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!
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