Remember the days when Ruby Red Records sponsored our half time entertainment, when you needed a Mensa certificate to work out the A-Z half-time scoreboard and when the goal nets sagged like Lord Sugar’s eye bags?
In the days when Wolfie wasn’t burdened by Wendy, we used to score our fair share of decisive late goals as well.
It’s a long time since an inflatable wolf bounced on the South Bank amid a haze of Benson & Hedges. It seems even longer since we were the team scoring deep into stoppage time.
All this late heartache must surely stop soon? We’ve been breached in the dying embers of games five times this season to give us that breathless feeling of being booted in the balls.
The pain multiplies accordingly and reached unprecedented levels of agony on Saturday, from which we are all still recovering today.
It got me thinking about the times when we would be the ones inflicting the suffering, scoring so late into the day that Des Lynam’s video printer would spiral into meltdown.
In my first season of watching Wolves, there were as many stoppage time efforts as there were fans on the ring road to see them.
That season, Nigel Vaughan belted home an injury time winner to beat Chesterfield at the South Bank end, while Bully also stole the show at Burnden Park in front of Bolton’s Normid supermarket.
Bully previously kicked Port Vale fans where it hurts with two injury time efforts at home when 3-1 down.
Fans of Brentford were also subjected to that indescribable feeling of torture at Griffin Park when Mutchy scored in the last attack of the game.
And who could forget Bully’s chest and volley into the roof of the Smethwick End net to beat the A****n the following season, when 10,000 away fans celebrated like I’d never seen before – or since.
Admittedly, Stacey North – complete with his unforgettable back pocket jibe – was a different proposition to the shapes and sizes Kevin Doyle is furrowing away against today, but why do we never score late goals anymore?
As Graham Turner watched his troops from his Waterloo Road scaffolding, the very notion of drawing seemed ridiculous, never mind defeat.
But in today’s age of austerity, a 1-1 draw at home to West Ham United is protected as if a place in Europe depended on it, never mind an attempt to win the game.
As national hack Andy Dunn said on 5Live: ‘Mick McCarthy’s infectious after match comments should not disguise what happened at Old Trafford. His team sat deeper and deeper and deeper until a sad air of inevitability preceded Park’s winning goal. Wolves looked a team paralysed by fear.’
Longing for a swashbuckling side of division 3 fame certainly isn’t the answer I know.
But can’t we see a bit more of its pugnaciousness when a game is there for the taking?
What’s the worst that can happen?
Great peice Ben and well worth a debate!
I started going to games regular in ’87 as a 12 year old, much to my Albi*n supporting families dismay and it was like watching the Harlem Globetrotters – Aldershot in the playoffs as I remember was something that I couldn’t quite understand as it didn’t follow suit!
But, going onto the debate….I make it that we have let it 9 goals in the last 10 mins of all games played this season which is pretty amazing really.
Who’s responsibilty is this? MM’s tactics as Andy Hunt suggests (PS We got a mention on TalkSport???) The players on the pitch? Fitness coaches? Lady Luck?
I’m lost really. I’d hope that it balances out over the season but I think its a deep rooted issue which can’t simply be cooincidence.
I’m still recovering from Saturday’s trip to OT – the nature of the loss was as bitter as the poxy warm Sanghia (or whatever) beer they sold.
Cheers mate! I thought I’d slip a cheeky little juxta position with my favourite ever season as a Wolves fan! (funny that, seeing as we were 3 divisions lower than we are now)
I honestly can’t remember ever feeling so gutted after a game as I did on Saturday. And I wasn’t even within 200 miles of the ground!
Like I wittered on in my last blog – the highs are too high and the lows are too low on many occasions. But by god this defeat was a low, despite it being Man Utd, greatest team in the world, undefeated, etc etc etc.
I just think within my ramblings there’s a point about going for the jugular a bit more. Mick talks about a point as being a fantastic result, but what would a win have felt like? Is it so inconceivable that we could attack and press and keep Utd on the backfoot in the dying minutes, irrespective of their history?
The point being: We can’t keep teams out when we’re shutting up shop, so what’s the worst that can happen? We lost anyway, so why not press them and make them think about inviting Jarvis inside on his weaker foot in the box etc?
One more late goal and I may just throw myself off the top of the new bus station scaffolding.
I think a lot of teams would be pushed back at Old Trafford when either beating or holding the hosts, it’s the nature of playing away against a team of their quality and size. The ultimate reason we conceded was the same as at Arsenal last season – when you defend that deep you need your frontmen up top to be smart. Both Keogh in the aforementioned game and Fletcher on Saturday made cardinal mistakes by not retaining the ball in the dying moments of the game. MM also needs to look at his left back, we concede a lot of goals from situations in that area, I don’t think Ward is defensively up to the PL, but he is good on the ball and this helps us start attacking situations from wide positions, where we are strongest. So if that is his thinking then I can understand him picking Ward, but I think we need to look to stop the goals first and foremost and trust in our wide men to still get good possession
Great comment.
Expresses my feelings exactly.
The comparison with keoghs attempted lob at the Emirates is spot on.
I think it’s universally accepted Ward isn’t up to it defensively. George deserves a game for me and we must invest there in January.
Agree completely.
It is universally accepted that Ward is not a defender. And by universally we mean everyone, everything everywhere except in micks head.
Not a clean sheet all season, and with Ward not looking like losing his spot any time soon, I doubt we’ll have many at all.
Doesnt matter how good we are going fwd – and we are playing some beautiful stuff at the minute – if we keep letting goals in at the back al the hard work is undone. when will mick see this. WHEN !!!!!!!!!
I’m not saying we don’t need a proper left back (and I’d love us to sign a really good one in January) but I think Ward’s done ok. Sure, he’s made a couple of mistakes (like a lot do without much experience) but I think at the moment we are better off with him at the back than Jelle. Maybe Big George has deserved a go as he played ok against Villa but he doesn’t compliment Jarvis as well as Wardy does.
I’m going to get crucified for this.
How dare you talk about my son and crucification in the same sentence!!
He is far more important than JC, coz Sir Michael of the McCarthy told me so.
He told me my son walks on water, and is the best left back/left midfielder/left winger/goalkeeper to have ever played for anyone, in the world, in the history of the universe.
So there.
I am deeply offended by all the negative comments about my little big nose, that’s a pet name we have for him back here in the bogs, and I want you all to cease and desist, as you hurt his feelings every week.
I especially do not like the rantings of that idiot in Houston, what does he know about football in America?
If you persist in being derogatory about slow coach, another pet name for little Stevie, I will have no choice but to insist he leaves and returns to the emerald isle forthwith.
signed,
RE Ward
PS in future, please type slower, I have difficulty with big words of one sylable or more.
Tanks a mill Daaaad.
It looks loyk you are as bad as I am, u caaaan’t spell me name royt y’idiot.
Now you’ve got me reminiscing Ben. How about this one. A goal down to Blues at home with a couple of minutes to go. Very late equaliser and then Bully sent clear from the half way line, draws the keeper and clips it perfectly into the bottom left corner. Cue pitch invasion and me doing a Jurgen Klinsman across the living room carpet. Now that’s what supporting Wolves should be all about not all this putting a shift in and hopefully hanging on for a point against a very weak Man U side.
My other favourite was when we were 1-0 down with 2 mins to go and the chant went up ‘We want Turrner out, we want Turner out!’ Cue 2 goals in a minute for last gasp(and thoroughly undeserved) win and the chant goes up ‘We want Turner in, we want Turner in!’ I smiled all the way back to the south coast. Wonderfully happy days that we so desperately again.
oops- so desperately need again.
I remember that like it was yesterday Martin. Osborne with a glorious ball through to Bully and one of those occasions when you just KNEW he was going to score!
Remember when Blues got the pen late on when Kevin Francis fell over his feet?! Justice prevailed that day.
I remember Miller with a late one against Liverpool in 2003. Keogh with a late one against QPR in 2006/07.
I honestly can barely remember any other late goals to win or draw in recent years, particularly under MM. Yes, Collins got a late one at Donny, but there was still 8mins left.
I am talking about those late ones where you lose all semblence of rationality and go so bezerk that you can’t remember how / why you celebrated like you did.
The ones when you are floating with ecstacy.
I remember Newton scoring one against Notts Forest in our choke season in 2002 to win 1-0, and Rae did the same against Millwall a few weeks later with a header (from a Branch cross I think?!)
I remember going particularly mental at Karl Henry’s late winner at Charlton a few years ago, the fact they had just equalised made it even sweeter. Also, going back a bit further, Bully’s winner at Sheffield United was a great moment. Think we won that one 3-2 as well, a Friday night if I remember rightly.
Henry’s goal at Charlton is the best late goal from a Wolves side I’ve seen, which is probably a clear indication that it doesn’t happen often.
Or even simon osborne
what are you referring to Grace?
I think she thinks he called him Martin Osborne whereas he was actually talking to me Martin, Wolves Martin as opposed to that twat from Fulham Martin. Oh gawd now even i’m confused.
I thought the full stop gave it away?! And anyway, it was Simon Osborn, if we really want to get all pedantic about it!
I don’t think anyone’s mentioned Bothroyd’s winner at Leeds. That was a classic like Henry at Charlton
Pedantic????
Who’s Martin????
If you know your stuff, you know your stuff,no???
Or shall we all join in, steve Doyle, Jelle Wright etc
Sorry boys don’t want spoil your fun
Good evening Louie.
I`ll repeat what I said in a previous blog, I sat in a man utd season ticket holders seat, the chap behing me commented `wolves keep the ball and possession well – but there is no end product`.
This chap was correct, both full backs are too slow to go past players, Ward didn`t get four crosses past the first defender on Sat, and Foley was half a yard of the pace all game. Sorry Louie, Foley is a better footballer than Ward, who frankly offers nothing defensively or in attack, his glaring lack of pace and abillity was proven by wingers in the championship, let alone the premiership.
Zubar must play when he is fit, and as for Ward, if he continues to get picked, nothing will change, we will keep getting beaten, and probably relegated and MM will get sacked. Its that serious chaps.
Good evening Mark.
Saying we will go down because of Ward is slightly over the top. He’s not that bad but even in the best Wolves team of MY lifetime (which this is) people will always look for something to moan about. None of our left backs in our first team squad are that good. van Damme was flippin’ awful against Bilbao and with Ward there we looked a better side.
I’m living in the hope that Malone (who seems to be doing very well in what could be his last chance to impress Mick at burton) will be good enough.
Maybe Zubar at left back is an option, but how do we know? Has anyone ever seen him play there?
We will go down becuase we don’t score enough goals…simple really
McCarthy has paid almost 15mill for Fletcher and Doyle…. and how many appearances for how many goals. Total failure in this respect
I disagree with this, we score goals in every game, but our defence leaks goals… last season we tightened things up and finished 15th. Sure Fletcher missed a chance but it is unrealistic to think top strikers take every chance they get! Arsenal lost to Newcastle on Sunday – they hity the cross bar a number of times, but ultimately they lost that game because of poor goalkeeping. Arsenal will not feel it is strikers that are not up to it, but they now have a keeper who is a weak link! It changed the whole game. This is the problem with wolves, we have to score at least two goals a game to get a victory, and I put this down to the manager proving incapable of taking the defence up a level. It’s the same defence as in the championship, and we are incredibly nervous towards the end of games. Berra and Ward are massive weak links and it’s disappointing that of the £30million McCarthy has spent since promotion, he couldn’t replace them. Finally I would like to make a case for never bringing on Mancienne in midfield, he offers absolutely nothing. He is so lightweight and doesnt help us shut things off in any way.
Agree Daniel. We had a lousy defensive record in the championship, and it is a problem that seems to have plagued us since Mick’s first season when we kept them for fun. I was really excited about Mouyokolo as had heard so many good things about him from Hull fans, but alas, he has not figured.
Clean sheets are worth their weight in gold, and we just never keep them!!
Wow, did you really say this Daniel:
“Finally I would like to make a case for never bringing on Mancienne in midfield, he offers absolutely nothing. He is so lightweight and doesnt help us shut things off in any way.”
You are perfectly entitled to your view, but I’m surprised by this. Let’s look at the last two games alone.
Dying seconds against Man City, Adam Johnson ghosting in again around the back and in comes Mancienne with a perfectly timed tackle to not only prevent the cross but play the ball off Johnson and out for a goal kick.
Against Man Utd, dispossess Macheda in the middle of the park, carries on his run and tees up Fletcher for what should have been the winner for us, only for the Scot to fluff it over the bar.
Fair enough, you can say he’s not your cup of tea, but to say he contributes ‘absolutely nothing’ is factually incorrect.
Yes he made a good tackle against City but I think he is lightweight, does a lot of tracking but doesn’t have presence required when we are trying to close out a game. He is largely not involved but credit to him for making that tackle against Johnson – but that doesn’t justify his selection for me. Dave Edwards scored against City – do you think he is good enough because while you can single out his great moment, he is way off the standard. I have watched Mancienne go missing so many times more than his big moment against City. I just think he is not up to it, perhaps I am wrong for singling him out for criticism, when the likes of Berra, Edwards and Ward are regular fixtures.
I actually think Mancienne is a good footballer, but bringing him on in the role Mick does just encourages us to sit deeper and deeper, effectively creating another pair of centre halves in front of our actual pair. This seemed to work at times last season in fairness, Spurs games spring to mind, but to anyone with a brain it was not sustainable. The issue with McCarthy is that if he sees something work once he thinks it can work a 1,000 times. The most gauling thing is Mancienne replaced our most comfortable player on the ball (Milijas), the person who was most likely to retain possession. As I said, this all stems from last season and something working once.
One question, with our two left backs, Ward (who cant defend) and Elokobi (who is so bad on the ball it nullifies Jarvis), then why on earth isn’t Mancienne at least given a chance in this position!??
But Dazza do you not take heart from these performances against the big teams? Before these hellish fixtures i was convinced we were doomed. But since against Chelsea, City and Man U twice, we’ve played well.
I know you don’t get points for playing well but the point is, in the fixtures coming after Arsenal, if we can perform the same we should get results. I am now confident of our survival.
That being said, it isn’t inevitable we will beat the smaller sides, after all we couldn’t beat West Ham…
If we’re talking about famous late goals, we must surely give a mention to our old friend Andy Keogh for that winner at Pride Park two years back, which essentially sealed promotion.
What a moment that was.
Yep, that one takes some beating. Infact, nothing can beat that one can it (apart from Bully 89 v WBA!)
I didn’t mention Rob Hindmarch either. 1991, the day I was mascot at the Hawthorns and the ref couldn’t start the game as my Dad was still on the pitch with his huge video camera, the size of a bungalow.
The ref was woeful but he played about 10mins of injury time and Robbie Dennison scuffed a free kick from 40 yards straight to Stuart Naylor, who inexplicably fumbled it, and Hindmarch powered home to level.
At the Smethwick End!! Cue mass delirium just like 2 years before.
And that goal effectively sent them down, coz they missed staying up by 2 points, as I remember!!
Louie, pre season matches mean nothing, and that was a long time ago.
Ward, Berra and Craddock, ( I know he’s out at the moment, but he’ll be back) are just not good enough, even for the Championship.
My old M used to say ” if two people tell you that you are drunk, go home”
Well, McCarthy, you are drunk.
Luckily they are not showing the Arsen Wenger moanathon on tv here, so I can have a quiet afternoon on Wed.
FOWB,MM,SW,CB and JD
Ben, did you get going yet with what we talked about at lunch the other week?
Yes Clive. My penis enlargement takes place a week Wed! No, seriously, got a seminar in December and doing a load of ground work at the mo, so the time scale is proably spring next year for me. All coming together slowly.
Just on tactics from the last game: I think MM got it right but was let down men on the pitch in this instance. I wonder if an experienced head like Craddock would have pushed us higher? Usually we berate him for inaction, but his earlyish subsitutions to bring on the two strikers was right.
On the Mancienne front, I thought he looked handy when he came on on too and did a good job – and I’m not his biggest fan at all.
If we had held on, it’s worth saying we’d be lauding Hahnemann who was doing his utmost to waste time from about the 79th minute I think and driving United fans insane.
Apologies if I have got it wrong on Mancienne, I guess I am just in John Ireland stand mode and moaning for sake of moaning..I have just seen talk of an Ebanks recall, not sure if that is the right move.. surely the way we are playing with 4-5-1 this is the way forward.
Certainly not saying you’ve got it wrong, as at other times I definitely agree with you that he can look lightweight. But I thought he did well on Saturday.
Mancienne – captains England under 21s. He has bags of pace, the first ingredient a player needs in the premieship. When he first came to Wolves he played centre half and the physicality of the championship was difficult for him. However been at Chelsea for how long, he is a player, pity MM can`t find the correct position for him.
One of the main reasons van Damme was bought as a left back was he had played champions league, although I saw him in the pre season at Leeds, and questions were asked in that game about his suitability.
Mancienne has the flexibility to play in lots of positions, he could do left back for me, but it leaves poor old Karl Henry on his own in midfield, incidently Henry was exceptional at Old Trafford.
I can`t wait to see Walcott running at Ward, its an accident waiting to happen. Groundhog day again. Hope they play big George.
I have a feeling Ward will play and then suffer a bizarre injury after being skinned by Walcott for the 5th time in 5 mins. He will be replaced by Elokobi who makes Walcott so ineffective that Walcott is subbed at half time.
Ward will make a miraculous recovery and start against Bolton.
Oooh is that deja-vu I’m feeling??