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BBC WM WOLVES WALL 20/9/08

Championship Wolverhampton Wanderers
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NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL ENTERTAINMENT!!

After watching Wolves beat Charlton last week I said that this Wolves side were worth making the effort to watch, such was the quality and sheer excitement of their football. Well this week they’ve surpassed events at the Valley and played out a game that had everything.

By the time the full time whistle blew there had been two disallowed goals, four goals that stood, two red cards and a manager sat in the stands after being sent off for applauding the referees first half performance!!

Quite an afternoon.

The first goal (that counted) was a signal of what was to come. A Wolves corner was met by Neill Collins who hit the bar with a powerful header the ball was then acrobatically scissor kicked into the corner of the Preston goal by Chris Iwelumo, back in the side after injury. 1-0.

DON`T CLAP THE REF MICK

After that Preston had two goals disallowed and a penalty appeal turned down. This didn’t endear the referee martin Atkinson to the home crowd, but it did earn him a round of applause from the Wolves manager who made a point of waiting for Atkinson as he made his way off the field at half time.

It was to prove an ill judged move from Mick McCarthy.

As the second half it was soon apparent that he was exiled to the stand for the remainder of the game (although I’m not quite sure what the official term would be for applauding the referee - incitement maybe..but it seemed a little churlish from the referee). McCarthy is awaiting the referees report to find out of there’s a pitch side ban looming.

But there was much more to come from Mr Atkinson.

THE HAT TRICK/EARLY BATH MAN

Wolves were by now in control of the game in all areas. They were outperforming Preston and it looked like a matter of time before the lead would be increased.

The second came on 65 minutes after good work down the Wolves right from Keogh who then fed Kightly to cross for Iwelumo to slam the ball home from close range. 2-0.

Then just 5 minutes later Michael Kightly used his pace to get away from the Preston full back only to be the victim of a ridiculous challenge from Billy Jones. Martin Atkinson had no choice but to award a penalty, but how he never sent Jones off (or even show him a yellow) I’ll never know!

Chris Iwelumo slotted into the top corner to make it three nil and a day to remember for him.

But within four minutes he was sent off.

There was an off the ball collision between Iwelumo and Sean St Ledger, both fell to the floor. But when he got up it was the Wolves man that was shown the red card for violent conduct. After the match St Ledger went into the referees room to plead on behalf of Iwelumo and Wolves are hopeful that it’s a card that’ll be rescinded.

THE BIG FINISH

Late on the game began to take on a very surreal feel. Neil Mellor was put through and took the ball round the Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey only to be brought down. Hennessey joined Iwelumo as red card made it second appearance. Mellor made no mistake from the spot for the consolation goal with what was more or less the last kick of the game.

So Wolves finished with nine men but all three points against a side that were unbeaten. This was the sixth win on the spin for Mick McCarthy’s side and they now have a little daylight between them and second place. If they keep putting in these kind of performances it’s hard to see anyone catching them, they could run away with this promotion race.

I want to give a special mention to the two centre halves. Richard Stearman and Neill Collins were in top form today. Mellor and Parkin won nothing in the air all afternoon and the Wolves defenders provided a solid base for the flare players to turn on the style. Collin in particular has had his fair share of criticism, but today he was inspired, as was Stearman.

So Wolves have beaten Charlton away, Crystal Palace at home and now Preston on the road all in a week! In my book to take nine points from those games is a big sign that Wolves are there to be caught. At this stage I can’t see anyone touching them, although I know it’s early days.

I’ll preface what I’m going to say by acknowledging it’s still very early in the season.

Wolves will lose games I’m sure, but going on what I’ve seen so far they will be the team to beat. Even in games like this, when anything could happen at any time, they have too much quality in too many areas not to be regarded as anything other than the best team in the league.

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comment by kellystad (U10952463)

posted Sep 20, 2008

Well done Wolves. That was a very good performance and a thoroughly deserved victory. It's been a long time since I've seen a team completely outplay PNE at home to that extent. Although the referee's performance left a lot to be desired!

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comment by jackiegallagher *39* (U13171373)

posted Sep 20, 2008

Things are looking very goog at the minute.
We have quality and pace throughout the side and seem to be able to go up a gear as and when needed.
It's not just the first eleven who impress me but the whole squad.Normally you would be concerned with the injuries and suspensions we are experiencing but such is the quality of the replacements that the performances have not suffered.
Up the Wolves.

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comment by How-bin-ya (U10820798)

posted Sep 20, 2008

i cant help but smile

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comment by BigBadWolfToo (U8427200)

posted Sep 20, 2008

It was a superb performance today. Only lacked some professionalism to finish it off as a contest and no red cards!
Kites, would score hatfuls if he could find his shooting boots! Iwelumo was superb, until his loss of cool. Henry was the steadying influence all game.
The back four all played well, but for some reason, I still am a bit unsure, waiting for a clanger to be dropped. Stephen Ward played very well today, with Stearman showing some real class and courage.

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comment by lilalovesf1 (U12985701)

posted Sep 20, 2008

I must apologise for my negativity, but I have been a Wolves supporter for 21 years now so I think I've earned my right to express myself!!

On a positive note, I can bearly remember such a great start to a season. I'm an open critic of Mick (at Wolves), but he seems to have finally kick-started the team, albeit a youthful and fresh squad. For that I cannot cast a shadow on this season so far.

But let's face it, any real WWFC fan knows that this situation is not comparative to how the Wolves end up. We either play rubbish for a whole season or we get our hopes up only to fail at the last hurdle.

I'm sorry for being so negative but we HAVE to be realistic.

This will not continue and as much as I love saying 'WE'RE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!'I know this is a mere silver lining in a very early cloud.

We're young, dynamic and positive right now, but we have to stay realistic......

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comment by BigBadWolfToo (U8427200)

posted Sep 21, 2008

lilalovesf1, don't you know a good team when you see one? Get real! MM has got a good team at Wolves now, with desire, maybe not perfect, but from what I have seen, as good as anything we are likely meet this season.
Being realistic from where we are now, is a very very strong shout for automatic promotion.
You may well find more stuff to your liking in Sandwell perhaps?

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comment by davidj6218 *49.9* (U7075413)

posted Sep 21, 2008

bigbadwolf - stupid comment from you. The guy is being cautious as any experienced Wolves fan will know is sensible. We have only played 7 games and still 39 to go. We've been brilliant so far and if it was a sprint the bookies would be paying out, but it ain't a sprint its a marathon.

Just because someone wants to be realistic doesn't mean the guy isn't a real fan. He has been going for 21 years and doubtless seen plenty of disappointments in that time.

My advice is stick to supporting the team for now and leave the celebrating until the fat lady sings.

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comment by lilalovesf1 (U12985701)

posted Sep 21, 2008

Thank you David.

Look, first thing first: I'm a chick, not a bloke, but that's by the by.

Second, yes, I'm a realist and I have suffered so much at the hands of my team. Crystal Palace in the play-offs, the Albion getting above us after months of being in the top 2. Coming close to relegation....literally being only a few points away from dropping out of the league.

I've seen Graham Turner win and lose. I've seen our best players go to Coventry, to Everton, to Villa.

I've seen Dave Jones and Graham Taylor kicked to the wall.

I have supported this club with every breath of my life so DO NOT undermine my opinion. I am a REAL Wolves supporter who knows exactly what being a Wolves supporter means........any fool who thinks we'll be top of the league until May needs a reality check or needs to go and support Chelsea.

I pray we go up, I pray we do it and we win the league. But any real WWFC supporter knows that this isn't how it goes for us.............I hope this will come back to bite me on the arse in May but I doubt it will......

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comment by spez66 (U8303843)

posted Sep 22, 2008

I do appreciate the cautious tone of your posts lilalovesf1 but I feel that this team is different to the old ones. The team that blew it under Jones were dominant at times but did have the youth and flair of this current side.

I would also add that if you don't rate MM then you may be waiting for it all to come crashing down but as a supporter who has rated Mick and finally seen the 3 year plan come together I honestly believe we can keep going and build up an insummountable lead.

We will inevitably lose a few along the way but providing the key players stay fit I am struggling to see 2 other teams that can deny us the coveted automatic spots.

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comment by goldandblackmenace (U2292306)

posted Sep 23, 2008

I, too, have been a Wolves fan for many, painful years, but I do not share Lila's cynisism. MM has built a squad that is youthful, vibrant, attack minded and a joy to watch. If the majority of the South Bank had gotten their way, MM would now be employed elsewhwere. Jez Moxey and Steve Morgan MUST be applauded for their patience and financial support, it is testement to them both we are now top of our division and flying.
I know it's a long way to go until May and I also know that we will lose games between now and then, but I have to have faith - isn't that what football's all about?
UP THE WOLVES!!!
PS. Congratulations to Sheff Utd for winning their case against West Ham - the FA should do the right thing now and relegate West Ham and re-instate The Blades back to the Premiership. If I am being completely honest, I think West Ham should now also have a transfer embargo to go with the £30M they have to pay out as compensation. We have to send a message that you cannot break the rules, no matter how much money you have.

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