At various points in the season I’ve commented on how Wolves seem to have the pleasant knack of digging out a result when they absolutely have to. Yesterday was the perfect example.
Having lost the three previous matches and with four tricky fixtures to come, getting something at Turf Moor was crucial.
I watched about 70% of the game via the worst internet feed imaginable, so my view on proceedings is far from absolute. From what I did witness, it was a fairly even game, with Wolves forcing the errors and gratefully profiting from some long overdue luck.
Wolves celebrate the crucial second goal
As I touched on in the preview though, the performance wasn’t important; it was the final scoreline that would prove season-defining.
That being said, the win could easily have been more convincing. We had a handful of presentable chances to put the game beyond Burnley. Doyle and SEB both shooting narrowly wide when a simple pass along the six yard box in both instances would have given one of their teammates the simplest of tap-ins. It looked like we might end up rueing those wasted opportunities as Burnley came close to hauling themselves level late on.
Had we thrown the result away, I think one or two questions would had to have been asked of our manager, for some quite-frankly bizarre tactical changes. We looked comfortable at 2-0 and very much in the ascendancy, so why he felt the need to withdraw players and completely alter the shape of the side is beyond me.
Mancienne for Guedioura was understandable; effectively plonking an auxiliary defensive shield in front of the back four to see out the remaining minutes.
But then came the cavalry.
Andy Keogh for David Jones. What the? So now we’re switching to a 4-4-2, thus abandoning the shape that has served us so well, just when it looks like it will finally produce a result. Seemed crazy to me.
Slinging SEB into the mix and forcing Keogh out wide was another tactical howitzer for the old goal faithful to withstand, as we agonisingly ticked off the final minutes.
Why do it Mick? Attack-minded substitutions are nearly always welcomed, but surely not two forward-thinking changes when the game is already going our way. I’d certainly be interested to hear his logic.
But we got the win, so perhaps it’s me who is in the wrong for questioning our manager’s judgment.
Speaking of judgment, did anyone else think Jensen should have been sent off for that flying headbutt on Doyle? I’m not for one second suggesting our striker was denied a clear, goalscoring opportunity, but surely that challenge was despicable enough to warrant firmer discipline.
In my view it wasn’t the only decision the ref got wrong either. I won’t dwell on the point though.
With Hull losing out in the dying seconds, Wigan getting smacked four nothing and West Ham being dragged back into the relegation mixer, it couldn’t have gone much better for Wolves.
This was a day and a result to savour.
Savour it.
Went to the game and generally agree with everything you say Tom. Although most people will disagree with Mick’s substitutions, we did look dangerous on the break with SEB, Keogh and King Kev all playing, and like you said we were very closing to snatching the elusive third that would have meant game over.
Without wanting to moan about what was a great result and day out though, I do think that we would be better with Mancienne or Foley at left back. Ward just doesnt look comfortable on the ball, and seems to give someone a pass they dont want or lump it up the pitch to nobody/out of play.
Also, did anyone else notice Mick bollock our players for timewasting? He had a right go at Henry and Berra for delaying over taking a free kick, and Guedioura for walking off when subbed. It infuriates me when other teams do it when they’re beating us, so it was refreshing to see Mick take a stand
I loved it when Guedioura stopped to pull his socks up as he was walking off. Didn’t notice Mick giving him a bollocking though.
Agree with what you say Thomas. We didn’t play great, some of the substitutions were a bit questionable and the ref was shocking but we still won so can’t really complain. I wonder whether Mick threw SEB on thinking that it’s a good oppourtunity for him to get his first goal from open play againt a weak opposition, which would have given him a much needed confidence boost. He looked OK when he came on apart from being offside far too often. We started to struggle as soon as Guedioura came off, he was class again.
That ‘tackle’ from Jenson was bizarre, what was he thinking. Luckily it didn’t injure Doyle.
I think that’s the exact reason he threw SEB on Nick.
Nearly worked.
I’m torn between whether he thought he could head the ball away from danger and was about 4 seconds too late – or whether he thought – shit, I’m a long way from home FOUL HIM no matter how uncoordinated it looks. I’m favouring option b though.
The substitutions were pretty obvious I thought – gue was on a booking and wouldnt have been far off being sent off, as he’s a physical guy and the ref was getting the cards out. Keogh was because burnley were getting on top and we needed someone to hold onto the ball, a good replacement for Jones.
SEB was because burnley were well on top and we were lumping it clear. Having SEB on as well as doyle and keogh meant we held the ball up front, rather than it coming back at us.
Good substitutions that helped us get the win in my view.
Good points mate and it’s hard to argue with your view, given that we did get the win.
I’m probably being harsh, but I just know that at the time I wasn’t a fan of the changes.
Didn’t know Guedioura was on a booking.
Guedioura was on a booking, and the commentator made mention that he’d been sent off twice for Charleroi this season already. I liked the substitutions, as the deeper we dropped the more they looked like scoring. It was a sign of intent that we weren’t going to “survive” like we did at Spurs.
I can see how Guedioura has been sent off twice already this season. He goes in really hard sometimes – nothing wrong with that, but if the timing is slightly out some refs will show red!
Another important aspect is that we have three games in a week next and need to have players match fit and up and running. But as been said I believe it was the right thing to do and I’m not sure that we lost our shape. Foley played in Jpnes spot in the middle and SEB in Jarvis at left wing.
I have a little friendly warning as a fellow blogger about your video posting. I’ve got shut off from NewsNow for publishing videos like you do. The club made complaints about it. My advice is therefore that you keep them as links.
Good Shout Paddy – I hadn’t turned my attention to the fixture list. Interesting to see if West Ham get a fine…
hope thats not a long term thing paddy, i like your blog
No. That was just for about a week around Christmas, Premier Q. But they have complained about images and stuff and tried to get at me about copyright despite that I’m very particlular about mentioning my sources all the time. They’re afraid of competition and the video clips seem to get them extra pissed.
Cheers for the heads up Paddy.
I normally only post highlights when we win.
I’m not surprised the powers that be get their knickers in a twist, trying to give the fans something for nothing.
Yeh, well, if you can’t control the brand, the world comes collapsing down. It’s like… imagine… you’re not able to gag a past player who doesn’t like the new owners.
That would really mess with their heads.
http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/beckham-sends-an-anti-glazer-message-and-manchester-united-responds.html
Coincidentally – I just read this. Wow.
It seems that our club reacts a bit more paranoid about it than other clubs. But I guess that their ‘Wolves Player’ does not get as many paying customers as they had hoped for. But they will never be able to stop all the clips that are on the net. But be careful, Thomas.
How about some credit for Jarvis for the first goal? I know it was a mistake, but great speed and determination to beat and knock it round Jensen. Bet he wishes he’d headbutted him too
The first touch of Jarvis was really classy – although I’d be asking some questions of Jensen’s positioning/balance after Mears made the mistake.
And his little bit of tricky to get some space for the second, lovely.
I mean trickery
If Rooney had made that first touch to take it round the keeper Sky would still be going on about it today! Because it was Jarvis all we here about is the defensive howler!
For me Jarvis has been our second best player this season (behind Doyle).
Agreed Stourbridge
It’d be between him and Henry.
Why wasn’t Jensen sent off for head butting Doyle? Does it have to be head on head contact to count?
I don’t think it was worth a red – see my comment above. There was cover (not a professional foul) and I don’t think it was a headbutt – rather it was a very clumsy attempt to challenge for the ball.
I disagree, I think it was a cast iron sending off.
If he’d challenged Doyle waist high with his leg, it would have been a straight red. Why is it any different because he used his massive bonce?
I don’t think it was clumsy either. It wasn’t like he slipped and his head just got in the way. He charged out and rammed Doyle to the ground.
It was a cynical, disgusting (albeit slightly amusing) challenge, but one that should have resulted in an early bath for the Beast.
In school today, everyone has pointed out that challenge and how funny it was. I agree it was funny but it was an awful tackle, worthy of two red cards!
Great win, what does everyone think the effect will be of sacking Brown? at Hull?
I’m with you Thomas – it was practically assault! Not even borderline of being poorly timed, it was just odd if you ask me. If USA had done this against a Rooney or Drogba figure he would have been off like a shot!
I think the Ref didn’t send him off as he felt sorry for him. Jensen has the look of a man that should be licking the inside windows of a sunshine variety bus.
NB: Apologies in advance for all the bleeding heart liberals I have offended with this comment!
I think sacking Brown will send the value of my shares in the ‘Tanning Studio’ plummeting! Lets hope Hull adopt the same kind of recruitment policy as Burnley and bring in someone equally as cr@p! Who would want that job anyway, they have no money, no transfer window available, players are fighting amongst themselves and they are in the relegation places.
Stourbridge. I think they have less than no money. From what I understand they have negative money.
I saw the game at 7.00pm our time, so I knew the result, and could watch with a certain amount of detachment, although I half expected us to lose, being that we have a strong Irish connection in the club!!!
Comments.
Matt Jarvis deserves an enormous amount of credit, not only for chasing that defender and forcing him into a mistake, but also for the brilliant flick to get the ball round the keeper. As rightly stated above, if that had been Rooney, or any other player, it would have been the headlines all weekend. Instead we get Beckham’s Achilles.
Next, the keeper should have been off for the goat impression on Doyle..r.
The only reason he did not get red carded was that he feigned injury, so got sympathy from Burnley’s 12 th man, the ref.
When you pause and rewind, it is obvious that he wasn’t hurt physically, just had a momentary mental aberation. The fucker should have been off, immediately.
Next, my beloved left back.
I lost count of the number of times he hoofed the ball away, when he had time to pass to one of our players, or just put one of our guys in trouble.
Once again, he played as he does every game…crap.
Berra is also crap.
However, 3 points are gratefully accepted, and we were by far the better team.
unfortuneately, that does not say a lot, coz Burnley are really garbage, along with Hull.
Nice to see Mr Brown put on gardening leave today, wasnt it??
Villa have peaked and are there to be beaten.
West Ham are crap, and are there to be beaten.
Who else?
Oh yes, Arsenal. Thank you for the late winner yesterday, please have an off day when you play us.
Portsmouth.
When are they gonna have those points deducted? Do the powers that be wait until the end of the season, and see if they deserve a second chance, or what? Knowing our luck, Portsmouth will win all their remaining games, get more points than us, and be given a reprieve, coz they’ve got the ugliest supporter in the land.
Oh well, bollocks to all of them I’m going to work.
Have a nice day, y’all.
FOWB
I’m not 100% sure but I think the points only get deducted if they finish outside of the bottom 3. If they’re relegated without the points dedection then they start next season on minus 9. It’s to stop teams choosing to go into administration when they’re already relegated so the points deduction doesn’t affect them, as I think Leeds did.
Not sure exactly how it works but I think it’s something like that.
….Where did he come from….???
The Hoff is off!!!
Now we need to find a mickey mouse team who needs a mickey mouse left back……………….
I just read that. What a good use of £1.5M!! At least Lumes’ return should make Ben happy…
I think he falls into the “panic buy” category – same as M Hill.