 million from recently relegated Reading, Kevin Doyle ploughed a lone furrow up front to great effect as Mick McCarthy mastered a conservative 4-5-1 system which was essential to their success. In a season containing a home and away double scalp of high flying Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves finished one above the promised land of 17^th position as Portsmouth, Burnley and Hull slipped into the land of no return. For all his ailments, there was a lot not to be liked about manager Mick McCarthy but whether it was more luck than judgment or not it didn’t matter, he had kept Wolves up and insured a second consecutive Premier League season for the first time ever. Goals from Kevin Doyle and Adlene Guedioura sweetened the final day celebrations as a victory over Sunderland was coupled with more “we shall not be moved” chants in the jubilation of the occasion.

So following a promotion and an important consolidation in the top flight, Wolves fans were left salivating at the prospects of a club that appeared to be going places. Owner Steve Morgan opened the cheque book to purchase three Steven/Stephen’s; Fletcher, Hunt and Muoyokolo albeit from recently relegated sides to bolster Wolves’ ever improving squad.

In another first, after the two clubs had yo-yo’d past each other for the best part of 7 years Wolves were joined in the top flight by bitter local rivals West Bromwich Albion and along with Aston Villa and Birmingham City resulted in four West Midlands teams in the same division for the first time in forever to add extra spice to a season which was highly anticipated. And the bragging rights came well and truly sprinkled with gold and black confetti as they endeavoured to beat all of their local rivals once without losing in the six meetings to come out on top of that ghost league. In addition to the local success came the nationwide plaudits as Wolves enjoyed victories over Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and eventual champions Manchester United in the same season. Unfortunately what happened in between the furore of the giant killings and the ecstasy of elevated local pride was of little worth. So hard it was to believe that even with such an impressive derby day record and victories over some of the world’s elite clubs that Wolves top flight status was preserved with just three minutes to spare in the season finale… With five clubs in the unwelcome hunt of filling the final two relegation spots Wolves were in the best position sitting highest in the table and were the only side with a home game on this significant day. So it was that Mick McCarthy as farfetched as it seems did his best to take Wolves down after an entire weeks preparation and his words of wisdom resulted in Wolves being 3-0 down to Blackburn Rovers by half time and well and truly out of it. In the end it was a Roman Pavlyuchenko goal for Tottenham that saved Wolves’ skin and relegated Birmingham City at the death. For this reason alone to suggest that Mick McCarthy had kept Wolves up again was perhaps a little tainted, even more so considering that the goal scoring exploits of Steven Fletcher that almost single handedly shot Wolves to survival would have gone unseen as he had spent most of his time that season languishing on the bench and it was only when Mick’s hand was forced with a Kevin Doyle injury did the Scottish talisman take centre stage. It was by this point that the cracks that many had already identified with the Wolves hardnosed manager started to appear. In addition to ignoring an obvious goal threat in Fletcher for the best part of the season, the crowd pleasers in the squad those with a natural flair and creative spark; David Jones, Adlene Guedioura, Nenad Milijas and exciting new signing Adam Hammill were forced to take a back seat to the grafters and workhorses in the team who possessed significantly less footballing ability. Calls of favouritism were rife as selections were thrown into question week after week and a hefty percentage of the paying public considered the drama of final day too close for comfort and that with Martin O’Neill, Mark Hughes and Sam Allardyce all unemployed at the time, a change was now due.

The Present

Heading into an unprecedented third consecutive season in the Premier League Mick McCarthy was handed a lifeline by the Wolves’ hierarchy but it came with a warning that ‘it must not happen again’ as Wolves’ fans were told that they had learned from their mistakes. This is the point circa June 2011 when fundamental flaws running throughout the club began to filter into the public knowledge for which an entire season was to be based upon.

Despite the divided opinion on the management and moreover the direction of the club as a whole, Wolves fans were united in the fact that in the wake of their third season in the top flight that they were now becoming an attractive proposition to ‘better’ players from ‘bigger’ clubs. By hook or crook they had overcome the dreaded ‘second season syndrome’ that had captured the likes of Reading, Hull City and West Bromwich Albion in the past and they waited with anticipation as to how the board would act upon the lessons that had supposedly been learned. Cue the lies, misdirected comments and baffling decisions that have lead us to this fateful day. Two season of consolidation was enough time to assess who was fit for the big league and who wasn’t going to make the cut in a club with ambitions to become a mid-table outfit. The public presumed that money would be spent, ties would be cut and the necessary changed would be made to ensure another relegation scrap was to be avoided, neither occurred. Wolves continued their questionable transfer policy of purchasing recently relegated players after taking an entire summer to add their one new face to the squad in the form of central defender Roger Johnson from Birmingham City in what was reported to be another £7 million acquisition. In addition to the frustrating lack of transfer activity came the questionable decision which has since resulted in crippling the previously laid plans and expectations for the club. Owner Steve Morgan, a mogul of the property sector laid out plans to expand the Molineux stadium. His intentions were thrown into question as a previously sound relationship with his supporters was now tarnished by a decision to spend money not on players to improve the team but on the needless expansion of a stadium which they rarely filled to capacity anyway! Once again fans were sold this new policy under a ’10 year’ image as design plan to make Wolverhampton Wanderers a force in European football. From this point on things began to downward spiral.

In a season which the only positives have been not losing in the north east and north London as well as being prematurely top of the table for about an hour and a half after three games, the misery has steadily compounded as the cracks widened until they became painstakingly obvious whilst the heartbeat of the club, its fans, have been forced to sit back and accept it, powerless to resist.

The picture was a great deal rosier after three weeks gaining seven points from their first three games but even creditable draws at Arsenal and Tottenham were marred by the inability to beat the three newly promoted sides at home and failure to get results against the teams in and around where you aspire to be.  The manager came under increasing scrutiny as his ethics and principles on hard work and ‘putting a shift in’ were passed off as plain ignorance as he continually overlooked the likes of Adam Hammill, Adlene Guedioura and Nenad Milijas who had showcased the ability to make the much needed difference in the sparse game time they were afforded. Even with losing streaks building and abject performances on a regular basis, the same nucleus of players whose contribution or lack thereof to the situation were afforded a frustrating immunity week in week out. It was evidently not working, the league table was proof enough but still no changes were made and no new approaches taken. The fans frustration was compounded when in the midst of another relegation dogfight, in which the entire squad should be utilised and were required to chip in, the club began to loan out the competition for places and those players whom the fans craved to see more of were no essentially labelled surplus to requirement as they were shipped out to the Championship where by January those with any shred of hindsight could see the whole club was heading.

Supporters frustrations turned towards the clubs owner and chief executive as opinions were firmly polarised with the sections calling for McCarthy’s head before it was too late, were growing by the week. Post-match protests were organised and opinions voiced on why the money that could have been used to better the ailing squad was sat wasting in bricks and mortar as the club appeared to have lost touch with those it should hold most dearest as a divisional sense of ‘them and us’ began to grow.

Rumours of dressing room unrest began to circulate as the clubs only action of the summer to chase, purchase and pander to Roger Johnson by immediately making him team captain was having a negative effect on the squad. Fans began to clash with players after games questioning their lack of endeavour and effort on which the team was built whilst other players’ wives were stoking the fires on social media sites with comments against the fans and management. The situation in and around Molineux was an embarrassing disaster which would have only one conclusion.

Mick McCarthy’s tenure came to a miserable end following an miserable and unforgiveable 5-1 derby day humiliation at home to West Bromwich Albion but with the season now in mid-February and obvious candidates Hughes and O’Neill now off the market, it all appeared too little far too late. Although nobody expected what was to follow in the fortnight prior to Mick McCarthy’s sacking. It was hard to imagine the club could sink much lower in the opinions of its supporters, until they became the laughing stock of the entire league. Another memorable quote from Steve Morgan in relation to the vacant managers position was that with only 13 games to go “this is not a job for a novice” a fallacy that Wolves’ fans will not let him live down. Together with his chief executive Jez Moxey, Morgan set about on a two week recruitment process in which experienced managers with admirable Premier League track records were interviewed then seemingly overlooked. Steve Bruce missed out without explanation and fan favourite Alan Curbishley was offered a misguided deal until the end of the season which lacked ambition and direction and was duly rejected. The result of the appointment that of course was “not a job for a novice” was Wolves assistant manager Terry Connor. It had taken the board two weeks to appoint a man who was already employed with the club but had never managed in his career – both ironic and contradictory I’m sure you will agree. The unpopular Moxey then took to the national press to tell of how they believed Connor was “the right man for the job” despite the fact they had interviewed at least five other candidates, offering the job to two of them. How the board expected the fans that had access to this knowledge to believe what they were being fed I cannot explain.

The road since has been tumultuous. The board’s decision to jump over the fence before knowing what was on the other side has done little to adhere them to the fans especially after the man that very few believed was good enough for the survival stretch has proved his doubters right by obtaining just two points from ten games. Records were being broken left, right and centre including most successive home losses in the clubs history and worst start to a Premier League managerial role – a post taken ironically from his mentor Mick McCarthy during his spell at Sunderland. From this you will see the patterns that are emerging. Wolves’ supporters saw the appointment of Terry Connor as a cheap option and as waving a white flag, mortifyingly accepting relegation as early as February. The chasm between the clubs hierarchy and its supporters is widening as those who feel cheated and dismayed have little trust or faith left in the board to whom they voiced their opinions directly after the Manchester City game.

Wolves did two things in the summer, neither has paid off. Roger Johnson has effectively infected the squad; firstly he was reported to management for turning up inebriated to training, his wife was involved in a war of words with interim manager Connor over his absence from the starting line-up and he hasn’t featured since a public spat with goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey on the pitch during the Bolton Wanderers game. Leading by example he most certainly is not! The biggest irony of all and the second failure that the majority could see coming a mile off was the newly renovated Northbank end of the ground which features 3,000 or so extra seats which will remain predominantly empty as attendances rapidly decline in next year’s Npower Championship conquest.

The Future

Everyone has their own opinions and visions as to where to go from here. Wolves have found themselves in an unacceptable position having built a solid platform and foundation they have effectively wasted any progress made in the past three years by falling out of the top flight with nothing more than a whimper.

There are those that have openly expressed that relegation is not the end of the world and that we are well equipped to bounce straight back whilst others will argue that that feat is much easier said than done especially where Wolves are concerned. West Ham United are living proof that the Championship can be an unforgiving league with everybody out to get the teams that feel they have a divine right to play above that level. Similar if not bigger clubs than Wolverhampton Wanderers have gone down and down again rather than straight back up; Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and now Portsmouth to name but a few have all proven that history counts for very little in this ‘what have you done for me lately?’ footballing climate. After 19 long seasons outside of the top flight, Wolves broke the curse but fell short at the first hurdle in 2004 and then took another 5 years to get back to the promised land, more fuel to the fires that suggest an immediate return is improbable.

Management wise, many will crave the young up and coming names such as Clark and Poyet, whilst others will see the experience of Bruce or Curbishley at this level as essential in the current plight. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer currently residing over proceedings at Molde in Norway is another outsider that would bring a new style of football and a fresh overview from the recent honesty and endeavour policies which the current squad operate under. There are the radical few that believe that it matters little who the manager is whilst the club is in the hands of the seemingly deceitful Chief executive and owner whose false faces and readings from the book of sporting clichés have left them beyond redemption as those fans attempt to hit them where it apparently hurts the most, their pockets.

If their planning for life beyond McCarthy is the template then the immediate future looks anything but assured for newly relegated Wolverhampton. Their supporters will have to come to terms with the fact that they will once more be playing one level below rivals Albion and Villa and quite possibly Birmingham too to complete the rout. Terry Connor will most likely be kept on as manager and supporters will be forced to swallow such bitter pills of excuses as “he’s familiar with the squad” and “he’s learned a lot from his recent experiences”. It is safe to presume that attendances will slump and those who do return will demand immediate success as patience is now a non-entity following a disastrous past six months.

Out of darkness, cometh light. . . we will just have to wait and see. What will be, will be.

Owen Coyle’s Bolton side enhanced the chances of at least one famous ‘Wanderers’ side playing in the Premier League next season as the Fat Lady filled her lungs and bellowed out a damning chorus for the other on Saturday.

Yet another scintillating 60 minutes of football from the home side was overshadowed by a disastrous final half hour which saw a the sort of capitulation that their supporters have sadly become accustomed to, eventually finishing on the wrong side of a 5 goal thriller as they did in this very fixture last season.

Whilst Wolves fans had all but given up hope of a miracle survival after some damning verdicts delivered by the likes of Manchester United, Blackburn and Norwich in the month of March, the league table was still eloquently poised and with a relegation roommate visiting Molineux, Wolves knew that a victory would at least keep it interesting.

The hosts would look to draw on those mythical ‘home comforts’ which have been AWOL since early December and having lost their previous six consecutive home ties it was little wonder that the optimism on the club’s website, in the board room and that that spewed from the mouth of the bloke that does the pre-game tannoys was not echoed around the stands as the 27,000 or so regulars had endured a miserable 2012 thus far.

4-4-2 was the order of the day for the fish out of water interim Wolves manager Terry Connor who opted for Sylvan Ebanks-Blake alongside Steven Fletcher up front whilst youngster David Davis joined the familiar midfield trio of Matt Jarvis, David Edwards and Michael Kightly.

Owen Coyle brought fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers to Molineux on the back of a morale boosting 2-1 victory over Blackburn in the all-Lancashire affair one week previous. With the entire team buoyed by the cause for which they recently strived, that being the well-being of their teammate Fabrice Muamba, the lilywhites replicated Wolves’ 4-4-2 setup with Ivan Klasnic returning to partner David N’Gog up front supported by a midfield quartet of Ryo Miyaichi, Martin Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker and former Wolves hot prospect Mark Davies. American Tim Ream deputised for Zat Knight at full back whilst the goalkeeper Adam Bogdan was hoping to be a little less involved than his ‘one man show’ performance at Tottenham in the midweek FA Cup defeat.

The home side began like the proverbial house on fire as Bolton struggled through the first half. After just 5 minutes Michael Kightly centred a free kick from just inside the opposition half into the box which Steven Fetcher saved from going out of play by hooking back over his shoulder into the path of Ebanks-Blake who controlled neatly via his chest, shifted from right to left to avoid the ensuing Marcos Alonso then unleashed a shot which was parried by the flame haired Bolton keeper for a corner to lift the spirits of the home crowd in the early going.

Bogdan continued to command the superlatives as the half progressed. As one of Wolves’ only shining lights in the past few months, Matt Jarvis looked lively as ever giving the right back Sam Ricketts a torrid time jinking inside and out before pirouetting and delivering a measured cross for the head of Fletcher who hung in the air and nodded downwards only to see the impressive Bogdan tip round the post at full stretch.

In what will be a limited race for the Wolves player of the Season award, Jarvis and Fletcher continued to show their Premier League worth again as Jarvis’ in swinging left wing corner was met by the Scotsman once more flexing the neck muscles to head powerfully into the same corner only to be foiled again this time by Ryo Miyaichi on the line.

Wolves looked refreshingly and surprisingly adapt going forwards as the midfield was anchored by youth academy product David Davis allowing Edwards, Kightly and Jarvis to pass, move and interchange efficiently as the Bolton back line was stretched time and again. However with Wolves there is always a ‘however’. The home fans had learned many a time that their side had to make their increasing pressure count as they had the habit of not ceasing on an advantage and emerging a shadow of their former selves after an interval. This lingering feeling was not eased on the stroke of half time as Michael Kightly, having another encouraging game on the right wing whipped a pinpoint cross into the area picking out an unmarked Fletcher who usually so good in the air, headed against the bar from 6 yards out as Wolves fans headed to the toilets and bars cursing their luck having once again outplayed the opposition without reward for a full half of football.

Bolton’s only chance of note in the first half came when a miscued Roger Johnson header fell into the path of Ivan Klasnic who volleyed harmlessly wide from the edge of the Wolves penalty area. The Wolves captain then became involved in a heated display of discontent with goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey as the fans rallied behind their goalkeeper as the cracks of division that had been rumoured behind the scenes started to spill out into the public domain. Johnson’s negative influence on the squad has been well documented since the club wasted an entire summer chasing him, eventually paying £7million for his services and then making him captain in a knee-jerk decision to replace Karl Henry. After rumours of his childish attitudes towards the youth team were leaked from the dressing room, he recently lost his place in the starting 11 after continual below par performances and was later reported to management by his own team mates after turning up inebriated for a training session. The rumblings continued when Johnson’s own wife took to the social media and voiced her opinions on his exclusion from the team calling Terry Connor’s justified decision “ridiculous” which did little to adhere him to his colleagues or the club’s supporters.

As is the norm at Molineux in times gone by, those who contributed to an impressive first half showing end up as strangers after the old Jekyll and Hyde syndrome kicks in and Wolves become masters of their own downfall. They fell into the cliché trap of ‘doing everything but score’ in the first half and as goal line clearances, superb keeping and the woodwork thwarted their efforts there was an ominous feeling that Bolton could not possibly play as badly during the second period and when David Wheater snuck unnoticed into the area and headed a Miyaichi cross narrowly wide in the opening exchanges, there was little to dispel the fears of the home crowd.

As it was in a welcome change to the regular proceedings Wolves came out of the traps with a similar intensity and got their just rewards not a moment too soon. Ebanks Blake took the ball down and drifted from left to right switching the play to the lively Michael Kightly. With question marks on his Premier League pedigree looming over the head of the once 25k bargain from Grays Athletic, Kightly drifted infield past Alonso, shifted onto his left foot and placed the ball perfectly into the bottom right hand corner of the goal from just outside the area for only his second goal in the top flight. Advantage Wolves and seemingly an answer to the low expectations that the home crowd have been forced to succumb to over the course of the 2011/12 season.

As ever with Wolves there was an unwelcome twist in the tail. Bolton had huffed and puffed for an hour to create very little with two half chances their only success in what had been a very one dimensional and flat performance until they were handed a lifeline. Former employee Mark Davies skipped into the area and made the most of a naïve swipe challenge by Roger Johnson, leaving his foot in and gaining the away side a penalty. The home crowd retorted “cheat, cheat” in his direction as his simulated fall had conned a penalty decision from the referee although Johnson’s needless challenge had given the impressive youngster coined ‘Sparky’ by the Wolves fans every incentive to hit the deck. Martin Petrov stepped up and dispatched coolly with his trusted left foot then wheeled away to the cameras unveiling a t-shirt in support of his fellow countryman and namesake Stylian Petrov recently diagnosed with acute leukaemia.

Fast forward to the post match interviews and former captain Karl Henry echoed the sentiments of the home supporters that there was no need to panic just because they had lost the lead and still at 1-1 Wolves were in a very good position to push on for the win they so desperately required instead of the capitulation that followed. In effect the unlikely Bolton equaliser, harsh or not set the tone for the rest of the game as Wolves a little later than predicted set about losing their previous principles and throwing another game. All of a sudden the passes weren’t being completed, the spritely movement had ceased, players were wondering out of position and the river of creativity had well and truly dried up.

After Martin Petrov found space on the left and drove sweetly into Hennessey’s legs it was clear that there would only be one winner in this game. Bolton were mirroring the Wolves style going from inept to impressive finding space and creating chances where before they had none. Owen Coyle made two positive substitutions in Kevin Davies and Chris Eagles whilst the home bench remained frustratingly unmoved as both sides declared their intentions for the result.

In a rare second half sight at goal, Matt Jarvis advanced unnoticed to meet a ball that bounced awkwardly at the back post causing his header to drift narrowly wide, whilst Bolton responded by packing the penalty area with their target men for a corner which David Wheater headed down forcing Hennessey to scramble and beat off the line.

On 78 minutes the inevitable once again reared its ugly head over the gold and black arena. Petrov was given acres of space on the left wing to deliver a cross which found N’Gog with equally as much inexplicable room to head against the bar and before the flapping Wolves defenders knew what had hit them it was turned into the net from Marcos Alonso stealing in for his first every Bolton goal from close range. In his best impression of the previous McCarthy era in which he was very much at the core of, Terry Connor finally produced two substitutions albeit after going behind as Wolves supported rolled their eyes in glum acceptance that they’d seen this all before

The scenario was once again so sadly predictable. A full hour of astute football and a goal advantage had been overturned in 10 minutes or so of concentration free and error prone defensive football. Bolton were rolling with Davies and Eagles passing triangles around the Wolves defenders before teeing up Reo-Coker breaking from midfield but his first time curling effort was beaten away by the Welsh number one at full stretch.

On 86 minutes the helpless silence from the home crowd was broken. Downtrodden and beaten into such a submissive state that they could not conjure a reaction to the clockwork failings of their side, they eventually snapped appalled at the comedy of errors that was Bolton’s third. Stephen Ward, a striker come left back who was billed as Mr Consistent for the first half of the season has been consistently poor for the second. He lost the ball to Kevin Davies whilst dawdling in possession then got to his feet, sunk his head and spectated as Chris Eagles presented Davies with the ball in the area. Davies shrugged off another woeful tackle attempt from public enemy number 1 Roger Johnson and swept home a third with ease. Now Stephen Ward is a player who was granted a stay of immunity under Mick McCarthy and was ever present despite his lacklustre performances at full back, the occasional stand in Captain is also the first one to frustratingly take to Twitter and the local press on a Monday morning and assure fans that they are giving their all for the cause and that the players still believe in this dwindling survival bid; his efforts or lack thereof for the killer third goal proved otherwise as a Wolves side that have used honesty, endeavour and determination as a foundation for their previous successes were vacant of all three as they turned on the dying duck act in defence.

There was still time for Matt Jarvis to continue his impressive run in front of goal turning inside the box to fire home a consolation across the body of Adam Bogdan. The home fans were none too pleased with the playing of music following the goal, in truth it was nothing more than condescending given the circumstances.

Bolton held on for three points that sees them pull away from the bottom three for at least one more week, whilst Wolves weekly episodic failure to sustain a 90 minute performance continues adding to a new unwanted club record of SEVEN straight home defeats.

It is now time for the players, management and board to put down the book of footballing clichés that they read from day in day out when addressing the situation in the local media. The weeks role on, nothing changes and the losses mount yet they still undermine their supporters intelligence by telling them that all is not lost when what is panning out before their very eyes wholesomely begs to differ.

Although they will never admit it, the Wolves board waved the white flag in February when they copped out appointing Mick McCarthy’s number 2 in a Premier League relegation dogfight with no previous managerial experience whilst overlooking other unemployed candidates with pedigree and respectable track records. Some will have seen this coming long before that recruitment circus. Wolves did only two things in the summer; needlessly began expanding their stadium and bought Roger Johnson then subsequently made him centre of attention. Neither has paid off. Much needed transfer funds for the much heralded “survival bid” lay to waste in bricks and mortar whilst infighting and pettiness in the dressing room has spilled over into the public eye making it a very sorry state of affairs.

This was yet another ‘do or die’ ‘make or break’ situation for Wolves, something they will be accustomed to as they found themselves in similarly touted situations as early as November this year which reeks of desperation.  Having to base a season around 10 or so win or bust matches and overlooking the other 28 was never going to work. Those who require optimism like oxygen will point towards the fact that relegation is not yet mathematically guaranteed however those thousands with two working eyes in their head and even the tiniest notion of hindsight will see a club dejected, divided and going down without a whimper.

It was billed as a ‘David vs Goliath’ contest in the build-up; unfortunately Wolverhampton Wanderers failed to adhere to their part in that Biblical contest as they shipped five goals for the third time in four games and flopped miserably to the foot of the English Premier League. After a midweek humbling in Spain resulting in elimination from the Europa League, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were never in danger of emanating the Phillistine giant as they showed little mercy to 10 man Wolves whilst addressing their inferior goal difference on title rivals Manchester City.

Like every game across the country on Sunday, football took a backseat as the occasion opened in the correct and respectful manner with a minutes applause from players and fans for the Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba who remains in a critical condition following his collapse during a FA Cup tie with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening. We echo the sentiment displayed on the advertising hoards at Molineux ‘Fabrice, you are in our thoughts and prayers’.

Having chased down and recently leap-frogged neighbours Manchester City at the Premier League summit, the visitors set out their stall with three strikers in Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck. Whilst attacking wide man Ashley Young and the evergreen Ryan Giggs were left on the bench, United were still able to boast a daunting midfield of Scholes, Carrick and Valencia in support of their front three. Patrice Evra and Rafael played either side of Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans in a standard back four.

The home side and interim manager Terry Connor were afforded no such luxuries in terms of selection with Jamie O’Hara and Nenad Milijas joining Karl Henry on the midfield treatment table forcing Kevin Foley into the engine room alongside David Edwards and youngster David Davis making only his second ever senior appearance for the club. Given the situation, the less said about the two current fit midfielders needlessly sent out on loan, the better! Foley for O’Hara remained the only change to the team that started the soul destroying 2-0 home defeat to Blackburn 8 days earlier.

Without setting the world alight, Wolves began in front of another encouraging but far from expectant packed home crowd rather encouragingly given their recent failings. Kevin Doyle glided past a few challenges keeping neat control before turning and shooting tamely with his left foot into the awaiting arms of David De Gea in the early stages. David Davis the academy graduate picked up on an impressive debut the week prior looking anything but overawed in his midfield task up against the legendary Paul Scholes with a number of timely tackles and sensible passes to keep his team flowing.  An interesting battle between Matt Jarvis and Rafael ensued on Wolves left flank for the opening 20 minutes with each player showing their hand and getting one up on the other in a succession of meetings in the corner. Jarvis turned infield onto his right foot after 17 minutes delivering an inviting cross towards the back post which narrowly missed the head of Steven Fletcher before dropping agonisingly wide of post. At the other end the United front trio was in full flow, passing and moving through the Wolves back four creating chances for Carrick and Valencia who shot narrowly wide from deep inside Wolves territory.

With the home crowd rising to the occasion and the team responding to a positivity that has been absent from the Molineux grounds for too long, normal service was resumed on 21 minutes as the atmosphere killers took the lead through Jonny Evans. It is an old practice for the underdog that when playing an opposition that can hurt you in a variety of ways to make sure you at least do the basics right – marking and defending set pieces are an absolute must. Wolves did neither as a corner floated from the right side found Michael Carrick who had time to cushion into the path of another unchallenged team mate in Jonny Evans to give the Red Devils the edge. Whilst a few fans rose in a rallying cry to the team having slipped a goal behind, the majority in the Southbank end of the ground had forgotten the bright start and quickly returned hounding every mistake and lacklustre effort from hence forth.

Although he has been found wanting positionally on more than one occasion this term,  one thing that can never be taken away from Wolves right full back Ronald Zubar is his pride in the shirt and willingness to succeed often beyond his capability. As one of few who epitomise the passion in the stands, Zubar left Evra in his wake with two trademark lung bursting jaunts down the right flank although his final delivery was poor. His passion fuelled aggression was to cost him however; he first received a yellow card after taking exception to the amount of time Rooney was affording himself on the ball and crunched him from behind evoking a response from the crowd but leaving him in danger for the rest of the game. It was almost inevitable when on 40 minutes Zubar was ejected for another tackle from behind on Danny Welbeck in front of the dugouts leaving the referee little choice but to produce a second yellow for the naïve carbon copy of his first caution. United sought to put Wolves to the sword thereafter with two more goals to kill the tie before half time. Eggart Jonsson was introduced in a re-structure to the Wolves shape but missed a header from which Manchester United broke from front to back with Antonio Valencia impressively covering the length of the field before smashing effortlessly past Hennessey to double the advantage. With Wolves in disarray at the mammoth task which lay ahead, a third followed before half time as United attacked down the right once again as Stephen Ward backed further and further away from the lively Valencia who was given acres of space to pick out the advancing Welbeck with a simple pass for 3-0, much to the discontent of the natives.

The officials were given a hostile reception as they vacated the field at the break after showing two yellow cards to Zubar but failing to reciprocate on a number of robust challenges from the away side. After opting out of a possible penalty decision when Rafael clumsily stumbled into Matt Jarvis at 0-0, modern stereotypes were in place although to blame the officials in what was evidently always going to be an easy day for Manchester United would have been clutching at straws.

The visitors emerged from the dressing room almost a full five minutes before their hosts after the interval with what could be assumed as a ringing endorsement from their boss to set to work on the sizeable goal difference advantage that City currently held over United in the table. They continued where they had left off with Rooney picking a pinpoint pass fully 40 yards to the feet of Welbeck who laid in the busy England frontman for a low curling shot which Wayne Hennessey tipped round the post at full stretch.

United danced around the 10 men of Wolves with ease keeping the ball and enforcing one touch pass and move plays that set them a class apart. With Wolves hopeless and helpless all at the same time, Rafael made his way into the penalty area with Stephen Ward nowhere to be seen once more and chipped a cross onto the head of the ‘Little Pea’ Javier Hernandez for fourth and easy leaving Wolves fans fearing a cricket score.

What followed the fourth goal was by far an out the story of the afternoon. Whilst it will remain largely unmentioned as the daily newspapers and media salivate over another cutthroat United performance, as a lifelong supporter and follower of one of the smaller clubs in the ‘best league in the world’ it was by far and out one of our finest hours. With the team sitting bottom of the pile, a dishevelled 10 men being walked over by the reigning champions, no hope and imminent return to the Championship the supporters could take no more. They were downtrodden and beaten so badly once more, having moaned and complained until they were blue in the face for the best part of a season in despondence at the clubs hierarchy, with the backs pressed firmly against the wall – they were left with no option but to stand, embrace and retake their beloved club as the entire ‘Southbank’ end behind the one goal stood in unison following the fourth goal . . . and proudly sang.

An entire seasons worth of misery had culminated in a unison which made the hairs stand on end. Somewhat appreciative of their team’s efforts in vain against one of the world’s finest, the supporters rallied and deafeningly chorused all of their trademark songs even as their team continued to be taken to the cleaners in front of their very eyes. With an entire end standing, the patriotic style songs and cheers quickly turned ironic given the situation. A Mexican wave ensued alongside the cheering of Manchester United’s 5th goal finished exquisitely once more by the Mexican Hernandez. By this point the focus was very much on the crowd who responded to a decent passage of Wolves possession with a chorus of “it’s just like watching Bilbao” leaving the visiting fans feeling like they had stepped into the twilight zone due to the home crowds emphatic response given the humbling that was taking place on the field. The odd few chants were directed towards the executive boxes asking CEO Jez Moxey to “give us a wave” whilst turning on the chairman with a derisory “forget the football and build a stand” rendition. Every completed pass, free kick decision and attack minded move was greeted with exaggerated cheers and such tongue in cheek remarks as “we want 1, we want 1” and “we’re gonna win 6-5”. Whilst questioning the geography of the away support with a proclamation of “you only live round the corner” the Wolves support put a comedic twist on their recent perilous plight by asking United’s fans “how sh*t must you be, cos’ you’ve only scored five” leaving the visiting fans evidently confused. All this talk from the terraces is a fitting segment because what was happening on the pitch was an exhibition and beyond the farcical. For the first time in a long time, the supporters of Wolverhampton Wanderers were united in a common cause to make the best of an ominous situation. In one final funny spin, Wayne Hennessey was urged  to go up for a last minute corner by the crowd as if they were chasing a desperate last minute decider, something which was far from reality.

If anything it was just a 45 minutes for the ardent support to step away from the harsh reality and imminent prospect of relegation after a failed bid to stabilise the club in the top flight. From the humiliation on home soil against rivals West Bromwich Albion, to the 6 consecutive home losses, only two wins since November, embarrassing recruitment of a new manager and open season on their goal, those to whom the fortunes of the club mean the most retaliated when presented with the choice of whether to laugh or cry in the only way befitting of such a helpless situation in which they have no control.

Terry Connor is the shield in which the owner and chief executive continue to blindly rally behind although the paying public can see well beyond their false face weekly statements. A man who has never had the responsibility of full management was thrust in to the deep end, up the creek with no canoe. The remnants of the Mick McCarthy era linger on providing little in the way of options or answers. Their first appearance at the bottom of the table has long been foreseen and to many, overdue. Mathematically there is always a chance but to those who watch Wolves on a weekly basis there is nothing present to suggest they have the ability or the fight to escape this relegation battle. After conceding 19 goals in five games and just a solitary point in the process, those responsible appear to have downed tools and given up the ghost. The next two games against Bolton Wanderers and Norwich City present two occasions when a loss may not be greeted with such acceptance and good nature as this one. The brief rest bite from the common hostilities inside Molineux was refreshing but one assumes it will not continue should results not take a dramatic turn for the better.

At the other enviable end of the spectrum, the champions have cruised to a four point lead over Manchester City in the all-Lancashire two horse race for the title, with the Blues still to play this week. With only one trophy available to win this season, Alex Ferguson’s efforts will now be 100% concentrated on the domestic task that lies ahead.

As the fans promised to ‘never die’ whilst keeping the ‘Gold flag flying high’, Wolves face a similar transitional period and re-grouping that took place 7 years ago as they filter through the deadwood and decide where they go from here on the back of a season that will live long in memory for all the wrong reasons. To an outsider this will seem like a premature epitaph, but those who have witnessed first-hand have little ammunition to argue otherwise.

Still as always, often for our sins – forever, we are Wolves.

Welcome to management Mr Connor!

With the statue of the late Michael Jackson standing boldly outside the venue for Sunday’s Premier League showdown, Wolves’ new boss Terry Connor is left staring down the barrel of some wholesale changes; ‘starting with the man in the mirror!’

After an encouraging battling point on the road against Newcastle one week ago, Wolves paled in comparison and were powerless to resist as their hosts were as tantalisingly good as they were inept and another victory at the Cottage was delivered from Russia with . . . goals.

The wholly inexperienced Wolves manager was forced to make one unsurprising change to his previous starting line-up after another textbook injury to David Edwards saw Michael Kightly awarded a starting berth on the right wing with Kevin Foley moving into a central midfield three alongside Karl Henry and in support of Jamie O’Hara. Martin Jol was afforded no such concerns and set his stall out with a four pronged attack of Moussa Dembele, Andy Johnson, Clint Dempsey and their newly acquired Russian sensation Pavel Pogrebnyak making his positive intentions clear for all to see.

The action packed first half in which Fulham peppered the Wolves goal with a barrage of attempts will be accentuated with this minute-by-minute break down:

6 minutes – Fulham’s first notable attack of many comes in a play straight out of the NFL; Damien Duff acting as Quarterback finds Clint Dempsey on a well-executed crossing route who advances an extra 5 yards before being brought down on the edge of the area by the right back Ronald Zubar in coverage. Zubar pleads his innocence and points out the fact that he got his head to the ball before tumbling Dempsey but this is not enough to deter the referee from awarding a free kick and brandishing the game’s first yellow card in the opening exchanges. Riise rolls back the years with a run up to the free kick but is wasteful as his weak shot hits the wall and is cleared to safety.

8 minutes – Clint Dempsey exposes Ronald Zubar again getting in behind the full back down the left channel, latching onto an exquisite pass from Riise before turning inside onto his right foot and shooting tamely into Hennessey’s clutches. Wolves early system seems naïve and unplanned as long balls into Kevin Doyle who is surrounded by Senderos and Hangeland are evidently going to be unsuccessful.

11 minutes – the home crowd are on their feet once more as a short left side corner finds its way to Riise who stands poised on the edge of the area. Riise’s swerving low drive is tipped round the post by Wayne Hennessey who did well to see and then save the shot through the bodies in front of him.

13 minutes – It’s all action from the Norwegian Riise who has taken Wolves defensive mentality as a license to roam from left full back. Fulham work the ball patiently across field from right to left before laying in the full back who connects well with the rolling ball on the move but the shot hits a flailing Wolves defender on its way out for a corner.

15 minutes – Wolves advance into uncharted territory gaining a free kick deep inside the Fulham half in a wide left position. Rather than deliver into the penalty area, Matt Jarvis tries a clever lay off to O’Hara on the edge of the area who is left with egg on his face as he stumbles over the ball wasting their first chance at an attempt on goal. Fulham break swiftly into a counter attack which finishes with Damien Duff driving narrowly wide of the left post from inside the ‘D’ on the edge of the Wolves box as the increasing pressure begins to tell on the visitors.

17 minutes – Clint Dempsey collects the ball in the centre circle and bypasses Karl Henry who is notably struggling. Dempsey is afforded plenty of time to play a short pass out left to, yes you guessed it Jon Arne-Riise once more who connects sweetly again with his famed left foot with a shot that sails narrowly wide of the right hand post. Karl Henry’s afternoon is over as he is forced out of the game to be replaced by Nenad Milijas.

20 minutes – midway through the first half and the away side finally register an attempt at goal. Jamie O’Hara whips in a free kick from the left side of midfield which is met by Richard Stearman who joins the home crowd in holding their breath for a few seconds as the ball loops up past a static Mark Schwarzer but lands wide of the post.

23 minutes – With the risk of sounding like a broken record, Riise’s obvious threat seems to have not registered with Wolves as he is afforded acres of space on the left flank to deliver a driven low cross into the area which is met on the move by an advancing Andy Johnson but the long legs of Wayne Hennessey come to Wolves’ rescue once more diverting the ball away.

24 minutes – sticking to the ethos of finding joy on the left side, Matt Jarvis gets his first decent run of the game in beating two defenders before dragging the ball back to Jamie O’Hara whose miscued attempt ricochets wide off a Fulham defender. Christophe Berra, the goal scorer for Scotland midweek is first to the ball meeting the corner with a header that is blocked and cleared to safety. The Scottish defender signed from Hearts in 2008 is still searching for that elusive first goal in gold and black.

35 minutes – with more than an air of inevitability, the home side take the lead. Pavel Pogrebnyak continues his impressive goals to attempts rate as loses his marker before stooping low to head a right wing corner into the net for the games opener. The Russian revelation signed on loan from Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart in January continues to see his stock rise with his third goal in his short time at the club so far. The goal did not come without controversy as replays showed the ball had not taken any deflection off Richard Stearman contrary to the referee’s beliefs which lead to the award of the assisting corner kick.

43 minutes – Kevin Foley is shown up for being out of position as he turns backwards with the ball in central midfield before laying the ball blindly backwards in the direction of Christophe Berra. The loose pass is intercepted by Clint Dempsey who plays Andy Johnson to the byline before cutting back for Pogrebnyak to meet sweetly on the move and sweep an impressive second past Hennessey to emphasise Fulham’s tight grip on this encounter.

An abject and lacklustre first half from the visitors is interrupted by the half time whistle and not a moment too soon. Déjà vu for Wolves and Terry Connor who found themselves in this exact situation 8 days previously in the North East, Wolves fans were left hoping that the worst was over and that lightning would strike twice.

We return to the more standard format for the second half, standard was was Fulham’s requirements as they sauntered through the second 45 minutes going through the motions as Wolves mastered their own downfall.

Surprisingly there were no changes from Wolves at half time who surely should have been reacting the one way traffic that flowed over them in the opening half. The travelling fans sang for their talisman and only hope Steven Fletcher but the new boss remained unmoved as Fulham began where they had left off. What was uncomfortable to watch for Wolves’ fans became excruciating. Their defensive frailties were highlighted twice in successive moments early in the second half. First Wayne Hennessey collected a cross but then collided with Berra allowing the ball to pop out to the feet of Clint Dempsey who was not yet ready to put Wolves to the sword, then minutes later the same defender smashed an attempted clearance off one of his own midfielders with the ball again falling invitingly to Dempsey who saw another attempt to end the game as a contest saved. Two comical moments at the back for Wolves which would have justified the ‘Benny Hill’ theme being played in the backdrop.

The all-action American did not have to wait long for his just rewards. On 57 minutes he latched onto a through ball from the centre of midfield before rounding the Welsh goal keeper and making it three and out for Wolves on this dismal afternoon in the capital.

From this point on the game would be dictated by just how ruthless Fulham wanted to be. Steven Fletcher was somewhat insultingly introduced to the fray after Fulham’s third replacing the non-existent Michael Kightly as Wolves referred to a 4-4-2 system. Kightly’s poor performance was ill-timed given the questionable decision to loan out fan favourite Adam Hammill earlier in the week.

Just as they did against West Bromwich Albion in the final game of Mick McCarthy’s tenure, Wolves capitulated after the third goal. They looked powerless to resist as the Fulham front four passed them into confusion again before an Andy Johnson effort was parried into the path of Pavel Pogrebnyak who completed his hat trick with the easiest goal of them all tapping in unmarked from close range.

Four goals down and the Wolves boss cut a beleaguered and idea-free figure on the touchline as his side looked nothing more than Championship bound relegation fodder in a contest which they had offered next to nothing. The home side let off a little allowing Wolves new shape to take form but they soaked up the increased pressure with ease and looked dangerous on the counter. Andy Johnson was able to join the ‘doing everything but score’ club as he found space once again in the Wolves half before cutting inside and bending a shot sweetly up off the bar with Wayne Hennessey rooted to his spot.

The game flowed end to end in the final 15 minutes with Wolves’ belated attacking impetus. Fletcher and O’Hara saw a pot shot each go harmlessly wide whilst Fulham continued to flow right to left and back to front looking dangerous in every attack. Duff cruised around the attacking right side looking for any opportunity to cut inside onto his favoured left foot whilst the American Dempsey lingered ominously outside the area shooting on sight whenever he was picked out.

Fulham delivered the icing to an already sizable cake on 83 minutes. In a sequence of 22 uninterrupted passes with the crowd derisorily shouting “ole” at every Wolves fledgling missed tackle, the ball was rolled to the edge of the area where Clint Dempsey, scorer of his national team’s winning goal in Italy in midweek finished with aplomb into the roof of the Wolves goal from the edge of the area. The media had their superlatives at the ready for yet another Fulham victory inspired by the complete midfield performance from the United States greatest export and absolute bargain from New England Revolution in 2007.

After being humbled once more looking a shadow of a Premier league outfit, Wolves registered their first shot on target in the 93^rd minute of the game so as to highlight their miserable afternoon.

Kudos inevitably must go to Fulham who were sensational although their victory will be a little tainted given the unacceptable levels offered by the opposition. They proved that the fallout from the Cold War was well and truly over as a Russian and an American combined with expert efficiency to condemn Wolves back to the Premier league’s relegation zone with just 11 games remaining and little hope of salvation on the basis of this performance.

The many doubters who saw the recruitment and appointment of Terry Connor as a ‘cheap option’ a ‘cop out’ and an insult to the intelligence of the club’s supporters were somewhat silenced last week, but rest assured they will be out in force baying for blood after this performance. The shape, system and selection of the side was an exact replica of the Mick McCarthy era that came to such a tumultuous end throwing into question Terry Connor’s own preachings of “fresh ideas and a new approach”. Just three weeks shy of that humiliating capitulation on derby day, Wolves fans were left to endure their team shipping five goals once more making them the talk of the Premier League once more for all the wrong and somewhat embarrassing reasons.

One thing is for certain, it is going to take a very large shovel for Steve Morgan, Jez Moxey and Terry Connor to dig this club out of the sizable hole which they have driven it into over the past few weeks.

At the back end of a turbulent and degrading fortnight where all things Wolverhampton Wanderers were concerned, a chink of light appeared through the widening cracks to lift the spirits that had previously hit rock bottom.

Although the departure of Mick McCarthy was long overdue in the eyes of many, what followed in the fortnight prior has been nothing short of disastrous. The club’s hierarchy embarked on a rollercoaster search for a replacement that bordered on desperation as the illustrious vacancy was banded about like confetti with the media circus throwing every man and his dog into the frame. The position was reportedly offered first to Alan Curbishley, then Steve Bruce, Walter Smith, Gus Poyet and finally Reading’s Brian McDermott. The biggest concern for Wolves fans was that each of them shunned the interest of Wolves for various reasons throwing the recruitment process into disarray and begging the question of just how limited must the offers have been if they weren’t enough to entice even the unemployed off of their sofas?

Whilst the clubs current dire situation (13 games remaining and in the relegation zone) required an appointment of substance and experience, a Curbishley, Bruce or Smith, the heart and soul of the ‘business’ (as the chief executive so frustratingly views it) would have settled for one of the next generation of managers; the up and coming Poyet’s, Clark’s or Freedman’s of the footballing world. They ended up with neither, throwing the whole process into disrepute leaving us all to wonder where two wasted weeks had disappeared. The tip of the iceberg came in the form of the eventual decision from the board room; the job was entrusted to McCarthy’s assistant Terry Connor who had been there all along and never mentioned once. The baffling decision only fueled the fires of the already despondent Molineux public who saw Terry Connor as a spin-off of the previous manager and if anything a contributing factor to the problem leaving us at the mercy of the old adage ‘be careful what you wish for’… The hilarity was completed when the chairman Steve Morgan (accused of using the club for a hobby to aid his construction priorities) and chief executive Jez Moxey (seen to be lining his own pockets with little interest in the teams progression) had the gall to step out into the national press and tell us all that Terry Connor was “the right man for the job”, regardless of the fact that he had never managed in his life and it had been previously offered away to multiple other candidates. We didn’t believe it. How could Terry Connor believe it when all the evidence clearly suggested otherwise?

Alas with the club dragged through the mud, nationally ridiculed and belittled by anyone and everyone with an opinion, a decision was made and whether we liked it or not Terry Connor was now officially the only black manager in the English top flight and would lead Wolves until the end of the season. Whilst the general opinion was that the decision was no more than the club waving the white flag and welcoming relegation from the top flight, others who dug deep for any remaining shreds of positivity pointed towards Chris Hughton and Brian McDermott, both of whom fell unexpectedly into management from the assistant position and have since proven to be more than capable in their respective roles.

Saturday’s opposition was no stranger to turbulent times and friction between the owners and loyalists. The ideologies of Newcastle United’s supporters and owner Mike Ashley differed like chalk and cheese for many a year. The beer-bellied sporting goods tycoon was vilified for the removal of Chris Hughton after such an admiral yet unforeseen performance at the helm and even more so for replacing him with Alan Pardew who, by and large, had come up short in his previous Premier League managerial stints. Fan favourites Barton and Nolan were questionably shipped out for next to nothing and the famous St James’ Park title was replaced in an advertising campaign for the Sports Direct mogul. The results of which were endless rallies and protests to drive Ashley out of Newcastle for good. Fast forward to the present day and you’d be hard pushed to find a Geordie who hasn’t tasted humble pie given the current lofty status of their beloved Magpies. Alan Pardew is the ‘talk of the Toon’ working wonders on the clubs ascent towards Europe; names such as Cabaye, Ba and Tiote are preceded by all manner of superlatives whilst the old favourites ply their trade much lower down the rankings leaving little cause for argument against Mike Ashley’s actions and intentions for the increasing ambitions of his football club. With all this in mind, perhaps there was a little light in the darkness for Wolves fans even if the comparison was somewhat clutching at straws.

Somewhere amidst the turmoil and clashes between owners and their fans, there was a football match going on. Whilst the rest of the squad had coped admirably in their absence, Alan Pardew was delighted to welcome back his ‘first choice’ eleven, reuniting the likes of Ben Arfa, Cabaye and Gutierrez with the returning Tiote, Ba and Cisse from the African Cup of Nations in a mouth-watering starting line for the club currently sitting 6th in the table. Mike Williamson continued to deputise for Steven Taylor at centre back alongside the ever improving Fabricio Coloccini.

Terry Connor explained in his first press conference of the differentiating styles between himself and Mick McCarthy and vowed to stamp his own impression on the team. There were remnants of the previous era still lurking within TC’s first team selection as the right wing berth was given to a right back in Kevin Foley even though Wolves had three natural right sided midfielders fit for selection causing Wolves fans no doubt to roll their eyes at the early sign of things to come. The defence that capitulated so poorly in the Black Country derby were made accountable for their actions as Richard Stearman and Christophe Berra replaced Roger Johnson and Seb Bassong at centre back whilst the likeable Ronald Zubar made a welcome return at right full back. The darling of the McCarthy era Karl Henry returned to anchor the midfield after a three match ban alongside Jamie O’Hara and David Edwards in a familiarly workmanlike midfield. The biggest concern for Wolves fans before the game was the inclusion of the goal shy Kevin Doyle as a lone striker after their prospective saviour Steven Fletcher had failed a fitness test.

20 minutes into the game and the situation was exactly as Wolves fans had feared and foreseen. With the ensuing chaos playing out behind the scenes, little was expected in response out on the pitch. Two goals down, another defensive capitulation and an inexperienced manager cutting a lonely and bemused figure on the touch line was all the ammunition that the naysayers needed to retort “I told you so”. Wolves had made the very first offering towards the game with Kevin Doyle skipping past two challenges before connecting with more of the turf than the ball as he scuffed harmlessly into Tim Krul’s arms in the opening exchanges. This was as good as it got for Wolves who were behind after just 6 minutes. The ‘fresh approach’ had not done much to rid the team of its defensive naivety as Wayne Hennessey blindly rolled the ball out to Karl Henry who’s backwards pass to Christophe Berra put the back line further at risk. Berra dawdled so characteristically before losing out under pressure from Cabaye who’s low cross was nonchalantly back heeled towards goal by Demba Ba only for Wayne Hennessey to palm it away. A nothing clearance from Wolves found Tiote on the edge of the area who scuffed a shot back towards goal that bobbled past three spectating Wolves defenders before it was prodded home from close range by the new boy Papiss Cisse, his second goal for the club since his January move from the Bundesliga.

Some ten minutes later and the home side doubled their advantage. The move began just inside Wolves territory as Karl Henry, lying on the ground attempted to intercept a pass with his head. The attempt failed and the ball made its way to Demba Ba who carried it forwards before laying in an advancing Danny Simpson inside right whose stinging drive from the edge of the area was acrobatically tipped over the bar in true Hennessey fashion – something the Welsh stopper has had to become accustomed to this season. The resulting corner found its way to Gutierrez some twenty plus yards from goal who was afforded the time and space to shift inside onto his right foot and as ever saving his best for Wolves, unleashed a screamer into the top corner.

Wolves only other contribution to the first half came on the half hour. Jamie O’Hara spread the ball across field with pinpoint accuracy to Matt Jarvis who advanced to the by-line before cutting a good cross back towards Kevin Doyle who rose above Williamson but will feel he should have done better after his header looped inconspicuously wide of the far post. With Newcastle United going through the motions sitting pretty by half time, the fog on the Tyne had lifted into a dark cloud on the horizon as the “right man for the job” was given a true baptism of fire in his very first half as a football manager.

Cue the unlikely second half turn around and lamentations of the team talk that made it happen. One refreshing noticeable difference from the previous regime was what Wolves fans were saying at the end of the game. Instead of the usual questions regarding the half time team talk, i.e what must have been said? They were afforded the luxury of making a statement, whatever was said must have worked! Subtle, yet encouraging differences.

Just five minutes into the second half and the visitors had pulled a goal back. Kevin Doyle left us saying “that’s more like it” as he trapped a long ball perfectly as if he had Velcro boots before turning it out wide getting Matt Jarvis involved in the attack. Jarvis took a neat touch before shifting inside onto his right foot and seeing his innocuous shot deflect up and over Tim Krul’s dive off the knee of Danny Simpson. The shot would have trickled harmlessly wide if not for the accidental intervention but a little luck was more than welcome in Wolves’ current situation.

Newcastle alive to the fact that they could ill afford to rest on their laurels, were awoken once more into the ascendency. Cabaye the driving force in midfield played a neat one-two with Ryan Taylor before driving hard and wide past the right hand post as the crowd returned from their lull to encourage their side.

Kevin Doyle looked to be relishing his lone responsibility up top as he dropped deep to link up play once laying the ball into the path of Stephen Ward whose right footed shot forced a smart save from Newcastle’s Dutch stopper low to his right.

Just fifteen minutes after the break and the team that appeared completely out for the count in the first half were level.  Ronald Zubar adhered himself further to his gold and black public with a typical passion filled burst down the right flank eventually resulting in a foul inside Newcastle territory. The free kick made its way into the area via the left foot of O’Hara and a poor headed clearance from Williamson hit Kevin Doyle allowing the Irish striker to scoop home from close range amidst the fracas in the six yard box.

Where McCarthy would almost certainly have shut up shop and accepted a valuable away point, the new boss was positive with his changes introducing attack minded individuals Stephen Hunt, Michael Kightly and Nenad Milijas throughout the second half as Wolves gained momentum.

Alan Pardew introduced Shola Ameobi and the mercurial talent of Hatem Ben Arfa with the onus on the home side to rekindle the dominance lost from the first half. The game went back and forth with no clear cut chances as Wolves grew in stature and were more than a match for the plethora of talent amongst the opposing ranks as the home crowd became a little restless in the notion of giving away a two goal home advantage to the lowly Wolves.

Newcastle finished the game in the ascendency but without reward as Hatem Ben Arfa twice collected on the edge of the area and put his two low drives either side of the posts and beyond the despairing dives of Wayne Hennessey.

Although many stones are still unturned, many questions remain unanswered and the devils and doubts over the virgin manager will remain, the Wolves public can take solace from their spirited second half display. Although the style over two halves was as contrasting as the famous old colours in their kit, credit where it is due for the new manager who orchestrated such an unlikely come back and precious away point on a ground where many more illustrious teams have tried and failed previously this season.

With twelve games remaining Wolves have moved poignantly out of the bottom three as neither Bolton, Wigan or QPR were victorious this weekend. Just as every team is only as good as their manager and every manager only as good as his last game, it’s a more than respectable start. Whilst many Wolves fans saw the appointment as a step backwards and warned that we should ‘be careful what we wish for’ the same people in response are now instructed toward the process of not counting chickens before they hatch. Who knows, this darkest of clouds may just have a golden lining when all is said and done.

Wolverhampton Wanderers today announced that manager Mick McCarthy has been sacked by the club after a devastating 5-1 home defeat in the local derby against West Bromwich Albion. The last time Wolves lost so badly to West Brom was 1964 when Wolves lost 5-1 at the Hawthorns.

After a promising start to the season, Wolves has only picked up 14 points from their last 22 Premier League games. Wolves sit third from bottom. Assistant manager Terry Connor will take charge of team training until a new manager is appointed. McCarthy had been in charge of the club since 2006.

In the meantime, here’s a review of yesterday’s last game for McCarthy in charge of Wolves:

As a young Queen Victoria’s royal carriage passed through the Black Country circa 1840, she ordered the blinds to be drawn in disgust and to hide the horrors that beset her disapproving eyes. Some 170+ years later inside the same location, Wolves’ fans would yearn to repeat the actions of the famous old Monarch.

Typically the most important fixture on the footballing calendar, the local derby, the importance of which to the two sets of supporters is unrivaled. Essentially, it all boils down to bragging rights. The locality of the two clubs dictates that supporters will become intertwined whether it be in social circles or the workplace and the 6 months or so of gloating, banter and privileges that follow are ultimately determined by the outcome of one 90 minute football match. It is one of the beautiful game’s unwritten laws that one should revel in the misery of those closest to him. Whilst the Bible teaches to ‘love thy neighbour’, for whatever reason when it comes to football this is simply not the case.

In the heart of the Midlands, the area inclusive of Dudley, Sandwell and the Wolverhampton borders famed for its thriving industrialisation of yesteryear was coined ‘the Black Country’ and provides the backdrop for an intense rivalry with the feelings of both sets of supporters towards each other, bordering on hatred. It becomes second nature passed on through the generations. Born into a Wolverhampton Wanderers household, I was raised to be anti-West Bromwich and I would expect vice-versa. To avoid being on the wrong end of the stick and the jibes that are apparent in the workplace, at school and more recently exploding onto social media sites, the passion and expectation conjured for a derby game is like no other.

With the two combatants teetering ominously over the dreaded drop zone in the Barclays Premier League, the stakes were further increased. With Wolves stuttering at home this season, having lost three consecutive games heading into this pivotal fixture and West Brom picking up a staggering 18 of their 26 points so far on the road, it seemed a no brainer. Although a point would have helped neither side you sensed before kick-off that something was going to give.

Mick McCarthy boldly opted to begin the game with the eleven that finished the victory a week prior against Queens Park Rangers. With the focus firmly set on not getting carried away with the three points gained against 10 men Rangers, Wolves set out their stall with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake partnering Steven Fletcher up front whilst Kevin Doyle reverted to the right wing leaving Wolves with essentially three strikers on the pitch from the get go. Matt Jarvis, David Edwards and Jamie O’Hara completed a midfield which was otherwise depleted by a suspension to Karl Henry, an injury that prematurely ended Emmanuel Frimpong’s loan spell and yet another niggle for injury troubled winger Michael Kightly. Having lost disappointingly seven days earlier at home to Swansea City, Roy Hodgson crossed into enemy territory with a more adventurous 4-5-1 come 4-3-3 option with Peter Odemwingie and Jerome Thomas providing support for the re-emerging Marc Antoine Fortune from the flanks. With the intent of bossing the engine room, Albion started with a combative midfield trio of Mulumbu, Scharner and Morrison whilst Liam Ridgewell started his first game for the club since making the short hop from Birmingham City on transfer deadline day.

Amidst a tense, yet raucous atmosphere it was the visitors who settled quickly to ease the nerves of their three thousand or so travelling supporters. In the very first minute James Morrison burst intently into the box with the ball at his feet, his drag was towards Fortune was ricocheted off Wolves’ Tottenham loanee Sebastian Bassong before rolling invitingly into the path of Jerome Thomas who shot smartly  off of Wayne Hennessey’s chest and out for an early corner. This point blank save a sign of things to come for the ‘over worked’ Wolves goalkeeper.

Albion looked as comfortable in possession as Wolves looked wasteful and carved out two more chances in quick succession. Patient build up play and some neat touches set up Thomas again to drive narrowly wide of the Welsh stopper’s right hand post before a neat one-two between Peter Odemwingie and Paul Scharner emanated from the right flank finishing with the Nigerian international gliding unchallenged into the box and forcing another smart parry from Hennessey. Wolves’ fans pre-match enthusiasm was quickly waning as their team were under increasing pressure in the early stages as their neighbours looked the much more capable of the two sides.

By 22 minutes the cracks which had started to appear in the Wolves back four were becoming gaping holes. West Brom had control of the game, passing Wolves to pieces and looking slick with possession aided by the extra man in midfield. With just four Premier League goals to his name coming into the tie) Peter Odemwingie was thriving in the hostile atmosphere as he robbed a dallying Bassong of possession before laying a pass into the path of Paul Scharner. The ball sat up invitingly for Scharner who forced another top drawer save from the Wolves goalkeeper with a half volley from inside the penalty area which was tipped over the bar. The reluctance to challenge and close down from the home side was beginning to worry the supporters as their bitter rivals danced rings around them on the field and had registered 6 unanswered attempts on goal midway through the first half.

With ten minutes remaining in the first half the pressure finally paid off and the inevitable occurred.  West Bromwich Albion dictating the tempo of the game with slow, short passing and relevant movement pulled both of Wolves’ full backs out of position once more allowing Fortune aeons of time on the edge of the penalty area. The target man returning from the footballing wilderness had time to chest a long ball down turn and lay into Mulumbu as Wolves simply spectated. Mulumbu moved the ball out right to Odemwingie as a line of six Wolves defenders back pedalled and invited him forwards. Offered space and time to cut inside onto his left foot, Odemwingie obliged and his shot was deflected between Hennessey’s legs for the opening goal that Wolves’ fans could painfully see coming a mile off. Nobody in gold and black had touched the ball for the best part of five minutes as West Brom elegantly crafted the opener.

As the clock ticked past the 45 minute mark, Wolves registered their first and only highlight of the half. Following a Kevin Doyle flick on, Ebanks-Blake headed down into the path of Fletcher who spun his defender cleverly before unleashing a left foot shot from the edge of the area beating an otherwise spectating Ben Foster in the Albion goal for a largely undeserved equaliser. The crowd erupted more out of relief than joy as their solitary shot on goal in the entire first half nestled into the corner of the net.

On reflection Wolves fans could count their lucky stars to be level at the interval after seeing their team outclassed for large periods of a game in which they could have easily been 5-0 down before their leveller. With the strikers anonymous and the defence looking increasingly disjointed, Jamie O’Hara was the only player worthy of the entrance fee so far for the home side. The busy central midfielder recently returning himself from a spell on the side lines was involved in every aspect of Wolves play, too often having to collect the ball from his own defenders and force the issue by involving himself box to box in anything positive that Wolves could muster.

With lady luck seemingly in their corner and a half time endorsement from their manager, Wolves started the second half the brighter of the two teams. Hopeful of kicking on from their equaliser late in the first half, Wolves fans had found their voice once more and were encouraged when Steven Fletcher pounced with a snap shot from outside of the area which was deflected narrowly wide following a loose header from Steven Reid.

At the other end the visitors intent on sticking to the principles that had brought them so much joy in the first period, put together another patient move going side to side with six one touch passes before laying the ball off to Fortune who’s rasping shot was saved one handed by Hennessey high to his right and tipped over for a corner. The result of the following play was nothing short of calamitous from the home team’s perspective. James Morrison delivered the right wing corner which found its way onto the head of centre back Gareth McAuley. The header looped into the area with Hennessey flapping and rebounded off the post. Roger Johnson then put his foot through the ball, the clearance went a good thirty feet into the air but only three yards forward at best and as Wolves players looked cluelessly to the skies, the ball dropped to the feet of Albion’s Swedish centre half Jonas Olsson who volleyed from the edge of the area straight at Hennessey. Cue the ‘big top’ theme as Hennessey caught the shot but then dropped it back over the goal line and went from hero to villain in a matter of moments as West Brom regained the lead.  The goal could not have been more comical from a Wolves perspective, adding to the joy of the travelling supporters who revelled in the misfortune of their Black Country counterparts.

Although the deficit was unnecessary it was by no means unassailable for the Wolves players who pushed on for another much needed equaliser. First Wolves goal hero Steven Fletcher put himself about in the area getting on the end of a Kevin Foley centre only to see his header acrobatically saved by Ben Foster, then from the resulting corner Nenad Milijas delivered an accurate cross which Roger Johnson headed against the bar to set the home fans purring once more.

With the crossbar still shaking Albion set about a counter attack. The lively Odemwingie was involved once more as he shrugged off Matt Jarvis with ease before skipping between the winger and O’Hara who gave up the ghost and became infuriating spectators as the Nigerian advanced into the area unchallenged eventually having his effort cleared off the line by Kevin Foley. The fact that the Albion players were finding so much freedom and going largely unchallenged in their approach play was both a concern and an insult to the home fans who if nothing else expected to see passion and determination from their team on this most volatile of occasions.

The greatest fears of the Molineux audience were realised on 77 minutes as West Brom doubled their advantage. Another right wing corner from Morrison was converted with the help of three unchallenged and unmarked team mates. Liam Ridgewell headed the miscued cross back into the mixer from the edge of the area, the centre back Olsson had time to nonchalantly flick the ball with backwards before Odemwingie hooked into the corner of the net after avoiding the half-hearted attempt by Jamie O’Hara on the near post whilst his closest marker Stephen Ward lay helpless in heap on the deck. The natives were more than restless by this point, their frustration with their teams poor performance which had been bottled up for the most part now threatened to boil over as they turned their attentions to their vilified manager in search of answers.

The mutterings from the terraced were of frustration and bemusement as they attempted to figure out how Mick McCarthy had set the team up in the second half. It seemed that the Wolves boss had abandoned the 4-4-2 system but instead of swapping for another formation had given the players license to roam awkwardly. Specialist winger Matt Jarvis was tucked inside as the play passed him by in central midfield for the most part of the second half, whilst goal poacher and box player Ebanks-Blake was asked to spread ineffectively to the left wing. Steven Fletcher who has carried Wolves only goal threat for the entire season thus far, was shunted further away from the goal out of position on the right flank giving justification to the vocal concerns of the home crowd.

West Bromwich Albion were unstoppable by this juncture and like sharks that smelled blood prayed on Wolves ineptitudes and set about ensuring their fans had something to remember for years to come. The impressive and tireless Morrison made a mockery of Stephen Ward as he danced around the left back’s three poorly timed challenges getting to the by-line before cutting back for former Wolves man Keith Andrews to put the cherry on an already well iced cake with a left foot drive into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.  It was all too much for the Wolves fans who turned their anger towards their manager and chairman (who was questionably absent from the game) with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning”. The goal from old boy Keith Andrews who was largely unsuccessful at Molineux heightened the away fans jubilation who could barely believe what was unfolding before them and how little their Black Country rivals were offering in return on an occasion that means so much. Savouring the moment, the away fans epitomised the occasion by singing “super Mick McCarthy” which served only to fuel the fire even more.

With only a few minutes of anguish to go, Wolves were given a corner which on the evidence of today’s game would mean only one thing – an Albion goal. So it was to be, the corner was headed away and picked up by Fortune who was allowed a free pass once more as he travelled a full fifty yards with the ball unchallenged before slipping it into Morrison this time plying his trade on the left flank. Morrison picked out Odemwingie for his hat trick despite the desperate attempts of Wayne Hennessey ensuring the all-action Nigerian would go down in derby day folklore as the first match ball performer since Iwan Roberts netted three for Wolves in the fixture almost 15 years ago.

For those who bravely remained in the ground until the final whistle, the scene before them was an ugly one. Not only had Wolves fans witnessed one of the most disjointed, comical and spineless performances from their side in a local derby in living memory, they were also forced to watch helplessly as the three thousand or so travelling fans joyfully rubbed their noses in it after a humbling 5-1 mauling. The final whistle was greeted with an inevitable chorus of boos as spleens were vented to the fullest extent towards the manager and players who were branded “unfit to wear the shirt” after their second half capitulation.

Credits where it is due, West Brom were tantalisingly good for the entirety but the four home losses in a row tells a sorry story for Wolves. The manager had been living on borrowed time for over a year now and there was currently no argument against his tenure being totally exhausted. To lose today on this momentous occasion was bad enough, to lose in a manner which will hang like a millstone around our necks for years maybe decades to come is ultimately unforgiveable. There was simply no way back for Mick McCarthy after this. His public were left humiliated and ashamed as his team and his tactics were exposed and dismembered by the opposition who were only one place above them in the league but poles apart on the day. Wolves were without leadership, without a formation or system and most poignantly without the spirit, passion and desire which has accounted for the majority of their success in the past 6 years with McCarthy at the helm.

If a storm was brewing before the game at Sunday lunchtime, Wolves’ fans will wake in the aftermath of a man-made disaster. While West Bromwich Albion fans bask in the glory of their impressive derby day triumph, their Wolverhampton counterparts face dark days ahead with their only hope being to call upon the substance of the motto that encompasses their millennium city – out of darkness… cometh light.

Now that McCarthy has been sacked, who do you think should replace him to help keep the club up this season? Neil Warnock? Post your suggestions in the comments section below.

“Changing the manager does not affect the way the players play on the pitch” … I begin fittingly with that quote from Wolves captain and £7million summer signing Roger Johnson. This was a quote given to journalists after the stale performance for which a review will follow shortly, au contraire Mr. Johnson, as I write both QPR and Sunderland, clubs that are guilty of doing just that, are 2-0 to the good in their Wednesday evening games and are pulling further away from the relegation mire that they were in under the previous regimes. I’m sure fans of those respective clubs would like myself and many of the Molineux masses, beg to differ…

A red mist descended upon Wolverhampton on Tuesday night both on the pitch and from the terraces. As Mick McCarthy’s chosen eleven limped from the field without so much as a whimper, those who hadn’t already walked out in disgust were left to jeer, deride and make their feelings crystal clear that enough really is enough now.

Kenny Dalglish brought his Liverpool side to Molineux for this clash in sub-zero temperatures with the requirement to keep them well grounded. After all, they had knocked out both Manchester teams, the only two viable contenders for the Premier League title, from cup competitions in the past week and earned themselves an overdue trip to Wembley in the process. Heralded once more as ‘King Kenny’, Dalglish would remind his players that such feats would easily be dampened if they were to slip up against the likes of Wolves in the league who by all accounts were ripe for the picking. With their poster boy Steven Gerrard falling victim to another niggling injury and their main goal scoring threat Luis Suarez serving the last of his much publicised 8 match ban; Dalglish opted for the in-form Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy as folly for goal-shy Andy Carroll, with a central midfield trio of Spearing, Adam and Henderson.

With the ever present Karl Henry beginning a three match suspension and Jamie O’Hara still side lined, Mick McCarthy was left with a decision to make – a task which he has not undertaken too favourably in the past. The day began with the mind boggling news that although Wolves were experiencing a noticeable shortage in midfield, Adlene Guedioura had been loaned out to Nottingham Forest for the remainder of the season. A decision that did not go down too smoothly with the Wolves supporters on the social networking sights who saw it as just another example of personality taking preference over ability when it comes to squad selection. The same can be said for mercurial talent and former Liverpool trainee Adam Hammill who even in the absence of Guedioura and Henry was again not even afforded a place on the bench, the bare minimum for Wolves best crosser of the ball. McCarthy stoked the flames even further by overlooking the obvious option of Nenad Milijas who has failed to regain his place after the much maligned red card at Arsenal. Evidence of more harsh treatment and patience not being equally afforded to certain types of player. Instead McCarthy decided that Eggart Jonsson, an unknown entity signed from Hearts in late December was ready for a baptism of fire and was thrown to the lions for his first ever Premier League start against the might of Liverpool AS Wolves set up with a conservative looking 4-5-1 system as expected.

In an indifferent first half that did little to neither inspire or alarm, it was clear that Wolves fans were in no mood for niceties. The backbone of the club have been having their buttons pushed by those in charge since the end of last season and it was evident that they are not prepared to put up with much more of the evasiveness and deceit emanating from the boardroom and the dugout. They afforded their team no let off even though the opposition were of superior quality in all areas as every mistake and hesitation was greeted with groans of anguish and impatient cries from the stands. They audience were now going to exercise their right that comes with the admission fee and play judge, jury and ultimately executioner for their club.

As Liverpool enjoyed time on the ball their freedom to express brought little joy in the first half. Andy Carroll was well marshalled by the ever willing Christophe Berra and Craig Bellamy appeared in flashes forcing Hennessey into two smart saves at his right hand post as he was stifled for the most part of the first 45. The combination of Kuyt, Adam and Henderson moved the ball well across midfield, stretching the Wolves back four on occasions whilst Wolves overworked goalkeeper was at hand to deny Martin Skrtel’s close range header from a corner and caught superbly from a well struck Bellamy free kick that looked destined for the top corner.

Wolves best moments both came via Michael Kightly; firstly a cross from the right which was met by on an onrushing Dave Edwards was smartly saved by Pepe Reina, then a decent Wolves move saw the lively winger drive narrowly wide of the post after a neat one-two with Steven Fletcher in the only real moment of note for the home fans. The 0-0 score line was enough to keep the sharks at bay whose disgruntlement at seeing more of the same predictable and one dimensional approach from their team was left to simmer underneath the surface for the time being.

It will remain beggars belief once again to Wolves fans as to what was actually said in the dressing room at the interval, as Wolves endeavoured to clam up and capitulate in the second half of a game for the second week in a row. Without having to break a sweat and with little resistance offered the other way, Liverpool were 2-0 up. Firstly Andy Carroll ghosted in to the area unnoticed to get on the end of a pinpoint cross from the left wing to end his goal drought, so often does a player who cannot seem to buy a goal break his hoodoo on the hallowed Molineux turf, this achievement did not require any extensive foresight. Stephen Ward was nowhere to be seen at left back as Carroll drifted in from the flank, whilst Eggart Jonsson offered little more than a prod at the ball as he failed to track the run of the 6 foot plus Geordie striker. Although the performance left a lot to be desired, Wolves did at least look competent defensively in the first half, sticking to their unenviable tasks well and reducing Liverpool to only half chances. This was clearly all change as the second goal shortly followed. Craig Bellamy who went here, there and everywhere for the cause picked up the ball in the centre of midfield. He was then naively allowed to carry unchallenged to the edge of the Wolves penalty area, only then did Roger Johnson halt his back pedalling and make a half-hearted lunge towards the Welshman who has already placed a scuffed shot into the bottom left hand corner. Kudos most certainly does not go to Wayne Hennessey who seemed to give the ball a helping hand into the net, undoing all his smart work in the first half. Liverpool were quintessentially cruising.

The simmering frustration from the stands boiled over as they booed the team ad managers lacklustre efforts more out of embarrassment than anything else as they watched Liverpool stroll casually around the pitch with no need for a gear change as Wolves ‘headless chicken’ mentality was all too apparent.

McCarthy responded with his clockwork shot in the dark, introducing Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Stephen Hunt to the fray. Those who had considered leaving after Bellamy’s goal were metaphorically forced out of the door when the inevitable third goal came. Liverpool soaked up what Wolves tried to pass off as pressure then entered a counter attack which culminated in a four pass exchance between Charlie Adam and Dirk Kuyt as the popular Dutchman slid his 50^th goal for the Reds under the outstretched legs of Wayne Hennessey.

Whilst many were already heading to the warm refuge of their cars and homes, those who did remain in the stands were left with little choice but to belittle their own misdemeanours. A solitary attempt on goal from Ebanks-Blake late into the game which struck the post was greeted with ironic exaggerated cheers from the Southbank end of the ground and a resounding chorus of “we’ve had a shot on goal” followed by cries of “shoot! Shoot!” whenever a Wolves player touched the ball hereafter.

Evidently the supporters whose buttons had now been pushed once too often were intent on giving a little derision back towards their antagonistic manager who has never seemed to appreciate nor grasp their importance for the everyday existence of the club. Sections of the crowd voiced their feelings with chants of “McCarthy must go” and “you’re not super anymore” whilst even his most ardent of followers had little substance in their defence of their failing manager. The three added minutes were greeted with jeers as if to further drive home the point, whilst McCarthy himself entered the tunnel to more selective hounding after the final whistle.

Usually and realistically, a loss to Liverpool is nothing that anybody would hold against their team. The Anfield outfit with their rich history and heavy investment would have been expected to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers before a ball was kicked. It is once again the manner of defeat coupled with the fact it could be seen a mile off which will aggravate the gold and black public the most. When supposed ‘lesser’ teams as the three that were promoted are giving the bigger clubs a run for their money purely with their attitudes and footballing ethics, it puts Wolves recent efforts to shame. As classy as Liverpool can be, little was required of them on transfer deadline day as they coasted to victory. With Wolves pre-game preparation coming under scrutiny, it is painfully obvious that Kenny Dalglish wouldn’t have lost any sleep during his preparation for the tie. Wolves remain one dimensional and easy to work out. Their only outlet is Matt Jarvis and when this does not work the ball is returned to Wayne Hennessey for another long hopeful ball which 9 times out of 10 ends up coming straight back. There is no evident tactical nouse or footballing ethics being taught to the players who as a direct representation of their manager, are simply required to ‘put a shift in’.

Hard graft and honesty is the order of the day. This is clear as the likes of David Edwards, Stephen Ward, Karl Henry, Michael Kightly – all championship players punching above their weight, are given preferential treatment week after week over the Hammill, Milijas, Guedioura’s of the world who’s ability to do something a little out of the ordinary is overlooked purely because they are not “a Mick player”. This ideology is flawed and fundamentally wrong, anyone that will argue the point I would direct their attention towards the current form and league standings.

With the obvious candidates from the summer O’Neill, Allardyce and Hughes now safely in jobs working with lush budgets compared to the shoestring which Wolves are prepared to offer, it begs the question that it may now be far too late for that impactful managerial chance which has served Sunderland, QPR and indeed West Brom so well in the past 12 months. Concerns have also been raised recently about the chairman Steve Morgan’s intentions on wasting funds needlessly expanding a stadium that they cannot fill at its current capacity and towards a CEO who is fond of coming out in the press to explain who Wolves failed to sign rather than putting forwards the wages to improve this ailing squad. Wolves fans were left asking the poignant questions who would want to come and manage here and who would want to come and play here whilst the club has the ambitionless Championship level salary cap in place.

As the doom and gloom descends over the city, the Wolverhampton Wanderers faithful are left helpless to resist as those with the all the power at the club seemingly endeavour to drive it head first in the wrong direction. A chairman with his own personal interests, a chief executive intent on lining his own pockets and a manager who has openly expressed his reluctance to work with players of proven ability all add up to the club spiralling into the Premier League abyss. The majority of the squad that get a look in on a regular basis are made up of relegated players or those brought from lower leagues. This is all the evidence needed to condemn a Championship level squad back in that direction.

If nothing else a large percentage of the current crop owes their career to Mick McCarthy, if not for him they would almost certainly not be playing at this level. For this reason it is clear that they will always work tirelessly, honestly and give their all for the cause – whether this is enough in a game which is ultimately decided by footballing ability is another entity. The picture painted for Wolves fans is one that although there may be a distinct lack of flair, ingenuity and craft in the squad,  their team will get by on its heart, fight and passion. The performance last night was lacking in all three of those prerequisites. The question is when these go, and the very players who are indebted to Mick McCarthy stop playing for him, what if anything is left…?

Way back somewhere in the annuls of time; before the awe inspiring stadiums and the anti-sweat kits, before the mega millions and the sponsorship deals, before television and radio and the world wide web – back when the beautiful game was anything but. When football was little more than a pigs bladder and a muddy field, when the founding fathers sat down to discuss the soccer constitution – in those footballing scriptures it was written that an individual is destined to return to his former employer and net the winning goal… A tradition which has been handed down from generation to generation and it still prominent in the modern game.

When Robbie Keane’s first start for Aston Villa was decided to be the Wolverhampton Wanderers away fixture, it was almost like stating the bleeding obvious! The well-travelled former Wolves schoolboy turned Irish legend went Trans-Atlantic, returning from the glamorous backdrop of Hollywood to where it all began and won the game for Aston Villa with two classy strikes in this all West Midlands affair.

After lightning proved that it certainly can strike twice during two mind numbing FA cup ties with Birmingham City, (something that was borderline offensive to anyone that pays a TV licence fee) Wolves had much work to do to restore the faith that is forcibly ebbing away from their supporters. Having encouragingly proved much more difficult to beat during and since the festive period, Mick McCarthy was still looking for that 3 points that has eluded his Wolves side since that pivotal Sunderland game on December 4^th and returned with the same team and personnel that earned a respectable point at Tottenham one week previous. The 4-5-1 come 4-3-3 system with Jarvis and Kightly providing support for Steven Fletcher from the wings with the combative midfield trio of Henry, Edwards and Frimpong.

McCarthy’s opposite number for the day Alex McLeish is hardly flavour of the month himself. For a loyal and avid supporter of a football club, the fact that McLeish was ‘buried before he was dead’ when he joined Villa after relegating their bitter rivals Birmingham City is somewhat understandable. There remains a large number of the Claret and Blue that do not want the Scotsman to succeed purely on principle alone. The baffling inconsistency that has seen them defeat Chelsea away but lose to Swansea at home in the same week has not helped matters but is oh so frustratingly typical of the Premier League of today. Villa made clear their positive intentions finding starting roles for their three main strikers Agbonlahor, Bent and Robbie Keane all of whom have European Championship aspirations for the summer. Stephen Warnock fell victim to some recent costly errors and was replaced by youngster Ciaran Clark who was joined by another graduate of the Villa academy Gary Gardner who started in the centre of midfield.

The opening exchanges swept quietly through with little cause for concern for either side. Wayne Hennessey collected a low cross in the nick of time from the toes of Darren Bent whilst Gary Gardner headed narrowly wide as the away side looked to set the tempo. With both teams setting out similar stalls, that being a 4-3-3 when attacking and a 4-5-1 when defending, the early signs warned that they could easily cancel each other out in this important local derby.

That notion was quickly dispelled in the sixth minute as the action intensified and the game opened up. David Edwards helped on an initially poor Michael Kightly cross into the path of Steven Fletcher who from an unmarked position 6 yards out shot straight at Shay Given in a golden opportunity for the home side. The Irish number one’s handling and positioning was spot to spare his team not for the first time this season as he showed glimpses of why he is still one of the best around between the sticks.

The righteous hand of footballing justice dealt it’s unforgiving blow to the home side as they were made to rue their previous miss and Aston Villa drew first blood on 11 minutes. Christophe Berra has been a large part of Wolves recent defensive resurgence with much improved showings as Wolves have looked to toughen up at the back, but it was his hesitancy that will leave all the fingers pointing his way for the opener. An attempted clearance was chased down by Darren Bent who was then misguidedly taken out by Berra in an act of desperation leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot. Villa’s number nine stepped up and slotted bottom right to complete the proceedings and give the visitors a welcome early lead.

With Wolves fans fearing the worst and that heads might drop after that costly individual error, their demons were quickly put to rest as the home side raised their game and took control of the remaining 35 minutes of the first half. Tough tackling in the midfield from Henry and Frimpong helped Wolves win the majority of the all important 50/50’s whilst Wolves were intent on utilising their speed and trickery on the wings through Matt Jarvis and Michael Kightly. In his most pleasing performance since his return thus far, Kightly’s energy was absorbed by the crowd who lifted at the sight of his willingness to beat his full back and create opportunities for a Wolves equaliser. The wide man who is arguably the greatest coop in the McCarthy era at Wolves signed from Grays Athletic for a nominal fee back in 2006. His youthful exuberance coupled with his obvious pace and ability quickly made him the talk of the town at Molineux and he was an integral part of the transformation of Wolves from Championship underachievers to title winning heroes. Kightly’s chances in the Premier League have been few and far between as a nightmare two years on and off the treatment table threatened the status of the former England under 21 who was seen as a shoe in to go on to bigger and better things. Following his return from a loan spell at Watford, it was pleasing to see him looking fully fit and judging by his first half performance close to a return to his best form. Always willing, Kightly’s first touch let him down on occasion but he chased and harried and gave the young left back stand in Ciaran Clark a torrid time twisting this way and that and delivering some telling crosses. So fitting it was then that the former non-league boy wonder should level the tie. Kudos to Emmanuel Frimpong who took a ball out of the air on the half way line, flicked it over his head before refreshingly controlling well and surging forwards laying the ball into the path of the lively Kightly who feigned a shot before rolling the ball inside, composing himself and slotting home left footed to the delight of the Molineux crowd.

The atmosphere in the stadium was as good as it has been for a long time as the energy on the field filtered through into the crowd. Aston Villa were on the ropes as Wolves took the ascendency in search of another goal to compliment their positive reaction to falling behind. Neat foot work from Kightly and Jarvis kept Wolves in the Villa half as they went to town on their full backs. With pressure mounting and Collins and Dunne dealing with crosses left, right and centre the ball broke in the area to Karl Henry who looked out of his depth that far up the pitch as he volleyed into the floor from inside the area as his shot was headed off the line for another of a procession of Wolves corners.

Frimpong, on loan from Arsenal began to show his added quality as he traversed the midfield landscape tirelessly for the cause. With Henry happy to sit and protect, Frimpong was given the freedom to burst from midfield with the ball once more to excite the audience. After a lung bursting run he passed into the feet of Matt Jarvis who had gone coast to coast before pulling back across the box perfectly for David Edwards who had advanced into the area but was once again foiled from 6 yards by Given in a near carbon copy of the earlier opportunity.

Wolves fans cranked up the volume to levels reminiscent of the better days at Molineux as they sensed the ensuing advantage looming for their team. From another corner which the linesman did his best to prevent from being taken by physically getting in the way at one point, the pressure paid off. After a verbal altercation with the official Kightly whipped in the set piece from the right, for the second game in succession Roger Johnson supplied the telling header which was flicked on into the net by David Edwards from under the nose of Shay Given.

With the crowd reacting to the teams increased tempo, Molineux was buzzing. Villa fans were left with a familiar sinking feeling as half time approached, a harmless looping header from Gabby Agbonlahor was their only other telling contribution to the first half which belonged in most part to the home side. As half time was called Wolves fans applauded their team but would take the character filled first half display with a pinch of salt. After all, building their team up for a huge fall is something that Wolverhampton Wanderers have a habit of doing especially this season.

In a second half which would ultimately leave Wolves fans wandering just what must have been said at half time, the game turned completely on its head. McLeish reacted to his sides first half frailties by bringing on Stephen Warnock at left back to quell the evident threat of Michael Kightly, whilst Marc Albrighton switched to the left side of midfield to toil against Kevin Foley rather than Stephen Ward. The midfield ‘switcharoo’ looked promising in the opening minutes of the second half as Albrighton found himself advancing to the Wolves by-line before crossing into the six yard box which Stephen Ward then endeavoured to hesitate with before taking a touch past his own goal keeper. The Welsh keeper spared his defender’s blushes after the breakdown in communication as he swiped the goal bound prod away with his long legs.

On 51 minutes it was a case of cometh the hour, cometh the man, a journey which Robbie Keane made initially from a young boy with Wolves.  After spells at Coventry, Inter Milan, Leeds, multiple Tottenham stints, Liverpool, West Ham and Celtic on his widening CV whilst becoming the Irish national team’s all-time top goal scorer – Keane now plies his trade in the enviable surroundings of Los Angeles with Bruce Arena’s MLS Cup winning Galaxy team. He joined Aston Villa on what is becoming a fashionable two month off-season loan from America, Keane netted his first goal for his new side with the quality and precision of which we have become accustomed to over the years. Dropping off the strikers, Keane collected in an ominous position with his back to goal from twenty yards. In the blink of an eye he had turned and half volleyed beyond Hennessey’s reach into the bottom right hand corner of the net. Obviously excited by the fact he’d shown he’d still got it, Keane turned quickly but muted his celebration in respect for the Wolves fans who adored him all those years ago as he was mobbed by his team mates.

In a real disconcerting contrast to the even flow of the first 45 minutes, Wolves paled in comparison struggling to get any momentum and foothold in the game following the leveller. The crowd quickly turned sour hounding the team for every error as they drew on past experiences and feared the worst for the remainder of the tie. Whatever Alex McLeish told his players at half time had worked as Kightly and Jarvis were rendered almost useless as the second half wore on whilst Steven Fletcher was becoming more and more isolated up front.

Emmanuel Frimpong spent an age on the ground in the Villa goal mouth after a collision with Stilyan Petrov and was eventually stretchered off with an injury to which would later be revealed would keep him out for up to three months leaving a question mark over his loan spell which was just getting going.

As Villa took a grip on proceedings, Wolves began to crack. Their frustration all too evident as Karl Henry tussled with Albrighton as they battled for the ball on half way, before petulantly kicking out at the lively Villa winger and getting himself sent off. The reaction from the crowd was mixed as some chanted the number 8’s name whilst others recoiled in disgust of the mindless act which had left their team well and truly on the rails.

With Henry staring down the barrel of a three match ban, Frimpong having been carried off, Wolves looking overrun in a midfield which now consisted of only Milijas and Edwards, McCarthy made a change which appeared to signal that he was intent on limiting the damage and escaping with a single point which before half time he would have been disappointed with. Richard Stearman replaced David Edwards as Kevin Foley reverted to holding midfield in a possible rehearsal for the ‘Henry free’ period facing Wolves in the next three games.

Inevitably the misery was compounded by the former Molineux hitman as Wolves paid the price for their poor second half showing. From distance once again, Keane showed his quality striking sweetly against the bar and in to complete the turnaround and send the away fans into jubilation. A respectable lack of celebration once more was commendable from the Irish man who clearly held his footballing roots close to heart as along with Joleon Lescott he is the most successful product of the Wolves youth academy in the past decade.

McCarthy reacted by sending on Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in place of Kevin Foley in an act of hope rather than expectancy from his Wolves side unrecognisable from earlier on in the afternoon. As Wolves negated defence in search of an equaliser, Villa seemed happy with their efforts and were content to soak up the fledgling pressure and hold onto the lead which they had now gained twice in the day.

Villa withdrew the former Wolves man after his brace to which he received a questionably mixed reaction from the home crowd. For a man who has always held the club in high regard and sought only to admirably further his career, he would have been disappointed at the minority from the stands who jeered, labelling him ‘greedy’ and a mercenary. In reality, the previous three times that Keane has moved elsewhere rather than returning to Wolves has been a myth created in expectation from the stands. The boards scrutiny on wages, coupled with Mick McCarthy’s apparent eagerness to work with players of a lesser calibre meant that there was never an official approach for Keane, leaving the rest of us to wonder how those displeased supporters believe that he could sign a deal which was never offered in the first place…

Long balls, head tennis and a few innocuous set pieces later and the game was over. The talking points evidently again would focus on McCarthy’s half time instructions which produced a complete turnaround in fortunes for the opposition, the mindless actions of Karl Henry, the rolling reaction to Robbie Keane’s return to the club and where the club go from here.

After losing two first choice midfielders in the same game, it will be interesting to see how McCarthy reacts in the upcoming fixtures. Presuming that Frimpong returns to his parent club and Jamie O’Hara remains side lined; Mick will have Kevin Foley, David Edwards, Nenad Milijas, Adlene Guedioura and Eggart Jonsson from which to select a central midfield trio in the upcoming games. Based on previous experience however it would be of no surprise to Wolves fans to see the likes of Stephen Ward, Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle in the middle of the park – none of which play that position by trade.

Aside from the initial cracks, the successful return of Robbie Keane to haunt his boyhood club exposed the wider cracks emanating from inside of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Presuming for arguments sake that Keane had attempted to initiate a return to Wolves himself, a transfer which the majority of fans have been expecting since the clubs return to the top flight three seasons ago. The well documented ‘wage cap’ at the club would have limited any kind of deal even if they managed to agree a nominal transfer fee, and McCarthy’s voiced opinions of not wanting to work with any “Big time Charlies” i.e the better players from bigger clubs, is also a factor. The mystery figure that caps the expenditure is believed to be in the region of £25,000 a week which in this current footballing cauldron is quite minimal in comparison. It is also considered that only a select few, the likes of Roger Johnson and Kevin Doyle will earn anywhere near this figure. This limitation, however much financial sense it may make to the CEO and the money handlers, does not quench the thirst of the most important factor at the club – its paying public who expect to see something in return for the hundreds that they hand over per annum. Steady progression is the order of the day and they work on the belief that the longer you stay in the Premier league, the more attractive a prospect you become for the better players who will ultimately take your team to that ‘next level’. Of course however unjust it may sound, this comes at a price, it is the nature of the beast and the world we live in. In a sporting climate where agents are poisoning the minds of players who in turn are in cases holding their club to ransom, there is very little choice but to sink or swim. With a limitation on the funding, you are also preventing your own ambition.

In essence Robbie Keane would have been the perfect fit for Wolves in their current situation with the argument being that they too should have approached the Galaxy for a two month loan to bring the striker back to familiar surroundings. The argument against would be that his wages exceed the club’s personal salary cap and to take a player for only two months would be almost pointless. However, consider that the total expenditure for the two months would be £500,000 in wages give or take and CEO Jez Moxey would see it as ludicrous spending for someone who you could only get two months’ work out of. Next consider that Robbie Keane might next 6 goals in that period and win you 4 out of the 6 games, gaining an invaluable 12 points steering you away from relegation and ultimately saving you the all the money you would lose from falling out of the top flight and you have a suitable return on your investment. In addition for a club that has wasted double that figure in the past on transfer fees for the likes of Stefan Maierhofer, Greg Halford, Matt Hill and Steven Muoyokolo from whom they have had ZERO Premier League production and they become victims of their own hypocrisy. Although the £1 million transfer fees  seem nominal individually, they have all mounted up to over £20 million in wasted money on players who have made no contribution to the Wolves cause making a two month loan for Robbie Keane seem like very astute business considering what it promises to provide!

Stepping off of the soapbox, the current picture is now bleak at best. With Blackburn showing a willingness to compete, QPR looking to take off under Mark  Hughes and even Bolton’s fortunes on the up after beating Liverpool, Wolves have fallen into that perilous relegation zone for the first time this season. On the backs of a fruitless 10 game winless streak, the worrying aspect for their fans is after teetering above it for so long, how do their team and the seemingly ill prepared management plan on getting out of it for a third season in a row. There is a Gold n’ black S.O.S call ringing from the terraces, it’s up to you to decide whether it’s a case of ‘Save Our Season’ or merely ‘Same Old S**t’!

Wolverhampton Wanderers travel to a big North London club with European ambitions; are given a snowballs chance in Hell of taking anything from the game, defend resolutely and defy their long odds and escape back up the M6 with a precious point after a 1-1 draw. . . I can’t help feeling we’ve seen this all before.

Just as they did some three weeks ago at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal, Mick McCarthy’s troopers have upset the balance again in the Barclays Premier League with another ‘backs to the wall’ showing to take an unlikely point from their visit to Tottenham and once again ruffled the feathers of the Premier League hierarchy. For a Wolves team who lost all of their games in London last season, they have now dealt out some capital punishment of their own in consecutive matches.

Essentially it’s what Wolves do. The ‘ultimate underdog’, ‘the pantomime villain’ – it’s what Wolves’ manager Mick McCarthy thrives on, he built an entire season on it last year. As much as it baffles and at times infuriates their supporters who are constantly faced with the conundrum of why their team are able to take points from the Arsenal’s and Tottenham’s of the world but continue to struggle against those of ‘lesser’ standing whom on paper at least they should be competing against. Wolves travelled to White Hart Lane on Saturday afternoon as a total write off. Having shown much more resilience in recent weeks taking admirable points on the road from Arsenal and Bolton whilst running Chelsea to the wire in their last league outing, albeit to finish heartbroken in the dying seconds thanks to a scorer who was extremely lucky to still be on the pitch – moreover if the brunt of refereeing decisions that Wolves themselves have been on the end of recently were equally consistent, they’d have avoided that previous defeat quite comfortably. Still searching for that elusive win, the recent improvement in defence sees the side encouragingly made of much sterner stuff and with a foundation on which to build. Still the Gold ‘n’ black army were afforded little chance of coming away with anything against this year’s talk of the town thus far, but they wouldn’t have it any other way. With all expectations pointing towards them being ‘footballed to death’ against the classy North London outfit, Wolves fans were quietly optimistic knowing that if they could somehow nick something worth defending, they would do just that.

So to the contrasting fortunes of the opposition. As the new ‘media darlings’ Tottenham Hotspur are trending worldwide. With their manager Harry Redknapp seen as a must for his country and a team playing a brand of football and more importantly getting the results to leave their audience salivating at the endless possibilities, Tottenham Hotspur have played their way elegantly into the recognition as genuine title contenders. The fact of the matter and the foundation for their recent exposure is that they are equal with Manchester United after 50% of the season and as we know any team that has achieved that feat in the best part of 20 years has been there or there about come the finale. We’ve all seen teams before outside of that agreed ‘ Big Four’ who have made little inroads; had an unbeaten start to the season or been top of the tree after 8 games and dreaming of breaking down those invisible yet substantial barriers. As is often the case these runs have been short lived and reality has reared its ugly head, but for Spurs to be right in the mixer at this stage of the season is sending real shockwaves through the usual suspects. After dismantling an Everton side who are notoriously difficult to beat with a stylish ease, Tottenham have been hot off the press in the week building up to the fixture with Wolves with anyone who’s anyone offering their opinion as the media cauldron descended on the Lane. So what were the chances of this additional pressure and collective expectation having an adverse effect on Harry and his Spurs? Where once they played with freedom and expression suddenly the shackles of the watching world were firmly in place. So would the pressure of adhering to their new found labels and the effects of their week in the stars possibly lead to a lowly Wolves side being overlooked? Surely not… right?

`Wolves reverted back to their ‘press and contain’ 4-5-1 system with Steven Fletcher carrying the fortunes of the entire city on his shoulders as the lone ranger up front. Michael Kightly returned on the right side of midfield after his loan spell at Watford with Matt Jarvis as his partner on the opposite flank. Although Nenad Milijas was eligible once more after that laughable three game suspension, McCarthy opted for a workmanlike yet essentially quality-free centre midfield trio of Karl Henry, David Edwards and Mr unpopular Arsenal loanee Emmanuel Frimpong. Kevin Foley made a welcome return to his natural full back position in place of Richard Stearman in an otherwise unchanged back four.

Tottenham set out their stall as expected with a roaming expansion of the 4-5-1 system with Adebayor leading the line and Luka Modric, Van Der Vaart and speedsters Bale and Lennon all given license to express in a versatile midfield. Their free forming shape and expressive intent was apparent right from the off. Intent on playing the game in the ‘right’ manner, Tottenham kept and manoeuvred the ball with the same elegance and finesse that we have come to expect. With so many outlets; the express pace of Bale and Lennon on the flanks supported by their equally rapid full backs Assou-Ekoto and Walker and the guile and trickery of Van Der Vaart and Modric through the middle it promised to be along afternoon for Wolves as they retreated further and further back in the opening twenty minutes struggling to keep up with their opposition.

After a taster of their well-documented brilliance and a few pot shots from distance from Van Der Vaart and Modric to keep Wayne Hennessey thinking, Wolves smashed … and then grabbed … and had their something to hold onto. During all the superlatives being banded about for Spurs offensively, the defence would have felt somewhat negated and for good reason. Wolves first attack of note in the game forced a left wing corner, Matt Jarvis delivered right footed and found the head of Captain Roger Johnson completely unmarked in the six yard box. Johnson’s header was palmed back out in desperation by Brad Friedel to the one man who was first to react – who else? But Steven Fletcher, who stabbed home the opener just as he did in this fixture last season to give the visitors an highly unlikely lead. With the huge media circus and building up of the home side for an entire week, Wolverhampton Wanderers would take the lead on their home patch, after all THAT is just typical of football these days!

In essence this didn’t change the complexion of the game a great deal. The onus, as it was from the off was very much still on the home side to quench the thirst of its adoring public and slay the hungry Wolves. Within ten minutes of the opener Rafael Van der Vaart, Modric and Bale had all tested the water from outside the area. Justifiably confident in their own ability, the plethora of superstars each missed the target from central positions of fully twenty yards or more. Adebayor, as nimble with the ball at his feet as he is dominant in the air towered in the area to flick on from a corner to the lively Dutchman in his free role who half volleyed against the Wolves defenders intent on blocking anything and everything.

Tottenham poured forwards in response to Wolves’ retreat. Even defenders Kaboul and Assou-Ekoto found themselves a part of regular attacks as proof of the home sides almost ‘gung ho’ mentality. The two combined down the left flank to get the better of Kevin Foley allowing the full back too much time to deliver a cross which forced a poor headed clearance from Stephen Ward on the far post and dropped almost too invitingly to Modric unmarked on the edge of the area who volleyed into the floor and comfortably into Hennessey’s arms.

On 36 minutes Wolves attacked again fully 15 minutes after their goal. Decent link up play from the Wolves left field involving Jarvis, Fletcher and Ward led to the one cap winger dragging the ball back from the by-line to an advancing David Edwards who failed to make the most of this rare opportunity as he miscued harmlessly wide from the edge of the area. Wolves fans sensed that if there was to be another chance to extend this innocuous lead, then that was surely it.

With the possession stats residing at 67-33 in favour of the home side, Wolves were to rely on the odd chance to counter. Emmanuel Frimpong made good ground through the centre on a break, he spread the ball out wide to Michael Kightly who determined to make the most of his new lease of first team life took on his full back before shifting infield onto his weaker left foot and curling over and wide. If nothing else it was positivity from Wolves, looking to shake the misconceptions that they were out to ‘steal’ a victory and determined to give more offensively than they were afforded against Arsenal some three weeks earlier.

An altercation on the sideline between the two managers just before half time was a marker for things to come and a sign that even the gentleman Harry Redknapp is prone to lose his cool in the pressure cooker at the summit of the Barclays Premier League.

In the closing stages of the first half with Tottenham still driving forward in numbers, they finally found a way under the bus that Wolves had parked in front of goal. Getting more joy from the left flank, Assou-Ekoto found himself the furthest forward once more. The Cameroonian cut a cross back into the area which Van der Vaart stabbed at directing it out of the reach of Wolves’ Welsh stopper, leaving Adebayor to smash the ball into an empty net… They joy however was short lived as Adebayor turned only to see that traditional killjoy the linesman’s flag raised for offside. Luckily for Wolves and frustratingly for Spurs, replays showed that the ball was heading into the corner of the net after Van der Vaart’s prod and Adebayor and Tottenham had fallen victim to the striker’s natural instinct.

There was still time before the break for the busy Dutchman to advance again, trying to create an opening for himself on the edge of the Wolves penalty area before a perfectly executed sliding challenge from Roger Johnson stopped the attack in a fitting end to what had been another resolute and encouraging display from the Wolves’ centre halves himself and Christophe Berra.

With Wolves preparing to do what they know best and batten down the hatches to preserve their slender lead in the second half, Spurs started as they meant to go on. Rapid wingers Lennon and Bale kept things fresh by swapping sides and found plenty of joy travelling (almost gliding) effortlessly with the ball at their feet. Some neat footwork from the world class Welshman calved out a chance for himself which he slashed horribly high and wide in the opening exchanges of round 2.

Wolves responded by using their most productive outlet Matt Jarvis. The away sides closest comparison to the Tottenham tricky wingers, Jarvis got the better of Kyle Walker, laid the ball back to Michael Kightly who’s hooked cross was headed straight to the feet of Frimpong. The ball sat up invitingly for the midfielder who connected sweetly on the half volley only to see the shot parried by the big American between the sticks for Spurs emphasising what a huge contribution he has made to the Tottenham cause this term.

Just as revenge is sweet and justice is cold, the Premier League is wholly unforgiving. Wolves were made to pay for missing their golden opportunity just a minute later as a patient Tottenham build up emanating from the left found Luka Modric who was ‘tenth time lucky’ as his low drive levelled the tie. A case can certainly be made against both the Wolves defence and goalkeeper in this instance. The fledgling attempts to close down the attacker were all too common again as Modric’s shot went through three sets of legs as Wolves defenders made timid attempts to block the shot which eventually dribbled harmlessly under the body of the diving Wayne Hennessey. It is safe to say that Hennessey may have been unsighted by the golden mass that converged in front of him but should have done much better than essentially diving over the top of the ball. These clockwork occurrences are once again proving to be the thorn in Wolves’ side as the management stubbornly appear to show no sign of addressing them.

With the home side now riding a wave of momentum and feeding off their reinvigorated crowd they pushed forwards to enforce their dominance. Gareth Bale’s cross from the left missed everyone in the area but was rescued by Aaron Lennon. Lennon laid in Modric who’s shot trickled back off of two Wolves defenders back to the feet of Lennon with an open goal at his mercy. A section of the crowd were already celebrating the inevitable when literally out of nowhere Wayne Hennessey slid onto the scene and smothered the ball on the line, somewhat atoning for his error minutes before.

As astute as Tottenham were in attack, Wolves were growing equally as effective at the back. Berra and Johnson blocked and headed anything that moved whilst Jarvis and Kightly provided good cover for their full backs against the might of the Tottenham wide attacks. Wolves finally attacked once more on 63 minutes. Karl Henry got himself into his own personal nosebleed territory dribbling up field before disguising a clever short pass into Steven Fletcher. Fletcher advanced into the area but was caught in two minds and ended up chipping wastefully into Friedel’s arms. Chances were inevitably few and far between for the away side as their fans sensed they may need to score at least once more to have a chance of getting even a draw from this game which was slowly turning on its head.

The following 15 minutes provided a much needed lull for the away fans who were growing more intense by the minute. Wolves introduced their resident nuisance Stephen Hunt to the play whilst Tottenham opted for Jermaine Defoe and not a moment too soon for the England striker who has haunted Wolves regularly in years gone by. The home faithful didn’t have to wait long either for his first involvement. Gareth Bale was allowed to cross field unchallenged with the ball before laying into the path of Defoe whose connection was crisp but saved well once more by Hennessey who used arguably his best attribute, his legs, to divert the ball wide.

It was becoming increasingly obvious that Wolves must use any time they were given with possession to the fullest extent, something not adhered to by Stephen Hunt who in the 81st minute was wasteful in a good area and blindly laid the ball off setting up a swift Tottenham counter from which they forced two consecutive corners. Pressure is a prerequisite in games like these and Wolves could ill afford to contribute to Spurs’ fortunes themselves.

As the minutes ebbed away in the closing stages Harry Redknapp cut a frustrated figure on the side lines. It was clear that Wolves had soaked up enough from their hosts to take a point which they would be heralded for whilst the much publicised Tottenham team spent an afternoon huffing and puffing, but incidentally never blowing the house down. There was still time for more bizarre and unfavourable refereeing from the supposed best officials we could produce. Wayne Hennessey collected a cross in his area and fell awkwardly on his own defender which lead to a few minutes of treatment for the keeper. Baring in mind there was no Tottenham player involved in the challenge, the referee unethically and inexplicably decided to set a precedent and that the result of the incident should be … a drop ball, from inside the Wolves penalty area! Wolves protests naturally fell on deaf ears and Tottenham were all too happy to oblige given the game had crossed into 5 questionable minutes of injury time. In a show of unity and a real ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ moment the Wolves players with no choice but to beat the system, linked shoulders and formed a 7 man barrier as the ball was dropped which eventually resulting in the getting a free kick of their own from the needless decision.

Perhaps more surprising was the attitude of Spurs manager Harry Redknapp who appeared to openly encourage his team to make the most of the decision creating an aura of unsportsmanlike conduct and how the pressure at the top can serve to change people as Wolverhampton Wanderers once again successfully endeavoured to upset the apple cart.

Whilst the result will bring lavish praise on McCarthy’s battlers and create new questions on Tottenham’s ability to go the full distance, the game itself paints a deeper picture. Tottenham were the picture of elegance on the field. The gulf in class was all too prominent as the Spurs players positioning, movement and crisp passing was first class.

Wolves as ever failed to read the script. More than happy to play the part of the incredulous ‘party pooper’ these are the games which suit Mick McCarthy’s system and mentality, but is that necessarily a good thing? The ‘backs to the wall’ mentality is effective in games like these and as Wolves have shown when little is expected sometimes they can deliver a lot. The worrying thing from a Wolves perspective is that this is  often their only plan, which is all very well and good on trips to Tottenham and Arsenal in which the bonus points you pick up are of little use when you achieved the same result in home games against Norwich, Swansea, QPR, Newcastle and Stoke of which more was expected and required.

Essentially the message for Wolves fans is not to get carried away by these results. I serve only to be the sober one at the party whose pessimism at times like these seem unwarranted but is a collaboration and a lesson learned from previous experience. 8 of Wolves starting 11 yesterday came up with them from the Championship, whilst three others who appeared were purchased from clubs who had recently fallen in that direction… A team is a direct reflection of its manager.  Wolves first 11 is chocked full of honest, battling, effort players who give their all for the cause but are lacking in fundamental areas, whilst the players with the genuine ability are overlooked. Those with that little something extra; the Milijas, Hammil’s, Guedioura’s of the world – all purchased by Mick McCarthy but seemingly have no place in his simplistic ‘blood and thunder’ system. Again this is all very well in games which require substance over style in which a team’s sole focus is stop the other from functioning, but in terms of moving forwards it is the reason why Wolves are and will always be that Championship club punching above its weight in the big league, whilst the Swansea’s, Norwich’s and Stoke’s of the world put their achievements to pale showing a progression and an understanding of adaptability that is needed to reach that promised land of ‘mid table mediocrity’ in arguably the best league in the world.

Just eighteen miles separates Wolverhampton Wanderers and Birmingham City geographically. The West Midlands rivals are also separated by 18 places retrospectively between two divisions. On Saturday, they were separated by nothing but fresh air as the ‘ding dong derby’ turned out to be a dull and drab affair.

Wolverhampton Wanderers travelled to Birmingham City, who had every right to feel hard done to after that final cataclysmic ending to the 10/11 Premier League season as they slipped into the final relegation place with just three heart breaking minutes left to play. A new manager, a squad shake-up and a short but sweet European adventure later and it’s all change for the ‘blue noses’. Suffering the backlash of those ‘fantasy finances’ that never materialised from the Far East, Birmingham find themselves treading water in the Championship during this period of transition.  Unable to shake that unwanted tag of relegated cup winners from the previous season, the Blues sit a disappointing 14th at the half way stage of the season – that being said, maximum points from their two games in hand would see them rise as high as fifth.

It is far from sunshine and roses for the visitors as well. It seems that learning lessons is not something that Wolverhampton Wanderers and Mick McCarthy are keen on as they once again find themselves feeding off scraps in and around the summit of the English top flight. A recent improvement in character and resilience will give their fans a shred of optimism for the New Year and the cup clash was a perfect opportunity to put all the recent officiating gripes and unjustified harsh treatment by the sport’s governing body behind them, for one week at least.

With other more obvious issues on both manager’s plates, Chris Hughton and Mick McCarthy signalled their intentions and attitudes towards the tie with their team selections; each manager keen to make changes but include just enough of their core roster so as to appease the fans with those all important local bragging rights at stake as they sought to prioritise for their current situations. There was no place in the Birmingham starting 11 for key starters Marlon King, Nikola Zigic, Jean Beausejour, Keith Fahey, Chris Burke or goalkeeper Boaz Myhill. Contrastingly, the Wolves boss aimed to keep the nucleus of his squad ticking fielding his first choice Premier League back four, whilst only Michael Kightly and debutant new arrival Eggart Jonsson were the only two unfamiliar faces to an otherwise recognisable line up. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake started in place of Steven Fletcher up front which taints the decision to leave the Scotsman out of the previous Chelsea game even more whilst fan favourites Adam Hammill and Adlene Guedioura will have got the message loud and clear as they disappointingly did not even make the bench. Former Blues now Wolves captain Roger Johnson returned to his old stomping ground much quicker than expected to add a little extra spice to the occasion.

As the half past midday kick off approached, it was a chance for both sides to pack up their domestic season troubles at least for one week, and get up for the ‘magic’ of the FA Cup…

Ultimately what followed could not have been any less ‘magic’ if it had tried. You’ll be aware that I am ‘banging on’ a little more than usual, not so subtly trying to avoid mentioning the biggest disappointment of the day – that being the actual game itself. I’m genuinely not sure where to start, as by starting to analyse the day’s proceedings I would essentially have created more of a spark than was produced at St Andrews on this most miserable of affairs.

The job of any journalist/analyst/reporter no matter what their stature, sometimes is to create something from nothing. The top dogs in the business will have lost count on the amount of times they have had to produce a two page spread from a goalless draw and by hook or by crook they tend more often than not tend to do so. On this occasion, to repeat such a feat we are talking about Nobel Prize for literature style requirements because believe me from a first person witness, this one NEVER got going.

Each team began with a stock 4-4-2 system and cancelled each other out from almost start to finish. After an initial opening five minutes of crowd banter and fun and games the mutterings from the visiting end were ones we have become all to accustom to. We found ourselves making the same points and asking the same rhetorical questions; as to why Kevin Doyle consistently headed for the corner flags and rarely made a trip into the opposition area, why the build-up play is so one dimensional more predictable than a Packer’s Superbowl repeat, why Karl Henry remains ‘undroppable’ even when the manager has license to tinker and try different personnel, why Stephen Hunt looks as comfortable in possession of the football as a claustrophobic in an elevator and why Richard Stearman is first choice right back now Kevin Foley is fit again – bla bla bla, yes you’ve heard it all before. But, if we hadn’t sat there picking faults and dressing down the same repetitive issues within the club I am honestly not sure if we’d have managed to remain conscious, whilst the ESPN crew must have been cursing their misguided hindsight.

In a first half void of anything noteworthy, the Birmingham youngster Nathan Redmond showed glimpses of the mercurial talent than is attracting interest from higher places as his enthusiasm and keenness to make an impact was there for all to see. Wolves toiled in their typical relentless fashion but with little success and naïve persistence to keep trying the same approach play long after the opposition were comfortably savvy to it. The highlight of the first 45 for the home fans at least, was the injury to former central defender Roger Johnson. The man who signed for Wolves from Birmingham in the summer for a hefty £7 million could not continue after an apparent ankle injury and was forced to leave the game early being replaced by Kevin Foley after 36 minutes.

As the second half continued in much the same vein as its predecessor, the management keenly introduced some of their more prolific talent in an attempt to inject some much needed life into the contest whilst somewhat attempting to justify the entrance fee for those who braved the occasion. Chilean international Beausejour and goal scoring midfielder Keith Fahey were introduced for the home side whilst Wolves two more able performers in Matt Jarvis and ‘one man gang’ Steven Fletcher came to the party.

The game brightened up into something like a contest as both sides seemed keen to avoid an unwanted replay – I do however have to stress that it went from dour to marginally acceptable at the very best. Guirane N’Daw played the local hero as a stellar outing in central midfield earned him the man of the match award greeted with irony for the travelling fans as it followed his exit from the game. Fourth choice Birmingham striker Adam Rooney provided little threat to a comfortable outing for Berra and Stearman even as back-up keeper Dorus De Vries was called into action a couple of times but saved comfortably from Nathan Redmond’s attempts from inside the penalty area.

The two golden chances (no pun intended) came for the away side in the second half. A tidy one two reverse from Kevin Foley sent Michael Kightly clear down the right flank, his accurate driven cross picked out an unmarked Ebanks-Blake who contrived to take the shot on first time and looped the ball up and over the bar from no more than 8 yards out – a guilt edged chance that will not do his call for an extended run in the first team much good. In the four minutes of injury time, which was excruciating for those in the ground who were wishing the contest away, Matt Jarvis’ quick feet took him away from the full back as he cut inside from the left wing onto his favoured right foot and curled a shot towards the far post which was expertly saved by Birmingham stand in keeper Colin Doyle. The Irish goalkeeper tipped the effort onto the post and the ball rebounded to Fletcher six yards out in front of goal but his headed rebound attempt was blocked by his marker in the final ‘action’ of the match sentencing both sides to do it all again on January 17th.

In terms of conclusions and lessons from the game in a footballing sense it is fair to say that both teams will take very little. The result and performance will be of greater concern for Wolves fans given then elevated league standing over their opponents and also the glum reality that they started the game with arguably 8 of their 11 first choice players from the Premier League fixtures this season whilst Birmingham had fielded close to a second string side.

What was of most concern and most notable conclusion from the contest was the undervalued occasion itself. In terms of the well documented ‘magic’ of the FA Cup this entire arrangement was unrecognisable. It raises the question as to whether cup competitions are now seen as more of a hindrance than anything else in the modern game? For the managers it was clearly a chance to bud some of their younger players or those in need of a run out to which it disappointingly became nothing more than this, a run out. The team selections diminish the occasion, not half as much though as the attendance. Just 14,594 fans were in attendance. This not only diminishes the attitudes towards the cup competition, but is heightened by the fact that even a local derby with minimal travelling distance and a rich history was not enough of a reason for fans to flock to the game. Moreover, it speaks volumes about the bigger picture, that being the British economy and welfare of those who are constantly overlooked, out priced, yet essential to the survival of the sport – the supporters. As the managers have been seen to prioritise in terms of team selection so the supporters have begun to prioritise in terms of their livelihoods. Whilst the cost of a season ticket is now out of reach for so many of those who have notched up decades with their beloved clubs, those who can stretch to this luxury see it as the absolute maximum and any additional extras i.e cup games, European outings and such and such are no longer feasible.

It is hard-hitting evidence like this that should hit home when the owners are making such non-sensical decisions such as expanding a stadium that you can’t even fill at its current capacity such is the case at Wolverhampton Wanderers currently. Season ticket prices of £500 plus are immoral in this day and age and even the ‘Early Bird’ con in disguise as an offer only becomes that if the team remain in the division which I’m sure by its March deadline will still be far from decided. While his manager still has much to chew over in terms of his best eleven players and the survival battle which lies ahead, for chairman Steve Morgan it is a case of even “if you build it… they still may not come.” 

No this is not the rundown of a 1989 comedy crime caper featuring Chevy Chase, but a 2011/12 one man rescue mission starring a Scotsman on International exile to earn his side a third consecutive draw.

As the final moments of another year ebbed away, the ‘Battle of the Wanderers’ commenced at the Reebok Stadium as Bolton Wanderers hosted fellow Premier League strugglers with the same sporting suffix Wolverhampton. The commonly coined ‘six pointer’ saw two sides underachieving in the eyes of their supporters with two managers at the helm who were very much operating on borrowed time.

Bolton Wanderers began the tie propping up the rest as a result of the shock three points that Blackburn Rovers had collected from a visit to Old Trafford earlier in the day and started with David N’gog up front in place of their talismanic striker Kevin Davies, whilst former Wolves and England youth talent Mark Davies started as a wide right midfielder.  The visitors who remained in 17th position, teetering ominously close to the drop zone buoyed by their heroic efforts at the Emirates Stadium four days ago began with a significantly altered approach, which brings us to the dreaded segment much earlier on in the piece than expected. . . .

The Magical Mystical Mind-boggling world of Mick McCarthy

Yes it’s that time again when we delve into the ever changing non-descript baffling vortex that is the mind of Wolves manager Mick McCarthy. Mick’s questionable tactical, selection and instructional decisions have been an ever present of the season so far and sure enough Mick did not disappoint once more as he altered his side considerably once more for the away game on New Years Eve. Feast your selves on the forthcoming decisions which are so illogically comical that it begs the question, what’s going on Mick?

• Heading into the game on Saturday Wolves had two changes forced upon them with Ronald Zubar injured and Nenad Milijas so appallingly suspended after a disappointing lack of morality from the game’s governing body. Nevertheless, in true McCarthy fashion, instead of making just the two changes so as not to disrupt a team that battled so valiantly at Arsenal… he made five!
• This is where it gets interesting. Richard Stearman was somewhat aggrievedly yet understandably brought in to replace Zubar at right back, but central attacking midfielder Milijas was replaced by . . . left full back George Elokobi.
• Wolves now began the game with an unnecessary  50% differential from the back four that kept Van Persie and co at bay leaving their fans puzzled as the team sheet was announced as they attempted to figure out who was playing where. Whereas most sides have certain players for certain position, for the gold and black faithful it really is anybody’s guess! The midfield quartet featured two wingers, a left back and their ever present anchor-man. It appeared that so as to accommodate him by any means necessary, Stephen Ward would start in his 7th different position since joining the club beginning the game alongside Henry in centre midfield due to Elokobi’s inclusion in the defence. Wolves fans must have thought they had crossed over into the twilight zone at some point on their journey north, as Ward who has finally made the left back position his own for club AND country was now thrust into the centre of midfield where he had NEVER played before, whilst Wolves had not one but two genuine central midfielders in Dave Edwards and Adlene Guedioura on the bench!
• Adam Hammill was also forced to watch from the side lines once more as another sensible introduction to the midfield was overlooked.
• Youngster Anthony Forde who was a shock inclusion to make his professional debut in the previous game returned to the wilderness and was nowhere to be seen posing the question as to why he was thrown into the firing line at Arsenal at all if not to begin a reign in the match day squad.
• Sylvan Ebanks-Blake also returned alongside Fletcher up front in the only viable selection decision made on the day.

Nevertheless, as the New Year chorus suggest auld acquaintance should be forgot – let’s give it a chance, perhaps Mick’s crazy shake-up of the starting 11 would prove to be a master stroke. . . . or maybe not, as it were.

As predicted and foreseen by many of his paying public, Wolves’ first half performance was as disjointed and non-descript as their original team sheet. The Elokobi/Ward ‘switcharoo’ which was last deployed in a humbling 3-0 home loss to Queens Park Rangers was equally as ineffective as its previous effort as Wolves struggled for any fluency and craft in their play – something which given the fact that the team was largely made up of players out of position or devoid of match practice, stands to perfect reason.

As the home side the onus inevitably was on Bolton. In front of an impatient audience whose faith was lessening by the minute after a staggering 10 home losses in 11 games, the lilywhite Wanderers were faced with a do or die situation against Wolves. This being said if pressure and expectation was present, it did not show in the opening exchanges. While the visitors resorted to the infamous ‘Hennessey hoof’ tactic and struggled to put together any sort of noteworthy attack, Bolton stuck to their task and seemed determined to pass their way into the Wolves third of the field. With a game loaded with players who’s battling qualities far outweighs their footballing ability; the likes of Henry, Hunt, Reo-Coker, Muamba, Stearman and Steinsson – it promised to be and for the most part played out as a cagey and tense affair that was far from aesthetically pleasing.

The opening half hour did not produce much to excite either set of supporters, and was for the most part a drab affair devoid of any real quality or guile. There was however a moment which separated itself from the overall rigidity of the mid-season relegation battle – that being a goal for Bolton Wanderers. Sam Ricketts who began the game at left back in favour of the old Wolves foe Paul Robinson, went unchallenged down Wolves’ right flank and was awarded far too much time to shift inside onto his stronger foot and curl the ball beautifully into the far corner from outside of the area to relieve some of the tension in the arena. Wolves supporters will not be encouraged by their teams loose marking and inability to close the shot down, a lesson that they have apparently still not learned even after conceding in this way on numerous occasions this season.

The away side’s only chance of any note came largely out of the blue when a speculative 30 yard effort from Stephen Ward hit the frame of the goal and rebounded agonisingly inches out of the reach of an onrushing Steven Fletcher on 33 minutes.

As Wolves rattled the woodwork at one end, Bolton advanced and a clever ball over the top split the non-existent Wolves defence open as Fabrice Muamba moved unnoticed between Stearman and Johnson before handling the ball in his attempt to control it with a clear run at goal ahead of him. Richard Stearman’s frailties at  fullback upon his return to the side were becoming all too apparent as he was left exposed once more but Martin Petrov on Bolton’s left flank whose cross was met on the half volley by Ivan Klasnic but the shot went into the floor and looped up into Hennessey’s arms in the final action of an altogether uninspiring first half.

After wasting 45 minutes with a system that by and large I’m not even sure that McCarthy thought would work, the Wolves boss came back down to earth and resorted to something like the plan ‘A’ he should have gone with all along. Elokobi was removed after another soul destroying one half of football, Ward went to left back where he belongs and David Edwards was introduced to provide some much needed stability to the Wolves midfield. One presumes that because this change was already in waiting so early if anything had gone wrong, that Mick McCarthy’s true faith was with the system that he put in place for an important second half.

So with the balance and sanity returned to the visitors setup, thus followed the inevitable change in fortunes. As the visitors began the second half looking much more like a team with focus and direction, they found joy from the wings in the form of Matt Jarvis who began to test the resolve of Steinsson with a few vintage advances shifting inside and out before making his move. It was from their likely outset that Wolves drew level. Four minutes into the second half, Jarvis whipped in a free kick right footed from the left flank with such precision that it bypassed everyone in the penalty area and found the head of Stephen Fletcher no more than two yards out to level the scores. The goal was largely down to the quality of delivery from Jarvis however it was no surprise to see Fletcher’s name on the score sheet for the eighth time this season using his poachers instinct to get into a position from which he could not fail. It was Fletcher to the rescue once more for Wolves who without his priceless contributions could be out of sight by this stage.

With frustration creeping in during the early stages of the second period, Bolton responded well to the upturn in the visitor’s fortune. Wolves afforded their opponents too much joy once more down from their right side with neither Hunt, Henry nor Edwards offering much cover for Stearman who was clearly struggling on his recall to the side. Sam Ricketts avoided the three aforementioned amigos on that side but his cross was blocked in time by a Wolves centre half and soon after Petrov was afforded too much time to deliver a driven cross which was diverted for a corner at a vital moment by the improving Roger Johnson. Stearman who began the season as a makeshift full back must be feeling the heat since the impressive re-emergence of Zubar and the return to fitness of Kevin Foley who was on the bench for the first time this season. The former England under 21 international did himself no favours on 68 minutes as he turned on the ball naively before losing it halfway up the pitch needing Roger Johnson to rescue the cause again with two decisive headers from crosses deep into his penalty area. No doubt Johnson’s recent impressive displays will go some way to justifying his hefty pre season price tag and repay a chunk of it following a shaky start to his Wolves career.

The home side introduced Turkish International Tuncay to further their attacking efforts whilst Wolves were forced into what they hope will be nothing more than a precautionary measure by replacing Fletcher with Kevin Doyle as their goal scoring hero was walking with some noticeable discomfort.

As the shackles were loosened as the second half wore on, both sides had just cause to believe they could steal a victory from the contest. Gretar Steinsson headed powerfully into the ground from a corner which was palmed away impressively by Wolves other hero of the hour Wayne Hennessey, whilst his Welsh international team mate volleyed tamely wide at the other end after a poor clearing header from the Chelsea-bound Gary Cahill.

Kevin Davies, a player who historically causes Wolves trouble was introduced for the home side whilst the appearance of Kevin Foley was a welcome sight for Wolves fans which disguised their justified concern that the semi-fit right back who hadn’t kicked a ball all season was now preferred as a right winger over a 100% fit Adam Hammill who naturally plays that position and whose opportunities seem to be growing increasingly and frustratingly limited as he approaches one year at the club. His fleeting appearances have often sparked a change in the game for Wolves as the energy and flair he brings to the team is something different from the ‘putting a shift in’ style of which we are accustomed to, although it seems way down the list of McCarthy’s priorities.

The final ten minutes belonged almost entirely to the away side, much to the dismay of the home fans who in essence have much more to be concerned about than their opposite numbers. Stephen Hunt delivered his first telling cross of the day after 80 minutes after typical persistence on the right flank, the cross found his former Reading team mate and goal-shy Kevin Doyles who’s header from point blank range was straight at Jaaskeleinen. Moments later a mix up between Gary Cahill and his keeper exposed the chink in the armoury of the prospective England Euro 2012 star as Ebanks-Blake stole in from behind and forced a corner for Wolves from which Stephen Ward headed wide from only 6 yards out.

Wolves continued to tighten their grip on the game as a poor corner from Jarvis was headed conspicuously towards his own goal by Tuncay and Mark Davies spared the home side with a goal line clearance before the best chance of the game fell to Wolves. Blake’s cleverly disguised ball between two defenders sent Kevin Doyle through one on one with the Bolton keeper. Unfortunately for Wolves Doyle could do nothing to dispel his recent misfiring tag as he rounded the Finnish stopper but took too much time and the once promising attack petered out.

The full time whistle was met with increasing indifference from the home fans who will see a solitary point at home against a team that have not travelled well since August to be nowhere near acceptable.  The result served only to heighten the pressure on manager Owen Coyle who was the darling of the club not so long ago when he first arrived and appeared to be leading the club in the right direction.  Whilst the majority of people not connected to Bolton Wanderers football club (discounting Burnley fans) will feel for the Scotsman who has been luckless recently as the club failed to replace important players like Johan Elmander and have also had to deal with harsh lengthy injuries to key components such as Stuart Holden and Lee Chung Yong, their own supporters are far from convinced by the efforts of the man in the hot seat.

For Wolves the picture is much rosier as we creep into a New Year. Although they could won the game against Bolton, they took two points from two away games on the bounce which if nothing else shows that the character and resolve is on the up even if the performances are still a long way from convincing. Their second half performance in a much more staple 4-4-2 system was encouraging so to it is the fact that Stephen Fletcher is the reliable goal threat that will prove so important for the remainder of the season if his injury woes remain at bay. As has been well documented, the general consensus with the initial team selection was one of bemusement. For every good decision McCarthy makes he often has two or three strange ones to follow suit, this is something which is evidently costing Wolves no matter what anyone says in his defence. Those who questioned the original team sheet were wholly justified by the inept first half performance of the team, and it goes without saying that Mick needs to wise up and realise that simplicity is the key to success rather than trying to over complicate with players out of position and little idea of what is expected of them. One point of note is the wholesome improvement by the Wolves defence especially by centre backs Roger Johnson and Christophe Berra who have been superb in the previous two road games and look to have received their ‘kick up the arse’ with a positive effect.

While many Bolton fans will suggest that this point is as good as a loss and expect the final nails to be introduced into Owen Coyle’s managerial coffin, they can look forward to an extended break between this game and their next trip to Everton in which the majority presume the only Cahill that will be present will be ‘Tim’. Wolves face the possibility of playing against Gary Cahill twice in three days as they play host to Chelsea on Monday. Much like last season, an early January meeting against a Chelsea side very much on the ropes could be the perfect time to play the Premier League giants as Wolves will need to take the increasingly improved defensive performances of the past two games and double it if they are to prevent an Andre Vilas-Boas backlash.

In a game that was set back 24 hours, Wolverhampton Wanderers made like the staff of the London Underground and went on strike. Not literally of course, but metaphorically. Just as the tube workers stood firm, refused to budge and put their own interests ahead of others in order to prove a point, so did the boys in gold and black on their visit to the Emirates Stadium to compound a miserable week for the majority of clubs with European interest in the top 6 of the Barclays Premier League.

Whilst Arsenal had found joy on the road in their previous tie – a 2-1 late victory over Aston Villa, Wolves were busy leaving their fans with little Christmas cheer taking just a solitary point from two consecutive home games against teams in and around their current standing.

The 24 hour setback meant a rare treat for the players as they enjoyed Christmas day off. Whether it was a little too much of the old eggnog or the likelihood that the mundane Christmas television had frazzled a few brain cells, but Mick McCarthy never to be outdone, dipped into his sack of tricks once more to provide another questionable team selection. Call it a hunch maybe, but young winger Anthony Forde (who isn’t even Wolves’ most promising youth talent) was thrust into the limelight to start his first ever professional game for the club – away at Arsenal, in the Premier League. Great news for the kid and a Christmas present from his manager that was wholesomely received. However the supporters were once again left to ponder the workings of their manager; firstly what was the justification to bump the youngster with zero experience up the pecking order ahead of Adam Hammill who most Wolves fans are growing weary of being refused a chance to see his obvious talent? Adlene Guedioura is another who should feel aggrieved at this surprise decision. The central midfielder was also overlooked again in favour of a move which saw out and out winger Stephen Hunt moved out of position into the centre of the park, begging the question as to why the manager’s reaction to his recent run of poor form had prompted a change of position rather than a well earned spell on the bench. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, the returning goal scorer against Norwich one week earlier was also banished to the substitute ranks in favour of switching to a more conservative 4-5-1 formation. The hosts opted for the winning goal scorer in their last outing Yossi Benayoun alongside Gervinho and the goal machine himself Robin Van Persie in attack whilst shortages in defence meant that Arsenal started with essentially four centre backs across their back four with Thomas Vermaelen and Johan Djourou filling in at full back.

So to the action. Wolves set out very much to contain as expected, whilst Arsenal typically enjoyed the lion share of possession aiming to break down a determined Wolves resistance with their short, patient pass and move ideology. The visitor’s game plans, team talks, tactics and preparation bought them a full eight minute reprieve before it was time for a re-think. Wolves so as to abide by the hopeful expectations of their travelling supporters were determined to have a go and put a few promising attacks together early on, little did they know that this was all a part of the Arsenal plan to lure them into a false sense of security. The Gunner’s broke like the Arsenal of old and within three passes had gone from box to box. The Wolves advance was quelled as Rosicky found Benayoun over midfield. Wolves fans would have justifiably felt the worse when another case of naïve defending came to fruition as Roger Johnson broke the line to close down the Israeli midfielder whilst Karl Henry (the ‘anchorman’) stood idly by as much of a spectator as those who had paid for seats. Gervinho lost his marker Zubar on the diagonal who opted for the lazy option and instead of tracking the attacker’s run, frustratingly jogged back with one hand in the air in hope of an offside decision that wasn’t to be. Gervinho kept his cool dribbling around the advancing goalkeeper Hennessey and slotting home left footed past a helpless Christophe Berra.

So where do Wolves go from here? 82 minutes left in a game, trailing away from home against a Champions League side rejuvenated and like a shark that smells blood. It was going to be a sure fire test of Wolves’ character and resolve as their fans pondered if McCarthy unlike the best part of the season so far, could execute a ‘Plan B’.

With positivity now the only option for the trailing visitors, Ronald Zubar continued in the vein of attacking full back bursting up the right wing and through two challenges before executing a one-two exposing the Arsenal offside trap. The low driven cross was eventually cleared but the signs were good for the visitors.
The Stephen Ward and Matt Jarvis partnership down the left continued to thrive as the two interchanged passes before crossing against Djourou for a corner. The resulting corner was headed clear only to Stephen Hunt on the edge of the area who to the frustration of the travelling support, opted to pass backwards rather than take pot shot on goal.

By now even the most ardent of supporter realised that Wolves must strike soon as chances in these games are evidently few and far between, their anxiety heightened by the threat of another incisive counter attack from the opposition. Not to be outdone, the enthusiastic right back Zubar again found him-selves the furthest Wolves player forward as he rode two challenges, got a kick in the thigh for his troubles but persevered into the Arsenal penalty area before the ball was taken off his head and he appeared to take a kick in the face from the Arsenal defender. Both rash challenges went unpunished as a sign of things to come from young referee Stuart Attwell. The ball dropped kindly on the edge of the area for Stephen Hunt once again whose poor connection flew tamely high and wide from another half decent position.

As expansive as Wolves were in their attacking play, they were looking equally inept defensively. On 29 minutes Robin Van Persie collected the ball on the edge of the area and danced around three half-hearted tackle attempts before unleashing that famed left foot with a stinging low drive which Wayne Hennessy tipped around his left hand post.

The Wolves rear-guard then began to dawdle, strangely oblivious to the talent of the opposition as Karl Henry twice took far too long in possession and gave the ball away deep inside his own half allowing the flying Dutchman to attack twice more, the second of which provoked Roger Johnson hack him down on the edge of the area in desperation. The resulting free kick sailed harmlessly over but as the first half drew to a close, Wolves were looking increasingly frail at the back whilst Henry and Hunt were once again providing their own fans with the option to call for the ostracized Hammill and Guedioura. Had it not been for the timely interventions of Christophe Berra and the saves from the Welsh number 1, Wolves would have been dead and buried.

Just as Arsenal had strengthened their grip on the contest so the cruel hand of footballing fate came crashing down upon them. A Nenad Milijas corner was partially cleared once more to Stephen Hunt who to his credit kept getting in the positions even if his production from them was limited. His shot miscued back into the box and as the Arsenal back four moved out, the ball looped onto the head of Steven Fletcher stooped to guide a header perfectly into that minute gap between the keepers reach and the post. It seemed that Lady Luck had finally paid an overdue visit to the Wolverhampton Wanderers camp in this post-Christmas cracker, as the two sides headed for the tunnel on an unlikely even keel.

Into the second half and anyone with even an ounce of foresight could have seen the Arsenal onslaught coming a mile off. With Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool already slipping up, Arsene Wenger was likely to do everything in his power to prevent his champions league chasing side from falling victim to the recent hoodoo. Even before the drama and controversy which I will cover in just a moment, the contest essentially became Wayne Hennessey vs Arsenal Football Club, as the hosts lay a red and white siege on the Wolves’ goal.

The French full back Ronald Zubar who is at times all heart and no brains (he will take that as the compliment I mean it to be) was in the wars throughout and eventually required the first substitution of the day and not a moment too soon as he had been kicked from pillar to post. Richard Stearman returned to the side and was soon in equally gung-ho mode, finding himself the only Black shirt in the Arsenal half chasing down a hopeful clearance to no avail.

On a more pleasing note, in the second half the Wolves found the defensive stability and poise which won them all those matches against the ‘big clubs’ last season. They set out their stall with a bank of four and five and although it provided only frustration for the Arsenal fans and the neutral onlookers, Wolves had decided to look after their own interests. They began to concentrate, working as a rigid defensive unit in a ‘we shall not be moved’ ideology which stood strong against wave after wave of Arsenal attack as they appeared determined to take something from this game. As I mentioned it was far from pretty with clearances and last ditch challenges flying in, but it will please the Wolves fans no end who have had to suffer some calamity horror shows from their back four and it’s protectors throughout the season so far. It gave the fans a cause to rally behind and every clearance and full blooded challenge and header was greeted with an incomparable roar from the away section. Christophe Berra and Roger Johnson who have been on the brunt of some much warranted criticism in the past few months, were heroic in their task against the uber-talented Van Persie and co.

I’m not one to join the persecution of the officials. I feel it is a tactic all to easily exploited by Wolves fans and even the manager himself to stray from the points of the bigger picture. I hate to hear the referee blamed for a loss or a goal which was so evidently the result of the teams ineptitudes and it serves only as an excuse to paper over the prominent cracks within the team. However on this occasion, Stuart Attwell turned in a very inconsistent, incoherent, crowd pleasing performance which will be justifiably maligned. With  the Wolves fans still unforgiving of his lack of action after seeing Ronald Zubar get a kick in the thigh which resulted in his untimely exit from the game, they were enraged by his pandering to the home side’s antics as the likes of Benayoun and Arteta hit the deck all too easily on occasion. It seemed that the Arsenal players had taken exception to the unethical fortress built around the Wolves goal and were intent on changing the nature of the game by any means necessary, a trap which the official was sucked into all too easily. Nenad Milijas was shown a straight red card for an innocuous challenge which he attempted with just the one foot that never left the ground and seemingly got the ball on the edge of the Wolves penalty area. The red card produced by Attwell was as questionable as the ‘phantom goal’ which he became notorious for allowing some years earlier and only sought to incense the Wolves players and staff further as it came just moments after two rash challenges of a much more violent nature from Alex Song which only drew a yellow from the man with the cards.

If anything this only served to intensify the Wolves players and justify their cause to hold out by hook or crook for an unlikely point. Stephen Hunt was taken off with foresight to his notorious temperament as Guedioura and Doyle replaced himself and Anthony Forde.

Stephen Ward was caught unawares turning on the ball in his own area but Rosicky awarded him a reprieve firing wide with his shot. The home side’s patience was wearing  thin but they stuck to their beliefs as a chess game unfolded with Wenger trying desperately to break down the Wolves’ stern resistance  introduced attackers Chamakh and Arshavin from the bench. Per Mertesacker lost his markers at the back post but his point blank header was saved by Hennessey who returned to action shortly after to beat away a venomous Van Persie free kick after another questionable decision went against the visitors. The volume was cranked up inside the Emirates as the home fans anxiety grew with every superb save from the Wolves keeper. Van Persie wriggled free in the area and drive smartly low in an attempt to wrong foot Hennessey who was the hero once more as he saved with his legs and pounced on the ball as it trickled ominously close to the goal line.

The Wolves back line now consisted of all nine remaining outfield players and the headed and hoofed valiantly to keep the home side at bay whilst having to contest with the lively home support and the unpredictable nature of the official. A timely tackle by Christophe Berra on 88 minutes as Van Persie was poised to strike from the centre of the box was another feather in the cap of the Scotsman who was warrior-like throughout.

If only to compound the drama inside the stadium and further the Wolves’ complaints for some dodgy officiating, Stuart Attwell found six fantasy minutes of added time from a game which had no stoppages of any concern.  The Arsenal attack grew weary and the away side stood gallant and bold and held on for a hard fought 1-1 draw.

The Wolves and Wales goalkeeper Hennessey will rightly take his fair share of the plaudits following a performance which will really put him on the map. Statistically the ‘most worked’ goalkeeper in the entire league, Hennessey has soldiered on in the face of adversity and at times been the sole reason that Wolves have lost by just the odd goal rather than five or six.

Of course, it wasn’t pretty – far from it. But for the Wolverhampton Wanderers faithful a draw from the Emirates Stadium, given the circumstances and the fact they finished a man short, they will take every single day regardless of the methods. An encouraging sign and reason for future optimism was without a shadow of a doubt the much improved Wolves efforts, moreover in the second half, without the ball. The back four regained a solidity, togetherness and stubborn nature which has long since been forgotten at Molineux but its return will be welcomed with open arms. Arsenal will feel hard done by, the press will call it ‘smash and grab’ but in this instance everyone connected with the Wolverhampton club should care less. The odds were stacked insurmountably against them, but they came through it with sheer perseverance to the cause and a concentration which is essential to defending in this most unforgiving of leagues. This result rounded off a surprise week in the EPL as Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and now Arsenal were all held to draws by lesser opposition – a fact that will leave Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur fans ecstatic as they were the only teams in the European hunt to win on this yuletide bonanza of football.

The only addition to the result is that I cannot stress enough the importance of building on the extreme high that they will find themselves on right now. This result and performance should only act to galvanize the squad and they know must take what they have shown they can do so well and execute it with equal determination in the tough schedule that lays ahead.

Much like the education centres around the country, Wolverhampton Wanderers broke up for their Christmas break on Tuesday with much to ponder over the festive period as they reflect on what they have taken in this season of giving and in Mick McCarthy’s case how good will may not be extended to ALL men…

Two teams with contrasting styles, ideology and fortunes came head to head at Molineux as Wolves hosted their second home game in three days against Norwich City. The visitors still very much ‘living the dream’ buoyant from two consecutive promotion campaigns and exceeding all expectations in their return to the English top flight whilst the home team were punching well below their weight, teetering once again ominously above the dreaded relegation zone and showing little of the progress that once assumes comes naturally as the seasons go by in the Premier League.

In wake of their latest home disaster against Stoke City, Mick McCarthy was heralded for making a long overdue change to the starting line up as Sylvan Ebanks-Blake returned to the starting line up to replace the not only goal but shot-shy Kevin Doyle. The spirit was good natured before kick off as the Molineux crowd’s winter blues were lifted by the return of their favourite number 9 who’s plethora of goals propelled them out of the Championship and into the promised land. Paul Lambert stuck by the principles that have bought him so much success so far this season by sticking with a standard 4-4-2 formation with the attack spearheaded by Welsh international Steve Morison and this seasons unlikely hotshot Grant Holt.

With all the circumstance and consumerism that comes with the Christmas period we often forget the very religious standing that underlines the whole occasion. Mick McCarthy got a message of biblical proportions after just 12 minutes of the contest in the form of a ‘Surman’ on the mount. Andrew Surman a talented midfielder who suffered an unpleasant season in the Premier League under McCarthy as I’m sure others can relate to – finding it hard for his face to fit, playing second fiddle to arguably less talented players in the same position returned as if it was written in the scriptures to haunt his old boss whilst proving that he does indeed belong at this level. The comedy of errors had rolled over from Saturday as blown coverage down Wolves’ right flank and non-existent marking in the area allowed Surman, not famed for his headers, an easy nod from close range.

As an air of resignation and resentment clashed with an eerie sense of déjà vu in Wolverhampton the two teams had showed their hand early. Norwich were intent on sticking to their beliefs and footballing ideology. Champions League winning manager Paul Lambert has built a team famed for attacking, passing football and a mentality that no matter what happens at the wrong end of the field they can outscore their opponents at the other. As the Canaries kept the ball well and passed Wolves to bits in the early exchanges, Wolves were intent on playing their trump cards in the forms of wing outlet Matt Jarvis and getting joy from the aerial prowess of Steven Fletcher. In a frustrating opening 20 minutes or so Wolves executed plan A with little joy, but seemed vacant of any other ideas. Matt Jarvis found sparce joy against young prospect Kyle Naughton at right back but his delivery was as inconsistent as his seasonal form whilst his wing partner Stephen Hunt drifted inside vacating his position all too often, exposing Wolves on the right side. His crossing was woeful at best once more and his only telling contribution to the game came as he looped the ball over the bar from 6 yards out with the empty goal at his mercy. Up top Fletcher was busy, coming short to link play between striker and midfielder and winning countless flick ons in the air with the intended target Ebanks-Blake unable to complete the pre-planned method.

The recently restored Wolves number 9 played with sense of someone who had a point to prove, but with the burden of knowing he had to do it quickly. The emission of Kevin Doyle will have been a difficult decision for the manager even or sadly especially as the fans believed it was a long time coming. Blake showed flashes of his goal instinct turning instinctively to fire just over from inside the penalty area at 1-0 whilst his will to make an impact got the better of him on occasion as his first touch got away from him or he slipped over thinking of his next move before he’d executed his initial one.

It was however, the striker who had previously been a spectator who levelled the contest. Inevitably the Wolves supply came from their right side and Jarvis who’s low misplaced cross hit both Stephen Hunt and a Norwich defender before Blake swung a left boot caught a lucky ricochet from another defender in green and watched his shot trickle slowly past a wrong footed Ruddy into the net.

The muted celebrations from the home crowd were partly through a relief that expected much more and more over due to the obvious injustice that their side could have easily been three goals down before their lucky break. The Wolves back four looked as disjointed as ever as a patient short passing build up saw Grant Holt halted in a last gasp effort by Christophe Berra and Steve Morison got the better of Johnson with ease in the air but headed directly into Hennessey’s grasp from only 6 yards out.

Wolves fans and players who have certainly had just cause to bemoan their luck since August this year were now riding it and the goal saw a resurgence of both player and spectator. The onus was on the home team to grasp the momentum and over awe the league’s new boys in unfamiliar territory. Wolves attacked with more impetus but in very much the same vein as the previous half an hour and Norwich had since deciphered this by doubling up on Matt Jarvis and covering the second ball well after the inevitable Fletcher flick on. The unwillingness to try anything different had started to frustrate the home crowd, as they vented their spleens towards Stephen Hunt whose poor delivery and ill-disciplined positional play were the only constants of his performance. No disrespect to the away side who have surprised more than a few this season, but it was clear that against a ‘better’ side with more potency this game could and would have been far out of Wolves reaches by now.

In a segment I can only fittingly describe as ‘Henry Watch’ I am delighted to go against the grain and pick up on the positives of the ever present golden boy of the Wolverhampton Wanderers team. Tuesday night saw the Wolves number 8 showcase what he can do well. Ironically these are none of the things that would feature in his advertising space. Although his tackling and marking attributes are still waning, he was much better using the ball, his distribution inventive whilst making intuitive runs to open up the Norwich defence and add to Wolves attacking flow. He was aided by Nenad Milijas whose crisp insightful passing was on show once again as he spread the play from side to side and whose vision is second to none in the line up at this present time. Henry’s best bet is to drift from this misguided stereotype that he can ‘boss’ the midfield because he has neither the stature nor the ability to do so, if he continues to showcase such an impressive passing range and make intuitive decoy runs to allow Wolves to better their attacks with the ball then he will soon be winning over many more of his justified doubters.

So you’re level at half time having clawed back a disadvantage at home, against a team of 11 who give or take the odd one or two are fairly new to this level and standard of football. The levels of expectation circulating around the stands inadvertently, yet inevitably increases the level of pressure on the host to grab the proverbial bull by the horns. Both managers were relatively pleased with what they had witnessed so far and neither was tempted into a change at half time to shake things up.

For 25 minutes the game simmered without ever threatening to boil over. Endeavour and honesty was present in abundance, but a distinct lack of cutting edge was all too evident. Wolves continued in much the same vein as they had in act one; working the channels but lacking that incisive delivery and attempting to connect the dots with balls into Blake’s feet and onto Fletcher’s head. Stephen Hunt picked up where he left off with a very poor second half outing leaving the majority of Wolves fans in the same predicament as they have found themselves an hour into most home games this season i.e waiting for the emergence of Adam Hammill to kick start a fledgling game with his trickery and pace which after almost 12 months is still so painstakingly under-appreciated by his manager.

Midway through the second half Wolves finally got things moving. Steven Fletcher took a ball out of the air with great composure, span on his marker and whistled a left footed pearly literally centimetres over the bar which was made to look all the more impressive by goalkeeper Ruddy’s despairing dive. A Stephen Ward centre with much more characteristic accuracy picked out Ebanks-Blake who had lost his marker but once again fell to the mercy of his ring rust and he connected tamely with the free header leaving the Wolves fans with the ominous feeling that ‘that was the chance’.

So it was that Karma reared its devious head once more on the Wolverhampton Wanderers course as just moments after Blake’s guilt edged chance, Norwich City regained the lead. Wolves were caught short on the right side again after an attack involving attacking full back Zubar had broken down. Steve Morison left Roger Johnson helplessly flapping which will not do his current reputation much good and the Welshman slid the ball across goal for Simeon Jackson who had only been on the pitch a matter of seconds, to tap home his first ever Premier League goal and one of the easiest of his career as he drifted between two potential markers.

If the performance up to this point had been borderline acceptable, at 2-1 down after 75 minutes it was suddenly far from it. For the home crowd who had resisted the urge to knock their team whilst they were level, it was now open season. Every misplaced pass and naive positional play was greeted with disapproval and venom from the stands. Cue the long overdue activity from the bench. McCarthy threw Adam Hammill to the lions once more in a losing situation, whilst Kevin Doyle entered the fray replacing the Ebanks Blake to the dismay of some sections of the paying public.

Just as a blue moon was rising, Haley’s Comet soared overhead and rocking horse provided manure – Wolves scored direct from a corner. Too often this season they have wasted set piece situations; taking them short, requiring two players to execute a dead ball delivery or just exasperatingly failing to beat the first defender. Instead Matt Jarvis stepped up from the left, delivered with his right straight onto the head of passionate defender Ronald Zubar whose bullet header levelled the contest once more. With the best part of 10 minutes to go including injury time, Wolves eventually began to press for the points. A couple of routine blocks from speculative shots were followed by the moment of sheer ecstasy. Wolves broke with a timely ball out of the backfield sent Matt Jarvis tearing down the right who delivered a peach of a ball with superb precision as Steven Fletcher advanced into the area and side footed past the keeper sending Molineux into raptures… A joy that lasted little over five seconds as the linesman’s flag arose and the last throw of the dice was chalked off for offside.

A harsh ending to a topsy-turvy game in which Norwich would have justifiably felt aggrieved if they hadn’t taken at least a point from. 31 total shots on goal between the two teams tells the story. End to end, speculative, but lacking in any real cutting edge as a good proportion of those shots were way off target.

To come from behind twice in one game speaks volumes of Wolves resilience, yet you fear that they must conjure much more if they are to avoid relegation this year. Norwich City have picked up points at Liverpool, played immensely at Old Trafford and recently drew with Everton, ironically three places from which Wolves went home with nothing. Therefore you would presume that a home draw was not such a terrible result. Considering the Bolton Wanderers victory and the recent upturn in fortune for Wigan Athletic it was another missed opportunity for Mick McCarthy’s men. That is now all three promoted sides that have come to Molineux and left with at least a point, something that by now after two and a half years of supposed progression in the top flight Wolves fans would expect to be a routine victory. Of course there are two sides to every story and two teams on the pitch one of which the away side, played admirably as they have done all season so far. On the other hand it has to be considered whether Wolves could reciprocate and show enough character to go away from home to all three of the aforementioned teams and get a result, which at the moment seems unthinkable given losing streak on the road which stretches back to August.

Two massive home games in three days have produced just one solitary point for Wolves, in contrast to this you cannot help but the comparison with teams in the mixer such as Wigan who picked up double that amount against Chelsea and Liverpool whilst bitter rivals West Bromwich Albion got the maximum from two tricky away trips to Blackburn and Newcastle. All of which collates as one pounding headache for the Wolves boss who’s time at the club hinges on this second half of the season.

Before the turn of the year Wolves travel to Bolton in the annual ‘battle of the Wanderers’ in yet another pivotal game for the club. Bolton will no doubt be buoyant from their recent victory over local and relegation rivals Blackburn Rovers and be looking to build on that slither of momentum to propel themselves away from the drop zone at the expense of Wolverhampton. The question is do Wolves have the strength in character and the resilience to stop a rot of their own and bring something other than muddy boots back home from the Reebok, on this evidence… I wouldn’t be so sure.

It’s the oldest cliché in the footballing book – it’s a game of two halves. Both literally and metaphorically it always will be. You would presume that by this point that knowledge would be a part of the very basic foundations of a Premier League footballer. Apparently not.

A scintillating first half from the boys in gold and black was not only a teaser but a set up for a giant fall as Wolves threw away the lead and served the initiative on a silver platter to their Staffordshire neighbours with another typical polarizing outing on Saturday afternoon. Stoke City was forced into alterations in the game but stuck to their task and principles and continued their run as the Denver Broncos of the EPL – going against the grain and the ethics of the game. By right it shouldn’t work. It aint pretty but damn is it effective.

After traversing the continent with only 15 players in midweek, Stoke came to Molineux with their full compliment and a full strength first 11 with ‘Delap-esque’ long throw specialist Ryan Shotton preferred over Jermaine Pennant on the right wing whilst Peter Crouch and Jon Walters returned to spearhead the robust Potters’ attack.

With David Edwards and Jamie O’Hara ineligible for various reasons, Mick McCarthy moved away from his recent square pegs in round holes theorem and adopted a standard 4-4-2 for the third week running with Stephen Hunt coming in at right midfield and Nenad Milijas getting a rare start slotted in alongside former Stoke City player Karl Henry in centre midfield.

Statistically, Stoke City have struggled in the Premier League matches that have superseded a Europa League outing, most notably that 5-0 mauling against lowly Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok in November. Perhaps more poignantly though was the fact that Tony Pulis’ men had three straight wins coming into this fixture and had finally addressed their Europa League hangovers with a win, a stout 1-0 victory against Everton after a previous midweek draw with Dynamo Kiev.

For the most part of the first half the hoodoo seemed to be setting in again. An unpleasant and fruitless midweek trip to Turkey provided some ambiguous questions as Wolves capitalised on a Stoke’s disjointed first 45 minutes. A couple of early stereotypical long throws into the penalty area were comfortably dealt with by Wolves as goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey claimed a comfortable catch from a Peter Crouch header for the games first attempt on target. Wolves entered the fray as Dr Jekyll to being with; pass and move was the order of the day to the delight and possibly bemusement of the home fans as Matt Jarvis and Stephen Ward linked up well numerous times down the left flank, Stephen Fletcher provided the link between attack and midfield and Nenad Milijas showed glimpses of his undoubted class with the ball at his feet with a few tidy touches and pinpoint passes to keep the Wolves attacks flowing. As the tempo of performance rose, the atmosphere followed suit with Wolves fans refreshingly right behind their teams improved efforts on the field. A knock on effect which the all too vocal manager should consider comes with the territory in this game – give the fans something to cheer and they will reciprocate.

As Wolves attempted to ‘football’ their way out of their Premier League predicament, Stoke City stuck to what they know best; a boisterous style with plenty of air balls to their big target men and a physical side to their game which proved to be their early downfall. The fleet footed Matt Jarvis whose welcome return to form last week had continued, was proving a tricky customer for the opposition as he was sent tumbling numerous times as his pace and trickery were taking him away from his marker. Former England centre back Jon Woodgate received the games inevitable yet overdue booking for a rash challenge on the one cap England wonder and Wolves set about to expose this crack in armoury and the evident weakness on display by the away side. Wolves were no fools to the situation and found Jarvis once more on the left side of midfield with only Woodgate between himself and the daylight ahead. Urged on by the Southbank to take advantage of Woodgate’s recent booking, Jarvis took him to town chinking left and right before advancing into the area forcing Woodgate to gamble. As Jarvis’ quick feet drew a foul from Woodgates 50-50 lunge in the penalty area and Wolves were given a penalty. No complaints from the defender who knew he had been outfoxed, more interestingly though was the fact that Woodgate turned tail and seemed as surprised as the majority of the 25,000 or so inside Molineux that he was not given a second booking for his penalty area foul as the last man between the winger and the goal. Stephen Hunt in perhaps his only telling contribution to the game despatched the penalty with his regular aplomb giving the hosts a deserved lead after 17 minutes.

The aftermath of the goal saw Stoke forced into an early substitution removing Woodgate who was walking skating on the thinnest of ice and bringing on Jermaine Pennant which resulted in something Wolves fans will be aggrievedly accustomed to – a three man reshuffle to accommodate one change. Shawcross moved from right to centre back, Ryan Shotton dropped from the wing to full back so as Pennant could assume his accustomed role as a right sided midfielder. This show of distress was recognised by the home fans who prayed that their team could capitalise on the visitors early frailties and obtain a further lead to justify their dominance. The well documented 12th man was obsolete as the Stoke fans remained nervously quiet for the most part of the first half as their team struggled to find any momentum. Christophe Berra stuck to his uphill task amicably as he quelled the aerial threat of Crouch whilst Ronald Zubar and Stephen Ward showed equally impressive touch and composure with the ball moving forward providing extra impetus to the Wolves wide attacks. Wolves wasted a succession of corners which were frustratingly taken short between Jarvis and Hunt, neither ever producing a decent ball into the box, Hunt in particular failing to beat the first man as he does all too often from decent wide areas. And so the second half petered out a little too comfortably for the home fans liking as Stoke began to settle into their altered approach with a wayward Stephen Hunt header the only real chance of note after the opening goal.

A pleasing first half on the whole for the Wanderers faithful did not come without the weekly dose of what has become affectionately known locally as ‘McCarthy madness’. Just as we thought the tide was changing inside the mind of the manager with his initial selection of players in their natural positions (raising the issue that he only does this when his hand is forced) he still managed to baffle fans, pundits and the media with an unjustifiable tactical decision. It was mentioned at the time by the live reporters and picked up on afterwards by the local radio stations and the fans that phoned in that midway through the first half Matt Jarvis switched wings from left to right. Now, Jarvis had for want of a better word terrorised the opposition from the left flank forcing a yellow card, a substitution, a penalty and a goal with his craft – what more could we possibly ask for? Shawcross and Woodgate were no match for his pace and trickery and he was at the epicentre of everything positive Wolves achieved up to this point which not only begs but screams the question why oh why did Mick feel the need to adjust? Once again answers on a postcard please!

As half time settled over Molineux the Wolves fans would be forgiven for their lack of optimism. After all reality takes its toll when you’ve seen it so many times before, and the teams failure to punish Stoke further and really solidify their dominance had all the makings of a second half comeback and another harsh reality check.

The warning signs began to flash as Stoke started much brighter in the second half. Both Wolves full backs were caught out of position early on whilst supporting the attack, as Stoke stretched the play with two natural wingers in Etherington and Pennant. Etherington found Jon Walters unmarked 6 yards out but the ball dribbled harmlessly wide off his thighs as the cross seemed to catch him unawares. Wolves had seemingly abandoned all of their first half principles and began to play into Stoke’s hands with long balls gratefully received by the mammoth Shawcross and Huth. An ominous sense of foreboding began to creep into the ever quietening terraces at Molineux.

The referee will no doubt face the brunt of the Wolves fans and managers wrath as a scapegoat for the loss and for the most part he was found wanting in a game which would test his resolve due to the derby style atmosphere, full blooded challenges from both sides and a home crowd that voiced their disapproval at every decision that went against them. In essence he had a bit of a stinker. His failure to dismiss Woodgate early on was never forgiven by the home crowd and his awarding of the free kick which lead to the equaliser will not sit too pretty with them either. A contentious free kick was awarded for a challenge which paled in comparison to some of the robust fouls which the Potters had committed and gotten away with throughout the game. Nevertheless, the set piece 30 yards out would not have set the alarm bells ringing. Robert Huth stood with the kicker rather than lend his height in the penalty area and we soon found out why. The dead ball was rolled to Huth who struck with venom from distance, his connection was sweet but the deflection which wrong footed Hennessey was sweeter still for the away fans. Finally a contribution to the scores sheet from Kevin Doyle … all be it at the wrong end.

The home crowd urged their team on following the cruel leveller but you sensed that from this point and the with the momentum shift that there would only be one winner in this game and they wore red and white stripes. Unlike Stoke who were resilient under increasing pressure in the first half, Wolves folded quite miserably. The chance to expose Stoke’s weakness against pace had been and gone as Wolves fans but not the manager had suggested that the introduction of Adam Hammill on the opposite flank to Jarvis could help them go for the jugular. Instead Stoke followed their equaliser with the eventual winner some twelve minutes later. Ronald Zubar was nowhere to be seen at right back, though in his defence he had just made a crowd pleasing lung busting run up field making three tackles and trying to retake the momentum for his side, a display of passion that was refreshing if not an all too rare occurance in the second 45 as Wolves donned their Mr Hyde costumes for a capitulation. In Zubar’s absence Karl Henry headed naively into a mass of four Stoke players who attacked down their left flank, Henry followed the ball carrier but strangely seemed to move away at the vital moment making no attempt to stop the cross which found Peter Crouch at the far post who scored with a header from only inches out. So the comeback was complete and the crowd became inevitably restless, frustrated with the incompetence and inconsistency of the official and concerned by how their teams second half showing could not hold a candle to their first.

Guedioura, Hammill and Ebanks Blake were introduced a little too late as the need for change came calling well before their eventual introductions. Kevin Doyle and Stephen Hunt were replaced for their ineffectiveness not for the first time recently which makes you wonder how long they can continue to start games as they are being replaced for the same reasons time and again i.e when Wolves need urgency they are surplus to requirement. Stoke defended stoutly for the remainder of the game but in truth Wolves provided little threat to their fortress as the Potters escaped with their fourth win in a row whilst Wolves have moved one step forwards and two back since the Sunderland win a few weeks ago.

I fear that dodgy refereeing will paper over the real cracks at Molineux and in Mick’s mind. In all fairness the home side were awarded their lion share of decisions too including a penalty which lead to their only goal. Whilst the fans and media deliberated on the baffling decision to move Matt Jarvis from an area which he caused endless problems, Mick McCarthy found ‘no qualms’ with his team’s performance even after their somewhat dismal second half showing.

A few players deserve a mention for their efforts even in the face of increasing adversity.

• As has been aforementioned Matt Jarvis for 45 minutes was back to his usual self, attacking and beating full backs with confidence and flair and providing Wolves with a reliable attacking outlet.
• Christophe Berra who has been the best of a bad bunch in an over exposed Wolves defence stuck to his task admirably and shackled Crouch whilst dealing with a constant aerial bombardment.
• Nenad Milijas showed touches of the class that we all know he possesses, even if now he himself is resigned to the fact that his long term future does not lie under the tutelage of McCarthy. His sweet left foot and willingness to take a pot shot from distance is often what is missing most in Wolves’ attacking play. The Serb is often one pass ahead of his team mates and when allowed to do what he does best, has the ability to dictate a game from the middle of the park. He stands out as a footballer in the Wolves side because unlike others he can make things happen with less effort whilst those around him have to give 110% every to produce a similar outcome. Unfortunately this is viewed negatively by his manager who’s ethics rely on total blood and thunder graft and commitment and will not acknowledge Milijas as the affordable luxury that Wolves could do with most. If awarded the persistence and patience that other less productive players have been given, he could have been a real fan favourite and impact player at Molineux, sadly his appearances are few and far between and will inevitably be the makeweight for O’Hara or Edwards as soon as possible.
• Ronald Zubar is a player driven by passion and works with 100% commitment and honesty, but has that extra bit of class about his play that his competition lacks. Found wanting for Stoke’s winner but for all the right reasons, his ability on the ball and willingness to get forward and provide a link between defence and attack rather than the lottery long ball game that is wearing thin is what makes him stand out but again the fact he gives Wolves something different to the template mundane ‘putting a shift in’ will be his downfall.

By right Wolves fans should have walked away from Molineux disappointed, feeling that they had been ‘robbed’ after a decent display and that Stoke were incredibly lucky victors. On the contrary there was a sense of glum resignation that comes with the fact that even after the positive first half, most of us saw it coming. The inexplicable Matt Jarvis decision in the first half was drawn upon but it is nothing new to the supporters who realise now that there is nothing they can do to prevent such occurrences. It’s this bleak acceptance that hangs like a dark cloud over the current regime who seem incapable of producing a comfortable victory and any smash and grab win that does come our way is followed by another multiple game losing streak.

Stoke were far from lucky as victors. They ran out winners after a somewhat poor performance because they have the ability to do just that which has taken them to the next level and a level which Wolves aspire to be. For the most part it is far from aesthetically pleasing. Wolves fans throughout the game voiced their frustrations chanting “boring” and asking the question “how do you watch this every week?” but I’m betting there isn’t a single Wolves fan who wouldn’t trade circumstances given the choice. 8th in the table alongside a successful Europa League campaign, their fans reciprocated their approval with a resounding chorus of “we are Stoke City, we’ll play how we want”. In essence this is a simplistic yet poignant take on what is unfolding in the Potteries right now. Essentially by the laws of footballing physics it just shouldn’t work – much like a certain team from Colorado who have changed the landscape of American football by basing an entire offense on running the ball… It’s ugly, but it’s working and until it stops working these bandwagons will continue to roll and roll. I’m afraid it is time to go make that trans-Atlantic parallel because folks right here and right now, for Stoke City . . . . It’s Tebow Time!

No matter who you support in the Barclays Premier League, it’s inevitable that sooner rather than later your team’s train must roll through Old Trafford. It’s one of the games that epitomizes the smaller club’s reason for being. United away is a reward for recently promoted clubs. It would be one of the fixtures that fans of Swansea, Norwich and QPR would have highlighted in June when the fixtures emerged. If anything, it’s all about the ‘experience’ – the chance to watch your team play in one of the most prestigious arenas in world football and if nothing else the sobering fact for most that it may simply be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

It’s safe to say that the novelty has well and truly worn off for supporters of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Halfway through their third successive season in the top flight, the majority thought with their wallets and not with their hearts. As United continue to pray on the yearning of travelling supporters to add the famous ground to their checklist of visited grounds by charging upwards of £50 for the privilege of parking their rear ends on that hallowed chunk of red plastic, the performance of the Wolves team reflected my analogies with a going-through-the-motions performance of a team that had been here before and were beaten before a ball was kicked.

Of course realistically it’s another of those fixtures which you can chalk off as a defeat and accept without any real cause for concern or analysis. Mick McCarthy told the media “It’s never a good time to play Manchester United.” Although those who are into the art of clutching at straws may disagree. It’s a double headed demon; on one hand it could be argued that a Manchester United team that have gone out of two competitions in the space of one week are at their lowest ebb (at least as low as one can be in a team with such fame and fortune) lacking in confidence, with the fear of further scrutiny looming and with their insecurity just begging to be exposed. On the other hand one feared that like a wounded animal, United would set out to prove a point and strike aggressively when they are at their most vulnerable. The conundrum was Mick’s to ponder.

The question on Wolves fans lips prior to kick off was would their much maligned leader learn from the solid victory of the six days previous, and dare he change a winning team? The initial answer was inevitable. One change was enforced with Jody Craddock’s hamstring forcing him out of the reckoning after an impressive 70 minutes or so against Sunderland – Roger Johnson was recalled in his place. This we could find no fault with, it was a one way street, however it was the choices made further up field which left eyebrows raised. After the turnaround against Sunderland last Sunday, the buzz around Molineux was that we should begin our next game with the team that finished the last. Adam Hammill once again provided a welcome dose of enthusiasm and moreover quality in wide areas, whilst Sylvan Ebanks-Blake seems a more viable goal scoring threat than the misfiring Kevin Doyle. Predictably … we got neither. In another unnecessary show of unity towards an individual, McCarthy strangely decided to re-shuffle an entire midfield to accommodate the return of Karl Henry. Now, according to the man himself Mick would have us believe that as a team we would capitulate without Henry, that Wolves simply cannot function without a player who to the trained eye offers nothing out of the ordinary. The Sunderland result proved otherwise and it seemed that this performance would leave Mick no choice but to controversially start without his favourite constant of his reign  in Wolverhampton. Instead Henry waltzed (yes literally waltzed) straight back into the starting 11 as Mick moved a battling central midfielder in David Edwards out of his comfort zone and onto the right wing where his effect on games has been decidedly limited in previous matches. It is probably worth mentioning as I seem to do as clockwork every week that whilst Wolves persisted with a player out of position at right midfield, they had two specialist wingers watching helplessly from the side lines in Hammill and Hunt. I presume by now you get the drift. Double ‘M’ as bafflingly consistent as ever. Stay tuned for more Mick madness coming very shortly…

Manchester United; 2-0 up at Old Trafford after half an hour, not the most earth shattering occurance in the history of the game I’m sure you’ll agree. With United enjoying the lion share of possession and Wolves chasing shadows it seemed that the visitors had read, rehearsed and perfected the script prior to the kick off. With a plethora of talent in the form of Welbeck, Rooney, Nani, Jones et al it’s understandable how they got to this insurmountable position after just one third of the game, yet Wolves fans would and hopefully should find the manner in which they allowed the hosts to do so a little hard to stomach. For a team with such craft and ability they could potentially have carved Wolves open in so many ways – disappointingly they had to call upon very little of their abilities to move into a two goal lead. Two near identical strikes from Nani and Rooney spoke volumes of Wolves ineptitudes. Both goals came from a central position; around 20 yards out, followed a series of short passes and beat Hennessey low to his right. Karl Henry, the ‘great protector’ of the Wolves ailing back four was found wanting not once but twice with two inexplicably soft attempts to first close down the attacker and then block the shot. To be caught twice in almost mirrored fashion shows a real naivety and unwillingness to learn from previous mistakes. Trust me, I’m not just making Henry a scapegoat for the situation because I don’t agree with his continual selection, I’m calling the action as it was and his half-hearted effort on both goals was almost offensive to the occasion and opposition. Again, if Alex Ferguson’s side had turned on the style to carve Wolves apart rather it would have been a lot easier to accept, instead Wolves timid resistance and reluctance to give that little extra that playing a team of such magnitude warrants leaves a huge question mark about weekly preparation and motivation.

This takes us nicely into the second part of the Mystifying World of McCarthy segment. Now wait for it, because this is unreal. Cue the bullet points.

• In response to being two goals behind, Mick McCarthy reverts to a seemingly less penetrative 4-5-1. The need to see more of the ball allows the benefit of the doubt on this one.
• David Edwards is removed possibly due to injury. Wolves replace their already out of position right sided midfielder, with another central midfielder in Nenad Milijas… the plot thickens
• As if things could not get any more puzzling, Kevin Doyle, Wolves terribly out of sorts striker is shifted to the right side of midfield. . . all of this going on whilst once again two ACTUAL right midfielders remain  helpless bystanders.
• Answers on a postcard please!

Whilst United continued to ease into a rhythm of which they have become so accustomed over the years, with endless creativity, varied attacking options and looking as if they would score as and when they pleased – Wolves to their credit dared to dream. With whatever platitudes McCarthy passed on at half time, Stephen Fletcher rose highest shortly after the break nodding home a measured cross from Matt Jarvis to claim his 6^th goal in 8 games and continue his stand alone contribution to the cause. Another impressive headed goal from the man in international exodus this time against one of the Premier League’s big boys gives Wolves fans something to hold onto.

Fletcher’s goal proved nothing more than a collector’s item as any brash talk of an unlikely Wolves fight back was quashed by two more goals from the repeat offenders Nani and Rooney. Both emanating from Wolves left flank, Valencia’s low drive somehow avoided five players and the entire Wolves defence to allow Nani an easy tap in, whilst Rooney pounced on a rebound for United’s fourth on the half volley from 8 yards out. As scant consolation, at least this time United were forced to call upon their individual ability to put the ball in the net. Passes, touch, movement and composure of the highest quality made the third and fourth United goals and gave everyone involved with Wolverhampton Wanderers just cause to believe they could be gracious in defeat, and Rooney’s precise finish at a tight angle just about cancels out Roger Johnson’s pitiful attempt at blocking the shot (turning sideways and ducking your head tells all we need to know about his bravery and commitment to the uphill task that lies ahead).

Aside from another busy performance from Stephen Fletcher, holding his own against Euro 2012 hopefuls Ferdinand and Jones, Matt Jarvis was the only other standout player in gold and black on Saturday afternoon. A welcome return to somewhere near his best for the one cap wonder who’s season so far has left a lot to be desired. Refreshingly Jarvis referred to what he does best, getting the ball down and attacking the full back, cutting inside to mix things up and finally delivering a series of decent crosses, a side to his game which has been criticised in recent weeks. It was encouraging to see Matt Jarvis getting so much joy in a match up was with Chris Smalling, who is also on contention for international honours.

If individuals are open to praise then others must deal with warranted criticism. Not for the first time I find myself telling of Kevin Doyle’s worryingly inept performances. Once the golden boy at Molineux who ploughed such a tireless furrow as a lone striker and looking dangerous in front of goal, the Irishman has gone off the boil and beyond this season. Whilst playing second fiddle to Fletcher in the goals compartment, Doyle is not even providing a decent foil for his strike partner, spending much of the game with his back to goal from anonymous positions on the pitch and his trips into the penalty area are as rare as the bluest of moons.

Karl Henry continues to go against everything the manager preaches about him. Supposedly the backbone of the side, the one that allows the others to play – Henry for the most part just seems to be frustratingly in the way and the tempo is guaranteed to be reduced every time it passes through him. It would be understandable if he possessed a tackling and marking ability to make up for his lack of attacking ingenuity, but he simply does not.

It also seems that Roger Johnson fooled us all into thinking he was the ‘signing of the season’ with three commanding performances to kick off his Wolves career. The captain has since been dropped in favour of the old timer Jody Craddock and continues to contribute greatly to Wolves’ defensive woes.

Problems, that it seemed had finally dawned upon the man that matters in the previous clash with Sunderland. Johnson was dropped, Doyle was removed for his ineffectiveness and Henry’s place had been filled amicably by a man who should have threatened to keep him out of the team. Of course, to stick by these decisions would be the same as a confession from Mick that he was wrong in the first place and that his original ideas for the progression of the team were way off the mark – something which his stubborn demeanour will not allow him to go through with, whether it be for the good of the club or not…

Two home games in three days are next on the agenda for Wolves. Stoke and Norwich City come to Molineux deep into December with six much needed points required to keep the wolf from Mick’s door.

As pantomime season moves swiftly in, Wolves served up their live performance of Jekyll and Hyde as the team, and especially their goalkeeper, went from villain to hero over 90 minutes on this soggy Sunday afternoon.

The welcome three points gained by Wolves Sunday afternoon was the only difference from their outings in weeks gone by. It was another performance devoid of ingenuity, craft and guile – but brimming with honesty, fight and endeavour. Proving that yes, on the odd occasion, it does work and it is enough. More often than not though, in a league as demanding as this, so much more is required than Wolves and Mick are capable of giving.

The pre-game tale of the tape was far from bursting in optimism for both sets of fans. A home loss to Wigan, as it probably should be was the straw that broke the camel’s back in the North-East as the Black Cats parted company with their manager Steve Bruce. Needless to say Mick McCarthy’s reign is seemingly on life support as his current and former club met at Molineux both stuck in a rut at the wrong end of the table and in no sort of form whatsoever. Wolves were hoping that history would again repeat as they have beaten Sunderland in both of their last two encounters at Molineux.

Whilst Wolves’ recent displays at Chelsea and Everton had brought nothing to suggest to their supporters that they were heading anywhere near the right direction, the travelling Sunderland contingent were buoyed by the presence and appointment of new manager Martin O’Neill. If history is anything to go by, one would assume that the first performance in front of a new manager would bring that little bit extra from the current crop of players as they stepped into the firing line. The previous success of the Northern Irishman in this league on shoestring budgets at Aston Villa and Leicester City is certainly an encouraging sign for Sunderland fans especially as it would appear that they are a club that unlike before can sufficiently support their new manager financially.

As I touched on last week, the fact that Wolves were heading into another ‘must win’ game not even half way through the season is the ludicrous reality facing their supporters. Mick McCarthy has often found himself in limbo where his tactics and selection are concerned. On one hand if he opts for 4-5-1, especially in a game of this magnitude, he is lambasted for being too negative and inviting pressure. On the flipside, when the Wolves chief sends out the 4-4-2, his team are often overrun without the extra man in midfield and the obvious frailties at the back are easily exposed. For this reason it was a real punt to opt for the template 4-4-2, encouragingly using the absence of ‘anchorman’ Karl Henry to introduce a second striker in Kevin Doyle whilst David Edwards was deployed to do the dirty work in the centre of midfield allowing Jamie O’Hara to advance along with the two wingers Jarvis and Hunt. One other change that in many eyes was long overdue was £7million summer signing Roger Johnson dropping to the bench, to be replaced by the evergreen Jody Craddock – the wile veteran answering a desperation call for the third season running.

The first 45 minutes could easily be summarised with the stock footballing term “two poor teams”. It is usually the way when two teams in dire straits come together, the match is either an end to end blowout or a quality free mundane experience. Molineux was ‘treated’ to the latter. Even with the extra emphasis in attack Wolves continued in the same vein of which we have become so agonisingly used to in the last few months. Creativity and ingenuity in the play were non-existent, the game plan once more relied on lottery long balls from the back aimed at the bafflingly small targets of Hunt, Doyle and Jarvis. One positive was the seamless transition back into the side of old favourite Jody Craddock. Wolves looked much more organised and assured as always with the veteran at the heart of the defence, something which should give Roger Johnson and his international ambition definite food for thought.

Sunderland didn’t bring much more to the dance themselves. Bendtner and Ji were void of chemistry in attack, whilst their ex-Manchester United back four of Brown, Bardsley, O’Shea and Richardson were untroubled for the most part. Most worryingly for Sunderland, despite their trademark disjointed performance, it was Wolves who had the better of the chances. Sunderland had goalkeeper Keiren Westwood to thank for denying Steven Fletcher twice on the line, the second of which was an unbelievable point blank parry when it seemed inevitable that the Scotsman would give Wolves the advantage. A refreshing signal to the home crowd that even though their midfield lacked any real creative spark, they finally had a man to cause problems in the opposition penalty area thanks to Fletcher’s recent return from injury. The recently more volatile Molineux audience had little to cheer in the icy weather come the halftime whistle, although perhaps more poignantly they had done just enough to keep the Wolves from Mick’s door (no pun intended) at least for the time being.

As the game ebbed into it’s second half, it was imperative that both teams improved if the initiative was to be ceased. Wolves, as the hosts, are teetering dangerously close to the bottom three needed to force the issue. A lot more was expected and certainly warranted from wingers Matt Jarvis and Stephen Hunt. With equally if not more capable players once again watching from the bench, Hunt and Jarvis frustratingly had little effect on the game failing to beat the first defender with crosses offering very little of what is required from an attacking winger. Kevin Doyle’s exodus from the opposition penalty area was in full force, whilst it will be interesting to see if Mick allows Edwards and O’Hara time to work on the chemistry that was missing in this partnerships embryonic stage.

With the onus on the home side, ‘twas the visitors who struck first. Ronald Zubar’s ring rust was exposed as he was found wanting at right back as Kieran Richardson was afforded the freedom of the left flank, advancing into the box and striking well into the net when it appeared that he would cross. Wolves keeper and Welsh number 1 would come under scrutiny for his part in the goal. It appeared that Hennessey expected Richardson to drive across goal as he left his near post vacated, not narrowing the angle and was left with the proverbial egg on his face as the fierce shot sailed past him as he helplessly dropped to his knees without an attempt at a save. Cue the blood flow that the Molineux sharks were waiting for. Their patience at the sides uninspiring performance prior to going behind was finally broken and the subdued atmosphere that threatened to spill over as every mistake which previously had been overlooked was now being met with verbal resentment from the stands.

The response was one that was long overdue from the Wolves boss. The wholly ineffective former Reading duo Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle were replaced by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and the mercurial talent of winger Adam Hammill. As if it were plainly obvious all along, Wolves instantly looked more of a threat. Granted, they did not suddenly begin to move the ball with Spanish fluency and Brazilian flair, but the introduction of a pacy winger who can not only beat a man but whose delivery from wide areas puts Jarvis’ and Hunts to shame, was a breath of fresh air.

After twenty minutes of toing and froing as the game naturally opened up, Sunderland had the chance to drive the nail into the McCarthy coffin. Top marks to Sebastian Larsson – he duped the referee into awarding a penalty after manipulating a challenge from Jody Craddock just inches inside the area. Although the view from the stands and the television replays proved the decision was borderline crazy, there was an air of inevitability around Molineux as if they knew it was coming they just weren’t sure what form it would take. Time for Wayne Hennessey to discard his mask and cape, as he dived low to his left to smother the penalty effort from Larsson who redeemed himself with the home fans after his comical tumble.

Much like their supporters earlier, the Wolves players were next in line to smell the blood and go for the jugular. With Molineux still buzzing from the spot kick save, the elation turned to furore as Wolves drove instantly up the other end of the field and Steven Fletcher peeled away from the shaky Wes Brown to nod home an imperative equaliser.

With the tide firmly turned, and a somewhat fickle crowd now firmly pulling in the same direction as the players Wolves set about the Sunderland penalty area. Ebanks Blake controlled a cross from Hammill before volleying just wide, whilst the Sunderland defence put their bodies on the line blocking three consecutive shots from Wolves’ attackers. Those with a nose for nostalgia will recall that in this fixture in the previous two Premier League seasons, Wolves had overturned an initial Sunderland lead to go on to take all three points.

Now they say that when it comes to luck, you make your own. I’m not convinced this was the case this evening. With the questionable penalty decision fresh in his mind, the referee seemed to forgo a blatant handball from Jamie O’Hara in the build-up to Wolves second goal. A cross from the lively Hammill found O’Hara six yards out, the Wolves midfielder seemed to control the ball with his arm as it rested in front of the hotshot Fletcher who adjusted brilliantly to fire home a half volley and send Molineux into raptures.

Interim Sunderland coach Eric Black introduced youngster Ryan Noble from his inexperienced choice of substitutes as a response to them now being required to chase the game. A mini onslaught followed Fletcher’s second goal and although Sunderland were tame at best, the Wolves defence now marshalled by the substitute Johnson made hard work of it. The Molineux men parked two banks of four and invited pressure which made for an unnecessary tense finale. As shots were blocked, tackles flew in and balls were ‘hoofed’ to temporary safety, the topsy-turvy affair drew to a close giving Mick McCarthy some much needed breathing space at the Wolves’ helm.

Through the jubilation and ecstasy of a come from behind victory I cannot help but consider the bigger picture. After every victory however scarce they may have been, there is another lifeline thrown in the direction of Wolves and their manager. There is also a real emphasis on learning lessons, taking the true positives from this experience and moving forward, adjusting principles and methods to ensure another winless streak does not emerge to diminish a good victory. As he has done before, Mick showed signs against Sunderland that he did in fact see what the majority of us were witnessing from the stands, and had the gumption to react to a crisis rather than let it play out in front of his face in the hope of justifying his original ideology. By this I mean simply realising the need for change, identifying the weaker areas and acting upon them for the good of results rather than the preservation of his personal relationships with certain players. The benching of Roger Johnson was an encouraging sign from the manager, the man that Mick made captain in the pre season has failed to live up to his hefty price tag and the general consensus was that a spell on the side lines would do him nor the team any harm.

After all was it any coincidence that Wolves finally looked at ease in the 4-4-2 with David Edwards holding midfield instead of the suspended Karl Henry? A player in which McCarthy by his own quotation would have us believe we could not possibly function without in the past. Was it any coincidence that Wolves looked more potent as an attacking force after the introduction of Adam Hammill? A player whose undoubted talent deserves much more game time and the patience from the manager which is unjustfully afforded to others who regularly make less of an impact in a few games than Hammill conjured in half an hour. Is it time that Kevin Doyle’s long stay in the starting lineup finally came to an end? After all how long can his endeavour in the channels and outside the box continue to make up for his lack of goal or even goal threat?

The answers to these seemingly rhetorical questions are conclusions that Mick McCarthy now has to draw upon himself over the next few weeks. He has more decisions similar to the one he made with Johnson today to make where sentiment must now take a long awaited back seat to form and ability. The three points today in context was imperative, and joyfully welcomed yet still there was little reason to believe that Wolves can climb the table. The performance was lacklustre for the most part, and individual ineptitudes were still blatantly apparent. However, the fact that the game was won and the team came from behind proves that the character and the ability to win games is at Mick’s immediate disposal, whether he chooses to use it or not will ultimately seal how own fate along with that of Wolverhampton Wanderers as an entity in the Barclays Premier League.

Saturday November 26, Chelsea away. Any Wolves fan will tell you that these are the fixtures you scratch off. Chalk it off on the calendar by accepting the inevitable and move on. In fact I presume this fixture brings similar philosophies from the majority of Premier League team supporters. However….

There is always a ‘however’ where Wolverhampton Wanderers are concerned. Cast your minds back to the Jekyll and Hyde season just past. These are the fixtures which Wolves relied on to pick up their points! It was all very fairytale-esque at the time, but with concentrated hindsight you knew it wasn’t the way forward and certainly not a reliable method of increasing that all important points column. Of the Molineux faithful who remain starry eyed, some point towards these arguable fluke successes from yesteryear with optimism. However, the chances of a repeat are minute at best – even if we do find ourselves frustratingly relying on smash ‘n’ grab victories against the elite due to more clockwork failure against the teams that we ‘should’ be competing against.

With Chelsea having lost more games up to this stage of the season this year than any other in the Abramovich era, including two consecutive home defeats to their title rivals and also failing to make an impact thus far in the holy grail that is the Champions League – speculation was rife that AVB was the shortened form of ‘Another Vacancy Beckons’ at Stamford Bridge. Despite this exaggerated turmoil in West London, the chances of Wolves putting the nail in the coffin were slim to comedic at best, given their recent abysmal form and the unimaginative style of play we have been subjected to as of late and the ‘shots on goal drought’ to boot.

With suspensions to Stephen Hunt and Jamie O’Hara and a previously undocumented injury to Kevin Doyle, Mick McCarthy would be forced into some changes – a situation in the past that has worked out positively for Wolves as it seems that’s the only time when Mick’s hand is forced to make, the team selection seem more viable. On this occasion Mick, so as not to totally out do himself, still managed to drop a few clangers as expected. George Elokobi, Steven Fletcher and Matt Jarvis were the replacements which forced some seemingly unnecessary positional disruption for the rest of the team. For instance; David Edwards who has started the three previous games learning a new trade at right midfield, was now instructed to play inside as part of a three man central blockade. Stephen Ward, who has been touted as the most consistent performer of the season at left back for both club and country, was moved to midfield to accommodate Elokobi’s inclusion — again to play a differing role to the one that he has finally found his feet in after upwards of five turbulent years with the club. A decision which became even more questionable when we learnt that Adam Hammill (a natural replacement for Hunt) was once again made to sit and watch from the side line. A real waste of a talent that has been so apparent in his fleeting appearances over the past year with the club. As a side note it was good to see the ever passionate fan’s favourite Ronald Zubar returning at right back, the first time this season that a natural full back has been able to fill the position.

Chelsea were comfortable enough in their surroundings, giving a first start to Spanish under-21 starlet Oriol Romeu in place of Frank Lampard, and Daniel Sturridge was named ahead of Florent Malouda as a wide piece of the front three puzzle.

As you can tell I have done my utmost to put off talking about the game itself for as long as I could muster! That’s because the traffic overflowed in the same direction as Stourbridge town centre… apologies for those without the local geographical awareness to understand that comparison. In other words it was a big blue onslaught on this Saturday afternoon. The extra man in Wolves midfield was ineffective for a second week running as Chelsea attacked with 6 and defended with 7 quelling any Wolves attempt at a plausible attack.

Mind numbingly it was woeful individual errors rather than the excellence of Chelsea that cost Wolves on the first two occasions. Nenad Milijas was found wanting in the centre circle as his options became increasingly more limited. He was robbed of possession by Ramires whose barnstorming run and shot resulted in a corner after a decent save from Wayne Hennessey low to his right. From the resulting corner John Terry nodded home unchallenged further exposing Roger Johnson’s continuing frailties in the heart of the Wolves defence. The general consensus was that Chelsea are capable of beating you in so many ways. That a tame header from a corner with non-existent marking for the first goal suggests that Wolves can’t even get the very basic of basics right at the moment.

Twenty possessionless minutes later and the lead was doubled and realistically unassailable. As pantomime season draws nearer Ronald Zubar was found doing his best impression of the Tin-Man as his rustiness was exploited by the busily impressive Juan Mata down the left who’s low cross was converted from close range by Daniel Sturridge who had drifted inside from the right losing his marker George Elokobi with ease in the process.

The two goal deficit drew a very uncharacteristic reaction from Mick McCarthy. Renowned for leaving it too late to make a change, the Wolves boss altered his personnel and system after 38 minutes, resorting to 4-4-2, replacing Nenad Milijas with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. ‘Twas a show of positivity on paper from the Wolves boss, but with a midfield quartet of Henry, Edwards, Jarvis and Ward, Wolves were now packed with effort and endeavour, but devoid of any creative spark once more as Milijas, Guedioura and Hammill looked on powerlessly.

Wolves only effort worth noting followed shortly as Stephen Ward headed over and wide from close range. This was followed by the game, set and match as Chelsea wrapped things up in tennis style whilst threatening a cricket score. Didier Drogba was offered the freedom of the left flank and was joined in this open landscape by Ashley Cole who with more time than he knew what to do with picked out Juan Mata who finished exquisitely on the half volley from 8 yards out. One notable action that as a Wolves miser I cannot help but point out, was seeing the goal again on replay how £7 million acquisition Roger Johnson had Mata tightly marked in the build up to the goal but as the cross came into the box he stepped away from Mata towards his goalkeeper, shirking his responsibility whilst obstructing his keeper’s view. This was just one of many chinks in the Wolves rear-guard armoury.

The game eventually finished 9-2… in that increasingly noticeable ‘shots on target’ column. Chelsea settled into neutral and coasted through the second half falling into neutral and coasting towards three welcome points. They attacked with a freedom and a comfort that comes as part of the package with a three goal lead. Youngsters Mata and Sturridge looking ever threatening and Wayne Hennessey was once again the sole reason that the deficit did not stray into double figures.

The two Wolves efforts on target came together in a ten second period diverting from the wider picture. Matt Jarvis finally made us aware of his presence on the field, cutting inside from the left flank and driving with his right foot forcing Peter Cech to spill the shot. Jarvis collected the rebound and seemingly misplaced a pass across the box to the wide open Steven Fletcher. Alas it wound up in a decent spot as Stephen Ward arrived from the right though his left footed follow up was blocked en route to goal by the Chelsea defence.

The Wanderers finished the game with two left backs in defence as Stephen Ward was shifted to right back for the second game running. Youngster Anthony Forde made a cameo first team debut on the right wing and Adlene Guedioura was given nine uneventful minutes late on. Chelsea fans demanded the introduction of goal-shy Fernando Torres and were rewarded with his emergence as the game petered out. His acceleration took him past both Wolves centre halves but his attempted cheeky chip fell tamely into the Welsh number one’s arms to round off the action.

As has been well documented, this was and by right should never be a fixture which Wolves fans expect anything from. They would however like to see an end to the naivety in defence and the continuous care-free individual performances that go unpunished and unaddressed week after week. It is becoming increasingly tiresome for Wolves fans to be facing up to ‘must win’ games but that is exactly where they find themselves with Sunderland at home next week. Desperation which is unwarranted given the fact that we are not even half way through the season and it begs the question, what if we don’t win? What is the consequence of not winning a game that will undoubtedly be glorified in the press all week as being of the utmost importance? You can draw your own conclusions.

One final mystery worth mentioning was the post-game reaction of the Wolves commander in chief. Mick McCarthy, for the second time in one day, had an out of body experience, criticising his players in his interview commenting that the performance was unacceptable and that his team had ‘robbed’ the away supporters of £50. However refreshing it may be to hear this blunt honesty from a man who time and again has failed to acknowledge a below par performance, it is a little undermined by his reaction from the Everton game one week ago. After that game, in which Wolves had played a much weaker opposition, competed with half the energy they produced at Chelsea and mustered up no plausible efforts on target throughout the entire game, McCarthy infuriatingly told the press and the Wolves fans that he was quote “delighted” …leaving me to think that this misguided logic and baffling inconsistency wreaks of a man who is slowly losing touch to the walls that are crumbling around him.

Alas forever, (for our sins) we are Wolves.

If ever there was a performance to reinforce exactly why Wolves fans should not have got carried away by the masquerade victory against Wigan Athletic two weeks ago, it came at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Over the years, Everton was always a notorious place to visit. Lead by a top manager whose team plays a variation of the 4-5-1 which makes them difficult to penetrate. Plus aided by the right blend of guts and ability to succeed and of course driven by the passion of the Evertonian paying public. Return to the present and times they are a’ changing on Merseyside. Lavish expenditure in the past has brought financial woe to the club; transfer fees received for their top players are already accounted for, they cannot support a manager who must have the patience of a saint after all he has done for the club. Protests are the order of the day and to top it off they were in no form at all, losing 5 of their last 6 league and cup games and without a home victory in the Premier League for over 2 months. Throw into the mixer that Wolves have taken a point on each of their last two visits and the visitors now had every reason to be feeling a little more optimistic.

Such is life though as a Wanderer. Ninety percent of the time when a team is stuck in a rut, you can rely on it coming to an abrupt halt when they play the Wolves.

So it was on this wintery Saturday afternoon Mick McCarthy took his team north and set up in the same 4-5-1 formation that brought success against Wigan, with Kevin Doyle once again the lone ranger up front and the only change from the previous game being Nenad Milijas replacing Adlene Guedioura in the centre of midfield.

I hasten to say, if I was just to describe the match action from here on in, I would struggle to complete the paragraph!

There is a term in the English language ‘Pathetic Fallacy’ – the personification of weather, basically where the weather is likened to or used to set the mood or atmosphere of a scenario or setting. Never was it more appropriate than Saturday afternoon. Dull, dreary, miserable, uninspiring – you get the drift. As the lesser of two evils, by and large Everton were much the better of the two sides, finding joy literally time and time again on their left and from the Wolves right. Take a look at the matchup though and draw your own conclusions because once again the mismatch seemed blatantly obvious to everyone apart from the one man with the responsibility to make the decisions.

On the Wolves right side, you had Richard Stearman at full back who aside from the opening two games has had a poor season – often found wanting in this unnatural position and typically having to track back and catch the person who has beaten him with ease. Granted at the moment with injuries to Kevin Foley and Ronald Zubar there is very little other option. However, a real favourite of the McCarthy era is the emphasis on the wingers being able to ‘track back’ and protect their full backs (the question has arisen many a time that this would not be necessary if the defenders were good enough in the first place, though I digress). Stearman’s security blanket and partner on the right flank was David Edwards, whom for all his honesty and battling qualities is still not a right winger and does not possess the required ability to play that role. Square pegs in round holes, and a foreboding sense of déjà vu. So essentially the entire right side of the Wolves setup is two players out of position.

The most puzzling part of this selection was the common knowledge and the eventual fact they would be matching up against Royston Drenthe and Leighton Baines. Baines being an astute Premier League left back for many years, performing at a high standard and second only to Cashley Cole for the position at international level, and Drenthe who has been the highlight of Everton’s season thus far, with pace to burn and a trick of two up his sleeve from his days with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to complete the total mismatch for the afternoon. They must have thought Christmas had come early as neither man will have an easier afternoon as they did Saturday. I must add that this is not just a ‘Mick bashing’ because it looked out of place on paper. It was the most evident and obvious problem throughout the game and was still left unaddressed.

For all their good work down the left, and a plethora of crosses of real quality into the Wolves penalty area, Everton were found wanting as much as Wolves were living dangerously with only one man up front Wolves fans could empathise with their failure to get on the end of a decent ball into the box. Still in a first half where neither team failed to make a real impact, the warning signs were there. The dangerous crosses flashing across the box and the fact that Hennessey was much the busier of the two keepers suggested that the onus was on the home side to break the stalemate. Out of the blue, I mean literally from nowhere – Wolves had a penalty. Thirty seven minutes into the game, David Edwards who had drifted infield more towards the left flank, pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the area and went over under challenge from Marouane Fellaini. On closer inspection even though Edwards was first to the ball, he had left his leg in the challenge and ultimately conned the referee into his first of two questionable penalty decisions on the day. Still, if anything, this shows that we are learning how to manipulate the Premier League. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! Tim Howard obviously mesmerised by the fact that the ball was coming towards him for the first time in the game flopped to his left as Stephen Hunt smashed the spot kick emphatically straight down the centre for a surprising and largely underserved Wolves lead.

As expected, the home side upped the tempo and began to press forward motivated by the fact that were astonishingly behind to a team that hadn’t yet had a shot on goal. Every Wolves fan would have been playing the old prophecy over in their heads “if we can just get to half time.” Inevitably, as the defence looked more and more susceptible under the increasing pressure, it wasn’t to be. A free kick half the distance to the goal from the left hand side was whipped invitingly by Baines and Phil Jagielka rose highest to nod the equaliser into Hennessey’s top right hand corner. Quite poignantly, as I write this I’ve just seen the goal replayed on the television on Sky Sports. Before the free kick is taken, Wolves had seven players inside the area, Everton had just three. Jagielka, the fourth and final member to advance upon the taking of the kick was literally surrounded by four gold shirts and he scored. So the inquest must begin.

With Wolves fearing the worst, and with the home side riding the momentum of the equaliser before the break, the second half began.

Now I know it’s all very negative and believe me I really would like to have something good to say, but unlike the local papers I can and will only tell it exactly like it is rather than scraping the barrel to look for the needle in the haystack and something good to say about an inept and ingenuity free performance. Wolves began and continued into the second half much like they had in the first. Based solely on the way they played and the lack of production from 11 men, you have to wonder what exactly has been said and how much planning has been done in the two weeks preparation time since the last game.

Based on this performance, and many before it I imagine that a McCarthy and Connor training session in preparation for the match must go a little like this –

“Now lads, firstly I want you to put creativity and positivity to the backs of your mind. Keep possession as best you can but don’t you dare try to do anything with it, penetration of the opposition is not what I’m looking for. I’ve got a master plan in how to break them down. Pass it around midfield but gradually get further and further backwards until somebody gives it to Wayne. Wayne will then proceed to hoof it up the field where our smallest players Doyle, Hunt and O’Hara can challenge for it in the air against the likes of Distin and Jagielka. Sorted”

Ok so it’s a little tongue in cheek, but that is the only evidence that a Wolves fan has from what they saw yesterday and have been seeing for some time. The sequence described above is literally all we are doing, and if that is the result of almost two weeks worth of plotting then the alarm bells should be ringing. You often hear fans or pundits exaggerate by saying ‘they haven’t had a shot all game’. For Wolves fans that becomes the literal. Not until the Stephen Fletcher drove wide from the edge of the area in the 88th minute did Wolves muster a palpable attempt on goal.

Although Everton were hardly carving Wolves to pieces, the pressure was mounting. By 75 minutes Wolves were living dangerously, caught napping at the back on more than one occasion resulting in last gasp blocks and tackles whilst Hennessey was the saviour again on more than one occasion. After around 30 minutes of this, McCarthy remained unmoved. You didn’t need a crystal ball to see that ‘it’ was coming and Wolves were crying out for a change. The makeshift right back Stearman had been forced out of the game with what was later found to be a broken arm, leaving Wolves even lighter in that area. And Stephen Ward, to add another notch his Wolves positional bedpost, was moved to right back for the rest of the game. The Wolves fans in the ground were crying out for something to be done to avoid the inevitable. I cannot put into context how frustrating it is to watch your team constantly on the back foot creating literally nothing whilst your most creative players and best goal scoring option are forced to watch from the bench. Adam Hammill is the best winger at the club in terms of his creativity and accuracy on delivery. Stephen Fletcher, if nothing else, is usually good for a goal. A comment of real relevance went up from a supporter in the away end. He said “He (McCarthy) won’t change anything until he’s forced to. His hindsight is none existent. You watch he won’t make a change until Everton have scored.” This sadly has become the norm for us.

A change did come in the 79th minute. Matt Jarvis replaced Nenad Milijas, which forced a reshuffle in midfield to go with the one that was forced upon Wolves at the back. Three minutes later and our fears were realised. Everton were given a penalty. It appeared to go against Stephen Ward for the slightest of pushes on Saha – soft, yes but I suppose it was only a leveller from the earlier decision and little more than Everton deserved. It was dispatched with ease by Leighton Baines and that was all she wrote.

The long awaited appearance of Stephen Fletcher was, at best, 30 minutes too late and that’s being generous on Kevin Doyle who was once again rarely in the box even as the loan striker, another issue which surely needs looking into as his minimal goal return can no longer be compensated by the endeavour and effort outside of the box when Wolves are in this predicament.

There’s plenty to be worried about. Not only by the immediate problems that we no longer have a recognised fit right back in the squad, which will bring even more upheaval upon a defence that looks defunct of all confidence and arguably ability, but by the fact that Wolves are not showing anything for us to latch onto in terms of moving forwards. The performances are one dimensional, lacking in idea and any form of creativity. It remains obvious that personality and honesty are still higher in the selection priority than actual ability and talent. The 4-5-1 which has been our lifeline for the past two seasons after the 4-4-2 adventure proved a little too ambitious for a low end Premier League side will not be effective unless that ‘1’ can bring us a goal or two on a regular basis.

Most frustratingly is the comparison you can make with other teams. It’s almost sickening to watch Norwich, Swansea and QPR giving it a real go and getting reward for it. Whereas in yesteryear it has been the demise of teams like Blackpool and Burnley, this season’s new boys come without fear and with a refreshing self belief and with almost half the season past they all sit above Wolves in the table. It’s hard not to think ‘if they can do it why can’t we?’ We are not the naïve new boys anymore. This is our third season in the division and you would think along the way we would have learned from mistakes and forged new ideas from our experiences to progress as a team and as a club. Instead we find ourselves in similar positions, making schoolboy errors on and off the field whilst sticking to the same stubborn principles in selection and mentality that have seen us scrape survival in the past two seasons and it shows no sign of stopping.

Ultimately, the performance in the Everton game and for many that have come before this season shows a lack of ingenuity and reinforces the idea that the management are stuck in their ways and unwilling to alter their style in order to progress. You cannot and we will not get away with turning out like that in the Premier League, no matter who the opposition is. This is the best league in the world and it warrants so much more than what McCarthy is prepared to offer at the moment. And that’s not an opinion, it’s a cold harsh fact.

Editor’s note: Since the memory of last weekend’s Premier League football is still fresh in our minds. here’s a match report of Wolverhampton’s win against Wigan — a match of big importance due to the implications on the relegation zone. The report is courtesy of Chris Machin, a regular contributor to EPL Talk (and a massive Wolves supporter).

It was never going to be a classic. In historical proportion it was more of a David vs David than a clash of the titans. Two teams that had inadvertently combined to amass just one point between them from a possible 42 in the past seven weeks of Barclays Premier League football.

Ranked 19th and 20th in the form table, and only a touch better in the actual standings, Wigan Athletic were riding uncomfortably on a seven game losing streak with only one away goal all season and the same amount of points on the road. They met Wolves with one single point from the previous seven games and without a home win since the second week of the season. At Molineux last Sunday, something had to give.

The signs were all there for the gold ‘n black faithful. Needless to say they were far from encouraging. Wigan Athletic had been very much a part of Wolves’ previous two survival scraping seasons. However they had managed to take the maximum six points from their previous two Premier League visits to Molineux. In addition to this was the well documented recent point-free miseries of the Lancashire outfit. Sod’s law dictates that when a team are looking to shake an unwanted monkey from their backs, that ‘Wolves away’ is the perfect place to do so. Finally there was the baffling conundrum that Wolves’ fans have had to deal with throughout the previous season and the beginning of this, the failure to take points where they are expected. For example, to beat the teams around you in your home games. Queens Park Rangers and Swansea City have already feasted from the Molineux table as newly promoted sides. Perhaps more worrying was the lacklustre performances churned out in these ‘must-win’ games. With all this in mind, you’d forgive a Wolves fan for his or her pessimism.

Wolves went unchanged from their previous outing at Manchester City, with a 4-5-1 set up largely due to their lack of striking options with fitness woes continuing to get the better of Steven Fletcher and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. A little mysterious (but then again we would expect no less of Mad Mick) was the selection of David Edwards/Adlene Guedioura on the right wing whilst ‘out and out’ wingers Matt Jarvis and Adam Hammill had to settle for another bench warming role. There was also continued faith in a back four which has looked decidedly amateur at times so far this season.

Roberto Martinez opted for a variation of the 4-3-3, with former Wolves man David Jones joined by Ben Watson and Mohammed Diame as a central 3, whilst strikers Rodallega, Moses and Di Santo were deployed in attack.

I’ve decided to mix things up a little and borrow from my American influences and offer a play-by-play style report of the days action, mainly due to my recovery from an appendectomy allowing me a lot more time to break away from the furore of sitting in the stands and make some real notes as the action unfolded.

Here is a breakdown of the play as it unfolded, with all the ups and downs, contradictive emotions and mood swings experienced during last Sunday’s Jekyll and Hyde showdown.

2 mins – The first shot of the game came following a long ball out of defence from Wolves. David Edwards took a touch past Alcaraz and shot low from the edge of the area, comfortably beaten away by Al Habsi.

4 mins – The first major talking point of the afternoon. Winger Stephen Hunt collected the ball on the edge of the area, beat the Wigan defender en-route into the area, was clearly caught by the on rushing Wigan goalkeeper but admirably choose to stay on his feet, regained his balance but the chance came to nothing. It’s safe to say a penalty and a card would have been inevitable had he taken a tumble.

7 mins – The first sign of continuing joy down the Wolves left side for Wigan became apparent. Victor Moses on the right side of the Wigan’s attacking trio picked the ball up on the flank, took on and beat both Ward and Hunt but was finally stopped in the area at the expense of a corner.

The opening 15 minutes was filled with pretty uninspiring football. It was clear to see why both teams have and will more than likely continue to struggle this season. Wolves continued to revert to the long ball lottery. Where on earth was Kevin Doyle up to this point?

16 mins – Stephen Hunt delivered his first telling cross of the afternoon from the left flank, finding David Edwards 6 yards out but his header went wide. Edwards seemed to be drifting from his position on the right side of midfield in search of his natural surroundings, Guedioura was having to fill in for him and Wolves were lacking in this area.

19 mins – The first error of note is typical of the mistakes being made by Wolves this season. Johnson hit a blind pass out of defense, putting Karl Henry in danger. Henry lost possession (where’ve we heard that one before) to Hugo Rodallega who advanced but let Wolves off the hook with a tame left footed poke from the edge of the area which trickled straight at Hennessey.

In the ten minutes of inactivity to follow, the lack of atmosphere was making the real noise around Molineux. With a distinct sense of foreboding in the air, the tension in the silence suggested a crowd that was growing increasingly worried about their side’s fortunes. Wigan’s build up play was patient, whilst Wolves was tentative. Both sides showed a lack of ingenuity and quality in their approach. Frustratingly it seemed obvious to everyone else except the players that long balls aimed at small targets just wassn’t going to work.

30 mins – Golden chance for Wigan. Richard Stearman’s naivety got the better of him once again as he tried to dribble the ball out of defence. He failed to take on and lost the ball to Franco Di Santo who swept a perfect ball over the heads of the two Wolves centre backs. Rodallega’s touch is perfect as he set himself from 6 yards with only Hennessey to beat. He proceeds to slot the ball wide of the left hand post and provides Wolves with a major let off.

31 mins – GOAL!! Football’s unforgiving lessons came to the dance. A golden chance spurned at one end turned into a goal at the other. Kevin Doyle’s fear of getting into the box paid off as he advanced into the right channel and pulled the ball back across the box for Jamie O’Hara to slot home from inside the six yard box. Three goals in 4 games for the summer signing from Spurs. The celebrations that followed were notably one of relief rather than ecstasy. The atmosphere was soon subdued after the goal as the fans know logically that they cannot rest on their laurels.

40 mins – GOAL!! Wigan continued to expose Wolves on their left side again and again. Full back Emerson Boyce skipped past a spectating Stephen Ward on his way into the area. He was then bundled over by Stephen Hunt in an attempt to dig Ward out of a hole and the inevitable penalty was given. Ben Watson with a 50% penalty conversion rate this season stepped up and fired tamely straight at Hennessey. The ball ricocheted back out, luckily to Watson, who slotted into an empty net. All square.

43 mins – A spell of pressure from Wolves in response to the goal saw a number of decent crosses sent into the Wigan area that were dealt with by the keeper and his defence. After the latest cross was cleared out right to Jamie O’Hara, he swept it back first time on the half volley forcing Al Habsi to parry low near his left hand post.

The half time whistle was met with little reaction from the crowd. The TV commentator quoted that the match was “delicately poised” for the fans of both teams. It must have seemed more ‘ominously suspended’ as they could have only have feared the worst after a lacklustre first half coupled with their recent experiences.

A scrappy affair was to be expected. The two teams far from mirroring each other in their approach. Wigan utilised their three central midfielders as part of a possession game, neat and tidy and constantly passing but without any real joy. Wolves were much more direct but nevertheless predictable in that they did not show anything that would have worried Martinez up to that point.

Substitution: Half time (Wolves) Matt Jarvis replaced Adlene Guedioura. Another unlucky outing for Guedioura, unable to influence the game as much as he could from the centre of the park, he was left to rot out on the wing and thus was the makeweight for the much needed second winger in this 4-5-1 system.

46 mins – A real sense of déjà vu early in the second half for Wolves fans as Wigan again were getting joy on their right flank. The lively Victor Moses was given too much time and space but opted to shoot wide of the upright from about 20 yards.

48 mins – Wigan’s intent was there for all to see as they came again. Di Santo received the ball on the edge of the area with his back to goal, turned Christophe Berra inside out before shooting low and inches wide of the post. The Wolves back line was looking extremely tentative on the back of recent poor performances.

55 mins – GOAL! Karl Henry’s first positive contribution of the season (forgive the sarcasm but that’s just about spot on). Credit where it’s due even from his biggest critic. I am open to being proved pleasantly wrong. Henry almost in nosebleed territory received the ball on the edge of the opposition area, showed incredible poise as he dropped the shoulder, beating two men and dribbled to the byline and cut it back to an unmarked Stephen Hunt. The Irishman miscued his shot and it was palmed out by Al-Habsi who picked himself up to claw the ensuing header from O’Hara that followed from off the line. Unfortunately for Al-Habsi, who must have been fuming at his defence for all his efforts, Wolves made it third time lucky as David Edwards drilled home from close range. 2-1 Wanderers.

62 mins – Wigan attempted to draw level for a second time finding more joy (yes you guessed it) on the Wolves left back position. Stephen Ward was looking like the makeshift full back he started out as, allowing Rodallega too much time and space to hit the byline and flash a low cross right across the 6 yard box and out the other side. The warning signs are apparent for Wolves as they seem to have gone into retreat whilst Wigan’s patient possession game was building pressure once more.

Substitution 64 mins – (Wigan) Albert Crusat replaced Ben Watson.

65 mins – GOAL!! I must have stepped inadvertently into the twilight zone as another Wolves goal and fine move began in the centre of the park with Karl Henry! The mainstay in the Wolves line up should have taken a leaf out of his own book on this one as he got the ball under control, stopped and looked up before sweeping a glorious ball FORWARD and out wide to Ward advancing on the left. Ward cheekily back-heeled it to Matt Jarvis, who took on and beat his man into the penalty area before an almost carbon copy of the second goal. Edwards picked up the cut back from Jarvis but his shot was blocked. The second ball fell to O’Hara whose left footer was beaten back into play by the Omanian Wigan keeper before Wolves go third time lucky once more as Stephen Ward controlled and volleyed well into the upper left corner of the net for his second goal of the season.

Kudos to Ward who by all intent and purpose had had a nightmare defensively but quickly erased those memories, and of course to Karl Henry who really should do this more often. If he’s got it in his locker, let’s see more of it because that is where 90% of the frustration builds in relation to the Wolves number 8. The scoreline — 3-1. Wolves are almost there.

69 mins – Wolves were keen on putting the proverbial nail in the coffin begin to attack relentlessly. A free kick on the right wing was whipped in impressively by the left boot of Jamie O’Hara bypassing everybody and finding Christophe Berra whose header was saved point blank by Al Habsi tipping it up and over the bar. Berra still awaits his first Wolves goal as the Wanderers were heading for the Latic’s jugular.

75 mins – Reality check for Wolves as Wigan come again. Slow and short precise build up saw them move side to side and pass and move, leading to two tame efforts in quick succession from Di Santo and Rodallega.

Substitution – 77 mins (Wigan) Connor Sammon and James McArthur replace David Jones and Hugo Rodallega. Pleasant ovation from the Molineux faithful for David Jones, another whose chances at the club were limited due to the often misguided pecking order. Rodallega’s misfiring afternoon was bought to an end as Martinez had seen enough chances go begging.

81 mins – Wigan would not lay down and die. A right wing corner found Steve Gohouri 8 yards out, who powered a header down and goalward. Wayne Hennessey reacted with a strong right handed save, tipping the ball onto the post and out.

Substitution – 83 mins (Wolves) Nenad Milijas for Jamie O’Hara. It appeared that time is running out for the fans favourite Serbian, I fear his season will now be limited to cameos like today despite the fact that we constantly find ourselves crying out for someone who can pick a lock like he can.

The game petered out with Wolves sitting back and soaking up the pressure from Wigan that was apparent but never incisive. Victor Moses continued to torment the Wolves full backs winning a free kick against Richard Stearman whilst Sammon hit the foot of the post late on as he was allowed time to turn and shoot from the edge of the area.

Sky Sports gave the man of the match award to Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi which says a lot for the game itself, but even more so for the Wolves who still couldn’t produce an outstanding performance even when they won the game.

If we take the game for what it was, there was a job to be done and, everything aside, Wolves produced when it was most vital. Although there won’t be many leaving Molineux today brimming with optimism, it is a foundation on which we can and need to build. The performance was nothing beyond a 6 out of ten. You could still spend hours picking it apart with frailties at both ends of the field. The defence still look far too susceptible, and against an attack more potent than Wigan’s of which there are many in this league, you can see Wolves coming a right cropper.

As they say though, ‘you can only play what’s in front of you’ and Wolves got in and got back out with three massive points, and to boot they were taken from the ‘competition’ effectively making it an impactful 6 point turnaround. Unfortunately Wolves can’t play Wigan every week, who must be wondering what they have to do. Eight losses on the bounce — all off the back of playing decent football. Their ethics are in the right place but something is lacking where it really matters. I’ll keep it real and certainly won’t be jumping on any bandwagons, Wolves must continue to improve massively on this improvement if they are to avoid a third season scrapping in the Premier League doldrums. The international break is followed by two games on the road, Everton and Chelsea.

I guess we should enjoy it while it lasts, and pray that the team and the management can finally see past the end of their noses and build on and learn from their experience against the league’s whipping boys on this dreary Sunday afternoon. Remember, remember the 6th of November. The day the Wolves stopped the rot.

Forty five minutes played, two-nil down. Where’ve we seen that one before?

It is in fact the worrying statistic that now looms ominously over the Wolves’ heads. In the last three games, we have found ourselves trailing by two goals at the break, without offering much in the way of resistance. The first time you can let it go, the second time considering it was at Anfield you can gloss over it, but by the third time – at home to Newcastle United, you have to start wondering if anything is being learned from the run of consecutive defeats we find ourselves at the mercy of.

After all, it’s now our third season in the top flight. We must know by now what it’s all about. Yet the team and arguably perhaps moreover the management, are approaching each game with the same naivety and overwhelming ignorance as if the mounting problems are just going to fix themselves. This tends not to be the case, especially in one of the most punishing and cut-throat leagues in the world.

The Wolves starting eleven had finally returned to mirror that which began the season so positively. Although that now seems eons ago, it was a welcome relief for the crowd in attendance that we have duly noted that this particular starting 11 had not lost a game so far this season. The two teams traded blows for fifteen minutes. Wolves had found the passing rhythm and fluidity that had served them so well in the embryonic stages of the season, creating half if not decent chances for Jamie O’Hara and Kevin Doyle. It should be noted that Tim Krul in the Magpies’ goal currently leads the ‘Fantasy Football’ tables for goalkeeping points, and we soon duly understood why. He was dominant in the familiar dwellings of his penalty area, saving smartly from the O’Hara free kick, collecting crosses with ease and readjusting to save smartly with his legs following a deflected effort which looked distinctively goal-bound. The young Dutchman started as he meant to go on.

It wasn’t long before Wolves’ recent inexplicable defensive frailties were exposed. Little movement and non-existent marking were the order of the day as Demba Ba nodded home the Newcastle opener with ease following a corner from Cabaye. Whilst Johnson, Stearman, Berra et al frustratingly looked at each other for answers, the foreboding sense of deja vu was creeping up the turnstiles and infiltrating the stands at Molineux. Behind again, and if recent patterns were anything to go by, our bad luck tends to come in twos.

Wolves offered a marginally positive response, seeing more of the ball in the opponents final third without producing anything of note. Our most threatening attacking outlet, the wing play was limited at best. If I’m being straight up about it the crossing from Matt Jarvis and Stephen Hunt was nothing short of woeful. On the odd occasion they managed to get the ball off the ground and beat the first man, the cross was misdirected and sailed tediously over everybody’s heads. Kevin Doyle was ploughing his furrow outside of the box again, found wanting on the wings and missing in the penalty area whenever our attacking play developed – someone in the stands added in jest that his new four year contract extension guaranteed us at least another ten goals.

With Wolves’ extra focus in attack, Newcastle always looked a threat on the counter with the pace of wingers Gutierrez and Obertan, whilst the Wolves back line appeared increasingly susceptible as they allowed first Gutierrez and then Cheik Tiote clear sights on goal only for them to master their own downfall.

The inevitable was apparent just after the half hour when Jonas Gutierrez’s obvious threat was strangely ignored by Wolves and he doubled the Newcastle advantage. I speak with bewilderment and surprise because I could not fathom any other tone when describing the second goal. It seems all too obvious to pick up on the opposition strengths as you go, and work to nullify them. Instead and I’m not exaggerating here, Gutierrez won the ball on the half way line, inside left – he broke not two but three Wolves challenges, who in turn gave up the ghost at he glided past another two defenders before driving home to Wayne Hennessey’s bottom left. 2-0 on the board, 1,800 delirious Geordie’s looked rather shell shocked as to how easy it was all playing out for them.

I can’t fade to half time as woefully as the team without touching on two penalty decisions, although unlike the local press I do not want them to be the scapegoat for our fourth consecutive loss. Firstly Jamie O’Hara was on the receiving end of a swashbuckling swing of Steven Taylor’s right leg on the edge of the area – it was touch and go, and referee Mark Halsey touched and awarded a free kick. Television replays since may prove decisive, but in full flow it was difficult to decide either way. The second was more obvious, purely by way of logic. Matt Jarvis went down deep into the area this time over the leg of Daniel Simpson, again Mark Halsey refused to bite and allowed play to resume. Now, judging by the extravagance of the one-cap England winger’s tumble, it was either a penalty or a booking for diving, one or the other – Halsey chose neither. In all honesty it would have papered over the cracks anyway, even the most ardent supporter could not deny that Wolves didn’t deserve to be behind after another uninspiring first half display. The crowd hounded the referees as they departed the field at the break, although I do stress it wasn’t Mark Halsey who allowed Ba a free pass at goal, and it wasn’t Mark Halsey’s fault that five Wolves defenders buckled under the advances of just one man for the second, if anything it was clutching at straws and I would have hoped that McCarthy and his backroom staff would realise that Wolves themselves were very much the main party on which to lay the blame.

I’m starting to see why Wolves chose Black and Gold all those moons ago as their colours. Someone must have had the foresight that such a contrast would not only reflect the kit but the team as well. Following two substitutions in the second half, Dr Jekyll was given his marching orders and Mr Hyde cam out to play.

To a deafening chorus of ironic cheers and jeers, Karl Henry’s stay of immunity was finally brought to an end after another lacklustre performance in a Wolves midfield that was constantly found wanting, as he was replaced with who many see as the ideal candidate for the central berth in Algerian Adlene Guedioura. Stephen Hunt, himself on the back of a poor game with little contribution was replaced with another whom the Wolves’ faithful feel starved of seeing, exciting young winger Adam Hammill. Allow me to juxtapose, but with inevitable coincidence the game turned on it’s head. After 65 tedious minutes there was something about Wolves. Guedioura was combative as we know he can be, but unlike Henry he bought a positivity with his play, always looking to advance, to beat a man or two (which he did numerous times) before trying his luck or picking an precise pass. Advancing the play rather than slowing it down, it was refreshing. In turn Hammill offered something different out wide. He likes to showboat every now again, which I imagine does not sit too well with the old fashioned traditionalist McCarthy, but he also produces which you cannot compensate for. His pace and ability with the ball at his feet saw Daniel Simpson and Ryan Taylor turned inside out on more than one occasion, and his pacey and direct crossing was something which Wolves had failed to replicate for the last few games at least. Steven Fletcher, the talisman up top had fed off scraps at best all day, often having to backtrack for headers or fashion his own half chances. This was until Hammill (who by this point had switched wings) evaded two defenders on the Wolves left and adhering to the old cliché and putting it on a plate for Fletcher. A half decent accurate cross is all the Scotsman needs and this was painstakingly evident as Hammill found him unmarked at the far post for a simple header and Wolves lifeline.

Wolves renewed energy and ability forced them on, with Newcastle creating only one chance of note in a second half in which their aim was to contain. Molineux erupted in the 90th minute when Kevin Doyle prodded home at the second attempt after another fine point blank save from the impressive Krul, the linesman’s raised flag was lost in the delirium as the masses were quickly bought crashing back down to earth as the goal was ruled out by way of the original cross going out of play. This perhaps a more poignant topic of debate, as it seems that there was little chance he could have been totally decisive as to whether the ball went out or not, and by this point, the current 11 deserved more for their improved efforts. Robbed? Not quite.

It is obvious that issues in personnel need to be addressed, and lessons are still to be learned. A late equaliser, or the passing of the buck to the officials will do no good in these inquests.

The fact that Wolves continue to start games with a worrying ineptitude poses many questions on what exactly is being said and what preparation is happening prior to each game. I touched earlier on how it seems the ideology is that problems will fix themselves, and that churning out a similar starting eleven whilst ignoring benched talent may provide a consistency on paper but seems to be driving Wolves into a losing streak they may find difficult to halt. No doubt about it and I don’t want to make any suggestions or statements on what I think Mick should or should not do, I can only look at the evidence. Guedioura and Hammill not only changed the game today but they changed Wolves. Fact. Everyone around them who prior to this has looked sluggish and without ingenuity, raised their game and looked far more confident and comfortable with each other. Is it really as simple as starting these two players? Seriously, perhaps. If the current eleven are not producing, and four losses on the bounce proves that the case, perhaps ringing a few changes will turn our fortunes. After all, undoubted talent such as Guedioura, Zubar, Hammill and Milijas find are wasting away on the sidelines but are chomping at the bit to prove in essence, their manager wrong. It can only work in the clubs favour, at the end of the day they cannot currently do any worse. It sounds harsh, but it’s fact based reality.

Seven points from 3 games was a real achievement, 7 from 7 doesn’t look so good.

Only the small matter of the Black Country derby next up in two weeks time. It’ll be hearts over heads for the fans, but it HAS to be the opposite for the manager.

Albion away… for our sins.

Out of darkness, cometh light.

Well, I’ve perked up a bit. 
After the stinging wounds from the weekend defeat against QPR, Wolves put in a refreshing performance Tuesday evening against Millwall in the Carling Cup. 

’The Three M’s’ is common terminology in and around Molineux, used as a collective phrase mainly by supporters in reference to the clubs hierarchy: McCarthy, Moxey and Morgan. Conclusions drawn from Tuesday night’s encounter also centered around the tale of another significant three M’s: McCarthy, Millwall and Mickey Mouse — alright so technically it’s four, so allow me to elaborate.

McCarthy – because he now has to be strong enough to make tough decisions due to the selection dilemma at his disposal.

Millwall – because I’ve heard countless times already “but it was only Millwall”. True, but they fielded their strongest side and are potential playoff contenders from the Championship. It is put deeper into perspective when you see how other Premier League side’s ‘second strings’ faired against lower league opposition; Man City’s billion pound reserve side could only manage a 2-0 win against Birmingham City, a strong Liverpool eleven beat Brighton by only one goal, Blackburn Rovers stuttered to a 3-2 victory over League 1’s Leyton Orient whilst Arsenal’s 3-1 over Shrewsbury Town makes Wolves’ five star demolition of Millwall look even more impressive.

Mickey Mouse – because once again the achievement is diminished as it took place in the third round of the ‘Mickey Mouse’ Carling Cup. A competition that regularly draws record low attendances is seen as a learning curve for most top side’s budding youngsters and a chance for everyone else to give squad players a run out, more of a hindrance than anything else. Nevertheless, Wolves are now 9-0 from two games in the competition and hopefully will be a springboard to a chance in the first team for some of the impressive performers. It’s no basis to get carried away, but certainly has the foundation of optimism about it.

 Personally, I hope that the fact it was the League Cup and that the opposition came from outside of the top flight will not diminish the efforts and quality performances from the obvious talent that took to the field last night. I also hope that Mick McCarthy does not use the stage and setting as an answer in his own mind as to whether or not he now has a genuine selection dilemma.

Wolves fielded a much changed side as expected to the one that went down without so much as a whimper against QPR at the weekend. Berra and Stearman remained but as a central defensive duo, with youngster Matt Doherty and George Elokobi either side of them. The midfield saw Stephen Hunt on the left wing with the terribly unlucky Adam Hammill his partner in crime on the left. Adlene Guedioura started in his natural combative central midfield role with Nenad Milijas whilst David Edwards played an unfamiliar role supporting Welsh international Sam Vokes up front. Dorus De Vries replaced Wayne Hennessey between the sticks whilst there was no sign of injury hit Ronald Zubar, Kevin Foley and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in the squad, all three of which would surely have featured if not for their fitness woes.

McCarthy’s men dictated the pace from the first whistle, with quality control and precision passing a welcome sight to the 7,000 or so in the stands. Much like Wolves at the weekend, Millwall were blown away in the opening 10 minutes. The midfield four were fluent and lively, moving the ball with one touch passes and switching the play leaving the Lions chasing shadows. David Edwards poked in the first from close range after Sam Vokes miscued a header, and Adam Hammill hit his first goal for the club from a 25 yard set piece, a real pearler into the top right hand corner giving us a glimpse of the quality he possesses especially from dead ball situations. Relentless work from Adlene Guedioura put the third on a plate for George Elokobi shortly after. The Algerian looking astute in a central midfield role, battling for possession and most pleasingly being constructive and positive with it, something main stay Karl Henry should consider looking into now and again. Adlene took the ball in the centre of the park and with a mixture of nice touches and determination took it past five in blue to gain a valuable assist.
 The second half saw Michael Kightly replace Dave Edwards up front after a useful 45 minutes in his battle for fitness and Kightly later switched to the right wing when Stephen Hunt made way for young striker James Spray. It was Spray who sealed the inevitable, pouncing on a knockdown to fire in from 6 yards for his first senior goal for the club. The romp was completed when a limping Guedioura drove a 30 yard beauty into the top corner in the final minutes, a deserved goal from a man who had contributed so selflessly to the cause on the night.

Now, I am fully aware that this is by no means cause to believe we are ‘back on track’. Everybody’s desire comes under scrutiny in this competition, Millwall like Wolves I am sure have other priorities. However, it is a real insight to the undoubted talent that has warmed the substitutes bench at Molineux so far this season. The manager gave us an indication post-match of how impressive performances from the midfielders has now provided him with a real headache for his next Premier League team selection. Honestly I can’t see him taking a blind bit of notice and returning to the same four which provided so little against QPR, but I and many others I have spoken to hope that we are wrong.

Adam Hammill is arguably the best crosser of a ball at the club, whilst Hunt often struggles to get the ball off the floor and crossing has never been Matty Jarvis’ strong point – I’m not saying they don’t bring a lot to the party because the evidently do, it’s just something which now must be considered.

Nenad Milijas is that affordable luxury in midfield. Unfairly labelled as ‘not a player in the McCarthy mould’ because he doesn’t “put a shift in” as much as others, yet shouldn’t we really focus n what he can bring to the side i.e something different. His peach of a left foot would be welcomed at corners and free kicks, as well as his ability to work the keeper from range evident from the amount of shots we uncharacteristically totted up on goal last night. A real fan favourite on the whole, Milijas seems under valued in the management eyes, they paint the picture of this trudger in midfield who does not track enough and is limited in his tackling. Last night should have erased all of these perceptions. Milijas sat deep, was continually winning the ball on the edge of his own area, and sprayed the ball all over the park with precision and real quality to set up attacks time and time again. At the end of the day he is a player of international pedigree with a none to shabby Serbian team. Given the license to do what he does best rather than being sanctioned as a workhorse, he has undoubted potential to be a game changer.

Finally, Adlene Guedioura. An unknown entity when he arrived in January 2010 from Belgium. Nicknamed ‘the new boy’ when he “came to Wolves for fame, but we can’t pronounce his name” made a telling impression in his first few games, showing a quality first touch and the technical ability to adapt quickly to life in the English top flight. Injury has been the real monkey on his back, having never been fit enough to put a decent run of games together in his 20 months or so with the club. Guedioura very much proved his worth last night though. Much like the role and reason why Karl Henry is seen as so irreplaceable in the starting eleven, Adlene is combative in midfield; a tireless worker and a ball winner. Unlike Henry, he is comfortable in possession and productive with the ball at his feet, also showing an ability to work the keeper from distance and a relentlessness that epitomises the old ‘if at first you don’t succeed’ adage. I’m not going to career off into another Henry bashing, but nobody can argue that Guedioura is not capable of and possibly even better suited to that ‘Henry role’ that we have been lead to believe nobody else can play.

With the analysis over and the cards on the table, I will reiterate what I’m sure most people are thinking – yes it was ‘only Millwall’, and yes it was potentially only a kick-about in the much undermined League Cup, but these guys have all the tools to make a difference to Wolves, especially after we have stuttered and stumbled in recent weeks. They were sent out with a point to prove, and individually and collectively could do no more. It would be unexpectedly refreshing to see Mick give them a chance to prove themselves on the bigger stage not only against Liverpool in a tricky environment, but at home to Newcastle the week after would be a real litmus test for the players who have so far had to spectate. They have bottled up their frustration and disillusionment. Now it is time for them to reach for the chalice and stake a real claim to be part of the continued evolution and improvement of Wolverhampton Wanderers as a Premier League club.

Forever, we are Wolves

Prior to kick off, there was a sizeable powercut in the city centre that threw the match itself into question. The essential source of energy went missing from the Molineux surrounding areas, and evidently from the team itself.

One team were still brim full of confidence after a much more encouraging start to their third season in the top flight. Wolves settled nicely as a unit and were giving as good as they got, both attacking and defensively, and were playing at home with the crowd very much behind them looking to bounce back from a blip and prove they were no fluke. The other were Premier League new boys, still finding their feet at the highest level, winless and wondering where their next goal was coming from after scoring just once in their opening four games. For ninety minutes on Saturday you would have been forgiven to wonder which was which.

At full time as I headed away from the stadium, past the newly developed city archives and through the old subway, my mind was racing. I was thinking about this article and wondering where on earth to begin. Those of you who follow the Wolves from Philadelphia, Oregon, Bermuda and beyond still were not far enough away from Molineux yesterday afternoon. For those of you lucky enough NOT to have been at the game, I can only tell it like it is.

If last week was a blip, then this was a disaster. I can’t speak for everybody, but for all intents and purposes I saw it coming. If you follow a team so avidly that their fortune sets the tone for your entire week, you’ll know what I mean. You just ‘know’. And I felt it deep in the gut. The omens were there. Firstly we’d lost the week before, and somehow I feared that one little knock could result in the opening of a much larger wound. Secondly we’d played well against Tottenham, held our own for much of the game against European class opposition, so by logic a similar level of performance would be more than enough against a team very much trying to tread water in this ruthless league. Thirdly and most importantly, we had been forced into more changes to the starting line up. Steven Fletcher was injured and Stephen Hunt was deemed not fit enough to start. It was disruption that a team with a decent flow could have done without.

A guy sitting two rows back from me during the game made a statement that at first seemed like a ‘Mick bashing’ because we had fallen behind, but when you think about it, it rings distinctively true. It went along the lines of “You tell me another football team in the country that would change their settled back four as a direct result of one of the strikers being injured” . . . good point to be honest. Stevie Ward is an honest pro, we all know that. His willingness to ‘put a shift in’ for the side, with heart and determination is the main reason why he has shaken the ‘teacher’s pet’ label and become somewhat of a revelation in the eyes of his most ardent gold and black critics. Although he relishes in the Mr Versatile aura, it was a misguided and costly decision to take him out of the role in which he has been so promising for club and country over the last few months. Returning Ward to pastures old, and expecting him to graze higher up the pitch disrupted a settled back four that were beginning to become the foundation from which we would build. As a direct result George Elokobi was thrown to the lions in his first start of the season, mauled by Shaun Wright Phillips who undoubtedly still has a point to prove at this level.

The majority of us had seen the ability of the new look QPR on Monday evening as they tore into Newcastle at Loftus Road. The new additions had brought an injection of quality into their play and even as they failed to break down the Magpies sturn resistance, the general consensus was that QPR could kick on from here. They must have thought all their Christmases had come at once as Wolves’s timid offering was pale in comparison to their previous opponents.

Inside ten minutes we were two behind, the natives were restless – and utterly shell shocked. Elokobi, Johnson and Berra were spectators as Wright Phillips and Barton combined for the first. I’m not exaggerating or clutching at footballing cliche either when I say this, they literally did stand and watch without any attempt at a challenge or even a flailing block as Barton prodded home.

Two minutes later, we hadn’t touched the ball again until Hennessey had to retrieve it from the back of his net again. The man whose controversial transfer almost cost QPR the Championship title last season by way of a points reduction, had light years to strike a half volley and for Faurlin to beat the Welsh number one low to his right. Once again the lack of a challenge or attempt to prevent this occurrence was baffling. Richard Stearman, who had seemingly turned a corner in his career with a smooth transition to right back, was involved this time and joined captain Roger Johnson in backing off and allowing QPR to play the short game in front and around them as if they were Barcelona. Naturally, we couldn’t believe what we were witnessing. The fight, passion and tenacity that Wolves had shown since August was anonymous. We had built a mentality of ‘if we can’t beat you we’ll make sure you don’t beat us’ which we had displayed proudly at Villa Park, but evidently we have forgotten to bring it back.

They call us a fickle bunch. The Wanderers faithful singing “super Mick” one minute, then he’s ‘McClueless’ the next. Yet it really does all stem from following a fickle team. After all these are the same guys that went out and showed character to come from behind at Blackburn to win, play so fluently against Fulham and Tottenham and grind out a respectable point against Aston Villa even with our backs to the wall. Now they were being made to look distinctly inferior against Queens Park Rangers.

Unfortunately there wasn’t much of a response either. For the best part of the remaining 80 minutes, we didn’t pass, tackle, mark or shoot, so I don’t know what else is involved in the make up of this beautiful game that we could have missed out.

Credit where it is due, Neil Warnock’s side played as well as McCarthy’s did poorly. Everything happened on the deck, they took the ball down and passed Wolves into oblivion as Wolves returned to long hopefull balls over the top and into the vacant channels. We were constantly stretched by their short, one touch game that it became painful to watch as our players vacated their position to chase down the ball mindlessly and without success. We were ill disciplined as right sided players wandered over to the left and vice versa. The strikers were found wanting in the full back position at times and it became embarrassing to watch as eleven men basically chased a ball that the opposition were unwilling to return. The addition of Barton and Wright Phillips will bring a reliable quality at this level, and QPR will look to kick on from this platform.

Even in the second half when Wolves would have been expected to come out with the proverbial ‘rocket up their arse’, it was no more than a whimper in the end as Rangers kept us at bay comfortably before adding the cherry to an already well iced cake and carving us open for a decisive third goal. Suffice to say that it was totally uncharacteristic of a Wolves side that had filled us with so much promise up to this point. I mentioned last week that we had a point to prove after the Spurs defeat. Unlike in years gone by, we had to prove that we had turned the corner as much as one set back would not become the catalyst for a downfall. So far, not so good.

The only miniscule consolation we can take from week five of the Barclays Premier League is that anything we can do, West Brom can do better. After all they shipped three to a side who had not scored a solitary goal this season (congratulations to Swansea City) and for this reason Wolves will get another chance to pick themselves up and move forwards, with the daunting prospect of a trip to Anfield to come.

Lessons must be learned though, players and management included. This clanger can either set the tone for a change in attitude and fortunes, or it can end up being the beginning of another very difficult season. The performance was uncharacteristic and unacceptable, and repeat offerings will only bring one conclusion.

I want to take the time to address a few side notes to yesterday’s proceedings. In the post match interview the Wolves boss Mick McCarthy stated that “the only person who can come out of that game with any credit, myself included, was Wayne (Hennessey).” A bleak acceptance that we don’t usually associate with the stubborn Yorkshireman. However, he was right. Mick as the the sole decision maker, again as I mentioned last week, was presented with a choice and got it wrong. The left back/striker furore was costly. However in his defence Mick would have no reason to believe that Berra, Stearman, Johnson, Jarvis, Henry, O’Hara and Doyle would have been so inept after their decent contributions so far this campaign. The manager, like the majority of the fans, would have been disillusioned at the Jekyll and Hyde performances yesterday. It does show that continuity is the key at Molineux. One or two enforced changes to the side and they go to pot – an issue which needs to be addressed. The old square pegs in round holes theory was present again yesterday. While certain creativity in the likes of Adam Hammill, Nenad Milijas and Stephen Hunt looked on helplessly from the sidelines, Mick brought Adlene Guedioura on at half time. Here we have a combative, ball winning central midfielder with an eye for goal from range. Sadly, Adlene was deployed on the right side of midfield when he clearly isn’t a winger. Meanwhile two right sided midfielders sat on the bench.

This leads me to my next point which I know will divide opinion. DJ Campbell and Joey Barton came to Molineux with something to prove after their bad experiences in this setting last season. Both were allowed to do just that. Once again the media jumped on the bandwagon and set the stage for the Joey Barton vs Karl Henry matchup that brought numerous robust challenges just over one year ago. It was clear to see who’s favour this had worked in. Henry shirked his challenges, happy to follow the players with the ball without any viable attempt to challenge or break up the play (a role which we are continually told is his own) and the sole reason why he has a bewildering immunity in the starting eleven. There was an incident Saturday when Henry, facing his own goal, put Christophe Berra in danger playing the ball back to him and he was forced to frantically clear. Henry stood with a far away look in his eyes, utterly oblivious as the crowd became frantic at his poor decision making. He was not alone yesterday, and this was certainly not an isolated incident but it is happening far too often for a player who is so unjustifiably highly thought of by management. It took him a full ninety minutes to make a plausable challenge, and afterwards Joey Barton labelled him a “Sunday league player” – I couldn’t agree more. It’s a flashback to our school days. Nobody really likes a teacher’s pet, and it seems that Karl Henry is exactly this. Even Saturday, when he is at his very worst and more of a hinderance than a help to the side, for whatever reason Mick cannot bring himself to take the man off. I am trying my best to not make this into a witch hunt, but we do have more technically gifted, able footballers who cannot get a sniff in the side, who are better suited to this central midfield berth. Guedioura, who was disappointingly sent on wide right yesterday, is a prime candidate for the engine room, as is David Edwards, Nenad Milijas and even Kevin Foley who played the position so astutely in Henry’s injury absence last season.

In the pre-match tale of the tape, Jeff Stelling claimed Henry a steal after making over two hundred appearances and costing just £100,000. I have been there for almost every one of them, and in conclusion I can only state that you really do get what you pay for. I know I’m not alone in my perceptions and there are also Wolves fans who think he is the best thing since sliced bread, but perhaps the most frustrating thing is the fact that Karl Henry is SUPPOSED to be one of us. Raised in the area and brought up as a Wolves supporter, his lack of desire and unwillingness to contribute is disrespectful to those of us who are really Wolves through and through. Perhaps he’s just not good enough. Perhaps the blame should lay with the man who continues to show blind faith in him, but there comes a point like Saturday, when it all boils over and his contribution, which consisted solely of standing in the centre circle clapping after each of the three goals went in, just isn’t enough.

This was a prominent issue raised throughout the game Saturday in the stands and I am interested to hear what the readers have to say and their opinion on Henry. If the likes of Nenad MIlijas, Adam Hamill, Kevin Foley are not considered to be making enough of a contribution to the team to get a regular start, I would like someone to tell me what exactly is Karl brings to the side so consistently that he is given more of Mick’s time and faith than others who fall off the radar after one mistake or bad game.

With a punctured morale and serious wake up call, Wolves must react like the proverbial wounded animal if they are to prevent a downward spiral. One would think that going to Anfield, to face a Liverpool side whose pride is also damaged from a poor showing at Tottenham is not an ideal situation. But it’s Wolves, and like Saturday, they have the ability to spring a surprise – and you just never know.

Forever, we are Wolves.

Are storm clouds gathering at Wolves?

Much like the weather at Molineux on Saturday afternoon, Wolverhampton Wanderers were very much hot and cold over the 90 minutes against Tottenham Hotspur.

The game itselt saw two sides that couldn’t have been more different. Contrasting styles, contrasting early season fortunes and contrasting morale were the orders of the day.

In the Gold corner was Wolverhampton Wanderers; 7 points and unbeaten in their opening three games, playing with a swagger and team spirit level through the roof – against a Tottenham side with no points on the board, having shipped eight goals in the process and somewhat reeling from the lack of transfer activity on deadline day, something which we have all come to associate with Harry’s boys over the past few years.

You’ll have to excuse me, but pandering to the pun users nationwide – much like the big bad Wolf, Wolves huffed and puffed today, overcame a few initial obstacles, but ultimately failed to blow the house down. Wolverhampton matched their blood and thunder, hard hitting style against the pretty patterned, woven, flowing style of Spurs. And for the best part of an hour, the two complimented each other very well, creating an exciting yet tense spectacle for the 25,000 or so inside Molineux. Eventually though, it was ‘football’ that won the day.

Wolves fielded one change from the starting eleven that was so far unbeaten in the Premier League, with Michael Kightly replacing a semi-fit Matt Jarvis on the right wing – a decision that will be discussed later, whilst Tottenham gave debuts to new signings Emmanuel Adebayor and England anchor-man Scott Parker. Wolves continued with their new found principles of a traditional 4-4-2 system with two out and out wingers to support the front men and stuck to the style that has resulted in their recent successes. The elaboration on this would be, two ball winning, combative central midfielders getting the ball wide as often as possible, leaving what is in a sense a front four to plough an offensive furrow. Wolves remained direct and rigid, getting plenty of crosses and through balls into their strikers. On the flipside Tottenham sought a more controlled style. Applying simple, short passes with plenty of movement in the midfield, their forwards link up in an attempt to stretch the Wolves back four whilst keeping plenty of possession.

The first half was very much a ‘you have a go – we have a go’ scenario. Tottenham’s patience saw a few half chances for a busy Adebayor, and plenty of opportunities to a lively Kranjcar to get some decent crosses into the area and test Wayne Hennessey from distance. That being said, as expected Wolves continued to defend impressively marshaled by Roger Johnson and aside from an early goal line clearance from Richard Stearman, they rarely threatened. In essence, Wolves had the much better of the opening hour. Trademark long range strikes from Jamie O’Hara forced Brad Friedel into a couple of decent saves, Michael Kightly headed straight into the American veteran’s arms from 6 yards out, a first half free kick from Kightly somehow missed everybody and flashed across the goal line and even Karl Henry ventured into parts unknown dribbling impressively past Ledley King and forcing another great save from those huge paws of Friedel low to his right.

At half time Wolves fans were quietly confident; the Southbank gave the team a good ovation as they departed after a first half in which Richard Stearman had been outstanding against the obvious talent of Gareth Bale. Defoe had been anonymous and Luka Modric looked totally disinterested in the contest up against Henry and O’Hara in the middle of the park.

Unfortunately, football matches are played over 90 minutes. Divided equally into two separate halves, coming together to make a complete match… there’s a cliche in there somewhere!

Wolves are all about focus. Intensity and concentration has seen them over the line in their three previous encounters this season. And as they switched off, Tottenham’s obvious yet so far estranged quality was switched on. Tottenham turned to an old ancient chinese method to break down the barrier that Wolves had laid before them – ping pong. This is exactly what they did with the ball; Parker, Kranjcar, Defoe and Adebayor combined for two identical goals both originating from the Wolves left side. I cannot think of a better way to describe how they passed the ball between them other than ‘ping, ping, ping, goal’. One touch movement at it’s best, rounded off with two quality strikes that have been hidden in the lockers of Adebayor and Defoe for too long. On the whole the defending was pretty poor, reminiscent of that from last season when the Wolves back four flailed and flopped whilst the opposition turned them inside out. If I’m totally honest I’ll give you the scope on both goals on face value;

• Stephen Ward was caught out of position,
• Berra was outsmarted for the first and slipped over for the second,
• Johnson lost his man on both occasions.

It’s tough to criticize three players who have been outstanding up to that point, but when push comes to shove those basic errors were the difference between Wolves and Spurs yesterday.

Perhaps the most disheartening fact was that Wolves should have been ahead by this point. And I now refer back to the decision to start Michael Kightly in place of Matt Jarvis. Again, it may seem harsh but I aim to deliver a sober and direct analysis of what happened. Although Michael Kightly was in no way to blame for the two Tottenham goals, he was sadly the soul reason that Wolves were not leading 2-0 by the time the deadlock was eventually broken. Kights was free down the right early in the second half, and as O’Hara, Doyle and Fletcher queued up with only Ledley King covering back for Spurs he somehow endeavoured to dissect all three attackers who would have surely taken their easy chances, with a poorly placed ball that ended up at the feet of Kyle Walker on the opposite flank.

A few minutes later, Wolves again got the better of an indifferent Assou-Ekotto and Kevin Doyle drilled a precise cross into the box with Steven Fletcher waiting six yards out and with the goal at his mercy… Kightly took it upon himself to attack the ball, which hit him in the face and ballooned over the bar from the same six yard distance. I reiterate I am not here to hound certain individuals, just to tell it like it is. After all, the Wolves faithful would like nothing more than to see their number 7 stolen from Grays Athletic return to the tantalising form of four years ago, yet I fear that he may never be the same after two recent debilitating injury spells.

This is also a reflection on the man at the top. Regardless of the fact that he had masterminded Wolves’s impressive start to the season, Mick McCarthy has struggled with decision making in the past, especially when presented with a choice. Today, Mick had to make his first real choice of the season; to pick from three or four candidates to replace Matt Jarvis so as not to disrupt the balance that the 2011/12 Wolves had achieved thus far, and evidently here he got it wrong.

The Round Up:

Tottenham were by no means world class on the day, but the additions of Adebayor and Parker made a real difference. Parker did the dirty work in the engine room allowing others to play their natural game, neat in possession and precise with his passes whilst Adebayor is a genuine target man but his contributions also allow Redknapp the freedom to play two up front which is a real rarity for Spurs these days.

Wolves continue to show signs of improvement and although they were gracious in defeat and by no means out played, the defending for both goals was worryingly naive – a step in the wrong direction for an otherwise flawless d-line in the opening 4 games of the season. Nothing lasts forever, and even the most starry eyed Wanderer knew that a loss was not too far beyond the horizon. Wolves MUST now prove the initial predictions correct, that they have really turned a corner by picking themselves up and not letting one bad result become the catalyst for a landslide. QPR at home next Saturday is the perfect opportunity for Mick’s boys to bounce back and show that the bubble is still very much afloat.

Star Man:

In the face of adversity, Wolves’s Richard Stearman continues to impress week after week. Many questioned his selection ahead of more astute full backs such as Kevin Foley and Ronald Zubar, but on this form there is no displacing the former England Under 21 international. Brave and brash with his tackling, adventurous going forward and comfortable in possession, he forced the mercurial Gareth Bale to swap wings in the second half in search of an easier ride. He epitomises the tireless standards and hard nosed ideologies that Mick McCarthy has for his team.

Forever, We are Wolves.

Much like Wolves’ last outing against Aston Villa, August 31st was satisfyingly uneventful – a juxtaposition that Wolves fans will no doubt be more than happy to accept after the tense unpredictability of the last two seasons.

No new faces came in whilst no major names moved on. The only official business of the closing stages of the transfer window saw up and coming ‘Karl Henry-esque’ midfielder David Davis loaned to Inverness CT to continue his footballing education in the SPL for the remainder of the season. There will always be those who see last minute business as essential, and will criticise the management for any lack of it (I have been one of those in the past) but for now and especially after our bright start to the campaign we must take stock and see the positives in our lack of activity on deadline day. It does not point towards a lack of ambition, nor does it ring the financial alarm bells, it simply indicates that the man in charge is content with what he already has at his disposal. This is a good thing, and when you look at the bigger picture it is obvious to see why.

The rumour mill was in full flow as ever on deadline day. As entertaining as it may be to hear that so-and-so was spotted eating in a Wolverhampton McDonalds, they very rarely have any substance. England under 21 starlet Henri Lansbury was mentioned as a possible loan signing, whilst Celtic hitman Gary Hooper was touted as a target due to former interest from McCarthy – neither materialised. Perhaps it is a lesson learned from the Wolves chief. After all, in previous years last minute signings have been more an indication of the pressing of the panic button rather than a step in the right direction. Not to mention any names… but Stephen Maierhofer, George Friend and Nigel Quashie please take a bow! No, Mick McCarthy prefers not to pander to the masses these days and gets the bulk of his transfer activity over before his annual summer excursions begin.

Three additions to the squad since the dramatic conclusion to last season on the outside seems pretty minimal. On face value it would appear that for a squad that survived by the skin of its teeth, that three new signings (well two if you don’t include O’Hara) is nowhere near sufficient enough to represent progress. Yet consider this; we had enough character in the squad to take victories over Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and put the undefeated streak of Manchester United to the sword. The current group found the right blend of quality and passion to beat our three local rivals in intense derby games. We already have proven goalscorers in Kevin Doyle and Steven Fletcher, as well as healthy goal contributions from midfield in Matt Jarvis, Stephen Hunt and Jamie O’Hara. All that was really missing was someone to plug the holes in a leaky defence, and for the manager to learn from his own mistakes and organise the team more efficiently and make the correct calls during matches – and in the early stages of the new season all the signs are there to suggest this is happening.

Four goals in the bag, only one conceded and seven points unbeaten in our first three games are all the indication that a Wolves fan needs that their side is going in the right direction. The 0-0 draw at Aston Villa two weeks ago was a fairly incident free, scrappy goal bore draw, and nothing will make the Wolves faithful happier! The media hounded us after the game for our lack of ambition and creativity. We were labelled as ‘boring Wolves’. I say superb, more of the same please! Nothing pleases us more than to take a great point and a clean sheet to boot away from Villa Park.

The performance showed grit and determination, character to repel an attack with international pedigree and most encouragingly the correct choices during the game from the dugout. Under increasing pressure there was only ever going to be one winner in the game, as Villa poured forward and laid siege on our penalty area. So, Mick reacted. His decision to replace two wingers with full backs wreaked of negativity. Essentially though, it was the sole difference between a respectable point and our first notch in the ‘L’ column. The game died a death after this. Wolves saw more of the ball without creating any chances and the game was played out for the final twenty minutes – something which did not sit well with the footballing jury. Whereas in the past we endeavoured to turn wins into draws and draws into losses, this result saw us turn a corner and move positively in another direction. But we stand proudly and say we are not out to entertain the neutrals. We play for ourselves and our fans and look after our own interests. We may be ‘boring’ and we may be ‘dirty’ but we would have it no other way. Us against the world, backs against the wall is a philosophy which McCarthy revels in. Needless to say the majority of the Wolves supporters are happy to stand beside him in the fight.

Which takes me nicely back to the original topic. A team that has scored goals, defended valiantly and acquired the adaptation to circumstance characteristic, in my mind, requires very little change. Why fix something that isn’t broken?

There are those out there who will always have their devils and their doubts. Why didn’t we sign a striker after Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was ruled out of action for up to six weeks? Why didn’t we move for the likes of Joe Cole, Shaun Wright Phillips and Scott Dann? If they are willing to move to the likes of Blackburn and QPR then surely they would come to Wolves. Why don’t we show more ambition in the transfer market and sign bigger names as we are now a much more attractive option to suitors now that we appear to be much more accustomed to the top flight of English football? Simply put it is time to show a little faith in the ideologies that McCarthy has for his team, and our club, myself included. After all, Mick has said numerous times on record that he has no time for ‘big time Charlies’. And fair enough. If the players he buys owe him some sort of favour for being at that level then so be it. At least we can move forward in the comfort that the majority of our squad will play for the manager and that we are free from disruptive influence.

Our supposed lack of ambition is also the main reason that we are the ONLY club in the top flight that are totally free from debt. When you consider the plight of West Ham and Portsmouth in recent years due to extravagant wage expenditures, or the fact that Everton has made headlines recently that signing ‘big name’ players to lucrative deals is now the reason that the Toffees are potless year after year and cannot financially back one of the league’s top managers, we have a lot to be thankful for.

Those short months between the end of a turbulent 2010/11 campaign and a totally fresh start were spent taking stock; Dealing with the talent currently at our disposal, identifying areas of concern and learning from past mistakes. Change can be a good thing, if only in small doses. Our promising start to the Barlcays Premier League season is all the proof you need. Onwards and upwards…

Forever, we are Wolves.

Photo by thiago Lis

With two games, two wins, six points and just about as many monkeys already off our backs, you’d forgive the Wolverhampton Wanderers faithful for getting a little carried away.?? Whilst the media have opted to play the illusionist and conjure up all sorts of headlines about Wolves being joint top of the Premier League, I prefer for once to back Mick McCarthy and keep my feet firmly planted.

Match of the Day 2 pointed out that it was the first time in 49 years that Wolverhampton Wanderers had sat atop the English game, whilst The Sun’s ‘Super Goals’ pullout pointed our meteoric rise from the Premier League’s doldrums to its summit with the headline ‘Bottoms up.’ Of course it’s all much ado about nothing. Anybody whose anybody would need psychological testing if they took the Barclays Premier League table seriously after only two games. Although it was nice to hear the South Bank chorusing in jest ”We are top o’ the league, say we are top o’ the league” after our second goal went in on Sunday.

For those who might be thinking that you’ve got a right Victor Meldrew here and that I’m doing my best to find any chink of darkness in an otherwise brightly lit corridor, I’m not. I’m a genuine miser. It’s part and parcel of being a Wolves season ticket holder but even I realise that we have to enjoy it while it lasts. And there is certainly much to be encouraged about from our opening 180 minutes of Premier League football this year, such as:

1. For starters we have back to back wins. We didn’t achieve this feat until the final three games of last season in May.
2. An away win to kick start the campaign. We’ve overcome a demon which Wolves have had to battle regularly over the previous two campaigns, winning just seven away from 38 in the past two seasons.
3. Six points on the board. Those six glorious points are omething which took Wolves until mid October to reach last season. One year on, we are two months ahead of ourselves.
4. Taking six points from teams in and around us. The huge weight around Wolves’s neck last season was our inability to beat teams around us. We had groundbreaking wins against Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool, but were compounded by unconvincing home losses to Wigan, Blackburn and Bolton.
5. Four goals for and only one against. As one of the league’s lowest scoring teams over the previous two seasons and commonly winning only 1-0 when we did, it’s refreshing to see an average of two goals per game from open play from both the strikers and midfielders.
6. Looking comfortable in the 4-4-2. It’s no secret that the transformation to 4-5-1 has saved Wolves’ skin over the past two seasons. Whilst we looked far too open, over run in midfield and lacking any fluency playing a standard 4-4-2, the switch to five in midfield made the gold and black harder to beat — hence the amount of 1-0 wins that saw us survive with a few games, and then a few minutes to spare just three months ago.?We always knew in our minds that to progress as a Premier League side and shake the ‘relegation fodder’ tag we would eventually have to find a way of playing a more conventional 4-4-2. Yet there was so many obvious problems to address. In the past the defense has left a lot to be desired, so midfielders were being picked on their defensive ability giving us very little going forward. It was also said that we needed two other central midfielders to compensate for Karl Henry’s lack of presence and ability in the engine room. Others questioned whether predominantly using two out-and-out wingers as a supply line for two strikers was the reason we looked so susceptible against similar attack minded opposition. At the same time those problems were being addressed, so are critics being answered. We have set out 4-4-2 in our opening fixtures; armed with two wingers, two out and out strikers, Karl Henry and Jamie O’Hara together in the centre of midfield and three out of the four of last seasons defenders. The mind boggles as to what has been changed, said or done but we must be doing something right. McCarthy appears to have addressed the balance between defense and attack, and everyone now has their own individual agendas rather than having to second guess themselves in accordance to what their teammates may or may not be doing right.

All the waffle and analysis aside, the Fulham game on Sunday was a refreshing showpiece for the Molineux faithful. The same unquestionable passion, desire and determination was evident, but this time coupled with a style and panache like many will have never experienced. Wolves were uncharacteristically ruthless. Too many times in the past they have mastered their own downfall by taking a lead in games, then sitting back and inviting pressure until they inevitably crack. The manager himself has been guilty of orchestrating this many a time. Replacing strikers with midfielders and midfielder with defenders far too early in games where we lead and went on to drop valuable points. This was a far too common trait in which Mick McCarthy was earning a predictable reputation for. We feared it, but did not see it against Fulham.

A 2-0 lead at half time for Wolves is usually quite unnecessarily ominous. However much to the delight of the three stands of supporters at Molineux on Sunday, we continued to press, play football and create more and more chances to increase rather than sit on a lead.

Aside from this we are doing all we can to shake the ‘Dirty Wolves’ aura, which looms around the club. Ironically it began against Fulham this time last year when Bobby Zamora suffered an unfortunate leg break and Wolves were overly physical in a match that saw us throw away a lead to lose 2-1. One week later Karl Henry was red carded for an aggressive tackle on Jordi Gomez at Wigan and we became a modern day replica of the Crazy Gang, kicking lumps out of the opposition and winning ugly with scrappy 1-0 scorelines whilst playing unattractive hit-and-hope football. To his credit Mick McCarthy has always believed the contrary. For the majority of the game Wolves outpassed Fulham, keeping the ball and sticking to attractive triangles whilst ‘one-touch’ passing and moving our way from defense to attack again and again.

One final note on the performance and indeed on the winds of change at Molineux is the emergence of new skipper Roger Johnson. He’s looking an absolute steal at £7m when he is every bit as good as Phil Jones who departed Blackburn for over twice that fee. To revoke the captain’s duties from Karl Henry was a bold yet pleasantly surprising move from the management. For years Henry has lived with the tag of being the ‘teachers pet’ at Wolves. One of the manager’s favourites, picked on personality rather than merit and never substituted or dropped — even when he looked at times more of a hindrance than a help to the team. This decision was a statement by McCarthy. Firstly that no individual should rest on their laurels and take their place for granted, and secondly that he has realised what Johnson has proved thus far – that he is a presence on the football field, a detailed organiser and a leader of men. What more could you ask for in a captain?

Still I’m not sure about the decision to start Richard Stearman out of position at right back ahead of two arguably better out and out full backs in Kevin Foley or Ronald Zubar, but we must let that slide for now as the back four looks totally transformed with Johnson as it’s heartbeat and allow ourselves to bask in the ambience that is an impressive and encouraging 100% to our third successive season in the greatest league in the world! Forever, we are Wolves.

Wolves fans celebrate survival at Molineux

The date was Sunday, May 22nd 2011. The day and indeed the whole week prior to it was the closest, most intriguing Barclays Premier League survival battle in years – possibly ever.

The publicity and anticipation spread worldwide. For one day, the eyes of the footballing enthusiast were drawn away from the Manchester United’s and the Chelsea’s and lay firmly fixated upon the ‘Big Five’ all attempting to steer themselves clear of the two remaining relegation places.

Occupying the position of the often mentioned ‘neutral’ was the majority of the world’s football audience. Up against them were the brave few, the loyal supporters of Wigan Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City, Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers. Unfortunately for the minority (myself included) there was no anti-climax. Gary Linekar told of how the situation at the foot of the most prestigious league in the world changed a pulsating fourteen times over the 90 minutes. And the nation ‘did an Oasis’ and duly went mad for it! Pundits, presenters and fans alike couldn’t get enough of the drama and emotion that ebbed and flowed throughout the day. As they say, brilliant for the neutral isn’t it? However, spare a thought for those of us who, with every fibre of our being, went to hell and back on that fateful day.

It is something that I will tell a thousand times in my lifetime. Nothing I have ever experienced or been apart of could hold a candle to the rollercoaster of emotions I and 26,000 others rode on that day. The phone calls, the text messages, people with radios, Facebook statuses, Blackberry updates, mini portions of the crowd exploding into random fits of jubilation – there was no hiding from our current predicament.

I won’t bore you with facts and figures from that day, that has been done time and again. Needless to say we survived. WE, being Wolverhampton Wanderers. Whether it was my natural analyst instinct or just me being a general miser, but when the final whistle came and we learned of our fate, amidst all the scenes of unbridled joy; strangers hugging and kissing one another, raucous chanting, fist pumping and ‘We shall not be moved’ – I sat, slumped into my seat in the Southbank (Jack Harris Stand) Molineux pondering how all of this seemed a charade, a papering over of the cracks compared to the big picture.

While others (fans and players alike) mindlessly celebrated our survival I was already on the outside looking in. Considering Wolves were the only side to have home advantage on the final day, Wolves had the easiest opponent ‘on paper’ and Wolves were two places above the drop-zone. At 4pm GMT our fate was well and truly in our own hands for the first time all season. We seemingly endeavored to do our best to throw it all away!

Take the skin of your teeth, and shed a few more layers. Wolverhampton Wanderers were a mere three minutes from being relegated from the English Premier League. That was until Irish international winger Stephen Hunt pulled the proverbial rabbit from the hat and curled a sweet left footed shot past the spectating Paul Robinson. Almost all of the 28,000 in that famous golden stadium saw it as the great escape, a last ditch dramatic goal had seen us survive on the final day of the season and even sweeter was the fact that it sent our local rivals Birmingham City down in our place. But it wasn’t ‘our place’, it should never have been. I could not help distance myself from the euphoria and see it for what it truly was. In the wider picture we had lost ANOTHER ‘winnable’ home game against a team around us terms of league position. For 45 minutes our best available team, in the manager’s eyes at least, had bottled it on the big stage when it really mattered most. Our salvation was shamefully reliant upon others when it was comfortably in our own hands before kickoff. The whole situation stank of more of the same to me.

Take away the fact that it was the final curtain of a record breaking Premier League season. Remove the hype, anticipation and pressure and it was bleak evidence of more of the same from Mick McCarthy’s Wolves. Beyond the glitz and glamour of the occasion it was another failure to win a game that really mattered. The path to survival is no secret, it has been passed down through generations year after year in football. You have to beat the teams around you. All this adds to the frustration of the loyalist and the baffling, enigmatic query of how and why can a Wolverhampton Wanderers team who have beaten Chelsea, Manchester United, Man City and Liverpool in one season, not beat the likes of Wigan Athletic, West Ham and Blackburn at home!?

It’s the age old adage. If you’d have said to me at the start of the campaign that my team would beat the Premier League’s top 3, Liverpool at Anfield as well as beat all of their four Midlands rivals in one season I’d have checked your pulse before taking it hands down! But to do all of this and still be three minutes away from relegation seems absurd. We didn’t send out our special squadron for these games, it was the same personnel — give or take — that played throughout the season. The same defenders that shut out Rooney and Drogba were made to look like amateurs by the likes of Jason Roberts and Luke Varney — with all due respect. The same front line that put three past Tottenham, scored five goals in total against Man City and combine to slay the undefeated Manchester United, were shut out by the leaky back four of Wigan and West Ham. Even Newton and Galileo would struggle with this one. It just doesn’t add up. While it entertainingly baffles the media and sporting pundits, it frustratingly grates on those of us who entrust our money, our faith and for the most part our livelihood in these players.

Remarkably all of this went through my mind in about ten minutes after the final whistle on that day. Personally, I foretell more of the same in the seasons to come. The buck stops with the manager.

“You can always tell a Yorkshireman, but you can’t tell him a lot!”

It’s as if it was written for Mick McCarthy. A man who has divided opinion in the city of Wolverhampton to massive proportions. The grumpy, stuck in his ways northerner that antagonises fans, makes life difficult for the media and has little time for anybody else’s opinion. Some say he’s a magician, ‘Magic Mick’ ‘Super Mick’, while others say he’s lost it, ‘McClueless’. His guard to the media is one thing but it is shown far too often to his own supporters, and the paying public see his self pride masquerading as ignorance. Do his ethics about work rate and ‘putting a shift in’ speak volumes about his character and mentality, or do they mean he has no time for skill, flair and genuine footballing ability? Does his first order of business to release Paul Ince and public rejection of bringing back old favorites Lescott and Keane support a ‘young ‘n’ hungry’ policy and vision for the future, or do they highlight his inability to handle personalities bigger than his own and inadequacy when it comes to managing ‘top’ players. If you heard his interviews or team talks you’d think he was setting up a workforce of 11 men to go working on the rail road, rather than trying to win a football game. Too often it seems that personality and likeability win the day over genuine footballing talent.

Most importantly, and one query that Mr Chairman must consider in the coming months, is regardless of whether Mick is the saviour having guided Wolves to successive survivals and beaten the well documented ‘second season syndrome’, is it a case of ‘thank you very much but goodbye’? Have Wolverhampton Wanderers come as far as they will go under the current regime. With the stadium development, £20 million or so seemingly wasted this season and a progressive attitude coming from the owner, he must decide whether Mick McCarthy will buy into his vision for the future to take a club of esteemed tradition to the next level, or will they forever be the ‘backs against the wall’ underdog, relegation fodder that Mick McCarthy seems to relish.

“To be fair, he probably struck the ball too well” (on Frank Lampard shooting wide of the goal)

“A two-footed beaver of a player” (on Wesley Sneijder)

“He looks a bull of a defender but I have to say he’s playing like quite a cultivated bull at the moment”

“Craig Bellamy definitely runs faster forwards than he runs backwards”

“I think I’ll have to sit on the bench on that one” (when asked to pick a winner between Spain and Russia)

“Terry Sheddingham”

“Lovely cultivated player, or is it cultured?”

“No yellow cards yet, only mustard ones”

“He decided to go to Korea, probably because of the noodles” (on Gus Hiddink’s decision to coach Korea instead of Tottenham)

“Sometimes the cheapest corners can be the most expensive”

“There’s music playing” (after Portugal scored a goal)

“It was wild and handsome, high and handsome”

Pleat: “The Swedish only have ten minutes to do something should they want to stay in the competition”
Clive Tyldesley: “There’s still 26 minutes left of the match”
Pleat: “Oh dear I forgot to put my watch back to Swiss time”

“He’s a very young, fresh-faced player, well he’s not that young actually, 26 or 27, fresh-faced though, looks like he has just come out of college”

“With eight minutes left, the game could be won in the next five or ten minutes”

“They are trying to walk the ball in by heading it”

“They’re changing some of the midget gems in midfield”

“Isaksson’s not had much to do. He must be happy, he’s not been very busy and surprised”

“There we see the little man trying to scratch the big man”

“Daniel Anderson’s a little ferret of a midfield player”

“Sergio Ramos was an expensive addition to Spain”

“These wingers are showing great intervention in invention”

“Little wide outside right” (meaning ‘right wing’)

“Of course! Deco has got eyes in the back of his head…I forgot about that!”

“Moutinho using his weight there – all 5’ 7” of it”

“Republic of Czechoslovakia”

“The Dutch will be wary of the big lad pulling off at the back post”

“He’s got the world at his dancing feet” (on Christian Ronaldo)

“He is a good defender, a fish and chips man”

“Brian McBride is pound for pound as good as any of the top strikers in the Premiership”

“This will be the first time we will be two thirds of the way through the match”

“Ronaldo was coming in behind Ashley Cole there” (on Giggs; Ronaldo had supplied the cross)

“Great save by Michael Carrick” (on Cech saving from Carrick)

“And here we have a real movie star menace in that of Didier Drogba”

“What a swivel and a shot from Redknapp” (On Frank Lampard nearly scoring)

“I’m not too sure how much you get for winning the Champion’s League, but it’s definatly 10 million euro”

“If United get through, they’ll play Chelsea or Liverpool, in an all-Premiership tie, which is also an all-English tie, and also an all-British tie”

“Here we see Tevez’s little curly one”

“There he goes again, doing doggies”

“The ball is tied to his feet, but where’s the string?”

“Giuly’s only 5’6 he’s not very tall for a winger”

“I don’t know if that was a good bad one or a bad good one”

“Manchester should brush past Roma tonight but it won’t be easy”

“The Romans are now disappearing, on the bus, trains or where ever they live”

“There’s Jermaine Defoe, checking the weather on his phone no doubt…he’s a lovely boy”

Clive Tyldesly: “Well, we have a Spanish referee for this all English encounter”
Pleat: “Yes, well it is hot”

“Who’s coming off? It might be King, he certainly knows who’s coming off, but only Ledley knows for sure, so we can’t tell you”

“Carrick will be the deepest of the threesome”

“Statistics are damn lies”

“He had to cut back inside onto his left foot, because he literally hasn’t got a right foot”

“Martin kick-your-legs as we used to call him when he was playing for West Brom in the 80s. He went home, ate a few pies, and now he’s back and Spurs are grateful for all he’s done”

“He wasn’t really trying to score with that shot”

“Preki quite literally only has the one foot”

Clive Tyldesley: “This wont be United’s biggest win in Europe. They actually won a game 10-1”
Pleat: “I remember that as a young man, against Anderlecht, wasn’t it?”
Tyldesley: “It was in 1903, David”

“Robbie Keane does not miss. I can tell you now, Robbie Keane does not miss.” Following Robbie Keane’s subsequently missed penalty: “He usually puts it the other way”

“Marseille needed to score first, and that never looked likely once Liverpool had taken the lead”

“The pitch looks a bit like custard”

“I always thought Justin Hoyte was right footed but it seems like he has improved his left foot too. He’s played well at left back for Arsenal today” (commenting on the match where Armand Traore was playing left back and Justin Hoyte was on the bench)

“Dennis Bergkamp has been a wondrerful player for Arsenal down the years and I’m sure he’ll be a valuable member of the squad for years to come” (on Bergkamp’s career after his testimonial match at the emirates)

“No pain without gain”

“I would take advantage of this and make the wall stand the full 10 metres back”

“It looks like he’s pulled a rabbit out of the bag”

“To be offside there must be daylight between the players and there was a little daylight there so the ref has got it right” (on Joe Cole’s goal that was NOT dissallowed against West Ham)

”Ive just noticed something interesting, the left and right backs have both got long sleeve shirts on”

“Liverpool have got 9 games in the next 29 games”

“Of course, Steven Gerrard is one of only a few Liverpool players who never get left out by Rafa. And even he doesn’t always get picked”

“Giggs is enjoying himself in the middle of the threesome”

“Liverpool are sending a message to the Liverpools and Chelseas”

Clive Tyldesley: “David, whats your prediction for the match?”
David Pleat: “Good evening everyone, a lovely night for football”

Clive Tydsley: “If Babel had scored it would have been the quickest hatrick in champions league history”
David Pleat: “Was that in the uefa cup?”

“The sight is in end”

”Carrick has got all the ingredients in his recipe”

“Ronaldo draws a lot of comparisons with George Best, the incomparable George Best”

“Jonathan Woodgate is telling the bench that he can’t deal with the pace of Henry and wants to come off”

“The Greek commentators are going mad, and they’re standing in front of us. Sit down!”

“I feel like a drunken man who doesn’t have a drink. I’ve never known a Groundhog Day like this and I’ll have to go and see the film to find out what it’s all about”

“He’s a water carrier, a hard worker, a bit of a dog… a ferret”

“Bordeaux’s champagne country, isn’t it?”

“I think they’ll have to throw the kitchen sink at them now a bit. Maybe not the whole sink, with all the plumbing – maybe just the taps for now”

“He’s a local favourite, born and bred in Salford” (On Cardiff-born Ryan Giggs)

“They’ll be happy with that, but they’d be more happy if it went in”

“Zola’s got two feet”

“We are now in the middle of the centre of the first half”

“We just ran out of legs”

“At this moment there is not a problem at this moment”

“I was inbred into the game by my father”

“There’s a little bit of a South American touch, if that’s not Irish, about this European side, Portugal”

“That would have put the icing on his start”

“Pires has got something about him, he can go both ways depending on who’s facing him”

“He’s got a brain under his hair”

“And the steam has gone completely out of the Spanish sails”

“I’ve seen some players with very big feet, and some with very small feet”

“This is a real cat and carrot situation”

“Winning isn’t the end of the world”

“The man we want has to fit a certain profile. Is he a top coach? Would the players respect him? Is he a nutcase?”

“He hits it into the corner of the net as straight as a nut”

“Had we not got that second goal, I think the score might have been different. I’m not sure”

“Eighty per cent of teams who score first in matches go on to win them. But they may draw some. Or occasionally lose…..”

“A game is not won until it is lost”

“Stoichkov is pointing at the bench with his eyes”

“For such a small man Maradona gets great elevation on his balls”

“Our central defenders, Doherty and Anthony Gardner, were fantastic and I told them that when they go to bed tonight they should think of each other”

“There’s Thierry Henry, exploding like the French train that he is”

“If there are any managers out there with a bottomless pit, I’m sure that they would be interested in these two Russians”

A special thanks to the following fan forums that posted these: KUMB, WHO, Glory-Glory, TLW, Red Cafe.

Well, I’m sure you’re all aware that this season has produced some top-notch football, and some horrible dross. So, let’s get down to business, shall we?

10.) West Brom– What they lack in quality, they at least make up for with their desire to play the game as it should be played. I applaud Tony Mowbray and his attempts to stick by his attacking philosophy, despite the fact that it currently leaves West Brom at the foot of the table, and almost surely- relegation to the fizzy-pops. For me, they’ve been aesthetically pleasing to watch. However, their lack of a cutting edge/final ball seems to be their undoing almost every time they move into the final third. Their build up is good, but no end product. I think that comes down to not having the funds or prestige to attract better players. But, all in all, they’ve not done themselves anything but proud for giving it a valiant effort in, what I believe to be the toughest league in the world. I hope they can make a swift return to the top flight, should their fate be sealed.

9.) Manchester City– They leave you wanting more. I’ve never really been a fan of City, but I have to admit that they have had some tantalizing matches. They’re playing an attractive brand of football, and they happen to be unearthing some very talented youngsters in the form of Michael Johnson, Micah Richards, Daniel Sturridge, Stephen Ireland and Chedwyn Evans. The additions of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Robinho seem to put them into higher tempos than that of the other sides that didn’t make the list. However, I can’t help but scoff at the remarks a certain Mr. Hughes made about Kaka not being able to take over Irelnad’s spot,  had he made the move from AC Milan in January. That’s a classic.  Almost as funny as a list of comments I am arranging of a certain Mr. Pleat.

8.) Fulham– The Cottagers have seen a welcomed resurgence in their side, as they are challenging to take a spot in the Europa Cup next season with West Ham, Tottenham, Manchester City and even Wigan hot on their heels. I think this comes down to having a sturdy back line. Last season, Fulham’s defending was not even 1/10th of what it is today, and I think that has a lot to do with the men sitting in their midfield. A certain Mr. Murphy springs to mind, in particular. Danny Murphy seems to be pulling the strings at Craven Cottage these days, and with Brede Hangeland and company behind him, this allows him more freedom to run the midfield as he sees fit. It has only served to help Fulham play some tasty matches, and put on some entertainment so the fans get their fill. Well done to Hodgson and co. for finally getting Fulham up to par with the rest of the league.

7.) Tottenham– As much as this pains me to say, I’ve got to hand it to old Saggy Chops. He’s turned Tottenham around from relegation fodder, into a serious contender for a Europa Cup spot.  Couple good management with Modric, Lennon and the return of Robbie Keane, and you have a Tottenham side that look good for an entertaining day down at White Hart Lane. They play the pass and move game, and with Lennon bursting down the right hand side of midfield, stretching the fullbacks like rubber, and sending the ball into the box, or simply laying it off for Modric, Keane, Bent, etc… There’s creativity in that line-up, and there was no reason that they should not have been challenging for a top 6 spot this entire season. The sacking of Ramos has saved the Spurs.

6.) Aston Villa– Martin O’Neill has done a superb job, this late run of poor form aside. Even in the matches they lose, they do so with class. There’s a certain poise that Villa have, and when they play, they make the game as wide or as narrow as they choose. Barry and Petrov are ever presents in their line-up, and with Young and Milner flanking them, there’s loads of created chances to be had. Now, I can’t say that I am willing to accept that Agbonlahor is the real deal. See, every time I watch Gabby play, the only threat he seems to have is his pace. He’s not incredible when in possession. He doesn’t finish as well as he should, but he still manages to get the ball into the back of the net. So, I suppose that’s what counts in the end, right? Anyways, Villa take the number six spot because they are a great attacking team, and always carry a threat going forward.

5.) West Ham– Gianfranco Zola was a cracking player in his day, and he’s passing on his own unique flair and passion to the staff and players at West Ham United. Even the fans are in an optimistic mood, thanks to the Italian ace. West Ham have long been know to play the creative, counter-attacking football that would tear defences to ribbons, and they’ve gotten this style back under Zola. Last season under Curbishley, I think any West Ham fan would have been pleased to see a game where they looked creative, energetic and up for the challenge. However, Alan’s archaic medical staff nearly murdered the bulk of the squad, and they got no such football. But, the past is the past, and West Ham have new life. Zola and Clarke have them running like a well-oiled machine, and the determination seems to be there to push on for Europe, despite the injury problems to several key players. Namely, Carlton Cole, Jack Collison, Valon Behrami, Scott Parker and Dean Ashton. But, with a crop of fresh diamonds from the famed Tony Carr system at Upton Park, West Ham have the belief in their style, and in their objective. Get into Europe.Wondeful football for a set of wonderful fans (myself included).

p.s. Carlton Cole’s goal against Wigan has to be my goal of the season. Not that I’m biased or anything…

4.) Manchester United– Though they haven’t quite exhibited the same football they did last season, they’ve produced enough magic to keep them in the top four on my list, and the table toppers in the prem. I’d be willing to bet that there would be a significantly lower number of  losses in the column if Ronaldo had been in the same form he was in last season. But, you can never count that man out, as he can produce some of the most Magical moments one could ever witness. They call it the theatre of dreams for a reason at Old Trafford.

3.) Chelsea– Another side that pains me to admit have played some wonderful football. They were fun to watch under Scolari, and the trend continues under Hiddink. There’s loads of quality in that side, and with the return of Michael Essien, they look back to their old, classic Chelsea selves. They are fantastic in possession, and with players like Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Deco, Drogba and Terry, you’d expect nothing less. Joe Cole’s return next season will only add to their incredible depth.

2.) Everton– Now, I don’t know any other club in the top flight that have the same determination as Everton. The Toffees have that never say die attitude, and their football reflects that team mentality. They’re anchored with a solid back line, and creativity in the midfield coming from Arteta, Pienaar, Cahill and even Fellaini. I’ve had some great memories this season from Everton, particularly the 3-3 game with Villa. They are truly a testament to playing the game for all ninety plus minutes. Well done, Mr. Moyes.

1.) Liverpool– The Mickey Mousers have my top spot. Rafa has them playing some great football. That I cannot deny. With Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres linking up, there’s not a defender in the world who wouldn’t be quaking in his football boots, or changing his nappies. Torres has deceptive pace, guile and power. His strikes are light lightning bolts, and there is not a better all-around forward in the prem than Torres. At least, not in my opinion. Not even Drogba. Then adding Captain Liverpool Stevie Gerrard into the blender, you have a fearsome duo at the heart of Liverpool’s attack. And, when the skipper is feeling a bit off, there’s another group of top-notch players ready to fill in wherever needed. Namely, Benayoun, Babel, Lucas, Alonso and Kuyt. And, with the Argentinian Tiger Mascherano sitting just in front of the back four, Liverpool are always a force to be reckoned with.

So, that concludes the ramblings of a mental man who happens to love this game way more than any person should. Hope you enjoyed the read, and thanks for taking time to do so!