Sign Him Up

By Tom Bason
August 24 2011

Last night, Wolves dispatched League Two side Northampton Town to progress into the Carling Cup Third Round. A Sylvan Ebanks-Blake double and strikes from Sam Vokes and Nenad Milijaš ensured a comfortable victory at Sixfields Stadium.

- Given that it was only two days since our last match, I don't think anyone was surprised to see eleven changes. Despite that, I was a little disappointed not to see David Davis starting. He'd impressed me in the friendly against Walsall, and I would have liked to have seen him play a full 90 minutes.

- One player who did start was Dorus de Vries, making his debut in a Wolves shirt. He struggled early in the game with Northampton's long throws into the penalty area. However, he seemed to grow in confidence, and dealt with them a lot better in the second half. He also made two very smart saves early on in the second half. When he left, Swansea made no secret of the fact that his replacement had to be good with his feet. With that in mind, I was slightly disappointed with his distribution - quite a few times he seemed to be aiming for Vokes, but the ball was finding its way to Ebanks-Blake's head.

- One of the most entertaining match ups was that of George Elokobi against Adebayo Akinfenwa. For those of you who haven't seen Akinfenwa, he's about as tall as George, but wider. To say he's big boned would be a massive understatement, and he and George had a couple of good wrestles. Akinfenwa also had some good banter with the Wolves fans, leading to chants of 'Sign Him Up'.  

- If Ernesto Hunt is reading this, I feel he should skip this one. I also feel a sense of pride when I see players play who I've had on Football Manager. Sam Walker in Northampton's goal was also my goalkeeper for Woking on Football Manager. A sense of joy swept over me when I realised who it was.

- Boldly, Northampton played a very high defensive line. While we were able to exploit it on occasion (most notably when Michael Kightly sent Ebanks-Blake clear on goal, only for the afore mentioned Walker o save with his legs), it also meant that they could squeeze the space. This made it difficult for the defence to play the ball out, and as such the ball was occasionally lost in dangerous positions.

- The big disappointment of the night has to be Vokes’ failure to make an impression. With Stefan Maierhofer gone, the opportunity was there for Vokes to prove himself as worthy of the role of fourth choice striker. Unfortunately though, he wasted it. His touch was poor, and although he redeemed himself late on with a powerful finish into the roof of the net, his chance may well have come and gone.

- Perhaps equally disappointing were the performances of Ebanks-Blake and Kightly. I lost count of the amount of times that they lost possession when in good positions, whether through poor touches or misplaced passes. It seems sad to ask this question, given the massive roles that they played in getting us to the Premier League, but has this team moved on from these two? I’m not sure how comfortable I would be if either were to be given sustained runs in the first team, and I am slightly worried about our lack of depth upfront should Kevin Doyle or Steven Fletcher get injured.

- Once again, we played a semi-lopsided 4-4-2 although this time it was the left winger who was given license to roam (Adam Hammill for the majority), resulting in a lack of width down this flank. I would have liked to have seen Hammill playing on the right, as I feel that’s the position that is most up from grabs in the starting eleven. Unfortunately, he never really got the chance to shine, and so Stephen Hunt should sleep soundly, safe in the knowledge his place is secure.

- Perhaps unfortunately, the most impressive player on the pitch is also the most unlikely to force his way into the first team. No matter how well Nenad Milijaš plays in the League Cup, the chances of him displacing Jamie O’Hara are miniscule. Then again, given O’Hara’s injury record, I feel slightly happier in the knowledge that Milijaš is ready to step in.

- Arguably the most entertaining part of the night was at halftime, when Northampton had a challenge involving fans kicking a ball into the boot of a hatchback. Egged on by the crowd, Karl Henry and Wayne Hennessey stepped forward to have a go. Henry’s attempt was shocking, but Hennessey almost salvaged the team’s pride, narrowly missing what turned out to the be the best attempt of the night

- During the Blackburn game, I mentioned how my friends and I used to take bets on the number of times a ball would be cleared out of the stadium. Last night there were no fewer than five, and impressively, every stand was cleared at least once.

Wolves Comfortably Progess

Discussion started by Wolves , 24/08/2011 10:05

Wolves
24/08/2011 10:05

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

jamwolf
24/08/2011 12:51

This is turning into a very strange season ! Two comfortable Premier League wins on the trot, then we thrash a lower league side when our normal routine is to go out on penalties.

Villa will be a tough test, but if we play positively I reckon our winning run might hold for another game.

Reply Quote Report

halesowen wolf
24/08/2011 12:58

Villa Fans are getting nervous about the game. Before last night 2 Villa Fans i work with was saying we were going to get hammered & now they are hoping for a Draw at best

Reply Quote Report

ernesto hunt
24/08/2011 14:41

OK, Tom - you will, when you have realised that your 'time' has become finite, put down these childish toys and turn to more meaningfull activities. If you want to be a football manager get down the park, on a Sunday morning, with some 12 year olds and help them along. And don't say you don't have time because you obviously do!

Enough of the sermons. Your point as to whether 'the team' has moved on leaving some behind is well made. It was always to be the case, but usually playing time gives sufficient eveidence for a view to be taken, but, with these two players that isn't the case. They have had, for dfferent reasons, very little playing time to present their cases.

If we are about running a just and fair club, then arbitrary dicisions are not a valid way of manageing the livilihoods of young people - and MM ought to appreciate that 'cus he would have been out two seasons ago had this boards opinions held sway.

I've been thinking about the bonding issue and how important to a 'teams' success. I think perhaps three years is the time scale and there are several examples, of which we may be one! Look at the way many of our ex-players have stayed in the area after retirement - we celebrated the life of one of them just last week - it has to mean much.

Perhaps a big portion of confidence comes from this familiarity between, what may become, friends for life. Don't forget what really successfull companies argue - their greatest asset is their people. As a club we should seek to develop them to their best possible level, not discard them at the first sign of a bad patch or right them of as imbeciles. I saw Clough and Taylor take so many discards and turn them into even European Cup winning players that I don't pass comment on who can or can't play footy.

Your point on injuruies to key players is one which I hope MM has read. O'hara will get injured - it's the nature of his game to contest vigourously. Doyles and Fletcher are in the same predicament - defenders will attempt last ditch tackles when delicacy goes out the window. We either need 3 not 2 for these position or a few more Wardy's in the squad.

Good cup runs make for a happier squad - more 'real' games for the lads who don't always start on a Saturday. They are not a distraction, they are a god send for the Wolves 'Collective'!

The Villa match will tell volumes of where we are going and how much we still have to do. Constancy of purpose needs to be at the top ot our management list, stablity number two!

Another good report, Tom. Come on you Wolves!

Reply Quote Report

eunanwolf
24/08/2011 17:06

And an excellent post Ernesto.
If I might sound a note of caution though, remember we only stayed up last year on the last day of the season.We have not turned into a team of world beaters since despite RJ and OHara added. Certainly we have started well but remember that a couple of injuries to key players could burst our bubble.
I dont want to be a prophet of doom but we should just be ready for a blip and do our part from the sidelines to come out of it which we will.

Reply Quote Report

ernesto hunt
24/08/2011 18:58

Your right, Eunan. It will come and I hope we won't turn on them. Wish we were like Bestikas (forgive spedling) and able to pump up the volume like their fans. Still sends shivers up my spin every time I watch the utube video's.

Thanks for the comply but its awfully long winded - too much time on me hands . . . I'll be taking up Fantasy football soon!

Reply Quote Report

eunanwolf
24/08/2011 20:37

As you said above get busy with under twelves on a sunday morning.I have coached youngsters for years.My dream is that some day one of them will pull on a Wolves first team jersey.
If that day comes you will shake hands with me and leave a pint in front of me.
Maybe some day.....

Reply Quote Report

ernesto hunt
24/08/2011 21:59

Just you stay in reality, it's the only true place to be, and keep doing an excellent job. When you do get a 'star' just post it on here and me, myself & MM will be round with a crate!

Reply Quote Report

Bradmore Wolf
25/08/2011 09:59

Quote:

ernesto hunt
Your point on injuruies to key players is one which I hope MM has read. O'hara will get injured - it's the nature of his game to contest vigourously. Doyles and Fletcher are in the same predicament - defenders will attempt last ditch tackles when delicacy goes out the window. We either need 3 not 2 for these position or a few more Wardy's in the squad.

Great posts in here the injury thing is my worry as well, as we are only an injury to Roger Johnson away from last seasons defence.

But I suppose MM can only work so fast in getting players in without ruining the team spirit that has been built up even before taking availability and affordability into account.

As said earlier the team spirit counts for a lot it got us out of trouble last year and is definately worth a few points.

Reply Quote Report

ernesto hunt
25/08/2011 10:08

Dann was on the bench Sat! Injured? Can't be on his way otherwise would have been completely rested. If he is ready to see sense then do a O'Hara with him and Brum.

We must look more attractive than a few weeks ago! The board needs to strenghten on the up, not panic buy on the down!

Reply Quote Report

Bradmore Wolf
29/08/2011 22:43

In the past we have always been told that quality players dont want to come here because of it being a relegation battle.

If come January we are mid table that will hopefully change.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net