By Scott Cooper
August 8 2004

WOLVES left themselves suffering an opening game defeat after a poor performance against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon. Two goals after the break for Stoke were enough to earn them a deserved three points.

 

MATCH DAY INFO
FIXTURE	Stoke Vs Wolves
STADIUM	Britannia Stadium
LOCATION	Stoke
COMPETITION	The Championship
DATE	09.08.04
SORE	Stoke 2-1 Wolves (Miller, Pen)

WOLVES left themselves suffering an opening game defeat after a poor performance against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon. Two goals after the break for Stoke were enough to earn them a deserved three points.

Life back in the lower leagues seems just a tough as that in the Premiership. Wolves today showed no spirit, no determination and no passion. Incredibly, the only fight which was shown came on the 17th minute when Shaun Newton and Kenny Miller had to be separated by the referee after pushing and shoving each other following a Stoke corner.

Jones, who was without Murray, Lescott, Ganea, Ndah, Cort and Ince started with Miller and Sturridge in attack whilst a back four of Clyde, Naylor, Craddock and new signing Joachim Bjorklund played behind a midfield of captain Mark Kennedy, Shaun Newton, Colin Cameron and new signing Seyi George Olofinjana.

Wolves were lucky to be level at the break when Jones swapped Sturridge for Clarke, but two quick-fire goals, shortly after Cameron had missed a golden opportunity for Wolves helped Stoke win the game.

Kenny Miller scored a late penalty for Wolves, but today's performance was well wide of a mark anywhere near the word 'acceptable'.

Stoke 2-1 Wolves