No New Start As Wolves Suffer New Year Defeat

Crystal Palace 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

(Moritz 31, 52, Bolasie 40, Ebanks-Blake 75)

Wolves heads drop as Palace take the lead

Wolves began 2013 with a disappointing defeat to a rampant Crystal Palace side, leaving the Midlanders facing up to the biggest January transfer window in their history. The afternoon began with the disappointing news that neither Sigurdarson nor Doumbia had travelled with the side - both through injury. As there was no Nouble in the travelling party too, Wolves went into the game without a recognised striker on the bench which was a concern with the thought that we'd have to chase the game. Instead, Solbakken went for Foley on the right of midfield, his intentions clear from the outset - stop Zaha and Bolasie. Indeed, right from the outset Wolves got at Palace. The players snapped into tackles and in particular David Davis was proving a real handful for the Palace midfield. And it was Davis who almost fired Wolves ahead with a spectacular dipping half-volley from 30 yards that crashed against the crossbar and out to Sako who, typically, fired harmlessly over the bar. It looked like we might nick something out of today, but gradually Palace came into the game more and on the half-hour mark, Sako gave away an incredibly cheap (and soft) free-kick after Zaha dropped to the floor. Up stepped Andre Moritz and the Brazilian midfielder lived up to his nationality by curling a beautiful shot into the top corner of the net. Instantly, Wolves' heads dropped and you could see the belief go out of the side. The second goal came from a situation that has become typical of Wolves lately. We gave away possession cheaply in midfield and Palace broke. The simplest of balls slipped in Yannick Bolasie and he had no trouble slotting it past Carl Ikeme. Wolves did have chances in that first half though, with Ebanks-Blake and Sako going closest for the visitors. But at half-time, there was a sense that the game was done and dusted.

Moritz scores his second (photo credit FiveYearPlan fanszine)

The second-half began much as the first-half had ended - with Palace using their pace and trickery to forge chances, particularly on the break. Again, we gave the ball away too easily in the middle of the park, allowing Jonathan Parr to race down the right-wing and cut inside, before being felled by a combination of Ward and Henry. Up stepped Moritz again who this time placed his strike perfectly in the far bottom corner to seal the points for Palace. Wolves tried desperately to get back into the game but, as has often been the case, that final ball was lacking and the moves broke down too easily. With Wolves pressing high up the pitch, the pace of Zaha and Bolasie caused all sorts of problems - although the wanted man Zaha was often far too selfish when he got into the box and that (thankfully) stopped Palace further adding to their lead. The introduction of O'Hara and Forde did give us some much needed impetus going forward, but it was a case of too little too late. The only real bright spark being another fantastic O'Hara delivery (if he keeps that sort of delivery up, I will almost certainly warm to him again) creating a chance that Ebanks-Blake finished well past Speroni. And whilst Wolves did have openings to create something in the latter stages, all they had to show for it was a Kevin Doyle chance that was straight at the keeper.

SEB scores, but chances were again few and far between for Wolves

The stats from this game are truly chilling for those in Old Gold. Palace had 66% possession, and mustered 16 shots with 7 on target. In comparison, Wolves only had 6 shots with 3 being on target. With the team we have on paper, that is simply nowhere near good enough and it just goes to show the lack of confidence and spark within this side. What's even more concerning when looking at the stats is that the players did actually turn up today. It wasn't as much of a "we don't care" performance as there has been in the last 2 games, but yet it was still absolutely pathetic going forward. The biggest problem of all is that, for whatever reason, there is absolutely no movement whatsoever off the ball. Thus there are no options for the man in possession so he ends up playing it backwards. We're so static, and have become so easy to defend against. I think the problem is that, as @ashleywolves was saying to me, whilst Stale has a brilliant footballing brain, in the Championship you need a Mr Motivator type character, someone who will have the players running through brick walls for you. The Championship is all about man management, whereas in the Premier League it's a good tactical brain will come out on top.

Solbakken: Pressure mounts as he admits "we're in a crisis"

This January window is vital. Whilst I would love to think of the "3 year plan" for promotion, the stark reality is that we are 6 points above the relagation zone and if we lose our next 2 games (including a 6-pointer away at Sheffield Wednesday), we may well find ourselves in the bottom 3. And if that happens, given our recent form (we've won 3 out of our last 16 games), I can't see us getting out of trouble. The Board have a decision to make - back Solbakken or sack him. They cannot repeat last year. I have to admit I was disappointed that, after "4 or 5 changes" had been promised, we only make one and it's probably the wrong change. I think it's become clear that Solbakken's biggest mistake has been coming in and trying to change everything too quickly rather than slowly evolving our style of play. He has finally admitted we are in a crisis but it is one thing admitting it, another thing fixing it. I still personally back him, but I am also a realist and know results have to change and fast. Relegation would be a total disaster for this club, but whilst fans of other clubs I speak to say "oh you won't go down", the fact is it is a true reality that we must now face up to. No club is "too big to go down" - Forest, Leeds, Leicester, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday... the list goes on. My only hope is that Wolverhampton Wanderers aren't added to that list in 2013.

Thankfully we have a break from League action this weekend, as it's FA Cup 3rd Round weekend. We're away at Luton, who're in the Blue Square Premier and I would personally play a strong team. We need confidence - the players and the fans - and if we can beat Luton with a lot of our first-teamers playing, that will give them belief and also will get the fans off Solbakken's back for a week. Lose to Luton though, and the wolves (excuse the pun) will be at the door.

My Wolves MOTM: David Davis. Lost possession cheaply a couple of times, but on the whole looked very composed and again aimed to drive Wolves forward by the scruff of the neck. Unlucky not to get his first goal for the club with a brilliant effort early on.

Wolves In A Word: Desperate.

In Stale We Trust.