By Tom Bason
May 13 2012

Wolves today signed off its time in the Premier League with a 3-2 defeat away at Wigan Athletic. After Matt Jarvis had given Wolves an early lead, Wigan hit back through Franco di Santo, before an Emmerson Boyce double secured the three points. Steven Fletcher grabbed a late consolation.

- The main surprise in the starting line-up was the inclusion of Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in the line-up ahead of Fletcher. God knows how many times I've seen Ebanks-Blake upfront with Kevin Doyle, yet they never seem to improve their play together, and today was no different. Wigan lined up in their normal, slightly lopsided 3-4-2-1 formation. On the right flank, Victor Moses plays almost as a winger, while Boyce (despite scoring two) doesn't get forward a huge amount. On the other flank, Shaun Maloney drifts inside with Jean Beausejour providing the width.

- The problem with playing three defenders is that it can be weak defensively down the flanks. There was a lot of space available in behind Wigan's wingbacks, especially behind Beausejour, but Stephen Hunt didn't have the quality to take advantage. On the other side, Jarvis had less space to operate, against the more defensive minded Boyce, but still managed to score, cutting in on his right foot. This was particularly sweet as it came right in the middle of Wigan's eighth minute celebrations in honour of their eight consecutive Premier League seasons.

- But, where Wigan may cede space defensively down the flanks, they were able to make up for it in the middle of the park. They basically had a 6-man midfield, with Moses and Maloney able to drift into the space between midfield and defence. This is not a criticism of Karl Henry and Dave Edwards; they were overrun and I don't think there was a huge amount they could do about it. The space available was most notable in the first half, when Maloney was able to receive the ball, run at our defence and shoot. De Vries was able to make the save, but Boyce gave Wigan the lead from the resultant corner.

- Terry Connor has generally favoured a 4-4-2 formation since taking charge, but today maybe should have seen a change. We were overrun in the middle, yet Wigan's three-man defence were generally able to deal with Ebanks-Blake and Doyle reasonably well. It might have made sense for move Doyle to the right, and bring Hunt into the middle of the park, if only to slightly make up the numbers. It would also have freed up Jarvis to attack slightly more, and given Roberto Martinez something to think about - does he keep his three man defence against a three man attack? Or ask the wingbacks to play more defensively, ceding the advantage in midfield?

- I mentioned bringing Hunt into the middle, mainly because he was poor on the flank. He seems to have lost the bite and endeavour that made up for his lack of technical ability earlier in the season. Wigan's left flank was weak defensively, with Beausejour basically patrolling the whole wing. But, Hunt's tendency to drift inside, coupled with Ronald Zubar's lack of quality going forward meant he had a relatively simple game.

- Did the fact Fletcher didn't start mean anything? Does he already know he's on the way? If we are going to lose players, hopefully it's sooner rather than later so Ståle Solbakken has the maximum time with next season's team. Fletcher also looked less than impressed with the fans' chanting to Roger Johnson. Before kick-off, Johnson put a shot into the top corner during shooting practise, before cupping his ears to the fans, most of whom didn't notice. Fletcher did though, and had a joke with him about it. Later, both Fletcher and Johnson were warming up on the touchline, closest to the Wolves end. As you'd expect, Johnson got a torrent of abuse, but what was more noticeable was Fletcher's reaction. He kept looking at the fans and shaking his head. You won't find many fans who will argue with the treatment Johnson got, but perhaps we've not considered the effect it has on the rest of the players, especially those who we are hoping will stay this summer?

- Perhaps unsurprisingly, given what happened last season, there was an on running feud between Karl Henry and Jordi Gomez. Gomez caught Henry late soon after coming on, before clipping him around the ear when Henry made a meal of it. Later on, there seemed to be an off the ball clash between the two as Wigan attacked.

- Late on, Hugo Rodallega hit the post, stabbing the ball beyond the onrushing Carl Ikeme. It reminded me very much of his awful miss past Wayne Hennessey at Molineux, when he stabbed wide. Both misses stank of a player lacking in confidence who wants to leave.

- Speaking of Ikeme, why did he come on? I noticed before the match that his warm-up seemed to be more vigorous than the norm for a substitute keeper, so I assume they always knew he'd be coming on. Was it just so he could have thirty minutes of Premier League football, knowing he may never have the opportunity again? It did strike me that next season we'll have three competent Championship goalkeepers. While Hennessey will be injured for the start of the season, I'll be surprised if both de Vries and Ikeme are still at the club come August.

- Applause was well deserved for Ikeme, Stephen Ward, Matt Jarvis, Karl Henry and Terry Connor who risked the Wigan pitch invasion (and the subsequent idiocy of certain Wolves fans) to applaud the fans. Little gestures like these mean a lot to the supporters.

A Wimper Rather than a Bang - Wigan 3-2 Wolves

Discussion started by Wolves , 13/05/2012 20:48

Wolves
13/05/2012 20:48

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:05:29:08:11:49 by toomb.

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Risca TM
13/05/2012 21:52

As usual, thanks for an interesting write up Tom. I liked especially your insight about the knock on effect of fan abuse towards other players.

I suppose footballers, like everyone else, prefer to work in a friendly and positive atmosphere. It's a pity that no-one at Wolves had the nous to figure out how to deal with the disconnect between RJ and the fans, and set about sorting it out.

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toomb
13/05/2012 23:59

Thanks Risca.

I'd never considered how the other players might view it until I saw Fletch's reaction today. I really hope it doesn't have any bearing on whether he stays or goes. For all his faults, Johnson appears to be close friends with a number of players (Jamie O'Hara in particular), all of who could be affected by the abuse Johnson gets



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irishwolf
14/05/2012 15:26

Good report Tom and interesting insight into the fans abuse of Roger.
I have never been one for abusing players to be honest but this Roger guy deserves all the abuse he gets, he has shown no respect to the club and his performances have been terrible.
Regarding what effect this has on other players? If i was a team mate of Rogers id be giving him abuse myself.
He is a disgrace to the club.
If other players condone his carry on or choose to be very friendly with him - they should have a look at their own standards of professionalism and choice of friends.

What i would never agree with is players getting abuse while giving 100% - Roger doesnt come under this category.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:05:14:15:29:53 by irishwolf.

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Meditate today
14/05/2012 15:43

Tactically MM and TC seem to me living in the past - 442 is pretty much fading away as a system in the prem -after been dumped by all the leading countries apart from england under capello.

To make it work the 2 central midfielders have to be outstanding and we had one who is an out an out defender and never scored in 3 seasons in the prem and one in ohara who , partly perhaps due to injury simply wasnt athletic enough to defend - result was we kept losing the ball and our back four folded under the pressure. 442 is an alleged attacking system which just leads to defensive fraility.

The only team who seem to play it consistently and with a measure of success are newcastle but they have two amazing athletes in cabaye and tiote .Even the promoted sides have employed 451(swans home and away) or 4231 (norwich) or 433 (qpr).Tottenham only play it against lesser opposition at home .

Hunt isnt a winger , as we will prob see late on when ireland play, .MM clearly decide to change to 4231 after our first halfof the season woes but the injury to frimpong ,henrys suspension and injury and his continuing reluctance to blood youth like davis put paid to that and the rest is history.

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cedric harper
14/05/2012 15:58

Quote:

Fat bloke behind you
Tactically MM and TC seem to me living in the past - 442 is pretty much fading away as a system in the prem -after been dumped by all the leading countries apart from england under capello.
To make it work the 2 central midfielders have to be outstanding and we had one who is an out an out defender and never scored in 3 seasons in the prem and one in ohara who , partly perhaps due to injury simply wasnt athletic enough to defend - result was we kept losing the ball and our back four folded under the pressure. 442 is an alleged attacking system which just leads to defensive fraility.

The only team who seem to play it consistently and with a measure of success are newcastle but they have two amazing athletes in cabaye and tiote .Even the promoted sides have employed 451(swans home and away) or 4231 (norwich) or 433 (qpr).Tottenham only play it against lesser opposition at home .

Hunt isnt a winger , as we will prob see late on when ireland play, .MM clearly decide to change to 4231 after our first halfof the season woes but the injury to frimpong ,henrys suspension and injury and his continuing reluctance to blood youth like davis put paid to that and the rest is history.

Morgan seemed quite annoyed today that the young players weren't given a chance by MM.

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Meditate today
14/05/2012 17:57

Well i suppose , in his defence , we were always under pressure to win - either in the championship or to stay up but he didnt go in for rotation either which would have allowed him to bring young uns on - as davis has shown they just need a chance- morgan tho seems to think the academy is the answer to lack of spending power - which sounds worthy but is really about him not trusting mangers to spend his money sensibly.

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