Well, that’s that for another season. All done.
And what a season it’s been. Nobody in old gold knew what lay ahead back in August, but 38 Premier League games and 38 hard-fought points later we’ve landed 15th in the table.
Good effort Wolves.
I can’t speak for everyone, but I’d certainly have taken that at the start of the campaign. Wouldn’t you?
Nice to finish with a win too, thanks to an energetic, forward-thinking performance, capped with a superb, fizzing strike from Adlene Guedioura.
Speaking of the Algerian, it was great to get confirmation from Mick that the deal has already been tied up to make his move from Charleroi permanent. In my eyes, he’d done more than enough to prove his worth long before today’s late winner. He’ll be a useful addition to the squad for next season.
I only hope Kevin Doyle sticks around too. I’m certain we’ll receive enquiries and bids, so don’t be surpised if our record signing turns out to be our record sale, particularly if speculation linking Arsenal with a move for the player turn out to be true. He was once again pivotal in today’s victory, linking up play cleverly and cooly rolling home his 9th goal of the season from the penalty spot.
The player who won the spot-kick wasn’t too bad either. Indeed, Matt Jarvis was probably the best player on the pitch today, jinking away from defenders all afternoon and causing Sunderland no end of problems with his pace and trickery. He’s proved without doubt that he’s good enough to cut it at this level.
The same can be said of Karl Henry, who finished the season in the same way he started it; looking completely at home on the Premiership stage. He still has his critics, but our skipper has won many of them over with a seasons-worth of committed displays.
I could go on…
Craddock and Berra, superb. Zubar, getting better all the time. Jones, brilliant. Hahnemann, a rock.
All of these players have shown not just today, but over the course of the campaign that they’re good enough to compete with the best. They will undoubtedly form the basis of our squad for next season and deservedly so.
Of course, five or six players will be moved on and hopefully, a few significantly better ones will be brought in to replace them.
But that’s to be discussed, debated and argued about another day.
For the moment we can all breathe a massive sigh of relief, recharge our batteries and come back stronger next season.
I’m up for it if you are.
Up The Wolves.
What a great way to the end the season! Great to see Mick go 4-4-2 and it paid off. Guedioura was superb, he hardly ever loses the ball and when he does he busts a gut to get it back. Not a bad shot on him either. Shame the season has to end with us in this form
Excellent blog. I agree with every word.
Well done the lads. A great way to end the season – although Sunderland were really wretched in the 2nd half. Let’s hope for 4-4-2 at home every time next season on a wider pitch!
Enjoy the summer everyone.
Great blog..and this season has been a great success. Mick told us personally in Perth, ( for those who bothered to go), that 17th was teh aim, and would be an improvement. I spoke to him on this at length, and said why not set our sights for mid table, his response was that we must walk before we can run in the PL. More consolidation next season, and 40/41 points will be sufficient… just need thse 3 or 4 quality additions in the Summer. Well done to all at the ..now on to England at the WC and defeat against Australia in the round of 16
Nah Daz, I think that is cart before horse stuff. Come on Algeria… is there any chance at all Adlene gets a cheeky call up and stuffs England? Here’s to hoping
For the record – just went to his official webpage. Kind of nice to see the gambling logo blurred out.
What a fantastic performance!!! Henry was just magnificent, awesome. Zubar, Guedioura and Jarvis similarly brilliant, as were the rest of them. With those four, Doyle and Hahnemann, and Berra / Craddock forging such a strong partnership, how many new players should we be looking at in the summer? I’m guessing that Hunt will join us, and wouldn’t be surprised to see Bikey here. Luke Young? Maybe save other names for another blog.
It was great to see such a physical game, where Sunderland were keen on putting the boot in. After an hour, they weren’t quite so feisty were they?! They didn’t want to know.
As a sidenote, how much did their team cost to assemble? Must be a good 50/60m? Well done lads.
Minimum of 6 but better if 8, then more competition for places.
Minimum of 6 to leave.
Ward, Berra, Foley, Iwelumo, Hof, and Ward. I know I said him twice, just want to be 100% certain he goes!!!
FOWBAJM
Foley? Is that you trying to wind us up again. Surely you can’t be serious. When we get a proper right winger you’ll have Zubar and Foley fighting for right back, that’s pretty good competition for places.
How can you possibly accuse me of winding you up??!!
I speak as I find, or see, in this case, and every time I’ve seen Foley I am not impressed, I think wishy washy describes him best. He’s too lightweight, not positive enough in the tackle and his passing is featherweight. We need someone who scares the opposition, plus, his head seems out of proportion to his body, which must affect his balance or something.
I think Zubar needs to be in the middle of the defence, possibly alongside Fanny Craddock, coz Berra is a liability and is on my gotta go list, see above.
Perhaps a few Liverpool players, Carragher, Gerrard and Torres, being as they will not be playing for anything in Europe, and we are a rising star, and Liverpool are sinking…fast.
Dream on Clive.
FOWB
“We need someone who scares the opposition, plus, his head seems out of proportion to his body, which must affect his balance or something.”
LOL!! Although I wonder why doesn’t his massive head and consequent wobbly gait scare the pants off the other side, then? Or at least leave them incapacitated in fits of giggles …
Great performance – I was expecting a damp squib between two teams with nothing to play for, but that was a really enjoyable match.
At the end, when Steve Morgan gave his speech on the pitch and then said he wanted to handover to the man who masterminded this season, I can’t have been the only one who wanted him to say “Jez Moxey!”, if only to see the reaction from the crowd.
The Times says John Major was at the game – a Chelsea fan, surely?
I’ve heard that Liam Lawrence was seen at our training ground on Friday last week!
I hope not – but Rep of Ireland, Sunderland and MM so there stands a chance!
I wouldn’t be too unhappy with him Stourbridge. He’s as ‘stellar’ as our signings are going to get this summer I think. Never had too high an opinion of his as a player until I saw him when they dicked us about 4-2 at our place. He was bloody brilliant!
I agree with the blog except for Berra, thought he was poor again as demonstrated by his attempt of a tackle on Jones for their goal. Strange to see Kenwyne playing CB for most of the game. Anyway onwards and upwards. Investment needed.
Just watched a replay of the goals again. Still can’t work out whether the Sunderland goal was down to a brilliant piece of skill from Jones or a mistake from Berra! Didn’t think he made any other errors though
We need to have a “who’s been seen in the Asda” blog. I was told that Ngog from Liverpool was seen looking in the Tupperware section
haha – that would be an awesome blog. With an occasional ‘Who’s car’s been spotted in the Field House car park’ entry
Out in thailand with the gf on a trip around asia but flicking channels in our hotel room one night (channel 79!!!) i managed to watch a re run of the game. Never thought id get to see it but get in, very happy to finish with a win and what a run. A point a game was my target and we did it.
The kit looks awful though. I think im glad im away for the summer, another season of transfer speculation may make my head explode. See you aussies in october!
Being linked with Dindane today – that’ll do!
Which section of the Asda?