Wow - how we needed that result! An excellent performance, victory over our most bitter rivals and a point clear of the relegation zone with two matches to play.
Although technically the Tescos couldn't have relegated us today, if they had won if would have been a big nail in our coffin. That cranked up the pressure to a new level at Molineux and the lads responded brilliantly.
The tactics worked well, the players worked hard, they were full of invention and importantly, they were clinical in front of goal. How many times this season have we dominated long spells of games without getting a goal? Thankfully Guedioura and Fletcher took their chances and gave us a cushion that carried us through the second half when Sandwell Town started to play the football they are capable of.
Mick was brave with his selection - droppng Jarvis for Hunt, sticking with Ward up front even though SEB was fit enough to reclaim his place and keeping Mancienne in the team ahead of Berra despite his error last week which gave Birmingham their equaliser.
The Jarvis decision was the big one but he got it right. Even though Matt has been electric this season, his form has dropped off lately, probably because he has made more appearances than anyone else this season. Hunt though is back to full fitness and desperate to play. The way the Irishman responded to his selection was brilliant. He never stopped running, hastling their players, putting in solid tackles or chasing lost causes. His performance was exactly what you need in a derby and the Molineux crowd were energised by his exhuberance.
The much-maligned Ward also worked tirelessly and his link-up play with man-of-the-match Fletcher was a joy to watch. If only he would have scored that late chance it would have been the goal of his career and a contender for the best of the season.
Mancienne too responded well to the manager's faith in him. While Berra is more commanding, the on-loan Chelsea man had the pace that was crucial to nulify the threat of Odemwingie.
So it was a massive result but there's still a lot of work to do. Sunderland away and Blackburn at home sounds like a welcome final two matches but they have no pressure on them now and could play with the freedom that comes with that.
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Comments
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Posted by Terry F. on 05/08/2011
Wow, it's nice to see a timely post!
It was an excellent start, but after going up 3-0, Wolves started to resemble the team I've suffered through watching the past few weeks. WBA could easily have tied the game and were unfortunate not to.
Tired legs? A more defensive strategy? I'm not sure, but Mick can't let that happen again. Should we get a lead, we must preserve the victory. We've already wasted about 7-9 points this season. We can't give up anymore!
We need to go to Sunderland and play just as we did the first half of this game, pressure their back four, not be thinking about back passing to Hennessey, and move the ball through the center with O'Hara and on the wings with Jarvis or Hunt.
Mick will have a tough choice next game as both Hunt and Guedioura deserve another start.
Start with an attacking presence and quit making silly mistakes in the back 4 and we can take the away win that we desperately need. We don't need to be waiting on the last game to secure our place!
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Posted by Harry on 05/08/2011
Well, I think it was a good game and a good display from wolves for the first 55 minutes or so. After that they were holding on. True, the missed opportunity by Ward would have been a great goal had he managed to convert. I predict a draw against Sunderland and a win agains Blackburn in the last game. Should see us through. Go Wolves.
Posted by Giovanni on 05/09/2011
As Italian Wolves' supporter I hope we'll mantain the right concentration against Black Cats. At this moment we are out from the relegation zone and we cannot fail anything neither in defence nor in attack. The only artificer of another year in Premier League could be Wolves' team at all.
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