As mysteries go, working out how Santa navigates Rudolph before squeezing down the chimney has nothing on how Wolves won at Blackpool last night.
There would have been plenty of pondering amongst us as we stumbled up the stairs but a warm, fuzzy glow of delight this morning suggests we’ve had the best present we could have hoped for.
If it wasn’t for a weekend of last minute shopping, we could kick back, put our feet up and watch the other results come in with a glow of self-satisfaction.
In many ways, the context of this latest win is the most preferable one of all in the modern day fixture calendar.
The performance however, left a lot to be desired and showed a national audience just how far away we are from being a promotion challenging side.
Aside from the first 15 minutes, we were absolutely hopeless and could have had no complaints if we’d lost by five.
We were outnumbered in midfield, outplayed in the wide positions and isolated for long periods up front.
Positionally, Ward was found wanting and while he won’t be the last full back Tom Ince will terrorise, he will have been one of the first to offer such space to the Guv’nor’s son.
Aside from an impressive first five minutes, Doumbia was awful once again and Doyle regressed back to his anonymous worst.
On the positive side, David Davis was hugely impressive when coming off the bench and played a big part in our second goal, steadying the ship before opening up the play for Sako to attack. He also threaded a beautiful through ball to Ebanks Blake before a bobble deprived him a hat-trick.
Sylvan worked harder than we’ve seen for some time, taking his first goal well and in Ikeme we had a man mountain who made sublime save after save.
And for the first time I can remember this season, we got a decision from a referee that can be classified as debateable. Good.
In summing up, it is probably easier to analyse Blackpool skipper Ian Evatt’s response to a question about our promotion credentials in the Sky studio.
For a brief moment as he furrowed his brow, it looked like he’d been asked to explain how reindeers fly.
Agree massively on Doumbia. Him and Henry remind me of the time that Mad Mick bought Quashie. Like then, this combination is too immobile, lack ability on the ball and both like operating in the same area. Davis was much more combative and was very calm on the ball and made positive passes. Until O’Hara returns my view is that we still need to either drop Doyle a lot deeper, or sacrifice a striker for another Central Midfielder. We aren’t going to get lucky many times with that kind of performance, although obviously delighted with the three points and if we can learn a few lessons then we should comfortably stabilise ourselves in mid-table. I don’t think we can hope for much better this season.
I read The Electronic Telegraph report yesterday, and it went on and on about how wonderful Ince played, and how he’s gonna be snapped up by Liverpool, or Barcelona or whoever, but virtually nothing about the team that actually won the game.
I will take ugly wins like this all season long, instead of having a headline grabbing prima donna in the team, and losing.
Just like losing all the time becomes habitual, so does winning, and more importantly, having the winning mentality.
We are a long way from being a good side, perhaps Mad Mick can help us there by taking his crap purchases to Portman Road on his coach back there next weekend, but winning unexpectedly on the road is huge.
ALL that matters is 3 points at the end of every game. We get nothing for style and grace and beautiful football, the record books will only show the results, so although we were crap, we won, and thats all there is to it.
I would now like to wish all of you lot on the blog a sincere Merry Christmas from deep in the heart of Texas, and hope all your New Years dreams come true.
On behalf of myself and the Wolves Bloggers I thank you for your kind seasonal thoughts and wish you the same.
I haven’t received my present yet though – are you sure you have my right address?
I got you a gift, I got your correct address, but I didnt have enough pocket money left to buy stamps, so, perhaps next year, eh??
Thanks Clive and for all your posts, which have often been little sparks of light, on dark days.
If you like, jazz, good music, I suggest a present to yourself of Van Morrison’s latest Album entitled: “Born to Sing. No Plan B.”
And well done Ikeme, as Hamlet pointed out, we do produce some great goalies.
Maybe MM will give us a new year present and take Ward to Ipswich!
As you say the 3 points will be remembered not the performance.
Merry Crimble to Ben, Thomas and all the rest of my fellow bloggers!
Merry Christmas to you all too! Cheers Robin, Doog and everyone. It doesn’t feel like 5mins ago since we were wishing everyone a happy Christnas last year!
Thanks to you lot posting, the time definitely flies!
Earlier in the week I was looking at a match report for when Wolves beat Man Utd 1-0 in 2004. Amongst the substitutes that day, a certain Carl Ikeme.
How pleasing then that after twiddling his thumbs for the best part of a decade, he’s now reaping the rewards. For me he’s right up there with Sako and perhaps Johnson as our player of the season to date. Not that it’s a great contest.
In fact I don’t think we should say we were ‘lucky’ last night, I think we should say we had a superb goalkeeper who effectively won us the game. There was nothing lucky about his performance.
Agreed we were dire in possession throughout and yes, Ward was guilty of giving Ince far too much respect (although credit for an important block second half). But I do think the early goal always meant we’d have to weather a storm. We’re just not good enough to go on and dominate the game.
We should accentuate the positives though (not enough of that goes on here).
Aside from Ikeme, I thought Johnson was solid throughout and kept us well organised at set pieces.
Ebanks-Blake looked a threat and could have had another two goals.
Sako did nothing for 85 minutes but still effectively won us the game by making something happen with the penalty.
And yes credit for David Davis, a player I’ve continually questioned this season. When he came on, you realised just how anonymous Doumbia had been.
The form is still patchy and yes it’s hardly champagne football, but considering there were many on here saying we were heading for League One a few weeks ago, I think we should indulge ourselves with a smile…at least until Boxing Day.
Spot on Thomas! Ikeme was outstanding and I had my doubts at the beginning of the season – how wrong I was! Let’s not pretend we were the better team yesterday but it was a great win against a strong Blackpool side so you’ll hear no complaints from me that’s for sure!
Hoping for a big smile on Boxing Day. Haven’t been to God’s Golden Acre since we lost to the unmentionables, so would be cathartic to see us win and help the memory fade a little more!
Miracles do happen at xmas then! I listened on WM, it was like the alamo or Custer’s last stand, other than the first 10-15 minutes and after Davis came on!
Ince must’ve muffed at least 3 gilt edged chances, I had a feeling that Blackpool just would’nt score!
It sounded like a big hearted performance, but yet again there seemed to be a lack of structure to our play; last gasp defending & a reliance on superb keeping, poor finishing & flashes of brilliance by Sakko & SEB.
One of the commentators said that in previous Wolves outings it seemed that the players were plotting against Solbakken so poor where they. But last night it was all heart & commitment.
Great to have a win but when are we going to enjoy a team that can enjoy sustained periods of pressure & keeping the ball? The players make it so hard for themselves, we must have the most overworked defence in this league. Ikeme, Berra, Johnson & Foley were the names you kept hearing, where were the others?
Doumbia was not mentioned in the 2nd half until he was subbed. I really hope that this signals that Davis can perform at this level. We really need him & Forde to become players & kick us on.
40 points, is that achieveable in the 2nd half of the season? If it is the play offs could be a spring miracle, & it all began at Christmas!
Great result!
Great performance by Ikeme!
Great prediction by my good self!
As Clive says “I will take ugly wins like this all season long”.
Happy Christmas to all my fellow Wolves fans!
It’s time to eat my words before Christmas dinner. SEB played very well and I sincerely hope he keeps it up. Must admit my heart sank when Kevin Phillips came on, I think we should have bought him a few seasons back just to stop him scoring against us, that alone would have been worth a couple of million. Anyway a great game to watch and a fantastic result so it’s a Merry Xmas from me to all Wolves fans and our team.
My heart did likewise WW! For one horrid split second, I actually thought Baptiste was Phillips! If their lad had crossed at the end at 1-2, I shudder to think what might have happened! Phew…
We’re a team in transition, as evidenced by our lurches from a superior but losing side to one clinical and robust enough to win when we should lose. Anyone demanding either promotion or Stale out is an idiot.
Hope to see a big turnover of players in jan, which will again unsettle the team and cause wildly inconsistent performances.
Bear with it.
UTW
At last I call a result right. Thank you Carl what a great game. Yes I will take a lucky win any day. Maybe just maybe this will open Moxpox eyes though that it doesnt matter how you try to talk it up. We need some talent.
Merry Christmas Greetings to friends and Wolves fans everywhere from way upstate New York………….woweee we got the snow last night. Now wheres me bloody snowblower.
PS Times like this I get a bit nostalgic and remember Holiday days at the Mol blurred with the rosy glow of Christmas spirit
Well actually being legless.
Great win but miles away from a good performance. We’ll play a lot better and lose but I’ll take the 3 points anyday. It’ll be a miracle if we make the play offs.
Merry Crinklebeer fellow bloggers.
Hurrah, my second prediction on this blog and I was spot on! I get points, right? 😉
I went out for festive drinks last night and was pleasantly surprised to see the game on telly, leaving my mates to talk amongst themselves whilst I cheered and shouted at the game. A little awkward in a Sheffield pub where everyone was having a drink and ignoring the game but hey, I enjoyed it.
It was surprising we actually came out of the game with a win. Blackpool were evidently the stronger team and Ikeme did a fantastic job keeping out several attempts that were probably deserved. But a win’s a win, hope to see a few more but more hoping that our performance improves so that the wins we do get are actually deserved.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Great start to Xmas period.hopefully we can keep it going. 9 points from 12 is decent form. We’re winning when not playing great. Looking forward to O’hara’s return. Should have plenty of quality at this level.we need that spice in the midfield. The worry is m+m will say all is well at molineux and January will pass us by again . Worrying talk bout Cassidy going out on loan again. One step forward , two steps back on the loanees front. I hope they don’t use Ikeme as a justification for this policy of constant loan spells. They’re our players , they have talent. Let’s use them. Jake Cassidy is exactly what we’re looking for. But we’re all blue in the face from saying it.hopefully mick does us a favour and takes a few guys. I’m feeling positive about the new year.
its worrying how easily the team surrender the initiative to the opposition. much like our performances in the Premiership, we retreat and retreat, until we spend the game just defending around the box, and relying on the goalkeeper when all else fails, no steel in midfield and no fight. and few ideas up front.
thankfully Johnson and Berra playing ok.
great 3 points, but lets not kid ourselves. performance was dire and we won’t get away with results like that too often after such displays.
i would love to see real quality come in during January, but our record in the past says it just won’t happen.
Ikeme is without doubt an absolute top class keeper and the best we have at the club in my opinion. And he only got into the team in the end because there was nobody else fit or available.
Sent out on loan to no less than 8 different clubs because the awful management of our club thought him not good enough. Little wonder we are where we are, going nowhere fast.
Yes – I think we are fortunate he is such a loyal servant to the club. Most others would have moved on by now. He’s been a revelation and has been responsible for many of the points we have managed to accumulate.
If we bought a youngster who had scored 10 for a division one club we’d be looking forward to seeing what he could do in the championship – why not Cassidy?
Like other bloggers I am concerned that little will happen in the transfer window yet last night’s match showed we are a long way from being promotion material.
I guess a more optimistic fan would talk about 3 points when playing crap but for me its more a case of the first half looking like a prem team against a league 2 side in the FA cup. Still a very welcome 3 points, onwards and upwards.
Much much to do over the season and next 2 transfer windows.
Merry Xmas all.
A bit harsh overall, Ben. Yes we rode our luck but you must expect them to come onto us as the home team. Agree 100% on Doumbia, serious potental waste of £3m, looked totally out of it. Generally a hard fought win though, I thought.
Next time I’m in Blackpool is 5th January supporting Tettenhall Wolf in a ballroom dancing competition at the Winter Gardens. A similar result would be nice!
The worrying thing is, that isn’t some kind of cryptic joke :-/
Dont think it was quite that bad though we have still got a problem with ball retention and look short in central midfield. Ikeme was great Davis and Pennent good. Didnt think Ward made a bad job sheperding young Ince when consider you cant dive in these days and he made one great last ditch tackle.
If i was Stale i would consider going 4-3-3 unstead of 4-2-4 perhaps resting Doyle next game.
A difficult one with Pennant.
He is totally anonymous for most of his loan period and then puts in a decent performance towards the end.
Is that to secure a cushy extension to the loan or am I being cynical?
A wins a win. Masses of holes in the defence/ midfield though. Onwards and upwards.
Best Christmas and New Year wishes to all Wolves fans throughout the world.
Pleased that my prediction was wrong. Ikeme was excellent, SEB looked like he gave a sh!t (for a change) and the defenders (bar Ward) were decent. Hopefully Davis’ cameo was a sign of things to come.
Posh just shared nine goals with Notlob so Wednesday’s match could be a high-scoring affair.
Performance wise we was shite,but we scored more goals than them so thats why we got the points and thats what counts.Ikeme was class and in my opinion is our no1 keeper.Ebanks looked back to his old self long ma it remain as long as he keeps off the turkey.
on the down side it just speaks volumes how inadequate we really are.
I hope come january we get some players in who can play a bit, lets spend some of that 30 mil
he has in the coffers.Won’t be here for the posh game so lets have more of the same please,ps i mean the points not to botherde about the performance.UTW
At this point in the season I’ll take the points regardless of the performance. We’ve played much better several times this season and ended up losing/drawing about 5 times.
The performances will improve as the pressure becomes less and players become more relaxed with their individual responsibilities within the team. We are 2 wins off the play-offs don’t forget. As ever UTW !!!!
performance not the best but there seems a sense of self belief and confidence both of which have been missing for quite a while..long way from a proper team but going in the right direction. were in the championship for at least another season but ill take that IF stalle is given the funds to rebuild…enter jez stage door right !!
A lot about how we were lucky and outplayed etc etc but I for one couldn’t care less. We were put on the road to a defeat by a terrible decision against Boro so when we get a good shout and in our case it was a definite infringement and purely for the fact ‘he started it outside the area’ as their manager said, is cynical enough for a penalty and a red in my book.
Game wise I am really chuffed for Carl Ikeme who has kept faith with a club that at times have not seemed to give him a fair crack of the whip, I always doubted whether he would step up to the mark when Hennessey got injured and I suppose that in part is due to not having had him at the club much. Last night was one of the best goalkeeping displays over 90 minutes that I have seen in many a year. He was dominant in all ways and so composed. Even when we were truly under the hammer his calmness was what struck me. I don’t remember any of our keepers showing such composure under the cosh like that and it gave a sense that we could win this one. SEB was great but there were quite a few AWOL displays including Doyler, Doumbia, Sako for most of the game. Pennant as someone earlier pointed out is a strange one. He appeared to do the most ridiculous things followed by some really good stuff. I don’t think it will really work for him at Wolves.
Snow is due here tomorrow along with another 3 points on boxing day so happy xmas to all who follow the Old Gold and here’s to a great second half of the season. Let’s get behind Stale and the boys and have some patience while he brings about a new system with hopefully some decent additions in the January window
UTW
well said norsk of the norwegan personage…twas a truly brilliant display..henners will struggle to get back in the side if he puts in more performances like that one!
Living in Wales I’ve just read the Foxes v Bluebirds report and it was just as one sided as our match on Fri. The Foxes had non-stop pressure, hit the bar twice, the post once and 2 shots kicked off the line, and somewhere amongst this one way traffic Bellamy nicked the decisive goal. See it’s not just WW who had a bit of luck this weekend. As ever UTW !!!!
A Wolves win makes such a difference to a weekend, and even more so when it happens on a Friday night. No Sky in this household so had to rely on live text alerts on the mobile but still managed to share the tension towards the end. So pleased SEB is getting back to his previous form, his performances earlier in the season have certainly come up short but would genuinely be disappointed to see him in a blue and white kit in late January.
Has anyone else been watching Frimpong’s efforts at Charlton, though I like many others was desperate for his return I note he is still not playing a full 90 minutes and didn’t make it off the bench one week; his name is not making the match reports, so perhaps he really isn’t fit yet. As things haven’t worked out for him, or for Charlton lately, I wonder if he will stay?
My work network prohibits posts to this site so you don’t hear from me much but still read every post so keep up the good work Ben & Thomas and here’s to a golden Christmas for all you bloggers.
my accountant is a big charlton fan and said he is struggling to make an impact mainly due to his team mates not being of a great standard an thus being unable to read what he is trying to do so maybe he would relish coming back to the wolves?
And our lot WILL be able to read what he’s trying to do???
We do have good players! Just that we have them and followed them for the last 3-4 years and saw them loose so many matches. But other teams that don’t watch them much see the players we have and that’s the difference.
UTW!
youd have hoped so..charlton still have the side from div 1 mostly …so do we !!
Cheers Ledbury! Are you still above water down there?! Happy Christmas mate
well said norsk ..henners will struggle to get back in the side if he keeps putting in performances like that one !
Stalle gave a rather Mcarthy like comment when he said the pace of Blackpools wingers caused us problems. Well hey ho thats been the problem for about 5 years, and Ward gave yet another display showing further evidence he isn`t good enough even in the championship.
Not enough pace, mobility or physicallity, reasons we got relegated, and reasons we are struggling this season. I have egg on face as I predicted a 3-0 defeat, so take th epoints and move on.
Most of our problems with Blackpool were caused by them having about 70% possession of the ball. Keep trying to see for myself why many on this site think Ward is so much worse than the other Wolves players and have concluded it could just be a bandwagon.
Ps I do agree with Clive vis-a-vis Foley’s head and his body.
Thankfully the world didn’t end, would be just our luck to hit form after the world has ended! Those Mayans are full of s**t , wonder if Morgan or moxey are of Mayan descent ???? Happy Xmas to all fellow bloggers and wolves faithful.
The decline of the Mayan civilisation is a bit of a mystery.
They went from being the most sophisticated, wealthy and successful people to a bunch of peasants in a very short time.
I think your theory about Morgan and Moxey might be right.
The Matt cartoon in the Telegraph is always good for a chuckle. This one in particular…
A sign in a shop window:- “Mayan calendars 50% off!”.
Lets face it we all know what is needed. Can Dumb and Dumber deliver?
Sort it and push on. We are Wolves……get on with it and no excuses.
Clive a MIGHTY FOWB
GREAT , UNEXPECTED 3 POINTS ! NICE EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT CELEBRATED WITH GOOD SCOTTISH WINE !!! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE WHOLE WOLF PACK WORLDWIDE FROM HOLLAND !!! YOU CAN TAKE THE BOY OUT OF WOLVES , BUT YOU CAN’T TAKE WOLVES OUT OF THE BOY !!!! fwaw !!
Dear Thomas and Ben.
I would just like to say what a pleasure it has been for me to discover The Wolves Blog and to be a small part in the cut and thrust of discussion on it.
Thanks to you both for taking the time and trouble to keep it going and take the occasional brickbats that are thrown your way.
Long may you continue.
I hope you, and your families, have a great Christmas and that the New Year brings what we all desperately want…. A lottery win!
But if we can’t have that, a decent Wolves team playing attractive, winning, football: and who knows……. A Wembley play off final would cap it all wouldn’t it!!!!!!
Happy Christmas too all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think I have to stop now because I’m filling up here.
I already filled up……………….the fridge with Boddingtons!
Mother in law, otherwise known as Queen of America arrives today, so I’m gonna need a fridge full of beer just to keep sane!!!!
Has anyone else seen that ad for Turkish Airlines featuring Kobe Bryant and Lionel Messi?
Anyway, I didnt win the lottery, but I’ve got the next best thing, lifelong membership in supporting Wolverhampton Wanderers, and good friends I’ve never met, yet, on this wonderful blog.
That must have cost a packet.
Some of the greatest footballing talent around.
Funny thing – I’ve watched it several times and still can’t see S. Ward Esq.
He should be there, he’s been a passenger most of his career!
A four pack of Boddingtons (4 pints ) costs $6.49 at Randalls supermarket, which is about a pound a pint.
What do you pay over there?
I’ve seen it, was thinking how’d they afford them! Turkish airlines! Who are they! Anyway , looking forward to aer lingus doin one with ward and Paul McGrath
Thanks Doog. It’s been brilliant having you on board! Slightly concerned you appear to be Clive’s kindred spirit mind! It’s always rewarding writing these blogs, albeit challenging at times!
Have a great Christmas mate
I don’t pay anything.
A bit like Royalty I don’t deal in transactions where money changes hands.
The present Mrs DOOGooder sees to all that sort of thing.
Would second Mr DOOGooder’s sentiments blog has given a lot of pleasure even when i get no likes and people think i am just drunk – cheers guys hic.
I’ve just liked you Colin, so there! You too mate. Thanks for all your comments. Keep them coming in 2013! You’ll have even more likes by then!
Our Best win of the season for me.
We played awful and won…
I’ll take it everytime.
Merry Christmas to all the Wolves Family.
Except Moxey !! I hope he chokes on his turkey.
Merry Christmas everyone! 🙂
UTW!
a very happy boxing day to everyone and looking forwaed to supermarkets full of easter eggs next week…mainly in the shape of a mr foleys head
Merry Christmas to both Thomas and Ben along with all the Wolves bloggers. Now settled and loving life living in Oz with my family, I badly miss the banter and every day chat with fellow Wolves fans. The express and star is obviously a good source of news but I did find the bulk (not all) of the fans comments totally frustrating. I love this site and really appreciate all the work you put into it. Thanks guys.
2 – 0 (Doyle and Blake)