After the previous week's horror finish at the Hawthorns, Wolves needed something big to lift them. The fans turned up at Molineux on Saturday more in hope than expectation. Indeed, there can't have been many people in and around the stadium this weekend with an idea how just how the match would turn out.
Sitting in the South Bank, I was surrounded by many fans who were somewhat unhappy at Mick's 4-5-1 system being employed. I, however, was delighted. Blackpool have been the subject of much praise from all football fans this season for the way they keep the ball. With them losing Charlie Adam in midweek, we needed to stay compact, make sure that it was us who owned the midfield.
The game couldn't have gotten off to a better start. A wonderful move down the right led to the ball falling to Adam Hammill's feet. The winger's pace and agility drawing in several Blackpool defenders, leaving Jarvis exposed to cooly apply the finishing touch. It was fitting that Jarvis finished so calmly, having been the receipient of much criticism after his Hawthorns howler just 6 days earlier.
DJ Campbell's rather ridiculous lash out at Stearman was just the boost the Molineux Men needed to push on in the second half. Once O'Hara (who once again demonstrated his natural quality) had put us 2-0 up, the game was effectively over. Wolves continued to press high and got their rewards with two contrasing goals from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. The first a tap in from 2 yards after a delicious cross from Doyle. The second a stunning take down (not unlike his touch against Newcastle) from Ward's pass and a brilliant bit of one-on-one play, before finishing powerfully with his 'weaker' left foot to send Molineux into pure ecstacy.
I've been incredibly impressed by O'Hara since he arrived here on loan. He's shown the poise, guile and commitment needed to help this club survive where it belongs. Whenever you hear him speak, it's like he's a Wolves fan. He's that passionate and it's that passion that has helped make him a cult hero with the fans already. It's often been that, under Mick, our January signings have turned things around for us. Hopefully that'll be the same this year too.
It was wonderful to see Jarvis score too. Given his miss the previous weekend, and indeed his recent form, it would be somewhat understandable if he'd put it wide, or straight into the arms of Kingson. Instead he kept a cool head and placed it beyond the keeper to calm all our nerves.
Credit too must go to Karl Henry. It is somewhat ironic that a player like Henry would be adored in Spain for the way he keeps the ball. However in England, the fans are constantly on his back if he's not spraying 40-yard passes forward the whole time. But this was a fantastic performance from him. He won tackles, he kept the ball well, and he provided the perfect cover for O'Hara to head forward. Even Stephen Ward didn't do too badly when coming on.
Another massive plus for all Wolves fans is that of Sylvan Ebanks-Blake grabbing his two goals. He's struggled to get a chance much this season, but he's proven his worth when he has played. Should we stay up, I have no doubt that he will continue to prove himself a dangerous, capable Premier League striker. That is, if he gets the chance ahead of Doyle. However, the Irishman's contribution on Saturday cannot be underestimated. He won almost everything in the air, constantly pushed Blackpool back, and even on the wing he posed a constant threat to the Blackpool back-line.
That was, to be honest, the easiest 3 points of the season. And a fitting tribute to Dean Richards. The former Wolves defender who was loved by the fans here. He'd have been proud of that performance. 36 is no age, and my heart goes out to his widow and 2 children. Rest In Peace.
Monday, 28 February 2011
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Baggie Blues
West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Wolves
So the first ever Premier League Black Country Derby didn't disappoint when it comes to passion and drama. While the quality was sometimes lacking, both sides more than made up for it with 110% commitment to the cause. This game had almost everything. Top saves, near misses, a wonder goal, crunching challenges, shocking misses, and of course the devastating (from the Old Gold viewpoint) late goal.
I think it's right to start off with the positives. For the first 45 minutes, we were all over our Black Country 'neighbours' (using the term loosely as Walsall are technically more our neighbours than Albion). We gave them no real time to properly settle in possession, and limited them to often shooting from distance in a vain attempt to trouble Wayne Hennessey. We passed the ball well - as shown by the first half statistic showing us to have around 55% of the play. Although we didn't create any clear-cut chances (as shown by the fact we had only 1 shot on target throughout the whole match - O'Hara's goal), we caused the Baggies plenty of problems. A particular thorn in West Brom's side being a somewhat rejuvenated Matt Jarvis, who gave Jara a torrid time; taking him on and beating him countless times.
I was delighted that Jamie O'Hara was able to cap an excellent first-half performance with a beautiful strike. Throught the half he'd pushed Albion back time and time again, exploiting the obvious void left by the injured Youssouf Mulumbu. When his chance came, he took it with aplomb. An apparently pre-worked routine (which later turned out to be spontaneous) between Milijas, Henry and O'Hara finished with the on-loan midfielder curling a first-time strike into the very corner of Myhill's net from about 20-25 yards out. It was a fabulous effort and one which had a small corner of The Hawthorns chanting O'Hara's name for the rest of the match.
Much credit too must go to the defenders for their display in the 2nd half. A sensational block from George Elokobi to deny Peter Odemwingie an almost certain goal the stand-out defensive moment of the match. Praise must also go to Ronald Zubar (yet again) for some strong tackling as Albion pushed for an equaliser, aswell as Wayne Hennessey for once again making a string of important saves to preserve our 1-0 lead. And credit must also go to the much maligned Karl Henry. The Ashmore Park midfielder showing the sort of passion and drive almost all fans in Gold and Black would have done if given the chance.
But yet again, the same old issues show their ugly faces. Question marks over Mick's tactics/substitutions. And more cruelly, Lady Luck just wasn't wearing a Wolves shirt. Once more, we're sat wondering how different it would've been if Olsson's interception had trickled just inside the near-post, rather than just outside of it. What would have happened if Matt Jarvis had shown the just tiniest bit more composure and placed the ball past Boaz Myhill into the back of the net. What would have happened had Stephen Ward closed James Morrison down just that little bit faster. And crucially, what would have happened had the ball not rebounded off of Hennessey's foot and fallen into the path of Vela.
So many issues of luck there. But we must also look at what led to it. For the first half, we were on top with 4-5-1; the extra man in midfield allowing us to keep the ball better and put greater pressure on the Albion midfielders. By taking off Milijas and replacing him with Ebanks-Blake, Mick elected to go 4-4-2 in a bid to attack Albion more... it didn't pay off. Instead what it did is leave us completely open and allow West Brom the chance to push us further back. Replacing Foley with Stephen Ward (who I'm personally getting rather sick of seeing in every match) simply disrupted the balance of the team at a key period of the match. I cannot comment on the Craddock change too much as he didn't really have enough time to impact the defending. But yet again we as fans are left looking at the decisions and questioning what on earth the Manager was thinking. I watched the game with a friend of mine and their parents and constantly my friend's Dad was crying out for 4-4-2. All I could think was how badly that system would damage us. Of course, he got his wish and we went 4-4-2 and I personally believe it was that which lost us what could be 2 key points come the end of May.
But we cannot dwell on the negatives. It's too late in the season for that. We need to just use all our energy backing the team and (agree with him or not - personally not at the moment) the Manager too. We're all in this together and we'll need that attitude to pull us through the rest of this season.
Oh, and the small matter of turning the Baggies over when they come for the return leg at Molineux on May 8th.
It's Wolverhampton against the world until 6pm on Sunday May 22nd.
Are YOU up for the fight?
So the first ever Premier League Black Country Derby didn't disappoint when it comes to passion and drama. While the quality was sometimes lacking, both sides more than made up for it with 110% commitment to the cause. This game had almost everything. Top saves, near misses, a wonder goal, crunching challenges, shocking misses, and of course the devastating (from the Old Gold viewpoint) late goal.
I think it's right to start off with the positives. For the first 45 minutes, we were all over our Black Country 'neighbours' (using the term loosely as Walsall are technically more our neighbours than Albion). We gave them no real time to properly settle in possession, and limited them to often shooting from distance in a vain attempt to trouble Wayne Hennessey. We passed the ball well - as shown by the first half statistic showing us to have around 55% of the play. Although we didn't create any clear-cut chances (as shown by the fact we had only 1 shot on target throughout the whole match - O'Hara's goal), we caused the Baggies plenty of problems. A particular thorn in West Brom's side being a somewhat rejuvenated Matt Jarvis, who gave Jara a torrid time; taking him on and beating him countless times.
I was delighted that Jamie O'Hara was able to cap an excellent first-half performance with a beautiful strike. Throught the half he'd pushed Albion back time and time again, exploiting the obvious void left by the injured Youssouf Mulumbu. When his chance came, he took it with aplomb. An apparently pre-worked routine (which later turned out to be spontaneous) between Milijas, Henry and O'Hara finished with the on-loan midfielder curling a first-time strike into the very corner of Myhill's net from about 20-25 yards out. It was a fabulous effort and one which had a small corner of The Hawthorns chanting O'Hara's name for the rest of the match.
Much credit too must go to the defenders for their display in the 2nd half. A sensational block from George Elokobi to deny Peter Odemwingie an almost certain goal the stand-out defensive moment of the match. Praise must also go to Ronald Zubar (yet again) for some strong tackling as Albion pushed for an equaliser, aswell as Wayne Hennessey for once again making a string of important saves to preserve our 1-0 lead. And credit must also go to the much maligned Karl Henry. The Ashmore Park midfielder showing the sort of passion and drive almost all fans in Gold and Black would have done if given the chance.
But yet again, the same old issues show their ugly faces. Question marks over Mick's tactics/substitutions. And more cruelly, Lady Luck just wasn't wearing a Wolves shirt. Once more, we're sat wondering how different it would've been if Olsson's interception had trickled just inside the near-post, rather than just outside of it. What would have happened if Matt Jarvis had shown the just tiniest bit more composure and placed the ball past Boaz Myhill into the back of the net. What would have happened had Stephen Ward closed James Morrison down just that little bit faster. And crucially, what would have happened had the ball not rebounded off of Hennessey's foot and fallen into the path of Vela.
So many issues of luck there. But we must also look at what led to it. For the first half, we were on top with 4-5-1; the extra man in midfield allowing us to keep the ball better and put greater pressure on the Albion midfielders. By taking off Milijas and replacing him with Ebanks-Blake, Mick elected to go 4-4-2 in a bid to attack Albion more... it didn't pay off. Instead what it did is leave us completely open and allow West Brom the chance to push us further back. Replacing Foley with Stephen Ward (who I'm personally getting rather sick of seeing in every match) simply disrupted the balance of the team at a key period of the match. I cannot comment on the Craddock change too much as he didn't really have enough time to impact the defending. But yet again we as fans are left looking at the decisions and questioning what on earth the Manager was thinking. I watched the game with a friend of mine and their parents and constantly my friend's Dad was crying out for 4-4-2. All I could think was how badly that system would damage us. Of course, he got his wish and we went 4-4-2 and I personally believe it was that which lost us what could be 2 key points come the end of May.
But we cannot dwell on the negatives. It's too late in the season for that. We need to just use all our energy backing the team and (agree with him or not - personally not at the moment) the Manager too. We're all in this together and we'll need that attitude to pull us through the rest of this season.
Oh, and the small matter of turning the Baggies over when they come for the return leg at Molineux on May 8th.
It's Wolverhampton against the world until 6pm on Sunday May 22nd.
Are YOU up for the fight?
Monday, 14 February 2011
Outclassed by the Arsenal
Sadly I couldn't see the Arsenal game, so I am having to go by the clips I saw on MOTD...
Wolves:
50% possession
1 shot on goal
0 on target
Those are the key statistics out of Saturday's game.
I cannot fail to admire the football Arsenal play. They're second only to Barcelona in the world for the football they play. But the highlights made our defending look poor. Made it look easy for Arsenal. We backed off continuously, letting them get into our box. The first goal alone came from poor defending - not dealing with the throw in and not closing down the crosser.
The second goal was unavoidable really. Much like at Molineux, we were pushing for an equaliser, and they killed us off on the counter-attack. Any question of offside is irrelevant. It's clear that, by hook or by crook, they were gonna get a second.
Probably the only positive to take from this? The truly outstanding performance of Wayne Hennessey. He made save after save, keeping the scoreline looking respectable. If we do go down, he is surely going to be one of the first to go.
Anyway, I want to skip past the Arsenal match, which was a blip, and focus on the more important task at hand - the first ever Premier League Black Country Derby. This is something that the inhabitants of the Molineux and the Hawthorns have been waiting for for years. The way they threw away their 3-0 lead is very encouraging. As is the fact that Mick hasn't lost to Roy in the 3 Premier League meetings between them.
But whilst it would be great to look at all the things wrong with Albion, we must look at ourselves. If we get up and into Albion's faces, we can set the early tempo and put them under pressure. We've got to keep the ball well, and can't keep backing off - we saw how that cost us at St Andrews last season. And most importantly, let's take our chances! And while we're at it, if we're thinking about gamesmanship, might be worth winding up Jara too. He seems to have an anger/discipline issue and if he can be got at, we might just have something to expose there.
It'll be a fantastic occasion, no matter what. I just hope that it's the Golden side of the Black Country celebrating come 2pm on Sunday 20th February.
As they say in these parts - C'mon me Babbies!
Wolves:
50% possession
1 shot on goal
0 on target
Those are the key statistics out of Saturday's game.
I cannot fail to admire the football Arsenal play. They're second only to Barcelona in the world for the football they play. But the highlights made our defending look poor. Made it look easy for Arsenal. We backed off continuously, letting them get into our box. The first goal alone came from poor defending - not dealing with the throw in and not closing down the crosser.
The second goal was unavoidable really. Much like at Molineux, we were pushing for an equaliser, and they killed us off on the counter-attack. Any question of offside is irrelevant. It's clear that, by hook or by crook, they were gonna get a second.
Probably the only positive to take from this? The truly outstanding performance of Wayne Hennessey. He made save after save, keeping the scoreline looking respectable. If we do go down, he is surely going to be one of the first to go.
Anyway, I want to skip past the Arsenal match, which was a blip, and focus on the more important task at hand - the first ever Premier League Black Country Derby. This is something that the inhabitants of the Molineux and the Hawthorns have been waiting for for years. The way they threw away their 3-0 lead is very encouraging. As is the fact that Mick hasn't lost to Roy in the 3 Premier League meetings between them.
But whilst it would be great to look at all the things wrong with Albion, we must look at ourselves. If we get up and into Albion's faces, we can set the early tempo and put them under pressure. We've got to keep the ball well, and can't keep backing off - we saw how that cost us at St Andrews last season. And most importantly, let's take our chances! And while we're at it, if we're thinking about gamesmanship, might be worth winding up Jara too. He seems to have an anger/discipline issue and if he can be got at, we might just have something to expose there.
It'll be a fantastic occasion, no matter what. I just hope that it's the Golden side of the Black Country celebrating come 2pm on Sunday 20th February.
As they say in these parts - C'mon me Babbies!
Sunday, 6 February 2011
United we stand. United they fall.
I don't really know where to start here...
24 hours on from what is arguably one of the biggest results in Wolves' recent history and I'm still in shock.
Watching us beat Manchester United was fantastic. Watching us end their unbeaten run of 29 games was incredible. But for us to have gone 1-0 down within 3 minutes, and to then come back all before half time, was truly one of the most spirited, gutsy and passionate displays of football I've seen at the Molineux in years.
Sure, United weren't at their best. Indeed, they haven't been at their best for the majority of this season. But it was us, grand old Wolverhampton Wanderers, who ended that magnificent run of United's. And what a transformation.
I know in my last blog I talked about Mick needing to go, about how bad certain players were, about how we're certainties for relegation. And while I do still fear for us whilst we continue to faulter against the teams around us, I am given hope by that performance. The reverting to 4-5-1 was key. Kevin Doyle (someone who I have been hugely critical of all season for his poor form) produced the sort of performance that gave defenders such nightmares towards the end of last season. Matt Jarvis on the wing, who missed a guilt-edged chance inside 10 minutes against Bolton, gave Rafael such a torrid time during the first half. Jamie O'Hara, on his home debut, produced a performance of class mixed in with passion and showed some very good touches with both feet. Karl Henry was back to his best and perhaps justified his inclusion in the 40-man provisional England squad (sadly he wasn't selected in the end). Richard Stearman and Christophe Berra too, though much criticised individually throughout the season, were never truly troubled by either Berbatov or Rooney, and later Hernandez after his introduction.
But it was the full-backs who deserve the most credit. Ronald Zubar, after a pure horror mistake against Bolton, came back to show Wolves fans, and the world, why the SouthBank continued to chant his name long into the night. Up against perhaps the greatest left-winger of all time, he showed strength, awareness and poise to deliver a fantastic performance. He frustrated Giggs to the point that the Welshman felt the need to take his frustration out on Doyle - a cynical kick that should've earnt the wide man much more than a simple talking to. Indeed Zubar's confidence had grown so much during the first half that it was him who robbed Rooney on the edge of the Wolves box, ran almost 50 yards before releasing the ball to Doyle. He still continued running to the edge of the United box, where he was ultimately fouled by Vidic, winning the free-kick that led to the second, and ultimately decisive, goal.
And a huge word for a huge man. George Elokobi. Around 2 and a half minutes in to the match, he went up for a header and got it totally wrong, being caught miles out of position, tracked back quickly enough to reach Nani but failed to put in any sort of challenge, before being beaten too easily, allowing the Portugese winger to find the back of the net. At that moment, I admit, I was slating him. He'd screwed up big time and it looked like being a night that would end in an expected defeat. But he recovered quickly after that mistake, going up to score his second goal for Wolves - both coming this season and both against United. He was at it again half an hour later, both him and Kevin Doyle claiming the winner in a battle that the Irishman is brave to take on, considering Elokobi's size! Throughout the second half the fans inside the stadium, and the millions watching around the world, we treated to a series of blocks, interceptions and brilliant tackles, along with top class positioning to silence arguably the most deadly winger in the Premier League over the last 2 seasons.
It's hard for me to pick a Man-of-the-Match. Barclays gave it to Elokobi and understandably so. For me it is between him, Zubar and Stearman, who continues to impress having had a somewhat shaky start to the season. Wayne Hennessey deserves a mention too. A goalkeeper who seemed almost afraid to come out for crosses 12 months ago, dominated his area with such coolness and authority and looks like he is finally beginning to mature into a Premier League goalkeeper.
I think it's fitting that I've decided to start this blog at the time of the lowest point in the season and the highest point in the season. It truly does highlight the name I've given it - the rollercoaster life of a Wolves fan. From the utter despair and desolation of Wednesday night, and the feeling of doom at 5pm Saturday after results had gone against us, leaving us 5 points adrift of safety, to the complete ecstacy felt at the final whistle after beating Manchester United.
We may still go down, it's very possible. But what last night showed to everyone is that we won't go without a fight to the death. It's given me hope once again that we can beat the bookmakers and preserve our Premier League status. We just need to start being more consistent. It's all very well beating 5 out of the current top 7 in the league. We need to start beating the teams around us in the league if we're to stay up. But it can be done. We have always had strong 2nd halves to the season (i.e. post-January). It's time for that to happen again!
And whilst I may sound fickle to some, it's is only because that is how the emotions get as a Wolves fan. Down one minute, up the next. Amazingly, it keeps drawing us back season after season!
One last thought - Bring on the Arsenal!
24 hours on from what is arguably one of the biggest results in Wolves' recent history and I'm still in shock.
Watching us beat Manchester United was fantastic. Watching us end their unbeaten run of 29 games was incredible. But for us to have gone 1-0 down within 3 minutes, and to then come back all before half time, was truly one of the most spirited, gutsy and passionate displays of football I've seen at the Molineux in years.
Sure, United weren't at their best. Indeed, they haven't been at their best for the majority of this season. But it was us, grand old Wolverhampton Wanderers, who ended that magnificent run of United's. And what a transformation.
I know in my last blog I talked about Mick needing to go, about how bad certain players were, about how we're certainties for relegation. And while I do still fear for us whilst we continue to faulter against the teams around us, I am given hope by that performance. The reverting to 4-5-1 was key. Kevin Doyle (someone who I have been hugely critical of all season for his poor form) produced the sort of performance that gave defenders such nightmares towards the end of last season. Matt Jarvis on the wing, who missed a guilt-edged chance inside 10 minutes against Bolton, gave Rafael such a torrid time during the first half. Jamie O'Hara, on his home debut, produced a performance of class mixed in with passion and showed some very good touches with both feet. Karl Henry was back to his best and perhaps justified his inclusion in the 40-man provisional England squad (sadly he wasn't selected in the end). Richard Stearman and Christophe Berra too, though much criticised individually throughout the season, were never truly troubled by either Berbatov or Rooney, and later Hernandez after his introduction.
But it was the full-backs who deserve the most credit. Ronald Zubar, after a pure horror mistake against Bolton, came back to show Wolves fans, and the world, why the SouthBank continued to chant his name long into the night. Up against perhaps the greatest left-winger of all time, he showed strength, awareness and poise to deliver a fantastic performance. He frustrated Giggs to the point that the Welshman felt the need to take his frustration out on Doyle - a cynical kick that should've earnt the wide man much more than a simple talking to. Indeed Zubar's confidence had grown so much during the first half that it was him who robbed Rooney on the edge of the Wolves box, ran almost 50 yards before releasing the ball to Doyle. He still continued running to the edge of the United box, where he was ultimately fouled by Vidic, winning the free-kick that led to the second, and ultimately decisive, goal.
And a huge word for a huge man. George Elokobi. Around 2 and a half minutes in to the match, he went up for a header and got it totally wrong, being caught miles out of position, tracked back quickly enough to reach Nani but failed to put in any sort of challenge, before being beaten too easily, allowing the Portugese winger to find the back of the net. At that moment, I admit, I was slating him. He'd screwed up big time and it looked like being a night that would end in an expected defeat. But he recovered quickly after that mistake, going up to score his second goal for Wolves - both coming this season and both against United. He was at it again half an hour later, both him and Kevin Doyle claiming the winner in a battle that the Irishman is brave to take on, considering Elokobi's size! Throughout the second half the fans inside the stadium, and the millions watching around the world, we treated to a series of blocks, interceptions and brilliant tackles, along with top class positioning to silence arguably the most deadly winger in the Premier League over the last 2 seasons.
It's hard for me to pick a Man-of-the-Match. Barclays gave it to Elokobi and understandably so. For me it is between him, Zubar and Stearman, who continues to impress having had a somewhat shaky start to the season. Wayne Hennessey deserves a mention too. A goalkeeper who seemed almost afraid to come out for crosses 12 months ago, dominated his area with such coolness and authority and looks like he is finally beginning to mature into a Premier League goalkeeper.
I think it's fitting that I've decided to start this blog at the time of the lowest point in the season and the highest point in the season. It truly does highlight the name I've given it - the rollercoaster life of a Wolves fan. From the utter despair and desolation of Wednesday night, and the feeling of doom at 5pm Saturday after results had gone against us, leaving us 5 points adrift of safety, to the complete ecstacy felt at the final whistle after beating Manchester United.
We may still go down, it's very possible. But what last night showed to everyone is that we won't go without a fight to the death. It's given me hope once again that we can beat the bookmakers and preserve our Premier League status. We just need to start being more consistent. It's all very well beating 5 out of the current top 7 in the league. We need to start beating the teams around us in the league if we're to stay up. But it can be done. We have always had strong 2nd halves to the season (i.e. post-January). It's time for that to happen again!
And whilst I may sound fickle to some, it's is only because that is how the emotions get as a Wolves fan. Down one minute, up the next. Amazingly, it keeps drawing us back season after season!
One last thought - Bring on the Arsenal!
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Bolton or Bust?
It's nights like this I wish I didn't love football or Wolves. The happiness that we might actually win tonight, turning to acceptance and contentment at a point and a clean sheet. All destroyed in the space of one kick of a ball by Ronald Zubar, bringing with it the sheer pain of probable relegation.
Bolton away seemed winnable. They had the worst form in the league heading into tonight, and were there for the taking. Our lineup seemed decent too! It seemed like tonight might be the night to kick-start our otherwise failing season.
Then I started watching the other scores roll in. Blackpool 1-3 West Ham was one that stood out in particular. As did Fulham beating Newcastle 1-0. But, looking at our match, we seemed solid. We'd hit the post, Jarvis had had a fantastic chance (though wasted it)... but I was happy to take the 0-0 and move on.
And then Zubar pops up with an inexplicable pass towards Wayne Hennessey and Dan Sturridge comes in and nicks all 3 points for Bolton in a game where a draw probably would've been fair.
So the question starting to be asked: What is going on?! Mick McCarthy's had an entire transfer window to bring in a defender. He turns down the chance to sign Jolean Lescott because he's left-footed and we want a right-footed defender, and also because we have "better options available" (i.e. Berra). He signs a striker from Scottish Division 1 to provide cover for Doyle, Fletch and SEB. He brings off Jarvis tonight and brings on Ward - the usually undroppable God in Mick's eyes.
Mick has too many favourites! Doyle, Ward, Henry (who I love, but we're better with Foley in the middle), Zubar. And he insists on playing Jarvis on the right, despite the fact he's better on the left! Now I say we're better with Foley in centre-midfield... but we NEED him at right-back too! Zubar is shocking. He makes Stearman look consistent! When will Mick realise that the bloke can't defend lately?! I mean, I do think he's a legend, but lately he's been shocking and we can't afford these schoolboy errors that he's making lately!
Watch him come out after the game and say his same old "we were unlucky" or "we just made a mistake" or even, a personal recent favourite, "things will change". Absolute joke Mick!! Just shut up and accept that we have no chance if things carry on this way! We need to win 6 games to stay up? Can't see where that's gonna come from! Can't see where we're gonna go on a run either!
Too many things have gone wrong this year down to Mick. He hasn't invested properly in the January window and now we're gonna be made to pay for it in the long run. Oh well... looks like next season's local derbies will be Derby, Forest and Coventry.
Oh, and talking of paying... £25 on the turnstiles for Wolves v Stoke in the FA Cup... total disgrace!
Sack Mick. Sack Moxey.
Bring in Big Sam or Alan Curbishley.
This is my view, and at least respect it, even if you don't agree.
Bolton away seemed winnable. They had the worst form in the league heading into tonight, and were there for the taking. Our lineup seemed decent too! It seemed like tonight might be the night to kick-start our otherwise failing season.
Then I started watching the other scores roll in. Blackpool 1-3 West Ham was one that stood out in particular. As did Fulham beating Newcastle 1-0. But, looking at our match, we seemed solid. We'd hit the post, Jarvis had had a fantastic chance (though wasted it)... but I was happy to take the 0-0 and move on.
And then Zubar pops up with an inexplicable pass towards Wayne Hennessey and Dan Sturridge comes in and nicks all 3 points for Bolton in a game where a draw probably would've been fair.
So the question starting to be asked: What is going on?! Mick McCarthy's had an entire transfer window to bring in a defender. He turns down the chance to sign Jolean Lescott because he's left-footed and we want a right-footed defender, and also because we have "better options available" (i.e. Berra). He signs a striker from Scottish Division 1 to provide cover for Doyle, Fletch and SEB. He brings off Jarvis tonight and brings on Ward - the usually undroppable God in Mick's eyes.
Mick has too many favourites! Doyle, Ward, Henry (who I love, but we're better with Foley in the middle), Zubar. And he insists on playing Jarvis on the right, despite the fact he's better on the left! Now I say we're better with Foley in centre-midfield... but we NEED him at right-back too! Zubar is shocking. He makes Stearman look consistent! When will Mick realise that the bloke can't defend lately?! I mean, I do think he's a legend, but lately he's been shocking and we can't afford these schoolboy errors that he's making lately!
Watch him come out after the game and say his same old "we were unlucky" or "we just made a mistake" or even, a personal recent favourite, "things will change". Absolute joke Mick!! Just shut up and accept that we have no chance if things carry on this way! We need to win 6 games to stay up? Can't see where that's gonna come from! Can't see where we're gonna go on a run either!
Too many things have gone wrong this year down to Mick. He hasn't invested properly in the January window and now we're gonna be made to pay for it in the long run. Oh well... looks like next season's local derbies will be Derby, Forest and Coventry.
Oh, and talking of paying... £25 on the turnstiles for Wolves v Stoke in the FA Cup... total disgrace!
Sack Mick. Sack Moxey.
Bring in Big Sam or Alan Curbishley.
This is my view, and at least respect it, even if you don't agree.
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