As pundits and stattos proudly trotted out the line that this was Wolves first victory at Villa Park for 31 years, I couldn’t help but indulge in a wry smile.
You see, what outsiders would never even think to mention is that Mick McCarthy’s side should have ended that winless record last season.
Indeed, the old gold of 2010 led Martin O’Neill’s Champions League chasing Villa team 2-1 heading into the closing minutes only to be undone by a long punt upfield and a scrappy finish.
Watching yesterday’s game, a similar conclusion would have been unbearable given that Wolves thoroughly deserved the three points, having produced a performance that oozed Premier League class mixed with trademark McCarthy endeavour.
Nobody encapsulated those attributes more than Matt Jarvis. A month ago, I lambasted the speedy winger for squandering a trio of golden opportunities in recent outings, but he’s made up for that and more since, opening the scoring against Blackpool and firing the sweetest of volleys to bring home the bacon in this one.
Karl Henry, another player from the Championship-winning vintage, produced a masterclass in the school of holding-midfield play, out-battling and out-thinking Reo-Coker and Makoun to ensure we saw plenty of the ball throughout. Sure the distribution remains questionable at times, but his defensive qualities are a crucial ingredient of this resurgent Wolves side.
Ahead of the skipper, Milijas and O’Hara have the composure, skill and requisite attacking menace to make the most of this 4-5-1 system. Twice Milijas forced Friedel into smart saves as the Villa defence backed away. O’Hara too rampaged forward in the second half only to see his goalbound effort blocked when he perhaps should have rolled in Jarvis.
Still, with two such intelligent players operating in the middle of the park and wingers on both flanks asking questions all the time, creating chances and scoring goals shouldn’t be a problem.
But perhaps of even greater encouragement is our ever-improving defence. That’s two cleansheets in the last three games and five for the season, all of which belong to Wayne Hennessy. The Welshman kicked and handled impeccably throughout in this one and mercifully, on the one occasion he was beaten, the underside of the crossbar got us off the hook.
Richard Stearman also benefited from some luck when he chopped down Darren Bent seemingly just inside the penalty area. But when the whistle went, it was for a free-kick just outside, which Bent himself blasted against the wall. Let off.
If that was good fortune, the rest was all about the rising stock of our two young center-backs. Both Berra and Stearman deserve a huge slice of credit for shackling Bent and giving him nothing to feed on for the duration of the 90+ minutes.
Kevin Foley too was imperious, going about his business with customary assurance and always using the ball cleverly. I’m a big fan of Ronald Zubar, but even I can see the consistency Foley has brought to the defence of late and his ability in possession is far greater than that of the Frenchman’s.
On the other side, Elokobi struggled in the first half, with Albrighton and Downing constantly threatening. A stray backpass that gifted Villa a corner seemed to suggest his head had gone, but an improved second half saw George grow into the game and wrestle back possession on a number of occasions.
I can’t quite decide where Kevin Doyle was more impressive in this one. He imposed himself on the inexperienced Villa defence in the first half and was unlucky to see a goal chalked-off following a cross that was only fractionally out of play (if at all). But when Mick brought on SEB and asked Doyler to play out on the right, he did so without hesitation and flourished in the role, constantly driving into space and finding passes to feet.
Indeed, the fact that Wolves saw this game out with such assurance, bossing possession as the clock ticked over to 90, was perhaps as satisfying as any other aspect of the performance.
Departing the Premier League just seems unthinkable, given that now, after nearly two seasons of struggle, we’ve arrived.
wow. Mr Stearman, take a big bow. If i had a hat, i’d be getting the knive and fork out right now. One of the best games (if not the best) i’ve seen him play. Very impressed today with the team and Mick. O’hara i thought is just that step up in class that we need and really helps to support Doyle when going forward. Still tight, but nice to see that we’ve picked up 11 points from the last 18 available ! Up the wolves
Agreed mate. I thought both Stearman and Berra were top notch again.
Interesting that quite a few supporters from other sides were suggesting Stearman should be given a call up to the England squad following the inclusion of Matt Jarvis. He must have done something right recently.
Stearman has always had that bit of class. I love a “stopper” “player” combination, and we seem to have settled on one. Brilliant.
WHAT A FANTASTIC WIN.SHOVED IT UP THEM THE BIGHEADED BRUMMIE
CLARET,N BLUE BASTARDS..WE WERE THE BETTER SIDE BY FAR,
SHOULD HAVE HAD MORE GOALS,BUT WHO CARES WELL DONE YOU
WOLVES,YOU MADE US PROUD…THAT PUTS THEM IN THE SQUEAKY
BUM PART OF THE LEAGUE. NICE TO SEE JARVO GET ANOTHER GOAL.
LOOKING FORWARD TO M.O.D TONIGHT…KEEP THE FAITH.
BOOOOOM!!!! What a result.
30 years of hurt never stopped me dreaming……
http://www.statto.com/football/odds/ratings/england/premier-league
looks like the bookies are going to sit on the fence, but love the fact the ‘stats’ predict a 14th place finish. it will all change of course, but still interesting to see our form and a best ever ranking! surely 2 fromt hose teams won’t pick up 8 points and we should pick up at least 9 points with the games we have. it will still be nervy though, still 8 games left, keep the faith.
stearman berra awesome today, get mouyokolo fit and i think we won’t need to buy a CB in the summer.
Great performance, and how lovely to win at Villa Park. At least 2 bonus points gained, yet, so frustratingly we still find ourselves in the bottom three!
Looking at the home games coming up, I believe we can do it though. Agree about Foley. He always has been Mr Consistent, we just happen to be blessed with two very good right backs. If only Zubar could play on the left.
Once again, at the business part of the season, we looked to have found the settled side that can hopefully save us. The whole midfield looked class yesterday. O’Hara and Hammill have breathed fresh life into us going forward.
The most annoying thing now? A fucking international break!!
Here here Rich – I hate the f*cking international break!
(and FA cup!)
At least we can watch Jarvis rip the welsh to streads!
Zubar is out for the season with a back injury now!
Rich.answer to your question is Zubar can play leftback ,he’s left footed
as far as i know so he could play there.
Don’t know why he dose’nt play him there what have we got to lose when
fit.?
Great take on the game and individual performance Thomas. Indeed we have arrived. The run in looks better all the time with Albi*n and Blackburn the two cup finals.
I’d add Blues onto that list of cup finals mate.
They look like they’re deep in the brown stuff at the moment and they’ve got to go to Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham still this season.
Given the remaining fixtures, the players Wolves have available and our general upturn in form, it would be criminal to go down from here. But with Wolves, anything is possible.
Tony Gayle has us to stay up on SSN with 40pts,with Albion, blackpool and wigan going down. That’d do! Would be interesting to see how our predictions for the run-in are going mate.can’t remember many predicting a villa win. i know I didn’t
Yep forgot the about Blues Thomas and had no idea of their run in. Looks like a proper stinker for them.
Jarvis has his reward for Saturday, 3 points and an England call up. Great news but if we go down he’s def gone now!!!
Wonderful wonderful wonderful! Now I hear Marty is in the England squad too. What a great end to the weekend. All I need is Katy Perry to crawl out of my wardrobe with my Mexican wrestling mask on her head and Jarvis 17 on her back and i’ll be in heaven. Baby you’re a firework!
I see you were watching Dancing on Ice before MOTD2 Ben.
Fuck me. You should call yourself john starkey mate! Yes I was! And my predoctive text said Marty, sorry. Shame my wife has now got This is Essex on. Quite ironic, as I’d love to suck the nutrients from an Essex giwl’s gstring right now,such is my utter state of euphoria. This win is more joyousus than any other this season for me. Can’t explain why,but it just feels it. Might be the blossom hill talking
Great result and what a performance by all in old gold and black!!
Just saw this on the sky website-
‘Wolves winger Matt Jarvis has been rewarded for his fine form this season with a call-up to the England squad.’
And some great comments by fans from other teams-
Darryl Smith (Gillingham fan) says…
Great to see matty get called up. Always thought he was going to do well when I saw him break through at gillingham. He’s improved loads at wolves and has been giving all the premiership full backs the run around this year.
Glenn Wisdom (Gillingham fan) says…
Congratulations Matty, very proud that an ex Gills player will be representing our country. Capello ain’t got much right lately but can’t find much wrong with this squad selection. A midfield of Jarvis, Parker, Wilshere and Lennon would terrify the Welsh. No doubt will have to put up with Lampard and Barry playing the ball sideways for 45 minutes though.
Gareth Minton (Chelsea fan) says…
Really good to see Matt Jarvis in the squad – one of the better wingers in the PL at the moment. Would like to have seen Richard Stearman in there too as he has got to be one of the brightest young English defenders around. Hope his time will come soon!
Richard Allwood (Liverpool fan) says…
delighted to see jarvis get the call up he deserves, but i’m confused to see carroll and lescott in since both haven’t been playing much recently.
I’m very happy for him. Lets hope that he gets a run out and doesn’t just warm the bench. Maybe he won’t get a look in for the Wales game? But hopefully he can prove his worth for the friendly at least!
At 36 years of age this is the first time I can actually remember us beating the Villa.
It feels great.
Once upon a time there was a tavern where we used to raise a glass or two, or three or four…
Where we used to while away the hours thinking of the things we used to do…
Those were the days my friend we are the North Bank end we’d sing and chant for ever and a day
we’d live the live we choose we’d fight and never lose we are The Wolves oh yes we are The Wolves la la la la la la la la la la la la laaa la la la la…
I plagarised this from the E & S web blog site thing and changed a few words to wot we used to sing, but very good sentiments.
Havent seen the match yet, they are not showing it until 2.00 pm Wednesday, can you believe it?, but a brilliant, brilliant win.
Once again, I have to ask, and not having seen the match there may be a valid reason, but why was Ward brought on????
Still FOMM, still not happy with him.
It still hasn’t sunk in how massive a result a win at Villa was…
If we go to Newcastle, a side in poor form, and do the same we are practically safe.
Credit to all concerned at the club, especially the players who haven’t stopped working or believing.
Work still to do, but well done!
Got a short-term work posting to a place with no internet/cable TV, so I missed the match – couldn’t even get a preddo posted beforehand. Will have to make do with a replay.
Sounds like a great performance though. From Thomas’s blog, nigh on everyone played out of their skin (but surprise surprise no-one made the Garth Crooks ‘team of the week’!)
Well played the lads! Maybe I should not watch more often?!?
You’re right KW. I fucking hate Garth Crooks mate. How he has ever become a “pundit” I’ll never know.
Garth Crooks is the most lexically incoherent moron I’ve ever had the misery of listening to! Agree totally. Whoever has to listen to the moron deserves my sympathy. Would prefer to listen to Essex girls!
I second that sentiment on Crooks – complete w@nker. I remember booing him from the old South Bank while he was warming up in front of the empty, condemned Waterloo Road stand (now Billy Wright) for Charlton I think?
Out of the mouth of babes though, my Missus once saw him on Final Score and in all seriousness asked me “Is that Rhyno from the Gladiators?” – I laughed so hard a bit of wee came out!
Nobody has got it yet!!!!!!!!!!!!
MMWGBTS
What’s the betting on Jarvo starting?
Maybe Crappello will finally get HIS tactics right, and play a winger who can cross to a big target man to score, or knock down to Rooney………..or Jarvo steaming inside to benefit from his own cross!!!
Now that would be something!!!!
Hope his England debut( if it happens this weekend) is as spectacular as Lord Stephen’s!!!!!
FOMM
Mick McCarthy’s Ward Gets Booed To Shit?