Saunders Gets First Win As Wolves Move On To Bigger Test

Millwall 0-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers

(Edwards 9, Ebanks-Blake 61)

At the 10th time of asking, Dean Saunders finally tasted success as Wolves manager, as his side overcame FA Cup Quarter-Finalists Millwall on a relatively comfortable night in South-East London.

Dave Edwards celebrates giving Wolves an early lead

Wolves started brightly, with Sako almost scoring a freak goal from a corner. But the game was barely in its infancy when Dave Edwards struck a smart volley to beat 'keeper David Forde. Indeed Edwards, whose selection in the team was widely criticised pre-match by fans, was causing Millwall all sorts of problems and almost doubled his tally for the night when another volley of his was blocked by Shane Lowry. Millwall looked like they had their eyes solely on their FA Cup tie with Blackburn at the weekend, as they lacked urgency in testing Wolves. Chris Taylor tested Carl Ikeme with a header, but in truth it was a rather comfortable half for Wolves. Even the introduction of Andy Keogh early in the first-half didn't seem to make an impact, the striker struggling to recapture the form he showed in his early days at The New Den.

Ebanks-Blake's spectacular bicycle kick

The second-half was largely similar to the first. Wolves were clearly not in a mood to suffer a repeat of the Barnsley game 2 weeks before when they capitulated after half-time. And after they'd survived an early scare, with Keogh just failing to connect with Taylor's cross, they pressed Millwall, looking hungry for the second goal. And when it came, it was worth the journey down from the Midlands that some 700 Wolves fans had made. A cross from the left was headed clear by the Millwall defence but Jamie O'Hara headed the ball straight back into the box to keep the pressure on. The ball fell to Ebanks-Blake who, from 12 yards out, pulled off the most audacious bicycle kick and planted his effort into the bottom corner. At 2-0, and with Millwall not really threatening, Wolves felt this was a game they could go on to win. In the end, they had to be settled with just the two goals, not to mention a priceless clean sheet that will do wonders for confidence.

Saunders gets a deserved thumbs up from Steve Morgan at Millwall

In all honesty, it would be dangerous to read too much into this result. Millwall are all but guaranteed safety, and their players were focused on the chance of getting to a Wembley Semi-Final. But what it does do is give confidence and belief to a shaky squad. It gives the fans hope that maybe all is not lost in their quest for survival (not that a 'quest for survival' is good enough, but given our current predicament it'll have to do). Credit must go to Saunders who, despite drawing much criticism for his team selection at the time, made sure his side went out there and did the job required of them. Such a comfortable win like this could see Saunders' side go on a mini-run - much like the comfortable victory at Bristol City saw Wolves win 2 of their next 3 games back in December. Bigger tests will come in the remaining 10 games, but a comfortable win at one of the most uncomfortable places in the Championship cannot hurt Wolves' survival prospects.

My Wolves MOTM: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Made one and scored one, meaning he was pivotal in Wolves' success in Bermondsey. But it was the all-round nature of his performance that stood out. Arguably one of his best this season. Another South-East London wonder-goal too - it's simply becoming the norm for him.

Wolves In A Word: Comfortable

The first of those big tests come at The City Ground, as Wolves travel up the M42 to face a resurgent Nottingham Forest side - currently flying under the re-stewardship of Billy Davies.

Wolves celebrate a happier visit to the City Ground in 2009

When these two sides last faced each other, back in November, they both had different managers. Back then Stale Solbakken's Wolves were defeated 2-1 by a Forest side managed by Sean O'Driscoll. Having taken the lead through Sigurdarson within 5 minutes, Forest hit back 10 minutes later through Billy Sharp. The East Midlanders sealed the points on the hour thanks to a 30-yard screamer from former-Wolf Adlene Guedioura. Wolves will be hoping for a result similar to their last visit to the City Ground when, during much happier times, Michael Kightly's late winner set Mick McCarthy's side on the way to promotion. That was a rare success, as Wolves have found recent League trips to Nottingham really tough. In their last 10 trips to Forest, that 1-0 win in 2009 is their only success. Given the positions of the two teams this season, it's unlikely that record will change tomorrow.

Billy Davies has returned to Forest with great effect

They say you should never go back, but clearly Billy Davies has never heard that saying. And, indeed, Forest fans are thanking their lucky stars that's the case. Having guided the club to 2 previous Play-Off Semi Finals, the Scot (nicknamed 'King Billy' by the Forest faithful) returned at the start of February to replace the recently resigned Alex McLeish. Since returning, his side are unbeaten (winning 4 and drawing 1) and this is in fact their best winning streak since winning 6 in a row back in 2011 - ironically when Davies was in charge the first time round. They have actually won their last 5 games and kept 3 clean sheets - whilst also sticking 6 past Huddersfield at The City Ground just over 2 weeks ago. Alarmingly for Wolves, in the 15 games Forest have scored first in, they haven't lost once. There is a bit of a blow for them as Billy Sharp and fellow frontman Darius Henderson are doubts for tomorrow's game. There will also be fitness tests for defenders Daniel Ayala and Dan Harding, with Davies maybe having to shuffle his pack to field a team against Wolves. A bright note for Wolves fans may be the appearance of Greg Halford - who missed the reverse fixture at Molineux - set to be back from a 2 match ban. His presence is sure to be something to add some fuel to a typically fiery cross-Midlands derby.

Surprise midweek starter Cassidy looks set to keep his place

Wolves will be buoyed coming into this clash after the midweek triumph over Millwall. And they will need that spirit coming into such a difficult game - especially at a ground they have such a poor record at. However, the stats are really not in Dean Saunders' team's favour. Wolves have lost all 8 away games against the current top 11, and whilst Forest boast an impressive record of being unbeaten when scoring first, Wolves are one of only two sides (Brighton being the other) who haven't come back to win. They've instead gone on to lose 12 of the 15 games the opposition have scored first in. Wolves have actually only won 2 games against top-half sides all season (Blackburn and Blackpool, both away). Given their win in midweek, it's unlikely Wolves will see any changes to the side, so youngster Jake Cassidy is likely to start alongside midweek hero Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

This is, potentially, one of the toughest games of the season on paper. With a revitalised Forest making a late surge for the Play-Off spots, and Wolves struggling to escape the clutches of the relegation zone, this looks to be a home banker and Wolves will do well to avoid a heavy defeat at the City Ground.

Prediction: Forest 3-1 Wolves