Half-time: Wolves 1 Tranmere 1
Second Half :-
Within 10 minutes it looked like 2 or3
players had gone home at half time.
The front 2's service lines lookedto havebeen cut. We seemed to be more often than not chasing back to theedgeof our own penalty area. We created virtually no chances.
On 66 minutes there was a corner and theball came out and Scotty Taylor went to get a 50/50 ball and went down and the wolves players instantly signalled for a stretcher and that hewould have to go off. It was later announced he would be out for a year.Colin Lee had 2 choices on the bench either bring on Osborn in the sameplace OR asOsborn had not been setting the world alight bring Robinsoninto centre midfieldand bring on Camara or Branch on the left to injectsome pace and inventiononthe left wing which is what we had been lacking.Lee chose Osborn. Badchoice.
Branch was brought on for Green on78 minutesand injected a bit of life into the game.
On the 83rd minute Sean Flynn ran towards goal and Muscat challenged clumsily and gets sent off and gives away apenalty 2 - 1 to Tranmere. Although Muscat did look like he was strugglingto catch Flynn up.
The final tactic was for Lescott to comeon for Proudlock (who looked very tired after chasing everything in the first half) on the 88nd minute and to push Emblen into attack. Too latefor him to do anything you would think but Lescott did have a header thathe just missed that might have gone in.
SUMMARY
Overall we had the first half and Tranmere
had the second and in the end slack defending cost us the game but it
has to be mentioned that not a single recognised central defender was
playing in defence and that the midfield disappeared in the second half.
Wasters of the Match : The usual
culprits have to come under scrutiny - Osborn and Sedgley.
Man of the Match : Carl Robinson.
Review
of Wolves vs Sheff Utd.
Attendance : - Sheff Utd brought down 10men and a sheep dog the motorway. A crowd of just over 14,000 (14,853)assembled. Beating Saturday's lowest crowd for 7 years.
Line Up :- Oakes, Naylor, Muscat, Emblen (in central defence) and Lescott. Robinson left wing (?), right wing obviously Bazeley. In the middle of midfield Sedgley and Osborn. And up front Proudlock and Taylor (robert). 2 changes from Saturday. Lescott brought back andasScott Taylor is injured Osborn straight back.
Subs : Sinton, Green , Camara, Ketsbaia,Stowell.
First Half :-
It was a stop - start start to thegame as Sheff Utd were wasting time all the time but it was wolves who started the brighter.
Proudlock again had one of the first chancesin the 15th minute when he had a shot blocked well by Tracey.
The best chance which surely deserved agoal was a shot Emblen made from 30 yards out only for us to watch it hit the crossbar with the keeper beaten.
Lescott also had a good flick on from acorner which just went wide.
Oakes had plenty to do with Bobby Ford putting in a good shot on the half-hour and moments later he had to diveand finger-tip away a goal-bound free kick from Wayne Quinn.
Robert Taylor also had a powerful header well taken by Tracey
On 36 minutes Osborn went in for achallengeand came off worse and hobbled off to the touchline to be replacedby Ketsbaia.
We had again looked the better side overthe first half but our shaky defence was letting Utd have chances.
Half-time: Wolves 0 Sheff Utd 0
Second Half :-
Robert Taylor was instantly replaced by
Sinton who went to the left wing and Ketsbaia pushed up front with
Proudlock.
In the second half, Bent created several good chances. The best coming where he just ran at our defence and Emblen had to get a tackle which put Bent off and with only Oakes to beat, hemis-kicked and Oakes was able to come out and pick the ball up.
The highlight of the second half was whenWarnock was sent off on 60 minutes after he had a real go at the 4thofficialand then tried to start a fight with Colin Lee on the way out.
This half was one of 2 extremes. Wolves had a lovely passing triangle move between Naylor, Sinton and Robinsonwhich resulted in Robinson getting in a shot just wide. However, most ofthe time the ball was hooved up the pitch for the Sheff Utd big men toget the ball every time. It was too easy for them after Taylor went off.Sinton hardlysaw the ball it was though he had some nasty disease. EvenBazeley's crossesweren't as good as they have been. We should have beenplaying to feet andrunningat these defenders and I'm sure we would havebeaten them.
The only real shot we had in the second half was when Ketsbaia turned on the edge of the penalty area and got asoft shot in straight at the goal keeper.
The only other chance we had was when Muscatgot a shot in and it deflected into the path of Proudlock and he scored but it was ruled off side.
Another game another name for the black list of referees. George Caine. We had about 3 decisions off him all game. Every decision went Sheff Utd's way. He also allowed some very nasty challenges to go on but booked 3 players for what looked dissent. There were chantsof 'You don't know what you're doing'. But the truth is he did. He wasdenying wolves any chance. But it wasn't just him it was his linespeopleAGAIN. Ibegan to watch the linesman with the yellow flag and he nevermade a decision.He only put up his flag after the referee had made hisdecision.
SUMMARY
Dire. Bring on the youngsters into the
middle of the park they can't do any worse than Steve Sedgley.
Wasters of the Match : Steve
Sedgleyto watch him wander around aimlessly and practice such cultured
passing is a joy to behold.
Man
of the Match : Difficult Lee Naylor ran his socks off getting up and
down and so did Proudlock. So I'll choose Proudlock as he seemed to be
playing well with Taylor until he had to go off.
Attendance : - Norwich didn't bring manyas it's a fair distance and was on tele. A crowd of just over 15,000assembled.
Line Up :- Oakes, Naylor, Green, Emblen and Dinning (in central defence). Sinton left wing, right wing Bazeley.In the middle of midfield Ketsbaia and Robinson. And up front Proudlockand Branch. Sinton brought in from the start, Ketsbaia recovers from injury,Green inat right back as Muscat is suspended and Dinning starts his firstgame atthemiddle of the back as Lescott is suspended.
Subs : Taylor (Robert), Al-Jaber ,Camara,Clyde, Stowell.
Referee :- S Mathieson (Stockport)
First Half :-
We started very well after 30 seconds Branchwas one on one with the goalkeeper but shot straight at him.
However, Norwich did see some of the ballusually due to some slack passing from our players. But never had a shot that I can remember. They looked more dangerous from corners. Well youexpect that with Iwan Roberts and a player like Walsh in their team. Althoughthey did frighten us a few times with their play down the left and Naylorhad to be at his best to keep up with their left winger.
On 21 minutes Branch received a long passstraight to his feet from Dinning and got the ball across the penalty areaand Proudlock controlled the ball and turned and shot and goal.
Then only 4 minutes later from a corner taken by Sinton and Dinning gets the header in on the near post and itbobbles about and the keeper can't get to it and 2 -0.
On approx. 30 minutes we nearly scored again when a free kick was moved forward 10 yards and Naylor took a popat goal only for the ball to hit the inside of the bar and bounce out withnow wolves player able to get a foot on the rebound.
On 45 minutes Sinton crosses straight ontoCarl Robinson's head (who is unmarked at the time) and 3 - 0. The crowd is in shock.
Wolves seemed to take control of the gamein the last 25 minutes of the half from a Norwich side who looked typical average first division fare but looked a threat on the break down the left and if they could maybe get a ball to Roberts but being 3 - 0 down surely that was it.
Half-time: Wolves 3 Norwich 0
Second Half :-
Norwich did try and attack and we were penned back in our penalty area for a bit but we coped with Dinning marshalling the defence.
Norwich used all 3 subs to apply pressure but it didn't work. With them re-jiggling there formation it seemed togive Branch and Proudlock more room to manoeuvre. They were linking verywell and began to look like they were reading each others minds.
On 65 minutes the best goal of allwasscored by Branch who ran at the Norwich defence then decided to have ashot fromlong range which dipped and curled and went in. An absolute peachof a goal.
On 73 minutes Al-Jaber came on forBranchwhich was only fair as he had run himself into the ground. He leftthepitch to a standing ovation and Proudlock ran across the pitch to congratulatehim on the game. On 77 minutes Proudlock was replaced by Taylor and hetooleft to a standing ovation. The last to go was Sinton on 82 minuteswho tooleft to a standing ovation to be replaced by Camara who was livelyfor thelast 10minutes.
Al-Jaber made the biggest impression withhis quick feet every time he went forward he looked like he was going toscore. He was unlucky on a couple of occasions to have been adjudged to have impeded the defender. Even Taylor had his chance when again he wasput through by Al-Jaber and was one on one with the goal keeper but couldn'tseen to curl the ball around him.
Again the final 20 minutes of the half were all ours and really there should have been more goals.
SUMMARY
A good team performance. Could have been
slightly better. Some of the passing early on was terrible and we
shouldhave had more goals. Lots of chances one on one with the goal
keeper werecreated and more should have not been hit straight at him.
Ketsbaia waseven winning a good proportion of headers and getting
tackles in. Sintonand Naylor were working well on the left. Bazeley
played a little too deepfor my liking and Green sometimes sat too deep
off his man.
Waster of the Match : None.
Man of the Match : Difficult to
pick one Proudlock ran his socks off and chased every ball and linked
upwell with Branch. Dinning commanded the defence. He was bossing
playersabout just like Curle used to. He had a go at Oakes because he
kept expectinghim tocome out to fetch the ball and never did. He also
scored and madethe longpassto make one of the goals so I think he just
edges it.
Review
of Wolves vs Grimsby (worthington cup).
Attendance : - Grimsby brought 18 people exactly. A very low crowd of just over 8,000 assembled.
Line Up :- Oakes, Naylor, Green, Lescott and Muscat (in central defence). Sinton left wing, right wing Bazeley.Inthe middle of midfield Emblen and Robinson. And up front Proudlock andBranch. Emblen recovers from injury, Muscat stays in the centre of defenceas Dinning is cup tied.
Subs : Larkin, Andrews , Camara, Epesse-Titi, Stowell.
Referee :- D.R. Crick
First Half :-
Half-time: Wolves 1 Grimsby 0
Second Half :-
SUMMARY
An average team performance.
Waster of the Match : None.
Man of the Match : Has to be
Branch.
Attendance : - Fulham sold out there 1,500allocation (a bit different to last year when they brought about 200) andcould pay on the day in the John Ireland. A high crowd of 21,080 assembled.
Line Up :- Oakes, Naylor, Muscat, Lescott and Pollet (in central defence). Sinton left wing, right wing Bazeley.Inthe middle of midfield Osborn and Dinning and Ketsbaia with a free role.Andup front Emblen on his own. Muscat recovers from injury, Lescott putbackto the centre of defence, Proudlock dropped to the bench and branch? andKetsbaia returns to the team.
Subs : Robinson, Camara , Peacock,Proudlock,Stowell.
Referee :- D Laws (Whitley Bay)
First Half :-
It was a very lively to start to the gamewith there being end to end stuff.
Dinning started in midfield and started with a bang he curled a 25-yard free-kick which Taylor saved comfortablyand then, he fed Ketsbaia in a move which led to Emblen screwing a shotharmlessly wide from similar range.
Fulham played on the counter and were lightningquick. A nervous moment came when brevitt put a ball across thebox whichhit Pollet and Oakes picked up but it could have easily been anown goal.
Ketsbaia had 2 shots which went way off-target.The second time he sliced yards wide from the 25-yard free-kick.
This is an indication of how the game wasgoing. Wolves would rely on a free kick, corner or long range shot for the goal while fulham would knock the ball about and build play from theback.
The dodgiest moment for wolves came whenHayles went down in the penalty area following a challenge by Muscatbutthe referee waved play on and as the play was at the other end of thepitchI wouldn't like to comment either way.
Most of the play was emerging in midfield where we had virtually 5 players. Dinning was snapping away at everything and running to support the front 2, Osborn was man marking so was herethere and everywhere and Ketsbaia was playing well, getting shots in/tackles/and passing the ball around and with normal service resumed on the 2 flanksby Bazeley and Sinton.
Sinton was also having a crack at goal and saw a fine centre held by Taylor and saw a hopeful low drive savedeasily by Taylor at his near post, then succeeded only in finding the headof Melville with another decent cross.
Muscat also had a few shots from distance one which the keeper had to move to his left to save.
At the end of the half I would sayit washonours even although wolves had had the most corners, free kicks andshotson target. It was a half of man-marking fulham and making sure theydidn'tscore and Pollet and Lescott did this job superbly. But it was alsoveryimportant that every player did his job. Without a recognised strikerasI said above we were hoping to score from a good long range effort or aheader from a corner. Oakes had to pick the ball up a few times but neverhad a shot to save.
Half-time: Wolves 0 Fulham 0
Second Half :-
Ketsbaia continued to have a few cracks at goal but none were forcing the keeper into saves.
There was little sign of fulham's attacking force in the first 30 minutes of the second half apart from a block thatPollet had to make.
Muscat saw a 25-yard shot cannon dangerously off the shins of Coleman and wide of one post while as wolves looked thebetter attacking side.
On 58 minutes Fulham took saha offwhichshows how effective our defensive looked at locking down hayles andsaha.
Dinning was next to have a pop buthe couldn'tquite control the ball and shoot properly and it didn't forceTaylor intoa difficult save.
After all this domination it all nearly came to a shocking end when in the 72nd minute Finnan shot a delicate chip which hit the cross bar and came out.
The substitutions at the end were inevitable. Camara came on for Sinton and Proudlock came on for Emblen but neitherreally got the chance to do anything as Fulham had most of the possessionin thelast 10 minutes.
Wolves were the better team in thesecondhalf and had fulham on the rack at one time but we didn't have thestrikerto finish off the chances and Fulham came into the half at the endas wetired.
Another game another name for the black list of referees. D Laws. It got to a point in the second half when a wolves player could not tackle a fulham player without giving away a free kickeven when the player had taken the ball this got Ketsbaia booked for dissent.In the last 10 minutes the ref just wanted to give the ball to fulham sothey could have a free kick and maybe score. Hayles should have been sentoff he persistently fouled the defensive 2. Some Fulham players were happyto hand it out but as soon as they got a few tackles back they were moaningat the ref.
SUMMARY
A good team performance where each player
did his job. The defensive 2 snuffed out the 2 strikers and the
midfieldtried as hard as it could to stop goldbaek and collins. One of
the bestperformances this year and wolves should have had the win if
statisticsand time in possession counted.
Waster of the Match : None (not
even Osborn).
Man of the
Match : Has to be Dinning ran around all over the pitch and tired at
the end but not surprising really.
Attendance : - Watford were given the bottomof the John Ireland and sold about 3/4. A crowd of 20,296 assembled ona soggy saturday.
Line Up :- Oakes, Naylor, Muscat, Lescott and Pollet. Sinton left wing, right wing Bazeley. In the middle of midfield Osborn and Dinning and Ketsbaia with a free role. And up front Branch onhis own. Pollet put back to the centre of defence after suspension. A 4- 4 -1 - 1 formation with branch on his own up front with Ketsbaia havinga freerole and dinning and Ketsbaia responsible for getting up and supportingbranch.
Subs : Robinson, Camara , Peacock,Proudlock,Stowell.
Referee :- W Burns (Scarborough)
First Half :-
It was a wet saturday and the pitch wasvery soggy in place so the hopeful punts upfield might be resorted toasit will stop dead in the water. Also could be tricky for defenders as theywould normally see these balls out.
Wolves started the far better teamwe wereout of the blocks fast.
Bazeley had a golden opportunity in thepenalty area when he was set up with for a shot but blasted it well wide.
Branch had one of the best chancesof thehalf as he went running at the Watford defence and beat Robinson (following a clumsy challenge what had happened if he went down who knows) and hefound himself free in the penalty area but chose a shot when a cut backto Osborn or Ketsbaia might have been better OR a chip over the keeper.Branch had another chance when he shot straight at the keeper when eitherside of him the keeper would have to have had to make a very good save.
Pollet also had a headed chance that didn'tgo far wide after a cross by Sinton.
What chances Watford had were on the counterthey were playing a typical Taylor style with 2 big blokes up front butthere weakness was defence where they also had 3 big blokes who just could not live with the pace of branch, Ketsbaia or Bazeley. Sinton and Bazeley were also whipping across the crosses but all too often there was no onethere to capitalize on them. This being the only negative of only havingBranchup front. We were trying to play a passing game but were also gettingdownthe channels for branch to run onto.
The game changed around the 30 minute marker.We had a corner and Pollet went up and clashed with a defender and we seemedto fall to pieces. Watford changed their play around and pushedmore menforward and swamped our midfield who ended up camped on the edgeof ourpenalty area.
On 33 minutes the ball came to Neil Coxon the edge of the area who then chipped over Oakes to score. This was identical to the shot that Fulham tried last week but they failed. Up until then Watford had had far few chances than wolves. This gave them confidence and they kept coming forward.
On 39 minutes they scored again the ballcame across our penalty area and no one cleared the ball. The ball came to mooney and he blasted home on the far post. This was just dreadful defending. We just prayed fo half time to come.
The general conclusion was we'd been done.Watford hardly had any shots on target or corners but were in the lead. We predicted the worst.
Half-time: Wolves 0 Watford 2
Second Half :-
But again we came straight out fighting.
Robinson immediately comes on for Sinton I presume to put a bit more steel into the midfield as this was the problem area at the end of the first half.
An almost immediate return from Robinson as a corner comes and the ball heads for Robinson the defender tries topull him to the ground. Penalty. Muscat takes and we're back in the gameon 47minutes.
Dinning had a chance in the secondhalfprovided by Branch who supplied a left-wing cross which Dinning headedstraight atthe keeper.
Bazeley had another shot at goal from aNaylor cross but the keeper was there to make a good save.
From a Bazeley corner peacock had a headerhit the keeper's legs. Wolves also continued to have a pop from long rangewith dinning and Ketsbaia going close.
The best chance of the second halfalsofell to Branch a quickly taken free kick by Muscat was not cleared properlyand fell to Branch who swung at it and seemed to be going in only to swerveout at the last moment and miss by inches.
Tommy Smith hit the post for Watford whichwas a very hairy moment as that would have been game over but the best was yet to come.
On 75 minutes a corner aimed for peacock was flicked and fell to Tony Dinning on the far side of the box, and heproduced a wonderful volley left-footed to score which the keeper got fingertips to but it was too strong a shot. We were back in the game and notgiving up.We continued to push on and go for the win which made the gameend to endstuff and again on possession, corners and shots wolves shouldhave won. BUTa draw against both of the top teams proves that we don'thave a bad sidewe justneed to get a run going and finish off teams.
SUMMARY
A good team performance AGAIN. As I said
above we had the chances and again perhaps with a recognised 20 goals
aseason striker up front we would have won. But a great game of
footballwas watched by all.
Waster of the Match :
SimonOsborn- just didn't do enough. Too often just sat 2 feet in front
of peacock.
Man of the
Match : Close between Branch and Ketsbaia but after his performance
on tuesday has to be Branch.
Review
of Wolves vs Crystal Palace.
Attendance : - A buy one get one free inthe bottom of the John Ireland and a more than usual number of palace fans gave a great total of 17,658.
Line Up :- Oakes, Naylor, Muscat, Lescott and Pollet. Emblen, Bazeley, Osborn, Robinson and Dinning in midfield.And up front Branch on his own. Pollet put back to the centre of defenceafter injury but with a bandage around his head to protect the wound. Godknowswhat formation was played.
Subs : Ndah, Camara , Green, Proudlock, Stowell.
Referee :- P Robinson (Hull).
First Half :-
Wolves were lucky it was only 2. Should have been at least 4.
Half-time: Wolves 0 Palace 2
Second Half :-
Another game another name for the black list of referees.
SUMMARY
Waster of the Match :
SimonOsbornwas the target of many but their were too many to mention.
Man of the Match : Close between
Branch and Ndah. Ndah made a big impact when he came on and looked
oneofthe few to be interested in playing but Branch was the only one
whotriedthroughout the whole match so it goes to him.
Review
of Wolves vs Grimsby Town.
Attendance : - Well another thrilling wettuesday night so it must be grimsby. Kids for a quid boosted the crowd a bit and grimsby only brought 30 people with them (I counted every one)gave a total of 16,088.
Line Up :- Oakes, Naylor, Muscat, Butler and Pollet. Bazeley, Osborn, Robinson and Dinning in midfield. And up front Emblen and Ndah. The changes from Blackburn away were the dropping of Branch and pushing ndah up front and the return of Osborn after suspension.
Subs : Branch, Camara , Sinton, Proudlock, Stowell.
Referee :- Rolf Harris ().
First Half :-
Dinning on 6 minutes scored from acrackingvolley after a good run from ndah. There were about 5 grimsby playersversusdinning but he scored.
On 45 minutes the came across and there was a bit of a scramble and ndah headed it goal wards for the keeper tocollapse behind the goal line and try and push it out but it was well overthe line.
Grimsby were lucky it was only 2. Should have been at least 4.
Half-time: Wolves 2 Grimsby 0
Second Half :-
Branch came on to replace ndah whoreceiveda standing ovation. He must have been knackered.
SUMMARY
Grimsby were very very poor and we were
marginally better.
Waster of the Match :
SimonOsbornagain - too many passes back and side ways passes. Colin he
is notourmidfield play maker we can do without him
Man of the Match : Ndah. Easy
choice he was a man possesed tonight. Although Naylor played well and
had to cover the entire left side of the pitch on his own, Butler was
bossing thingsaround at the back and Dinning was getting forward, even
Bazeley (who hasnot had a good year so far) was better tonight but that
was possibly dueto a crap grimsby defence.
Review
of Wolves vs Barnsley Town.
Attendance : - Well after a win and a drawwould the crowds come flocking back err No. Barnsley had the bottom ofthe John Ireland but didn't bring many so a total of 17,340.
Line Up :- Oakes, Naylor, Muscat, Butler and Pollet. Bazeley, Osborn, Robinson and Dinning in midfield. And up front Emblen and Ndah. Same team as against QPR. The only change were who wason the bench. This saw the return of Branch and Al Jaber but Emblen waschosen in front of them.
Subs : Branch, Al-Jaber, Camara , Lescott, Stowell.
Referee :- C Foy (St Helens).
First Half :-
The first real chance fell to Barnsley when when Sheron and Dyer combined in a link-up which led to an error byMuscat. Sheron was unable to capitalise, but the ball ran free for thein-rushingNeil to produce a close-range angled drive which Oakes did wellto block withhis legs. Oakes kept us in the game
Wolves best chance fell to Ndah when Robinson'sthrough ball reached Ndah and he burst clear with only the keeper to beat,but the keeper spread himself well and Ndah hit hie legs when really heshould have picked his spot and scored.
The first wolves goal came from a Dinning cross which Miller seemed to get the slightest of touches on but robinson was close and ended up tapping into an empty net from inside the six-yard area. 1 - 0.
Dinning was the next to have a shot butit went well wide but at least he wasn't worried about having a shot and trying to walk the ball into the net which is what we normally do.
Some of Barnsley's tacklign was a bit overthe top but as usual they didn't get penalised. In fact the ref gaveBarnsleyevery off-side decision they wanted at either end. Which made itfunnierthat the whole Barnsley bench was enraged when Dyer got booked theythoughtMuscat should have been booked for a strong challenge but he had toasDyer went in withhis studs up anyway.
Barnsley had another great chance when a quickly taken free-kick by Barnard saw Sheron gain half a yard on thecovering Emblen and Muscat, but he never seemed to get hold of the ballproperly and the ball trickled to Oakes.
Before half time another chance fell toDinning from a good cross from Naylor and Dinning volleyed it well butMiller got his body behind it and saved it.
Then emblen had a half chance whenth ballran loose after a corner ?? but Miller again was quick to jump onit.
So at half time Barnlsey had 2 very goodchances to score (and should have) but wolves had most of the possession. With Bazeley and Naylor seemign to have space to run at the Barnsley defence. Ndah was running all over the pitch and also scaring the Barnsley defence. Robinson and Dinning were getting forward well to support the front 2 and spreading the ball accross the pitch well.
Wolves were the better team (marginally) but lucky that Barnsley didn't put away those early 2 chances.
Half-time: Wolves 1 Barnsley 0
Second Half :-
Barnsley started the better team obviously thinking that they would go for it and try and equalise or win. Ripleyran through the middle and Pollet had to get a tackle into stop him. Infact Barnsley carried on doing this and seemed to be finding time and spaceto do this which was worrying. Sheron also had a couple of shots from distanceand was Barnsley's only threat.
Robinson and Emblen had shots fromdistancebut they were well wide.
In the 58th minute came a breakthrough. Robinson held the ball up well and distributed it to naylor (a common patern of the second half) and he whipped a good cross across which dinning raced onto at the far post and struck it well. The keeper scrambled to clearthe ball but it was adjudged to have gone over the line by the linesman.And the Barnsley bench jumped up and down again.
From then on wolves were in command. Weseemed to have time and space on the flanks as Barnlsey pushed more people up front. Naylor and Robinson were interlinking well on the left and Ndah, Emblen and Bazeley worked the right. There was some very good passing seen from the midfield a lot better than some of the stuff seen this season.
On the 69th minute Branch came on to replaceEmblen who received a standing ovation because he ran around and won headersand pressureised the defence. This being important as Barnsley were playingout from the centrak defenders still he must have been knackered.However,by this point wolves were in control and were coasting. We were stillgettingforward but sometimes just looked to pass the ball around and wastetime.I can't remember Barnsley doing anything in the last 20 minutes. Branchhowever, continuedto do what Ndah was doing at running at the defencewhichscared them to death.
On the 79th minute Camara replacedNaylorwho also got a standing ovation as he played well covering the wholeofthe left wing.
Camara nearly gave an instant reward whenhe got given the ball with a big empty space to run into and whippedacrossa ball which wolves nearly scored from.
SUMMARY
Barnsley were very poor and we were OK. We
didn't really go for it in the second half or else we could have scored
more. Barnsley had a few chances in the first half but never looked
likescoring in the second.
Waster of the Match : SimonOsbornagain - too many passes back and side ways passes and too much possessiongivenaway and to many times good attacking play was broken down by himpassingbackwards. However, he did play better today and nearly scoredtwice nearthe end. Also worth a mention. Another poor game from Bazeleyhe has not beenthe playerhe was last season. About 50% of his crossesare very poor andhe doesn't seem to want to bomb on as he used to. I thinkhe needs restignand someone else given a try.
Man of the Match : Tricky one. Weplayed better so it's between Ndah, Naylor, Dinning and Robinson who all had good games. Butler and Pollet were also strong at the back and Muscat was Muscat. Emblen tried as well in his usual style. As above only Bazeley and Osborn the real disappointments. I will choose Robinson as I don'tthink he gets the credit he desrves from colin lee and he played some reallygood passes spreading the ball about wisely in the second half and he scoredas well and got forward to support the strikers.
Review
of Huddersfield vs Wolves.
Attendance : - Well a big crowd for Huddersfieldof just over 11,000. Wolves made all the noise in the first half with abouthalf of the away end filled.
Line Up :- Oakes, Naylor, Muscat, Butler and Pollet. Bazeley, Osborn, Robinson and Dinning in midfield. And up front Branch and Ndah. The only change was Branch in and Emblen out as he wasinjured and Carlo Nash was on the bench.
Subs : Taylor, Al-Jaber, Camara , Lescott, Nash.
Referee :- P Danson (Leicester).
First Half :-
Half-time: Huddersfield 0 Wolves 0
Second Half :-
SUMMARY
Huddersfield were rubbish and second half
we were more rubbish.
Waster's of the Match : Theentiremidfield. Simon Osborn again - rubbish. Too many passes back and sidewayspasses and too much possession given away and his set piece kicks werea. And ANOTHER poor game from Bazeley he never made a good pass all gameyetit took until the 77th minute to substitue him.
Men of the Match : Ndah andNaylortried but it's useless if the rest of the team are asleep.
Review of
Wolves vs Birmingham.
Attendance : - Well a small crowd for alocal derby with spare seats in the home and away ends meant an attendance of 19,938. As the apathy continues. Only the die hard season ticket holders left.
Line Up :- Oakes, Naylor, Muscat, Lescott and Pollet. Bazeley, Emblen, Robinson and Dinning in midfield. And up front Taylor and Ndah. There were 3 changes. Emblen in for Osborn and Lescottin for Butler both injured and Taylor chosen above all of our strikers.
Subs : Branch, Camara , Proudlock,Ketsbaia,Nash.
Referee :- (D Laws - Tyne and Wear).
First Half :-
Wolves started OK and had a lot ofpossessionbut were relying on Ndah running at the brum defence and we werenot creatinga lot of chances.
Only forcing one save in the 26th minute from a shot by Tony Dinning which was set up by some neat work on the right.
However, he was injured when making anothershot maybe knocked after the shot by Gerry Gill and stretchered off.
After this happened Ketsbaia came on andas the team was re-organising brum ran through the midfield to score.
After this Ndah went towards the left wingand Ketsbaia went up front but never really stayed anywhere.
That was it. Brum didn't really create many more chances.
Half-time: Wolves 0 - Brum 1
Second Half :-
Camara came on for Bazeley after 53 minutesand this was too long as Bazeley was rubbish. The team re-jiggledagainas Camara went to left wing and the team reverted to a more 4 - 4 -2.
Camara ran at the brum defence buthiscrossing isn't brilliant but at least he made an effort after he cameon.
The best chance for an equaliser came justafter the hour when George Ndah fed Mohammed Camara, but with the goal at his mercy he lashed the ball very very wide.
After 62 minutes Branch came on for Taylorbut even Branch didn't do that much just ran to the bye line once and whippeda cross across.
At least we were a bit more positive inthe second half but brum just sat back and soaked it all. Or when theydid have the ball just passed it about to run the clock down.
SUMMARY
A stupid goal let in AGAIN. But Birmingham
didn't over run us we just couldn't make the possession or corner,
freekicks make count. We never even looked like scoring.
Waster's of the Match : ANOTHER poor game from Bazeley, Taylor fell over too much and Ketsbaia never gotin the game.
Men of the Match : AGAIN Ndah andNaylor tried and tried but couldn't do it on their own.
Attendance : - A larger than usualcrowdturns up as it's boxing day and there's nothing else to do an attendanceof 24,306. Preston also sold out there allocation in the bottom of theJohnIreland.
Line Up :- A 4 - 4 - 2 line up wasstuckwith. Oakes, Naylor, Muscat, Lescott and Pollet. Sinton, Andrews, Robinsonand Dinning in midfield. And up front Proudlock and Ndah. There was 1 changeDinning in for Bazeley who was injured.
Subs : Branch, Camara , Green, Osborn ,Nash.
Refe ree :- (W M Jordan).
First Half :-
Preston came straightat us and looked more lively and were winning everything in midfield andwere passing and moving the ball well. They also closed us down very quickly.
The first chance cameto
Robinson who headed straight at the goalkeeper from Andy
Sinton'sfree-kick. This was our best chance of the match after about 5
minutes.
The goal came in the 13th minute and was the usual cock up. The ball was punted forward up in the air and there was no threat the ball should have been left to bounce out but Muscat headed it for a corner. In the following bout of head tennis from the corner as wolves tried to clear the ball Anderson got it over the line. However, Preston should never have had a corner in the first place.
Another clear headed chance fell to George Ndah on the six-yard area and he headed it straight at the keeper. That shows the class of finishing there was.
Wolves just lost it and
never looked in the game just playing long balls for Proudlock and Ndah
to chase but the Preston defence towered over them and cleared
everything up.
Half-time: Wolves 0 -Preston 1
Second Half :-
We had a lot of the possession but the attack was just not working although Proudlock still worked tirelessly. The midfield were losing the battle to Preston a lot of the time and just not creating much.
Branch came on for Robinson on the 62nd minute and the shape changed around a bit but his runs at the preston defence didn't really look like creating anything. He seemed to be standing on his own sometimes wondering where he was supposed to be.
Andrews w as then substituted on the 69th minute and Osborn came on. Although I don't think anybody expected him to make any difference.
Sinton was replaced on the 78th minute and Camara came on. Who had one shot to make which went well wide.
Pollet
showed more urgency than some of the rest and kep racing through the
centre of midfield but it was to no avail.
However
, Preston didn't exactly cause us that much trouble as Oakes hardly had
anything to do.
SUMMARY
A very poor performance ranking alongside
birmingham as possibly one of the worst performances of the season at ho
me. We
very rarely looked like scoring yet we had plenty of possession.
Waster's of the Match : Mostof the team.
Men of the Match : Naylor AGAIN ran the left wing and Ndah kept on running and chasing. Pollet became astrange striker/winger in the second half proving that he was committedto the cause but there were too many dead bodies. Proudlock also tried.
Review
of Wolves vs Stockport.
Attendance : - Well a small crowd turned out after the rubbish of boxing day which meant an attendance of 16,667.As the apathy continues.
Line Up :- A 4 - 3 - 3 line up wastried.Oakes, Naylor, Muscat, Lescott and Pollet. Andrews, Robinson and Dinningin midfield. And up front Branch, Proudlock and Ndah. There was 1 changeafterboxing day. Branch in for Sinton.
Subs : Sinton, Camara , Green, Osborn ,Nash.
Referee :- (M Ryan - Preston).
F irst Half :-
This was very disjointed because of the number of times there were so called head injuries and therefore the physio had to come on.
After about 5 minutesa ball was punted forward and Proudlock chased and challenged the goal keeper who went down and was down for ages and a substitute goal keeper nearly came on and then sat back down again. The goalkeeper then played on for 5 minutes and then went off. This contributed to 6 minutes being added.
Ndah was running downthe left and Branch running on the right and Proudlock as the centre forward. Naylor was also doing what he has done for the last couple of matches and bombing down the left wing. The only problem about this formation was people were jeering muscat to run on but he couldn't because he had no cover. This was also evident as with only 3 men in midfield the play often passed them by.
It was shaping up as an end to end stuff as the midfields could not cope. We also had a lot of pace wth branch, ndah and proudlock and could counter attack well.
The first goal was just this.
A corner was taken byNaylor but the ball ended up going out on the other side so muscat went upto take this and Naylor returned to defensive duties. The ball was eventuallyhooved up the pitch by stockport but Naylor got a foot in front of his manand ran at Stockport and then played a ball in front of Proudlock who turnedand shot in one move and it was 1- 0 in the 21st minute. A very well takengoal and a good show of counter attack very rarely seen at Molineux.
The second came on the 31st
minute Proudlock was involved. He was with Branch on the right touchline
and
broke towards the corner flag. You could see what he was going
to do as Andrews was unmarked by the far post. Proudlock tried to cross
hard and low towards him but Wiss (Stockport) calmly stroked the ball
past his amazed keeper for a collectors item of an OG
. A cracker. 2 - 0.
However, with wolves current form no one was getting to excited. We have given away 2 goal leads before now. But it seemed today that the spirits were up and that we were not going to get beat. Branch and Ndah were seeing a lot of the ball and Proudlocknever stopped running all around the pitch.
However, the referee was about to make one of his swan songs. When Muscat and Wiss seemed to fallover each other a penalty was given and converted 2 -1.
It wasn't over
yet and it was Naylor again who whipped a ball across the edge of the
box. It seemed to flash past the Stockport defence but fell to Branch
just inside the box beyond the far post. He blasted his shot (perfectly
hit) and theStockport goalkeeper didn't have a chance. Another very well
taken goal 3-1
.
Half-time: Wolves 3 - Stockport 1
Se cond Half :-
We carried on from where we left off in the first half. We were spreading play around the pitch well and Oakes was never really threatened. Dinning had a few chances the best coming when Ndah produced a pass with the outside of his foot to set Dinning free atan angle on the left. Dinning then chose to ignore the presence of Proudlock in the middle and went for goal with an angled shot that Dibble beat into the ground and over the bar.
An even better chancecame Dinning's way from a Branch chip to the far post, but he somehow hithis volley into the ground and saw it bounce over the bar.Howhe missed Idon't know.
Dinning wasn't at hisbest today or in the previous match. Also robinson was average. Muscat alsoisnot having a good season but Andrews is looking the best player in themidfield in this match. He was battling away and was passing the ball well.
Stockport pushed on at the
end but they didn't deserve anything from th game they had been
putplayed. They looked a poor side. They got their second in the 90th
minute but itwas just a consolation and made the scoreline flattering to
stockport because it made them look like they were in the game.
SUMMARY
We had an attacking
presence. Completely different to the match before.We showed like we
were playing like a team and played some good football. the young
players did us proud andwill probably earn themselves a longer run in
the team. Also the refereegave us no change at all today and is probably
another candidate to the blacklist.
Waster of the Match : There really wasn't one.
Man of the Match : Without a doubtProudlock never stopped. Running all over the place and even tracking back to defend. He was a bit greedy at times but can you blame him. He seemed to finally click with Branch today and that can only be for the good.
Review
of Nottm Forest vs Wolves.
Attendance : - 14,601. Pretty disappointing for a midlands derby. There, were large empty spaces in the home end.
Line Up :- A 4 - 3 - 3 line up again. Oakes,Naylor, Muscat, Lescott and Dinning. Andrews, Robinson and Osborn in midfield.And up front Branch, Proudlock and Sinton.
Subs : Camara, Green, Ketsbaia, Emblen, Kerr.
Referee :- (D Pugh - ??).
F irst Half :-
Half-time: Forest 0 - wolves 0
Se cond Half :-
SUMMARY
Waster of the Match : ??.
Man of the Match : Adam Proudlock.
Review
of Wolves vs Portsmouth.
Attendance : - Well a bigger crowdturned outbecause of the Dave jones effect which meant an attendance of 20,869.
Line Up :- A 4 - 3 - 3 line up wascontinued. Oakes, Naylor,Muscat, Lescott and Dinning. Andrews, Robinson andOsborninmidfield.Andupfront Branch, Proudlock and Sinton. There was no changesincenottm forest.
Subs : Tudor, Green, Ketsbaia, Emblen, Kerr.
Referee :- (B Curzon - ??).
F irst Half :-
Sinton scores his first goal for wolves. A cross cam accross from
Branch ?? and Proudlock cleverly left it to be tapped in by Sinton.
Half-time: Wolves 1 - Portsmouth 1
Se cond Half :-
SUMMARY
Waster of the Match : ??.
Man of the Match : ??.
Review
of Wycombe vs Wolves-FA Cup.
Attendance : - A sell out for Wycombe.
Line Up :- A 4 - 3 - 3 line up it was. Stowell, Naylor, Emblen, Lescott and Pollet. Andrews, RobinsonandOsborn in midfield. And up front Branch, Proudlock and Sinton. MuscatandDinning were suspended this forced the changes. Oakes got injured in training so Stowell came in.
Subs : Green, ??, Ketsbaia,??, Oakes.
Referee :- (P Danson -??).
F irst Half :-
Half-time: Wycombe 1 - Wolves 0
Second Half
A slack bit of play from wolves gave wycombe the game with their only chance of the half. A cross game over which shouldn't have happenedbecause the midfield were no where to be seen. Lescott then let's the strikergethis head to the ball and then Stowell lets the ball into his near side.
SUMMARY
Not a great game.
Both sides were poor at times. But wolves dominated the second half and
had the better chances but couldn't finish them off. So really a game of
missed chances.
Waster of the Match :Without doubt Neil Emblen. He was completely out of his depth.
Man of the Match : Tough to call between Lee Naylor and Micheal BranchReview of Wolves v Gillingham.
Attendance : - A sell out nearly. Another ticket promotion has the wolves crowd's come out of the wood work with 25,000.
Line Up :- A 4 -4 - 3, OR 4 - 5 - 1 lineup was on show again. Oakes, Naylor, Muscat, Butler and Pollet. Andrews,RobinsonandDinning in midfield and Branch taking up the right side and Sintontakingup the left side. Proudlock up front on his own. Or it could be seenas a4 - 3 - 3. Dinning and Muscat came back from suspension and Oakes backfrominjury and Butler straight in after purchase.
Subs : Ndah, Lescott, Ketsbaia, Emblen, Stowell.
Referee :- (R.J Beeby - ??).
First Half :-
Muscat spotted Dinning in space and he nearly cocked it up as he
didn't know what to do with the ball. He then spotted Branch at his
sidemoving goal ward and Branch finished well with a shot aimed at the
far post.
Half-time: Wolves -1 -Gillingham 1
Second Half
Gillingham kept hitting us on the break and when it was 3gillingham players to 5 wolves. Gillingham looked likely to score.
SUMMARY
A poor game
from a wolves point of view.
Waster's of the Match :The entire midfield.
Man of the Match : Tough to call between Lee Naylor and Micheal Branch again.
Ifyou have comments or suggestions, email me at
mark@mark-robinson.comLast Modifications 4th February 2001.