Cracking goal

By Tom Bason
January 22 2011

From the highs of a victory at Anfield, to the lows of our heaviest defeat of the season. There was no difference in the effort; just one or two moments of high quality won Kenny Dalglish his first three points since returning to Liverpool.

- Both the opening and final goals were very similar. Poor positioning by the fullback played a Liverpool player onside on the opposite flank, and Fernando Torres was left with a tap in. Initially Ronald Zubar played Raul Meireles onside, then Stephen Ward committed the same crime late on.

- Speaking of Zubar, he is an extremely inconsistent player and constantly seems to be at fault for goals. While only the first was his fault today, he was poor throughout, regularly giving the ball away, never seeming fully in control of his feet. His positional play has never been his strongest feature, but today he was defending too wide, and too high up the pitch. Given the return to fitness of Jody Craddock, I would definitely consider moving Richard Stearman to fullback next weekend.

- Zubar played regularly for Marseilles at centre-back, even coming second in the prodigious (sic) Ballon de Plomb (lead ball) while playing there. In addition, Karl Henry spent a spell at right back in 2007, and played there for Stoke. So when Christophe Berra went off briefly in the first half, why on earth did Henry move to centre back and Zubar stay at fullback? Henry's was poor positionally there and could easily have conceded a goal.

- The 4-4-2 formation at Anfield worked because they also played 4-4-2, meaning there were 10 individual battles throughout the pitch, and our superior commitment meant we won the majority of them. However, today Liverpool played a 4-2-3-1, meaning they had an extra man in the centre of midfield. Interestingly, early on it looked like Kevin Doyle would drop back into midfield to pick up Lucas, while Nenad Milijas and Karl Henry dealt with Christian Poulsen and Meireles. However, we then changed, so Milijas and Henry picked up Lucas and Poulsen, while Berra marked Meireles. Intelligently, Meireles initially played quite deep in the free space between the midfield and defence, so when he did run from deep, he was often unmarked, and this directly led to the first and second goals.

- Talking of the second goal, boy that was a beauty. Meireles had a few efforts, but he hit that one incredibly sweetly, Hennessey never had a chance. Not a lot to say about it other than applaud the strike.

- My major problem with playing 4-4-2 is that it restricts our three best players going forward. Doyle never looks comfortable in a striking partnership, while the very nature of a four man midfield forces the wingers to play relatively narrowly and so Jarvis struggles to get one on one with the fullback. Under the watching Fabio Capello, he hardly had a touch in the first half and it wasn't until he switched to the left flank that he started to have some impact. It forces Milijas to play a lot deeper, and gives him fewer options when he's on the ball, so having less impact than we would like.

- Doyle looked off the pace today. In the game against Liverpool last season, he was awesome - I reckon Martin Skrtel and Sotirios Kyrgiakos will still be having nightmares of him. But today, he looked a yard short. Hopefully it's because he's still working his way up to full fitness because if we want to have any chance of staying up, we need him firing on all cylinders.

- I guess the major positive today was the introduction of new signing Adam Hammill. His first touch was an excellent cross, comfortably the best cross from anyone in a Wolves shirt today. He looked at home, although maybe the fact he was playing Liverpool on debut spurred him on. Nevertheless, he looks a decent player, and could well be used as an impact player. Crucially, he gives us some cover for Matt Jarvis and Steven Hunt.

- As for Liverpool, this was a massive win for them. While Dalglish will get far more support than Woy Hodgson could dream of, defeat today would have put him under intense scrutiny, following defeats against Manchester United and Blackpool, and a derby draw with Everton. It'll be interesting to see what he does with against Fulham - Liverpool's best player today was Meireles playing in exactly the sort of position that Steven Gerrard thrives. Maybe Gerrard will come in for Poulsen, but it's not clear which of them will get the advanced role.

- They say that most important job for Dalglish is to rejuvenate Torres. Although he scored twice today, even Sandra Redknapp could have finished those, and it was by no means a classic performance. Generally his first touch was poor, although the one time his touch was excellent, he seemed to lose confidence in his finishing, shooting weakly with his left foot too closely to Wayne Hennessey. The most striking aspect of Torres' performance, aside from his petulance that won him a yellow card, was when Berra outpaced in a straight race. I'm not sure I've ever seen Berra outpace anyone, and it's clear Dalglish still has a lot of work to do with him.

- Finally, the pitch looked awful today. While this may be conducive to the scrappy football everyone assumes we play, our best performances have come when we've got the ball down and played football. This would be almost impossible on that pudding of a pitch, and in all honesty, it was quite embarrassing to have the eyes of the footballing world looking at it in that state.

Sometimes huff and puff just isn't enough

Discussion started by Wolves , 22/01/2011 17:00

Wolves
22/01/2011 17:00

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Alkaponewolf
22/01/2011 18:12

I'm sort of gearing up for the Championship next year although I'll never totally give up hope.

McCarthy just doesn't know how to manage in this league i'm afraid, and it is a shame.

Its too late in the season to get rid of him but i'd love to see someone else in there like Marin O'Neill.

At least we'll win a few games next season....hopefully!

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horndeanwolf
22/01/2011 18:32

Playing a 4 man midfield to there 5 was always going to spell trouble! With Henry back- IMO it was a 3 man midfield!

I`m just back from the game, and i kept my eye on Henry,and didnt see him contribute anything positive. Sorry, i just dont rate him.

I`m gutted after that display, so best to not say anything else!

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Risca TM
22/01/2011 18:50

Saw the game on tv today, and this is an excellent write-up.

First the simplest thing - how the pitch can deteriorate so badly in a short period of time was embarrassing. What's that all about?

I thought Stearman played really well. Torres was a petulant pain in the arrse but he kept his cool and did his job well. Unfortunately Zubar was a headless chicken - and we still struggle to sort out the full back positions It's really a scandal that Foley sits on the bench because he's lost his place in midfield. Play the bloke at fullback Mick - it's his natural position for gawd's sake!

The corners, free-kicks and crossing from Hunt and Jarvis were pathetic. It reminded me of when I was 10 years old playing on a full sized pitch with a heavy ball and I physically wasn't capable of reaching the penalty box from the corner flag. I'm completely flummoxed by how poor that was today.

Doyle needs to sort out what he can offer when he isn't the heroic lone battler like last season. He had a very poor game
I thought.

Karl Henry has been rushed back prematurely and he was off the pace today. Mick's favourites syndrome strikes again, unfortunately.

And what an unpleasant, niggly mob Liverpool turned out to be. Ugh!

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Risca TM
22/01/2011 18:54

Oh and while I'm at it the Sky commentary was awful - they spent the whole game boning on about Liverpool and Dalgleeeeesh to the point of embarrassment today. Double ugh!!

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Dudley Wolf
22/01/2011 18:58

I thought KH was terrible today... We've looked a much better side without him in the team, and his defensive "effort" today left Milijas too much to do to impact on the game going forward. He was useful earlier in the season with his crunching challenges, but now just looks off the pace and scared to put in a proper tackle. In this mood, he's useless to us. Doyle also looked a bit... naff. And this was partly to do with having to drop back and help out in the middle (cheers Karl), but the service up to Doyle and Fletcher wasn't the best. I felt Jarvis had a poor game by his standards, he'll whip any full back for pace, but apart from one decent pull back, his final ball was not up to his usual level. The defence generally looked alright, apart from the poor communication for the offside attempts, and fair play to Berra for manning up and playing on after what could have been a nasty injury. I'd like to chalk today off as a bad day at the office, and hope for, and expect a better and sharper performance next time out.

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oldngold
22/01/2011 19:12

Liverpool have grown into the club I despise. I truly hope they fall apart and do a Leeds. There is still plenty of time.

As for us, well we were outmanned in midfield. As everyone who saw the game must know Henry's return was premature and when we are playing 442, his limitations go from just about acceptable in a 451 to absolutely clear with the extra striker up front. If we are going to play 442 at home, then Jones and Milijas must start.

Also our final ball or cross from Jarvis and Hunt is not good enough. This is something that Hamill's arrival may improved.

The back four are too accident prone. It is no good playing well for 80 minutes and then dropping 2 clangers that even my grandmother could finish. Foley really needs to come back in at right back. I would go with the following against bolton:

Henners
Foley
Stearman
Berra
Ward

Jarvis
Milijas
Jones
Hunt

Doyle
Fletcher

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halesowen wolf
22/01/2011 19:16

We seemewd to look right off the pace today. Captain Crab did nothing on his return. Torres didn't like being tackled by Stearman.

The Lines woman was very poor. She even gave a throw in to Liverpool at 1 stage & was overruled by the Ref

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irishwolf
22/01/2011 20:17

Were going down.. no doubt about it in my mind.
Plenty of effort but no finished product.
Also MM still refuses to play his best 11 in their best positions.
On a bright note.. the new guy looked good.
We need to win against Bolton to stand any chance.
Villa won, fulham won, west ham drew,
Wolves, Wigan, West ham for the drop IMO.

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essington wolf
22/01/2011 21:06

cant see much hope for us now with the games we have coming up.we just can not defend.we desperately need a decent center half but mick just does not know how to find one.you would think with him being an ex centerhalf he would have a clue how to spot one.up front i think doyle and fletch just dont work together.doyle works hard for the team but hes not going to score goals if hes not in the box.and no wonder david jones wont sign new contract when hes played well last couple of games and mick picks henry ahead of him,what a joke.so its back to the championship next season where moxey will sell us down the river and sell most of our better players and bank the money and stick with the young and hungry policy where he spends as little money as he can.we will be starting from scratch again and i cant see us bouncing straight back.

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horndeanwolf
22/01/2011 21:49

Well said Essington. `Moxey`, i hope you read this`!

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irishwolf
23/01/2011 00:16

Good post essington.

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essington wolf
23/01/2011 00:34

moxey says a decision on the new stadium will be made in the next few days.well i can tell him now forget it,whats the use of a 40.000 stadium in the championship.get it right on the field first moxey. pull your finger out moxey and spend some of morgans money on some decent defenders but dont let mick pick them ha ha .

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OLDWOLF 55
23/01/2011 08:28

From his comments in the E&S yesterday MM is also prepairing for the Championship nxt season,where he states he will be looking for the same old "bargain buys", he droned on about the youngsters that he signed on two years + ago and how these were the core of the team, wot utter terds this stratagie has been this season. yes last we were fresh young to the division and like B,Pool now supprise people,however I think MM and Holloway are two diffrent managers MM clueless at times (most times actually)Holloway is clever and can motivate, bit mouthy at time but still rather have him than 'drone on' MM.
And yes we may bounce stright back but what then more bargin buys?

It's to late to get rid of MM now but yes I've said it for weeks Championship here we come.

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ewan roberts dentist
23/01/2011 09:57

yes folks its all moxey's fault again isn't it? i can't for the life of me see why you give the guy so much stick!

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Alkaponewolf
23/01/2011 11:47

About time someone mentioned this ERD!

He's done everything for the good of the club but trying to please 20,000 regulars is pretty tough!

We're in the black, we have a solid young squad that isn't overpaid and now investing in a much needed lick a paint to the Custard bowl.

WTF is everyones problem...?

Oh, of course...it costs 20p per minute to phone the Wolves Hotline once a year! Sack him for this I say...pathetic!

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wolfy wolf wolf
23/01/2011 13:33

we're second bottom with this solid young squad Al, thats the problem.

someones got to take the blame for that surely?

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oldngold
23/01/2011 13:43

If Wolves are planning for the Championship then I would be relieved. It is always going to be likely that Wolves are relegated.

PLayers they will sell if they go down:

Doyle - 7 Million
Fletcher - 6 Million
Jones - free
Jarvis - 5 Million
Moyoukola - undisclosed
Foley - 5 Million
Hunt - undisclosed
Hammill - undisclosed
Zubar - undisclosed

Team in the championship

Henners
Doherty
Stearman
Berra
Elokobi

Kightly or New PLayer
Henry
Edwards
New PLayer

Ebanks-Blake
Ward

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RJ Wolf
23/01/2011 13:59

can someone tell me what Karl Henry actually contributes to the team now he is scared to tackle? I used to be a big fan but unfortunately he is scared to tackle after the press and was terrible. Our main problem for me is Ward and Zubar have no idea how to mark a player and stick to him

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oldngold
23/01/2011 14:04

It is a pretty sorry show when you are looking forward to elokobi's return

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OLDWOLF 55
23/01/2011 16:12

Ernest ERD and Al, I can understand you supporting Moxey MM etc that's fair enough and its your perogative if you do, but please dont make out that everyone who disagres with these thought or see the situation differently as some kind of W**k** who's oppinion is totaly moronic.

How come the large majority of folks wrigting here on this post and the board in general agree that Moxey MM & Clip Board are making some bad judgements and decisions that will take this club down.

What ever the reasons behind this weather it be good intent for the club fear or just bad management one can only speculate. But over 30 yrs in business has shown me that you need a mix of experiance and new blood so that they can learn from old heads.

So please have your opinion on the matter by all means but also let others have their say.

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ewan roberts dentist
23/01/2011 16:52

where in this post have i suggested that people are w4nker5 or moronic oldwolf?

what i was stating is that everyone seems to blame moxey for a whole manner of things which i think is grossly unfair!

he's a CEO not the owner not the manager not the coach not the kit man nor is he the tea lady! but alot of posters seem intent on throwing his name into the ring everytime something cr4p happens.

he's here at the club to make sure he gets the best deals on players coming into & out of the club. would posters prefer for him to give the green light to mick in bringing in players like sidwell £50 grand p/w keane £60 grand p/w bridge £90 grand p/w be linked with players like beckham & ronaldihno? so we do go bankrupt in the next few yrs?
yes i agree we need to spend & maybe spend bigger than what the owner wants to but if that means going into the red & putting the clubs future at risk then NO! i'd rather the steady improvment we've made the last 4yrs.

Moxey is doing a fantastic job imho. the early bird scheme is being extended yet again, but people are still not happy wolves fans are to use a common phrase on this board fickle & they're never ever happy!

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Cheshire wolf
23/01/2011 17:26

Good reply ERD. There does seem to be a fair bit of kicking the cat happening on this site when we lose, and Moxey seems to be the cat. I have to say I think we are a well run club with our interests at the heart of its approach, and with our turgid history of the late 70's 80's and early 90's in mind.
I would hate to be supporting West Ham with a CEO who seems to rely on being glamorous to cover up her underhanded behaviour on behalf of a couple of mongrels who interview another potential manager and then express their support for the incumbent!!
Similarly I wonder how relaxed Newcastle & Blackburn fans are about the way their clubs are being run. No I say we're doing alright with Moxey - it's not his job to stop us going down, but neither do I think he'll sell all our best players if we end up there!

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ewan roberts dentist
23/01/2011 17:47

thanks cheshire, as i stated in another post i feel quite strongly on how well our clubs run, we must be in the top5 best run prem league clubs.

if we do go down we can afford to run on a championship budget for a couple of seasons unlike hull pompey west ham(if & when they go down) even a big club like leeds have struggled in recent yrs due to over spending i don't want that to happen to wolves again!

if we bring in players on £50-£70 grand p/w then the likes of henry, jarvis, doyle to name a few will want parity with those new players then before we know it we got a wage bill of £2million a week!!! wolves as a club CAN NOT afford this!
i'm surprised i've had 2posters back me up in defending moxey so thanks cheshire & alkapone but thanks again to moxey for having a good buisiness head!

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Alkaponewolf
23/01/2011 19:00

Sorry OLDWOLF...but what are you on about?

How the hell have me or ERD accused you or anyone on here of being those names mentioned?

Just because We don't agree with people we're accusing them of being w**k*rs....grow up OLD...oh, you already have!

Some people can't take banter can they, I know there are some on here that take it too far...but it aint me or ERD!

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Alkaponewolf
23/01/2011 19:03

Ps. you were also wrong about my support for McCarthy as well Mr. Observant...I'm one that would love to see the back of him!

Deep breath.....

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ernesto hunt
23/01/2011 21:44

Thoughts Pt.1 - Perplexed about Saturday on several levels. For a start we seem to have been out-Wolved by Liverpool. They were not going to loose - or would have died in the effort.

Dalglish is the key - their King! How long has he been away? I think he has been rehearsing his role should the opportunity present itself. Perhaps he is the only one capable of stemming the free-fall they were in.

They have quality. Everytime it is about motivation, confidence and quality. Minimum of two from three. The quality shone through - their passing to 'good' space & to feet was better than ours. Their marking up for second and third ball was better and quicker. Their precision was better.

Giving them spare troops in the middle, allowing them to construct and create left us on the back foot to often. Jarvis needs to learn how to make the most of space and provide the final ball - not just being the conveyor belt to the front. Hammill's zest and youthfull lack of fear may give us a far better option.

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