Wolves Draw A Blank In The Sheffield Snow

Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Carl Ikeme punches clear a first-half attack

So I predicted goals, and produced a stat that indicated Wolves would either win or lose this game... so of course it makes perfect sense that Wolves would pick up their first 0-0 of the season. In truth, however, the draw severely flattered Wolves who were battered for almost the entire 90 minutes and, for the first time this season, failed to muster a single shot on target. We started relatively brightly, with Ebanks-Blake causing problems for Llera and Gardner by showing some neat touches. He shot wide from outside the box, but that was all we really had to show for the first-half. Apart from that, it was the Wednesday show with Reda Johnson having a header saved brilliantly by Ikeme on the goal-line, and both Jermaine Johnson and Michail Antonio both seeing efforts creepy inches wide of the post. Wolves just couldn't get in the game and were carved open far too many times - particularly through the middle. Occasionally Wolves got forward - mainly down the right with Kevin Foley - but every time the ball was played into the box, there was normally only Ebanks-Blake in there to aim for and Wolves failed to get anything positive from it. Indeed, the only high point for those in Old Gold behind Ikeme's goal in the first-half was Jermaine Johnson, who was a thorn in our side all afternoon, was smacked in the face by Ikeme's goal-kick from close range. It was a cheap thrill for the 1400 travelling fans, but on a day of such little action, they can be forgiven that. Amazingly, though, Wolves clung on until half-time without any damage done to the scoreline. Something had to change in the second-half.

Jermaine Johnson: Caused Wolves problems all day

Unfortunately, nothing did change. Saunders made the move to 4-5-1, but that only made Wolves look worse as Ebanks-Blake was totally isolated and looked hopeless as long-ball after long-ball was played to him up against the tall and powerful Llera. Again, the pace and movement of Jermaine Johnson, Antonio and on-loan winger Jeremy Helan were causing the Wolves back line all sorts of trouble - although the Owls never really had many clear-cut chances, often finding that their final pass let them down. In fact, the second-half plodded along until the last 15 minutes, when Helan got into a good position but could only find the side netting. Then Jermaine Johnson flashed a ball across the box that nobody could get a touch to. At the other end, Wolves fans had to wait til the 85th minute to see their side register a real threatening strike at goal - a left-footed volley for Kevin Doyle from just outside the box going over Chris Kirkland's crossbar. But the biggest chance of the second-half again fell to the home side as, with just 2 minutes of normal time remaining, Jeremy Helan jinked his way into the box before curling an effort over the bar with Ikeme stranded. That was to be the last real threat either team made, and the game petered out to see Wolves steal a grossly undeserved point at Hillsborough.

Ebanks-Blake: Tried hard against Llera but struggled

This match has served some purpose for those in Old Gold, however. It's emphasised the point - yet again - that it was not Solbakken who was the real problem here. The players are the problem - particularly Foley, Berra, Ward, Doyle and to a lesser extent Henry and Sako. The midfield and forwards are far too static, whilst the only way our defenders seem to know is hoofing. I must ask - how is a striker who is 5ft10 supposed to win headers (and retain possession at the same time) against two centre-backs who are 6ft4 and 6ft5 respectively?! It is seriously worrying just how poor we were today. We never looked like scoring - and that is backed up by the appalling stat that we had no shots on target at all. Indeed, we only had 2 shots all game. That is horrendous and something that has to be looked at in great detail. And for those who say "at least it's a clean sheet" - I put to you that Sheffield Wednesday themselves only had 2 shots on target. Today we have been saved by (as I predicted) the Owls' lack of finishing, rather than our own impressive defensive display. How Kevin Doyle is still allowed to start is beyond me, as he looks disinterested compared to someone like Cassidy. Whilst in midfield, I would actually like to see a partnership of Davis and O'Hara as that would give us a lot more energy in the middle of the park. And as for Christophe Berra... either he really impresses in training, or Danny Batth/Richard Stearman are that abysmal in training that the Scot somehow starts every week. Because, on a match day, I don't see one redeeming feature about his game that would make me want to put him anywhere near my side.

New and Old: Dave Jones knows how tough the Wolves job is

These next 2 weeks of the January window are make or break. Saunders must be given money to spend - with no exceptions (you hear that Mr Moxey?!). Unless there is serious investment in this side, we are in real trouble for the forseeable future. By some miracle, we are 7 points clear of the relegation zone. I cannot fathom how because, by all rights, we should be a lot closer to the drop given our recent performances and results. I never thought I'd see a season like last season - nor did I ever want to see another season like the last one - but it is getting to the point where if the opposition score, it puts me out of my misery. I'm going to matches expecting to be let down, to be coming home without a win. It's an exact replica of last season, and it hurts a lot. It's truly demoralising, and surely it cannot carry on like this. One thing is becoming clear, however - there's something truly wrong at this football club. And it needs eradicating fast.

My Wolves MOTM: Ronald Zubar. Often criticised by myself, I can hold my hands up and say he was our best player today. Looked solid at the back, and got forward well to support Foley and Doyle. Hopefully a sign of things to come from the Frenchman.

Wolves In A Word: Worrying.