Robbed Wolves Stung By Hornets

Watford 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

(Chalobah 35, Deeney 68, Sako 54)

Wolves players protest the inexplicable sending off of Berra

A disappointing afternoon at a very disappointing Vicarage Road left Wolves winless in 7 games. However yet again it is the performance (or lack of) from the man in the middle that is the day's big talking point. I personally don't think I've seen worse refereeing in a match in my entire life. It was absolutely appalling. First there was his inexplicable decision to send Christophe Berra off for absolutely nothing (and I mean nothing, there was no foul committed at all - not even Watford appealed for it). That immediately set the tone for the rest of the game and meant that our backs were firmly against the wall for around 60 minutes. He also strangely booked Dave Edwards for diving when the midfielder looked to have been clipped in the box. Indeed it seems his yellow card was actually punishment for trying to stay on his feet. There was also a possible trip on Sigurdarson on the edge of the box that was completely missed by the officals and numerous other odd decisions going Watford's way. This was, of course, not helped by the conistent diving and time-wasting tactics of Watford's players, who have perhaps embraced a bit too much of the Italian culture that now encompasses the club.

Chalobah celebrates putting Watford 1-0 up

But, despite atrocious officals and extreme gamesmanship from The Hornets, Wolves were once again resilient in the face of adversity.  We were by far the better side before going down to ten men, and although we looked poor for the remainder of the first half - rightfully going a goal behind - we played very well indeed in the second half. We created a lot of chances and, whilst we were quite stretched at times defensively (to be expected given our disadvantage) could easily have nicked a richly-deserved point. Some of the football we played was fantastic at times, and some of the players are beginning to look as though they're really clicking. Again Sigurdarson and Doyle looked like they can actually play together. Sako carried us forward with real power - he took players on for fun at times (particularly in the second half) and looked a real threat.

Sako celebrates his 'lucky' goal at Vicarage Road

Although Sako's goal was an incredible fluke - Almunia revisiting his Arsenal days by making a comical error - we carved Watford open numerous times. Watford defenders were lucky that they just happened to get a block on almost every shot we had. Had our final ball, or shot, been a bit more precise then we would have had our point. Almunia also made some decent saves as well, to his credit. Had the game stayed 11v11 for 90 minutes, I am positive that we would've come away with 3 points. However, our second-half play ultimately counted for nothing as we switched off at a short-corner and conceded a winner that, as play was going, had been coming for some time. But the signs have been very positive over the last 180 minutes and if we can take that forward to Nottingham Forest and Millwall at Molineux in our next two games (and keep 11 men on the pitch), then we have a very good chance of getting something!

My Wolves MOTM: Bakary Sako. Grabbed the side by the scruff of the neck at times and was a real threat going forward. Looks like, after a few dodgy games, he might be on the way back to his best.

Wolves In A Word: Robbed

In Stale We Trust.