With all this gale force weather whipping up one or two headlines in recent days, there’s been little mention of lightning striking in the same place twice in the past 24 hours.
For us fans of a gold and black persuasion, changeable conditions have been something of the norm in recent times but in beating Blackburn Rovers 1-0 at Ewood Park, a bolt from the heavens flashed through my mind.
Roughly a year ago Wolves suffered a mid-season blip with just one win in seven – including that TV shocker at Gillingham – as one or two clouds threatened a downpour.
Enter Nouha Dicko in the window, a manager settled on his best side and we responded with nine straight wins and a League One title cakewalk.
Sure, few can realistically expect similar silverware come May, but roll the clock forward from then and the similarities are striking.
A recent run of five straight miserable defeats has been followed with 13 points from a possible 15 and the impending arrival of another jet-heeled forward in the window, this time Benik Afobe.
The sun has certainly got his hat on after this impressive scalp in Lancashire and the outlook can only be a good one as Kenny Jackett appears to at last settle on his preferred starting XI.
Where our team lacked cohesion in November, we now boast partnerships all over the pitch, as McDonald is reunited with Price, Stearman with Batth and Dicko with Sako, before the latter departed for Mali duty.
And in Kortney Hause and Dominic Iorfa, we have been supplemented with two of the most exciting young break-through acts since the class of Keane and co.
So good are they of late that Matt Doherty and Scott Golbourne would not get a look in today, whether 100% fit or not.
David Edwards’ winner in our third successive away triumph was testament to our wonderful new full-backs and that rock solid partnership between them.
Where we were once porous we are now resolute and despite Sako departing for Africa we still boast enough pace and guile to attack with menace when the time arrives.
In this case, it was just after half-time when Edwards ran from deep to collect a Dicko pass and smash a low shot into the net.
The floodgates really should have opened after that, with Batth missing a great chance with his head, Dicko smashing against the bar and van La Parra squandering his now obligatory open goal opportunity.
As one work European colleague succinctly told me and my UK colleagues the other week:
‘In England, you say if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.
‘In Europe we say if it isn’t broke, then let’s keep looking to make improvements regardless.’
If one criticism can be made of Kenny Jackett this season, it’s that he did neither up until now.
George Saville and Tommy Rowe offered no advancement on the Price / McDonald partnership that previously blossomed, likewise the preference for Ebanks-Landell over Stearman.
The blue skies that now appear on the horizon after yesterday’s marvellous win suggests these improvements are bona fide.
So what for a forecast from now until May?
Now a mini-storm has passed, the prospects for warmer temperatures around Molineux are looking good!
Hi Ben,
Are you and Thomas available for a quick sniffter at the Park View on Saturday against Blackpool, it would be great to get together again and have a heads up and perhaps take the opportunity to discuss burning issues.
There are a few of us intending to be there and obviously it’s open to any other bloggers in the vicinity that match, we shall be there about midday and will endeavour to put the world to right.
StuWolf
🙂
Hi StuWolf. I hope you’re well mate. I’m pretty sure I’m away for the game so will be struggling to make it. I’ll let you know beforehand though, maybe in the prediction blog but I’m 99% sure i’m on a family break.
Great result I’ve booked Saturday off looking forward to a good game I hope the transfer of the lad from Arsenal goes through ok and Moxey doesn’t try and short change the lad when it comes to wage ie Dehort the one from Wigan pay him what he’s worth Jez..!
Your report pretty much sums it up for me. Great result, well deserved and the Afobe signing looks inspired. Back in August I forecast a top six finish this term, and I must admit that despite my eternal optimism, by late November, doubts were flooding my mind. But now, my, and the team’s, confidence is fully restored and I’ll make the long trip to Molineux next week with a massive spring in my step. Life is good!!!
Fantastic result.
Together with the signing reported today it augers well for the future.
I’m daring to consider the possibility of promotion again.
Good result and hope we can build on this for the rest of the season.
Just hope that Moxey does not screw the signing of Afobe who looks as though he could be a class act.
Also like to wish good luck to Kevin Foley who has apparently joined up with Solbaken at Copenhagen. Always gave us 100% when he played.
Jackett and the team deserve all the praise after passing thru that bad phase and keeping resolute and coming back with results. They deserve our admiration for that. Keep working hard lads, stick together and we will always keep the faith in you all. Come on you Wolves !!
There has to be a way to bottle the euphoria of a Wolves win.
A miserable, cold, damp Houston weekend, prolonged by a Sunday kick off, was instantly blown away at 10 of the clock yesterday morning by the result from Ewood Park.
Instant sunshine, and a shit eating grin all day!
And, today, to cap it all, Benny Boy back writing blogs!
Welcome home, young man, we’ve missed your journalistic skills and rapier wit ( I was right last May, you are a fuckin’ pirate!!)
Another away win, another clean sheet and another three points in the pot.
I predicted we would finish in the top 2, and I stand by that.
To quote (once again) Jim Belushi in “Taking Care of Business”
Fuckin’ A!!
Thanks Ben,
It was windy and cold at Blackburn, but I was warmed by the performance and the result.
So sorry to hear you wont be able to join us on Saturday, but I am sure you are clearing your diary for the 2nd May.
I have just read that Wolves have confirmed today that Kevin Foley is moving to Denmark to join up with Stale Solbakken at FC Copenhagen.
Words runneth over Ben particularly re our new full backs.
The feel good factor is back ! all we need is for us to show the world that we can close a deal on our new striker ..
Great almost pivotal result under pressure from Norwich who somehow won at Bounmouth..
The fixtures coming suggest that we can climb the league too with real momentum in our favour..
I’m pleased that Edwards scored although it seems that we could of had at least 4 ..missed chances particularly by VLP….
but hey.. I fancy us against Fulham and if we conclude Afobe who looks fantastic then it really could be a season of two halfs..
Even the U21s look good..
COYW
Jackett has said that the club do not want to sell Bakary Sako but would consider it if a Premier League team came in for him.
Does that mean that a Premier League team is interested already, and that Kenny is warning us off that Sako is on his way out?
Could be that signing someone like Afobe may encourage Bakary to feel his best option would be to stay just where he is.
Ben
thanks for the quick response, family first always, you never ever get that time back if it’s lost, it was only a thought just in case you had’nt seen all the chatter going on about a meet up of ALL our bloggers that can make it, to see old faces and get to know new ones.
If Thomas is free we can chat to him and he can bring you up to speed, it’s always difficult trying to cram everything in that you want to say on the site, a lot easier face to face.
Your report on e state of play at the Molineux is spot on,
I said a few games ago after going through that dark period that “we were mirroring last season,” this time it was forced upon us by two absolutely devastating injuries and an unusual loss of form and confidence from two of our usually sound defenders.
Dicko’s pulled hamstring and Golbourn’s fascialitis was the determining factor to our sudden loss of form, this put extra pressure on the back four due to the complete lack of any sort of competent forwards. Danny Bhatt who was our talisman suddenly had 3 horrible penalty decisions go against him in three consecutive games and his confident approach to match saving tackles plummeted, this heaped extra pressure on Stearman who I thought was unfairly given the blame for Danny’s loss of confidence resulting in Stears getting dropped.
Fast forward a shed load of goals against, Kenny tinkering and Dicko back in action, lo and behold we were back on form, the two lofty sensations at full back allowing Danny and Stears to mentor during the games, thus taking their minds off what they had to do and hey presto, mini crisis over.
Now we’ve got the Dicko mark 2 trying to agree terms and then talk of Ben Pringle who I am assuming will be MacDonald mark 2 bubbling away in the back ground and all of a sudden we’re looking hot.
Now, take a look at the next 6-8 games and wow, the potential to achieve last years dizzy heights does not seem so crazy.
I personally, would sacrifice Price for Pringle if it’s true, Edwards for Afobe and with those two brilliant supporting actors on the Bench Kenny has what he was after all along.
Onwards and upwards.
Ticket office was heaving this morning with people buying 2-3-4 tickets at a time for the Blackpool match, so it appears we are back in the groove again.
🙂
Stu,
Your third paragraph captures it exactly. Sadly, I was one of those bemoanig Stearman, but as you know he has really shut me up and I am liking what I am seeing. I missed the quite obvious reasons which you just brought to my attention.
Good to hear it could be a full house(ish) Saturday, and if I wasn’t driving home directly afterwards I would get there early seeing as you said you’re on the bell!
See you Saturday mate.
Hi Ben & Thomas, great result at Blackburn and further confirmation that we are recovering our best form. Afobe looks an amazing signing, but it’s not over till the fat lady sings. We need the ink dry on the contract. How many times have we ‘almost’ signed a striker? Good work by everyone concerned to take us up to this point with Afobe though. We are definitely on the right track with him. He’s a better prospect to my mind than Callum Wilson.
Fond farewell to Kevin Foley. I really hope to see him in the Champions League with FC Copenhagen. With both McCarthy and Jackett, it seems to come down to ‘horses for courses’ with players. McCarthy reckoned the likes of Doyle, Doherty, Foley (the Irish mob at the Mol!) and Jackett clearly doesn’t. I wonder how Jackett would have handled Sam Vokes? I sort of feel Jackett would have got the best out of Vokes.
I find it very interesting that of our ex players, still plying their trade in the Prem, only Jarvis is with a team in the top half, and he cannot hold down a first team place.
Henry, Fletcher, Jones, Kightly, Vokes and probably more I cant remember, are all with struggling clubs.
Not wishing any of those mentioned ill will, but I much prefer our present squad without any of them in it!!
And I still say Foley’s head is way out of proportion to his body!!
FOwb
theDOOGooder is away at present.
Please leave a message and I will get back to you when I can.
PS. Taking the aged parent back to Wales today and with a client all day tomorrow.
PPS. Great result, great performance, great signing!
PPPS. See you all Saturday.
Message: Mine’s a coke, I’m driving.
Great result! Side looking more settled again. Better, better, better!!!
I like the Euro saying: “… if it isn’t broke, keep making improvements regardless”. Hadn’t heard that before, but please pass that on to Morgan and Moxey at your next audience with them Ben.
They definitely need to take heed, and keep bringing in better players so we keep improving the squad, even if the current selection isn’t broken. We need to keep improving if the EPL is truly their ambition.
After all, if the current form continues, we may be in the top 6 again in a week or two!
Go Wolves!!!
AND ON THE 8TH DAY THE LORD CREATED DANGEROUS DAVE AND THE BRETHREN FLOCKED TO THE TEMPLE (OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MOLINEUX) AND PAID HOMAGE. AND DAVE WAS FOISTED BEFORE THE THRONG. BEELZEBUB WAS CAST AWAY TO THE HEINOUS FESTERING FILTH THAT IS SANDWELL AND ALL WAS GOOD. Well not too bad for a Monday night. FWAW !!
I don’t know what relish you use on your Cheeseburger, but can I have rhe recipie.
Classic Feckin classic.
Heinous festering filth eh, pure class.
Nice one cyril, nice one son, nice one cyril, please, let’s have another one.
🙂
Sorry I`ve not contributed lately.
Great result.
Terrific summary Ben, thanks.
COME ON YOU WOLVES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wolves news now saying We are in for the 22 year old Man U starlet, Zeki Fryers a Defender currently on loan with Crystal Palace???????
Also, Leeds have sold a defender to Rotherham, if memory serves me right that’s the second on they’ve bagged. Are they paving the way forBen Pringle?????
I blinking hope so.
Is Kenny pulling out his masterplan at the perfect time. A Masterclass in management it seems.
“If it ain’t broke keep making improvements regardless”
🙂
Just gone out on E&S
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2015/01/13/transfer-rumours-january-13-2/?
Couldn’t imagine whyhe would ever go to Fulham, Happy days
🙂
A shorter distance to move? I am not overly concerned if he does not come our way, but he would certainly add to the talent we currently have at the back.
Thanks for your comments stu wolf. I was in the pub watching coventry v swindon when natalie sawyer came on as presenter. Whenever i see natalie it sends me in to a state of euphoria and that blog post above was the result. Plus the fact i’d sunk six pints of lager.Always try to have a laugh when i post on here. Best wishes to all fellow wolves fans on here.
Cheeseburger.
I know where your’e coming from now. Jeff Stelling does exactly the same for me.
Keep up the bostin werk cocka.
🙂